Purinergic signalling and immune cells

This review article provides a historical perspective on the role of purinergic signalling in the regulation of various subsets of immune cells from early discoveries to current understanding. It is now recognised that adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and other nucleotides are released from cells following stress or injury. They can act on virtually all subsets of immune cells through a spectrum of P2X ligand-gated ion channels and G protein-coupled P2Y receptors. Furthermore, ATP is rapidly degraded into adenosine by ectonucleotidases such as CD39 and CD73, and adenosine exerts additional regulatory effects through its own receptors. The resulting effect ranges from stimulation to tolerance depending on the amount and time courses of nucleotides released, and the balance between ATP and adenosine. This review identifies the various receptors involved in the different subsets of immune cells and their effects on the function of these cells

A review of zoonotic infection risks associated with the wild meat trade in Malaysia.

The overhunting of wildlife for food and commercial gain presents a major threat to biodiversity in tropical forests and poses health risks to humans from contact with wild animals. Using a recent survey of wildlife offered at wild meat markets in Malaysia as a basis, we review the literature to determine the potential zoonotic infection risks from hunting, butchering and consuming the species offered. We also determine which taxa potentially host the highest number of pathogens and discuss the significant disease risks from traded wildlife, considering how cultural practices influence zoonotic transmission. We identify 51 zoonotic pathogens (16 viruses, 19 bacteria and 16 parasites) potentially hosted by wildlife and describe the human health risks. The Suidae and the Cervidae families potentially host the highest number of pathogens. We conclude that there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of zoonotic pathogens and recommend performing microbial food safety risk assessments to assess the hazards of wild meat consumption. Overall, there may be considerable zoonotic risks to people involved in the hunting, butchering or consumption of wild meat in Southeast Asia, and these should be considered in public health strategies

FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF CYCLIC FLOW ALTERNATIONS AND PLATELET-AGGREGATION PREDICT THE SEVERITY OF NEOINTIMAL PROLIFERATION FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTAL CORONARY STENOSIS AND ENDOTHELIAL INJURY

The role of recurrent platelet aggregation in the development of neointimal proliferation of coronary arteries was explored in this study, and the hypothesis was evaluated that recurrent platelet aggregation and the consequent frequency and severity of cyclic coronary blood flow variations are important pathophysiologic factors in the subsequent development of neointimal proliferation. In 24 chronically instrumented dogs, variable degrees of coronary artery neointimal proliferation were observed 3 weeks after mechanical injury of the arterial endothelium and the placement of an external coronary artery constrictor. The severity of neointimal proliferation at 21 days was closely related to the frequency and severity of cyclic coronary blood flow variations during the initial 7 days after instrumentation of the animals, itself a manifestation of recurrent platelet aggregation and dislodgement. Pharmacological therapy with a dual thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor and receptor antagonist and with a serotonin S2 receptor antagonist frequently was successful in abolishing cyclic blood flow variations and in retarding neointimal proliferation

Molecular genetic approaches to the analysis of human ophthalmic disease

In this review of the recent literature, the contribution that the new techniques of molecular genetics has made in the analysis and diagnosis of human ophthalmic conditions is presented and discussed. Among the disorders reviewed are X-linked retinitis pigmentosa, Norrie's disease, gyrate atrophy and retinoblastoma, and there are also sections on crystallins and visual pigments