Monocyte differentiation is controlled by MyD88 after mouse orthotopic lung transplantation

In lung grafts, ischemia-reperfusion signals rapidly induce the recruitment and differentiation of host monocytes into macrophages and dendritic cells. The nature of ischemia-reperfusion signals are antigen independent, but have been hypothesized to initiate Toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin (IL)-1R-mediated signaling pathways that are thought to potentiate alloimmune responses. We wondered whether MyD88, an adaptor molecule critical for both TLR and IL-1R-mediated inflammatory responses, regulated monocyte differentiation in a mouse model of vascularized orthotopic lung transplantation. Orthotopic left lung transplants were performed in the following syngeneic combinations: CD45.1(+) B6 --> CD45.2(+) MyD88(-/-) and CD45.1(+) B6 --> CD45.2(+) B6. One day later, recipient-derived dendritic cells and macrophage numbers were assessed in the bronchiolar lavage by FACS analysis. Compared with the bronchiolar lavage of wildtype recipients, MyD88(-/-) recipients had lower numbers of dendritic cells in lung graft airways that were of recipient origin. Lower numbers of newly differentiated lung graft dendritic cells was coincident with the appearance of higher numbers of undifferentiated monocytes in the lung airways of MyD88(-/-) recipients as compared with wild-type recipients. Moreover, adoptive transfer experiments demonstrated that MyD88(-/-) monocytes were poorer at differentiating into lung dendritic cells as compared with wild-type monocytes. Taken together, these data show that MyD88 regulates graft-infiltrating monocyte differentiation and suggests a mechanism by which TLR/IL-1R-signaling pathways control adaptive responses in lung allografts through controlling monocyte fate.

Safety evaluation of polydextrose in infant formula using a suckling piglet model

Oligosaccharides, the third largest component in human milk, are virtually absent from cow's milk and most infant formula. Prebiotic carbohydrates like polydextrose (PDX) have been proposed as surrogates for human milk oligosaccharides. Safety assessments of novel infant formula ingredients include dose-response experiments in appropriate neonatal animal models such as the suckling pig. To further substantiate the safety of the ingredient, one-day old pigs were fed a cow's milk-based formula supplemented with PDX (1.7, 4.3, 8.5 or 17 g/L) for 18 days (n=13/dose) and compared to appropriate control (unsupplemented formula; n=13) and reference groups (day 0 pigs, and sow-reared pigs; n=13). Growth rate, formula intake, stool consistency, behavior score, blood chemistry and hematology, relative organ weights (% of body weight), tissue morphology (i.e. liver, kidney and pancreas) and pancreas biochemistry did not differ among formula-fed pigs (P>0.1). Polydextrose mimicked other prebiotic carbohydrates and had no adverse effect at the highest tested level 17.0 g PDX/L, equivalent to a dose of 8.35 g/kg of body weight per day.

Risk prediction of prevalent diabetes in a Swiss population using a weighted genetic score--the CoLaus Study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Several susceptibility genes for type 2 diabetes have been discovered recently. Individually, these genes increase the disease risk only minimally. The goals of the present study were to determine, at the population level, the risk of diabetes in individuals who carry risk alleles within several susceptibility genes for the disease and the added value of this genetic information over the clinical predictors.

METHODS

We constructed an additive genetic score using the most replicated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 15 type 2 diabetes-susceptibility genes, weighting each SNP with its reported effect. We tested this score in the extensively phenotyped population-based cross-sectional CoLaus Study in Lausanne, Switzerland (n = 5,360), involving 356 diabetic individuals.

RESULTS

The clinical predictors of prevalent diabetes were age, BMI, family history of diabetes, WHR, and triacylglycerol/HDL-cholesterol ratio. After adjustment for these variables, the risk of diabetes was 2.7 (95% CI 1.8-4.0, p = 0.000006) for individuals with a genetic score within the top quintile, compared with the bottom quintile. Adding the genetic score to the clinical covariates improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve slightly (from 0.86 to 0.87), yet significantly (p = 0.002). BMI was similar in these two extreme quintiles.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

In this population, a simple weighted 15 SNP-based genetic score provides additional information over clinical predictors of prevalent diabetes. At this stage, however, the clinical benefit of this genetic information is limited.

Comparative analysis of five varieties in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton by 45S rDNA FISH and 5S rDNA sequences

In this study, the relationships of five varieties in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton were analyzed. All the varieties showed the same chromosome number 2n = 40, and the banding patterns of PI-DAPI staining and the FISH results of 45S rDNA probe were on the same site of the chromosome pair. The 5S rRNA gene spacers were ranged from 413 bp in P. frutescens var. purpurascens and 408 bp in var. frutescens. The varieties analyzed here were clustered into two clades according to the phylogenetic analysis. The sequence identity of 96% between var. auriculato-dentata and var. arguta suggested they could be considered the same variety.

Heat capacity peak in solid 4He: effects of disorder and 3He impurities

Heat capacity measurements with significantly improved resolution find the presence of a peak in a solid 4He sample in coexistence with liquid. With improved crystallinity, the peak decreases in height and moves to lower temperature. A hysteretic heat capacity signature consistent with 3He-4He phase separation, not detected in an earlier work is clearly observed.

Distinctive immunohistochemical profile of mucinous cystic neoplasms of pancreas, ovary and lung

Mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) of the pancreas, ovary and lung have a similar histologic appearance. We investigated if immunohistochemical (IHC) studies could help in separating these neoplasms. Twenty-six ovarian MCNs (invasive carcinoma and borderline tumor), 12 pancreatic MCNs (invasive carcinoma, and with moderate or high-grade dysplasia), and 3 pulmonary MCNs (only invasive carcinoma) were retrieved. Our study demonstrated that pancreatic MCNs are positive for CDX-2 (67%), PDX-1 (100%), CK7 (83%) and CK20 (100%), while are negative for CA-125. The IHC profile of ovarian intestinal type MCN is similar to that of pancreatic MCNs, except for lower frequency of CDX-2 expression (29% vs. 67%). Ovarian endocervical like MCNs are positive for CA-125 (100%) and CK7 (100%), while are negative for CDX-2, PDX-1 and CK20. Pulmonary MCNs are positive for CDX-2 (100%), CK7 (100%) and CK20 (100%), while are negative for PDX-1 and CA-125. All tumors are negative for TTF-1, D2-40 and WT-1. We concluded that an IHC panel of CDX-2, PDX-1, CA-125, and CK20 is useful in separating MCNs of the pancreas, ovary and lung.

Indications of conical emission of charged hadrons at the BNL relativistic heavy ion collider

Three-particle azimuthal correlation measurements with a high transverse momentum trigger particle are reported for pp, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV by the STAR experiment. Dijet structures are observed in pp, d+Au and peripheral Au+Au collisions. An additional structure is observed in central Au+Au data, signaling conical emission of correlated charged hadrons. The conical emission angle is found to be theta=1.37+/-0.02(stat)-0.07+0.06(syst), independent of p_{ perpendicular}.

Skeletal effects of fibroblast growth factor mimetic (F2A) in ovariectomized rats

The current study was designed to determine whether short-term, systemic treatment with F2A, a mimetic for FGF-2, has skeletal effects in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and adverse side effects in non-skeletal tissues. Groups of sham-operated and OVX rats were maintained untreated for 6 weeks postOVX. These groups (N=6) were then treated IP with vehicle or F2A (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg) daily for 14 days. Histomorphometric analyses were performed in the proximal tibial metaphyses. Hematocrit was normal in F2A-treated OVX rats. Although organ function was not evaluated, histological examination of several organs did not detect any abnormalities. F2A treatment did not increase cancellous bone mass regardless of dose, but OVX rats treated with 1 mg/kg did exhibit increased osteoclast surface. All 3 doses of F2A induced a modest increase in cancellous bone formation. Therefore, F2A appears to increase both cancellous bone resorption and formation, but these skeletal processes are in balance so that, unlike FGF-2, cancellous bone mass is not augmented. However, F2A did not induce the anemia and impaired bone mineralization associated with FGF-2. Therefore, local application of F2A for orthopedic procedures would presumably have minimal side effects, even if the peptide is released to the systemic circulation.

System-size independence of directed flow measured at the BNL relativistic heavy-ion collider

We measure directed flow (v_{1}) for charged particles in Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 and 62.4 GeV, as a function of pseudorapidity (eta), transverse momentum (p_{t}), and collision centrality, based on data from the STAR experiment. We find that the directed flow depends on the incident energy but, contrary to all available model implementations, not on the size of the colliding system at a given centrality. We extend the validity of the limiting fragmentation concept to v_{1} in different collision systems, and investigate possible explanations for the observed sign change in v_{1}(p_{t}).

Forward neutral-pion transverse single-spin asymmetries in p + p collisions at sqrt[s] = 200 GeV

We report precision measurements of the Feynman x (xF) dependence, and first measurements of the transverse momentum (pT) dependence, of transverse single-spin asymmetries for the production of pi0 mesons from polarized proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 200 GeV. The xF dependence of the results is in fair agreement with perturbative QCD model calculations that identify orbital motion of quarks and gluons within the proton as the origin of the spin effects. Results for the pT dependence at fixed xF are not consistent with these same perturbative QCD-based calculations.

Studies on the drug release properties of nano-encapsulated indomethacin microparticles

Indomethacin micro-crystals sized approximately 2 microm have been encapsulated with polyelectrolyte multi-layers for the purpose of controlled release. Charged linear poly (dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) (PDDA) and poly (styrene sulphonate) (PSS) were alternatively deposited on approximately 2 microm drug micro-crystals. The release of indomethacin from coated micro-crystals was measured in aqueous solutions of pH 1.4 and 6.8. The polyelectrolyte multi-layer capsule thickness was proved to control. The results provided a method of achieving prolonged drug release through self-assembly of polymeric shells on drug microcrystals.

Longitudinal double-spin asymmetry for inclusive jet production in p[over -->] + p[over -->] collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

We report a new STAR measurement of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry A(LL) for inclusive jet production at midrapidity in polarized p + p collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=200 GeV. The data, which cover jet transverse momenta 5<p(T)<30 GeV/c, are substantially more precise than previous measurements. They provide significant new constraints on the gluon spin contribution to the nucleon spin through the comparison to predictions derived from one global fit to polarized deep-inelastic scattering measurements.

Novel double-superior-trunk injury of the brachial plexus: a case report

Brachial plexus injuries are generally rare and a double-superior-trunk injury of the brachial plexus has never been reported before. We report the first case of a brachial plexus injury in a 43-year-old Chinese male with a double superior trunk. This was observed incidentally during an operation 1 month after initial traction injury sustained in a car accident. The double superior trunk of the brachial plexus was formed by the double roots of C5 and C6, respectively. Six months after discharge, the patient reported the recovery of most of the function of his left arm except the muscles innervated by the radial nerve. Two years after discharge, he reported almost full functional recovery of his left arm. We discuss what is known about anatomical variations of the brachial plexus, and the possible association between this novel brachial plexus anatomy and the almost complete functional recovery of the arm.

Use of combined conventional and quantitative MRI to quantify pathology related to cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is one of the frequent and early findings in multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relation between cognitive abnormalities and the extent of macroscopic and microscopic tissue damage in the corpus callosum (CC), revealed by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetisation transfer imaging (MTI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

METHODS

Conventional dual-echo, DTI and MTI of the brain were obtained from 36 patients with relapsing remitting (RR) MS, and 13 age and gender matched normal controls. Voxels from CC were identified using a tractography based algorithm. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(av)) and MT ratio were measured for the CC as defined by tractography. Corpus callosum area (CCA) was measured using edge detection on the mid-sagittal slice on high resolution MRI images. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) were scored.

RESULTS

Nine patients (25%) were found to be cognitively impaired. The CCA was not significantly different in the whole cohort of patients from controls (608.2 (428.6-713.0) mm(2) vs 674.2 (585.8-754.4) mm(2), p = 0.1), but was smaller in cognitively impaired than unimpaired group (417 (290-634) mm(2) vs 652 (511-718) mm(2), p = 0.04). The mean MT ratio of CC in patients was lower than in controls (0.41 (0.39-0.042) vs 0.43 (0.42-0.43), p<0.001). The ADC(av) in the CC in patients was higher than in controls (0.94 (0.89-0.99) vs 0.87 (0.85-0.89), p<0.001). PASAT was correlated with mean MT ratio (r = 0.47, p = 0.0046), ADC(av) (r = -0.53, p = 0.0012), CCA (r = 0.42, p = 0.01) and total T(2) lesion load (r = -0.4, p = 0.017), but not with T(2) lesion load within the CC (r = -0.24, p = 0.16), disease duration (r = -0.2, p = 0.24) or EDSS (r = -0.27, p = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

ADC(av), MTR and atrophy measures in the CC may offer a sensitive method detecting subtle macroscopic and microscopic changes associated with cognitive impairment in MS.