Pathological phenotype of sheep scrapie after blood transfusion

Blood transfusion practices have resulted in iatrogenic cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) and it is known that sheep blood is also infectious in the pre-clinical stages of natural scrapie and experimentally induced bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Further investigations have also shown that the pathological phenotype of sheep BSE and human vCJD is maintained after blood transfusion. The present study describes the pathological phenotype, in terms of accumulation of the disease-associated prion protein in brain and lymphoreticular tissues, in sheep receiving blood from donors infected with natural scrapie. The immunohistochemical examinations undertaken showed a degree of phenotypic variability within and between scrapie donors and recipients, which might be attributable to the presence of more than one scrapie strain amongst the donor sheep or to a host adaptation process, or to the interaction of both, rather than to the influence of the route of infection.

2-3H-Benzoxazolinone (BOA) induces loss of salt tolerance in salt-adapted plants

In order to test the stress hypothesis of allelopathy of Reigosa et al. (1999, 2002), the combined action of a well-established allelochemical compound (2-3H-benzoxazolinone, BOA) and a common abiotic stress (salt stress) were investigated in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). In a previous study (Baerson et al. 2005), we demonstrated that the primary effects of BOA are related to the expression of genes involved in detoxification and stress responses, which might serve to simultaneously alleviate biotic and abiotic stresses. Through analysis of the same physiological and biochemical parameters previously studied for BOA alone (Sánchez-Moreiras & Reigosa 2005), we observed specific effects of salt stress alone, as well as for the two stresses together (BOA and salt). This paper demonstrates that plants showing tolerance to salt stress (reduced stomatal density, increased proline content, higher K(+) concentration, etc.) become salt sensitive (markedly low Psiw values, high putrescine content, increased lipid peroxidation, etc.) when simultaneously treated with the allelochemical BOA. We also report additional information on the mechanisms of action of BOA, and general stress responses in this plant species.

Single photon emission from site-controlled InAs quantum dots grown on GaAs(001) patterned substrates

We present a fabrication method to produce site-controlled and regularly spaced InAs/GaAs quantum dots for applications in quantum optical information devices. The high selectivity of our epitaxial regrowth procedure can be used to allocate the quantum dots only in positions predefined by ex-situ local oxidation atomic force nanolithography. The quantum dots obtained following this fabrication process present a high optical quality which we have evaluated by microphotoluminescence and photon correlation experiments.

Surface Localization of Buried III-V Semiconductor Nanostructures

In this work, we study the top surface localization of InAs quantum dots once capped by a GaAs layer grown by molecular beam epitaxy. At the used growth conditions, the underneath nanostructures are revealed at the top surface as mounding features that match their density with independence of the cap layer thickness explored (from 25 to 100 nm). The correspondence between these mounds and the buried nanostructures is confirmed by posterior selective strain-driven formation of new nanostructures on top of them, when the distance between the buried and the superficial nanostructures is short enough (d = 25 nm).

Frequency and distribution of nerves in scrapie-affected and unaffected Peyer's patches and lymph nodes

Transmission of sheep scrapie and some other prion diseases, including variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease of man, probably occurs via the oral route. A disease-associated variant of the host-coded prion protein (PrP(d)) accumulates in germinal center follicles of lymphoid tissues, including Peyer's patches of the gut, where it can be detected before its accumulation in the central nervous system. To investigate the potential role of lymphoid tissue nerves in neuroinvasion, we used immunohistochemical methods to study the frequency and distribution of nerves and PrP(d) accumulation in Peyer's patches and other lymphoid tissues from scrapie-affected and unaffected sheep. Nerves were infrequently found in secondary follicles of Peyer's patches, but never in germinal centers of the other lymphoid tissues tested. No differences in the frequency or distribution of nerves were found in relation to the presence or absence of PrP(d) accumulation. PrP(d) accumulation and nerves were only infrequently present together in Peyer's patches. These results suggest that, even if amplification of infectivity in lymphoid tissues facilitates neuroinvasion, nerves within lymph nodes and germinal centers of Peyer's patches do not play a primary role in transport of infectivity to the central nervous system. However, sheep between 2 and 4 months of age had significantly more nerve fibers within follicles than older groups. It is therefore possible that a general increase in nerve density of the intestine during early phases of life may contribute to an increased susceptibility of young animals to oral prion infection.

Site-controlled lateral arrangements of InAs quantum dots grown on GaAs(001) patterned substrates by atomic force microscopy local oxidation nanolithography

In this work, we present a fabrication process that combines atomic force microscopy (AFM) local oxidation nanolithography and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth techniques in order to control both the nucleation site and number of InAs quantum dots (QDs) inside different motifs printed on GaAs(001) substrates. We find that the presence of B-type slopes (As terminated) inside the pattern motifs is the main parameter for controlling the selectivity of the pattern for InAs growth. We demonstrate that either single InAs QDs or multiple InAs QDs in a lateral arrangement (LQDAs) can be obtained, with a precise control in their position and QD number, simply by varying the fabricated oxide length along the [110] direction.

Comparative analysis and clinical value of the expression of metalloproteases and their inhibitors by intratumor stromal fibroblasts and those at the invasive front of breast carcinomas

An immunohistochemical study was performed using tissue arrays and specific antibodies against MMPs -1, -2, -7, -9, -11, -13, -14, and TIMPs -1, -2 and -3. More than 5,000 determinations on cancer specimens from 124 patients with invasive breast cancer were performed at the center of the tumor and the invasive front. Immunostaining for MMPs/TIMPs by fibroblasts was evaluated. To identify specific groups of tumors with distinct expression profiles, the data obtained from both fibroblast populations were analyzed by unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis. Intratumor stromal fibroblasts more frequently showed expression of MMP-2, -7, and -14, and TIMP-3, but less frequently of MMP-9 than fibroblasts at the invasive front. Multivariate analysis showed that a high profile of MMPs and TIMPs staining in both fibroblast populations was the most potent predictor factor of distant metastases, whereas a low staining profile in fibroblasts was associated with a low risk of metastases.

Pathogenetical significance of porencephalic lesions associated with intracerebral inoculation of sheep with the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent

Decreased rates of transmission of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) to sheep have been attributed to some polymorphisms of the prion protein (PrP) and to a 'species barrier' on interspecies experiments. In addition, the blood-brain barrier may be a further impediment to TSE neuroinvasion. The intracerebral (I/C) route is generally considered the most efficient for TSE transmission, as it may help to bypass those factors. Therefore, susceptibility of particular species to specific TSE agents is conducted by this route.

AIMS

This study characterizes the traumatic brain lesions associated with the I/C injection of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent in sheep, assesses the relevance of such lesions in the outcome of clinical disease and provides insight into the mechanisms of PrP(d) conversion and amplification following I/C challenge.

METHODS

A total of 27 hemibrains have been macroscopically and immunohistochemically examined to investigate the presence of lesions compatible with the needle track and the PrP(d) distribution, respectively.

RESULTS

No residual inoculum was found and the extension and severity of the traumatic brain lesions were unrelated to the clinical outcome. Sheep with PrP(d) accumulation in the brain also showed conspicuous focal aggregates in the porencephalic lesions and in the circumventricular organs. In contrast, sheep without PrP(d) deposits in the brain were also negative in the traumatic lesions.

CONCLUSION

Overall, these findings suggest that the efficiency of the I/C route is due to effective absorption and blood recirculation of infection, rather than to primary amplification at the site of injection.

Self-assembling processes involved in the molecular beam epitaxy growth of stacked InAs/InP quantum wires

The growth mechanism of stacked InAs/InP(001) quantum wires (QWRs) is studied by combining an atomic-scale cross-sectional scanning tunnelling microscopy analysis with in situ and in real-time stress measurements along the [110] direction (sensitive to stress relaxation during QWR formation). QWRs in stacked layers grow by a non-Stranski-Krastanov (SK) process which involves the production of extra InAs by strain-enhanced As/P exchange and a strong strain driven mass transport. Despite the different growth mechanism of the QWR between the first and following layers of the stack, the QWRs maintain on average the same shape and composition in all the layers of the stack, revealing the high stability of this QWR configuration.

Exciton gas compression and metallic condensation in a single semiconductor quantum wire

We study the metal-insulator transition in individual self-assembled quantum wires and report optical evidence of metallic liquid condensation at low temperatures. First, we observe that the temperature and power dependence of the single nanowire photoluminescence follow the evolution expected for an electron-hole liquid in one dimension. Second, we find novel spectral features that suggest that in this situation the expanding liquid condensate compresses the exciton gas in real space. Finally, we estimate the critical density and critical temperature of the phase transition diagram at n{c} approximately 1 x 10;{5} cm;{-1} and T{c} approximately 35 K, respectively.

Occurrence and cellular localization of PrPd in kidneys of scrapie-affected sheep in the absence of inflammation

Following a preliminary description of disease-associated prion protein (PrPd) deposition in the kidneys of scrapie-affected sheep, detailed studies have been undertaken in order to evaluate the factors that could account for such PrPd accumulation and to determine the precise location of PrPd in the renal papillae. Immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations for PrPd were conducted in kidneys collected at post-mortem from 30 naturally and 37 experimentally infected sheep. In addition, PrPd detection by western blot analysis (WB) and ultrastructural examination was carried out in a selection of kidneys. PrPd-specific, multifocal IHC labelling with antibody R145 was achieved in the kidneys of 44% and 51% of the naturally and experimentally infected sheep, respectively. The specificity of these results was confirmed by further IHC and WB using several PrP antibodies raised to different amino acid sequences, and by examination of control tissues. PrPd was shown to accumulate in the interstitium of the renal papillae, in association with the cell membrane and lysosomes of fibroblast-like cells, or extracellularly, in close contact with collagen and basal membranes. These deposits were unrelated to inflammatory changes in the kidney as shown by routine histology and by IHC for different immune cell markers. PrPd accumulated in the kidney of sheep that showed widespread PrPd deposition in the lymphoreticular system and had long incubation periods; these findings argue for a haematogenous origin of renal PrPd, although the precise site and mechanism-glomerular filtration and reabsorption at Henle's loop, or extravasation from vasa recta capillaries, or both-by which PrPd leaves the blood to accumulate in the interstitium of renal papillae remain to be determined. Either of these pathogenetic mechanisms could lead to environmental contamination via urine.

[Aquagenic keratoderma: 3 new cases and a review of the literature]

Aquagenic keratoderma is a rare type of transient acquired keratoderma that is triggered or exacerbated by immersion of the palms or soles in water. It is characterized by whitish or translucent papules with central punctate depressions that coalesce in macerated edematous plaques. It appears within a few minutes of exposure to water and subsides soon after drying. We describe 3 new cases of aquagenic keratoderma in a 28-year-old man with a history of Behçet disease, an 18-year-old woman, and a 20-year-old man. We discuss the clinical and histopathologic features, treatment options, and course of the lesions in the cases described in the literature.

[Ancillary studies in the differential diagnosis of epithelial renal cell tumors with granular cells]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Differential diagnosis of renal neoplasms with granular cells may pose difficulties and implications on ontogeny and prognosis. Our aims are to characterize the pattern of immunostaining and to search for a useful diagnosis panel.

METHODS

We studied with colloidal iron staining (Mowry's modified method) and 22 commonly used immunomarkers 22 conventional carcinomas (CC), 37 chromophobe carcinomas (CPC), 8 oncocytomas (OC), and 7 collecting duct carcinomas (CDC) with granular cells. Cases with not entirely clear diagnosis were excluded.

RESULTS

Colloidal iron staining was diffuse, strong, reticular, and cytoplasmic in 32 CPC cases, the diffuse and strong pattern was not observed in other tumors. The more useful diagnostic panel was cytokeratin 7 (CK7)/CD10/vimentine (vim). The 8 OC were negative for the three antibodies. The most common profile for CC was CK7-/CD10+/vim+, the CPC profile was CK7+/CD10-/vim-, and CDC did not show a particular profile. With these three antibodies specificity was >90% for the differential diagnosis. Adding colloidal iron staining specificity was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Morphologic features, colloidal iron staining (modified Mowry's method), and immunostaining with CK7/CD10/vim permit the final diagnosis with high specificity. However, a 100% specific marker does not exist at the present time.

Vitamin D3 cannot revert desensitization of growth hormone (GH)-induced STAT5-signaling in GH-overexpressing mice non-calcemic tissues

Growth hormone (GH) binding to a membrane receptor dimer triggers multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Signal transducers and activators of transcription are the most relevant of these pathways for GH action. GH also activates several inhibitory mechanisms, particularly suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS/CIS) proteins. GH-overexpressing mice exhibit hepatic desensitization of the JAK2/STAT5 GH-signaling pathway, associated with an increased abundance of CIS. Vitamin D3 has been shown to inhibit GH-induced expression of CIS and SOCS-3 and therefore prolong GH signaling in osteoblast-like cells. The purpose of the present study is to determine if vitamin D3 could attenuate CIS expression in GH-overexpressing mice, and consequently allow GH JAK2/STAT5 signaling in GH-responsive tissues in these animals. The abundance of CIS, SOCS-2, SOCS-3, STAT5b and GHR, as well as STAT5b tyrosine phosphorylation after a GH stimulus, were measured in liver and muscle of GHRH-transgenic mice treated with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 for 7 days. This treatment did not diminish CIS expression in GH-overexpressing mice tissues, nor did the content of SOCS-2 and SOCS-3 significantly vary. GH-induced STAT5b phosphorylation levels were similar to basal values in transgenic mice liver treated with or without vitamin D; the refractoriness to GH was also present in muscle. Therefore, treatment with vitamin D was not sufficient to revert STAT5 GH signaling desensitization in non-calcemic tissues in GH-overexpressing mice.

Comparison of the diagnosis of malaria by microscopy, immunochromatography and PCR in endemic areas of Venezuela

Whole blood samples (N = 295) were obtained from different locations in Amazonas and Sucre States, in Venezuela. Malaria was diagnosed by microscopy, OptiMAL and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with Plasmodium vivax, P. falciparum, and P. malariae being detected when possible. We identified 93 infections, 66 of which were caused by P. vivax, 26 by P. falciparum, and 1 was a mixed infection. No infection caused by P. malariae was detected. The sensitivity and specificity of each diagnostic method were high: 95.7 and 97.9% for microscopy, 87.0 and 97.9% for OptiMAL, and 98.0 and 100% for PCR, respectively. Most samples (72.2%) showed more than 5000 parasites/microL blood. The sensitivity of the diagnosis by microscopy and OptiMAL decreased with lower parasitemia. All samples showing disagreement among the methods were reevaluated, but the first result was used for the calculations. Parasites were detected in the 6 false-negative samples by microscopy after the second examination. The mixed infection was only detected by PCR, while the other methods diagnosed it as P. falciparum (microscopy) or P. vivax (OptiMAL) infection. Most of the false results obtained with the OptiMAL strip were related to the P. falciparum-specific band, including 3 species misdiagnoses, which could be related to the test itself or to genetic variation of the Venezuelan strains. The use of the microscopic method for malaria detection is recommended for its low cost but is very difficult to implement in large scale, population-based studies; thus, we report here more efficient methods suitable for this purpose.

Gastrointestinal complications in liver transplant recipients: MITOS study

INTRODUCTION

Liver transplant recipients frequently suffer gastrointestinal (GI) complications but their prevalence and their influence on quality of life remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to asses the prevalence, impact on quality of life, and management of GI complications in liver transplant recipients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was an epidemiologic, cross-sectional, multicenter study. Four hundred seventeen liver recipients were recruited in 14 centers. A questionnaire was filled for every patient.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 55 years. The median time since transplantation was 4.1 +/- 4 years. Whereas 19.2% presented some GI disease before transplantation, 49.4% showed this type of complication after transplantation. Diarrhea was the most prevalent GI complication, and anorexia was the GI disorder that affected patients daily activities the most frequently. GI complications were more frequent among female patients, subjects with pretransplantation hiatal hernia, and those readmitted after transplantation. Of the patients with GI complications, 70.9% received pharmacological treatment (89.7% with gastric protectors). Immunosuppressive therapy was also modified because of GI complications. Immunosuppressive drug dose was reduced in 18.1%, transiently stopped in 3.4%, and definitively stopped in 3.4% of cases. The drug most frequently changed was mycophenolate mofetil: dose reduction, 23.6%; transient withdrawal, 5.7%; and definitive withdrawal, 6.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of GI complications in the liver transplant population was approximately 50%. GI complications showed a significant impact on the quality of life of the patients. They were related to female gender, to pretransplantation GI pathology, and posttransplantation hospital admission. These complications were frequently managed with pharmacological therapy or with changes in immunosuppressive therapy.