Integrins and adhesion molecules: Reliability and accuracy of polymerase chain reaction amplification of two unique target sequences from biopsies of cleavage-stage and blastocyst-stage human embryos

Human embryos have been biopsied at either the cleavage or theblastocyst stage of development. One to two blastomeres wereremoved from cleavage-stage embryos and 2–6 cells fromblastocysts. The biopsy specimens were subjected to gene amplificationby the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a comparison madeof amplification efficiencies of two unique target sequences,one located within the -globin gene and containing the sickle-celllocus and the other a polymorphic dinucleotide repeat. Whenthe cleavage-stage biopsy sample consisted of an intact blastomerewith a clearly discernible nucleus, an amplification efficiencyof 89% was achieved for each target locus. This was similarto that achieved with cleavage-stage biopsy samples consistingof two blastomeres or with blastocyst biopsy samples consistingof 2–3 trophectoderm cells. When biopsy samples consistedof four or more trophectoderm cells, both target loci were amplifiedin all samples tested. When the biopsy sample was heterozygousat the dinucleotide repeat locus and the biopsy consisted ofone or more intact cells with a clearly discernible nucleus,both alleles were amplified in >80% of biopsy samples. Whenfour or more trophectoderm cells were used for the PCR, bothalleles were amplified in all heterozygous samples. Target sequenceswere never amplified from biopsy samples which lysed prior totransfer into the reaction tube. Analysis of DNA fragments amplifiedfrom the dinucleotide repeat locus indicated that in most casesfaithful amplification of biopsy DNA template had taken place.However, in one case, fragments were identified which couldnot have resulted from the amplification of embryonic sequencesalone, indicating that contamination with extraneous DNA mayhave taken place. The significance of this finding for therapeuticpreimplantation genetic diagnosis is discussed.     

Evolution of health care utilization and expenditure during the year before death in 2015 among people with cancer: French snds-based cohort study

The European Journal of Health Economics - Cancer patients have one of the highest health care expenditures (HCE) at the end of life. However, the growth of HCE at the end of life remains poorly...     

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N8) Virus Spread by Short- and Long-Range Transmission,France, 2016–17

We detected 3 genotypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) virus in France during winter 2016–17. Genotype A viruses caused dramatic economic losses in the domestic duck farm industry in southwestern France. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that genotype A viruses formed 5 distinct geographic clusters in southwestern France. In some clusters, local secondary transmission might have been started by a single introduction. The intensity of the viral spread seems to correspond to the density of duck holdings in each production area. To avoid the introduction of disease into an unaffected area, it is crucial that authorities limit the movements of potentially infected birds.     

Immunological changes among workers occupationally exposed to styrene

The functional status of the immune system was investigated in a group of 71 workers exposed to styrene and in 65 control subjects, recruited according to the same selection criteria and comparable as to sex, age, and confounding variables. Air and biological monitoring were used to characterize styrene exposure (median of the main urinary metabolites in the next-morning spot samples: 106 mg/g creatinine). Phenotypic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by automated flow cytometry revealed a reduced proportion of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD4⁺45⁺), with no changes in CD8⁺, and a higher proportion of B lymphocytes (CD19⁺) among styrene-exposed workers. The exposed workers showed a higher proportion of activation markers, namely DR and interleukin-2 receptors (CD25). Immunoglobulin subclasses were comparable in the two groups. An increased prevalence of abnormally low values was apparent for CD2⁺, CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD4⁺45⁺ and CD11b subsets among workers exposed to styrene, whereas CD19⁺, DR⁺ and CD25⁺ showed an increased prevalence of abnormally high values. Natural killer-related phenotypes (CD56⁺, CD56+16⁺, and CD56⁺16^–) were more expressed among styrene workers, with average increase of 30%. However, the frequency distribution of the lytic activity of natural killer cells against K-562 target cells was shifted towards lower values in the exposed workers as compared to control subjects. Dose-response relationships between indices of internal dose and prevalence of abnormal values were detectable for T lymphocyte subsets, NK phenotypes, and activation markers. These findings suggest that moderate exposure to styrene is associated with an altered distribution of lymphocyte subsets. The decreased proportion of T lymphocytes, mainly of T helper-inducer cells, could hamper regulatory functions, thus suggesting a negative modulation by styrene exposure. Since a proper balance between immunocycte subsets is important for immunological responses, such changes should be regarded as adverse effects.     

Paracrine/autocrine regulation of breast cancer by the insulin-like growth factors

Local environmental signals regulate the growth and development of both normal and malignant breast epithelium. Members of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family likely influence both of these processes. The localization of IGF2 to stroma specifically surrounding malignant breast epithelium indicates that this growth factor may play a critical role in the genesis or maintenance of this transformed phenotype. Recent studies have sought to understand the mechanism by which IGF2 expressing fibroblasts are localized to the periphery of malignant breast cancer cells. In addition, the consequences of the expression of IGF-signaling components likely expand beyond their direct effects on mitogenesis. Indirect effects predominantly associated with the IGF2 receptor could also influence the invasive potential of breast tumor cells.