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Star RA. Chloroquine and inhibition of Toll-like receptor 9 protect from sepsis-induced acute kidney injury.

We conducted a multicenter prospective trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of a single dose of rituximab (375 mg/m(2) body surface area) for the treatment of children with refractory steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). All patients (n = 12) were able to discontinue steroids at a median of 74 days after treatment. The frequency of relapses per 6 months was significantly reduced and the steroid-free period per 6 months was significantly increased after treatment compared with those before treatment. The condition in nine of the patients (75%) relapsed at a median of 129 days after treatment, and seven patients were given additional rituximab due to steroid dependency. Most of the relapses developed simultaneously with recovery of B-cells. However, three patients (25%) did not have a relapse with B-cell recovery and the disease was kept in remission for more than 1 year. None of the patients developed life-threatening adverse events. This is the first report of a prospective study of a single dose of rituximab for refractory SDNS. Treatment with a single dose of rituximab may be effective for refractory SDNS, but its efficacy to prevent relapses was transient in most of the patients.

Objective. Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) expressing TTAGGG motifs suppress the production of proinflammatory cytokines and have been proven effective at blocking the development of certain organspecific autoimmune diseases. We undertook this study to determine whether suppressive ODN alter the development of systemic autoimmunity, by evaluating their effect on the progression of lupus-like disease in NZB ؋ NZW (NZB/NZW) mice.Methods. We repeatedly treated mice with suppressive ODN before or after the onset of proteinuria. We monitored the effect of treatment on the onset, severity, and immunologic correlates of disease.Results. Treatment with suppressive ODN significantly prolonged lifespan while delaying the onset and progression of glomerulonephritis in NZB/NZW mice. Clinical improvement was accompanied by a significant reduction in anti-double-stranded DNA autoantibody production and by significantly reduced secretion of interferon-␥ and interleukin-12 in vivo.Conclusion. Suppressive ODN may be of benefit in the treatment of chronic systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

No abstract

The new polynomial eGFR formula showing the relationship with body length and serum Cr level may be applicable for clinical screening of renal function in Japanese children and adolescents aged between 2 and 18 years.

5. Saulyte J, Regueira C, Montes-Martinez A, Khudyakov P, Takkouche B. Active or passive exposure to tobacco smoking and allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, and food allergy in adults and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2014;11:e1001611. 6. Ohmen JD, Hanifin JM, Nickoloff BJ, Rea TH, Wyzykowski R, Kim J, et al. Overexpression of IL-10 in atopic dermatitis: contrasting cytokine patterns with delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. J Immunol 1995;154: 1956-63. 7. Ricci G, Patrizi A, Federica B, Calamelli E, Dell'Omo V, Bendani B, et al. Cytokines levels in children affected by atopic and nonatopic eczema. Open Dermatol J 2008;2:18-21. 8. Howell MD, Novak N, Bieber T, Pastore S, Girolomoni G, Boguniewicz M, et al. Interleukin-10 downregulates anti-microbial peptide expression in atopic dermatitis. J Invest Dermatol 2005;125:738-45. 9. Ji S, Shin JE, Kim YS, Oh JE, Min BM, Choi Y. Toll-like receptor 2 and NALP2 mediate induction of human beta-defensins by fusobacterium nucleatum in gingival epithelial cells.

Objective. To examine whether systemic administration of oligonucleotides (ODNs), known to inhibit the production of proinflammatory cytokines, alters host susceptibility to collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), a murine model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. CIA was induced by injecting DBA/1 mice with type II collagen (CII) in Freund's complete adjuvant, followed 3 weeks later by CII in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. The effect of suppressive ODNs on the incidence and severity of disease was monitored, as were immune correlates of CIA.Results. Suppressive ODNs administered during the inductive phase of CIA significantly reduced the incidence and severity of arthritis. Treatment with suppressive ODNs significantly decreased serum titers of pathogenic IgG anti-CII autoantibodies and interferon-␥ production by collagen-reactive T cells.