449 research outputs found

    Des(1–3)IGF-1 Treatment Normalizes Type 1 IGF Receptor and Phospho-Akt (Thr 308) Immunoreactivity in Predegenerative Retina of Diabetic Rats

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    Little is known about interventions that may prevent predegenerative changes in the diabetic retina. This study tested the hypothesis that immediate, systemic treatment with an insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 analog can prevent abnormal accumulations of type 1 IGF receptor, and phospho-Akt (Thr 308) immunoreactivity in predegenerative retinas of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Type 1 IGF receptor immunoreactivity increased approximately 3-fold in both inner nuclear layer (INL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) in retinas from STZ rats versus nondiabetic controls. Phospho-Akt (Thr 308) immunoreactivity increased 5-fold in GCL and 8-fold in INL of STZ rat retinas. In all cases, immunoreactive cells were significantly reduced in STZ des(1–3)IGF-1–treated versus STZ rats. Preliminary results suggested that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels may also be reduced. Hyperglycemia/ failure of weight gain in diabetic rats continued despite systemic des(1–3)IGF-1. These data show that an IGF-1 analog can prevent early retinal biochemical abnormalities implicated in the progression of diabetic retinopathy, despite ongoing hyperglycemia

    Effects of Cultured Adrenal Chromaffin Cell Implants on Hindlimb Reflexes of the 6-OHDA Lesioned Rat

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    The effects of implantation of cultured adrenal medullary cells on the recovery of neurotransmitter specific reflex activity were studied in the rat spinal cord using electrophysiological testing methods. Cell suspensions of cultured neonatal adrenal medullary chromaffin (AM) cells (which produce catecholamines), or Schwann (Sc) cells (controls) were implanted into the lumbar region of the spinal cord 2 weeks after catecholamine (CA) denervation by intracisternal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). All cells were taken from 7 day neonates and cultured for 10 days in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). Three months after implantation, the extent of implant-associated recovery of reflex activity was determined by measuring electromyogram (EMG) activity and force associated with the long latency component of the hindlimb withdrawal reflex (which is CA modulated). After the electrophysiological testing, rats were anesthetized, and the spinal cords were rapidly removed and frozen. Spinal cords were sectioned longitudinally, and implanted cells were visualized using glyoxylic acid techniques. Labelled sections were examined to determine cell survival. Results indicate that 1) chromaffin cells survive for 3 months in the segments of the cord into which they have been implanted and 2) rats implanted with AM cells have significantly more forceful withdrawal reflexes than those that received Sc cells or received no implant after lesioning

    Feasibility of community-based control of tsetse: A pilot project using Tiny Targets in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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    Gambianse Human African Trypanosomiasis (g-HAT) is a neglected tropical disease caused by trypanosomes transmitted by tsetse flies. 70%Most (>80%) of the cases in 2019 (604/863) occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). and Thea national programme for g-HAT to eliminatione HAT in DRC includes athe large-scale deployment of Tiny Targets which attract and kill tsetse. This intervention is directed by vector-control specialists with small teams, moving in canoes, deploying Tiny Targets along riverbanks where tsetse concentrate. While the targets are deployed in communal areas, and the method is cheap and easy-to-use, local people have little involvement. This study aimed to evaluate if a community-led vector control programme was feasible in the context of DRC’s g-HAT elimination programme

    Application of the pMHC array to characterise tumour antigen specific T cell populations in leukaemia patients at disease diagnosis

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    Immunotherapy treatments for cancer are becoming increasingly successful, however to further improve our understanding of the T-cell recognition involved in effective responses and to encourage moves towards the development of personalised treatments for leukaemia immunotherapy, precise antigenic targets in individual patients have been identified. Cellular arrays using peptide-MHC (pMHC) tetramers allow the simultaneous detection of different antigen specific T-cell populations naturally circulating in patients and normal donors. We have developed the pMHC array to detect CD8+ T-cell populations in leukaemia patients that recognise epitopes within viral antigens (cytomegalovirus (CMV) and influenza (Flu)) and leukaemia antigens (including Per Arnt Sim domain 1 (PASD1), MelanA, Wilms’ Tumour (WT1) and tyrosinase). We show that the pMHC array is at least as sensitive as flow cytometry and has the potential to rapidly identify more than 40 specific T-cell populations in a small sample of T-cells (0.8–1.4 x 106). Fourteen of the twenty-six acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients analysed had T cells that recognised tumour antigen epitopes, and eight of these recognised PASD1 epitopes. Other tumour epitopes recognised were MelanA (n = 3), tyrosinase (n = 3) and WT1126-134 (n = 1). One of the seven acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) patients analysed had T cells that recognised the MUC1950-958 epitope. In the future the pMHC array may be used provide point of care T-cell analyses, predict patient response to conventional therapy and direct personalised immunotherapy for patients

    Устройство советских мотоциклов

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    0|7|Введение [c. 7]0|11|Схема современного мотоцикла [c. 11]0|13|Принцип работы двигателя внутреннего сгорания [c. 13]0|28|Устройство деталей двигателей [c. 28]0|59|Охлаждение двигателя [c. 59]0|66|Смазка двигателя [c. 66]0|83|Карбюрация [c. 83]0|110|Электрооборудование мотоцикла [c. 110]0|150|Силовая передача [c. 150]0|172|Экипажная часть мотоцикла [c. 172]0|191|Органы управления мотоциклом [c. 191]0|198|Дополнительное оборудование мотоцикла [c. 198]0|199|Боковая прицепка [c. 199]0|202|Приспособления к мотоциклу для езды в условиях скользкого пути [c. 202]0|205|Управление мотоциклом [c. 205]0|212|Содержание [c. 212

    Identification and Characterization of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma-Associated SEREX Antigens

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    Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) are generally less common and pursue a more aggressive clinical course than B-cell lymphomas, with the T-cell phenotype itself being a poor prognostic factor in adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). With notable exceptions such as ALK+ anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL, ALK+), the molecular abnormalities in PTCL remain poorly characterised. We had previously identified circulating antibodies to ALK in patients with ALCL, ALK+. Thus, as a strategy to identify potential antigens associated with the pathogenesis of PTCL, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS), we screened a testis cDNA library with sera from four PTCL, NOS patients using the SEREX (serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries) technique. We identified nine PTCL, NOS-associated antigens whose immunological reactivity was further investigated using sera from 52 B- and T-cell lymphoma patients and 17 normal controls. The centrosomal protein CEP250 was specifically recognised by patients sera and showed increased protein expression in cell lines derived from T-cell versus B-cell malignancies. TCEB3, BECN1, and two previously uncharacterised proteins, c14orf93 and ZBTB44, were preferentially recognised by patients' sera. Transcripts for all nine genes were identified in 39 cancer cell lines and the five genes encoding preferentially lymphoma-recognised antigens were widely expressed in normal tissues and mononuclear cell subsets. In summary, this study identifies novel molecules that are immunologically recognised in vivo by patients with PTCL, NOS. Future studies are needed to determine whether these tumor antigens play a role in the pathogenesis of PTCL

    Fibulin-3 levels in malignant pleural mesothelioma are associated with prognosis but not diagnosis

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    BACKGROUND: Fibulin-3 (FBLN3) was recently presented as a promising novel biomarker for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), warranting independent validation studies. METHODS: ELISA was used to measure cellular and secreted FBLN3 in cell lines, in plasma of xenograft tumour-bearing mice, in plasma from two independent series of MPM and non-MPM patients and in pleural fluid from a third series. Diagnostic and prognostic potential of FBLN3 was assessed by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier method, respectively. RESULTS: FBLN3 was expressed in all MPM and benign mesothelial cell lines tested, and a correlation was observed between cellular protein expression and secreted levels. Human FBLN3 was detectable in plasma of tumour-bearing mice, suggesting that MPM cells contribute to levels of circulating FBLN3. Plasma FBLN3 was significantly elevated in MPM patients from the Sydney cohort, but not the Vienna cohort, but the diagnostic accuracy was low (63%, (95% CI: 50.1-76.4) and 56% (95% CI: 41.5-71.0), respectively). Although FBLN3 levels in pleural effusions were not significantly different between cases and controls, FBLN3 levels in pleural effusion fluid were found to be independently associated with prognosis (hazard ratio of 9.92 (95% CI: 2.14-45.93)). CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm the potential prognostic value of pleural effusion FBLN3, but question the diagnostic value of this protein in MPM patients
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