Simultaneous presentation of systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis in mother and son

The pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been attributed to complex interactions between genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. The influence of a genetic predisposition to SLE is supported by family aggregation and a high concordance rate in monozygotic twins. Here we present a rare case of simultaneous presentation of SLE and lupus nephritis in a mother and son. Both patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria, and the renal pathological classifications of the son and his mother were Class IV-G (A) and Class III (A/C), respectively, according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) 2003 classification of lupus nephritis. Apart from the renal involvement, both patients had leucopenia and anemia, and the mother also had typical cutaneous lesions and secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. This case supports the genetic role in the etiology of SLE, and displayed different clinical presentations and disease severity in familial SLE patients of different gender and age.

Adoptive cell therapy using antigen-specific CD4⁻CD8⁻T regulatory cells to prevent autoimmune diabetes and promote islet allograft survival in NOD mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

A new differentiation pathway for CD4(-)CD8(-) (DN) T cells has recently been identified that exhibits the potent function of peripheral converted DN T cells in suppressing immune responses and provides the potential to treat autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if the DN T cells converted from CD4(+) T cells of NOD mice retain the antigen-specific regulatory capacity and prevent autoimmune diabetes in vivo. We also sought to determine if the combination of DN T cells with rapamycin promotes islet allograft survival in autoimmune diabetic NOD recipients.

METHODS

NOD CD4(+) T cells were converted to DN T cells in an in vitro mixed-lymphocyte reaction, with or without GAD65 peptide, as previously reported. The antigen-specific DN T cells were adoptively transferred to NOD/SCID mice, new-onset diabetic NOD mice or islet-allograft-recipient NOD mice as the part of cell-based therapy. The development of diabetes and allograft survival was assessed by monitoring blood glucose levels.

RESULTS

NOD CD4(+) T cells were converted in vitro to DN T cells at a rate of 50% and expressed unique cell features. The DN T cells from NOD donors blocked autoimmunity and prevented diabetes in NOD models, and these effects were even greater for GAD65-peptide-primed DN T cells. DN T cells acted in conjunction with rapamycin to suppress alloantigen-triggered T cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis and prolonged islet allograft survival in NOD recipients.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Administration of the islet beta cell antigen-specific DN T cells can prevent the development of autoimmune diabetes and promote islet allograft survival in NOD mice.

Three-electron interatomic Coulombic decay from the inner-valence double-vacancy states in NeAr

We have unambiguously identified interatomic Coulombic decay in NeAr from the inner-valence double-vacancy state Ne-Ar(2+)(3s(-2)) to outer-valence triple-vacancy states Ne(+)(2p(-1))-Ar(2+)(3p(-2)) by momentum-resolved electron-ion multicoincidence. This is the first observation of interatomic Coulombic decay where three electrons (3e) participate. The results suggest that this 3e interatomic Coulombic decay is significantly faster than other competing processes like fluorescence decay and charge transfer via curve crossing.

Public health services in Shenzhen: a case study

As one of the fastest growing cities in Pearl River Delta of southern China, Shenzhen accommodates a higher percentage and increasing number of internal migrants, mainly coming from the inland areas. The public health issues that challenge its local government include the special population structure, high incidence of infectious diseases, high prevalence of mental problems, rising chronic disease burdens, and maternal and children’s health issues, although progress has been made in the past years. The health authority of Shenzhen has realized that provision of high quality equitable public health services to its residents, including migrants is of high priority, and should be supported by innovations in the health insurance system and establishment of community-based primary care networks. Making changes within the national-level health reform framework and learning from international experiences are necessary and important.

Effect of insulin in combination with selenium on blood glucose and PI3K-mediated GLUT4 expression in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the effect of low doses of insulin (1 U/kg/day) and selenium (180 microg/kg/day) in combination on general physiological parameters, and on PI3K and GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diabetic rats were treated with insulin, selenium, and insulin and selenium in combination for four weeks. The levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c were estimated, and the levels of P13K and GLUT4 in skeletal muscle were examined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Insulin in combination with selenium could significantly lower blood glucose and HbAlc levels, and restore the disturbances in PI3K and GLUT4 levels in skeletal muscle. Treatment with insulin was only partially effective in the restoration of diabetic alterations.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that there was cooperation between insulin and selenium, and that treatment of diabetic rats with combined doses of insulin and selenium was effective in the normalization of blood glucose and correction of altered PI3K and GLUT4 distribution in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.