Toll-like receptor 4 deficiency: Smaller infarcts,but nogain in function

Backgound  

It has been reported that Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) deficiency reduces infarct size after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R). However, measurement of MI/R injury was limited and did not include cardiac function. In a chronic closed-chest model we assessed whether cardiac function is preserved in TLR4-deficient mice (C3H/HeJ) following MI/R, and whether myocardial and systemic cytokine expression differed compared to wild type (WT).     

Defective,deleted or converted CYP21B gene and negative association with a rare restriction fragment length polymorphism allele of the factor B gene in congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Summary Defects in the enzyme, steroid 21-hydroxylase, result in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a common autosomal recessive disorder of cortisol biosynthesis. The gene encoding this protein (CYP21B) and a closely linked pseudogene (CYP21A) have been mapped in the HLA complex on chromosome 6p, adjacent to the complement genes C4B and C4A, about 80 kb from the factor B gene. Molecular analyses of patients with CAH have shown that the cause of the defect may be either a deletion, a point mutation or a conversion of the active gene. Linkage of the disease to HLA has previously been studied by several groups. We have analyzed DNAs from patients with classical and non-classical CAH and from their family members, by probing with CYP21, C4 and BF cDNAs. In 70% of the CAH haplotypes studied, the defective CYP21B gene was indistinguishable from its structurally intact corresponding gene in Southern blot analysis, and presumably bore point mutations. In the remaining chromosomes, evidence for gene conversions, deletions and various deleterious mutations of the CYP21B gene is given. Moreover, our linkage studies show that a polymorphic TaqI cleavage site in the factor B gene, recently described by us, may be a new and useful genetic marker, because we found this TaqI restriction site only in unaffected haplotypes carrying functional CYP21B genes and, therefore, in negative association with the defective CYP21B gene.     

Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone immunoreactivity in human melanoma metastases extracts

Seven human melanoma metastases were extracted in order to check the possible presence of any alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) immunoreactivity. The aim of that study was to provide some explanation for, mainly, two observations that we have already made and reported: 1) increased plasma alpha-MSH levels in melanoma of tumour-bearing patients as compared with tumour-free patients; 2) the presence of specific alpha-MSH receptors on human melanoma cells in culture. We could measure large amounts of immunoreactive alpha-MSH in all tumours ranging from 0.31 to 4.27 pmoles per g of wet tissue. Further identification of the extracted material by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed compounds of higher molecular weight and more hydrophobic than synthetic alpha-MSH. In addition, purified extracts could also displace 125I-labelled alpha-MSH from its cellular binding sites in an alpha-MSH specific radio-receptor binding assay. Our findings would suggest a possible presence of some hormone precursor(s) inside the melanoma tumours.     

Bacterial pollution of seawater: comparison of technics of sampling and analysis

From sampling in three areas neighbouring Tunis, the first polluted, the second contaminated and the third clean, the authors point out that the technic of multiple samples using the "Lactose Broth" is the most sensible to faecal pollution.     

Caffeine-containing energy drink improves sprint performance during an international rugby sevens competition

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a caffeine-containing energy drink on physical performance during a rugby sevens competition. A second purpose was to investigate the post-competition urinary caffeine concentration derived from the energy drink intake. On two non-consecutive days of a friendly tournament, 16 women from the Spanish National rugby sevens Team (mean age and body mass = 23 ± 2 years and 66 ± 7 kg) ingested 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body mass in the form of an energy drink (Fure^®, ProEnergetics) or the same drink without caffeine (placebo). After 60 min for caffeine absorption, participants performed a 15-s maximal jump test, a 6 × 30 m sprint test, and then played three rugby sevens games against another national team. Individual running pace and instantaneous speed during the games were assessed using global positioning satellite (GPS) devices. Urine samples were obtained pre and post-competition. In comparison to the placebo, the ingestion of the energy drink increased muscle power output during the jump series (23.5 ± 10.1 vs. 25.6 ± 11.8 kW, P = 0.05), running pace during the games (87.5 ± 8.3 vs. 95.4 ± 12.7 m/min, P < 0.05), and pace at sprint velocity (4.6 ± 3.3 vs. 6.1 ± 3.4 m/min, P < 0.05). However, the energy drink did not affect maximal running speed during the repeated sprint test (25.0 ± 1.5 vs. 25.0 ± 1.7 km/h). The ingestion of the energy drink resulted in a higher post-competition urine caffeine concentration than the placebo (3.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 μg/mL; P < 0.05). In summary, 3 mg/kg of caffeine in the form of a commercially available energy drink considerably enhanced physical performance during a women’s rugby sevens competition.     

Embryonic Cardiomyocyte,but Not Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation,Restricts Infarct Expansion,Enhances Ventricular Function,and Improves Long-Term Survival

Aims

Controversy exists in regard to the beneficial effects of transplanting cardiac or somatic progenitor cells upon myocardial injury. We have therefore investigated the functional short- and long-term consequences after intramyocardial transplantation of these cell types in a murine lesion model.

Methods and Results

Myocardial infarction (MI) was induced in mice (n = 75), followed by the intramyocardial injection of 1−2×10⁵ luciferase- and GFP-expressing embryonic cardiomyocytes (eCMs), skeletal myoblasts (SMs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) or medium into the infarct. Non-treated healthy mice (n = 6) served as controls. Bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging confirmed the engraftment and survival of the cells up to seven weeks postoperatively. After two weeks MRI was performed, which showed that infarct volume was significantly decreased by eCMs only (14.8±2.2% MI+eCM vs. 26.7±1.6% MI). Left ventricular dilation was significantly decreased by transplantation of any cell type, but most efficiently by eCMs. Moreover, eCM treatment increased the ejection fraction and cardiac output significantly to 33.4±2.2% and 22.3±1.2 ml/min. In addition, this cell type exclusively and significantly increased the end-systolic wall thickness in the infarct center and borders and raised the wall thickening in the infarct borders. Repetitive echocardiography examinations at later time points confirmed that these beneficial effects were accompanied by better survival rates.

Conclusion

Cellular cardiomyoplasty employing contractile and electrically coupling embryonic cardiomyocytes (eCMs) into ischemic myocardium provoked significantly smaller infarcts with less adverse remodeling and improved cardiac function and long-term survival compared to transplantation of somatic cells (SMs and MSCs), thereby proving that a cardiomyocyte phenotype is important to restore myocardial function.     

Atresia ani with diphallus and separate scrota in a calf: a case report

Atresia ani, a common genetic defect in animals, is often accompanied by urogenital defects in calves. This paper reports a case of atresia ani with diphallus and separate scrota in a calf. The calf was born with atresia ani; surgery (to open the anus) was performed 3 days after birth. No urogenital abnormalities were noticed until 4 months after birth. At that time, two separate scrota (each containing a testis) and a sac-like structure in the middle of two scrota, were visible. The gait was abnormal, with abduction of the hind limbs while walking. Additionally, the hind legs appeared wider than usual at the hip joints. Two weeks later, two peni (diphallia) was observed, each in a separate preputial sheath. The calf had a normal karyotype on cytogenetic examination. Plasma concentrations of testosterone at 5.5, 6, and 7 months of age were 3.5, 1.9, and 1.7 ng/ml, respectively. At necropsy (7 months of age), the prepuce was thick and the glans of the right penis was adhered to the prepuce. The left penis did not have a urethra or retractor penis muscles. The sac-like structure in the middle of the two scrota contained the urinary bladder and a loop of small intestine. The pubic bone had failed to fuse at the pelvic symphysis. In conclusion, this is the first reported case of atresia ani with diphallus, separate scrota, and pubic bone separation in a calf.     

Circulating immune complexes and complement C3 and C4 levels in a selected group of patients with rhinitis in Lebanon

BACKGROUND: A number of reports indicate that circulating immune complexes (CIC) and activation of the complement system contribute to the pathogenesis of Type I allergy. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of CIC in 113 patients with rhinitis in Lebanon and determine complement components C3 and C4 serum levels in the CIC-positive patients. Serum specific IgE antibodies were previously detected and reported in 74 of the 113 patients. METHODS: CIC were detected by polyethylene glycol precipitation and serum C3 and C4 levels quantified by radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: CIC was positive in 20 of the specific IgE-positive and 13 of the specific IgE-negative patients. C3 and C4 levels were within the normal range in all the 33 CIC-positive patients. CONCLUSIONS: The antibody class that constitutes the complexes does not seem to be IgG or IgM. Moreover, complement activation does not seem to be involved in the allergic reaction since both C3 and C4 levels were normal in all patients. The role of these complexes, if any, in the pathogenesis of rhinitis is yet to be determined.