Begelomab for severe refractory dermatomyositis: A case report

Rationale:Severe refractory idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) represents a challenge for the clinician. The lack of efficacy of available tools reflects our incomplete insight into the molecular events sustaining the inflammatory tissue damage in these patients. We present the first case of refractory IIM treated with anti-dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)/cluster of differentiation 26 (CD26) monoclonal antibody.Patient concerns:A 55-year old man presented with proximal muscle weakness, diffuse erythematous skin lesions which rapidly evolved into ulcerations, dysphagia and dysphonia.Diagnosis:Increased serum creatine kinase levels and histological findings at muscle and skin biopsies were compatible with the diagnosis of dermatomyositis (DM). Several lines of treatment failed to control the disease including steroids, mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, intravenous immunoglobulins and rituximab. Despite therapy, the patient also had recurrent intestinal vasculitis causing bowel perforation. Concurrently, DPP-4/CD26 expression in the patient''s skin and skeletal muscle was observed.Interventions:The patient was treated with begelomab, a murine immunoglobulin G2b monoclonal antibody against DPP-4/CD26.Outcomes:Dysphagia, skin lesions and intestinal vasculitis resolved and the patient experienced a significant improvement of his quality of life.Conclusion:Blockade of DPP-4/CD26, which is expressed on T cells and mediates T cell activation and function, is safe and might be effective in patients with refractory DM.     

江滩地区纳潮引水药浸法杀灭钉螺的现场评价

［摘要］　目的　比较江滩地区纳潮引水药浸法与单纯喷洒法现场灭螺效果。方法　在2块相邻有螺江滩上分别采用纳潮引水药浸法灭螺（灭螺药为26%四聚·杀螺胺乙醇胺盐悬浮剂）与单纯26%四聚·杀螺胺乙醇胺盐悬浮剂喷洒法灭螺，在灭螺前后分别进行螺情调查并计算灭后活螺密度。结果　纳潮引水药浸法灭螺后1年和2年活螺密度下降率分别为72.19%和100.00%，单纯喷洒法灭螺后1年和2年活螺密度下降率分别为5.93%和18.15%。结论　有螺江滩纳潮引水药浸法灭螺效果明显优于单纯喷洒法灭螺，纳潮引水药浸法灭螺持续开展2年以上效果更佳。     

Recombinant low-seroprevalent adenoviral vectors Ad26 and Ad35 expressing the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion protein induce protective immunity against RSV infection in cotton rats

RSV is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children, the elderly and in those with underlying medical conditions. Although the high disease burden indicates an urgent need for a vaccine against RSV, no licensed RSV vaccine is currently available. We developed an RSV vaccine candidate based on the low-seroprevalent human adenovirus serotypes 26 and 35 (Ad26 and Ad35) encoding the RSV fusion (F) gene. Single immunization of mice with either one of these vectors induced high titers of RSV neutralizing antibodies and high levels of F specific interferon-gamma-producing T cells. A Th1-type immune response was indicated by a high IgG2a/IgG1 ratio of RSV-specific antibodies, strong induction of RSV-specific interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha cytokine producing CD8 Tcells, and low RSV-specific CD4 T-cell induction. Both humoral and cellular responses were increased upon a boost with RSV-F expressing heterologous adenovirus vector (Ad35 boost after Ad26 prime or vice versa). Both single immunization and prime-boost immunization of cotton rats induced high and long-lasting RSV neutralizing antibody titers and protective immunity against lung and nasal RSV A2 virus load up to at least 30 weeks after immunization. Cotton rats were also completely protected against challenge with a RSV B strain (B15/97) after heterologous prime-boost immunization. Lungs from vaccinated animals showed minimal damage or inflammatory infiltrates post-challenge, in contrast to animals vaccinated with formalin-inactivated virus. Our results suggest that recombinant human adenoviral Ad26 and Ad35 vectors encoding the RSV F gene have the potential to provide broad and durable protection against RSV in humans, and appear safe to be investigated in infants.     

Synergistic effects of AKAP95, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Cx43 in the development of rectal cancer

Objective: To explore the expression of A-kinase anchor protein 95 (AKAP95), Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Connexin43 (Cx43) in rectal cancer tissues and assess the associations between each of the proteins and pathological parameters, as well as their inter-relationships. Methods: AKAP95, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1, and Cx43 protein expression rates were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 50 rectal cancer specimens and 16 pericarcinoma tissues. Results: The positive rates of AKAP95, Cyclin E1, and Cyclin D1 proteins were 54.00 vs. 18.75%, 62.00 vs. 6.25%, and 72.00 vs. 31.25% in rectal cancer specimens and pericarcinoma tissues, respectively, representing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The positive rate of Cx43 protein expression in rectal cancer tissues was 44.00% and 62.50% in pericarcinoma tissues, and the difference between them was not significant (P > 0.05). No significant associations were found between protein expression of AKAP95, Cyclin E1, Cyclin D1, and Cx43, and the degree of differentiation, histological type, and lymph node metastasis of rectal cancer (P > 0.05). However, significant correlations were obtained between the expression rates of AKAP95 and Cyclin E1, Cyclin E1 and Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1 and Cx43 protein, and Cyclin D1 and Cx43, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusion: AKAP95, Cyclin E1, and Cyclin D1 protein expression rates were significantly higher in rectal cancer tissues compared with pericarcinoma samples, suggesting an association between these proteins and the development and progression of rectal cancer. In addition, the significant correlations between the proteins (AKAP95 and Cyclin E1, Cyclin E1 and Cyclin D1, Cyclin E1 and Cx43 protein, and Cyclin D1 and Cx43) indicate the possible synergistic effects of these factors in the development and progression of rectal cancer.     

布鲁氏菌抗体胶体金免疫层析法快速检测技术的建立

目的建立一种快速检测布鲁氏菌抗体的新方法。方法利用胶体金免疫层析技术,以大肠埃希菌表达、纯化的OMP31与BP26重组蛋白作为检测抗原,以金黄葡萄球菌A蛋白(SPA)作为胶体金标记物,制备胶体金免疫层析试纸条,用于检测布鲁氏菌抗体,并分析方法的敏感性和特异性。结果以粒径为40nm胶体金制备的试纸条检测布鲁氏菌抗体的敏感性最高,胶体金最佳标记pH为6.2,SPA蛋白最适标记量为6μg/ml。交叉试验证明试纸条不与其他非相关疾病感染血清反应,特异性高。试纸条检测结果与琥红平板试验方法的符合率为92%。结论制备的布鲁氏菌抗体胶体金免疫层析试纸条具有敏感、特异、简便、快速的特点,可用于鉴别布鲁氏菌自然感染和人工免疫,并可区分牛、羊种布鲁氏菌感染,可在基层推广使用。