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OBJECTIVE: The present study was to investigate the value of immunofluorescence- mediated detection of Ig, C1q, C3, and FRA for the identification and diagnosis of atypical membranous nephropathy (AMN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients with AMN and 135 patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) diagnosed by renal biopsy in our hospital were consecutively selected. The positive expressions of Ig, C1q, C3, and FRA by immunofluorescence were analyzed. RESULTS: We compared the levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, cystatin C, and 24 h urine protein, and the levels of serum IgA, IgG, IgM, and C3. The differences were not significant (p>0.05). Proportionate increases in glomerular spiky projection formations in patients with AMN were observed by light microscopy, without observation of other pathologic changes. By immunofluorescence, AMN patients showed higher positive rates of deposition of IgA, IgM, C1q, and FRA compared with IMN patients. Comparison of the positive rates of deposition of IgG and C3 showed no differences. By electron microscopy, AMN patients showed higher percentages of mesangial cell and mesangial matrix proliferation. Deposition of electron dense granules was mostly found in subepithelium, inside basement membranes, and in the mesangial area. The comparisons between the two groups showed no differences. CONCLUSIONS: Immunofluorescence-mediated detection of Ig, C1q, C3, and FRA have important application value for the identification and diagnosis of AMN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of polypropylene materials in industry for food packaging is increasing. The presence of additives in the polymer matrix enables the modification or improvement of the properties and performance of the polymer, but these additives are potential risk for human health. In this context, an efficient analytical method for the quantitative determination of three antioxidants (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT), dibutylhydroxyphenylpropionic acid stearyl ester (Irganox 1076), and tns-(2.4-ditert-butyl)-phosphite (Irgafos 168)) and five ultraviolet stabilizers (2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl) (UV-P), (2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-5'-methylphenyl)-5-chloroben zotriazole (UV-326), 2-(2'-hydroxy-3',5'-di-tert-butylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole (UV-327), 2-(2Hbenzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol(UV-329), and 2-hydroxy-4(octyloxy) benzophenone (UV-531)) in polypropylene food packaging and food simulants by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. Parameters affecting the efficiency in the process such as extraction and chromatographic condition were studied in order to determine operating conditions. The analytical method showed good linearity, presenting correlation coefficients (R ≥ 0.9977) for all additives. The limits of detection and quantification were between 0.03 and 0.30 μg mL-1 and between 0.10 and 1.00 μg mL-1 for eight analytes, respectively. Average spiked recoveries in blank polypropylene packaging and food simulants were in the range of 80.4-99.5% and 75.2-106.7%, with relative standard deviations in the range of 0.9-9.1% and 0.2-9.8%. Dissolving the polypropylene food packaging with toluene and precipitating by methanol was demonstrated more effective than ultrasonic extract with acetonitrile or dichloromethane for extracting the additives. The method was successfully applied to commercial polypropylene packaging determination, Irgafos 168 and UV-P were frequently found in six commercial polypropylene films, and the content ranged from 166.47 ± 5.11 to 845.27 ± 29.31 μg g-1 and 2.10 ± 0.29 to 19.23 ± 1.26 μg g-1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are major health issues and often co-exist. HF and AF also share common mechanisms, as well as therapies and treatment strategies. The relationship between AF and HF has not been clarified and, therefore, remains an area of research interest. The choice of optimal treatment is a challenge for AF and HF. Control of rate or rhythm is the most important decision for physicians. New tactics for budgeting and centralized monitoring may have an exciting effect on stroke occurrence. Because it is predicted that AF or HF would markedly increase in the next two decades worldwide, a significant burden on the health care systems in multiple countries will occur. It remains imperative that further research about the epidemiology, mechanism, detection, and treatment of AF and HF is urgently promoted. In this paper, we review the recent progress on the relationship between HF and AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a poor prognostic sign for cancer patients, whereas the functional condition of MPE CD8+ T cells is unknown. Intracavitary immunotherapy with interleukin (IL)-2 has been proven effective in controlling MPE. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, 35 lung cancer (LC) patients with MPE and 12 healthy donors were included in this study. For the IL-2 therapy experiments, after draining partial MPE, we treated 14 patients by administrating IL-2 (3 or 5 × 106 U in 50 ml saline) into the thoracic cavity. Before and after IL-2 treatment (40-48 h), the MPE and peripheral blood (PB) were obtained from the subjects. PB from healthy volunteers was collected as control. The expression of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), granzyme B (GzmB), interferon (IFN)-γ and the proliferation were analysed in CD8+ T cells from MPE and PB. The CD8+ T cells in the MPE of LC patients showed lowest GzmB, IFN-γ and proliferation but highest PD-1 expression, compared with that in PB of LC patients and healthy donors. IL-2 treatment reduced the expression of PD-1, increased the expression of GzmB and IFN-γ and enhanced the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in MPE. In addition, IL-2 treatment reduced carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) level in MPE. These results indicate that MPE CD8+ T cells exhibit exhaustion phenotype which can be reversed by IL-2 therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]