Type I interferon-activated microglia are critical for neuromyelitis optica pathology

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) most frequently mediated by serum autoantibodies against the water channel aquaporin 4, expressed on CNS astrocytes, resulting in primary astrocytopathy. There is no cure for NMO, and treatment with Type I interferon (IFNI)-IFN beta is ineffective or even detrimental. We have previously shown that both NMO lesions and associated microglial activation were reduced in mice lacking the receptor for IFN beta. However, the role of microglia in NMO is not well understood. In this study, we clarify the pathomechanism for IFNI dependence of and the role of microglia in experimental NMO. Transcriptome analysis showed a strong IFNI footprint in affected CNS tissue as well as in microglial subpopulations. Treatment with IFN beta led to exacerbated pathology and further microglial activation as evidenced by expansion of a CD11c(+) subset of microglia. Importantly, depletion of microglia led to suppression of pathology and decrease of IFNI signature genes. Our data show a pro-pathologic role for IFNI-activated microglia in NMO and open new perspectives for microglia-targeted therapies

Surfactant-Free Colloidal Syntheses of Gold-Based Nanomaterials in Alkaline Water and Mono-alcohol Mixtures [Dataset]

120 pages. -- SA. Synthesis of Au NPs using ROH. -- SB. Experimental section. -- SC. Effect of mono-alcohol, mono-alcohol content and cation. -- SD. Effect of experimental parameters: HAuCl4 concentration, volume of solution, type of container used, light. -- SE. Effect of the nature of the alcohols. -- SF. Kinetics of the reduction. -- SG. Influence of the temperature. -- SH. Influence of base concentration. -- SI. Influence of gas atmosphere. -- SJ. Influence of the order of addition of the chemicals. -- SK. Discussion of Au NP formation. -- SL. Reproducibility. -- SM. Scalability. -- SN. Mixture of mono-alcohols. -- SO. Cation and surfactant effects . -- SP. Electrochemical characterization of Au NPs. -- SQ. Supported NPs. -- SR. Pd and bimetallic NPs. -- SS. Nanocomposites. -- ST. Electrochemical characterization of AuxPdy NPs and [x Au + y Pd] nanocomposites. -- SU. Outlook into multi-metallic nanomaterials. -- SV. Comparison of different catalysts. -- SW. ReferencesGold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and gold-based nanomaterials combine unique properties relevant for medicine, imaging, optics, sensing, catalysis, and energy conversion. While the Turkevich–Frens and Brust–Schiffrin methods remain the state-of-the-art colloidal syntheses of Au NPs, there is a need for more sustainable and tractable synthetic strategies leading to new model systems. In particular, stabilizers are almost systematically used in colloidal syntheses, but they can be detrimental for fundamental and applied studies. Here, a surfactant-free synthesis of size-controlled colloidal Au NPs stable for months is achieved by the simple reduction of HAuCl4 at room temperature in alkaline solutions of low-viscosity mono-alcohols such as ethanol or methanol and water, without the need for any other additives. Palladium (Pd) and bimetallic AuxPdy NPs, nanocomposites and multimetallic samples, are also obtained and are readily active (electro)­catalysts. The multiple benefits over the state-of-the-art syntheses that this simple synthesis bears for fundamental and applied research are highlighted.Peer reviewe

Breakdown of universality in transitions to spatiotemporal chaos

We show that the transition from laminar to active behavior in extended chaotic systems can vary from a continuous transition in the universality class of directed percolation with infinitely many absorbing states to what appears as a first-order transition. The latter occurs when finite lifetime nonchaotic structures, called "solitons," dominate the dynamics. We illustrate this scenario in an extension of the deterministic Chaté-Manneville coupled map lattice model and in a soliton including variant of the stochastic Domany-Kinzel cellular automaton

Migrant tuberculosis: the extent of transmission in a low burden country

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human migration caused by political unrest, wars and poverty is a major topic in international health. Infectious diseases like tuberculosis follow their host, with potential impact on both the migrants and the population in the recipient countries. In this study, we evaluate <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>transmission between the national population and migrants in Denmark.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Register study based on IS<it>6110</it>-RFLP results from nationwide genotyping of tuberculosis cases during 1992 through 2004. Cases with 100% identical genotypes were defined as clustered and part of a transmission chain. Origin of clusters involving both Danes and migrants was defined as Danish/migrant/uncertain. Subsequently, the proportion of cases likely infected by the "opposite" ethnic group was estimated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>4,631 cases were included, representing 99% of culture confirmed cases during 1992 through 2004. Migrants contributed 61.6% of cases. Up to 7.9% (95% CI 7.0-8.9) of migrants were infected by Danes. The corresponding figure was 5.8% (95% CI 4.8-7.0) for Danes. Thus, transmission from Danes to migrants occurred up to 2.5 (95% CI 1.8-3.5) times more frequent than vice versa (OR = 1). A dominant strain, Cluster-2, was almost exclusively found in Danes, particular younger-middle-aged males.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Transmission between Danes and migrants is limited, and risk of being infected by the "opposite" ethnic group is highest for migrants. TB-control efforts should focus on continues micro-epidemics, e.g. with Cluster-2 in Danes, prevention of reactivation TB in high-risk migrants, and outbreaks in socially marginalized migrants, such as Somalis and Greenlanders. Fears that TB in migrants poses a threat for resident Danes seem exaggerated and unjustified. We believe this to be true for other low incidence countries as well.</p