Serum soluble triggering receptor on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is elevated in systemic lupus erythematosus but does not distinguish between lupus alone and concurrent infection.

We sought to determine serum triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1) level in a cohort of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Serum sTREM-1 level of 98 patients with SLE and 49 healthy controls was assayed by ELISA. Serum sTREM-1 level was significantly elevated in a cohort of 78 unselected consecutively recruited patients with SLE (mean 1.

The tight calorie control study (TICACOS): a prospective, randomized, controlled pilot study of nutritional support in critically ill patients.

Purpose: To determine whether nutritional support guided by repeated measurements of resting energy requirements improves the outcome of critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, single-center, pilot clinical trial conducted in an adult general intensive care (ICU) unit. The study population comprised mechanically ventilated patients (n = 130) expected to stay in ICU more than 3 days.

Inhaled aerosolized insulin: a "topical" anti-inflammatory treatment for acute lung injury and respiratory distress syndrome?

Acute lung injury (ALI) and the more severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are forms of pulmonary edema that result from robust local and systemic inflammatory states, such as sepsis. The morbidity and mortality associated with ALI and ARDS are significant and the treatment of these conditions presents a formidable challenge. Controlling hyperglycemia with insulin is a core component of patient management in the critically ill.

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 for distinguishing bacterial from aseptic meningitis in adults.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) is present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with acute meningitis and if its presence can predict bacterial infection. We found elevated levels of sTREM-1 in the CSF of seven of the nine (78%) patients with culture-positive specimens and in none of 12 (0%) patients with culture-negative specimens (sensitivity: 78%; specificity: 100%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for sTREM-1 in the CSF as a predictor for bacterial meningitis was 0.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1), but not STAT5b, regulates IGF-I receptor gene expression in an osteosarcoma cell line.

The IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) exhibits potent mitogenic, antiapoptotic, and transforming activities. Previous studies have suggested that the expression of the IGF-IR gene is negatively regulated by certain cytokines, including interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The potential involvement of STAT proteins in transcriptional regulation of the IGF-IR gene by IFN-gamma was addressed by transient coexpression of vectors encoding STAT1 and STAT5b, together with an IGF-IR promoter luciferase reporter, in the osteosarcoma-derived cell line Saos-2.

Regulation of insulin-like growth factor-I receptor gene expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma.

The insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-l-R) plays a critical role in normal and pathological growth processes. The expression of the IGF-l-R gene is regulated by various stimuli, including hormones and growth factors. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms by which two inhibitory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), regulate IGF-l-R gene expression.

Regulation of the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor gene by oncogenes and antioncogenes: implications in human cancer.

The insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-I-R) has a central role in normal cellular proliferation as well as in transformation processes. Transcription of the IGF-I receptor gene is controlled by a number of tumor suppressors, including WT1, p53, and BRCA1. It has been demonstrated that, in their wild-type form, these transcription factors can suppress the activity of the IGF-I-R promoter, with ensuing reduction in the levels of cell-surface IGF binding.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 enhances degranulation of mast cells.

The mast cell lines rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) and mouse C57 cells respond to IgE/antigen complexes by degranulation. Treatment of these cells with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), (10-100 nM) for 24-48 h enhanced IgE/antigen-induced exocytosis as monitored by release of hexosaminidase. A short term incubation with the hormone did not affect exocytosis, ruling out a rapid non genomic mechanism.