Expression of Class II Cytokine Genes in Children’s Skin

Immune regulation of the skin plays an important role in susceptibility and development of illnesses. The aim of our study was to localise the interleukin (IL)-10 family of cytokines, in children’s skin and to determine possible age-related differences in the expression level. The mRNA expression level of IL10, IL19, IL20, IL22, IL24, IL26, IL28B, IL29 and their receptors IL10RA, IL10RB, IL20RA, IL20RB, IL22RA1, IL22RA2, IL28RA was compared in skin biopsies of children and adults and in childrens’ skin cells by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm the qRT-PCR findings. We found age-related differences in the expression of IL10RB, IL20, IL20RA, IL22RA1, IL22RA2, IL26 and IL28RA genes. Cell type-dependent expression of IL10 family cytokines was apparent in the skin. In addition to previously known differences in systemic immunological response of adults and children, the present results reveal differences in immune profile of adult and juvenile skin

Polymorphisms in the interleukin-10 gene cluster are possibly involved in the increased risk for major depressive disorder

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Innate immune inflammatory response is suggested to have a role in the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Interleukin (IL)-10 family cytokines IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, and IL-24 are all implicated in the inflammatory processes and polymorphisms in respective genes have been associated with various immunopathological conditions. This study was carried out to investigate whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes are also associated with MDD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Case-control association study was performed with seven SNPs from the <it>IL10 </it>gene cluster. 153 patients with MDD and 277 healthy control individuals were recruited.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>None of the selected SNPs were individually associated with MDD. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis indicated the existence of two recombination sites in the <it>IL10 </it>gene cluster, thus confirming the formerly established LD pattern of this genomic region. This also created two haplotype blocks, both consisting of three SNPs. Additionally, the haplotype analysis detected a significantly higher frequency of block 2 (<it>IL20 </it>and <it>IL24 </it>genes) haplotype TGC in the patients group compared to healthy control individuals (P = 0.0097).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study established increased risk for MDD related to the <it>IL20 </it>and <it>IL24 </it>haplotype and suggests that cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of MDD. Since none of the block 2 SNPs were individually associated with MDD, it is possible that other polymorphisms linked to them contribute to the disease susceptibility. Future studies are needed to confirm the results and to find the possible functional explanation.</p

ESPRAS Survey on Continuing Education in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in Europe

Background Specialty training in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery is a prerequisite for safe and effective provision of care. The aim of this study was to assess and portray similarities and differences in the continuing education and specialization in plastic surgery in Europe. Material and Methods A detailed questionnaire was designed and distributed utilizing an online survey administration software. Questions addressed core items regarding continuing education and specialization in plastic surgery in Europe. Participants were addressed directly via the European Leadership Forum (ELF) of the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS). All participants had detailed knowledge of the organization and management of plastic surgical training in their respective country. Results The survey was completed by 29 participants from 23 European countries. During specialization, plastic surgeons in Europe are trained in advanced tissue transfer and repair and aesthetic principles in all parts of the human body and within several subspecialties. Moreover, rotations in intensive as well as emergency care are compulsory in most European countries. Board certification is only provided for surgeons who have had multiple years of training regulated by a national board, who provide evidence of individually performed operative procedures in several anatomical regions and subspecialties, and who pass a final oral and/or written examination. Conclusion Board certified plastic surgeons meet the highest degree of qualification, are trained in all parts of the body and in the management of complications. The standard of continuing education and qualification of European plastic surgeons is high, providing an excellent level of plastic surgical care throughout Europe

Animal models of major depressive disorder and the implications for drug discovery and development

Introduction: Depression is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects the global population and causes severe disabilities and suicide. Depression pathogenesis remains poorly understood, and the disorder is often treatment-resistant and recurrent, necessitating the development of novel therapies, models and concepts in this field. Areas covered: Animal models are indispensable for translational biological psychiatry, and markedly advance the study of depression. Novel approaches continuously emerge that may help untangle the disorder heterogeneity and unclear categories of disease classification systems. Some of these approaches include widening the spectrum of model species used for translational research, using a broader range of test paradigms, exploring new pathogenic pathways and biomarkers, and focusing more closely on processes beyond neural cells (e.g. glial, inflammatory and metabolic deficits). Expert opinion: Dividing the core symptoms into easily translatable, evolutionarily conserved phenotypes is an effective way to reevaluate current depression modeling. Conceptually novel approaches based on the endophenotype paradigm, cross-species trait genetics and ‘domain interplay concept’, as well as using a wider spectrum of model organisms and target systems will enhance experimental modeling of depression and antidepressant drug discovery. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

An Improved Structure of an Adaptive Excitation Control System Operating under Short-Circuit

The paper presents an extended structure for a minimum variance adaptive control system of an induction generator, which aims to improve its operating behavior under electrical short-circuit conditions. The basic design idea is to limit the control to physically achievable values, and thus increasing the robustness of the control system and avoiding an instability regime. A control limiting block is proposed and used for this purpose. Moreover, a short-circuit detector enables an on-line setting of the control penalty factor, improving the quality of the controlled output. All these additional customizations of the control system, implemented to keep the plant operational under and after a short-time short-circuit fault (acting as an abnormal perturbation), must also provide good performance in the normal operating mode

Fibroblast growth on micro- and nanopatterned surfaces prepared by a novel sol–gel phase separation method

Physical characteristics of the growth substrate including nano- and microstructure play crucial role in determining the behaviour of the cells in a given biological context. To test the effect of varying the supporting surface structure on cell growth we applied a novel sol–gel phase separation-based method to prepare micro- and nanopatterned surfaces with round surface structure features. Variation in the size of structural elements was achieved by solvent variation and adjustment of sol concentration. Growth characteristics and morphology of primary human dermal fibroblasts were found to be significantly modulated by the microstructure of the substrate. The increase in the size of the structural elements, lead to increased inhibition of cell growth, altered morphology (increased cytoplasmic volume), enlarged cell shape, decrease in the number of filopodia) and enhancement of cell senescence. These effects are likely mediated by the decreased contact between the cell membrane and the growth substrate. However, in the case of large surface structural elements other factors like changes in the 3D topology of the cell’s cytoplasm might also play a role

Strengthening Plastic Surgery in Europe - ESPRAS Survey at ESPRAS European Leadership Forum (ELF)

Background The Executive Committee (ExCo) of the European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS) organized a first ESPRAS European Leadership Forum (ELF) to facilitate international exchange and to provide a platform for international leaders and delegates of national societies of Plastic Surgery to discuss common challenges. The presented manuscript presents key findings in a first effort of international harmonization and cooperation. Materials and Methods Members of the executive (presidents, vice-presidents, secretary generals) and national delegates of Plastic Surgery national societies discussed hot topics in Plastic Surgery via the Zoom virtual conferencing system (Zoom Video Communications, Inc.). Attending participants responded to a virtual question & answer session with questions being displayed throughout the webinar. Results The challenges associated with Aesthetic Surgery performed by doctors who are not board-certified Plastic Surgeons and Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) were perceived as major hot topics within most national societies. Both topics were discussed vividly. Education in plastic surgery and a European fellowship program for young Plastic Surgeons was favored by a large majority of participants. The implementation of European registries for free flaps, implants and for breast reconstruction were supported by the majority of respondents. Conclusion The ESPRAS ELF provides a platform to propel international exchange and alliance, communication, education, research and future projects. A further virtual webinar with the topic Strategies for Strengthening and Defending Plastic Surgery against Others was suggested to be conducted in spring 2021

ESPRAS Survey on Breast Reconstruction in Europe

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