From clonal to sexual hybrids: genetic recombination via triploids in all-hybrid populations of water frogs.

Speciation via interspecific hybrids is very rare in animals, as compared to plants. Whereas most plants overcome the problem of meiosis between different chromosome sets by tetraploidization, animal hybrids often escape hybrid sterility by clonal reproduction. This comes at the expense of genetic diversity and the ability to purge deleterious mutations.

Demographic characteristics and survival with AIDS: health disparities in Chicago, 1993-2001.

Objectives: We examined correlations between survival and race/ethnicity, age, and gender among persons who died from AIDS-related causes.

Methods: We estimated survival among 11 022 persons at 12, 36, and 60 months after diagnosis with AIDS in 1993 through 2001 and reported through 2003 to the Chicago Department of Public Health. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) by demographic and risk characteristics.

The cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of secretor type alpha1,2fucosyltransferase confer atypical cellular localisation.

Carbohydrate structures influence many aspects of cell biology. Manipulating the glycosyltransferase enzymes, that sequentially add carbohydrate moieties to proteins and lipids as they pass through the Golgi and secretory pathway, can alter these carbohydrate epitopes. We previously demonstrated that the eight amino acid cytoplasmic tail of alpha1,2fucosyltransferase (FT) contained a sequence for Golgi localisation.

Porcine cells express more than one functional ligand for the human lymphocyte activating receptor NKG2D.

Background: Xenotransplantation could ameliorate the severe shortage of donor organs. The initial results of transplantation from genetically-modified pig donors to primate recipients suggest that hyperacute rejection can be overcome, but thrombotic microangiopathy and the human anti-pig cellular immune response remain as significant impediments to successful clinical xenotransplantation. NKG2D is an activating immunoreceptor found on human natural killer (HuNK) cells, CD8(+) and gammadelta T cells.

Predictive factors for somatization in a trauma sample.

Background: Unexplained somatic symptoms are common among trauma survivors. The relationship between trauma and somatization appears to be mediated by posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, only few studies have focused on what other psychological risk factors may predispose a trauma victim towards developing somatoform symptoms.

Hypothesis: combined inhibition of complement and CD14 as treatment regimen to attenuate the inflammatory response.

Pattern recognition is an essential event in innate immunity. Complement and Toll-like receptors (TLR), including the CD14 molecule, are two important upstream components of the innate immune system, recognizing exogenous structures as well as endogenous ligands. They act partly independent in the inflammatory network, but also have several cross-talk mechanisms which are under current investigation.

Risk factors predict post-traumatic stress disorder differently in men and women.

Background: About twice as many women as men develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even though men as a group are exposed to more traumatic events. Exposure to different trauma types does not sufficiently explain why women are more vulnerable.

Methods: The present work examines the effect of age, previous trauma, negative affectivity (NA), anxiety, depression, persistent dissociation, and social support on PTSD separately in men and women.

Hormonal profiles of late gestation ewes following intra-uterine inoculation with and without lux-modified Escherichia coli.

The objectives of these investigations were to develop an ovine model for Escherichia coli (E. coli)-induced preterm delivery, and monitor ewe hormonal response. EXP 1: Ewes (105 +/- 13 days of gestation) were allotted to the following intra-uterine inoculations: Saline-(CON; n=5); 1 x 10(6) CFU/ml (Low Treatment, LT; n=6); or 1 x 10(7) CFU/ml (High Treatment, HT; n=6) E.

Humans lack iGb3 due to the absence of functional iGb3-synthase: implications for NKT cell development and transplantation.

The glycosphingolipid isoglobotrihexosylceramide, or isogloboside 3 (iGb3), is believed to be critical for natural killer T (NKT) cell development and self-recognition in mice and humans. Furthermore, iGb3 may represent an important obstacle in xenotransplantation, in which this lipid represents the only other form of the major xenoepitope Galalpha(1,3)Gal. The role of iGb3 in NKT cell development is controversial, particularly with one study that suggested that NKT cell development is normal in mice that were rendered deficient for the enzyme iGb3 synthase (iGb3S).

Local expression of IDO, either alone or in combination with CD40Ig, IL10 or CTLA4Ig, inhibits indirect xenorejection responses.

Background: To overcome cell-mediated xenorejection by transgenic expression of immunomodulatory molecules by a graft, it is likely that expression of multiple molecules will be required. Previous studies support the use of the immunomodulatory agents indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), CD40Ig, interleukin 10 (IL10), and CTLA4Ig for suppression of rejection responses. We examined the effects of local expression of these molecules by a porcine cell line (PIEC) on indirect murine xenorejection responses in vitro and in vivo.

Combined inhibition of complement and CD14 abolish E. coli-induced cytokine-, chemokine- and growth factor-synthesis in human whole blood.

The relative role of complement and CD14 in E. coli-induced cytokine synthesis in an in vitro human whole blood model of sepsis was examined. Fresh lepirudin-anticoagulated whole blood was incubated with E.

Ex vivo bioluminescence imaging of late gestation ewes following intrauterine inoculation with lux-modified Escherichia coli.

Our objectives were to develop an ovine model for Escherichia coli-induced preterm delivery, and monitor E. coli (lux modified for photonic detection) invasion of the fetal environment--ewes (124+/-18d of gestation) received intrauterine inoculations using E. coli-lux as follows: control (n = 5), 1.

In-vivo motion of mitral valve annuloplasty devices.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The long-term outcomes of mitral valve repairs are enhanced with an annuloplasty device. Although, in general, semirigid and rigid annuloplasty devices remodel the shape of the mitral valve annulus, the effect of geometric alteration on annular motion has not been fully assessed. Hence, the study aim was to investigate the influence of semi-rigid annuloplasty devices on the motion of the mitral valve annulus in adult sheep.

Suppression of cytotoxic and proliferative xenogeneic T-cell responses by transgenic expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.

Tryptophan catabolism initiated by the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) has been postulated to be a natural regulatory mechanism for T cells. In this study, we generated a pig endothelial cell line expressing full-length human IDO (P-HuIDO) to serve as a simple model of a cellular xenogeneic graft. Splenocytes from mice primed to P-HuIDO cells were found to be as responsive to secondary stimulation as splenocytes from mice primed to parental cells.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of continuous local anesthetic infusion in cosmetic breast augmentation.

Background: Narcotic pain medications are a significant component of most postoperative pain control regimens. Although they are usually effective, they produce several untoward side effects and sometimes provide inadequate analgesia. The continuous infusion of local anesthetic agents (via pain pump) has been used to supplement narcotic analgesics after various surgical procedures.

Safety and aesthetic improvement using the omega pattern reduction mammaplasty after breast conservation surgery and radiation therapy.

Background: With the continued popularity of lumpectomy and radiation therapy for many early-stage breast cancer patients, a considerable number of large-breasted patients are being identified who are unhappy with subsequent asymmetry and cosmetic distortion and symptoms related to their macromastia. Bilateral reduction mammaplasty is the most direct means of achieving size balance, improving cosmesis, and relieving symptoms related to macromastia. However, most plastic surgeons are fearful of reduction of the irradiated breast using traditional pedicle techniques for nipple transfer.

NPM1 mutations in therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia with uncharacteristic features.

Frameshift mutations of the nucleophosmin gene (NPM1) were recently reported as a frequently occurring abnormality in patients with de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML). To evaluate the frequency of NPM1 mutations in patients with therapy-related myelodysplasia (t-MDS) and therapy-related AML (t-AML), and their possible association to type of previous therapy and to other gene mutations, 140 patients with t-MDS or t-AML were analyzed for mutations of NPM1. NPM1 mutations were observed in 7 of 51 patients presenting as overt t-AML, as compared to only 3 of 89 patients presenting as t-MDS (P=0.

Genetics of therapy-related myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukemia.

Myelodysplasia (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are heterogeneous, closely associated diseases arising de novo or following chemotherapy with alkylating agents, topoisomerase II inhibitors, or after radiotherapy. Whereas de novo MDS and AML are almost always subclassified according to cytogenetic characteristics, therapy-related MDS (t-MDS) and therapy-related AML (t-AML) are often considered as separate entities and are not subdivided. Alternative genetic pathways were previously proposed in t-MDS and t-AML based on cytogenetic characteristics.

Effect of vertical disparities on depth representation in macaque monkeys: MT physiology and behavior.

Horizontal binocular disparities provide information about the distance of objects relative to the point of ocular fixation and must be combined with an estimate of viewing distance to recover the egocentric distance of an object. Vergence angle and the gradient of vertical disparities across the visual field are thought to provide independent sources of viewing distance information based on human behavioral studies. Although the effect of vergence angle on horizontal disparity selectivity in early visual cortex has been examined (with mixed results), the effect of the vertical disparity field has not been explored.

The role of complement C3 opsonization, C5a receptor, and CD14 in E. coli-induced up-regulation of granulocyte and monocyte CD11b/CD18 (CR3), phagocytosis, and oxidative burst in human whole blood.

The relative role of complement and CD14 in Escherichia coli-induced leukocyte CD11b up-regulation, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst in human whole blood was examined. The highly specific thrombin inhibitor lepirudin was used as anticoagulant, as it does not affect complement activation. Complement inhibition at the level of C3 (anti-C2 and anti-factor D) and C5 (C5a receptor antagonist and anti-C5/C5a) efficiently inhibited CD11b up-regulation, phagocytosis, and oxidative burst in granulocytes.

Mutations of the PTPN11 gene in therapy-related MDS and AML with rare balanced chromosome translocations.

Activating mutations of the PTPN11 gene encoding the SHP2 tyrosine phosphatase is the most common genetic abnormality in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and is sporadically observed in myelodysplasia (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). An unselected series of 140 patients with therapy-related MDS or AML were investigated for mutations of PTPN11 in Exons 3, 4, 8, and 13. Four cases had mutations of the gene; three of these had deletions or loss of chromosome arm 7q.

Alternative genetic pathways and cooperating genetic abnormalities in the pathogenesis of therapy-related myelodysplasia and acute myeloid leukemia.

Alternative genetic pathways were previously outlined in the pathogenesis of therapy-related myelodysplasia (t-MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) based on cytogenetic characteristics. Some of the chromosome aberrations, the recurrent balanced translocations or inversions, directly result in chimeric rearrangement of genes for hematopoietic transcription factors (class II mutations) which disturb cellular differentiation. Other genetic abnormalities in t-MDS and t-AML comprise activating point mutations or internal tandem duplications of genes involved in signal transduction as tyrosine kinase receptors or genes more downstream in the RAS-BRAF pathway (class I mutations).

Recognition of a carbohydrate xenoepitope by human NKRP1A (CD161).

Background: Many immunologically important interactions are mediated by leukocyte recognition of carbohydrates via cell surface receptors. Uncharacterized receptors on human natural killer (NK) cells interact with ligands containing the terminal Galalpha(1,3)Gal xenoepitope. The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize carbohydrate binding proteins from NK cells that bind alphaGal or other potential xenoepitopes, such as N-acetyllactosamine (NAcLac), created by the deletion of alpha1,3galactosyltransferase (GT) in animals.

Lentiviral expression of CTLA4Ig inhibits primed xenogeneic lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine responses.

Background: Co-stimulatory blockade is known to inhibit lymphocyte responses and to prolong allograft and xenograft survival. The present study examines the effect of transgenic expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated molecule-4 immunoglobulin (CTLA4Ig) by a porcine endothelial cell line (PIEC) transduced by a lentiviral vector, on primed xenogeneic T-cell proliferative and cytokine responses.

Methods: Splenocytes from mice primed with PIEC were used as responder cells in a secondary proliferative assay.

Gamma-secretase-dependent proteolysis of CD44 promotes neoplastic transformation of rat fibroblastic cells.

The metalloprotease-dependent extracellular domain cleavage of the adhesion molecule CD44 is frequently observed in human tumors and is thought to promote metastasis. This cleavage is followed by gamma-secretase-dependent release of CD44 intracellular domain (CD44-ICD), which exhibits nuclear signaling activity. Using a reversible Ret-dependent oncogenic conversion model and a restricted proteomic approach, we identified a positive correlation between the neoplastic transformation of Rat-1 cells and the expression of standard CD44.