Human antibodies against formaldehyde-human serum albumin conjugates or human serum albumin in individuals exposed to formaldehyde

Sera from patients undergoing hemodialysis with formaldehyde (F)-sterilized dialyzers were studied to determine if antibodies against F conjugated to human serum albumin (HSA) could be detected. F-human serum albumin (F-HSA) conjugates were prepared using ratios of F to HSA that did not precipitate the HSA. The F-HSA conjugates migrate differently electrophoretically than HSA with an increased negative charge of F-HSA as compared with HSA. The F-HSA was used in an ELISA. The results demonstrated that in certain sera, IgG, IgM, IgA and IgE antibodies against F-HSA could be measured. In the highest titered sera, it was shown that the IgG antibody was not directed against F alone or F-lysine but against an antigenic grouping of F-HSA. No correlation of either IgG or IgE antibodies with immune complex or allergic reactions was found in this series of dialysis patients. Some sera from dialysis patients had antibody activity against HSA. Sera from 2 physicians with rhinitis after F exposure had no antibody activity against F-HSA or HSA. Two nurses with a history of F-induced asthma had no IgG antibodies but did have IgE antibodies against F-HSA and HSA. This spectrum of immunologic responses is analogous to responses in dogs immunized with F or F dog albumin. We have not been able to identify anti HSA antibodies in patients reactive to other hapten-HSA compounds and it is suggested that anti HSA antibodies in F-exposed humans may relate to the F exposure.     

Relative Efficacy of Sacubitril-Valsartan,Vericiguat, and SGLT2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction: a Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy - Sacubitril/valsartan, vericiguat, and the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) dapagliflozin and empagliflozin proved effective in phase 3 trials...     

Acute tubular necrosis after inhalation exposure to methylene chloride. Report of a case

Nephrotoxic reaction occurred after inhalation exposure to methylene chloride. This exposure is associated with acute renal failure, myoglobinuria, hypocomplementemia, and liver enzyme elevations. Pathologic specimens, both light and electron microscopic, demonstrate renal tubular damage. We conclude that methylene chloride may have potential as both a hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic agent when inhaled at high concentrations over an extended period of time.     

Centrosome abnormalities are frequently observed in non-small-cell lung cancer and are associated with aneuploidy and cyclin E overexpression

Centrosome abnormalities are observed in human cancers and have been associated with aneuploidy, a driving force in tumour progression. However, the exact pathways that tend to cause centrosome abnormalities have not been fully elucidated in human tumours. Using a series of 68 non-small-cell lung carcinomas and an array of in vitro experiments, the relationship between centrosome abnormalities, aneuploidy, and the status of key G1 to S-phase transition cell-cycle molecules, involved in the regulation of centrosome duplication, was investigated. Centrosome amplification and structural abnormalities were common (53%), were strongly related to aneuploidy, and, surprisingly, were even seen in adjacent hyperplastic regions, suggesting the possibility that these are early lesions in lung carcinogenesis. Cyclin E and E2F1 overexpression, but not p53 mutation, was observed to correlate with centrosome abnormalities in vivo (p = 0.029 and p = 0.015, respectively). This was further strengthened by the observation that cyclin E was specifically present in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of the cells that contained centrosome aberrations. The cytoplasmic cyclin E signal may be attributed, in part, to the presence of truncated low-molecular-weight isoforms of cyclin E. In order to isolate the effect of cyclin E on the appearance of centrosome abnormalities, a U2OS tetracycline-repressible cyclin E cell line that has a normal centrosome profile by default was used. With this system, it was confirmed in vitro that persistent cyclin E overexpression is sufficient to cause the appearance of centrosome abnormalities.     

Open and laparoscopic approach in incisional hernia repair with ePTFE prosthesis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the results of incisional hernia laparoscopic and open surgery, focusing on the morbidity and postoperative implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 106 (42 men, 64 women) patients suffering from incisional hernias were treated with either a laparoscopic (30) or an open (76) placement of a prosthetic mesh between January 1997 and December 2004. The age and gender of the patients, the size and type of the mesh, operation note, the length of postoperative hospital stay, and morbidity were recorded. RESULTS: An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh was used in 103 patients, whereas a polypropylene mesh was used in 3 patients. In the open technique, 3 patients with the ePTFE prosthetic material developed a mesh infection and required a mesh removal, which was easily performed under local anesthesia. Moreover, 2 patients from the same group developed a hernia recurrence. As for the laparoscopic approach, the only complication observed was one hernia recurrence. Finally, it should be mentioned that 1 patient with a polypropylene mesh developed a colocutaneous fistula. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits of the laparoscopic mesh technique, compared to the open technique, include a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and possibly, a reduction in wound and mesh complications. Regarding the recurrence rate, the two techniques show similar results.