Transforming growth factor-β1 in the urine of young children with urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequent cause of morbidity during the first years of life and may lead to renal insufficiency. Transforming growth factor-564cepc1xb78qlbf/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">1 (TGF-564cepc1xb78qlbf/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0">) is both immunoregulatory and an important mediator of interstitial fibrosis. TGF-564cepc1xb78qlbf/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"> was detected in the urine of 52% of 48 children aged 1–24 months with a first episode of UTI (94% due to Escherichia coli) and no obstructive nephropathy compared with 0 of 20 healthy young children (P<0.001). TGF-564cepc1xb78qlbf/xxlarge946.gif" alt="beta" align="MIDDLE" BORDER="0"> was detected in the urine only during the early stage (<1 day) after initiation of treatment. It was detected more frequently (P=0.06) and in significantly higher concentrations (P=0.046) in children with a normal ^99m Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid scan compared with those with abnormal scans performed 3–14 days after the diagnosis of UTI, suggesting a regulatory role in fibrogenesis and outcome of pyelonephritis in childhood.     

Immunodepletion of MDSC by AMV564, a novel bivalent,bispecific CD33/CD3 T cell engager,ex vivo in MDS and melanoma

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miR-564在关节软骨损伤修复中作用机制的研究进展

关节软骨损伤修复一直是关节外科的热点和难点,最新研究表明,miR-564可能在关节软骨损伤修复中起着至关重要的作用。miR-564是位于第3号染色体上的非编码RNA,其功能主要是通过影响mRNA的稳定性和翻译进而参与基因表达的转录后调节,因此未来有望通过调控miR-564实现关节软骨损伤的原位修复。本文就miR-564的结构、功能及在关节软骨损伤修复中的作用机制作一综述。     

Heroin increases the density and sensitivity of platelet α2-adrenoceptors in human addicts

The density of platelet 564v421/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">₂-adrenoceptors, quantified by means of the binding of [³H]clonidine, and the aggregation response induced by adrenaline, was investigated in ten heroin addicts. The number of binding sites for [³H]clonidine was significantly increased during heroin abuse. Concomitantly, there was a potentiation of the adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation, which suggested that continuous heroin use (opiate dependence) is associated with supersensitive platelet 564v421/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">₂-adrenoceptors in human addicts. Spontaneous heroin withdrawal further increased in the same addicts the density of platelet 564v421/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">₂-adrenoceptors. These results suggest that platelet 564v421/xxlarge945.gif" alt="agr" align="BASELINE" BORDER="0">₂-adrenoceptors may be used as a model to study receptor mechanisms of opiate dependence and withdrawal in humans     

Association Between the Fertile Period and Live Birth Post–Kidney Transplantation: A Retrospective Single-Center Cohort Study

Background

Despite restoration of fertility after kidney transplantation, the benefit is limited in female kidney recipients. Our objective is to determine the reasons for this discrepancy.

Abnormal Myocardial Dietary Fatty Acid Metabolism and Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Patients with diabetes are at very high risk of hospitalization and death from heart failure. Increased prevalence of coronary heart disease, hypertension, autonomic neuropathy, and kidney failure all play a role in this increased risk. However, cardiac metabolic abnormalities are now recognized to play a role in this increased risk. Increased reliance on fatty acids to produce energy might predispose the diabetic heart to oxidative stress and ischemic damage. Intramyocellular accumulation of toxic lipid metabolites leads to a number of cellular abnormalities that might also contribute to cardiac remodelling and cardiac dysfunction. However, fatty acid availability from circulation and from intracellular lipid droplets to fuel the heart is critical to maintain its function. Fatty acids delivery to the heart is very complex and includes plasma nonesterified fatty acid flux as well as triglyceride-rich lipoprotein-mediated transport. Although many studies have shown a cross-sectional association between enhanced fatty acid delivery to the heart and reduction in left ventricular function in subjects with prediabetes and diabetes, these mechanisms change very rapidly during type 2 diabetes treatment. The present review focuses on the role of fatty acids in cardiac function, with particular emphasis on the possible role of early abnormalities of dietary fatty acid metabolism in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy.     

Exploring research participants’ perceptions of cardiovascular risk information—Room for improvement and empowerment

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore research participants’ (adults, age 50–65) perceptions of receiving cardiovascular risk information.MethodsFive focus group interviews (N = 31) were performed with research participants aged 50–65 who participated in the Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage Study (SCAPIS). The interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe categories; the complexity of cardiovascular risk; insufficient presentation of test result; emotional responses; and health examinations provides confirmation, emerged. The test results were written in medical terms and lacked recommendations for further action which made it difficult for lay people to understand and use, and for some, also caused unnecessary worry.ConclusionThere was inadequate guidance concerning the implications of the test results, especially for participants without clinical findings. In order to allow research participants to obtain better cognitive and behavioral control, improvements are needed with regard to how personal risk information is communicated in research projects connected to health services.Practical implicationsThe participants largely relied on physical signs when assessing their own cardiovascular risk. Health examinations are crucial for helping to add nuance to individuals’ risk perceptions. For personal health information to have any real value for individuals, it must be designed from a user perspective.     

Analysis of skeletal-muscle condition after excessive loading of the lower legs by sequential magnetic resonance imaging

ObjectivesTo determine the changes of muscle conditions of lower leg after stretch shortening cycle exercises by MRI.Subjects and methodsThis study included 20 healthy male adult volunteers. After conducting control MRI, each subject performed 3 sets of exercise loading, each set consisting of 100 repetitions of rebound jumping on one foot. MRIs were performed immediately after exercise loading (0 h), 6, 30, and 168 h later. After constructing T1/T2/Fractional Anisotropy (FA)/Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) maps, the changes of three skeletal muscles of the leg (the tibialis anterior [TA], soleus [SOL], and gastrocnemius [GA]) were quantitatively evaluated in each map at each time point.ResultsThe T1 and T2 values were prolonged after exercise loading, and there was a delay in the recovery of T1 at 6 and 30 h after exercise loading, as compared to those of T2 values over time. The ADC values were elevated in all three muscles immediately after exercise loading, then recovered more slowly than T1 and T2, and still had not returned to baseline 168 h after exercise loading. The FA value decreased in all three muscles after exercise loading, with the greatest decrease occurring immediately after exercise loading. As with the ADC values, the FA values were slow to recover from the decrease, and had not returned to baseline levels 168 h post-loading.ConclusionThe delay of T1 value recovery suggested that the T1 value may reflect the muscle condition like fatigue and damage. Changes in the ADC and FA values over time suggested that structural changes such as minute muscular injuries can be detected by diffusion-weighted MRI. Meanwhile, the changes observed in the T1 and T2 values suggested that the measured relaxation time data reflected not only the water volume in the muscle, but also the muscle condition after exercise loading.