Target cells infected by avian erythroblastosis virus differentiate and become transformed

Transformation in vitro of bone marrow cells by avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV) gives rise to rapidly growing cells of erythroid nature. Target cells of neoplastic transformation by AEV are recruited among the early progenitors of the erythroid lineage, the burst-forming units-erythroid (BFU-E). They express a brain-related antigen at a high level and an immature antigen at a low level. We show that AEV-transformed cells express low levels of the brain antigen and high levels of the immature antigen. Their response to specific factors regulating the erythroid differentiation indicates that they are very sensitive to erythropoietin. Furthermore, cells transformed by a temperature-sensitive mutant of AEV differentiate into hemoglobin-synthesizing cells 4 days after being shifted to the nonpermissive temperature. All these properties are similar to those of late progenitors of the erythroid lineage, the colony-forming units-erythroid (CFU-E). These results indicate that the AEV-transformed cells are blocked in their differentiation at the CFU-E stage.     

Differential apoptotic pathways activated in response to Cu-induced or HOCl-induced LDL oxidation in U937 monocytic cell line

We compared the apoptotic mechanism involved in U937 human monocytic cell line in presence of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) obtained after treatment with hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or copper (Cu).Both types of oxLDL induced U937 apoptotic cell death via the mitochondrial pathway. In contrast to HOCl-oxLDL, Cu-oxLDL induced apoptosis via a caspase-independent mechanism, with no activation of pro-caspase-3, but via the release of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria.The apoptotic program of the monocyte differs depending on the mode of LDL oxidation, based on differences in the oxidatively modified components of the two oxLDL types.     

Grouped sequential exploitation of food patches in a flock feeder,the feral pigeon

Feral and laboratory flocks of rock doves ($\text{Columba}$$\text{livia}$) show a pattern of grouped sequential exploitation when simultaneously presented with two dispersed, depleting patches of seed. This behavior contrasts with the ideal free distribution pattern shown when patches are small and concentrated. Grouped sequential exploitation consists of two phases: all pigeons first land together and feed at one patch, then leave one by one for the other patch. Departure times of individuals for the second patch are correlated with feeding rate at patch 1, which is in turn correlated with position in the dominance hierarchy. The decision to switch from patch 1 to patch 2 improves individual feeding rates in all cases, but is done slightly later than it should according to optimal foraging theory.     

Influenza A Gradual and Epochal Evolution: Insights from Simple Models

The recurrence of influenza A epidemics has originally been explained by a “continuous antigenic drift” scenario. Recently, it has been shown that if genetic drift is gradual, the evolution of influenza A main antigen, the haemagglutinin, is punctuated. As a consequence, it has been suggested that influenza A dynamics at the population level should be approximated by a serial model. Here, simple models are used to test whether a serial model requires gradual antigenic drift within groups of strains with the same antigenic properties (antigenic clusters). We compare the effect of status based and history based frameworks and the influence of reduced susceptibility and infectivity assumptions on the transient dynamics of antigenic clusters. Our results reveal that the replacement of a resident antigenic cluster by a mutant cluster, as observed in data, is reproduced only by the status based model integrating the reduced infectivity assumption. This combination of assumptions is useful to overcome the otherwise extremely high model dimensionality of models incorporating many strains, but relies on a biological hypothesis not obviously satisfied. Our findings finally suggest the dynamical importance of gradual antigenic drift even in the presence of punctuated immune escape. A more regular renewal of susceptible pool than the one implemented in a serial model should be part of a minimal theory for influenza at the population level.     

Inflammation markers in the serum of salt miners

The inflammation markers alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), Clara cell protein (CC-16), soluble interleukin-2-receptor (IL-R) and the soluble adhesion molecule E-selectin, the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and the vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) were determined in the serum of 195 salt-exposed miners to analyse dose-response relationships between markers and potash dust. Alpha-1-antitrypsin, Clara-cell protein, IL2-R, E-selectin and VCAM-1 were not changed by salt exposure, however the ICAM-1 level in the serum fell slightly as the salt exposure increased. This effect was strongest in the group of smokers, still visible in the group of ex-smokers, no effect was seen in non-smokers. Markers, with the exception of VCAM-1, were influenced by tobacco exposure. Since markers were not elevated in relation to salt dust exposure, the results do not support an inflammatory effect of potash dust on the respiratory system.