Increased IL-10/IL-17 ratio is aggravated along with the prognosis of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

ObjectiveThis study is to investigate the association between the Treg/Th17 cells and prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).MethodsTotally 50 CLL patients and 20 Health controls were included in this study. Regulatory T (Treg) cells and the cell subset secreting IL-17 (Th17) in peripheral blood were detected with flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17 were determined with ELISA, and expression of Foxp3 and RORγt was assessed with quantitative real-time PCR.ResultsTreg and Th17 cell proportions in peripheral blood in the CLL patients were significantly higher than control. Serum levels of IL-10 and IL-17, and expression of Foxp3 and RORγt, were significantly increased in the CLL patients. Ratios of Treg/Th17 and IL-10/IL-17 were significantly elevated in the CLL patients. Compared with those before treatment, Treg/Th17 and IL-10/IL-17 ratios were declined in the CLL patients in remission. Compared with the non-remission group, Treg cells were significantly decreased, while Th17 cells were significantly increased, resulting in decreased Treg/Th17 ratio, in the remission group. Moreover, the serum IL-10 level was significantly decreased, while the serum IL-17 level was significantly increased, resulting in declined IL-10/IL-17 ratio, in the remission group. Correlation analysis showed that, Treg and Th17 cell counts were significantly associated with CD38 and ZAP-70 expression in the CLL patients. Moreover, the IL-10/IL-17 ratio was also significantly associated with CLL prognostic factors.ConclusionAltered Treg/Th17 and IL-10/IL-17 ratios in CLL would be aggravated along with the disease progression, which might be used as indicators for the disease prognosis.     

Brain impedance variation of directional leads implanted in subthalamic nuclei of Parkinsonian patients

ObjectiveConventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems with ring-shaped leads generate spherical electrical fields. In contrast, novel directional leads use segmented electrodes. Aim of this study was to quantify the impedance variations over time in subjects with the directional Cartesia-Boston® system.MethodsImpedance records, programming settings, and clinical data of 11 consecutive Parkinsonian patients implanted with DBS directional leads in two Italian centers (Udine and Vicenza) were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected before starting stimulation (in the operating room and at days 5 and 40) and after switching stimulation on at the successive follow-up visits (1, 6 and 12 months).ResultsDirectional leads have significantly higher impedance than ring leads. Stimulated contacts had always lower impedance compared to non-stimulated contacts. Before DBS-on, all contacts had higher impedance in the operating room, with an initial decrease five days post-surgery and a subsequent increase at day 40, more evident for directional contacts. The impedance of directional leads increased post-implantation at 1 and 6 months with a plateau at 12 months.ConclusionsThere was a significant difference between the directional and ring leads at baseline (before activation of DBS) and during follow-up (chronic DBS).SignificanceOur study reveals new information about the impedance of segmented electrodes that is useful for patient management during the initial test period, as well as during long-term DBS follow-up.     

Multiple pipeline embolization devices improves aneurysm occlusion without increasing morbidity: A single center experience of 140 cases

IntroductionRates of aneurysm occlusion with the pipeline embolization device (PED) has varied widely in the literature from 55.7% to 93.3% at 6 months, which may reflect a difference in technique including sizing and number of devices used.Methods140 cases at our institution were retrospectively reviewed, and aneurysms treated with a single PED vs. multiple were compared.ResultsComplete aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 86.9% at 6 months, 91.8% at 1 year, and 97.6% at longest follow-up. Retreatment with an additional device was required in 7 (5.1%). Major and minor complication rate within 30 days was 1.4% and 5.0%, and at greater than 30 days was 0.8% and 3.1%.Patients treated with multiple PEDs had significantly higher rates of aneurysm occlusion at 6 months (92.9% vs. 75.6%, p = 0.017) and 12 months (98.4% vs. 81.1%, p = 0.014), with no difference in complications. The two groups were similar aside from a higher number of ophthalmic and paraophthalmic aneurysms treated with multiple PEDs (23.4% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.004; and 35.1% vs. 17.4%, p = 0.020), and more posterior communicating artery and recurrent aneurysms treated with a single PED (28.3% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.001; 23.9% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.031). The use of multiple PEDs was found to be an independent predictor of aneurysm occlusion in a multivariate analysis (p = 0.015).ConclusionsThe use of multiple PEDs for intracranial aneurysms leads to significantly higher occlusion rates without added morbidity. This benefit is particularly appropriate for ophthalmic segment aneurysms, while more distal segments with eloquent perforating branches should be managed with caution.     

自发性高血压大鼠永久性脑缺血模型建立的研究

目的在比较自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)与同龄无高血压Wistar大鼠永久性大脑中动脉阻塞(pMCAO)后脑缺血损伤情况并初步分析其可能机制。方法雄性SHR和Wistar大鼠各30只分别随机分为:pMCAO模型6 h组、假手术6 h组、pMCAO模型24 h组、假手术24 h组和正常组(均n=6)。采用线栓法制作pMCAO模型,术后6、24 h对大鼠进行神经功能学评分后处死,制作脑冠状切片。术后6 h处死大鼠脑部切片行尼氏染色后在组织学层面上观察神经元损伤情况;术后24 h处死大鼠脑部切片行尼氏染色后计算脑梗死体积和水肿程度百分比。正常组脑部切片经苏木精-伊红染色后计算脑部小血管壁/腔比。结果术后6和24 h,不同品系大鼠神经功能学评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后6 h尼氏染色示SHR神经元损伤重于Wistar大鼠。术后24 h SHR脑梗死体积百分比[(28.05±2.38)%]大于Wistar大鼠[(25.23±1.33)%],差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两品系大鼠之间脑水肿程度差异无显著性。脑部小血管壁/腔比SHR[(11.46±3.74)%]较Wistar大鼠[(8.73±1.73)%]增大(P0.05)。结论 pMCAO术后SHR的脑缺血损伤程度重于Wistar大鼠,可能与高血压引起的脑侧支循环血管壁增厚、僵硬,自我调节能力降低有关。     

Efficacy of lianhuaqingwen granules in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps

ObjectivesChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complicated disease with clinical symptoms that are impacted by the absence or presence of nasal polyps (CRSsNP or CRSwNP). Understanding of the different treatments of CRS is very significant in selecting appropriate therapies and preventing exacerbation relevant to this chronic inflammation. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of Chinese traditional medicine lianhuaqingwen granules on CRSsNP.Materials and methodsCRSsNP patients were enrolled and randomized into placebo or lianhuaqingwen (LHQW) granules treatment group (placebo or LHQW group). Their clinical symptoms were scored using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22. Nitric oxide (NO) from nasal cavity and sinus and nasal resistance were also examined. Then, nasal biopsy samples and nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were obtained from these patients, and histologic characteristics of nasal mucosa and T cell subpopulations patterns in the NLF were evaluated. Finally, inflammatory mediators in the NLF were assessed in both groups.ResultsOne hundred and forty patients with CRSsNP finished this one-month study. VAS and SNOT-22 scores and nasal resistance were all decreased distinctly after the treatment of LHQW, but not after placebo. However, the nasal NO concentration was increased in LHQW administration group in comparison with placebo group. There were significant differences in above parameters between these two treatments. Histologic changes in nasal mucosa were improved only in LHQW group. CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells were all downregulated in the LHQW treatment group, but not in placebo group. Inflammatory mediators from the NLF were decreased in LHQW treatment group compared to placebo group. Furthermore, there were significant changes between these two groups in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell subpopulations and concentrations of inflammatory substances.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate that LHQW granules treatment may control the inflammation in nasal mucosa and result in the improvement of CRSsNP. This Chinese medicine might become a promising therapy in the management of this disease.     

Durability of humoral immune responses to rubella following MMR vaccination

BackgroundWhile administration of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR-II®) vaccine has been effective at preventing rubella infection in the United States, the durability of humoral immunity to the rubella component of MMR vaccine has not been widely studied among older adolescents and adults.MethodsIn this longitudinal study, we sought to assess the durability of rubella virus (RV)-specific humoral immunity in a healthy population (n = 98) of adolescents and young adults at two timepoints: ~7 and ~17 years after two doses of MMR-II® vaccination. Levels of circulating antibodies specific to RV were measured by ELISA and an immune-colorimetric neutralization assay. RV-specific memory B cell responses were also measured by ELISpot.ResultsRubella-specific IgG antibody titers, neutralizing antibody titers, and memory B cell responses declined with increasing time since vaccination; however, these decreases were relatively moderate. Memory B cell responses exhibited a greater decline in men compared to women.ConclusionsCollectively, rubella-specific humoral immunity declines following vaccination, although subjects’ antibody titers remain well above the currently recognized threshold for protective immunity. Clinical correlates of protection based on neutralizing antibody titer and memory B cell ELISpot response should be defined.