Heterogeneity in amount of growth factors secreted by platelets in platelet-rich plasma samples from alopecia patients

Platelet α-granules release growth factors (GFs) that promote healing and tissue regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is shown to be beneficial in treating alopecia, and however, clinical response can be inconsistent. Due to several fold enrichment of platelets secreting large quantities of GFs following PRP injections, heterogeneity in amounts of GFs secreted by platelets may contribute to inconsistent clinical responses. Herein, we evaluated factors that could potentially contribute to heterogeneous secretion of GFs by platelets. We measured platelet secretion of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFβ1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) in aliquots of de-identified PRP samples from female patients undergoing therapy in the hair disease clinic. Although secretion of GFs by platelets was comparable in PRP samples of patients with non-cicatricial and cicatricial alopecia, a Shapiro-Wilk test for normal distribution indicated significant variability across all patient samples. The amount of GF secreted by platelets was comparable when PRP prepared from two FDA-cleared devices with distinct techniques were compared. We provide evidence of platelets secreting heterogeneous amounts of GFs within each sample as high and low secretion of random factors could be simultaneously detected. These results suggest inherent heterogeneity in secretion of GFs by platelets in patient samples that are not influenced by the device used to prepare PRP. Since some GFs could have antagonistic effects on hair growth, a balance between amounts of growth promoting and inhibiting factors may be crucial in determining clinical response to PRP therapy.     

Curcumin ameliorates hepatic chronic inflammation induced by bile duct obstruction in mice through the activation of heme oxygenase-1

1. Download : Download high-res image (66KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Recipient hypertonic saline infusion prevents cardiac allograft dysfunction

Objective

Hypertonic saline (HTS) has potent immune and vascular effects. We assessed recipient pretreatment with HTS on allograft function in a porcine model of heart transplantation and hypothesized that HTS infusion would limit endothelial and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction following transplantation.

Serum growth factor stability in different eye drop packaging systems during storage

Serum eye drops (SED) have shown beneficial effects in patients suffering from dry eye syndrome and are manufactured for an increasing number of patients in Australia every year. Previous studies have examined the stability of serum growth factors during storage in either experimental vessels not used as the final packaging system or in eye drop bottles. To ensure the quality and safety of SED product manufactured in Australia, the stability of growth factors in serum packaged into two different systems during storage at different temperatures was examined. Healthy blood donors provided a whole blood donation, from which serum was prepared, diluted to 20% and dispensed into either a tube or a vial packaging system. The stability of growth factors, fibronectin and total protein in tube segments was comparable to matched vials samples during storage at −30 °C, 4 °C, 22 °C and 37 °C, with the exception of EGF and fibronectin in 20% SED stored in tube segments, which were more sensitive to storage conditions at 4 °C and 22 °C when compared to vials. Additionally, the growth factor, fibronectin and total protein concentration in both tube segments and vials was stable during storage at −30 °C for at least 9 months. This study highlights the impact of different manufacturing procedures on serum growth factor stability during storage.     

Early onset scoliosis and current treatment methods

ObjectiveProvide an update of the management options for early onset scoliosis patients, including general assessment, conservative and surgical options.MethodsWe included the updated information about the assessment and management options of Early Onset Scoliosis, taking into consideration the non-fusion methods, including the burden on the patient and their family.ResultsWith the heterogeneity of this population, it is difficult to get a consensus about a unified protocol for management. Accordingly, the surgeon dealing with these cases needs to be aware of the broad range of surgical and non-surgical methods when treating these patients.ConclusionThe main aim of early onset scoliosis treatment is to gain a flexible spine associated with normal lung development and thoracic growth. Management needs to be individualized between the surgeon and patient in relation to the etiology and patient conditions.     

HIV/AIDS and economic growth: Evidence from West Africa

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in West Africa. Prevalence among the most productive age group in West and Central Africa stood at 1.5%, 3.4.0%, 2.5%, and 2.1% in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2015 respectively. This study examined the effect of HIV/AIDS on economic growth in West Africa with focus on 11 countries. The augmented Solow model, rooted in the neoclassical growth theory, was used, which was operationalized using dynamic panel data modeling approach. Incidence, prevalence, number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), and AIDS‐related deaths were used to measure HIV/AIDS. Estimations using system GMM returned statistically significant results while those of first difference and difference GMM were not. From the outcome of system GMM analysis, a percentage increase in incidence, prevalence, PLWHA, and AIDS deaths correspondingly reduced growth significantly through their effects on life expectancy by 0.15%, 0.02%, 0.004%, and 0.03%. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome deaths and PLWHA lowered economic growth through enrolment but not significantly. The import of the findings is that HIV/AIDS threatens growth through life expectancy in West Africa. Therefore, its spread in the subregion should be effectively contained while proper treatment should be provided for all infected persons.     

脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2、胰岛素样生长因子-1与老年VD患者认知功能的关系及预测价值研究

目的 探讨脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2（Lp-PLA2）、胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）与老年血管性痴呆（VD）患者认知功能的关系及预测价值。方法 选择2019 年3～6 月在我院接受治疗的VD 患者60 例为研究对象，同时选取同期在我院接受检查的健康者60 例为对照组，比较两组患者的Lp-PLA2、IGF-1、简易智力状态检查量表评分（MMSE）水平；采用Pearson 相关性分析法对Lp-PLA2、IGF-1 与MMSE 评分的相关性进行分析；采用受试者工作曲线（ROC）下面积（AUC）比较Lp-PLA2、IGF-1 对VD 的预测价值。结果 观察组患者的Lp-PLA2 水平明显高于对照组（P＜0.05），观察组患者的IGF-1、MMSE 评分明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）；Lp-PLA2 与MMSE 评分呈负相关性，IGF-1 与MMSE 评分呈正相关性；Lp-PLA2 与IGF-1 诊断VD 的AUC 值分别为0.940、0.954。结论Lp-PLA2 水平越低，IGF-1 水平越高，患者的认知功能越好，且Lp-PLA2、IGF-1 对老年VD 患者均具有较高的预测价值。