IFN-α-based treatment of patients with chronic HCV show increased levels of cells with myeloid-derived suppressor cell phenotype and of IDO and NOS

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes chronic hepatitis, which is often associated with suppressed anti-HCV immune responses. We have recently reported accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and suppressed immunity in cancer patients.

Aim: The main aim of this study was to determine whether chronic HCV patients harbor high of MDSCs in general and in nonresponders to IFN-based therapy in particular as well as to analyze the immune suppressive molecules.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples withdrawn from 154 patients with chronic HCV infection and were categorized into responders and nonresponders based on viral titer upon IFN-α treatment.

Results: The relative and absolute numbers of MDSCs defined as Lin^?/HLA-DR^?/CD33⁺/CD11b⁺ increased in all HCV patients, where they were higher in nonresponders than in responders. Additionally, the levels of MDSCs after 4–6 months of treatment in responders were lower than during the course of treatment. The responders also showed higher levels of IL-2 coincided with increased numbers of dendritic cells (DCs), CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. The levels of total NOS and IDO were also higher in nonresponders as compared to responders and healthy controls, while the expression levels of CD3ζ was lower in responders as compared to nonresponders and healthy volunteers.

Conclusion: Chronic HCV patients harbor high numbers of MDSCs, which are higher in nonresponders than in responders. The higher numbers of MDSCs associated with increases in the suppressing factors.     

Clinical and imaging features of pulmonary artery sling: The experience in one major medical center

This case series describes echocardiographic and computed tomography angiographic (CTA) characteristics, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment in 15 patients of Pulmonary artery sling (PAS). Echocardiography is effective in diagnosing PAS, when the main pulmonary artery extends to the right pulmonary artery directly with the left pulmonary artery arising from the right pulmonary artery. CTA, clearly demonstrating the position and extent of trachea compression, the anatomy of PAS and the spatial relationships among the PAS, trachea and the esophagus, is necessary for the final diagnosis. Clinical presentations are caused by the compression of the tracheobronchial tree rather than the PAS itself. Left pulmonary artery reimplantation is the treatment of choice.     

Control of negative emotions and its implication for illness perception among psoriasis and vitiligo patients

Background The purpose of the study was to determine the intensity of control over negative emotions of anger, depressed mood, and anxiety in certain skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo, and to define the predictors of this emotional control in terms of the illness perception in the following context: duration of illness, age at onset, subjective knowledge of the causes of illness, subjective sense of control over the disease. Methods The study included 60 patients with psoriasis (n = 30) and vitiligo (n = 30) as well as healthy persons (n = 60) matched to the experimental group in terms of gender, age, and level of education. Control of negative emotions was examined by means of Watson and Greer’s Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (Polish adaptation by Juczynski) and the illness perception by means of Kossakowska’s Chronic Patients Questionnaire. Results The research concludes that psoriasis patients control negative emotions more intensively than healthy people. Vitiligo patients on the other hand do not differ in the control of negative emotions compared with healthy subjects. There are no significant predictors of negative emotional control in vitiligo. In psoriasis gender and age are the main contributors to negative emotional control and anger control is predicted by the age at onset as well. Conclusion The specificity of the skin disease affects maladaptive negative emotional control and the suggestion is to use psychological treatment in hospitalised psoriasis in particular.     

Comparison of manual and femtosecond laser arcuate keratotomy procedures for the correction of post-keratoplasty astigmatism

Purpose

To compare the effectiveness of femtosecond laser (FSL) assisted and manual arcuate keratotomy (AK) procedures for the correction of postkeratoplasty astigmatism.