Dual roles of PGE2-EP4 signaling in mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Although prostaglandin (PG) concentrations are increased in cerebrospinal fluid of MS patients, the role of PGs in MS is unknown. We examined this issue by subjecting mice deficient in each PG receptor type or subtype to EAE induction and using agonists or antagonists selective for each of the four PGE receptor (EP) subtypes.

Prostaglandin E2-EP4 signaling promotes immune inflammation through Th1 cell differentiation and Th17 cell expansion.

Two distinct helper T (TH) subsets, TH1 and TH17, mediate tissue damage and inflammation in animal models of various immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases and allergic skin disorders. These experimental findings, and the implication of these TH subsets in human diseases, suggest the need for pharmacological measures to manipulate these TH subsets. Here we show that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) acting on its receptor EP4 on T cells and dendritic cells not only facilitates TH1 cell differentiation but also amplifies interleukin-23-mediated TH17 cell expansion in vitro.

Newly developed T-wave inversion with cardiac wall-motion abnormality predominantly occurs in middle-aged or elderly women after noncardiac surgery.

Purpose: The study was done to determine the characteristics and prevalence of myocardial ischemia with inverted T waves after noncardiac surgery.

Methods: A list of patients who developed electrocardiogram (ECG) T-wave inversion associated with wall-motion abnormalities observed by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) following noncardiac surgery was generated from the intensive care unit (ICU) medical records database between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2000. The hospital records of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.

[Anaphylactoid reaction to dibucaine during spinal anesthesia].

A 71-year-old man with a history of allergic rhinitis for 6 years received spinal anesthesia using 2 ml of 0.3% dibucaine for transurethral prostatectomy. Two months previously he had undergone prostate biopsy and cystoscopy under spinal anesthesia with isobaric bupivacaine uneventfully.