Gradual Increase of High Mobility Group Protein B1 in the Lungs after the Onset of Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

The pathogenesis of acute exacerbation of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains to be elucidated. To evaluate the roles of inflammatory mediators in acute exacerbation, the concentrations of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), a chief mediator of acute lung injury, and 18 inflammatory cytokines were measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serially sampled from seven IPF patients after the onset of acute exacerbation. HMGB1 gradually increased in the alveolar fluid after the onset of acute exacerbation, in positive correlation with monocytes chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent fibrogenic mediator. In the lung tissues of eight IPF patients autopsied after acute exacerbation, intense cytoplasmic staining for HMGB1 was observed in the alveolar epithelial cells in alveolar capillary augmented lesions, where the capillary endothelial cells remarkably reduced the expression of thrombomodulin, an intrinsic antagonist of HMGB1. These results suggest pathogenic roles for HMGB1 and MCP-1 in the late phase of acute exacerbation of IPF

Irisin/FNDC5: A participant in camel metabolism

The quantification, localization, production, function, and regulation of irisin/FNDC5 in camel species have not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to detect the irisin content in Arabian camel blood and tissues and study the gene expression of FNDC5 and PGC-1α in camel skeletal muscles and white adipose tissue depots under basal conditions. To monitor if exercise influences blood and tissue irisin protein levels as well as FNDC5 and PGC-1α gene expression levels, we analyzed irisin concentrations in the serum, skeletal muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius), and white adipose tissues (hump, subcutaneous, visceral, epididymal, and perirenal) in both control (n = 6) and exercised group (n = 6) using ELISA and determined the cellular localization of irisin/FNDC5 and the mRNA levels of FNDC5 and PGC-1α in skeletal muscles and adipose tissues via immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively. The possible regulatory roles of exercise on some hormones and metabolites as well as the detection of links between serum irisin and other circulating hormones (insulin, leptin, and cortisol) and metabolites (glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and ATP) were explored for the first time in camels. Our results indicated that exercise induces tissue-specific regulation of the camel irisin, FNDC5, and PGC-1α levels, which subsequently regulates the circulating irisin level. Significant associations were detected between the levels of irisin/FNDC5/PGC-1α in camels and the metabolic and hormonal responses to exercise. Our study suggested that irisin regulates, or is regulated by, glucose, FFA, insulin, leptin, and cortisol in camels. The novel results of the present study will serve as baseline data for camels

Vision outcome with antiglaucoma therapy and prognostic factors in canine glaucoma: A 6-years retrospective study in Japan

Vision outcome provides invaluable information in clinical decision making in the management of canine glaucoma. In the present study, data of glaucoma dogs were retrospectively evaluated for vision outcome by treatment modality (with or without surgical implantation of the Ahmed glaucoma valve, AGV) and by type of glaucoma, sex and breed in cases of medically treated glaucoma. Among 1990 dogs presented with eye diseases between 2011 and 2017, 224 dogs (11.3%) were diagnosed with glaucoma at initial presentation and 228 eyes of 207 dogs have follow-up records of at least 30 days were included in the analysis. At the time of first presentation, 62/228 eyes (27.2%) were visual. Visual preservation rates were constantly significantly higher in dogs that received AGV placement with a median time to vision loss of 76.4 weeks vs. 9.6 weeks in dogs that received medical treatment alone. Among dogs treated medically, vision outcome was comparable between two types of glaucoma (i.e., primary and secondary) and between sexes. Medically treated Shiba dogs showed significantly lower vision preservation rates and a shorter median time to vision loss compared to other breeds. These results suggest that AGV implants result in better vision outcome compared to medical therapy alone and should be considered in dogs that are visual at the time of presentation and suitable for surgery. And Shiba dogs are considered as the factor that indicate poor vision outcome of medical treatment alone in the present study

Effect of Hemoperfusion Using Polymyxin B-Immobilized Fibers on Non-Shock Rat Sepsis Model

Background: Direct hemoperfusion with a polymyxin B-immobilized column (PMX-DHP) is recognized to be effective for the treatment of septic shock and is widely applied in Japan. However, it is still unknown whether the efficacy is limited to cardiovascular dysfunction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of PMX-DHP on a non-hypotensive sepsis model. Methods: Wistar rats were assigned to either a PMX-DHP group, control group, or sham group (n = 7 in each group). A sepsis model was made by intravenous infusion of live E. coli. (LD50). The change in systemic blood pressure was less than 20% of the initial level in this model. In the PMX-DHP group, an arteriovenous extracorporeal circuit with a PMX column was applied until 3 h after E. coli injection. The same procedure with a dummy column was applied in the control group. Plasma levels of ALT, LDH, BUN, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured. The mesenteric microcirculation was observed at 1 and 3 h after E. coli injection. In another series, survival was calculated up to 18 h (n = 14 in each group). Results: Organ damage markers were lower in the PMX-DHP group. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in the PMX-DHP group than in the control group. Microcirculation was better maintained in the PMX-DHP group. Survival was significantly better in the PMX-DHP group (93%) compared with that in the control group (57%, P = 0.03). Conclusions: PMX-DHP was effective in a non-hypotensive sepsis model