Interleukin-36gamma Mediates the In Vitro Activation of CD8+ T Cells from Patients Living with Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Infection.

Interleukin-36 (IL-36) signaling plays an important role in promoting CD8+ T cell-mediated antitumor immune responses. The role of IL-36 signaling in CD8+ T cells that are involved in host immune responses during human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection has not been characterized. Sixty-one patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection and 23 controls were enrolled in this study. The levels of IL-36 cytokine family members were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Purified CD8+ T cells were stimulated with recombinant IL-36gamma (1 or 10 ng/mL). The expression of inhibitory receptors, the secretion of cytotoxic molecules and interferon-gamma, and the mRNA levels of apoptosis-related ligands were assessed to evaluate the effect of IL-36gamma on CD8+ T cell function in vitro. There were no significant differences in IL-36alpha, IL-36beta, or IL-36 receptor antagonist levels between patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection and controls. Plasma IL-36gamma levels were reduced in patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection. Perforin, granzyme B, and granulysin secretion, as well as tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA expression, but not programmed death-1 (PD-1) or cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein-4 (CTLA-4) expression was downregulated in CD8+ T cells from patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection. The addition of both 1 and 10 ng/mL IL-36gamma enhanced perforin, granzyme B, granulysin, and interferon-gamma secretion by CD8+ T cells without affecting PD-1/CTLA-4 or TRAIL/FasL mRNA expression in CD8+ T cells from patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection. The addition of 1 ng/mL IL-36gamma also promoted perforin and granzyme B secretion by HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells from patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection. The reduced IL-36gamma levels in patients living with chronic HIV-1 infection might be insufficient for the activation of CD8+ T cells, leading to CD8+ T cell exhaustion.

Liver failure caused by intravenous amiodarone and effective intervention measures: A case report.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: We present a case of intravenous amiodarone-induced liver injury, pharmacy monitoring and its therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old male patient developed acute liver injury 24 h after starting intravenous amiodarone. His liver enzymes improved after discontinuing amiodarone and anti-inflammatory liver therapy, which used reduced glutathione, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate and ademetionine1,4-butanedisulfonate for injection. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Amiodarone is a highly effective antiarrhythmic agent for the treatment and prevention of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Acute liver damage after intravenous amiodarone is rare but potentially harmful. Amiodarone loading should be adapted to the necessity of an immediate effect of the drug, and liver function should be monitored closely in critically ill patients. Timely stopped suspected drug and anti-inflammatory liver therapy may reduce the occurrence of drug-induced diseases.

Application of cystourethroscopy during tracheobronchial foreign body removal in children.

Objective This study aimed to describe preliminary experiences associated with removal of tracheobronchial foreign bodies (TFBs) by cystourethroscopy (CU). Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of 127 paediatric cases of TFB removal by CU at our centre from January 2009 to August 2016. Data that were extracted from the medical records included age, sex, location and nature of the TFBs, operation time, and complications. Results All TFBs were successfully removed by CU. The mean time of the procedure was 3.38 ± 2.86 minutes. A total of 102 (80.31%) patients had successful removal of TFBs by CU during the initial trial, 19 (14.96%) were successfully treated in the second trial, and six (4.72%) required a third trial. Otolaryngologists with 2, 5, and 7 years of professional CU training showed a mean TFB removal time of 3.38 ± 2.13, 3.40 ± 3.60, and 3.37 ± 2.86 minutes, respectively. In the operations, oxygen saturation fell below 90% at an average occurrence of 0.39 times, but no patients showed a decrease below 85%. Only one patient experienced laryngeal oedema after the procedure. Conclusion CU is a useful technique and minimizes complications and operational risks during removal of paediatric TFBs.

[Study on experimental factors for extraction of alkaloids from Aconitum carmichaili].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the suitable conditions for extracting alkaloidals from Aconitum carmichaili. METHOD: Using methods in Chinese Pharmacopeia for determining yields of extraction, which include spectrometry and single-factor tests, we investigated vavious factors that would affect the extraction of alkaloids from Aconiti. RESULT: The suitable extractant was 85% ethanol, starting material was medium-size powder of aconiti, 10 times of the volume of the solvent was used in extraction for twice 1.75 h each time. The extraction yield was 1.21%, with a content of 0.33% alkaloids. CONCLUSION: Extraction conditions determined with single factor test was consistent and feasible.