Rheumatoid Arthritis: Pathogenic Roles of Diverse Immune Cells

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease associated with synovial tissue proliferation, pannus formation, cartilage destruction, and systemic complications. Currently, advanced understandings of the pathologic mechanisms of autoreactive CD4+ T cells, B cells, macrophages, inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and autoantibodies that cause RA have been achieved, despite the fact that much remains to be elucidated. This review provides an updated pathogenesis of RA which will unveil novel therapeutic targets.

Systemic impact of the expression of the mitochondrial alternative oxidase on Drosophila development

Despite the beneficial effects shown when the mitochondrial alternative oxidase AOX from Ciona intestinalis (Tunicata: Ascidiacea) is xenotopically expressed in mammalian and insect models, important detrimental outcomes have also been reported, raising concerns regarding its envisioned deployment as a therapy enzyme for human mitochondrial and related diseases. Because of its non-proton pumping terminal oxidase activity, AOX can bypass the cytochrome c segment of the respiratory chain and alleviate the possible overload of electrons that occurs upon oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) dysfunction, not contributing though to the proton-motive force needed for mitochondrial ATP synthesis. We have shown previously that AOX-expressing flies present a dramatic drop in pupal viability when the larvae are cultured on a low nutrient diet, indicating that AOX interferes with normal developmental metabolism. Here, we applied combined omics analyses to show that the interaction between low nutrient diet and AOX expression causes a general alteration of larval amino acid metabolism and lipid accumulation, which are associated with functional and morphological alterations of the larval digestive tract and with a drastic decrease in larval biomass accumulation. Pupae at the pre-lethality stage present a general downregulation of mitochondrial metabolism and a signature for starvation and deregulated signaling processes. This AOX-induced lethality is partially rescued when the low nutrient diet is supplemented with tryptophan and/or methionine. The developmental dependence on these amino acids, associated with elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase, lactate, 2-hydroxyglutarate, choline-containing metabolites and breakdown products of membrane phospholipids, indicates that AOX expression promotes tissue proliferation and growth of the Drosophila larvae, but this is ultimately limited by energy dissipation via mitochondrial uncoupling. We speculate that the combination of diet and AOX expression may be used for the metabolic regulation of proliferative tissues, such as tumors.

Biologic Treatment for the Elbow Tendinopathy

Although elbow tendinopathy is the one of common diseases causing elbow pain, ideal nonoperative treatment to provide long-term satisfaction has not been introduced. Recently, there is significant interest in biological treatment to facilitate the healing environment and tissue proliferation in elbow tendinopathy. Biological agents such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cells are likely to be established as one of the nonoperative treatment methods that can have long-term therapeutic effects in the future, given their theoretical basis. Despite many previous studies using biological agents such as PRP and stem cells in the elbow, its beneficial effect on elbow tendinopathy is controversial. Thus, the purpose of this review is to provide an evidence-based summary of the biologic agent for treating elbow tendinopathy and to identify areas where further research is warranted.

Gall-Inducing Tephritid Flies (Diptera: Tephritidae): Evolution and Host–Plant Relations

The molecular-based phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Tephritinae, the subfamily that contains almost all the cecidogenous species of the family Tephritidae, has reassigned several tribes and groups of genera and modified their concepts based on morphology alone to other tribes and, thus, changed the hypothetical scenarios of evolution of fly/host–plant relations and, in particular, the gall induction in different phylogenetic lineages. Gall induction is shown to arise independently within the Myopitini (in two lineages), Cecidocharini, Tomoplagia group of genera, Eurostini, Eutreta, Tephritis group of genera, Platensinini, Campiglossa group of genera, and Sphenella group of genera independently and more or less synchronously due to the shift to host plants with smaller flower heads and sensitive to larval feeding causing tissue proliferation. This was possibly a result of temporary aridization of the grassy biomes in the Nearctic and Afrotropic regions in the late Miocene or early Pliocene.

Idiopathic fibrous mediastinitis with refractory pleural effusion: a case report and literature review

Fibrous mediastinitis is a rare progressive disease characterized by invasive proliferation of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum. This tissue proliferation leads to compression of the mediastinal structures in the thoracic cavity, including the pulmonary vessels, esophagus, and trachea, causing corresponding symptoms and complications such as pulmonary hypertension. In clinical practice, the diagnosis of fibrous mediastinitis is often delayed or missed because of the rarity and variable clinical manifestations of this condition. This article presents a case of idiopathic fibrous mediastinitis that manifested as pleural effusion of unknown etiology along with a review of the relevant literature.

Preliminary Experience With a Novel Metallic Segmented Transcordal Stent Modified With Three-Dimensional Printing for Inoperable Malignant Laryngotracheal Stenosis

BackgroundThis study aims to assess the feasibility of a novel metallic segmented transcordal stent modified with three-dimensional (3D) printing for treating inoperable malignant laryngotracheal stenosis and the tolerability of the stent.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. The stents were individually customized with the aid of 3D printing model based on the anatomic features of each patient’s airway. The stent was composed of two separate segments that corresponded to the larynx and the upper trachea. The stents were barrel-shaped at the proximal end to prevent migration. The proximal end of the stent was located slightly above the vocal cord. The technical and clinical success of stenting procedure, patient tolerability, and stent-related complications of patients were evaluated.ResultsTen patients with dyspnea caused by malignant laryngotracheal stenosis underwent implantation of such stents. Technical and clinical success of the stenting procedure were achieved in all patients. For all patients, basic communication in life could be maintained by speaking softly. During follow-up, one patient showed intolerance to the stent, and the stent was retrieved 2 weeks after stenting. Stent migration was found in one patient, and the position of the stent was readjusted. Granulation tissue proliferation was found in two patients and was treated with cryotherapy by bronchoscopy. There were no deaths associated with stenting.ConclusionsThe individually customized metallic segmented transcordal stent is feasible and tolerable for patients with inoperable malignant laryngotracheal stenosis. The implantation of this stent may serve as a novel alternative treatment for patients who are not suitable for surgery or tracheotomy.

Vitrectomy With Internal Limiting Membrane Transplants in the Closure of 2 Adjacent Macular Holes

Purpose: Two adjacent macular holes (MHs), which were noted in the highly myopic left eye of an 85-year-old woman, is an uncommon clinical presentation. This case report presents the successful closure of the 2 adjacent MHs using internal limiting membrane (ILM) transplants during vitrectomy that included. Methods: ILM transplants were placed within both MHs during vitrectomy that included ILM peeling and fluid gas exchange with 18% perfluoropropane (C3F8) and postoperative facedown positioning for 1 week. Results: Both MHs were successfully closed following surgery with improvement in vision and decrease in metamorphopsia. Conclusions: This case suggested that relief of traction by ILM peeling and placement of ILM transplants within both MHs to provide a scaffold and stimulate glial tissue proliferation may have facilitated closure of the 2 adjacent MHs, which is a difficult management problem to manage and not previously reported to the best of our knowledge.

Development and Evaluation of Rifampicin Loaded Alginate–Gelatin Biocomposite Microfibers

Various systematic phases such as inflammation, tissue proliferation, and phases of remodeling characterize the process of wound healing. The natural matrix system is suggested to maintain and escalate these phases, and for that, microfibers were fabricated employing naturally occurring polymers (biopolymers) such as sodium alginate, gelatin and xanthan gum, and reinforcing material such as nanoclay was selected. The fabrication of fibers was executed with the aid of extrusion-gelation method. Rifampicin, an antibiotic, has been incorporated into a biopolymeric solution. RF1, RF2, RF3, RF4 and RF5 were coded as various formulation batches of microfibers. The microfibers were further characterized by different techniques such as SEM, DSC, XRD, and FTIR. Mechanical properties and physical evaluations such as entrapment efficiency, water uptake and in vitro release were also carried out to explain the comparative understanding of the formulation developed. The antimicrobial activity and whole blood clotting of fabricated fibers were additionally executed, hence they showed significant results, having excellent antimicrobial properties; they could be prominent carriers for wound healing applications.