Study on the additive protective effect of PGLYRP3 and Bifidobacterium adolescentis Reuter 1963 on severity of DSS-induced colitis in Pglyrp3 knockout (Pglyrp3 −/−) and wild-type (WT) mice

Background and AimsPglyrp3 is a bactericidal innate immunity protein known to sustain the habitual gut microbiome and protect against experimental colitis. Intestinal inflammation and metaflammation are commonly associated with a marked reduction of commensal bifidobacteria. Whether Pglyrp3 and bifidobacteria interact synergistically or additively to alleviate metaflammation is unknown. We investigated the extent to which Pglyrp3 and bifidobacteria regulate metaflammation and gut bacterial dysbiosis in DSS-induced mouse models of intestinal inflammation.Material & Methods8–10 weeks old male mice were used. In both WT and Pglyrp3 ?/? experiments, the mice were randomly divided into three groups of 16 mice per group: (1) a control group receiving sterile tap water, (2) an experimental group receiving sterile tap water supplemented with only 5% DSS, and (3) an experimental group receiving sterile tap water supplemented with 5% DSS and 1 × 10⁹ CFU/ml of Bifidobacterium adolescentis (B.a.) for 7 days. Wild-type (WT) littermates of the respective gene (i.e. Pglyrp3) were used as controls throughout the study. Clinical signs of general health and inflammation were monitored daily. Faecal pellet samples were analysed by qRT-PCR for microbial composition. Histology of relevant organs was carried out on day 8. Metabolic parameters and liver inflammation were determined in serum samples.ResultsIntestinal inflammation in mice of group 2 were significantly increased compared to those of control group 1. There was a significant difference in mean scores for inflammation severity between DSS-treated WT and DSS-treated Pglyrp3 ?/? mice. Buildup of key serum metabolic markers (cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose) was set off by colonic inflammation. qRT-PCR quantification showed that DSS significantly decreased the Clostridium coccoides and Bifidobacterium cell counts while increasing those of Bacteroides group in both WT and Pglyrp3 ?/? mice. These manifestations of DSS-induced dysbiosis were significantly attenuated by feeding B.a. Both the local and systemic ill-being of the mice alleviated when they received B.a.DiscussionThis study shows that Pglyrp3 facilitates recognition of bifidobacterial cell wall-derived peptidoglycan, thus leading additively to a reduction of metaflammation through an increase in the number of bifidobacteria, which were able to mitigate intestinal immunopathology in the context of Pglyrp3 blockade.     

Correction to: Twisting and constriction of a HeartMate II driveline in the area of a repair site

Journal of Artificial Organs - A correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10047-021-01280-6     

Three-dimensional assessment of facial morphology in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and moderate to severe TMJ involvement using 3D surface scans

Objective

This study aims to (1) assess the facial morphology in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) subjects with moderate to severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement using 3D surface scans and (2) compare the facial morphology in these subjects to that in JIA subjects without TMJ involvement.

Methods

Sixty JIA subjects were included and grouped as follows: group 1 (no involvement group), JIA without TMJ involvement; Group 2 (unilateral group), JIA with moderate to severe unilateral TMJ involvement; and group 3 (bilateral group), JIA with bilateral TMJ involvement. Standard orientation of all surfaces was accomplished. The means and variabilities of facial morphology in groups 2 and 3 were assessed and compared with those of group 1 in three dimensions, respectively.

Results

Group 2 (unilateral group) exhibited a more retruded and wider chin, shorter mandibular height, and more prominent cheek (2, 2, 5, and 2 mm, on average, respectively) on the affected side and a more retruded and narrower chin and more prominent malar region (4, 3, and 2 mm, on average, respectively) on the unaffected side compared with group 1 (no involvement group) (p < 0.05). Group 3 (bilateral group) exhibited a more retruded chin, shorter mandibular height, more prominent upper cheeks, and narrower perioral region (5, 5, 3, and 2 mm, respectively) compared with group 1 (no involvement group) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In JIA subjects with moderate to severe unilateral or bilateral TMJ involvement, the affected side(s) revealed similar facial dysmorphology with reduced mandibular height, chin retrusion, and prominent upper cheek.

Clinical relevance

Three-dimensional surface scans can be a non-ionizing indicator of signs of TMJ involvement in JIA subjects.

     

Restrictive Transfusion Practice During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Therapy for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Recommendations concerning the management of hemoglobin levels and hematocrit in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) still advise maintenance of a normal hematocrit. In contrast, current transfusion guidelines for critically ill patients support restrictive transfusion practice. We report on a series of patients receiving venovenous ECMO (vvECMO) for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) treated according to the restrictive transfusion regimen recommended for critically ill patients. We retrospectively analyzed 18 patients receiving vvECMO due to severe ARDS. Hemoglobin concentrations were kept between 7 and 9 g/dL with a transfusion trigger at 7 g/dL or when physiological transfusion triggers were apparent. We assessed baseline data, hospital mortality, time on ECMO, hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, quantities of packed red blood cells received, and lactate concentrations and compared survivors and nonsurvivors. The overall mortality of all patients on vvECMO was 38.9%. Mean hemoglobin concentration over all patients and ECMO days was 8.30 ± 0.51 g/dL, and hematocrit was 0.25 ± 0.01, with no difference between survivors and nonsurvivors. Mean numbers of given PRBCs showed a trend towards higher quantities in the group of nonsurvivors, but the difference was not significant (1.97 ± 1.47 vs. 0.96 ± 0.76 units; P = 0.07). Mean lactate clearance from the first to the third day was 45.4 ± 28.3%, with no significant difference between survivors and nonsurvivors (P = 0.19). In our cohort of patients treated with ECMO due to severe ARDS, the application of a restrictive transfusion protocol did not result in an increased mortality. Safety and feasibility of the application of a restrictive transfusion protocol in patients on ECMO must further be evaluated in randomized controlled trials.