Verrucous carcinoma of the skin associated with syringadenoma papilliferum: a case report

We report the case of a 67-year-old man with a granular, cauliflower-pink lesion on the skin of the thigh. Histopathological study showed a typical verrucous carcinoma associated with a syringadenoma papilliferum. To our knowledge this association has not been previously reported.     

Glycine modulation of the phencyclidine binding site in mammalian brain

Neurophysiological studies have shown that glycine potentiates the NMDA response in cultured neurons by a strychnine-insensitive mechanism. Autoradiographic data have demonstrated a correspondence between strychnine-insensitive [3H]glycine binding sites and NMDA-sensitive [3H]glutamate binding sites. Here we report that in synaptic plasma membranes from rat brain, the binding of a PCP analog, [3H]TCP, was enhanced more than 5-fold by 1 microM glycine. This glycine stimulation of binding of [3H]TCP was blocked by the competitive NMDA-receptor antagonist, D-AP7. These data provide support for the hypothesis that a unique amino acid recognition site is associated with the proposed NMDA/PCP receptor complex in brain.     

Solid phase C1q microassay for the rapid detection of circulating immune complexes

A C1q solid phase microassay was designed for the rapid detection of circulating immune complexes. Its level of sensitivity is comparable to that of the Raji cell and greater than the C1q binding assay; furthermore, it is faster and low in cost. These conditions make it more practical and applicable in the clinical setting.     

Biphasic materials for bone grafting and hyperthermia treatment of cancer

Three biphasic materials have been synthesized from a magnetic glass-ceramic (Si-Ca-Fe) and a bioactive sol-gel glass (Si-P-Ca). The ratios of glass-ceramic:sol-gel glass used in this work were 1:1, 2:1, and 5:1. These materials show bioactive and magnetic properties and can be used as thermoseeds for hyperthermia treatment of bone tumors. The sol-gel glass content affects the textural properties of the glass-ceramic, giving rise to porosity, which plays a fundamental role in the formation of an apatite-like layer on the surface. On the other hand, as the sol-gel glass content increases, the magnetic properties change due to the diffusion of Fe ions to the glassy phases of the biphasic materials. The biphasic nature of these materials allows the changing of both properties, depending on the requirements of the patient.     

DC-SIGN mediates the binding of Aspergillus fumigatus and keratinophylic fungi by human dendritic cells

Human contact with fungi does not usually lead to pathological consequences, as the immune system manages to defeat the invader pathogens. Nevertheless, under immune suppression, fungi overcome immune defenses and cause diseases that range from nonserious colonizations of keratinizated tissue (Dermatophytosis) to life threatening disseminated infections (Aspergillosis). Host defenses against fungi rely on innate and adaptative responses, with dendritic cell (DC) and macrophage surface receptors having a major role in the recognition of fungal pathogens and in the orchestration of an effective immune response. DC-SIGN is a C-type lectin involved in the recognition of bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens, as well as in interactions between cells of the immune system. Its expression is restricted to DCs and subsets of macrophages. Here we show that DC-SIGN mediates the binding and capture of Aspergillus fumigatus and keratinophylic fungi, including Chrysosporium tropicum, by human DCs, describe the requirements of these interactions and discuss their potential involvement in the onset and persistence of pulmonary fungal infections.     

Mapping antigenic sites of an immunodominant surface lipoprotein of Mycoplasma agalactiae, AvgC, with the use of synthetic peptides

As a first step toward the design of an epitope vaccine to prevent contagious agalactia, the strongly immunogenic 55-kDa protein of Mycoplasma agalactiae was studied and found to correspond to the AvgC protein encoded by the avgC gene. The avg genes of M. agalactiae, which encode four variable surface lipoproteins, display a significant homology to the vsp (variable membrane surface lipoproteins) genes of the bovine pathogen Mycoplasma bovis at their promoter region as well as their N-terminus-encoding regions. Some members of the Vsp family are known to be involved in cytoadhesion to host cells. In order to localize immunogenic peptides in the AvgC antigen, the protein sequence was submitted to epitope prediction analysis, and five sets of overlapping peptides, corresponding to five selected regions, were synthesized by Spot synthesis. Reactive peptides were selected by immunobinding assay with sera from infected sheep. The three most immunogenic epitopes were shown to be surface exposed by immunoprecipitation assays, and one of these was specifically recognized by all tested sera. Our study indicates that selected epitopes of the AvgC lipoprotein may be used to develop a peptide-based vaccine which is effective against M. agalactiae infection.