Owing to shared receptor components, the biological activities of IL-15 are similar to those of IL-2. However the patterns of tissue expression of IL-2/IL-2R alpha and IL-15/IL-15R differ. The development of agents targeting the receptor and signaling elements of IL-15 may provide a new perspective for treatment of diseases associated with expression of IL-15/IL-15R. We designed, genetically constructed and expressed a receptor site specific IL-15 antagonist by mutating glutamine residue within the C-terminus of IL-15 to aspartic acid and linked this mutant IL-15 to murine IgG2a. These IL-15 mutant/IgG fusion proteins specifically bound to the IL-15R, and competitively inhibited IL-15 triggered cell proliferation. We examined the immunosuppressive activity of this agent because of prolonged half-life and the potential for destruction of IL-15R+ leukocytes. The IL-15 mutant/IgG proteins markedly attenuated antigen specific DTH responses in Balb-c mice comparing with the responses in the mice treated with control IgG. Intraperitoneal injection of this mutant protein enhanced the acceptance of crude islet allograft from DBA/2J (H-2(d)) to B6AF1 (H-2(b/d),k) rendered diabetic by injection of streptozotocin (15 vs >65 days; control IgG vs IL-15 mutant/IgG treatment, mean survival time, 8 mice in each group). These findings suggest that i) IL-15/IL-15R+ cells are crucial to these T-cell dependent immune responses, and ii) treatment with IL-15 mutant/IgG protein may ameliorate T-cell dependent immune/inflammatory diseases.
Allografts ; Animals ; Aspartic Acid ; Cell Proliferation ; Glutamine ; Half-Life ; Immunoglobulin G ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-15 ; Interleukin-2 ; Leukocytes ; Mice ; Mutant Proteins ; Streptozocin ; Survival Rate ; T-Lymphocytes

<b>Objective:b> To describe the situation of insufficient sleep and the association between insufficient sleep and physical exercise, among Chinese Han students aged 9-18 years. <b>Methods:b> We selected 172 197 Chinese Han students aged 9-18 years from the project 2014 Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health. The average sleep duration per day of less than 9 h for children aged 9-12 years and of less than 8 h for adolescents aged 13-18 years, were defined as insufficient sleep. We described the distribution of sleep duration and the prevalence rates of insufficient sleep for each subgroup. Logistic regression models were established to assess the association between insufficient sleep and physical exercise. <b>Results:b> In 2014, 6.6%, 30.8%, 26.3%, 20.8%, 13.8% and 1.8% of the Chinese Han students self-reported sleep duration were <6, 6-, 7-, 8- and ≥10 h, respectively. The overall prevalence rate of insufficient sleep was 77.2%, with 75.8% for boys and 78.6% for girls. No gender disparity was found at each 9-11 age groups. However, in the 12-18 age groups, the prevalence rates for girls were significantly higher than that for boys. The prevalence rates of insufficient sleep for primary school, middle school and high school students were66.6%, 74.1% and 93.8%, respectively. Rates were increasing with age for children aged 9-12 years and adolescents aged 13-18 years respectively. The three provinces with the lowest prevalence rates of insufficient sleep were Zhejiang (68.8%), Jiangsu (66.7%) and Shaanxi (65.2%). Data from the logistic regression models revealed that, when comparing to those students with only exercise of <0.5 h per day, the exercise hours of 0.5-1 h (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.69-0.74) or ≥1 h (OR=0.46, 95%CI: 0.44-0.47) per day seemed as protective factors for insufficient sleep. When compared with physical exercise frequency <2 times per week, the 2 times (OR=0.82, 95%CI: 0.78-0.86) or >2 times (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.62-0.68) frequencies also appeared as protective. <b>Conclusions:b> The prevalence rate of insufficient sleep prevailing among students aged 9-18 years was high, in China. Our data called for setting up effective measures to deal with this situation.
Adolescent ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Child ; China ; Exercise ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Schools ; Sleep ; Sleep Deprivation ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires

<b>Objectiveb> To explore the efficacy of the resolving depression and tranquilizing herbal sachets in alleviating sleep disorders of soldiers in naval vessels. <b>Methodsb> Fifty-nine soldiers with sleep disorders (PSQI scale score ≥8 and SAS scale score ≥50) were selected before training at sea, and were randomly divided into sachet treatment group, mindfulness meditation group and control group. During the training period, the sachet treatment group was given traditional Chinese medicine sachet treatment, the mindfulness meditation group was trained in mindfulness meditation, and the control group was not given any intervention. <b>Resultsb> Compared with the control group, the PSQI and SAS scores of soldiers in both the experimental sachet treatment group and the positive meditation group were significantly improved; compared with the pre-intervention data, the PSQI and SAS scores of both the positive meditation group and the sachet treatment group were significantly decreased, and the degree of decrease was comparable. <b>Conclusionb> The homemade improving depression and tranquilizing TCM sachets have the effect of alleviating the sleep disorders of naval troops served on vessels, which is equivalent to mindfulness meditation. It is easy to use and operate, which is suitable for promotion in the military.

We report the surgical technique used to perform posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in two patients with a well positioned and functional hip arthrodesis. Intraoperatively, the operating table was placed in an increased Trendelenburg position. Episodically, we flexed the foot of the table by 90degrees to allow maximal knee flexion to facilitate exposure and bone cuts. We opted to resect the patella and tibia first to enable exposure, given the stiffness of the arthritic knee. One patient's medical condition prohibited complex conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA) prior to the TKA. The other patient's scarred soft tissues around the hip, due to chronic infection and multiple operations, made THA risky. The final outcome provided satisfactory results at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. TKA can be successfully performed with adjustments of table position and modification of the sequence of surgical steps in patients with ipsilateral hip fusion.
Acetabulum/injuries/surgery ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Arthrodesis ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/*methods ; Fractures, Bone/surgery ; Hip Fractures/*surgery ; Hip Injuries/surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*surgery ; War

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the average facial proportions and mandibular movement capacity of 316 first-year dental students who carefully recorded them on each other. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This early exacting clinical experience was closely supervised by the authors in Columbus, Ohio during 1969-70. Five vertical and six horizontal distances were measured on each subject's face. An ala-tragus line and an occlusal line were drawn on the left side of the face to determine if these two lines were parallel. Measurements of mandibular movements involved maximum normal and hinge opening at the incisors and maximum amounts of right, left lateral and protrusive excursions of the mandible. RESULTS: The ala width and distance between the tips of upper right and left canine cusps averaged (35.2 mm and 34.8 mm) but with very large individual variations. The distance between ala to occlusal plane lines was 29.9 mm at the tragus and 31.3 mm near the ala. The angle between orbitale and ala-tragus averaged 13.6 degrees. CONCLUSION: The upper lip length was the most variable and the distance between the pupils was the most stable of the eleven facial measurements. The ala-tragus line and the occlusal plane lines were for all practical purposes parallel. Maximum jaw opening averaged 51.2 mm which was 3.0 times larger than maximal hinge opening of 17.2 mm. The maximum right plus left side jaw excursions (9.2 and 9.4 mm) totaled 18.6 mm, 2.3 times more than the 8.0 mm mean maximum forward protrusion.
Anthropometry ; Dental Occlusion ; Humans ; Incisor ; Jaw ; Lip ; Mandible ; Ohio ; Pupil ; Students, Dental ; Young Adult*

<b>Objectiveb> To observe the analgesia effect of dexamethasone combined with dexmedetomidine on femoral nerve block with ropivacaine after total knee replacement in elderly patients. <b>Methodsb> 96 elderly patients undergoing total knee replacement with femoral nerve block analgesia from January 2019 to December 2020 in the hospital were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into control group (C), dexamethasone group (E1), dexmedetomidine group (E2) and dexamethasone combined with dexmedetomidine group (E3) according to nerve block drug formulation. The general data and operation condition were collected, the VAS score at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and the Ramsay sedation score at 6 h after surgery were compared, the postoperative morphine consumption and duration of analgesia were analyzed, and the incidence of adverse reactions after operation was observed. <b>Resultsb> Patients in four groups showed no significant differences in general data and operation time. The VAS score and Ramsay score at 6 h postoperatively in E2 and E3 were significantly lower than that in C, while there were no significant differences in VAS score at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively among four groups. Postoperative morphine consumption in E2 and E3 was significantly lower, and the duration of analgesia in E1, E2 and E3 was significantly longer than that in C. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other adverse reactions after operation among four groups. <b>Conclusionb> Dexamethasone combined with dexmedetomidine could enhance the analgesic effect of femoral nerve block with ropivacaine in elderly patients after total knee replacement without increasing the adverse reactions, which would be both safe and effective.

<b>OBJECTIVEb>To investigate the antigen levels and activity of von Willebrand factor cleaving protease ADAMTS13 in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients and carriers.

<b>METHODSb>28 samples from 13 TTP patients and 10 samples from the carriers were examined. The activity of ADAMTS13 was measured by residue collagen binding assay, and antigen by a newly developed sandwich ELISA.

<b>RESULTSb>The mean ADAMTS13 level in Chinese normal controls (CN) was (600.93 +/- 145.36) mU/ml (n = 26) comparable to the level (1000 mU/ml) in pooled normal Caucasian plasma, and the activity was (74.79 +/- 11.81)%. Both the antigen level and activity of ADAMTS13 in congenital TTP patients either before plasma exchange (pre-PE) or interval relapse were quite lower than those in normal control, but were increased after PE (post-PE). The antigen was (331.40 +/- 109.85) mU/ml (P < 0.01, n = 10), and activity was (66.79 +/- 12.82)% (P > 0.05). The ADAMTS13 levels pre-PE in idiopathic TTP was (98.7 +/- 82.08) mU/ml (n = 11, P < 0.01), and that post-PE was up to (449.4 +/- 232.33) mU/ml (P < 0.01, n = 10). The activity of ADAMTS13 in patients pre-PE and post-PE were (22.23 +/- 19.07)% (P < 0.01) and (60.92 +/- 22.33)% (P > 0.05) respectively. In a secondary TTP patient the ADAMTS13 antigen was much higher than that in CN, and the activity was 6.00%.

<b>CONCLUSIONb>The antigen and activity of ADAMTS13 in most TTP patients pre-PE are deficient, and these two indices in most TTP patients are paralleled. The reason for ADAMTS13 deficiency is congenital shortage or clearance by immune system, but it is unknown that why in some patients the ADAMTS13 antigen is extremely high but its activity is quite low.

ADAM Proteins ; blood ; immunology ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; blood ; immunology

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective comparative study. PURPOSE: To describe the changes in the spinopelvic parameters on normal Koreans more than 50 years of age. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There are differing opinions regarding the changes in the thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, C7 plumb with age in the elderly population. METHODS: Sagittal standing radiographs of the whole spine including the pelvis in 132 Korean adult male volunteers more than 50 years of age were evaluated prospectively. Volunteers with a history of spine operation, spinal disease, pain in their back or legs, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, monosegment disc space narrowing, or compression fracture in radiographs were excluded. The following parameters were included: thoracic kyphosis (T5 upper end plate [UEP]-T12 lower end plate [LEP]), thoracolumbar kyphosis (T10 UEP-L2 LEP), lumbar lordosis (T12 LEP-S1 UEP), lower lumbar lordosis (L4 UEP-S1 UEP), sacral slope, pelvic incidence, and the distances from the C7 plumb to the posterosuperior endplate of S1. These parameters in the 6th, 7th and 8th decade groups were compared and the changes in these parameters according to age were examined. RESULTS: The thoracic kyphosis demonstrated significant differences in the in the three age groups (p = 0.019), and increased with age (r = 0.239, p < 0.006). The other parameters did not show any significant difference or correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Similar global sagittal balances and spinopelvic parameters may be observed in Korean males older than 50 years, with a trend towards increasing thoracic kyphosis with age.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Leg ; Lordosis ; Male ; Pelvis ; Prospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; Spinal Diseases ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis

Although several reports have been introduced about dual plane augmentation mammaplasty, the description of periareolar approach dual plane augmentation mammaplasty was few. This article describes specific characteristics, and different classification and techniques for the periareolar dual plane breast augmentation while postoperative scars resulted from inframammary crease approach caused complaints. A total of 124 patients(248 breasts) had periareolar dual plane augmentation surgery from 1998 to 2004. Anatomic implants were used in 43 cases. Most of the patients were satisfied with the outcomes of periareolar dual plane augmentation. Periareolar dual plane augmentation mammaplasty adjusts implant and tissue relationships to ensure adequate soft-tissue coverage while optimizing implant-breast parenchymal dynamics to offer increased benefits and fewer faults compared to a single pocket location in a wide range of breast types with minimal scars. Two types of dual plane classifications are discussed in this study for the periareolar approach exclusively. The boundaries of retroglandular dissection remain constant, as the costal origin of pectoralis major are divided. Type A dual plane implies that the inferior edge of pectoralis muscle lies below the inferior areolar border, and type B dual plane implies that the inferior edge lies above the superior areolar border.
Breast ; Cicatrix ; Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty* ; Pectoralis Muscles

The role of Mac-1 as a receptor for Bordetella bronchiseptica infection of alveolar macrophages (AMphi) was examined using 6 strains (2 ATCC and 4 pathogenic field isolates) to assess B. bronchiseptica binding, uptake and replication in primary porcine AMphi. All B. bronchiseptica strains were rapidly killed by porcine serum in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, heat-inactivated porcine serum (HIS) did not demonstrate any bacterial-killing activity, suggesting that complement may have a direct killing activity. All field isolates were more resistant to direct complement-mediated B. bronchiseptica killing. The uptake of B. bronchiseptica into AMphi was inhibited approximately 50% by antiMac-1 monoclonal antibodies in the medium. However, B. bronchiseptica phagocytosed in the presence of serum or HIS was not altered by anti-Mac-1 antibodies although more bacteria were internalized by addition of serum or HIS. These data suggest that Mac-1 is a target for direct uptake of B. bronchiseptica via opsoninindependent binding. The phagocytosed B. bronchiseptica, either via direct or serum-mediated binding, were efficiently killed by AMphi within 10 hr postinfection. This demonstrates that Mac-1-mediated B. bronchiseptica uptake is a bacterial killing pathway not leading to productive infections in AMphi.
Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial/blood/immunology ; Bordetella bronchiseptica/*immunology ; Macrophage-1 Antigen/*immunology ; Macrophages, Alveolar/*immunology ; Phagocytosis ; Protein Binding ; Swine/*immunology/*microbiology