Aetiology and pathogenesis of reactive arthritis: role of non-antigen-presenting effects of HLA-B27

Spondyloarthropathies are inflammatory diseases closely associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 by unknown mechanisms. One of these diseases is reactive arthritis (ReA), which is typically triggered by Gram-negative bacteria, which have lipopolysaccharide as an integral component of their outer membrane. Several findings in vivo and in vitro obtained from patients with ReA and from different model systems suggest that HLA-B27 modulates the interaction between ReA-triggering bacteria and immune cells by a mechanism unrelated to the antigen presentation function of HLA-B27. In this review we piece together a jigsaw puzzle from the new information obtained from the non-antigen-presenting effects of HLA-B27

Contribution of sea ice in the Southern Ocean to the cycling of volatile halogenated organic compounds

The contribution of sea ice to the flux of biogenic volatile halogenated organic compounds to the atmosphere in the Southern Ocean is currently not known. To approach this question, we measured halocarbons in sea ice, sea ice brine, and surface water of the Amundsen and Ross Seas. Concentrations in sea ice of these compounds, normalized to seawater salinity, ranged from 0.2 to 810 pmol L-1. Salinity-normalized chlorophyll a concentrations in the ice ranged from 3.5 to 190 mu gL(-1). Our results suggest biological production of halocarbons in sea ice, with maxima of halogenated organics and chlorophyll a commonly found in the interior of the ice cores. Iodinated VHOCs were found to be more enriched in sea ice than brominated ones. Furthermore, depth distributions indicated a transport of halocarbons from sea ice to air and underlying water

No supra-additive effects of goserelin and radiotherapy on clonogenic survival of prostate carcinoma cells in vitro

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Oncological results of radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer (PC) are significantly improved by simultaneous application of LHRH analoga (e.g. goserelin). As 85% of PC express LHRH receptors, we investigated the interaction of goserelin incubation with radiotherapy under androgen-deprived conditions in vitro.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>LNCaP and PC-3 cells were stained for LHRH receptors. Downstream the LHRH receptor, changes in protein expression of c-fos, phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 were analyzed by means of Western blotting after incubation with goserelin and irradiation with 4 Gy. Both cell lines were incubated with different concentrations of goserelin in hormone-free medium. 12 h later cells were irradiated (0 – 4 Gy) and after 12 h goserelin was withdrawn. Endpoints were clonogenic survival and cell viability (12 h, 36 h and 60 h after irradiation).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both tested cell lines expressed LHRH-receptors. Changes in protein expression demonstrated the functional activity of goserelin in the tested cell lines. Neither in LNCaP nor in PC-3 any significant effects of additional goserelin incubation on clonogenic survival or cell viability for all tested concentrations in comparison to radiation alone were seen.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The clinically observed increase in tumor control after combination of goserelin with radiotherapy in PC cannot be attributed to an increase in radiosensitivity of PC cells by goserelin in vitro.</p

Strategies to improve the signal and noise performance of active matrix, flatâ panel imagers for diagnostic xâ ray applications

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134928/1/mp8831.pd

Androgenic suppression combined with radiotherapy for the treatment of prostate adenocarcinoma: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Locally advanced prostate cancer is often associated with elevated recurrence rates. Despite the modest response observed, external-beam radiotherapy has been the preferred treatment for this condition. More recent evidence from randomised trials has demonstrated clinical benefit with the combined use of androgen suppression in such cases. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the combination of distinct hormone therapy modalities versus radiotherapy alone for overall survival, disease-free survival and toxicity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane databases and ClinicalTrials.gov) were scanned for randomised clinical trials involving radiotherapy with or without androgen suppression in local prostate cancer. The search strategy included articles published until October 2011. The studies were examined and the data of interest were plotted for meta-analysis. Survival outcomes were reported as a hazard ratio with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Data from ten trials published from 1988 to 2011 were included, comprising 6555 patients. There was a statistically significant advantage to the use of androgen suppression, in terms of both overall survival and disease free survival, when compared to radiotherapy alone. The use of long-term goserelin (up to three years) was the strategy providing the higher magnitude of clinical benefit. In contrast to goserelin, there were no trials evaluating the use of other luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues as monotherapy. Complete hormonal blockade was not shown to be superior to goserelin monotherapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the findings of this systematic review, the evidence supports the use of androgen suppression with goserelin monotherapy as the standard treatment for patients with prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy, which are at high risk of recurrence or metastases.</p

Wood Duck Brood Movements, Habitat Use, and Survival Rates on Two Prairie Rivers in South Dakota

Wood ducks, have recently expanded their breeding range throughout South Dakota. Brood ecology may differ from traditional breeding areas, and between areas within South Dakota, due to difference in landscape. Wood duck brood movements, habitat use, and survival were studied by radio-marking hens nesting in boxes on the Big Sioux River, 1992-1994, and Maple River, 1993-1994, in South Dakota. The Big Sioux River is a lower perennial stream bordered by a narrow wooded corridor and a fairly wide floodplain. The surrounding area has a well integrated drainage system. The Maple River Supports cattail and bulrush along its margins due to the semipermanent water regime. The landscape has few trees and a non-integrated drainage system. Wood duck nest box use was near capacity with a large portion of dump nests on both study areas. Broods were highly mobile, in terms of travel distances (medians – 3.45 -6.65 km for each year and study area) and frequency of movements, in comparison with most wood duck brood studies. Movement was associated with changes in water conditions rather than movement at a particular age. The probability of moving to a new brood rearing areas was positively associated with weekly changes in river water height (P \u3c0.001) and negatively associated with the CV of daily changes in water height (P \u3c0.001). Fewer broods areas were used on the Big Sioux River in 1993 (P=0.05) when river discharge was highest. Total travel distance was longer (P=0.02) on the Maple River versus the Big Sioux River and was longer (P=0.04) on the Big Sioux River in 1992, when water levels were lowest of the 3 years studied. Broods on each study area used the river as a principle travel route. Hens with broods on the Big Sioux River selected forested wetlands most often and semipermanent wetlands least (P\u3c0.05). However, broods leaving the nest before 15 June in 1992, when the floodplain was dry, used more semipermanent wetlands and tributaries than broods later that year or in subsequent years. There was no trend in habitat use of successive brood rearing areas which would explain movements to new areas. Broods on the Maple River selected the river rather than surrounding temporary, seasonal, or semipermanent wetlands. Brood survival (≥1 duckling reared to 30 days) was higher (P=0.04) on the Big Sioux River than on the Maple River. Duckling survival did not differ among areas or years. Initial brood size (P=0.0002) and the date of nest exodus (P=0.003) were inversely related to duckling survival. In addition, duckling survival on the Maple River was positively correlated with the number of brood rearing areas (P=0.03) and negatively correlated with the age at the last brood count (P=0.05); there was a weak (P=0.11) negative association with overall travel distance. Overall duckling survival rates were comparable to previous studies (range-26-44% for each year and study area) Protection of forested wetlands and emergent and overhanging vegetation along streams would help to ensure brood rearing habitat in wood duck breeding areas. Nest boxes should be placed near water routes to potential brood rearing areas or near brood rearing habitat if travel is overland. The negative relationship between initial brood size and duckling survival indicates an additional negative effect of dump nesting which has not been detected in previous wood duck brood survival studies. Efforts should be made to reduce dumb nesting in breeding areas through nest box placement. The effect of brood size on duckling survival warrants further investigation, with efforts to account for correlated factors such as time of season