Genetic diversity and relationships in mulberry (genusMorus) as revealed by RAPD and ISSR marker assays

Background  

The genus Morus, known as mulberry, is a dioecious and cross-pollinating plant that is the sole food for the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori. Traditional methods using morphological traits for classification are largely unsuccessful in establishing the diversity and relationships among different mulberry species because of environmental influence on traits of interest. As a more robust alternative, PCR based marker assays including RAPD and ISSR were employed to study the genetic diversity and interrelationships among twelve domesticated and three wild mulberry species.     

T-helper cells as new players in ANCA-associated vasculitides

In anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitides (AAV), several observations support a key role of T-helper cells (CD4⁺ T cells) in disease pathophysiology. An expanded population of effector memory CD4⁺ T cells in AAV patients may contribute to tissue injury and disease progression. In addition, functional impairment of regulatory T cells (T_Regs) is reported in AAV patients. A fraction of T_Regs have the capacity to differentiate into Th17 cells in the context of a proinflammatory environment. Therefore, nonfunctionality of T_Regs described in AAV patients may be caused by their conversion into IL-17-producing cells that may contribute to granulomatous vasculitis. Further investigations directed at the plasticity of T_Regs in AAV patients are warranted.     

H-Type Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy: Complex Molecular Features and Similarities with Human Prion Diseases

We previously reported that some cattle affected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) showed distinct molecular features of the protease-resistant prion protein (PrP^res) in Western blot, with a 1–2 kDa higher apparent molecular mass of the unglycosylated PrP^res associated with labelling by antibodies against the 86–107 region of the bovine PrP protein (H-type BSE). By Western blot analyses of PrP^res, we now showed that the essential features initially described in cattle were observed with a panel of different antibodies and were maintained after transmission of the disease in C57Bl/6 mice. In addition, antibodies against the C-terminal region of PrP revealed a second, more C-terminally cleaved, form of PrP^res (PrP^res #2), which, in unglycosylated form, migrated as a ≈ 14 kDa fragment. Furthermore, a PrP^res fragment of ≈7 kDa, which was not labelled by C-terminus-specific antibodies and was thus presumed to be a product of cleavage at both N- and C-terminal sides of PrP protein, was also detected. Both PrP^res #2 and ≈7 kDa PrP^res were detected in cattle and in C57Bl/6 infected mice. These complex molecular features are reminiscent of findings reported in human prion diseases. This raises questions regarding the respective origins and pathogenic mechanisms in prion diseases of animals and humans.Key Words: prion, BSE, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker, Western blot, amyloid     

Diagnostic strategies for C-reactive protein

Background  

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) has been identified in prospective epidemiological research as an independent risk marker for cardiovascular disease. In this paper, short-term biological variation of CRP is documented and a strategy to test the reliability of a single CRP sample is proposed.     

What have we learned from clinical trials in primary Sj?gren's syndrome about pathogenesis?

In vitro and in vivo experimental data have pointed to new immunopathogenic mechanisms in primary Sj?gren's syndrome (pSS). The availability of targeted treatment modalities has opened new ways to selectively target these mechanistic pathways in vivo. This has taught us that the role of proinflammatory cytokines, in particular TNFα, is not crucial in the immunopathogenesis of pSS. B cells appear to play a major role, as depletion of B cells leads to restoration of salivary flow and is efficacious for treatment of extraglandular manifestations and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. B cells also orchestrate T-cell infiltration and ductal epithelial dearrangement in the salivary glands. Gene profiling of salivary gland tissue in relation to B-cell depletion confirms that the axis of IFNα, B-cell activating factor, B-cell activation, proliferation and survival constitutes a major pathogenic route in pSS.     

Structural complexes in the squid giant axon membrane sensitive to ionic concentrations and cardiac glycosides

Giant nerve fibers of squid Sepioteuthis sepioidea were incubated for 10 min in artificial sea water (ASW) under control conditions, in the absence of various ions, and in the presence of cardiac glycosides. The nerve fibers were fixed in OsO4 and embedded in Epon, and structural complexes along the axolemma were studied.     

Impact of early applied upper limb stimulation: The EXPLICIT-stroke programme design

Background  

Main claims of the literature are that functional recovery of the paretic upper limb is mainly defined within the first month post stroke and that rehabilitation services should preferably be applied intensively and in a task-oriented way within this particular time window. EXplaining PLastICITy after stroke (acronym EXPLICIT-stroke) aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of post stroke upper limb recovery. Two randomized single blinded trials form the core of the programme, investigating the effects of early modified Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (modified CIMT) and EMG-triggered Neuro-Muscular Stimulation (EMG-NMS) in patients with respectively a favourable or poor probability for recovery of dexterity.     

Selective Cytostatic and Neurotoxic Effects of Avermectins and Activation of the GABAα Receptors

A natural avermectin complex, aversectin C, was shown to be capable of exerting selective cytostatic and neurotoxic effects on mammalian cells. Specifically, it killed proliferating neuroblastoma B103 cells but was non-toxic for differentiated cells of this culture. The anti-proliferation action of aversectin C was not inhibited by bicuculline or picrotoxin, antagonists of the GABA receptors, and was partly due to the action of avermectin A₁, a component of aversectin C. Aversectin C irreversibly suppressed activity of 60% neurons in medial septal slices of the rat brain. More than 55% of them were the GABA- and B₁-sensitive neurons whereas the rest, about 45% neurons, were the GABA-insensitive and the neurotoxic effect of aversectin C was caused mainly by the B₂ component.