Interleukin-1 accounts for intrarenal Th17 cell activation during ureteral obstruction

Interleukin 17A-secreting T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are pathogenic in inflammatory kidney diseases, but their intrarenal regulation is poorly understood. In order to better define Th17 cell dynamics during interstitial inflammation, we utilized the mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction model to analyze inflammatory cell subtypes by multicolor flow cytometry and cell sorting and by effects on in vitro-generated Th17 cells. Interleukin 17A expression localized to CCR6(+)CCR4(+/-)CD4(+) T-cells and progressively increased in obstructed kidneys. The number of CCR6(+)CD4(+) T-cells increased over 10-fold by 72 h, were enriched for interleukin 17A production, and were highly proliferative based on in vivo bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Secreted products of leukocytes isolated from obstructed kidneys enhanced the interleukin 17A production of in vitro-generated Th17 cells. This Th17-enhancing activity was identified as interleukin-1 produced by renal dendritic cells and monocytes. The in vivo validity of these findings was confirmed in mice lacking the interleulin-1 receptor and in mice treated with a recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, each of which exhibited reduced intrarenal Th17 activity compared with control mice. Thus, the inflamed kidney accumulates CCR6(+) Th17 cells that undergo activation and proliferation. Production of interleukin 1 family cytokines by resident dendritic cells and infiltrating monocytes enhances intrarenal Th17 activation in acute kidney injury.

Dendritic cells facilitate accumulation of IL-17 T cells in the kidney following acute renal obstruction

Acute urinary obstruction causes interstitial inflammation with leukocyte accumulation and the secretion of soluble mediators. Here we show that unilateral ureteral ligation caused a progressive increase in renal F4/80(+) and F4/80(-) dendritic cells, monocytes, neutrophils and T-cells 24-72 h following obstruction. Depletion of dendritic cells by clodronate pretreatment showed these cells to be the most potent source of tumor necrosis factor and other pro-inflammatory mediators in the obstructed kidney. F4/80(+) dendritic cells and T-cells co-localized in the cortico-medullary junction and cortex of the obstructed kidney. Cytokine secretion patterns and surface phenotypes of T-cells from obstructed kidneys were found to include interferon-gamma-secreting CD4(+) and CD8(+) memory T-cells as well as interleukin 17 (IL-17)-secreting CD4(+) memory T-cells. Depletion of the intra-renal dendritic cells prior to ligation did not numerically reduce T-cells in obstructed kidneys but attenuated interferon-gamma and IL-17-competent T-cells. Our study shows that intra-renal dendritic cells are a previously unidentified early source of proinflammatory mediators after acute urinary obstruction and play a specific role in recruitment and activation of effector-memory T-cells including IL-17-secreting CD4(+) T-cells.

Nitric oxide reductase-targeted real-time PCR quantification of denitrifier populations in soil

The quantification of denitrifying bacteria is a component in the further understanding of denitrification processes in the environment. Real-time PCR primers were designed to target two segments of the denitrifier population (cnorB(P) [Pseudomonas mandelii and closely related strains] and cnorB(B) [Bosea, Bradyrhizobium, and Ensifer spp.]) in agricultural soils based on functional cnorB (nitric oxide reductase) gene sequences. Total population numbers were measured using 16S rRNA gene real-time PCR. Two soil microcosm experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 examined the response of the indigenous soil microbial population to the addition of 500 mg/kg glucose-C daily over 7 days in soil microcosms. Changes in the total population were correlated (r = 0.83) between 16S rRNA gene copy numbers and microbial biomass carbon estimates. Members of the cnorB(P) population of denitrifiers showed typical r-strategy by being able to increase their proportion in the total population from starting levels of <0.1% to around 2.4% after a daily addition of 500 mg/kg glucose-C. The cnorB(B) guild was not able to increase its relative percentage of the total population in response to the addition of glucose-C, instead increasing copy numbers only in proportion with the total population measured by 16S rRNA genes. Experiment 2 measured population dynamics in soil after the addition of various amounts of glucose-C (0 to 500 mg/kg) and incubation under denitrifying conditions. cnorB(P) populations increased proportionally with the amount of glucose-C added (from 0 to 500 mg/kg). In soil microcosms, denitrification rates, respiration, and cnorB(P) population densities increased significantly with increasing rates of glucose addition. cnorB(B) guild densities did not increase significantly under denitrifying conditions in response to increasing C additions.

Elevated Levels of Phosphorylated Fibrinogen-α-Isoforms and Differential Expression of Other Post-Translationally Modified Proteins in the Plasma of Ovarian Cancer Patients

We evaluated the differentially expressed proteins in the plasma of ovarian cancer (OVC) patients using 2-D SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) with post-translational modification (PTM) specific stains after the removal of six high-abundance proteins. The pooled plasma from patients with stage III or IV OVC was compared to a pooled postmenopausal age-matched control. Several proteins were identified as differentially expressed in the plasma of OVC patients. Among them, the phosphorylated fibrinogen-alpha-chain isoform (containing fibrinopeptide-A) was found to be up-regulated. Previously in our laboratory, phosphorylated fibrinopeptide-A was found to be up-regulated in the low molecular weight fraction of serum derived from OVC patients. We examined the levels of phosphorylated fibrinogen-alpha-chain in each patient that constituted the pooled plasma using Western blot, mass spectrometry (MS), and PTM specific stains. Phosphoprotein bands containing fibrinogen-alpha-chain fragments showed up-regulation in all OVC patients.

Premenstrual exacerbations of mood disorders

Premenstrual exacerbation of mood disorders has received little attention, despite the recent interest in premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Differentiating between PMDD/PMS and other disorders, which worsen premenstrually, is a poorly understood diagnostic challenge. Controversy also focuses on a possible coexistence of PMDD and other mood disorders. This review discusses the differences between mood-disorder exacerbations and premenstrual disorders, evidence for premenstrual magnification of mood disorders, and possible mechanisms for these variations as well as clinical implications.

Alcohol misuse among college athletes: self-medication for psychiatric symptoms?

A collegiate athlete population was surveyed for alcohol abuse as well as self-reported depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric symptoms. This study revealed that in a group of 262 athletes there were 21 percent who reported high alcohol use and problems associated with its use. Significant correlations were found between reported alcohol abuse and self-reported symptoms of depression and general psychiatric symptoms. Subjects with positive depression and psychiatric symptom ratings in the "severe" range had a significantly higher rate of alcohol abuse than subjects who had low depression and low or mild symptom ratings. Conversely, subjects reporting higher rates of alcohol misuse had more psychiatric symptoms. These findings suggest a possible causal link between psychopathology and serious alcohol abuse among college athletes. They also point to the need for routine depression and anxiety screening in college students who are typically beginning a significant exposure to alcohol.

Culture and eating disorders: a historical and cross-cultural review

Cultural beliefs and attitudes have been identified as significant contributing factors in the development of eating disorders. Rates of these disorders appear to vary among different racial/ethnic and national groups, and they also change across time as cultures evolve. Eating disorders are, in fact, more prevalent within various cultural groups than previously recognized, both within American ethnic minorities and those in other countries. This review examines evidence for the role of culture as an etiological factor for the development of eating disorders. Historical and cross-cultural experiences suggest that cultural change itself may be associated with increased vulnerability to eating disorders, especially when values about physical aesthetics are involved. Such change may occur across time within a given society, or on an individual level, as when an immigrant moves into a new culture. Further research into the cultural factors that promote the development of eating disorders is much needed. Understanding how cultural forces contribute to the development of disorders is needed so that preventive interventions can be created.

Lessons learned about research on premenstrual syndrome

We discuss specific problems in implementing research to evaluate exercise treatment for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Modifications of lifestyle, such as implementing exercise regimens, frequently are recommended as treatment for PMS, but evidence supporting this treatment is largely anecdotal. Originally, we designed a study to examine the effects of physical exercise on the symptoms of PMS. Despite initial enthusiasm, the majority of participants dropped out before beginning the active intervention segment of the study. This unexpected attrition resulted in a review of methodology, including recruitment and study design, in an attempt to understand factors related to research on exercise-based treatments of PMS so future researchers would be cognizant of the obstacles inherent in such research. Such understanding will allow research to advance more efficiently by enabling investigators to avoid the pitfalls we identified.

Assessment of risk of eating disorders among adolescents in Appalachia

OBJECTIVE

Students from 5 public schools in east Tennessee in grades 6 through 10 were assessed for their risk of eating disorder.

METHOD

The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT40), a self-administered questionnaire, was given anonymously to 1,302 male and female adolescents.

RESULTS

The results showed that 19.8% of females and 3.7% of males scored above 29, indicating high risk for development of an eating disorder. There was also a trend toward increased prevalence of risk in areas that are more rural.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the risk for eating disorders may be greater in rural areas than has previously been believed. This has implications for understanding the etiology of these diseases as well as demonstrating the need for more research in these often underserved areas.

Dose response relationship between plasma ACTH and cortisol after the infusion of ACTH1-24

The authors examined the dose response relationship between plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations after the administration of various doses of ACTH1-24 (0.025 micrograms, 0.125 micrograms, 0.25 micrograms, 1 microgram, 250 micrograms) in dexamethasone-suppressed normal volunteers. A logarithmic dose-response relationship between the dose of ACTH administered and plasma cortisol concentration was found. Although there was considerable variability in plasma ACTH concentrations, there was, however, a definite correlation between area under the curve for ACTH and area under the curve for cortisol after the various doses of ACTH.

Peak B endorphin concentration in cerebrospinal fluid: reduced in chronic pain patients and increased during the placebo response

The level of an endogenous opioid (peak B endorphin) was measured in chromatographically fractionated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampled from two groups of chronic pain patients before and after intrathecal saline (placebo) injection. As assessed by a verbal rating scale, one group reported no change in their level of pain (non-responders, NR; n = 6) while the other group reported complete or greater than 50% pain relief (placebo responders, PR; n = 14). We find, as has been reported previously, that initial peak B levels were lower (by 50%) in these chronic pain patients' CSF than in CSF from pain-free (PF) normal controls (P less than 0.001, t-test). Peak B levels measured from CSF of the NR group undergoing this procedure did not change (P greater than 0.4, paired t-test). In contrast, a significant 2.3-fold increase was measured in the CSF peak B level of the PR group (P less than 0.05, paired t-test). This is the first direct evidence that a CSF opioid is correlated with placebo pain relief in chronic pain patients. Peak B is a potent analgesic substance when administered by the intracerebroventricular route in mice and its level is related to the patients' pain status in a presumably causal manner.

Incidence and prognostic importance of glomerular crescents in renal diseases of childhood

The renal biopsies of 372 children with various glomerular disorders were reviewed and crescent formation was seen in 56 cases (15%). Four disorders, i.e. systemic lupus erythematosus, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) types I and II and Henoch-Schönlein disease accounted for 74% of 10 diagnostic categories. Idiopathic rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) was seen in only 2 cases. Crescents associated with MPGN types I or II or idiopathic RPGN had a bad renal prognosis, whereas the presence of crescents in other disorders did not necessarily affect the renal outcome. Immunofluorescent and electron microscopic findings are essential to distinguish many conditions which may be associated with crescent formation in childhood renal disease.