Vacuum Sealing Drainage Therapy for Refractory Infectious Wound on 16 Renal Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND

Refractory infectious wounds on renal transplantation (RT) recipients significantly prolong hospital stay, increase medical costs, and threaten allograft survival. Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) therapy is a new technique for managing wounds based on the principle of application of controlled negative pressure. The aim of this study was to summarize the efficacy and safety of VSD therapy in the management of refractory infectious wounds following RT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective study of a cohort of 661 consecutive patients who received renal transplants over a period of 3 years in which the data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Out of the 661 patients, 16 (2.4%) developed refractory wound infection following RT. Nineteen organisms were identified by culture from all patients, including 10 patients infected with 1 or more bacteria, 2 patients with fungal infection, and 4 patients with both. Specifically, mucormycosis was demonstrated in 4 patients, pan-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in 2 patients, and Acinetobacter baumannii in 2 patients. All 16 patients were treated with VSD therapy for a median of 37 days (range, 6-111 days). The number of VSD sets used ranged from 4 to 28 sets (mean, 11.1 sets). A combination of antibiotics, debridement, and VSD therapy lead to 100% (16 of 16) wound healing. No VSD-relevant adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

VSD therapy is an effective and safe adjunct to conventional treatment modalities for the management of refractory wound infection following RT.

Scaling law for excitons in 2D perovskite quantum wells

Ruddlesden–Popper halide perovskites are 2D solution-processed quantum wells with a general formula A₂A’_n-1M_nX_3n+1, where optoelectronic properties can be tuned by varying the perovskite layer thickness (n-value), and have recently emerged as efficient semiconductors with technologically relevant stability. However, fundamental questions concerning the nature of optical resonances (excitons or free carriers) and the exciton reduced mass, and their scaling with quantum well thickness, which are critical for designing efficient optoelectronic devices, remain unresolved. Here, using optical spectroscopy and 60-Tesla magneto-absorption supported by modeling, we unambiguously demonstrate that the optical resonances arise from tightly bound excitons with both exciton reduced masses and binding energies decreasing, respectively, from 0.221 m₀ to 0.186 m₀ and from 470 meV to 125 meV with increasing thickness from n equals 1 to 5. Based on this study we propose a general scaling law to determine the binding energy of excitons in perovskite quantum wells of any layer thickness.

Hybrid 2D layered perovskites are solution-processed quantum wells whose optoelectronic properties are tunable by varying the thickness of the inorganic slab. Here Blancon et al. work out a general behavior for dependence of the excitonic properties in layered 2D perovskites.

Angiotensin converting enzyme I/D polymorphism and sarcoidosis risk

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis investigates the associations of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism and risk of sarcoidosis.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Two reviewers independently searched three databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane database to identify published studies. Full texts of the selected studies were accessed and related data was extracted using a standardized data extraction form.

RESULTS

A total of 18 studies contained a total of 1626 patients with sarcoidosis in case group and 2465 healthy controls in control group. Results of the current meta-analysis revealed that ACE DD genotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of sarcoidosis (OR=1.21; 95% CI, 1.06-1.38; I2=48%). In the race subgroup analysis, Asians with ACE DD genotype showed no significant increased risk of sarcoidosis (OR=1.37; 95% CI, 0.94-1.99; I2=78%). Caucasians with ACE DD genotype had an increased sarcoidosis risk (OR=1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.36; I2=24%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis indicated that the ACE DD genotype correlated with an increased risk of sarcoidosis.

Angiotensin II Promotes Atherogenesis through upregulating the Expression of Connexin 43 in Dendritic Cells

It is known, for a long time, that angiotensin II (Ang II) could contribute to atherogenesis (AS) and plaque vulnerability, however the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical for the development of both inflammation and atherogenesis. In the present study, we tried to investigate the influence of AngII on the expression of connexin43 (Cx43) in DCs, as well as the effect of AngII on AS. After mouse bone marrow—derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were treated by Ang II with or without Valsartan, the expression of Cx43 was quantified by Western Blots. The expression of Cx43 and CD40 (one marker of DCs) of DCs derived from AS plaques of ApoE—/— mice was detected by immunohistochemistry double staining. The morphology of atherosclerotic plaque was indicated by immunohistochemistry staining of smooth muscle cells. The expression of Cx43 (P < 0.05) was increased significantly in mouse BMDCs after treatment with AngII. In atherosclerotic plaques from ApoE—/— mice expressing high levels of endogenous AngII, upregulation of Cx43 (P < 0.01) and CD40 (P < 0.01) was observed. The upregulation and pro—atherogenesis effect of Cx43 could be blocked by the AngII type 1 receptor blocker Valsartan, both in vitro and in vivo. AngII may promote atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability by increasing the expression of Cx43 in DCs and inducing the maturation of DCs through the angiotensin II type 1 receptor.

Association between CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) polymorphisms and asthma risk: an updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Findings regarding the associations between the CC motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) -403G/A and -28C/G polymorphisms and asthma risk are controversial.We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether CCL5 polymorphisms are associated with asthma risk.

METHODS

We searched the Pubmed, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases for studies published before June 2013. The strength of associations was calculated using ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Twenty case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. We did not observe a significant association between the CCL5 -403G/A polymorphism and asthma risk (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.93-1.30; P = .25). The CCL5 - 28C/G polymorphism, however, was associated with a significantly elevated asthma risk (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.33; P = .02). Subgroup analyses found that the CCL5 -28C/G polymorphism was significantly associated with asthma risk in Asians (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.33; P = .04) and children (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.63; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that the CCL5 -28C/G polymorphism is a risk factor for asthma.

Experimental analyses of the major parameters affecting the intensity of outbursts of coal and gas

With an increase in mining depth and production, the intensity and frequency of outburst of coal and gas have a tendency to increase. Estimating the intensity of outbursts of coal and gas plays an important role because of its relation with the risk value. In this paper, we described the semiquantitative relations between major parameters and intensity of outburst based on physical experiments. The results showed increment of geostress simulated by horizontal load (from 1.4, 2.4, 3.2, to 3.4 MPa) or vertical load (from 2, 3, 3.6, to 4 MPa) improved the relative intensity rate (3.763-7.403% and 1.273-7.99%); the increment of porosity (from 1.57, 2.51, 3, to 3.6%) improved the relative intensity rate from 3.8 to 13.8%; the increment of gas pressure (from 0, 0.5, 0.65, 0.72, 1, to 1.5 Mpa) induced the relative intensity rate to decrease from 38.22 to 0%; the increment of water content (from 0, 2, 4, to 8%) caused the relative intensity rate to drop from 5.425 to 0.5%. Furthermore, sensitivity and range analysis evaluates coupled factors affecting the relative intensity. In addition, the distinction with initiation of outburst of coal and gas affected by these parameters is discussed by the relative threshold of gas content rate.

Interferon-gamma +874A/T polymorphism is associated with asthma risk: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Results regarding the association between the interferon-y (lFN-y) +874A/T polymorphism and asthma risk are controversial and ambiguous. The aim of this study was to determine with greater precision the relationship between the IFN-gamma+874A/T polymorphism and asthma using a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Published literature was retrieved from 5 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI] and Weipu). ORs with 95% Cls were used to assess the strength of association.

RESULTS

Ten case-control studies involving 697 cases and 1049 controls were identified. In the overall analysis, a significant association between the +874A/T polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was found for AA vs AT + TT (OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.37-2.62; P=.0001). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significant associations were found among whites (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.04-1.93; P=.03) and Asians (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.49-4.25; P=.0006). The sensitivity analysis and cumulative meta-analysis further strengthened the validity of this association. No publication bias was observed in this study.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis suggest that the IFN-gamma +874A/T polymorphism is a risk factor for asthma.

Effects of TNF-α polymorphisms on asthma risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have examined associations between TNF-α polymorphisms and asthma risk, but the results have been conflicting.

METHODS

A search was performed of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Wanfang databases. Data were extracted and pooled ORs with 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS

Fifty-four studies were included. A significant association between the TNFA-308A/G polymorphism and asthma susceptibility was observed for AA + AG vs GG (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.23-1.58; P < .001). This polymorphism was also significantly associated with asthma risk in whites (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.25-1.73; P < .001), atopic asthma risk (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65; P < .001), pediatric asthma risk (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.23-1.79; P < .001), and adult asthma risk (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.21-1.52; P < .001).There was also a significant association between the TNFA -857C/T polymorphism and asthma risk in the recessive model (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43; P < .001). In the subgroup analyses, asthma risk was significantly increased in Asians (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07-1.41; P = .004) and atopic individuals (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.13-1.57; P < .001). No significant association was found for the TNFA-238A/G polymorphism. There were insufficient data to evaluate the associations between TNFA -1031T/C and -863C/A polymorphisms and asthma risk.

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis suggests that TNFA -308A/G and -857C/T polymorphisms are risk factors for asthma.

Tamarind Seed Xyloglucans Promote Proliferation and Migration of Human Skin Cells through Internalization via Stimulation of Proproliferative Signal Transduction Pathways

Xyloglucans (XGs) of Tamarindus indica L. Fabaceae are used as drug vehicles or as ingredients of cosmetics. Two xyloglucans were extracted from T. indica seed with cold water (TSw) and copper complex precipitation (TSc). Both were analyzed in regard to composition and influence on cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, MAPK phosphorylation, and gene expression of human skin keratinocytes (NHEK and HaCaT) and fibroblasts (NHDF) in vitro. TSw and TSc differed in molecular weight, rhamnose content, and ratios of xylose, arabinose, galactose, and glucose. Both XGs improved keratinocytes and fibroblast proliferation, promoted the cell cycle, and stimulated migration and intracellular enzyme activity of NHDF after endosomal uptake. Only TSw significantly enhanced HaCaT migration and extracellular enzyme activity of NHDF and HaCaT. TSw and TSc predominantly enhanced the phosphorylation of molecules that referred to Erk signaling in NHEK. In NHDF parts of the integrin signaling and SAPK/JNK pathway were affected. Independent of cell type TSw marginally regulated the expression of genes, which referred to membrane proteins, cytoskeleton, cytokine signaling, and ECM as well as to processes of metabolism and transcription. Results show that T. indica xyloglucans promote skin regeneration by a direct influence on cell proliferation and migration.

Sodium hydrosulfide prevents hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in broilers

1. The aim of the study was to determine if H(2)S is involved in the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in broilers, a condition frequently observed in a variety of cardiac and pulmonary diseases. 2. Two-week-old broilers were reared under normoxic conditions or exposed to normobaric hypoxia (6 h/day) with tissue levels of H(2)S adjusted by administering sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, 10 µmol/kg body weight/day). Mean pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricular mass, plasma and tissue H(2)S levels, the expression of cystathionine-β-synthase (CSE) and vascular remodeling were determined at 35 d of age. 3. Exposure to hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension was characterized by elevated pulmonary pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy and vascular remodeling. This was accompanied by decreased expression of CSE and decreased concentrations of plasma and tissue H(2)S. 4. Hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension was significantly reduced by administration of NaHS but this protective effect was largely abolished by D, L-propargylglycerine, an inhibitor of CSE. 5. The results indicate that H(2)S is involved in the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Supplementing NaHS or H(2)S could be a strategy for reducing hypoxia-induced hypertension in broilers.

Molecular cytogenetic studies in strepsirrhine primates, Dermoptera and Scandentia

Since the first chromosome painting study between human and strepsirrhine primates was performed in 1996, nearly 30 species in Strepsirrhini, Dermoptera and Scandentia have been analyzed by cross-species chromosome painting. Here, the contribution of chromosome painting data to our understanding of primate genome organization, chromosome evolution and the karyotype phylogenetic relationships within strepsirrhine primates, Dermoptera and Scandentia is reviewed. Twenty-six to 43 homologous chromosome segments have been revealed in different species with human chromosome-specific paint probes. Various landmark rearrangements characteristic for each different lineage have been identified, as cytogenetic signatures that potentially unite certain lineages within strepsirrhine primates, Dermoptera and Scandentia.

Chromosomal rearrangements and karyotype evolution in carnivores revealed by chromosome painting

Chromosomal evolution in carnivores has been revisited extensively using cross-species chromosome painting. Painting probes derived from flow-sorted chromosomes of the domestic dog, which has one of the most rearranged karyotypes in mammals and the highest dipoid number (2n=78) in carnivores, are a powerful tool in detecting both evolutionary intra- and inter-chromosomal rearrangements. However, only a few comparative maps have been established between dog and other non-Canidae species. Here, we extended cross-species painting with dog probes to seven more species representing six carnivore families: Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), the stone marten (Martes foina), the small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), the Asian palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphrodites), Javan mongoose (Hepestes javanicas), the raccoon (Procyon lotor) and the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The numbers and positions of intra-chromosomal rearrangements were found to differ among these carnivore species. A comparative map between human and stone marten, and a map among the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis), stone marten and human were also established to facilitate outgroup comparison and to integrate comparative maps between stone marten and other carnivores with such maps between human and other species. These comparative maps give further insight into genome evolution and karyotype phylogenetic relationships among carnivores, and will facilitate the transfer of gene mapping data from human, domestic dog and cat to other species.

Comparative chromosome painting of four Siberian Vespertilionidae species with Aselliscus stoliczkanus and human probes

Vespertilionidae is the largest chiropteran family that comprises species of different specialization and wide geographic distribution. Up to now, only a few vespertilionid species have been studied by molecular cytogenetic approaches. Here, we have investigated the karyotypic relationships of 4 Vespertilionidae species from Siberia by G-banding and comparative chromosome painting. Painting probes from Aselliscus stoliczkanus were used to establish interspecific homologous chromosomal segments in Myotis dasycneme (2n = 44), Murina hilgendorfi (2n = 44), Plecotus auritus (2n = 32), and Vespertilio murinus (2n = 38). Robertsonian translocations and a few inversions differentiated the karyotypes of the examined species. Painting of P. auritus karyotype with human probes revealed 3 previously undetected cryptic segments homologous to human chromosomes (Homo sapiens, HSA) 8, 15, and 19, respectively. As a consequence, the existence of 2 HSA 4 + 8 syntenies in the P. auritus karyotype has been proven. In addition, a pericentric inversion or centromere shift was revealed on the smallest metacentric P. auritus chromosome 16/17 using the HSA 16 probe explaining the different G-banding pattern in comparison to the homologous Myotis chromosome 16/17.

MyD88-dependent pathway is essential for the innate immunity to Enterocytozoon bieneusi

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is clinically the most significant microsporidian parasite associated with persistent diarrhoea, wasting and cholangitis in 30-50% of individuals with HIV/AIDS, as well as in malnutritional children and in the recipients of immunosuppressive therapy. However, the host immune responses to E. bieneusi have not been investigated until recently because of lack of sources of spores, cell culture system and animal models. In this study, we purified spores from heavily infected human or monkey faeces by serial salt-Percoll-sucrose-iodixanol centrifugation, and the purity of spores was confirmed by FACS and scanning electron microscopy. Exposure of dendritic cells to E. bieneusi spores induced the upregulation of the surface markers and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The cytokine production was independent of toll-like receptor 4, but MyD88 dependent, because dendritic cells from MyD88 knockout mice failed to secrete these pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas dendritic cells from C3H/HeJ (a toll-like receptor 4 mutant) were activated by E. bieneusi and secreted these cytokines. Furthermore, MyD88-deficient mice were susceptible to E. bieneusi infection, in contrast to wild-type mice that resisted the infection. Collectively, the data demonstrate innate recognition of E. bieneusi by dendritic cells and the importance of MyD88-dependent signalling in resisting infection in a murine challenge model.

Chromosome homologies between tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) and Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) facilitate tracing the evolutionary history of Damaliscus (Bovidae, Antilopinae, Alcelaphini)

Genome-wide homologies between the tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus, 2n = 36) and Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi, 2n = 46) have been established by cross-species painting with Chinese muntjac chromosome paints. Twenty-two autosomal painting probes detected 35 orthologous segments in the tsessebe. Hybridization results confirmed that: (i) D. lunatus carries the (9;14) reciprocal translocation that has been proposed to be a derived chromosomal landmark shared by all species of the Antilopinae; (ii) the karyotype of D. lunatus can be derived almost exclusively from the bovid ancestral karyotype through 12 Robertsonian translocations involving 24 ancestral acrocentric autosomes; (iii) in addition to the Rb fusions, pericentric heterochromatic amplification has shaped the morphology of several of the D. lunatus chromosomes. Integrated analysis of these and published cytogenetic data on pecorans has allowed us to accurately discern the karyotype history of Damaliscus (D. lunatus; D. pygargus, 2n = 38; D. hunteri, 2n = 44). The phylogenomic relationships of 3 species reflected by specific chromosomal rearrangements were consistent with published phylogenies based on morphology, suggesting that chromosomal rearrangements have played an important role in speciation within the Alcelaphini, and that karyotype characters are valuable phylogenetic markers in this group.

Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the genome organization of the 6-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus)

Xenarthra, as the probable earliest offshoot of the placental tree, represents a key taxon for understanding mammalian phylogeny. To gain further insight into the chromosomal evolution and genome organization of the xenarthrans, we have established the first genome-wide comparative chromosome map between human and the 6-banded armadillo (Euphractussexcinctus, 2n = 58), a basal species on the Xenarthra branch, by reciprocal cross-species chromosome painting. In total, 22 human autosomal paints revealed 41 homologous segments in the euchromatic genome of E. sexcinctus. Our results provide further support for the notion that the 2 human homologous segmental associations, i.e. HSA 2/8 and 7a/10p, could constitute the synapomorphies that unite the xenarthrans. Moreover, we propose that the putative ancestral Xenarthra karyotype closely resemble the 2n = 54 karyotype of the E. sexcinctus, consisting of the equivalents of HSA1p, 1q, 2a, 2b, 2c/8c, 3/21, 4a, 4b/8b, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a/10p, 7b/16p, 8a, 9, 10q, 11, 12a/22a, 12b/22b, 13, 14/15, 16q/19q, 17, 18, 19p, 20, and X. In addition, we have analysed the C-banding patterns of E. sexcinctus, and cloned, FISHmapped and sequenced 7 novel repetitive DNA segments, providing further information on the complexity of genome architecture of E. sexcinctus.