Operating Room Traffic Increases Aerosolized Particles and Compromises the Air Quality: A Simulated Study.

Background: Strategies to prevent bacterial fallout and reduce particle count in the operating room (OR) are key components of preventing periprosthetic joint infection. Although OR traffic control is an important factor, a quantitative study has not been performed to investigate the influence of personnel and door opening on OR air quality. This simulated study aimed to examine the influence of these 2 factors on particle density in OR with and without the laminar air flow (LAF).

Novel molecular signatures in mononuclear cell populations from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

To gain novel insights into the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus we have analyzed gene expression data from isolated CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, CD19 B cells, and CD56 NK-cell enriched peripheral blood cell fractions from patients and healthy donors. As predicted, type I interferon-inducible gene transcripts are overexpressed in all populations. Transcripts preferentially expressed in SLE CD4 and CD8 T cells include those associated with Tregulatory and Th17 effector cell programs, respectively, but in each case additional transcripts predicted to limit differentiation of those effector cells are detected.

Epitope-Specific Evolution of Human B Cell Responses to Borrelia burgdorferi VlsE Protein from Early to Late Stages of Lyme Disease.

Most immunogenic proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, are known or expected to contain multiple B cell epitopes. However, the kinetics of the development of human B cell responses toward the various epitopes of individual proteins during the course of Lyme disease has not been examined. Using the highly immunogenic VlsE as a model Ag, we investigated the evolution of humoral immune responses toward its immunodominant sequences in 90 patients with a range of early to late manifestations of Lyme disease.

Enhanced rho-associated protein kinase activation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objective: Rho-associated protein kinases (ROCKs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular and renal disorders. We recently showed that ROCKs could regulate the differentiation of murine Th17 cells and the production of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and IL-21, two cytokines associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The goal of this study was to assess ROCK activation in human Th17 cells and to evaluate ROCK activity in SLE patients.

Increased IFNα activity and differential antibody response in patients with a history of Lyme disease and persistent cognitive deficits.

Following antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease, some patients report persistent or relapsing symptoms of pain, fatigue, and/or cognitive deficits. Factors other than active infection, including immune abnormalities, have been suggested, but few clues regarding mechanism have emerged. Furthermore, the effect of antibiotic treatment on immune response in affected individuals remains unknown.