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Small ruminants and camels are important livestock species in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), although Brucella infection can limit their productivity. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Brucella infection and its associated risk factors in small ruminants and camels in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Additionally, seropositive animals were tested for the DNA of Brucella. Multispecies competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA) and multispecies indirect (i-ELISA) were used to test 3,086 animals from 2022 to 2023. Brucella cell surface 31 kDa protein (bcsp31) gene-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) was used to detect Brucella DNA. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between seroprevalence and potential risk factors. The overall seroprevalences of Brucella infection were 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2%-2.2%) and 5.8% (95% CI, 5.0%-6.7%) based on serial and parallel testing, respectively. The DNA of Brucella was detected in 13 of the 51 seropositive animals. The overall seroprevalence of Brucella infection was associated with the region, type of animal holding, species, and age of the animals. In conclusion, this study documented Brucella infection in small ruminants and camels in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, warranting necessary intervention strategies to eliminate Brucella infections in livestock populations.
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The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in regional anesthesia has brought about transformative changes in acute pain management for surgical procedures. This review explores the evolving landscape of AI and robotics applications in regional anesthesia, outlining their potential benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations. AI-driven pain assessment, real-time guidance for needle placement during nerve blocks, and predictive modeling solutions for nerve blocks have the potential to enhance procedural precision and improve patient outcomes. Robotic technology aids in accurate needle insertion, reducing complications and improving pain relief. This review also highlights the ethical and safety considerations surrounding AI implementation, emphasizing data security and professional training. While challenges such as costs and regulatory hurdles exist, ongoing research and clinical trials demonstrate the practical utility of these technologies. In conclusion, AI and robotics have the potential to reshape regional anesthesia practice, ultimately improving patient care and procedural accuracy in pain management.
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Effusions, characterized by abnormal fluid accumulations in body cavities, present difficulties in identifying the primary organs of metastatic tumors through cytopathologic investigation, particularly in cancer-related complications. This retrospective cross-sectional laboratory study aimed to investigate the role of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) in distinguishing lung adenocarcinomas from non-pulmonary adenocarcinomas in effusions. The study was conducted at Almobarak Cytopathology Laboratory, a private cytopathology laboratory. H&E was used to confirm the histological diagnosis of 58 archived cell blocks. TTF-1 immunostaining patterns were then correlated with the histological diagnosis. Statistical analysis, including numerical and graphical data summaries, was conducted using the Chi-square test in SPSS 23. TTF-1 expression was observed in 20 (34.4%) cases, while 38 (65.5%) cases showed no TTF-1 reaction. Positive TTF-1 was found in pleural fluid in 61.1 % of lung adenocarcinomas, while negative TTF-1 was found in only 3.4%. TTF-1 was not detected in the majority of peritoneal fluid samples. There was a highly significant relationship between pleural fluid, TTF-1, and lung adenocarcinoma (p=0.000). The data provided further evidence that TTF-1 is a useful marker for distinguishing pulmonary adenocarcinomas from non-pulmonary adenocarcinoma tumors.
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Adenocarcinoma del Pulmón , Adenocarcinoma , Neoplasias Pulmonares , Humanos , Estudios Transversales , Estudios Retrospectivos , Glándula Tiroides , Adenocarcinoma del Pulmón/diagnóstico , Adenocarcinoma/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnósticoRESUMEN
The Wnt pathway has been recognized for its crucial role in human development and homeostasis, but its dysregulation has also been linked to several disorders, including cancer. Wnt signaling is crucial for the development and metastasis of several kinds of cancer. Moreover, members of the Wnt pathway have been proven to be effective biomarkers and promising cancer therapeutic targets. Abnormal stimulation of the Wnt signaling pathway has been linked to the initiation and advancement of cancer in both clinical research and in vitro investigations. A reduction in cancer incidence rate and an improvement in survival may result from targeting the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. As a result, blocking this pathway has been the focus of cancer research, and several candidates that can be targeted are currently being developed. Flavonoids derived from plants exhibit growth inhibitory, apoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-migratory effects against various malignancies. Moreover, flavonoids influence different signaling pathways, including Wnt, to exert their anticancer effects. In this review, we comprehensively evaluate the influence of flavonoids on cancer development and metastasis by focusing on the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and we provide evidence of their impact on a number of molecular targets. Overall, this review will enhance our understanding of these natural products as Wnt pathway modulators.
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Neoplasias , Vía de Señalización Wnt , Humanos , Flavonoides/farmacología , Flavonoides/uso terapéutico , beta Catenina , Neoplasias/tratamiento farmacológico , InmunoterapiaRESUMEN
The microbiome modulates host immunity and aids the maintenance of tolerance in the gut, where microbial and food-derived antigens are abundant. Yet modern dietary factors and the excessive use of antibiotics have contributed to the rising incidence of food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease and other non-communicable chronic diseases associated with the depletion of beneficial taxa, including butyrate-producing Clostridia. Here we show that intragastrically delivered neutral and negatively charged polymeric micelles releasing butyrate in different regions of the intestinal tract restore barrier-protective responses in mouse models of colitis and of peanut allergy. Treatment with the butyrate-releasing micelles increased the abundance of butyrate-producing taxa in Clostridium cluster XIVa, protected mice from an anaphylactic reaction to a peanut challenge and reduced disease severity in a T-cell-transfer model of colitis. By restoring microbial and mucosal homoeostasis, butyrate-releasing micelles may function as an antigen-agnostic approach for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory diseases.
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Colitis , Enfermedades Inflamatorias del Intestino , Hipersensibilidad al Cacahuete , Ratones , Animales , Micelas , ButiratosRESUMEN
The seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii in goats and sheep in the UAE was evaluated by ELISA testing of 437 small ruminant sera samples from livestock farms (LivF) and 478 from the Al Ain livestock market (AALM), and the data from the pilot serosurvey were analyzed using the z-test of two proportions and Fisher's method. The overall proportion of C. burnetii-seropositive goats of 32.1% was significantly higher than 24.7% for seropositive sheep (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the difference in the proportions of C. burnetii-seropositive sheep from the LivF (27.9%) and AALM (21.7%) was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). By comparison, the proportion of C. burnetii-seropositive goats from LivFs was 31.6% compared to 32.5% for the goats from the AALM (p > 0.05). In addition, there was variability in the proportions of C. burnetii-seropositive goats and sheep from the different Emirates, but none of differences was statistically significant (p > 0.05). These data provide the first evidence of apparent C. burnetii infections in goat and sheep herds in the UAE with seropositivity rate that is significantly higher in goats than sheep. The epidemiology and animal and public health implications of this pathogen need to be thoroughly evaluated in the UAE.
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Coxiella burnetii , Animales , Cabras , Rumiantes , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Ovinos , Emiratos Árabes Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Introduction: Spatial presentation is considered a useful tool for analyzing and mapping the frequencies of incidences of different pathogens. Khartoum State accounted for 78% of the overall cases of COVID-19 in Sudan. The aim of this study was to present the spatial extent of healthcare services of a private isolation center during the pandemic at the locality level. Materials and Methods: A spatial descriptive study was conducted using ArcGIS to present the locations of all COVID-19 patients who attended Imperial Hospital isolation center on November-December 2020 in Khartoum, Sudan. Results: Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 during the study period were 188; they had attended Imperial Hospital from 9 states. Patients from Khartoum State were 167 patients. Of those 167 patients, 75 were from the Khartoum locality; it is the locality in which Imperial Hospital is located, followed by Khartoum Bahri (34 patients), Omdurman (19 patients), and South Khartoum (14 patients), while 10 patients each were from the Sharg En Nile and Karary localities. Conclusion: Patients from 8 different states of Sudan had travelled to reach Khartoum State to get health services. At the state level, Khartoum State was the most benefited state from the healthcare services of Imperial Hospital. At a locality level, Khartoum locality was the most benefited one.
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COVID-19 , COVID-19/epidemiología , Atención a la Salud , Servicios de Salud , Hospitales Privados , Humanos , Sudán/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Hirschsprung's disease is a gastrointestinal anomaly affecting neuronal development and function. The primary abnormality is the absent ganglionic cells in the submucosal and myenteric neural plexuses. Disease presentation can vary, and patients may present with delayed meconium passage or late in adulthood. Total colonic aganglionosis is considered a rare subtype and even rarer to extend proximally into the small bowel. Therefore, adult Hirschsprung disease is frequently misdiagnosed as chronic constipation until comorbid events such as volvulus or perforation occur. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34 years South-Sudanese male presented with chronic constipation since early childhood, abdominal discomfort, pain, and distension. His bowel habits were infrequent, requiring occasional enemas. A strong family history of Hirschsprung disease was identified. He underwent total abdominal colectomy and end ileostomy. Postoperative diagnosis of TCA and small bowel extension of more than 50 cm was confirmed. The patient was discharged home after ileostomy education and possible future reconstruction. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Hirschsprung's ileal extension resembles a risk of morbidities and mortality. It increases as the segment extends proximally. No international consensus on surgical management. It should be tailored to patient condition, diseased segment length, and the possible definitive primary reconstruction. Our patient's surgical diversion considered the patient's long-standing constipation history and dilated fecal-loaded ileum. CONCLUSION: TCA requires a high index suspension during the workup of chronic constipation patients. There is no reported superior surgical approach, and it depends on the institution's experience and surgeon's expertise. Primary reconstruction can be achieved, but we recommend an ileostomy for such cases.
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INTRODUCTION: Post-myomectomy Gossypiboma causing Ileo-colic fistula is tremendously rare; it may present as a tumor and stand a diagnostic challenge. The duration between the primary procedure and the presentation is unpredictable. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old Sudanese/African woman presented with a 4-month history of left iliac fossa mass, pain, anorexia, and persistent, recurrent vomiting with episodes of diarrhea during the last month PTP. She had two gynecological surgeries. Abdominal X-ray & abdominopelvic CECT showed a left iliac fossa pelvic-abdominal collection, distal small bowel partial obstruction, and contrast passage from the small bowel to the sigmoid colon. Diagnosis retained foreign body with abscess causing distal ileal subacute obstruction and an ileo-sigmoid fistula. Surgical exploration, extraction of Gossypiboma with small bowel resection, primary sigmoid colon repair, and a protective transverse colon stoma were done. Six weeks later, colostomy closed after distal loopogram and flexible-sigmoidoscopy. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A missed intraperitoneal gauze is the top differential diagnosis in patients presenting with acute abdomen after recent abdominal surgery. Transmural migration is slow but leads to difficult clinical situations, peritonitis, or fistulas. Our case reflects the light on the importance of the golden rule of perioperative gauze count and documentation. Thus, minimizing the surgical complications and preventing severe postoperative morbidities. CONCLUSION: Entero-colic fistula due to trans mural migration is not frequently encountered, and its complications can lead to morbidities and even mortality if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Strict adherence to the golden rule of counting and prevent such life-threatening complications and improves patients' safety.
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The present study assessed the serostatus of Coxiella burnetii in a dairy cattle herd from the Al Ain region, UAE. In addition, the study evaluated the relationship between C. burnetii seropositivity and history of abortion and cattle age. Blood/sera from 759 cattle were tested by ELISA, and the data analyzed by the Pearson Chi-square test (PCST), odds ratios, and logistic regression. Of the 759 study cattle, 36.5% (277/759) were seropositive while 63.5% (482/759) were seronegative for C. burnetii. Additionally, 19.5% (148/759) of the cattle had ever aborted while 80.5% (611/759) had not. Meanwhile, 34.3% (95/277) of the C. burnetii-seropositive cattle (CBSPos) had history of abortion while 65.7% (182/277) did not. By comparison, only 11.0% (53/482) of the C. burnetii-seronegative (CBSNeg) cattle had history of abortion while 89.0% (429/482) had never aborted. The difference in the conditional probabilities of CBSPos or CBSNeg cattle that had history of abortion was statistically significant (PCST; p value 0.001), as was the association between a CBSPos outcome and history of abortion (p value 0.0001). Moreover, the odds of prior abortion having occurred in CBSPos were 4.3 times higher than in CBSNeg cattle. Similarly, the log of the odds of past abortions was positively correlated with C. burnetii seropositivity and cattle age (p value < 0.001). These data demonstrate apparent C. burnetii infections in cattle from the UAE in which the risk of abortion appears to increase with cattle age. Molecular testing for C. burnetii and comprehensive investigations of other abortigenic pathogens in the study cattle herd are recommended.
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Enfermedades de los Bovinos , Coxiella burnetii/aislamiento & purificación , Fiebre Q , Animales , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/microbiología , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/veterinaria , Femenino , Embarazo , Fiebre Q/epidemiología , Fiebre Q/veterinaria , Estudios Seroepidemiológicos , Emiratos Árabes Unidos/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Cardiac-related chest pain is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality and should be carefully assessed due to its burden on patient health. Its etiology can sometimes prove challenging to discover because of atypical presentations or rare causes of chest pain like myocardial bridging (MB). MB requires a high index of suspicion to be diagnosed. MB is a rare congenital anomaly that occurs due to the passage of a segment of a coronary artery inside the myocardium, causing chest pain due to compression during systole. MB usually has no clinical significance in most cases. However, when severe bridging occurs in the major coronary arteries, patients can experience myocardial ischemia, coronary thrombosis, myocardial infarction, and stress cardiomyopathy, leading to arrhythmias and sudden death. We present the case of a young woman who presented with atypical (rather than ischemic) chest pain due to MB.
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Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic, neurocutaneous condition characterized by hamartomas in different organs, including the brain, skin, heart, kidney, and lungs. Fibromas are the typical presentation, but rare symptoms may present as well. We present the case of a 26-year-old woman who presented to our clinic with long-standing cutaneous manifestations of TSC and lacked the typical neurological and intellectual signs of the condition.
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Existing research on phosphorus removal from wastewater mostly focused on inorganic phosphorus while ignoring organic phosphorus, which has potential bioavailability. This study aims to provide an innovation for the development of advanced treatment material for both inorganic and organic phosphorus removal in water. In this study, ferrihydrite loaded on the graphene oxide (FeOOH-GO) composite adsorbent was synthesized by surface precipitation method, and its ability to remove both phosphate and diazinon as forms of inorganic and organic phosphorous from water was investigated. Characterization of the loaded composite using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated that FeOOH was successfully loaded onto graphene. The results of batch adsorption experiments showed that the adsorbent could remove both inorganic and organic phosphorus compounds simultaneously from water. When FeOOH content is 40%, the equilibrium adsorption amount of FeOOH-GO composite adsorbent for phosphate and diazinon was 5.81 and 23.20 mg g-1, respectively. Environmental parameters such as pH and initial concentration have important influence on phosphorus removal by FeOOH-GO composite adsorbent and the removal efficiency of the inorganic and organic phosphorus from water decreases by increasing the initial concentration of phosphate and diazinon and the pH. It was concluded that the FeOOH-GO composite adsorbent has great potential to remove both inorganic and organic phosphate simultaneously from contaminated water.
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Grafito , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Adsorción , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Compuestos Férricos , Cinética , Espectroscopía Infrarroja por Transformada de FourierRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common type of cancer in women. Among many risk factors of BC, mutations in BRCA2 gene were found to be the primary cause in 5-10% of cases. The majority of deleterious mutations are frameshift or nonsense mutations. Most of the reported BRCA2 mutations are protein truncating mutations. METHODS: The study aimed to describe the pattern of mutations including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and variants of the BRCA2 (exon11) gene among Sudanese women patients diagnosed with BC. In this study a specific region of BRCA2 exon 11 was targeted using PCR and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Early onset cases 25/45 (55.6%) were premenopausal women with a mean age of 36.6 years. Multiparity was more frequent within the study amounting to 30 cases (66.6%), with a mean parity of 4.1. Ductal type tumor was the predominant type detected in 22 cases (48.8%) among the reported histotypes. A heterozygous monoallelic nonsense mutation at nucleotide 3385 was found in four patients out of 9, where TTA codon was converted into the stop codon TGA. CONCLUSION: This study detected a monoallelic nonsense mutation in four Sudanese female patients diagnosed with early onset BC from different families. Further work is needed to demonstrate its usefulness in screening of BC.
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Alelos , Proteína BRCA2/genética , Neoplasias de la Mama/genética , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Secuencia de Bases , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Codón sin Sentido , Exones , Femenino , Heterocigoto , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Premenopausia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Sudán/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Systemic corticosteroids are the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs used for controlling chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms. The potential mechanisms for their beneficial effects include increasing the number and function of T regulatory cells (Tregs), as reported in the local tissue post-intranasal steroid treatment. We investigated the effect of systemic corticosteroids on peripheral blood (PB) Tregs in subjects with CRS. METHODS: Twenty CRS subjects and 19 controls were recruited. PB mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from CRS subjects before and after systemic corticosteroid administration in the course of clinical treatment. Control subjects received no treatment and were studied at one visit. Nasal symptoms were recorded. CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) cells (Tregs) were analyzed by flow cytometry. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 4 (IL-4), IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), and GATA-binding factor 3 (GATA-3) were measured in PBMCs using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: CRS subjects reported improved nasal symptoms (p = 0.005) and significantly reduced PB Tregs after treatment with corticosteroids (p = 0.042). The transcript levels of IL-4 and GATA-3 were significantly higher in the CRS subjects at their first visit when compared to controls (p = 0.019 and p = 0.05, respectively). Corticosteroid treatment lowered the transcript levels of immunoregulatory transcription factors [FoxP3 (p = 0.048) and GATA-3 (p = 0.012)] and IFN-γ (p = 0.036) in PB. CONCLUSION: In contrast to prior work in local nasal tissue, our study reports reduced PB Tregs and decreased T helper 1 (T(H)1) and T(H)2 function after treatment with systemic corticosteroids. These data indicate that corticosteroid effects on Tregs in CRS are complex involving local signals in the tissue that are distinct from those in circulating cells.
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Corticoesteroides/administración & dosificación , Antiinflamatorios/administración & dosificación , Prednisona/administración & dosificación , Rinitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Sinusitis/tratamiento farmacológico , Linfocitos T Reguladores/efectos de los fármacos , Corticoesteroides/efectos adversos , Adulto , Anciano , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/efectos adversos , Separación Celular , Enfermedad Crónica , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/metabolismo , Femenino , Citometría de Flujo , Factores de Transcripción Forkhead/genética , Factores de Transcripción Forkhead/metabolismo , Factor de Transcripción GATA3/genética , Factor de Transcripción GATA3/metabolismo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Prednisona/efectos adversos , Rinitis/inmunología , Sinusitis/inmunología , Linfocitos T Reguladores/inmunología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
In this study, CN-TiO2 was modified with cryptomelane octahedral molecular sieves (OMS-2) by the sol-gel method based on the self-assembly technique to enhance its photocatalytic activity under the daylight irradiation. The synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and porosimeter analysis. The results showed that the addition of OMS-2 in the sol lead to higher Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, pore volume, porosity of particle after heat treatment and the specific surface area, porosity, crystallite size and pore size distribution could be controlled by adjusting the calcination temperature. Compared to the CN-TiO2-400 sample, CN-TiO2/OMS-2-400 exhibited greater red shift in absorption edge of samples in visible region due to the OMS-2 coated. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity of CN-TiO2/OMS-2 composite photocatalyst was subsequently evaluated for the degradation of the methyl orange dye under the daylight irradiation in water. The results showed that the methyl orange dye degradation rate reach to 37.8% for the CN-TiO2/OMS-2-400 sample under the daylight irradiation for 5 h, which was higher than that of reference sample. The enhancement in daylight photocatalytic activities of the CN-TiO2/OMS samples could be attributed to the synergistic effects of OMS-2 coated, larger surface area and red shift in adsorption edge of the prepared sample.
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ureteral obstruction in renal transplant allografts secondary to strictures can pose a challenging problem. Its incidence is reported between 0.5% and 4.7%. Usually, open surgical repair is performed. We present a series of patients in whom a metal Memokath™ 051 stent has been used as a minimally invasive treatment alternative. METHODS: We analyzed our data on the use of thermo-expandable metallic Memokath 051 stents for ureteral strictures in renal transplant patients. RESULTS: Between 2003 and 2010, eight male kidney recipients with a mean age of 49 years and obstructed ureters after kidney transplantation were treated with ureteral Memokath insertion. In six patients, the obstruction was at the level of the anastomosis, and in two, at the pelviureteral junction. After a mean follow-up of 4 years, half of the stents are in situ providing a good graft function. The average indwelling time is 4 years. Spontaneous resolution of the stricture without the need for further stent insertion was seen in three patients after a mean indwelling time of 7.3 months. There was one treatment failure in a patient with an obstructed, dilated, and convoluted ureter that was unable to withhold the stent in situ. No perioperative complications were recorded in this series. The overall success rate was 87%. CONCLUSION: Ureteral stent placement with the Memokath 051 is a safe minimally invasive treatment alternative for ureteral strictures in renal transplant recipients.
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Aleaciones , Trasplante de Riñón/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Mínimamente Invasivos/métodos , Stents , Uréter/cirugía , Obstrucción Ureteral/cirugía , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Diseño de Prótesis , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Obstrucción Ureteral/etiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIM: Pollen grains are the male gametophytes that deliver sperm cells to female gametophytes during sexual reproduction of higher plants. Pollen is a major source of aeroallergens and environmental antigens. The pollen coat harbors a plethora of lipids that are required for pollen hydration, germination, and penetration of the stigma by pollen tubes. In addition to proteins, pollen displays a wide array of lipids that interact with the human immune system. Prior searches for pollen allergens have focused on the identification of intracellular allergenic proteins, but have largely overlooked much of the extracellular pollen matrix, a region where the majority of lipid molecules reside. Lipid antigens have attracted attention for their potent immunoregulatory effects. By being in close proximity to allergenic proteins on the pollen surface when they interact with host cells, lipids could modify the antigenic properties of proteins. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed a comparative pollen lipid profiling of 22 commonly allergenic plant species by the use of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, followed by detailed data mining and statistical analysis. Three experiments compared pollen lipid profiles. We built a database library of the pollen lipids by matching acquired pollen-lipid mass spectra and retention times with the NIST/EPA/NIH mass-spectral library. We detected, identified, and relatively quantified more than 106 lipid molecular species including fatty acids, n-alkanes, fatty alcohols, and sterols. Pollen-derived lipids stimulation up-regulate cytokines expression of dendritic and natural killer T cells co-culture. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Here we report on a lipidomic analysis of pollen lipids that can serve as a database for identifying potential lipid antigens and/or novel candidate molecules involved in allergy. The database provides a resource that facilitates studies on the role of lipids in the immunopathogenesis of allergy. Pollen lipids vary greatly among allergenic species and contain many molecules that have stimulatory or regulatory effects on immune responses.
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Alérgenos/metabolismo , Biomarcadores , Hipersensibilidad/inmunología , Metabolismo de los Lípidos , Polen/metabolismo , Alérgenos/inmunología , Citometría de Flujo , Cromatografía de Gases y Espectrometría de Masas , Humanos , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Activación de Linfocitos , Análisis de Componente PrincipalRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The pollen coat is the first structure of the pollen to encounter the mucosal immune system upon inhalation. Prior characterizations of pollen allergens have focused on water-soluble, cytoplasmic proteins, but have overlooked much of the extracellular pollen coat. Due to washing with organic solvents when prepared, these pollen coat proteins are typically absent from commercial standardized allergenic extracts (i.e., "de-fatted"), and, as a result, their involvement in allergy has not been explored. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using a unique approach to search for pollen allergenic proteins residing in the pollen coat, we employed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to assess the impact of organic solvents on the structural integrity of the pollen coat. TEM results indicated that de-fatting of Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) pollen (BGP) by use of organic solvents altered the structural integrity of the pollen coat. The novel IgE-binding proteins of the BGP coat include a cysteine protease (CP) and endoxylanase (EXY). The full-length cDNA that encodes the novel IgE-reactive CP was cloned from floral RNA. The EXY and CP were purified to homogeneity and tested for IgE reactivity. The CP from the BGP coat increased the permeability of human airway epithelial cells, caused a clear concentration-dependent detachment of cells, and damaged their barrier integrity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Using an immunoproteomics approach, novel allergenic proteins of the BGP coat were identified. These proteins represent a class of novel dual-function proteins residing on the coat of the pollen grain that have IgE-binding capacity and proteolytic activity, which disrupts the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier. The identification of pollen coat allergens might explain the IgE-negative response to available skin-prick-testing proteins in patients who have positive symptoms. Further study of the role of these pollen coat proteins in allergic responses is warranted and could potentially lead to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
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Cynodon/química , Proteasas de Cisteína/farmacología , Endo-1,4-beta Xilanasas/farmacología , Células Epiteliales/efectos de los fármacos , Inmunoglobulina E/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/farmacología , Polen/química , Mucosa Respiratoria/efectos de los fármacos , Secuencia de Bases , Adhesión Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Permeabilidad de la Membrana Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Fraccionamiento Químico , Cynodon/inmunología , Cynodon/ultraestructura , Proteasas de Cisteína/aislamiento & purificación , Proteasas de Cisteína/metabolismo , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Endo-1,4-beta Xilanasas/aislamiento & purificación , Endo-1,4-beta Xilanasas/metabolismo , Células Epiteliales/citología , Células Epiteliales/metabolismo , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina E/química , Inmunoglobulina E/inmunología , Microscopía Electrónica de Transmisión , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Proteínas de Plantas/aislamiento & purificación , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Polen/inmunología , Polen/ultraestructura , Unión Proteica , Mucosa Respiratoria/citología , Mucosa Respiratoria/metabolismo , Rinitis Alérgica Estacional/inmunología , SolventesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Control of serum phosphate over the long term is essential in patients with end-stage renal disease. Six-month and 2-year extensions to a 6-month study evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability and efficacy of the new phosphate binder lanthanum carbonate. METHODS: Patients who participated in a 6-month, randomized trial comparing lanthanum carbonate with calcium carbonate were eligible for a 24-week, open-label extension. Lanthanum carbonate-treated patients continued taking their established maintenance dose ('continued-lanthanum group') and calcium carbonate-treated patients switched to lanthanum carbonate, 375-3,000 mg/day ('switch group'). Patients could also enter a further 2-year extension. Efficacy parameters, including serum phosphate, were monitored. RESULTS: Mean serum phosphate was approximately 1.80 mmol/l throughout the trial. The percentage of patients with controlled serum phosphate (< or =1.80 mmol/l) after the 6-month extension was 63.3 and 58.4% in the continued-lanthanum and switch groups, respectively; after the 2-year extension, 54.4% of patients had controlled serum phosphate. After discontinuation of calcium carbonate and initiation of lanthanum carbonate, the hypercalcemia incidence was 2.7%, compared with 20.2% during the double-blind phase. Calcium x phosphate product was maintained at an acceptable level. Lanthanum carbonate was well tolerated; adverse events were mild/moderate and mainly gastrointestinal. CONCLUSIONS: Lanthanum carbonate maintains effectiveness with continued tolerability for up to 3 years.