Chitin particles induce size-dependent but carbohydrate-independent innate eosinophilia

Murine M? that phagocytose CMP develop into M1; this response depends on the size and the chemical composition of the particles. In contrast, recent studies concluded that chitin particles induce M2 and eosinophil migration, promoting acquired Th2 immune responses against chitin-containing microbes or allergens. This study examined whether these apparently inconsistent responses to chitin could be induced by variation in the size and chemical composition of the chitin particles. We compared the responses of M? with CMP, LCB, and Sephadex G-100 beads (>40 μm). Beads were given i.p. to WT mice and to mice deficient in a CRTH2, a receptor for the eosinophil chemoattractant PGD(2). In contrast to the M1 activation induced by CMP, i.p. administration of LCB or Sephadex beads induced within 24 h a CRTH2-dependent peritoneal eosinophilia, as well as CRTH2-independent activation of peritoneal M? that expressed Arg I, an M2 phenotype. LCB-induced M? exhibited elevated Arg I and a surface MR, reduced surface TLR2 levels, and no change in the levels of CHI3L1 or IL-10 production. Our results indicate that the effects of chitin in vivo are highly dependent on particle size and that large, nonphagocytosable beads, independent of their chemical composition, induce innate eosinophilia and activate M? expressing several M2, but not M1, phenotypes.     

Cofilin regulator 14-3-3zeta is an evolutionarily conserved protein required for phagocytosis and microbial resistance

Phagocytosis is an ancient cellular process that plays an important role in host defense. In Drosophila melanogaster phagocytic, macrophage-like hemocytes recognize and ingest microbes. We performed an RNAi-based in vitro screen in the Drosophila hemocyte cell line S2 and identified Abi, cpa, cofilin regulator 14-3-3ζ, tlk, CG2765, and CG15609 as mediators of bacterial phagocytosis. Of these identified genes, 14-3-3ζ had an evolutionarily conserved role in phagocytosis: bacterial phagocytosis was compromised when 14-3-3ζ was targeted with RNAi in primary Drosophila hemocytes and when the orthologous genes Ywhab and Ywhaz were silenced in zebrafish and mouse RAW 264.7 cells, respectively. In Drosophila and zebrafish infection models, 14-3-3ζ was required for resistance against Staphylococcus aureus. We conclude that 14-3-3ζ is essential for phagocytosis and microbial resistance in insects and vertebrates.     

Pelvic actinomycosis-like disease due to Propionibacterium propionicum after hysteroscopic removal of an intrauterine device

A female patient presented with episodes of fever and pain in the lower right abdomen after hysteroscopic removal of an intrauterine device 2 months earlier. Pelvic actinomycosis originating from a tubo-ovarian abscess was diagnosed with Propionibacterium propionicum, formerly known as Arachnia propionica, as causative agent.     

Outcome of hybrid stem fixation in osteoporotic female patients. A minimum five-year follow-up study

In osteoporotic patients cemented stems are usually used to achieve a good primary stability. However, when patients are obese or active the long-term survival of cemented prostheses is questioned. In these patients, a partially-cemented stem with a hybrid fixation could be advantageous. A hybrid stem was retrospectively evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 60 months (mean, 75 months) in 58 osteoporotic women: seventeen with a body mass index (BMI) >30 (obese), 41 with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 (overweight), and an UCLA score for activity level >6. At the latest follow up, the Harris hip score improved from 33.5 points preoperatively to 81.6 points, and the WOMAC score improved significantly. Three stems (4.9%) had an asymptomatic subsidence of less than 2.5 mm; no stem was revised. These results support the use of partially-cemented stems in heavy or active osteoporotic women.     

Parietal encoding of action in depth

The posterior parietal cortex is a crucial node in the process of coordinates transformation for the visual control of eye and hand movements. This conviction stems from both neurophysiological studies in the behaving monkey and from the analysis of the consequences of parietal lobe lesions in humans. Despite an extensive literature concerning varying aspects of the composition and control of eye and hand movements, there is little information about the physiological processes responsible for encoding target distance and hand movement in depth or about their control and impairment in parietal patients. This review is an attempt to provide a comprehensive picture from the fragmentary material existing on this issue in the literature. This should serve as a basis for discussion of what we consider to be a prototypical function of the dorsal visuomotor stream in the primate brain, that of encoding eye and hand movement in depth.     

A novel mutation of the GAA gene in a Finnish late‐onset pompe disease patient: Clinical phenotype and follow‐up with enzyme replacement therapy

Pompe disease is a rare, progressive disease leading to skeletal muscle weakness due to deficiency of the acid α‐glucosidase (GAA) enzyme. Herein we report the first diagnosed Finnish patient with a phenotype compatible with the late‐onset form of Pompe disease. Molecular genetic analysis of the GAA gene revealed a novel missense mutation, 1725C>A (Y575X), combined with a previously reported mutation, 1634C>T (P545L). Human recombinant α‐glucosidase enzyme (alglucosidase‐α) treatment was initiated for this patient at age 20 years. After 12 months she was no longer fully wheelchair‐bound, and muscle strength had improved. No disease progression was visible on muscle magnetic resonance imaging of the lower limbs, and the energy state of the muscle cells increased by 46% on phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Overall, our findings suggest that enzyme replacement therapy is indicated, even in patients with late‐onset Pompe disease, to halt disease progression and improve the quality of daily life. Muscle Nerve, 2009