THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF GRANA IN MESOPHYLL PLASTIDS OF ZEA MAYS

The compartments of the grana of mesophyll plastids of Zea mays are extensively interconnected. In median sections of grana, 16.5% of compartment margins were involved in a Y-shaped conjunction of the loculi of two consecutive compartments with the loculus of an attached fret. Various configurations accounted for the remainder of the compartment margins seen in median sections of grana. Tangential views of grana and serial sections revealed an oblique relationship between the frets and the grana. Analysis of serial sections allows the conclusion that the components of the fretwork are helically wound around a granum.     

Expansion of GARP-Expressing CD4+CD25−FoxP3+ T Cells and SATB1 Association with Activation and Coagulation in Immune Compromised HIV-1-Infected Individuals in South Africa

Although antiretroviral treatment lowers the burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related disease, it does not always result in immunological recovery. This manifests as persistent chronic inflammation, immune activation or exhaustion that can promote the onset of co-morbidities. As the exact function of regulatory T (Treg) cells in HIV remains unclear, this cross-sectional study investigated three expression markers (Forkhead box protein P3 [FOXP3], glycoprotein A repetitions predominant [GARP], special AT-rich sequence binding protein 1 [SATB1]) and compared their expansion between CD4⁺CD25⁻ and CD4⁺CD25⁺⁺ T cells. Age-matched study subjects were recruited (Western Cape, South Africa) and sub-divided: HIV-negative subjects (n = 12), HIV-positive naïve treated (n = 22), HIV-positive treated based on CD4 count cells/µL (CD4 > 500 and CD4 < 500) (n = 34) and HIV-treated based on viral load (VL) copies/mL (VL < 1000 and VL > 1000) (n = 34). Markers of immune activation (CD38) and coagulation (CD142) on T cells (CD8) were assessed by flow cytometry together with FOXP3, GARP and SATB1 expression on CD4⁺CD25⁻ and CD4⁺CD25⁺⁺ T cells. Plasma levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10; anti-inflammatory marker), IL-6 (inflammatory marker) and D-dimer (coagulation marker) were assessed. This study revealed three major findings in immuno-compromised patients with virological failure (CD4 < 500; VL > 1000): (1) the expansion of the unconventional Treg cell subset (CD4⁺CD25⁻FOXP3⁺) is linked with disease progression markers; (2) increased GARP expression in the CD4⁺CD25⁻ and CD4⁺CD25⁺⁺ subsets; and (3) the identification of a strong link between CD4⁺CD25⁻SATB1⁺ cells and markers of immune activation (CD8⁺CD38⁺) and coagulation (CD8⁺CD142⁺ and D-dimer).Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12250-021-00386-8.     

Comparison of manufacturing techniques for adenovirus production

We have compared three different production methods, which may be suitable for the large scale production of adenovirus vectors for human clinical trials. The procedures compared 293 cells adapted to suspension growth in serum-free medium in a stirred tank bioreactor, 293 cells on microcarriers in serum-containing medium in a stirred tank bioreactor, and 293 cells grown in standard tissue culture plasticware. With a given virus, yields varied between 2000 and 10,000 infectious units/cell. The stirred tank bioreactor routinely produced between 4000 and 7000 infectious units/cell when 293 cells were grown on microcarriers. The 293 cells adapted to suspension growth in serum-free medium in the same stirred tank bioreactor yielded between 2000 and 7000 infectious units/cell. Yields obtained from standard tissue culture plasticware were up to 10,000 infectious units/cell. Cell culture conditions were monitored for glucose consumption, lactate production, and ammonia accumulation. Glucose consumption and lactate accumulation correlated well with the cell growth parameters. Ammonia production does not appear to be significant. Based on virus yields, ease of operation and linear scalability, large-scale adenovirus production seems feasible using 293 cells (adapted to suspension/serum free medium or on microcarriers in serum containing medium) in a stirred tank bioreactor. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

New coumarins from Pterocaulon virgatum (L.) DC

Three new coumarins, 5-hydroxy-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin, 5-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-3-methylbutoxy)-6,7-methylenedioxycoumarin and 5-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyloxy)coumarin, were isolated from the petrol ether extract of the aerial parts of Pterocaulon virgatum. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic evidence.     

Climate Change and Range Expansion of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in Northeastern USA: Implications for Public Health Practitioners

The Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse), is an invasive species with substantial biting activity, high disease vector potential, and a global distribution that continues to expand. New Jersey, southern New York, and Pennsylvania are currently the northernmost boundary of established Ae. albopictus populations in the eastern United States. Using positive geographic locations from these areas, we modeled the potential future range expansion of Ae. albopictus in northeastern USA under two climate change scenarios. The land area with environmental conditions suitable for Ae. albopictus populations is expected to increase from the current 5% to 16% in the next two decades and to 43%–49% by the end of the century. Presently, about one-third of the total human population of 55 million in northeastern USA reside in urban areas where Ae. albopictus is present. This number is predicted to double to about 60% by the end of the century, encompassing all major urban centers and placing over 30 million people under the threat of dense Ae. albopictus infestations. This mosquito species presents unique challenges to public health agencies and has already strained the resources available to mosquito control programs within its current range. As it continues to expand into areas with fewer resources and limited organized mosquito control, these challenges will be further exacerbated. Anticipating areas of potential establishment, while planning ahead and gathering sufficient resources will be the key for successful public health campaigns. A broad effort in community sanitation and education at all levels of government and the private sector will be required until new control techniques are developed that can be applied efficiently and effectively at reasonable cost to very large areas.     

5-Androstene-3β,7β,17β-triol (β-AET) slows thermal injury induced osteopenia in mice: relation to aging and osteoporosis

5-Androstene-3β,7β,17β-triol (β-AET), an active metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), reversed glucocorticoid (GC)-induced suppression of IL-6, IL-8 and osteoprotegerin production by human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells and promoted osteoblast differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In a murine thermal injury model that includes glucocorticoid-induced osteopenia, β-AET significantly (p<0.05) preserved bone mineral content, restored whole body bone mineral content and endochondral growth, suggesting reversal of GC-mediated decreases in chondrocyte proliferation, maturation and osteogenesis in the growth plate. In men and women, levels of β-AET decline with age, consistent with a role for β-AET relevant to diseases associated with aging. β-AET, related compounds or synthetic derivatives may be part of effective therapeutic strategies to accelerate tissue regeneration and prevent or treat diseases associated with aging such as osteoporosis.     

The cauliflower Or gene encodes a DnaJ cysteine-rich domain-containing protein that mediates high levels of beta-carotene accumulation

Despite recent progress in our understanding of carotenogenesis in plants, the mechanisms that govern overall carotenoid accumulation remain largely unknown. The Orange (Or) gene mutation in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var botrytis) confers the accumulation of high levels of beta-carotene in various tissues normally devoid of carotenoids. Using positional cloning, we isolated the gene representing Or and verified it by functional complementation in wild-type cauliflower. Or encodes a plastid-associated protein containing a DnaJ Cys-rich domain. The Or gene mutation is due to the insertion of a long terminal repeat retrotransposon in the Or allele. Or appears to be plant specific and is highly conserved among divergent plant species. Analyses of the gene, the gene product, and the cytological effects of the Or transgene suggest that the functional role of Or is associated with a cellular process that triggers the differentiation of proplastids or other noncolored plastids into chromoplasts for carotenoid accumulation. Moreover, we demonstrate that Or can be used as a novel genetic tool to induce carotenoid accumulation in a major staple food crop. We show here that controlling the formation of chromoplasts is an important mechanism by which carotenoid accumulation is regulated in plants.     

Clear cell carcinoma in a background of endometriosis. Case report of a finding in a midline abdominal scar 5 years after a total abdominal hysterectomy

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is considered a premalignant process whose association with carcinoma is well documented. We discuss a case of clear cell carcinoma with an unusual presentation in that it was located outside the abdominal cavity and was the only lesion noted clinically and radiologically. The histopathologic diagnostic criteria will be reviewed, as will the association of carcinomas with endometriosis. Furthermore, we will review the current literature of extraovarian clear cell carcinoma associated with endometriosis with regard to clinical outcome. CASE: A 42-year-old Hispanic woman presented to the Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Clinic at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas, in August 2005 secondary to a growing area of firmness associated with her midline abdominal hysterectomy scar. A single mass anterior to the abdominal wall was identified radiologically. The FNA sample was reported as highly atypical cells suspicious for adenocarcinoma. Excision of this mass revealed a clear cell carcinoma in a background of endometriosis. CONCLUSION: Clear cell carcinoma is one of the most prevalent carcinomas associated with endometriosis, whether identified in the ovary or extraovarian site. This case is perplexing because the mass was a solitary lesion and the patient never had documented endometriosis. The unusual presentation may make survival difficult to predict.