HBcAg-specific cytokine production by CD4 T lymphocytes of children with acute and chronic hepatitis B

In the presented studies HBcAg-specific cytokine production (IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) was evaluated, by Th lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood of children with acute or chronic B hepatitis. Moreover, effect of IL-10 neutralization was examined on HBcAg-induced secretory response of Th lymphocytes obtained from children with chronic B hepatitis. The studies were performed on 12 children with acute self-limited B hepatitis and 20 children with chronic active B hepatitis. CD4 T cells were isolated from peripheral blood of the patients, cultured for 48h in presence of rHBcAg or in its absence (control). Production of studied cytokines was monitored using ELISPOT and ELISE assays. The course of acute self-limited B hepatitis was associated with preferential Th1-type response, manifested by elevated production of IFN-gamma and IL-2. On the other hand, in chronic B hepatitis a diminished response to HBcAg of both Th1 and Th2 types was disclosed, characterized by very low secretion of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-5. In parallel, preferential antigen-specific production of IL-10 was noted and its suppressive effect on HBcAg-induced response of Th1 cells. The results permitted to conclude that in children with acute self-limited B hepatitis preferential HBcAg-specific activation of Th1 lymphocytes may be of significance for efficient anti-HBV immune response. On the other hand, development of chronic B infection in children seems to be determined by disturbed HBcAg-specific functions of both Th1 and Th2 cells whereas activity of the disease may be controlled by anti-inflammatory response of antigen-presenting cells and/or of regulatory CD4 T lymphocytes, involving IL-10 production.     

Kinetics of gene expression in murine cutaneous graft-versus-host disease

The kinetics of gene expression associated with the development of cutaneous graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were examined in a mouse model of MHC-matched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Ear skin was obtained from recipient mice with or without GVHD between 7 and 40 days after transplantation for histopathological analysis and gene expression profiling. Gene expression patterns were consistent with early infiltration and activation of CD8(+) T and mast cells, followed by CD4(+) T, natural killer, and myeloid cells. The sequential infiltration and activation of effector cells correlated with the histopathological development of cutaneous GVHD and was accompanied by up-regulated expression of many chemokines and their receptors (CXCL-1, -2, -9, and -10; CCL-2, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, -11, and -19; CCR-1 and CCR-5), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, CD18, Ly69, PSGL-1, VCAM-1), molecules involved in antigen processing and presentation (TAP1 and TAP2, MHC class I and II, CD80), regulators of apoptosis (granzyme B, caspase 7, Bak1, Bax, and BclII), interferon-inducible genes (STAT1, IRF-1, IIGP, GTPI, IGTP, Ifi202A), stimulators of fibroblast proliferation and matrix synthesis (interleukin-1beta, transforming growth factor-beta1), and markers of keratinocyte proliferation (keratins 5 and 6), and differentiation (small proline-rich proteins 2E and 1B). Many acute-phase proteins were up-regulated early in murine cutaneous GVHD including serum amyloid A2 (SAA2), SAA3, serpins a3g and a3n, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor, and metallothioneins 1 and 2. The kinetics of gene expression were consistent with the evolution of cutaneous pathology as well as with current models of disease progression during cutaneous GVHD.     

Über die Rolle von Makrophagen in der Pathogenität des Vacciniavirus für junge Ratten

Zusammenfassung Das Vacciniavirus vermehrt sich schnell in den Organen von 1 tägigen Ratten, und die Tiere verenden am 2. oder 3. Tag nach der Infektion. In den Organen von 7 tägigen Ratten kann sich das Virus anfangs vermehren, später wird es aber eliminiert und die Tiere überleben. Bei 15tägigen Ratten wird das Virus eliminiert und die Tiere verenden nicht.Eintägige Ratten, die vor der Infektion Makrophagen erwachsener Tiere erhalten haben, kamen nicht ad exitum. Die Makrophagen von erwachsenen Ratten haben im Gegensatz zu Makrophagen von jungen Tieren die Fähigkeit, das phagozytierte Virus zu inaktivieren.Es wird daraus der Schluß gezogen, daß für die hohe Empfindlichkeit junger Ratten gegenüber Vacciniavirusinfektionen die funktionelle Unreife ihrer Makrophagen verantwortlich ist.

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The role of macrophages in the pathogenicity of vaccinia virus for young rats

Summary Vaccinia viruses grew rapidly in organs of 1-day-old rats, and the animals died 2 or 3 days after infection. In the organs of 7-day-old rats the viruses replicated initially, but were later eliminated and the animals survived. The 15-day-old rats were capable of eliminating the viruses completely and did not die. When macrophages of adult animals were transferred to 1-day-old rats before infection the rats did not die. The macrophages of adult rats destroyed phagocytized viruses while those of young animals did not.The results suggest that this susceptibility of young rats to vaccinia virus infection is due to the functionally immature state of their macrophages.

     

Freshly isolated bovine coronary endothelial cells do not express the BKca channel gene

Recent reports have suggested that different types of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels may be selectively expressed either in the vascular endothelial cells (ECs) or smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of a single artery. In this study, we directly compared mRNA, protein and functional expression of the high-conductance Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ (BK_Ca) channel between freshly isolated ECs and SMCs from bovine coronary arteries. Fresh ECs and SMCs were enzymatically isolated, and their separation verified by immunofluorescent detection of α-actin and platelet/endothelium cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) proteins, respectively. Subsequently, studies using a sequence-specific antibody directed against the pore-forming α-subunit of the BK_Ca channel only detected its expression in the SMCs, whereas PECAM-positive ECs were devoid of the α-subunit protein. Additionally, multicell RT-PCR performed using cDNA derived from either SMCs or ECs only detected mRNA encoding the BK_Caα-subunit in the SMCs. Finally, whole-cell recordings of outward K⁺ current detected a prominent iberiotoxin-sensitive BK_Ca current in SMCs that was absent in ECs, and the BK_Ca channel opener NS 1619 only enhanced K⁺ current in the SMCs. Thus, bovine coronary SMCs densely express BK_Ca channels whereas adjacent ECs in the same artery appear to lack the expression of the BK_Ca channel gene. These findings indicate a cell-specific distribution of Ca²⁺-activated K⁺ channels in SMCs and ECs from a single arterial site.     

Change in breast self-examination behavior: Effects of intervention on enhancing self-efficacy

This study evaluated a breast self-examination intervention to increase phase-specific self-efficacy and positive outcome expectancies. The role of social cognitive predictors in the process of behavior change was investigated. Using cluster randomization, participants were assigned to an intervention (n = 244) or to a control (n = 173) group. Controls were measured twice, with 13 weeks between the assessments. Respondents from the intervention group received the intervention before the 1st measurement. The increase in the number of self-examination components was significantly higher in the intervention group than among controls. Women who had never performed self-examinations before the intervention, as well as those who did it irregularly or incompletely, changed their behavior significantly. Results of structural equation modeling for a 2-group model showed that phase-specific self-efficacy was a significant predictor of intention, planning, and behavior change in the intervention group. In the control group, these relations were weaker or remained nonsignificant. Social cognitive variables measured in this study explained 15% of variance of behavior change in the control group and 29% of breast self-examination change in the intervention group.     

Cdc42 is crucial for the establishment of epithelial polarity during early mammalian development.

To study the role of Cdc42 in the establishment of epithelial polarity during mammalian development, we generated murine Cdc42-null embryonic stem cells and analyzed peri-implantation development using embryoid bodies (EBs). Mutant EBs developed endoderm and underlying basement membrane, but exhibited defects of cell polarity, cell-cell junctions, survival, and cavitation. These defects corresponded to a decreased phosphorylation and membrane localization of aPKC, a reduced phosphorylation of GSK3beta, and a diminished activity of Rac1. However, neither Rac1 nor the kinase function of GSK3beta seem to contribute to cell polarization and cell-cell contacts. In contrast, EBs expressing dominant-negative (dn) PKCzeta mimicked well the phenotype of Cdc42-null EBs, suggesting a major role of aPKC in mediating cell polarization downstream of Cdc42. Finally, aggregation experiments with endodermal cell lines suggested that Cdc42 might affect formation of adherens and tight junctions by PKCzeta-dependent regulation of the protein levels of p120 catenin and E-cadherin.     

Neonatal social isolation alters both maternal and pup behaviors in rats

The development of emotional behavior is dependent on the early experiences of the infant and the quality of maternal care. In these experiments, the effects of social isolation during the preweaning period on both pup behavior and maternal responsivity were examined. In the first study, the number of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted after brief maternal separation was measured in neonatal rats with differing histories of social isolation. The social isolation procedure consisted of 5 days of daily separation from the dam and littermates for either 3 or 6 hr. At both ages tested, socially isolated pups vocalized significantly less than control pups. In the second study, the effects of prior isolation either daily for 5 previous days (Chronic Isolation) or for 4 hr prior to testing (Acute Isolation) were examined in a T-maze choice test. Pup vocalizations in the presence of the dam and dams' maternal behavior were assessed. When the dam was confined to the start box or during the maternal free access period, both Chronic and Acute Isolates vocalized less than pups that had never left the home nest. Dams spent more time with and licked and groomed more frequently and for a longer time both Chronic and Acute Isolates compared to pups that had always been with dams in the home nest. These results suggest that early isolation experience can alter subsequent responses to separation stress in neonatal rats and that maternal behavior is sensitive to the prior experiences of offspring.     

Factors affecting attitude towards breastfeeding in public: a cross-sectional web-based study on Polish women

Journal of Public Health - Breastfeeding is believed to be beneficial to both mother and child. Although the percentage of Polish mothers who start breastfeeding after childbirth is relatively...     

Does Drinking Coffee and Tea Affect Bone Metabolism in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

Patients suffering from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are at higher risk of osteoporosis due to lower bone mineral density. Risk factors of osteoporosis are divided into unmodifiable, namely, age, gender, genetic factors, as well as modifiable, including diet, level of physical activity, and the use of stimulants. Coffee and tea contain numerous compounds affecting bone metabolism. Certain substances such as antioxidants may protect bones; other substances may increase bone resorption. Nevertheless, the influence of coffee and tea on the development and course of inflammatory bowel diseases is contradictory.