Prostaglandin D synthase (beta-trace) in healthy human sleep

STUDY OBJECTIVES: The prostaglandin D system plays an important role in animal sleep. In humans, alterations in the prostaglandin D system have been found in diseases exhibiting sleep disturbances as a prominent symptom, such as trypanosoma infection, systemic mastocytosis, bacterial meningitis, major depression, or obstructive sleep apnea. Assessment of this system's activity in relation to human physiologic sleep was the target of the present study. DESIGN: Serum concentrations of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS, former beta-trace), and plasma levels of the pineal hormone melatonin were measured in 20 healthy humans (10 women, 10 men; aged: 23.3 +/- 2.39 years) at 4-hour intervals over a period of 5 days and nights, which included physiologic sleep, rapid eye movement sleep deprivation, and total sleep deprivation. In addition, the serum L-PGDS and plasma melatonin levels of 6 subjects were determined under conditions of bright white (10,000 lux) or dark red light (< 50 lux) in a crossover design during total sleep deprivation. Nocturnal blood sampling was performed by a through-the-wall tube system. L-PGDS was measured by an automated immunonephelometric assay, and melatonin was analyzed by direct radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Serum L-PGDS concentrations showed marked time-dependent changes with evening increases and the highest values at night (P < .0005). This nocturnal increase was suppressed during total sleep deprivation (P < .05), independent of external light conditions and melatonin secretion. Rapid eye movement sleep deprivation had no impact on circulating L-PGDS levels. CONCLUSIONS: The circadian L-PGDS pattern and its suppression by total sleep deprivation indicate an interaction of the prostaglandin D system and human sleep regulation. L-PGDS measurements may well provide new insights into physiologic and pathologic sleep regulation in humans.     

Systemic and mucosal antibody responses specific to SARS-CoV-2 during mild versus severe COVID-19

1. Download : Download high-res image (64KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

Update on Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis Typing Based on Nucleotide Sequence Variations in Internal Transcribed Spacer Regions of rRNA Genes

Pneumocystis carinii f. sp. hominis isolates from 207 clinical specimens from nine countries were typed based on nucleotide sequence variations in the internal transcribed spacer regions I and II (ITS1 and ITS2, respectively) of rRNA genes. The number of ITS1 nucleotides has been revised from the previously reported 157 bp to 161 bp. Likewise, the number of ITS2 nucleotides has been changed from 177 to 192 bp. The number of ITS1 sequence types has increased from 2 to 15, and that of ITS2 has increased from 3 to 14. The 15 ITS1 sequence types are designated types A through O, and the 14 ITS2 types are named types a through n. A total of 59 types of P. carinii f. sp. hominis were found in this study.     

Molecular and phenotypic analysis of the CS54 island of Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium: identification of intestinal colonization and persistence determinants

The shdA gene is carried on a 25-kb genetic island at centisome 54 (CS54 island) of the Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium chromosome. In addition to shdA, the CS54 island of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium strain LT2 contains four open reading frames designated ratA, ratB, sivI, and sivH. DNA hybridization analysis revealed that the CS54 island is comprised of two regions with distinct phylogenetic distribution within the genus SALMONELLA: Homologues of shdA and ratB were detected only in serotypes of Salmonella enterica subsp. I. In contrast, sequences hybridizing with ratA, sivI, and sivH were present in S. enterica subsp. II and S. bongori in addition to S. enterica subsp. I. Deletion of the ratA and sivI genes did not alter the ability of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium to colonize the organs of mice. Insertional inactivation of the sivH gene resulted in defective colonization of the Peyer's patches of the terminal ileum but normal colonization of the cecum, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. Deletion of the shdA gene resulted in decreased colonization of the cecum and Peyer's patches of the terminal ileum and colonization to a lesser degree in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen 5 days post-oral inoculation of mice. A strain containing a deletion in the ratB gene exhibited a defect for the colonization of the cecum but not of the Peyer's patches, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. The shdA and ratB deletion strains exhibited a shedding defect in mice, whereas the sivH deletion strain was shed at numbers similar to the wild type. These data suggest that colonization of the murine cecum is required for efficient fecal shedding in mice.     

Tumor-associated macrophages express lymphatic endothelial growth factors and are related to peritumoral lymphangiogenesis

Formation of lymphatic metastasis is the initial step of generalized spreading of tumor cells and predicts poor clinical prognosis. Lymphatic vessels generally arise within the peritumoral stroma, although the lymphangiopoietic vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF)-C and -D are produced by tumor cells. In a carefully selected collection of human cervical cancers (stage pT1b1) we demonstrate by quantitative immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization that density of lymphatic microvessels is significantly increased in peritumoral stroma, and that a subset of stromal cells express large amounts of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. The density of cells producing these vascular growth factors correlates with peritumoral inflammatory stroma reaction, lymphatic microvessel density, and indirectly with peritumoral carcinomatous lymphangiosis and frequency of lymph node metastasis. The VEGF-C- and VEGF-D-producing stroma cells were identified in situ as a subset of activated tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by expression of a panel of macrophage-specific markers, including CD68, CD23, and CD14. These TAMs also expressed the VEGF-C- and VEGF-D-specific tyrosine kinase receptor VEGFR-3. As TAMs are derived from monocytes in the circulation, a search in peripheral blood for candidate precursors of VEGFR-3-expressing TAMs revealed a subfraction of CD14-positive, VEGFR-3-expressing monocytes, that, however, failed to express VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Only after in vitro incubation with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lipopolysaccharide, or VEGF-D did these monocytes start to synthesize VEGF-C de novo. In conclusion VEGF-C-expressing TAMs play a novel role in peritumoral lymphangiogenesis and subsequent dissemination in human cancer.     

Untersuchungen zu Dynamik und Sauerstoffverbrauch des isolierten,spontan schlagenden Froschherzens

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe einer früher beschriebenen Meßkammer wurde bei 27 isolierten, spontan schlagenden Froschherzen Sauerstoffverbrauch, Schlagvolumen und Frequenz im Zeitraum von 1 Std registriert. In weiteren drei Versuchen wurde das dynamische Verhalten des Herzen im völligen Sauerstoffmangel untersucht. Dabei wurden folgende Ergebnisse gefunden:1. Nach Verbringen in die Meßkammer steigert das isolierte Froschherz bei auxotoner Tätigkeit mit konstanter Ausgangsbelastung spontan sein Schlagvolumen von einem niedrigen Anfangswert auf einen Maximalwert im Bereich von durchschnittlich 250 mm³ (=18 cm Wasser systolischer Druck), der in der folgenden Zeit beibehalten wird und relativ unabhängig von der Größe des Herzens ist.2. Dieser Maximalwert des Schlagvolumens sinkt bei zunehmendem Sauerstoffmangel infolge Verbrauchs aus einer anfänglich sauerstoffgesättigten Nährlösung nur sehr verzögert und langsam ab. Er beträgt nach 40–60 min bei einem Sauerstoffverbrauch von annähernd Null durchschnittlich noch 86% seiner Maximalhöhe.3. Die anfängliche Steigerung des Schlagvolumens tritt auch bei von vornherein bestehendem totalen Sauerstoffmangel ein. In diesem Fall sinkt das Schlagvolumen bald nach Erreichen des Maximalwerts langsam wieder ab. Die Frequenz liegt von Anfang an um ungefähr 30% tiefer und sinkt rascher ab. Das Minutenvolumen weist gegenüber den Versuchen mit Sauerstoffsättigung entsprechend niedrigere Werte auf.Die seit langem bekannte relative Sauerstoffunabhängigkeit des Froschherzens wird durch diese Versuche erneut bestätigt und für das spontan schlagende Herz präzisiert. Es wird gefolgert, daß diese relative Unabhängigkeit die quantitative Bestimmung des Sauerstoffverbrauchs methodisch erschwert. Die dabei möglichen Fehlerquellen und ihre Berücksichtigung werden diskutiert.Mit 3 TextabbildungenMit Hilfe der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft durchgeführt.     

Hormonal modulation of glomerular function

Glomeruli contain receptors for many hormones. Binding of angiotensin II (ANG II) or antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to glomerular mesangial cells elicits a contractile response. Other hormones induce synthesis of cyclic nucleotides (cAMP, cGMP). Glomeruli also synthesize several prostaglandins, renin, and ANG II. Micropuncture studies in Munich-Wistar rats have examined the effects of vasoactive drugs and hormones on the filtration process. Several vasodilators increase renal plasma flow in the dog and rat, but GFR remains relatively unchanged due to an offsetting fall in the ultrafiltration coefficient (Kf). Vasoconstrictor substances such as ANG II and norepinephrine cause declines in renal plasma flow and Kf, but GFR remains constant due to an increase in the transcapillary hydraulic pressure gradient. Antidiuretic peptides and parathyroid hormone also reduce Kf. Glomerular mesangial cells may regulate Kf by contracting and reducing glomerular capillary surface area. ANG II and ADH directly stimulate mesangial cell contraction in vitro. Other hormones appear to cause contraction by inducing local ANG II synthesis. These hormonal pathways are implicated in the pathogenesis of altered glomerular function in diverse forms of renal injury.     

Impaired sodium excretion, decreased glomerular filtration rate and elevated blood pressure in endothelin receptor type B deficient rats

The renal endothelin (ET) system, particularly the ET type B receptor, has been implicated in the regulation of sodium excretion and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). We analyzed kidney morphology and function in a rat strain characterized by complete absence of a functional ETB receptor. Due to Hirschsprung's disease limiting lifetime in these rats, studies were performed in 23-day-old rats. Kidney size and morphology (glomerular and interstitial matrix content, glomerular size and cell density and intrarenal vascular morphology) were normal in ETB-deficient rats. There were also no evidence of altered kidney cell cycle regulation in these rats. GFR was significantly lower, by 72% (P<0.001), in homozygous ETB-deficient rats than in wild-type rats. Fractional sodium excretion was likewise markedly reduced by 84% in homozygous ETB-deficient rats (P<0.001 versus wild-type rats). Treatment with the specific epithelial sodium channel blocker amiloride led to a much higher increase in fractional sodium excretion in ETB-deficient rats (934.2+/-73% in ETB-deficient rats versus 297+/-20% in wild-type rats, expressed as percentage of corresponding placebo treated control; P<0.001). Mean arterial blood pressure was elevated by 7.9 mmHg in homozygous ETB-deficient rats (P<0.05 versus wild-type rats). Our study demonstrates that ETB-deficiency causes early onset kidney dysfunction characterized by a markedly reduced sodium excretion, decreased GFR, and slightly elevated blood pressure. The complete absence of the ETB receptor causes in the kidney--in contrast to the colon--a functional rather than a developmental, neural crest cell dependent disease, since kidney morphology was normal in ETB-deficient rats. The much higher increase in the fractional sodium excretion in ETB-deficient rats after pharmacological blockade of the epithelial sodium channel indicates that the decreased fractional sodium excretion in ETB-deficient rats is most probably due to a lack of the inhibitory property of the ETB receptor on the epithelial sodium channel activity.