Accelerated Wound Border Closure Using a Microemulsion Containing Non-Inhibitory Recombinant α1-Antitrypsin

Wound healing requires a non-compromising combination of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory processes. Human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT), a circulating glycoprotein that rises during acute-phase responses and during healthy pregnancies, is tissue-protective and tolerance-inducing; although anti-inflammatory, hAAT enhances revascularization. hAAT blocks tissue-degrading enzymes, including neutrophil elastase; it is, therefore, unclear how wound healing might improve under hAAT-rich conditions. Here, wound healing was examined in the presence of recombinant hAAT (hAAT^WT) and protease-inhibition-lacking hAAT (hAAT^CP). The impact of both hAAT forms was determined by an epithelial cell gap closure assay, and by excisional skin injuries via a microemulsion optimized for open wounds. Neutrophilic infiltration was examined after 8 h. According to results, both hAAT forms accelerated epithelial gap closure and excisional wound closure, particularly at early time points. Unlike dexamethasone-treated wounds, both resulted in closed borders at the 8-h time point. In untreated and hAAT^CP-treated wounds, leukocytic infiltrates were widespread, in hAAT^WT-treated wounds compartmentalized and in dexamethasone-treated wounds, scarce. Both hAAT forms decreased interleukin-1β and increased VEGF gene expression. In conclusion hAAT improves epithelial cell migration and outcomes of in vivo wounds irrespective of protease inhibition. While both forms of hAAT allow neutrophils to infiltrate, only native hAAT created discrete neutrophilic tissue clusters.     

The Anticancer Activity of Organotelluranes: Potential Role in Integrin Inactivation

Organic Te^IV compounds (organotelluranes) differing in their labile ligands exhibited anti‐integrin activities in vitro and anti‐metastatic properties in vivo. They underwent ligand substitution with l ‐cysteine, as a thiol model compound. Unlike inorganic Te^IV compounds, the organotelluranes did not form a stable complex with cysteine, but rather immediately oxidized it. The organotelluranes inhibited integrin functions, such as adhesion, migration, and metalloproteinase secretion mediation in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. In comparison, a reduced derivative with no labile ligand inhibited adhesion of B16F10 cells to a significantly lower extent, thus pointing to the importance of the labile ligands of the Te^IV atom. One of the organotelluranes inhibited circulating cancer cells in vivo, possibly by integrin inhibition. Our results extend the current knowledge on the reactivity and mechanism of organotelluranes with different labile ligands and highlight their clinical potential.     

Balancing sets of vectors

For n>0, d⩾0, n≡d (mod 2), let K(n, d) denote the minimal cardinality of a family V of ±1 vectors of dimension n, such that for any ±1 vector w of dimension n there is a v∈V such that |v- w|⩽d, where v-w is the usual scalar product of v and w. A generalization of a simple construction due to D.E. Knuth (1986) shows that K(n , d)⩽[n/(d+1)]. A linear algebra proof is given here that this construction is optimal, so that K(n, d)-[n/(d+1)] for all n≡d (mod 2). This construction and its extensions have applications to communication theory, especially to the construction of signal sets for optical data links     

Lupus vulgaris complicated by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma

A 47-year-old Bedouin man presented with an ulcerated nodule of several months' duration on the nape of the neck. The nodule developed on an asymptomatic, slowly growing plaque which appeared during childhood. Physical examination revealed two erythematous plaques covering the posterior and right lateral aspects of the neck. The border of the plaques was soft, circinate, with a reddish-brown color, while the center was slightly erythematous and atrophic. An ulcerated nodule measuring 2 cm was seen on one of the plaques. Physical examination was unremarkable with no lymphadenopathy. Laboratory tests, including complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and routine chemistry tests, were all within normal limits. Chest X-ray showed a small calcified perihilar lymph node. The Mantoux test was positive with erythema and induration of 15 mm after 48 h. Biopsy from a plaque showed extensive diffuse granulomatous infiltration throughout the dermis with epithelioid and Langhans giant cells surrounded by mononuclear inflammatory cells. No caseation necrosis was present. Ziehl-Neelsen, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and Giemsa stains were negative. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria from a skin sample was also negative. Fresh tissue cultures yielded M. tuberculosis after 6 weeks. A biopsy specimen from the ulcerated nodule demonstrated islands of atypical malignant squamous cells invading the dermis, which were compatible with moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The ulcerated nodule was completely excised, and treatment for tuberculosis was initiated with a combination of isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide. Within 3 months of therapy, the patient's lesions resolved, leaving only slightly atrophic hypopigmented scars. A month after the treatment's initiation, an enlarged cervical lymph node was noted showing metastatic SCC on histologic examination. The patient underwent neck dissection and radiation therapy without evidence of any further metastases.     

The kinetics and shear threshold of transient and rolling interactions of L-selectin with its ligand on leukocytes

The kinetics of rolling and transient adhesions through selectins may depend on the kinetics and mechanical properties of the selectin:ligand bond, as well as on cellular properties including receptor-anchoring to the cell membrane and cytoskeleton. Kinetics are known to depend on the selectin and may also be ligand dependent. Here, we study the kinetics of transient and rolling interactions of leukocytes with L-selectin immobilized on a substrate. Remarkably, all properties examined are similar to those seen when the sidedness is opposite, i.e., when the L-selectin ligand is on the substrate and when the ligand is isolated from HEV rather than present on leukocytes. The similar properties include rolling velocity, a threshold shear stress above 0.4 dyn/cm2 required to support rolling, a k degreesoff of 7.0 to 6.8 s-1 for the L-selectin tether bond, and a mechanical bond length of 0.24 to 0.20 A. Our results argue against a model in which L-selectin shedding mediates rolling. Furthermore, the fast and force-resistant kinetic properties suggest that L-selectin is specialized dynamically for tethering leukocytes to vessel walls and adherent leukocytes.     

Source coding and graph entropies

A sender wants to accurately convey information to a receiver who has some, possibly related, data. We study the expected number of bits the sender must transmit for one and for multiple instances in two communication scenarios and relate this number to the chromatic and Korner (1973) entropies of a naturally defined graph     

Early experience with the contraceptive use of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate in an inner-city clinic population

There are few data on the experience of American women with the injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) since its recent approval by the Food and Drug Administration for contraceptive use in the United States. An exploratory study was conducted using chart reviews and telephone interviews of 261 women who initiated DMPA use between December 1992 and June 1994 at either a hospital-based (48%) or community-based (49%) clinic in New York City. Most DMPA users were single (70%), had had at least one birth (88%), had had at least one abortion (67%) and had ever practiced contraception (75% of those with available data). Life-table DMPA continuation rates were 63% at six months and 42% at 12 months and were not affected by the users' age, marital status, pregnancy history, clinic site or proximity of residence to the clinic. Among adults, the risk of DMPA discontinuation was highest during the three-month period following the second injection, while among adolescents, this risk increased throughout the duration of use. The most commonly reported reasons for method discontinuation were side effects, primarily menstrual irregularities (30%) and weight gain (24%).     

Finding and counting given length cycles

We present an assortment of methods for finding and counting simple cycles of a given length in directed and undirected graphs. Most of the bounds obtained depend solely on the number of edges in the graph in question, and not on the number of vertices. The bounds obtained improve upon various previously known results. This work was supported in part by The Basic Research Foundation administrated by The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.     

Hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in a white female

A rare case of a young Caucasian female with hypopigmented mycosis fungoides is described. We reviewed and discussed the literature.