Anuran development is usually described using model species, most notably Xenopus laevis and Rana pipiens. We describe the development of the East African Reed Frog, Hyperolius puncticulatus, a species displaying development that is highly divergent from the "classic" anuran developmental pattern. Although having small eggs, the eggs of H. puncticulatus are characterized by a large amount of yolk, and embryonic development is reminiscent of species with large eggs. The eggs are teleolecithal and the cleavage is holoblastic, with a "pseudo-meroblastic" pattern. Gastrulation proceeds primarily at the dorsal lip and is characterized by reduced embryonic cavities. Gastrulation ends with a thickened "embryonic mantle" that sits upon a large yolk mass and forms most of the tissues of the embryo. The embryonic axis curves across the yolk mass, instead of the typical lengthening of anuran embryos. The tadpole hatches with a large ventral yolk mass which is gradually absorbed. We hypothesize about the developmental mechanisms that underlie this unusual development, based on comparisons with other anuran and fish species. We suggest that this type of development is not unique to this species, but can be found in many species of different anuran taxonomic groups. Comparing the development of H. puncticulatus and similar species to what is known about the development of model species, such as X. laevis, shows us the variation in early anuran embryogenesis. Knowing the existing diversity is a prerequisite to understanding the evolution of early anuran development and the changes in patterning mechanisms in different lineages.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reprogramming the phagocytic pathway--intracellular pathogens and their vacuoles (review).

Phagocytic immune cells (particularly macrophages and neutrophils) take up and digest particles that have invaded our bodies. In doing so, they represent a very early line of defence against a microbial attack. During uptake, the particles are wrapped by a portion of the phagocyte's plasma membrane, and a new endocytic compartment, the phagosome, is formed. The typical fate of a phagosome is its fusion with lysosomes to yield a phagolysosome in which the particle is digested. Recent data show that some 'intracellular microorganisms' that can cause severe illnesses (tuberculosis, leprosy, legionnaire's disease and others) manage to reprogramme the host phagocytes not to deliver them to the lysosomal compartment. This probably results in increased survival of the pathogens. The analysis of the composition of such 'novel' compartments and research on the molecular mechanisms underlying the microbial interference with host cell functions are likely to yield important insights into: (1) which endocytic/phagocytic compartments phagocytes employ to handle ingested material in general; (2) how some pathogenic microorganisms can reprogramme the phagocytic pathway; and possibly (3) how infections caused by these microorganisms can be treated more effectively. Here, some studies are presented analysing which compartments intracellular pathogens inhabit and how microbes might be able to reprogramme their host cells.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Cataract as an additional sign in CHARGE syndrome.

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Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adjuvant high-dose chemotherapy with epirubicin and ifosfamide in nodal positive breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Morbidity and mortality, disease-free- and overall survival were analysed in an adjuvant high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) study with ifosfamide and epirubicin for high-risk (> or = 10 positive lymph nodes) breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients (pts) were treated with 4 cycles of ViEC (vindesine, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide) as standard chemotherapy. After the second cycle, CD34+ stem cells were mobilised with G-CSF. HDCT consisted of epirubicin 100 mg/m2 on days (-5)-(-4) before stem-cell rescue and ifosfamide 5000 mg/m2 on days (-5)-(-2). RESULTS: No therapy-related deaths occurred. Mucositis WHO grade III/IV in 52% and neutropenic fever in 81% were the most relevant toxicities. Nausea and vomiting WHO grades III/IV were found in 62.2%. The median duration of leucopenia grade IV was 7 days (range: 4-11) with a median time to platelet recovery > 50,000/microliter of 6 days (range: 4-11). After a median follow-up time of 21 months (range: 12-49 months), six of 21 pts (28.6%) relapsed. Two patients died 12 and 18 months after initial diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant HDCT with epirubicin and ifosfamide is safe and shows good tolerability for high-risk breast cancer.

Adult↗

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Chronic lung patients.

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Bronchitis↗