Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

The relationships among monocyte subsets,miRNAs and inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes irreversible myocardial damage and release of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and miRNAs. We aimed to investigate changes in the levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10), miRNAs profiles (miR-146 and miR-155) and distribution of different monocyte subsets (CD14++CD16-, CD14++CD16+, CD14+CD16++) in the acute and post-healing phases of AMI.

Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.     

无国界医生在救援中备灾的重要性

无国界医生致力于应对天灾和战祸所引起的人道医疗危机。灾后实时爆发的人道医疗危机包括急性的外科创伤问题和基础医疗系统的破坏导致疫症发生。本文介绍了无国界医生的救援经验以及专业的备灾体系。     

左旋布比卡因复合舒芬太尼或芬太尼在分娩硬膜外自控镇痛的应用

目的探讨左旋布比卡因复合舒芬太尼硬膜外自控镇痛（PCEA）用于分娩镇痛的临床效果及安全性。方法随机选择120例美国标准协会（ASA）I-Ⅱ级初产妇，随机分为舒芬太尼组（A组）、芬太尼组（B组）、无镇痛组（C组），每组40例。A组和B组采用PCEA，C组不给予镇痛药物。观察各组不同时段视觉模拟评分（VAS）和不良反应的发生，同时记录3组产程时间、分娩方式、缩宫使用情况、产后出血量、新生儿Apgar评分。结果A、B2组和C组在PCEA20、60min及宫口开全时VAS差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）；PCEA5min，A、B2组VAS差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05），2组Bromage评分、不良反应差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。3组产程时间、分娩方式、产后出血量、新生儿Apgar评分比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论左旋布比卡因复合舒芬太尼或芬太尼用于分娩镇痛安全有效，对母婴无明显不良影响。     

MicroRNAs及其在泌尿系肿瘤的研究进展

microRNAs（miRNAs）是一类分布十分广泛的内源性非编码RNA,在动物、植物、病毒中广泛存在。miRNAs与肿瘤的发生发展预后有关,并在肿瘤的增殖、分化及调亡等方面有重要的作用。结合最近相关文献,本文就miRNAs与泌尿系肿瘤方面的进展作简要概述。     

Distinct Expression of Cytokines and Mitogenic Inhibitory Factors in Semen of Fertile and Infertile Men

PROBLEM: To assess the effect of seminal plasma (SP) of fertile and infertile men on leukocyte mitogenic response, and the capability of sperm cells to produce IL-1. METHODS: This study included four groups: fertile men (donors, normal), infertile men with azoospermia (azoo), oligo-terato-asthenozoospermia (OTA), and OTA with genital infection (OTA-inf). Mouse spleen cell proliferation in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Concanavalin-A (Con-A) was examined in the presence of SP from the above four groups. Supernatants (sup) and lysates (lys) of sperm cells from fertile and oligoteratoasthenospermic (OTA) men were evaluated for IL-1 bioactivity by specific bioassay. RESULTS: Seminal plasma (SP) of the four groups were shown to inhibit the mitogenic response of mouse spleen cells to LPS and Con-A. SP of fertile men was significantly more inhibitory than SP from infertile men. Sperm cells from fertile and OTA infertile men constitutively produced IL-1. Sperm cells of both groups produced similar levels of IL-1 as examined in the supernatants and lysates. CONCLUSIONS: Seminal plasma of fertile men had more inhibitory mitogenic activity than that of OTA. Sperm cells constitutively produce IL-1. It is possible that the factors involved in this inhibition are not only anti-proliferative immune factors. Cytokines and inhibitory factors of mitogenesis in the seminal plasma may be involved in the physiology and pathophysiology of sperm functions and thus affect male fertility.     

IgA肾病大鼠血清IgA-纤维连接蛋白的检测及意义

目的 检测IgA肾病大鼠血清IgA-纤维连接蛋白水平，探讨其在IgA肾小球系膜沉积中的作用。方法 肝叶切除后，尾静脉注射脂多糖，制作IgA肾病大鼠模型。应用ELISA法检测血清IgA-纤维连接蛋白聚合物水平，半定量法对系膜IgA免疫荧光强度评分，二者作相关性分析。结果 IgA肾病时，血清IgA-纤维连接蛋白聚合物水平升高，并与系膜IgA沉积呈正相关。结论 IgA肾病时，血清IgA-纤维连接蛋白聚合物水平是升高的，且可能是导致IgA系膜沉积的原因之一。