Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in a nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia rat model

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a nitrofen-induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) rat model.

Methods

Pregnant rats were exposed to nitrofen on embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5). MSCs were isolated from the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic rat lungs. The MSCs were transplanted into the nitrofen-induced E12.5 rats via the uterine vein, and the E21 lung explants were harvested. The study animals were divided into three: the control group, the nitrofen-induced left CDH (CDH group), and the MSC-treated nitrofen-induced left CDH (MSC-treated CDH group). The specimens were morphologically analyzed using HE and immunohistochemical staining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), surfactant protein-C (SP-C), and α-smooth muscle actin.

Results

The alveolar and medial walls of the pulmonary arteries were significantly thinner in the MSC-treated CDH group than in the CDH group. The alveolar air space areas were larger, while PCNA and the SP-C positive cells were significantly higher in the MSC-treated CDH group, than in the CDH group. MSC engraftment was identified on immunohistochemical staining of the GFP in the MSC-treated CDH group.

Conclusions

MSC transplantation potentially promotes alveolar and pulmonary artery development, thereby reducing the severity of pulmonary hypoplasia.     

Influence of resting before sonographic examination on Doppler measurements of renal blood flow

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension, via increases in plasma renin–angiotensin–aldosterone levels. Renal artery stenosis is diagnosed from blood examinations such as renin activity and from imaging examinations such as sonography. Patients are required to lie on the bed for 30 min before and during phlebotomy, since plasma renin activity is easily altered by posture. However, no such pre‐examination rest is required for sonography. The present study therefore investigated the possible influence of resting before examination on Doppler parameters used for the diagnosis of RAS. Subjects comprised 55 healthy young adults (24 males, 31 females; mean age, 22 ± 1 years). Sonographic measurements were made shortly after subjects entered the examination room and again after 30 min of rest lying on a bed. Median peak systolic velocity in the renal artery was significantly decreased after rest (106 cm/s, interquartile range (IQR) 96–121 cm/s) compared with before rest (120 cm/s, IQR 107–135 cm/s; p < .001). Median acceleration time in the intra‐renal segmental artery was also significantly shorter after rest (49 ms, IQR 38–54 ms) compared to before rest (50 ms, IQR 38–59 ms; p = .039). The present results suggest that serious consideration should be given regarding whether pre‐examination resting is needed to accurately interpret Doppler measurements of renal blood flow when diagnosing RAS from sonography.     

Unravelling the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol catalysed by supported RANEY® Ni–Sn alloy catalysts

Bimetallic Ni–Sn alloys have been recognised as promising catalysts for the transformation of furanic compounds and their derivatives into valuable chemicals. Herein, we report the utilisation of a supported bimetallic RANEY® nickel–tin alloy supported on aluminium hydroxide (RNi–Sn(x)/AlOH; x is Ni/Sn molar ratio) catalysts for the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to 1,4-pentanediol (1,4-PeD). The as prepared RNi–Sn(1.4)/AlOH catalyst exhibited the highest yield of 1,4-PeD (78%). The reduction of RNi–Sn(x)/AlOH with H₂ at 673–873 K for 1.5 h resulted in the formation of Ni–Sn alloy phases (e.g., Ni₃Sn and Ni₃Sn₂) and caused the transformation of aluminium hydroxide (AlOH) to amorphous alumina (AA). The RNi–Sn(1.4)/AA 673 K/H₂ catalyst contained a Ni₃Sn₂ alloy as the major phase, which exhibited the best yield of 1,4-PeD from furfural (87%) at 433 K, H₂ 3.0 MPa for 12 h and from levulinic acid (up to 90%) at 503 K, H₂ 4.0 MPa, for 12 h. Supported RANEY® Ni–Sn(1.5)/AC and three types of supported Ni–Sn(1.5) alloy (e.g., Ni–Sn(1.5)/AC, Ni–Sn(1.5)/c-AlOH, and Ni–Sn(1.5)/γ-Al₂O₃) catalysts afforded high yields of 1,4-PeD (65–87%) both from furfural and levulinic acid under the optimised reaction conditions.

The RANEY® Ni–Sn(x) alloy catalysed the one-pot conversion of biomass-derived furfural and levulinic acid to allow remarkable yield of 1,4-pentanediol (up to 90%) under the mild reaction conditions.     

T cell receptor vβ repertoire of double-negative α/β t cells in patients with systemic sclerosis

Objective. To analyze the T cell receptor V_β gene on double-negative (DN) α/β T cells, which are increased in number, on peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods. The DN α/β T cells were sorted by flow cytometry from PBL obtained from 3 patients with SSc. The V_β repertoire was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction. Results. Only 1 or 2 V_β genes (V_β5/7, 5, or 17) were predominantly expressed on DN α/β T cells from these 3 patients. Conclusion. The V_β repertoire on DN α/β T cells in PBL from patients with SSc is rather restricted.     

Adolescents with chronic hepatitis C might be good candidates for direct‐acting antiviral therapy

Three Japanese adolescents with chronic hepatitis C were treated by direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). No adverse events or laboratory abnormalities were observed during and after DAA therapy, and a sustained virological response was achieved in all cases. The emotional functioning of the patients and their mothers were improved after DAA therapy.     

Relationship between renal function and plasma brain natriuretic peptide in patients with heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), renal function, and the severity of congestive heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND: Both BNP and renal function are prognostic predictors in CHF patients. METHODS: We measured the plasma BNP level in the aortic root and coronary sinus in 366 consecutive patients with CHF. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by the Cockcroft-Gault equation was used as an indicator of renal function. RESULTS: By stepwise multivariate analyses, hemodynamic parameters such as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) but not eGFR were independent predictors of a transcardiac increase (coronary sinus-aortic root) in BNP. Regarding the plasma level of BNP in the aortic root, not only LVEF (p < 0.0001) and LVEDP (p < 0.0001) but also eGFR (p < 0.0001) were independent predictors. Patients were divided into two groups, patients with an eGFR > or =60 ml/min (group 1, n = 229) and patients with an eGFR <60 ml/min (group 2, n = 137). There was no difference in LVEF, LVEDP, or the transcardiac gradient of BNP between the two groups, but the plasma level of BNP in the aortic root was approximately two-fold greater in group 2 than in the group 1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that decreased clearance from the kidney contributes to the elevated BNP in CHF patients with renal dysfunction, especially in patients with an eGFR <60 ml/min.     

The thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) level in serum at an early stage of a drug eruption is a prognostic biomarker of severity of systemic inflammation

Background

In severe drug eruptions, precise evaluation of disease severity at an early stage is needed to start appropriate treatment. It is not always easy to diagnose these conditions at their early stage. In addition, there are no reported prognostic biomarkers of disease severity in drug eruptions. The aim of this study was to test whether the thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) level in serum at an early stage of a drug eruption can serve as a prognostic biomarker of systemic inflammation.