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Amelioration of the behavioral phenotype in genetically ataxic mice through bilateral intracerebellar grafting of fetal Purkinje cells.

We have previously applied neural grafting to "Purkinje cell degeneration" mutant mice (gene symbol pcd, mouse chromosome 13), a model of recessively inherited cerebello-olivary atrophy, to create appropriate interactions between wild-type and mutant cells in elucidating gene effects on the involved neuron populations and to address issues of the structural integration of donor Purkinje cells into the disrupted cerebellar loop. Behaviorally, pcd homozygotes manifest ataxic signs beginning at 3-4 wk of age. The functional effects of cerebellar transplants on motor performance have long remained an open question. The aim of the present study was to determine the recovery of motor responses in pcd mutants in a battery of behavioral tasks after bilateral transplantation of cerebellar cell suspensions (prepared from wild-type mice) into the parenchyma of the deep cerebellar nuclei of the hosts, according to a protocol that emphasizes the reconstruction of the missing inhibitory cortico-nuclear projection. With this approach, the denervated deep nuclei of the host receive a new Purkinje axonal innervation; further, most transplanted Purkinje cells end up occupying cortical localities anyway and display a correct dendritic tree orientation toward the pia. Motor coordination and fatigue resistance were assessed in a rotarod treadmill apparatus, a behavioral paradigm useful in studying various brain abiotrophies and treatments, including developmental perturbations of the cerebellar cytoarchitecture. Locomotor activity was quantified by the number of squares mice crossed as they moved about in an open-field matrix. Grafted pcd mice performed significantly better than sham-operated mutants in both of these tasks. Moreover, graft-recipient mice were able to sustain their abdomen above the floor on their limbs during movement, contrasting to the typical lowered, widened stance of sham-operated pcd mutants. These findings clearly demonstrate that bilateral transplants of fetal Purkinje cells have functional effects on motor performance in the pcd model of hereditary cerebellar ataxia.

Animals↗

Localization of matrix proteins of hard tissue in osteochondromas.

We examined 10 cases of osteochondroma by means of histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. The surface of the masses was covered with a cartilage tissue showing positive immunohistochemical reaction for collagen type 2, and the deep region was composed of spongy bone, showing positive immunohistochemical reaction for collagen type 1 and osteocalcin. Between the cartilage and spongy bone, which is a metaphysis-like region, a chondroidal pattern appeared in the matrix of hypertrophy cartilage. In these regions, both type 1 (and osteocalcin) and 2 collagens were immunohistochemically detected. Although there is still no direct evidence, we believe that the cells involved in so-called "chondroid bone" temporally express cartilage phenotypes and then transform directly into bone-forming cells that survive in the chondroid bone until the tissue is resorbed and remodeled. Our examination results suggest that bone formation in osteochondromas, at least in some regions, occurs through transchondroid bone formation.

Adolescent↗

Surgical therapy for dystonia.

Surgical treatments for dystonia have been available since the early 20th century, but have improved in their efficacy to adversity ratio through a combination of technologic advances and better understanding of the role of the basal ganglia in dystonia. The word "dystonia" describes a phenotype of involuntary movement that may manifest from a variety of conditions. Dystonia may affect only certain regions of the body or may be generalized. It appears to be critical to determine whether the etiology underlying the dystonia is "primary" (ie, occurring from a genetic or idiopathic origin) or "secondary" (ie, occurring as a result of structural, metabolic, or neurodegenerative disorders). Secondary dystonias are far more common than primary dystonias. Primary dystonias respond well to pallidotomy or deep brain stimulation of the internal segment of the globus pallidum, whereas secondary dystonias appear to respond partially at best. Limited historic and current data suggest that the thalamus may be a promising target for the treatment of secondary dystonias, but more careful, prospective, randomized studies are needed. Combinations of bilateral targets are possible with the current technology of DBS, but not widely used due to surgical morbidity and expense. This article reviews the surgical treatment of dystonia from past to present, with a focus on separating the outcomes for primary versus secondary and generalized versus cervical dystonia.

Animals↗

Kinetic and phylogenetic characterization of an anaerobic dechlorinating microbial community.

The reductive dechlorination (RD) of tetrachloroethene (PCE) to vinyl chloride (VC) and, to a lesser extent, to ethene (ETH) by an anaerobic microbial community has been investigated by studying the processes and kinetics of the main physiological components of the consortium. Molecular hydrogen, produced by methanol-utilizing acetogens, was the electron donor for the PCE RD to VC and ETH without forming any appreciable amount of other chlorinated intermediates and in the near absence of methanogenic activity. The microbial community structure of the consortium was investigated by preparing a 16S rDNA clone library and by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The PCR primers used in the clone library allowed the harvest of 16S rDNA from both bacterial and archaeal members in the community. A total of 616 clones were screened by RFLP analysis of the clone inserts followed by the sequencing of RFLP group representatives and phylogenetic analysis. The clone library contained sequences mostly from hitherto undescribed bacteria. No sequences similar to those of the known RD bacteria like 'Dehalococcoides ethenogenes' or Dehalobacter restrictus were found in the clone library, and none of these bacteria was present in the RD consortium according to FISH. Almost all clones fell into six previously described phyla of the bacterial domain, with the majority (56.6 %) being deep-branching members of the Spirochaetes phylum. Other clones were in the Firmicutes phylum (18.5 %), the Chloroflexi phylum (16.4 %), the Bacteroidetes phylum (6.3 %), the Synergistes genus (1.1 %) and a lineage that could not be affiliated with existing phyla (1.1 %). No archaeal clones were found in the clone library. Owing to the phylogenetic novelty of the microbial community with regard to previously cultured micro-organisms, no specific microbial component(s) could be hypothetically affiliated with the RD phenotype. The predominance of Spirochaetes in the microbial consortium, the main group revealed by clone library analysis, was confirmed by FISH using a purposely developed probe.

Acetic Acid↗

Organization and histochemical phenotype of human fetal cerebellar cells following transplantation into the cerebellum of nude mice.

Previous rodent studies have demonstrated the capacity of cerebellar transplants to organize into trilaminar cell layers typically observed in the normal cerebellum. In Purkinje Cell (PC)-deficient animals, PCs will migrate into the host and form synaptic connections. Recently, fetal cerebellar grafts transplanted into the Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutant mouse were shown to result in an improvement of motor behaviors. These studies indicate the potential therapeutic use of neural transplantation in patients with cerebellar degeneration. In the present study, human fetal cerebellar tissue (8.5 wk postconception) was dissociated and transplanted into the normal cerebellum of nude mice. Six months following transplantation, histological analysis revealed donor cells in recipient mice. Immunostaining for the 28 kDa calcium-binding protein (calbindin) revealed the presence of donor PCs that were organized in discrete cellular layers within the transplant neuropil. In most cases the dendritic processes were oriented in a planar fashion perpendicular to the transplant cell layer. Human neurofilament immunostaining revealed bundles of donor fibers within the core of the transplant and/or at the periphery. These bundles were found to be calbindin positive (PC fibers). Three animals provided evidence of donor PC axon growth ventrally into host white matter, and in one case, this ventral migration reached the deep cerebellar nuclei. Most notable was the development of a pronounced folia-like organization by the implanted cell suspensions. Glial processes within the grafts were aligned perpendicular to the long axis of the transplant folia. These results demonstrate the capacity of human fetal cerebellar cell suspension to reorganize into cell layers typical of the normal cerebellum following transplantation into the rodent cerebellum, and develop an organotypic folia-like organization.

Animals↗

Refined FISH characterization of a de novo 1p22-p36.2 paracentric inversion and associated 1p21-22 deletion in a patient with signs of 1p36 microdeletion syndrome.

We report on a 10-year-old boy presenting with obesity, moderate mental retardation, large anterior fontanelle at birth, mild physical anomalies including mid-face hypoplasia, deep-set eyes, long philtrum, and small mouth. He was found to carry a paracentric inversion inv(1)(p22p36.2) associated with a 10 cM deletion at the proximal breakpoint. By YAC FISH, the boundaries of the deletion were established at IB1028 (1p21) and WI-5166 (1p22) STSs contained in YACs 781E8 and 954F6, respectively. This large region, covering about 10 cM, contains the COL11A1 and AMY2B genes, whose haploinsufficiency does not seem to contribute significantly to the clinical phenotype. On the other hand, the patient's clinical manifestations, also including visual problems and moderate mental retardation, are those typically observed in the 1p36 deletion syndrome. Refined mapping of the telomeric 1p36.2 inversion breakpoint was obtained by FISH of a PAC contig constructed to encompass this subinterval of the 1p36 microdeletion syndrome region. PACs 1024B10 and 884E7 were found to span the breakpoint, suggesting that the clinical signs of the 1p36 microdeletion syndrome might be due to disruption of a sequence lying at 1p36.2.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The way forward in asthma: integrative physiology.

In the process of searching for the pathogenesis and effective treatment of asthma, it has increasingly been realized that the key processes occur at the cellular and molecular levels. Recognition of this principle and the appropriate tools have led to explosive developments in the description of the fundamental abnormalities in the disease and discovery of potential targets for therapeutic intervention. However, remarkably, the link between these cellular processes and the phenotypic expression of asthma has been more difficult to understand. How does inflammation cause variable airways obstruction and the perceived dyspnea? Very recent research, including the combined use of pathology, imaging techniques, and in vivo and in vitro physiological experiments, has renewed interest in the integrative airway pathophysiology in asthma. This research has provided new knowledge on the mechanisms determining the essential abnormalities in the patients with this disease, namely excessive airway narrowing and impaired bronchodilation following a deep breath. It is postulated that inclusion of such physiological abnormalities in new and long term therapeutic strategies will lead to a better clinical as well as histological outcome of asthma.

Airway Obstruction↗

Desmoglein 3 anchors telogen hair in the follicle.

Little is known about the function of desmosomes in the normal structure and function of hair. Therefore, it was surprising that mice without desmoglein 3 (the autoantigen in pemphigus vulgaris) not only developed mucous membrane and skin lesions like pemphigus patients, but also developed hair loss. Analysis of this phenotype indicated that hair was normal through the first growth phase ('follicular neogenesis'). Around day 20, however, when the hair follicles entered the resting phase of the hair growth cycle (telogen), mice with a targeted disruption of the desmoglein 3 gene (DSG3-/-) lost hair in a wave-like pattern from the head to the tail. Hair then regrew and was lost again in the same pattern with the next synchronous hair cycle. In adults, hair was lost in patches. Gentle hair pulls with adhesive tape showed that anagen (growing) hairs were firmly anchored in DSG3-/- mice, but telogen hairs came out in clumps compared to that of DSG3+/- and +/+ littermates in which telogen hairs were firmly anchored. Histology of bald skin areas in DSG3-/- mice showed cystic telogen hair follicles without hair shafts. Histology of hair follicles in early telogen, just before clinical hair loss occurred, showed loss of cell adhesion (acantholysis) between the cells surrounding the telogen club and the basal layer of the outer root sheath epithelium. Electron microscopy revealed 'half-desmosomes' at the plasma membranes of acantholytic cells. Similar acantholytic histology and ultrastructural findings have been previously reported in skin and mucous membrane lesions of DSG3-/- mice and pemphigus vulgaris patients. Immunoperoxidase staining with an antibody raised against mouse desmoglein 3 showed intense staining on the cell surface of keratinocytes surrounding the telogen hair club in normal mice. Similar staining was seen in human telogen hair with an anti-human desmoglein 3 antibody. Finally, a scalp biopsy from a pemphigus vulgaris patient showed empty telogen hair follicles. These data demonstrate that desmoglein 3 is not only critical for cell adhesion in the deep stratified squamous epithelium, but also for anchoring the telogen hair to the outer root sheath of the follicle and underscore the importance of desmosomes in maintaining the normal structure and function of hair.

Acantholysis↗

Isolation and characterization of a novel thermophilic Bacillus strain degrading long-chain n-alkanes.

A thermophilic Bacillus strain NG80-2 growing within the temperature range of 45-73 degrees C (optimum at 65 degrees C) was isolated from a deep subterranean oil-reservoir in northern China. The strain was able to utilize crude oil and liquid paraffin as the sole carbon sources for growth, and the growth with crude oil was accompanied by the production of an unknown emulsifying agent. Further examination showed that NG80-2 degraded and utilized only long-chain (C15-C36) n-alkanes, but not short-chain (C8-C14) n-alkanes and those longer than C40. Based on phenotypic and phylogenic analyses, NG80-2 was identified as Geobacillus thermodenitrificans. The strain NG80-2 may be potentially used for oily-waste treatment at elevated temperature, a condition which greatly accelerates the biodegradation rate, and for microbial enhancing oil recovery process.

Alkanes↗

Computational approaches for modeling regulatory cellular networks.

Cellular components interact with each other to form networks that process information and evoke biological responses. A deep understanding of the behavior of these networks requires the development and analysis of mathematical models. In this article, different types of mathematical representations for modeling signaling networks are described, and the advantages and disadvantages of each type are discussed. Two experimentally well-studied signaling networks are then used as examples to illustrate the insight that could be gained through modeling. Finally, the modeling approach is expanded to describe how signaling networks might regulate cellular machines and evoke phenotypic behaviors.

Animals↗

Trisomy 12p syndrome. Evaluation of a family with a t(12;21) (p12.1;p11) translocation with unbalanced offspring.

Two brothers (Nos. 1 and 3), with physical and mental retardation and many other clinical characteristics in common, were both trisomic for 12p(ter leads to 12.1) and monosomic for 21p. Their mother (No. 5), the maternal grandmother (No. 7), aunt (No. 8), and a first-cousin (No. 9) were balanced translocation carriers, 46 rep (12;21) (p12.1;p11). Another cousin (No. 10) had Down syndrome: he had two normal 21 chromosomes in addition to both translocation chromosomes. A sister (No. 2), who died at the age of 1 year without being karyotyped, had several phenotypical features in common with her brothers. Our two cases of trisomy 12p (ter leads to 12.1) were compared with eight cases of trisomy 12p described earlier, and the following common characteristics were found: severe mental and physical retardation; flat and round, broad face with prominent cheeks; flat and broad nasal bridge with short nose; anteverted nostrils and large philtrum; broad and prominent lower lip; low-set or slanting ears, poorly formed with folded helix, prominent antihelix and deep concha; short neck; short sternum; "spade"-shaped fingers, the fifth being short; bilateral genu valgum; bilateral pes planus and talus valgus; increased space between the first and second toes; generalized hypotonia; and certain dermatoglyphic characteristics. An elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was measured in four cases.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Cell cycle dependence of laminar determination in developing neocortex.

The neocortex is patterned in layers of neurons that are generated in an orderly sequence during development. This correlation between cell birthday and laminar fate prompted an examination of how neuronal phenotypes are determined in the developing cortex. At various times after labeling with [3H]thymidine, embryonic progenitor cells were transplanted into older host brains. The laminar fate of transplanted neurons correlates with the position of their progenitors in the cell cycle at the time of transplantation. Daughters of cells transplanted in S-phase migrate to layer 2/3, as do host neurons. Progenitors transplanted later in the cell cycle, however, produce daughters that are committed to their normal, deep-layer fates. Thus, environmental factors are important determinants of laminar fate, but embryonic progenitors undergo cyclical changes in their ability to respond to such cues.

Animals↗

The thyroid hormone receptor-beta gene mutation R383H is associated with isolated central resistance to thyroid hormone.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) action is due to mutations in the beta-isoform of the thyroid hormone receptor (TR-beta). RTH patients display inappropriate central secretion of TRH from the hypothalamus and of TSH from the anterior pituitary despite elevated levels of thyroid hormone (T4 and T3). RTH mutations cluster in three hot spots in the C-terminal portion of the TR-beta. Most individuals with TR-beta mutations have generalized resistance to thyroid hormone, where most tissues in the body are hyporesponsive to thyroid hormone. The affected individuals are clinically euthyroid or even hypothyroid depending on the severity of the mutation. Whether TR-beta mutations cause a selective form of RTH that only leads to central thyroid hormone resistance is debated. Here, we describe an individual with striking peripheral sensitivity to graded T3 administration. The subject was enrolled in a protocol in which she received three escalating T3 doses over a 13-day period. Indexes of central and peripheral thyroid hormone action were measured at baseline and at each T3 dose. Although the patient's resting pulse rose only 11% in response to T3, her serum ferritin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase rose 320%, 117%, 121%, and 30%, respectively. In addition, her serum cholesterol, creatinine phosphokinase, and deep tendon reflex relaxation time fell (25%, 36%, and 36%, respectively). Centrally, the patient was sufficiently resistant to T3 that her serum TSH was not suppressed with 200 microg T3, orally, daily for 4 days. The patient's C-terminal TR exons were sequenced revealing the mutation R383H in a region not otherwise known to harbor TR-beta mutations. Our clinical evaluation presented here represents the most thorough documentation to date of the central thyroid hormone resistance phenotype in an individual with an identified TR-beta mutation.

Body Weight↗

[A case of CADASIL in early stage].

We report a 26-year-old woman who showed recurrent migrainous attacks and convulsions since her childhood. Neurological examination revealed no focal abnormality except mental retardation (MR). T2-and fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR)-weighted brain MRI revealed apparent high intensities in the deep subcotical white matter. Ultrastructual studies revealed an abnormal deposition of granular osmiophilic materials (GOM) on the surface of vascular smooth muscle cells in dermis. Her mother developed recurrent strokes without risk factor since age 41. A heterozygosis Arg133Cys mutation of Notch 3 gene has already presented in patient and her mother. This case might be an early stage in CADASIL before stroke onset and suggested that systemic vasculopathy was presented in this stage. The correlation between MR and phenotype of CADASIL were unclear.

Adult↗

Peripheral ameloblastoma with potentially malignant features: report of a case with special regard to its keratin profile.

A peripheral ameloblastoma with atypical features occurring on the left maxillary alveolar ridge of 40-year-old man is described, along with an immunohistochemical profile of its cytokeratin (CK). The lesion apparently originated from the surface gingival epithelium. The tumor nests or strands were highly cellular with a variable degree of squamous differentiation and microcyst formation. Occasional mitotic figures and dystrophic calcification, both of which are not seen in conventional ameloblastomas, were also observed. The tumor infiltrated deep into the alveolar mucosa, including the periodontal ligament, and showed histological and topographical evidence of atypism, resulting in resorption of the underlying alveolar bone. On the CK immunohistochemistry, CK19 was demonstrated in all the types of neoplastic epithelia, including microcyst-forming cells, densely packed round or spindle cells within the tumor nests, cells with squamous metaplasia, and peripheral tall columnar cells. The CK immunohistochemical findings suggest the lesion's cell of odontogenic origin; they may reflect an immature phenotypic expression of cell differentiation in the odontogenic epithelia during the tumor growth in the gingival mucosa.

Adult↗

Spatiotemporal progression of neurodegeneration and glia activation in the wobbler neuropathy of the mouse.

The wobbler mouse (phenotype WR; genotype wr/wr) has been investigated as a model for neurodegenerative diseases like SMA and ALS. A new diagnostic marker based on a polymorphism in the closely linked chaperonine gene Cct4 enabled us to diagnose the allelic status at the wr locus within the original background strain C57BL/6. Using this marker, we investigated the spatiotemporal progression of neuropathology in WR mice from postnatal day (d.p.n.) 10 to 60. Neurodegeneration starts at 13 d.p.n. in the thalamus (N. ventralis), in deep cerebellar nuclei, brain stem (N. vestibularis) and spinal cord interneurons. The motor nuclei of spinal nerves and motoneurons degenerate from 15 d.p.n. onward. Reactive astrocytes are observed around 17 d.p.n. in the white and grey matter of the spinal cord. Microgliosis occurs only from 23 d.p.n. onward. Our data demonstrate that in the WR disease, neurodegeneration in thalamus, cerebellum, and brain stem precedes motoneuron degeneration, astrogliosis and microgliosis.

Alleles↗

cDNA array analysis of the differential expression change in virulence-related genes during the development of resistance in Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated fungus in immunocompromised patients associated with mucosal and deep-tissue infections. To investigate the correlation between virulence and resistance on a gene expression profile in C. albicans, we examined the changes in virulence-related genes during the development of resistance in C. albicans from bone marrow transplant patients using a constructed cDNA array representing 3096 unigenes. In addition to the genes known to be associated with azole resistance, 16 virulence-related genes were identified, whose differential expressions were newly found to be associated with the resistant phenotype. Differential expressions for these genes were confirmed by RT-PCR independently. Furthermore, the up-regulation of EFG1, CPH2, TEC1, CDC24, SAP10, ALS9, SNF1, SPO72 and BDF1, and the down-regulation of RAD32, IPF3636 and UBI4 resulted in stronger virulence and invasiveness in the resistant isolates compared with susceptible ones. These findings provide a link between the expression of virulence genes and development of resistance during C. albicans infection in bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients, where C. albicans induces hyphal formation and expression change in multiple virulence factors.

Candida albicans↗

Green tea extract and its major polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate improve muscle function in a mouse model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a frequent muscular disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a cytoskeletal protein that contributes to the stabilization of muscle fiber membrane during muscle activity. Affected individuals show progressive muscle wasting that generally causes death by age 30. In this study, the dystrophic mdx(5Cv) mouse model was used to investigate the effects of green tea extract, its major component (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, and pentoxifylline on dystrophic muscle quality and function. Three-week-old mdx(5Cv) mice were fed for either 1 or 5 wk a control chow or a chow containing the test substances. Histological examination showed a delay in necrosis of the extensor digitorum longus muscle in treated mice. Mechanical properties of triceps surae muscles were recorded while the mice were under deep anesthesia. Phasic and tetanic tensions of treated mice were increased, reaching values close to those of normal mice. The phasic-to-tetanic tension ratio was corrected. Finally, muscles from treated mice exhibited 30-50% more residual force in a fatigue assay. These results demonstrate that diet supplementation of dystrophic mdx(5Cv) mice with green tea extract or (-)-epigallocatechin gallate protected muscle against the first massive wave of necrosis and stimulated muscle adaptation toward a stronger and more resistant phenotype.

Animals↗