(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate,reduces corneal damage secondary from experimental grade II alkali burns in mice

Background

Since recent reports have shown that (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could be used for treating proliferative and inflammatory disorders, we explored its use for the management of corneal chemical burns.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are molecules that increase the endogenous immune response against tumors. They have revolutionized the field of oncology. Since their initial approval for the treatment of advanced melanoma, their use has expanded to the treatment of several other advanced cancers. Unfortunately, immune checkpoint inhibitors have also been associated with the emergence of a new subset of autoimmune-like toxicities, known as immune-related adverse events. These toxicities differ depending on the agent, malignancy, and individual susceptibilities. Although the skin and colon are most commonly involved, any organ may be affected, including the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart. Most of these toxicities are diagnosed by excluding other secondary infectious or inflammatory causes. Corticosteroids are commonly used for treatment of moderate and severe immune-related adverse events, although additional immunosuppressive therapy may occasionally be required. The occurrence of immune-related toxicities may require discontinuation of immunotherapy, depending on the specific toxicity and its severity. In this article, we provide a focused review to familiarize practicing clinicians with this important topic given that the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors continues to increase.     

3-磷酸甘油酸脱氢酶促进丝氨酸合成在肿瘤进展中的机制

丝氨酸生物合成途径活性的上调是许多癌症明显的共同特征。该途径的第一种限速酶3-磷酸甘油酸脱氢酶(PHGDH)在黑色素瘤、乳腺癌和肾癌等癌组织中高表达，对肿瘤细胞增殖、转移、侵袭有着重要作用。糖酵解中间产物3-磷酸甘油酸在PHGDH作用下，氧化为磷酸羟基丙酮酸并最终合成丝氨酸。丝氨酸转化为甘氨酸，然后在核苷酸、s-腺苷甲硫氨酸(SAM)和还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)的合成中起着重要的作用。PHGDH 有望成为肿瘤治疗的新靶点。     

利用耳甲腔型小耳畸形残耳皮瓣及软骨改善再造耳颅耳沟效果观察

目的探讨对先天性耳甲腔型小耳畸形患者行全扩张法全耳再造术后，利用残耳皮瓣改善再造耳颅耳沟的效果。方法回顾分析 2012 年 1 月—2017 年 1 月收治的 150 例先天性耳甲腔型小耳畸形患者。其中男 92 例，女 58 例；年龄 6.5～35.0 岁，平均 11.1 岁。采用一期扩张器埋置、二期全扩张法全耳再造术后发现上部颅耳沟浅显；于 6～12 个月后行三期再造耳修整。将残耳垂通过“Z”字改型转移以再造耳垂。在残耳上部作蒂在轮屏切迹的残耳上部皮瓣，弧形切开松解并加深上部颅耳沟，将上部残耳皮瓣向颅耳沟创面旋转推进缝合以覆盖创面；将带皮下组织蒂的残耳软骨组织瓣插入支架底部形成的腔隙内，并缝合固定，以增加支架的高度；耳甲腔区其余残耳皮瓣用以覆盖耳甲腔创面。结果术后拆线时 1 例患儿皮瓣远端出现直径约 0.5 cm 的表皮水疱，经换药 2 周后愈合；其余患者皮瓣成活良好。患者均获随访，随访时间 6～12 个月，平均 9.6 个月。再造耳上部颅耳沟均明显加深，再造耳支架高度不同程度增加，双耳对称性佳，耳甲腔无明显挛缩变小，再造耳外观满意。再造耳上部表面毛发明显减少，耳周发际线上移。结论采用耳甲腔型小耳畸形的残耳皮瓣及残耳软骨瓣转移，不仅可加深颅耳沟，而且可增加上部支架的高度，术后颅耳沟变形较轻，再造耳与正常耳廓的对称性更佳。     

Vaccination inhibits the human adenoviral transduction in a mouse keratoconjunctivitis model

Adenovirus infections are a major cause of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which can lead to corneal subepithelial infiltrates and multifocal corneal opacity. In the current study, we investigated the use of an E1/E3-deleted adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vector as a vaccine administered intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) against subsequent challenges with a luciferase-expressing Ad5 (Ad5-Luci) vector via eyedrop. We evaluated the adaptive immune response to Ad5 vector vaccination and confirmed a robust polyfunctional CD8 T cell response in splenic cells. Neutralizing Ad5 antibodies were also measured in the sera of vaccinated mice as well as Ad5 antibody in the eye wash solutions. Upon challenge with Ad5-Luci vector 8 weeks post the primary immunization, transduction was significantly reduced by > 70% in the vaccinated mice, which was slightly better in IM- vs. that in IN-vaccinated animals. Resistance to subsequent challenge was observed 10 months post primary IM vaccination, with sustained reduction up to 60% in the Ad5-Luci vector transduction. Passive immunization of naive mice with antisera from IM to vaccinated mice subsequently challenged with the Ad5-Luci vector resulted in approximately 40% loss in transduction efficiency. Furthermore, the mice that received IM immunization with or without CD8 T cell depletion showed > 40% and 70% reductions, respectively, in Ad8 genomic copies after Ad8 topical challenge. We conclude that Ad-vector vaccination successfully induced an adaptive immune response that prevented subsequent Ad transduction in the cornea and conjunctiva-associated tissues in a mouse model of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis, and that both cellular and humoral immunity play an important role in preventing Ad transduction.