Morphological Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Respiratory System and Related Functions Based on AQPs Expression

SUMMARY: A great deal of attention of air pollution on respiratory health is increasing, particularly in relation to haze days. It is that exposure to cigarette smoke augments the toxicity of common air contaminants, thereby increasing the complexity of respiratory diseases. Although there are various mechanisms involved to respiratory diseases caused or worsen by cigarette smoking, in which the role of AQPs in the lung with regard to fluid homeostasis still remains elusive. In this paper, we copied the rat models based on smoke generator, and investigated the morphological changes of mucosa and related functions depending on the balance of lining liquid of alveoli via AQPs expression. Compared with normal group, weak labelling of AQP1 and AQP5 protein abundance were clearly detected in the corresponding part of smoke exposure groups compared with normal group. Hence, it is suggested that the contribution of AQPs in the lung is diminished, thereby causing perturbed balancing between resorptive and secretory fluid homeostasis under cigarette smoking.

Cada vez se presta más atención a la contaminación del aire en la salud respiratoria, particularmente, en relación con los días de neblina. En consecuencia la exposición al humo del cigarrillo aumenta la toxicidad de los contaminantes comunes del aire, lo que además aumenta la complejidad de las enfermedades respiratorias. Aunque existen varios mecanismos involucrados en las enfermedades respiratorias causadas o empeoradas por el tabaquismo, en las que el papel de las AQP en el pulmón respecto a la homeostasis de líquidos sigue siendo difícil de alcanzar. En este artículo, copiamos los modelos de rata basados en el generador de humo e investigamos los cambios morfológicos de la mucosa y las funciones relacionadas según el equilibrio del líquido de revestimiento de los alvéolos a través de la expresión de AQP. En comparación con el grupo normal, se detectó claramente un etiquetado débil de la abundancia de proteínas AQP1 y AQP5 en la parte correspondiente de los grupos de exposición al humo en comparación con el grupo control. Por lo tanto, se sugiere que la contribución de las AQP en el pulmón está disminuida, provocando así un equilibrio perturbado entre la homeostasis del líquido secretor y de reabsorción bajo el hábito de fumar cigarrillos.

Levels of Immunoglobulin A1 in Peri-Implant Fluid and Saliva from Patients with Mucositis: A Preliminary Study

There are no studies evaluating the possible use of immunoglobulin A1 (IgA1) as an early marker for peri-implant inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the IgA1 levels in peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) and saliva of partially edentulous patients as an indicator of mucositis. Twenty-seven patients were examined to determine the peri-implant status based on probing depth and bleeding on probing. Saliva and PISF around dental implants were collected and the IgA1 levels were evaluated by Elisa assay. IgA1 in saliva and PISF of these patients were compared and their correlations with clinical parameters were evaluated. Differences in IgA1 levels in saliva (821.1 ± 290.6; 779.8 ± 401.5) and PISF (26.6 ± 20.7; 25.1 ± 20.5) of healthy and mucositis groups, respectively were not observed (p>0.05). Correlation between clinical parameters and IgA1 in saliva or PISF was not observed in healthy or mucositis groups (p=0.607; p=0.826, respectively). These results suggest that IgA1 cannot be used as an immunological marker of mucositis.

Não existem estudos que avaliem a utilização de imunoglobulina A1 (IgA1) como marcador precoce da inflamação peri-implantar. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os níveis de IgA1 do fluido sulcular peri-implantar (PISF) e saliva de pacientes parcialmente desdentados como indicador da mucosite. Vinte e sete pacientes foram examinados para determinar a condição peri-implantar com base na profundidade de sondagem e sangramento à sondagem. Saliva e PISF ao redor de implantes dentários foram coletados e os níveis IgA1 foram avaliados pelo teste Elisa. IgA1 na saliva e PISF destes pacientes foram comparados e suas correlações com parâmetros clínicos foram avaliados. Não foram observadas diferenças nos níveis de IgA1 (821,1 ± 290,6; 779,8 ± 401,5) na saliva e PISF (26,6 ± 20,7; 25,1 ± 20,5) de grupos saudáveis e mucosite, respectivamente (p>0,05). Correlação entre os parâmetros clínicos e IgA1 na saliva ou PISF não foi observada em grupos saudáveis ou mucosite (p=0,607; p=0,826, respectivamente). Estes resultados demonstraram que IgA1 não pode ser utilizada como marcador imunológico da mucosite.

Diagnostic Performance of Thyroglobulin Value in Indeterminate Range in Fine Needle Aspiration Washout Fluid from Lymph Nodes of Thyroid Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare the frequency of metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes diagnosed by fine needle aspiration biopsy cytology (FNAC) and thyroglobulin concentration from fine needle aspiration biopsy washout fluid (FNAB-Tg) in an indeterminate range (0.2-100 ng/mL), and to evaluate the most appropriate threshold value of FNAB-Tg in an indeterminate range. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed ultrasound-guided FNAB and FNAB-Tg in suspicious metastatic cervical lymph nodes of papillary thyroid carcinoma and performed surgery. Ninety-five lymph nodes with indeterminate values of FNAB-Tg ranging from 0.2-100 ng/mL in ninety-two patients were included in this study. The diagnostic performances in multiple Tg levels (0.7, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0, 50.0) were evaluated to compare with FNAB cytology using sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy with area under the curve (AUC) analysis. RESULTS: Forty-two were metastatic lymph nodes and fifty three were nonmetastatic lymph nodes. FNAB-Tg ranged from 0.22 to 90.9 ng/mL in metastatic lymph nodes (mean; 34.3+/-33.3 ng/mL) and 0.20 to 56.7 ng/mL in nonmetastatic lymph nodes (mean; 4.9+/-11.1 ng/mL) (p<0.001). The most excellent diagnostic performance was displayed in 5 ng/mL of FNAB-Tg with AUC of 0.76, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, 69.0, 83.0, and 76.8, respectively. However, there was no significant difference from 10 ng/mL FNAB. CONCLUSION: We ascertained that 5 ng/mL yielded the most excellent diagnostic performance among FNAB-Tg levels in the present setting with a large series with the indeterminate range (0.2-100 ng/mL) of FNAB-Tg values. These results need additional confirmation under different laboratory conditions.

Intravitreal bevacizumab (avastin) for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma.

Circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas are rare ophthalmic entities that cause diminution in vision due to accumulation of subretinal and/or intraretinal fluid in the macular area. Various treatment options ranging from conventional laser to photodynamic therapy have been employed to destroy the tumor and reduce the exudation; however, either the inability to penetrate through the exudative fluid or the collateral retinal damage induced by these treatment modalities make them unsuitable for lesions within the macula. We evaluated the role of intravitreal bevacizumab, a pan-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, in reducing the sub- and intraretinal fluid in three patients with circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas. All the patients had complete resolution of the serous retinal detachment that was maintained till at least 12 months after the first injection. Intravitreal bevacizumab may be used in combination with thermal laser or photodynamic therapy in treating circumscribed choroidal hemangiomas with subretinal fluid.

Application and progress of RNA in forensic science / 法医学杂志

With the development of molecular biology, the evidences of genetics has been used widely in forensic sciences. DNA technology has played an important role in individual identification and paternity testing, RNA technology is showing more and more wide application in prospect. This article reviews the application and progress of RNA in forensic science including estimation of postmortem interval, bloodstain age, wound age, as well as determination of cause of death and the source of body fluids.

Multiphysical modelling of fluid transport through osteo-articular media

In this study, a multiphysical description of fluid transport through osteo-articular porous media is presented. Adapted from the model of Moyne and Murad, which is intended to describe clayey materials behaviour, this multiscale modelling allows for the derivation of the macroscopic response of the tissue from microscopical information. First the model is described. At the pore scale, electrohydrodynamics equations governing the electrolyte movement are coupled with local electrostatics (Gauss-Poisson equation), and ionic transport equations. Using a change of variables and an asymptotic expansion method, the macroscopic description is carried out. Results of this model are used to show the importance of couplings effects on the mechanotransduction of compact bone remodelling.

Neste estudo uma descrição multifísica do transporte de fluidos em meios porosos osteo articulares é apresentada. Adaptado a partir do modelo de Moyne e Murad proposto para descrever o comportamento de materiais argilosos a modelagem multiescala permite a derivação da resposta macroscópica do tecido a partir da informação microscópica. Na primeira parte o modelo é apresentado. Na escala do poro as equações da eletro-hidrodinâmica governantes do movimento dos eletrolitos são acopladas com a eletrostática local (equação de Gauss-Poisson) e as equações de transporte iônico. Usando uma mudança de variáveis e o método de expansão assintótica a derivação macroscópica é conduzida. Resultados do modelo proposto são usados para salientar a importância dos efeitos de acoplamento sobre a transdução mecânica da remodelagem de ossos compactados.

Modified needle drainage. A safe and efficient technique of subretinal fluid drainage in scleral buckling procedure.

PURPOSE: To compare modified needle drainage (MND) with conventional drainage (CD) of subretinal fluid (SRF) as described by Schepens in surgery for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: Prospective randomised clinical trial of 80 patients undergoing scleral buckling with subretinal fluid drainage for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In 40 patients modified needle drainage of subretinal fluid (SRF) was done using a perpendicular trans-scleral entry with a 26-gauge needle and the appearance of SRF in the hub of needle as end point. In 40 patients conventional drainage was done as described by Schepens using a diathermy needle. Adequacy of SRF drainage, intraoperative complications, anatomical and functional outcome were noted. RESULTS: 100% adequate drainage was achieved in all cases. The complication rate was 32.5% (n=13) in the CD group and 15% (n=6) in the MND group. In the CD group, 17.5% (n=7) patients had subretinal haemorrhage and in 2 eyes it was clinically significant. In the MND group 15% (n=6) of cases had subretinal haemorrhage and in one patient it was clinically significant. In the CD group, more serious SRF drainage complications were observed; these were absent in the MND group. CONCLUSION: Modified needle drainage is a safe and effective procedure for SRF drainage. In comparison with CD, MND is technically easy, less cumbersome and requires no special equipment.

Effect of dietary zinc deficiency on metallothionein concentration of epididymal luminal fluids of weanling Wistar albino rats.

Metallothionein (NIT) and zinc concentrations have been estimated in luminal fluids of caput/corpus and cauda epididymis and serum of zinc deficient (ZD), pairfed (PF) and control--ad libitum fed (ZC) groups of Wistar rats. MT decreased significantly in luminal fluids of caput corpus and cauda epididymis and serum of zinc deficient rats as compared to their respective controls. However, the decrease was non-significant in luminal fluids of corpus epididymis and serum of 4-weeks zinc deficient animals as compared to their control. Zinc levels also declined significantly in luminal fluids of epididymis and serum of zinc deficient rats as compared to their respective pairfed and control groups. Thus zinc deficiency state reduces zinc and MT concentrations in luminal fluid of epididymis and serum.

Vero Cell Co-culture Counteracts the Detrimental Effects of Hydrosalpinx Fluid on the Development of Mouse Embryos in vitro

Recent studies have suggested that the hydrosalpinx has a negative effect on pregnancy outcome, with markedly diminished implantation and increased early pregnancy loss. Fluid from the hydrosalpinx may leak into and accumulate in the uterine cavity. It is not clear, however if this creates a hostile local environment in the uterus for embryo implantation or exerts a direct embryotoxic effect. This study was conducted to investigate the detrimental effects of hydrosalpinx fluid (HSF) on the development of mouse embryos in vitro and to demonstrate whether Vero cells overcome these adverse effects. HSF was collected from three women with bilateral hydrosalpinx at the time of laparoscopic surgery. Collected fluid was centrifuged and the supernatant was frozen at -20degrees C. For co-culture, Vero cells were commercially obtained in a frozen state and cultured using Ham's F10 medium. Single-cell mouse embryos (B6CBAF1) were cultured for 5 days in 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2% of HSF in media with and without Vero cells and examined daily to record the number of embryos reaching expanded blastocyst and hatching stage. Co-culture of mouse embryos with Vero cells at 0.8% HSF concentration significantly enhanced embryo development, but not at 1.2% hydrosalpinx fluid concentration. These results suggest that HSF is highly embryotoxic and Vero cells are likely to overcome these detrimental effects to some degree.

The influence of septal lesions on sodium and water retention induced by Walker 256 tumor

In the course of studies on the effects of septal area lesions on neuroimmunomodulation and Walker 256 tumor development, it was observed that tumor-induced sodium and water retention was less marked in lesioned than in non-lesioned rats. In the present study possible mechanisms involved in this phenomenon were investigated. The experiments were performed in septal-lesioned (LW; N = 15) and sham-operated (SW; N = 7) 8-week-old male Wistar rats, which received multifocal simultaneous subcutaneous (sc) inoculations of Walker 256 tumor cells about 30 days after the stereotaxic surgery. Control groups (no tumor, sham-operated food-restricted (SFR), N = 7) and lesioned food-restricted (LFR, N = 10) were subjected to a feeding pattern similar to that observed in tumor-bearing animals. Multifocal inoculation of Walker 256 tumor rapidly induces anorexia, which is paradoxically accompanied by an increase in body weight, as a result of renal Na+ and fluid retention. These effects of the tumor were also seen in LW rats, although the rise in fractional sodium balance during the early clinical period was significantly smaller than in SW rats (day 4: SW = 47.6 = 6.4 percent and LW = 13.8 = 5.2 percent; day 5: SW = 57.5 = 3.5 percent and LW = 25.7 = 4.8 percent; day 6: SW = 54.4 = 3.8 percent and LW = 32.1 = 4.4 percent; P<0.05), suggesting a temporary reduction in tumor-induced sodium retention. In contrast, urine output was significantly reduced in SW rats and increased in LW rats (LW up to -0.85 and SW up to 4.5 ml/100 g body weight), with no change in osmolar excretion. These temporary changes in the tumor's effects on LW rats may reflect a "reversal" of the secondary central antidiuretic response induced by the tumor (from antidiuretic to diuretic)

Swelling of the vesicle is prerequisite for PTH secretion

Unlike most secretory cells, high extra cellular calcium inhibits rather than stimulates hormonal secretion in several cells such as parathyroid cells, Juxtaglomerular cells and osteoclast. To gain further insight into the common but unique stimulus-secretion coupling mechanism in these cells, bovine parathyroid slices were incubated in various conditions of Krebs-Ringer (KR) solution containing essential amino acids. Parathyroid cells showed the inverse dependency of secretion on extra cellular calcium concentration as we expected. Ammonium acetate overcame the inhibitory effect of 2.5 mM of calcium and the maximum effect was as much as the five times of the basal value, while there was a little additive effect under 0 mM CaCl2. PTH secretion was biphasic according to the change of extra cellular osmolarity and the lowest response was observed at 300 mOsm/l. In Na-rich KR solution, high concentration of nigericin (> 10(-4)M) completely overcame the inhibitory effect of 2.5 mM CaCl2 and the maximum stimulatory effect was 8 times greater whereas it was only 2 times greater without CaCl2. In K-rich KR solution that abolished the K-gradient between the extra cellular solution and the cytoplasm, the rate of PTH secretion increased, and furthermore the addition of nigericin increased the rate of secretion significantly. The results above suggested that the osmotic swelling of the secretory vesicle in parathyroid cells might promote exocytosis as in Juxtaglomerular cells. We propose that the swelling of the vesicle is also prerequisite for secretion in several cells inhibited paradoxically by Ca++, whatever the signal transduction pathway for swelling of the secretory granules induced by the lowering of Ca++ in cytoplasm are.

Alteration in protein carbohydrate complexes in plasma of freshwater gastropod snail, Lymnaea luteola, challenged with foreign tissue implant.

Levels of protein bound hexose, hexosamine and proteins in ethanol precipitate of the body fluid and protein bound hexose and proteins in the perchloric acid filtrate of the body fluid of the snail L. luteola which received a xenoplastic implant in its cephalopedal sinus, are determined. The significant increase in protein bound hexose in the ethanol precipitate of bodyfluid in recipient snail as compared to sham operated and control snails is interesting. The results are discussed in the light of what is known about glycoproteins and their role in invertebrate immunity.

Effect of IUCD on human uterine fluid protein concentration throughout the menstrual cycle.

Uterine fluid of 96 Women implanted with IUCD was collected and processed for protein estimation. The results obtained in women having IUCD were compared with those of parous/normal women. The trend of fluctuation in protein concentration was the same in both parous and women with IUCD. But comparatively the protein concentration in it was so much higher in women having IUCD throughout the menstrual cycle. The increased concentration may be responsible for making the fluid environment unfavourable for blastocyst as well as sperm metabolism.

Alteration in the levels of pyrazinamide in pleural fluid following simultaneous administration of prednisoline in patients of tubercular pleural effusion.

20 Patients of tuberculous pleural effusion were administered a combination of pyrazinamide (30 mg/kg) + isoniazid (300 mg) orally for 7 consecutive days and pyrazinamide was estimated by spectrophotometric method in serum and pleural fluid. Prednisolone was added to the above regimen for next 7 consecutive days and pyrazinamide was again estimated. The level of pyrazinamide in pleural fluid was 23.4 +/- 1.2 (micrograms/ml). Following addition of prednisolone the level increased (27.6 +/- 1.3) significantly (P less than 0.001). The serum pyrazinamide level was not influenced by simultaneous administration of prednisolone. The pleural fluid/serum pyrazinamide ratio was increased from 0.465 to 0.542 by the addition of prednisolone to therapeutic regimen.