Moderate acute exercise (70% VO2 peak) induces TGF‐β, α‐amylase and IgA in saliva during recovery

Strenuous exercise promotes changes in salivary IgA and can be associated with a high incidence of upper respiratory tract Infections. However, moderate exercise enhances immune function. The effect of exercise on salivary IgA has been well studied, but its effect on other immunological parameters is poorly studied. Thus, this study determined the effect of moderate acute exercise on immunological salivary parameters, such as the levels of cytokines (TGF‐β and IL‐5), IgA, α‐amylase and total protein, over 24 h. Ten male adult subjects exercised for 60 min at an intensity of 70% VO₂ peak. Saliva samples were collected before (‘basal’) and 0, 12 and 24 h after an exercise session. The total salivary protein was lower after 12 and 24 h than immediately after exercise, whereas α‐amylase increased at 12 and 24 h after exercise compared with basal levels. The IgA concentration was increased at 24 h after exercise relative to immediately after exercise, and there was no difference in the IL‐5 while TGF‐β concentration increased in recovery. In conclusion, 70% VO₂ peak exercise does not induce changes immediately after exercise, but after 24 h, it produces an increase in salivary TGF‐β without changing IL‐5.     

Research committee

The JCAH move to evaluate clinical outcomes as part of its ongoing accreditation process has significant implications for infection control, APIC, and research. Through a concerted, progressive plan to address this issue, APIC can be a pathfinder in helping to prepare its members for this change. A proactive approach to both continued input into the process and the initiation of research to establish the groundwork are clearly indicated.     

Reverse redistribution of technetium-99m-tetrofosmin after acute coronary revascularization in patients with myocardial infarction

This study qualified the severity and localization of reverse redistribution of technetium-99 m (Tc)-tetrofosmin rest imaging. Both Tc-tetrofosmin and thallium-201 (Tl) rest imaging with early images and delayed images were obtained in the subacute phase of myocardial infarction in 21 patients with first anterior myocardial infarction and with successful transluminal angioplasty (including stenting). Relative myocardial uptake (%uptake), degree of reverse redistribution (%), and washout rate (%) were evaluated quantitatively in 6 left ventricular segments (inferoseptal, anteroseptal, anterior, anterolateral, lateral, inferolateral and inferior) by circumferential profile analysis. The percentage reverse redistribution in the infarct area was larger in Tc-tetrofosmin imaging than in Tl imaging (p = 0.013). Reverse redistribution was most prominent in the anterior wall (anterior > anteroseptal > inferoseptal, p = 0.020). This suggests that infradiaphragmatic scatter is unlikely as the mechanism of reverse redistribution. The washout rate of Tc-tetrofosmin in the infarct area (reverse redistribution area) was higher than that in the normal area (non-reverse redistribution area), and was also higher than the washout rate of Tl imaging in the infarct area. The %uptake of delayed images in the infarct area was larger in Tc-tetrofosmin than that in Tl imaging, whereas %uptake of early images did not differ. The percentage reverse redistribution did not correlate with the degree of collateral circulation and the residual stenosis. In conclusion, reverse redistribution of Tc-tetrofosmin was more prominent in the infarct area, and this was due to the relatively lower uptake of reverse redistribution of Tc-tetrofosmin than delayed Tl images.     

Polymerization of methacrylic acid esters with the aged system of lanthanum versatate and p-chlorobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate

The aged system of lanthanum versatate ( 1 ) and p-chlorobenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate ( 2 ) was found to initiate effectively the radical polymerization of acrylic monomers including alkyl methacrylates, butyl acrylate and acrylonitrile, although its initiating activity is lower than that of the non-aged system. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate ( 3 ) with the aged 1/2 system was studied kinetically in acetone. The initial polymerization rate (R_p) is expressed by R_p = Kċ[aged 1/2 ]^0.80 ċ [ 3 ]^1.1 at 50°C. The overall activation energy of the polymerization is 59.0 kJ ċ mol⁻¹. The molecular weight of the resulting poly( 3 ) formed in the early stage increases with increasing conversion. The polymerization system involves a persistent radical showing a four-line EPR spectrum with a g-value of 2.004. A three-line spectrum due to the nitroxyl radical was also observed at lower monomer concentrations. The total concentration of persistent radicals was found to correspond well to the instantaneous polymerization rate. The copolymerization of styrene (M₁) and 3 (M₂) with the aged initiator system was examined at 50°C in acetone. r₁ and r₂ are 0.19 and 0.47, respectively. The former is considerably smaller than that (0.52) reported for the conventional radical polymerization.     

Three susceptible loci associated with primary open-angle glaucoma identified by genome-wide association study in a Japanese population

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the major type of glaucoma. To discover genetic markers associated with POAG, we examined a total of 1,575 Japanese subjects in a genome-wide association study (stage 1) and a subsequent study (stage 2). Both studies were carried out at a single institution. In the stage 1 association study, we compared SNPs between 418 POAG patients and 300 control subjects. First, low-quality data were eliminated by a stringent filter, and 331,838 autosomal SNPs were selected for analysis. Poorly clustered SNPs were eliminated by a visual assessment, leaving 255 that showed a significant deviation (P < 0.001) in the allele frequency comparison. In the stage 2 analysis, we tested these 255 SNPs for association in DNA samples from a separate group of 409 POAG and 448 control subjects. High-quality genotype data were selected and used to calculate the combined P values of stages 1 and 2 by the Mantel–Haenszel test. These analyses yielded 6 SNPs with P < 0.0001. All 6 SNPs showed a significant association (P < 0.05) in stage 2, demonstrating a confirmed association with POAG. Although we could not link the SNPs to the annotated gene(s), it turned out that we have identified 3 genetic loci probably associated with POAG. These findings would provide the foundation for future studies to build on, such as for the metaanalysis, to reveal the molecular mechanism of the POAG pathogenesis.     

Potential effectiveness of stored cord blood (non-frozen) for emergency use

Bone marrow has been used for a number of years to assist patients who have accidentally received potentially lethal levels of irradiation. The intent of the transplant is to replace the victim's own bone marrow that has been injured from the irradiation or to act as temporary support to allow the patient's own marrow to recover. Following the Chernobyl disaster, some victims received bone marrow that was HLA matched or partially matched. However, donor marrows were difficult to obtain in adequate numbers; as a substitute for bone marrow, frozen fetal liver cells were used as a source of hematopoietic stem cells. The use of fetal livers, however, was unsuccessful. Human umbilical cord blood, currently considered an excellent source of hematopoietic stem cells, was not used at Chernobyl. For several years, we have been able experimentally to keep SJL/J mice alive with the use of human umbilical cord blood after the animals received lethal levels of irradiation. This finding suggests that under certain conditions human cord blood does not have to be HLA matched to facilitate rescue from irradiation. In addition, there are reports of unmatched HLA cord blood being used successfully for marrow transplantation. If human cord blood does not have to be matched for HLA, there may be emergency cataclysmic circumstances where the availability of umbilical cord blood may be of considerable value. To simulate a clinical situation such as a nuclear accident, in which human cord blood might serve as a source of stem cells for marrow transplantation, we attempted to rescue immunocompetent mice after 900 cGY of irradiation with the use of (nonfrozen) human cord blood stored in a blood bank. The blood was stored under routine conditions (3–6 °C) for 5 and 7 days in special bags that allow transmission of oxygen. Following lethal levels of irradiation, the cord blood was administered to the animals and a significant survival rate was obtained.     

Efficacy and safety of ixekizumab treatment for Japanese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis,erythrodermic psoriasis and generalized pustular psoriasis: Results from a 52‐week,open‐label,phase 3 study (UNCOVER‐J)

Psoriasis, a chronic, immune‐mediated skin disease characterized by red, scaly plaques, affects approximately 0.3% of the population in Japan. The aim of this open‐label study was to evaluate the long‐term efficacy and safety of ixekizumab, a humanized, anti‐interleukin‐17A monoclonal antibody, in Japanese patients with plaque psoriasis (n = 78, including 11 psoriatic arthritis), erythrodermic psoriasis (n = 8) and generalized pustular psoriasis (n = 5). Ixekizumab was administrated s.c. at baseline (week 0, 160 mg), from weeks 2 to 12 (80 mg every 2 weeks), and from weeks 16 to 52 (80 mg every 4 weeks). At week 52, 92.3% of patients with plaque psoriasis achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, 80.8% achieved PASI 90, 48.7% achieved PASI 100, and 52.6% had remission of plaques (by static Physician Global Assessment, sPGA [0]). Difficult to treat areas of psoriasis (nail or scalp) also responded to ixekizumab. All patients with psoriatic arthritis who were assessed (5/5) achieved an American College of Rheumatology 20 response. Most patients with erythrodermic psoriasis or generalized pustular psoriasis responded to ixekizumab and the clinical outcome was maintained over 52 weeks (75% and 60% of patients achieved sPGA [0, 1] at week 52, respectively). Mostly mild or moderate treatment‐emergent adverse events were reported by 79 of 91 patients; the most common were nasopharyngitis, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, urticaria and injection site reactions. In conclusion, 52‐week ixekizumab treatment was efficacious and well tolerated in Japanese patients with plaque psoriasis. Efficacy was also observed in patients with erythrodermic psoriasis, generalized pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.