Mecp2 regulates tnfa during zebrafish embryonic development and acute inflammation.

Mutations in MECP2 cause Rett syndrome, a severe neurological disorder with autism-like features. Duplication of MECP2 also causes severe neuropathology. Both diseases display immunological abnormalities that suggest a role for MECP2 in controlling immune and inflammatory responses. Here, we used mecp2-null zebrafish to study the potential function of Mecp2 as an immunological regulator. Mecp2 deficiency resulted in an increase in neutrophil infiltration and upregulated expression of the pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines Il1b and Il10 as a secondary response to disturbances in tissue homeostasis. By contrast, expression of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfa) was consistently downregulated in mecp2-null animals during development, representing the earliest developmental phenotype described for MECP2 deficiency to date. Expression of tnfa was unresponsive to inflammatory stimulation, and was partially restored by re-expression of functional mecp2 Thus, Mecp2 is required for tnfa expression during zebrafish development and inflammation. Finally, RNA sequencing of mecp2-null embryos revealed dysregulated processes predictive for Rett syndrome phenotypes.

[Economic problems in the control of transmissible gastroenteritis of swine]. / Ekonomická problematika tlumení virové gastroenteritidy prasat

The losses ascribable to transmissible gastroenteritis of pigs were financially determined at eight sites with 133-1269 large animal units, as converted to pig stocks. The overall losses were divided as follows: mortality and confiscation - 42.38%, weight gain reduction - 30.50%, extra costs of the enterprise - 13.11%, emergency slaughters 7.79%, and losses in progenies 6.22%. The coefficient of loss per one diseased animal was 42.63 to 114.65 crowns. Furthermore, the level of the assumed losses due to mortality and morbidity prevented by veterinary measures was also calculated. The calculation of the effectiveness of these measures showed that 3.14--60.01 crowns are saved per 1 crown spent. The total number of losses, loss coefficient per one diseased animal, the level of prevented loss, and the money saved per 1 crown were calculated from the over-all societal viewpoint and from the viewpoint of the agricultural enterprise after the detraction of the indemnities from the State Insurance Company.

[Contraception using the intrauterine device Super-DANA in combination with the rhythm method]. / Kombinovaná antikoncepce IUD super-DANA s cyklick ou abstinencí.

PIP: The authors maintain, on the basis of observations, that the IUD Super DANA is evidently 1 of the worst methods of contraception. Pain, bleeding, and discharge are noted as common complaints. A psychological factor is cited, as 50% of the users discontinued use without any apparent subjective or objective difficulty.^ieng