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Multi-modal imaging based on multifunctional nanoparticles is a promising alternative approach to improve the sensitivity of early cancer diagnosis. In this study, highly upconverting fluorescence and strong relaxivity rare-earth nanoparticles coated with paramagnetic lanthanide complex shells and polyethylene glycol (PEGylated UCNPs@DTPA-Gd(3+)) are synthesized as dual-modality imaging contrast agents (CAs) for upconverting fluorescent and magnetic resonance dual-modality imaging. PEGylated UCNPs@DTPA-Gd(3+) with sizes in the range of 32-86 nm are colloidally stable. They exhibit higher longitudinal relaxivity and transverse relaxivity in water (r1 and r2 values are 7.4 and 27.8 s(-1) per mM Gd(3+), respectively) than does commercial Gd-DTPA (r1 and r2 values of 3.7 and 4.6 s(-1) per mM Gd(3+), respectively). They are found to be biocompatible. In vitro cancer cell imaging shows good imaging contrast of PEGylated UCNPs@DTPA-Gd(3+). In vivo upconversion fluorescent imaging and T1-weighted MRI show excellent enhancement of both fluorescent and MR signals in the livers of mice administered PEGylated UCNPs@DTPA-Gd(3+). All the experimental results indicate that the synthesized PEGylated UCNPs@DTPA-Gd(3+) present great potential for biomedical upconversion of fluorescent and magnetic resonance dual-modality imaging applications.

Macrophages exert important functions in the balance and efficiency of immune responses, and participate in innate and adaptive immunity. The proinflammatory actions of macrophages are implicated in autoimmune diseases. Unlike classically activated M1 macrophages, the alternatively activated cluster of differentiation (CD)163+ and CD206+ M2 macrophages are involved in tissue repair and wound healing, and use oxidative metabolism to support their long-term functions. CD163 is a member of the scavenger receptor superfamily, categorized into class B, and its soluble(s) form, sCD163, is a marker of activated M2 macrophages. CD163 is selectively expressed in cells of the monocyte and macrophage lineages; however, its biological role has yet to be elucidated. The expression of sCD163 is markedly induced by anti-inflammatory mediators, such as glucocorticoids and interleukin-10, whereas it is inhibited by proinflammatory mediators, such as interferon-γ. These findings suggest that CD163 may serve as a potential target for the therapeutic modulation of inflammatory responses. The concentration of sCD163 in blood is associated with acute and chronic inflammatory processes in autoimmune disorders of connective tissue, fat metabolism and cardiovascular diseases, and it can be used for the assessment of cancer prognosis. A role for sCD163 in the pathogenesis of asthma has also been proposed. The present review serves to present the available knowledge concerning the implication of sCD163 in the pathophysiological mechanisms of asthma, and evaluate its potential as a biomarker and possible therapeutic target for asthma.

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Aim: To determine whether mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has beneficial effects on refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and the corresponding cellular mechanism. Methods: Twenty refractory ITP patients resistant to corticosteroid and/or splenectomy and chemical therapy were given MMF 1.5‐2.0 g/d orally for a 2 to 4‐month period. Serum immunoglobulin was detected by rate nephelometry. Platelet‐associated antibodies (PAIgG) were assayed by enzymelinked immunosorbant assay. The immunophenotypic analysis was performed on a flow cytometer and cell apoptosis was detected with transferase mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. Results: Sixteen of the 20 (80%) patients had responses to MMF treatment; 9 (45%) achieved a complete response, 4 (20%) achieved a partial response, and 3 (15%) achieved a minor response. The therapeutic effects were found to be better in male patients than female patients. The number of CD3+ peripheral blood cells (PBCs) and CD4+ PBCs increased and the number of CD8+ PBCs decreased. The plasma level of IgG, IgM, IgA and platelet associated IgG (PAIgG) decreased in 86% of the patients. TUNEL assay showed that mycophenolate acid (MPA) 0.1 mmol/L induced apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from refractory ITP patients. The apoptosis rate was increased in male patients after treatment with MPA, but was unchanged in female patients. Conclusion: Therapy for a period of 8 to 16 weeks with mediandose of MMF was valuable for the treatment of refractory ITP.

AIMTo investigate serum mean platelet volume (MPV) levels in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients and assess whether MPV effectively predicts the disease severity of AP.METHODSWe included 117 consecutive patients with AP as the AP group and 34 consecutive patients with colorectal polyps (before endoscopic treatment) as the control group. Complete blood counts, liver function, platelet indices (MPV), coagulation parameters, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured on days 1, 2, 3 and 7 after admission. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to compare the sensitivity and specificity of MPV, white blood cell (WBC), LDH and CRP in predicting AP severity. The Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and the 2012 revised Atlanta criteria were used to evaluate disease severity in AP.RESULTSMPV levels were significantly lower in the AP group than in the control group on day 1 (P = 0.000), day 2 (P = 0.029) and day 3 (P = 0.001) after admission. In addition, MPV values were lower on day 1 after admission than on day 2 (P = 0.012), day 3 (P = 0.000) and day 7 (P = 0.002) in all AP patients. Based on the mGPS, 78 patients (66.7%) were diagnosed with mild and 39 patients (33.3%) with severe AP. There was no significant difference in mean MPV levels between patients diagnosed with mild and severe AP based on the mGPS (P = 0.424). According to the 2012 revised Atlanta criteria, there were 98 patients (83.8%) without persistent organ failure (OF) [non-severe acute pancreatitis (non-SAP) group] and 19 patients (16.2%) with persistent OF (SAP group). MPV levels were significantly lower in the SAP group than in the non-SAP group on day 1 after admission (P = 0.002). On day 1 after admission using a cut-off value of 6.65 fL, the overall accuracy of MPV for predicting SAP according to the 2012 revised Atlanta criteria (AUC = 0.716) had a sensitivity of 91.8% and a specificity of 47.4% and was superior to the accuracy of the traditional markers WBC (AUC = 0.700) and LDH (AUC = 0.697).CONCLUSIONMPV can be used at no additional cost as a useful, non-invasive biomarker that distinguishes AP with persistent OF from AP without persistent OF on day 1 of hospital admission.

Double pylorus (DP), or duplication of the pylorus, is an uncommon condition that can be either congenital or acquired. Acquired DP (ADP) occurs when a peptic ulcer erodes and creates a fistula between the duodenal bulb and the distal stomach. The clinical features and endoscopic characteristics of four patients with ADP were reviewed and compared with previously reported cases. An accessory channel connects the lesser curvature of the prepyloric antrum with the duodenal bulb, and in all cases, a peptic ulcer was located in or immediately adjacent to the accessory channel. In one of the patients, the bridge between the double-channel pylorus disappeared, resulting in a single large opening and duodenal kissing ulcer after two years and three months. Finally, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Helicobacter pylori and other risk factors associated with ADP are assessed.

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