Lack of ceramide synthase 2 suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by impairing the migratory capacity of neutrophils

Ceramide synthases (CerS) synthesise ceramides of defined acyl chain lengths, which are thought to mediate cellular processes in a chain length-dependent manner. In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), we observed a significant elevation of CerS2 and its products, C24-ceramides, in CD11b⁺ cells (monocytes and neutrophils) isolated from blood. This result correlates with the clinical finding that CerS2 mRNA expression and C24-ceramide levels were significantly increased by 2.2- and 1.5-fold, respectively, in white blood cells of MS patients. The increased CerS2 mRNA/C24-ceramide expression in neutrophils/monocytes seems to mediate pro-inflammatory effects, since a specific genetic deletion of CerS2 in blood cells or a total genetic deletion of CerS2 significantly delayed the onset of clinical symptoms, due to a reduced infiltration of immune cells, in particular neutrophils, into the central nervous system. CXCR2 chemokine receptors, expressed on neutrophils, promote the migration of neutrophils into the central nervous system, which is a prerequisite for the recruitment of further immune cells and the inflammatory process that leads to the development of MS. Interestingly, neutrophils isolated from CerS2 null EAE mice, as opposed to WT EAE mice, were characterised by significantly lower CXCR2 receptor mRNA expression resulting in their reduced migratory capacity towards CXCL2. Most importantly, G-CSF-induced CXCR2 expression was significantly reduced in CerS2 null neutrophils and their migratory capacity was significantly impaired. In conclusion, our data strongly indicate that G-CSF-induced CXCR2 expression is regulated in a CerS2-dependent manner and that CerS2 thereby promotes the migration of neutrophils, thus, contributing to inflammation and the development of EAE and MS.     

Addressing risk management difficulties in children with food allergies

Risk is a concept inherent in every medical procedure. It can be defined as the probability of an adverse event in a defined population over a specified period of time. In the frame of food allergy management, it might be related to a diagnostic procedure, a treatment, or the consumption of foods. The risk of an adverse event can also be augmented by individual factors. This rostrum article discusses various aspects faced by children with food allergies in the light of risk, and their practical implications. Identifying personal risks for severe reaction, such as unstable asthma, and correcting them whenever possible also contribute to a reduction of the risk inherent to food allergy. Among the facets discussed, oral food challenges (OFC) are the most common diagnostic procedures implying an inherent risk. The risk of OFCs can be minimized by correct indication and timing of the test, a safe setting, as well as by ensuring that the patient is otherwise well without potential stressor potentially increasing the risk of a more severe reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT) has been studied as a potential treatment for increasing the threshold dose for reaction, and thus reducing the risk of accidental reaction. Nevertheless, the procedure is not devoid of risk as the patients may and do often react during the course of the procedure. Ingestion of trace amounts in processed foods, mainly in community settings such as restaurants, schools, or day care, represents a potential risk of reactions, although for a minority of patients. Precautionary allergen labeling (PAL) is a widespread strategy to reduce the potential risk of reactions due to traces. However, PAL is currently inefficient due to inconsistent labeling, also not indicating a clear maximum amount possibly present in the manufactured food. Finally, cost-effectiveness needs to be considered in risk management, as many risk reduction procedures are clearly not cost-effective.     

Prostaglandin E1, E2 and oxytocin in labor induction

The risks of induction must be carefully weighed against the risks of allowing the pregnancy to continue and not inducing labor. The aim of the study was to show labor and neonatal outcome of 335 deliveries inducted in 2004 at Institute of gynecology and obstetrics Clinical Center of Serbia. Inductions were performed with PGE2, PGE1 and Oxytocin. The best ripening effect was noted in PGE2 group. The average duration of labor was 8.6h in PGE1group, 5.9h in PGE2 group and 10.4h in OT group. Sixty eight labors finished with cesarean section (20%). Comparing duration of labor, percentage of emergency cesarean sections, incidence of fetal distress during the labor we suggest Dinoprostone, placed intracervically, as an agent of choice for induction of labor.     

Effect of Induction Therapy Protocols on Transplant Outcomes in Crossmatch Positive Renal Allograft Recipients Desensitized with IVIG

Here we retrospectively examine the efficacy of two antibody induction regimens using Zenapax or Thymoglobulin in patients with positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches (CDC-CMXs) desensitized with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). Between January 1999 and March 2005, 97 patients with (+) CDC-CMXs received kidney transplants (43 deceased donors/54 living donors). All patients received at least 2 g/kg IVIG (maximum four doses) until an acceptable CMX was obtained. Patients were divided into two groups: 1. IVIG + Zenapax (n = 58), 2. IVIG + Thymoglobulin (n = 39). A total of 94% of patients in Group 1 and 84% in G2 have at least 2 years of follow up. Patient and graft survival was 96%/84% in Group 1 and 100%/90% in Group 2, p = NS. The number and severity of AR episodes were similar (36% Group 1 vs. 31% Group 2, p = NS) as was the incidence of C4d (+) antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) (Banff Grade II/III) (22% Group 1 vs. 21% Group 2). Mean serum creatinines (SCrs) at 24 months were similar (Group 1: 1.4 +/- 0.7 vs. G2: 1.5 +/- 0.7 mg/dL). Induction therapy with Zenapax or Thymoglobulin results in excellent patient, graft survival and graft function at 2 years. There was no increased risk of viral infections or malignancies with either agent. Neither agent was effective in reducing the incidence of AMR.     

腺病毒介导MDA-7/IL-24选择性杀伤肝癌 细胞HepG2的研究

目的 ：观察MDA-7/IL-24基因对肝癌的选择性杀伤作用，为肝癌的基因治疗提供理论基础。 方法 ：将携带人MDA-7/IL-24基因的腺病毒Ad.mda-7感染人正常肝细胞L02和肝癌细胞HepG2;用RT-PCR法观察MDA-7/IL-24基因的表达;ELISA方法检测细胞培养上清液中MDA-7/IL-24蛋白的浓度;4甲基偶氮唑蓝染色法（MTT）及Hoechst染色观察MDA-7/IL-24对肝癌细胞的生长抑制和杀伤作用;Annexin-V和PI双染后流式细胞仪检测2种细胞的凋亡;用流式细胞仪检测细胞周期。 结果 ：复制缺陷型腺病毒能介导外源基因MDA-7/IL-24在肝癌细胞株HepG2和正常细胞L02中的高效表达;细胞培养上清液中有MDA-7/IL-24蛋白的表达; MDA-7/IL-24能明显抑制肝癌细胞生长并可促进肝癌细胞的凋亡;MDA-7/IL-24阻滞肝癌细胞于G2/M期，能选择性杀伤肝癌细胞而对正常的肝细胞无阻滞作用和毒性作用。结论 ：复制缺陷型重组腺病毒载体Ad.mda-7能介导MDA-7/IL-24基因在人肝癌细胞中高效表达，促使细胞增殖阻滞及诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡，选择性地杀伤肝癌细胞HepG2，而对正常肝细胞L02无任何毒性作用。     

Easier node dissection after chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer with collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy

Objective: Induction chemoradiotherapy followed by anatomical resection is a current therapeutic strategy for non-small-cell lung cancer with mediastinal node involvement. Dense peritracheal fibrosis and sclerosis after chemoradiotherapy cause difficult mediastinal node dissection. We evaluated a novel technique to make the mediastinal node dissection easier after induction therapy. Methods: At the end of mediastinoscopic node biopsy for staging of lung cancer, cotton-type collagen was inserted anterior and lateral to the trachea in patients with pathologically confirmed mediastinal node involve-ment (n=45). The induction therapy consisted of concurrent use of platinum-based chemotherapy and hyperfractionated radiotherapy. After the chemoradiotherapy all patients underwent a pulmonary resection with complete mediastinal node dissection 7–12 weeks after the collagen insertion. Surgical findings of the mediastinum and the time for node dissection were compared with those without collagen insertion at mediastinoscopy after chemoradiotherapy (n=5). Results: All five patients without collagen insertion showed sclerotic and fibrotic change of mediastinal nodes with severe adhesion to the trachea. In 42 of 45 patients with collagen insertion (93.3%) the collagen remained unabsorbed and separated the mediastinal nodes from the trachea. Mediastinal node dissection was easily accomplished by removing mediastinal tissues lateral and anterior to the collagen. The rate of mediastinal node separation was significantly higher with collagen insertion than without (p< 0.0001). The times for node dissection in patients with and without collagen insertion showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Cotton-type collagen insertion at staging mediastinoscopy for lung cancer separates the mediastinal nodes from the trachea and makes the node dissection easier after induction chemoradiotherapy.     

转化人关节软骨细胞的Ⅱ型胶原表型诱导

目的 用离心管聚集体培养（Aggregate culture)诱导转化人关节细胞的Ⅱ型胶原。方法 将体外长期培养的第30，40，50代转化软骨细胞消化后进行离心管培养，比较细胞在单层培养，离心管聚集体培养，以及在普通培养基，RAI诱导培养基下[2型骨形态发生蛋白（BMP－2）＋抗坏血酸盐（Ascorbate) 胰岛素（insulin)]，Ⅰ，Ⅱ，Ⅲ型胶原的表达和胞外基质发生情况。结果 在单层培养条件下，转化软骨细胞只表达Ⅰ型胶原，而在BAI诱导培养基及离心管聚集体培养下转化软有细胞表达的Ⅱ型胶原和大量胞外基质。结论 离心管聚集体培养是诱导转化软骨细胞Ⅱ型胶原的有效方式。