Continuous in vitro cultivation of erythrocytic stages ofBabesia equi

The protozoan parasiteBabesia equi, a causative agent of equine piroplasmosis, was continuously cultivated in horse erythrocytes. The parasites were isolated from a carrier horse at a time when no parasite was detected in a thin blood smear. The culture medium consisted of modified medium 199 supplemented with 40% non-heat-inactivated horse serum in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO₂, 2% O₂, and 93% N₂ at 37° C. Parasites were detected after 2 days in culture. When the percentage of parasitized erytrrocytes (PPE) reached 1%, the cultures were transferred into a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO₂ in air. After 7 days the cultures were split at a ratio of 12, and after another 5 days they were split at a ratio of 14. From them on, cultures were split at a ratio of 14 routinely at 2-day intervals. The PPE ranged between 10% and 25%. Supplementation with hypoxanthine was essential for the initiation and propagation of cultures. In established cultures, hypoxanthine could be replaced by equimolar concentrations of adenosine or guanosine. Parasites from cultures could be cryopreserved and resuscitated. Cultures were maintained for more than 300 days.     

Respiratory exposure to diesel exhaust particles decreases the spleen IgM response to a T cell-dependent antigen in female B6C3F1 mice.

We investigated the systemic immunotoxic potential of respiratory exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in this study. Female B6C3F1 mice (approximately 8 weeks old) were exposed to increasing concentrations of DEP intratracheally, 3 times every two weeks, and sacrificed 2 or 4 weeks after the first exposure. The systemic toxicity and immune status in mice were evaluated. Mice exposed to DEP (1 to 15 mg/kg) showed no significant changes in body, spleen, or liver weights. Lung weights were increased in the mice exposed to 15 mg/kg DEP for 2 or 4 weeks. Except for a decreased platelet count, no significant alterations occurred in hematological parameters following DEP exposure. The number of splenic anti-sheep red blood cell (sRBC) IgM antibody-forming cells (AFC) decreased following DEP exposure for 2 weeks. This effect was less severe following 4 weeks of exposure and was only evident in the high dose group. Exposure to DEP also resulted in a significant decrease in the absolute numbers and the percentages of total spleen cells for total, CD4(+), and CD8(+) T cells, while the numbers of B cells and total nucleated cells in spleen were not significantly changed. The proliferative response of splenocytes to the T-cell mitogen, concanavalin A (ConA), as well as their production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, was decreased dose-dependently following exposure of mice to DEP for 2 weeks, whereas proliferation was not changed in response to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. In summary, short-term respiratory exposure of mice to DEP resulted in systemic immunosuppression with evidence of T cell-mediated and possibly macrophage-mediated mechanisms.     

Responses of fine primary afferent nerve fibres innervating the rat knee joint to defined torque

In total 23 rat knee joint afferent units with conduction velocities of 1.2-17 m/s were recorded extracellularly during inward and outward joint rotations of defined torque using a newly developed torque-meter. There was not a linear relation between the torque and the obtained angle of the joint. The mechanical thresholds of the units ranged from 10 to 60 mNm. During 10 s of stimulation with 60 mNm they responded with 12-300 action potentials. Two mechanosensitive nerve fibres could not be activated via knee joint rotation at any torque at all. The units could be classified according to their response pattern during stimulation: (1) phasic-tonic response behaviour; (2) constant discharge rate; (3) delayed onset of activity. In conclusion, the novel torque-meter allows a precise characterisation of the mechanical threshold and the corresponding response of fine afferent joint units during knee joint rotation.     

Long-term PM2.5 exposure before diagnosis is associated with worse outcome in breast cancer

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment - Many patients seek breast reconstruction following mastectomy. Debate exists regarding the best reconstructive option. The authors evaluate outcomes comparing...     

Effect of a woman's smoking status on oocyte, zygote, and day 3 pre-embryo quality in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program

In the present study we investigated the effect of a woman's smoking status on the quality of the oocyte, zygote, and on day 3 pre-embryo, as well as the likelihood of achieving an ongoing pregnancy at 8 weeks. Smokers presented a higher number of nonfertilized oocytes than nonsmokers (20.1% vs. 10.8% of fertilization failure), by comparable clinical pregnancy rate for smokers (40.8%; 28/72) and for nonsmokers (39.2%; 23/58).     

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