Blood Cell Protein Research Articles

Factors Affecting Iron Absorption and Mitigation Mechanisms: A review

Iron has many special functions in the body. More than 65 percent of the body’s iron is in the blood in the form of hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen to tissues in the body. A compound that carries oxygen to the muscle cells called myoglobin, also requires iron. In addition, iron has a role in many chemical reactions within the body that generate energy. A human body can store excess iron as a reserve. The World Health Organization reported that iron deficiency anemia is one of the most widespread nutrient deficiencies in the globe. Diverse factors may affect its absorption like low dietary intake of iron, deprived iron absorption, or too much blood loss. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds widely found in coffee and tea such as chlorogenic acids, monomeric flavonoids, and polyphenol polymerization products also strongly inhibit dietary nonheme-iron absorption. Children, adolescents, pregnant women, women of child-bearing age, athletes, and older adults are groups at greater risk for iron deficiency. The objective of this review paper is to review factors influencing iron absorption.

P17.04: Factors for prevention of previable delivery following rescue cerclage

To evaluate factors associated with previable delivery after cerclage in women protruding amniotic membrane. The retrospective cohort study was conducted in 55 women with protruding amniotic membrane whom underwent McDonald cerclage and were delivered by a single surgeon between January 2006 and June 2017. They were grouped based on 24+0 weeks gestation at delivery. We compared clinical characteristics and association factors affected previable delivery after recue cerclage. Twenty women delivered before 24+0 weeks gestation and 35 women delivered at or after 24weeks gestation. Gestational age at cerclage was earlier (20.4 versus 22.7 weeks, p=0.003) and latency period after cerclage (0.9 versus 10.2 weeks, p<0.001) was shorter in delivered before 24 weeks. Postoperative white blood cell (12755 versus 10230, p=0.006) and C-reactive protein (1.8 vs. 1.4, p=0.049) were elevated and cerclage height, length from cerclage stitch to internal os, was shorter (0.7 versus 1.3cm, p=0.005) while cervical length after cerclage was not differ significantly in delivered before 24 weeks. (1.4 versus 2.2cm, p=0.058). After adjusting for confounding factors, cerclage height (OR 4.116; 95% CI: 1.078-15.711) and gestational age at cerclage (OR 1.545; 95% CI: 1.120-2.131) were associated with a higher likelihood whereas postoperative C-reactive protein level was reduced likelihood (OR 0.620; 95% CI: 0.391-0.982) of reaching at least 24 weeks gestation. Longer cervical height increases prolongation of pregnancy at least until 24 weeks significantly. Elevated postoperative C-reactive protein and earlier diagnosed bulging amniotic membrane are associated with previable birth. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Driving-pressure-independent protective effects of open lung approach against experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome

BackgroundThe open lung approach (OLA) reportedly has lung-protective effects against acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Recently, lowering of the driving pressure (ΔP), rather than improvement in lung aeration per se, has come to be considered as the primary lung-protective mechanism of OLA. However, the driving pressure-independent protective effects of OLA have never been evaluated in experimental studies. We here evaluated whether OLA shows protective effects against experimental ARDS even when the ΔP is not lowered.MethodsLipopolysaccharide was intratracheally administered to rats to establish experimental ARDS. After 24 h, rats were mechanically ventilated and randomly allocated to the OLA or control group. In the OLA group, 5 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and recruitment maneuver (RM) were applied. Neither PEEP nor RM was applied to the rats in the control group. Dynamic ΔP was kept at 15 cmH2O in both groups. After 6 h of mechanical ventilation, rats in both groups received RM to inflate reversible atelectasis of the lungs. Arterial blood gas analysis, lung computed tomography, histological evaluation, and comprehensive biochemical analysis were performed.ResultsOLA significantly improved lung aeration, arterial oxygenation, and gas exchange. Even after RM in both groups, the differences in these parameters between the two groups persisted, indicating that the atelectasis-induced respiratory dysfunction observed in the control group is not an easily reversible functional problem. Lung histological damage was severe in the dorsal dependent area in both groups, but was attenuated by OLA. White blood cell counts, protein concentrations, and tissue injury markers in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were higher in the control than in the OLA group. Furthermore, levels of CXCL-7, a platelet-derived chemokine, were higher in the BALF from the control group, indicating that OLA protects the lungs by suppressing platelet activation.ConclusionsOLA shows protective effects against experimental ARDS, even when the ΔP is not decreased. In addition to reducing ΔP, maintaining lung aeration seems to be important for lung protection in ARDS.

Diets enriched in red seaweed (Pyropia columbina and Gracilaria chilensis) cryo concentrates modulate the immune-relevant gene encoding the Mx antiviral protein in salmon (Salmo salar) white blood cells

Pharmacotherapy has long been used to control viral diseases. However, its success is questionable because its use can negatively impact environmental and human health. An alternative solution is the use of functional foods and diets containing natural products, which tend to be more biodegradable than synthetic molecules and are less likely to generate resistance. Seaweed contains biologically active macronutrients and minerals that offer a natural alternative to synthetic molecules. Red seaweeds, in particular, are a rich source of anti-viral compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two edible red seaweeds, Pyropia columbina and Gracilaria chilensis cryo concentrates (RSCC), on the gene transcription levels in leukocyte proteins involved in antiviral response (INFγ, Mx, interleukin-6, cathelicidin, and lysozyme). The RSCCs were fed to fish (Salmo salar L.) at concentrations of 0.1, 1, or 10 g kg−1 for 56 days, and blood samples were collected at 8 weeks. The transcription levels of key genes associated with the antiviral response were analyzed by qRT-PCR using leukocyte mRNA as template. The Mx transcript level was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with the RSCC diets, and lysozyme transcript levels were significantly increased (1 g kg−1P. columbina cryo concentrate). Cathelicidin, interleukin-6, and INFɣ had stable transcription levels. Importantly, RSCC modulated the immune-relevant gene that encodes the Mx antiviral protein in white blood cells.

A study of splenectomy in beta-thalassemia patients and its effects

Thalassaemia is a genetic disorder of the haemoglobin protein in red blood cells. It has been historically classified into thalassaemia minor, intermedia and major, depending on the genetic defect and severity of the disease. The clinical presentation of β‐thalassaemia varies widely from a mild asymptomatic form in thalassaemia minor, to a severe disease in thalassaemia major where individuals are dependant on life‐long blood transfusions. The hallmark of thalassaemia syndromes is the production of defective red blood cells that are removed by the spleen resulting in an enlarged hyperfunctioning spleen (splenomegaly). Removal of the spleen may thus prolong red blood cell survival by reducing the amount of red blood cells removed from circulation and may ultimately result in the reduced need for blood transfusions.

Exploring the Potential Roles of Band 3 and Aquaporin-1 in Blood CO2 Transport-Inspired by Comparative Studies of Glycophorin B-A-B Hybrid Protein GP.Mur.

The Cl—/HCO3— exchanger band 3 is functionally relevant to blood CO2 transport. Band 3 is the most abundant membrane protein in human red blood cells (RBCs). Our understanding of its physiological functions mainly came from clinical cases associated with band 3 mutations. Severe reduction in band 3 expression affects blood HCO3—/CO2 metabolism. What could happen physiologically if band 3 expression is elevated instead? In some areas of Southeast Asia, about 1–10% of the populations express GP.Mur, a glycophorin B-A-B hybrid membrane protein important in the field of transfusion medicine. GP.Mur functions to promote band 3 expression, and GP.Mur red cells can be deemed as a naturally occurred model for higher band 3 expression. This review first compares the functional consequences of band 3 at different levels, and suggests a critical role of band 3 in postnatal CO2 respiration. The second part of the review explores the transport of water, which is the other substrate for intra-erythrocytic CO2/HCO3— conversion (an essential step in blood CO2 transport). Despite that water is considered unlimited physiologically, it is unclear whether water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) abundantly expressed in RBCs is functionally involved in CO2 transport. Research in this area is complicated by the fact that the H2O/CO2-transporting function of AQP1 is replaceable by other erythrocyte channels/transporters (e.g., UT-B/GLUT1 for H2O; RhAG for CO2). Recently, using carbonic anhydrase II (CAII)-filled erythrocyte vesicles, AQP1 has been demonstrated to transport water for the CAII-mediated reaction, CO2(g) + H2O ⇌ HCO3—(aq) + H+(aq). AQP1 is structurally associated with some population of band 3 complexes on the erythrocyte membrane in an osmotically responsive fashion. The current findings reveal transient interaction among components within the band 3-central, CO2-transport metabolon (AQP1, band 3, CAII and deoxygenated hemoglobin). Their dynamic interaction is envisioned to facilitate blood CO2 respiration, in the presence of constantly changing osmotic and hemodynamic stresses during circulation.

Better to transfer than transfuse?

Gene Therapy β-Thalassemia is a blood disease caused by mutations in the β-globin gene. β-Globin is a subunit of hemoglobin, an oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Patients with β-thalassemia are severely anemic and require lifelong transfusions of red blood cells. In two clinical trials involving a total of 22 patients, Thompson et al. tested a gene therapy–based treatment that might eliminate the need for repeated transfusions. They isolated hematopoietic stem cells from the patients, used a lentiviral vector to transfer a “normal” copy of the β-globin gene into the cells, and then infused the modified cells back into the patients. After 26 months, the patients showed sustained expression of the transgenic hemoglobin, and nearly 70% of them no longer required transfusions. New Engl. J. Med. 378 , 1479 (2018).

Oligo-conjugated antibodies (Ab-seq) and massively parallel single cell sequencing reveal the high parameter correlation of protein and mRNA expression in individual immune cells.

Abstract Single-Cell mRNA sequencing has enhanced our knowledge of the cell populations found in individual tissues or disease states. However, low correlation between mRNA and protein expression levels hinders our understanding of biology and disease. Traditional single cell protein assays are limited in the number of parameters that can be achieved within one experiment. Here we use oligo-conjugated antibodies (Ab-seq) in combination with massively parallel single cell mRNA sequencing on the BD Rhapsody™ platform to simultaneously measure the protein and mRNA content of individual human blood cells (PBMCs). To accomplish this, a 30+ parameter Ab-seq panel against immune relevant cell surface markers was paired with the BD Rhapsody™ Immune Response panel (a targeted gene expression panel consisting of 399 targets). The Multi-omics data from this single workflow experiment provides a measurement of both gene expression and protein expression. The digital measurements are rendered free of PCR bias through the use of the unique molecular indices (UMIs). Our results show that protein expression detected with Ab-seq is highly sensitive and specific. Protein expression patterns correlate well with results from flow cytometry data on the same samples. Ab-seq allowed the robust detection of expressed genes even when their cognate mRNA transcripts have low abundance. Certain markers cannot be easily distinguished at the mRNA level (i.e. isoforms CD45RA and CD45RO) but are easily distinguished at the protein level. Our study shows successful analysis of protein and mRNA expression data within a single workflow, and should enable the further elucidation single cells within different tissues, developmental time points, and disease states.

Comprehensive analysis of prognostic factors in hospitalized patients with pneumonia occurring outside hospital: Serum albumin is not less important than pneumonia severity assessment scale.

This study aimed to elucidate factors related to 30-day mortality of pneumonia occurring outside hospital by comprehensively analyzing data considered relevant to prognosis. Data considered relevant to prognosis were retrospectively examined from clinical charts and chest X-ray images of all patients with pneumonia occurring outside hospital admitted to our hospital from 2010 to 2016. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Data were collected from 534 patients (317 community-acquired pneumonia and 217 nursing- and healthcare associated pneumonia patients; 338 men (63.3%); mean age, 76.2 years-old). Eighty-three patients (9.9%) died from pneumonia within 30 days from the date of admission. The numbers of patients with pneumonia severity index (PSI) classes of I/II/III/IV/V and age, dehydration, respiratory failure, orientation disturbance, pressure (A-DROP) scores of 0/1/2/3/4/5 were 29/66/127/229/83, and 71/107/187/132/30/7, respectively. Mean (standard deviation) body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, blood procalcitonin, white blood cell and C-reactive protein were 20.00 (4.12) kg/m2, 3.16 (0.60) g/dL, 3.69 (13.15) ng/mL, 11559.4 (5656.9)/mm3, and 10.92 (8.75) mg/dL, respectively. Chest X-ray images from 152 patients exhibited a pneumonia shadow over a quarter of total lung field. Logistic regression analysis revealed that PSI class or A-DROP score, BMI, serum albumin, and extent of pneumonia shadow wererelated to 30-day mortality. Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis revealed that serum albumin was superior to PSI class or A-DROP score for predicting 30-day mortality. Serum albumin is not less important than PSI class or A-DROP score for predicting 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with pneumonia occurring outside hospital.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Reference Values for Young Infants Undergoing Lumbar Puncture.

To determine age-specific reference values and quantify age-related changes for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts and protein and glucose concentrations in infants ≤60 days of age. This multicenter, cross-sectional study included infants ≤60 days old with CSF cultures and complete CSF profiles obtained within 24 hours of presentation. Those with conditions suspected or known to cause abnormal CSF parameters (eg, meningitis) and those with a hospital length of stay of >72 hours were excluded. Reference standards were determined for infants ≤28 days of age and 29 to 60 days of age by using the third quartile +1.5 interquartile range for WBC and protein and the first quartile -1.5 interquartile range for glucose. CSF parameter centile curves based on age were calculated by using the LMST method. A total of 7766 patients were included. CSF WBC counts were higher in infants ≤28 days of age (upper bound: 15 cells/mm3) than in infants 29 to 60 days of age (upper bound: 9 cells/mm3; P < .001). CSF protein concentrations were higher in infants ≤28 days of age (upper bound: 127 mg/dL) than in infants 29 to 60 days of age (upper bound: 99 mg/dL; P < .001). CSF glucose concentrations were lower in infants ≤28 days of age (lower bound: 25 mg/dL) than in infants 29 to 60 days of age (lower bound: 27 mg/dL; P < .001). The age-specific CSF WBC count, protein concentration, and glucose concentration reference values identified in this large, multicenter cohort of infants can be used to interpret the results of lumbar puncture in infants ≤60 days of age.

A nutritional and economic evaluation of &lt;i&gt;Moringa oleifera&lt;/i&gt; leaf meal as a dietary supplement in West African Dwarf goats

Moringa oleifera leaves may have the potential to enhance nutritional status, growth performance, and health of ruminant animals when used as part of their diets. However, the nutritional value of the leaves for goats is largely unknown and needs to be investigated. Consequently, eighteen West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks weighing 7.0 ± 0.33 kg were used in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of diluting a conventional supplement with three levels of M. oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on growth performance, haematology, and blood biochemical constituents. The MOLM was included in the commercial supplement at a rate of 0, 50, and 100 g/kg dry matter (DM). Including MOLM in the supplement did not significantly affect weight gain, dry matter intake, and metabolic weight gain of bucks. Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin concentration (hb), and total protein were not significantly influenced by MOLM inclusion, either. However, blood urea concentration was significantly increased in bucks that were offered MOLM-based diets. All blood parameters, as well as alanine transaminase (ALT) and urea, were within the normal reference ranges for clinically healthy goats. The MOLM-based supplements had significantly lower feed cost per kilogram of weight gain and higher profit per kilogram of gain. It was concluded that diluting the commercial supplement with MOLM up to 100 g/kg DM does not impair the nutritional status, growth performance and health status of the goats while reducing the feed cost per gain. Keywords: Cost, feed, growth, health, nutrition

E-Selectin Ligands in the Human Mononuclear Phagocyte System: Implications for Infection, Inflammation, and Immunotherapy.

The mononuclear phagocyte system comprises a network of circulating monocytes and dendritic cells (DCs), and “histiocytes” (tissue-resident macrophages and DCs) that are derived in part from blood-borne monocytes and DCs. The capacity of circulating monocytes and DCs to function as the body’s first-line defense against offending pathogens greatly depends on their ability to egress the bloodstream and infiltrate inflammatory sites. Extravasation involves a sequence of coordinated molecular events and is initiated by E-selectin-mediated deceleration of the circulating leukocytes onto microvascular endothelial cells of the target tissue. E-selectin is inducibly expressed by cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-1β) on inflamed endothelium, and binds to sialofucosylated glycan determinants displayed on protein and lipid scaffolds of blood cells. Efficient extravasation of circulating monocytes and DCs to inflamed tissues is crucial in facilitating an effective immune response, but also fuels the immunopathology of several inflammatory disorders. Thus, insights into the structural and functional properties of the E-selectin ligands expressed by different monocyte and DC populations is key to understanding the biology of protective immunity and the pathobiology of several acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. This review will address the role of E-selectin in recruitment of human circulating monocytes and DCs to sites of tissue injury/inflammation, the structural biology of the E-selectin ligands expressed by these cells, and the molecular effectors that shape E-selectin ligand cell-specific display. In addition, therapeutic approaches targeting E-selectin receptor/ligand interactions, which can be used to boost host defense or, conversely, to dampen pathological inflammatory conditions, will also be discussed.

Diagnosis of acute pediatric appendicitis from children with inflammatory diseases by combination of metabolic markers and inflammatory response variables.

The discovery of new metabolic markers may be helpful for early diagnosis of acute pediatric appendicitis (APA). However, no studies have been reported regarding identification of potential metabolic markers for the APA diagnosis by metabonomics. Serum samples of APA (n=32), non-appendicitis inflammation (NAI, n=32) and healthy children (HS, n=65) were analyzed by the 1H NMR-based metabonomics. A logistic regression model was established to screen the most efficient markers combinations for classification. Forty double-blind samples were further validated the model. Nine blood metabolites that were different in the APA group from other groups were identified. To differentiate APA from HS, single variable of acetate, formate, white blood cell (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) showed a high diagnostic value (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC]<0.92), while they had a weak diagnostic value (AUROC<0.77) for identifying the APA and NAI. By contrast, the AUROC values of leucine (0.799) were higher than that of WBC and CRP. A combination of five variables, i.e. leucine, lactate, betaine, WBC and CRP, showed a high diagnostic value (AUROC=0.973) for the APA discriminating from the NAI, and the sensitivity and specificity were 93.8% and 93.7%, respectively. Further double-blind sample prediction showed that the accuracy of the model was 85% for 40 unknown samples. The current study provides useful information in our understanding of the metabolic alterations associated with APA and indicates that measurement of these metabolites in serum effectively aids in the clinical identification of APA.

Thalassemia: A Review

Thalassemia is a group of inherited diseases of the blood that affect a person's ability to produce hemoglobin, resulting in anemia. Around 100, 000 cases of thalassemia'sare found every year in the new born babies. Chances of occurrence of these cases are more among people of Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Southern Asian and African Ancestry. Thereare two main types of are called alpha and beta, depending on which part of an oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cells is lacking. Both types of are inherited in the same manner. The disease is passed to children by parents who carry the mutated gene. A child who inherits one mutated gene is a carrier, which is sometimes called thalassemia trait. Most carriers lead completely normal, healthy lives. Diagnosis is usually done by hematologic tests, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and DNA analysis. Individuals with severe require blood transfusion, drug therapy i.e. deferoxamine, deferasirox, deferiprone, and bone marrow transplant. Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) is still remains the only definitive cure available for patients with Thalassemia. The present paper discuss about the various types of Thalassemia's, their etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, complication, prevention and treatment.

Evaluation of tissue trauma and healing on the basis of tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein in peripheral blood during and after pyometra in bitches

In this study, inflammation in the blood of bitches with pyometra (PG) was compared before and 15 days after ovariohysterectomy (OVH). The results were compared with those for control dioestrus bitches (CG) to reveal the evidence of inflammation in blood after a routine surgery. Inflammation was tracked by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukine-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), using immunocytochemistry (ICC) and immunofluorescence capture of blood cells in cell blocks. ICC is performed mainly during routine cytological examinations, whereas the use of cell blocks in blood examination is uncommon. Insofar as we know, this is the first study using cell block techniques on canine blood samples. Three commercially available antibodies against TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP, forming two panels, were evaluated. A standard streptoavidin-biotin complex technique was used for ICC. TNF-α and IL-6 labelling was scored for colour and intensity, and CRP for immunofluorescence capture. TNF-α and IL-6 colour and intensity scores differed significantly between the PG and CG groups, and were higher in PG before OVH (P&amp;lt;0.01, P&amp;lt;0.01, P&amp;lt;0.001, P&amp;lt;0.01, respectively). IL-6 intensity was significantly greater in PG 15 days after OVH (P&amp;lt;0.05). CRP capture in PG was strong before OVH and high in both groups 15 days later. Low-dose anti-inflammatory agents or an anti-cytokine therapy may be useful in pyometra treatment in the future because these treatments may offer protection from systemic inflammatory response syndrome before and after OVH. .

Synchronous delivery of oxygen and photosensitizer for alleviation of hypoxia tumor microenvironment and dramatically enhanced photodynamic therapy

Photosensitizer, proper laser irradiation, and oxygen are essential components for effective photodynamic therapy (PDT) in clinical cancer therapy. However, native hypoxic tumoral microenvironment is a major barrier hindering photodynamic reactions in vivo. Thus, we have prepared biocompatible liposomes by loading complexes of oxygen-carrier (hemoglobin, Hb) and photosensitizer (indocyanine green, ICG) for enhanced PDT against hypoxic tumor. Ideal oxygen donor Hb, which is an oxygen-carried protein in red blood cells, makes such liposome which provide stable oxygen supply. ICG, as a photosensitizer, could transfer energy from lasers to oxygen to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) for treatment. The liposomes loading ICG and Hb (LIH) exhibited efficient tumor homing upon intravenous injection. As revealed by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and immunohistochemical analysis, the intratumoral hypoxia was greatly alleviated, and the level of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in tumor was obviously down-regulated. A weak PDT efficiency was found in cells incubated in simulated hypoxia condition in vitro, while PDT effect was dramatically enhanced in LIH treated hypoxia cells under near-infrared (NIR) laser, which was mainly attributed to massive generation of ROS with sufficient oxygen supply. ROS trigger oxidative damage of tumors and induce complete suppression of tumor growth and 100% survival rate of mice, which were also in good health condition. Our work highlights a liposome-based nanomedicine that could effectively deliver oxygen to tumor and alleviate tumor hypoxia state, inducing greatly improved efficacy compared to conventional cancer PDT and demonstrates the promise of modulating unfavorable tumor microenvironment with nanotechnology to overcome limitations of cancer therapies.

Molecular Modeling and Simulation of Human Stomatin and Predictions for its Membrane Association

Stomatin is a membrane protein in human red blood cells. The crystal structure, in which the monomeric stomatin from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus horikoshii consists of the α/β domain and the C-terminal α-helical segment, forms a homo-trimer, and stomatin is organized into further high order homo-oligomeric complexes, comprising 9- to 12-mers. To better understand the molecular functions of stomatin, the hypothesis how human stomatin oligomerizes and is associated with cell membranes should be validated. Here, we report what conformations can be generated from the stomatin structure by estimating the flexibility of α-helical segments of human stomatin. And we also simulate how the oligomeric structure of human stomatin interacts with cell membranes. The results showed that the α-helical segments can make flexible movements; the α-helical segment and the α/β domain of the monomer can form a flat structure, and the α-helical segments of the trimer can approach lipid membranes. Based on the flat structure of human stomatin, we proposed a hypothetical oligomeric model to interact with the surface of cell membranes. The oligomeric model well explains the stomatin functions as a scaffolding protein to support the cell membrane.

The Clinical Characteristics and Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Children with Mild Encephalitis with Reversible Isolated Corpus Callosum

Objective: To summarize the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) performance and clinical characteristics of children mild encephalitis with reversible isolated corpus callosum pressure (MERS), and analyze the possible etiology. Methods: The clinical data and MRI findings of 11 children with MERS in children's hospital of Shanxi Province from January 2012 to January 2015 were summarized, and then their clinical manifestations and characteristics were analyzed. Results: Among the 11 patients, 5 were male and 6 were female. The age range was 2- 14 years. Clinical manifestations include fever (7 cases, 63.6%), gastrointestinal symptoms (9 cases, 81.8%), drowsiness (5 cases, 45.5%), convulsions (6 cases, 54.5%), dizziness (2 cases, 18.2%), cervical positive resistance (1 case, 9.1%), carotid resistance suspicious (3 patients [27.3%]). The appearance of cerebrospinal fluid, white blood cell count, leukocyte classification, protein, glucose and chloride are all normal. MRI showed only abnormal signal in the corpus callosum pressure: a slightly longer T1 signal, a longer T2 signal, a high Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) signal, and a low signal of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC). Has 4 cases of nuclear magnetic head of abnormal signal in the middle of corpus callosum and ovoid, 6 cases, in the middle and a wide belt of corpus callosum, 1 case was located in the corpus callosum and diffuse wide strip. Eleven children were treated with anti-infective agents and other symptomatic treatment. All of the 11 children were recovered and discharged. The duration of the course is 8 d and the longest is 21 d. The results of MRI follow - up showed that the callosal pressure lesion disappeared. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of children's MERS include fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, drowsiness and convulsions, and their characteristic head MRI is a reversible cytotoxic edema with good prognosis.

Stability of postmortem methemoglobin: Artifactual changes caused by storage conditions

Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries and distributes oxygen to the body. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder in which an abnormal amount of methemoglobin (MetHb), a form of hemoglobin (Hb), is produced from either inadequate MetHb reductase activity or too much MetHb production or by exposure to oxidizing agents. This could lead to anoxia and death if it is not treated. However, this parameter has not been investigated as a valid post-mortem indicator because random MetHb levels have been observed in various studies: MetHb increases can be observed due to autoxidation during storage, and MetHb decreases can be observed due to MetHb reductase or microbial activity in post-mortem samples. MetHb variations can also come from the blood state and can interfere in the optical measurements of MetHb. We have studied the post-mortem MetHb concentrations according to various storage conditions. Based on our results, both the post-mortem delay and the delay before analysis should be reduced whenever possible to avoid changes in MetHb. If the analysis is delayed for a short period of time (two weeks), the blood sample taken at autopsy should not be frozen but collected in EDTA preservative and stored under refrigeration (4–6°C) until analysis. If the analysis is delayed for a longer period (more than two weeks), the blood sample should be frozen with cryoprotectant at −80°C or −196°C.

Differentially Regulated Host Proteins Associated with Chronic Rhinosinusitis Are Correlated with the Sinonasal Microbiome.

The chronic inflammatory nature of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) makes it a morbid condition for individuals with the disease and one whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. To date, proteomic approaches have been applied successfully in a handful of CRS studies. In this study we use a multifaceted approach, including proteomics (iTRAQ labeling) and microbiome (bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing) analyses of middle meatus swabs, as well as immune cell analysis of the underlying tissue, to investigate the host-microbe interaction in individuals with CRS (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 9). Of the total 606 proteins identified in this study, seven were significantly (p < 0.05) more abundant and 104 were significantly lower in the CRS cohort compared with healthy controls. The majority of detected proteins (82% of proteins identified) were not significantly correlated with disease status. Elevated levels of blood and immune cell proteins in the CRS cohort, together with significantly higher numbers of B-cells and macrophages in the underlying tissue, confirmed the inflammatory status of CRS individuals. Protein PRRC2C and Ras-related protein (RAB14) (two of the seven elevated proteins) showed the biggest fold difference between the healthy and CRS groups. Validation of the elevated levels of these two proteins in CRS samples was provided by immunohistochemistry. Members of the bacterial community in the two study cohorts were not associated with PRRC2C, however members of the genus Moraxella did correlate with RAB14 (p < 0.0001, rho = −0.95), which is a protein involved in the development of basement membrane. In addition, significant correlations between certain members of the CRS bacterial community and 33 lower abundant proteins in the CRS cohort were identified. Members of the genera Streptococcus, Haemophilus and Veillonella were strongly correlated with CRS and were significantly associated with a number of proteins with varying functions. The results from this study reveal a strong association between the host and microbes in the sinonasal cavity. Proteins identified as associated with CRS could be new targets for drug therapies and biomarkers for assessment of treatment efficacy.