Tissue-Resident Alveolar Macrophages Reduce Ozone-induced Inflammation via MerTK-mediated Efferocytosis.

Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O3), one of the six criteria air pollutants, is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung, and their number increases after O3 exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O3-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined. In this study, we used a mouse model of acute O3 exposure, lineage tracing, genetic knockouts, and data from O3-exposed human volunteers to define the role and ontogeny of AMØs during acute O3 exposure. Lineage-tracing experiments showed that 12, 24, and 72 hours after exposure to O3 (2 ppm) for 3 hours, all AMØs were of tissue-resident origin. Similarly, in humans exposed to filtered air and O3 (200 ppb) for 135 minutes, we did not observe at ∼21 hours postexposure an increase in monocyte-derived AMØs by flow cytometry. Highlighting a role for tissue-resident AMØs, we demonstrate that depletion of tissue-resident AMØs with clodronate-loaded liposomes led to persistence of neutrophils in the alveolar space after O3 exposure, suggesting that impaired neutrophil clearance (i.e., efferocytosis) leads to prolonged lung inflammation. Moreover, depletion of tissue-resident AMØs demonstrated reduced clearance of intratracheally instilled apoptotic Jurkat cells, consistent with reduced efferocytosis. Genetic ablation of MerTK (MER proto-oncogene, tyrosine kinase), a key receptor involved in efferocytosis, also resulted in impaired clearance of apoptotic neutrophils after O3 exposure. Overall, these findings underscore the pivotal role of tissue-resident AMØs in resolving O3-induced inflammation via MerTK-mediated efferocytosis.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Measurement Properties of the Indonesian Kujala Score for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Patients.

Introduction: There is an overwhelming need for worldwide applicable subjective grading systems for patients' anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The scoring system should be validated for their use in advance related measurements. For the Indonesian language speaking population, only the Kujala Patellofemoral Score (KPS) questionnaire has been translated and validated into the Indonesian language for diseases related to knee pain, but none for ACL tears. The present study aims at cross-cultural adaption to measure the validity and reliability of the Kujala patellofemoral score Indonesian version (KPS-I) specifically for ACL tear patients. Material and methods: The responses of 106 ACL tear patients on two questionnaires comprising the KPS-I and Short Form (SF)-36 were examined by determining the validity and reliability. We conducted the validity construct and content, so the reliability was evaluated by test-retest reliability, internal consistency and measurement error. In addition, the research utilised the Bland and Altman method to explore absolute agreement. Results: The construct and content validity were good, where all hypotheses were confirmed, and the floor or ceiling effect did not occur. The reliability proved excellent between test and retest (ICC=0.99). An internal consistency showed a good Cronbach α of 0.86. The standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at the individual (MDCind), and minimal detectable change at the group (MDCgrp) were determined to be 2.1, 5.8, and 0.7, respectively. The application of the Bland and Altman plot method revealed no bias in this study. Conclusion: The validation procedure shows that the KPS-I is a good evaluation instrument for Indonesian patients with ACL tear. However, it is suggested that this score be used for follow-up of patients after ACL reconstruction procedure, especially with anterior knee pain related to the original objective of the Kujala score.

Mummified Wood of Juniperus (Cupressaceae) from the Late Miocene of Taman Peninsula, South Russia.

Juniperus L. is the second-largest genus of conifers, having the widest distribution of all conifer genera. Its phytogeographic history is, however, obscure due to its very poor fossil record. We described a wood of Juniperus sp. from the lower Maeotian sediments of the Popov Kamen section, Taman Peninsula, South Russia, in order to clarify its taxonomic position shedding light on the phytogeographic history of the genus. This fossil wood was well-preserved by mummification, which allowed for it to be studied by the same methods as used for the anatomical examination of modern woods. The wood from the Popov Kamen section shows the greatest similarity to the extant Mediterranean species J. excelsa, belonging to the section Sabina. This is the first reliable macrofossil evidence of the sect. Sabina from Eurasia convincingly dated to the Miocene. The age of the mummified wood from the Popov Kamen section is consistent with molecular dating of diversification of the lineage comprising juniper species of the sect. Sabina from Europe, Asia and eastern Africa. The wood of Juniperus sp. has not been buried in situ, as it was found in the relatively deep-water marine sediments. The available coeval pollen series and macrofossils of Cupressaceae from the surrounding regions suggest that this wood was likely transferred by sea current from the northwestern side of the Black Sea, which was a part of the Eastern Paratethys.

Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation for pain control following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction - A case report.

Adequate postoperative pain control is an essential factor for the success of rehabilitation programs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (GNRF) is a recently developed method.This study aimed to evaluate the use of GNRF in patients who underwent ACLR.We performed GNRF guided by ultrasonography for patients who underwent ACLR with aggravated pain. GNRF was performed following ACLR a day after surgery. The pain was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and the Euroqol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) measured the quality of life on the day of one, three, and seven after surgery. Results: In this study, two patients participated. In the postoperative days first, third, and seventh, the mean VAS was decreased after providing the intervention (from 8 to 5, 2, and 1, respectively). The mean EQ5D improved from 0.48 to 0.52, 0.56, 0.66, respectively.We concluded that GNRF is an adequate and safe procedure for managing postoperative pain after ACLR. It may enhance the postoperative rehabilitation program.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Measurement Properties of the Indonesian Kujala Score for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Patients

@#Introduction: There is an overwhelming need for worldwide applicable subjective grading systems for patients' anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The scoring system should be validated for their use in advance related measurements. For the Indonesian language speaking population, only the Kujala Patellofemoral Score (KPS) questionnaire has been translated and validated into the Indonesian language for diseases related to knee pain, but none for ACL tears. The present study aims at cross-cultural adaption to measure the validity and reliability of the Kujala patellofemoral score Indonesian version (KPS-I) specifically for ACL tear patients. Material and methods: The responses of 106 ACL tear patients on two questionnaires comprising the KPS-I and Short Form (SF)–36 were examined by determining the validity and reliability. We conducted the validity construct and content, so the reliability was evaluated by test-retest reliability, internal consistency and measurement error. In addition, the research utilised the Bland and Altman method to explore absolute agreement. Results: The construct and content validity were good, where all hypotheses were confirmed, and the floor or ceiling effect did not occur. The reliability proved excellent between test and retest (ICC=0.99). An internal consistency showed a good Cronbach α of 0.86. The standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at the individual (MDCind), and minimal detectable change at the group (MDCgrp) were determined to be 2.1, 5.8, and 0.7, respectively. The application of the Bland and Altman plot method revealed no bias in this study. Conclusion: The validation procedure shows that the KPS-I is a good evaluation instrument for Indonesian patients with ACL tear. However, it is suggested that this score be used for follow-up of patients after ACL reconstruction procedure, especially with anterior knee pain related to the original objective of the Kujala score.

[Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the CYP11B2, GNB3 and NOS3 genes in various ethnic groups of arctic zone of yakutia suffering from arterial hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: This article presents the results of a study of the frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the CYP11B2 -344 T> C genes; GNB3 825 C> T; NOS3 -786 T> C and 894 G> T in different ethnic groups of residents of the Arctic zone of the republic "Sakha" (Yakutia), suffering from essential arterial hypertension. The aim: The aim of this study is to determine the presence of statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the above-mentioned polymorphisms in the studied ethnic groups of people living in the Arctic zone of Yakutia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The material for the study was whole blood obtained during venipuncture. The volunteer groups studied were formed along ethnic lines and included the Yakuts, Slavs, Evens, and Evenks. Further, the representatives of the aforementioned ethnic groups were further grouped by aboriginal basis, in accordance with which the following groups were formed: "Indigenous Minorities of the Arctic Zone" and "Non-Indigenous Ethnic Groups of the Arctic Zone". To identify the polymorphisms indicated above, the method of real-time polymerase chain reaction with detection of the melting point of duplexes was used. RESULTS: Results: As a result, statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences between the considered, in the framework of this study, ethnic groups at the points CYP11B2 -344 T> C; NOS3 -786 T> C and 894 G> T. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The revealed differences can be further considered as a basis for studying the clinical features of the course of arterial hypertension in people with polymorphisms of the respective genes, as well as a basis for further pharmacogenetic studies.

One-dimensional proteomic profiling of Danio rerio embryo vitellogenin to estimate quantum dot toxicity.

BACKGROUND: Vitellogenin (Vtg) is the major egg yolk protein (YP) in most oviparous species and may be useful as an indicator in ecotoxicological testing at the biochemical level. In this study, we obtained detailed information about the Vtgs of Danio rerio embryos by cutting SDS-PAGE gel lanes into thin slices, and analyzing them slice-by-slice with (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. RESULTS: We conducted three proteomic analyses, comparing embryonic Danio rerio Vtg cleavage products after exposure for 48 h to CdSecore/ZnSshell quantum dots (QDs), after exposure to a mixture of the components used for quantum dot synthesis (MCS-QDs), and in untreated embryos. The Vtg mass spectrometric profiles of the QDs-treated embryos differed from those of the unexposed or MCS-QDs-treated embryos. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the possible utility of Vtg profiling in D. rerio embryos as a sensitive diagnostic tool to estimate nanoparticle toxicity.