Evaluation of resonant scanning as a high-speed imaging technique for two-photon imaging of cortical vasculature

We demonstrate a simple, low-cost two-photon microscope design with both galvo-galvo and resonant-galvo scanning capabilities. We quantify and compare the signal-to-noise ratios and imaging speeds of the galvo-galvo and resonant-galvo scanning modes when used for murine neurovascular imaging. The two scanning modes perform as expected under shot-noise limited detection and are found to achieve comparable signal-to-noise ratios. Resonant-galvo scanning is capable of reaching desired signal-to-noise ratios using less acquisition time when higher excitation power can be used. Given equal excitation power and total pixel dwell time between the two methods, galvo-galvo scanning outperforms resonant-galvo scanning in image quality when detection deviates from being shot-noise limited.     

Demonstration of β1h globulin together with c3 in the dermal-epidermal junction of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Skin lesions and clinically normal skin from 10 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined by immunofluorescence for the presence of C3 and its control protein, β1H globulin. β1H was always found in association with deposited C3; in the instance where C3 deposits were not found β1H was also not found. Granular deposits of C3 and β1H were found in the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) in all of the 5 nonlesional skins studied. In the lesional skin, C3 was found in 4 of 5; in 2 of these 4, β1H was also found. As previously demonstrated for in vitro systems, β1H also binds in vivo to fragments of C3, presumably C3b, generated during activation of the complement system.     

Deposition of β1h globulin in kidneys of patients with immune renal disease

Renal biopsies from patients with a variety of immune type renal diseases were examined by immunofluorescence for the presence of C3 and its control protein, β1H globulin. Deposits of β1H were found in every instance (21 of 21 biopsies) in which C3 deposits were observed, irrespective of the underlying disease resulting in the C3 deposits, including lupus nephritis, acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, and Goodpasture's syndrome. In no instance was β1H found independently of C3. As previously shown in in vitro systems, β1H also binds to C3, presumably C3b, during activation of the complement system in immunologically induced renal disease.     

Correlation of Serum and Cryoglobulin IgM with Activity,and Serum IgG with Remission

Forty-eight patients with erythema chronicum migrans (ECM) were studied prospectively for 6 to 18 months. Twenty-six patients had no later symptoms, but 22 subsequently developed Lyme arthritis and 9 of them also experienced neurologic abnormalities. Eighty-seven percent of patients with active ECM followed by subsequent involvement had cryoglobulins containing IgM compared to only 13% of those with active ECM and no later symptoms. The former group also had significantly lower IgG, C3, and C4 levels. Sixty-seven percent of patients still had serum cryoglobulins when neurologic disease was most active, and 45% had them when joint symptoms were most severe, but only 11% continued to have small amounts in remission. The number of patients who continued to have serum cryoglobulins with recurrent attacks of arthritis decreased with time. In contrast, patients always had cryoglobulins in joint fluid, a finding Lyme arthritis shares with rheumatoid arthritis. The cryoprecipitates from 2 of 10 patients contained particles with internal structure, but their viral nature is problematic. All components of antisera obtained from goats and rabbits immunized with cryoglobulins were absorbed by normal human sera. The amount of IgM in cryoglobulins correlated directly with serum IgM, which generally rose during exacerbations and fell during remissions; serum IgG and IgA moved conversely. Thus, IgM was an important correlate of clinical disease activity and IgG of remission.     

Weight Loss and Short-Chain Fatty Acids Reduce Systemic Inflammation in Monocytes and Adipose Tissue Macrophages from Obese Subjects

Background: Chronic low-grade systemic inflammation is a characteristic of obesity that leads to various non-communicable diseases. Weight loss and SCFAs are potential strategies for attenuating obese systemic inflammation. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 43 obese subjects (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric sleeve surgery, 26 obese subjects at follow-up 12–18 months post-surgery and 8 healthy weight subjects (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²). Monocytes were isolated from blood and adipose tissue macrophages from visceral adipose tissue of obese subjects only. Isolated cells stimulated with 1 ng/mL LPS and treated simultaneously with 300 mM of sodium acetate or 30 mM of sodium propionate or butyrate and supernatant were harvested after 15 h incubation. TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines were measured via ELISA and mRNA gene expression of FFAR2 and FFAR3, HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC9, RELA and NFKB1 and MAPK1 via RT-qPCR. Results: TNF-α and IL-6 production and NFKB1 and RELA mRNA expression were significantly decreased in follow-up subjects compared to baseline. SCFAs significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 and altered FFAR and HDAC mRNA expression in monocytes and macrophages from obese subjects. Conclusion: Weight loss and ex vivo SCFA treatments were successful in combatting systemic inflammation in obesity. Results highlighted molecular changes that occur with weight loss and as a result of SCFA treatment.     

Central administration of corticotropin-releasing hormone alters downstream movement in an artificial stream in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

We evaluated the effect of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on spatial distribution and downstream movement in an artificial stream in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) during the period when the fish were able to tolerate seawater. An intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of CRH (500 ng) to hatchery fish significantly increased the proportion of fish that were distributed downstream of a mid-stream release site. A second group of hatchery fish were given ICV injections of saline (control) or CRH (500 ng) and released near the top of the stream. The time taken to enter a trap at the lower end of the stream was recorded. In all cases the groups given CRH had a higher proportion of fish that did not enter the trap within 60 min of release. However, in those fish that did enter the trap, treatment with CRH increased the speed of downstream movement to this point relative to control fish. Wild sub-yearling Chinook salmon were captured during their downstream migration to the estuary and given ICV injections of saline or CRH (500 ng) either 2, 3, or 7 days after transport from the river. As with hatchery fish, a significantly higher proportion of wild fish that were administered CRH did not enter the trap at the lower end of the stream. The mean time of passage for control fish decreased on each successive day (day 2 > day 3 > day 7). In contrast, the mean passage time of the wild fish that were given CRH was relatively constant through time, and was only significantly faster than control fish on day 2. The current study provides evidence that CRH alters the downstream movement of juvenile Chinook in a simulated stream environment, and produces behavioral effects similar to those of juvenile salmonids that are stressed during their downstream migration.     

Management of risk in peripheral artery disease: recent therapeutic advances

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a problem frequently encountered by physicians who care for patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, congestive heart failure, or stroke. Patients with PAD are at heightened risk of myocardial infarction and stroke and are 6 times more likely to die of cardiovascular causes than persons without the disease. There is an urgent need for therapies that reduce the incidence of vascular complications among patients with PAD. In recent years, a number of risk-lowering therapies have been validated by randomized controlled trials enrolling large numbers of patients with PAD. The available evidence supports aggressive lifestyle modification as well as the provision of an antiplatelet agent, an HMGCoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase inhibitor, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor for cardiovascular protection in patients with PAD. As a result of their high baseline risk and the proven effectiveness of these interventions, most patients with PAD will benefit substantially from aggressive medical therapy.     

Nucleotide Sequence of the 4.3 kbp BamHI-N Fragment of Fowlpox Virus FP9

Nucleotide sequence analysis of the 4.3 kbp BamHI-N fragment of the fowlpox virus (FPV) genome revealed that it encodes 7 proteins with homology to vaccinia virus (VV) E11L, E10R, O1L, O3L, I1L, I2L and I3L encoded proteins. No evidence of FPV homolog of VV O2L could be found. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.