SOJ Immunology

Number 8, 2015

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HIV and HBV Seroprevalence in Volunteer Blood Donors in Lubumbashi

Authors: Kabamba N. Michel, Bwana K. Ignace, Kilolo N.U. Elie, Kalonji C. Deddy, Kabyla I. Benjamin, Luboya N. Oscar

Abstract

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Background: This work aimed to determine the prevalence of infectious markers of HBV and HIV among blood donors from Lubumbashi to define a policy for the future to improve their selection in order to optimally reduce the risk of transmission of infection through the blood transfusion. Methods: For this purpose, a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among volunteer blood donors of the Provincial Blood Transmission Center (CPTS) of Lubumbashi, in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the period going from1st January to 31st December 2014. The blood collections were made into two cabins (fixed and mobile). Results: The results of our epidemiological investigation showed that in the year 2014, among 440 blood donors, the prevalence of HIV, HBsAg, was of 2.3%, and 9.3% respectively. The marker of hepatitis B was the most encountered objective in our study. The prevalence of HBsAg was higher in the first donated blood donors, that is, 17.0% compared to previous donors or 4.2%, 9.4% of male donors also had a positive result against 8.3% of female Conclusion: The hepatitis B virus remains a major concern for blood recipient. For good blood safety, a particular emphasis must be put onto the pre-selection of donate blood donors’ candidates and in supplying these viral markers screening tests.

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Progressive Insight into Tumor Promotion with Proinflammatory Cytokines

Authors: Hirota Fujiki, Masami Suganuma, Tatsuro Watanabe, Eisaburo Sueoka

Abstract

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In 2013, we published a review article entitled “Tumor promoters: from chemicals to inflammatory proteins”, describing that pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the cancer microenvironment induce tumor-promoting inflammation in human cancer development. We present here some significant topics based on our experiments: (i) The okadaic acid class of compounds, which are potent inhibitors of Protein Phosphatases 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A), showed a common mechanism of tumor promotion on mouse skin, in rat glandular stomach and in rat liver, (ii) Both 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and okadaic acid commonly induced gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-1α and IL-1β on TNF+/+ mouse skin, and these pro-inflammatory cytokines induced clonal growth of v-Ha-ras-transfected BALB/3T3 cells (Bhas 42), (iii) H. pylori genome contained a new TNF-α-inducing protein (Tipα) gene, and Tipα protein induced the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in human gastric cancer cells and (iv) Nucleolin on cell surface was identified as a receptor for Tipα, emphasizing gastric tumor promotion and progression of H. pylori. Finally we discussed the broad roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines in tumor progression in relation to inflammasomes reported by other investigators. Keywords: Cytokine; Okadaic acid; Inflammasome; Nucleoli

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Effects of Physical Activity on Liver Function in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Authors: Jingjing Li, Fan Wang, Kan Chen, Yujing Xia, Jie Lu, Yingqun Zhou, Chuanyong Guo

Abstract

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Aim: To evaluate the effects of physical exercise in patients with NAFLD. Methods: We searched standard databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, et. al. up to Feb. 2014 to obtain relevant literatures. The Standard Mean Differences (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated to estimate the effects. Results: ALT levels of patients before and after exercise so significantly reduced that liver function returned to positive (SMD -0.40, 95% CI -0.75~ -0.05, P = 0.03). The significant differences observed between the experimental and control groups showed that exercise can effectively lower fasting blood glucose in patients with NAFLD (SMD -0.33, 95% CI -0.64 ~ -0.02, P=0.04). Conclusion: Exercise did not change body weight, but did improve liver enzymes and blood glucose levels in patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

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Is ABO-Compatible but Non-Identical Intestinal Transplant Comparable to ABO-Identical Transplant? An Analysis of the UNOS Registry

Authors: Junchao Cai, Xin Qing, Guosheng Wu, Matthew Everly, Elaine Cheng, Paul Terasaki

Abstract

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ABO-compatible intestinal transplants have been more frequently performed in the US in recent years (from 4% to 16%). However, they have not been clearly shown to have comparable short- and long-term graft outcome compared to ABO-identical transplants. The US national registry database was analyzed to show the current status of ABO-compatible intestinal transplantation and to determine its effect on acute rejection and long-term graft survival. Blood type A, B, and AB patients received 11%, 26%, and 62% of ABO-compatible intestinal transplants, respectively. ABO-compatible transplant recipients experienced a higher rate of acute rejection than ABO-identical patients (77% vs. 64%, p < 0.0001). In addition, they had a significantly lower 10-year graft survival rate than ABO-identical transplant recipients (27% vs. 35%, p = 0.020). Acute rejection was the cause of graft failure in 42% of ABO-compatible and 25% of ABOidentical patients who lost intestinal transplants (p = 0.041). Since ABO-compatible transplants were associated with high rates of acute rejection and graft failure, intense induction/maintenance immunosuppressive therapies are recommended for ABO-compatible transplant recipients. In addition, packed red blood cells of donor type and plasma of recipient type, if needed, should be considered as a safer transfusion strategy for ABO-compatible transplant patients to avoid intensification of allograft injury by GVH immunity.