Angiogenic response induced by acellular brain scaffolds grafted onto the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane

The repair and regeneration of injured tissues and organs depend on the re-establishment of the blood flow needed for cellular infiltration and metabolic support. Among the various materials used in tissue reconstruction, acellular scaffolds have recently been utilized. In this study, we investigated the angiogenic response induced by acellular brain scaffolds implanted in vivo onto the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a useful model for such investigations. The results show that acellular brain scaffolds are able to induce a strong angiogenic response, comparable to that of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), a well known angiogenic cytokine. The response may be considered dependent on a direct angiogenic effect exerted by the scaffold, because no inflammatory infiltrate was detectable in CAM's mesenchyme beneath the implant. Acellular brain scaffolds might induce the release of endogenous angiogenic factors, such as FGF-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) released from the extracellular matrix of the developing CAM. In addition, the angiogenic response may depend, in part, also on the presence in the acellular matrix of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1).     

Effect of long-term ketamine administration on vocalization to paw pressure and on spinal wind-up activity in monoarthritic rats

The antinociceptive effect of long-lasting ketamine administration (mini-osmotic pump) was studied in monoarthritic rats by using hindpaw pressure testing and wind-up measurement in a C-fiber reflex paradigm. Chronic ketamine induced antinociception in the monoarthritic paw and significantly suppressed mechanical hyperalgesia during the 14-day treatment period. The treatment also reduced C-reflex wind-up in the monoarthritic hindpaw. After pump removal, vocalization thresholds and spinal wind-up scores from the monoarthritic paw returned to control values, while hyperalgesia developed in the normal paw. Results suggest that ketamine upregulates NMDA receptors upon long-term administration, resulting in hyperalgesic response in the normal paw after drug withdrawal.     

Subcellular relationships between cholinergic terminals and estrogen receptor-alpha in the dorsal hippocampus

Cholinergic septohippocampal neurons are affected by circulating estrogens. Previously, we found that extranuclear estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) immunoreactivity in presynaptic profiles had an overlapping distribution with cholinergic afferents in the rat hippocampal formation. To determine the subcellular relationships between cholinergic presynaptic profiles and ERalpha, hippocampal sections were dually immunolabeled for vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and ERalpha and examined by electron microscopy. Within the hippocampal formation, immunoreactivities for VAChT and ERalpha both were presynaptic, although their subcellular targeting was distinct. VAChT immunoreactivity was found exclusively within presynaptic profiles and was associated with small synaptic vesicles, which usually filled axon terminals. VAChT-labeled presynaptic profiles were most concentrated in stratum oriens of the hippocampal CA1 region and dentate inner molecular layer and hilus. In contrast, ERalpha immunoreactivity was found in clusters affiliated either with select vesicles or with the plasmalemma within preterminal axons and axon terminals. ERalpha-immunoreactive (IR) presynaptic profiles were more evenly distributed between hippocampal lamina than VAChT-IR profiles. Quantitative ultrastructural analysis revealed that VAChT-IR presynaptic profiles contained ERalpha immunoreactivity (ranging from 3% to 17%, depending on the lamina). Additionally, VAChT-IR presynaptic profiles apposed ERalpha-IR dendritic spines, presynaptic profiles, and glial profiles; many of the latter two types of profiles abutted unlabeled dendritic spines that received asymmetric (excitatory-type) synapses from unlabeled terminals. The presence of ERalpha immunoreactivity in cholinergic terminals suggests that estrogen could rapidly and directly affect the local release and/or uptake of acetylcholine. The affiliation of cholinergic terminals with excitatory terminals near ERalpha-labeled dendritic spines or glial profiles suggests that alterations in acetylcholine release could indirectly affect estrogen-modulated structural plasticity.     

Is the parasite fauna of Poland well recognized?

The studies of parasite fauna have in Poland a long tradition. Generally the helmint fauna of all groups of vertebrates was more or less examined and as much as over 100 species of Monogenea, almost 400 Digenea, over 250 Cestoda, about 500 Nematoda and 32 Acanthocephala have been recorded. The best recognized are the helminths of fish (especially those of Cyprinidae, Esocidae, Percidae and Salmonidae), frogs examined in various regions of Poland, some birds (especially connected with water environment: Anseriformes, Ciconiformes, Podicipediformes), most of insectivores (although examined only in few localities), European bisons, deers, foxes and wild boars (all under permanent monitoring), as well as domestic animals (cattle, horses, sheeps) and pets. Such groups like some amphibians, reptiles, bats, carniwores, some birds (especially Passeriformes, Charadriiformes, falcons and eagles) need further exploration, as some host species were not the subject of parasitological investigation. In some cases it will be rather difficult goal, as most of these animals are under strict preservation, and only dead (naturally or accidentally) specimens can be autopsied.     

Cutaneous infection caused by Ulocladium chartarum in a heart transplant recipient: case report and review

A cutaneous mycoses caused by Ulocladium chartarum in a heart transplant recipient is reported. The infection cleared after complete surgical excision and 6 months of oral itraconazole therapy. In vitro activity of amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, ravuconazole and terbinafine against the clinical isolate is shown.     

Tinea barbae (tinea sycosis): experience with nine cases

Tinea barbae is a rare dermatophytosis that affects the hair and hair follicles of the beard and mustache. This paper presents 9 cases of tinea barbae observed over an 18-year period of time and classified as follows: 1 was superficial and 8 were deep (6 folliculitis-like and 2 kerion-like). Most of the cases (4) were associated with topical steroid therapy, others with pet contact (3 cases) and one with diabetes. The causal agents isolated were: Trichophyton rubrum in 3; Microsporum canis in 3; Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2; and Trichophyton tonsurans in one. The involvement of the hair was observed and classified in all cases. The trichophytin skin reaction was positive in all 9 patients. All the patients were treated with systemic antimycotics, 3 cases with griseofulvin, 1 with ketoconazole, 3 with itraconazole, and 2 with terbinafine. Clinical and mycologic cures were achieved at 6 to 8 weeks of treatment at the usual doses.     

Partial tetrasomy of chromosome 3q and mosaicism in a child with autism

In this report we describe the case of an 11-year-old male with autism and mental retardation, presenting a tetrasomy of chromosome 3q. Cytogenetic analysis showed a mosaic for an unbalanced karyotype consisting of mos46,XY,add(12)(p13.3)(56)/46,XY(45). FISH using WCP and subtelomeric probes identified the extra material on 12p to be an inverted duplication of the distal segment of chromosome 3q. Anomalies in chromosome 3q have not been previously described in association with autism, although association with psychomotor delays and behavior problems has been frequently reported and are here further discussed. This chromosomal 3q segment is therefore likely to include genes involved in specific neurodevelopment pathways, and further analysis of the region is warranted for the identification of the molecular alterations that lead to the autistic features described.