CR3 and Dectin-1 Collaborate in Macrophage Cytokine Response through Association on Lipid Rafts and Activation of Syk-JNK-AP-1 Pathway

Copyright: © 2015 Huang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited Acknowledgments We are grateful to the Second Core Laboratory of Research Core Facility at the National Taiwan University Hospital for confocal microscopy service and providing ultracentrifuge. We thank Dr. William E. Goldman (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC) for kindly providing WT and ags1-null mutant of H. capsulatum G186A. Funding: This work is supported by research grants 101-2320-B-002-030-MY3 from the Ministry of Science and Technology (http://www.most.gov.tw) and AS-101-TP-B06-3 from Academia Sinica (http://www.sinica.edu.tw) to BAWH. GDB is funded by research grant 102705 from Welcome Trust (http://www.wellcome.ac.uk). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Anti-Inflammatory and Anticoagulative Effects of Paeonol on LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

Paeonol is an active component of Moutan Cortex Radicis and is widely used as an analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent in traditional Chinese medicine. We wanted to determine the role of paeonol in treating adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We established an acute lung injury (ALI) model in Sprague-Dawley rats, which was similar to ARDS in humans, using intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The intraperitoneal administration of paeonol successfully reduced histopathological scores and attenuated myeloperoxidase-reactive cells as an index of polymorphonuclear neutrophils infiltration and also reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in the lung tissue, at 16 h after LPS administration. In addition, paeonol reduced proinflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, including tumor-necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and plasminogen-activated inhibition factor-1. These results indicated that paeonol successfully attenuates inflammatory and coagulation reactions to protect against ALI

The utilization of hospice care among patients with motor neuron diseases: The experience in Taiwan from 2005 to 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe nature and extent of how patients with motor neuron diseases (MNDs) utilize hospice care in Taiwan remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the use of hospice care in Taiwan by patients with MND, and those factors that affect the extent, the cost, and the quality of their hospice treatment and care.MethodsWe analyzed data from hospice care inpatient claims of MNDs, using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan during 2005–2010.ResultsThirty patients and 58 related discharges were enrolled into our study, which consisted of 13 males and 17 females, with a mean age 58.3 years. Of that total, 27 of them (90%) had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and four (13.3%) had comorbid cancers; 17 died during hospice care. Acute low respiratory conditions (31.0%) accounted for the most common acute comorbidity. Noninvasive ventilation care was performed in only 13 (22.4%) of the discharges. In contrast to nasogastric intubation (40 discharges, 69.0%), no gastrostomy/jejunostomy was noted. These procedures bore no relationship to results observed in the discharges. Family physicians provided most inpatient hospice services (74.1%). Respiratory problems were the major causes of death (70.6% of decedents). The mean inpatient costs of hospice care were noticeably reduced from previously established nationwide mean costs.ConclusionHospice care can save costs for patients with terminal MNDs, and family physicians play a valuable role in caring for these patients. However, respiratory and feeding problems are prevalent, yet there are proven benefits when noninvasive ventilation care and gastrostomy/jejunostomy are promoted

Glycemia and peak incremental indices of six popular fruits in Taiwan: healthy and Type 2 diabetes subjects compared

The aim of this study was to evaluate the glycemic index and peak incremental indices of six popular fruits in Taiwan, comparing healthy subjects (n = 20) and patients with Type 2 diabetes (n = 17). The six kinds of fruits tested were grapes, Asian pears, guavas, golden kiwifruit, lychees and bananas. Glycemic index values were tested according to the standard glycemic index testing protocol. The glycemic index and peak incremental indices were calculated according to published formulas. In Type 2 diabetes subjects, the glycemic index values of grapes, Asian pears, guavas, golden kiwifruit, lychees and bananas were 49.0 ± 4.5, 25.9 ± 2.9, 32.8 ± 5.2, 47.0 ± 6.5, 60.0 ± 8.0 and 41.3 ± 3.5. In healthy subjects, the glycemic index values were 49.1 ± 7.3, 18.0 ± 5.4, 31.1 ± 5.1, 47.3 ± 12.1, 47.9 ± 6.8 and 35.1 ± 5.6. There was no significant difference in glycemic index values between healthy and Type 2 diabetes subjects. There was also no significant difference in PII when comparing healthy subjects and subjects with Type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, glycemic index and peak incremental indices in healthy subjects can be approximately the same for Type 2 diabetes

Cloning, purification, and functional characterization of Carocin S2, a ribonuclease bacteriocin produced by Pectobacterium carotovorum

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most isolates of <it>Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum </it>(Pcc) produce bacteriocins. In this study, we have determined that Pcc strain F-rif-18 has a chromosomal gene encoding the low-molecular-weight bacteriocin, Carocin S2, and that this bacteriocin inhibits the growth of a closely related strain. Carocin S2 is inducible by ultraviolet radiation but not by mutagenic agents such as mitomycin C.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A carocin S2-defective mutant, TF1-2, was obtained by Tn5 insertional mutagenesis using F-rif-18. A 5706-bp DNA fragment was detected by Southern blotting, selected from a genomic DNA library, and cloned to the vector, pMS2KI. Two adjacent complete open reading frames within pMS2KI were sequenced, characterized, and identified as caroS2K and caroS2I, which respectively encode the killing protein and immunity protein. Notably, carocin S2 could be expressed not only in the mutant TF1-2 but also in <it>Escherichia coli </it>DH5α after entry of the plasmid pMS2KI. Furthermore, the C-terminal domain of CaroS2K was homologous to the nuclease domains of colicin D and klebicin D. Moreover, SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative mass of CaroS2K was 85 kDa and that of CaroS2I was 10 kDa.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study shown that another nuclease type of bacteriocin was found in <it>Pectobacterium carotovorum</it>. This new type of bacteriocin, Carocin S2, has the ribonuclease activity of CaroS2K and the immunity protein activity of CaroS2I.</p

Serial increase of IL-12 response and human leukocyte antigen-DR expression in severe sepsis survivors

Introduction: Sepsis-induced immunosuppression may result in death. The mechanisms of immune suppression include loss of macrophage and monocyte expression of the major histocompatibility complex, increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression and decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we sought to determine the mechanisms of immune suppression in severe sepsis by repeated detection. Methods: We designed this prospective observational study to measure monocyte human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression, plasma cytokine levels and cytokine responses on days 1 and 7 in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of healthy controls and patients with severe sepsis. Results: Of the 35 enrolled patients, 23 survived for 28 days and 12 died, 6 of whom died within 7 days. Plasma levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 and TNF-alpha were higher, but plasma IL-12 level was lower in septic patients than those in controls. Day 1 plasma levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-beta 1 in nonsurvivors were higher than those in survivors. Day 7 plasma IL-10 levels in nonsurvivors were higher than in survivors. IL-1 beta response was higher, but IL-12 and TNF-alpha responses were lower in septic patients than in controls. Day 1 IL-6 response was lower, but day 1 TGF-beta 1 response was higher in nonsurvivors than in survivors. Plasma IL-6 and IL-10 levels were decreased in survivors after 6 days. IL-6 response was decreased in survivors after 6 days, but IL-12 response was increased. Monocyte percentage was higher, but positive HLA-DR percentage in monocytes and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of HLA-DR were lower in septic patients than in controls. MFI of HLA-DR was increased in survivors after 6 days. Conclusions: Monocyte HLA-DR expression and IL-12 response from PBMCs are restored in patients who survive severe sepsis

The utilization of hospice care among patients with motor neuron diseases: The experience in Taiwan from 2005 to 2010

Abstract Background: The nature and extent of how patients with motor neuron diseases (MNDs) utilize hospice care in Taiwan remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the use of hospice care in Taiwan by patients with MND, and those factors that affect the extent, the cost, and the quality of their hospice treatment and care. Methods: We analyzed data from hospice care inpatient claims of MNDs, using the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan during 2005e2010. Results: Thirty patients and 58 related discharges were enrolled into our study, which consisted of 13 males and 17 females, with a mean age 58.3 years. Of that total, 27 of them (90%) had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and four (13.3%) had comorbid cancers; 17 died during hospice care. Acute low respiratory conditions (31.0%) accounted for the most common acute comorbidity. Noninvasive ventilation care was performed in only 13 (22.4%) of the discharges. In contrast to nasogastric intubation (40 discharges, 69.0%), no gastrostomy/jejunostomy was noted. These procedures bore no relationship to results observed in the discharges. Family physicians provided most inpatient hospice services (74.1%). Respiratory problems were the major causes of death (70.6% of decedents). The mean inpatient costs of hospice care were noticeably reduced from previously established nationwide mean costs. Conclusion: Hospice care can save costs for patients with terminal MNDs, and family physicians play a valuable role in caring for these patients. However, respiratory and feeding problems are prevalent, yet there are proven benefits when noninvasive ventilation care and gastrostomy/ jejunostomy are promoted

The microtubule-associated protein, EB1, links AIM2 inflammasomes with autophagy-dependent secretion

Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that regulate chronic inflammation-associated diseases by inducing interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) secretion. Numerous components involved in inflammasome activation have been identified, but the mechanisms of inflammasome-mediated IL-1β secretion have not yet been fully explored. Here, we demonstrate that end-binding protein 1 (EB1), which is required for activation of AIM2 inflammasome complex, links the AIM2 inflammasome to autophagy-dependent secretion. Imaging studies revealed that AIM2 inflammasomes colocalize with microtubule organizing centers and autophagosomes. Biochemical analyses showed that poly(dA-dT)-activated AIM2 inflammasomes induce autophagy and IL-1β secretion in an LC3-dependent fashion. Furthermore, depletion of EB1 decreases autophagic shedding and intracellular trafficking. Finally, we found that the 5′-AMP activated protein kinase may regulate this EB1-mediated autophagy-based inflammasome-induced secretion of IL-1β. These findings reveal a novel EB1-mediated pathway for the secretion of IL-1β

Konsep Demokrasi Politik Dalam Islam

Coexistence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with asthma appears to impair asthma control. Type-2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) respond to the cytokines of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), interleukin (IL)-25 and IL-33, thus contributing to airway diseases such as CRS and asthma. We investigate whether the augmented Th2-cytokines in CRS might be related to sinonasal tract ILC2s corresponding to enhanced IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP release in severe asthmatics, and be involved in asthma control. Twenty-eight asthmatics (12 non-severe and 16 severe) with CRS receiving nasal surgery were enrolled. The predicted FEV1 inversely associated with CRS severity of CT or endoscopy scores. Higher expression of Th2-driven cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, and IL-13), TSLP, IL-25 and IL-33 in nasal tissues was observed in severe asthma. Severe asthmatics had higher ILC2 cell counts in their nasal tissues. ILC2 counts were positively correlated with Th2-cytokines. Nasal surgery significantly improved asthma control and lung function decline in severe asthma and CRS. The higher expression of IL-33/ILC2 axis-directed type 2 immune responses in nasal tissue of CRS brought the greater decline of lung function in severe asthma. ILC2-induced the upregulated activity of Th2-related cytokines in asthmatics with CRS may contribute to a recalcitrant status of asthma control