The proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1alpha, reduces glucocorticoid receptor translocation and function

Proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to influence the expression and function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Specifically, several studies have found that cytokines induce a decrease in GR function, as evidenced by reduced sensitivity to glucocorticoid effects on functional end points. To investigate the potential mechanism(s) involved, we examined the impact of the proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), on 1) GR translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus using GR immunostaining, 2) cytosolic radioligand GR binding, and 3) GR-mediated gene transcription in L929 cells stably transfected with the mouse mammary tumor virus-cholamphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. L929 cells were treated with IL-1alpha (100 and 1000 U/ml) for 24 h in the presence or absence of dexamethasone (Dex; 10 nM to 1 microM). IL-1alpha inhibited Dex-induced GR translocation and alone induced GR up-regulation. Pretreatment with IL-1alpha followed by Dex treatment for 1.5 h led to about 20% inhibition of Dex-induced GR-mediated gene transcription, whereas coincubation of IL-1alpha plus Dex for 24 h inhibited Dex-induced GR-mediated gene activity up to 42%. The latter effect was reversed by the IL-1 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that cytokines produced during an inflammatory response may induce GR resistance in relevant cell types by direct effects on the GR, thereby providing an additional pathway by which the immune system can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

First human case of West Nile virus neuroinvasive infection in Italy, September 2008 - case report

On 20 September 2008, the laboratory of the Regional Reference Centre for Microbiological Emergencies (Centro di Riferimento Regionale per le Emergenze Microbiologiche, CRREM) in Bologna, reported the detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus (WNV) in the serum of a female patient in her eighties who lived in a rural area between Ferrara and Bologna, Italy.

Regulation of glycerol metabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: characterization of the glpR repressor gene

The operons of the glp regulon encoding the glycerol metabolic enzymes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were hitherto believed to be positively regulated by the product of the glpR regulatory gene. During nucleotide sequence analysis of the region located upstream of the previously characterized glpD gene, encoding sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, an open reading frame (glpR) was identified which encodes a protein of 251 amino acids that is 59% identical to the Glp repressor from Escherichia coli and could be expressed as a 28-kDa protein in a T7 expression system. Inactivation of chromosomal glpR by gene replacement resulted in constitutive expression of glycerol transport activity and glpD activity. These activities were strongly repressed after introduction of a multicopy plasmid containing the glpR gene; the same plasmid also efficiently repressed expression of a glpT-lacZ+ transcriptional fusion in an E. coli glpR mutant. Analysis of the glpD and glpF upstream region identified conserved palindromic sequences which were 70% identical to the E. coli glp operator consensus sequence. The results suggest that the operons of the glp regulon in P. aeruginosa are negatively regulated by the action of a glp repressor.

Organization of the human gene encoding the epididymis-specific EP2 protein variants and its relationship to defensin genes

The EP2 gene codes for at least nine message variants that are all specifically expressed in the epididymis. These variants putatively encode small secretory proteins that differ in their N- and C-termini, resulting in proteins that can have little or no sequence similarity to each other. We have isolated and sequenced the human EP2 gene to determine the molecular origin of these variants. The EP2 gene has two promoters, eight exons, and seven introns. Exons 3 and 6 encode protein sequences homologous to beta-defensins, a family of antimicrobial peptides. This sequence homology and the arrangement of promoters and defensin-encoding exons suggest that the EP2 gene originated from two ancestral beta-defensin genes arranged in tandem, each contributing a promoter and two exons encoding a leader sequence and a defensin peptide. The proposed evolutionary relationship between the EP2 gene and defensin genes is supported by the observation that the EP2 gene is located on chromosome 8p23 near the defensin gene cluster and is separated by 100 kilobases or less from DEFB2, the gene for beta-defensin-2. While the EP2 gene transcribes beta-defensin-like message variants, most of the known message variants code for nondefensin proteins or proteins containing only a partial defensin peptide sequence. We suggest that, during its evolution, the EP2 gene has acquired new functions that may be important for sperm maturation and/or storage in the epididymis.

Indirect neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in hospitalized neonates on the Thai-Myanmar border: a review of neonatal medical records from 2009 to 2014

BACKGROUND

Indirect neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (INH) is a common neonatal disorder worldwide which can remain benign if prompt management is available. However there is a higher morbidity and mortality risk in settings with limited access to diagnosis and care. The manuscript describes the characteristics of neonates with INH, the burden of severe INH and identifies factors associated with severity in a resource-constrained setting.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective evaluation of anonymized records of neonates hospitalized on the Thai-Myanmar border. INH was defined according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines as 'moderate' if at least one serum bilirubin (SBR) value exceeded the phototherapy threshold and as 'severe' if above the exchange transfusion threshold.

RESULTS

Out of 2980 records reviewed, 1580 (53%) had INH within the first 14 days of life. INH was moderate in 87% (1368/1580) and severe in 13% (212/1580). From 2009 to 2011, the proportion of severe INH decreased from 37 to 15% and the mortality dropped from 10% (8/82) to 2% (7/449) coinciding with the implementation of standardized guidelines and light-emitting diode (LED) phototherapy. Severe INH was associated with: prematurity (< 32 weeks, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.3; 95% CI 1.6-6.6 and 32 to 37 weeks, AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.6-3.1), Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD) (AOR 2.3; 95% CI 1.6-3.3), potential ABO incompatibility (AOR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.2) and late presentation (AOR 1.8; 95% CI 1.3-2.6). The risk of developing severe INH and INH-related mortality significantly increased with each additional risk factor.

CONCLUSION

INH is an important cause of neonatal hospitalization on the Thai-Myanmar border. Risk factors for severity were similar to previous reports from Asia. Implementing standardized guidelines and appropriate treatment was successful in reducing mortality and severity. Accessing to basic neonatal care including SBR testing, LED phototherapy and G6PD screening can contribute to improve neonatal outcomes.

Detection of West Nile virus infection in horses, Italy, September 2008

Six confirmed and five suspected cases of West Nile virus infection in horses have been reported in the vicinity of Ferrara in Italy. To verify the diffusion of viral circulation and to prevent the spread of disease, the regional authorities of Emilia-Romagna adopted a special plan of West Nile fever surveillance.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the glpD gene encoding sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Nitrosoguanidine-induced Pseudomonas aeruginosa mutants which were unable to utilize glycerol as a carbon source were isolated. By utilizing PAO104, a mutant defective in glycerol transport and sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (glpD), the glpD gene was cloned by a phage mini-D3112-based in vivo cloning method. The cloned gene was able to complement an Escherichia coli glpD mutant. Restriction analysis and recloning of DNA fragments located the glpD gene to a 1.6-kb EcoRI-SphI DNA fragment. In E. coli, a single 56,000-Da protein was expressed from the cloned DNA fragments. An in-frame glpD'-'lacZ translational fusion was isolated and used to determine the reading frame of glpD by sequencing across the fusion junction. The nucleotide sequence of a 1,792-bp fragment containing the glpD region was determined. The glpD gene encodes a protein containing 510 amino acids and with a predicted molecular weight of 56,150. Compared with the aerobic sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from E. coli, P. aeruginosa GlpD is 56% identical and 69% similar. A similar comparison with GlpD from Bacillus subtilis reveals 21% identity and 40% similarity. A flavin-binding domain near the amino terminus which shared the consensus sequence reported for other bacterial flavoproteins was identified.

Autochthonous chikungunya virus transmission may have occurred in Bologna, Italy, during the summer 2007 outbreak

In Italy, a national surveillance system for chikungunya fever coordinated by the National Public Health Institute has been in place since August 2006. In summer 2007, an outbreak of chikungunya fever affected the Italian provinces of Ravenna, Cesena-Forli and Rimini [1-3]. As of 16 December 2007, health authorities identified 214 laboratory-confirmed cases with date of onset from 15 July to 28 September 2007. Most cases (161) occurred in the two neighbouring villages of Castiglione di Cervia and Castiglione di Ravenna, but limited local transmission also took place in the cities of Ravenna, Cesena, Cervia, and Rimini. In September 2007, two confirmed cases (two women aged 68 and 70) were reported among residents of the city of Bologna (373,026 inhabitants). Both had a history of travel in the affected areas (municipality of Cervia). No unusual increase in the density of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the Bologna area was noted at that time (September).

Identification of dexamethasone-binding sites on male-rat liver plasma membranes by affinity labelling

Binding studies with [3H]dexamethasone identified two binding sites on plasma membranes prepared from the male rat liver, a low-capacity site with a KD of 7.0 nM and a higher-capacity site with a KD of 90.1 nM. Both sites exhibited glucocorticoid responsiveness and specificity for glucocorticoids and progestins. Triamcinolone acetonide, which competes well for the binding of dexamethasone to the cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor, did not compete well for the binding of [3H]dexamethasone to the plasma-membrane binding sites. The binding sites were sensitive to protease and neuraminidase treatment, and resistant to extraction with NaCl, but were extracted with the detergent Triton X-100. As these experiments indicated the presence of plasma-membrane protein components which bind glucocorticoids at physiological concentrations, affinity-labelling experiments with dexamethasone mesylate were conducted. Two peptides were specifically labelled, one at approx. Mr 66,000 and one at Mr 45,000. The Mr-66,000 peptide was not sensitive to glucocorticoids, and was extracted by NaCl, and so did not correspond to either of the sites identified in the dexamethasone-binding studies. The Mr-45,000 entity, on the other hand, resembled the dexamethasone-binding sites in its response to glucocorticoid manipulation of the animal and in its resistance to salt extraction. This peptide was not present in rat serum. Thus we have identified a plasma-membrane peptide which binds dexamethasone. Whether this peptide is involved in transport of the glucocorticoid across the plasma membrane remains to be determined.

Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa glpM, whose gene product is required for efficient alginate biosynthesis from various carbon sources

In a mucB (algN) genetic background, insertion of an omega element approximately 200 bp downstream of glpD, encoding sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, had an adverse effect on alginate biosynthesis from various carbon sources. The insertion inactivated glpM, a gene encoding a 12,040-M(r) hydrophobic protein containing 109 amino acids. This protein, which was expressed in a T7 RNA polymerase expression system, appears to be a cytoplasmic membrane protein.

Do early MRI signals predict lesion size in a neonatal stroke rat model?

SUMMARY

In this study, we compared lesion size by using VADC and VT2 at 0, 2, 5, 24, and 48 hours and histologic lesions at 48 hours in a P7 rat stroke model. The best correlation between VHISTO and VADC was at H0, and between VHISTO and VT2, at H2-H5. Early MR imaging signals allowed excluding "no-lesion" and "no-reflow" animals to help standardize this neonatal stroke model and predict lesion size.

Spatial and temporal MRI profile of ischemic tissue after the acute stages of a permanent mouse model of stroke

OBJECT

To characterize the progression of injured tissue resulting from a permanent focal cerebral ischemia after the acute phase, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) monitoring was performed on adult male C57BL/6J mice in the subacute stages, and correlated to histological analyses.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Lesions were induced by electrocoagulation of the middle cerebral artery. Serial MRI measurements and weighted-images (T2, T1, T2* and Diffusion Tensor Imaging) were performed on a 9.4T scanner. Histological data (Cresyl-Violet staining and laminin-, Iba1- and GFAP-immunostainings) were obtained 1 and 2 weeks after the stroke.

RESULTS

Two days after stroke, tissues assumed to correspond to the infarct core, were detected as a hyperintensity signal area in T2-weighted images. One week later, low-intensity signal areas appeared. Longitudinal MRI study showed that these areas remained present over the following week, and was mainly linked to a drop of the T2 relaxation time value in the corresponding tissues. Correlation with histological data and immuno-histochemistry showed that these areas corresponded to microglial cells.

CONCLUSION

The present data provide, for the first time detailed MRI parameters of microglial cells dynamics, allowing its non-invasive monitoring during the chronic stages of a stroke. This could be particularly interesting in regards to emerging anti-inflammatory stroke therapies.

Bottom-up study of the MRI positive contrast created by the Off-Resonance Saturation sequence

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPM particles) are used in MRI to highlight regions such as tumors through negative contrast. Unfortunately, sources as air bubbles or tissues interfaces also lead to negative contrast, which complicates the image interpretation. New MRI sequences creating positive contrast in the particle surrounding, such as the Off-Resonance Saturation sequence (ORS), have thus been developed. However, a theoretical study of the ORS sequence is still lacking, which hampers the optimization of this sequence. For this reason, this work provides a self-consistent analytical expression able to predict the dependence of the contrast on the sequence parameters and the SPM particles properties. This expression was validated by numerical simulations and experiments on agarose gel phantoms on a 11.7 T scanner system. It provides a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms leading to positive contrast, which could allow the improvement of the sequence for future in vivo applications. The influence of the SPM particle relaxivities, the SPM particle concentration, the echo time and the saturation pulse parameters on the contrast were investigated. The best contrast was achieved with SPM particles possessing the smallest transverse relaxivity, an optimal particle concentration and for low echo times.

Improvement of the Off-Resonance Saturation, an MRI sequence for positive contrast with SPM particles: Theoretical and experimental study

The SuperParaMagnetic particles (SPM particles) are used as contrast agents in MRI and produce negative contrast with conventional T2 or T2(∗)-weighted sequences. Unfortunately, the SPM particle detection on images acquired with such sequences is sometimes difficult because negative contrast can be created by artifacts such as air bubbles or calcification. To overcome this problem, new sequences as Off-Resonance Saturation (ORS) were developed to produce positive contrast with SPM particles. This work explores a new way to optimize the contrast generated by the ORS sequence by increasing the number of saturation pulses applied before the imaging sequence. This modified sequence is studied with numerical simulations and experiments on agarose gel phantoms. A theoretical model able to predict the contrast for different values of the sequence parameters is also developed. The results show that the contrast increases with the saturation pulses number with an optimal value of three saturation pulses in order to avoid artifacts and limit the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) effect. The dependence of the contrast on the SPM particle concentration and sequence parameters is comparable to what was observed for the ORS sequence.

Intramedullary plasmacytoma in an unusual location in a renal transplant patient

Transplant patients have increased risk for developing neoplasia. This is due to the use of more potent and long-term immunosuppression. We report a case of a 46-year-old man with a cadaver renal transplant who developed an intramedullary plasmacytoma in an unusual location. The patient had a total right elbow replacement and received 4 weeks of local radiotherapy. The pain completely resolved and the low-dose immunosuppression was continued.

Theoretical and experimental study of ON-Resonance Saturation, an MRI sequence for positive contrast with superparamagnetic nanoparticles

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPM particles) are widely used in MRI as negative contrast agents. Their detection is sometimes difficult because negative contrast can be caused by different artifacts. To overcome this problem, MRI protocols achieving positive contrast specific to SPM particles were developed such as the ON-Resonance Saturation (ONRS) sequence. The aim of the present work is to achieve a bottom-up study of the ONRS sequence by an understanding of the physical mechanisms leading to positive contrast. A complete theoretical modeling, a novel numerical simulation approach and experiments on agarose gel phantoms on a 11.7 T MRI system were carried out for this purpose. The influence of the particle properties and concentration - as well as the effect of the sequence parameters on the contrast - were investigated. It was observed that theory and experiments were in strong agreement. The tools developed in this work allowed to predict the parameters leading to the maximum contrast. For example, particles presenting a low transverse relaxivity can provide an interesting positive contrast after optimization of their concentration in the sample.

Isolation and characterization of nuclear envelopes from three variant cell lines of the Shionogi mouse mammary carcinoma: identification of androgen-dependent peptides

We have isolated and purified, with good yields, nuclear envelopes from an androgen-responsive and from two androgen-unresponsive cell lines of the Shionogi mouse mammary carcinoma after subjecting purified nuclei to DNase at high pH and characterized them morphologically, chemically, and enzymatically. Phase-contrast microscopy revealed the nuclei to be free of cytoplasmic tags and that the nuclear envelopes were isolated as membrane "ghosts." Electron micrographs clearly showed the double-membrane system with nuclear pore complexes which illustrates that the nuclear envelopes were ultrastructurally intact. The nuclear envelopes contained little DNA, low levels of arylesterase or acid phosphatase activity, and undetectable levels of succinate dehydrogenase and 5'-nucleotidase activity. Coomassie blue staining of the nuclear envelope fractions on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels for all three cell lines revealed that most of the polypeptides were similar. However, we have identified androgen-dependent peptides of molecular weights 29 000, 32 000, and 34 000 in nuclear envelopes of the androgen-responsive cell line peptide profiles by comparing the nuclear envelopes prepared from the androgen-responsive cell line grown in intact mice, in castrated mice, and in mice which had been injected with testosterone after castration. Further investigation of the androgen regulation of these nuclear envelope peptides may help us understand the molecular mechanisms involved during morphological changes of the nucleus which occur in response to different hormonal environments.

Analysis of the modifications of MRI signal of the brachial plexus of rats: Comparative study before and after freezing/thawing

The aim of this study was to compare the MRI signal of the brachial plexus and surrounding muscles before and after freezing/thawing on a murine model. A first MRI going through the brachial plexuses of 5 healthy Wistar rats was performed immediately post-mortem. A second MRI was performed after freezing at -30°C and then thawing at 20°C for 24hours. All MRI images were segmented to make nerve and muscular structures appear and calculate the average intensity of the MRI signal using the program ImageJ. The average nerve and muscular MRI signals were compared before and after freezing/thawing and rated in grayscale units between 0 and 255. The average intensity of the MRI signal of nerve structures was 40.315 grayscale units before freezing and 31.943 after freezing/thawing. The average intensity of the MRI signal of muscular structures was 25.44 grayscale units before freezing and 35.710 after freezing/thawing. Our results have shown that the intensity of the MRI signal of the brachial plexus was higher before freezing/thawing. The intensity of the MRI signal of muscles was lower than the intensity of the brachial plexus before freezing/thawing and higher after freezing/thawing in muscles than in brachial plexus. The MRI could be used in clinical practice to monitor the reinnervation after frozen nerve allografts.

Multiple promoter and splicing mRNA variants of the epididymis-specific gene EP2

The EP2 gene codes for a family of androgen-dependent, epididymis-specific secretory proteins. Using probes derived from human HE2 cDNA, a chimpanzee epididymal cDNA library was screened. Five variants of chimpanzee EP2 cDNA were identified. Variant 1 (EP2A) is the chimpanzee ortholog of HE2. Variant 2 (EP2B) has an alternative 5' end. Variant 3 (EP2C) has an alternative 3' end. Two additional variants were identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis. Variant 4 (EP2D) and variant 5 (EP2E) appear to lack an exon, resulting in a shift in the open reading frame. Presumably, the 5 variants originate from the same gene and result from alternative promoters and alternative splicing. Each of the putative proteins encoded by these variant messages has a leader sequence characteristic for a secretory protein. After removal of the leader sequence, each of these proteins is predicted to consist of 1 or 2 out of 4 possible peptide modules. Two of these modules have no recognizable homology to known proteins. The other 2 modules have a distribution of cysteine residues characteristic for beta-defensins, a family of proteins with antimicrobial activity.

Management of ureteral stenosis after renal transplantation

BACKGROUND

Ureteral stenosis is the most common urologic complication of renal transplantation. Preferred management options for this complication vary among centers. Ureteral stenosis occurred in 24 (3.4 percent) of 692 consecutive renal transplants. The diagnosis was confirmed by antegrade pyelography after ultrasonography in all instances. An attempt was made to treat all patients by percutaneous stenting, usually with dilatation of the ureter, which was possible in 21 patients. In three patients, a wire could not be passed across the stricture and these patients were treated surgically.

STUDY DESIGN

The patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group 1 (14 patients) presented within three months from the date of transplantation and patients in group 2 (seven patients) presented after three months.

RESULTS

The site of stenosis was the ureterovesical junction in 80 percent of the patients and the uretero-pelvic junction in 20 percent. Urinary tract infection occurred in 70 percent of the patients in group 1 and 100 percent of patients in group 2. The success rate of percutaneous stenting was 71 percent (ten of 14 patients) in group 1, but only 29 percent (two of seven patients) in group 2. The failures were treated by repeated stenting (one patient in each group) or by operation. One allograft (7 percent) was lost in group 1 and two (28 percent) were lost in group 2. The average follow-up period was 38 months in group 1 and 56 months in group 2. There was no mortality in this series.

CONCLUSIONS

Ureteral stenosis in the early postrenal transplant period can be safely and effectively treated by percutaneous dilatation and stenting, with few side effects and long-term success. This method is specially efficacious in patients who present within three months from the time of their transplant. In patients who have ureteric strictures developing after three months from transplantation, percutaneous stenting is of limited value and most patients require surgical correction.