Statistical Indicators of Collective Behavior and Functional Clusters in Gene Networks of Yeast

We analyze gene expression time-series data of yeast S. cerevisiae measured along two full cell-cycles. We quantify these data by using q-exponentials, gene expression ranking and a temporal mean-variance analysis. We construct gene interaction networks based on correlation coefficients and study the formation of the corresponding giant components and minimum spanning trees. By coloring genes according to their cell function we find functional clusters in the correlation networks and functional branches in the associated trees. Our results suggest that a percolation point of functional clusters can be identified on these gene expression correlation networks.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Periodontal Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Is Caused by Mutations in C1R and C1S, which Encode Subcomponents C1r and C1s of Complement

Periodontal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (pEDS) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by early-onset periodontitis leading to premature loss of teeth, joint hypermobility, and mild skin findings. A locus was mapped to an approximately 5.8 Mb region at 12p13.1 but no candidate gene was identified. In an international consortium we recruited 19 independent families comprising 107 individuals with pEDS to identify the locus, characterize the clinical details in those with defined genetic causes, and try to understand the physiological basis of the condition. In 17 of these families, we identified heterozygous missense or in-frame insertion/deletion mutations in C1R (15 families) or C1S (2 families), contiguous genes in the mapped locus that encode subunits C1r and C1s of the first component of the classical complement pathway. These two proteins form a heterotetramer that then combines with six C1q subunits. Pathogenic variants involve the subunit interfaces or inter-domain hinges of C1r and C1s and are associated with intracellular retention and mild endoplasmic reticulum enlargement. Clinical features of affected individuals in these families include rapidly progressing periodontitis with onset in the teens or childhood, a previously unrecognized lack of attached gingiva, pretibial hyperpigmentation, skin and vascular fragility, easy bruising, and variable musculoskeletal symptoms. Our findings open a connection between the inflammatory classical complement pathway and connective tissue homeostasis

Induction of short interspersed nuclear repeat-containing transcripts in epithelial cells upon infection with a chicken adenovirus

Chicken embryo lethal orphan adenovirus (CELO) is used as a vector for expression of exogenous genes in mammalian cells. Here, we analyzed transcriptional alterations in mouse epithelial host cells following infection with CELO using cDNA microarray analysis. Sequence data characterization revealed that a major portion of CELO-induced genes contained short interspersed nuclear elements of the B2 subclass (B2 SINEs). In fact, we could identify SINEs and other repetitive sequences as contributing significantly to the cDNAs used for microarray construction. Moreover, we found that the CELO protein Gam1 was able to mediate transcriptional activation of these B2 SINE-containing RNAs. We hypothesize that upregulation of B2-SINE-containing RNAs could be a novel contribution of Gam1 to CELO host cell infection

Aortitis requiring aortic repair associated with glaucoma, thyroiditis, glaucoma, and neuropathy: case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Aortitis may be due to infectious and non-infectious causes. We observed aortitis, associated with glaucoma, thyroiditis, pericarditis, pleural effusion and neuropathy in a 63-years old woman. Despite antibiotic therapy, inflammatory signs persisted and resolved only after initiation of glucocorticoid therapy. Increasing aortic ectasia necessitated resection of the ascending aorta and implantation of a Vascutek 30 mm prosthesis. Histologically a granulomatous aortitis was diagnosed. Since all other possible causes were excluded, an immunological mechanism of the aortitis is suspected and possible triggering factors are discussed.</p

Immunophenotypic characterization of human T cells after <i>in vitro</i> exposure to different silicone breast implant surfaces - Fig 3

<p><b>IL-1β (A) IL-6 (B), and TNF-α(C) levels in the supernatants collected from PBMC cultured on 8 surfaces as indicated.</b> Results are expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 5). Each data point represents an individual donor. Friedman ANOVA test was used to compare the means (Dunn’s multiple comparison test; *p<0.05, ***p<0.001).</p

Immunophenotype of CD8+T cells cultured on silicone surfaces.

<p>A) Representative FACS plots showing gating strategy of 4 different CD8+ T cells. A viability dye was used to discriminate live and dead cells. After gating on CD3+ T cells, naïve /memory cells were discriminated on the basis of expression of CD45RA and CD197 markers, respectively. B) PBMC from seven donors were cultured on implants with different surfaces for 4 days. Cells were gated on CD8+ cells: naïve (N, CD45RA⁺CD197⁺), central memory (CM, CD45RA^-CD197⁺), effector memory (EM, CD45RA^-CD197^-) and terminally differentiated central memory cells (TEMRA, CD45RA⁺CD197^-) were determined and shown as % of CD8+. Three independent experiments (2–3 donors/experiment) were performed. Each data point represents an individual donor. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Friedman's ANOVA test was used to compare the means (Dunn’s multiple comparison test; * p<0.05,** p<0.01).</p