Lymphocyte subpopulations and intima media thickness in primary antiphospholipd syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible association between lymphocyte subsets and intima media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS). We used a cross-sectional study on PAPS patients ( n = 18) and healthy controls ( n = 16). IgG anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL), IgG anti-β2glycoprotein-I (anti-β2GPI), IgG anti-β2glycoprotein-I complexed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and to a specific oxidized moiety of LDL (oxLig1), and β2GPI-oxLDL were measured by ELISA. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping was performed using pairs of monoclonal antibodies directly labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate, or phycoerythrin or phycoerythrin-Texas-red-X. Intima media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries was determined by high-resolution sonography. Total peripheral blood lymphocytes did not differ between PAPS and controls. Memory CD4+/CD45RO + T cells were lower in PAPS than controls ( P = 0.0007) as well as CD16+56+ natural killer cells ( P = 0.02). In PAPS memory T CD45RO + cells positively correlated with IgG anti-β2GPI-oxLig1 ( P = 0.002) and to IMT of carotid arteries (common carotid P = 0.02, bifurcation P = 0.007). Naïve CD4+/CD45RA+ T cells inversely correlated with β2GPI-oxLDL ( P = 0.009). The relation between IgG anti-β2GPI-oxLig1 and IMT of carotid arteries with memory CD45RO + T lymphocytes suggests a role for the latter in PAPS related atherogenesis.

Correction: Temporal Patterns of Influenza A and B in Tropical and Temperate Countries: What Are the Lessons for Influenza Vaccination?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152310.].

Tissue Dielectric Constant (TDC) as an Index of Skin Water in Women With and Without Breast Cancer: Upper Limb Assessment Via a Self-Contained Compact Measurement Device

Previous work showed tissue dielectric constant (TDC) measurements at 300 MHz useful to evaluate local skin water and then a hand-held compact version provided values similar to the original multi-probe system when assessed in healthy subjects. Our current goals were to use the compact portable device to determine: 1) its utility in assessing agerelated differences between younger healthy women vs. women with breast cancer (BC); 2) upper-arm site differences in women with BC and 3) its utility and limitations of a single measurement vs. averaging triplicate measurements. A total of 84 women were included; 42 were young (24.0 ± 2.4 years) self-described healthy women (group A) and 42 were older (65.5 ± 1.6 years) women with recently diagnosed BC who were awaiting surgery (group B). In both groups TDC values were assessed on the anterior forearm and in group B at the hand, forearm and biceps with all measurements bilateral and in triplicate Results showed the following. 1) Forearm TDC values are similar for younger and older groups with no significant differences (NSD) between groups or between dominant and nondominant sides or inter-arm ratios. 2) Hand TDC values are about 21% greater than forearm and biceps values but inter-arm ratios (at-risk/contralateral) are NSD among sites with values for hand, forearm and biceps of 1.027 ± 0.180, 0.997 ± 0.066 and 1.010 ± 0.075 respectively. 3) Based on limits of agreement analyses, single TDC measurements are adequate for most forearm and biceps evaluations but multiple measurements are likely needed for hand measurements. 4) Theoretical detection thresholds for nilateral lymphedema using a 3SD limit of inter-arm ratios are 1.57, 1.20 and 1.24 for and, forearm and biceps. These ratios indicate likely useful forearm and biceps thresholds but a less useful ratio at the hand due primarily to the large variance in hand TDC values among patients.

Population Structure of a Widespread Species under Balancing Selection: The Case of Arbutus unedo L

Arbutus unedo L. is an evergreen shrub with a circum-Mediterranean distribution that also reaches the Eurosiberian region in northern Iberia, Atlantic France, and a disjunct population in southern Ireland. Due to the variety of climatic conditions across its distribution range, the populations of A. unedo were expected to display local adaptation. Conversely, common garden experiments revealed that diverse genotypes from a range of provenances produce similar phenotypes through adaptive plasticity, suggesting the action of stabilizing selection across its climatically heterogeneous range. Nonetheless, since a uniform response might also result from extensive gene flow, we have inferred the population structure of A. unedo and assessed whether its extended and largely one-dimensional range influences gene flow with the help of AFLP genotypes for 491 individuals from 19 populations covering the whole range of the species. As we had anticipated, gene flow is restricted in A. unedo, providing further support to the hypothesis that stabilizing selection is the most likely explanation for the homogeneous phenotypes along the range. The Euro-Siberian populations were not particularly isolated from the Mediterranean. Instead, there was a distinct genetic divide between the populations around the Mediterranean Sea and those sampled along Atlantic coasts from northern Africa up to Ireland. This genetic structure suggests the action of historic rather than biogeographic factors as it seems consistent with a scenario of independent glacial refugia in the Atlantic and Mediterranean portions of the range of A. unedo. Genetic exchange was likewise restricted within each set of populations. Nevertheless, isolation-by-distance (IBD) was stronger, and F ST increased faster with distance, along the Atlantic, suggesting that gene flow might be larger among Mediterranean populations. Genetic diversity was significantly lower in NW Iberia and Ireland than in other populations whereas Ireland was more closely related to populations in NW Iberia than to a population in Atlantic France, suggesting a postglacial stepping-stone colonization of the Atlantic coast. Altogether, our results show that stabilizing selection is able to homogenize the phenotypic response even when population structure is strong, gene flow is constrained, and the phylogeographic past is complex.

Role of Vascular Disease in the Evolution of Heart Transplant Patients

BACKGROUND

The clinical profile of heart transplantation (HT) recipients has changed in recent years. Nowadays, we have to deal with a higher number of co-morbidities, including peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Previous studies suggest an increase in post-HT morbidity and mortality associated with PVD, especially when it is symptomatic. Our study aims were to analyze the prognostic implications of the presence of PVD before transplantation and to determine the factors associated with its development after it.

METHODS

HT patients (n = 217) who survived the first year after surgery were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 9 ± 5 years.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in mortality rates between patients with PVD (before or after HT) and those without. One third of patients with PVD required surgery in the post-HT monitoring, either revascularization or amputation. Furthermore, the prevalence of PVD was doubled. Dyslipidemia before HT (odds ratio [OR]: 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-6.4; P < .01) and older recipient age (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09; P < .05) were independently associated with development of PVD by means of multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of PVD must be evaluated individually in candidates for heart transplantation despite being a relative contraindication to it at the present time.

Genetic variability of hepatitis B virus in Uruguay: D/F, A/F genotype recombinants

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem. Approximately 2 billion people worldwide have been infected, and approximately 350 million individuals currently suffer from HBV-induced chronic liver infection, which causes 600,000 deaths annually from chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HBV is classified in eight genotypes (A-H), and two more have been proposed (I-J). In this paper, complete genome sequences of nine Uruguayan HBV are reported. Five samples belong to genotype F1b and one to genotype A2. Three HBV recombinants were detected: A1/F1b, A2/F1b and D3/F1b. The following mutations were detected: a G1896A substitution, a 33-nucleotide deletion from position 2896 to 2928 in the Pre-S1 region involving Pre-S1 residues 3-13, a 33-nt deletion in the Pre-S1 region involving nt 2913-2945 and Pre-S1 residues 9-19. More F genotypes strains than expected were detected in this study, supporting the hypothesis that there are more people of indigenous origin than declared in our population. Also, one third of the samples analyzed were recombinants. This cannot be explained by the low HBV prevalence in Uruguay, but a high HBV infection rate in drug addicts and dialysis patients could act in favor of multiple-genotype HBV infections that could lead to recombination.

Acute Toxicity and Sublethal Effects of Fenpyroximate to Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Knowledge about the effects of pesticides on biological control agents is required in order to successfully implement integrated pest management programs. The predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot has been used to control thrips, whiteflies, and broad mites in vegetable production; however, effects of fenpyroximate, an acaricide and insecticide used in vegetable crops, on A. swirskii have not been evaluated. The effect of four residual concentrations of fenpyroximate on A. swirskii females was measured under laboratory conditions including its effect on their fecundity and larval survival. Fresh residues of fenpyroximate were significantly toxic to adult females and larvae. Mortality increased and fecundity decreased as the concentration (0.026-0.208 ml/50 ml of water) and time after treatment (24-120 h) increased. Fifty percent of the larvae survived on the two lower concentrations (0.026 and 0.052 ml/50 ml of water) after 120 h.

A multilocus species delimitation reveals a striking number of species of coralline algae forming Maerl in the OSPAR maritime area

Maerl beds are sensitive biogenic habitats built by an accumulation of loose-lying, non-geniculate coralline algae. While these habitats are considered hot-spots of marine biodiversity, the number and distribution of maerl-forming species is uncertain because homoplasy and plasticity of morphological characters are common. As a result, species discrimination based on morphological features is notoriously challenging, making these coralline algae the ideal candidates for a DNA barcoding study. Here, mitochondrial (COI-5P DNA barcode fragment) and plastidial (psbA gene) sequence data were used in a two-step approach to delimit species in 224 collections of maerl sampled from Svalbard (78°96’N) to the Canary Islands (28°64’N) that represented 10 morphospecies from four genera and two families. First, the COI-5P dataset was analyzed with two methods based on distinct criteria (ABGD and GMYC) to delineate 16 primary species hypotheses (PSHs) arranged into four major lineages. Second, chloroplast (psbA) sequence data served to consolidate these PSHs into 13 secondary species hypotheses (SSHs) that showed biologically plausible ranges. Using several lines of evidence (e.g. morphological characters, known species distributions, sequences from type and topotype material), six SSHs were assigned to available species names that included the geographically widespread Phymatolithon calcareum, Lithothamnion corallioides, and L. glaciale; possible identities of other SSHs are discussed. Concordance between SSHs and morphospecies was minimal, highlighting the convenience of DNA barcoding for an accurate identification of maerl specimens. Our survey indicated that a majority of maerl forming species have small distribution ranges and revealed a gradual replacement of species with latitude.

Association of the KCNJ5 gene with Tourette Syndrome and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Linkage and association of Tourette Syndrome (TS) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have previously been reported in the 11q24 chromosomal region. To identify the risk gene within the region we studied the potassium inwardly-rectifying channel J5 (KCNJ5) gene in a sample of 170 nuclear families with TS. We genotyped eight markers across the gene and observed biased transmission of haplotypes from parents to probands in this sample. We then tested these markers in an independent sample of 242 nuclear families with ADHD and found the same haplotype was significantly over transmitted to ADHD probands. Screening of the coding region of KCNJ5 in 48 probands with TS did not identify any variation that could explain the association of the haplotype. We also genotyped two microsatellite markers, one in the promoter and the other in the 3' region and found no evidence for association for either marker for TS, however, we found significant evidence for association with the 3' repeat and ADHD. A small gene (c11orf45) of unknown function lies within the first intron of KCNJ5 that is transcribed in the opposite orientation and this gene may regulate the expression of KCNJ5. We studied the correlation of the expression of KCNJ5 and the antisense transcript in brain tissues from control individuals and found that the antisense transcript and the short KCNJ5 isoform are co-expressed in three brain regions. The results of this study indicate that KCNJ5 is associated with TS and ADHD in our samples, however, the functional variant(s) remain to be identified.

Totally laparoscopic right-lobe hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation: useful strategies to enhance safety

The overriding concern in living donor liver transplantation is donor safety. A totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy without middle hepatic vein for adult living donor liver transplantation is presented. The surgical procedure is described in detail, focusing on relevant technical aspects to enhance donor safety, specifically the hanging maneuver and dynamic fluoroscopy-controlled bile duct division.

Myelin basic protein induces inflammatory mediators from primary human endothelial cells and blood-brain barrier disruption: implications for the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

AIM

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, characterized by demyelination of white matter, loss of myelin forming oligodendrocytes, changes in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and leucocyte infiltration. Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a component of the myelin sheath. Degradation of myelin is believed to be an important step that leads to MS pathology. Transmigration of leucocytes across the vasculature, and a compromised BBB participate in the neuroinflammation of MS. We examined the expression and regulation of the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human endothelial cells (EC), a component of the BBB, after treatment with MBP.

METHODS

EC were treated with full-length MBP. CCL2 and IL-6 protein were determined by ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to determine signalling pathways. A BBB model was treated with MBP and permeability was assayed using albumin conjugated to Evan's blue dye. The levels of the tight junction proteins occludin and claudin-1, and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 were assayed by Western blot.

RESULTS

MBP significantly induced CCL2 and IL-6 protein from EC. This induction was partially mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway as there was phosphorylation after MBP treatment. MBP treatment of a BBB model caused an increase in permeability that correlated with a decrease in occludin and claudin-1, and an induction of MMP2.

CONCLUSION

These data demonstrate that MBP induces chemotactic and inflammatory mediators. MBP also alters BBB permeability and tight junction expression, indicating additional factors that may contribute to the BBB breakdown characteristic of MS.