Monocytes accumulate in the airways of children with fatal asthma

Background: Activated T helper type 2 (Th2) cells are believed to play a pivotal role in allergic airway inflammation, but which cells attract and activate Th2 cells locally have not been fully determined. Recently, it was shown in an experimental human model of allergic rhinitis (AR) that activated monocytes rapidly accumulate in the nasal mucosa after local allergen challenge, where they promote recruitment of Th2 cells and eosinophils. Objective: To investigate whether monocytes are recruited to the lungs in paediatric asthma. Methods: Tissue samples obtained from children and adolescents with fatal asthma attack (n = 12), age-matched non-atopic controls (n = 9) and allergen-challenged AR patients (n = 8) were subjected to in situ immunostaining. Results: Monocytes, identified as CD68+S100A8/A9+ cells, were significantly increased in the lower airway mucosa and in the alveoli of fatal asthma patients compared with control individuals. Interestingly, cellular aggregates containing CD68+S100A8/A9+ monocytes obstructing the lumen of bronchioles were found in asthmatics (8 out of 12) but not in controls. Analysing tissue specimens from challenged AR patients, we confirmed that co-staining with CD68 and S100A8/A9 was a valid method to identify recently recruited monocytes. We also showed that the vast majority of accumulating monocytes both in the lungs and in the nasal mucosa expressed matrix metalloproteinase 10, suggesting that this protein may be involved in their migration within the tissue. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Monocytes accumulated in the lungs of children and adolescents with fatal asthma attack. This finding strongly suggests that monocytes are directly involved in the immunopathology of asthma and that these pro-inflammatory cells are potential targets for therapy.Peer reviewe

Comparing five different iterative reconstruction algorithms for computed tomography in an ROC study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate lesion conspicuity achieved with five different iterative reconstruction techniques from four CT vendors at three different dose levels. Comparisons were made of iterative algorithm and filtered back projection (FBP) among and within systems. An anthropomorphic liver phantom was examined with four CT systems, each from a different vendor. CTDIvol levels of 5 mGy, 10 mGy and 15 mGy were chosen. Images were reconstructed with FBP and the iterative algorithm on the system. Images were interpreted independently by four observers, and the areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) were calculated. Noise and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were measured. One iterative algorithm increased AUC (0.79, 0.95, and 0.97) compared to FBP (0.70, 0.86, and 0.93) at all dose levels (p < 0.001 and p = 0.047). Another algorithm increased AUC from 0.78 with FBP to 0.84 (p = 0.007) at 5 mGy. Differences at 10 and 15 mGy were not significant (p-values: 0.084-0.883). Three algorithms showed no difference in AUC compared to FBP (p-values: 0.008-1.000). All of the algorithms decreased noise (10-71 %) and improved CNR. Only two algorithms improved lesion detection, even though noise reduction was shown with all algorithms. aEuro cent Iterative reconstruction algorithms affected lesion detection differently at different dose levels. aEuro cent One iterative algorithm improved lesion detectability compared to filtered back projection. aEuro cent Three algorithms did not significantly improve lesion detectability. aEuro cent One algorithm improved lesion detectability at the lowest dose level

Upper respiratory tract disease in captive orangutans (Pongo sp.): prevalence in 20 European zoos and predisposing factors

Background Upper respiratory tract disease (URTD) is a significant cause of morbidity in captive orangutans (Pongo abelii, Pongo pygmaeus), and the pathogenesis is often unknown. Methods The prevalence of respiratory disease in captive European orangutans (201 animals; 20 zoos) and possible predisposing factors were investigated. Results Bornean orangutans (P. pygmaeus) showed chronic respiratory signs significantly more often (13.8%) than Sumatran (P. abelii; 3.6%), and males (15.8%) were more often afflicted than females (3.9%). Hand-reared animals (21%) developed air sacculitis more often than parent-reared animals (5%). Diseased animals were more often genetically related to animals with respiratory diseases (93%) than to healthy animals (54%). None of the environmental conditions investigated had a significant effect on disease prevalence. Conclusion Results suggest a higher importance of individual factors for the development of URTD than environmental conditions. Bornean, male and hand-reared orangutans and animals related to diseased animals need increased medical surveillance for early detection of respiratory disease

Additional file 1: of Associations between circulating endostatin levels and vascular organ damage in systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease: an observational study

Previous studies of endostatin and/or vascular endothelial growth factor in SSc and MCTD. Listing of previous studies of endostatin and/or vascular endothelial growth factor levels in SSc and/or MCTD including methods and main results. (PDF 241 kb

Additional file 3: of Associations between circulating endostatin levels and vascular organ damage in systemic sclerosis and mixed connective tissue disease: an observational study

Results of logistic regression analyses. Known risk factors and endostatin in predicting pulmonary arterial hypertension and scleroderma renal crisis. (PDF 282 kb