Cost effective and time efficient measurement of CD4, CD8, major histocompatibility complex Class II, and macrophage antigen expression in the lungs of chickens.

Cells expressing CD4, CD8, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class II, and macrophage biomarkers in lungs of chickens were quantified by measuring total area of antigen expressed using imageJ, a software program developed at the National Institutes of Health and available at no cost. The procedures reported here were rapid, and reproducible. Total area of antigen expressed had positive correlation with manual counts of cells expressing CD4 and CD8 biomarkers after inoculation with serotype 1 Marek's disease virus (MDV) vaccines.

Irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal parasite infection in a developing nation environment.

Postinfectious IBS is defined in the industrialized world as IBS onset following a sentinel gastrointestinal infection. In developing nations, where repeated bacterial and parasitic gastrointestinal infections are common, the IBS pathophysiology may be altered. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between intestinal parasite infection and IBS in the "nonsterile" developing world environment.

Phytochrome A increases tolerance to high evaporative demand.

Stresses resulting from high transpiration demand induce adjustments in plants that lead to reductions of water loss. These adjustments, including changes in water absorption, transport and/or loss by transpiration, are crucial to normal plant development. Tomato wild type (WT) and phytochrome A (phyA)-mutant plants, fri1-1, were exposed to conditions of either low or high transpiration demand and several morphological and physiological changes were measured during stress conditions.

Trypanosoma cruzi heparin-binding proteins mediate the adherence of epimastigotes to the midgut epithelial cells of Rhodnius prolixus.

Heparin-binding proteins (HBPs) have been demonstrated in both infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi and are involved in the recognition and invasion of mammalian cells. In this study, we evaluated the potential biological function of these proteins during the parasite-vector interaction. HBPs, with molecular masses of 65·8 kDa and 59 kDa, were isolated from epimastigotes by heparin affinity chromatography and identified by biotin-conjugated sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

[Echinocandins].

The echinocandins, caspofugin, micafungin, and anidulafungin, are lipopeptides that inhibit fungal growth by binding to β - (1.3) d glucan synthase. This enzyme is responsible for the formation of the peptidoglycan cell wall, and it is essential in fungi such as Candida spp, but less important in the case of Aspergillus and Fusarium species.

Combined effects of singlet oxygen and hydroxyl radical in photodynamic therapy with photostable bacteriochlorins: evidence from intracellular fluorescence and increased photodynamic efficacy in vitro.

Sulfonamides of halogenated bacteriochlorins bearing Cl or F substituents in the ortho positions of the phenyl rings have adequate properties for photodynamic therapy, including strong absorption in the near-infrared (λ(max) ≈ 750 nm, ε ≈ 10(5) M(-1) cm(-1)), controlled photodecomposition, large cellular uptake, intracellular localization in the endoplasmic reticulum, low cytotoxicity, and high phototoxicity against A549 and S91 cells. The roles of type I and type II photochemical processes are assessed by singlet oxygen luminescence and intracellular hydroxyl radical detection. Phototoxicity of halogenated sulfonamide bacteriochlorins does not correlate with singlet oxygen quantum yields and must be mediated both by electron transfer (superoxide ion, hydroxyl radicals) and by energy transfer (singlet oxygen).

Resistance evolution in HIV - modeling when to intervene.

The treatment of HIV is complicated by the evolution of antiviral drug resistant virus and the limited availability of antigenically independent antiviral regimens. The consequences to the patient of successive virological failures is such that many strategies to minimize the occurrence of such failures are being investigated. In this paper, a Markov chain-based model of virological failure is introduced.

Neuropeptide Y inhibits interleukin-1β-induced phagocytosis by microglial cells.

Background: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is emerging as a modulator of communication between the brain and the immune system. However, in spite of increasing evidence that supports a role for NPY in the modulation of microglial cell responses to inflammatory conditions, there is no consistent information regarding the action of NPY on microglial phagocytic activity, a vital component of the inflammatory response in brain injury. Taking this into consideration, we sought to assess a potential new role for NPY as a modulator of phagocytosis by microglial cells.

Lulo cell line derived from Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae): a novel model to assay Leishmania spp. and vector interaction.

Background: Leishmania (Vianna) braziliensis, Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi are important parasites in the scenario of leishmaniasis in Brazil. During the life cycle of these parasites, the promastigote forms adhere to the midgut epithelial microvillii of phlebotomine insects to avoid being secreted along with digestive products. Lulo cells are a potential model that will help to understand the features of this adhesion phenomenon.

Neuropeptide Y inhibits interleukin-1 beta-induced microglia motility.

Increasing evidences suggest that neuropeptide Y (NPY) may act as a key modulator of the cross-talk between the brain and the immune system in health and disease. In the present study, we dissected the possible inhibitory role of NPY upon inflammation-associated microglial cell motility. NPY, through activation of Y(1) receptors, was found to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia (N9 cell line) motility.

Mechanisms involved in reduction of ochratoxin A produced by Aspergillus westerdijkiae using Debaryomyces hansenii CYC 1244.

Aspergillus westerdijkiae is one of the most relevant ochratoxin A (OTA) producing species within the Section Circumdati contaminating a number of agroproducts. The yeast Debaryomyces hansenii CYC 1244 was previously reported to be able to reduce growth and extracellular OTA produced by A. westerdijkiae.

Adult proximal humerus locking plate for the treatment of a pediatric subtrochanteric femoral nonunion: a case report.

Nonunions of pediatric subtrochanteric femur fractures are exceedingly rare and have to date not been reported in the literature. We present the case of an 11-year-old boy who developed such a nonunion after open reduction internal fixation using a pediatric locked proximal femur plate. Using an adult proximal humerus locking plate, adequate proximal fixation of the nonunion was obtained.

Liver transplanted patients with donors older than 60 years require more hospital resources.

Background: The increasing utilization of organs from older donors to fulfill the increasing demand for transplantation has been associated with an increased complication rate and shorter graft survival. Nevertheless, few studies have evaluated the impact of these donors on resource utilization. We sought to evaluate hospital resource utilization during the first year after liver transplantation among patients receiving a liver from a donor >60 years versus a younger donor.

Pollen proteases compromise the airway epithelial barrier through degradation of transmembrane adhesion proteins and lung bioactive peptides.

Background: Allergic disorders, such as seasonal rhinitis and asthma, are increasing causes of morbidity worldwide and often result from exposure to airborne pollen. Pollen allergy has a remarkable clinical impact all over Europe. In fact, epidemiological longitudinal studies confirm that pollen species usually considered with low allergenic potential became more recently responsible for intense allergic reactions.

Functional identification of cell phenotypes differentiating from mice retinal neurospheres using single cell calcium imaging.

Degeneration of neural retina causes vision impairment and can lead to blindness. Neural stem and progenitor cells might be used as a tool directed to regenerative medicine of the retina. Here, we describe a novel platform for cell phenotype-specific drug discovery and screening of proneurogenic factors, able to boost differentiation of neural retinal progenitor cells.

Controlling the neuronal differentiation of stem cells by the intracellular delivery of retinoic acid-loaded nanoparticles.

The manipulation of endogenous stem cell populations from the subventricular zone (SVZ), a neurogenic niche, creates an opportunity to induce neurogenesis and influence brain regenerative capacities in the adult brain. Herein, we demonstrate the ability of polyelectrolyte nanoparticles to induce neurogenesis exclusively after being internalized by SVZ stem cells. The nanoparticles are not cytotoxic for concentrations equal or below 10 μg/mL.

Hysteroscopic diagnosis of a high-grade endometrial sarcoma in a 41-year-old woman.

Endometrial stromal sarcomas originate in the endometrial cavity. These tumors represent between 15-27.9% of uterine sarcomas.

Neuropeptide Y modulation of interleukin-1{beta} (IL-1{beta})-induced nitric oxide production in microglia.

Given the modulatory role of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the immune system, we investigated the effect of NPY on the production of NO and IL-1β in microglia. Upon LPS stimulation, NPY treatment inhibited NO production as well as the expression of inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS). Pharmacological studies with a selective Y(1) receptor agonist and selective antagonists for Y(1), Y(2), and Y(5) receptors demonstrated that inhibition of NO production and iNOS expression was mediated exclusively through Y(1) receptor activation.

Blockade by nanomolar resveratrol of quantal catecholamine release in chromaffin cells.

The cardiovascular protecting effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant polyphenol present in grapes and wine, have been attributed to its vasorelaxing effects and to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiplatelet actions. Inhibition of adrenal catecholamine release has also been recently implicated in its cardioprotecting effects. Here, we have studied the effects of nanomolar concentrations of resveratrol on quantal single-vesicle catecholamine release in isolated bovine adrenal chromaffin cells.

Association between intimate partner violence and irritable bowel syndrome: a population-based study in Nicaragua.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disabling functional gastrointestinal disorder, which serves as a model for abdominal pain syndromes. An association between intimate partner violence and IBS has been shown among White women in the industrialized world. To determine whether this relationship transcends cultural boundaries, we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey in Nicaragua using the innovative Health and Demographic Surveillance System in the León province.

Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis: influence of successive in vitro cultivation on the expression of promastigote proteinases.

Cysteine proteinases are an important virulence factor in Leishmania parasites. In this study we analyzed the cysteine proteinase expression of infective Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis promastigotes, examining the expression induced by successive in vitro passages in culture. We observed that this parasite presents a decrease in its virulence over BALB/c macrophages, after successive passages in culture, but still they present proteinase activity, being capable of hydrolyzing the substrate pGlu-Phe-Leu-p Nitroanilide at pH 7.

Identification of latexin by a proteomic analysis in rat normal articular cartilage.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage. Animal models of OA induced are a widely used tool in the study of the pathogenesis of disease. Several proteomic techniques for selective extraction of proteins have provided protein profiles of chondrocytes and secretory patterns in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage, including the discovery of new and promising biomarkers.

The angiogenic factor angiopoietin-1 is a proneurogenic peptide on subventricular zone stem/progenitor cells.

In the adult mammalian brain, the subventricular zone (SVZ) hosts stem cells constantly generating new neurons. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is an endothelial growth factor with a critical role in division, survival, and adhesion of endothelial cells via Tie-2 receptor activity. Expression of Tie-2 in nonendothelial cells, especially neurons and stem cells, suggests that Ang-1 may be involved in neurogenesis.

Functional identification of neural stem cell-derived oligodendrocytes by means of calcium transients elicited by thrombin.

Current immunosuppressive treatments for central nervous system demyelinating diseases fail to prevent long-term motor and cognitive decline in patients. Excitingly, glial cell transplantation arises as a promising complementary strategy to challenge oligodendrocytes loss occurring in myelination disorders. A potential source of new oligodendrocytes is the subventricular zone (SVZ) pool of multipotent neural stem cells.