An ultrastructural and autoradiographic study of the immune response in Hyalophora cecropia pupae

Summary Membrane-bounded spherical vesicles found in rat Sertoli cells have been examined quantitatively during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Most of the vesicles were localized to the basal and columnar portions of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. The thin lateral projections of the Sertoli cells contained very few vesicles. Morphometric analysis of the basal portion of the Sertoli cell cytoplasm revealed that the volume density (V _v ) of the vesicles changed markedly during the cycle. The V _v was at its minimum (0.036) at stage VII and maximum (0.117) at stages XI-I. The vesicles were also smaller at stage VII compared to the vesicles at stages IX-V. The stage-dependent difference in the size of the vesicles was found both in the basal and the columnar portions of the Sertoli cells. At stage VII some of the vesicles appeared to be elongated much like the tubular elements of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) from which they are probably derived. The stage-dependent differences in volume density and size of the Sertoli cell vesicles may be related to cyclic biochemical variations in the Sertoli cells, and are further indications of a variation in Sertoli cell function during the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Whether or not this is due to an internal cycle of the Sertoli cell or to influences from adjacent germ cells remains to be determined.     

Association of long non-coding RNAs NEAT1, and MALAT1 expression and pathogenesis of Behçet's disease among Egyptian patients

Behçet''s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Immunological defects have been shown to play a significant role in the progression of BD. The serum levels of two long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), NEAT1 and MALAT1, were examined in patients with BD to identify their role in the disease pathogenesis. Both lncRNAs were mentioned as essential regulators of innate immune responses and have a crucial role in inflammatory diseases. Fifty patients with BD and a similar number of control individuals were involved in our study. At enrollment, data was collected from patients and controls, and the disease severity in active cases was determined using the Behçet''s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Levels of the two studied biomarkers in the serum, NEAT1 and MALAT1, were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). NEAT1 levels were significantly turned down in BD patients (fold changes = 0.77, p = 0.0001) and correlated negatively with the BDCAF (r = −0.41; p = 0.003). On the other hand, the MALAT1 levels were significantly up-regulated in BD patients (fold changes = 2.65, p = 0.003). Serum levels of NEAT1 were significantly decreased in patients with active states than in stationary cases (0.387 versus 1.99, respectively; p = 0.01) and compared with controls (p = 0.001). Also, NEAT1 levels were significantly increased in patients with stationary states compared to controls (p = 0.03). There was a positive association between NEAT1 and MALAT1 levels among BD patients (r = 0.29, p = 0.04). Our findings demonstrate a possible role of NEAT1 and MALAT1 in the pathogenesis of BD.     

Botryorhodines A-D, antifungal and cytotoxic depsidones from Botryosphaeria rhodina, an endophyte of the medicinal plant Bidens pilosa

An endophytic fungus (Botryosphaeria rhodina) was isolated from the stems of the medicinal plant Bidens pilosa (Asteraceae) that is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antifungal effects. The ethyl acetate extract of the fungal isolate exhibits significant antifungal activity as well as potent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects against several cancer cell lines. Activity-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of a complex of four depsidones, botryorhodines A-D and the auxin indole carboxylic acid. Botryorhodine A and B show moderate to weak cytotoxic activities against HeLa cell lines with a CC₅₀ of 96.97 μM and 36.41 μM, respectively. In addition, they also show antifungal activity against a range of pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus terreus (MIC 26.03 μM for botryorhodine A and 49.70 μM for B) and the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum (MIC 191.60 μM for botryorhodine A and 238.80 μM for B). A potential role of the endophyte in modulating fungal populations living within or attacking the host plant is discussed.     

Organizational readiness for knowledge translation in chronic care: a review of theoretical components

Background

With the persistent gaps between research and practice in healthcare systems, knowledge translation (KT) has gained significance and importance. Also, in most industrialized countries, there is an increasing emphasis on managing chronic health conditions with the best available evidence. Yet, organizations aiming to improve chronic care (CC) require an adequate level of organizational readiness (OR) for KT.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to review and synthesize the existing evidence on conceptual models/frameworks of Organizational Readiness for Change (ORC) in healthcare as the basis for the development of a comprehensive framework of OR for KT in the context of CC.

Data sources

We conducted a systematic review of the literature on OR for KT in CC using Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Sciences (SCI and SSCI), and others. Search terms included readiness; commitment and change; preparedness; willing to change; organization and administration; and health and social services.Study selection: The search was limited to studies that had been published between the starting date of each bibliographic database (e.g., 1964 for PubMed) and November 1, 2012. Only papers that refer to a theory, a theoretical component from any framework or model on OR that were applicable to the healthcare domain were considered. We analyzed data using conceptual mapping.Data extraction: Pairs of authors independently screened the published literature by reviewing their titles and abstracts. Then, the two same reviewers appraised the full text of each study independently.

Results

Overall, we found and synthesized 10 theories, theoretical models and conceptual frameworks relevant to ORC in healthcare described in 38 publications. We identified five core concepts, namely organizational dynamics, change process, innovation readiness, institutional readiness, and personal readiness. We extracted 17 dimensions and 59 sub-dimensions related to these 5 concepts.

Conclusion

Our findings provide a useful overview for researchers interested in ORC and aims to create a consensus on the core theoretical components of ORC in general and of OR for KT in CC in particular. However, more work is needed to define and validate the core elements of a framework that could help to assess OR for KT in CC.

     

Streamlining the Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings by Structured Under‐Specification and Probabilistic Triage

Life cycle thinking plays an important role in sustainable development in the building sector. However, the complexity of data collection and scope definition limits life cycle assessment (LCA) applications. Even if the inventory data have already been collected, tabulated, and indexed, the method is still time‐consuming, which may be discouraging for designers. This study demonstrates how the LCA of buildings can be robustly streamlined using structured underspecification of impact data combined with an effective and efficient triage of the data collection. Tests were conducted with a series of building typologies that were analyzed with a cradle‐to‐gate approach. The probabilistic triage approach was tested to identify selected activities requiring detailed specification because they contribute most to total impact, thereby reducing data gathering effort. Impacts such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and smog creation were assessed, and results showed that 40% to 46% of the bill of materials components represent 75% of total impacts of single‐family houses and multifamily buildings. By specifying only a prioritized subset of the bill of materials to the highest level of specificity, results proved to be reasonably accurate and obtainable with less effort.     

Interaction between TGF-β1 (869C/T) polymorphism and biochemical risk factor for prediction of disease progression in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) may be a promising candidate gene for susceptibility and severity in RA. We aimed to determine whether TGF-β1 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to RA and progression of joint destruction, as well as to identify the interaction between TGF-β1 polymorphism and biochemical risk factor.

Methods

A total of 160 RA patients and 168 healthy unrelated controls were tested for the TGF-β1 (869C/T) polymorphism using polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The TGF-β1 T allele was associated with susceptibility to RA. Within the RA group, TGF-β1 T allele carriers had a significant increased risk to develop osteoporosis (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = - 2. 4 – 8.1, P < 0.001), as well as more likely to develop bone erosion (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 0. 99–2.7, P = 0. 034). Better prediction was achieved when the TGF-β1 TT genotype was used in combination with either elevated, rheumatoid factor (RF) or C-reactive protein (CRP) (OR = 6.8, 3.7 respectively). Also, they increased the risk to develop bone erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 3.3, 9.8, P = 0.017, 0.001 respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that TGF-β1 TT genotype may determine the development of osteoporosis and bone erosion in RA. Also, our results points to a synergism between TGF-β1 TT genotype and elevated serum RF or elevated CRP that lead to the development of osteoporosis and bone erosion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Rec-dependent and Rec-independent recombination of plasmid-borne duplication in Escherichia coli K12

Summary Plasmidic recombination in E. coli K12 has been previously demonstrated to be dependent on the host rec genotype. The construction of plasmids that carry a duplication within an antibiotic-resistance gene is described. Recombination between the direct repeats recreates an active antibiotic-resistance gene, allowing quantitative analysis of recombination frequencies in a closely related set of E. coli K12 strains carrying various rec mutations. Using this system, intraplasmidic recombination of a duplication within the pBR322 tetracycline-resistance gene is shown to be rec-dependent while recombination of a similar duplication within the kanamycin-resistance gene of Tn903 is shown to be independent of recA, recB, recC, recE, recF and sbcB.     

Plasma levels of adrenomedullin and atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with congestive heart failure of various etiologies

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of the adrenomedullin (ADM) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in adult and pediatric patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) of various etiologies and to investigate their relations with haemodynamic variables e.g. echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was made in 38 adult and 21 pediatric patients with CHF of various etiologies and compared with 15 adult and 10 pediatric normal healthy controls. Patients with CHF were classified according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification into grades II to IV in adult patients and into grade IV in all pediatric patients. ADM and ANP plasma levels were determined prior to the treatment with enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in the plasma levels of ADM and ANP were found between pediatrics and adult patients and corresponding healthy controls. Their levels were progressively increased with severity of NYHA class in adult patients. We found a significant positive correlation between plasma levels of each of ADM and ANP and pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure; and a significant negative correlation between their plasma levels and echocardiographic LVEF and FS. A significant positive correlation between plasma levels of ADM and ANP in both pediatrics and adult patients were also found. CONCLUSION: Plasma levels of ADM and ANP increased in adult and pediatric patients with CHF irrespective of the cause. They were positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with LVEF and FS. These findings might have important clinical implications in that a noninvasive blood test may be used to identify high-risk subjects for HF for more invasive procedures.     

Adaptive evolution has targeted the C-terminal domain of the RXLR effectors of plant pathogenic oomycetes

Oomycete plant pathogens deliver effector proteins inside host cells to modulate plant defense circuitry and to enable parasitic colonization. These effectors are defined by a conserved motif, termed RXLR (for Arg, any amino acid, Leu, Arg), that is located downstream of the signal peptide and that has been implicated in host translocation. Because the phenotypes of RXLR effectors extend to plant cells, their genes are expected to be the direct target of the evolutionary forces that drive the antagonistic interplay between pathogen and host. We used the draft genome sequences of three oomycete plant pathogens, Phytophthora sojae, Phytophthora ramorum, and Hyaloperonospora parasitica, to generate genome-wide catalogs of RXLR effector genes and determine the extent to which these genes are under positive selection. These analyses revealed that the RXLR sequence is overrepresented and positionally constrained in the secretome of Phytophthora relative to other eukaryotes. The three examined plant pathogenic oomycetes carry complex and diverse sets of RXLR effector genes that have undergone relatively rapid birth and death evolution. We obtained robust evidence of positive selection in more than two-thirds of the examined paralog families of RXLR effectors. Positive selection has acted for the most part on the C-terminal region, consistent with the view that RXLR effectors are modular, with the N terminus involved in secretion and host translocation and the C-terminal domain dedicated to modulating host defenses inside plant cells.