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“Purpose of review
Wegener’s granulomatosis is associated with bacterial infection, in particular nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus. Infection may play a role in the induction of autoimmunity
as well as in the effector phase of the disease. Here, the current hypotheses aiming to explain the link between infections and Wegener’s granulomatosis immunopathogenesis are reviewed and discussed.
Recent findings
In recent years, studies suggested that molecular mimicry could play a role in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV), either via direct mimicry between human lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 and bacterial FimH or indirectly via the development of antibodies against a peptide complementary to proteinase 3 (cPr3). More recent work has focused on Toll-like receptors ACY-1215 (TLRs), a family of receptors specialized in the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In animal models, it has been shown 4EGI-1 solubility dmso that TLR ligands can aggravate anti-MPO antibody-mediated disease. Furthermore, it was shown that a TLR9 ligand can trigger the production of ANCA in vitro by peripheral blood-derived B lymphocytes from AAV patients. The newly described process
of ANCA-mediated neutrophil extracellular trap formation may provide an endogenous TLR9 ligand. Finally, TLR2 signaling is involved in the development of a Th17-driven immune response, consistent with skewing towards a Th17 T cell phenotype that has been observed in Wegener’s granulomatosis.
Summary
Although Wegener’s granulomatosis pathophysiology is becoming better understood, the specific events leading to autoimmunity are not clear. Recent studies show that several mechanisms
may be involved in linking infection to autoimmunity. Molecular mimicry may be involved, and a role for www.selleckchem.com/products/bay80-6946.html TLR signaling is suggested.”
“Background: Range of motion after a total knee arthroplasty is an important indicator of clinical outcome. Recently, a high-flexion posterior cruciate ligament-retaining knee prosthesis was designed to allow greater flexion after total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to compare range of motion and functional outcomes in patients who received either a high-flexion cruciate-retaining or a standard cruciate-retaining knee replacement.
Methods: Fifty knees that had a total knee arthroplasty with a high-flexion design and fifty that had a total knee arthroplasty with a standard design were included in this study and were followed prospectively for a minimum of two years. The arcs of maximal non-weight-bearing passive flexion and weight-bearing flexion were measured, and the number of knees that allowed the patients to kneel and sit cross-legged in comfort was determined.