Noninvasive Bolus Transit Detection in Cervical Esophagus Utilizing Ultrasound Characteristics.

This pilot study aims to identify characteristic A-mode ultrasound features relevant to noninvasive detection of esophageal bolus transit in the proximal esophagus. Ultrasound signals at a lateral neck site were obtained via a single-element ultrasonic transducer with synchronous videofluoroscopic swallowing studies images of swallows of differing viscosities in 21 adult dysphagia outpatients. Characteristic ultrasound features were extracted to differentiate a bolus-filled from a collapsed esophagus.

TLR7 activation at epithelial barriers promotes emergency myelopoiesis and lung antiviral immunity.

Monocytes are heterogeneous innate effector leukocytes generated in the bone marrow and released into circulation in a CCR2-dependent manner. During infection or inflammation, myelopoiesis is modulated to rapidly meet the demand for more effector cells. Danger signals from peripheral tissues can influence this process.

C3 Drives Inflammatory Skin Carcinogenesis Independently of C5.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common form of cancer and can occur as a consequence of DNA damage to the epithelium by UVR or chemical carcinogens. There is growing evidence that the complement system is involved in cancer immune surveillance; however, its role in cSCC remains unclear. Here, we show that complement genes are expressed in tissue from patients with cSCC, and C3 activation fragments are present in cSCC biopsies, indicating complement activation.

Inflammation-induced IgE promotes epithelial hyperplasia and tumour growth.

IgE is the least abundant circulating antibody class but is constitutively present in healthy tissues bound to resident cells via its high-affinity receptor, FcεRI. The physiological role of endogenous IgE antibodies is unclear but it has been suggested that they provide host protection against a variety of noxious environmental substances and parasitic infections at epithelial barrier surfaces. Here we show, in mice, that skin inflammation enhances levels of IgE antibodies that have natural specificities and a repertoire, VDJ rearrangements and CDRH3 characteristics similar to those of IgE antibodies in healthy tissue.

A Novel Presentation of Littoral Cell Angioma and Lymphatic Malformations in a Neonate.

This case report describes a novel presentation of littoral cell angioma (LCA) and lymphatic malformations involving the omentum and mesentery. To our knowledge, these 2 entities have not been reported in the same patient. A 1-month term infant male presented with chylous ascites.

Very-low and low-density lipoproteins induce neutral lipid accumulation and impair migration in monocyte subsets.

Blood monocytes are heterogeneous effector cells of the innate immune system. In circulation these cells are constantly in contact with lipid-rich lipoproteins, yet this interaction is poorly characterised. Our aim was to examine the functional effect of hyperlipidaemia on blood monocytes.

Triglyceride-Rich Lipoproteins Modulate the Distribution and Extravasation of Ly6C/Gr1(low) Monocytes.

Monocytes are heterogeneous effector cells involved in the maintenance and restoration of tissue integrity. However, their response to hyperlipidemia remains poorly understood. Here, we report that in the presence of elevated levels of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, induced by administration of poloxamer 407, the blood numbers of non-classical Ly6C/Gr1(low) monocytes drop, while the number of bone marrow progenitors remains similar.

Targeting monocyte and macrophage subpopulations for immunotherapy: a patent review (2009 - 2013).

Introduction: Monocytes and macrophages are heterogeneous populations of effector cells in the innate immune system. Once thought to be obligatory precursors for macrophages, monocytes are now known to have several distinct sub-populations and their own independent functions. This separation of the two lineages has opened new therapeutic avenues in inflammation and created new technologies targeting the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS).

Spleen tyrosine kinase inhibition attenuates autoantibody production and reverses experimental autoimmune GN.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) has an important role in immunoreceptor signaling, and SYK inhibition has accordingly attenuated immune-mediated injury in several in vivo models. However, the effect of SYK inhibition on autoantibody production remains unclear, and SYK inhibition has not been studied in an autoimmune model of renal disease. We, therefore, studied the effect of SYK inhibition in experimental autoimmune GN, a rodent model of antiglomerular basement membrane disease.

Innexins Ogre and Inx2 are required in glial cells for normal postembryonic development of the Drosophila central nervous system.

Innexins are one of two gene families that have evolved to permit neighbouring cells in multicellular systems to communicate directly. Innexins are found in prechordates and persist in small numbers in chordates as divergent sequences termed pannexins. Connexins are functionally analogous proteins exclusive to chordates.

Arterialized venous flaps: a review of the literature.

The arterialized venous flaps are highly regarded in microsurgical and reconstructive surgeries based on advantages of ease of design and harvest without the need to perform deep dissection, no sacrifice of a major artery at the donor site, no limitation of the donor sites, and less donor-site morbidity. Many experimental investigations and clinical applications have been reported. However, their survivals are still inconsistent, and survival mechanisms remain controversial.

Improvement of prearterialized venous flap survival with delay procedure in rats.

The purpose of this experimental study is to investigate the improvement in flap survival of prearterialization with delay procedure in venous flaps in rats. The transverse superficial inferior epigastric flap was utilized. Forty-six rats were randomized into four groups: group 1 as arterialized venous flaps, group 2 as venous flaps of prearterialization with delay procedure, group 3 as arterial perfusion venous flap, and group 4 as venous perfusion venous flap.

Vein grafting in fingertip replantations.

In this retrospective study, the survival rates of fingertip replantation with and without vein grafting were evaluated along with their postoperative functional and cosmetic results. One hundred twenty-one-fingertip amputations were performed in 103 patients between September 2002 and July 2007. Thirty-four amputated fingertips were replanted without vein grafting, while 87 amputated fingertips were replanted with vein grafting for arterial and/or venous repairs.