Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor tyrosine kinases in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression is regulated by hypoxia and cytokines, including insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1. We examined the influence of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) on IGF-1, VEGF, fetal liver kinase (flk-1), fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (flt-1), and laminin using an isolated hemoperfused working porcine heart model of acute ischemia (2 h) and reperfusion (4 h). METHODS: Twenty-three porcine hearts were randomized into the following groups: five nonischemic control hearts (Group C), five I/R hearts with occlusion of the ramus circumflexus; three I/R hearts treated with quinaprilat, a potent angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (Group Q); five I/R hearts treated with angiotensin I (Group Ang I), and 5 I/R hearts treated with Ang I and quinaprilat (Group QA). RESULTS: Compared to C, VEGF mRNA and protein contents were significantly increased in I/R and Ang I hearts. flk-1 and flt-1 were increased in I/R (2.2-/1.95-fold) and further elevated by Ang I (3.2-/3.4-fold) compared with C. Quinaprilat application attenuated the amount of VEGF significantly and of flk-1 slightly but not that of flt-1. In contrast, IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) proteins were elevated in I/R hearts (3-/1.4-fold vs. C) and further increased in the presence of Q. These findings were accompanied by an elevation of laminin mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, we observed an increase in collagen Type IV and chondroitin sulfate content in I/R (2.9-/1.4-fold) and Ang I (3.5-/1.5-fold) hearts. Quinaprilat significantly reduced laminin and chondroitin sulfate proteins. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the VEGF/VEGF receptor and IGF-1-IGF-1R systems are activated by I/R. The benefits of ACE inhibition in attenuation of cardiac remodeling may be mediated by IGF-1.     

Relevance of casual contact with peanut butter in children with peanut allergy

BACKGROUND: Casual skin contact or inhalation of peanut butter fumes is reported and feared to cause allergic reactions in highly sensitive children with peanut allergy but has not been systematically studied. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the clinical relevance of exposure to peanut butter by means of inhalation and skin contact in children with peanut allergy. METHODS: Children with significant peanut allergy (recent peanut-specific IgE antibody concentration >50 kIU/L or evidence of peanut-specific IgE antibody and one of the following: clinical anaphylaxis, a reported inhalation-contact reaction, or positive double-blind, placebo-controlled oral challenge result to peanut) underwent double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized exposures to peanut butter by means of contact with intact skin (0.2 mL pressed flat for 1 minute) and inhalation (surface area of 6.3 square inches 12 inches from the face for 10 minutes). Placebo challenges were performed by using soy butter mixed with histamine (contact), and scent was masked with soy butter, tuna, and mint (inhalation). RESULTS: Thirty children underwent the challenges (median age, 7.7 years; median peanut IgE level, >100 kIU/L; 13 with prior history of contact and 11 with inhalation reactions). None experienced a systemic or respiratory reaction. Erythema (3 subjects), pruritus without erythema (5 subjects), and wheal-and-flare reactions (2 subjects) developed only at the site of skin contact with peanut butter. From this number of participants, it can be stated with 96% confidence that at least 90% of highly sensitive children with peanut allergy would not experience a systemic-respiratory reaction from casual exposure to peanut butter. CONCLUSIONS: Casual exposure to peanut butter is unlikely to elicit significant allergic reactions. The results cannot be generalized to larger exposures or to contact with peanut in other forms (flour and roasted peanuts).     

Obesity,a challenge in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases

Immunologic Research - Obesity, a morbid condition snowballing in the world, may cause many health issues in healthy and ill people. Many disorders are known to be influenced by obesity, mainly in...     

Three-dimensional volumetric analysis of mandibular condyle changes in growing subjects: A retrospective cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Objective

The purpose of this study is to analyze the mandibular condylar volumein a sample of subjects 11–26 years old.     

Craniofacial variables in subjects with and without habitual snoring: A cephalometric comparison

Objective

The aim of this case control study was to evaluate which cephalometric variables related to craniofacial morphology discriminate between snoring and non-snoring or any other respiratory disease subjects.

Materials and Methods

Total 42(21 snoring and 21 non-snoring) cephalometric measurements were determined to study the craniofacial morphology. Non-snoring subjects were matched to snoring subjects by age, sex, and body mass index. Snoring was assessed using a sleep behavior questionnaire administered to the patients. The cephalometric radiographs of the study subjects were traced by a single investigator, and 1 angular measurement and 13 linear measurements of hard and soft tissues were recorded. The paired Student’s t test was used to analyze the cephalometric data.

Results

Vertical position of the hyoid (MP-H) was significantly longer (P<0.05) in snoring subjects (23.44±14.892mm) than non-snoring subjects (12.89±4.540mm). Anterior overbite and anterior over-jet of snoring group ((4.81± 3.265 and 5.83±8.59) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than non-snoring group (0.67±1.441 and 0.54±1.138). No significant differences of the other [11] cephalometric variables were found within groups.

Conclusion

Snoring subjects appear to present craniofacial factors that differ from those of non-snoring subjects, and we suggest obtaining cephalogram for diagnosis and following up of them.     

Immunoglobulin A multiple myeloma presenting with Henoch-Schönlein purpura associated with reduced sialylation of IgA1

Summary. Henoch–Schönlein purpura is characterized by immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) depositions in blood vessels of the skin or in glomeruli, resulting from altered hinge region O‐glycosylation. Henoch–Schönlein purpura is seldom reported as a complication of IgA1 myeloma, even when the circulating IgA concentration is very high. We report two patients with IgA1 myeloma presenting with Henoch–Schönlein purpura. The O‐glycosylation of these patients' IgA1 was studied. Both patients showed increased binding to peanut agglutinin lectin, suggesting a low degree of sialylation of the hinge region of IgA1 that was confirmed by mass spectrometry. IgA multiple myeloma, secreting IgA1 molecules with decreased sialylation, presenting with a Henoch–Schönlein purpura‐like syndrome was diagnosed.