Detection of IL-1β in culture media supernatants of pre-implantation human embryos; its relation with embryo grades and development

In this study, we aimed to determine whether human embryos secrete interleukin-1β (IL-1β) into culture media and its correlation with embryo grade and development. Culture media supernatants of 100 embryos obtained from 39 cycles of 38 patients and cultivated individually were collected 2 and 3 days after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). IL-1β concentrations of samples were determined with ELISA and compared with embryo grades and blastomere numbers. Embryo grades and the amount of IL-1β they secreted were found not to be correlated (p:0.559). Numbers of blastomeres each embryo had at 2nd and 3rd days were found to be correlated with IL-1β secreted (p:0.00 and p:0.00, respectively). Mean amount of IL-1β secreted by the embryos from ejaculated sperm cycles were found to be significantly higher than that of embryos from TESE cycles (p:0.016). Patient age and etiology of infertility were not correlated with the amount of IL-1β secreted and embryo grade. In conclusion, preimplantation human embryos secrete IL-1β in their media in amounts correlated with their blastomere numbers.     

沙红合剂促进小鼠免疫功能的实验研究

目的: 利用多种免疫学方法研究民族药沙红合剂对小鼠免疫功能的影响。方法: 测定小鼠脾细胞对刀豆蛋白A(ConA)和细菌脂多糖(LPS)的增殖反应、混合淋巴细胞反应(MLR)、溶血空斑试验、DTH 反应和NK细胞活性。结果: 沙红合剂能非特异地(多克隆)增强T、B 淋巴细胞对丝裂原的增殖反应; 特异地增强T细胞对异型抗原的MLR、DTH 反应; 特异地增强小鼠对绵羊红细胞(SRBC)的抗体反应; 明显增强小鼠NK 细胞的活性。结论: 沙红合剂对正常小鼠的细胞免疫功能和体液免疫功能确有明显的促进作用。     

Effect of pulsed corticosteroids and tocilizumab on hyperinflammation in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Objective: To compare the efficacy of pulsed-dose corticosteroids (≥250 mg methylprednisolone, 3 days) and tocilizumab in treating COVID-19-related hyperinflammation.Methods: This prospective observational study included RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, who were admitted to the COVID-19 Adult Intensive Care Unit of Prof Dr. Murat Dilmener Emergency Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) between December 1, 2020 and February 28, 2021. Clinical, laboratory and radiological examinations were used to diagnose COVID-19 associated hyperinflammation. Three cohort groups were formed: the pulsed-dose corticosteroids group (250 mg methylprednisolone for 3 days), the tocilizumab group (8 mg/day single dose or 400 mg/day for 2 days), and the combined group (pulsed-dose corticosteroid+tocilizumab). The difference in mortality rates among the groups was compared primarily. The most common cause(s) of death was determined. Furthermore, adverse events (secondary infection, acute kidney injury, arrhythmia, gastrointestinal system bleeding) for 28 days were recorded. Results: A total of 60 patients were included in this study, with 20 patients in each group. There was no statistically significant difference between the 3 groups in mortality rates (55％ in the pulsed corticosteroid group, 60％ in the tocilizumab group, 50％ in the combined group, χ2=0.404, P=0.817). Infectious causes were found to be the most common cause of mortality in all the three groups, and no difference was found between them (χ2=0.404, P=0.817). There was also no difference in the development of adverse events such as secondary infection, acute kidney injury, arrhythmia, and gastrointestinal bleeding among the groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Corticosteroids can be used instead of tocilizumab to treat hyperinflammation in COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome .     

Immune cells recruitment and activation by Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom

Despite several studies showed that the Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (Tsv) induces an inflammatory response, just a few have investigated the effect of the venom on the immune response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate alterations of venom application on lymphoid organs and on the recruitment and activation of cells and also on the cytokine production. Swiss male mice (2-3 months, 20-25 g) received a non-lethal dose of crude Tsv (200 μg/kg), diluted in sterile PBS by subcutaneous route. Control animals received only sterile PBS. The animals were sacrificed after 30, 120 and 360 min. The inflammatory parameters studied were skin histology at the site of venom application, leukocyte count, and blood cytokine levels (IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α). Inguinal lymph node, spleen and bone marrow cellularity was determined for evaluation of the Tsv effect on immune system organs. The results showed that Tsv caused no local inflammation, but it induced an increase of blood neutrophils and serum IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. After 360 min of envenomation there was a reduction in the cells number from peritoneum and spleen, but there was an increase in the cell number from lymph nodes. In conclusion, the Tsv induces systemic alterations characterized by changes in the cell number in lymphoid organs, increase pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines.     

A feasible shortcut for the mobilization outcome: Steady state CD34 positive hematopoietic stem cells

Predicting success of hematopoietic cell mobilization is an important issue for transplant physicians. We examined the steady state peripheral blood CD34+ cell count to predict ability to mobilize adequate hematopoietic progenitor cells in 63 myeloma and lymphoma patients. The median steady state CD34+ cell number was 1.56/μL (0.03-5.76). Although counting steady state CD34+ is definitely cost effective to predict the successful mobilization, we could not find a threshold steady state CD34 count of any value predicting successful mobilization.     

Value of PCR in surgically treated patients with staphylococcal infective endocarditis: a 4-year retrospective study

The aim of the study was to establish a diagnostic value for broad-range polymerase chain reaction (br-PCR) and staphylococci-specific multiplex PCR (ssm-PCR) performed on surgical material from patients with staphylococcal infective endocarditis (IE). Data were analysed retrospectively from 60 patients with suspected staphylococcal IE and 59 controls who were surgically treated at three cardiosurgery centres over 4 years. Both PCR tests showed high agreement and could be aggregated. In patients with definite and rejected IE, the clinical sensitivity and specificity of PCR reached 89 and 95%, respectively. Tissue culture (TC) and PCR agreed with blood culture (BC) in 29% and 67% of IE cases. TC helped to determine aetiology in five BC negative cases while PCR aided in nine cases. Out of 52 patients with conclusive staphylococcal IE, 40 were diagnosed with S. aureus and 12 with coagulase-negative staphylococci. PCR was shown to be highly superior to TC in confirming preoperative diagnosis of IE. In addition to aid in culture negative patients, PCR helped to establish or refine aetiology in inconclusive cases. We suggest that simultaneous br-PCR and ssm-PCR performed on surgical material together with histopathology could significantly increase the performance of current Duke criteria.