Present angiogenesis research and its possible future implementation in wound care

The process of new blood vessel formation is essential for wound healing. Nurses should be aware of the latest scientific findings on angiogenesis which will enhance their understanding of how it may affect clinical practice.

ECG-synchronized DSA exposure control: improved cervicothoracic image quality

An electrocardiogram (ECG)-synchronized x-ray exposure sequence was used to acquire digital subtraction angiographic (DSA) images during 13 arterial injection studies of the aortic arch or carotid bifurcations. These "gated" images were compared with matched "ungated" DSA images acquired using the same technical factors, contrast material volume, and patient positioning. Subjective assessments by five experienced observers of edge definition, vessel conspicuousness, and overall diagnostic quality showed overall preference for one of the two acquisition methods in 69% of cases studied. Of these, the ECG-synchronized exposure series were rated superior in 76%. Linear intensity gradients across vessel margins generally showed improved or unchanged edge definition in the gated subtraction images as compared with their ungated pairs. These results, as well as the relatively simple and inexpensive modifications required, suggest that routine use of ECG exposure control can facilitate improved arterial DSA evaluations of suspected cervicothoracic vascular disease.

Haloperidol reinstates latent inhibition impaired by hippocampal lesions: data and theory

The effect of haloperidol administration on the impairment of latent inhibition produced by aspirative lesions of the hippocampus was examined in the rat eyeblink response preparation. During the preexposure phase, rats with hippocampal or control lesions were either exposed to a tone or allowed to sit in the training apparatus. During the conditioning phase, the tone was paired with an airpuff to the eye after the rats were injected with either saline or haloperidol. Although saline-injected rats with hippocampal lesions did not show latent inhibition, the phenomenon was reinstated in rats that received haloperidol injections. A possible locus of the interaction between hippocampal lesions and haloperidol is the nucleus accumbens. The reported data are well described by a neural network model of classical conditioning. This study contributes to the understanding of the neurophysiology of latent inhibition as well as the neuropsychological bases of schizophrenia.

Osteolineage depletion of mitofusin2 enhances cortical bone formation in female mice

Mitochondria are essential organelles that form highly complex, interconnected dynamic networks inside cells. The GTPase mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a highly conserved outer mitochondrial membrane protein involved in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology, which can affect various metabolic and signaling functions. The role of mitochondria in bone formation remains unclear. Since MFN2 levels increase during osteoblast (OB) differentiation, we investigated the role of MFN2 in the osteolineage by crossing mice bearing floxed Mfn2 alleles with those bearing Prx-cre to generate cohorts of conditional knock out (cKO) animals. By ex vivo microCT, cKO female mice, but not males, display an increase in cortical thickness at 8, 18, and 30 weeks, compared to wild-type (WT) littermate controls. However, the cortical anabolic response to mechanical loading was not different between genotypes. To address how Mfn2 deficiency affects OB differentiation, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from both wild-type and cKO mice were cultured in osteogenic media with different levels of β-glycerophosphate. cKO MSCs show increased mineralization and expression of multiple markers of OB differentiation only at the lower dose. Interestingly, despite showing the expected mitochondrial rounding and fragmentation due to loss of MFN2, cKO MSCs have an increase in oxygen consumption during the first 7 days of OB differentiation. Thus, in the early phases of osteogenesis, MFN2 restrains oxygen consumption thereby limiting differentiation and cortical bone accrual during homeostasis in vivo.

Dissipation and effects of tricyclazole on soil microbial communities and rice growth as affected by amendment with alperujo compost

The presence of pesticides in surface and groundwater has grown considerably in the last decades as a consequence of the intensive farming activity. Several studies have shown the benefits of using organic amendments to prevent losses of pesticides from runoff or leaching. A particular soil from the Guadalquivir valley was placed in open air ponds and amended at 1 or 2% (w/w) with alperujo compost (AC), a byproduct from the olive oil industry. Tricyclazole dissipation, rice growth and microbial diversity were monitored along an entire rice growing season. An increase in the net photosynthetic rate of Oryza sativa plants grown in the ponds with AC was observed. These plants produced between 1100 and 1300kgha(-1) more rice than plants from the unamended ponds. No significant differences were observed in tricyclazole dissipation, monitored for a month in soil, surface and drainage water, between the amended and unamended ponds. The structure and diversity of bacteria and fungi communities were also studied by the use of the polymerase chain reaction denaturing gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) from DNA extracted directly from soil samples. The banding pattern was similar for all treatments, although the density of bands varied throughout the time. Apparently, tricyclazole did not affect the structure and diversity of bacteria and fungi communities, and this was attributed to its low bioavailability. Rice cultivation under paddy field conditions may be more efficient under the effects of this compost, due to its positive effects on soil properties, rice yield, and soil microbial diversity.

Early suppression of peripheral mononuclear blood cells in sepsis in response to stimulation with cytomegalovirus, OKT3, and pokeweed mitogen

Critically ill patients are at risk for sepsis, and immunosuppressive mechanisms may prevail. Whether functional tests are helpful to detect immune alterations is largely unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypotheses that reactivity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to secrete interferon-γ (IFNγ) following stimulation in vitro is decreased in patients with early sepsis compared with postoperative patients. IFNγ secretion [enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot)] in response to stimulation with cytomegalovirus (CMV), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), muromonab-anti-CD3 (OKT3), and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRA-mRNA expression and serum cytokine concentrations were repeatedly [days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after intensive care unit (ICU) admission] determined in patients with sepsis (n = 7) and patients undergoing major abdominal surgery (radical prostatectomy, cystectomy, n = 10). In a second cohort, HLA-DRA expression was assessed in 80 patients with sepsis, 30 postoperative patients, and 44 healthy volunteers (German clinical trials database no. 00007694). In patients with sepsis, IFNγ secretion (ELISpot) was decreased compared with controls after stimulation with CMV (P = 0.01), OKT3 (P = 0.02), and PWM (P = 0.02 on day 5), whereas unstimulated IFNγ secretion did not differ. HLA-DRA expression was also significantly decreased in patients with sepsis at all time points (P = 0.004) compared with postoperative surgical patients, a finding confirmed in the larger cohort. Reactivity of PBMCs to stimulation with CMV, PWM, and OKT3 as well as HLA-DRA expression was already decreased upon ICU admission in patients with sepsis when compared with postoperative controls, suggesting early depression of acquired immunity. ELISpot assays may help to clinically characterize the time course of immunocompetence in patients with sepsis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We observed suppression of reactivity to stimulation with cytomegalovirus, muromonab-anti-CD3, and pokeweed mitogen in mononuclear blood cells of patients with early sepsis when compared with postoperative controls. Thus, there is early depression of acquired immunity in sepsis. Enzyme-linked immunospot assays may help to characterize immunocompetence in patients with sepsis.

Contemporary Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus from Pediatric Osteomyelitis Patients Display Unique Characteristics in a Mouse Model of Hematogenous Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis can result from the direct inoculation of pathogens into bone during injury or surgery or from spread via the bloodstream, a condition called hematogenous osteomyelitis (HOM). HOM disproportionally affects children, and more than half of cases are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Laboratory models of osteomyelitis mostly utilize direct injection of bacteria into the bone or implantation of foreign material and therefore do not directly interrogate the pathogenesis of pediatric hematogenous osteomyelitis. In this study, we inoculated mice intravenously and characterized the resultant musculoskeletal infections using two strains isolated from adults (USA300-LAC and NRS384) and five new methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates from pediatric osteomyelitis patients. All strains were capable of creating stable infections over 5 weeks, although the incidence varied. Micro-computed tomography (microCT) analysis demonstrated decreases in the trabecular bone volume fraction but little effect on bone cortices. Histological assessment revealed differences in the precise focus of musculoskeletal infection, with various mixtures of bone-centered osteomyelitis and joint-centered septic arthritis. Whole-genome sequencing of three new isolates demonstrated distinct strains, two within the USA300 lineage and one USA100 isolate. Interestingly, this USA100 isolate showed a distinct predilection for septic arthritis compared to the other isolates tested, including NRS384 and LAC, which more frequently led to osteomyelitis or mixed bone and joint infections. Collectively, these data outline the feasibility of using pediatric osteomyelitis clinical isolates to study the pathogenesis of HOM in murine models and lay the groundwork for future studies investigating strain-dependent differences in musculoskeletal infection.

Effect of olive-mill waste addition to soil on sorption, persistence, and mobility of herbicides used in Mediterranean olive groves

Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of olive-mill waste (OMW) addition to a Mediterranean olive grove soil on sorption, persistence, and mobility of two herbicides which are simultaneously applied for weed control in olive groves: terbuthylazine (TA) and fluometuron (FM). Laboratory batch sorption experiments showed that OMW addition to the soil at rates of 5 and 10% (w/w) greatly enhanced the sorption of both herbicides, thus suggesting that amendment with OMW could be useful to enhance the retention and reduce the mobility of FM and TA in the soil. Incubation experiments showed that OMW increased the persistence of FM and had little effect on the long persistence of TA in the soil studied. A demonstration field experiment was also conducted in field plots with a slope of about 5%, either unamended or amended with OMW at a rate of 10 kg m⁻², and then treated with a commercial formulation containing a mixture of TA and FM. Extraction of field soil samples, taken from different soil depths (0-5, 5-10, 10-20, and 20-30 cm) at different times after herbicide application, showed that both TA and FM moved deeper in unamended soil than in OMW-amended soil, and that OMW addition affected the persistence of FM in the toplayer, increasing its half-life from 24 to 58 days, while having little effect on the persistence of TA. Thus, data obtained under real field conditions were consistent with those obtained under controlled laboratory conditions. Preliminary herbicide runoff data indicated that the total herbicide runoff losses were also reduced upon OMW addition. Addition of OMW could be beneficial in reducing the mobility of TA and FM in olive grove soils, and also in increasing the persistence of FM in soils where this herbicide could be rapidly degraded.

6 GENE EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF IN VIVO- AND IN VITRO-MATURED PORCINE METAPHASE II OOCYTES

In vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes lack the same developmental competence as oocytes that are matured in vivo (IVV), yet no compelling explanation for this discrepancy has been provided at the molecular level. The aim of this study was to quantify and compare mRNA levels in IVM and IVV oocytes for genes from a wide variety of functional gene categories, including RNA degradation, pluripotency, epigenome modification, oocyte-specific, and apoptosis. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to evaluate the relative gene expression levels of 70 genes in each of 33 individual IVM oocytes from 4 different collection days and 29 individual IVV oocytes from 4 different donor animals. The qPCR data were analysed using ANOVA and significance was assigned at P < 0.05. After a multiple testing correction was applied, relative transcript abundances for 32 of the 70 genes tested were found to be significantly different (q < 0.05) between the IVM and IVV oocytes. Of these significantly different genes, 23 were higher in the IVM oocytes and only 9 were higher in the IVV oocytes. The 32 significantly differentially expressed genes were then evaluated in relation to their corresponding functional gene categories. Of particular interest, transcripts for 7/14 RNA degradation-related genes (CNOT3, DCP1A, DDX6, LSM1, PABPN1, PABPN1L, PARN) and 3/9 oocyte specific genes (BMP15, YBX2, H1FOO) were significantly more abundant in the IVM oocytes. In contrast, transcripts for 4/8 epigenetic related transcripts (ASH2l, DNMT1, EHMT2, EZH2), 2/2 apoptosis related genes (BCL2, XIAP), and 1/4 pluripotency factors (LIN28) were significantly more abundant in the IVV oocytes. Gene set enrichment analysis confirmed that, within the context of this experimental design, RNA degradation and chromatin remodelling pathways are significantly perturbed in IVM oocytes. We conclude that in vitro maturation has profound effects on transcript populations of metaphase-II oocytes, with most transcripts being higher in IVM oocytes. We expect that this data will lead to a better understanding of how we can improve the quality of oocytes that are matured in vitro as well as provide information to help to identify markers that could be indicative of oocyte quality.

Relevance of a 5-grass sublingual tablet for immunotherapy of patients with grass pollen allergy in North America

Grass pollen allergy is common and clinically consequential in North America. While it is frequently treated with subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy, debate remains regarding whether allergen immunotherapy is best carried out using a single representative or multiple cross-reactive allergen(s). Patients are commonly exposed to pollens from multiple allergenic grass species belonging to the Pooideæ subfamily. Beyond the known IgE cross-reactivity, considerable molecular heterogeneity exists with respect to allergen content among grass species, with further evidence that these molecular variants can be detected by the patients' immune system. These observations provide a compelling scientific rationale for the use of mixed pollen allergen extracts to broaden the allergen repertoire, with the aim of reorienting inappropriate immune responses in allergic patients.

Comparison of allergen immunotherapy practice patterns in the United States and Europe

OBJECTIVE

To discuss important differences and similarities in the allergen specific immunotherapy (SIT) treatment practices for aeroallergen sensitivity in the United States and Europe.

DATA SOURCES

Information on regulation and standardization in the United States and Europe was obtained from a Food and Drug Administration Allergenic Products Advisory Committee meeting, published literature, personal communications, and information obtained from the extract manufacturers.

STUDY SELECTION

Information from the published literature included articles known to the authors and acknowledged consultants, textbooks, and PubMed, with search terms dependent on the particular subtopic.

RESULTS

Key differences between Europe and the United States include allergen extract regulation, standardization, formulation, types of allergen extracts, routes of administration, and reimbursement. Most SIT is formulated in US allergists' offices, whereas virtually all SIT is formulated by extract manufacturers in Europe. Sublingual immunotherapy represents a significant percentage of SIT treatment in Europe (approximately 45%), but only a small percentage of US allergists (approximately 5.9%) prescribe sublingual immunotherapy. Similarities between European and US allergist specialists lie in their perception of SIT and approach to providing optimal SIT care, which is detailed in their practice guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Significant differences and similarities exist in SIT practice patterns of US and European allergy specialists. The differences lie primarily in the availability of allergen extracts and how these extracts are formulated. A key similarity is that both recognize the need for ongoing research focused on developing safer and more effective SIT.

Identification of an unusual gamma counter fault using Trigg's technique for trend detection

A simultaneous deterioration in performance of several radioimmunoassays suggested that equipment was malfunctioning. Replicate counts from an automated gamma counter showed unacceptable variation during a 24-hour period; this variation was detected using Trigg's technique, a sensitive method for trend analysis, and was not identified by the usual laboratory testing procedures. A defective capacitor was found in the voltage stabilisation unit in the gamma counter, which probably made it responsive to small variations in the power supply to the laboratory. It is suggested that the analysis of replicate counts using Trigg's technique is a valuable test of gamma counter function which should become routine.