The tragic fate of group 3 innate lymphoid cells during HIV-1 infection

HIV-1 infection usually leads to systemic chronic inflammation that is associated with gut microbial translocation. The recently defined group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are critical for maintenance of intestinal barrier function; however, it is not clear whether and how HIV-1 infection influences the function of these cells. In this issue of the JCI, Zhang and colleagues present compelling evidence that the survival and function of ILC3s are dramatically impaired by HIV-1 infection. The authors provide evidence that HIV-1 infection induces persistent activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and production of type I IFNs, which together increase expression of death receptor CD95 on ILC3s and thereby promote subsequent ILC3 apoptosis. Together, these results identify a mechanism that explains the impaired intestinal barrier function that results from chronic HIV-1 infection and shed light on the role of pDCs in HIV-1 immunopathogenesis and therapy.     

Assessment of toxicity using dehydrogenases activity and mathematical modeling

Dehydrogenase activity is frequently used to assess the general condition of microorganisms in soil and activated sludge. Many studies have investigated the inhibition of dehydrogenase activity by various compounds, including heavy metal ions. However, the time after which the measurements are carried out is often chosen arbitrarily. Thus, it can be difficult to estimate how the toxic effects of compounds vary during the reaction and when the maximum of the effect would be reached. Hence, the aim of this study was to create simple and useful mathematical model describing changes in dehydrogenase activity during exposure to substances that inactivate enzymes. Our model is based on the Lagergrens pseudo-first-order equation, the rate of chemical reactions, enzyme activity, and inactivation and was created to describe short-term changes in dehydrogenase activity. The main assumption of our model is that toxic substances cause irreversible inactivation of enzyme units. The model is able to predict the maximum direct toxic effect (MDTE) and the time to reach this maximum (T_MDTE). In order to validate our model, we present two examples: inactivation of dehydrogenase in microorganisms in soil and activated sludge. The model was applied successfully for cadmium and copper ions. Our results indicate that the predicted MDTE and T_MDTE are more appropriate than EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ for toxicity assessments, except for long exposure times.     

Knowledge and Usage of Emergency Contraceptives Among University Students in Ghana

Contraceptive use is an important strategy for the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and avoidance of induced abortion. Of all the contraception methods, emergency contraceptive (EC) offers the last chance to achieve this. However, few studies have documented the use of EC among young people in Ghana. This study explored knowledge and usage of EC as well as the factors associated with it among University of Cape Coast students. Data were obtained on the knowledge and usage of ECs among University of Cape Coast students in 2013. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between students’ socio-demographic characteristics and EC knowledge and use. More male students (72 %) than females (59 %) were sexually active. Fifty-seven percent of the respondents had ever heard of EC and 36 % had ever used EC. Although males were more likely to be sexually active, females were more likely to have knowledge of EC use compared to males. The study underscores the need to increase awareness regarding EC among University students in order to offer them the opportunity that EC provides if other forms of contraceptives are missed.     

Esophageal Calibration with Soft Orogasrtric Tube During Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication may Reduce Postoperative Transient Dysphagia

Gastroesophageal reflux is the most common benign disorder of the esophagus and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has become the standard surgical treatment for its treatment. In our area, where the use of bougie calibration is debatable, postoperative dysphagia is encountered often after this surgery although it is usually not permanent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using a soft silicone tube 39 F in diameter for esophageal calibration during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication on the incidence of postoperative dysphagia. We divided cases scheduled to undergo laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication between January 2009 and November 2010 into two groups, each consisting 25 patients. Esophageal calibration with a 39 F silicone orogastric tube was used for the first group while there was no operative calibration in the second group. The surgical duration was recorded; the presence and severity of the postoperative dysphagia was calculated by using a dysphagia severity scoring system during the 1-year postoperative follow-up. The dysphagia severity scores were significantly lower in group 1 than group 2 on the postoperative second day and at the end of the first week and first month. We did not find a significant difference at the end of the 6-month and first year. There was also no significant difference regarding surgery duration. The use of a soft orogastric tube 39 F in diameter for esophagus calibration during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative transient dysphagia without affecting the duration of surgery. Although dysphagia gradually resolves in the majority of patients, a safe and easy calibration method for its prevention is worth developing, and we believe that the use of our method in larger series could be beneficial.     

miR-21对视网膜母细胞瘤细胞增殖的影响及作用机制

目的　探讨MicroRNA-21（miR-21）对视网膜母细胞瘤(RB)细胞增殖的影响及作用机制。方法　采用Real-time PCR技术检测miR-21在正常视网膜组织和确诊RB组织中的表达情况；然后在转染的基础上运用MTT检查RB细胞存活率、流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率。Western blot法检测与细胞凋亡相关蛋白PDCD4、Bax、Bcl-2的表达。结果　与正常视网膜组织miR-21表达 （0.703±0.071）相比，RB组织miR-21为高表达（2.214±0.162），差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。在Weri-Rb-1细胞中，与NC组(2.245±0.213)相比，miR-21抑制剂转染后明显降低了miR-21的表达水平，miR-21 inhibitor组为0.683±0.075,差异有统计学意义 （P<0.01）。两组细胞转染后24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h，MTT测定法检测细胞活力结果显示:两组24 h的A值比较，差异无统计学意义 （P>0.05），miR-21 inhibitor 组在 48 h、72 h、 96 h的A值均低于 NC 组，差异均有统计学意义 （均为P<0.01）。流式细胞术检测结果显示:NC组凋亡细胞在总细胞中百分比为（3.045±0.301）%和（4.832±0.493）%，miR-21 inhibitor组凋亡细胞在总细胞中百分比为（2.593±0.257）%和（40.167±4.014）%，miR-21 inhibitor组Weri-Rb-1细胞的凋亡率明显高于miR-21 NC组(P<0.01)。Western blot检测结果显示:NC组PDCD4表达（0.192±0.045）相比miR-21 inhibitor组（0.683±0.091）表达明显减少，NC组Bax的蛋白表达水平（0.143±0.036）相比miR-21 inhibitor组（1.192±0.054）也明显减少，差异均有统计学意义（P<0.01)，NC组Bcl-2蛋白表达（0.864±0.038）相比miR-21 inhibitor组（0.257±0.026）明显增多，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05)。结论　miR-21是RB的促癌基因，miR-21抑制剂可以通过降低miR-21表达抑制肿瘤细胞的增殖、促进细胞凋亡，这一过程与PDCD4、Bax、Bcl-2等凋亡相关蛋白有关。