Roles of leptin and ghrelin in the regulation of the phenotype and cytokine production by NK cells from peripheral blood

Both leptin and ghrelin used separately at the concentrations corresponding to trimesters II–III of pregnancy increase the number of CD56^bright NK cells in mononuclear cell suspension; their combination also enhances the L-selectin expression on the surface of these cells in the culture. These hormones do not affect the production of TGF-β1, IL-17А, or IFN-γ by NK cells, and they inhibit the production of IL-10. Leptin decreses the IL-4 production by NKp46⁺ cells, but the presence of ghrelin abrogates this effect.     

An unusual presentation of a malignant jejunal tumor and a different management strategy

BACKGROUND: Malignant small bowel tumors are very rare and leiomyosarcoma accounts for less than 15% of the cases. Management of these tumors is challenging in view of nonspecific symptoms, unusual presentation and high incidence of metastasis. In this case report, an unusual presentation of jejunal sarcoma and management of liver metastasis with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is discussed. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old male presented with anemia and features of small bowel obstruction. Operative findings revealed a mass lesion in jejunum with intussusception of proximal loop. Resection of bowel mass was performed. Histopathological findings were suggestive of leiomyosarcoma. After 3-years of follow-up, the patient developed recurrence in infracolic omentum and a liver metastasis. The omental mass was resected and liver lesion was managed with radiofrequency ablation. CONCLUSION: Jejunal leiomyosarcoma is a rare variety of malignant small bowel tumor and a clinical presentation with intussusception is unusual. We suggest that an aggressive management approach using a combination of surgery and a newer technique like RFA can be attempted in patients with limited metastatic spread to liver to prolong the long-term survival in a subset of patients.     

Species loss of stoneflies (Plecoptera) in the Czech Republic during the 20th century

1. Rapid expansion and intensification of anthropogenic activities in the 20th century has caused profound changes in freshwater assemblages. Unfortunately, knowledge of the extent and causes of species loss (SL) is limited due to the lack of reliable historical data. An unusual data set allows us to compare changes in the most sensitive of aquatic insect orders, the Plecoptera, at some 170 locations in the Czech Republic between two time periods, 1955–1960 and 2006–2010. Historical data (1890–1911) on assemblages of six lowland rivers allow us to infer even earlier changes. 2. Regional stonefly diversity decreased in the first half of the 20th century. Streams at lower altitudes lost a substantial number of species, which were never recovered. In the second half of the century, large‐scale anthropogenic pressure caused SL in all habitats, leading to a dissimilarity of contemporary and previous assemblages. The greatest changes were found at sites affected by organic pollution and a mixture of organic pollution and channelisation or impoundment. Colonisation of new habitats was observed in only three of the 80 species evaluated. 3. Species of moderate habitat specialisation and tolerance to organic pollution were most likely to be lost. Those with narrow specialisations in protected habitats were present in both historical and contemporary collections. 4. Contemporary assemblages are the consequence of more than a 100 years of anthropogenic impacts. In particular, streams at lower altitude and draining intensively exploited landscapes host a mere fragment of the original species complement. Most stonefly species are less frequently present than before, although their assemblages remain almost intact in near‐natural mountain streams. Our analyses demonstrate dramatic restriction of species ranges and, in some cases, apparent changes in altitudinal preference throughout the area.     

Specific Features of Neutrophil Response to Chorionic Gonadotropin Related to Sex and the Phase of the Menstrual Cycle

The effect of physiological doses of the main reproductive hormone chorionic gonadotropin (CG) on the functional activity of human neutrophils was studied. The hormone effectively modifies phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and the production of nitrogen oxide by cells. The effects of CG depend on sex and the phase of the menstrual cycle.     

Effect of chorionic gonadotropin on the cooperative interrelations of splenocytes involved in the primary immune response

The influence of chorionic gonadotropin (CG) on the interaction of spleen T- and B-cells has been studied in adoptive transfer system. It has been established that CG increases the primary immune response in non-ovariectomized mice. This effect reversely depended on the hormone concentration and was independent of prostaglandins (PG). In the experiments on ovariectomized mice the influence of CG was opposite and the immune response was decreased. This action was completely abolished by Voltren-induced blockade of UG-synthetase. In spleen cell culture of female mice CG suppresses the synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2). It is suggested that CG may have an independent immunosuppressive action, the mechanism of which consists of disturbed cell-to-cell communications on the level of short-acting mediators of the immunity--PG and IL-2.     

Hormonal regulation of NK cell cytotoxic activity

The effects of chorionic gonadotropin, estriol (E₃), leptin, ghrelin, and kisspeptin on the intracellular expression of perforin, granzyme A, and granzyme B was studied in separated NK cells. All studied hormones except E₃ are could modulate the expression of cytotoxic enzymes in NK cells by suppression of the expression of the most active proapoptotic agents, resulting in increased expression of granzyme A, which is typical of the decidual subpopulation of these lymphocytes.     

Effects of chorionic gonadotropin on the hematopoietic stem cells

It was shown on the exogenic colony-forming unit (CFU) assay that the chorionic gonadotropin (CG) administration to female mice CBA in doses correlating with its concentration in different stages of woman pregnancy stimulated (depending upon the doses) the CFU formation of bone marrow, but not spleen origin. Injections of CG to the ovariectomized mice has the opposite (inhibited) effect on the CFU contents in bone marrow and spleen. CG-administration in the dose of 40 U1 to the ovariectomized and non-castrated irradiated recipients bone marrow cells stimulates (statistically significant) colonies formation. As for 200 U1 dose hormone has the similar effect only on the non-castrated animals.     

Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with better endothelial function: a cross sectional study

Background

Natural heterologous valved conduits with a diameter greater than 22 mm that can be used for right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in adults are not commercially available. The purpose of this study was to measure by ultrasonography the maximum diameter of the distended jugular veins of horses and cattle, respectively, to identify a population of animals that would be suitable for post-mortem collection of jugular veins at sizes greater than 22 mm.

Methods

The study population included 60 Warmblood horses, 25 Freiberger horses, 20 Brown Swiss cows, and 20 Holstein cows (including 10 Holstein and 10 Red Holstein). The maximum cross-sectional diameter of the distended jugular veins was measured at a location half-way between the mandibular angle and the thoracic inlet. The thoracic circumference (heart girth length) was used as a surrogate of body size. The jugular vein diameters of the different populations were compared by analysis of variance and the association between heart girth length and jugular vein diameter was determined in each of the four study populations by linear regression analysis.

Results

There was considerable individual variation of jugular vein diameters within each of the four study populations. There was no statistically significant relationship between thoracic circumference and jugular vein diameter in any of the populations. The jugular vein diameters of Brown Swiss cows were significantly larger than those of any of the other populations. Warmblood horses had significantly larger jugular vein diameters compared to Freiberger horses.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that the production of bovine or equine xenografts with diameters of greater than 22 mm would be feasible. Differences between species and breeds need to be considered. However, prediction of the jugular vein diameter based on breed and heart girth length in an individual animal is inaccurate.