Toward a Dynamic Approach of THA Planning Based on Ultrasound

The risk of dislocation after THA reportedly is minimized if the acetabular implant is oriented at 45° inclination and 15° anteversion with respect to the anterior pelvic plane. This reference plane now is used in computer-assisted protocols. However, this static approach may lead to postoperative instability because the dynamic variations of the pelvis influence effective cup orientation and are not taken into account in this approach. We propose an ultrasound tool to register the preoperative dynamics of the pelvis for THA planning during computer-assisted surgery. To assess this pelvic behavior and its consequences on implant orientation, we tested a new 2.5-dimensional ultrasound-based approach. The pelvic flexion was registered in sitting, standing, and supine positions in 20 subjects. The mean values were −25.2° ± 5.8° (standard deviation), 2.4° ± 5.1°, and 6.8° ± 3.5°, respectively. The mean functional anteversion varied by 26° and the mean functional inclination by 12° depending on the pelvic flexion. We therefore recommend including dynamic pelvic behavior to minimize dislocation risk. The notion of a safe zone should be revisited and extended to include changes with activity. One or more of the authors (GD) have received funding from the French National Agency of Research, Réseau National des Technologies pour la Santé. Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.     

Interferon-β inhibits inflammatory responses mediators via suppression of iNOS signaling pathway in PBMCs from patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Background

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) represents a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder, characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, inducing compromised secretory function and tissue destruction. Increasing evidence had revealed that inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, are critical in the development and perpetuation of pSS systemic manifestations. In our current study, we aimed to investigate the ex vivo immunomodulatory effect of interferon (IFN)-β on iNOS expression, as well as on pro-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6) and immunoregulatory (IL-10) cytokine production. Furthermore, we examined potential associations between the influence of IFN-β treatment on NO production, and pSS clinical and serological manifestations.

Methods

In 41 pSS patients documented for their clinical and serological features, NO and cytokines levels were measured by the Griess method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was analyzed by fluorescence immunostaining assay, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from healthy controls and pSS patients.

Results

Our results revealed a strong down-modulating effect of IFN-β in the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators including TNF-α, IL-6, and NO production. Interestingly, IFN-β exerts an increase in IL-10 levels. The most suppressive effect exerted by IFN-β on NO production was importantly reported for patients with neurological manifestation. This immunomodulatory effect of IFN-β on NO production is highly related to the decrease of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight a consistent ex vivo inhibitory effect of IFN-β on pro-inflammatory cytokine production and NO pathway in pSS patients. Our data suggest that IFN-β could represent a potential candidate for targeting inflammation during pSS.

     

Cell-free probiotic supernatant (CFS) treatment alleviates indomethacin-induced enterocolopathy in BALB/c mice by down-modulating inflammatory response and oxidative stress: potential alternative targeted treatment

Inflammopharmacology - Probiotics and their metabolites appear to be a promising approach that targets both the intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis in bowel diseases. In this context, the...     

Beneficial role of Pistacia lentiscus aqueous extract in experimental colitis: anti-inflammatory and potential therapeutic effects

Inflammopharmacology - Pistacia lentiscus L. (PL) is a flowering plant traditionally used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The extracts of this plant are endowed with strong...     

Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis in Algeria: a multicenter study

The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in North Africa to that of Western countries. We have enrolled in a cross-sectional study all consecutive patients presenting with the diagnosis of RA according to the 1987 ACR criteria, and during a 5-month period, patients were included in 11 centers across northern Algeria. Demographics, clinical data, and health assessment questionnaires (HAQ) were collected for each patient. We have estimated means, standard deviations, and 95 % confidence intervals for all parameters. Of the 249 patients (213 females and 36 males) enrolled in the study, 10 (4 %) had juvenile onset of the disease. The mean age was 50.1 ± 14.5 years, and the mean duration of RA was 8.4 ± 7.8 years. In terms of comorbidities, 18.9 % of patients reported hypertension and 5.2 % had diabetes. The mean DAS28 at inclusion was 4.3 (95 % CI 4.1–4.5); 14.0 % were in remission (DAS28 ≤ 2.6). The mean HAQ score was 0.81 ± 0.82. Rheumatoid factor was positive in 78.5 % of cases, and anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies, when measured, was positive in 69.0 % of cases. Seronegative patients were older and had a relatively less severe disease. For treatment, 89.7 % of patients were taking disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and only 4 % were taking biologics (rituximab); 90.8 % of patients were taking glucocorticoids, and none of the patients satisfied the recommended calcium intake guidelines. RA in Algeria is more common in women. Compared to reports from Western countries, RA in Algeria appears to be less aggressive, with more dominant seronegative oligoarthritis forms. The remission rate is comparable to that of Western populations.     

In vitro antihydatic action of IFN-gamma is dependent on the nitric oxide pathway.

Hydatidosis is a widely endemic helminthic disease vectored in human by the larval stage of the metacestode Echinococcus granulosus. It is characterized by the long-term coexistence of chronic infection with detectable humoral and cellular responses against the macroparasite. Previous studies demonstrated interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and nitric oxide (NO) production (in vivo and in vitro) during hydatidosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that NO production after IFN-gamma induction may constitute a host defense against E. granulosus. We also investigated the IFN-gamma effect on protoscolices (larval form of the parasite) viability in coculture with hydatid patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMCs from hydatic patients incubated with IFN-gamma (100 U/mL) alone are effective in the killing of protoscolices. This scolicidal activity is concomitant with elevation of nitrite levels. NO release and cytotoxic activity are inhibited by N-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), a specific inhibitor of the NO pathway and increased by L-arginine, an NO precursor, and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) cofactor. Our results indicate that IFN-gamma mediated iNOS induction as one of host defense mechanism against human E. granulosus infection.     

Determinants of improvement in quality of life of alcohol-dependent patients during an inpatient withdrawal programme

Background: To investigate the improvement in quality of life (QoL) of alcohol-dependent patients during a 3-week inpatient withdrawal programme, and to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and alcohol-related variables associated with baseline QoL on admission and with improvement of QoL during residential treatment.     

Effect of Cleome arabica Leaf Extract on Rat Paw Edema and Human Neutrophil Migration

The anti-inflammatory activity of Cleome arabica leaf extract was studied in vivo and in vitro. Firstly, the extract was examined for its anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced rat paw edema as a model of acute inflammation. A subplantar injection of 0.1 ml of carrageenan 1% induced a progressive swelling of the rat paw in all time points, that reached a maximal volume in placebo group within 5 h. Results showed that pre-treatment of rats by Cleome arabica leaf extract, 1 h prior the injection of the phlogogenic agent, prevented the increase of the edema in dose-dependent manner with an ED 50 of 231 mg/kg, body weight. The extract doses 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg, reduced edema to 65.54 ± 5.2%, 57.86 ± 8%, and 41.54 ± 3.6%, respectively, 5 h after the carrageenan injection. Secondly, we have examined the effect of Cleome arabica leaf extract on human neutrophil migration induced by fMLP (10 -7 M), using 48-well chemotaxis chamber. Results showed that the extract inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis significantly (p < 0.01) and in a dose-dependent manner. Neutrophil migration was reduced to 16.71 ± 4.6% in presence of 50µg/ml of Cleome arabica leaf extract. It appears that the antiinflammatory activity of Cleome arabica leaf extract, observed in vivo as well as in vitro, could be due to its high flavonoid content (19%). These results may contribute to explain the use of this plant in folk medicine.     

Overview of cytokines and nitric oxide involvement in immuno-pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases(IBDs), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are complex disorders with undetermined etiology. Several hypotheses suggest that IBDs result from an abnormal immune response against endogenous flora and luminal antigens in genetically susceptible individuals. The dysfunction of the mucosal immune response is implicated in the pathogenesis of IBD. The balance between pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, interleukin(IL)-1b, IL-8, and IL-17A], anti-inflammatory cytokines(IL-4 and IL-13), and immunoregulatory cytokines(IL-10 and transforming growth factors b) is disturbed. Moreover, evidence from animal and clinical studies demonstrate a positive correlation between an increased concentration of nitric oxide(NO) and the severity of the disease. Interestingly, proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the up-regulation of inducible oxide synthase(iN OS) expression in IBD. However, anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines are responsible for the negative regulation of iN OS. A positive correlation between NO production and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels(TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17, IL-12, and interferon-γ) were reported in patients with IBD. This review focuses on the role of cytokines in intestinal inflammation and their relationship with NO in IBD.