Two murine models of sepsis: immunopathological differences between the sexes-possible role of TGFβ1 in female resistance to endotoxemia.

Endotoxic shock (ExSh) and cecal ligature and puncture (CLP) are models that induce sepsis. In this work, we investigated early immunologic and histopathologic changes induced by ExSh or CLP models in female and male mice. Remarkable results showed that females supported twice the LD100 of LPS for males, CLP survival and CFU counts were similar between genders, high circulating LPS levels in ExSh mice and low levels of IgM anti-LPS in males.

Association of Nail Dystrophy With Accrued Damage and Capillaroscopic Abnormalities in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Background: There are some nail abnormalities described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between nail dystrophy (ND) and disease activity, accrued organ damage, capillaroscopic abnormalities, autoantibodies, and some markers of endothelial cell activation in patients with SLE.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of SLE patients from a rheumatology clinic in a tertiary care hospital.