Natural killer cells: role in local tumor growth and metastasis

Historically, the name of natural killer (NK) cells came from their natural ability to kill tumor cells in vitro. From the 1970s to date, accumulating data highlighted the importance of NK cells in host immune response against cancer and in therapy-induced antitumor response. The recognition and the lysis of tumor cells by NK cells are regulated by a complex balance of inhibitory and activating signals. This review summarizes NK cell mechanisms to kill cancer cells, their role in host immune responses against tumor growth or metastasis, and their implications in antitumor immunotherapies via cytokines, antibodies, or in combination with other therapies. The regulatory role of NK cells in autoimmunity is also discussed

La maladie chancreuse du pin d'Alep (II). Recherche de moyens d'intervention

Le but était de mieux connaître et maîtriser cette maladie, par le biais de traitements chimiques et culturaux. L'étude montre que : la maladie présente des fluctuations interannuelles, liées aux pluies supérieures à la normale - Les contaminations sont estivales ou automnales - La réceptivité des pousses augmente avec leur âge - La durée d'incubation dépasse le semestre - Les mortalités de pousses se produisent en fin d'été - Certains produits limitent les infections - La lutte sylvicole telle que conçue ici est inefficace

Mechanisms of cell entry by human papillomaviruses: an overview

As the primary etiological agents of cervical cancer, human papillomaviruses (HPVs) must deliver their genetic material into the nucleus of the target cell. The viral capsid has evolved to fulfil various roles that are critical to establish viral infection. The particle interacts with the cell surface via interaction of the major capsid protein, L1, with heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests the involvement of a secondary receptor and a possible role for the minor capsid protein, L2, in cell surface interactions

Immunisation des génisses contre la brucellose par l’association du vaccin antibrucellique tué, en excipient et de vaccin anti-aphteux

Quinze génisses de race limousine, âgées de 7 à 9 mois, indemnes de brucellose et de tuberculose sont vaccinées par un mélange de vaccin antibrucellique Br. melitensis H. 38 formolé en excipient et d’un vaccin anti-aphteux polyvalent du commerce. Trois mois plus tard, ces animaux vaccinés sont infectés par l’inoculation conjonctivale de 15 x 10 6 Br. abortus souche 544, en même temps qu’un lot témoin de 20 génisses non vaccinées. Tous ces bovins sont sacrifiés et autopsiés 6 à 8 semaines plus tard. La culture en masse des échantillons prélevés (ganglions lymphatiques, rate et foie) donne les résultats suivants : 20 génisses témoins = 20 infectées, 0 protégées. 15 génisses vaccinées = 2 infectées, 13 protégées. La protection étant vérifiée par l’absence de culture de Brucella. Les deux génisses qui, quoique vaccinées, sont infectées ont donné un total de 10 colonies de Br. abortus ; cependant le nombre moyen de colonies de Br. abortus par génisse témoin est de 200. Ainsi, la protection relative est considérable. On peut conclure que l’association de vaccin antibrucellique, Br. melitensis H. 38 formolé en excipient, au vaccin anti-aphteux protège les génisses aussi bien que ce vaccin antibrucellique seul

Sporulenes, Heptaprenyl Metabolites from Bacillus subtilis Spores

Sporulene, a C35-terpenoid hydrocarbon with an unusual pentacyclic structure, is produced by Bacillus subtilis during sporulation.Harvard University. Microbial Sciences Initiative (Fellowship

Transmission congénitale de la brucellose bovine d’une génération à l’autre

Plommet M., Renoux G., Philippon Alain, Gestin J., Fenster-Bank R. Transmission congénitale de la brucellose bovine d’une génération à l’autre. In: Bulletin de l'Académie Vétérinaire de France tome 124 n°1, 1971. pp. 53-59

Coracoid impingement syndrome: a literature review

Coracoid impingement syndrome is a less common cause of shoulder pain. Symptoms are presumed to occur when the subscapularis tendon impinges between the coracoid and lesser tuberosity of the humerus. Coracoid impingement should be included in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a patient with activity-related anterior shoulder pain. It is not thought to be as common as subacromial impingement, and the possibility of the coexistence of the two conditions must be taken into consideration before treatment of either as an isolated process. If nonoperative treatment fails to relieve symptoms, surgical decompression can be offered as an option

African Rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.): Lost Crop of the Enslaved Africans Discovered in Suriname1

African Rice (Oryza glaberrimaSteud.): Lost Crop of the Enslaved Africans Discovered in Suriname. African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) was introduced to the Americas during the slave trade years and grown by enslaved Africans for decades before mechanical milling devices facilitated the shift towards Asian rice (O. sativa L.). Literature suggests that African rice is still grown in Guyana and French Guiana, but the most recent herbarium voucher dates from 1938. In this paper, evidence is presented that O. glaberrima is still grown by Saramaccan Maroons both for food and ritual uses. Saramaccan informants claim their forefathers collected their first “black rice” from a mysterious wild rice swamp and cultivated these seeds afterwards. Unmilled spikelets (grains with their husk still attached) are sold in small quantities for ancestor offerings, and even exported to the Netherlands to be used by Maroon immigrants. Little is known of the evolution of O. glaberrima, before and after domestication. Therefore, more research is needed on the different varieties of rice and other “lost crops” grown by these descendants of enslaved Africans who escaped from plantations in the 17th and 18th centuries and maintained much of their African cultural heritage in the deep rainforest