Impact of pulse duration alterable laser ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy for upper urinary tract calculi.

To assess the effectiveness of a pulse duration alterable Holmium-YAG (Ho:YAG) laser on the stone-free rate (SFR) compared to a conventional pulse duration fixed laser after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy (URSL). The medical records from patients with upper urinary tract calculi of ≥ 9 mm and < 30 mm were retrospectively investigated. URSL using a conventional Ho:YAG Laser (group C) or a pulse duration alterable Ho:YAG system (group A) was included.

Identification of an Essential Cytoplasmic Region of Interleukin-7 Receptor α Subunit in B-Cell Development.

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is essential for lymphocyte development. To identify the functional subdomains in the cytoplasmic tail of the IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) α chain, here, we constructed a series of IL-7Rα deletion mutants. We found that IL-7Rα-deficient hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) gave rise to B cells both in vitro and in vivo when a wild-type (WT) IL-7Rα chain was introduced; however, no B cells were observed under the same conditions from IL-7Rα-deficient HPCs with introduction of the exogenous IL-7Rα subunit, which lacked the amino acid region at positions 414⁻441 (d414⁻441 mutant).

Regulation of T-Cell Signaling by Post-Translational Modifications in Autoimmune Disease.

The adaptive immune system involves antigen-specific host defense mechanisms mediated by T and B cells. In particular, CD4⁺ T cells play a central role in the elimination of pathogens. Immunological tolerance in the thymus regulates T lymphocytes to avoid self-components, including induction of cell death in immature T cells expressing the self-reactive T-cell receptor repertoire.

Acetylation regulates the MKK4-JNK pathway in T cell receptor signaling.

T cell functions are regulated by multiple signaling cascades, including the MKK4-JNK (c-Jun NH terminal kinase) pathway. However, the mechanism regulating the MKK4-JNK axis in T cells remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that protein acetylation modulates JNK activity induced by T cell receptor (TCR) activation.