β-cell specific T-lymphocyte response has a distinct inflammatory phenotype in children with Type 1 diabetes compared with adults

AIM

To examine the hypothesis that the quality, magnitude and breadth of helper T-lymphocyte responses to β cells differ in Type 1 diabetes according to diagnosis in childhood or adulthood.

METHODS

We studied helper T-lymphocyte reactivity against β-cell autoantigens by measuring production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interferon-γ and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10, using enzyme-linked immunospot assays in 61 people with Type 1 diabetes (within 3 months of diagnosis, positive for HLA DRB1*0301 and/or *0401), of whom 33 were children/adolescents, and a further 91 were unaffected siblings.

RESULTS

Interferon-γ responses were significantly more frequent in children with Type 1 diabetes compared with adults (85 vs 61%; P = 0.04). Insulin and proinsulin peptides were preferentially targeted in children (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.04, respectively) and the breadth of the interferon-γ response was also greater, with 70% of children having an interferon-γ response to three or more peptides compared with 14% of adults (P < 0.0001). Islet β-cell antigen-specific interleukin-10 responses were similar in children and adults in terms of frequency, breadth and magnitude, with the exception of responses to glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, which were significantly less frequent in adults.

CONCLUSIONS

At diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, pro-inflammatory autoreactivity is significantly more prevalent, focuses on a wider range of targets, and is more focused on insulin/proinsulin in children than adults. We interpret this as indicating a more aggressive immunological response in the younger age group that is especially characterized by loss of tolerance to proinsulin. These findings highlight the existence of age-related heterogeneity in Type 1 diabetes pathogenesis that could have relevance to the development of immune-based therapies.

Long-term mortality and follow-up after carotid artery stenting

BACKGROUND

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an alternative to carotid endarterectomy for the prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA). The high long-term mortality among patients who underwent CAS seems to be related to the high comorbidity burden, including coronary and peripheral artery disease. However, limited data on very long-term mortality (over four years) and predictors of death are available.

AIM

We sought to investigate the very long-term survival after CAS and the impact of comorbidities on mortality at follow-up.

METHODS

Data of 194 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients who underwent CAS with cerebral protection systems from December 2002 to March 2014 were analyzed. All cause mortality during long-term follow-up was assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to find independent predictors of death.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 66 [interquartile range (IQR): 60-73] years and 78.9 % of patients were male. The median follow-up was 7.6 (IQR: 4.4-10.2) years. The all-cause mortality rate after 30 days, one year, four years, and at maximum follow-up was 0 %, 5.1 %, 17.5 % and 31.4 %, respectively. Out of 61 deaths, 37 (60 %) were cardio-cerebral vascular related deaths, 15 (25 %) non-cardiovascular deaths, and 9 (15 %) due to unknown reasons. Among cardio-cerebral vascular deaths, there were 12 fatal strokes, 18 fatal myocardial infarctions and seven other cardiac related deaths. Non-cardiac deaths were due mainly to cancer (9/15). Age and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of all-cause death during long-term follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality rate during short and long-term follow-up after CAS was lower than reported in the literature. Age and diabetes mellitus were independent predictors of all-cause death. Further research is needed to confirm the potential association between those risk factors and decreased survival. Hippokratia 2016, 20(3): 204-208.

The development and evaluation of a community-based clinical diagnosis tool and treatment regimen for postpartum sepsis in Bangladesh and Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Postpartum sepsis accounts for most maternal deaths between three and seven days postpartum, when most mothers, even those who deliver in facilities, are at home. Case fatality rates for untreated women are very high. Newborns of ill women have substantially higher infection risk.

METHODS/DESIGN

The objectives of this study are to: (1) create, field-test and validate a tool for community health workers to improve diagnostic accuracy of suspected puerperal sepsis; (2) measure incidence and identify associated risk factors and; (3) describe etiologic agents responsible and antibacterial susceptibility patterns. This prospective cohort study builds on the Aetiology of Neonatal Infection in South Asia study in three sites: Sylhet, Bangladesh and Karachi and Matiari, Pakistan. Formative research determined local knowledge of symptoms and signs of postpartum sepsis, and a systematic literature review was conducted to design a diagnostic tool for community health workers to use during ten postpartum home visits. Suspected postpartum sepsis cases were referred to study physicians for independent assessment, which permitted validation of the tool. Clinical specimens, including urine, blood, and endometrial material, were collected for etiologic assessment and antibiotic sensitivity. All women with puerperal sepsis were given appropriate antibiotics.

DISCUSSION

This is the first large population-based study to expand community-based surveillance for diagnoses, referral and treatment of newborn sepsis to include maternal postpartum sepsis. Study activities will lead to development and validation of a diagnostic tool for use by community health workers in resource-poor countries. Understanding the epidemiology and microbiology of postpartum sepsis will inform prevention and treatment strategies and improve understanding of linkages between maternal and neonatal infections.

Characterization of the autoimmune response against the nerve tissue S100β in patients with type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes results from destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in pancreatic islets and is characterized by islet cell autoimmunity. Autoreactivity against non-beta cell-specific antigens has also been reported, including targeting of the calcium-binding protein S100β. In preclinical models, reactivity of this type is a key component of the early development of insulitis. To examine the nature of this response in type 1 diabetes, we identified naturally processed and presented peptide epitopes derived from S100β, determined their affinity for the human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*04:01 molecule and studied T cell responses in patients, together with healthy donors. We found that S100β reactivity, characterized by interferon (IFN)-γ secretion, is a characteristic of type 1 diabetes of varying duration. Our results confirm S100β as a target of the cellular autoimmune response in type 1 diabetes with the identification of new peptide epitopes targeted during the development of the disease, and support the preclinical findings that autoreactivity against non-beta cell-specific autoantigens may have a role in type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.

Multi-parametric flow cytometric and genetic investigation of the peripheral B cell compartment in human type 1 diabetes

The appearance of circulating islet-specific autoantibodies before disease diagnosis is a hallmark of human type 1 diabetes (T1D), and suggests a role for B cells in the pathogenesis of the disease. Alterations in the peripheral B cell compartment have been reported in T1D patients; however, to date, such studies have produced conflicting results and have been limited by sample size. In this study, we have performed a detailed characterization of the B cell compartment in T1D patients (n = 45) and healthy controls (n = 46), and assessed the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 in purified B cells from the same donors. Overall, we found no evidence for a profound alteration of the B cell compartment or in the production of IL-10 in peripheral blood of T1D patients. We also investigated age-related changes in peripheral B cell subsets and confirmed the sharp decrease with age of transitional CD19(+) CD27(-) CD24(hi) CD38(hi) B cells, a subset that has recently been ascribed a putative regulatory function. Genetic analysis of the B cell compartment revealed evidence for association of the IL2-IL21 T1D locus with IL-10 production by both memory B cells (P = 6·4 × 10(-4) ) and islet-specific CD4(+) T cells (P = 2·9 × 10(-3) ). In contrast to previous reports, we found no evidence for an alteration of the B cell compartment in healthy individuals homozygous for the non-synonymous PTPN22 Trp(620) T1D risk allele (rs2476601; Arg(620) Trp). The IL2-IL21 association we have identified, if confirmed, suggests a novel role for B cells in T1D pathogenesis through the production of IL-10, and reinforces the importance of IL-10 production by autoreactive CD4(+) T cells.

Eastern Canadian colorectal cancer consensus conference: application of new modalities of staging and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

The annual Eastern Canadian Colorectal Cancer Consensus Conference was held in Ottawa, Ontario, October 22-23, 2010. Health care professionals involved in the care of patients with colorectal cancer participated in presentation and discussion sessions for the purpose of developing the recommendations presented here. This consensus statement addresses current issues in the management of colorectal cancer, such as the use of epidermal growth factor inhibitors in metastatic colon cancer, the benefit of calcium and magnesium with oxaliplatin chemotherapy, the role of microsatellites in treatment decisions for stage II colon cancer, the staging and treatment of rectal cancer, and the management of colorectal and metastatic pancreatic cancers.

Proinsulin peptide immunotherapy in type 1 diabetes: report of a first-in-man Phase I safety study

Immunotherapeutic strategies under consideration for type 1 diabetes include modification of the autoimmune response through antigen-specific routes. Administration of short peptides representing T cell epitopes targeted by patients with the disease represents one approach. This study evaluated safety and mechanistic outcomes during first-in-man intradermal administration of a human leucocyte antigen-DR4 (HLA-DR4)-restricted peptide epitope of proinsulin (C19-A3). This randomized, open-label study assessed two major theoretical risks of peptide immunotherapy, namely induction of allergic hypersensitivity and exacerbation of the proinflammatory autoimmune response, using clinical assessment and mechanistic assays in vitro. Patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes and HLA-DRB1*0401 genotype received 30 microg (n = 18) or 300 microg (n = 18) of peptide in three equal doses at 0, 1 and 2 months or no intervention (n = 12). Proinsulin peptide immunotherapy in the dosing regimen used is well tolerated and free from risk of systemic hypersensitivity and induction/reactivation of proinsulin-specific, proinflammatory T cells. Peptide-specific T cells secreting the immune suppressive cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 were observed at month 3 in four of 18 patients in the low-dose group (versus one of 12 in the control group; P = not significant). Mean IL-10 response to peptide in the low-dose group increased between 0 and 3 months (P = 0.05 after stimulation with 5 microM peptide in vitro) and then declined to baseline levels between 3 and 6 months (P = 0.01 at 10 microM peptide in vitro). These studies pave the way for future investigations in new-onset patients designed to examine whether proinsulin peptide immunotherapy has beneficial effects on markers of T cell autoimmunity and preservation of beta cell mass.

Cytoarchitectural and kinetic features in the histological evaluation of follicular thyroid neoplasms

AIMS

The diagnosis of follicular thyroid carcinomas is mainly based on capsular and vascular invasion. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic relevance of nuclear features, inflammation and stromal changes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Anisokaryosis, chromatin pattern, nucleolus, nuclear pleomorphism, nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, necrosis, stromal changes and tumour interstitial lymphocytes (TIL) were analysed in adenomatous hyperplastic nodules (39), adenomas (43) and carcinomas (28 minimally invasive, 48 widely invasive and 27 anaplastic). Ki67 immunostaining, in situ end labelling (ISEL) for apoptosis and the Ki67/ISEL index were analysed by topographical compartments. Variables were compared by histological diagnosis using Fisher's exact test, analysis of variance and Student's t-tests and considered significant if P < 0.05. TIL were absent in 96% of neoplasms and 54% of adenomatous hyperplastic nodules. Conspicuous nucleoli, increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and coexistent apoptosis-myxoid changes distinguished minimally invasive carcinomas from adenomas. The most specific variables of high-grade carcinoma were vasculonecrotic patterns, nuclear hyperchromatism and pleomorphism. A kinetic advantage predominated in the internal compartments of benign lesions and in the peripheral compartments of malignant lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Follicular carcinomas show up-regulation of proliferation markers and the distinctive topographical kinetic profiles provide a basis for the distinction between benign and malignant and an explanation for the circumscription and encapsulation of benign lesions.

Intravascular leiomyomatosis and benign metastasizing leiomyoma: an unusual case

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) and intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) are rare variants of uterine leiomyomas. In our search of available literature, there have been only two reports of these conditions occurring in the same patient. We report a case of a 42-year-old female presenting with a left L4 nerve root lesion, left paravesical lesion, left ovarian cyst, multiple pulmonary metastases, and an intracaval lesion. Histology confirmed these to be leiomyomata strongly positive for estrogen receptors. Treatment included surgery, in two stages, to remove the L4 nerve root, left paravesical lesion, intracaval lesion, and a single pulmonary nodule. The remaining tumor was treated with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, resulting in significant reductions in tumor size. It was concluded that the lesions in the lungs were an example of BML arising from the initial diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma, and the caval lesion was an IVL. Long-term follow-up is recommended, and familiarity with rare forms of benign smooth muscle uterine tumors is essential in avoiding misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Intravascular leiomyomatosis and benign metastasizing leiomyoma: an unusual case

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) and intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) are rare variants of uterine leiomyomas. In our search of available literature, there have been only two reports of these conditions occurring in the same patient. We report a case of a 42-year-old female presenting with a left L4 nerve root lesion, left paravesical lesion, left ovarian cyst, multiple pulmonary metastases, and an intracaval lesion. Histology confirmed these to be leiomyomata strongly positive for estrogen receptors. Treatment included surgery, in two stages, to remove the L4 nerve root, left paravesical lesion, intracaval lesion, and a single pulmonary nodule. The remaining tumor was treated with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist, resulting in significant reductions in tumor size. It was concluded that the lesions in the lungs were an example of BML arising from the initial diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma, and the caval lesion was an IVL. Long-term follow-up is recommended, and familiarity with rare forms of benign smooth muscle uterine tumors is essential in avoiding misdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Histopathologic parameters of prognosis in cervical cancer--a review

Apart from clinical stage and lymph node status, acknowledged to be among the most powerful predictors of outcome in cervical cancer, the determination of prognosis and thereby the need for adjuvant therapy in surgically treated patients currently relies on a variety of histopathologic factors. The role of many of these is controversial. This may be because histopathology is genuinely lacking in sensitivity for predicting tumor behavior in vivo. There is, however, wide variation in histopathologic definitions and criteria. This is probably the major reason for both the lack of reproducibility in the reporting of certain factors and in their diminished value in predicting behavior. Tumor type, grade, vascular invasion, pattern of invasion, and depth are all extremely important prognostic indicators when used individually or as a part of a scoring system.