Auxins and cytokinins : the role of subcellular organization on homeostasis

Plant hormones are master regulators of plant growth and development. Better knowledge of their spatial signaling and homeostasis (transport and metabolism) on the lowest structural levels (cellular and subcellular) is therefore crucial to a better understanding of developmental processes in plants. Recent progress in phytohormone analysis at the cellular and subcellular levels has greatly improved the effectiveness of isolation protocols and the sensitivity of analytical methods. This review is mainly focused on homeostasis of two plant hormone groups, auxins and cytokinins. It will summarize and discuss their tissue- and cell-type specific distributions at the cellular and subcellular levels

Долгосрочные результаты клинического применения тотального эндопротеза коленного сустава «Universal»

The objective - to evaluate long-term results and survival rates of Universal condylar knee prosthesis. Material and methods. There were a total of 121 total knee joint replacements in the set with 107 patients aged 71.3 years on average (52-86 years). A total of 115 knees diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the 3-4th degree were indicated for the surgery, and there were 6 patients with the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Knee Society Score (KSS), Results. The assessment of the knee state on a scale KSS average clinical section KSS (knee score) was 48.2, and functional (function score) - 46,8 points. After surgery, the indices increased to 87.4 points and 85.8 points, respectively. One complication was described during the surgery, namely - the fracture of the medial tibia condyle (0.8%). In the early post-surgery period, peroneal nerve paresis was observed in two patients (1.6%). In the postoperative period, disorders of the wound healing were observed in 6 patients (4.9%), which were healed successfully in a conservative way. In the late post-surgery period, there were infectious complications in the knee joint in 4 knee joints (3.3%). Aseptic loosening was observed in 4 cases out of 117 endoprostheses (3.4%). It always concerned the loosening of tibial component. The loosening of the femoral component was not observed. In the period from the implantation until June 2014, which is 16-22 years after the implantation, there are 16 patients in total surviving, who had a total of 21 implanted endoprostheses. Among them there are no signs of a loosening only in 4 patients (19%); there was an apparent radiolucent line up until 2 mm with a sclerotic rim under the tibial component. All the patients were without clinical symptoms for the loosening. Six female patients (28.5%) state troubles in the area of the femoro-patellar joint, where there is a lateralization of the patella, apparent on the X-ray images. Two patients (1.6%) experienced a periprosthetic femur fracture during the period of observation. It was possible to resolve this state by the distal femoral nail osteosynthesis. Upon assessing the results via the Kaplan-Meier curve method, the survival index was 98.7% after 7 years, 94.3% - after 22 years and 91.8% - after 22 years. Conclusion. The result of this study had showed the reliability of Universal prosthesis which can be recommended for the treatment of patients with degenerative knee disea;Цель данной работы - оценка долгосрочных результатов применения тотального эндопротеза сустава Universal. Материал и методы. В изучаемую группу вошли 107 пациентов со средним возрастом 71,3 лет (52-86 лет), которым был имплантирован 121 тотальный эндопротез коленного сустава. В 115 наблюдениях показанием к операции был гонартроз 3-4 степени и в 6 наблюдениях - ревматоидный артрит. Перед операцией и спустя три месяца после ее выполнения была проведена клинико-функциональная оценка состояния пациентов по балльной системе Американского общества коленного сустава (KSS). Результаты. В ходе операций произошло одно (0,8%) осложнение, а именно - перелом медиального мыщелка большеберцовой кости. В раннем послеоперационном периоде у двух пациентов (1,6%) наблюдался паралич малоберцового нерва. В послеоперационном периоде у 6 (4,9%) больных наблюдалось замедление заживления раны, которое удалось купировать консервативными методами. В позднем послеоперационном периоде в четырех случаях (3,3%) возникли инфекционные осложнения. Асептическое расшатывание эндопротезов наблюдалось в 4 случаях (3,4%) из 117. Во всех случаях речь шла о расшатывании большеберцового компонента, нестабильности бедренного компонента не наблюдалось. С момента имплантации до июня 2014 г., то есть спустя 16-22 года после имплантации, дожили 16 пациентов, которым был имплантирован в общей сложности 21 эндопротез. Из них только у 4 (19%) пациентов не было обнаружено никаких рентгенологических признаков расшатывания, а у всех остальных под большеберцовым компонентом наблюдались рентгенопрозрачные линии шириной 2 мм со склеротическим ободком. Тем не менее, ни у одного из пациентов не было выявлено клинических признаков расшатывания. Шесть (28,5%) пациентов предъявляли жалобы на дискомфорт в области пателло-феморального сустава, при этом рентгенологическое обследование выявило лате- рализацию надколенника. У двух пациентов (1,6%) за период наблюдения произошли перипротезные переломы бедренной кости - в обоих случаях выполнен остеосинтез дистальным бедренным штифтом. При оценке результатов по кривой Каплана - Мейера индекс выживания через 7 лет составил 98,7%, через 11 лет - 94,3% и спустя 22 года - 91,8%. Заключение. Результаты исследования показали, что это надежный эндопротез, который имеет свою историю и может быть рекомендован для лечения дегенеративных повреждений коленного сустава как при остеоартрозе, так и у пациентов с ревматоидным артритом

Recent results of studies of magnetic field distribution and neutron scaling on PF-1000 and PF-3 facilities

The recent results of studies of the magnetic field distribution and the neutron yield scaling in two largest plasma focus facilities, PF-3 and PF-1000 is done. The power-law dependence of the neutron yield on the current in the imploding plasma sheath has been demonstrated experimentally. For the first time the presence of the Вz magnetic field components is experimentally shown. In the compression stage, the axial component of the magnetic field reaches several kG that comprises ~10 % of the azimuthal component. The presence of the Bz field is a powerful argument in favor of the existence of closed magnetic configurations, which play an important role in the generating of neutrons.Представлены результаты последних исследований распределения магнитного поля и скейлинга нейтронного выхода на двух крупнейших плазмофокусных установках ПФ-3 и ПФ-1000. Экспериментально показана степенная зависимость нейтронного выхода от величины тока в сжимающейся плазменной оболочке. Впервые экспериментально показано наличие Вz-компоненты магнитного поля. В стадии сжатия величина аксиальной компоненты магнитного поля достигает нескольких килограмм-сил, что составляет ~ 10% от величины азимутальной компоненты. Наличие Bz-поля является весомым аргументом в пользу существования замкнутых магнитных конфигураций, играющих важную роль в механизме генерации нейтронов.Представлено результати останніх досліджень розподілу магнітного поля і скейлінга нейтронного вихoдy на двох найбільших плазмофокусних установках ПФ-3 та ПФ-1000. Експериментально показана ступенева залежність нейтронного виходу від величини струму в плазмовїй оболонці, що стикається. Вперше експериментально показано наявність Вz-компоненти магнітного поля. У стадії стиснення величина аксіальної компоненти магнітного поля досягає декількох кілограм-сил, що складає ~ 10 % від величини азимутальної компоненти. Наявність Вz-поля є вагомим аргументом на користь існування замкнутих магнітних конфігурацій, що мають неаби яку роль у механізмі генерації нейтронів

Role of P-selectin in platelet sequestration in pulmonary capillaries during endotoxemia

Background: There is growing evidence that platelets accumulate in the lung and contribute to the pathogenesis of acute lung injury during endotoxemia. The aims of the present study were to localize platelet sequestration in the pulmonary microcirculation and to investigate the role of P-selectin as a molecular mechanism of platelet endothelial cell interaction. Methods: We used in vivo fluorescence microscopy to quantify the kinetics of fluorescently labeled erythrocytes and platelets in alveolar capillary networks in rabbit lungs. Results: Six hours after onset of endotoxin infusion we observed a massive rolling along and firm adherence of platelets to lung capillary endothelial cells whereas under control conditions no platelet sequestration was detected. P-selectin was expressed on the surface of separated platelets which were incubated with endotoxin and in lung tissue. Pretreatment of platelets with fucoidin, a P-selectin antagonist, significantly attenuated the endotoxin-induced platelet rolling and adherence. In contrast, intravenous infusion of fucoidin in endotoxin-treated rabbits did not inhibit platelet sequestration in pulmonary capillaries. Conclusion: We conclude that platelets accumulate in alveolar capillaries following endotoxemia. P-selectin expressed on the surface of platelets seems to play an important role in mediating this platelet-endothelial cell interaction. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

In vivo and in vitro proinflammatory effects of particulate air pollution (PM10).

Epidemiologic studies have reported associations between fine particulate air pollution, especially particles less than 10 mm in diameter (PM10), and the development of exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the mechanism is unknown. We tested our hypothesis that PM10 induces oxidant stress, causing inflammation and injury to airway epithelium. We assessed the effects of intratracheal instillation of PM10 in rat lungs. The influx of inflammatory cells was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Airspace epithelial permeability was assessed as total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in vivo. The oxidant properties of PM10 were determined by their ability to cause changes in reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG). We also compared the effects of PM10 with those of fine (CB) and ultrafine (ufCB) carbon black particles. Six hours after intratracheal instillation of PM10, we noted an influx of neutrophils (up to 15% of total BAL cells) in the alveolar space, increased epithelial permeability, an increase in total protein in BALF from 0.39 +/- 0.01 to 0.62 +/- 0.01 mg/ml (mean +/- SEM) and increased lactate dehydrogenase concentrations in BALF. An even greater inflammatory response was observed after intratracheal instillation of ufCB, but not after CB instillation. PM10 had oxidant activity in vivo, as shown by decreased GSH in BALF (from 0.36 +/- 0.05 to 0.25 +/- 0.01 nmol/ml) after instillation. BAL leukocytes from rats treated with PM10 produced greater amounts of nitric oxide, measured as nitrite (control 3.07 +/- 0.33, treated 4.45 +/- 0.23 mM/1 x 10(6) cells) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (control 21.0 +/- 3.1, treated 179.2 +/- 29.4 unit/1 x 10(6) cells) in culture than BAL leukocytes obtained from control animals. These studies provide evidence that PM10 has free radical activity and causes lung inflammation and epithelial injury. These data support our hypothesis concerning the mechanism for the adverse effects of particulate air pollution on patients with airway diseases

Resolvin D2 is a potent regulator of leukocytes and controls microbial sepsis

National Institutes of Health grants GM-38765 and P50-DE016191 (C.N.S.), Welcome Trust Programme grant 086867/Z/08/Z (R.J.F. and M.P.) and Project grant 085903/Z/08 (R.J.F.) and Arthritis Research Campaign UK fellowships 18445 and 18103 (to L.V.N. and D.C., respectively). M.S. received a National Research Service Award from the NHLBI (HL087526)

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus in Iquitos, Peru: Urban Transmission of a Sylvatic Strain

Enzootic strains of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) have been isolated from febrile patients in the Peruvian Amazon Basin at low but consistent levels since the early 1990s. Through a clinic-based febrile surveillance program, we detected an outbreak of VEEV infections in Iquitos, Peru, in the first half of 2006. The majority of these patients resided within urban areas of Iquitos, with no report of recent travel outside the city. To characterize the risk factors for VEEV infection within the city, an antibody prevalence study was carried out in a geographically stratified sample of urban areas of Iquitos. Additionally, entomological surveys were conducted to determine if previously incriminated vectors of enzootic VEEV were present within the city. We found that greater than 23% of Iquitos residents carried neutralizing antibodies against VEEV, with significant associations between increased antibody prevalence and age, occupation, mosquito net use, and overnight travel. Furthermore, potential vector mosquitoes were widely distributed across the city. Our results suggest that while VEEV infection is more common in rural areas, transmission also occurs within urban areas of Iquitos, and that further studies are warranted to identify the precise vectors and reservoirs involved in urban VEEV transmission

Lipoteichoic Acid Induces Unique Inflammatory Responses when Compared to Other Toll-Like Receptor 2 Ligands

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize evolutionarily-conserved molecular patterns originating from invading microbes. In this study, we were interested in determining if microbial ligands, which use distinct TLR2-containing receptor complexes, represent unique signals to the cell and can thereby stimulate unique cellular responses. Using the TLR2 ligands, R-FSL1, S-FSL1, Pam2CSK4, Pam3CSK4, and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), we demonstrate that these ligands activate NF-κB and MAP Kinase pathways with ligand-specific differential kinetics in murine macrophages. Most strikingly, LTA stimulation of these pathways was substantially delayed when compared with the other TLR2 ligands. These kinetics differences were associated with a delay in the LTA-induced expression of a subset of genes as compared with another TLR2 ligand, R-FSL1. However, this did not translate to overall differences in gene expression patterns four hours following stimulation with different TLR2 ligands. We extended this study to evaluate the in vivo responses to distinct TLR2 ligands using a murine model of acute inflammation, which employs intravital microscopy to monitor leukocyte recruitment into the cremaster muscle. We found that, although R-FSL1, S-FSL1, Pam2CSK4, and Pam3CSK4 were all able to stimulate robust leukocyte recruitment in vivo, LTA remained functionally inert in this in vivo model. Therefore distinct TLR2 ligands elicit unique cellular responses, as evidenced by differences in the kinetic profiles of signaling and gene expression responses in vitro, as well as the physiologically relevant differences in the in vivo responses to these ligands