Randomized and controlled prospective trials of Ultrasound-guided spinal nerve posterior ramus pulsed radiofrequency treatment for lower back post-herpetic neuralgia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided spinal nerve posterior ramus pulsed radiofrequency treatment for lower back post-herpetic neuralgia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

128 cases of lower back or anterior abdominal wall acute post-herpetic neuralgia patients were selected. They were randomly divided into two groups. Group A: oral treatment only with gabapentin + celecoxib + amitriptyline. Group B: while taking these drugs, patients were treated with radiofrequency (RF) pulses using a portable ultrasound device using the paravertebral puncture technique. In both groups, sudden outbreaks of pain were treated with immediate release 10mg morphine tablets. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for pain score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality and morphine consumption were recorded at different time points, before and after treatment. Treatment efficiency was calculated while the occurrence of complications was documented.

RESULTS

At each time point after treatment, VAS scores were lower, but scores in the RF group was significantly lower than those of the oral-only group. In terms of sleep quality scores and morphine consumption between the two groups, the RF group was significantly lower than the oral-only group. During the procedure no error occurred with needle penetrating the abdominal cavity, chest, offal or blood vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided spinal nerve posterior ramus pulsed radiofrequency treatment of lower back or anterior abdominal wall post-herpetic neuralgia proved effective by reducing morphine use in patients and led to fewer adverse reactions.

Magnetic coupling at rare earth ferromagnet/transition metal ferromagnet interfaces: A comprehensive study of Gd/Ni

Thin film magnetic heterostructures with competing interfacial coupling and Zeeman energy provide a fertile ground to study phase transition between different equilibrium states as a function of external magnetic field and temperature. A rare-earth (RE)/transition metal (TM) ferromagnetic multilayer is a classic example where the magnetic state is determined by a competition between the Zeeman energy and antiferromagnetic interfacial exchange coupling energy. Technologically, such structures offer the possibility to engineer the macroscopic magnetic response by tuning the microscopic interactions between the layers. We have performed an exhaustive study of nickel/gadolinium as a model system for understanding RE/TM multilayers using the element-specific measurement technique x-ray magnetic circular dichroism, and determined the full magnetic state diagrams as a function of temperature and magnetic layer thickness. We compare our results to a modified Stoner-Wohlfarth-based model and provide evidence of a thickness-dependent transition to a magnetic fan state which is critical in understanding magnetoresistance effects in RE/TM systems. The results provide important insight for spintronics and superconducting spintronics where engineering tunable magnetic inhomogeneity is key for certain applications.

Avian Riboflavin Deficiency: An Acquired Tomaculous Neuropathy

The finding of tomacula, focal areas of sausage-shaped hypermyelination in peripheral nerves, is reported for the first time in avian riboflavin deficiency. Day-old, meat-type chickens were fed a riboflavin-deficient diet (1.8 mg/kg) and were killed on postnatal days 6, 11, 16, and 21, while control chickens were fed a conventional diet containing 5.0 mg/kg riboflavin. Tomacula were found in sciatic and brachial nerves from day 11 onward, became more frequent and prominent with increasing time, and preceded the onset of segmental demyelination.

Molecular analysis of urothelial cancer cell lines for modeling tumor biology and drug response

The utility of tumor-derived cell lines is dependent on their ability to recapitulate underlying genomic aberrations and primary tumor biology. Here, we sequenced the exomes of 25 bladder cancer (BCa) cell lines and compared mutations, copy number alterations (CNAs), gene expression and drug response to BCa patient profiles in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We observed a mutation pattern associated with altered CpGs and APOBEC-family cytosine deaminases similar to mutation signatures derived from somatic alterations in muscle-invasive (MI) primary tumors, highlighting a major mechanism(s) contributing to cancer-associated alterations in the BCa cell line exomes. Non-silent sequence alterations were confirmed in 76 cancer-associated genes, including mutations that likely activate oncogenes TERT and PIK3CA, and alter chromatin-associated proteins (MLL3, ARID1A, CHD6 and KDM6A) and established BCa genes (TP53, RB1, CDKN2A and TSC1). We identified alterations in signaling pathways and proteins with related functions, including the PI3K/mTOR pathway, altered in 60% of lines; BRCA DNA repair, 44% and SYNE1–SYNE2, 60%. Homozygous deletions of chromosome 9p21 are known to target the cell cycle regulators CDKN2A and CDKN2B. This loci was commonly lost in BCa cell lines and we show the deletions extended to the polyamine enzyme methylthioadenosine (MTA) phosphorylase (MTAP) in 36% of lines, transcription factor DMRTA1 (27%) and antiviral interferon epsilon (IFNE, 19%). Overall, the BCa cell line genomic aberrations were concordant with those found in BCa patient tumors. We used gene expression and copy number data to infer pathway activities for cell lines, then used the inferred pathway activities to build a predictive model of cisplatin response. When applied to platinum-treated patients gathered from TCGA, the model predicted treatment-specific response. Together, these data and analysis represent a valuable community resource to model basic tumor biology and to study the pharmacogenomics of BCa.

Directional Selection from Host Plants Is a Major Force Driving Host Specificity in Magnaporthe Species

One major threat to global food security that requires immediate attention, is the increasing incidence of host shift and host expansion in growing number of pathogenic fungi and emergence of new pathogens. The threat is more alarming because, yield quality and quantity improvement efforts are encouraging the cultivation of uniform plants with low genetic diversity that are increasingly susceptible to emerging pathogens. However, the influence of host genome differentiation on pathogen genome differentiation and its contribution to emergence and adaptability is still obscure. Here, we compared genome sequence of 6 isolates of Magnaporthe species obtained from three different host plants. We demonstrated the evolutionary relationship between Magnaporthe species and the influence of host differentiation on pathogens. Phylogenetic analysis showed that evolution of pathogen directly corresponds with host divergence, suggesting that host-pathogen interaction has led to co-evolution. Furthermore, we identified an asymmetric selection pressure on Magnaporthe species. Oryza sativa-infecting isolates showed higher directional selection from host and subsequently tends to lower the genetic diversity in its genome. We concluded that, frequent gene loss or gain, new transposon acquisition and sequence divergence are host adaptability mechanisms for Magnaporthe species, and this coevolution processes is greatly driven by directional selection from host plants.

17β-Oestradiol enhances the expansion and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells via signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3 signalling in human pregnancy

During a successful pregnancy, the maternal immune system plays a critical role in maintaining immunotolerance towards semi-allogeneic fetal antigens. Recent studies have indicated that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are active players in establishing fetal-maternal tolerance; however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we observed a significant expansion of monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs) in the peripheral blood of pregnant women, which suppressed T cell responses in a reactive oxygen species-dependent manner and required cell-cell contact. The number of M-MDSCs correlated positively with serum oestrogen and progesterone levels. Administration of 17β-oestradiol, but not progesterone, enhanced both the expansion and suppressive activity of M-MDSCs through signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)-3. Pretreatment with STAT-3 inhibitor JSI-124 almost completely abrogated the effects of 17β-oestradiol on MDSCs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that 17β-oestradiol-induced STAT-3 signalling plays an important role in both the expansion and activation of MDSCs during human pregnancy, which may benefit the development of novel therapeutic strategies for prevention of immune-related miscarriage.

The skin-depigmenting potential of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin: in vitro evaluation using reconstructed pigmented human epidermis

OBJECTIVE

The roots of the herb Paeonia lactiflora ('White Peony') are used in association with other herbs in traditional clinical cosmetic practice in China as oral treatment for skin pigmentary disorders, such as brown or dark pigmentary spots. However, the skin-depigmenting potential of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and its main ingredient paeoniflorin has been scarcely investigated by topical application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Paeonia lactiflora root extract and paeoniflorin as skin whitening agent in cosmetic application.

METHODS

Paeonia lactiflora root extract (containing 53.25% of paeoniflorin) and paeoniflorin (97% purity) were applied topically on reconstructed pigmented human epidermis model, a three-dimensional (3D) human skin equivalent, showing morphological and functional characteristics similar to those of in vivo human skin. Two specific methods were used for quantifying melanin inside the reconstructed pigmented epidermis: Fontana-Masson staining (2D quantification) and multiphoton microscopy (3D quantification).

RESULTS

Compared to vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide DMSO), a significant decrease in 2D and 3D melanin content was observed after topical application on reconstructed pigmented epidermis of Paeonia lactiflora extract at 300 μg mL(-1) (-28% and -27%, respectively) and paeoniflorin at 120 μg mL(-1) /250 μM (-30% and -23%, respectively), which is in the same order of magnitude as the positive reference 4-n-butylresorcinol at 83 μg mL(-1) /500 μM (-26% and -40%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate, for the first time, the depigmenting potential of paeoniflorin and thus the potential interest of using Paeonia lactiflora root extracts containing paeoniflorin in cosmetic or dermatological applications for reducing the severity of some hyperpigmented skin disorders.

Aldehyde-functionalized porous nanocellulose for effective removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions

Nanoscale sorption is a promising strategy for catalyst and purification system design.

Remission of systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity with regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-35 in Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mice

The immunological mechanisms mediated by regulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-35 are unclear in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We investigated the frequency of CD4(+) CD25(+) forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)(+) regulatory T (Treg ) and IL-10(+) regulatory B (Breg ) cells and related immunoregulatory mechanisms in a female Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mouse model of spontaneous lupus-like disease, with or without IL-35 treatment. A remission of histopathology characteristics of lupus flare and nephritis was observed in the MRL/lpr mice upon IL-35 treatment. Accordingly, IL-35 and IL-35 receptor subunits (gp130 and IL-12Rβ2) and cytokines of MRL/lpr and BALB/c mice (normal controls) were measured. The increased anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased proinflammatory cytokines were possibly associated with the restoration of Treg and Breg frequency in MRL/lpr mice with IL-35 treatment, compared to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment. mRNA expressions of Treg -related FoxP3, IL-35 subunit (p35 and EBI3) and soluble IL-35 receptor subunit (gp130 and IL12Rβ2) in splenic cells were up-regulated significantly in IL-35-treated mice. Compared with the PBS treatment group, IL-35-treated MRL/lpr mice showed an up-regulation of Treg -related genes and the activation of IL-35-related intracellular Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signal pathways, thereby indicating the immunoregulatory role of IL-35 in SLE. These in vivo findings may provide a biochemical basis for further investigation of the regulatory mechanisms of IL-35 for the treatment of autoimmune-mediated inflammation.

Amelioration of allergic airway inflammation in mice by regulatory IL-35 through dampening inflammatory dendritic cells

BACKGROUND

IL-35, a new member of the IL-12 family, is an inhibitory cytokine produced by regulatory T and B lymphocytes that play a suppressive role in the inflammatory diseases. This study focuses on the cellular mechanism regulating the anti-inflammatory activity of IL-35 in asthmatic mice.

METHODS

Ovalbumin-induced asthmatic and humanized asthmatic mice were adopted to evaluate the in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of IL-35. For monitoring the airway, Penh value (% baseline) was measured using a whole-body plethysmograph.

RESULTS

In this study using ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice, we observed that intraperitoneal injection of IL-35 during the allergen sensitization stage was more efficient than administration in the challenge stage for the amelioration of airway hyper-responsiveness. This was reflected by the significantly reduced concentration of asthma-related Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13, as well as eosinophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (all P < 0.05). IL-35 also significantly attenuated the accumulation of migratory CD11b+CD103(-) dendritic cells (DC) in the mediastinal lymph node (mLN) and lung of mice (all P < 0.05). IL-35 markedly inhibited the ovalbumin-induced conversion of recruited monocytes into inflammatory DC, which were then substantially reduced in mLN to cause less T-cell proliferation (all P < 0.05). Further study using the humanized asthmatic murine model also indicated human IL-35 exhibited a regulatory impact on allergic asthma.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that IL-35 can act as a crucial regulatory cytokine to inhibit the development of allergic airway inflammation via suppressing the formation of inflammatory DC at the inflammatory site and their accumulation in the draining lymph nodes.

Aberrant expression of regulatory cytokine IL-35 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective

This study characterizes an IL-35-mediated regulatory role in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

Plasma of SLE patients and healthy controls (HCs) was analyzed for the concentrations of IL-35 and soluble gp130 by using ELISA. mRNA expression of IL-35 subunit (p35 and EBI3) and its receptor (gp130 and IL-12Rβ2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed by RT-qPCR. Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the number of CD4+CD25highCD127−Treg cells and the expression of IL-35 receptor on the CD4+ helper (Th) cells and CD19+ B cells. Plasma collected from SLE patients and HCs was assayed for cytokine and chemokine expression by Luminex multiplex assay.

Results

Plasma IL-35 and soluble gp130 levels positively correlated with each other and were significantly higher in patients with severe SLE compared with HCs. Significantly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines CCL2, CXCL8, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-10 and IL-17A were observed in plasma of SLE patients than HCs. mRNA levels of IL-35 and its receptor were significantly positively correlated in PBMCs from SLE patients and their levels were higher in SLE than HCs. The increase significantly correlated with changes in SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) (all p < 0.05). In addition, the number of Treg cells in severe and moderate SLE patients were both significantly lower than HCs, where the ratio of CD4+CD25−effector T cell %/CD4+CD25highCD127−Treg % was found to be significantly higher in severe SLE patients. Furthermore, the expression of gp130 on CD4+ Th cells and percentage of Tregs were positively correlated with each other, and both were negatively correlated with SLEDAI.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that high level of plasma IL-35 in active SLE patients expressed with low level of IL-35 receptor (gp130) on CD4+ Th cells. These data raise the possibility that the level of IL-35 expression in SLE patients is not sufficient to induce the production of CD4+CD25highCD127−Tregs, and subsequently suppress the release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines upon inflammation.

Determination of Anthocyanins and Total Polyphenols in a Variety of Elderberry Juices by UPLC-MS/MS and Other Methods

Elderberry (Sambucus spp.) juice contains a variety of polyphenols, mostly anthocyanins. In order to understand the variation of polyphenol levels by genotype, various elderberry juice samples were analyzed for total phenolics (TP), total monomeric anthocyanins (TMA) and individual anthocyanin content. The Folin-Ciocalteu total phenolic method and pH differential method were used to measure the TP and TMA content, respectively. The TP and TMA concentrations of elderberry were found to vary greatly among different genotypes. TMA content varied from 2.1% for 'Sperandio' to 60.6% for the 'Bob Gordon' cultivar. In addition, ultra-performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry was used to separate and detect individual anthocyanins from samples prepared by solid phase extraction. Multiple-reaction-monitoring was used to process data for the reduction of false positives, maximizing selectivity, and reliable quantification. The quantitative performance of the method was validated, and a detection limit of 0.3 ng·ml^-1 for cyanidin 3-O-glucoside was determined. This newly developed method may serve to characterize and profile various anthocyanins in elderberry juices for quality control, assessment of dietary intake, and anthocyanin-based biomedical studies.

Members of the receptor for advanced glycation end products axis as potential therapeutic targets in patients with lupus nephritis

The relationship of inflammation and the expression of full-length receptor for advanced glycation end products (flRAGE) on monocytes, plasma levels of RAGE ligand high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1), soluble RAGE (sRAGE) and endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE) was assessed to elucidate the effect of HMGB1/DNA/RAGE-mediated innate inflammatory responses in patients with lupus nephritis. Cell surface expression of flRAGE was elevated on the monocytes of lupus patients, correlated with plasma HMGB1 levels. Plasma sRAGE level negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity index. Plasma esRAGE level was significantly lower in SLE patients with flare while esRAGE/sRAGE ratio negatively correlated with complement C3 level. HMGB1 alone could moderately induce ex vivo IL-6 production from monocytes, resulting in activation of intracellular p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Moreover, toll-like receptor-9 ligand together with HMGB1 exhibited a synergistic effect on IL-6 and IL-12p70 secretions and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Therefore, over-expression of flRAGE in lupus may lead to the amplification of RAGE ligands-mediated inflammatory responses through the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Plasma sRAGE may serve as a potential biomarker for disease activity and a future therapeutic target in SLE.

Bovine and equine peritubular and intertubular dentin

Dentin contains 1-2μm diameter tubules extending from the pulp cavity to near the junction with enamel. Peritubular dentin (PTD) borders the tubule lumens and is surrounded by intertubular dentin (ITD). Differences in PTD and ITD composition and microstructure remain poorly understood. Here, a (∼200nm)(2), 10.1keV synchrotron X-ray beam maps X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction simultaneously around tubules in 15-30μm thick bovine and equine specimens. Increased Ca fluorescence surrounding tubule lumens confirms that PTD is present, and the relative intensities in PTD and ITD correspond to carbonated apatite (cAp) volume fraction of ∼0.8 in PTD vs. 0.65 assumed for ITD. In the PTD near the lumen edges, Zn intensity is strongly peaked, corresponding to a Zn content of ∼0.9mgg(-1) for an assumed concentration of ∼0.4mgg(-1) for ITD. In the equine specimen, the Zn K-edge position indicates that Zn(2+) is present, similar to bovine dentin (Deymier-Black et al., 2013), and the above edge structure is consistent with spectra from macromolecules related to biomineralization. Transmission X-ray diffraction shows only cAp, and the 00.2 diffraction peak (Miller-Bravais indices) width is constant from ITD to the lumen edge. The cAp 00.2 average preferred orientation is axisymmetric (about the tubule axis) in both bovine and equine dentin, and the axisymmetric preferred orientation continues from ITD through the PTD to the tubule lumen. These data indicate that cAp structure does not vary from PTD to ITD.