Soluble and cell-associated transferrin receptor in lung cancer.

The expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) has been identified in many malignant tumours. In lung cancer, lymphoma and breast cancer, it has been shown that the expression of TfR correlates with tumour differentiation, probably implying some prognostic value. A soluble form of TfR (sTfR) in human serum has been shown to be proportional to the number of cellular TfRs. Based on these data we examined the utility of measuring sTfR in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of patients with lung cancer (n = 32) and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (n = 22). BAL fluid was centrifuged to separate the supernatant from the cellular component. Cells were lysed in a detergent and cell-associated TfR was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and expressed as ng 10(-6) cells in this cellular component. There was no difference in serum sTfR between the cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) groups. A higher level of cell-associated TfR was found in BAL of non-small-cell lung cancer patients than in COPD patients (P = 0.01). The calculated number of TfR molecules per cell in BAL correlated positively with the percentage of macrophages in BAL (P < 0.0001), suggesting that cell-associated TfR in BAL originates primarily from macrophages in this fluid. No correlation existed between BAL cell-associated TfR and tumour size, nodal status, the presence of metastases and serum sTfR. BAL cell-associated TfR was negatively correlated with BAL supernatant neuron-specific enolase (NSE) (P = 0.01). A combination of BAL supernatant NSE and cell-associated TfR detected lung cancer with a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 59% and positive and negative predictive values of 81% and 71% respectively. In conclusion, BAL cell-associated TfR may help in the differential diagnosis of lung cancer vs pneumonia

Azacytidine Enhances Regulatory T-Cells In Vivo and Prevents Experimental Xenogeneic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

Background The demethylating agent 5-azacytidine (AZA) has proven its efficacy as treatment for myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, AZA can demethylate FOXP3 intron 1 (FOXP3i1) leading to the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Objective We investigated the impact of AZA on xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease (xGVHD) in a humanized murine model of transplantation, and described the impact of the drug on human T cells in vivo. Methods In order to induce xGVHD, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (huPBMC) were administered intravenously in NOD-scid IL-2Rγnull (NSG) mice. Results AZA successfully improved both survival (p&lt;0.0001) and xGVHD scores (p&lt;0.0001). Further, AZA significantly decreased human T-cell proliferation as well as INF-γ and TNF-α serum levels, and reduced the expression of GRANZYME B and PERFORIN 1 by cytotoxic T cells. In addition, AZA administration significantly increased the function, proliferation and frequency of Tregs through demethylation of FOXP3i1 and higher secretion of IL-2 by conventional T cells due to IL2 gene promoter site 1 demethylation. Interestingly, among AZA-treated mice surviving the acute phase of xGVHD, there was an inverse correlation between the presence of Tregs and signs of chronic GVHD. Finally, Tregs harvested from the spleen of AZA-treated mice were suppressive and stable over time since they persisted at high frequency in secondary transplant experiments. Conclusion These findings emphasize a potential role for AZA as prevention or treatment of GVHD

Fast Charging Materials for High Power Applications

An overview of fast charging materials for high power applications is given. The behavior at high current density of several anodic and cathodic materials that have been utilized in lithium‐, sodium‐, and potassium‐ion batteries is considered. Furthermore, the behavior of capacitive and pseudocapacitive materials suitable for electrochemical capacitors and, also, of those that have been utilized for the realization of hybrid‐ion capacitors, which are nowadays an interesting reality in the field of high power devices, is discussed. The advantages and limitations of all these materials are critically analyzed with the aim of understanding their impact on real devices. On the basis of this analysis, the most important aspects are identified, which should be addressed in the future for the realization of advanced high power devices

Cerebral toxoplasmosis following allogeneic hematopoietic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation with non-myeloablative conditioning

peer reviewedWe report the occurrence of a cerebral toxoplasmosis 52 days after a non-myeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplantation as treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.Nous présentons le cas d'un patient ayant hbénéficié d'une mini-allogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques dusang périphérique pour une leucémie myéloïde aiguë qui développa une toxoplasmose cérébrale 52 jours après sa greffe

Impact of Community-Based Larviciding on the Prevalence of Malaria Infection in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The use of larval source management is not prioritized by contemporary malaria control programs in sub-Saharan Africa despite historical success. Larviciding, in particular, could be effective in urban areas where transmission is focal and accessibility to Anopheles breeding habitats is generally easier than in rural settings. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a community-based microbial larviciding intervention to reduce the prevalence of malaria infection in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania. Larviciding was implemented in 3 out of 15 targeted wards of Dar es Salaam in 2006 after two years of baseline data collection. This intervention was subsequently scaled up to 9 wards a year later, and to all 15 targeted wards in 2008. Continuous randomized cluster sampling of malaria prevalence and socio-demographic characteristics was carried out during 6 survey rounds (2004-2008), which included both cross-sectional and longitudinal data (N = 64,537). Bayesian random effects logistic regression models were used to quantify the effect of the intervention on malaria prevalence at the individual level. Effect size estimates suggest a significant protective effect of the larviciding intervention. After adjustment for confounders, the odds of individuals living in areas treated with larviciding being infected with malaria were 21% lower (Odds Ratio = 0.79; 95% Credible Intervals: 0.66-0.93) than those who lived in areas not treated. The larviciding intervention was most effective during dry seasons and had synergistic effects with other protective measures such as use of insecticide-treated bed nets and house proofing (i.e., complete ceiling or window screens). A large-scale community-based larviciding intervention significantly reduced the prevalence of malaria infection in urban Dar es Salaam

Pancytopenia due to iron deficiency worsened by iron infusion: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with thrombocytosis, although thrombocytopenia has been reported in occasional patients with iron-deficiency anemia. Much less common is the development of thrombocytopenia following replenishment of iron stores.</p> <p>Case Presentation</p> <p>We present the unusual case of a 39 year old African American female Jehovah's Witness who presented with a 10 month history of menorrhagia and pancytopenia. Laboratory investigations confirmed a severe iron deficiency. Since blood transfusion was unacceptable to her, she was started on intravenous iron replacement therapy. This precipitated a sudden drop in both her platelet and white blood cell counts. Histopathological examination of the bone marrow revealed a hypercellular marrow with orderly trilineage hematopoiesis, iron deficiency anemia, granulocytic hyperplasia, and mild megakaryocytic hypoplasia. Both her white blood cell and platelet counts recovered uneventfully with continuing iron supplementation. The possible mechanism for this phenomenon is discussed in this report.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case illustrates two rather uncommon associations of a very common problem. Severe iron deficiency anemia may be associated with pancytopenia and iron replacement may cause a transient decline in megakaryopoiesis and leukopoiesis. Severe iron deficiency should be added to the list of conditions leading to thrombocytopenia.</p

PENGARUH ATOPI TERHADAP TIMBULNYA DERMATITIS KONTAK PADA MAHASISWIRNPENDIDIKAN DOKTER FAKULTAS KEDOKTERAN UNIVERSITAS SYIAH KUALA RNBANDA ACEH

Dermatitis kontak adalah inflamasi non infeksi pada kulit yang disebabkan karena pemaparan dengan suatu zat tertentu yang dapat mengiritasi kulit atau menyebabkan reaksi alergi. Perempuan lebih sering mengalami dermatitis kontak dibandingkan laki-laki. Atopi merupakan salah satu faktor predisposisi timbulnya dermatitis kontak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh atopi terhadap timbulnya dermatitis kontak pada mahasiswi Pendidikan Dokter Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Syiah Kuala Banda Aceh. Penelitian ini bersifat analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional. Data yang digunakan adalah data primer yang diperoleh dengan wawancara langsung pada responden. Uji statistik dengan menggunakan Chi Square diperoleh nilai p yang signifikan sebesar 0,00, ini berarti p < 0,05 maka secara statistik didapatkan hubungan antara atopi dengan dermatitis kontak dengan rasio prevalensi 2,17, artinya seseorang yang menderita atopi memiliki peluang sebesar 2,17 kali untuk mengalami dermatitis kontak dibandingkan dengan orang yang tidak menderita atopi. Bahan yang paling sering menyebabkan dermatitis kontak pada mahasiswi adalah deterjen dan kosmetik. Hasil penelitian yang diperoleh ada pengaruh atopi terhadap timbulnya dermatitis kontak pada mahasiswi Pendidikan Dokter FK Unsyiah Banda Aceh, dimana mahasiswi yang menderita atopi cenderung mengalami dermatitis kontak.Kata kunci: Atopi, Dermatitis kontak Alergi, Dermatitis kontak iritanBanda Ace

Subclinical iron deficiency is a strong predictor of bacterial vaginosis in early pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the single most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and associated with a sizeable infectious disease burden among both non-pregnant and pregnant women, including a significantly elevated risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. Overall, little progress has been made in identifying causal factors involved in BV acquisition and persistence. We sought to evaluate maternal iron status in early pregnancy as a putative risk factor for BV, considering that micronutrients, and iron deficiency in particular, affect the host response against bacterial colonization, even in the setting of mild micronutrient deficiencies. METHODS: In a nested case-control study, we compared maternal iron status at entry to prenatal care (mean gestational age 9.2 ± 2.6 weeks) between eighty women with healthy vaginal microflora and eighteen women with vaginosis-like microflora. Vaginal microflora status was assessed by assigning a modified Nugent score to a Gram-stained vaginal smear. Maternal iron status was assayed by an array of conventional erythrocyte and serum indicators for iron status assessment, but also by more sensitive and more specific indicators of iron deficiency, including soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) as an accurate measure of cellular and tissue iron deficiency and the iron deficiency log(10)[sTfR/ferritin] index as the presently most accurate measure of body storage iron available. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant correlation between vaginal microflora status and routinely assessed iron parameters. In contrast, a highly significant difference between the healthy and vaginosis-like microflora groups of women was shown in mean values of sTfR concentrations (1.15 ± 0.30 mg/L versus 1.37 ± 0.38 mg/L, p = 0.008) and in mean iron deficiency log(10)[sTfR/ferritin] index values (1.57 ± 0.30 versus 1.08 ± 0.56, p = 0.003), indicating a strong association between iron deficiency and vaginosis-like microflora. An sTfR concentration >1.45 mg/L was associated with a 3-fold increased risk (95%CI: 1.4–6.7) of vaginosis-like microflora and after controlling for maternal age, gestational length, body mass, parity, and smoking habits with an adjusted odds ratio of 4.5 (95%CI: 1.4–14.2). CONCLUSION: We conclude that subclinical iron deficiency, presumably resulting from inadequate preconceptional iron supplies, is strongly and independently associated with vaginosis-like microflora during early pregnancy

Influence of Yb:YAG laser beam parameters on Haynes 188 weld fusion zone microstructure and mechanical properties

The weldability of 1.2 mm thick Haynes 188 alloy sheets by a disk Yb:YAG laser welding was examined. Butt joints were made, and the influence of parameters such as power, size, and shape of the spot, welding speed, and gas flow has been investigated. Based on an iconographic correlation approach, optimum process parameters were determined. Depending on the distribution of the power density (circular or annular), acceptable welds were obtained. Powers greater than 1700 W, welding speeds higher than 3.8 m mm1, and spot sizes between 160 and 320 lm were needed in the circular (small fiber) configuration. By comparison, the annular (large fiber) configuration required a power as high as 2500 W, and a welding speed less than 3.8 m min�1. The mechanical properties of the welds depended on their shape and microstructure, which in turn depended on the welding conditions. The content of carbides, the proportion of areas consisting of cellular and dendritic substructures, and the size of these substructures were used to explain the welded joint mechanical properties