Transforming growth factor beta1, in the presence of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 4, induces differentiation of human peripheral blood monocytes into dendritic Langerhans cells.

Langerhans cells (LCs) are dendritic cells (DCs) that are present in the epidermis, bronchi, and mucosae. Although LCs originate in bone marrow, little is known about their lineage of origin. In this study, we demonstrate that in vitro LCs may originate from monocytes. Adult peripheral blood CD14+ monocytes differentiate into LCs (CD1a+, E-cadherin+, cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen+, Birbeck granules+, Lag+) in the presence of granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interleukin 4, and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1). This process occurs with virtually no cell proliferation and is not impaired by 30 Gy irradiation. Selection of monocyte subpopulations is ruled out since monocyte-derived DCs can further differentiate into LCs. Our data suggest that in vivo LC differentiation may be induced peripherally, from a nonproliferating myeloid precursor, i.e., the monocyte, in response to a TGF-beta1-rich microenvironment, as found in the skin and epithelia. Therefore, the monocyte may represent a circulating precursor critical to the immune response in vivo.

Biomechanical assessment of the sitting posture maintenance in patients with stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Regaining control of sitting posture is one of the first goals in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke. So, it requires a precise quantification of this postural behaviour. The purpose of the present investigation was thus to assess postural control during sitting in people with hemiparesis through a biomechanical analysis. METHODS: Centre-of-pressure displacements were recorded by means of a force platform on which 10 patients with stroke and 10 age-matched healthy subjects were sitting. Centre-of-pressure trajectories were processed through space-time and frequency analyses. RESULTS: These centre-of-pressure displacements of the patients with stroke were characterised by an increased control for maintaining sit position and by reduced postural performance, as enlightened by the larger surfaces covered by the centre-of-pressure displacements (P<.05) and increased velocities (P<.001), respectively. As shown from the frequency analysis, the impairment have affected predominantly the displacements occurring along the antero-posterior axis (P<.05). INTERPRETATIONS: The analysis of centre-of-pressure displacements during sitting posture indicates an increased postural disturbance in patients with stroke. A platform device, because of the non-invasive, easy and fast measures carried out, should thus be viewed as an attractive tool for assessing the postural dysfunctioning encountered in sat patients with stroke. This tool could also be used for evaluating, the rehabilitation process following stroke.

Histiocyte X positivity for nonspecific esterase.

The cell membrane and X bodies of histiocytes X from two cases of eosinophilic granuloma were stained by nonspecific esterase. The results show that histiocytes X possess a cell membrane exoenzyme similar to that of other histiocytes, such as alveolar macrophages, but the role of the X body as related to enzyme activity remains an unknown.

Albumin, fibrinogen, prothrombin and antithrombin III variations in blood, urines and liver in rat nephrotic syndrome (Heymann nephritis).

Albumin, fibrinogen, prothrombin and antithrombin III (AT III) variations have been studied in blood, urines and liver during an experimental nephrotic syndrome in rats (Heymann nephritis). A quantitative morphometric study (light microscopy) has been performed in the liver using an immunocytochemical technique--(PAP) method--to evaluate the protein synthesis by the number of protein-containing hepatocytes. Some sections were also studied by electron microscopy. The nephrotic animals were compared with control rats. In the blood of nephrotic rats, fibrinogen and prothrombin concentrations were increased and albumin and AT III concentrations were decreased. In the urines of nephrotic rats, albumin, prothrombin and AT III were lost, but no fibrinogen. The morphometric study in the liver has shown a significantly higher number of fibrinogen and prothrombin-containing hepatocytes in nephrotic rats than in controls, suggesting an increased synthesis of these proteins; no change was observed concerning albumin and AT III between nephrotic and control animals. In electron microscopy, albumin was demonstrated in Golgi apparatus, proving that the peroxidase-positive cells are related to protein synthesis. These results show that the mechanisms of regulation of the protein synthesis during nephrotic syndrome are different from one protein to another and, particularly, that their blood level is not the only regulating factor for their synthesis.

Failure of histiocytosis X cells to express i blood group antigen.

Expression of HLADR, I, i blood group antigen and T6 antigen were studied in Histiocytosis X cells and pulmonary alveolar macrophages using double labelling immunofluorescence technique or immuno-peroxidase procedure. Alveolar macrophages express simultaneously HLADR and i blood group antigen. Histiocytosis X cells, characterized by HLADR and T6 antigens, and by their ultra-structural marker do not express i antigen. These results confirm the hypothesis that histiocytosis X cells constitute a specialized sub-population of the mononuclear phagocyte system.

[Abduction of pelvic members and pelvic girdle kinematics]. / Abduction des membres pelviens et cinématique de la ceinture pelvienne.

The analysis of the displacement of the pelvic girdle, during movements of the trunk in the anatomical orthogonal plans, was carried out by the technique of the cutaneous markers on two series of 7 male subjects and 7 female. The photographs made it possible to objectify angular displacements of reliable singular points and to observe that the abduction of hips determines, according to movements carried out, either a facilitation, or a limitation of displacements observed similar in the two series. The precise mechanism of these variations will have to be analyzed by later studies.

The location of non-specific esterase in human lung macrophages. An ultrastructural study.

The non-specific carboxyl (serine) esterase of the human pulmonary alveolar macrophage was localized ultrastructurally using alpha-naphthyl acetate and hexazotized pararosanilin. The reaction product principally outlined the outer side of the plasma membrane. Consequently, this esterase is an ectoenzyme which may function as mediator of cell response to injurious agents from the outside.

[Perineal aponeuroses. An anatomical study leading to the concept of perineal pubic-sacral cord]. / Les aponévroses périnéales. Etude anatomique permettant d'aboutir au concept de corde fonctionnelle périnéale pubo-sacrée.

On the basis of anatomical dissections, the authors offer a description of the perineal thickness (centred on the study of its aponeuroses) which corresponds better with medical imaging (ultrasonography, MRI) findings. Situated between the pelvic floor (deep layer of the deep perineal aponeurosis) and the perineal skin (covering the superficial layer of the superficial perineal aponeurosis), the perineal thickness is organised around an antero-posterior functional entity: the pubic-sacral perineal cord. This is made up, from behind and going forwards, of: the urethro-clitorido-vulval entity, the peri-vulval insertion of the perineal aponeuroses, the tendinous centre of the perineum and the ano-coccygeal raphe. It forms the keystone of the perineal thickness by closing off the floor of the urogenital fossa, the transit point for prolapses. This organisation of the perineal thickness explains how the vulval orifice, with no truly effective specific muscular structure, opposes the forces of abdominal pressure, thus avoiding the development of prolapse under normal circumstances. The ischio-rectal fossa is also studied.

Anatomo-pathological findings in a case of combined deficiency of sulphite oxidase and xanthine oxidase with a defect of molybdenum cofactor.

A case of combined deficiency of sulphite-oxidase and xanthine-oxidase with a defect of the molybdenum cofactor, which is vital to the activity of sulphite-, xanthine- and aldehyde-oxidase, is reported here. Seven cases of combined deficiencies have been described with regard to both clinical and laboratory findings. The clinical, laboratory and anatomo-pathological features and, in particular, the central nervous system lesions of the present case correspond exactly to those in the case described Rosenblum in which an isolated deficiency in sulphite-oxidase was present. As the cerebral alterations in the present case are comparable to those described in Rosenblum's case, they probably result from the defect in sulphite-oxidase activity.

[Urethral sphincter (G point). Anatomo-clinical correlations]. / Sphincter urétral (point G). Corrélations anatomo-cliniques.

UNLABELLED: On the basis of 36 cases in sexology, the authors sought the site of the G point on the basis of clinical, ultrasonographic and anatomical findings. CLINICAL FINDINGS: examination of pleasant vaginal sensitivity. Discovered by patients unaware of it. Recognised by patients aware of it. Ultrasonographic findings: localization of a hypoechogenic zone, above all in the lower third of the vagina, corresponding with pleasant vaginal sensitivity and changing after digital vaginal examination and contractions of the levators. Anatomical findings: dissection of the anterior perineum of cadavers seeking this ultrasonographic hypoechogenic structure. These various approaches lead the authors to locate the G point at the urethral sphincter, as was suggested by Grafenberg in 1950, and to situate vaginal and clitoris sensitivity in the same anatomical entity: the urethro-clitorido-vulval entity.

Comprehensive study of the intestinal stage of listeriosis in a rat ligated ileal loop system.

The intestinal stage of listeriosis was studied in a rat ligated ileal loop system. Listeria monocytogenes translocated to deep organs with similar efficiencies after inoculation of loops with or without Peyer's patches. Bacterial seeding of deep organs was demonstrated as early as 15 min after inoculation. It was dose dependent and nonspecific, as the delta inlAB, the delta hly, and the delta actA L. monocytogenes mutants and the nonpathogenic species, Listeria innocua, translocated similarly to wild-type L. monocytogenes strains. The levels of uptake of listeriae by Peyer's patches and villous intestine were similar and low, 50 to 250 CFU per cm2 of tissue. No listeria cells crossing the epithelial sheet of Peyer's patches and villous intestine were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The lack of significant interaction of listeriae and the follicle-associated epithelium of Peyer's patches was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The follicular tissue of Peyer's patches was a preferential site of Listeria replication. With all doses tested, the rate of bacterial growth was 10 to 20 times higher in Peyer's patches than in villous intestine. At early stages of Peyer's patch infection, listeriae were observed inside mononuclear cells of the dome area. Listeriae then disseminated throughout the follicular tissue except for the germinal center. The virulence determinants hly and, to a lesser extent, actA, but not inlAB, were required for the completion of this process. This study suggests that Peyer's patches are preferential sites for replication rather than for entry of L. monocytogenes, due to the presence of highly permissive mononuclear cells whose nature remains to be defined.

Determination of the position of the pelvic girdle by the method of external markers in the sagittal plane: a preliminary feasibility study.

The global amplitude of the movements of the trunk is the resultant of the sum of two components: the movements of the pelvic girdle and those of the vertebral segments. In order to assess the precise position of the pelvis in kinetics, we endeavored by the use of skin markers to determine whether reliable measurement points existed. The experiment showed that a line drawn from the median sacral crest at the level of S1 to the highest point of the iliac crest appeared relevant and practical for assessment of the position of the pelvic girdle in the sagittal plane.

Role of hip abduction in the kinetics of the thoracic and lumbar spine.

The motion of the thoracic and lumbar spine segments was analysed by mean of the skin landmarks method in 14 volunteers (7 males, 7 females). The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference between men and women and there was either facilitation or limitation of the motion of the characteristic landmarks of spinal segments during trunk motion in perpendicular planes. The mobility of spinal segments was associated with pelvic girdle motion in order to obtain the planned amplitude, and varied with hip joint abduction. The analysis of the precise mechanisms of relaxing or stretching of the pelvivertebral musculo-ligamentous structures constitutes a large field of investigation that necessitates the study of other lower limb postures and the use of robotic techniques.

Preliminary opto-electronic study on vertebral movement.

Opto-electronic systems utilising measurement of displacement of skin markers allows study of movement in the living subject. The authors have used this method in a kinematic study of the thoracic and lumbar spine measuring the displacement of skin markers placed over the spinous processes. It was possible to approach the physiological state of these complex movements once the apparatus had been calibrated to the correct level, and the error margins minimised. Repeated measurements confirmed the reliability of this method even if movement of the skin with respect to the bony reference points introduced some margin of error. Three dimensional displacement of the vertebrae were measured during voluntary movements of the spine demonstrating the complex geometry. Since opto-electronics are non-invasive they constitute an important advance in the study of the kinematics of the spine.

[Preliminary analysis of the modifications of spinal curves, in extreme amplitudes, observed in rhythmic and athletic gymnastics]. / Analyse préliminaire des modifications des courbures rachidiennes, en amplitudes extrêmes, observées en gymnastique rythmique et sportive.

Trained users of Rhythmic and Athletic Gymnastic, present kinetic spinal vast extents. Analysis, with pasted cutaneous markers, shows that, according to the codified movement, various segments of the vertebral column are requested and realized important displacements. Nevertheless, to have an homogeneous attitude, some subjects request more either lumbar or thoracic segments, of both. To prevent frequent spinal pain, it is important to realize a preliminary subject selection using their total spine and to improve protection by adapted gymnastic.

[Comparative study of static curves of the human spine in vivo during exercise and stretching in men and women]. / Etude comparative des courbures statiques du rachis humain in vivo en charge et en étirement chez l'homme et la femme.

Comparative study of static curves of the thoracic and lumbar spine in men and women has been realized under constraints of compression by weightlifting and elongation by exercise to parallel bars. In two athletic practices, curves decrease their arrow, ending to a straighter and more rigid column. This behavior expresses muscular actions. The greatest amplitude of displacement, observed in female series, shows lesser muscular forces in connection with a poor practice of exercises of body building.

Interaction of Neisseria maningitidis with the components of the blood-brain barrier correlates with an increased expression of PilC.

A fatal untreated case of fulminant meningococcemia was examined to investigate the crossing of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by Neisseria meningitidis. Microscopic examination showed bacteria in vivo adhering to the endothelium of both the choroid plexus and the meninges. Comparison of the isolates cultivated from the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed no antigenic variation of the pilin or the class 5 protein, whereas the expression of the PilC protein was greater in the CSF and the choroid plexus than in the blood. This was due to an increased activity of one of the pilC promotors. This higher expression of PilC correlated in vitro with greater adhesiveness to endothelial cells. A mutation in the single pilC locus of this strain abolished in vitro pilus-mediated adhesion to endothelial cells. These data suggest that PilC plays an important role in the crossing of the BBB, likely through pilus-mediated adhesion.