Follicular growth: the basic event in the mouse and human ovary

Follicular growth is described as a continuum. It goes on at all times, at all ages, uninterrupted by pregnancy or other periods of non-ovulation. A distinction is made between the continuum at the beginning of follicular growth and events concerning the cyclicity at the end of follicular growth, i.e. ovulation. Follicles grow sequentially. Also large follicles continue to grow until they become atretic or ovulate. No evidence for a pool of large follicles held in reserve could be found. Examination of the effect of PMSG on the growth of large follicles showed that this hormone provented the degeneration of large follicles, thus allowing more follicles to grow further. As in the mouse, follicular growth occurs during human infancy and is the normal event during childhood. Ovaries without signs of follicular growth are uncommin in the child and are apparently connected with certain systemic diseases.

Overexpression of the rabies virus glycoprotein results in enhancement of apoptosis and antiviral immune response

A recombinant rabies virus (RV) carrying two identical glycoprotein (G) genes (SPBNGA-GA) was constructed and used to determine the effect of RV G overexpression on cell viability and immunity. Immunoprecipitation analysis and flow cytometry showed that tissue culture cells infected with SPBNGA-GA produced, on average, twice as much RV G as cells infected with RV carrying only a single RV G gene (SPBNGA). The overexpression of RV G in SPBNGA-GA-infected NA cells was paralleled by a significant increase in caspase 3 activity followed by a marked decrease in mitochondrial respiration, neither of which was observed in SPBNGA-infected cells. Furthermore, fluorescence staining and confocal microscopy revealed an increased extent of apoptosis and markedly reduced neurofilament and F actin in SPBNGA-GA-infected primary neuron cultures compared with neuronal cells infected with SPBNGA, supporting the concept that RV G or motifs of the RV G gene trigger the apoptosis cascade. Mice immunized with SPBNGA-GA showed substantially higher antibody titers against the RV G and against the nucleoprotein than SPBNGA-immunized mice, suggesting that the speed or extent of apoptosis directly determines the magnitude of the antibody response.

A single amino acid change in rabies virus glycoprotein increases virus spread and enhances virus pathogenicity

Several rabies virus (RV) vaccine strains containing an aspartic acid (Asp) or glutamic acid (Glu) instead of an arginine (Arg) at position 333 of the RV glycoprotein (G) are apathogenic for immunocompetent mice even after intracranial inoculation. However, we previously showed that the nonpathogenic phenotype of the highly attenuated RV strain SPBNGA, which contains a Glu at position 333 of G, is unstable when this virus is passaged in newborn mice. While the Glu(333) remained unchanged after five mouse passages, an Asn(194)-->Lys(194) mutation occurred in RV G. This mutation was associated with increased pathogenicity for adult mice. Using site-directed mutagenesis to exchange Asn(194) with Lys(194) in the G protein of SPBNGA, resulting in SPBNGA-K, we show here that this mutation is solely responsible for the increase in pathogenicity and that the Asn(194)-->Lys(194) mutation does not arise when Asn(194) is exchanged with Ser(194) (SPBNGA-S). Our data presented indicate that the increased pathogenicity of SPBNGA-K is due to increased viral spread in vivo and in vitro, faster internalization of the pathogenic virus into cells, and a shift in the pH threshold for membrane fusion. These results are consistent with the notion that the RV G protein is a major contributor to RV pathogenesis and that the more pathogenic RVs escape the host responses by a faster spread than that of less pathogenic RVs.

Morphological study of the ovaries of leukaemic children

The ovaries of leukaemic children were studied in 31 specimens obtained at autopsy. Twenty-eight ovaries from normal children of the same age who died from misadventure served as control. All ovaries from normal childred showed follicle growth and contained several large antral follicles. Follicle development was inhibited in all ovaries of leukaemic children; 22% showed no follicle growth (quiescent ovaries), and in the ovaries in which there was follicle development, the number and size of antral follicles was significantly smaller than in the control. All children had been treated with cytotoxic drugs, the duration of the treatment being correlated with the stage of ovarian development. The ovaries of children treated for only 1 week were near-normal, while those treated for more than 2 months showed inhibition of follicle growth. It is argued that the disturbance in follicle development is an effect of the cytotoxic drugs, and not an effect of the disease itself.

The bacteriology of hidradenitis suppurativa

BACKGROUND

Bacteria have been suggested as a possible cause of hidradenitis. Different species have been found in several small studies, and particularly the presence of Streptococcus milleri has been linked to disease activity.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the possible role of bacteria in hidradenitis.

METHODS

Cultures of active lesions and serological analysis of circulating IgG antibodies were studied in 41 patients.

RESULTS

Bacteria were found in 49% (20/41) of all lesions: Staphylococcus aureus, 8; S. milleri, 1; Staphylococcus epidermidis, 11; Staphylococcus hominis, 1. Corynebacterium spp., Acinetobacter and Lactobacillus spp. were found once each and considered as contaminants. Patients in whom S. aureus was found had a shorter duration of disease (mean 1.7 vs. 9.7 years for sterile lesions). No other significant correlations were found between location of disease or antibody response and the bacterial species found.

CONCLUSION

S. milleri appears to be an unusual pathogen, and bacteria are only found in approximately 50% of all active hidradenitis lesions. It is suggested that S. aureus may play a temporary role in the early phase of the disease, but additional longitudinal studies of cohorts of patients are needed to clarify this point.

Effect of iron-, iodine-, and beta-carotene-fortified biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school children: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Deficiencies of iron, iodine, and vitamin A are prevalent worldwide and can affect the mental development and learning ability of schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of micronutrient-fortified biscuits on the micronutrient status of primary school children.

DESIGN

Micronutrient status was assessed in 115 children aged 6-11 y before and after consumption of biscuits (fortified with iron, iodine, and beta-carotene) for 43 wk over a 12-mo period and was compared with that in a control group (n = 113) who consumed nonfortified biscuits. Cognitive function, growth, and morbidity were assessed as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

There was a significant between-group treatment effect on serum retinol, serum ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, and urinary iodine (P <0.0001) and in hemoglobin and hematocrit (P <0.05). The prevalence of low serum retinol concentrations (<0.70 micromol/L) decreased from 39.1% to 12.2%, of low serum ferritin concentrations (<20 microg/L) from 27.8% to 13.9%, of anemia (hemoglobin <120 g/L) from 29.6% to 15.6%, and of low urinary iodine concentrations (<100 microg/L) from 97.5% to 5.4%. There was a significant between-group treatment effect (P <0.05) in cognitive function with the digit span forward task (short-term memory). Fewer school days were missed in the intervention than in the control group because of respiratory- (P = 0.097) and diarrhea-related (P = 0.013) illnesses. The intervention had no effect on anthropometric status [corrected].

CONCLUSIONS

Fortified biscuits resulted in a significant improvement in the micronutrient status of primary school children from a poor rural community and also appeared to have a favorable effect on morbidity and cognitive function [corrected].

Concepts in the pathogenesis of rabies

Rabies is a zoonotic disease that remains an important public health problem worldwide and causes more than 70,000 human deaths each year. The causative agent of rabies is rabies virus (RV), a negative-stranded RNA virus of the rhabdovirus family. Neuroinvasiveness and neurotropism are the main features that define the pathogenesis of rabies. Although RV pathogenicity is a multigenic trait involving several elements of the RV genome, the RV glycoprotein plays a major role in RV pathogenesis by controlling the rate of virus uptake and trans-synaptic virus spread, and by regulating the rate of virus replication. Pathogenic street RV strains differ significantly from tissue culture-adapted RV strains in their neuroinvasiveness. Whereas street RV strains are highly neuroinvasive, most tissue culture-adapted RV strains have either no or only limited ability to invade the CNS from a peripheral site. The high neuroinvasiveness of pathogenic street RVs is, at least in part, due to their ability to evade immune responses and to conserve the structures of neurons. The finding that tissue culture-adapted RV strains replicate very fast and induce strong innate and adaptive immune responses opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention against rabies.

Identification of viral genomic elements responsible for rabies virus neuroinvasiveness

Attenuated tissue culture-adapted and natural street rabies virus (RV) strains differ greatly in their neuroinvasiveness. To identify the elements responsible for the ability of an RV to enter the CNS from a peripheral site and to cause lethal neurological disease, we constructed a full-length cDNA clone of silver-haired bat-associated RV (SHBRV) strain 18 and exchanged the genes encoding RV proteins and genomic sequences of this highly neuroinvasive RV strain with those of a highly attenuated nonneuroinvasive RV vaccine strain (SN0). Analysis of the recombinant RV (SB0), which was recovered from SHBRV-18 cDNA, indicated that this RV is phenotypically indistinguishable from WT SHBRV-18. Characterization of the chimeric viruses revealed that in addition to the RV glycoprotein, which plays a predominant role in the ability of an RV to invade the CNS from a peripheral site, viral elements such as the trailer sequence, the RV polymerase, and the pseudogene contribute to RV neuroinvasiveness. Analyses also revealed that neuroinvasiveness of an RV correlates inversely with the time necessary for internalization of RV virions and with the capacity of the virus to grow in neuroblastoma cells.

Steep rise in norovirus cases and emergence of a new recombinant strain GII.P16-GII.2, Germany, winter 2016

Since early November 2016, the number of laboratory-confirmed norovirus infections reported in Germany has been increasing steeply. Here, we report the detection and genetic characterisation of an emerging norovirus recombinant, GII.P16-GII.2. This strain was frequently identified as the cause of sporadic cases as well as outbreaks in nine federal states of Germany. Our findings suggest that the emergence of GII.P16-GII.2 contributed to rising case numbers of norovirus gastroenteritis in Germany.

Follicular atresia in the infant human ovary

The pattern of follicular atresia was studied in nine ovaries from children between the ages 3 months and 8 years. Atretic follicles were found among follicles at all stages of development. The percentage of follicles with signs of atresia became larger as the size of the follicles increased. Only 2% of small follicles (Type 3b) showed signs of atresia, while all follicles greater than 1 mm in diameter (Type 8) were atretic. In follicles of Type 5 and larger, four stages of atresia, which represent consecutive stages of a single atretic process, were defined. The beginning of atresia was characterized by the presence of pyknotic granulosa cells. As atresia progressed, the granulosa layer disappeared, the oocyte became necrotic, the follicle collapsed and the theca cells became hypertrophied. The oocyte can degenerate in several ways: it can be penetrated by cells, the nucleus can become pyknotic or it may complete meiotic prophase. It is suggested that the last event is only possible after the oocyte has reached its full size and has completed RNA synthesis.

Large multistate outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis associated with frozen strawberries, Germany, 2012

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RNA synthesis in the mouse oocyte

RNA synthesis in the oocyte and granulosa cell nuclei of growing follicles has been studied in the mouse ovary. The RNA precursor [(3)H]uridine was administered intraperitoneally to adult mice and the amount of label incorporated into ovarian RNA was quantitated autoradiographically using grain-counting procedures. Uridine incorporation into the nucleus is low in oocytes of small, resting follicles but increases during follicle growth and reaches a peak prior to the beginning of antrum formation. Thereafter uptake rapidly declines and is very low in the oocytes of maturing follicles. Uridine incorporation into granulosa cell nuclei, in contrast to that found in the oocyte, increases gradually during most of the period of follicle growth. Qualitative studies of the activity of endogenous, DNA-dependent RNA polymerases have also been made in fixed oocytes isolated from follicles at different stages of growth. Polymerase activity is demonstrable in the nucleolus and nucleoplasm of oocytes from growing follicles, but is absent from maturing oocytes of large follicles.

Silver-haired bat rabies virus variant does not induce apoptosis in the brain of experimentally infected mice

To examine whether induction of apoptosis plays a role in the pathogenesis of street rabies, we compared the distribution of viral antigens, histopathology, and the induction of apoptosis in the brain of mice infected with a street rabies virus (silver-haired bat rabies virus, SHBRV) and with a mouse-adapted laboratory rabies virus strain (challenge virus standard, CVS-24). Inflammation was identified in the meninges, but not in the parenchyma of the brain of mice infected with either CVS-24 or SHBRV. Necrosis was present in numerous cortical, hippocampal, and Purkinje neurons in CVS-24-infected mice, but only minimal necrosis was identified in mice infected with SHBRV. Likewise, extensive terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining was observed in the brain of mice infected with CVS-24 but little or none in the brain of mice infected with SHBRV. Rabies virus antigens were distributed similarly in the CNS infected with either virus. However, the expression of the glycoprotein (G) is more widespread and the staining of G is generally stronger in CVS- than SHBRV-infected mice, whereas the expression of rabies virus nucleoprotein (N) is similar in mice infected with either CVS or SHBRV. The positive TUNEL staining thus correlates with the high level of G expression in CVS-infected mouse brain. Northern blot hybridization revealed that the ratio between the N and G transcripts is similar in brains infected with either virus, indicating that the reduced expression of G protein is not caused by reduced transcription in SHBRV-infected animals. Taken together, these observations suggest that apoptosis is not an essential pathogenic mechanism for the outcome of a street rabies virus infection and that other pathologic processes may contribute to the profound neuronal dysfunction characteristic of street rabies.

Large and prolonged food-borne multistate hepatitis A outbreak in Europe associated with consumption of frozen berries, 2013 to 2014

In May 2013, Italy declared a national outbreak of hepatitis A, which also affected several foreign tourists who had recently visited the country. Molecular investigations identified some cases as infected with an identical strain of hepatitis A virus subgenotype IA. After additional European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries reported locally acquired and travel-related cases associated with the same outbreak, an international outbreak investigation team was convened, a European outbreak case definition was issued and harmonisation of the national epidemiological and microbiological investigations was encouraged. From January 2013 to August 2014, 1,589 hepatitis A cases were reported associated with the multistate outbreak; 1,102 (70%) of the cases were hospitalised for a median time of six days; two related deaths were reported. Epidemiological and microbiological investigations implicated mixed frozen berries as the vehicle of infection of the outbreak. In order to control the spread of the outbreak, suspected or contaminated food batches were recalled, the public was recommended to heat-treat berries, and post-exposure prophylaxis of contacts was performed. The outbreak highlighted how large food-borne hepatitis A outbreaks may affect the increasingly susceptible EU/EEA general population and how, with the growing international food trade, frozen berries are a potential high-risk food.

[Epidemiology of hepatitis A, B, and C among adults in Germany: results of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults (DEGS1)]

Ten years after seroepidemiological data were obtained in the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98), German Health Interview and Examination Survey (DEGS1) data contribute to a population-based, representative surveillance of hepatitis A and B immunity and of the serological markers for hepatitis C in Germany. The prevalence of antibodies against the hepatitis A virus is 48.6 %. In comparison to the situation 10 years ago, seroprevalence is significantly higher among 18- to 39-year-old adults and is significantly lower in those aged 50-79 years. The association between age and seroprevalence has changed, indicating a decrease in naturally acquired hepatitis A immunity. Individual and population immunity has to be achieved through vaccination. Prevalence of hepatitis B antibodies indicates that 5.1 % of adults have been exposed to the virus, significantly fewer than 10 years ago (7.9 %). Prevalence of hepatitis B surface antibodies indicates that 22.9 % of adults have been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Vaccination coverage has increased in all age groups and is highest in the younger age groups. These positive trends can be attributed to the general recommendation since 1995 to vaccinate against hepatitis B. For hepatitis C, the prevalence of antibodies in the general population is 0.3 %. Germany thus remains a low-HCV-endemic country. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

Sleep disorders in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Sleep complaints, habits, and medical history were surveyed in 81 patients chronically receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Seventy-three percent of the sample reported insomnia, and 52% reported unintentional napping during the day. Behavioral factors (such as caffeine or alcohol use) or the severity of concurrent medical disease did not account for the sleep problems. Eighteen of these patients subsequently underwent polysomnography and objective measurement of daytime sleepiness. Clinically significant sleep apnea syndrome was present in 11. The presence of sleep apnea was associated with increased levels of psychological distress and daytime sleepiness. Periodic leg movements during sleep were also frequently observed but had minimal effect on sleep quality. Implications of these findings for clinical practice are discussed.

Basic three-dimensional kinematics of the vertebral column of horses trotting on a treadmill

OBJECTIVE

To determine movements of the vertebral column of horses during normal locomotion.

ANIMALS

5 young Dutch Warmblood horses that did not have signs of back problems or lameness.

PROCEDURE

Kinematics of 8 vertebrae (T6, T10, T13, T17, L1, L3, L5, and S3) and both tuber coxae were determined, using bone-fixated markers. Measurements were recorded when the horses were trotting on a treadmill at a constant speed of 4.0 m/s.

RESULTS

Flexion-extension and axial rotation were characterized by a double sinusoidal pattern of motion during 1 stride cycle, whereas lateral bending was characterized by 1 peak and 1 trough. Ranges of motion for all vertebrae were: flexion-extension, 2.8 degrees to 4.9 degrees; lateral bending, 1.9 degrees to 3.6 degrees; axial rotation, 4.6 to 5.8 degrees, except for T10 and T13, where the amount of axial rotation decreased to 3.1 degrees and 3.3 degrees, respectively.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

During locomotion, 3 types of rotations are evident in the thoracolumbar vertebrae. Regional differences are observed in the shape and timing of the rotations. These differences are related to actions of the limbs. The method described here for direct measurement of vertebral column motion provides insights into the complex movements of the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column in trotting horses. Information on normal kinematics is a prerequisite for a better understanding of abnormal function of the vertebral column in horses.

The normal development of the ovary in childhood

The development of the ovary during childhood has been evaluated in 52 organs obtained from autopsy of children who died in accidents or after a brief acute disease. The ovaries at all ages showed follicle growth. 93% of the organs were actively growing ovaries containing healthy and degenerating follicles in progressive stages of development with and without follicle fluid. Three ovaries showed follicle growth up to pre-antral stages. None of the 52 ovaries were quiescent in which follicle development was not in progress. It is therefore argued that the normal ovary in childhood shows follicle growth at all ages. The number and size of antral follicles increases after the age of 6 years coinciding with the progressive increase in FSH and oestrogen output in childhood.

Basic three-dimensional kinematics of the vertebral column of horses walking on a treadmill

OBJECTIVE

To determine kinematic movements of the vertebral column of horses during normal locomotion.

ANIMALS

5 Dutch Warmblood horses without apparent lameness or problems associated with the vertebral column.

PROCEDURE

Kinematics of 8 vertebrae (T6, T10, T13, T17, L1, L3, L5, and S3) and both tuber coxae were determined, using bone-fixated markers. Horses were recorded while walking on a treadmill at a constant speed of 1.6 m/s.

RESULTS

Flexion-extension was characterized by 2 periods of extension and flexion during 1 stride cycle, whereas lateral bending and axial rotation were characterized by 1 peak and 1 trough. The range of motion for flexion-extension was fairly constant for vertebrae caudal to T10 (approximately 7 degrees). For lateral bending, the cranial thoracic vertebrae and segments in the pelvic region had the maximal amount of motion, with values of up to 5.6 degrees. For vertebrae between T17 and L5, the amount of lateral bending decreased to <4 degrees The amount of axial rotation increased gradually from 4 degrees for T6 to 13 degrees for the tuber coxae.

CONCLUSIONS

This direct measurement method provides 3-dimensional kinematic data for flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation of the thoracolumbar portion of the vertebral column of horses walking on a treadmill. Regional differences were observed in the magnitude and pattern of the rotations. Understanding of the normal kinematics of the vertebral column in healthy horses is a prerequisite for a better understanding of abnormal function.

A single immunization with a rhabdovirus-based vector expressing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) S protein results in the production of high levels of SARS-CoV-neutralizing antibodies

Foreign viral proteins expressed by rabies virus (RV) have been shown to induce potent humoral and cellular immune responses in immunized animals. In addition, highly attenuated and, therefore, very safe RV-based vectors have been constructed. Here, an RV-based vaccine vehicle was utilized as a novel vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). For this approach, the SARS-CoV nucleocapsid protein (N) or envelope spike protein (S) genes were cloned between the RV glycoprotein G and polymerase L genes. Recombinant vectors expressing SARS-CoV N or S protein were recovered and their immunogenicity was studied in mice. A single inoculation with the RV-based vaccine expressing SARS-CoV S protein induced a strong SARS-CoV-neutralizing antibody response. The ability of the RV-SARS-CoV S vector to confer immunity after a single inoculation makes this live vaccine a promising candidate for eradication of SARS-CoV in animal reservoirs, thereby reducing the risk of transmitting the infection to humans.

QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories: challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.

Development of a cocktail of recombinant-expressed human rabies virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies for postexposure prophylaxis of rabies

To provide a cost-effective and safe replacement for human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG), we used DNA recombinant technology to express 3 human rabies virus-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (huMAbs) in a rhabdovirus vector (RhV). Infection of either baby hamster kidney cells or CHO cells, with the resulting RhV-huMAb recombinant viruses, yielded high-level production (< or =40 micro g/mL/48 h) of RhV recombinant-expressed huMAbs (rhuMAbs) that differ in both isotype and epitope-recognition specificity. A cocktail of these rhuMAbs neutralizes several fixed and street wild-type rabies viruses (RVs). Mice and hamsters treated only once with this rhuMAb cocktail after infection with a lethal dose of RV were protected. In the mouse models, the postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) efficacy obtained with the rhuMAb cocktail was comparable to that obtained with HRIG, a finding strongly suggesting that rhuMAbs should be given serious consideration for use in future PEP of humans.

Influence of irradiation and chemotherapy on the ovaries of children with abdominal tumours

The ovaries of children with abdominal tumours were studied in 12 autopsy specimens. Ovaries from 25 children who died in accidents or after a short acute disease served as controls. All ovaries from normal children showed follicle growth, but follicle development was inhibited in 67% of the children with abdominal tumours. The effect of treatment with cytotoxic drugs and/or abdominal irradiation on ovarian morphology was investigated. Normal ovaries were found only in children who had received no chemotherapy or a short course. All patients who had been treated with radiation therapy either alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy had severely damaged ovaries: follicle growth was inhibited in all cases, and the number of small non-growing follicles was markedly reduced in most. It is argued that abdominal irradiation might impair follicle development as well as destroy small follicles.