Identification of ''tissue'' transglutaminase binding proteins in neural cells committed to apoptosis

Mice in which the gene that encodes the receptor (R) for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been deleted show abnormal growth and development of the placenta. This indicates that LIF plays an important role in placental development. The expression of LIF-R and LIF was examined in human trophoblast and decidua using in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. LIF-R mRNA and immunoreactivity was localized in villous and extravillous trophoblast throughout pregnancy, and in endothelial cells of the fetal villi. Strong expression of mRNA encoding LIF was detected in decidual leukocytes, which are abundant at the implantation site. Extravillous trophoblast, which invades the maternal decidua, therefore expresses LIF-R as it moves past decidual leukocytes, which express LIF mRNA. The effect of LIF on cultured human trophoblast was examined in vitro. Recombinant human LIF had no effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation by purified extravillous trophoblast, nor on expression of integrins alpha1, alpha5, or beta1 by isolated trophoblast. These results identify fetal endothelial cells and all cells of the trophoblast lineage as targets for the action of LIF in human placenta. Although its effects on trophoblast are not yet clear, LIF appears to mediate interactions between maternal decidual leukocytes and invading trophoblast. LIF may also play a critical role in controlling angiogenesis in the placental villi, since human fetal endothelial cells express LIF-R, and mice lacking a functional LIF receptor gene show altered vascular development in the placenta.     

Ability of lymphokine-activated killer cells to lyse mycobacteria-infected cells

In cats and monkeys, we examined the parasympathetic component of the oculomotor complex, which directly innervates the ciliary muscle, using horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Labeled neurons of varying form and size were found in the Edinger-Westphal(EW) and the Perlia nuclei of the cat and in the anteromedian, EW, and Perlia nuclei of the monkey. Our study confirmed that a direct parasympathetic pathway exists from the midbrain to the ciliary muscles, and that accommodation is controlled in part by this direct link from the midsagittal region via a parasympathetic neuron of the oculomotor nuclear complex.     

The mannose receptor mediates uptake of pathogenic and nonpathogenic mycobacteria and bypasses bactericidal responses in human macrophages

The mannose receptor (MR) is involved in the phagocytosis of pathogenic microorganisms. Here we investigated its role in the bactericidal functions of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), using (i) trimannoside-bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated latex beads and zymosan as particulate ligands of the MR, and (ii) mannan and mannose-BSA as soluble ligands. We show that phagocytosis of mannosylated latex beads did not elicit the production of O2-. Zymosan, which is composed of alpha-mannan and beta-glucan, was internalized by the MR and a beta-glucan receptor, but the production of O2- was triggered only by phagocytosis through the beta-glucan receptor. Activation and translocation of Hck, a Src family tyrosine kinase located on lysosomes, has previously been used as a marker of fusion between lysosomes and phagosomes in human neutrophils. In MDMs, Hck was activated and recruited to phagosomes containing zymosan later than LAMP-1 and CD63. Phagosomes containing mannosylated latex beads fused with LAMP-1 and CD63 vesicles but not with the Hck compartment, and the kinase was not activated. We also demonstrate that the MR was unable to distinguish between nonpathogenic and pathogenic mycobacteria, as they were internalized at similar rates by this receptor, indicating that this route of entry cannot be considered as a differential determinant of the intracellular fate of mycobacteria. In conclusion, MR-dependent phagocytosis is coupled neither to the activation of NADPH oxidase nor to the maturation of phagosomes until fusion with the Hck compartment and therefore constitutes a safe portal of entry for microorganisms.     

Cytomorphological changes in the rabbit oviductal epithelium after human chorionic gonadotropin treatment

Progenitor cells were isolated from the developing human central nervous system (CNS), induced to divide using a combination of epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor-2, and then transplanted into the striatum of adult rats with unilateral dopaminergic lesions. Large grafts were found at 2 weeks survival which contained many undifferentiated cells, some of which were migrating into the host striatum. However, by 20 weeks survival, only a thin strip of cells remained at the graft core while a large number of migrating astrocytes labeled with a human-specific antibody could be seen throughout the striatum. Fully differentiated graft-derived neurons, also labeled with a human-specific antibody, were seen close to the transplant site in some animals. A number of these neurons expressed tyrosine hydroxylase and were sufficient to partially ameliorate lesion-induced behavioral deficits in two animals. These results show that expanded populations of human CNS progenitor cells maintained in a proliferative state in culture can migrate and differentiate into both neurons and astrocytes following intracerebral grafting. As such these cells may have potential for development as an alternative source of tissue for neural transplantation in degenerative diseases.     

Recombinant human erythropoietin resistance in hemodialysis. Effects of paired filtration dialysis

A percentage of hemodialysis (HD) patients are resistant to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), a phenomenon that occurs less frequently in patients dialyzed with biocompatible membranes (M) and in peritoneal dialysis. The authors evaluated the effects of paired filtration dialysis (PFD)--a dialysis technique based on the use of an emophan M in conjunction with a polysulphone M--on erythropoiesis in HD patients resistant to rHuEPO. Twelve HD patients with anemia resistant to long-term therapy with rHuEPO (200.24 U/kg body weight three times per week intravenously for 10.2 months) were studied. Patients had been treated for an average of 46.9 months with bicarbonate HD, using cuprophan M (Phase A) and, successively, for 12 months by PFD (Phase B). The following parameters were evaluated monthly: 1) hemoglobin and hematocrit values; 2) serum levels of erythropoietin (EPO); and 3) serum levels of interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). At the end of Phase A and Phase B, patients underwent bone marrow biopsies to evaluate 1) bone marrow burst forming unit erythroid (BFU-E) and colony forming unit erythroid (CFU-E) proliferative capacity, and 2) bone marrow mononuclear cell EPO-receptor (EPO-R) number. During Phase B, there was a progressive rise in hematocrit and hemoglobin values, so that within the sixth month, the rHuEPO dose was reduced to 80 +/- 15 U/kg body weight three times per week. At the same time, an increase in serum IL-3, IL-6, and IL-10 levels was seen, whereas serum IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma levels decreased. This was accompanied by a rise in BFU-E and CFU-E growth and in bone marrow mononuclear cell EPO-R number. During Phase B, after the dialysis session, serum EPO levels increased by about 30% in comparison with pre dialysis values, whereas during Phase A they decreased by about 14%. In HD patients, EPO resistance may caused either by absorption of rHuEPO to the cuprophan M, or an increased release of cytokines that inhibit erythropoiesis, such as IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma, and to a decrease in stimulatory cytokines such as IL-3, IL-6, and IL-10. These negative phenomena are reversed by the use of biocompatible dialysis techniques such as PFD.     

Armed conflict and children's rights

Comments on the article by V. Murphy-Berman and V. Weisz (1996) in which some of the significant challenges and issues in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) are discussed. The author believes that though the article was insightful, it overlooked the impact of armed conflict, one of the most profound sources of abuse of children's human rights worldwide. Some of the points made in an article by G. Machel (1996) are restated including the number of children soldiers and the physical, emotional, and psychological abuse they endure. The author goes on to mention other issues including parentless refugees, the dangers of land mines during and after the war, and the effects of sanctions on children. The author believes that intercultural differences and political issues may also hamper the implementation of the CRC. The article concludes with ways in which psychologists can help and the need to ratify the CRC. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lymphangioma of the right kidney in an infant boy

A 9-month-old boy with a primary cystic lymphangioma of the right kidney is reported. The clinical and radiological features favored a malignant tumor. Histology revealed the lesion to be a lymphangioma; the diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and chemical analysis of the intracystic fluid. Lymphangiomas of the kidney are rare in adults; they are even rarer in infants and children. Nevertheless, renal lymphangiomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of multicystic, unilateral renal masses, independent of the age of the patient.