Surface chemistry modulates focal adhesion composition and signaling through changes in integrin binding

Biomaterial surface properties influence protein adsorption and elicit diverse cellular responses in biomedical and biotechnological applications. However, the molecular mechanisms directing cellular activities remain poorly understood. Using a model system with well-defined chemistries (CH₃, OH, COOH, NH₂) and a fixed density of the single adhesive ligand fibronectin, we investigated the effects of surface chemistry on focal adhesion assembly and signaling. Surface chemistry strongly modulated integrin binding and specificity—₅β₁ integrin binding affinity followed the pattern OH>NH₂=COOH>CH₃, while integrin _Vβ₃ displayed the relationship COOH>NH₂OH=CH₃. Immunostaining and biochemical analyses revealed that surface chemistry modulates the structure and molecular composition of cell-matrix adhesions as well as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling. The neutral hydrophilic OH functionality supported the highest levels of recruitment of talin, -actinin, paxillin, and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins to adhesive structures. The positively charged NH₂ and negatively charged COOH surfaces exhibited intermediate levels of recruitment of focal adhesion components, while the hydrophobic CH₃ substrate displayed the lowest levels. These patterns in focal adhesion assembly correlated well with integrin ₅β₁ binding. Phosphorylation of specific tyrosine residues in FAK also showed differential sensitivity to surface chemistry. Finally, surface chemistry-dependent differences in adhesive interactions modulated osteoblastic differentiation. These differences in focal adhesion assembly and signaling provide a potential mechanism for the diverse cellular responses elicited by different material properties.     

Helminth fauna of Falconiform and Strigiform birds of prey in Galicia,Northwest Spain

This is a survey of the helminth fauna of 285 individuals of 14 species of birds of prey (Falconiformes and Strigiformes) from Galicia (northwest Spain), namely Buteo buteo, Accipiter nisus, A. gentilis, Milvus migrans, M. milvus, Pernis apivorus, Circus pygargus, Falco tinnunculus, F. peregrinus, F. subbuteo, Tyto alba, Strix aluco, Asio otus and Athene noctua. A total of 15 helminth species were detected, namely 8 nematodes (Eucoleus dispar, Capillaria tenuissima, Synhimantus laticeps, Microtetrameres sp., Physaloptera alata, Procyrnea leptoptera, Hovorkonema variegatum and Porrocaecum angusticolle), 4 cestodes (Cladotaenia globifera, Paruterina candelabraria and Mesocestoides sp.), 2 trematodes (Neodiplostomum attenuatum and Strigea falconis), and 1 acanthocephalan (Centrorhynchus globocaudatus). The helminth communities observed were basically similar, although there were marked differences in species richness, which was higher in falconiforms (except for A. gentilis) than in strigiforms. More specifically, species richness was highest in B. buteo (13 species), followed by A. nisus (11 species). In the falconiforms, the helminth species present generally exhibited a clear relationship with host diet. In the strigiforms, by contrast, species richness was lower than expected given the hosts diet, suggesting that a different explanation is needed.     

Paratesticular congenital malignant rhabdoid tumor diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. a case report

We report the FNA features of a congenital malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor (MERT) located in the right paratesticular area of a newborn full-term boy (39 wk gestation), with disseminated metastases in the liver and right parietal region. The diagnosis was suggested two days after birth by fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the parietal mass, which demonstrated an atypical large cell proliferation with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and abundant cytoplasm exhibiting paranuclear dense inclusions. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination of the primary paratesticular tumor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third MERT reported in the paratesticular region, one of the few congenital extrarenal non-central nervous system cases, and the third congenital case (renal or extrarenal) primarily diagnosed by FNAB. We emphasize the characteristic cytologic features of a congenital rhabdoid tumor, which must be known by pathologists because of the clinical and prognostic implications. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;30:46-50.     

Choroiditis and meningitis in experimental murine infection withListeria monocytogenes

In a study of central nervous system involvement in experimental listeriosis 27 Swiss CD1 mice were inoculated subcutaneously withListeria monocytogenes. Systemic infection developed, as shown by the isolation ofListeria monocytogenes and histopathological lesions in the spleen and liver. In the central nervous system a mixed inflammatory infiltration in the ventricular system, especially in the choroid plexus, and leptomeningitis were the most relevant lesions. Inflammatory lesions were associated with the presence ofListeria monocytogenes, as demonstrated by a positive anti-Listeria monocytogenes immunoperoxidase reaction within phagocytic cells. It is suggested that choroiditis and meningitis developed as a consequence of hematogenous dissemination ofListeria monocytogenes within mononuclear phagocytes and penetration of these cells into the ventricular system through the choroid plexus.     

Hev b 8, the Hevea brasiliensis latex profilin, is a cross-reactive allergen of latex, plant foods and pollen

BACKGROUND: Plant profilins are important pan-allergens. They are responsible for a significant percentage of pollen-related allergies. Limited information is available about their involvement in the latex-fruit syndrome and the cross-reactivities between latex and pollen. We aimed to clone and express the Hevea brasiliensis latex profilin to investigate its allergological significance and serological cross-reactivities to profilins from plant foods and pollens. METHODS: A DNA complementary to messenger RNA (cDNA) coding for the Hevea latex profilin, Hev b 8, was amplified by polymerase chain reaction from latex RNA. Recombinant (r)Hev b 8 was produced in Escherichia coli and used to screen sera from 50 latex- allergic health care workers (HCWs) with well-documented histories of food and pollen allergy and 34 latex-allergic spina bifida (SB) patients. The cross-reactivity of natural Hev b 8 and rHev b 8 with other plant profilins was determined by ELISA inhibition assays. A three-dimensional homology model of Hev b 8 was constructed based on known profilin structures. RESULTS: The cDNA of Hev b 8 encoded a protein of 131 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 14 kD. Twelve of the 50 HCWs and 2 of the 34 SB patients were sensitized to Hev b 8. All Hev b 8-sensitized patients showed allergic symptoms to pollen or plant foods. Cross-reactivities between profilins of latex, pollen and plant food were illustrated by their ability to inhibit IgE binding to rHev b 8. Homology modeling of Hev b 8 yielded a structure highly similar to Bet v 2, the birch pollen profilin, with the most distinct differences located at the N-terminus. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that primary sensitization to latex profilin in the majority of cases takes place via pollen or food profilins. Additionally, pollinosis and food-allergic patients with profilin-specific IgE can be at risk of developing latex allergy.     

Systemic infections in three infants due to a lactose-fermenting strain ofSalmonella virchow

Three previously healthy children developed gastroenteritis which led within a few days to systemic infections, two cases of bacteremia and one of meningitis. A lactose-fermentingSalmonella virchow strain was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures. In one case, this strain was also isolated from stool cultures. All the children had been fed the same milk formula. There was no other relationship between them. The batch of dried-milk formula was confirmed as the source of the infection by isolation of an identical lactose-fermentingSalmonella virchow strain by the Centro Nacional de Alimentación.     

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the subcardinal venous plexus of quail mesonephros: spatial and temporal morphological analysis

Vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are involved in a coordinated program for the development of the mesonephric subcardinal venous plexus of quail embryo. Vasculogenesis occurs between days 3 and 4 of incubation, while angiogenesis takes place from day 5 to day 7. Examination of vascular corrosion casts and whole mounts, and tissue sections labelled with specific markers to hemangioblast lineage (QH1, LEP100 and AcPase activity), allowed us to distinguish six phases in the formation of subcardinal plexus. (1) Appearance of isolated angioblast-like cells where the subcardinal plexus will form. (2) Alignment of angioblast-like cells into cellular strands. (3) Formation of compact vascular cords by association of angioblast-like strands. (4) Polygonal interconnection of vascular cords to constitute the primary subcardinal plexus. In this stage, isolated angioblast-like cells were present inside inter-vascular spaces. (5) The splitting of primary inter-vascular spaces by angiogenic sprouts to form secondary subcardinal plexus (outward angiogenesis). Isolated angioblast-like cells were not present in this stage. (6) Expansion of the secondary subcardinal plexus by insertion of slender transcapillary tissue pillars (inward angiogenesis) and angiogenic sprouts. We also describe three morphogenetic gradients during the development of the subcardinal plexus: ventral-to-dorsal, cranial-to-caudal and lateral-to-medial. Accepted: 9 November 2001     

Heart rate response during incremental exercise in master runners

We analyzed the kinetics of heart rate (HR) response during incremental treadmill exercise in thirteen master runners (62 +/- 1 yr). The HR/running speed (HR/S) relationship showed the existence of a point of downward deflection (HR(d)) in only approximately 31% of the subjects. Resting echocardiographic evaluations showed similar heart dimensions in all of the subjects. In conclusion, HR does not seem to show a curvilinear response (downward deflection) in most aged athletes.