Reduced serum level of leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 is associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy

AbstractBackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling is an important pathway in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). A recent report showed that leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) suppresses the VEGF signaling in endothelial cells. However, the clinical relevance of LECT2 in DR is unknown. This study aimed to investigate serum LECT2 levels and the presence of DR.MethodsThe study included 230 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), 95 with DR and 135 without DR. Serum LECT2 levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation, univariate and multivariate logistic regression.ResultsSerum LECT2 levels were significantly lower in participants with DM having DR than in those not having DR (35.6±14.9ng/ml vs. 44.5±17.6ng/ml, P<0.001). Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a significant association between serum LECT2 levels and the presence of DR (P<0.001). Multiple regression analysis revealed that serum LECT2 levels were independently related to DR (P<0.001).ConclusionsThese findings indicated that serum LECT2 level is negatively associated with the presence of DR and suggest that low circulating LECT2 level is a risk factor for DR

Combined pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in systemic lupus erythematosus with anti-erythropoietin autoantibodies

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系A 42-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus was admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia. Her bone marrow was almost normocellular and erythroblasts were nearly absent. Laboratory data showed elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and positive findings on Coombs\u27 tests. On the basis of these findings, her anemia was diagnosed as the overlap of pure red cell aplasia with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Radioimmunoprecipitation assay revealed that her serum was positive for anti-erythropoietin antibodies before therapy. Furthermore, the autoantibodies inhibited proliferation of an erythropoietin-dependent cell line in a dose-dependent manner. Immunosuppressive treatment improved the anemia accompanied with disappearance of the autoantibodies. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Radiological prediction of tumor invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma on thin-section CT

To evaluate thin-section computed tomography (CT) (TSCT) features that differentiate adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and invasive adenocarcinoma (IVA), and to determine the size of solid portion on CT that correlates to pathological invasive components. Forty-eight patients were included. Nodules were classified into ground-glass nodule (GGN), part-solid, solid, and heterogeneous. Visual density of GGNs was subjectively evaluated using reference standard images: faint GGN (Ga), −400 HU; and mixed (Ga + Gb, Ga + Gc, and Gb + Gc). The evaluated TSCT findings included margin of nodule, distribution of solid portion, distribution of air bronchiologram, and pleural indentation. The longest diameters of the solid portion and the entire tumor were measured. Invasive diameters were measured in pathological specimens. Twenty-two AISs (16 GGNs [7 Ga, 5 Gb, 2 Gc, 1 Ga + Gc, 1 Gb + Gc], 4 part-solids, and 2 heterogeneous), 6 MIAs (1 GGN [Gb + Gc], 3 part-solids, and 2 solids), and 20 IVAs (1 GGN [Gb], 3 part-solids, and 16 solid) were found. The longest diameter (mean ± standard deviation) of the solid portion and total tumor were 9.7 ± 9.7 and 18.9 ± 5.6 mm, respectively. Significant differences in TSCT findings between AIS and IVA were margin of nodule (Pearson chi-squared test, P = 0.004), distribution of air bronchiologram (P = 0.0148), and pleural indentation (P = 0.0067). A solid portion >5.3 mm on TSCT indicated MIA or IVA, and >7.3 mm indicated IVA (receiver operating characteristic analysis, P 7.3 mm on TSCT indicates IVA

Involvement of CD11b+ GR-1low cells in autoimmune disorder in MRL-Faslpr mouse

金沢大学医薬保健研究域医学系Objective: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) have been identified as immunosuppressive cells in tumor-related inflammation. However, the pathogenesis of MDSCs for autoimmune disease has not been investigated as yet. The aim of this study was to address whether MDSCs contribute to autoimmune organ injury in lupus-prone mice. Methods: MDSCs were analyzed by flow cytometric staining of CD11b+ GR-1+ in MRL-Faslpr mice. CD4+ T-cell proliferation assay was performed by coculture with CD11b+ GR-1+ splenocytes. The percentage of immunosuppressive cells was examined during disease progression. Expression of chemokine receptor on immunosuppressive cells was analyzed, and chemotaxis assay was performed. Results: CD11b+ GR-1low cells had a suppressive effect on CD4+ T-cell proliferation, which was restored by an arginase-1 inhibitor. CD11b+ GR-1low cells increased in percentage during disease progression in kidney and blood. The number of migrated CD11b+ GR-1low cells increased in the presence of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CCL2. Conclusion: We assessed the involvement of CD11b+ GR-1low cells in autoimmune disorder in MRL-Faslpr mice. These cells regulate immunological responses via CCL2/CCR2 signaling. The regulation of immunosuppressive monocytes may provide novel therapeutic strategy for organ damage in autoimmune diseases. © 2010 Japanese Society of Nephrology.

A study of organizational efforts to reduce teacher burnout in elementary and junior high schools (7)

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