Scope of definitions of genetic testing: evidence from a EuroGentest survey.

Genetic testing is a term used in different settings, often with very different meanings. There are only very few studies published about the various possible definitions of "genetic testing", and evidence is lacking from its use in professional practise. The need for precise definitions is particularly felt when producing legislation, policy recommendations or professional guidelines.

Pathogenesis of Mycobacterium avium infection: typical responses to an atypical mycobacterium?

Studying infections with Mycobacterium avium in mouse models has allowed the dissection of the antimycobacterial pathways of the mammalian host. Whereas the paradigm of cell-mediated immunity to intracellular pathogens has been confirmed, namely with regard to the pivotal roles of CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and the IL12-IFNgamma cytokine axis, atypical features have been uncovered such as the resistance to NO, the involvement of minor players in the induction of type 1 protective immunity (such as TLR2, CD40, and CD30), and the development of immunopathology during the infection with highly virulent strains such as the development of caseous necrosis of granulomas or the progressive emergence of severe lymphopenia.

Regulation of granuloma fibrosis by nitric oxide during Mycobacterium avium experimental infection.

Collagen deposition within granulomas formed after Mycobacterium avium infection was analysed on histological sections stained with Masson's trichrome using acquired computerized image analysis and a program that was specifically designed for that purpose. Comparison was made between immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice and mice genetically deficient in the inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase gene (iNOS(-/-) mice) infected with either a highly virulent strain or a moderately virulent strain of M. avium.

Macrophage nutriprive antimicrobial mechanisms.

In addition to oxidative and antibiotic mechanisms of antimicrobial activity, macrophages are able to deprive intracellular pathogens of required nutrients. Thus, microbial killing may not rely only in the toxic environment the microbe reaches but also may result from the scarcity of nutrients in the cellular compartment it occupies. Here, we analyze evidence for such nutriprive (from the latin privare, to deprive of nutrients), antimicrobial mechanisms.

Switching-on and -off of bistable spontaneous discharges in rat spinal deep dorsal horn neurons.

Somatosensory deep dorsal horn spinal neurons were previously shown to present in vitro a bistable state of activity in which a fixed firing rate is maintained over prolonged periods in the absence of stimulation. Those periods of enhanced spinal spontaneous discharge may play a role in the genesis or maintenance of hyperalgesic states, where episodes of durable spontaneous pain are commonly reported. Here we show in vivo that a small percentage of deep spinal neurons (4% of the recorded population) are capable of rapidly shifting between low-frequency and high-frequency levels of spontaneous activity.

Side effects in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) due to intraperitoneal vaccination against vibriosis and pasteurellosis.

Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) were injected intraperitoneally with monovalent (Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida or Vibrio anguillarum) and divalent (Ph.