Characterization of macrophage polarizing cytokines in the aseptic loosening of total hip replacements

Aseptic loosening of hip replacements is driven by the macrophage reaction to wear particles. The extent of particle‐induced macrophage activation is dependent on the state of macrophage polarization, which is dictated by the local cytokine microenvironment. The aim of the study was to characterize cytokine microenvironment surrounding failed, loose hip replacements with an emphasis on identification of cytokines that regulate macrophage polarization. Using qRT‐PCR, the expression of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), IL‐13, and IL‐17A was low and similar to the expression in control synovial tissues of patients undergoing primary hip replacement. Using immunostaining, no definite source of IFN‐γ or IL‐4 could be identified. IL‐17A positive cells, identified as mast cells by double staining, were detected but their number was significantly reduced in interface tissues compared to the controls. Significant up‐regulation of IL‐10, M‐CSF, IL‐8, CCL2‐4, CXCL9‐10, CCL22, TRAP, cathepsin K, and down regulation of OPG was seen in the interface tissues, while expression of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and CD206 were similar between the conditions. It is concluded that at the time of the revision surgery the peri‐implant macrophage phenotype has both M1 and M2 characteristics and that the phenotype is regulated by other local and systemic factors than traditional macrophage polarizing cytokines. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1241–1246, 2014.     

Foliar Application of Seaweed Sap Enhances Growth,Yield and Quality of Maize in Eastern Himalayas

Maize (Zea mays L.) productivity in hilly regions of North Eastern Region (NER) of India is very low due to limited use of manures and fertilizers. Under such situation, seaweed sap can become an alternative as it is an organic bio-stimulant. Experiment with extracts from marine algae Kappaphycus alvarezii (K sap) and Gracilaria edulis (G sap) was conducted during 2012 and 2013 to assess the efficacy of seaweed saps on growth, productivity and quality of maize and their role in economizing the chemical fertilizer requirement. Results revealed that K or G sap @ 10% and above concentrations along with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) recorded significantly higher plant height, dry matter, chlorophyll content, yield attributes and yield of maize compared to control (water spray). The nitrogen (N) and protein content in grain was the highest under 15% K sap + 100% RDF followed by 15% G sap + 100% RDF. Application of K or G sap at 10% concentrations + 100% RDF also significantly increased micronutrient (copper, zinc, manganese and iron) concentrations in maize grains. The available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content in soil was recorded to be lowest under 7.5% K sap + 50% RDF. Thus, foliar application of 10% K or G sap along with 100% RDF is recommended for sustainable maize production in NER of India and other ecosystems elsewhere.

     

Relationships between amyloid levels,glucose metabolism,morphologic changes in the brain and clinical status of patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Annals of Nuclear Medicine - The current study was conducted to improve the understanding of relationships between regional cortical amyloid load, glucose metabolism, cortical morphology (volume),...     

Multimodality imaging in COVID-19 patients: A key role from diagnosis to prognosis

The integrated clinical, laboratory and ultrasound approach is essential for the diagnosis, evaluation and monitoring of the patient's therapy in coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia. The ideal imaging approach in this context is not yet well defined. Chest X-ray is characterized by low sensitivity in identifying earlier lung changes. The "bedside" pulmonary ultrasound has an undeniable series of advantages in the patient at high infectious risk and can provide incremental data in the respiratory intensive care for the serial control of the individual patient as well as for the home delivery of the stabilized subjects. Pulmonary computed tomography shows high sensitivity but should not be routinely performed in all patients, because in the first 48 h it can be absolutely negative and in the late phase the imaging findings may not change the therapeutic approach. Echocardiography should be limited to patients with hemodynamic instability to assess ventricular function and pulmonary pressures.     

The Use of Lasers in Disinfection and Cleanliness of Root Canals: a Review

The outcome of root canal treatment is based on efficient disinfection of the root canal system and prevention of reinfection. Current chemomechanical cleaning methods do not always achieve these goals, and insufficient root canal disinfection is the main reason for endodontic failure. Due to high energy content and specific characteristics of laser light, laser treatment has been proposed for cleaning and disinfecting the root canal system. This paper reviews the literature covering the effect of Er:YAG, Er,Cr:YSGG, Nd:YAG and diode laser on the root canal wall in the removal of smear layer and against intracanal bacteria. Recently, the use of laser energy to induce cavitation and acoustic streaming of intracanal irrigants has been investigated. Based on recent literature, it can be concluded that lasers have bactericidal effects. However, they still cannot replace sodium hypochlorite and should be considered as an adjunct to the current chemical root canal disinfection protocols. Certain lasers can help in removing the smear layer and debris and can modify the morphology of the root canal wall. Unfortunately, there have not been enough randomized clinical studies evaluating endodontic treatment outcome following the use of laser.Key words: Disinfection, Root Calan Preparation; Laser Therapy, Low-Level; Smear Layer     

Induction of β-Defensin Expression by Porphyromonas gingivalis-Infected Human Gingival Graft Transplanted in nu/nu Mouse Subdermis

It is important to understand the onset of periodontal disease in terms of bacterial infection and host factors. Host-bacteria interactions can be elicited in human cultured cells and animal models, but these models provide only limited biological information about human host reactions against bacterial attacks. Development of an in vivo model using human gingival tissue is needed. We established an in vivo model using nu/nu mice and evaluated host defense following bacterial infection in human gingiva. Human gingival samples were collected from periodontitis patients and transplanted in nu/nu mouse subdermis. After 2 weeks, human characteristics were confirmed by positive immunohistochemical reactions for human-specific markers. We used this model to investigate human β-defensin-2 (hBD-2), an antimicrobial peptide that contributes to initial defense against bacterial invasion. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry, we investigated whether hBD-2 expression was induced in human gingiva as a response to Porphyromonas gingivalis as a periodontal pathogen. Two hours after infection with bacteria, we detected increased expression of hBD-2 mRNA, which was localized in the epithelium of human gingiva. Using our in vivo model, we concluded that increased hBD-2 may play an important role in early defense from bacterial infection in human gingival epithelium.     

Initial,habitual and compulsive alcohol use is characterized by a shift of cue processing from ventral to dorsal striatum

Aims During the development of drug addiction, initial hedonic effects decrease when substance use becomes habitual and ultimately compulsive. Animal research suggests that these changes are represented by a transition from prefrontal cortical control to subcortical striatal control and within the striatum from ventral to dorsal domains of the striatum, but only limited evidence exists in humans. In this study we address this hypothesis in the context of alcohol dependence. Design, setting and participants Non‐abstinent heavy social drinkers (n = 21, 5.0 ± 1.5 drinks/day, 13 of them were alcohol‐dependent according to DSM‐IV) and light social drinkers (n = 10, 0.4 ± 0.4 drinks/day) were examined. Measurements We used a cue‐reactivity functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design during which pictures of alcoholic beverages and neutral control stimuli were presented. Findings In the dorsal striatum heavy drinkers showed significant higher activations compared to light drinkers, whereas light social drinkers showed higher cue‐induced fMRI activations in the ventral striatum and in prefrontal areas compared to heavy social drinkers [region of interest analyses, P < 0.05 false discovery rate (FDR)‐corrected]. Correspondingly, ventral striatal activation in heavy drinkers correlated negatively with obsessive‐compulsive craving, and furthermore we found a positive association between cue‐induced activation in the dorsal striatum and obsessive‐compulsive craving in all participants. Conclusions In line with our hypothesis we found higher cue‐induced activation of the ventral striatum in social compared to heavy drinkers, and higher dorsal striatal activation in heavy drinkers. Increased prefrontal activation may indicate that social drinkers activate cortical control when viewing alcohol cues, which may prevent the development of heavy drinking or alcohol dependence. Our results suggest differentiating treatment research depending on whether alcohol use is hedonic or compulsive.     

Therapeutic significance of elevated tissue transglutaminase expression in pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) is a multifunctional protein that is implicated in development of drug resistance and metastasis. Therefore, we examined therapeutic targeting of TG2 for inhibiting growth and metastasis of in vivo growing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) in nude mice. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We implanted Panc-28 pancreatic cancer cells to induce orthotopic PDAC tumors in nude mice and determined the efficacy of liposomal TG2 small interfering RNA (siRNA) either alone or in combination with gemcitabine. RESULTS: We show that down-regulation of endogenous TG2 by siRNA could effectively block the growth of PDAC. Moreover, down-regulation of TG2 significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine against PDAC and inhibited metastatic spread of the disease. The antitumor activity was related to inhibition of proliferation, angiogenesis, and Akt phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: siRNA-mediated down-regulation of TG2 represents a promising therapeutic approach for improved treatment of PDAC.