The initial phase of graft‐versus‐host disease is associated with a decrease of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in the peripheral blood of patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

The mechanisms that induce and control the alloimmune inflammation of graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo‐SCT) are still incompletely understood. In the murine system, GvHD can be suppressed by CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (TREG), which are generally involved in the suppression of inflammatory reactions. A disruption of the homeostasis between TREG and conventional T cells might therefore be associated with the inflammatory reactions of GvHD. We repetitively measured the frequency of TREG in the peripheral blood of 29 patients within the first 71–373 days after allo‐SCT and correlated the results with the clinical course. We demonstrate that the initial phase of GvHD is associated with a significant reduction of TREG in the peripheral blood, while at later stages and during intensified immunosuppressive therapy, increased numbers of TREG appear. These results might indicate a pathogenic role for reduced numbers of TREG in the induction of human GvHD.     

Floating thumb with double dislocation of carpometacarpal and metacarpo-phalangeal joints

INTRODUCTION

Double dislocations of carpometacarpal and metacarpo-phanlageal joints are rare. We report an unusual case of simultaneous dislocation of both CMC and MCP joints in the thumb.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 31 year old male was admitted following a road traffic accident. He was complaining of pain and deformity of right thumb. The X-ray examination revealed simultaneous dislocation of both CMC and MCP joints. He underwent closed manipulative reduction and percutaneous K wire fixation. The wires were removed after six weeks. After a course of physiotherapy he regained full range of pain free movements.

DISCUSSION

The incidence of simultaneous dislocation of both CMC and MCP joints in thumb are associated with high energy injuries. The options of treatment are conservative with cast immobilisation and serial X-rays or operative including closed manipulative reduction and K wire fixation or open reduction and internal fixation.

CONCLUSION

The option of treating this rare injury with closed manipulative reduction and percutaneous K wiring gives excellent and predictable results.     

Morphological and Histochemical Description of Quail Feather Development

The current study investigated the macroscopic and microscopic differences between pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers. The morphology of the barbules distinguished pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers, particularly the shape of barbules during their development. In pennaceous feathers, the initial barbules were large and elongated or pyriform in shape, while plumulaceous feathers had small, thin, elongated initial barbules. The spinous barbules were characteristic of pennaceous feathers. The histochemical reactivity of both feather types for Mallory trichrome, orange G, and acridine orange, safranin O, PAS, and methylene blue was determined. Keratin was detected by Mallory trichrome, orange G, and acridine orange. In conclusion, the histochemical properties of pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers of quail, particularly the distribution and nature of keratin during development, should be considered in future studies. The unique morphological features of pennaceous and plumulaceous feathers could be used as a guide for phylogenetic identification. Anat Rec, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy Anat Rec, 303:1865–1883, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy     

Antifungal and Antihepatotoxic Effects of Sepia Ink Extract Against Oxidative Stress as a Risk Factor of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Neutropenic Mice

Background

There is a great need for novel strategies to overcome the high mortality associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in immunocompromised patients. To evaluate the antifungal and antihepatotoxic potentials of Sepia ink extract, its effect on liver oxidative stress levels was analyzed against IPA in neutropenic mice using amphotercin B as a reference drug.

Materials and Methods

Eighty neutropenic infected mice were randomly assigned into four main groups. The 1^st group was treated with saline, neutropenic infected (NI), the 2^nd group was treated with ink extract (200 mg/kg) (IE) and the 3^rd group was treated with amphotericin B (150 mg/kg) (AMB) and 4^th group was treated with IE plus AMB. Treatment was started at 24 h after fungal inoculation (1×10⁹ conidia/ml).

Results

The present study revealed good in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of IE against A. fumigatus. IE significantly reduced hepatic fungal burden and returns liver function and histology to normal levels. Compared with the untreated infected group, mice in the IE, AMB, and IE+ AMB groups had increased glutathione reduced (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at 24 and 72 h after inoculation with A. fumigatus conidia.

Conclusion

It is then concluded that in combination with antifungal therapy (AMB), IE treatment can reduce hepatic fungal burden, alleviate hepatic granulomatous lesions and oxidative stress associated with IPA in neutropenic mice     

Effective Range of FSSW Parameters for High Load-Carrying Capacity of Dissimilar Steel A283M-C/Brass CuZn40 Joints

In the current study, a 2 mm thick low-carbon steel sheet (A283M—Grade C) was joined with a brass sheet (CuZn40) of 1 mm thickness using friction stir spot welding (FSSW). Different welding parameters including rotational speeds of 1000, 1250, and 1500 rpm, and dwell times of 5, 10, 20, and 30 s were applied to explore the effective range of parameters to have FSSW joints with high load-carrying capacity. The joint quality of the friction stir spot-welded (FSSWed) dissimilar materials was evaluated via visual examination, tensile lap shear test, hardness test, and macro- and microstructural investigation using SEM. Moreover, EDS analysis was applied to examine the mixing at the interfaces of the dissimilar materials. Heat input calculation for the FSSW of steel–brass was found to be linearly proportional with the number of revolutions per spot joint, with maximum heat input obtained of 11 kJ at the number of revolutions of 500. The temperature measurement during FSSW showed agreement with the heat input dependence on the number of revolution. However, at the same revolutions of 500, it was found that the higher rotation speed of 1500 rpm resulted in higher temperature of 583 °C compared to 535 °C at rotation speed of 1000 rpm. This implies the significant effect for the rotation speed in the increase of temperature. The macro investigations of the friction stir spot-welded joints transverse sections showed sound joints at the different investigated parameters with significant joint ligament between the steel and brass. FSSW of steel/brass joints with a number of revolutions ranging between 250 to 500 revolutions per spot at appropriate tool speed range (1000–1500 rpm) produces joints with high load-carrying capacity from 4 kN to 7.5 kN. The hardness showed an increase in the carbon steel (lower sheet) with maximum of 248 HV and an increase of brass hardness at mixed interface between brass and steel with significant reduction in the stir zone hardness. Microstructural investigation of the joint zone showed mechanical mixing between steel and brass with the steel extruded from the lower sheet into the upper brass sheet.