1,486 research outputs found
Mucosal immune responses following intestinal nematode infection.
In most natural environments, the large majority of mammals harbour parasitic helminths that often live as adults within the intestine for prolonged periods (1-2 years). Although these organisms have been eradicated to a large extent within westernized human populations, those living within rural areas of developing countries continue to suffer from high infection rates. Indeed, recent estimates indicate that approximately 2.5 billion people worldwide, mainly children, currently suffer from infection with intestinal helminths (also known as geohelminths and soil-transmitted helminths) . Paradoxically, the eradication of helminths is thought to contribute to the increased incidence of autoimmune diseases and allergy observed in developed countries. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding of host-helminth interactions at the mucosal surface that result in parasite expulsion or permit the establishment of chronic infections with luminal dwelling adult worms. We will also provide insight into the adaptive immune mechanisms that provide immune protection against re-infection with helminth larvae, a process that is likely to be key to the future development of successful vaccination strategies. Lastly, the contribution of helminths to immune modulation and particularly to the treatment of allergy and inflammatory bowel disease will be discussed
Electronic structure of nanoscale iron oxide particles measured by scanning tunneling and photoelectron spectroscopies
We have investigated the electronic structure of nano-sized iron oxide by
scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) as well as by
photoelectron spectroscopy. Nano particles were produced by thermal treatment
of Ferritin molecules containing a self-assembled core of iron oxide. Depending
on the thermal treatment we were able to prepare different phases of iron oxide
nanoparticles resembling gamma-Fe2O3, alpha-Fe2O3, and a phase which apparently
contains both gamma-Fe2O3 and alpha-Fe2O3. Changes to the electronic structure
of these materials were studied under reducing conditions. We show that the
surface band gap of the electronic excitation spectrum can differ from that of
bulk material and is dominated by surface effects.Comment: REVTeX, 6 pages, 10 figures, submitted to PR
Pirfenidone in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis:expert panel discussion on the management of drug-related adverse events
Pirfenidone is currently the only approved therapy for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, following studies demonstrating that treatment reduces the decline in lung function and improves progression-free survival. Although generally well tolerated, a minority of patients discontinue therapy due to gastrointestinal and skin-related adverse events (AEs). This review summarizes recommendations based on existing guidelines, research evidence, and consensus opinions of expert authors, with the aim of providing practicing physicians with the specific clinical information needed to educate the patient and better manage pirfenidone-related AEs with continued pirfenidone treatment. The main recommendations to help prevent and/or mitigate gastrointestinal and skin-related AEs include taking pirfenidone during (or after) a meal, avoiding sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high ultraviolet (UV) A and UVB protection. These measures can help optimize AE management, which is key to maintaining patients on an optimal treatment dose.Correction in: Advances in Therapy, Volume 31, Issue 5, pp 575-576 , doi: 10.1007/s12325-014-0118-8</p
Development of Taenia saginata asiatica metacestodes in SCID mice and its infectivity in human and alternative definitive hosts
Development of Taenia saginata asiatica metacestodes in SCID mice, and its infectivity in humans, golden hamsters, and Mongolian gerbils as alternative definitive hosts, were investigated. Cysticerci were recovered from SCID mice that were subcutaneously injected with hatched oncospheres of T. s. asiatica. The morphological changes of metacestodes were observed. The recovered cysticerci were fed to gerbils, hamsters and humans, to check for their infectivity. Tapeworms were recovered from gerbils and hamsters fed with 20 to 45 week-old cysticerci, and proglottids excretions were observed in human volunteers fed with 45 week-old cysticerci. However, no tapeworms were recovered from gerbils fed with 10 week-old cysticerci. Our results suggest that T. s. asiatica oncospheres needed more than 20 weeks to develop to maturity in SCID mice to be infective to both their natural and alternative definitive hosts
Properties of Proton Pumping in Response to Blue Light and Fusicoccin in Guard Cell Protoplasts Isolated from Adaxial Epidermis of Vicia Leaves
Formation of Carbon Nanostructures with Ge and SiC Nanoparticles Prepared by Direct Current and Radio Frequency Hybrid Arc Discharge
Hyperglycaemia and diabetes impair gap junctional communication among astrocytes
Sensory and cognitive impairments have been documented in diabetic humans and
animals, but the pathophysiology of diabetes in the central nervous system is
poorly understood. Because a high glucose level disrupts gap junctional
communication in various cell types and astrocytes are extensively coupled by
gap junctions to form large syncytia, the influence of experimental diabetes on
gap junction channel-mediated dye transfer was assessed in astrocytes in tissue
culture and in brain slices from diabetic rats. Astrocytes grown in
15–25 mmol/l glucose had a slow-onset, poorly reversible decrement in
gap junctional communication compared with those grown in 5.5 mmol/l glucose.
Astrocytes in brain slices from adult STZ (streptozotocin)-treated rats at
20–24 weeks after the onset of diabetes also exhibited reduced dye
transfer. In cultured astrocytes grown in high glucose, increased oxidative
stress preceded the decrement in dye transfer by several days, and gap
junctional impairment was prevented, but not rescued, after its manifestation by
compounds that can block or reduce oxidative stress. In sharp contrast with
these findings, chaperone molecules known to facilitate protein folding could
prevent and rescue gap junctional impairment, even in the presence of elevated
glucose level and oxidative stress. Immunostaining of Cx (connexin) 43 and 30,
but not Cx26, was altered by growth in high glucose. Disruption of astrocytic
trafficking of metabolites and signalling molecules may alter interactions among
astrocytes, neurons and endothelial cells and contribute to changes in brain
function in diabetes. Involvement of the microvasculature may contribute to
diabetic complications in the brain, the cardiovascular system and other
organs
- …