Glutamine downregulates TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression and protects intestinal tract in preterm neonatal rats with necrotizing enterocolitis

Background/Purpose

Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and TLR-2 play an essential role in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In this study, we investigated the protective effect of glutamine (Gln) in an NEC neonatal rat model, and the potential association with TLR-4 and TLR-2 expression in local intestinal tissues.

Methods

Preterm neonatal rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control; NEC model; and NEC plus Gln intervention. NEC was induced by feeding with artificial milk substitutes, plus exposure to hypoxia and cold stress. All preterm rats were sacrificed at 3 days after birth. The intestinal tissues were taken for pathological analysis. Protein and mRNA expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, and caspase-3 was examined by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR, respectively.

Results

Compared with the normal control, the NEC neonatal rats showed mucosal injury and upregulated mRNA and protein expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, and caspase-3 in ileum and colon. Gln intervention significantly reduced the mucosal injury and suppressed the upregulated expression of TLR-2, TLR-4, and caspace-3 in the ileum and colon of NEC neonatal rats.

Conclusions

Gln protects the intestinal tract of NEC neonatal rats, which may be associated with the reduction of TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression in intestines     

Remote ischemic conditioning enhanced the early recovery of renal function in recipients after kidney transplantation: a randomized controlled trial

Background

To investigate whether remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) can attenuate ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) in recipients after kidney transplantation using donation after cardiac death.

Methods

Forty-eight recipients referred for kidney transplantation were recruited. The paired recipients who received the kidneys from the same donor were randomly assigned (one received RIC and the other did not). RIC was induced by three 5-min cycles of brief repetitive ischemia and reperfusion by clamping the exposed external iliac artery. Blood samples were withdrawn at hour 2, hour 12, days 1–7, day 14, and day 30 to measure serum creatinine level and estimated glomerular filtration rate after transplantation. Urine samples were collected at hours 2, 12, 24, and 48 to measure urine neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin after transplantation. Renal tissues were obtained at 30 min for histologic changes after transplantation.

Results

There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics of the recipients and donors between RIC and control groups. The serum creatinine level was lower in the RIC group compared with that of the control group (12 h, days 1–14, P < 0.05; other P > 0.05); the estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher in the RIC group compared with that of the control group (12 h, days 1–14, P < 0.05; other P > 0.05); urine neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin, an early marker of IRI, was lower in the RIC group at hours 2, 12, 24, and 48 (2 h, 48 h, P > 0.05; 12 h, 24 h, P < 0.05) compared with that of the control group. The graft pathology showed no differences between RIC and control groups.

Conclusions

RIC enhanced the early recovery of renal function in recipients after kidney transplantation. Our results provide a novel potential approach to attenuate transplantation-associated IRI.     

探讨血清卵泡刺激素预测非梗阻性无精子症患者精子发生的切点值

目的：利用受试者工作特征曲线（receiver operator characteristic curve ROC曲线）探讨血清卵泡刺激素（FSH）的切点值,以预测非梗阻性无精子症患者睾丸的精子发生。方法选取104例非梗阻性无精子症患者测定其血清FSH（IU/L）值,行经皮睾丸取精子术（TESA）并根据睾丸活检报告分为有精子组（1组）和无精子组（2组）。结果 FSH≤7有52例（50%）,找到精子51例,其概率为98.08%（51/52）;7＜FSH≤14有20例（19.23%）,找到精子17例,其概率为85%（17/20）;14＜FSH≤21有13例（12.50%）,找到精子3例,其概率为23.08%（3/13）;FSH＞21有19例（18.27%）,找到精子6例,其概率为31.58%（6/19）。利用ROC曲线优选的血清FSH切点值是13.78IU/L,该点其敏感性为85.2%,特异性为88.3%,血清FSH水平的ROC曲线下面积为0.895,表明其诊断准确性较高。结论非梗阻性无精子症患者血清FSH水平对预测睾丸精子发生有重要意义。     

Combined index finger pollicization with an anterolateral thigh flap for thumb reconstruction

A severe crush injury to the hand is devastating to patients. Under conditions in which the crush force is too great, the digits are not viable candidates for replantation. We present two cases in which the patients suffered from loss of the thumb ray at the first carpometacarpal joint and skin defect at the radial side. The tendons, radial nerve and metacarpal bone of the index finger were injured, and the second metacarpal head was retained. There was a comminuted fracture of the trapezium in both patients. The treatment protocols consisted of the index finger pollicization and the free anterolateral thigh flap transfer. The procedure was performed in a single operation. The new thumb is able to provide a stable post for pinch and grip after six months follow-up. Both patients were satisfied with the function and appearance of the reconstructed thumb.     

Anti-inflammation effects of naloxone involve phosphoinositide 3-kinase delta and gamma

Background

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) delta and gamma (the p110δ and p110γ isoforms of PI3K) actively participate in the process of inflammation. We sought to elucidate the possible roles of PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ in mediating the anti-inflammation effects of naloxone.

Materials and methods

Murine macrophages were treated with endotoxin, endotoxin plus naloxone, or endotoxin plus naloxone plus the PI3K inhibitors (the PI3Kδ inhibitor IC87114, the PI3Kγ inhibitor AS252424, or IC87114 plus AS252424) and denoted as the LPS, LPS + N, LPS + N + IC, LPS + N + AS, and LPS + N + IC + AS group, respectively. Differences in inflammatory molecules and levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and Akt activation (indicator of PI3K activity) among these groups were compared.

Results

The concentrations of inflammatory molecules (macrophage inflammatory protein 2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin E₂) and the levels of NF-κB activation (p-NF-κB p65 and p-inhibitor-κB concentrations and NF-κB-DNA binding activity) of the LPS + N group were significantly lower than those of the LPS group (all P < 0.001). These data confirmed the anti-inflammation effects of naloxone. Moreover, the anti-inflammation effects of naloxone could be counteracted by the inhibitors of PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ, as the concentrations of inflammatory molecules and the levels of NF-κB activation of the LPS + N group were significantly lower than those of the LPS + N + IC, LPS + N + AS, and LPS + N + IC + AS groups (all P < 0.05). In contrast, the concentration of phosphorylated Akt of the LPS + N group was significantly higher than those of the LPS, LPS + N + IC, LPS + N + AS, and LPS + N + IC + AS groups (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

PI3Kδ and PI3Kγ play crucial roles in mediating the anti-inflammation effects of naloxone.     

Intrahepatic Segmental Portal Vein Thrombosis After Living-Related Donor Liver Transplantation

Background

Intrahepatic segmental portal vein thrombosis after living-related liver transplantation (LRLT) is uncommon. The cause remains unclear.

Methods

After providing written informed consent, 25 recipients receiving LRLT at our institution from January 2011 to September 2013 were enrolled in this study. We performed triphase computerized tomographic (CT) study of the liver graft of each recipient 1 month after LRLT. The patencies of hepatic artery, portal vein, and hepatic vein were evaluated in detail. The triphase CT scans of the liver of each donor before transplantation also were reviewed. Thrombosis of the intrahepatic segmental portal vein was defined as the occlusion site of the portal vein being intrahepatic. Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis was excluded in this study.

Results

Among the 25 patients, 2 (8%) developed thrombosis of intrahepatic segmental portal vein. One 47-year-old man received LRLT for hepatitis B viral infection–related liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class C) with 3 hepatocellular carcinomas (total tumor volume <8 cm). Another 53-year-old man received LRLT for alcoholic liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class C). Both had developed progressive jaundice and cholangitis 1 month after surgery. Intrahepatic biliary stricture was found on the follow-up magnetic resonance images. However, liver triphase CT study demonstrated occlusion of intrahepatic portal vein of segment 8 in each patient. Radiologic interventions and balloon dilatation therapy via percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route improved the symptoms and signs of cholangitis and obstructive jaundice for both.

Conclusions

Thrombosis of intrahepatic segmental portal vein is not common but is usually associated with complications of intrahepatic bile duct. Early detection is important, and follow-up CT study of liver is suggested.     

Tumor Existence and Tumor Size as Prognostic Factors in Hepatitis B Virus–Related Cirrhosis Patients Who Underwent Liver Transplantation

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)–related chronic liver disease is one of the most common indications for liver transplantation (LT). Patient data in our unit were collected to evaluate the impact of liver tumor on outcomes in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis who underwent LT.

Methods

HBV transplantation patients in our hospital from August 2002 to March 2012 were analyzed and compared according to LT indications: decompensated cirrhosis (DEC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). For HCC patients, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff tumor size for prognosis, namely the maximum tumor diameter. According to the cutoff size, patients were divided into 2 groups: large-size HCC and small-size HCC. The correlations among other clinicopathologic factors were also investigated. Potential prognostic factors were evaluated with the use of Cox proportional hazards model analysis.

Results

The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the 111 HBV-related patients were 76.2%, 43.2%, and 32.9%, respectively. Patients with HCC had significantly poorer overall survival than those with only DEC (P < .05). The mean tumor size was 5.97 cm, and ROC analysis indicated that the cutoff tumor size for prognosis was 4.25 cm, with sensitivity and specificity of 62.8% and 81.0%, respectively (area under the ROC curve, 0.760; 95% CI, 0.644–0.877; P < .001). According to this cutoff point, 31 patients had large tumor size (≥4.25 cm) and 33 had small tumor size (<4.25 cm). Patients with small tumor size had significantly better overall survival than those with large tumor size (P < .05). Univariate analysis showed that only the tumor size (risk ratio, 1.14; P < .001) was significantly associated with the overall survival.

Conclusions

Tumor existence and tumor size are prognostic factors in HBV-related cirrhosis. With the use of a tumor size cutoff value of 4.25 cm, patients with large-size tumors have significantly poorer overall survival than those with small-size tumors.     

Testicular carcinoid tumor: A case report and literature review

We present a case of a 46-year-old man with an incidental finding of a right testicular tumor on magnetic resonance imaging. He received radical orchiectomy, and the pathological report showed a testicular carcinoid tumor. He has remained in a stable condition 3 years after the operation. Carcinoid tumors of the testis are extremely rare and account for less than 1% of testicular tumors and carcinoids. A painless mass or prominent testis enlargement is the most distinctive presentation. Less than 1–3% of patients demonstrate carcinoid syndrome. Nuclear scintigraphy scan and computed tomography scan have a diagnostic value in excluding carcinoid from other sites. Radical orchiectomy is the treatment of choice, and the prognosis is good for localized carcinoid tumors after resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy for advanced disease shows only minimal benefits.     

Suprapubic mini-laparoscopy-assisted transurethral thulium laser excision of intravesical mesh after anti-incontinence sling procedures

ObjectivesWe present our innovative technique of excising intravesically exposed mesh resulting from anti-incontinence sling procedures using transurethral thulium laser assisted by a suprapubic transvesical mini-laparoscopic grasper.MethodsTwo patients agreed to anti-incontinence sling surgery for stress urinary incontinence several years ago prior to presentation. Because of symptom recurrence, they underwent repeat anti-incontinence sling surgery. One patient developed dysuria and mild lower abdominal pain gradually 1 month after the operation. Cystoscopy was performed and revealed exposed mesh at the left anterolateral wall, which might have resulted from missed intraoperative bladder perforation. The other patient presented with dysuria 2 years following the second sling procedure. Cystoscopy demonstrated a calcified mass attached to the right lateral wall. Bladder erosion by a previously implanted mesh was thought to be the cause. Intravesical mesh was removed transurethrally with thulium laser assisted by a suprapubic transvesical mini-laparoscopic grasper for the former patient. Vesicolithotripsy was performed for the latter patient first and the intravesical mesh was removed in the same manner as in the former patient.ResultsThe intravesical mesh was removed smoothly with thulium laser with the assistance of a suprapubic mini-laparoscopic grasper. As the procedure was minimally invasive, both patients recovered well after removal of the intravesical mesh. The irritative voiding symptoms also subsided following removal of the mesh.ConclusionRemoval of eroded or misplaced intravesical mesh after anti-incontinence sling procedures can be accomplished by transurethral laser excision with the assistance of suprapubic transvesical mini-laparoscopic instruments. The procedure is safe, effective, and minimally invasive, with a fast recovery.     

Multiple variants in UGT1A1 gene are factors to develop indirect hyper-bilirubinemia

Most Taiwanese patients with hyper-bilirubinemia have genetic abnormalities in the uridine diphosphoglucuronate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene beyond the variants in the TATA box upstream of UGT1A1 associated with Gilbert’s syndrome. To investigate the role of UGT1A1 in the pathogenesis of indirect hyper-bilirubinemia, we prospectively studied 97 consecutive patients with indirect hyper-bilirubinemia for genotypes of promoter [(TA)₆TAA6, (TA)₇TAA7] and coding region [nucleotide (nt)-211, nt-686, nt-1,091 and nt-1,456] of UGT1A1. Thirty-six of the patients (45.6%) were found to have Gilbert’s syndrome with 7/7 genotype; among them, 14 also carried variants at nt-686. Forty-two patients (43.3%) had the 6/7 genotype; among them, 36 patients were found to have one or more variants in the coding region. Patients with higher serum total bilirubin are associated with higher likelihood of carrying Gilbert’s syndrome genotype: 60.0% (P=0.007) patients with serum total bilirubin level ≥2.5 mg/dL carried the Gilbert’s syndrome genotype, while only 23.9% of patients with serum total bilirubin level <2.5 mg/dL carry the same genotype (P=0.0006). Forty-one of the 61 non-Gilbert’s patients had one homogenous variants or two or more heterozygous variants in UGT1A1. Further studies are necessary to confirm the role of one homo-zygous variant or two or more hetero-zygous variants in UGT1A1 gene as factors for indirect hyper-bilirubinemia.