RESUMO
Leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing proteins have been identified in diverse species, including plants. The diverse intracellular and extracellular LRR variants are responsible for numerous biological processes. We analyzed the expression patterns of Arabidopsis thaliana extracellular LRR (AtExLRR) genes, 10 receptor-like proteins, and 4 additional genes expressing the LRR-containing protein by a promoter: ß-glucuronidase (GUS) study. According to in silico expression studies, several AtExLRR genes were expressed in a tissue- or stage-specific and abiotic/hormone stress-responsive manner, indicating their potential participation in specific biological processes. Based on the promoter: GUS assay, AtExLRRs were expressed in different cells and organs. A quantitative real-time PCR investigation revealed that the expressions of AtExLRR3 and AtExLRR9 were distinct under various abiotic stress conditions. This study investigated the potential roles of extracellular LRR proteins in plant growth, development, and response to various abiotic stresses.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Proteínas de Repetições Ricas em Leucina , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/metabolismo , Glucuronidase/genética , Regiões Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Regulação da Expressão Gênica de PlantasRESUMO
Ceramide, a central molecule of sphingolipid metabolism, is phosphorylated to ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) by ceramide kinase (CerK). The CerK/C1P pathway regulates many cellular functions, but its roles in immune/inflammation-related (IIR) diseases in vivo are not well known. Sepsis is an acute systemic inflammatory disease accompanied by damage/dysfunction in multiple organs. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CerK knockout on the onset/progression of sepsis-related events in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated sepsis-model mice. In CerK-null mice, the lethality at 48 h after i.v. injection of LPS was significantly increased compared with that in wild-type (WT) mice. The increased lethality by CerK knockout was reproduced in mice treated with i.p. injections of LPS. Changes in serum levels of 23 IIR molecules, including cytokines and chemokines, were measured. In WT mice, levels of these molecules increased 4 and/or 20 h after i.v. injection of LPS. Although the basal levels of IIR molecules were not affected, LPS-induced increases in interleukin-17 (IL-17), C-C motif chemokine ligands (CCL-2 and CCL-11), and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly up-regulated, whereas IL-2 levels were slightly down-regulated by CerK knockout. Putative mechanisms for the CerK/C1P pathway-mediated regulation of IIR molecules and increased lethality in LPS-treated mice are discussed.
Assuntos
Lipopolissacarídeos , Sepse , Animais , Ceramidas/metabolismo , Quimiocinas , Citocinas , Deleção de Genes , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/genética , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/metabolismo , Sepse/genéticaRESUMO
Malectin is a maltose-binding endoplasmic reticulum protein conserved in animals. In Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified four genes that encode malectin-like domain (MLD)- and leucine-rich repeat (LRR)-containing proteins (AtMLLRs): two were receptor-like proteins (AtMLLR1 and 2) and the other two were extracellular proteins (AtMLLR3 and 4). The promoter:G3GFP+promoter:GUS assay indicated the organ- and cell-specific expression of the AtMLLR2 and AtMLLR3 genes.Abbreviations: Cmr: chloramphenicol-resistance marker; G3GFP: G3 green fluorescent protein; GUS: ß-glucuronidase; KD: kinase domain; LRR: leucine-rich repeat; MLD: malectin-like domain; RLK: receptor-like kinase; SP: signal peptide; TMD: transmembrane domain; Tnos: nopaline synthase terminator.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Arabidopsis/genética , Expressão Gênica , Lectinas/genética , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , Proteínas/genética , Retículo Endoplasmático/metabolismo , Glucuronidase/química , Proteínas de Fluorescência Verde/química , Leucina/genética , Proteínas de Repetições Ricas em Leucina , Microscopia de Fluorescência , Filogenia , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas , Domínios Proteicos/genética , Coloração e RotulagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of edaravone on nitric oxide (NO) production, hydroxyl radical (OH-) metabolism, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Edaravone (3 mg/kg) was administered intravenously to 14 C57BL/6 mice just before reperfusion. Eleven additional mice received saline (controls). NO production and OH- metabolism were continuously monitored using bilateral striatal in vivo microdialysis. OH- formation was monitored using the salicylate trapping method. Forebrain ischemia was produced in all mice by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery for 10 minutes. Levels of NO metabolites, nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-), were determined using the Griess reaction. Brain sections were immunostained with an anti-nNOS antibody and the fractional area density of nNOS-immunoreactive pixels to total pixels determined. RESULTS: Blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow were not significantly different between the edaravone and control groups. The levels of NO2- did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. The level of NO3- was significantly higher in the edaravone group compared with the control group after reperfusion. 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid levels were lower in the edaravone group compared with those in the control group after reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry showed nNOS expression in the edaravone group to be significantly lower than that in the control group 96 hours after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: These in vivo data indicate that edaravone may have a neuroprotective effect by reducing levels of OH- metabolites, increasing NO production and decreasing nNOS expression in brain cells.
Assuntos
Isquemia Encefálica/tratamento farmacológico , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Edaravone/farmacologia , Sequestradores de Radicais Livres/farmacologia , Radical Hidroxila/metabolismo , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Óxido Nítrico Sintase Tipo I/metabolismo , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/prevenção & controle , Animais , Encéfalo/enzimologia , Encéfalo/patologia , Isquemia Encefálica/enzimologia , Isquemia Encefálica/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Neurônios/enzimologia , Neurônios/patologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/enzimologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/patologia , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
We examined the ultrastructure of the anterior cruciate ligament and assessed age-related changes by comparing the ligaments of young and old monkeys. Ultrathin sections of the anterior cruciate ligament were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The three-dimensional architecture of collagen fibers in the ligament was examined by scanning electron microscopy after tissue specimens were treated with 2 N NaOH to digest the extracellular matrix. At the surface layer of the cruciate ligament in young monkeys, fusiform-shaped fibroblasts actively produced collagen fibrils. The ligament consisted of parallel bundles of dense collagen fibrils of approximately 200 nm in diameter. Collagen fibrils appeared to run linearly. Ligament fibrocytes in the deep layer had a stellate form. Ligament fibrocytes decreased in number and showed marked atrophy in old age. Collagen fibrils had a looser configuration in older monkeys. Despite atrophy of fibroblasts in the deep layer of the anterior cruciate ligament, the area with atrophic fibroblasts in the ligament expands with age, which can likely cause deterioration of and a reduction in collagen fibers. This information can be applied in studies on the cause of the low repair ability of and aging-related changes in the anterior cruciate ligament in humans.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Ligamento Cruzado Anterior/ultraestrutura , Colágeno/ultraestrutura , Fibroblastos/ultraestrutura , Articulação do Joelho/ultraestrutura , Animais , Macaca fuscata , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , MicrotomiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of yokukansan on forebrain ischemia. Because we can measure nitric oxide production and hydroxyl radical metabolism continuously, we investigated the effect of yokukansan on nitric oxide production and hydroxyl radical metabolism in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Yokukansan (300 mg per kg per day) was mixed into feed and given to 16 mice for 10days. Sixteen additional mice received normal feed (control). Nitric oxide production and hydroxyl radical metabolism were continuously monitored using the salicylate trapping method. Forebrain ischemia was producedin all mice by occluding the common carotid artery bilaterally for 10minutes. Levels of the nitric oxide metabolites nitrite and nitrate were determined using the Griess reaction. Survival rates of hippocampal CA1 neurons were calculated and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine-immunopositive cells were counted to evaluate the oxidative stress in hippocampal CA1 neurons 72hours after the start of reperfusion. RESULTS: Arterial blood pressure and regional cerebral blood flow were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The level of nitrate was significantly higher in the yokukansan group than in the control group during ischemia and reperfusion. Levels of 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid were significantly lower in the yokukansan group than in the control group during ischemia and reperfusion. Although survival rates in the CA1 did not differ significantly, there were fewer 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine-immunopositive cells in animals that had received yokukansan than in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that yokukansan exerts reducing hydroxyl radicals in cerebral ischemic injury.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Isquemia Encefálica/tratamento farmacológico , Região CA1 Hipocampal/efeitos dos fármacos , Medicamentos de Ervas Chinesas/farmacologia , Radical Hidroxila/metabolismo , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/prevenção & controle , Animais , Isquemia Encefálica/metabolismo , Isquemia Encefálica/patologia , Região CA1 Hipocampal/metabolismo , Região CA1 Hipocampal/patologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/patologia , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/metabolismo , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/patologia , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
Sphingolipids and their metabolic enzymes are implicated in ulcerative colitis. Ceramide kinase (CerK) catalyzes the phosphorylation of ceramide to ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P). Previous studies showed the activation of CerK by the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1ß, the C1P-induced up-regulation of prostanoids exerting protective effects against colitis, and the C1P-induced down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α. In order to elucidate CerK/C1P functions in colitis, we examined the severity of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in wild-type (WT) and CerK deletion (CerK(-/-)) mice. Lethal responses were observed in C57BL/6 mice treated with DSS in dose- and time-dependent manners. The depletion of CerK enhanced DSS-induced lethal responses without affecting the onset of these responses. In colons from mice treated with 2.5% DSS for 10 d, epithelial damage was significantly enhanced by the depletion of CerK by day 5, whereas decreases in occluding and E-cadherin levels were similar in both mice. On day 5, the DSS treatment increased spleen weights and colonic levels of cyclooxygenase-2, but not cytosolic phospholipase A2α, and induced a contractile dysfunction in the colons of both mice. The DSS-induced increase in the damage activity index score between days 5 and 10 was slightly enhanced and the decrease in this score from day 10 was slower in CerK(-/-) mice than in WT mice. On day 7 after the DSS treatment, spleen weights slightly decreased and increased in WT and CerK(-/-) mice, respectively. These results indicate that the depletion of CerK enhances the pathology of colitis and lethal responses in DSS-treated mice.
Assuntos
Colite/patologia , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/genética , Animais , Colite/induzido quimicamente , Colite/genética , Colo/patologia , Colo/fisiologia , Sulfato de Dextrana , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Contração Muscular , Baço/patologiaRESUMO
Laboratory underdiagnosis of toxigenic Clostridium difficile can lead to inappropriate management of C. difficile infection (CDI). A fully automated molecular test (FAMT), BD MAX, and enzyme immunoassays for C. difficile glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and for toxin A/B antigen test were evaluated using clinical specimens. Laboratory analysis of 231 fecal specimens from patients suspected with CDI, indicated that the sensitivity (Sn), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of FAMT was 98.1%, 98.9%, 96.3%, and 99.4%, while that of toxin A/B antigen was 52.8%, 100.0%, 100.0%, and 87.7%, respectively, compared to toxigenic culture. Sn, Sp, PPV, and NPV of GDH test compared to toxigenic culture was 92.5%, 94.4%, 83.1%, and 97.7%, respectively. FAMT can support the accurate laboratory diagnosis of toxigenic C. difficile and be an effective tool for appropriate treatment of CDI.
Assuntos
Clostridioides difficile/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Clostridium/diagnóstico , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Toxinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Clostridioides difficile/metabolismo , Infecções por Clostridium/microbiologia , Enterotoxinas/metabolismo , Fezes/microbiologia , Feminino , Glutamato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Humanos , Limite de Detecção , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização e Dessorção a Laser Assistida por MatrizRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of memantine on brain ischemia. Because we can measure nitric oxide (NO) production and hydroxyl radical metabolism continuously, we investigated the effect of memantine on NO production and hydroxyl radical metabolism in cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Memantine (25 µmol/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to 6 C57BL/6 mice 30 minutes before ischemia. Seven additional mice received no injection (controls). NO production and hydroxyl radical metabolism were continuously monitored using bilateral striatal microdialysis in vivo. Hydroxyl radical formation was monitored using the salicylate trapping method. Forebrain ischemia was produced in all mice by occluding the common carotid artery bilaterally for 10 minutes. Levels of the NO metabolites nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) were determined using the Griess reaction. Survival rates of hippocampal CA1 neurons were calculated and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-immunopositive cells were counted to evaluate the oxidative stress in hippocampal CA1 neurons 72 hours after the start of reperfusion. RESULTS: The regional cerebral blood flow was significantly higher in the memantine group than in the control group after reperfusion. Furthermore, the level of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid was significantly lower in the memantine group than in the control group during ischemia and reperfusion. Levels of NO2- and NO3- did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Although survival rates in the CA1 did not differ significantly, there were fewer 8-OHdG-immunopositive cells in animals that had received memantine than in control animals. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that memantine exerts partially neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemic injury.
Assuntos
Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Isquemia Encefálica/prevenção & controle , Região CA1 Hipocampal/efeitos dos fármacos , Radical Hidroxila/metabolismo , Memantina/farmacologia , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Fármacos Neuroprotetores/farmacologia , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/prevenção & controle , Animais , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Velocidade do Fluxo Sanguíneo , Isquemia Encefálica/metabolismo , Isquemia Encefálica/patologia , Isquemia Encefálica/fisiopatologia , Região CA1 Hipocampal/irrigação sanguínea , Região CA1 Hipocampal/metabolismo , Região CA1 Hipocampal/patologia , Circulação Cerebrovascular/efeitos dos fármacos , Citoproteção , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Microdiálise , Neurônios/metabolismo , Neurônios/patologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/metabolismo , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/patologia , Traumatismo por Reperfusão/fisiopatologia , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is an endangered semi-arboreal folivore with a specialized diet of bamboo leaves. Zoos worldwide maintain red pandas under a variety of housing environments and husbandry procedures that may affect the reproductive success and longevity of captive red pandas. The aims of the present study were to investigate how red pandas are kept in Japan and to obtain useful insights to increase their longevity by comparing the results from a questionnaire sent to Japanese zoos and those from a previous survey conducted in other countries. We received responses from 42 out of 52 zoos, holding a total of 219 individual red pandas, in Japan. The age-sex distribution indicated that red panda populations in Japan need close attention to be maintained sustainably. Of the husbandry aspects surveyed, the number of individuals in the same zoo, enclosure size, and the frequency of bamboo feeding factors indicated to affect reproductive success. Frequent monitoring of body weight, implementation of husbandry training, and bamboo feeding were also suggested as the reasons for the longevity of red pandas in Japan. Zoos were provided with sufficient physical features in on-exhibit enclosures, close monitoring for health status, and proper feeding, but other aspects of husbandry such as enclosure size and structures in off-exhibit spaces were insufficient and might compromise animal welfare.
Assuntos
Ailuridae/fisiologia , Criação de Animais Domésticos , Animais de Zoológico , Animais , Coleta de Dados , Feminino , Abrigo para Animais , Japão , MasculinoRESUMO
Water intoxication is a common disorder in calves and is usually characterized by transient hemoglobinuria. In contrast, the condition is very rare in adult cattle, with few reports on naturally occurring cases. In the present report, four female Japanese Black cattle, aged 16-25 months, showed neurological signs when they drank water following a water outage. Hemoglobinuria was not grossly observed, while severe hyponatremia was revealed by laboratory tests. Autopsy indicated cerebral edema with accumulation of serous fluid in expanded Virchow-Robin spaces. These results indicate the possibility of water intoxication associated with cerebral edema due to severe dilutional hyponatremia in adult cattle.
Assuntos
Doenças dos Bovinos/etiologia , Hiponatremia/veterinária , Intoxicação por Água/veterinária , Animais , Edema Encefálico/etiologia , Edema Encefálico/veterinária , Bovinos , Doenças dos Bovinos/patologia , Evolução Fatal , Feminino , Hiponatremia/etiologia , Intoxicação por Água/complicaçõesRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Empathy is a crucial component of medicine. However, many studies that have used quantitative methods have revealed decline of learners' empathy during undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. We identified medical students' and residents' conceptual structures of empathy in medicine to examine possible differences between the groups in how they conceive empathy. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study with two focus group discussions in which six medical students and seven residents participated separately. The transcripts of the focus group discussions were analysed combining qualitative data analysis and theoretical coding. RESULTS: Medical students and residents had different conceptual structures of empathy. While medical students thought that sharing emotions with patients was essential to showing empathy, residents expressed empathy according to their evaluation of patients' physical and mental health status. If the residents thought that showing empathy was necessary for the care of patients, they could show it, regardless of whether they shared the patients' emotions or not. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of medical students' and residents' conceptual structures of empathy reveals a qualitative difference. Residents show more empathy to their patients by a cognitive decision as clinicians than medical students do. Communication skills training should consider the qualitative change of students' and residents' empathy with clinical experience. We should consider the change when we evaluate learners' empathy and introduce methods that cover the qualitative range of empathy.
Assuntos
Empatia , Internato e Residência , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Adulto , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Saúde Mental , Relações Médico-Paciente , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Arabidopsis thaliana contains a family of nine genes known as plant intracellular Ras-group related leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins (PIRLs). These are structurally similar to animals and fungal LRR proteins and play important roles in developmental pathways. However, to date, no detailed tissue-specific expression analysis of these PIRLs has been performed. Therefore, in this study, we generated promoter:GUS transgenic plants for the nine A. thaliana PIRL genes and identified their expression patterns in seedlings and floral organs at different developmental stages. Most PIRL members showed expression in the root apical region and in the vascular tissue of primary and lateral roots. Shoot apex-specific expression was recorded for PIRL1 and PIRL8. Furthermore, PIRL1, PIRL3, PIRL5, PIRL6, and PIRL7 showed distinct expression patterns in flowers, especially in pollen and anthers. In addition, co-expression network analysis identified cases where PIRLs were co-expressed with other genes known to have specific functions related to growth and development. Taken together, the tissue-specific expression patterns of PIRL genes improve our understanding of the functions of this gene family in plant growth and development.
RESUMO
Changes in sphingolipid metabolism regulate and/or alter many cellular functions in the brain. Ceramide, a central molecule of sphingolipid metabolism, is phosphorylated to ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P) by ceramide kinase (CerK). CerK and C1P were reported to regulate many cellular responses, but their roles in immune-related diseases in vivo have not been well elucidated. Thus, we investigated the effects of CerK knockout on the onset/progression of multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a chronic neurodegenerative disease accompanied by the loss of myelin sheaths in the brain. MS-model mice were prepared using a diet containing the copper chelator cuprizone (CPZ). Treatment of 8-week-old mice with 0.2% CPZ for 8 weeks resulted in motor dysfunction based on the Rota-rod test, and caused the loss of myelin-related proteins (MRPs) in the brain and demyelination in the corpus callosum without affecting synaptophysin levels. CerK knockout, which did not affect developmental changes in MRPs, ameliorated the motor dysfunction, loss of MRPs, and demyelination in the brain in CPZ-treated mice. Loss of tail tonus, another marker of motor dysfunction, was detected at 1 week without demyelination after CPZ treatment in a CerK knockout-independent manner. CPZ-induced loss of tail tonus progressed, specifically in female mice, to 6-8 weeks, and the loss was ameliorated by CerK knockout. Activities of ceramide metabolic enzymes including CerK in the lysates of the brain were not affected by CPZ treatment. Inhibition of CerK as a candidate for MS treatment was discussed.
Assuntos
Corpo Caloso/fisiopatologia , Esclerose Múltipla/genética , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/genética , Fatores Etários , Animais , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Encéfalo/efeitos dos fármacos , Encéfalo/fisiologia , Corpo Caloso/efeitos dos fármacos , Cuprizona/toxicidade , Doenças Desmielinizantes/induzido quimicamente , Doenças Desmielinizantes/etiologia , Doenças Desmielinizantes/genética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Masculino , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Esclerose Múltipla/induzido quimicamente , Esclerose Múltipla/etiologia , Oligodendroglia/efeitos dos fármacos , Oligodendroglia/metabolismo , Fosfotransferases (Aceptor do Grupo Álcool)/metabolismo , Proteínas/genética , Proteínas/metabolismo , Cauda/efeitos dos fármacos , Cauda/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
Intramammary infusion of Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve)-induced somatic cell (SC) counts, chemiluminescent response (CL), lactoferrin (LF) concentrations and mastitis-causing pathogens from quarters with subclinical mastitis were measured to evaluate innate immune response of mammary glands in dairy cows at 3 to 4 weeks before drying off. SC counts in 7 quarters of 7 control cows and 5 quarters of 6 cows with mastitis increased markedly on day 1 and SC values in control cows were significantly (P<0.05) increased and returned to pre-infusion levels on day 5 after B. breve-infusion. CL values in both groups increased markedly on day 1 and then decreased after B. breve-infusion; however, CL values in cows with mastitis did not return to normal levels on day 5 and at postpartum. The CL values were highly correlated with their SC counts in milk from both groups. LF concentrations increased toward day 3 after B. breve-infusion and were higher in cows with mastitis. B. breve-infusion eliminated 16.6% (1/6) of pathogens from 6 quarters with chronic subclinical mastitis. B. breve-induced SC responses in quarters from 3 cows with mastitis showed characteristic patterns of recovery, persistent and new infections. B. breve-induced SC counts in quarters from the cows in the pre-drying off were lower (25.7-70.6%) than those of the cows in mid-lactation. The intrinsic innate immune response in cows on pre-drying off may be decreased and appears to be insufficient to eliminate pathogens from mammary gland in the pre-drying off.
Assuntos
Bifidobacterium breve , Doenças dos Bovinos , Mastite Bovina , Animais , Bovinos , Contagem de Células/veterinária , Feminino , Imunidade Inata , Lactação , Glândulas Mamárias Animais , LeiteRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Skeletal muscle size is considered a predictor of prognosis in patients with respiratory diseases including Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease. However, no research focused on its impact on prognosis in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Thus, this study aimed to assess the association between erector spinae muscle (ESM) size and in-hospital mortality among patients with pulmonary TB. RESULTS: We retrospectively included 258 consecutive patients aged over 65 years old, who were admitted to the hospital for bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB, and all underwent chest computed tomography (CT) scan upon admission. The cross-sectional area of the ESM (ESMcsa) was measured at the lower margin of the 12th thoracic vertebra on a single-slice CT scan image and was adjusted according to body surface area (BSA). In total, 71 (28%) patients died during hospitalization. The non-survivor group had a high incidence of respiratory failure and comorbidities and lower hemoglobin and albumin levels, performance status score, and ESMcsa/BSA. Multivariate analysis revealed that low performance status score and hemoglobin and albumin levels, but not ESMcsa/BSA and body mass index, could independently predict in-hospital mortality after adjusting for age and comorbidities. Therefore, ESM size was not associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with pulmonary TB.
Assuntos
Pneumopatias , Tuberculose Pulmonar , Idoso , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Humanos , Músculo Esquelético , Estudos Retrospectivos , Tuberculose Pulmonar/complicaçõesRESUMO
ABSTRACT: Although complication with non-mycobacterial pneumonia among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) may lead to poor prognosis, discrimination between TB complicated with and without non-mycobacterial pneumonia using radiological imaging has not been fully elucidated. We aimed to clarify the differences in chest computed tomography (CT) features between pulmonary TB patients with culture-positive and culture-negative sputum for non-mycobacteria.We retrospectively included consecutive patients admitted to our hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 for bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB, who were tested by sputum culture for non-mycobacteria, and who underwent chest CT within 2 weeks before or after admission. Chest CT features were compared between pulmonary TB patients who had positive non-mycobacterial cultures and in those who had not.Of 202 patients with pulmonary TB, 186 (92%) were tested by sputum culture for non-mycobacteria and underwent chest CT. Among these, non-mycobacteria were isolated in 118 patients (63%), while 68 patients (37%) had negative cultures. Patients with a positive culture for non-mycobacteria were significantly older and had lower levels of physical activity and albumin, higher levels of C-reactive protein, and a greater number of respiratory failures. By CT, emphysematous lesions, ground-glass opacities, airspace consolidation, air-bronchogram, interlobular septal thickening, bronchiectasis, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, and lymph node enlargement were more frequently in patients with a positive culture for non-mycobacteria. These chest CT features could be helpful for detecting complication with non-mycobacterial pneumonia in patients with pulmonary TB.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Pulmão/diagnóstico por imagem , Pneumonia Bacteriana , Escarro/microbiologia , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/métodos , Tuberculose Pulmonar , Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas/diagnóstico , Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas/epidemiologia , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Erros de Diagnóstico/prevenção & controle , Feminino , Humanos , Japão/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/isolamento & purificação , Pneumonia Bacteriana/diagnóstico , Pneumonia Bacteriana/tratamento farmacológico , Pneumonia Bacteriana/epidemiologia , Prognóstico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Tuberculose Pulmonar/diagnóstico , Tuberculose Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Tuberculose Pulmonar/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Germline GATA2 heterozygous mutations were identified as complex immunodeficiency and hematological syndromes characterized by cytopenia (monocytes, B-cells, NK-cells), susceptibility to mycobacterium, fungus, or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)/acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) development. Herein, we report a patient with AML who had a fatal infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) due to impaired immune reconstitution associated with GATA2 mutation. A 15-year-old man was diagnosed with AML with monosomy 7. His family history was negative for immunodeficiency and hematological disorders. He attained complete remission after HSCT from an HLA-identical sister. Post-HSCT examinations performed 15 months later revealed pancytopenia, especially monocytopenia and the absence of B and NK cells, resulting in the occurrence of donor-type MDS. Twenty-one months after HSCT, he developed central nervous system aspergillosis and finally died of the disease. Two months later (24 months after PBSCT), the donor was diagnosed with persistent EBV infection accompanied by MDS with multilineage dysplasia. Genetic analysis of GATA2 revealed a novel heterozygous mutation (c.1023_1026dupCGCC) in both siblings. GATA2 mutations were highly prevalent among adolescent MDS/AML patients with monosomy 7. Therefore, the screening of GATA2 mutations in relatives is necessary when performing HSCT from a relative donor.
Assuntos
Fator de Transcrição GATA2/genética , Mutação em Linhagem Germinativa , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos adversos , Síndromes Mielodisplásicas/diagnóstico , Síndromes Mielodisplásicas/etiologia , Doadores de Tecidos , Biomarcadores , Biópsia , Medula Óssea/patologia , Aberrações Cromossômicas , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/métodos , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síndromes Mielodisplásicas/complicações , Síndromes Mielodisplásicas/terapia , Transplante HomólogoRESUMO
BACKGROUD: No study has compared flat and elevated-rim polyethylene liners in terms of stress distribution on the bearing surface. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in stress distribution between flat and elevated-rim polyethylene liners. METHODS: A stress analysis was performed by using the 3-dimensional finite element method. The cup was placed at an open angle of 20°, the flat liner and the liner with a 10° elevation was placed at inclination angles of 80°, 70°, and 60°. RESULTS: Compared with the 60° flat liner, the 80° and 70° flat liners showed higher stress at the liner edge. In the elevated-rim liner, the stress was high at the liner edge along the cup edge. When the von Mises equivalent stress was applied to each element of the liner, the high stress area (volume) was the largest for the 80° flat liner, second largest for the 80° elevated-rim liner, and third largest for the 70° flat liner. The average contact pressure also followed the same order. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated-rim liners affect the stress distribution by increasing the area of contact. However, since elevated-rim liners exhibit high stress at the cup edge, they are likely to result in new problems including liner failure. These findings could aid surgeons in the selection of liners and determination of revision methods such as isolated liner exchange vs. acetabular cup revision for a well-fixed metal cup with a higher inclination angle in revision total hip arthroplasty.
Assuntos
Artroplastia de Quadril/instrumentação , Prótese de Quadril , Desenho de Prótese , Análise de Elementos Finitos , Humanos , Teste de Materiais , Polietileno , Estresse MecânicoRESUMO
Ceramide kinase (CerK) phosphorylates ceramide to ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), a bioactive sphingolipid. Since the mechanisms responsible for regulating the proliferation and migration/metastasis of cancer cells by the CerK/C1P pathway remain unclear, we conducted the present study. The knockdown of CerK in A549 lung and MCF-7 breast cancer cells (shCerK cells) increased the formation of lamellipodia, which are membrane protrusions coupled with cell migration. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts prepared from CerK-null mice also showed an enhanced formation of lamellipodia. The overexpression of CerK inhibited lamellipodium formation in A549 cells. The knockdown of CerK increased the number of cells having lamellipodia with Rac1 and the levels of active Rac1-GTP form, whereas the overexpression of CerK decreased them. CerK was located in lamellipodia after the epidermal growth factor treatment, indicating that CerK functioned there to inhibit Rac1. The migration of A549 cells was negatively regulated by CerK. An intravenous injection of A549-shCerK cells into nude mice resulted in markedly stronger metastatic responses in the lungs than an injection of control cells. The in vitro growth of A549 cells and in vivo expansion after the injection into mouse flanks were not affected by the CerK knockdown. These results suggest that the activation of CerK/C1P pathway has inhibitory roles on lamellipodium formation, migration, and metastasis of A549 lung cancer cells.