Mechanisms of inflammation after ischemic stroke in brain-peripheral crosstalk.

Stroke is a devastating disease with high morbidity, disability, and mortality, among which ischemic stroke is more common. However, there is still a lack of effective methods to improve the prognosis and reduce the incidence of its complications. At present, there is evidence that peripheral organs are involved in the inflammatory response after stroke. Moreover, the interaction between central and peripheral inflammation includes the activation of resident and peripheral immune cells, as well as the activation of inflammation-related signaling pathways, which all play an important role in the pathophysiology of stroke. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of inflammatory response after ischemic stroke, as well as the interactions through circulatory pathways between peripheral organs (such as the gut, heart, lung and spleen) and the brain to mediate and regulate inflammation after ischemic stroke. We also propose the potential role of meningeal lymphatic vessels (MLVs)-cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) as a brain-peripheral crosstalk lymphatic pathway in ischemic stroke. In addition, we also summarize the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Effects on quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing in Chinese patients with keloids.

Keloids are defined as raised scar tissue that grows excessively and invasively beyond the original wound borders during abnormal, fibroproliferative wound healing. The effects of these lesions on quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial wellbeing have not been assessed in keloid-endemic environments such as China. The purpose of our study was to investigate the QoL and mental health status of patients with keloids in China. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90) were used to explore the effects of keloids on patients' QoL and psychosocial wellbeing. The main scoring elements of the DLQI focused on psychological feelings, QoL, and social activities. In addition, the results of the SCL-90 revealed that scores pertaining to interpersonal relationship sensitivity, depression, and anxiety were higher in the visible scar group than in either the invisible scar group or the normal group (P < 0.05). The depression and anxiety scores in the invisible scar group were higher than those in the normal group (P < 0.05), but there were no statistically significant differences in other indices between the invisible scar group and the normal group (P < 0.05). The mental health of female patients was affected to a greater extent than in male patients (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that psychological and clinical interventions would be beneficial for patients with keloids to improve their QoL.

Blueberry Improves the Therapeutic Effect of Etanercept on Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Phase III Study.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common arthritis in the adolescents under the age of 16. Etanercept, an inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor, is often used to treat JIA despite its significant side effects. Homeopathic remedies, such as blueberries, have anti-inflammatory properties with fewer unwanted effects and should be considered as a primary treatment. We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of blueberry and etanercept for JIA. Two hundred and one JIA patients were selected, and randomly and evenly assigned to three groups: ETA (50 mg of etanercept twice weekly), ETABJ (matched etanercept and 50 ml blueberry juice daily) and ETAPJ (matched etanercept and placebo juice). The severity of JIA was measured using American College of Rheumatology scales (ACR) 20, 50 and 70. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1 (IL1) alpha and IL1 beta, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) were measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA. After a 6-month follow-up, the ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 in an ETABJ group were higher than those in other two groups (P < 0.05), suggesting clinically meaningful improvement in JIA. Meanwhile, the symptoms and side effects were reduced significantly or absent in an ETABJ group, including mental diseases, retrobulbar optic neuritis, gaining weight, infection, cutaneous vasculitis, diarrhea, uveitis and pancytopenia. Blueberries reduced the levels of IL1 alpha and beta, and increased the level of IL1RA. Thus, a combination therapy of blueberry and etanercept can reduce the severity of JIA and should be developed as a new method for JIA therapy.

Effects of early enteral micro-feeding on neonatal serum Vitamin D levels.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of early enteral micro-feeding on neonatal serum vitamin D levels, and to analyze the application value of glutamine. METHODS: One hundred ninty neonates enrolled in intensive care unit were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group (n=95) that were both given enteral and parenteral nutrition support. Meanwhile, the treatment group was fed formula milk containing 0.3 g/(kg·d) glutamine as enteral nutrition support for 14 days. RESULTS: The weight of the treatment group increased significantly faster than that of the control group did (P<0.05). The treatment group had significantly higher milk amount and calorie intake than those of the control group (P<0.05), and neonates in the treatment group who reached calorie intake of 50/80/100 kcal/kg/d were significantly younger (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the treatment group was significantly less prone to feeding intolerance than the control group (P<0.05). After 14 days of feeding, the serum motilin, gastrin and vitamin D levels of both groups all increased, with significant intra-group and inter-group differences. Such levels of the treatment group significantly exceeded those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Supplementing early enteral micro-feeding with glutamine promoted the absorption of neonatal routine nutrients and vitamin D, obviously regulated gastrointestinal hormones, and elevated weight as a result.