Dominant Th1 cytokine production in early onset of human brucellosis followed by switching towards Th2 along prolongation of disease

Human brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic infectious disease which is caused by intracellular bacteria belonging to the genus Brucella. Based on murine studies it has been shown that host resistance to Brucella depends on Th1 response, whereas Th2 response is involved in the severity of the disease. Since the immune response during human brucellosis has not been profoundly studied we have tried to evaluate cytokine production in patients suffering from brucellosis. Diluted whole blood samples were cultured in the presence of the mitogen, heat inactivated bacteria or medium alone. IL-12, IFN-gamma and IL-10 were measured by specific sandwich ELISA. In addition, the percentage of CD3(+) T cells producing either IL-13 or IFN-gamma was determined by flow cytometry. It was found that not only IFN-gamma production but also the number of CD3(+) IFN-gamma-producing cells decreased with prolongation of the disease but the percentage of CD3(+) IL-13(+) T cells were significantly increased. No correlation between duration of disease and IL-10 or IL-12 production was found. In conclusion, it is proposed that at the onset of brucellosis, Th1 response dominates while diminishing with prolongation of the disease.     

High levels of Hdmx promote cell growth in a subset of uveal melanomas

The p53 tumor suppressor pathway is inactivated in cancer either via direct mutation or via deregulation of upstream regulators or downstream effectors. P53 mutations are rare in uveal melanoma. Here we investigated the role of the p53 inhibitor Hdmx in uveal melanoma. We found Hdmx over-expression in a subset of uveal melanoma cell lines and fresh-frozen tumor samples. Hdmx depletion resulted in cell-line dependent growth inhibition, apparently correlating with differential Hdm2 levels. Surprisingly, p53 knockdown hardly rescued cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction upon Hdmx knockdown, whereas it effectively prevented growth suppression induced by the potent p53 activator Nutlin-3. In addition, two compounds inhibiting Hdmx function or expression, SAH-p53-8 and XI-011, also elicited a growth inhibitory effect in a partly p53-independent manner. These findings suggest a novel, growth-promoting function of Hdmx that does not rely on its ability to inhibit p53. We provide evidence for a contribution of p27 protein induction to the observed p53-independent G1 arrest in response to Hdmx knockdown. In conclusion, our study establishes the importance of Hdmx as an oncogene in a subset of uveal melanomas and widens the spectrum of its function beyond p53 inhibition.     

The spatial relationship between type I glomus cells and arteriolar myocytes in the mouse carotid body

The structural relationship between type I glomus cells and the vascular smooth muscle was investigated by electron microscopy in the mouse carotid body. A close apposition (<0.1 μm) between the glomus parenchyma and the neighbouring arterioles was regularly present. Profiles of type I glomus cells were found to be exposed to the vascular smooth muscle without any supporting cell investment. In circumscribed areas of these profiles, type I glomus cells and the vascular smooth muscle cells made contact by fusion of their basal laminae. These glomus-cell-myocyte junctions structurally resemble vascular neuromuscular junctions of sympathetic nerve terminals. In addition to the occurrence of such glomus cell-myocyte contacts, myoendothelial junctions also appeared frequently. On the basis of these observations, it is suggested that type I glomus cells play a role in the regulation of the vascular tone in the carotid body and that a physiological interaction between the endothelial cells, the vascular smooth muscle cells and the type I glomus cells exists.     

Blood Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in overfed Aging Rats: Comparative Effects of Sunflower and Olive-Linseed Mixture Oil Rich Diets

Obesity,one of the most common health problems,is associated with glucose and lipid metabolism abnormalities,increased cardiovascular risk and oxidative stress[1].Aging is also associated with an increase in oxidative stress[2].Considering that older adults are already at risk for oxidant stress,the additional metabolic perturbations of obesity aggravated the susceptibility to oxidant stress.Modulating age-related oxidative stress via dietary interventions could reduce free radical production and significantlyimprove health in aging.     

Burden of anemia among indigenous populations

An international perspective of the magnitude of anemia in indigenous peoples is currently lacking. The present systematic review was performed to characterize the global prevalence, severity, and etiology of anemia in indigenous peoples by conducting a systematic search of original research published in English from 1996 to February 2010 using PubMed, Medline, and Embase. A total of 50 studies, representing the following 13 countries, met the inclusion criteria: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, the United States, and Venezuela. Results indicate major deficiencies in the coverage and quality of anemia monitoring data for indigenous populations worldwide. The burden of anemia is overwhelmingly higher among indigenous groups compared to the general population and represents a moderate (20-39.9%) to severe (≥40%) public health problem. For the most part, the etiology of anemia is preventable and includes inadequate diet, poor living conditions, and high infection rates (i.e., malaria and intestinal parasites). A concerted global effort is needed to reduce the worldwide burden of anemia in these marginalized populations.     

A US-based survey on ventriculostomy practices

Background

The incidence of ICP monitoring has increased over the years and the indications for placement have expanded. Although ventriculostomy and ICP monitor placement are among the most commonly performed neurosurgical procedures, the current practice patterns have rarely been studied.

Methods

A 10-question survey was sent to 2006 neurosurgeons and 1060 neurosurgery residents in the US. Demographic information and data regarding estimated success rates of ventriculostomies, the steps taken in failure and use of technological aids used was sought.

Results

479 neurosurgeons and 108 residents responded to our survey (response rates 23.9% and 10.2%, respectively). No catheter misplacements were reported by 19.8% respondents in the previous year whereas 2.2% reported misplacing more than 30%. With regards to ventriculostomy for patients with slit ventricles, image guidance was used by 51.7%; freehand technique was preferred by 41.6% and the Ghajar guide was used by 6.7% of respondents. We found that 56.9% of respondents abandoned free-hand placement after 3 failed passes. After abandoning free-hand cannulation, respondents used an ICP bolt or similar intra-parenchymal pressure monitoring device in trauma patients. Other approaches included leaving the catheter in place and readjusting it after repeating a CT scan.

Conclusions

This survey sheds light on the current practice of ventriculostomy placement. Both residents and neurosurgeons admit to multiple attempts and frequent catheter misplacement. In order to consider a change in practice, respondents cited an increase in available data about guidance systems and ability to accommodate abnormal ventricular anatomy as primary requirements. A prospective study could help establish true evidence based practice for this common neurosurgical procedure.     

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of radiation optic neuropathy

Radiation optic neuropathy (RON) is characterized by the rapid onset of painless irreversible vision loss in one or both eyes. We report 4 consecutive patients who presented with unilateral or asymmetric bilateral RON. All had bilateral optic nerve enhancement on MRI and were treated with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and oral corticosteroids. In the less affected eye, 2 of the 4 patients had preservation of vision, while in the other 2 patients, vision declined. No patient showed improvement in the more symptomatic eye, and in 2 patients, there was a significant decline in visual acuity. Our findings suggest that prompt treatment with HBO and oral corticosteroids may result in visual preservation in the less affected eye despite the presence of optic nerve enhancement on MRI.     

Clinical and single-photon emission computed tomography study of pure akinesia with freezing of gait

The clinical syndrome of pure akinesia (PA) is considered the third phenotype of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and is characterized by freezing of gait and prominent speech disturbance without rigidity or tremor. It is frequently considered one of the dopamine resistant motor syndromes, and its pathophysiology remains unclear. We report a patient followed in the Department of Neurology of Razi Hospital, Tunisia, with PA with gait freezing (PAGF) with a frontal hypoperfusion on single photon emission CT and non-responsive dopa therapy. We discuss the clinical features of PAGF and efficiency of treatment options.     

以家庭为中心的护理模式对胃食管反流病合并支气管哮喘患儿的影响

目的探讨以家庭为中心的护理模式对胃食管反流病（GERD）合并支气管哮喘患儿的影响。 方法选取2016年4月至2017年5月新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院收治的GERD合并支气管哮喘患儿58例,随机均分为研究组和对照组2组,每组各29例。治疗期间对照组患儿给予常规护理模式,研究组患儿则实施以家庭为中心的护理模式。比较2种护理模式对患儿的影响。 结果研究组患儿喘息、咳嗽及肺部哮鸣音等症状消失时间、出院时间均短于对照组患儿［（3.6±1.5）d vs （5.8±2.2）d,（3.4±1.7）d vs （5.0±2.8）d,（4.0±0.9）vs （6.1±2.1）d,（5.0±2.2）d vs （9.0±3.5）d］,且差异均有统计学意义（t=4.579,P<0.001;t=2.670,P=0.010;t=5.102,P<0.001;t=5.226,P< 0.001）。研究组患儿护理满意度及出院后1、3、6个月生活质量评分均高于对照组患儿［93.1% （27/29）vs 72.4% （21/29）,（70.3 ± 5.5）分vs （60.1 ± 4.8）分,（82.1 ± 4.9）分vs （71.3 ± 3.8）分,（90.1±3.7）分vs （79.8±4.2）分］,且差异均有统计学意义（χ²=4.350,P=0.037;t=7.563、9.457、9.814,P均<0.001）。 结论GERD合并支气管哮喘患儿实施以家庭为中心的护理模式,可有效提升治疗效果,缩短患儿症状消失时间和康复出院时间,提升其后期生活质量,具有推广价值。