Induction of human ß-defensins and psoriasin in vulvovaginal human papillomavirus-associated lesions.

BACKGROUND: Infections with a low-risk type of human papillomavirus (HPV) may lead to genital warts. HPV targets the basal cell layer of epithelial cells. The first line of defense is the innate immune system, which provides nonspecific protection against a variety of pathogens. The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) α- and ß-defensins, cathelicidins, psoriasin, and RNase7 are central mediators. METHODS: The expression of various α- and ß-defensins, cathelicidin LL-37, psoriasin, and RNase7 was studied in biopsy samples from 35 patients with genital warts and 25 healthy women using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: We found a significantly higher expression of the ß-defensins hBD-1 (P = .03), hBD-2 (P < 0.01), and hBD-3 (P < .001), and psoriasin (P = .001) in condylomata acuminata, compared with normal controls. The RNA and protein levels of RNase7 did not differ between infected and uninfected samples (P = .55). The α-defensins HNP 1-3, HD5, and HD6 and the cathelicidin LL-37 were scarcely detectable in normal and infected tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The differing expression of AMPs in HPV-infected, compared with noninfected, vulvovaginal biopsy samples suggests that these peptides are important in the local immune response. Curiously, hBD-1 shows a significant induction whereas RNase7 does not, which suggests differing regulation of AMPs over the course of bacterial and viral infections.

Hardware Description Language for Optical Processing (hadlop): a Simulation Environment for Parallel Optoelectronic Architectures.

We present a simulation environment for parallel optoelectronic data-processing systems, and we especially consider the fusion of optoelectronic integrated circuits and optical interconnection modules. hadlop, which stands for hardware description language for optical processing, is a simulator that works at the digital design level. So far, hadlop has allowed algorithm and architecture studies for smart-pixel systems. We have just begun to extend the capabilities of hadlop toward an automatic synthesis tool for three-dimensional optoelectronic VLSI circuits. A hadlop architecture will then be the basis for the automatic generation of detailed construction plans that consider the interaction between optical interconnection modules and optoelectronic integrated circuits. The simulation system is freeware and is available through the Internet at http://www2.informatik.uni-jena.de/pope/HADLOP/hadlop.html.

"Reversible gastric banding" in surgical treatment of morbid obesity--results of animal experiments.

The basic principle of "reversible gastric banding" as a new surgical approach to morbid obesity treatment is the creation of a small fundus reservoir using a silicone cuff which is coiled around the stomach close to the cardia. The extent of obstruction corresponds to the amount of liquid in the cuff which can be varied by puncture of a valve implanted in the subcutis. The reversibility of gastric obstruction is the great advantage of this method as compared to vertical banded gastroplasty or gastric bypass. We studied this method in animal experiments using seven "Göttinger Minipigs". In two animals the objectives of the study were reached, the observed complications, mostly caused by the nature of the test animal, are analyzed and discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature on animal experiments in bariatric surgery.