Transcriptional Response in a Sepsis Mouse Model Reflects Transcriptional Response in Sepsis Patients

Mortality due to sepsis remains unacceptably high, especially for septic shock patients. Murine models have been used to better understand pathophysiology mechanisms. However, the mouse model is still under debate. Herein we investigated the transcriptional response of mice injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and compared it to either human cells stimulated in vitro with LPS or to the blood cells of septic patients. We identified a molecular signature composed of 2331 genes with an FDR median of 0%. This molecular signature is highly enriched in regulated genes in peritoneal macrophages stimulated with LPS. There is significant enrichment in several inflammatory signaling pathways, and in disease terms, such as pneumonia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, severe sepsis, an inflammatory disorder, immune suppression, and septic shock. A significant overlap between the genes upregulated in mouse and human cells stimulated with LPS has been demonstrated. Finally, genes upregulated in mouse cells stimulated with LPS are enriched in genes upregulated in human cells stimulated in vitro and in septic patients, who are at high risk of death. Our results support the hypothesis of common molecular and cellular mechanisms between mouse and human sepsis.

Autophagy, Pyroptosis, and Ferroptosis: New Regulatory Mechanisms for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by the gradual buildup of plaques within the vessel wall of middle-sized and large arteries. The occurrence and development of atherosclerosis and the rupture of plaques are related to the injury of vascular cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. Autophagy is a subcellular process that plays an important role in the degradation of proteins and damaged organelles, and the autophagy disorder of vascular cells is closely related to atherosclerosis. Pyroptosis is a proinflammatory form of regulated cell death, while ferroptosis is a form of regulated nonapoptotic cell death involving overwhelming iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Both of them exhibit distinct features from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy in morphology, biochemistry, and genetics. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that pyroptosis and ferroptosis interact with autophagy and participate in the development of cancers, degenerative brain diseases and cardiovascular diseases. This review updated the current understanding of autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, finding potential links and their effects on atherogenesis and plaque stability, thus providing ways to develop new pharmacological strategies to address atherosclerosis and stabilize vulnerable, ruptured plaques.

Systemic lupus erythematosus in a male patient in lower Assam

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is one of the numerous diseases called “the great imitators” because it frequently resembles or is misdiagnosed as other illnesses. SLE is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder that affects multiple systems and has a wide range of symptoms. The female to male ratio varies between 7 and 15 to 1. A number of observations point to an estrogen impact as the cause of this variance. Because sex hormonal impacts are likely to be modest in youngsters, the female to male ratio is 3:1. Renal involvement and seizures are more common in male SLE patients than photophobia and cutaneous symptoms. Males likewise appear to have a more devastating consequence. As a result, we feel that male lupus patients are uncommon, the illness’s symptoms are life-threatening, and that early discovery of the disease will result in a better outcome for these patients. Here, we report the case of SLE with an unusual presentation in a 44-year-old man from lower Assam to emphasize the importance of a high index of suspicion in such patients.

Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy With Ologen Implant

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with ologen implant versus endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with silicon tube implantation.Background: Chronic dacryocystitis is an inflammatory disorder of the lacrimal sac that is mostly accompanied by partial or total nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Watering and discharge are the most common symptoms, however some cases can escalate to serious ocular and extraocular complications. It can result in severe ocular morbidity and loss of productivity at work, as it can temporarily obscure vision, prevent a person from concentrating on their task, and be socially uncomfortable. The goal of this research is to find a way to reduce recurrence after DCR surgery.Methods: We conducted a prospective controlled study to evaluate effectiveness of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with ologen implant versus endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with silicon tube implantation. A total of 40 patients underwent primary endoscopic DCR surgery in Menoufia University Hospital from march 2020 till march 2021. A total of 20 cases did endoscopic DCR using ologen implant (group A) and the other 20 cases did endoscopic DCR using silicon tube (group B). Results: The success rate, which was evaluated by MUNK score and syringing test, was compared between both groups also rate of complications like epistaxis, implant complications and post surgery synechiae was compared. Success rates was 75% in ologen group and 85%in the other group. Epistaxis, infection and post sugery synechiae were statistically in significant between the two groups but implant complications was more in ologen group than the other group.Conclusion: Endoscopic DCR with ologen implantation is not superior to endoscopic DCR with silicon stenting due to the challenging ologen implantation procedure and the high cost relative to silicon stenting.

Assessment of serum hormone levels in female patients with acne vulgaris

Introduction: Acne is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit with differential pathogenesis. To elucidate the roles of hormones in acne pathogenesis, we conducted a study to evaluate the serum testosterone, estradiol, progesterone levels in women with acne vulgaris. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study, and 175 women with acne vulgaris were examined; their serum estradiol, progesterone, testosterone were analyzed by chemiluminescence technique and compared with the healthy control group. Results: Increased serum hormone levels in women with acne vulgaris were accounted for 29.7%, and hyperandrogenism was accounted for 16.0% of cases. We found significant differences in testosterone levels (mean value, 55.67±25.56 versus 38.37±10.16 ng/dL, p<0.05) respectively in the acne group and the control group. However, the estradiol level of the acne group (323.15±93.31 pmol/L) was lower than the control group (370.94±58.88 pmol/L) with p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were found for progesterone (0.60±0.38 versus 0.50±0.15 ng/mL, p>0.05) levels. Moreover, we did not find the relationship between serum hormone levels and the severity of acne vulgaris. Conclusion: This study showed that the female acne vulgaris patients may have high serum testosterone levels and low serum estradiol levels compared with those of female controls. However, hormone alterations had no correlation with the acne grades.

Real-World Prescribing Pattern of Asthma Management in China: A Retrospective, Descriptive Analysis

Background Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airway that requires long-term medication management. Objective To describe the real-world prescribing patterns for asthma management in the Chinese population. Methods A retrospective analysis of 8,732 patients from January 2011 to September 2019 in 10 hospitals was conducted. Prescribing patterns of short-acting beta-agonists (SABA), long-acting beta-agonists (LABA), inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), intravenous corticosteroids, antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA), theophylline, antibiotics, and Chinese patent medicines were included in the analysis. Chi-square and logistic regression were calculated. P value of <0.05 was considered as statistical significance. Results ICS/LABA were prescribed for 2,940 (33.67%) patients with stable asthma and 141 (31.4%) patients with asthma exacerbations. LTRA was prescribed in 2,006 (22.97%) patients with stable asthma, and 86 (19.15%) patients with asthma exacerbations. Systemic antibiotics (46.1Z%), systemic corticosteroids (57.91%), and theophylline (51.45%) were frequently prescribed during exacerbations. A total of 5,766 patients (64.95%) were managed with traditional Chinese medication (TCM); 3237 patients (36.47%) received western medicine. Patients using ICS/LABA (P=0.019) and SABA (P=0.008) had a significantly lower rate of asthma exacerbations. Conclusions This study provides valuable insight into clinical practices of asthma management in China. Poor adherence to clinical reports was identified. Efforts are required to improve the quality of asthma care.

Exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviate sepsis-induced lung injury in mice by inhibiting the secretion of IL-27 in macrophages

Acute lung injury (ALI) represents a frequent sepsis-induced inflammatory disorder. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) elicit anti-inflammatory effects in sepsis. This study investigated the mechanism of exosomes from adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs) in sepsis-induced ALI. The IL-27r−/− (WSX-1 knockout) or wild-type mouse model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The model mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages were treated with ADMSC-exosomes. The content of Dil-labeled exosomes in pulmonary macrophages, macrophages CD68+ F4/80+ in whole lung tissues, and IL-27 content in macrophages were detected. The mRNA expression and protein level of IL27 subunits P28 and EBI3 in lung tissue and the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were measured. The pulmonary edema, tissue injury, and pulmonary vascular leakage were measured. In vitro, macrophages internalized ADMSC-exosomes, and ADMSC-exosomes inhibited IL-27 secretion in LPS-induced macrophages. In vivo, IL-27 knockout attenuated CLP-induced ALI. ADMSC-exosomes suppressed macrophage aggregation in lung tissues and inhibited IL-27 secretion. ADMSC-exosomes decreased the contents of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, reduced pulmonary edema and pulmonary vascular leakage, and improved the survival rate of mice. Injection of recombinant IL-27 reversed the protective effect of ADMSC-exosomes on sepsis mice. Collectively, ADMSC-exosomes inhibited IL-27 secretion in macrophages and alleviated sepsis-induced ALI in mice.

Increased blood group 2 innate lymphoid cells are involved in blood eosinophilia and itching in Kimura disease

Background: Kimura disease (KD) is a rare, chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by blood eosinophilia, general itching, and subcutaneous head and neck mass lesions; however, the etiology of this disease is unknown. We hypothesized that group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in peripheral blood may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of KD. Methods: The prevalence of blood ILC2s and their ability to produce interleukin (IL) -4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-31 in patients with KD were compared with those in control subjects and in patients with house dust mite (HDM) -induced allergic rhinitis (AR). Changes in blood ILC2 prevalence, blood eosinophilia, and clinical symptoms after surgery and steroid therapy were evaluated. Results: Blood ILC2 prevalence in patients with KD were eight times and six times higher than those in control subjects and in patients with AR, respectively. There was a strong positive correlation between ILC2 prevalence and blood eosinophilia. Patients with KD showed increased serum IL-13 and decreased IL-31 levels. KD patient-derived blood ILC2s produced large amounts of IL-5 and IL-13 in response to prostaglandin (PG) D and leukotriene (LT) D , compared to ILC2s derived from control subjects and patients with AR. Surgery and systemic steroid therapy ameliorated general itching with a concomitant decrease in blood ILC2s and blood eosinophilia. Upon disease recurrence, blood ILC2 prevalence and blood eosinophilia increased concurrently with general itching. Conclusion: Increased blood ILC2s may be involved in blood eosinophilia and general itching through the production of IL-5 and IL-13 in patients with KD.

A CRITICAL REVIEW ON PUSHKARMOOLADI YOGA IN SHWASA ROGA

Shwasa is a disease of Pranavaha strotas. It is clinically correlated with bronchial asthma. Symptoms of Shwasa are nearly similar to Bronchial Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. Pushkarmoladi yoga is described in Yoga Ratnakara and Bhaishjya Ratnavali. This yoga contains Pushkarmoola, Pippali, Dhanvayasa, Karkatshringi and Ativisha. This study was conducted to know the efficacy of Pushkarmoola diyoga in Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma). The literary review was performed by a collection of material related to the clinical efficacy of Pushkarmooladiyoga with the help of several essential Ayurvedic and Modern textbooks, Research papers and journals. Pushkarmooladi yoga shows bronchodilator property by relaxation of bronchial smooth muscles and antimicrobial activity against various gram +ve and gram-ve bacteria, which are responsible for Shwasa and have antioxidant properties due to the presence of the particular phenolic compound in its ingredients.

Kimura Disease of the Parotid Gland: Management Approach

Here we present a 43-years old Malay man with Kimura’s disease of the right parotid gland. Asian men have a predisposition for this chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology mostly presenting at the head and neck region. The management in dealing with this patient is not straight forward as the presentation mimics a subcutaneous tumor-like mass in which main differential diagnosis includes lymphoproliferative disorders and parotid neoplasm. Moreover, cytological investigation is inadequate, and this necessitates the use intra-operative frozen section prior to tumor debulking. Without proper investigation, misdiagnosis can occur and potentially expose the patient to unnecessary extensive surgical procedures. Here we discuss step by step approach in managing this patient.