An assessment of the breeding range,colony sizes and population of the Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica)

Abstract

The Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica) is an endemic New Zealand species and one of the very few burrowing seabird species still breeding on mainland New Zealand. It nests only on a series of coastal ridgelines near to Punakaiki on the West Coast of the South Island. Between 2002 and 2005, surveys were undertaken at 28 of the 29 known colonies. The area occupied by the colonies was 73 ha; most colonies had fewer than 50 burrows, but six colonies had 201–500 burrows and four colonies had more than 1000 burrows. We find that the current breeding range of Westland petrel and the location of individual colonies are similar to those reported in both the 1950s and 1970s. Based on total burrow counts at 28 colonies and burrow occupancy rates determined by annual monitoring, the annual breeding population is estimated to be between 2954 and 5137 breeding pairs.     

Predictors of mortality of patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to an intensive care unit: A one year study

Background

Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) commonly require hospitalization and admission to intensive care unit (ICU). It is useful to identify patients at the time of admission who are likely to have poor outcome. This study was carried out to define the predictors of mortality in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and to device a scoring system using the baseline physiological variables for prognosticating these patients.

Methods

Eighty-two patients with acute respiratory failure secondary to COPD admitted to medical ICU over a one-year period were included. Clinical and demographic profile at the time of admission to ICU including APACHE II score and Glasgow coma scale were recorded at the time of admission to ICU. In addition, acid base disorders, renal functions, liver functions and serum albumin, were recorded at the time of presentation. Primary outcome measure was hospital mortality.

Results

Invasive ventilation was required in 69 patients (84.1%). Fifty-two patients survived to hospital discharge (63.4%). APACHE II score at the time of admission to ICU {odds ratio (95 % CI): 1.32 (1.138–1.532); p < 0.001} and serum albumin (done within 24 hours of admission) {odds ratio (95 % CI): 0.114 (0.03-0.432); p = 0.001}. An equation, constructed using the adjusted odds ratio for the two parameters, had an area under the ROC curve of 91.3%. For the choice of cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value for predicting outcome was 90%, 86.5%, 79.4% and 93.7%.

Conclusion

APACHE II score at admission and SA levels with in 24 hrs after admission are independent predictors of mortality for patients with COPD admitted to ICU. The equation derived from these two parameters is useful for predicting outcome of these patients.     

A novel tumor suppressor protein promotes keratinocyte terminal differentiation via activation of type I transglutaminase

Tazarotene-induced protein 3 (TIG3) is a recently discovered regulatory protein that is expressed in the suprabasal epidermis. In the present study, we show that TIG3 regulates keratinocyte viability and proliferation. TIG3-dependent reduction in keratinocyte viability is accompanied by a substantial increase in the number of sub-G1 cells, nuclear shrinkage, and increased formation of cornified envelope-like structures. TIG3 localizes to the membrane fraction, and TIG3-dependent differentiation is associated with increased type I transglutaminase activity. Microscopic localization and isopeptide cross-linking studies suggest that TIG3 and type I transglutaminase co-localize in membranes. Markers of apoptosis, including caspases and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, are not activated by TIG3, and caspase inhibitors do not stop the TIG3-dependent reduction in cell viability. Truncation of the carboxyl-terminal membrane-anchoring domain results in a complete loss of TIG3 activity. The morphology of the TIG3-positive cells and the effects on cornified envelope formation suggest that TIG3 is an activator of terminal keratinocyte differentiation. Our studies suggest that TIG3 facilitates the terminal stages in keratinocyte differentiation via activation of type I transglutaminase.     

Interactions between Zn and Cu in LEC rats, an animal model of Wilson's disease

The effect of oral Zn treatment was studied in the liver and kidneys of 26 male Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats (mutant animals, 5 weeks old) in relation to both the interaction between Zn and Cu and the localisation and concentration of metallothionein (MT). Rats receiving 80 mg zinc acetate daily by gavage and control rats receiving no treatment were killed after 1 or 2 weeks. By immunohistochemical and analytical chemical techniques we revealed that treated rats had higher levels of MT in the hepatic and renal cells compared to untreated ones. Tissue Zn concentrations were significantly higher in treated rats compared to untreated whereas Cu concentrations decreased in the liver and kidneys as indicated by analytical chemical analyses. MT levels also decreased with treatment period. A histochemical procedure, obtained using autofluorescence of Cu-metallothioneins, confirms these findings: after 2 weeks, the signal decreased in both the liver and kidney sections. This gives a greater understanding of the mechanism of Cu metabolism in the two tissues considered. These results suggest that Zn acts both to compete for absorption on the luminal side of the intestinal epithelium and to induce the synthesis of MT.     

Metallothionein-1 and metallothionein-2 gene expression and localisation of apoptotic cells in Zn-treated LEC rat liver

The aims of the present work were to determine the effect of long-term treatment with zinc (Zn) on metallothionein (MT) concentrations and to study the levels of both MT-1 and MT-2 mRNAs in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rat liver. We also identified apoptotic cells comparing two cytochemical techniques. Thirteen rats received 50 mg zinc acetate daily by gavage, 13 rats received no treatment, and both groups were killed after 60 days. Finally four rats were killed 35 days after birth (T(0)). The results demonstrate that the Zn-treated group had higher levels of MT than both the untreated and basal ones. Quantification of mRNA indicates that the level of the Zn-treated group was significantly higher than the untreated group. Confocal fluorescent staining with monoclonal antibody (Mab) against single-strand DNA localised the hepatic cells that had chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation typical of apoptosis, especially in the untreated group sections. The intensity and quantity of fluorescence decreased in both the treated and basal groups. The higher sensitivity of Mab staining compared to TUNEL, which revealed both apoptotic and necrotic cells, reflects the different action mechanism of the two techniques. These findings confirm, in LEC rats, the important role of Zn in cellular protection in relation to MT expression and apoptotic processes as cellular responses to DNA damage by free radicals.     

Multispecific CD4+ T cell response to a single 12-mer epitope of the immunodominant heat-shock protein 60 of Yersinia enterocolitica in Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis: overlap with the B27-restricted CD8 epitope, functional properties, and epitope presentation by multiple DR alleles

Yersinia heat-shock protein 60 (Ye-hsp60) has recently been found to be a dominant CD4 and CD8 T cell Ag in Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis. The nature of this response with respect to the epitopes recognized and functional characteristics of the T cells is largely unknown. CD4+ T cell clones specific for Ye-hsp60 were raised from synovial fluid mononuclear cells from a patient with Yersinia-triggered reactive arthritis. and their specificity was determined using three recombinant Ye-hsp60 fragments, overlapping 18-mer synthetic peptides as well as truncated peptides. Functional characteristics were assessed by cytokine secretion analysis in culture supernatants after specific antigenic stimulation. Amino acid positions relevant for T cell activation were detected by single alanine substitutions within the epitopes. Fragment II comprising amino acid sequence 182-371 was recognized by the majority of clones. All these clones were specific for peptide 319-342. Th1 clones and IL-10-secreting clones occurred in parallel, sometimes with the same fine specificity. The 12-mer core epitope 322-333 is a degenerate MHC binder and is presented to some T cell clones in a "promiscuous" manner. This epitope is almost identical with a B27-restricted CTL epitope of Ye-hsp60. Cross-reactivity of Ye-hsp60-specific T cell clones with self-hsp60 was not observed. In conclusion, an interesting Ye-hsp60 T cell epitope has been identified and characterized. It remains to be determined whether this epitope is also relevant in other reactive arthritis patients.     

The contribution of genetic variation and infection to the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis

The aetiology of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated systemic vasculitis has not been well defined. Here we review two factors which may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease: genetics and infection. In particular, we discuss the role of autoantibodies to LAMP-2, which may arise following infection with Gram-negative bacteria, and may contribute to the development of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis in genetically susceptible individuals.     

Bronchoabsorption; a novel bronchoscopic technique to improve biomarker sampling of the airway

Background

Current techniques used to obtain lung samples have significant limitations and do not provide reproducible biomarkers of inflammation. We have developed a novel technique that allows multiple sampling methods from the same area (or multiple areas) of the lung under direct bronchoscopic vision. It allows collection of mucosal lining fluid and bronchial brushing from the same site; biopsy samples may also be taken. The novel technique takes the same time as standard procedures and can be conducted safely.

Methods

Eight healthy smokers aged 40–65 years were included in this study. An absorptive filter paper was applied to the bronchial mucosa under direct vision using standard bronchoscopic techniques. Further samples were obtained from the same site using bronchial brushings. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was obtained using standard techniques. Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 20 (CCL20), CCL4, CCL5, Chemokine (C-X-C Motif) Ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) and MMP-9 were measured in exudate and BAL. mRNA was collected from the bronchial brushings for gene expression analysis.

Results

A greater than 10 fold concentration of all the biomarkers was detected in lung exudate in comparison to BAL. High yield of good quality RNA with RNA integrity numbers (RIN) between 7.6 and 9.3 were extracted from the bronchial brushings. The subset of genes measured were reproducible across the samples and corresponded to the inflammatory markers measured in exudate and BAL.

Conclusions

The bronchoabsorption technique as described offers the ability to sample lung fluid direct from the site of interest without the dilution effects caused by BAL. Using this method we were able to successfully measure the concentrations of biomarkers present in the lungs as well as collect high yield mRNA samples for gene expression analysis from the same site. This technique demonstrates superior sensitivity to standard BAL for the measurement of biomarkers of inflammation. It could replace BAL as the method of choice for these measurements. This method provides a systems biology approach to studying the inflammatory markers of respiratory disease progression.

Trial registration

NHS Health Research Authority (13/LO/0256).     

A protective effect of the synthetic coumarine derivative Cloricromene against DNB-colitis in the rat

Biologic therapies, namely antibodies against tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha) or its receptors, have been recently introduced for the treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In the present study the effects of cloricromene, an agent with known antithrombotic actions and with demonstrated anti-TNF- alpha activity were investigated in a rat model of experimental colitis induced with dinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (DNB)/ethanol. We investigated three experimental groups: (i) sham-colitis with vehicle-treatment (controls, n = 6), (ii) colitis with vehicle-treatment (saline, 0.1 ml s.c., daily) (DNB-V, n = 7), (iii) colitis with cloricromene-treatment (10 mg/kg/day s.c.; DNB-C, n = 8). After 7 days, the weight gain, colon wet weight, macroscopic damage score, coagulation parameters, colon mucosal myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), and tissue concentrations of TNF- alpha and of macrophage inhibitory peptide-2 (MIP-2) were assessed. The macroscopic damage scores, colon wet weights, and tissue MIP-2 levels were significantly increased in untreated and in cloricromene-treated rats compared with controls. Cloricromene treatment was associated with a minor body weight loss (p < 0.025) and significantly reduced tissue concentrations of MPO and TNF-alpha (p < 0.02, both). Blood coagulation parameters were not affected by treatment. In the DNB-model treatment with cloricromene effectively reduces tissue levels of TNF- alpha and of myeloperoxidase, whereas MIP-2 concentrations were not influenced. Blood coagulation parameters remained unchanged indicating safety of treatment. Since biological therapies frequently fail to improve disease course of IBD, other therapies with similar targets should be further investigated.