Comparison in gene expression of secretory human endometrium using laser microdissection

BACKGROUND: The endometrium prepares for implantation under the control of steroid hormones. It has been suggested that there are complicated interactions between the epithelium and stroma in the endometrium during menstrual cycle. In this study, we demonstrate a difference in gene expression between the epithelial and stromal areas of the secretory human endometrium using microdissection and macroarray technique. METHODS: The epithelial and stromal areas were microdissected from the human endometrium during the secretory phase. RNA was extracted and amplified by PCR. Macroarray analysis of nearly 1000 human genes was carried out in this study. Some genes identified by macroarray analysis were verified using real-time PCR. RESULTS: In this study, changes in expression <2.5-fold in three samples were excluded. A total of 28 genes displayed changes in expression from array data. Fifteen genes were strongly expressed in the epithelial areas, while 13 genes were strongly expressed in the stromal areas. The strongly expressed genes in the epithelial areas with a changes >5-fold were WAP four-disulfide core domain 2 (44.1 fold), matrix metalloproteinase 7 (40.1 fold), homeo box B5 (19.8 fold), msh homeo box homolog (18.8 fold), homeo box B7 (12.7 fold) and protein kinase C, theta (6.4 fold). On the other hand, decorin (55.6 fold), discoidin domain receptor member 2 (17.3 fold), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (9 fold), ribosomal protein S3A (6.3 fold), and tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains (5.2 fold) were strongly expressed in the stromal areas. WAP four-disulfide core domain 2 (19.4 fold), matrix metalloproteinase 7 (9.7-fold), decorin (16.3-fold) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (7.2-fold) were verified by real-time PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the genes we identified with differential expression are related to the immune system. These results are telling us the new information for understanding the secretory human endometrium

Rapid Contamination During Storage of Carbonaceous Chondrites Prepared for Micro FTIR Measurements

The carbonaceous chondrites Tagish Lake and Murchison, which contain abundant hydrous minerals, when pressed on aluminum plates and analyzed by micro FTIR, were found to have been contaminated during brief (24 hours) storage. This contamination occurred when the samples were stored within containers which included silicone rubber, silicone grease or adhesive tape. Long-path gas cell FTIR measurements for silicone rubber revealed the presence of contaminant volatile molecules having 2970 cm(sup -1) (CH3) and 1265 cm(sup -1) (Si-CH3) peaks. These organic contaminants are found to be desorbed by in-situ heating infrared measurements from room temperature to 200-300 C. Careful preparation and storage are therefore needed for precious astronomical samples such as meteorites, IDPs and mission returned samples from comets, asteroids and Mars, if useful for FTIR measurements are to be made

Persistent frequent subclinical seizures and memory impairment after clinical remission in smoldering limbic encephalitis.

Aim. To delineate a possible correlation between clinical course and EEG abnormalities in non-infectious “smoldering” limbic encephalitis. Methods. Long-term clinical data, including video-EEG monitoring records, were analysed in two patients. Results. The two patients were positive for anti-voltage-gated potassium channel complex antibody and unspecified antineuronal antibody, respectively. The latter patient had small cell lung carcinoma. Both patients had memory impairment and clinical seizures. EEG showed frequent subclinical seizure patterns in the bilateral temporal regions. Subclinical seizure patterns and memory impairment persisted over one to two years after clinical seizure remission. Therapy (prednisolone and chemoradiation in the two patients, respectively) resulted in decreased occurrence of subclinical seizure patterns and memory improvement. Conclusions. EEG seizure patterns may persist years after clinical seizure remission in “smoldering” limbic encephalitis and lead to memory impairment

Resident Macrophages in SS

Macrophages (MΦs) are critical regulators of immune response and serve as a link between innate and acquired immunity. The precise mechanism of involvement of tissue-resident MΦs in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is not clear. Here, using a murine model for Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), we investigated the role of tissue-resident MΦs in the onset and development of autoimmunity. Two unique populations of CD11bhigh and CD11blow resident MΦs were observed in the target tissue of the SS model. Comprehensive gene expression analysis of chemokines revealed effective production of CCL22 by the CD11bhigh MΦs. CCL22 upregulated the migratory activity of CD4+ T cells by increasing CCR4, a receptor of CCL22, on T cells in the SS model. In addition, CCL22 enhanced IFN-γ production of T cells of the SS model, thereby suggesting that CCL22 may impair the local immune tolerance in the target organ of the SS model. Moreover, administration of anti-CCL22 antibody suppressed autoimmune lesions in the SS model. Finally, histopathological analysis revealed numerous CCL22-producing MΦs in the minor salivary gland tissue specimens of the SS patients. CCL22-producing tissue-resident MΦs may control autoimmune lesions by enhancing T cell response in the SS model. These results suggest that specific chemokines and their receptors may serve as novel therapeutic or diagnostic targets for SS

Perceived Family Support and Depression among People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Background: Depression is emerging as a highly prevalent psychiatric condition among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Perceived family support (PFS) buffers depression among chronic disease patients. However, a similar relationship among PLWHA is unexplored. Objective: To examine the relationship between PFS and depression among PLWHA in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, depression was measured by Beck Depression Inventory Ia. Perceived family support was measured by Nepali Family Support and Difficulties Scale. The status of depression was compared between 208 PLWHA and 208 HIV-negative participants. The relationship between PFS and depression was examined only among PLWHA. Results: Among each of the 208 participants, the number of depressed PLWHA (n ¼ 61,29.3%) was higher than that of HIV-negative participants (n ¼ 13,6.2%; P \u3c .001). Perceived family support had a negative association with depression in PLWHA (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ¼ 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] ¼ 0.08-0.53). Conclusion: In Nepal, PLWHA display a higher level of depression than HIV-negative people, and a lower level of PFS is associated with depression among PLWHA. Improved family support might be helpful in reducing depression among Nepalese PLWHA

The Comparison of the Surgical Outcome for the Full-Thickness Macular Hole with/without Lamellar Hole-Associated Epiretinal Proliferation

Aims. To compare the surgical outcome of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for full-thickness macular hole (FTMH) with and without lamellar hole-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP). Methods. This retrospective study included 158 eyes of 158 patients with FTMH treated with PPV. The following variables were analyzed: sex, age, preoperative best corrected visual acuity (pre-BCVA), BCVA 6 months after the surgery (6M-BCVA), the axial length of eye, the minimum diameter of FTMH, the diameter of basal side of FTMH, postoperative continuity of subfoveal ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM), and the preoperative presence of LHEP. Results. Twenty-eight eyes had FTMH with LHEP and 130 without LHEP. The mean ± SD age (years) was 72.6 ± 7.9 and 68.6 ± 8.7, respectively (p=0.02). 6M-BCVA was 0.38 ± 0.30 and 0.26 ± 0.25, respectively (p=0.03). The diameter of basal side of FTMH (μm) was 901.5 ± 404.9 and 658.9 ± 288.1, respectively (p=0.00027). EZ was disrupted in 24 eyes and 63 eyes, respectively (p=0.00071). ELM was disrupted in 15 eyes and 23 eyes, respectively (p=0.00015). The FTMH diameters and the presence of LHEP were inversely correlated with the continuity of EZ and ELM. Conclusion. The preoperative appearance of LHEP could be one of the prognostic factor for the treatment of FTMH