Integrin engagement mediates the human polymorphonuclear leukocyte response to a fungal pathogen-associated molecular pattern.

Extravasation of leukocytes from peripheral blood is required for an effective inflammatory response at sites of tissue infection. Integrins help mediate extravasation and navigate the leukocyte to the infectious source. A novel role for integrins in regulating the effector response to a cell wall component of fungal pathogens is the subject of the current study.

The contribution of CD4+ CD25+ T-regulatory-cells to immune suppression in sepsis.

Studies have indicated that there is a development of generalized immune dysfunction after septic insult. However, the mechanisms responsible for these changes remain unclear. Recently, accumulating evidence shows that several lymphocyte subpopulations such as NKT-, CD4(+)-Th2-T-, CD8(+)-T-, gammadelta-T-, and CD4+ CD25+ T regulatory cells are capable of actively contributing to the induction of septic immune suppression.

Epiphysiodesis with infusion of stromal cell-derived factor-1 in rabbit growth plates.

Background: The mechanism of physeal closure is poorly understood, although both mechanical and biological factors may play a role in the process. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the application of a chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) to rabbit physes in vivo with regard to growth inhibition.

Methods: A continuous infusion system consisting of a fenestrated catheter and an osmotic pump were implanted into the right proximal tibial physis of twenty six-week-old New Zealand White rabbits.

Diagnosis and outcome measures in trials for neoplastic meningitis: a review of the literature and clinical experience.

Innovative approaches to the treatment of neoplastic meningitis are being widely tested. Unfortunately, research on diagnostic strategies and outcome measures on which any advances in treatment ultimately depend, has not been avidly pursued. A critical review of the literature on neoplastic meningitis published since 1978 was undertaken by using MEDLINE and other English language databases.

Beta-glucan is a fungal determinant for adhesion-dependent human neutrophil functions.

Candida albicans is a common cause of nosocomial infections whose virulence depends on the reversible switch from blastoconidia to hyphal forms. Neutrophils (or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)) readily clear blastoconidia by phagocytosis, but filaments are too long to be ingested. Mechanisms regulating immune recognition and response to filamentous fungal pathogens are not well understood, although known risk factors for developing life-threatening infections are neutropenia or defects in the NADPH oxidase system.

Computerized morphometry as an aid in determining the grade of dysplasia and progression to adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus.

The aims of this study were to use computerized morphometry in order to differentiate between the degree of dysplasia and to predict progression to invasive adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus (BE). Biopsies from 97 patients with BE graded by a consensus forum of expert gastrointestinal pathologists were available for morphometrical analysis. The study group included 36 biopsies negative for dysplasia (ND), none of which progressed to carcinoma; 16 indefinite for dysplasia (IND) and 21 low-grade dysplasia (LGD), of which three progressed in each group and 24 high-grade dysplasia (HGD), of which 15 progressed to invasive carcinoma.

Pregnancy attitudes and contraceptive plans among women entering jail.

Unplanned pregnancies are an important and costly public health problem. Women entering jail are at particularly high risk for unplanned pregnancies when they leave jail, given the high rates of poverty, substance abuse and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in this population, all of which are associated with unplanned pregnancies. Attitudes toward pregnancy vary substantially, influencing openness of incarcerated women to starting a birth control method.

Functional gallbladder and sphincter of oddi disorders.

The functional disorder of the gallbladder (GB) is a motility disorder caused initially either by metabolic abnormalities or by a primary motility alteration. The functional disorders of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) encompass motor abnormalities of either the biliary or the pancreatic SO. Dysfunction of the GB and/or biliary SO produce similar patterns of pain.

Shock and hemorrhage: an overview of animal models.

Shock resulting from life-threatening blood loss (hemorrhage) remains a common complication of traumatic injury. Intensive experimental efforts are needed if we are to understand the pathological effect(s) of hemorrhagic shock, alone or in association with traumatic tissue injury, and to reverse this deleterious process in trauma patients. Here, we overview selected studies that are representative of the different hemorrhagic shock models, considering their advantages and disadvantages from a scientific and clinical perspective.

Pepducins: an effective means to inhibit GPCR signaling by neutrophils.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) have a central role not only in the competent development of an innate myeloid response to foreign pathogens but, if dysregulated, might contribute to phagocyte-mediated organ injury. Here, recent findings from a study in which neutrophil trafficking is inhibited by using a novel family of GPCR signaling inhibitors, known as pepducins, are discussed.

Loss of signal transducer and activator of transduction 4 or 6 signaling contributes to immune cell morbidity and mortality in sepsis.

Objective: The role of signal transducer and activator of transduction (STAT) 4 vs. 6 has been assessed thus far only in a model of high mortality strongly driven by proinflammation alone. Their role in a low-mortality (LD25) model of sepsis remains unclear.

GPR30: a seven-transmembrane-spanning estrogen receptor that triggers EGF release.

Heterotrimeric G proteins and seven-transmembrane-spanning (7TM) receptors are implicated in rapid estrogen signaling. The orphan 7TM receptor GPR30 is linked to estrogen-mediated activation of adenylyl cyclase, release of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-related ligands, and specific estrogen binding. GPR30 acts independently of estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta, and probably functions as a heptahelical ER.

Claudin expression in gastric adenocarcinomas: a tissue microarray study with prognostic correlation.

The claudins comprise a multigene family of integral membrane proteins, which play a major role in tight junction formation. Aberrations in the expression of certain claudins have been described in a number of malignancies. Our aims were to determine the expression pattern of claudins 1, 3, and 4 as well as ZO-1 in a large series of US patients with gastric cancer and to correlate expression with clinicopathologic and prognostic variables.

Shedding of tumor necrosis factor type 1 receptor after experimental spinal cord injury.

In a number of stress conditions, the biological effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), such as the induction of neuronal apoptosis, are presumably attenuated by the soluble fragments of TNF receptors (sTNFRs). Within 1 h after spinal cord injury, increased synthesis and/or secretion of TNF-alpha is detectable at the injury site. However, the shedding of ectodomains of TNFRs in the traumatized spinal cord has not yet been reported.

Role of progesterone signaling in the regulation of G-protein levels in female chronic constipation.

Background & Aims: Chronic constipation caused by slow transit is common in women with an F/M ratio of 9:1. The cause and mechanisms responsible for this syndrome are unknown. Progesterone has been suggested as a possible contributing factor.

Hypothenar hammer syndrome: Distal ulnar artery reconstruction with autologous inferior epigastric artery.

Digital artery embolization and ulnar artery thrombosis are consequences of repetitive trauma and can lead to digit loss and debility from ischemia and cold intolerance. We postulate that an arterial autograft is a theoretically superior conduit to traditional saphenous vein, and report reconstruction with inferior epigastric artery. Three adult male smokers, ages 39 to 49 years, had severe digital ischemia and cold-induced vasospasm.

Regulation of hepatic stellate cell activation and growth by transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2.

Background & Aims: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo activation during the development of liver fibrosis. Transcriptional regulation plays a key role in this process. We studied the role of transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) during HSC activation.

Claudin-1 is a strong prognostic indicator in stage II colonic cancer: a tissue microarray study.

Tight junction associated proteins are key molecular components governing cellular adhesion, polarity and glandular differentiation. Tight junction proteins also play critical roles in cellular proliferation and neoplastic pathways via their functions as couplers of the extracellular milieu to intracellular signaling pathways and the cytoskeleton. Neoplastic cells frequently exhibit structural and functional deficiencies in the tight junction.

Nelson's syndrome due to an intracavernous corticotropin-secreting adenoma.

Objective: To report the first case of Nelson's syndrome due to an ectopic intracranial corticotropin-secreting tumor arising entirely within the cavernous sinus.

Methods: We present a case report of Nelson's syndrome with clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features throughout a 25-year period.

Results: A 54-year-old woman had been treated for Cushing's disease with bilateral adrenalectomy in 1971.

Epidermal growth factor receptor, c-MET, beta-catenin, and p53 expression as prognostic indicators in stage II colon cancer: a tissue microarray study.

Purpose: Through the use of molecular markers, it may be possible to identify aggressive tumor phenotypes and tailor therapies to treat them. This approach would be particularly useful for stage II colon cancer. The purpose of this study was to define the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-MET, beta-catenin, and p53 protein expression in TNM stage II colon cancer using tissue microarray technology.

Intracardiac yolk sac tumor and dysrhythmia as an etiology of pediatric syncope.

This report describes a new etiology of pediatric syncope. Epilepsy, brain anomalies, infection, electrolyte abnormalities, and trauma are commonly identified etiologies of seizures in the pediatric population. We report here a child with third-degree heart block and right ventricular outflow tract obstruction related to an intracardiac tumor presenting with syncope and seizure-like activity.

Role of PGE2 on gallbladder muscle cytoprotection of guinea pigs.

H2O2 and taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDC) impair the contraction induced by CCK-8, ACh, and KCl without affecting the actions of PGE2 and damage functions of membrane proteins except for PGE2 receptors. The aim of this study was to examine whether the preserved PGE2 actions contribute to cytoprotective mechanisms against reactive oxygen species. Muscle cells from guinea pig gallbladder were obtained by enzymatic digestion.

PAF-like lipids- and PAF-induced gallbladder muscle contraction is mediated by different pathways in guinea pigs.

H2O2 stimulates gallbladder muscle contraction and scavengers of free radicals through the generation of PGE2. Oxidative stress causes lipid peroxidation and generation of platelet-activating factor (PAF) or PAF-like lipids. The present studies therefore were aimed at determining whether either one induced by H2O2 mediates the increased generation of PGE2.

Calcium-dependent and calcium-independent contractions in smooth muscles.

This review examines signal transduction pathways mediating agonist-induced contraction of circular muscle in the body of the esophagus and in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). In the LES, circular muscle agonists activate a well-defined contractile pathway, involving calcium (Ca(2+))-induced activation of calmodulin and myosin kinase, causing phosphorylation of 20-kDa myosin light chains (MLCs) and contraction. In this pathway, phosphorylation and contraction may be modulated by other factors, resulting, for instance, in inhibition of phosphatase activity, which may potentiate MLC phosphorylation.