Within- and across-breed imputation of high-density genotypes in dairy and beef cattle from medium- and low-density genotypes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, using three different genotype density panels, the accuracy of imputation from lower- to higher-density genotypes in dairy and beef cattle. High-density genotypes consisting of 777,962 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were available on 3122 animals comprised of 269, 196, 710, 234, 719, 730 and 264 Angus, Belgian Blue, Charolais, Hereford, Holstein-Friesian, Limousin and Simmental bulls, respectively. Three different genotype densities were generated: low density (LD; 6501 autosomal SNPs), medium density (50K; 47,770 autosomal SNPs) and high density (HD; 735,151 autosomal SNPs). Imputation from lower- to higher-density genotype platforms was undertaken within and across breeds exploiting population-wide linkage disequilibrium. The mean allele concordance rate per breed from LD to HD when undertaken using a single breed or multiple breed reference population varied from 0.956 to 0.974 and from 0.947 to 0.967, respectively. The mean allele concordance rate per breed from 50K to HD when undertaken using a single breed or multiple breed reference population varied from 0.987 to 0.994 and from 0.987 to 0.993, respectively. The accuracy of imputation was generally greater when the reference population was solely comprised of the breed to be imputed compared to when the reference population comprised of multiple breeds, although the impact was less when imputing from 50K to HD compared to imputing from LD.

Shear heating as the origin of the plumes and heat flux on Enceladus.

Enceladus, a small icy satellite of Saturn, has active plumes jetting from localized fractures ('tiger stripes') within an area of high heat flux near the south pole. The plume characteristics and local high heat flux have been ascribed either to the presence of liquid water within a few tens of metres of the surface, or the decomposition of clathrates. Neither model addresses how delivery of internal heat to the near-surface is sustained. Here we show that the most likely explanation for the heat and vapour production is shear heating by tidally driven lateral (strike-slip) fault motion with displacement of approximately 0.5 m over a tidal period. Vapour produced by this heating may escape as plumes through cracks reopened by the tidal stresses. The ice shell thickness needed to produce the observed heat flux is at least 5 km. The tidal displacements required imply a Love number of h2 > 0.01, suggesting that the ice shell is decoupled from the silicate interior by a subsurface ocean. We predict that the tiger-stripe regions with highest relative temperatures will be the lower-latitude branch of Damascus, Cairo around 60 degrees W longitude and Alexandria around 150 degrees W longitude.

Permanent pacemaker insertion after CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation: incidence and contributing factors (the UK CoreValve Collaborative).

BACKGROUND: Permanent pacemaker (PPM) requirement is a recognized complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation. We assessed the UK incidence of permanent pacing within 30 days of CoreValve implantation and formulated an anatomic and electrophysiological model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Data from 270 patients at 10 centers in the United Kingdom were examined. Twenty-five patients (8%) had preexisting PPMs; 2 patients had incomplete data. The remaining 243 were 81.3±6.7 years of age; 50.6% were male. QRS duration increased from 105±23 to 135±29 milliseconds (P<0.01). Left bundle-branch block incidence was 13% at baseline and 61% after the procedure (P<0.001). Eighty-one patients (33.3%) required a PPM within 30 days. Rates of pacing according to preexisting ECG abnormalities were as follows: right bundle-branch block, 65.2%; left bundle-branch block, 43.75%; normal QRS, 27.6%. Among patients who required PPM implantation, the median time to insertion was 4.0 days (interquartile range, 2.0 to 7.75 days). Multivariable analysis revealed that periprocedural atrioventricular block (odds ratio, 6.29; 95% confidence interval, 3.55 to 11.15), balloon predilatation (odds ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 2.00 to 3.47), use of the larger (29 mm) CoreValve prosthesis (odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.22 to 5.11), interventricular septum diameter (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.10 to 3.06), and prolonged QRS duration (odds ratio, 3.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 7.40) were independently associated with the need for PPM. CONCLUSION: One third of patients undergoing a CoreValve transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedure require a PPM within 30 days. Periprocedural atrioventricular block, balloon predilatation, use of the larger CoreValve prosthesis, increased interventricular septum diameter and prolonged QRS duration were associated with the need for PPM.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the imprinted bovine insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor gene (IGF2R) are associated with body size traits in Irish Holstein-Friesian cattle.

The regulation of the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) is critical for normal mammalian growth and development. The imprinted insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor gene (IGF2R) encodes a transmembrane protein receptor that acts to sequester and degrade excess circulating insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-II) - a potent foetal mitogen - and is considered an important inhibitor of growth. Consequently, IGF2R may serve as a candidate gene underlying important growth- and body-related quantitative traits in domestic mammalian livestock. In this study, we have quantified genotype-phenotype associations between three previously validated intronic bovine IGF2R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (IGF2R:g.64614T>C, IGF2R:g.65037T>C and IGF2R:g.86262C>T) and a range of performance traits in 848 progeny-tested Irish Holstein-Friesian artificial insemination sires. Notably, all three polymorphisms analysed were associated (P ≤ 0.05) with at least one of a number of performance traits related to animal body size: angularity, body depth, chest width, rump width, and animal stature. In addition, the C-to-T transition at the IGF2R:g.65037T>C polymorphism was positively associated with cow carcass weight and angularity. Correction for multiple testing resulted in the retention of two genotype-phenotype associations (animal stature and rump width). None of the SNPs analysed were associated with any of the milk traits examined. Analysis of pairwise r(2) measures of linkage disequilibrium between all three assayed SNPs ranged between 0.41 and 0.79, suggesting that some of the observed SNP associations with performance may be independent. To our knowledge, this is one of the first studies demonstrating associations between IGF2R polymorphisms and growth- and body-related traits in cattle. These results also support the increasing body of evidence that imprinted genes harbour polymorphisms that contribute to heritable variation in phenotypic traits in domestic livestock species.

Relationship between pregnancy per artificial insemination and early luteal concentrations of progesterone and establishment of repeatability estimates for these traits in Holstein-Friesian heifers.

Pregnancy per insemination is a major determinant of reproductive efficiency in cattle and is affected by concentrations of progesterone (P4) during early pregnancy. The relationship between pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) and early luteal concentrations of P4, and repeatability of concentrations of P4 was examined on d 4, 5, 6, and 7 (day of standing estrus=d 0) in 118 Holstein Friesian heifers following 2 rounds of AI to 1 high-fertility sire. Repeatability estimates (R(e)) for P/AI were established following 4 rounds of AI. We found a linear and quadratic relationship between P/AI and concentrations of P4 on d 4 to 7 after estrus, as well as a linear and quadratic relationship between P/AI and the change in concentration of P4 from d 4 to 7 and from d 5 to 7. Optimum concentrations of P4 to maximize probability of P/AI were 2.5, 4.0, 5.0, 5.2, and 3.5 ng/mL for d 4, 5, 6, and 7, and the change from d 4 to 7, respectively. Repeatability of P/AI following 4 rounds of AI was low (R(e)=0.07). Repeatability estimates for concentrations of P4 from cycle to cycle indicated low repeatability between d 4 (R(e)=0.05) and 7 (R(e)=0.20). These data indicated the importance of P4 in the early luteal phase for pregnancy survival, but also demonstrated that high concentrations of P4 on these days have a deleterious effect on embryo viability. Early luteal (d 4 to 5) concentrations of P4 were a reasonable predictor of concentrations on d 7 and could be used as a diagnostic tool to identify animals at risk of subsequent embryo loss.

Polymorphisms in genes of the somatotrophic axis are independently associated with milk production, udder health, survival and animal size in Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle.

The somatotrophic axis consisting of pituitary-derived growth hormone and circulating insulin-like growth factor 1 has been well established as key regulators of animal health, metabolism, lactation, fertility, body composition and growth rate. The aim of this study was to simultaneously quantify the associations between SNPs in candidate genes of the somatotrophic axis (i.e., IGF-1, GH1 and GHR) with performance traits in Holstein-Friesian (HF) dairy cattle. Both novel SNPs identified previously by this group alongside other published SNPs within these genes were analysed for associations with performance in dairy cattle. Multiple regression analyses regressing genetic merit of up to 848 HF sires on novel SNPs (n = 76) and published SNPs (n = 33) were undertaken using weighted animal mixed linear models. Twenty-three SNPs were significantly associated with at least one of 18 traits analysed and involved in milk production, udder health, fertility and growth. Eight traits including milk fat composition, carcass conformation, stature, chest width, body depth, rump width, carcass and cull cow weight were independently associated with SNPs in two genes. Furthermore, for several traits including milk fat yield, somatic cell count, survival and carcass fat, SNPs in all three genes were independently associated with performance. Milk fat yield and carcass fat showed the highest number of independent associations across all three genes with five SNPs associated with both traits. The cumulative effects of the favourable alleles of all five SNPs across GH1, GHR and IGF-1 result in an increase of 5.9 kg and 28.6 units of milk fat and carcass fat, respectively. Cow survival was associated with a single SNP in each of the three genes with a cumulative allele effect of 1.5%. Independent effects of polymorphisms in GH1, GHR and IGF-1 reinforce the central role of the somatotrophic axis on animal development and performance.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 genes are associated with milk production, body condition score and fertility traits in dairy cows.

The somatotrophic axis (GH-IGF) is a key regulator of animal growth and development, affecting performance traits that include milk production, growth rate, body composition, and fertility. The aim of this study was to quantify the association of previously identified SNPs in bovine growth hormone (GH1) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) genes with direct performance trait measurements of lactation and fertility in Holstein-Friesian lactating dairy cows. Sixteen SNPs in both IGF-1 and GH1 were genotyped across 610 cows and association analyses were carried out with traits of economic importance including calving interval, pregnancy rate to first service and 305-day milk production, using animal linear mixed models accounting for additive genetic effects. Two IGF-1 SNPs, IGF1i1 and IGF1i2, were significantly associated with body condition score at calving, while a single IGF-1 SNP, IGF1i3, was significantly associated with milk production, including milk yield (means ± SEM; 751.3 ± 262.0 kg), fat yield (21.3 ± 10.2 kg) and protein yield (16.5 ± 8.0 kg) per lactation. Only one GH1 SNP, GH33, was significantly associated with milk protein yield in the second lactation (allele substitution effect of 9.8 ± 5.0 kg). Several GH1 SNPs were significantly associated with fertility, including GH32, GH35 and GH38 with calving to third parity (22.4 ± 11.3 days) (GH32 and GH38 only), pregnancy rate to first service (0.1%) and overall pregnancy rate (0.05%). The results of this study demonstrate the effects of variants of the somatotrophic axis on milk production and fertility traits in commercial dairy cattle.

Lower oxygen saturation targets in preterm infants are not associated with increased rates of pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The optimal oxygen saturation target in preterm infants is not known. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of lower oxygen saturation targets on the rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and pulmonary hypertension (PH) in preterm infants. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study comparing BPD, ROP, and PH incidence among two cohorts of infants born at≤32 weeks gestation with different oxygen saturation targets at≥34 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA): cohort 1, 94-98% (n = 126); cohort 2, 92-97% (n = 121). Groups compared by Chi-square test, t-test, and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: When comparing cohort 1 (average gestational age 29.8 weeks, average birth weight 1271g) with cohort 2 (average gestational age 29.6 weeks, average birth weight 1299g), there was no difference in rate of BPD (24% vs. 19%, p = 0.38), ROP (4% vs. 3%, p = 0.49), or PH (2% vs. 4%, p = 0.44). CONCLUSION: An oxygen saturation target of 92-97% at≥34 weeks PMA was not associated with a higher rate of PH or lower rate of BPD or ROP when compared with a higher target of 94-98%.

Associations between novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in the Bos taurus growth hormone gene and performance traits in Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle.

Growth hormone, produced in the anterior pituitary gland, stimulates the release of insulin-like growth factor-I from the liver and is of critical importance in the control of nutrient utilization and partitioning for lactogenesis, fertility, growth, and development in cattle. The aim of this study was to discover novel polymorphisms in the bovine growth hormone gene (GH1) and to quantify their association with performance using estimates of genetic merit on 848 Holstein-Friesian AI (artificial insemination) dairy sires. Associations with previously reported polymorphisms in the bovine GH1 gene were also undertaken. A total of 38 novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified across a panel of 22 beef and dairy cattle by sequence analysis of the 5' promoter, intronic, exonic, and 3' regulatory regions, encompassing approximately 7 kb of the GH1 gene. Following multiple regression analysis on all SNP, associations were identified between 11 SNP (2 novel and 9 previously identified) and milk fat and protein yield, milk composition, somatic cell score, survival, body condition score, and body size. The G allele of a previously identified SNP in exon 5 at position 2141 of the GH1 sequence, resulting in a nonsynonymous substitution, was associated with decreased milk protein yield. The C allele of a novel SNP, GH32, was associated with inferior carcass conformation. In addition, the T allele of a previously characterized SNP, GH35, was associated with decreased survival. Both GH24 (novel) and GH35 were independently associated with somatic cell count, and 3 SNP, GH21, 2291, and GH35, were independently associated with body depth. Furthermore, 2 SNP, GH24 and GH63, were independently associated with carcass fat. Results of this study further demonstrate the multifaceted influences of GH1 on milk production, fertility, and growth-related traits in cattle.

Tranexamic acid toxicity in human periarticular tissues.

OBJECTIVES: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an anti-fibrinolytic medication commonly used to reduce perioperative bleeding. Increasingly, topical administration as an intra-articular injection or perioperative wash is being administered during surgery. Adult soft tissues have a poor regenerative capacity and therefore damage to these tissues can be harmful to the patient. This study investigated the effects of TXA on human periarticular tissues and primary cell cultures using clinically relevant concentrations. METHODS: Tendon, synovium, and cartilage obtained from routine orthopaedic surgeries were used for ex vivo and in vitro studies using various concentrations of TXA. The in vitro effect of TXA on primary cultured tenocytes, fibroblast-like synoviocytes, and chondrocytes was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability assays, fluorescent microscopy, and multi-protein apoptotic arrays for cell death. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.01) increase in cell death within all tissue explants treated with 100 mg/ml TXA. MTT assays revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in cell viability in all tissues following treatment with 50 mg/ml or 100 mg/ml of TXA within four hours. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in cell apoptosis after one hour of exposure to TXA (100 mg/ml) in all tissues. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrates that TXA caused significant periarticular tissue toxicity ex vivo and in vitro at commonly used clinical concentrations.Cite this article: M. McLean, K. McCall, I. D. M. Smith, M. Blyth, S. M. Kitson, L. A. N. Crowe, W. J. Leach, B. P. Rooney, S. J. Spencer, M. Mullen, J. L. Campton, I. B. McInnes, M. Akbar, N. L. Millar. Tranexamic acid toxicity in human periarticular tissues. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:11-18. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.81.BJR-2018-0181.R1.

Etiology of Corpus Callosum Lesions with Restricted Diffusion.

PURPOSE: Infarction of the corpus callosum is rare, and other conditions can cause magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) restricted diffusion in the callosum, leading to diagnostic uncertainty. We sought to characterize the etiology of lesions with diffusion restriction in the corpus callosum. METHODS: Callosal lesions with restricted diffusion were identified at our institution between January 2000 and December 2010. Radiographic and clinical data were reviewed to determine whether the lesion was vascular and if so, to identify the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: A total of 174 cases were reviewed in depth; 47 % were vascular and 53 % were nonvascular. Among vascular cases, atypical mechanisms of stroke (e.g., vasculitis/vasculopathy, hypercoagulable state) were most common (37 %), followed by cardioembolism (28 %). Vascular splenial lesions in particular were likely due to atypical causes of stroke. The most common nonvascular etiologies were trauma (44 %), tumor (22 %), and demyelination (15 %). Vascular lesions were more common in older, non-Caucasian patients with vascular risk factors. Nonvascular lesions were more likely to be found in association with T2-hyperintense cortical lesions, focal intraparenchymal enhancement, or edema/mass effect on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of lesions with diffusion restriction in the corpus callosum are due to a nonvascular cause. Clinical and radiographic characteristics can help distinguish vascular from nonvascular lesions in the corpus callosum. Nonvascular lesions are more likely to be seen in younger patients without vascular risk factors and are more often accompanied by enhancement and edema. Vascular lesions are most commonly due to atypical stroke etiologies, and these patients may require additional diagnostic testing.

Heterogenous nature of flow-mediated dilatation in human conduit arteries in vivo: relevance to endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia.

Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of conduit arteries is dependent on an intact endothelium, although the mechanisms are not fully understood. Using high-resolution ultrasound, we examined the role of endothelial mediators in radial artery dilatation in response to transient (short period of reactive hyperemia) and sustained (prolonged period of reactive hyperemia, hand warming, or an incremental infusion of acetylcholine into the distal radial artery) hyperemia. After short episodes of reactive hyperemia, FMD was abolished by local infusion of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor N:(G)monomethyl-L-arginine (5.3+/-1.2% versus 0.7+/-0.7%, P:<0.001). In contrast, basal vessel diameter and dilatation after prolonged episodes of reactive hyperemia, hand warming, and distal infusion of acetylcholine were not attenuated by nitric oxide synthesis inhibition. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase or local autonomic nervous system blockade also had no effect on FMD. Patients with hypercholesterolemia exhibited reduced FMD in response to transient hyperemia, but the response to sustained hyperemia was normal. These data suggest heterogeneity of endothelial responses to blood flow that are dependent on the characteristics of the flow stimulus. Dilatation after brief episodes of hyperemia is mediated by release of nitric oxide, whereas dilatation during sustained hyperemia is unaffected by NO synthesis inhibition. Hypercholesterolemia seems to differentially affect these pathways with impairment of the nitric oxide-dependent pathway and preservation of non nitric oxide-mediated dilatation to sustained flow stimuli.

Glu298Asp endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphism interacts with environmental and dietary factors to influence endothelial function.

An endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism (Glu298Asp) has been associated with cardiovascular disease. We investigated whether carriage of the polymorphism was associated with functional changes in the endothelium, and how genotype altered the harmful and beneficial impact of environmental influences on the endothelium. Endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated brachial artery dilatation (FMD) and endothelium-independent dilatation response to glyceryl trinitrate were measured using high-resolution ultrasound in 248 subjects (131 female, 117 male, aged 20 to 28) genotyped for the Glu298Asp polymorphism. Vascular function was compared between genotype groups and interactions with the proatherogenic risk factor, smoking, and the antiatherogenic influence of n-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) were investigated. Vascular function was not related to genotype in the group as a whole or within sexes. However, among males, smoking was associated with lower FMD in Asp298 carriers (nonsmokers 0.125+/-0.085 mm versus smokers 0.070+/-0.060 mm, P=0.006) but not in Glu298 homozygotes (nonsmokers 0.103+/-0.090 mm versus smokers 0.124+/-0.106, P=0.5). In the whole group, n-3FA levels were positively related to FMD in Asp298 carriers (reg coeff=0.023 mm/%, P=0.04, r=0.20) but not in Glu298 homozygotes (reg coeff=-0.019 mm/%, P=0.1). These differences between genotype groups were significant in interaction models. The Glu298Asp polymorphism is associated with differences in endothelial responses to both smoking and n-3 FA in healthy young subjects. These findings raise the possibility of genotype-specific prevention strategies in cardiovascular disease.

Investigation of the Booroola (FecB) and Inverdale (FecX(I)) mutations in 21 prolific breeds and strains of sheep sampled in 13 countries.

Twenty-one of the world's prolific sheep breeds and strains were tested for the presence of the FecB mutation of BMPR1B and the FecX(I) mutation of BMP15. The breeds studied were Romanov (2 strains), Finn (2 strains), East Friesian, Teeswater, Blueface Leicester, Hu, Han, D'Man, Chios, Mountain Sheep (three breeds), German Whiteheaded Mutton, Lleyn, Loa, Galician, Barbados Blackbelly (pure and crossbred) and St. Croix. The FecB mutation was found in two breeds, Hu and Han from China, but not in any of the other breeds. The 12 Hu sheep sampled were all homozygous carriers of FecB (FecB(B)/FecB(B)) whereas the sample of 12 Han sheep included all three genotypes (FecB(B)/FecB(B), FecB(B)/FecB+, FecB+/FecB+) at frequencies of 0.33, 0.58 and 0.08, respectively. There was no evidence of FecX(I) in any of the breeds sampled.

Assessment of ligand effects in intracellular trafficking of ricin A chain using anti-ricin hybridomas.

Intracellular ricin and immunotoxin trafficking has been difficult to study as only one to two cytosolic ricin A chain (RTA) molecules are sufficient to cause cell death. Previous studies (R.J. Youle and M. Colombatti, J. Biol. Chem., 262: 4676-4882, 1987) using anti-ricin hybridomas identified the secretory pre-Golgi as a critical site for RTA intoxication. We used ricin and RTA immunotoxins constructed with transferrin (TF) or anti-murine TF receptor antibody (RI7/217) to compare patterns of cytotoxicity and intracellular trafficking in anti-ricin hybridomas. Anti-RTA and anti-ricin B chain (RTB) hybridomas bound similar amounts of ricin and secreted comparable amounts of anti-ricin immunoglobulin. Anti-RTA hybridomas were 50- to 500-fold more resistant to ricin than nonsecretory and anti-RTB hybridomas, defining a ricin-resistant phenotype. All hybridomas expressed similar levels of surface TF receptors. RTA immunotoxins were constructed using human TF or RI7/217 and a disulfide linker. In protein synthesis inhibition assays, ricin-resistant hybridomas were manyfold more resistant to RI7/217-RTA than were ricin-sensitive hybridomas. In contrast, all hybridomas were equally sensitive to TF-RTA. Monensin increased ricin cytotoxicity minimally against all hybridomas, but dramatically increased RI7/217-RTA cytotoxicity in ricin-resistant and ricin-sensitive hybridomas in a way that abrogated the ricin-resistant phenotype. In contrast, monensin increased TF-RTA cytotoxicity equally in all hybridomas. Ammonium chloride had little effect on ricin or RI7/217-RTA cytotoxicity, but increased TF-RTA cytotoxicity against all hybridomas. Taken together, these results suggest that RTA molecules mediating cytotoxicity pass through an anti-RTA antibody-containing pre-Golgi compartment when bound to RTB or RI7/217, but not when bound to TF. Monensin abrogates the ricin-resistant phenotype when RTA is linked to RI7/217, but not RTB. This suggests that monensin alters RI7/217-RTA processing proximal to the pre-Golgi and that passage through the pre-Golgi may not be necessary for translocation of RTA to the cytoplasm. Ammonium chloride alters toxin cytotoxicity only when RTA is linked to TF, suggesting that only TF trafficks RTA through an acid-sensitive compartment prior to cytoplasmic translocation. With the addition of potentiating agents, each toxin studied showed a unique cytotoxicity profile against the anti-ricin hybridomas, demonstrating a dominant role of the cell binding ligand in intracellular toxin trafficking.

Interferon-induced inhibition of Moloney sarcoma virus-transformed cells: requirement for T-cells.

We previously demonstrated that although natural killer (NK) cells participated in interferon (IFN)-induced inhibition of growth of the Moloney sarcoma MSC cell tumor, the need for NK cells could be circumvented by using a small tumor cell challenge or an increased amount of IFN. These studies were performed in normal, euthymic mice. The role of T-cells remained undefined. In the present study, nude mice were used to evaluate the role of T-cells. Investigation of various treatment regimens revealed that IFN could not totally inhibit tumor growth in nude mice. A significant delay in tumor growth was observed when 1 x 10(5) units of IFN were administered at the site of tumor on days 1-4 after tumor challenge. Increasing the dose of IFN or extending therapy to 7 days did not afford any further inhibition of tumor growth. In vivo depletion of NK cells with anti-asialo monoganglioside antibody revealed that the delay in tumor growth was dependent on NK cells when IFN was given on days 1-4. Treatment for days 1-7, however, still inhibited tumor growth in the NK cell-depleted nude mice. In order to further ascertain the role of T-cells in IFN-induced tumor inhibition, T-cell reconstitution studies of nude mice were performed. Nude mice were reconstituted with 1 x 10(7), 2 x 10(7), and 5 x 10(7) T-cells on day -1 to tumor challenge and treated with IFN on days 1-7. The extent of the observed decrease of tumor sizes and tumor incidences among the T-cell-reconstituted groups was dependent on the dose of T-cells being administered in both IFN-treated and untreated animals. These data indicate that T-cells are essential for maintaining the growth-inhibitory effects of IFN. This is in contrast to NK cells whose role in IFN-induced inhibition of MSC tumor growth can be circumvented by increasing the dose of IFN.

Serum-stimulated cyclic-AMP production in S49 lymphoma cells grown in serum-free medium.

Growth of S49 lymphoma cells with horse serum leads to an increase in cellular cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and a resultant loss of hormone- and cholera-toxin-stimulated cAMP accumulation. We now show that the serum requires protein synthesis to produce these effects. Further, we show that acute addition of serum to wild-type S49 cells, grown in serum-free medium, rapidly (under 2 min) and transiently (under 30 min) stimulates cellular cAMP, 10-fold over basal levels. This 'acute' effect of serum was not observed in UNC S49 cells, suggesting that a functional Ns, the guanine nucleotide regulatory component that mediates stimulation of adenylate cyclase, is required for the serum-mediated stimulation of cellular cAMP. Serum added acutely to wild-type S49 cells also augmented cAMP accumulation in response to isoproterenol and forskolin. The half-maximally effective concentrations of horse serum that acutely stimulated or more slowly decreased the cAMP accumulation were approx. 0.2% and 2.0%, respectively. Preliminary attempts to characterize further the serum factor indicate that it has a high (250 000-300 000) molecular weight and is insensitive to boiling; chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B yields a 100-fold purification. Thus, the serum contains one or more components that activate adenylate cyclase, increase cellular cAMP levels and ultimately induce cAMP phosphodiesterase in S49 lymphoma cells.

Cholesterol and arterial distensibility in the first decade of life: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Blood cholesterol levels are a key determinant of coronary heart disease risk in adults, but the importance of lipid levels in the general population during childhood is less clear. We related arterial distensibility, a marker of vascular function known to be altered early in atherosclerosis, to the lipid profile of a population-based sample of children aged 9 to 11 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: A noninvasive ultrasound technique was used to measure arterial distension during the cardiac cycle in the brachial arteries of 361 children from 4 towns in the United Kingdom. This measure was related to their pulse pressure to assess arterial distensibility. All the children had previously had a comprehensive assessment of cardiovascular risk including a full lipid profile, cotinine-assessed smoke exposure, serum glucose, and questionnaire data on socioeconomic and dietary factors. Mean total cholesterol in the population was 4.72 [SD 0.75] mmol/L. There was a significant, inverse relation between cholesterol and distension of the artery across this range (linear regression coefficient -11.8 microm. mmol(-1). L(-1), P=0.003). Similar relationships were demonstrated with LDL and apolipoprotein B (-12.9 microm. mmol(-1). L(-1), P=0. 005 and -36.9 microm/mmol/L, P=0.01). HDL and triglyceride levels showed no consistent association with distensibility. CONCLUSIONS: LDL cholesterol levels had an impact on arterial distensibility in the first decade of life. Furthermore, the functional differences in the arterial wall were demonstrated within the lipid range found in normal children, a finding that raises the possibility that cholesterol levels in the general population during childhood may already be relevant to the development of vascular disease.

Ischemic preconditioning prevents endothelial injury and systemic neutrophil activation during ischemia-reperfusion in humans in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction leading to neutrophil infiltration of tissues has been implicated in tissue injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion (IR). Tissue injury during IR can be reduced by prior ischemic preconditioning (IPC). In humans, it is unclear whether endothelial dysfunction occurs during IR or whether IPC offers protection against endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory cell activation. We studied the effects of experimental IR on endothelial and neutrophil function in the human forearm in vivo and examined the protection afforded by IPC. METHOD AND RESULTS: The forearm was made ischemic for 20 minutes by inflating a blood pressure cuff to 200 mm Hg. We assessed endothelial function of conduit (radial artery flow-mediated dilation) and resistance vessels (blood flow responses to intra-arterial infusion of the endothelium-dependent dilator acetylcholine) in healthy volunteers before and after IR. IR reduced flow-mediated dilation of the radial artery at 15 minutes of reperfusion (7.7+/-1.5% to 3.5+/-0.9%) and the dilator response of resistance vessels to acetylcholine at 15, 30, and 60 minutes of reperfusion. IR did not reduce the dilator response of the radial artery to glyceryltrinitrate and only caused a small reduction of glyceryltrinitrate-induced dilation of resistance vessels at 60 minutes of reperfusion. IR caused an increase in neutrophil CD11b expression and platelet-neutrophil complexes in the circulating blood. IPC (three 5-minute episodes of ischemia) before IR prevented endothelial dysfunction and neutrophil activation. CONCLUSIONS: A clinically relevant period of ischemia-reperfusion causes profound and sustained endothelial dysfunction and systemic neutrophil activation. IPC attenuates both of these effects in humans.

Mental stress induces transient endothelial dysfunction in humans.

BACKGROUND: Mental stress has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality in coronary artery disease and to atherosclerosis progression. Experimental studies have suggested that damage to the endothelium may be an important mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endothelial function was studied in 10 healthy men (aged 50. 4+/-9.6 years) and in 8 non-insulin-dependent diabetic men (aged 52. 0+/-7.2 years). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD, endothelium dependent) and response to 50 microg of sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN, endothelium independent) were measured noninvasively by use of high-resolution ultrasound before and after (30, 90, and 240 minutes) a standardized mental stress test. The same protocol without mental stress was repeated on a separate occasion in the healthy men. In healthy subjects, FMD (5.0+/-2.1%) was significantly (P:<0.01) reduced at 30 and 90 minutes after mental stress (2.8+/-2.3% and 2.3+/-2.4%, respectively) and returned toward normal after 4 hours (4.1+/-2.0%). Mental stress had no effect on the response to GTN. In the repeated studies without mental stress, FMD did not change. The diabetic subjects had lower FMD than did the control subjects (3.0+/-1.5% versus 5.0+/-2.1%, respectively; P:=0.02) but showed no changes in FMD (2.7+/-1.1% after 30 minutes, 2.8+/-1.9% after 90 minutes, and 3.1+/-2.3% after 240 minutes) or GTN responses after mental stress. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that brief episodes of mental stress, similar to those encountered in everyday life, may cause transient (up to 4 hours) endothelial dysfunction in healthy young individuals. This might represent a mechanistic link between mental stress and atherogenesis.