The CD94/NKG2 C-type lectin receptor complex

A multigene family of human Ig-SF receptors and members of the murine Ly49 C-type lectin family are involved in natural killer (NK) cell-mediated recognition of MHC class I molecules. The human CD94 glycoprotein covalently assembles with different C-type lectins of the NKG2 family. By functional criteria, the CD94/ NKG2-A (kp43) receptor complex appears also involved in NK cell-mediated recognition of different HLA class I allotypes. Similarly to the other NK inhibitory receptors, NKG2-A contains cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). By contrast, NK clones bearing a different receptor complex (CD94/ p39) are triggered upon ligation by CD94-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs); the p39 subunit is likely encoded by other member(s) of the NKG2 family. Expression of the different CD94/ NKG2 complexes is warranted to precisely assess their specific interaction with HLA class I molecules, and the molecular basis for their divergent functional properties.     

Polysilanes fonctionnels, 3. Synthèse d'α,ω-bis(triméthylsilyl)oligo(méthylphénylsilane)s précurseurs des α,ω-bis(triméthylsilyl)oligo(chlorométhyl-silane)s. Charactérisation des heptaméthyl phényl-2 trisilane et octaméthyl diphényl-2,3 tétrasilane

Low-molecular-weight organosilane polymers were prepared by sodium coupling of dichloro-methylphenylsilane ( 1 ) with chlorotrimethylsilane ( 2 ). Gel permeation chromatography (GPC), IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si) analysis of the crude product ( 3 ) were performed and compared with those of the isolated first oligomers, trisilane ( 3a ) and tetrasilane ( 3b ). The GPC characteristics, especially high resolution ones, in accordance with the α,ω-bis(trimethylsilyl)-oligo(methylphenylsilane) structure are compared with those of hydrocarbon polymers. The relations of the NMR characteristics of the methylphenylsilanediyl unit with the position along the chain and the configuration of the diads are approached. Some spectroscopic indications of the secondary structure are discussed.     

Posttraumatic stress disorder in primary care with special reference to personality disorder comorbidity

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and disabling disturbance in primary care. Few studies have been carried out in primary care samples and none have taken into consideration the association between PTSD and personality disorder. AIM: To describe prevalence and risk factors of PTSD and its comorbidity with personality disorder. SETTING: General practice centre in Valencia (Spain). METHOD: Patients who had experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives were selected from a random sample attending a primary healthcare centre in Valencia and blindly assessed by trained professionals. Patients suffering from PTSD were compared with those who were not. PTSD and personality disorder diagnoses were established using CIDI and SCID-II interviews respectively. Sex, age at the time of experiencing trauma, frequency, multiplicity and type of trauma, dissociative symptoms, personality disorder and severity of PTSD were subjected to multivariate analysis to estimate the probability of developing PTSD and its duration. RESULTS: Life prevalence rate was 14% and current prevalence 9%. Dissociative symptoms and personality disorder were significantly associated with PTSD. Cluster analysis based on age, frequency and type of trauma revealed the existence of one subgroup composed mainly of women who had experienced frequent body-contact trauma at an early age, developed severe PTSD and suffer from a variety of personality disorders, particularly paranoid personality disorder. Time to the complete disappearance of symptoms was only explained by the initial severity of PTSD. CONCLUSION: PTSD is a frequent disorder in general practice and it is often associated with personality disorder. Women who experienced high frequency body-contact traumatic events at an early age often suffer from personality disorder and present a particularly severe form of PTSD deserving referral to specialised care.     

CHARGE syndrome: developmental and behavioral data

Kabuki syndrome (KS) is associated with multiple organ system involvement. Characteristic features include long palpebral fissures with everted lower lids, prominent ears, skeletal abnormalities, mental retardation, and short stature. An increased incidence of infection has been reported in KS, and a few patients have been noted to have immune defects. However, the frequency and severity of the immune deficiency has not been clearly defined. Immunologic evaluation of 19 consecutive individuals with KS was performed at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Decreased IgA levels were noted in 15/19 individuals (79%), 2 of whom had undetectable levels. Eight patients (42%) also had low total IgG levels. Specific IgG subclass abnormalities were found in 6 of 13 patients evaluated. IgM levels were less frequently decreased. One patient failed to generate anti-tetanus antibodies despite immunization. This study suggests that hypogammaglobulinemia is a frequent finding in children with KS. The pattern of antibody abnormalities seen in children with KS resembles common variable immune deficiency (CVID). Due to this increased susceptibility to infection, children with KS should have immunologic evaluations at the time of diagnosis in order to reduce preventable morbidity and mortality.     

Post traumatic brain perfusion SPECT analysis using reconstructed ROI maps of radioactive microsphere derived cerebral blood flow and statistical parametric mapping

Background  

Assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) by SPECT could be important in the management of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) because changes in regional CBF can affect outcome by promoting edema formation and intracranial pressure elevation (with cerebral hyperemia), or by causing secondary ischemic injury including post-traumatic stroke. The purpose of this study was to establish an improved method for evaluating regional CBF changes after TBI in piglets.     

Interleukin-1 gene complex in schizophrenia: an association study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between three polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene complex and schizophrenia. We genotyped 228 outpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV criteria) and 419 unrelated healthy controls. The following polymorphisms were analyzed: IL-1alpha -889 C/T, IL-1beta +3953 C/T, and IL-1RA (86 bp)n. No significant differences in genotype or in allelic distribution of the Il-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1RA polymorphisms were found. Estimated haplotype frequencies were similar in both groups. Our data do not suggest that genetically determined changes in the IL-1 gene complex confer increased susceptibility for schizophrenia.     

Mast cell myositis: a new feature of allergic asthma?

There is some evidence that, in asthma, mast cells infiltrate the airway smooth muscle layer and, as a consequence, alter the functional and structural properties of myocytes. This inflammation so-called mast-cell myositis, probably contributes to both bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling. Previous observations have pointed out the presence of mast cells within airway smooth muscle of atopic patients and recent data obtained in asthmatic patients demonstrate that this infiltration is more important in asthmatic patients with atopy. Although the mechanism of such a mast cell attraction remains to be fully understood, experimental data demonstrate that, upon stimulation by tryptase or cytokines, smooth muscle cells can attract mast cells through the production of TGF-beta1 or SCF. Once at the site of inflammation, activated mast cells are responsible for an important extracellular deposition of inflammatory products that may facilitate the increase in smooth muscle mass. In addition, comparison of asthmatic patients with and without atopy suggests that mast cell myositis is closely related with atopy.     

DNA polymerase gene locus of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1</Emphasis> is a suitable target for specific and rapid identification of viral infection by PCR technology

The family Herpesviridae comprises at least 100 herpesviruses. Numerous human and animal pathogenic herpesviruses have been identified so far, including Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (CeHV-1). This virus is a member of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae and is the most hazardous herpesvirus to man. CeHV-1 is also known as B-virus or monkey B virus and as Herpesvirus simiae. In order to gain more genetic information, the viral DNA polymerase (DPOL) gene was identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA nucleotide sequence analysis. The deduced amino acid sequence contains the motifs and signatures that are typical for the B-family of DPOLs. The DPOL gene of CeHV-1 was found to be a suitable target for the specific and rapid identification of the Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 infection by PCR technology. Comparative analysis of the DNA sequences of the DPOL gene loci of CeHV-1, Human herpesvirus 1 and 2 (HHV-1 and HHV-2), and other herpesviruses was carried out for determination of unique genomic regions of the individual DPOL genes. A primer set of 12 primers was used for screening the DNA of CeHV-1, HHV-1, and HHV-2 by detailed PCR. It was found that six out of twelve primer combinations are able to detect specifically the CeHV-1 genome without cross reactivity with the genome of HHV-1 and/or HHV-2. The specificity of the individual amplified DNA fragments was confirmed by DNA nucleotide sequence analysis. The results of these studies indicate that the six primer combinations of the specific CeHV-1 DPOL primer set is the method of choice for a rapid, precise and specific identification of a CeHV-1 infection by PCR. Due to the fact that this specific CeHV-1 DPOL primer set does not amplify any DNAs of HHV-1 or HHV-2 genome this technology is stressing and can be successfully used unlimited and more credible in all laboratories with PCR technical facility routinely for detection of a CeHV-1 infection in vivo or in vitro.The GenBank Accession No. of the sequence of DNA polymerase gene of Cercopithecine herpesvirus 1 (CeHV-1) reported in this study is AY568415, DPOL protein ID AAT67222; nuclear phosphoprotein ID AAT67223     

Theta coupling in the human electroencephalogram during a working memory task

The role of coupling between prefrontal and temporo-parietal brain areas within the theta frequency range of the human electroencephalogram was explored in a working memory task. During encoding of visual information higher theta amplitudes were observed in the right compared to the left hemisphere. Retrieval of visuospatial and verbal information elicited a more bilateral activation pattern. These effects were accompanied by theta coupling between dorsolateral prefrontal and right posterior temporal electrode sites during encoding. During retrieval prefrontal and bilateral temporo-parietal brain areas were coupled. These results support the idea of working memory functions being dependent on distributed prefrontal-temporal networks.