Lack of Efect of Short-term Lupin Grain Feeding on Ovulation Rate in Non-prolific Polish Mountain Ewes during the Breeding Season: Ultrasonographic and Endoscopic Assessment of Ovarian Activity.

The specific changes in antral follicle numbers and wave-like development have remained unrevealed in cyclic ewes fed high-protein, high-energy lupin grain for 6 days during the luteal phase of the estrous cycle (i.e., short-term nutritional flushing). This study was mainly conducted to determine ovarian effects of the 6-day lupin grain feeding in non-prolific Polish Mountain ewes, using transrectal ovarian ultrasonography and abdominal videoendoscopy. Estrus and ovulations were synchronized in 24 ewes with progestin-releasing intravaginal sponges for 12 days during the middle portion of the breeding season (September-October; 50.0458°N, 19.8406°E). Twenty-four ewes were assigned to three equal groups (n=8 each), including the Control group being fed the maintenance diet (i.e., hay-only), Treatment 1 receiving 500 g of lupin grain once a day, and Treatment 2 receiving 250 g of lupin grain twice a day, from days 9-14 of the synchronized estrous cycle (day 0=first ovulation of the interovulatory period studied). No differences were observed in the mean ovulation rate among the three groups of Polish Mountain ewes (P>0.05). Ovarian antral follicles emerging in the penultimate wave of the estrous cycle in Treatment 2 ewes had a longer growth phase (p <0.05) and attained a greater diameter (p <0.05) before ovulation, in comparison to those in the other two groups. A final wave of the interovulatory interval emerged ~1 day earlier in Treatment 2 than in Treatment 1 ewes (p <0.05). Nutritional supplementation with lupin grain increased the number of 3-mm follicles in Treatment 2 ewes (p <0.05). The results of this study indicated that short-term nutritional flushing with lupin grain from mid- to late luteal phase did not consistently enhance ovulatory responses in non-prolific genotypes of ewes. Although the administration of lupins altered the timing of wave emergence, ovulatory follicle diameter, or duration of different stages of the follicular lifespan, it failed to increase the number of ovulatory follicles emerging in the penultimate and final waves of the estrous cycle in non-prolific Polish Mountain sheep.

Measurements of circulating progesterone and estrone sulfate concentrations as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in porcine pregnancy revisited.

The main goal of this study was to examine the utility of measuring systemic concentrations of steroid hormones, namely progesterone (P4) and estrone sulfate (E1S), for monitoring the progression of porcine pregnancy and predicting sow fertility. There were 3 subsets of artificially inseminated (AI'd) sows used in the present experiments: (i) animals sacrificed on gestational day 20 (gd20; n = 16) or (ii) gd50 (n = 16; Experiment 1), and (iii) animals maintained throughout pregnancy (n = 24; Experiment 2). Blood samples (10 mL) were drawn from the orbital sinus and the endocrine data determined at different time points around ovulation/artificial insemination (gd0 (first AI), gd1 (second AI), and gd2) and maternal recognition of pregnancy (gd11), as well as on gd20 and gd50 (during 2 periods of increased embryonic/fetal mortality in swine) were examined for correlations with the numbers of healthy, arrested, and reabsorbing embryos (Experiment 1) or with the number of live, stillborn, and mummified piglets recorded at farrowing (Experiment 2). No correlations were recorded between circulating concentrations of both steroids and the numbers of healthy, arresting, or reabsorbing conceptuses on gd20 or 50 (Experiment 1). The number of corpora lutea (CL) was directly related to the number of healthy embryos/conceptuses on gd20 and 50 (r = 0.71, P = 0.007 and r = 0.76, P = 0.0007, respectively) and the number of arresting embryos on gd20 (r = 0.54, P = 0.05), and negatively correlated with the number of reabsorbing embryos on gd20 (r = -0.53, P = 0.05). In Experiment 2, circulating P4 concentrations on gd11 related directly to the number of live-born piglets (r = 0.46, P < 0.04). Systemic E1S concentrations on gd0, gd1, gd2 and gd50 were correlated with the number of mummified conceptuses recorded at farrowing (r = 0.50, P = 0.03; r = 0.59, P = 0.01; r = 0.48, P = 0.04; and r = 0.56, P = 0.01, respectively) and plasma concentrations of E1S on gd20 related directly to the number of stillborn piglets (r = 0.60, P = 0.02). In summary, the number of CL on gd20 and 50 is a reliable marker of embryonic/fetal pig status. Measurements of P4 and E1S on gd20 and 50 showed limited diagnostic value (ie, were not indicative of the number of healthy and abnormally developing embryos/fetuses). However, measurements of circulating P4 and E1S concentrations during the periconceptional period and in the early/mid-pregnancy of sows have the makings of a practical method to predict gestational outcomes.

The influence of azaperone treatment at weaning on reproductive function in sows: ovarian activity and endocrine profiles during the weaning-to-ovulation interval.

Azaperone can reduce stress caused by weaning and relocation of breeding sows, but its effects on reproductive processes are still poorly understood. The primary aim of this study was to describe and compare the endocrine and ovarian activity in ultrasonographically monitored second parity sows, with or without azaperone treatment at weaning (2 mg/kg BW i.m.). The intervals from weaning to the onset of estrus and ovulation were both greater (P<0.05) in azaperone-treated (n=12) than in control sows (n=12) by ~12 h. Mean daily growth rates of identified antral follicles were less (P<0.05) in azaperone-treated than in control sows (1.08±0.17 v.1.23±0.18 mm/day; mean±SD) and treated animals exceeded (P<0.05) controls in the mean ovulation rate (13.7±1.3 v. 12.6±1.2). A transient suppression of cortisol release was observed in the treatment group (at 10 and 30 min after azaperone injections) but circulating cortisol concentrations were variable in both groups of sows for the remainder of the study. The preovulatory rise in LH and estradiol secretion was delayed (P<0.05), and the duration of the LH surge was greater (P<0.001) in azaperone-treated sows compared with their control counterparts. The amplitude of episodic fluctuations in serum cortisol concentrations was correlated with the number of stillborn piglets in control sows (r=0.63, P=0.04). The amplitude and concentration of the preovulatory rise in estradiol secretion were negatively correlated with ovulatory response and litter size (r=-0.63 to -0.82, P<0.05), whereas the time at which the LH surge ended was directly related to the number of live-born piglets (r=0.82, P=0.002) in azaperone-treated animals. The present results indicate that administration of azaperone at weaning had a profound effect on preovulatory LH secretion as well as growth kinetics and estrogenicity of ovarian antral follicles. However, the causative associations among various characteristics of the preovulatory LH discharge, ovarian and adrenal steroid secretion post-weaning, and reproductive variables in sows remain equivocal.

Effect of altering the intervals between consecutive superovulatory doses of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone on ovarian responses and embryo yields in anestrous ewes.

The effect of varying intervals between successive gonadotropin injections on the superovulatory outcomes in anestrous Rideau Arcott ewes superstimulated for ovarian follicular development with multiple doses of porcine FSH (pFSH) was evaluated in a single study. Twenty-five animals received six (1×2.5ml and 5×1.25ml) injections of Folltropin®-V given at 0800 and 1600h or at 0800 and 2000h in Group 1 (n=9) or Group 2 (n=16), respectively. An i.m. injection of 500 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG; Folligon®) was given concurrently with the first pFSH dose. Time of estrus was synchronized among ewes with intravaginal sponges containing 60mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (Veramix®) that were left in place for 14days; sponges were removed at the time of the 5th pFSH injection. Six days after insertion of MAP sponges, all ewes received an i.m. injection of estradiol-17ß dissolved in 1ml of sesame oil (350µg/ewe) to synchronize follicular wave emergence. Following the last pFSH dose, all animals were given a single i.m. injection of 50µg of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; Cystorelin®) to induce ovulations before placing in a pen with four fertile rams for 36h. The ovarian responses were assessed and embryos recovered surgically 7days after GnRH injections. The mean number of corpora lutea was greater (P<0.05) in Group 1 compared with Group 2 ewes (21.0±2.9 compared with 10.4±1.6, respectively; mean±SEM) but there was no difference (P>0.05) in the number of transferable embryos (5.4±2.4 compared with 5.4±1.3/ewe, respectively), and Group 1 animals had significantly more degenerated embryos than Group 2 ewes (2.6±1.2 compared with 0.6±0.3/ewe, respectively). A superovulatory protocol wherein pFSH injections were given at 0800 and 1600h was more effective in terms of inducing multiple ovulations than the protocol with 12-h intervals between consecutive pFSH doses, but it was not associated with an increased production of transferable quality embryos by anestrous ewes.

Photodynamic therapy with green light for the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus - Preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: The standard treatment for lichen sclerosus (LS) is symptomatic and is primarily based on the chronic use of corticosteroids, sometimes resulting in unsatisfactory effects. Therefore, other non-pharmacological methods are being sought, which are less aggravating for the patient. LS can be treated topically by using photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Unfortunately, therapy with the red light is often connected with severe local pain during the illumination. Green light can also be characterised by its ability to turn on photodynamic reactions in cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was an evaluation into the efficacy and tolerance of 5-ALA-PDT with a green light (540nm±15nm) in 11 patients with chronic LS that were characterised by severe itching. The disease lasted from 1.5 to 4 years. All the patients were treated with three sessions of PDT. RESULTS: Following treatment with PDT, a significant improvement of local status, as well as a reduction of the main symptom (pruritus), were observed. No patient complained of severe pain during the sessions that would have required an interruption of irradiation or local application of analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results of using green light in PDT for superficial skin non-oncological lesions are very promising but require further studies.

Is progesterone the key regulatory factor behind ovulation rate in sheep?

Ovarian antral follicles in the ewe grow in an orderly succession, producing 3 to 4 waves per estrous cycle. In prolific sheep, some large antral follicles from the second-to-last wave of the estrous cycle are added to the ovulatory follicles emerging just before estrus to give a higher ovulation rate; it is feasible that regression of these follicles is prevented by an increase in serum concentrations of FSH or LH pulsatility at proestrus. Prolific sheep tend to have a shorter luteal phase than nonprolific ewes and there is a great deal of evidence that luteal progesterone (P4), in addition to regulating LH release, may govern the secretion of FSH heralding the emergence of follicular waves. The specific purpose of this study was to determine whether or not extending the duration of the luteal phase in prolific sheep to that typically seen in nonprolific breeds would alter the follicle wave dynamics and ovulation rate. In 2 separate experiments, exogenous P4 (7.5 mg per ewe intramuscularly) was administered on day 11 at PM and day 12 at AM (day 0 = first ovulation of the interovulatory interval studied) in moderately prolific Rideau Arcott × Polled Dorset ewes (experiment 1, n = 8) and highly prolific Olkuska ewes (experiment 2, n = 7; TRT), whereas the equinumerous groups of animals served as controls (CTR). Transrectal ovarian ultrasonography was performed daily, and jugular blood samples were drawn twice a day from day 9 until the next ovulation. Progesterone injections resulted in relatively uniform increments in serum P4 levels, but the mean duration of the interovulatory interval did not differ (P > 0.05) between TRT and CTR groups of ewes in either experiment. The mean ovulation rate post-treatment was 1.6 ± 0.2 vs 3.2 ± 0.4 (experiment 1, P < 0.001) and 3.2 ± 0.8 vs 4.0 ± 1.0 (experiment 2, P > 0.05) in TRT vs CTR, respectively. The number and percentage of ovulating follicles from the penultimate wave of the interovulatory interval studied was 0.25 ± 0.16 vs 1.75 ± 0.45 (P < 0.01) and 25.0 ± 16.4% vs 75.0 ± 16.4% (P < 0.05) in experiment 1, and 0.50 ± 0.30 vs 1.60 ± 0.40 (P < 0.05) and 13.8 ± 9.0% vs 53.4 ± 16.7% (P < 0.05) in experiment 2, for TRT vs CTR, respectively. In summary, administration of P4 at the end of diestrus decreased the incidence of ovulations from the penultimate wave of the estrous cycle in both the moderately and highly prolific strains of sheep, but it reduced the ovulation rate only in moderately prolific ewes.

Defining the histopathological changes induced by nonablative radiofrequency treatment of faecal incontinence--a blinded assessment in an animal model.

AIM: Nonablative radiofrequency (RF) sphincter remodelling has been used to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and faecal incontinence (FI). Its mechanism of action is unclear. We aimed to investigate the histomorphological and pathophysiological changes to the internal and external anal sphincter (IAS and EAS) following RF remodelling. METHOD: An experimental FI model was created in 12 female pigs: eight underwent RF 6 weeks following induction of FI (FI+RF) and four were untreated (UFI). Four animals served as controls (CG). Two blinded pathologists examined all haematoxylin and eosin and trichrome stained slides. RESULTS: Compared with the UFI group, histological examination of the IAS in the FI+RF group demonstrated an increased smooth muscle (SM)/connective tissue ratio (77.2 vs 68.1%, P < 0.05) and increased collagen I compared with collagen III content (67.2 vs 54.9%, P < 0.001). The RF+FI group exhibited greater SM bundle thickness compared with the UFI group (SM width 486.93 vs 338.59 µm, P < 0.01; height 4384.4 vs 3321.0 µm, P < 0.05). The EAS of the FI+RF animals showed a significantly higher type I/II fibre ratio (33.5 vs 25.2%, P = 0.023) and fibre type I diameter (67.2 vs 59.7 µm, P < 0.001) compared with the UFI group. Post-RF manometry showed higher basal (18.8 vs 0 mmHg, P < 0.001) and squeeze (76.8 vs 12.4 mmHg, P < 0.05) anal pressures. After RF treatment, the number of interstitial cells of Cajal was significantly reduced compared with the UFI and CG groups [0.9 (FI+RF) vs 6.7 (UFI) vs 0.7 (CG) per mm(2) , P < 0.001]. CONCLUSION: In an animal model nonablative RF appeared to induce morphological changes in the IAS and EAS leading to an anatomical state reminiscent of normal sphincter structure.

Fiber Bragg gratings in hole-assisted multicore fiber for space division multiplexing.

In this Letter we present, for the first time to our knowledge, the results of fiber Bragg grating (FBG) inscription in a novel microstructured multicore fiber characterized by seven single-mode isolated cores. A clear Bragg reflection peak can be observed in all of the 7 cores after one inscription process with a KrF nanosecond laser in a Talbot interferometer set up. We furthermore perform a numerical analysis of the effective refractive indices of the particular modes and compare it with the FBG inscription results. An experimental analysis of the strain and temperature sensitivities of all of the Bragg peaks is also included.

An influence of immunomodulation on Th1 and Th2 immune response in endometriosis in an animal model.

AIM: To assess the role of the Th1 and Th2 cellular response in the etiology of endometriosis observed in a rat model, with the use of the RESAN immunomodulator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative analysis of cytokines in blood serum typical of Th1 (TNF-α and INF-γ ) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) cell response in groups of rats, in which RESAN preparation was used as prophylaxis (Gr. I) or treatment (Gr. II) of endometriosis. RESULTS: The results indicated an increase in the level of cytokines in blood serum typical of Th2 cell response by comparing the second and third stages of the experiment in the second group of rats and a decrease in IL-4 and IL-10 between III and IV stages. There was a significant difference in cytokine levels during the third stage of the experiment by comparing I and II groups of rats. In the III group of rats, levels of IL-10 significantly increased between the II and III stages of the experiment. CONCLUSION: RESAN preparation shows Th2 cell response, inhibiting the development of endometriosis in a rat model. Due to successful prophylactic action, one may speculate that RESAN vaccine may be effective as a complementary treatment after surgical excision.

Fibrolamellar variant of hepatocellular carcinoma does not have a better survival than conventional hepatocellular carcinoma--results and treatment recommendations from the Childhood Liver Tumour Strategy Group (SIOPEL) experience.

PURPOSE: Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC) and conventional hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases in two consecutive paediatric HCC trials were analysed to compare outcome and derive treatment implications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 24 FL-HCC (24% PRETEXT IV) and 38 HCC (42% PRETEXT IV) cases from SIOPEL-2 and -3 (1995-1998, 1998-2006) were analysed. Patients were treated according to SIOPEL-2 and -3 high-risk protocol (carboplatin+doxorubicin alternating with cisplatin; seven preoperative, three postoperative cycles) or with primary surgery followed by chemotherapy as indicated. RESULTS: Thirteen of 24 FL-HCC (54%) and 32/38 HCC (84%) were initially treated with chemotherapy. Eight FL-HCC (33%) and five HCC patients (13%) had primary surgery. Partial response was observed in 31% of FL-HCC versus 53% of HCC patients (p=0.17). Complete resection was achieved in ten FL-HCC and seven HCC patients (p=0.08). Three-year event free survival (EFS) was 22% for FL-HCC versus 28% for HCC. Overall survival (OS) was not significantly different at 3 years follow up (42% for FL-HCC versus 33% for HCC, p=0.24). EFS/OS Kaplan-Meier curves did not differ significantly, with median follow up of 43 (FL-HCC) and 60 (HCC) months. No significant correlation was found between potential prognostic factors and OS. In the entire cohort nine out of 23 (39%) patients with complete resection or orthotopic liver transplantation versus 34/39 (87%) without successful surgical treatment, died. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term OS in FL-HCC and HCC is similar. With low response rates, complete resection remains the treatment of choice.

Pre-transplant myeloid dendritic cell deficiency associated with cytomegalovirus infection and death after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells critical for immunity. We previously demonstrated a significant association between pre-transplant blood myeloid dendritic cell (mDC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) deficiency and post-transplant BK viremia in renal transplant recipients. In the current post-hoc analysis, we studied the association of these same pre-transplant DC levels with other post-transplant outcomes. METHODS: Pre-transplant peripheral blood mDC and pDC levels were quantified using flow cytometry in 78 patients undergoing kidney transplantation. Post-transplant outcomes were analyzed, including infection, rejection, and patient death, with a median follow-up of 5.3 years. Associations between DC levels and outcomes were assessed using logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: An independent association of mDC levels with post-transplant cytomegalovirus infection (adjusted odds ratio 7.0, P = 0.01) and patient death (adjusted hazard ratio 13.0, P = 0.015) was found. No associations were demonstrated between levels of either DC subtype and bacterial infections or rejection. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-transplant mDC deficiency is significantly associated with CMV infection and death after kidney transplantation.

Seasonal effects of central leptin infusion on secretion of melatonin and prolactin and on SOCS-3 gene expression in ewes.

Recent studies have demonstrated photoperiodic changes in leptin sensitivity of seasonal mammals. Herein, we examined the interaction of season (long days (LD) versus short days (SD)) and recombinant ovine leptin (roleptin) on secretion of melatonin and prolactin (PRL) and on mRNA expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) in sheep. Twenty-four Polish Longwool ewes, surgically fitted with third ventricle (IIIV) cannulas, were utilized in a replicated switchback design involving 12 ewes per season. Within-season and replicate ewes were assigned randomly to one of three treatments (four ewes/treatment) and infused centrally three times at 0, 1 and 2 h beginning at sunset. Treatments were 1) control, Ringer-Locke buffer; 2) L1, roleptin, 0.5 microg/kg BW; and 3) L2, roleptin, 1.0 microg/kg BW. Jugular blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals beginning immediately before the start of infusions and continued for 6 h. At the end of blood sampling, a washout period of at least 3 days elapsed before ewes were re-randomized and treated with one of the treatments described above (four ewes/treatment). Ewes were then killed and brains were collected for MBH processing. Leptin treatments increased (P<0.001) circulating leptin concentrations compared with controls during both seasons in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, mean plasma concentrations of melatonin were greater (P<0.001) during LD than SD. However, leptin treatments increased melatonin concentrations during SD in a dose-dependent manner and decreased it during LD. Similarly, plasma concentrations of PRL were greater (P<0.001) during LD than SD. However, unlike changes in melatonin, circulating PRL decreased (P<0.001) in response to leptin during LD. Semi-quantitative PCR revealed that leptin increased (P<0.001) SOCS-3 expression in the MBH region during LD in a dose-dependent manner. Data provide evidence that secretion of photoperiodic hormones such as melatonin and PRL are inversely regulated by leptin during SD and LD. However, the increase in expression of SOCS-3 in the MBH during LD compared with SD fails to fully explain these effects.

Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung.

BACKGROUND: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults. Its appearance as a primary lung tumor is extremely rare. The cell origin of MFH remains controversial. The treatment of choice for MFH is surgical resection, while the role of chemo- and radiotherapy remains unclear. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 5 patients operated on for primary MFH in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Medical University in Gdansk between 1990 and 2000 was performed. RESULTS: Out of approximately 2000 patients operated on for primary malignant lung tumors, five (0.25 %) had MFH. The mean age of the 4 men and 1 woman was 62 years. In all cases radical resection was performed without adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy. Four patients died within 2 - 7 months after the operation, three of them from distant metastases. The follow-up of one patient is not available. One patient is alive 11 years after the operation. CONCLUSION: Although surgical resection of MFH is the treatment of choice in MFH, the results are unsatisfactory.

Blue-dye intraoperative sentinel lymph node mapping in early non-small cell lung cancer.

AIMS: The blue-dye staining method of sentinel lymph node identification in lung cancer patients has been scarcely reported. The study was designed to assess the sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive value (NPV) of intraoperative sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with non-small cell lung cancer by means of staining with colloid or water solution of blue dye. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten patients with clinically confirmed NO non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled into prospective study of intraoperative sentinel node identification. Four quadrants of the peritumoral tissue were injected with 4 ml of blue dye. After complete lymphadenectomy, all resected lymph nodes were examined with conventional hematoxylin-eosine staining. All negative sentinel nodes were searched for metastatic deposits with both serial sections and immunohistochemistry for cytokeratines. RESULTS: The blue-dye technique was characterized by unacceptably low sentinel node identification rate (IR) and low sensitivity (27% and 67% respectively). No significant differences were found in either the sensitivity or NPV among the colloid or water solutions of the blue dye applied. Although patent blue (colloid) was superior to water solution of methylene blue in identifying sentinel lymph node (identification rate 36% and 22% respectively) the sensitivity and NPV were lower (63% and 80% for patent blue and 75% and 92% for methylene blue respectively). CONCLUSION: The blue-dye staining method of sentinel node identification in non-small cell lung cancer patients is inadequate and should not be recommended for clinical use.

Lung function in patients operated for chronic pleural empyema.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate lung function after lung decortication in patients operated for chronic pleural empyema. METHODS AND MATERIALS: To determine the lung function after lung decortication in 20 men (71.4%) and 8 women (28.6%) a prospective evaluation of blood gases, spirometry, lung perfusion, ventilation, and alveolar permeability were performed 28 weeks (15-60 weeks) after the operation. RESULTS: Median lung perfusion on the affected side was 45.2% (26.1-55.3%) in 13 right and 36% (13.8-47.2%) in 15 left empyemas, and was within normal limits in 4/28 cases. The mean lung ventilation was 44.4% (21.5-54%) and 37% (18.9-50.6%) in patients affected on the right or left side, respectively. Ventilation perfusion inequality occurred in 22 patients (78.6%). Dynamic ventilation scintigraphy revealed impairment of epithelial integrity in 10 cases (35.7%). Individual analysis revealed that 15 patients (53.6%) showed a severe reduction in one of the examinations and 8 (28.6%) in more than one. CONCLUSIONS: Although the separate analysis of the different functional parameters revealed a mild reduction of lung function after decortication, in the majority of patients the impairment was more severe due to multilevel functional lung damage.

The effects of renal transplantation on circulating precursor dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen-presenting cells that induce and regulate immune responses. Recent advances allow accurate quantification of peripheral blood (PB) myeloid and plasmacytoid DC populations (mDC and pDC, respectively), although the response to renal transplantation (RT) remains unknown. METHODS: Using flow cytometry, PBDC levels were quantified in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing renal transplantation. RESULTS: PBDC levels were significantly reduced in ESRD patients pretransplantation compared to healthy controls, with further reduction noted immediately following a hemodialysis session. RT resulted in a dramatic decrease in both subsets, with a greater reduction of pDC levels. Both subset levels were significantly lower than in control patients undergoing abdominal surgery without RT. Subgroup analysis revealed significantly greater mDC reduction in RT recipients receiving antilymphocyte therapy, with preferential binding of antibody preparation to this subset. Samples from later time points revealed a gradual return of PBDC levels back to pretransplant values concurrent with overall reduction of immunosuppression. Finally, PBDC levels were significantly reduced in patients with BK virus nephropathy compared to recipients with stable graft function, despite lower overall immunosuppression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PBDC levels may reflect the degree of immunosuppression in renal allograft recipients. Furthermore, PBDC monitoring may represent a novel strategy to predict important outcomes such as acute rejection, long-term graft loss, and infectious complications.

Influence of oviductal fluid on ovine embryo viability.

The severe loss of developmental competence affecting fertilized ova when removed from the oviductal environment suggests that this organ plays a functional role in early embryonic development. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sheep heat-inactivated OF on the mortality rate of ovine embryos produced in vitro and transferred into recipients. As control groups we used embryos fertilized and cultured in media supplemented with different kinds of proteins (FCS, BSA). Transfer of embryos in the two pronuclei stage to the oviducts of synchronized recipients resulted in 60% of successfully termed pregnancies after incubation of embryos in OF, 40% in BSA and only 10% after FCS. All ewes were further assessed for pregnancy by ultrasonography 33, 53 and 80 days after embryo transfer. The highest embryo mortality appeared between day 33 and 52. We concluded that incubation of ovine oocytes in OF during the final period of the maturation process may play a functional role at the time of fertilization and early embryonic development.

[Use of pedicled radial forearm flaps for covering of extensive soft tissue defects in the upper extremity]. / Zastosowanie uszypulowanych platów promieniowych w pokrywaniu rozleglych ubytków tkanek miekkich konczyn górnych.

Results of treatment of 13 patients with extensive defects of soft tissues in the upper extremities treated with pedicled radial forearm flaps are presented (11 fascio-cutaneous flaps and 2 adiposo-cutaneous). The group included 5 females and 8 males aged 9-85 years (mean age: 37 years). The defects followed trauma in 12 cases and in one case it was the result of oncological resection. The flap was used as a primary procedure in 4 cases after amputation of the finger or degloving of the hand. The flap appeared very useful in delayed reconstructions in older patients with extensive defects of soft tissues and bones, especially in the elbow region. Complete survival of all flaps with very good late results were obtained. Donor sites were covered with skin grafts and healed correctly in 11 patients. In two patients healing of the donor site prolonged in time for over 6 weeks. No other complications were observed using this method.

Placental lactogen not growth hormone and prolactin regulates secretion of progesterone in vitro by the 40-45 day ovine corpus luteum of pregnancy.

The study was designed to compare the direct effect of three prolactin-like hormones on steroidogenesis of ovine luteal cells collected at day 40-45 of pregnancy. 100 ng/ml of ovine placental lactogen or 100 ng/ml of ovine growth hormone or 100 ng/ml of ovine prolactin were added to the media of luteal cell cultures. After 48 h incubation, all cultures were terminated and the media were frozen until further steroid analysis. To determine to what extent growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and lactogen (PL) regulate the activity of 3 beta-HSD, an enzyme involved in progesterone synthesis, the classical steroidal competitive inhibitor of 3 beta-HSD trilostane, was investigated for its effects on basal and GH-, PRL-, and PL-stimulated progesterone biosynthesis since there is a possibility that the luteotropic effect of these hormones are mediated via 3 beta-HSD. oPL resulted in an increase of progesterone secretion in a statistically significant manner, while GH or PRL had no effect on progesterone secretion. A decrease in progesterone secretion as an effect of 100 mM trilostane was observed in all culture types. An explanation for the luteotropic effect of PL and the lack of this effect for GH is that the GH receptor associates with a different molecule within the ovarian tissue and forms a heterodimeric receptor for PL, and the possibility that physiological effects of native oPL may be mediated through its binding to specific PL receptors, which have low affinities for oGH and oPRL.