Expression and motogenic activity of TFF2 in human breast cancer cells.

The expression of TFF2 in breast cancer cells and the effect of recombinant TFF2 on breast cancer cell migration were assessed. TFF2 expression was detected by PCR in estrogen receptor-negative and at lower levels in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells. TFF2 expression was detected in nine out of 10 primary breast tumors but its expression was not related to that of the estrogen receptor.

Correlation of quantitative EEG in acute ischemic stroke with 30-day NIHSS score: comparison with diffusion and perfusion MRI.

Background And Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods such as diffusion- (DWI) and perfusion-weighted (PWI) imaging have been widely studied as surrogate markers to monitor stroke evolution and predict clinical outcome. The utility of quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) as such a marker in acute stroke has not been intensively studied. The aim of the present study was to correlate ischemic cortical stroke patients' clinical outcomes with acute qEEG, DWI, and PWI data.

Inhibition of xenogeneic GVHD by PEN110 treatment of donor human PBMNCs.

Background: Development and characterization of methods for preventing transfusion-associated GVHD have utilized in vitro studies with human WBCs and in vivo studies in animal models. The limitation of these assays is that the in vivo GVHD response of treated human WBCs has not been tested directly.

Study Design And Methods: PBMNCs isolated from nonleukoreduced RBC units exposed to gamma irradiation, treated with PEN110 or PBS, were tested for their ability to induce xenogeneic GVHD when injected into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice.

Molecular cloning and characterization of two Na/K-ATPase isoforms in Fundulus heteroclitus.

Na/K-ATPase plays an important role in ion regulation in teleost fishes. In most taxa several isoforms exist to provide physiological versatility to specific cell types, but little is known about Na/K-ATPase isoforms in fish. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction approach was used to identify Na/K-ATPase a-subunit isoforms from the gill and muscle of an estuarine teleost, Fundulus heteroclitus.

Pathogenic T-cell responses in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is a bleeding disorder in which autoantibodies are directed against an individual's own platelets, leading to enhanced clearance through Fc receptor (R)-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages residing in the reticuloendothelial system, particularly in the spleen. This review surveys the recent current literature and updates our understanding of the cell-mediated immunology of AITP. It will focus on the relationship between T-cell reactivities and cytokine profiles in patients with AITP.

Analysis of a high-throughput yeast two-hybrid system and its use to predict the function of intracellular proteins encoded within the human MHC class III region.

High-throughput (HTP) protein-interaction assays, such as the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system, are enormously useful in predicting the functions of novel gene-products. HTP-Y2H screens typically do not include all of the reconfirmation and specificity tests used in small-scale studies, but the effects of omitting these steps have not been assessed. We performed HTP-Y2H screens that included all standard controls, using the predicted intracellular proteins expressed from the human MHC class III region, a region of the genome associated with many autoimmune diseases.

IgG antiplatelet immunity is dependent on an early innate natural killer cell-derived interferon-gamma response that is regulated by CD8+ T cells.

The mechanisms responsible for immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunity against allogeneic platelets are poorly understood. We studied the role that murine recipient CD8+ T and natural killer (NK) cells play in immunity against allogeneic platelets. BALB/c mice were depleted of the cells by cell-specific antibodies, transfused weekly with platelets from C57BL/6 mice, and serum IgG antidonor antibodies were measured by flow cytometry.

Acellularization of human placenta with preservation of the basement membrane: a potential matrix for tissue engineering.

Basement membrane directs cell migration, cell adherence, and tissue organization in vivo. These qualities would be advantageous in tissue engineering, during which repopulation of scaffolds by functional cells is a common problem. The purpose of this study was to expose human term placenta to a chemical acellularization protocol using the isolated cotyledon perfusion technique to develop an acellular scaffold rich in extracellular matrix components for tissue engineering applications.

Na+/K+-ATPase alpha-isoform switching in gills of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during salinity transfer.

We identified five Na+/K+-ATPase alpha-isoforms in rainbow trout and characterized their expression pattern in gills following seawater transfer. Three of these isoforms were closely related to other vertebrate alpha1 isoforms (designated alpha1a, alpha1b and alpha1c), one isoform was closely related to alpha2 isoforms (designated alpha2) and the fifth was closely related to alpha3 isoforms (designated alpha3). Na+/K+-ATPase alpha1c- and alpha3-isoforms were present in all tissues examined, while all others had tissue specific distributions.

Detecting dementia: novel neuropsychological markers of preclinical Alzheimer's disease.

The results of a previous study have suggested that impaired performance on one neuropsychological test, CANTAB Paired Associates Learning (PAL), may serve as a marker for preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD). In a group of individuals with 'questionable dementia', the baseline PAL performance was found to correlate significantly with subsequent deterioration in global cognitive function over an 8-month period. The present paper reports diagnostic outcome data for the same individuals 32 months after the first assessment and evaluates the predictive diagnostic utility of baseline neuropsychological measures.

A critical examination of current HIV therapies.

This review critically examines the current methods of eliminating and preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It illustrates both the experimental and practical limitations that each approach faces, and how they may be overcome. An overview of the HIV, including its structure and life cycle is presented.

A novel gene encoding a coiled-coil mitochondrial protein located at the telomeric end of the human MHC Class III region.

The human Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class III region, which lies in between the MHC Class I and Class II regions on chromosome 6p21.3, contains approximately 60 genes with diverse functions. Using bioinformatics analyses, we identified a novel open reading frame (ORF) in this region, telomeric of BAT1, which we called Mitochondrial Coiled-Coil Domain 1 (MCCD1).

Anti-D initially stimulates an Fc-dependent leukocyte oxidative burst and subsequently suppresses erythrophagocytosis via interleukin-1 receptor antagonist.

Previous results have demonstrated that anti-D therapy in children with chronic auto-immune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) induced a significant increase in several pro- and anti-inflammatory plasma cytokines within 2 hours of administration. To investigate the biologic basis of these early in vivo responses, we developed a flow cytometric assay to measure Fc-dependent responses of human peripheral leukocytes with fluorescently labeled and anti-D-opsonized red blood cells (RBCs). When anti-D-opsonized RBCs were incubated with peripheral blood leukocytes, the earliest detectible event observed was a significant oxidative burst in both monocytes (P <.

T cell and cytokine abnormalities in patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is a bleeding disorder in which autoantibodies are directed against an individual's own platelets, leading to enhanced clearance through Fc receptor (R)-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages residing in the reticuloendothelial system, particularly in the spleen. Although the immunopathogenesis of the disease is autoantibody-mediated, there is now substantial evidence that suggest that the antiplatelet autoantibodies are under the control of T helper (Th) cells and the cytokines that they produce. This review will summarize the recent literature regarding abnormal Th cell reactivities and cytokine secretion in AITP.

Dynamics of gray matter loss in Alzheimer's disease.

We detected and mapped a dynamically spreading wave of gray matter loss in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The loss pattern was visualized in four dimensions as it spread over time from temporal and limbic cortices into frontal and occipital brain regions, sparing sensorimotor cortices. The shifting deficits were asymmetric (left hemisphere > right hemisphere) and correlated with progressively declining cognitive status (p < 0.

Cellular immune mechanisms in autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura: An update.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP) is a bleeding disorder in which autoantibodies are directed against an individual's own platelets, leading to enhanced clearance through Fc receptor (R)-mediated phagocytosis by macrophages residing in the reticuloendothelial system (RES), particularly in the spleen. The production of IgG autoantibodies is critically dependent on cellular immune mechanisms particularly relating to T cells. We review the recent literature of the cell-mediated immunology of AITP focusing on platelet phenotype, genetics, T-cell reactivities, and cytokine profiles in patients with AITP.

Non-covalent thrombin inhibitors featuring P3-heterocycles with P1-bicyclic arginine surrogates.

Novel, potent, and highly selective classes of thrombin inhibitors were identified, which resulted from judicious combination of P4-aromatics and P2-P3-heterocyclic dipeptide surrogates with weakly basic (calcd pKa approximately non-basic-8.6) bicyclic P1-arginine mimics. The design, synthesis, and biological activity of achiral, non-covalent, orally bioavailable inhibitors NC1-NC44 featuring P1-indazoles, benzimidazoles, indoles, benzotriazoles, and aminobenzisoxazoles is disclosed.

Gamma-globulins prepared from sera of multiparous women bind anti-HLA antibodies and inhibit an established in vivo human alloimmune response.

It has previously been shown that sera from multiparous women have increased levels of anti-idiotypic antibodies specific for anti-HLA molecules. gamma-Globulins prepared from these sera may be superior to commercial preparations of intravenous gamma-globulin (IVIg) for inhibiting HLA alloimmunization. To test this, F(ab')2 fragments prepared from either commercial IVIg or from the sera of men or multiparous women were coupled to CNBr-Sepharose and tested for their ability to bind F(ab')2 fragments derived from polyspecific anti-HLA sera.

Prophylactic bilateral mastectomy: patterns of practice.

Background: Many women who are at an elevated risk of developing breast carcinoma choose prophylactic mastectomy to decrease their risk. We conducted a population-based study to review the indications for, and patterns of practice of prophylactic mastectomy in Ontario, Canada, since 1991.

Methods: A medical chart review was conducted at 33 hospitals that were identified as having conducted at least one prophylactic mastectomy.

Microbial growth in saline breast implants and saline tissue expanders.

The subject of microbial growth within the saline medium of prosthetic breast implants has been one of great controversy in recent years. Although several articles have described microbial growth within the tissue surrounding implanted breast prostheses, few have attempted to determine the possibility of such contamination of the luminal saline. The authors studied the intraluminal saline medium of a series of explanted breast prostheses with the objective of identifying any microbial contamination.