Validation of NIH consensus criteria for diagnosis and severity-grading of chronic graft-versus-host disease

To validate the National Institutes of Health (NIH) consensus criteria for chronic GVHD, we retrospectively reviewed 143 patients who developed GVHD later than 100 days after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Their GVHD was reclassified and the severity was graded according to the criteria. Only four patients (2.8 %) could not be reclassified into any type of GVHD. In the remaining 139 patients, reclassified subtypes were late acute GVHD in 52 patients (37.4 %), classic chronic GVHD in 33 (23.7 %), and overlap syndrome in 54 (38.8 %). Of 87 patients with classic chronic GVHD or overlap syndrome, the severity was graded as mild in 21 patients (24 %), moderate in 53 (61 %), and severe in 13 (15 %). The proportions of moderate (70 %) and severe (20 %) disease were significantly higher in patients with overlap syndrome than those with classic chronic GVHD (46 and 6 %, respectively; P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses of subtypes and severity did not identify any significant prognostic values in any of the transplant outcomes, such as transplant-related mortality, overall survival, GVHD-specific survival, or discontinuation of systemic immunosuppressants. These findings suggest that the NIH consensus criteria are useful for classification of chronic GVHD, but have limited significance in predicting clinical outcomes. The validity of these criteria remains inconclusive, and future prospective studies will be required to refine them.     

Assessment of the estrogenic activities of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) sprout isoflavone extract in ovariectomized rats

Aim:

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) is a traditional Uighur herb. In this study we investigated the estrogenic activities of the isoflavones extracted from chickpea sprouts (ICS) in ovariectomized rats.

Methods:

Ten-week-old virgin Sprague-Dawley female rats were ovariectomized (OVX). The rats were administered via intragastric gavage 3 different doses of ICS (20, 50, or 100 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) for 5 weeks. Their uterine weight and serum levels of 17β-estradiol (E₂), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured. The epithelial height, number of glands in the uterus, and number of osteoclasts in the femur were histologically quantified, and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was assessed immunohistochemically. Bone structural parameters, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) were measured using Micro-CT scanning.

Results:

Treatments of OVX rats with ICS (50 or 100 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) produced significant estrogenic effects on the uteruses, including the increases in uterine weight, epithelial height and gland number, as well as in the expression of the cell proliferation marker PCNA. The treatments changed the secretory profile of ovarian hormones and pituitary gonadotropins: serum E₂ level was significantly increased, while serum LH and FSH levels were decreased compared with the vehicle-treated OVX rats. Furthermore, the treatments significantly attenuated the bone loss, increased BMD, BV/TV and Tb.Th and decreased Tb.Sp and the number of osteoclasts. Treatment of OVX rats with the positive control drug E₂ (0.25 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) produced similar, but more prominent effects.

Conclusion:

ICS exhibits moderate estrogenic activities as compared to E₂ in ovariectomized rats, suggesting the potential use of ICS for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency.     

Structural,interpersonal, psychosocial,and behavioral risk factors for HIV acquisition among female bar workers in Dar es Salaam,Tanzania

In sub-Saharan Africa, female bar workers (FBWs) often serve as informal sex workers. Little is known about the prevalence of HIV and HIV-related risk factors among FBWs in Dar es Salaam (DSM), Tanzania. Using an adapted Structural HIV Determinants Framework, we identified structural, interpersonal, psychosocial, and behavioral risk factors for HIV acquisition. We compared the prevalence of HIV and HIV-related risk factors among a random sample of 66 FBWs from DSM to an age-standardized, representative sample of female DSM-residents from the 2016 Demographic and Health and 2011–2012 AIDS Indicator Surveys. Compared to other women in DSM, FBWs had elevated prevalence of all four groups of risk factors. Key risk factors included gender and economic inequalities (structural); sexual violence and challenges negotiating condom use (interpersonal); depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and low social support (psychosocial); and history of unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, and high alcohol consumption (behavioral). HIV prevalence did not differ between FBWs (7.1%, 95% CI 3.7-13.3%) and survey respondents (7.7%, 95% CI: 5.3-11.1%), perhaps due to FBWs’ higher – though sub-optimal – engagement with HIV prevention strategies. Elevated exposure to HIV-related risk factors but low HIV prevalence suggests economic, psychosocial, and biomedical interventions may prevent HIV among FBWs in DSM.     

Greater impact of oral fluconazole on drug interaction with intravenous calcineurin inhibitors as compared with intravenous fluconazole

Objective Although the drug interaction between fluconazole and calcineurin inhibitors has been established, the influence of the route of fluconazole administration on its drug interaction with calcineurin inhibitors has yet to be fully examined. The aim of the present study is to examine whether different routes of fluconazole administration alter its drug interactions with intravenous calcineurin inhibitors. Methods In 53 recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation receiving calcineurin inhibitors intravenously, steady-state whole-blood levels of cyclosporine A (CsA) or tacrolimus were measured after the route of fluconazole (200 mg/day) administration was switched from intravenous to oral. Results The mean steady-state whole-blood level of CsA or tacrolimus significantly increased after the route of fluconazole administration was switched from intravenous to oral (CsA: to 394 ± 28.4 from 362 ± 17.8 ng/mL; tacrolimus: to 18.8 ± 0.64 from 17.4 ± 0.39 ng/mL, P < 0.05). Conclusion This finding strongly suggests that oral fluconazole has a greater impact on its drug interactions with intravenous calcineurin inhibitors than intravenous fluconazole. Monitoring of blood levels of intravenous calcineurin inhibitors is recommended when the route of fluconazole administration is switched from intravenous to oral.     

石榴花多酚对链脲佐菌素诱发2型糖尿病大鼠糖代谢的影响

目的:研究石榴花多酚(pomegranate flower polyphenol,PFP)对2型糖尿病(type2diabetes mellitus,T2DM)大鼠胰岛素抵抗(IR)作用以及糖代谢的影响。方法:高糖高脂饲料喂养加STZ一次性腹腔注射(45mg.kg-1)建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型。分别以石榴花多酚100,300mg.kg-1干预4周后,检测空腹血糖(Fasting plasma glucose,FPG)、空腹胰岛素水平(Fast-ing insulin,FIns)、血清游离脂肪酸(Free fatty acid,FFA)浓度;白介素-6(Interleukin IL-6);肌糖原(Muscle glycogen,MG)和肝糖原(Hepatic glycogen,HG)含量及糖代谢中关键酶己糖激酶(Hexokinase,HK)和苹果酸脱氢酶(Malic dehydrogenase,MDH)活性。结果:与模型组相比,石榴花多酚各剂量组均可有效降低2型糖尿病大鼠FPG、FIns(P<0.05或P<0.01),显著降低FFA浓度、IL-6浓度和肝脏MDH活性,增加骨骼肌中HK的活性和MG的含量。对HG含量...     

Survol ethnobotanique de quelques plantes utilisées contre la schistosomiase urogénitale à Lubumbashi et environs

For contributing to the assemblage of medicinal plants used against schistosomiasis in Lubumbashi and nearby, a survey was piloted in this area. This ethnobotanic survey involving 43 respondents permitted us to collect information about 61 plants used as anti-schistosomal. These species belong to 55 different genuses distributed among 32 families. The result allows us to know that these anti-schistosomial species are also used in 37 indications, including intestinal worms and malaria. Many parts of these species (bark of roots and stalks, leaves, fruits, seeds, rhizomes) are used in different manners (decoction, infusion, maceration, powder) to make different doses. Different manners of taking prepared medicines are employed: drinking, local application, painting, vapor bath, purgative. Drinking the product remains the most common way of administration.     

Cytomegalovirus reactivation in patients with multiple myeloma

The introduction of novel antimyeloma agents has improved the outcome of multiple myeloma (MM) dramatically. However, it has also led to an increasing incidence of Herpesviridae family virus infections, including a high incidence of post‐transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation after treatment with novel agents. We herein retrospectively assessed the CMV reactivation in all 120 newly diagnosed patients with MM consecutively seen and treated at our hospital. CMV antigenemia tests were ordered in 58 patients depending on the clinical context, and the incidence of CMV reactivation and proven/suspected CMV disease requiring antiviral therapy was 20% (24 of 120) and 11% (13 of 120) respectively, including those without stem cell transplantation (SCT). The clinical and laboratory characteristics of these patients were compared with those in 34 CMV antigenemia‐negative (CMV‐negative) patients. Patients with extramedullary disease or a low absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) had a higher risk of developing CMV reactivation. In addition, the median duration from the time of MM diagnosis to CMV reactivation was 5.0 months. These results suggest that, regardless of whether or not undergoing SCT, elderly patients with MM receiving novel agents should be monitored for CMV reactivation to allow for the timely diagnosis and treatment, especially for those with extramedullary disease.     

Novel benzo[b]thiophene derivatives as new potential antidepressants with rapid onset of action

We report benzo[b]thiophene derivatives synthesized according to a dual strategy. 8j, 9c, and 9e with affinity values toward 5-HT(7)R and 5-HTT were selected to probe their antidepressant activity in vivo using the forced swimming text (FST). The results showed significant antidepressant activity after chronic treatment. 9c was effective in reducing the immobility time in FST even after acute treatment. These findings identify these compounds as a new class of antidepressants with a rapid onset of action.