A potential role for beta- and gamma-crystallins in the vascular remodeling of the eye.

We demonstrate that expression of beta- and gamma-crystallins is associated with intraocular vessels during normal vascular development of the eye and also in the Nuc1 rat, a mutant in which the hyaloid vascular system fails to regress normally. Real-Time RT PCR, Western blot and metabolic labeling studies indicate an increased expression of beta- and gamma-crystallins in Nuc1 retina. The increased expression of crystallins was localized to the astrocytes surrounding the intraocular vessels. A similar pattern of crystallin expression was also observed in the retinal vessels during normal development. Cultured human astrocytes exposed to 3-nitropropionic acid, an established model of neuronal hypoxia, increased VEGF expression, as expected, but also increased expression of crystallins. Our data suggest that crystallins may function together with VEGF during vascular remodeling. Interestingly, in human PFV (persistent fetal vasculature) disease, where the hyaloid vasculature abnormally persists after birth, we show that astrocytes express both VEGF and crystallins.     

Evaluation of hematopoietic potential generated by transplantation of muscle-derived stem cells in mice

Muscle tissue of adult mice has been shown to contain stem cells with hematopoietic repopulation ability in vivo. To determine the functional characteristics of stem cells giving rise to this hematopoietic activity, we have performed hematopoietic reconstitution experiments by the use of muscle versus marrow transplantation in lethally irradiated mice and followed the fate of transplanted cells by Y-chimerism using PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. We report here that transplantation of murine muscle generate a major hematopoietic chimerism at the level of CFU-C, CFU-S, and terminally-differentiated cells in three generations of lethally irradiated mice followed up to 1 year after transplantation. This potential is totally abolished when muscle grafts were performed by the use of muscle from previously irradiated mice. As compared to marrow transplantation, muscle transplants were able to generate similar potencies to give rise to myeloid, T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells. Interestingly, marrow stem cells that have been generated in primary and then in secondary recipients were able to contribute efficiently to myofibers in the muscle tissue of tertiary recipients. Altogether, our data demonstrate that muscle-derived stem cells present a major hematopoietic repopulating ability with evidence of self-replication in vivo. They are radiation-sensitive and similar to marrow-derived stem cells in terms of their ability to generate multilineage hematopoiesis. Finally, our data demonstrate that muscle-derived hematopoietic stem cells do not lose their ability to contribute to myofiber generation after at least two rounds of serial transplantation, suggesting a potential that is probably equivalent to that generated by marrow transplantation.     

HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression on various cell subsets of six blood and graft sources: A prospective series

BackgroundCord Blood (CB) are increasingly used as an alternative stem cells source in adults for allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-SCT). The risk of human herpesvirus (HHV-6) reactivation is significantly higher after CB transplant vs unrelated peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) allo-SCT. Higher HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression on progenitor cells in CB may explain this difference.ObjectivesTo prospectively compare the HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression on various cell subsets of three freshly harvested blood sources on one hand and of three graft sources on the other hand.Study design52 samples were used for the purpose of this study. They were issued from peripheral blood (PB, n = 10), G-CSF mobilised PB (GCSF-PB, n = 10), cord blood (CB, n = 10), unmanipulated bone marrow (uBM, n = 5), leukapheresis product (LP, n = 10) and thawed CB graft (n = 7). CD46 expression was assessed by FACS analysis on total lymphocytes, monocytes, NK cells, T and B cells subsets, plasmacytoid (pDCs) dendritic cells and stem cells.ResultsAs all cell subsets were found CD46 positive, CD46 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was then considered for comparison between the three blood sources and the three graft sources. The most impressive result observed was that HHV-6 cell receptor CD46 expression was significantly reduced in almost all cell components of thawed CB graft compared to other graft sources.ConclusionsThis original study shows strong differences in term of quantitative CD46 expression between several blood and grafts samples. Our results suggest that other factors than the qualitative CD46 expression play a role in the higher HHV-6 reactivation observed after CB transplant in adults.     

The High Diversity of MRSA Clones Detected in a University Hospital in Istanbul

Background: To characterize the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clones present in Istanbul, 102 MRSA isolates collected during a 5-year period at the Istanbul Medical Faculty Hospital were characterized using microarray analysis and phenotypic resistance profiles.Methods: Resistance to methicillin was detected with a cefoxitin disk diffusion assay and confirmed with a MRSA-agar and MRSA detection kit. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by a disk diffusion assay and interpreted according to the 2012 guidelines of the Antibiogram Committee of the French Society for Microbiology. Decreased susceptibility to glycopeptides was confirmed using the population analysis profile-area under the curve (PAP-AUC) method. The presence of the mecA gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Bacterial DNA was extracted according to the manufacturer''s recommended protocol using commercial extraction kits. Strains were extensively characterized using the DNA microarray.Results: Isolates were grouped into six clonal complexes. The most frequently detected clone was the Vienna/Hungarian/Brazilian clone (ST239-MRSA-III), which accounted for 53.9% of the isolates. These isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics, particularly penicillin, tetracycline, rifampicin, kanamycin, tobramycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, erythromycin, lincomycin and fosfomycin. Furthermore, three isolates were detected by population analysis profile as heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA). The UK-EMRSA-15 clone (ST22-MRSA-IV PVL negative) was detected in 9.8% of the isolates and was mainly susceptible to all anti-staphylococcal antibiotics. Seven isolates (6.9%) were positive for PVL genes and were assigned to the CC80-MRSA-IV clone (European CA-MRSA clone, three isolates), ST8-MRSA-IV clone (USA300 clone, two isolates, one ACME-positive) or ST22-MRSA-IV clone (“Regensburg EMRSA” clone, two isolates). All other clones were detected in one to six isolates and corresponded to well-known clones (e.g., Pediatric clone, Dublin EMRSA clone, WA MRSA-54/63, WA MRSA-1/57).Conclusions: This work highlighted both the high prevalence of ST239-MRSA-III clone and the large diversity of the other MRSA clones detected in a university hospital in Istanbul.     

Portal vein embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate before partial hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and underlying cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis

PURPOSE: To describe the safety, complications, and liver regeneration associated with the left liver after embolization of the right portal vein (PV) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in the setting of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients (31 men, nine women; mean age, 62 years) with HCC underwent PV embolization over a 4-year period. Embolization was performed from a left PV percutaneous access with use of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) mixed with iodized oil. Computed tomography (CT) volumetry was performed before and 1 month after PV embolization to measure the left lobe volume as well as the functional liver ratio defined by the ratio between the left lobe and the total liver volume minus tumoral volume. PV pressure and liver enzyme levels were compared before and 1 month after the procedure and complications were registered. Factors potentially affecting regeneration (age, sex, diabetes, chemoembolization, functional liver ratio before PV embolization, and Knodell histologic score) were evaluated by one-way and stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: PV embolization could be achieved successfully in all cases. Two patients had partial PV thrombosis on the 1-month follow-up CT and two patients developed transient ascites after PV embolization. The left lobe volume increase was 41% +/- 32% after PV embolization and the functional liver ratio increased from 28% +/- 10% to 36% +/- 10% (P < .0001). Hypertrophy of the left lobe was greater in patients with a low functional liver ratio before PV embolization and those with an F3 fibrosis score. Other factors had no influence on left lobe regeneration. CONCLUSION: PV embolization with use of NBCA is feasible in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Hypertrophy of the left lobe of the liver after PV embolization has a statistically significant correlation with lower functional liver ratio and lower degrees of fibrosis.     

Early-Emerging Social Adaptive Skills in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Item Analysis

Individuals with ASD have significant impairments in adaptive skills, particularly adaptive socialization skills. The present study examined the extent to which 20 items from the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales—Socialization Domain differentiated between ASD and developmentally delayed (DD) groups. Participants included 108 toddlers with ASD or DD under the age of 3 years. Nine of the 20 items significantly distinguished the groups. The ASD group demonstrated significantly weaker socialization skills, including deficits in basic social behaviors. The results support the notion that (a) socialization deficits in ASD impact foundational social skills typically emerging in the first year of life, (b) examination of specific social adaptive behaviors contribute to differential diagnosis, and (c) foundational social behaviors should be targeted for intervention.     

Smoking is a risk factor of organ/space surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery with implant materials

Purpose

In recent guidelines, smoking is reported as a factor increasing the risk of surgical site infection (SSI). The accurate analysis of the literature shows that this recommendation relies on low level of evidence in orthopaedic surgery with material implantation (arthroplasty components or implants for internal fixation). This study aimed to assess the attributable risk of smoking on organ/space SSI in orthopaedic surgery with implants.

Methods

Risk factors of organ/space SSI were studied in a prospective cohort including 3,908 patients from June 2003 to December 2006.

Results

Smoking was found as a significant risk factor for organ/space SSI. We also observed a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers for surgical wound complications (hematoma, discharge or wound dehiscence) during the period between surgical procedure and discharge from hospital.

Conclusion

This is the first large prospective report of a significant association between smoking and organ/space SSI in orthopaedic surgery with implants.     

Simultaneous bilateral fungal keratitis caused by different fungi

Fungal keratitis is an important cause of corneal disease in the tropical world. We report a rare presentation of simultaneous bilateral corneal ulceration caused by different fungi.