Right femoral vein and right dorsal artery thrombosis in childhood acute myeloid leukemia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: It is rare for newly diagnosed (de novo) or newly treated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) complicated with thrombotic complications, especially combined arterial and venous thrombosis. METHODS: We reported a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with AML and leukocytosis, who developed right femoral vein and right dorsal artery thrombosis during chemotherapy. After treatment with low molecular weight heparin, diosmin, and alprostadil, symptoms were relieved. Unfortunately, the child suffered from coagulopathy afterward, which was unexpectedly caused by vitamin K deficiency. RESULTS: After supplementation with vitamin K and prothrombin complex concentrate, coagulation function recovered. CONCLUSION: For childhood AML patients with high thrombotic risks, close monitoring during anticoagulant treatment was necessary. Concomitantly, we should be alert to past medication history and combined medication use, especially those that may lead to vitamin K deficiency, secondary bleeding, and coagulation disorders. Rational use of antibiotics, anticoagulants, and antitumor drugs must be guaranteed.

Effects of electroacupuncture combined with interleukin­10 on chronic sinusitis in mice.

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been documented as a form of therapy for chronic sinusitis (CRS). The present study aimed to assess the effects of EA combined with interleukin­10 (IL­10) overexpression on CRS in mice, and to investigate the associated mechanisms. A mouse model of CRS was established by the administration of ovalbumin (OVA), and overexpression of IL­10 was induced using virus­encoded IL­10. The experimental groups were as follows: i) Control group; ii) OVA group; iii) OVA + EA group; iv) OVA + empty vector group; v) OVA + vector + EA group; vi) OVA + IL­10 group; and vii) OVA + IL­10 + EA group. Pathological changes and nasal mucus were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Interferon­Î³ (IFN­Î³) and IL­10 were detected via reverse­transcription quantitative PCR and western blot analyses. The pseudostratified epithelium of the mucosa of the nasal sinus was impaired following the induction of CRS. Treatment with EA and/or IL­10 reversed the injury. Combination treatment with EA and IL­10 induced synergistic effects. No infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the submucosa following EA and IL­10 treatment. Compared with the control group, the expression of IFN­Î³ and IL­10 in the OVA group was reduced. By contrast, EA or the overexpression of IL­10 inhibited this reduction. Furthermore, the combined application of EA and IL­10 had a significantly more potent inhibitory effect on the reduction of IFN­Î³ expression, but not IL­10. Collectively, EA combined with IL­10 induced specific effects on CRS in mice, likely through the upregulation of IFN­Î³ and IL­10. The current study presented mechanistic implications for the application of EA as an alternative treatment for CRS.

The effect of dietary supplementation of low crude protein on intestinal morphology in pigs.

To explore the effects of reducing the Cp levels on intestinal barrier function, low Cp (LP) and NRC standard Cp (NP) diets were fed to pigs from 45 to 160 days, and in vitro experiments were performed using monolayers of IPEC-J2 cells. The number of goblet cells, expression of proteins related to cell junction, amino acid transport, glucose transport, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), dextran permeability, and IL-6 secretion level were detected in pigs. The results demonstrated that a moderate reduction of Cp levels did not affect intestinal morphology, as demonstrated by a normal villi height, crypt depth and normal numbers of goblet cells. The maintenance of the intestinal structure obtained with LP was also confirmed by stable mRNA expression levels of muc2 and E-cadherin in the jejunum. We also found that LP did not affect the protein expression of cationic amino acid transporter 1 (CAT-1) and alanine serine cysteine transporter 1 (ASCT1) from 45 to 160 days. Moreover, the excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3), sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and glucose transporter (GLUT2) protein expression levels in the jejunum were significantly increased at a certain age during the rearing period. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that a reduction in protein concentration up to 15% in the cultural medium of IPEC-J2 cells did not impact the mucosal barrier function. This study demonstrated that a moderate reduction of the protein level did not affect intestinal mucosal barrier function and morphology in the jejunum.

[Establishment and application of TLR2 receptor-based cell screening model].

TLR2 activity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, tumor carcinogenesis and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. To establish a TLR2 receptor-based cell screening model, NF-kappaB promoter-driven luciferase reporter plasmids were transfected into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) stably expressing human TLR2 and co-receptors CD14, TLR1 and TLR6. Single clones were then isolated and characterized. Using this screening system, a human TLR2-binding peptide C8 was obtained from the Ph.D.-7 Phage Display Peptide Library through biopanning and rapid analysis of selective interactive ligands (BRASIL). The binding characteristic of C8 with human TLR2 was evaluated by ELISA, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The NF-kappaB luciferase activity assay showed that C8 could activate the TLR2/TLR1 signaling pathway and induce the production of cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6. In conclusion, the TLR2 receptor-based cell screening system is successfully established and a new TLR2-binding peptide is identified by using this system.