Age-associated changes in functional response to CXCR3 and CXCR5 chemokine receptors in human osteoblasts

The expression and functional activity of CXC chemokine receptors were evaluated in human osteoblasts (OB) obtained post-trauma from old donors compared to very young donors. It was found that CXCR1 and CXCR4 were only expressed by old but not young donors' cells. In contrast, CXCR3 and CXCR5 were expressed by both young and old donors. We functionally evaluated CXCR3/CXCL10 and CXCR5/CXCL13 receptor/ligand pairs by analysing cell proliferation and the release of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), an enzyme that degrades glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid. CXCL10 and CXCL13 induced a dose-dependent increase of cell proliferation in OB from young donors while cell proliferation of OB in old donors was not affected. By contrast, CXCL10 and CXCL13 induced a significantly higher NAG release in OB from old donors compared to young ones. These data demonstrate a significant age-dependent difference in the response of OB to CXCL10 and CXCL13 stimulation. These chemokines induce an inverse response of OB from old and young donors, which suggests a role of ageing in the modulation of cellular response of bone cells. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The eldest of older adults living with HIV: response and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy

Objective

The study objective was to analyze the characteristics and the response to therapy in the eldest of the older adults living with human immunodeficiency virus.

Methods

The study included a cohort of patients with human immunodeficiency virus aged 55 years or more on initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Immunologic and virologic response, morbidity, and mortality were assessed. Patients were categorized as aged less than 65 years and 65 years or more.

Results

A total of 112 patients were included (82 patients aged < 65 years and 30 patients aged ≥ 65 years). There were no differences between the age groups in baseline characteristics, survival, and virologic response. There was a trend toward better adherence and a lower CD4+ cell increase after HAART in the older group.

Conclusion

A relationship was found between lower CD4+ cell increase after HAART and advanced age. We found the best adherence to treatment in the eldest of the older adults, and this has been shown to be the only protective independent factor related to virologic failure.     

Psychometrics evaluation of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Neuropathy Score (CMTNSv2) second version,using Rasch analysis

Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth Neuropathy Score second version (CMTNSv2) is a validated clinical outcome measure developed for use in clinical trials to monitor disease impairment and progression in affected CMT patients. Currently, all items of CMTNSv2 have identical contribution to the total score. We used Rasch analysis to further explore psychometric properties of CMTNSv2, and in particular, category response functioning, and their weight on the overall disease progression. Weighted category responses represent a more accurate estimate of actual values measuring disease severity and therefore could potentially be used in improving the current version. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antibacterial and Anti-biofilm Activity of AH Plus with Chlorhexidine and Cetrimide

Introduction

The use of root canal filling materials with antibacterial activity can be considered beneficial to reduce the remaining microorganisms in the root canal system, where Enterococcus faecalis is often found, and prevent recurrent infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and capacity for inhibiting E. faecalis biofilm formation of AH Plus, alone and mixed with chlorhexidine (CHX), cetrimide (CTR), and combinations of the two.

Methods

AH Plus alone and mixed with 1% and 2% CHX, 0.1%–0.5% CTR, and combinations of both were tested to assess antimicrobial activity by a modified direct contact test and determine inhibition of E. faecalis biofilm formation at 24 hours. The results were expressed as log₁₀ viable counts. Eradication and inhibition of biofilm formation were understood as no bacterial growth or log₁₀ reduction = 5 with respect to the control (AH Plus alone).

Results

AH Plus + CHX showed a low antimicrobial activity with respect to the control (at 2%, log₁₀ reduction = 1.30). None of the tested concentrations achieved eradication or inhibition of biofilm. AH Plus + CTR showed a direct relationship of concentration-antimicrobial effect, reaching a log₁₀ reduction of 2.92 at 0.5% and inhibition of biofilm formation at 0.2%. With the combination CHX + CTR, lower concentrations were needed for the same effect, and eradication and inhibition of biofilm were achieved.

Conclusions

The addition of CHX, CTR, or some combination of both to AH Plus confers it with bactericidal and anti-biofilm activity against E. faecalis.