Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts synthesize C-reactive protein and Th-related cytokines in response to interleukin (IL)-6 trans-signalling.

AIM: To characterize the potential of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) to synthesize CRP and Th-related cytokines in response to IL-6 in periodontal health and apical inflammation. METHODOLOGY: Primary HPLF stimulated with IL-6, soluble(s) IL-6 receptor (R) and controls were assayed for CRP, Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg-related cytokines by quantitative real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. IL-6R mRNA expression and its soluble protein levels were screened in HPLF cultures, and ex vivo samples of healthy periodontal ligaments (n = 5) and apical lesions (n = 13). Data were analysed with ANOVA or unpaired t-test. RESULTS: 0.5 ng mL-1 IL-6 plus 1 ng mL-1 of its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) for 24 h was effective in inducing CRP production. IL-6 alone had a mild dose-dependent effect; co-stimulation with sIL-6R significantly enhanced this effect, whereas it was completely abolished by the addition of IL-6R blocking antibody (P < 0.05). Similarly, higher mRNA expression and protein levels of Th1, Th17 and partially Treg-related cytokines were found for IL-6 combined with its soluble receptor versus the nonstimulated group and IL-6R antibody (P < 0.05). IL-6R mRNA expression was slightly induced by IL-6 compared to THP-1 cells, but sILR-6 protein could not be detected in HPLF. High sIL-6R levels were detected in apical lesions and were immunolocalized to mononuclear inflammatory cells and proliferating epithelium. CONCLUSION: IL-6 trans-signalling induced Th1 and Th17-related cytokines and represents an extra-hepatic mechanism for PCR synthesis in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts, contributing to explain the bone-destructive phenotype of apical lesions and eventually its systemic complications.

The sensitivity of the Kleihauer-Betke test for placental abruption.

The Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test evaluates fetal blood in the maternal circulation, and is often used when placental abruption is suspected. At our centre, it is the protocol to perform a KB test in all suspected cases of abruption. We carried out a retrospective study of all cases of abruption that occurred at our centre over 6 years. Of the 68 confirmed cases of placental abruption, only three had positive KB tests, giving a sensitivity of only 4.4%. Thus, in the overwhelming majority of cases of confirmed abruption, the KB test was negative. Our findings indicate that the KB test has poor sensitivity for placental abruption and should not be used in the detection of abruption.

Plants utilized as medicines by residents of Quilombo da Fazenda, Núcleo Picinguaba, Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil: A participatory survey.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Participatory research can help to broaden the understanding of medical systems and beliefs of traditional communities. An ethnopharmacological survey in collaboration with local people focused on plants used in quilombos located in Southeast Region in Brazil identified cultural factors that influence plant and recipe choice. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the factors related to the therapeutic efficiency of medicinal plants from the perspective of Quilombo da Fazenda residents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: University researchers collaborated with community residents for both aims and methods of the study. The local partners were trained in the gathering of ethnopharmacological data and then selected and interviewed the residents considered experts on the use of medicinal plants. Data on the use of each species were supported by voucher specimens collected by the local partners and university researchers. Participant observations and field diaries by the university researchers supplemented the data. RESULTS: Eight interviewees mentioned 92 medicinal species with 60 therapeutic uses, applied in 208 recipes or remedies. Asteraceae (13 species), Lamiaceae (5) and Urticaceae (5) contributed most medicinal plant species. Of the 12 etic categories of use, the circulatory system category had the highest number of plants mentioned. Decoction was the most commonly used preparation method (66.8%), and most remedies were administered orally (76.4%). Eighty-six recipes included more than one plant species and/or the addition of other components, such as sugar, salt or animal products. Several cultural factors influence medicinal plant use. Popular beliefs on the quality of blood or the humoral properties of plants and illnesses, characteristics of the plants and other factors determine which plant is used and why. CONCLUSIONS: The participatory method identified a large number of factors that influence medicinal plant use: the patient's blood type; the condition of the plant and the disease (hot-cold system); the route of administration and dosage; the preventive uses of the plants; and the influence of other factors, such as the sun, the moon and dew. The participatory approach is useful for gaining insight on the decision processes of medicinal plant use in traditional societies, and also for those communities wanting to document their knowledge with or without the participation of the academy.

Multiple myeloma associated with Kaposi sarcoma: a case report.

An Italian woman affected by multiple myeloma (MM) associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been studied. MM appeared to be at stage II, A, according to Durie & Salmon (3) (quantitative staging); KS spread out two and a half years after MM had been diagnosed, and showed only a pharyngeal involvement. The patient was still alive two and a half years after KS had been discovered, showing a benign clinical course, though several infectious complications had occurred. The observed patient is compared with the other ten cases reported in the world literature. The long lasting observed survival is thought to be related to the low MCM and the length of successful therapy.