Endogenous <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus versicolor</Emphasis> Endophthalmitis in an Immuno-competent HIV-positive Patient

A 25-year-old white, HIV-positive, immuno-competent man was referred to us because of a progressive blurred vision in his right eye. Clinical characteristics were suggestive for an unilateral fungal endophthalmitis, and thereby fluconazole firstly, followed by conventional amphotericin B were intravenously administered, without any significant improvement. Thus, a pars plana vitrectomy was performed. Aspergillus versicolor was isolated from the cultures of the vitreous sample and intravenous liposomal amphotericin B was administered. An increase of visual acuity together with a reduction of vitreous inflammation occurred. This case of ours represents the first report describing an endogenous endophthalmitis induced by Aspergillus versicolor.     

Frequency of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Related Complications in Pediatric Patients Who Underwent Hypospadias Repair: a Comparative Study Using Probiotics vs Placebo

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG), as a preventive measure of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in...     

Species‐specific TaqMan probes for simultaneous identification of (Gadus morhua L.), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.).

We report the development of a multiplex, single tube (TaqMan) PCR assay for the identification of three commercially important gadoid species, the cod (Gadus morhua L.), the haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus L.) and the whiting (Merlangius merlangus L.). The assay unambiguously identifies known adult tissue samples, and ethanol‐preserved eggs from all three species with greater than 98% accuracy, providing a powerful tool for the development of catch independent stock assessment methods, mapping of spawning sites and the detection of commercial fraud in the fishing and food production industries.     

The expression of prolactin and its cathepsin D-mediated cleavage in the bovine corpus luteum vary with the estrous cycle

In the corpus luteum (CL), blood vessels develop, stabilize, and regress. This process depends on the ratio of pro- and antiangiogenic factors, which change during the ovarian cycle. The present study focuses on the possible roles of 23,000 (23K) prolactin (PRL) in the bovine CL and its antiangiogenic NH(2)-terminal fragments after extracellular cleavage by cathepsin D (Cath D). PRL RNA and protein were demonstrated in the CL tissue, in luteal endothelial cells, and in steroidogenic cells. Cath D was detected in CL tissue, cell extracts, and corresponding cell supernatants. In the intact CL, 23K PRL levels decreased gradually, whereas Cath D levels concomitantly increased between early and late luteal stages. In vitro, PRL cleavage occurred in the presence of acidified homogenates of CL tissue, cells, and corresponding cell supernatants. Similar fragments were obtained with purified Cath D, and their appearance was inhibited by pepstatin A. The aspartic protease specific substrate MOCAc-GKPILF~FRLK(Dnp)-D-R-NH(2) was cleaved by CL cell supernatants, providing further evidence for Cath D activity. The 16,000 PRL inhibited proliferation of luteal endothelial cells accompanied by an increase in cleaved caspase-3. In conclusion, 1) the bovine CL is able to produce PRL and to process it into antiangiogenic fragments by Cath D activity and 2) PRL cleavage might mediate angioregression during luteolysis.     

Gender differences in plasma biomarker levels in a cohort of COPD patients: a pilot study

Rationale

Little is known about gender differences in plasma biomarker levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Hypothesis

There are differences in serum biomarker levels between women and men with COPD.

Objective

Explore gender differences in plasma biomarker levels in patients with COPD and smokers without COPD.

Methods

We measured plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-16, MCP-1, MMP-9, PARC and VEGF in 80 smokers without COPD (40 males, 40 females) and 152 stable COPD patients (76 males, 76 females) with similar airflow obstruction. We determined anthropometrics, smoking history, lung function, exercise tolerance, body composition, BODE index, co-morbidities and quality of life. We then explored associations between plasma biomarkers levels and the clinical characteristics of the patients and also with the clinical and physiological variables known to predict outcome in COPD.

Results

The plasma biomarkers level explored were similar in men and women without COPD. In contrast, in patients with COPD the median value in pg/mL of IL-6 (6.26 vs 8.0, p = 0.03), IL-16 (390 vs 321, p = 0.009) and VEGF (50 vs 87, p = 0.02) differed between women and men. Adjusted for smoking history, gender was independently associated with IL-16, PARC and VEGF levels. There were also gender differences in the associations between IL-6, IL-16 and VEGF and physiologic variables that predict outcomes.

Conclusions

In stable COPD patients with similar airflow obstruction, there are gender differences in plasma biomarker levels and in the association between biomarker levels and important clinical or physiological variables. Further studies should confirm our findings.     

Mouse embryonic retina delivers information controlling cortical neurogenesis

The relative contribution of extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms to cortical development is an intensely debated issue and an outstanding question in neurobiology. Currently, the emerging view is that interplay between intrinsic genetic mechanisms and extrinsic information shape different stages of cortical development. Yet, whereas the intrinsic program of early neocortical developmental events has been at least in part decoded, the exact nature and impact of extrinsic signaling are still elusive and controversial. We found that in the mouse developing visual system, acute pharmacological inhibition of spontaneous retinal activity (retinal waves-RWs) during embryonic stages increase the rate of corticogenesis (cell cycle withdrawal). Furthermore, early perturbation of retinal spontaneous activity leads to changes of cortical layer structure at a later time point. These data suggest that mouse embryonic retina delivers long-distance information capable of modulating cell genesis in the developing visual cortex and that spontaneous activity is the candidate long-distance acting extrinsic cue mediating this process. In addition, these data may support spontaneous activity to be a general signal coordinating neurogenesis in other developing sensory pathways or areas of the central nervous system.