Cryptococcal choroiditis in advanced AIDS with clinicopathologic correlation.

PurposeTo describe a case of disseminated cryptococcal meningitis with multifocal choroiditis and provide optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings correlated with described histopathology in a patient with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).ObservationsThe patient was a 54-year-old man with AIDS who presented with dyspnea and headache followed by acute vision loss. OCT demonstrated a lesion with a small area of fluid that was limited by a more prominent and irregular external limiting membrane with underlying nodular choroidal thickening, mild RPE disorganization, and hyperreflectivity of the overlying photoreceptor layer. Patient was found to have disseminated cryptococcal infection and passed away despite aggressive therapy. Autopsy was performed including bilateral enucleation and a Cryptococcus lesion was confirmed on histopathology.Conclusion and importanceThis case highlights the clinical, imaging, and histopathologic findings of cryptococcal choroiditis and provides a review of the updated treatment recommendations for disseminated infection in a patient with advanced AIDS. Although currently fundoscopy has proven most useful in directing the diagnostic algorithm in choroiditis in the setting of advanced immunosuppression, OCT may provide insight into the spread of Cryptococcus within the eye

Constrained superpotentials in harmonic gauge theories with 8 supercharges

We consider D-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories with 8 supercharges (D<6,$~\mathcal{N}=8$) in the framework of harmonic superspaces. The effective Abelian low-energy action for D=5 contains the free and Chern-Simons terms. Effective $\mathcal{N}=8$ superfield actions for D<4 can be written in terms of the superpotentials satisfying the superfield constraints and (6-D)-dimensional Laplace equations. The role of alternative harmonic structures is discussed.Comment: LATEX file, 9 pages, version published in Teor. Mat. Fi

Омела окрашенная (Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai) в Восточной Азии (таксономия, ареал, возможности использования)

В работе представлены результаты исследования морфологических признаков и распространения в Восточной Азии Viscum coloratum (Kom.) Nakai с целью выявить специфические признаки этого вида и установить северную и северо-западную границы его ареала. Омела окрашенная на Дальнем Востоке представлена двумя формами: forma lutescens Kitag. и forma rubroaurantiacum (Makino) Kitag. В результате нашего исследования установлено, что северо-западная граница распространения омелы окрашенной достигает в Амурской области долины среднего течения реки Зеи. Впервые отмечается, что на Дальнем Востоке Viscum coloratum произрастает на Quercus mongolica (дуб монгольский). Омела окрашенная обильно поражает деревья липы около лесных пасек и в течение 20 лет заселяет почти все деревья, что вынуждает пчеловодов переносить пасеки в другие места. Среди  распространителей плодов Viscum coloratum преобладают обыкновенные и японские свиристели. В народной медицине стран Восточной Азии омела окрашенная используется при лечении гипертонии и онкологических заболеваний. Основными противоопухолевыми веществами в водном экстракте омелы являются лектины

Intracorneal bacterial colonization in a crystalline pattern

We report the case of a 78-year-old woman who developed an intrastromal bacterial colonization 22 months after penetrating keratoplasty. Slit-lamp examination revealed discrete, finely branched, fernlike stromal opacities, which were histopathologically found to be large intrastromal aggregates of gram-positive cocci with almost no inflammatory cell response.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47391/1/417_2005_Article_BF02143065.pd

Diverse N=(4,4){\cal N} =(4,4) Twisted Multiplets in N=(2,2){\cal N} = (2,2) Superspace

We describe four different types of the ${\cal N} = (4,4)$ twisted supermultiplets in two-dimensional ${\cal N} = (2,2)$ superspace ${\bf R}^{1,1|2,2}$. All these multiplets are presented by a pair of chiral and twisted chiral superfields and differ in the transformation properties under an extra hidden ${\cal N} = (2,2)$ supersymmetry. The sigma model ${\cal N} = (2,2)$ superfield Lagrangians for each type of the ${\cal N} = (4,4)$ twisted supermultiplets are real functions subjected to some differential constraints implied by the hidden supersymmetry. We prove that the general sigma model action, with all types of ${\cal N} = (4,4)$ twisted multiplets originally included, is reduced to a sum of sigma model actions for separate types. An interaction between the multiplets of different sorts is possible only through the appropriate mass terms, and only for those multiplets which belong to the same `self-dual' pair.Comment: 21 p., Late

Opposing Effects of the Angiopoietins on the Thrombin-Induced Permeability of Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells

BACKGROUND: Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is associated with lung injury in ALI/ARDS. As endothelial activation by thrombin plays a role in the permeability of acute lung injury and Ang-2 may modulate the kinetics of thrombin-induced permeability by impairing the organization of vascular endothelial (VE-)cadherin, and affecting small Rho GTPases in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVECs), we hypothesized that Ang-2 acts as a sensitizer of thrombin-induced hyperpermeability of HPMVECs, opposed by Ang-1. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Permeability was assessed by measuring macromolecule passage and transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Angiopoietins did not affect basal permeability. Nevertheless, they had opposing effects on the thrombin-induced permeability, in particular in the initial phase. Ang-2 enhanced the initial permeability increase (passage, P = 0.010; TEER, P = 0.021) in parallel with impairment of VE-cadherin organization without affecting VE-cadherin Tyr685 phosphorylation or increasing RhoA activity. Ang-2 also increased intercellular gap formation. Ang-1 preincubation increased Rac1 activity, enforced the VE-cadherin organization, reduced the initial thrombin-induced permeability (TEER, P = 0.027), while Rac1 activity simultaneously normalized, and reduced RhoA activity at 15 min thrombin exposure (P = 0.039), but not at earlier time points. The simultaneous presence of Ang-2 largely prevented the effect of Ang-1 on TEER and macromolecule passage. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Ang-1 attenuated thrombin-induced permeability, which involved initial Rac1 activation-enforced cell-cell junctions, and later RhoA inhibition. In addition to antagonizing Ang-1, Ang-2 had also a direct effect itself. Ang-2 sensitized the initial thrombin-induced permeability accompanied by destabilization of VE-cadherin junctions and increased gap formation, in the absence of increased RhoA activity

Интервальное и точечное пеленгование источников радиоизлучения при широкополосном радиомониторинге

Introduction. The point and interval direction finding of radio sources is used for broadband radio monitoring in the frequency domain. The initial data for broadband radio monitoring are spectral samples obtained from an M-element antenna array by multichannel reception. Point direction finding is based on a grouping of point estimates of azimuth and elevation angle formed for each frequency sample, in which signal components are detected. A single estimate of azimuth and elevation angle is made based on the grouped point estimates in the range of neighbouring frequency samples. Interval direction finding is based on the azimuth and elevation estimates formed entirely from the interval of adjacent frequency samples, in which the signal components are found, and the subsequent refinement of frequency sample interval boundaries for each radio source in multisignal mode by spatial selection methods. Point direction finding is mainly implemented in single-signal mode in modern operating broadband radio monitoring complexes, while the multi-signal mode based on MUSIC or ESPRIT is implemented in the time domain in a narrow frequency band.Aim. Development and investigation of methods for point and interval direction finding in multi-signal mode, as well as development of recommendations for their practical application in multi-signal and single-signal modes.Methods. Multi-signal mode for point and interval direction finding was implemented using MUSIC and ESPRIT. An experimental study of the developed direction finding methods in single-signal and multi-signal (on ESPRIT) modes with overlapping signal spectra was carried out by processing the recorded real signals. The records were made using a seven-channel coherent synchronous receiver connected to a seven-element 60° angle antenna array.Results. The research results are presented by frequency-azimuth panoramas and estimates of the amplitude spectra of separated signals and direction finding accuracy indicators.Conclusion. It was experimentally demonstrated that point direction finding should be used in single-signal mode provided the absence of information on the number of signals in the observed data. Interval direction finding is recom-mended in multi-signal mode for improving the accuracy and real-time feasibility of the process.Введение. При широкополосном радиомониторинге в частотной области применяются точечное и интервальное пеленгования источников радиоизлучения, исходными данными для которых являются спектральные выборки, полученные при многоканальном приеме от M-элементной антенной решетки. Точечное пеленгование основано на группировке точечных оценок азимута и угла места, сформированных для каждого частотного отсчета, в котором обнаружены сигнальные составляющие. По сгруппированным точечным оценкам в интервале соседних частотных отсчетов выносится единая оценка азимута и угла места. Интервальное пеленгование основано на формировании оценок азимута и угла места целиком по интервалу соседних частотных отсчетов, в котором обнаружены сигнальные составляющие и последующем уточнении границ интервала частотных отсчетов для каждого источника радиоизлучения в многосигнальном режиме на основе методов пространственной селекции. В современных эксплуатирующихся широкополосных комплексах радиомониторинга реализовано преимущественно точечное пеленгование в односигнальном режиме, а многосигнальный режим на основе MUSIC или ESPRIT реализован во временно́й области в узкой полосе частот.Цель работы. Разработка и исследование методов точечного и интервального пеленгования в многосигнальном режиме и выработка рекомендаций для их практического применения в многосигнальном и односигнальном режимах.Методы. Многосигнальный режим при точечном и интервальном пеленговании реализован на MUSIC и ESPRIT. Экспериментальное исследование разработанных методов пеленгования при перекрытии спектров сигналов в односигнальном и многосигнальном по ESPRIT режимах выполнено по записям реальных сигналов, сделанных с помощью семиканального когерентного синхронного приемника, подключенного к семиэлементной 60° уголковой антенной решетке.Результаты. Результаты исследования представлены в виде частотно-азимутальных панорам, амплитудных спектров разделенных сигналов и показателей точности пеленгования.Заключение. Экспериментально продемонстрировано, что в односигнальном режиме при отсутствии информации о числе сигналов в наблюдаемых данных целесообразно применять точечное пеленгование, а в многосигнальном режиме для повышения точности и реализуемости в реальном времени – интервальное

Intracellular expression of Tat alters mitochondrial functions in T cells: a potential mechanism to understand mitochondrial damage during HIV-1 replication

HIV-1 replication results in mitochondrial damage that is enhanced during antiretroviral therapy (ART). The onset of HIV-1 replication is regulated by viral protein Tat, a 101-residue protein codified by two exons that elongates viral transcripts. Although the first exon of Tat (aa 1–72) forms itself an active protein, the presence of the second exon (aa 73–101) results in a more competent transcriptional protein with additional functions. Results: Mitochondrial overall functions were analyzed in Jurkat cells stably expressing full-length Tat (Tat101) or one-exon Tat (Tat72). Representative results were confirmed in PBLs transiently expressing Tat101 and in HIV-infected Jurkat cells. The intracellular expression of Tat101 induced the deregulation of metabolism and cytoskeletal proteins which remodeled the function and distribution of mitochondria. Tat101 reduced the transcription of the mtDNA, resulting in low ATP production. The total amount of mitochondria increased likely to counteract their functional impairment. These effects were enhanced when Tat second exon was expressed. Conclusions: Intracellular Tat altered mtDNA transcription, mitochondrial content and distribution in CD4+ T cells. The importance of Tat second exon in non-transcriptional functions was confirmed. Tat101 may be responsible for mitochondrial dysfunctions found in HIV-1 infected patients.We greatly appreciate the secretarial assistance of Mrs Olga Palao. This work was supported by FIPSE (360924/10), Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF2010-18388), Spanish Ministry of Health (EC11- 285), AIDS Network ISCIII-RETIC (RD12/0017/0015), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (FIS PI12/00506). The work of Sara Rodríguez-Mora is supported by a fellowship of Sara Borrell from Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (2013). The work of María Rosa López-Huertas is supported by a fellowship of the European Union Programme Health 2009 (CHAARM).S

Genome Wide Association Identifies PPFIA1 as a Candidate Gene for Acute Lung Injury Risk Following Major Trauma

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is a syndrome with high associated mortality characterized by severe hypoxemia and pulmonary infiltrates in patients with critical illness. We conducted the first investigation to use the genome wide association (GWA) approach to identify putative risk variants for ALI. Genome wide genotyping was performed using the Illumina Human Quad 610 BeadChip. We performed a two-stage GWA study followed by a third stage of functional characterization. In the discovery phase (Phase 1), we compared 600 European American trauma-associated ALI cases with 2266 European American population-based controls. We carried forward the top 1% of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at p<0.01 to a replication phase (Phase 2) comprised of a nested case-control design sample of 212 trauma-associated ALI cases and 283 at-risk trauma non-ALI controls from ongoing cohort studies. SNPs that replicated at the 0.05 level in Phase 2 were subject to functional validation (Phase 3) using expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analyses in stimulated B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL) in family trios. 159 SNPs from the discovery phase replicated in Phase 2, including loci with prior evidence for a role in ALI pathogenesis. Functional evaluation of these replicated SNPs revealed rs471931 on 11q13.3 to exert a cis-regulatory effect on mRNA expression in the PPFIA1 gene (p = 0.0021). PPFIA1 encodes liprin alpha, a protein involved in cell adhesion, integrin expression, and cell-matrix interactions. This study supports the feasibility of future multi-center GWA investigations of ALI risk, and identifies PPFIA1 as a potential functional candidate ALI risk gene for future research