Cystic fibrosis: Synthesis of ciliary inhibitor by amniotic cells

The presence of a ciliary inhibitor in media of cultured amniotic cells obtained from a fetus heterozygous for cystic fibrosis has been observed by the oyster gill cilia assay. The chromatographic fraction containing the inhibitor corresponded to eluted fractions chromatographed from cystic fibrosis fibroblast media and serum. An analogous chromatographic fraction from media of cultured amniotic cells from two proportedly normal fetuses did not inhibit cilia. The chromatographic fraction from media of cultured amniotic cells of a fetus at high risk for cystic fibrosis did not inhibit ciliary activity. Serum was collected from this baby seven weeks after birth and also did not inhibit ciliary action, indicating a homozygous normal genotype. These observations may lead to the development of an antenatal test for cystic fibrosis.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling is required for cardiac valve formation in zebrafish.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-receptors (VEGF-Rs) are pivotal regulators of vascular development, but a specific role for these receptors in the formation of heart valves has not been identified. We took advantage of small molecule inhibitors of VEGF-R signaling and showed that blocking VEGF-R signaling with receptor selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, PTK 787 and AAC 787, from 17-21 hr post-fertilization (hpf) in zebrafish embryos resulted in a functional and structural defect in cardiac valve development. Regurgitation of blood between the two chambers of the heart, as well as a loss of cell-restricted expression of the valve differentiation markers notch 1b and bone morphogenetic protein-4 (bmp-4), was readily apparent in treated embryos. In addition, microangiography revealed a loss of a definitive atrioventricular constriction in treated embryos. Taken together, these data demonstrate a novel function for VEGF-Rs in the endocardial endothelium of the developing cardiac valve.     

Transfusion-induced specific anti-factor XI inhibitor in a patient with previously unrecognized factor XI deficiency

This article reports the rare occurrence and investigation of a specific anti-factor XI inhibitor that arose after fresh-frozen plasma infusion into a patient with previously unrecognized Factor XI deficiency. The IgG fraction of the patient's plasma that contained anti-Factor XI antibody was isolated by chromatography on DEAE-Affigel and concentrated. It was shown to exert inhibitory effect on purified Factor XI and XIa both in the activated and nonactivated partial thromboplastin time assay.     

Extra-hypothalamic afferent inputs to the supraoptic nucleus area of the rat as determined by retrograde and anterograde tracing techniques

To detect neuronal cell bodies whose axon projects to the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus, small volumes (10-50 nl) of 30% horseradish peroxidase or 2% fast blue solutions were pressure-injected into the area of one supraoptic nucleus of rats. Both dorsal and ventral approaches to the nucleus were used. In animals where the injection site extended beyond the limits of the supraoptic nucleus, retrogradely labelled cell bodies were found in many areas of the brain, mainly in the septum, the nucleus of the diagonal band of Broca and ventral subiculum in the limbic system; the dorsal raphe nucleus, the locus coeruleus, the nucleus of the dorsal tegmentum, the dorsal parabrachial nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the catecholaminergic A1 region in the brain stem; in the subfornical organ and the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, as well as in the median preoptic nucleus. In contrast, when the site of injection was apparently restricted to the supraoptic nucleus, labelling was only clearcut in the two circumventricular organs, the median preoptic nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the A1 region. Injections of wheat germ agglutinin coupled with horseradish peroxidase (60-80 nl of a 2.5% solution) made in the septum and in the ventral subiculum anterogradely labelled fibers coursing in an area immediately adjacent to the supraoptic nucleus but not within it. In contrast, labelling within the nucleus was found following anterograde transport of tracer deposited in the A1 region and in an area that includes the nucleus of the solitary tract. Neurones located in the perinuclear area were densely labelled by small injections into the supraoptic nucleus; they may represent a relay station for some afferent inputs to the supraoptic nucleus. These results suggest that the supraoptic nucleus is influenced by the same brain areas which project to its companion within the magnocellular system, the paraventricular nucleus.     

Cellular vaccine therapy for cancer

Observations that cells of the immune system are able to kill tumor cells both in vitro and in animal models have provided a compelling rationale for pursuit of a strategy whereby immune cells are administered as a therapeutic vaccine to patients with cancer. The successful outcome of this approach depends upon the ability to deliver this therapy in a manner in which a potent immune response is elicited. By harnessing the capacity of dendritic cells that are pivotal in priming the immune response and using gene therapy approaches to optimise the immune response, this may ultimately prove efficacious in the management of human cancer. Promising reports from recent clinical trials suggest that this may well be a realistic goal.     

New mental retardation syndrome associated with ocular colobomas, cleft palate, and genital, skeletal, and craniofacial abnormalities.

We describe three Canadian brothers of Cree origin, with a previously undescribed pattern of malformation including distinctive craniofacial abnormalities with triangular facies, hypertelorism, low-set and posteriorly rotated ears, ocular colobomas, ptosis, brachycephaly with widely separated sutures, cleft soft palate, undescended testes, bifid scrotum and hypospadius, wide webbed neck, webbed fingers, pectus excavatum and hypersegmented sternum, and severe psychomotor retardation. The presence of normal brain imaging and physical growth distinguishes them from other syndromes with overlapping abnormalities. This is either an X-linked or autosomal recessive condition.     

Familial Alzheimer disease associated with A713T mutation in APP

Mutations in APP are associated with familial early-onset Alzheimer disease (FAD). Examination of the genomic sequence in one patient with FAD revealed a change located in the axon 17 of the APP gene at position 275329G>A (GenBank accession number: D87675; GI: 2429080); cDNA sequence 2137G>A (GenBank accession number: X06989; GI: 28720). This corresponds to the mutation A713T in APP. AD stage VI of neurofibrillary degeneration and stage C of Aβ-amyloid burden was found at the post-mortem neuropathological examination. Previous studies have suggested that the mutation A713T in APP is a silent mutation or polymorphism. However, we have not found this change in APP in a control population analyzed by the amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS). It is concluded that A713T in APP is implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Since the immunohistochemical study indicates that A713T mutation is not likely to relate with Aβ-amyloid processing, the causative role of this rare mutation remains to be warranted.     

Electric activity in the neocortex of freely moving young and aged rats

Electroencephalographic activity of the neocortex was evaluated in young (5-7 months) and aged (26-28 months) rats. All animals in the aged group showed behavioral impairment in a spatial task (water maze). A neocortical electroencephalogram was derived simultaneously from 16 different neocortical locations and was subjected to spectral analysis. The frequency of occurrence and duration of high-voltage spindles was determined in two sessions, each involving a total of 30 min alert immobility. Changes in spectral characteristics and high-voltage spindles in response to scopolamine administration were also evaluated. The power of high-frequency activity (8-20 Hz) was significantly reduced in the aged subjects. This was greatest in the temporo-occipital regions, while no significant changes were seen in the mediofrontal region. Scopolamine resulted in a large power increase in all frequency bands, but the increase in the higher-frequency range (8-20 Hz) was significantly less in the aged group. The incidence of high-voltage spindles was 6 times higher and their total duration was 9 times longer in aged rats, with virtually no overlap with the young group. In young rats, scopolamine increased the incidence and total duration of high-voltage spindles, while it decreased both parameters in the aged subjects. Cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis appeared shrunken in the aged animals. These findings demonstrate that reliable electroencephalographic changes are present in the neocortex of the aged rat, and that some of the physiological alterations may be due to the pathological changes in the cholinergic nucleus basalis.