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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to clarify the news and to summarize recommended methods in the quantification of female pelvic organ prolapse (POP). DESIGN: Summarizing study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University, University Hospital Brno. METHODS: The terminology of POP was significantly reworked in last decades. It is important to use common classification system for mutual communication of specialists and for exact interpretationof research. RESULTS: The older classifications of POP are not exact enough for interpretation of research. International classification system Pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) brought necessary consensus in the terminology, encompassing many parameters that exactly define individual anatomy of each female patient. This detailed terminology could be replaced with simplified but also satisfactorily detailed version called Simplified POP-Q for the regular clinical practice. Modern classification of POP is still developing and new concepts of vaginal and perineal measurements for description of operation techniques effectiveness are waiting for further validation. CONCLUSION: Modern terminology and classification of POP meets the requirements of current science and research and also is usable for regular clinical practice.
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Ginecología/normas , Prolapso de Órgano Pélvico/clasificación , Terminología como Asunto , Femenino , Enfermedades de los Genitales Femeninos , Humanos , Embarazo , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , VaginaRESUMEN
Oil-contaminated wastewaters are generally treated by a combination of physico-chemical and biological methods. Interest in the anaerobic treatment of oily wastewaters has increased since it complements aerobic treatment and produces energy in the form of methane. The objectives of this study were to characterise the anaerobic process spontaneously occurring in a full-scale storage tank at a facility treating waste oil and oil-contaminated effluents, and to evaluate the applicability of an anaerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (AnMBBR) and an anaerobic contact reactor (ACR) for treating the oil contaminated wastewater feeding the storage tank. Three lab-scale reactors were operated in parallel over 465 days: one mesophilic and one thermophilic AnMBBR, and one thermophilic ACR. The wastewater had a high strength with an average chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 36â¯g/L with a soluble fraction of 80%. The BOD7/COD ratios varied between 0.1 and 0.5, indicating low aerobic degradability. However, biomethane potential tests indicated some level of anaerobic degradability with methane yields between 150 and 200 NmL/gCOD. The full-scale storage tank operated at low organic loading rates (0.35-0.43 kgCOD/m3d), and long hydraulic retention times (HRTâ¯=â¯83-104â¯d). In comparison, the AnMBBRs achieved similar COD reductions (60%) as the full-scale tank but at a much shorter HRT of 30â¯d. Similar efficiency could only be reached at longer HRTs (43â¯d) in the ACR due to low biomass levels resulting from poor sludge settleability. The methane yield was higher (210 NmLCH4/COD removed) in the AnMBBR operated at 37⯰C, compared to the other reactors working at 50⯰C (180 NmLCH4/COD removed). This reactor also maintained a higher COD removal (67%) at an increased OLR of 1.1 kgCOD/m3d than the AnMBBR at 50⯰C. The microbial composition of the biomass from the full-scale tank and the laboratory reactors provided evidence for the conversion of oil-contaminated wastewater into methane with a relatively high abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogens.
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Eliminación de Residuos Líquidos , Aguas Residuales , Anaerobiosis , Biopelículas , Reactores Biológicos , MetanoRESUMEN
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) has long been associated with poor asthma control without an established cause-effect relationship. 610 asthmatics (421 severe/88 mild-moderate) and 101 healthy controls were assessed clinically and a subset of 154 severe asthmatics underwent proteomic analysis of induced sputum using untargeted mass spectrometry, LC-IMS-MSE. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses (MLR) were conducted to identify proteins associated with GORD in this cohort. When compared to mild/moderate asthmatics and healthy individuals, respectively, GORD was three- and ten-fold more prevalent in severe asthmatics and was associated with increased asthma symptoms and oral corticosteroid use, poorer quality of life, depression/anxiety, obesity and symptoms of sino-nasal disease. Comparison of sputum proteomes in severe asthmatics with and without active GORD showed five differentially abundant proteins with described roles in anti-microbial defences, systemic inflammation and epithelial integrity. Three of these were associated with active GORD by multiple linear regression analysis: Ig lambda variable 1-47 (pâ¯=â¯0·017) and plasma protease C1 inhibitor (pâ¯=â¯0·043), both in lower concentrations, and lipocalin-1 (pâ¯=â¯0·034) in higher concentrations in active GORD. This study provides evidence which suggests that reflux can cause subtle perturbation of proteins detectable in the airways lining fluid and that severe asthmatics with GORD may represent a distinct phenotype of asthma.
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Asma/complicaciones , Asma/metabolismo , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/complicaciones , Proteómica/métodos , Esputo/metabolismo , Adulto , Asma/epidemiología , Asma/psicología , Endopeptidasas/metabolismo , Unión Europea/organización & administración , Femenino , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/diagnóstico , Reflujo Gastroesofágico/epidemiología , Humanos , Cadenas lambda de Inmunoglobulina/metabolismo , Lipocalina 1/metabolismo , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prevalencia , Estudios Prospectivos , Inhibidores de Proteasas/metabolismo , Calidad de Vida , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
AIM: To analyze interactions between α-synuclein (αS) protein and lipids using biophysical methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Recombinant α-synuclein synthesized in prokaryotic cells was used. To characterize the interaction of αS with negatively charged vesicles of DOPS (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine, sodium salt) and DOPG (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1'-rac-glycerol), sodium salt) and the consequences of such interactions on αS amyloid formation, combined circular dichroism, fluorescence and imaging methods in vitro were applied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lipid head-group chemistry modulates αS interactions and also affects amyloid fiber formation. Pre-formed αS oligomers, typically present in a small amount in the αS starting material, acted as templates for linear growth of anomalous amyloid fibers in the presence of vesicles. At the same time, the remaining αS monomers were restricted from vesicle-mediated nucleation of amyloid fibers. Although not a dominant process in bulk experiments, this hidden αS aggregation pathway may be of importance in vivo.
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Enfermedad de Parkinson , alfa-Sinucleína , Proteínas Amiloidogénicas , Evaluación Educacional , Humanos , Enfermedad de Parkinson/metabolismo , Enfermedad de Parkinson/fisiopatología , alfa-Sinucleína/metabolismoRESUMEN
Abdominal fat accumulation is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. The purpose of the study is to assess the possibility of developing accurate estimation equations based on body measurements to determine total abdominal (TFA), subcutaneous (SFA) and visceral fat area (VFA). Hungarian volunteers (n=198) aged between 20 and 81 years were enrolled in the study, which was conducted between July and November 2014. All persons underwent anthropometric measurements and computer tomographic (CT) scanning. Sex-specific multiple linear regression analyses were conducted in a subgroup of 98 participants to generate estimation models, then Bland-Altman's analyses were applied in the cross-validation group to compare their predictive efficiency. The variables best predicting VFA were hip circumference, calf circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) for males (R2=0.713; SEE=5602.1mm2) and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), WHR, thigh circumference and triceps skinfold for females (R2=0.845; SEE=3835.6mm2). The SFA prediction equation included SAD, thigh circumference and abdominal skinfold for males (R2=0.848; SEE=4124.1mm2), body mass index and thigh circumference for females (R2=0.861; SEE=5049.7mm2). Prediction accuracy was the highest in the case of TFA: hip circumference and WHR for males (R2=0.910; SEE=5637.2mm2), SAD, thigh circumference and abdominal skinfold for females (R2=0.915; SEE=6197.5mm2) were used in the equations. The results suggested that deviations in the predictions were independent of the amount of adipose tissue. Estimation of abdominal fat depots based on anthropometric traits could provide a cheap, reliable method in epidemiologic research and public health screening to evaluate the risk of cardiometabolic events.
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Grasa Abdominal/anatomía & histología , Adiposidad , Antropometría/métodos , Grasa Abdominal/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Bioestadística , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Obesidad Abdominal/diagnóstico por imagen , Obesidad Abdominal/patología , Factores de Riesgo , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , Relación Cintura-Cadera , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Biomarkers for pulmonary manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are missing. Plasma samples of nine SLE patients with known pulmonary involvement (SLEpulm) and nine SLE patients without pulmonary involvement (SLE) were tested by multiplex microarray analysis for various cyto- and chemokines. Significantly decreased lung function paramters for forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and diffusion of CO corrected on lung volume (KLCO) were observed in SLEpulm as compared to SLE patients. CC chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21) and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) levels were significantly higher in SLEpulm, than in patients without pulmonary manifestations. CCL21 correlated negatively with DLCO ( r = -0.73; p < 0.01) and KLCO ( r = -0.62; p < 0.01), while IP-10 with FVC and forced expiratory volume one second. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis confirmed high sensitivity and specificity for the separation of SLE patients with and without pulmonary involvement for the chemokines CCL21 (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.85; sensitivity%: 88.90; specificity%: 75.00; p < 0.01) and IP-10 (AUC: 0.82; sensitivity%: 66.67, specificity%: 100; p < 0.01). Pleuropulmonary manifestations in SLE patients associated with lung functional and DLCO/KLCO changes and were associated with significant increase in CCL21 and IP-10. These chemokines might serve as potential biomarkers of lung involvement in SLE patients.
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Biomarcadores/sangre , Quimiocina CCL2/sangre , Quimiocina CXCL10/sangre , Enfermedades Pulmonares/inmunología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/complicaciones , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Humanos , Enfermedades Pulmonares/fisiopatología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/inmunología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Capacidad Pulmonar Total , Regulación hacia ArribaRESUMEN
UNLABELLED: Genetic effects that contribute to the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been reported. Our purpose was to estimate the possible genetic influence on CT features related to COPD in twins. METHODS: Two COPD-discordant and one COPD-concordant monozygotic (MZ) twin pair, in addition to 2 control dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs underwent a low-dose high resolution computer tomography (HRCT) in inspiration and expiration (Philips Brilliance 16). RESULTS: Monozygotic twins were more similar in lung volume expiration and in air trapping score compared to dizygotics (382 cm(3) vs. 2303 cm(3) and 17.6% vs. 26.6%, respectively). In general, MZ twin pairs showed almost identical HRCT features independently of smoking attitude and COPD status. The dizygotic twin pairs showed larger differences in HRCT features compared to MZ twins. CONCLUSIONS: Lung parenchymal and small airway changes (lung density, presence of bronchial wall thickening, bronchiectasis and/or mucus plug formation, air trapping and emphysema score) seem to be genetically associated traits, independently of smoking/COPD history. A future study with a larger sample size should confirm our findings.
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Enfermedades en Gemelos/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedades en Gemelos/genética , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Tomografía Computarizada Multidetector , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/diagnóstico por imagen , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/genética , Gemelos Dicigóticos/genética , Gemelos Monocigóticos/genética , Anciano , Enfermedades en Gemelos/fisiopatología , Espiración , Femenino , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Humanos , Inhalación , Pulmón/fisiopatología , Mediciones del Volumen Pulmonar , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fenotipo , Proyectos Piloto , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/fisiopatología , Factores de Riesgo , Fumar/efectos adversos , Capacidad VitalRESUMEN
A co-digestion process was evaluated when mixing different ratios of agro-industrial residues, i.e. bovine slaughterhouse waste (SB); cow manure (M); various crop residues (VC); and municipal solid waste (MSW) by anaerobic batch digestion under thermophilic conditions (55 °C). A selected study case at mesophilic condition (37 °C) was also investigated. The performance of the co-digestion was evaluated by kinetics (k(0)). The best kinetic results were obtained under thermophilic operation when a mixture of 22% w/w SB, 22% w/w M, 45% w/w VC and 11% w/w MSW was co-digested, which showed a proper combination of high values in r(s)CH(4) and k(0) (0.066 Nm(3)CH(4)/kgVS*d, 0.336 d(-1)) during the anaerobic process. The effect of temperature on methane yield (Y(CH4)), specific methane rate (r(s)CH(4)) and k(0) was also analyzed for a specific study case; there a mixture of 25% w/w of SB, 37.5% w/w of M, 37.5% of VC and 0% of MSW was used. Response variables were severely affected by mesophilic conditions, diminishing to at least 45% of the thermophilic values obtained for a similar mixture. The effect of temperature suggested that thermophilic conditions are suitable to treat these residues.
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Mataderos , Productos Agrícolas , Residuos Industriales , Estiércol , Eliminación de Residuos , Anaerobiosis , Animales , Bovinos , TemperaturaRESUMEN
Asthmatic inflammation during pregnancy poses a risk for maternal and fetal morbidities. Circulating T cell immune phenotype is known to correlate with airway inflammation (detectable by fractional concentration of nitric oxide present in exhaled breath (FENO)) in non-pregnant allergic asthmatics. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of peripheral T cell phenotype to FENO and clinical variables of asthma during pregnancy.We examined 22 pregnant women with allergic asthma in the 2nd/3rd trimester. The prevalence of Th1, Th2, regulatory T (Treg) and natural killer (NK) cell subsets was identified with flow cytometry using cell-specific markers. FENO, Asthma Control Test (ACT) total score and lung function were evaluated.Peripheral blood Th1, Th2, Treg, and NK cell prevalence were not significantly correlated to airway inflammation assessed by FENO in asthmatic pregnant women (all cells p > 0.05; study power > 75%). However, an inverse correlation was detected between Th2 cell prevalence and ACT total scores (p = 0.03) in asthmatic pregnancy.Blunted relationship between T cell profile and airway inflammation may be the result of pregnancy induced immune tolerance in asthmatic pregnancy. On the other hand, increased Th2 response impairs disease control that supports direct relationship between symptoms and cellular mechanisms of asthma during pregnancy.
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Asma/inmunología , Neumonía/inmunología , Complicaciones del Embarazo/inmunología , Subgrupos de Linfocitos T/citología , Subgrupos de Linfocitos T/inmunología , Adulto , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Pruebas Respiratorias , Estudios Transversales , Eosinófilos/citología , Eosinófilos/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , Células Asesinas Naturales/citología , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Pulmón/inmunología , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Embarazo , Linfocitos T Reguladores/citología , Linfocitos T Reguladores/inmunología , Células TH1/citología , Células TH1/inmunología , Células Th2/citología , Células Th2/inmunologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate a wide spectrum of peripheral immune-competent cell types, reflecting overall disturbances in immune homeostasis, characteristic of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We also assessed visceral organ involvement and evaluated the relationship between cell proportions and clinical symptoms of the disease. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and 15 healthy individuals participated in the study. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups were quantified by flow cytometry, soluble cytokines were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum complement levels were measured by nephelometry, and autoantibodies were determined by indirect immunofluorescence staining and ELISA technique. Functional tests of regulatory T (Treg) cells were also carried out. RESULTS: Patients with SSc had higher percentages of activated CD3+/HLA-DR+ T cells. Comparing naive vs. memory subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, a shift towards central memory phenotype was observed in SSc. Natural killer (NK) and T-helper (Th)17 cell percentages were increased, while NKT, Th1, Treg type 1 (Tr1), and CD4+CD25+ Treg cell percentages were decreased in patients. Moreover, the suppressor activity of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells was lower in SSc. Negative correlations occurred between modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) and Tr1 cell percentages and between complement levels and CD4+CD25+ Treg cells. We also found decreased interleukin (IL)-10 levels in SSc. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the increased Th17/CD4+CD25+ Treg ratio and the altered regulatory function of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells play an important role in the development of SSc. Moreover, our study reveals the potential role of the decreased profile of IL-10-producing Tr1 cells in the progression of disproportionate immune responses in SSc.
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Esclerodermia Difusa/inmunología , Subgrupos de Linfocitos T/inmunología , Linfocitos T Reguladores/inmunología , Citocinas/metabolismo , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , Femenino , Citometría de Flujo , Técnica del Anticuerpo Fluorescente Indirecta , Humanos , Inmunidad Celular , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Esclerodermia Difusa/metabolismo , Subgrupos de Linfocitos T/metabolismo , Linfocitos T Reguladores/metabolismoRESUMEN
The need for non-invasive assessment of airway inflammation is imperative, since inflammatory airway diseases, such as asthma and COPD, are characterized by variation in their clinical presentation throughout their course. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) collection represents a rather appealing method that can be used to conveniently and noninvasively collect a wide range of volatile and non-volatile molecules from the respiratory tract, without affecting airway function or inflammation. Although promising, EBC is currently used only as a research tool, due to the lack of appropriate standardization and the absence of reference values. A large number of mediators of inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress, including adenosine, ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, isoprostanes, leukotrienes, prostanoids, nitrogen oxides, peptides and cytokines, have been studied in EBC. This review focuses mainly on the presentation of the above biomarkers in asthma as well as on the effect of various factors on their concentrations. Concentrations of such mediators have been shown to be related to the underlying asthma and its severity and to be modulated by therapeutic interventions. Despite the encouraging positive results up-to-date, the introduction of EBC in everyday clinical practice requires the work-out of some methodological pitfalls, the standardization of EBC collection, and finally the identification of a reliable biomarker which is reproducible, has normal values and provides information for the underlying inflammatory process and the response to treatment. So far none of the parameters studied in EBC fulfils the aforementioned requirements.
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Asma/diagnóstico , Asma/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/análisis , Pruebas Respiratorias/métodos , Dinoprost/análogos & derivados , Dinoprost/análisis , Dinoprost/metabolismo , Eicosanoides/análisis , Eicosanoides/metabolismo , Humanos , Peróxido de Hidrógeno/análisis , Peróxido de Hidrógeno/metabolismo , Leucotrienos/análisis , Leucotrienos/metabolismo , Óxidos de Nitrógeno/análisis , Óxidos de Nitrógeno/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo/fisiologíaRESUMEN
A collaboration of multidisciplinary experts on the delivery of pharmaceutical aerosols was facilitated by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the International Society for Aerosols in Medicine (ISAM), in order to draw up a consensus statement with clear, up-to-date recommendations that enable the pulmonary physician to choose the type of aerosol delivery device that is most suitable for their patient. The focus of the consensus statement is the patient-use aspect of the aerosol delivery devices that are currently available. The subject was divided into different topics, which were in turn assigned to at least two experts. The authors searched the literature according to their own strategies, with no central literature review being performed. To achieve consensus, draft reports and recommendations were reviewed and voted on by the entire panel. Specific recommendations for use of the devices can be found throughout the statement. Healthcare providers should ensure that their patients can and will use these devices correctly. This requires that the clinician: is aware of the devices that are currently available to deliver the prescribed drugs; knows the various techniques that are appropriate for each device; is able to evaluate the patient's inhalation technique to be sure they are using the devices properly; and ensures that the inhalation method is appropriate for each patient.
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Comités Consultivos/normas , Neumología/normas , Terapia Respiratoria/normas , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/tratamiento farmacológico , Administración por Inhalación , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Niño , Preescolar , Fibrosis Quística/tratamiento farmacológico , Hipertensión Pulmonar Primaria Familiar , Humanos , Hipertensión Pulmonar/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades Pulmonares/tratamiento farmacológico , Nebulizadores y Vaporizadores , Relaciones Médico-Paciente , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/tratamiento farmacológico , Respiración Artificial/métodosRESUMEN
Ageing lung cancer patients may be at increased risk of Cisplatin (Cp) nephrotoxicity, because of comorbidities leading to accelerated ageing of the kidneys. Therefore, the Cp-induced impairement of renal function was compared between no comorbidity (NC) and hypertension plus ischaemic heart disease (CD) patients or others having diabetes mellitus plus ischaemic heart disease (DMIH). In a preliminary study, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured by clearance of technetium 99m-labelled diethylene-thiamine penta-acetate in 38 lung cancer patients with normal serum creatinine concentration ([creat]). Then, the incidence of nephrotoxicity was analysed retrospectively over 1st-4th cycles of Cp treatment among 242 lung cancer patients with initially normal [creat]. GFR was repeatedly estimated using calculated creatinine clearance. Pre-treatment GFR was 57 ± 3 mL·min⻹·m⻲ in those with normal (n = 15) and 42 ± 2 mL·min⻹·m⻲ in those with pathologically increased (n = 23) [creat] any time following their 2nd-4th Cp cycle (p < 0.05). The retrospective analysis revealed that Cp-induced nephrotoxicity developed in 7.5% of the NC (n = 80), in 20.9% of the CD (n = 110) and in 30.8% of the DMIH (n = 52) subgroups. Within the overall dropout rate from further Cp chemotherapy, nephrotoxicity was responsible in 14% of NC, 38% in CD and 75% in DMIH patients. A major portion of our ageing lung cancer patients suffered from comorbidities leading to reduced renal resistance to Cp nephrotoxicity.
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Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/complicaciones , Cisplatino/toxicidad , Complicaciones de la Diabetes/metabolismo , Riñón/efectos de los fármacos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamiento farmacológico , Envejecimiento , Antineoplásicos/toxicidad , Creatinina/metabolismo , Femenino , Tasa de Filtración Glomerular , Corazón/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Isquemia , Pruebas de Función Hepática , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Pentetato de Tecnecio Tc 99m/farmacologíaRESUMEN
The aim of the present study was to describe subsets of cells with regulatory properties in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS), and to correlate these cell populations with clinical symptoms. Among the 32 investigated patients, 23 had extraglandular manifestations (EGMs), while nine had only glandular symptoms. Twenty healthy individuals served as controls. The percentages of natural killer (NK), natural killer T cells (NK T), interleukin (IL)-10 producing T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (T(reg)) cells were determined by flow cytometry and serum cytokine levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Functional tests were carried out to assess the suppressor properties of T(reg) cells in patients and controls. Peripheral NK, NK T and Tr1 cell percentages were elevated in pSS, while CD4(+)CD25(+) T(reg) cells showed reduced frequencies in patients compared to controls. In pSS, elevated percentages of NK T, Tr1 and CD4(+)CD25(+) T(reg) cells were observed in patients with EGMs, when compared to patients with sicca symptoms only. CD4(+)CD25(+) T(reg) cell percentages showed a negative correlation with sialometry values. The in vitro functional assay demonstrated lower suppression activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) T(reg) cells in patients compared to controls. Serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were elevated, while IL-10 was decreased in patients compared to controls. Negative correlation was found between IL-10 levels and the percentages of Tr1 cells. Changes in the investigated subsets of regulatory cells in pSS may contribute to the development and progression of the disease.
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Síndrome de Sjögren/inmunología , Linfocitos T Reguladores/inmunología , Biomarcadores/sangre , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Proliferación Celular , Femenino , Citometría de Flujo , Humanos , Interferón gamma/sangre , Interleucina-10/sangre , Subunidad alfa del Receptor de Interleucina-2/inmunología , Interleucina-4/sangre , Interleucina-6/sangre , Activación de Linfocitos , Recuento de Linfocitos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Células T Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Síndrome de Sjögren/patología , Estadísticas no Paramétricas , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/sangreRESUMEN
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Results of therapeutic interventions are particularly discouraging when the disease is discovered in an advanced stage. Early diagnosis is limited by the fact that the disease usually develops asymptomatically and available screening methods do not fulfil the requirements for reliable discrimination between patients with lung cancer and subjects not suffering from the disease. Breath sampling is completely noninvasive and provides a potentially useful approach to screening lung cancer. Exhaled biomarkers contain both volatile and nonvolatile molecules. The profile of volatile organic compounds is different in patients with lung cancer than in control subjects. In exhaled breath condensate, the proteomic profile of breath from cancer patients differs from that of healthy smokers. We reviewed the scientific evidence demonstrating that a unique chemical signature can be detected in the breath of patients with lung cancer and that the exhaled breath biomarker profile could aid clinical decision making.
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Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Pruebas Respiratorias/métodos , Detección Precoz del Cáncer , Espiración , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Animales , Biomarcadores de Tumor , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Perros , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/metabolismo , Masculino , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Fumar/efectos adversos , Compuestos Orgánicos Volátiles/metabolismoRESUMEN
Recently, associations were found between several autoimmune diseases and functional variants of interleukin-23 receptor (IL23R) gene; here, we studied the possible association of nine polymorphisms of IL23R with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and with Sjögren syndrome (SS). In our study, we genotyped groups of patients with AS (n = 206), SS (n = 156) and healthy controls (n = 235) for rs11805303, rs10889677, rs1004819, rs2201841, rs11209032, rs11209026, rs10489629, rs7517847 and rs7530511 variants using PCR-RFLP methods. We observed significant increase in the carriage of the T allele of rs11805303 and the A allele of rs1004189 in the AS group compared with the controls. For the rs10889677 variant, the prevalence of the AA genotype and for the rs2201841, the CC genotype showed a more than two-fold increase in the AS group compared with the controls. By contrast, the GA heterozygous genotype of rs11209026 variant showed a significant decrease in AS patients compared with controls. Haplotype analysis revealed association of four IL23R haplotypes with AS. There was no difference in the distribution of any of the examined IL23R variants between controls and SS patients. In conclusion, we confirmed the susceptibility or protective associations of IL23R polymorphisms with AS in a Hungarian population and first demonstrated the involvement of the rs11805303 intronic single nucleotide polymorphisms, which was tested so far only for other autoimmune diseases.
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Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Receptores de Interleucina/genética , Síndrome de Sjögren/genética , Espondilitis Anquilosante/genética , Genotipo , Humanos , Hungría , Persona de Mediana Edad , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Polimorfismo de Longitud del Fragmento de Restricción , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido SimpleRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The effect of hypoxic relapse of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on lung adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration was studied measuring ATP in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). SUBJECTS: Thirty COPD patients with severe exacerbation, thirteen healthy non-smokers and thirteen healthy smokers. METHODS: ATP was detected using a luciferin-luciferase assay, dilution of airway droplets in EBC was assessed measuring sample conductivity. RESULTS: ATP concentrations were similar in COPD patients, non-smoking and smoking healthy individuals (141 +/- 44, 115 +/- 21 and 90 +/- 15 pM; p = 0.66). After treatment oxygenation of COPD patients improved (6.85 +/- 1.29 kPa vs. 8.20 +/- 1.28 kPa, p < 0.001), but EBC ATP concentration was similar to that of admission (p = 0.84). There was no correlation between EBC ATP concentration and airway droplet dilution. CONCLUSION: ATP detected in EBC indicates the presence of ATP in airway lining fluid. Lack of difference in ATP concentration between health and COPD suggests that airway ATP level is under complex control of multiple factors.
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Adenosina Trifosfato/metabolismo , Pruebas Respiratorias , Espiración , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/metabolismo , Adulto , Anciano , Líquidos Corporales/química , Femenino , Humanos , Hipoxia , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica/fisiopatología , FumarRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to investigate the effects of 12-week oral magnesium (Mg) supplementation on the RBC redox system in stable, persistent, moderately asthmatic children (N = 40, 24 boys, 16 girls) aged 4-16 years in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. DESIGN: Oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) glutathione, oxyhaemoglobin, methaemoglobin (metHb), hemichrome and bilirubin levels before and after treatment were determined, and GSH stability tests were performed. RESULT: The GSH concentration was significantly higher in the Mg-treated than in the placebo-treated patients after the treatment period. There was a positive correlation between the decreased plasma metHb and hemichrome levels and the decreased plasma haemoglobin concentrations in the Mg-treated patients at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Mg in the given doses exerts antioxidant activity and influences the glutathione redox system.
Asunto(s)
Asma/dietoterapia , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Suplementos Dietéticos , Glutatión/metabolismo , Magnesio/uso terapéutico , Adolescente , Asma/inmunología , Niño , Preescolar , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Glutatión/química , Hemoproteínas/metabolismo , Hemoglobinas/química , Hemoglobinas/metabolismo , Humanos , Masculino , Oxidación-Reducción , Estrés Oxidativo , PlacebosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies of IgG isotype are specific diagnostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent evidence also points to their direct involvement in the pathophysiology. Little information is available, however, regarding the isotype distribution of anti-CCP antibodies and the characteristics of IgA and IgM anti-CCP. METHODS: IgG, IgA and IgM anti-CCP2 and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were measured in the sera of 119 RA patients and 118 controls, including patients with other rheumatic diseases and healthy subjects. We analyzed the diagnostic performance of IgA and IgM anti-CCP2 antibodies and their relationship with IgG anti-CCP2, RFs, disease duration and the presence of HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) alleles. RESULTS: Patients with RA had significantly higher serum IgA and IgM anti-CCP2 antibody levels than healthy subjects and patients with other rheumatic diseases (p<0.0001). IgG, IgA and IgM anti-CCP2 antibodies were present in 74.8%, 52.9% and 44.5% of RA patients, and their diagnostic specificity was 95.8%, 95.8% and 91.6%, respectively. The presence of anti-CCP2 antibodies was significantly associated with SE alleles (p=0.03). The frequency of IgM anti-CCP2 positivity was lower in longstanding disease compared to early RA (p=0.03). CONCLUSION: IgA and IgM anti-CCP2 antibodies are present in RA patients, and they are similarly specific for RA as IgG anti-CCP2. The higher frequency of IgM anti-CCP2 antibodies in early RA suggests that they are mostly generated during the first phase of immune response; nonetheless, their production seems to be sustained in some patients. Further analysis of IgM and IgA anti-CCP2 antibodies may provide insights into the pathogenesis of RA.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/genética , Artritis Reumatoide/inmunología , Autoanticuerpos/inmunología , Péptidos Cíclicos/inmunología , Factor Reumatoide/inmunología , Adulto , Anciano , Artritis Reumatoide/epidemiología , Autoanticuerpos/sangre , Epítopos/genética , Epítopos/inmunología , Femenino , Genotipo , Antígenos HLA-DR/genética , Cadenas HLA-DRB1 , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina A/sangre , Inmunoglobulina A/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Inmunoglobulina G/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina M/sangre , Inmunoglobulina M/inmunología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factor Reumatoide/sangre , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To describe how certain peripheral immune parameters reflect the inflammatory alterations in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We determined lymphocyte subpopulations and their state of activation from peripheral blood, evaluating both soluble serum T-helper (Th)1/Th2-type cytokines and intracytoplasmic cytokines. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with newly diagnosed pSS and 40 healthy individuals, all free from immunomodulant or immunosuppressive medication, were studied. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups were quantified by flow cytometry, soluble cytokines were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and intracellular cytokine levels were measured after phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation by flow cytometry after staining of intracellular cytokines. RESULTS: Patients with primary SS had higher percentages of activated CD3+/CD69+ T cells than controls. When comparing naïve vs. memory subsets of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, a shift towards the memory phenotype was observed for both. Natural killer (NK) cell and NK T-cell (NKT) percentages and Th0 and Th1 cell numbers were increased in patients compared to controls. Among circulating cytokines, interferon (IFN)-gamma was high, whereas interleukin (IL)-10 was decreased in SS when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: SS, considered as a systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by a complex interplay of various cytokines and immune cells. The skewed T-cell subsets and cytokine imbalance play important roles in an orchestrated proinflammatory cascade.