scholarly journals Prognostic Value of Th-22 Cells and Related Functional Cytokines in Patients with Vitiligo

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Huo ◽  
Chunjing Zhao ◽  
Zhenzhen Qu

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of Th-22 cells and related functional cytokines in patients with vitiligo. Methods: Thirty-five patients with vitiligo who admitted to the outpatient clinic from June 2016 to November 2018 in the hospital were selected as the study group. Thirty healthy controls were selected as the control group. Th-22 cells and their related cytokines were analyzed in both groups. Resylts: The levels of cytokines in Th-22 and Th-17 cells in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The expression of Treg lymphocyte-related factors in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The changes in cell and factor levels in patients with vitiligo before and after treatment were significantly different (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is shown that three cells, including Th-22, Th-17 and Treg are related to each other, and they can inhibit and promote the pathogenesis of vitiligo which provides a reference for prognosis and treatment.

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Philipp S. Lange ◽  
Natasa Mihailovic ◽  
Eliane Esser ◽  
Gerrit Frommeyer ◽  
Alicia J. Fischer ◽  
...  

Purpose: To evaluate retinal and optic nerve head (ONH) perfusion in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) before and after catheter ablation of AF with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Methods: 34 eyes of 34 patients with AF and 35 eyes of 35 healthy subjects were included in this study. Flow density data were obtained using spectral-domain OCT-A (RTVue XR Avanti with AngioVue, Optovue, Inc, Fremont, California, USA). The data of the superficial and deep vascular layers of the macula and the ONH (radial peripapillary capillary network, RPC) before and after PVI were extracted and analysed. Results: The flow density in the superficial OCT-angiogram (whole en face) and the ONH (RPC) in patients with AF was significantly lower compared to healthy controls (OCT-A superficial: study group: 48.77 (45.19; 52.12)%; control group: 53.01 (50.00; 54.25)%; p < 0.001; ONH: study group: 51.82 (48.41; 54.03)%; control group: 56.00 (54.35; 57.70)%; p < 0.001;). The flow density in the ONH (RPC) improved significantly in the study group following PVI (before: 51.82 (48.41; 54.03)%; after: 52.49 (50.34; 55.62)%; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Patients with AF showed altered ocular perfusion as measured using OCTA when compared with healthy controls. Rhythm control using PVI significantly improved ocular perfusion as measured using OCT-A. Non-contact imaging using OCTA provides novel information about the central global microperfusion of patients with AF.


2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jihong An

Objective: This study aims to investigate the expression and clinical significance of Th17 cells and related factors in peripheral blood of patients with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH). Methods: A retrospective selection of 100 patients with AIH were included as a study group, and 100 healthy volunteers in the outpatient clinic were selected as the control group. The levels of IL- 17, IL-6, IL-21 and TNF-α in peripheral blood of all subjects were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the frequency of Th17 cells and Treg cells was detected by flow cytometry. Results: Results showed that the study group had higher levels of serum total bilirubin (TBil), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ -glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than the control group, as well as higher levels of IL-17, IL-6, IL-21 and TNF-α in serum. The frequency of Th17 cells in peripheral blood was higher in the study group, while the frequency of Treg cells was lower. Also, serum IL-17, TNF-α levels and Th17 cells frequency were positively correlated with ALT and AST, whereas Treg cells frequency were negatively correlated with ALT and AST levels. Conclusion: Our finding demonstrates that Th17 cell frequency and their related factors IL-17 and TNF-α, are associated with liver damage, which might be used to monitor AIH disease severity.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Burak Yilmaz ◽  
Cagtay Maden ◽  
Begümhan Turhan

Background/aims Workers engaged in vehicle spray painting are at a risk of developing respiratory problems because of the solvents in the spray paints. Changes in respiratory functions and functional capacities caused by spray painting can be improved with respiratory exercises. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of respiratory exercises on the respiratory functions, functional capacity and quality of life in vehicle spray painters. Methods A total of 70 volunteers with similar characteristics participated in the study. The groups were divided into two groups randomly (35 study group, 35 control group). Respiratory functions (value of forced expiratory volume percentage in 1 second [FEV1]), forced vital capacity percentage [FVC], FEV1/FVC percentage, peak expiratory flow percentage [PEF (%)] and maximum voluntary ventilation percentage [MVV (%)]), functional capacity (6-Minute Walk Test) and quality of life (Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]) were evaluated. The study group undertook supervised breathing exercises 3 days a week for 6 weeks. The same exercises were given to the control group as a home programme. Home programmes were followed up by telephone calls. Evaluations were performed again after 6 weeks. Results In the study group, FEV1 (%) increased more than in the control group (P<0.05). The increase in PEF (%) was similar in both groups (P>0.05). In the study group, FEV1/FVC (%) and MVV (%) were significantly different before and after the intervention (P<0.05), but there was no difference in the control group (P>0.05). There was a greater increase in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). 6-Minute Walk Test distance (m) before and after the intervention in both groups were similar (P>0.05). Before and after the intervention, a significant difference was found in the vitality and the social function domains of the SF-36 in the study group. In the comparisons of groups, a significant difference was found in the study group in the role-emotional, social function and bodily pain domains of the SF-36 after the intervention (P<0.05). Conclusions Breathing exercises can be recommended for vehicle spray painters to avoid an increase in respiratory resistance and to improve their quality of life.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caiying Feng ◽  
Jie You ◽  
Guixia Chen ◽  
Hongli Su ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous studies have discovered that zinc-α2-glycoprotein is related to insulin resistance and lipid metabolism. The aim of the study is to explore the change of serum zinc-α2-glycoprotein(ZAG) and its related factors in gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM). Methods Eighty newly diagnosed GDM patients were enrolled in study group, and 80 normal pregnant women were selected as control group. The differences of baseline data between the two groups were compared, and the change of serum ZAG level and its relationship with related indexes was analyzed. Results Compared to control group, the level of serum ZAG in the study group decreased [(43.94 ± 14.51)mg/L vs. (62.57 ± 19.05)mg/L, P < 0.001]. Pearson correlation (or Spearman correlation) analysis showed that serum ZAG level was negatively correlated with FPG, FINS, HOMA-IR and TG (P < 0.05) and positively correlated with HDL(P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that HDL, FINS, HOMA-IR were independent factors of serum ZAG(P < 0.001). Conclusion The level of serum ZAG in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus decreased, and HDL, FINS and HOMA-IR are the influencing factors in study group. Trial registration: The study registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(Chi CTR2000028811).


Author(s):  
Kristina Zaičenkovienė ◽  
Renata Rakovaitė

Research background. Falling is one of the most important problems in the elderly’s mobility disorder, which is most often affected by the loss of balance. It is known that Pilates exercises could help to increase the deep muscle strength, improve posture and proprioception, which affects the improvement of the balance. Objective – to evaluate the effects of Pilates exercises on the elderly’s static and dynamic balance. Methodology. The study population consisted of 20 volunteers, men and women, who were divided into Pilates exercises (n = 10, age 65.1 ± 2.6) and control (n = 10, age 68.6 ± 4.9) groups. The study group participated in Pilates classes 2 times per week for six weeks (session duration 60 minutes). The control group did not participate in any physical activity, but they were physically active as usually in their daily life. The main outcome measures were assessed before and after the intervention. The static balance was assessed by measuring posturographic parameters using the force platform, dynamic balance was measured with the Timed up and Go Test (TUG) and the Four Square Step Test (FSST). Results. The results showed signifcant improvement in static balance of the experimental group after the Pilates exercises during standing tests when the feet were apart, eyes opened and closed and when the feet together with eyes opened, and when the foot was in front of the other foot. The results of the control group did not differ during both tests. The results of both groups did not differ in the static balance tests before and after the study, but after the Pilates exercises, the results of the Pilates group signifcantly differed from the control group test results when the feet were in shoulder line with open eyes. The results of the dynamic balance after Pilates exercises signifcantly improved in both tests in the study group. Before the study, there were not statistically signifcant differences in the dynamic balance results between the groups. Conclusions. Six-week Pilates exercises had a positive effect on the elderly’s static and dynamic balance.Keywords: Pilates training, static balance, dynamic balance.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1117-1121
Author(s):  
Antonius Mattheus de Korte ◽  
René Aquarius ◽  
Thomas Vogl ◽  
Johannes Roth ◽  
Ronald H M A Bartels ◽  
...  

BackgroundInflammation-related factors might give further insight into the pathophysiology of vessel wall inflammation and intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture. One of these factors is the protein complex S100A8/A9, which is released by neutrophils, monocytes, and activated macrophages and is known for its role in cardiovascular disease.ObjectiveTo determine if venous S100A8/A9 levels in patients with a ruptured IA (rIA) or unruptured IA (uIA) are elevated compared with a control group. Second, to assess differences between venous and intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels of rIA and uIA patients.MethodsA prospective case study was performed between June 2016 and May 2017 in patients harboring a ruptured or unruptured saccular IA. Primary outcome measures were individual S100A8/A9 serum concentrations as measured in venous and intra-aneurysmal blood samples during endovascular treatment. Venous serum S100A8/A9 concentrations from a healthy control group served as a reference.ResultsWe included 16 patients with either a rIA or uIA and 47 healthy controls. Venous S100A8/A9 concentrations were higher in aneurysm patients (rIA and uIA) than those of healthy controls (P≤0.001). S100A8/A9 concentrations were higher in intra-aneurysmal samples than in venous samples of rIA patients (P=0.011). This difference was not found in uIA patients (P=0.054). Intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels were higher in rIAs than in uIAs (P=0.04).ConclusionsVenous S100A8/A9 levels are elevated in patients with both rIAs and uIAs compared with healthy controls and likely represents aneurysm wall inflammation. S100A8/A9 causes macrophage-induced inflammation and degeneration of the vessel wall which might explain higher intra-aneurysmal S100A8/A9 levels found in rIAs than in uIAs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Andreas Blessing ◽  
Jacqueline Zöllig ◽  
Roland Weierstall ◽  
Gerhard Dammann ◽  
Mike Martin

We present results of a study investigating evaluative learning in dementia patients with a classic evaluative conditioning paradigm. Picture pairs of three unfamiliar faces with liked, disliked, or neutral faces, that were rated prior to the presentation, were presented 10 times each to a group of dementia patients (N = 15) and healthy controls (N = 14) in random order. Valence ratings of all faces were assessed before and after presentation. In contrast to controls, dementia patients changed their valence ratings of unfamiliar faces according to their pairing with either a liked or disliked face, although they were not able to explicitly assign the picture pairs after the presentation. Our finding suggests preserved evaluative conditioning in dementia patients. However, the result has to be considered preliminary, as it is unclear which factors prevented the predicted rating changes in the expected direction in the control group.


Author(s):  
Arunjaikumar Ravindran ◽  
Suma Karthigeyan ◽  
Ramesh Bhat ◽  
Madhulika Naidu ◽  
Senthilnathan Natarajan ◽  
...  

Introduction: Zirconia is considered as an alternative material for the fabrication of implants. Surface roughness of the implant plays a fundamental role in the initial bone formation. The rationale of using 3D optical profilometry in this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of the zirconia implants before and after Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalisation. Also, Moreso 3D optical instruments have a better resolution than the mechanical ones like Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Aim: To analyse the surface roughness and topography of zirconia implants after photofunctionalisation using optical profilometry. Materials and Methods: This is an in-vitro study conducted over a period of six months from March 2020 to August 2020. Ten commercially machined Zirconia implants, five each in study and control group, were micro analysed at three different regions (abutment, thread and crest) by optical profilometry. Study group was surface treated by UV radiation for 48 hours. Quantitative morphometric analysis was done between two groups and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The statistical test applied in this study was independent t-test. Results: Scanning micrographs of the study group revealed highest density of summits contributing to increased surface area in the study group. Quantitative analysis of surface roughness showed statistically significant higher mean roughness parameter for photofunctionalised implants in abutment, crest and thread region (p<0.05). Conclusion: Photofunctionalisation is a potentially synergistic technique in producing textured zirconia implants.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 898-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Ki Ahn ◽  
Won Shik Shin ◽  
Go We Kim ◽  
Ki Hyuk Koo

<sec><title>Study Design</title><p>Retrospective case-control study.</p></sec><sec><title>Purpose</title><p>To examine the hypothesis that the misuse of thrombin-containing local hemostatics (TCLH) increases the risk of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (POSEH).</p></sec><sec><title>Overview of Literature</title><p>Many studies have focused on hypocoagulability as a risk factor for POSEH. However, there are no prior reports on the increased risk of POSEH in hypercoagulable states.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Posterior instrumented lumbar spine surgery cases over 2 consecutive years were divided into two groups: a study group (98 patients in whom TCLH was used) and a control group (176 patients in whom TCLH was not used). The excess TCLH matrix that was not associated with blood clot was not removed from the patients in the study group. The senior author decided whether to use TCLH or not. Suction drains were used in all patients. The demographics, coagulation-related factors, and intraoperative factors of the patients in the two groups were analyzed. The development of POSEH was compared between the two groups.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The two groups were homogenous in demographics (age and sex), coagulation-related factors (platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and platelet function analysis), and surgical factors (total blood loss, operation time, blood loss/10 minutes, number of fusion segments, posterolateral fusion/posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and virgin or revision surgery). POSEH developed more frequently in the patients in the study group than in those in the control group (14/98 patients, 14.3% vs. 3/176 patients, 1.7%, respectively; <italic>p</italic>=0.001; odds ratio, 17.1).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>TCLH causes blood clot not only at the edge of damaged vessels but also at the site of extravascular blood. Excess TCLH matrix not associated with blood clot at the epidural space can enhance POSEH development because early clotted hematomas do not drain through suction drains.</p></sec>


Author(s):  
Ergün Parmaksız ◽  
Hüseyin Demirbilek

Dialysis causes many psycho-social problems in patients with chronic renal failure and decreases their quality of life by increasing their anxiety. We aimed to determine the influence of artistic activities on quality of life and reducing or eliminating dialysis anxiety.Methods. Among 180 hemodialysis patients, 8 patients were randomly selected as a study group and 8 patients as a control group. We performed our theater rehearsals in 16 sessions, two hours per week. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), STAII and  Social Anxiety Scales (SAS) were employed in both groups before and after the play. Results. The means of the eighth-month SAS fear and avoidance measures of the study group were found to be significantly lower than the control group and significantly lower than the baseline. The mean difference of the initial eighth-month SAS fear and avoidance in the study group was statistically significantly higher than the control group.Initial and eighth month SAS fear and avoidance difference averages of the study group were found statistically significantly higher than the control group.Conclusions. We determined that the therapies to be done with art have an important place in relieving or reducing anxiety in hemodialysis patients. In addition, it was the opinion that our patients would make positive contributions to their quality of life. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate whether theater rehearsals reduce anxiety in hemodialysis patients.


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