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Simultanagnosia: a defect of sustained attention yields insights on visual information processing.

Simultanagnosia, in which subjects report a piecemeal visual experience, offers an important probe of human attention. We studied 2 subjects with simultanagnosia following bilateral superior occipital strokes. Compared with controls, they could orient attention to spatial targets in visual, auditory, and mixed-modal conditions. A different task required immediate response to the appearance or disappearance at unpredictable intervals of any element in a random-dot CRT display. The subject tested could detect less than 50% of 1,600 events, and had increased "mirages" and prolonged reaction times. Undetected events occurred anywhere and formed temporal clusters. Application of signal-detection theory confirmed abnormal sensitivity and response bias (d' and beta). Yet performance improved when a valid cue introduced events in the random display. Our results suggest that simultanagnosia was related to an inability to sustain visuospatial attention across an array, corresponding to processing failure at a level of long-range (global) spatiotemporal interactions among converging inputs from early vision. The operations for orienting and sustaining attention may be dissociable at visual association cortex levels.

Adult↗

Scales of geography, time, and population: the study of violence as a public health problem.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, data on violent deaths in the Bronx, New York City, from the 1970, 1980, and 1990 censuses were analyzed. METHODS: The incidence and areal density of intentional deaths were mapped by health area. Simple and stepwise regressions between violent death measures and other factors were performed. RESULTS: The incidence of deaths at levels of those in the highest 1970 quintile spread so that by 1990 only 2 areas saw incidences at levels of the lowest 1970 quintile. Overcrowding, socioeconomic status, population, population change, and drug deaths in simple regressions and overcrowding, socioeconomic status, and low-weight births in stepwise regressions correlated significantly with violent death incidence or density. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the spatiotemporal development of violence can contribute to public policy on violence.

Censuses↗

Genome-scale evolution and phylodynamics of swine influenza A viruses in China: a genomic epidemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Pigs are recognised as crucial intermediate hosts for the emergence of influenza viruses of pandemic potential. As the largest pork-producing nation, China hosts a complex ecosystem of swine influenza viruses (SIVs). We aimed to investigate the evolutionary processes, spatiotemporal dynamics, and biological characteristics of SIVs in China. METHODS: From Jan 15, 2016, to Dec 22, 2020, we collected nasal swabs from pigs at eight abattoirs and 16 swine farms in the Guangdong, Henan, and Shandong provinces of China, as part of SIV surveillance. SIVs were detected with RT-PCR. Positive samples underwent viral isolation and genome sequencing. We analysed evolution and spatiotemporal dynamics using the whole genomes of isolated SIVs, as well as genome sequences of SIV isolates from human infections worldwide retrieved from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data and GenBank Flu databases up to April 28, 2024. Viral sequences without a sample collection area or date were excluded from the analysis. Viral receptor-binding properties and in-vitro replication of strains isolated in this study were evaluated with a solid-phase binding assay and various cell lines, including Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, porcine alveolar macrophages, primary porcine trachea epithelial cells, human bronchial epithelioid, and human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial (A549) cells. Viral replication and transmission studies were conducted in 33 guinea pigs and 13 pigs. Additionally, we collected serum samples from pig farm workers and members of the general public recruited by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between Feb 28 and May 11, 2023, to detect specific antibodies against Eurasian avian-like A(H1) and human-like A(H3N2) SIVs using the haemagglutination inhibition assay. FINDINGS: 23 (1·3%) of 1818 nasal swabs collected in abattoirs had SIVs; 22 (0·9%) of 2375 swabs from swine farms had SIVs. Further viral isolation yielded 39 strains of SIV. We identified 534 A(H1N1), 69 A(H1N2), and 92 A(H3N2) SIVs, representing 20 genotypes within the Eurasian avian-like lineage, 14 within the classical swine A(H1) lineage, and 16 within the human-like A(H3N2) lineage. The introduction of the A(H1N1)pdm/09 virus significantly influenced the internal gene pool of SIVs, enhancing genotypic diversity in China. Notably, the Eurasian avian-like A(H1), classical swine A(H1), and human-like A(H3N2) lineages showed human-mediated spread over long distances between provinces, with the Eurasian avian-like A(H1) lineage showing the most prevalent spread pathways. Eurasian avian-like A(H1) SIVs showed a preference for binding to sialic acid α-2,6 glycan receptors, predominantly found in humans, resulting in an increased production of progeny viruses in human airway epithelial cells, as well as effective transmission and infectivity among guinea pigs and pigs. Among 54 eligible serum samples collected from pig farm workers (24 from slaughterhouses and 30 from swine farms), 23 (43%) were seropositive for Eurasian avian-like A(H1) SIVs and 46 (85%) for human-like A(H3N2) SIVs. Among 100 eligible samples from members of the general public, 14 (14%) were seropositive for Eurasian avian-like A(H1) SIVs and 85 (85%) for human-like A(H3N2) SIVs. INTERPRETATION: This study elucidates the evolutionary processes and spatiotemporal patterns of SIVs, highlighting potential risks to public health. These findings are crucial for informing public health interventions that aim to prevent future SIV epidemics in China and other countries worldwide. FUNDING: Scientific Innovation Strategy-Construction of High-Level Academy of Agriculture Science-Distinguished Scholar (R2020PY-JC001).

Animals↗

Identification of the visual motion area (area V5) in the human brain by dipole source analysis.

The retinal periphery of nine healthy subjects was stimulated with computer-generated random-dot kinematograms. These stimuli provided almost isolated visual motion information and minimal position cues. Pattern-reversal stimuli at the same location in the visual field were used for control. Stimulus-related electrical brain activity was recorded from 29 scalp electrodes. Total mean and individual data were analyzed with a spatiotemporal multiple dipole model. The scalp potentials showed a different spatial distribution for motion and pattern stimulation in the time range of 160-200 ms. In this epoch, the predominant motion-related source activity was localized in the region of the contralateral occipital-temporal-parietal border. A significant ipsilateral source activity was not found. The predominant source activity related to the pattern stimulus occurred in the same epoch. The corresponding equivalent dipole was localized more medially and deeper in the brain. The orientation of these major dipole activities was markedly different. These dipoles appeared to represent activity of distinct extrastriate areas, in contrast to earlier activity which was modelled by more posterior dipoles in the occipital lobe. The latter dipoles were at comparable contralateral locations and had similar peak activities around 100 ms, suggesting an origin in the striate cortex.

Adult↗

Cellular and molecular analysis of neural development of glycosyltransferase gene knockout mice.

Recent studies demonstrate that carbohydrates synthesized by specific glycosyltransferases play important roles in the development of the central nervous system. Among these carbohydrates, polysialic acid is a unique glycan that modulates functions of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) by attenuating NCAM-mediated interaction between neural cells. During brain development, polysialic acid is synthesized in a specific spatiotemporal pattern by two polysialyltransferases, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV. To study in vivo the roles of polysialic acid synthesized by each respective enzyme, we generated ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV knockout mice. Single knockout ST8SiaII or ST8SiaIV mice show polysialic acid expression patterns differing from wild type, and those patterns indicate different roles of each gene during neural development. In this chapter, we discuss methods used to analyze polysialyltransferase knockout mice using immunohistochemistry of brain and primary cultures of neurons.

Animals↗

Spatiotemporal changes of levels of a moonlighting protein, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, in subcellular compartments during spermatogenesis in the rat testis.

We studied temporal changes in the subcellular localization and levels of a moonlighting protein, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx), in spermatogenic cells and mature sperm of the rat by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. The PHGPx signals were detected in chromatoid bodies, clear nucleoplasm, mitochondria-associated material, mitochondrial aggregates, granulated bodies, and vesicles in residual bodies in addition to mitochondria, nuclei, and acrosomes as previously reported. Within mitochondria, PHGPx moved from the matrix to the outermost membrane region in step 19 spermatid, suggesting that this spatiotemporal change is synchronized with the functional change of PHGPx in mitochondria. In the nucleus, PHGPx was associated with electron-lucent spots and with the nuclear envelope, and PHGPx in the latter region increased after step 16. In early pachytene spermatids, PHGPx signals were noted in the nuclear material exhibiting a very similar density to chromatoid bodies and in the intermitochondrial cement, supporting the previous proposal that chromatoid bodies originate from the nucleus and intermitochondrial cement. The presence of PHGPx in such various compartments suggested versatile roles for this protein in spermatogenesis. Quantitative immunoelectron microscopic analysis also revealed dynamic changes in the labeling density of PHGPx in different subcellular compartments as follows: 1). Total cellular PHGPx rapidly increased after step 5 and reached a maximum at step 18; 2). mitochondrial labeling density increased after step 1 and achieved a maximum in steps 15-17; 3). nuclear labeling density suddenly increased in steps 12-14 to a maximum; 4). in cytoplasmic matrix, the density remained low in all steps; and 5). the labeling density in chromatoid bodies gradually decreased from pachytene spermatocytes to spermatids at step 18. These spatiotemporal changes in the level of PHGPx during the differentiation of spermatogenic cells to sperm infer that PHGPx plays a diverse and important biological role in spermatogenesis.

Animals↗

Modeling a syphilis outbreak through space and time using the Bayesian maximum entropy approach.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to describe changes in the spatial distribution of syphilis before, during, and after an outbreak in Baltimore, MD, by using Bayesian maximum entropy (BME), a modern geostatistical technique for space-time analysis and mapping. METHODS: BME was used to conduct simple and composite space-time analyses of the density of syphilis infection based on primary, secondary and early latent syphilis cases reported to the Baltimore City Health Department between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2002. RESULTS: Spatiotemporal covariance plots indicated that the distribution of the density of syphilis cases showed both spatial and temporal dependence. Temporally dependent disease maps suggested that syphilis increased within two geographic core areas of infection and spread outward. A new core area of infection was established to the northwest. As the outbreak waned, density diminished and receded in all core areas. Morbidity remained elevated in the two original central and new northwestern core areas after the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: Density of syphilis infection was a simple informative measure easily compared across years. The BME approach was useful for quantitatively and qualitatively describing the spatial development and spread of syphilis. Our results are specific to Baltimore; however, the BME approach is generalizable to other settings and diseases.

Baltimore↗

The ladybird homeobox genes are essential for the specification of a subpopulation of neural cells.

In Drosophila, neurons and glial cells are produced by neural precursor cells called neuroblasts (NBs), which can be individually identified. Each NB generates a characteristic cell lineage specified by a precise spatiotemporal control of gene expression within the NB and its progeny. Here we show that the homeobox genes ladybird early and ladybird late are expressed in subsets of cells deriving from neuroblasts NB 5-3 and NB 5-6 and are essential for their correct development. Our analysis revealed that ladybird in Drosophila, like their vertebrate orthologous Lbx1 genes, play an important role in cell fate specification processes. Among those cells that express ladybird are NB 5-6-derived glial cells. In ladybird loss-of-function mutants, the NB 5-6-derived exit glial cells are absent while overexpression of these genes leads to supernumerary glial cells of this type. Furthermore, aberrant glial cell positioning and aberrant spacing of axonal fascicles in the nerve roots observed in embryos with altered ladybird function suggest that the ladybird genes might also control directed cell movements and cell-cell interactions within the developing Drosophila ventral nerve cord.

Animals↗

From atomistic lattice-gas models for surface reactions to hydrodynamic reaction-diffusion equations.

Atomistic lattice-gas models for surface reactions can accurately describe spatial correlations and ordering in chemisorbed layers due to adspecies interactions or due to limited mobility of some adspecies. The primary challenge in such modeling is to describe spatiotemporal behavior in the physically relevant "hydrodynamic" regime of rapid diffusion of (at least some) reactant adspecies. For such models, we discuss the development of exact reaction-diffusion equations (RDEs) describing mesoscale spatial pattern formation in surface reactions. Formulation and implementation of these RDEs requires detailed analysis of chemical diffusion in mixed reactant adlayers, as well as development of novel hybrid and parallel simulation techniques. (c) 2002 American Institute of Physics.

Journal Article↗

High-resolution manometry predicts the success of oesophageal bolus transport and identifies clinically important abnormalities not detected by conventional manometry.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High-resolution manometry (HRM) is a recent development in oesophageal measurement; its value in the clinical setting remains a matter of controversy. (i) We compared the accuracy with which bolus transport could be predicted from conventional manometry and HRM. (ii) The clinical value of HRM was assessed in a series of patients with endoscopy-negative dysphagia in whom conventional investigations had been non-diagnostic. METHOD: (i) Control subjects and patients with endoscopy-negative dysphagia underwent concurrent HRM and video-fluoroscopy. Ninety-five records were reviewed using HRM with spatiotemporal plot and conventional line plots of the pressure data derived from the same recording. (ii) The HRM and notes of patients with endoscopy-negative dysphagia and abnormal bolus transport were analysed to identify additional information provided by the new technique. RESULTS: (i) Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that HRM predicts the presence of abnormal bolus transport more accurately than conventional manometry. (ii) HRM identified clinically important motor dysfunction not detected by manometry and radiography. These included localized disturbances of peristalsis and abnormal movement of the lower oesophageal sphincter during oesophageal spasm. CONCLUSION: The HRM predicts bolus movement more accurately than conventional manometry and identifies clinically relevant oesophageal dysfunction not detected by other investigations including conventional manometry.

Adult↗

Current-evoked transcellular K+ flux in frog retina.

1. Changes in extracellular K+ concentration (delta[K+]o) evoked by electrical current were measured with K+-selective microelectrodes (K-ISMs) in the retina of the frog eyecup. 2. In the superfusate at 20 microns above the inner limiting membrane (ILM), current-evoked delta[K+] was a function of current polarity and strength; its amplitude decreased as the K-ISM was moved higher above the ILM. Responses were similar whether measured with K-ISMs containing the Corning exchanger or a valinomycin-based liquid membrane. No current-evoked delta[Ca2+] could be detected with Ca-selective microelectrodes (Ca-ISMs). 3. Within the retina, a complex spatiotemporal profile of current-evoked delta[K+]o was observed. Strophanthidin abolished responses in the proximal retina, but had little effect on the response in the superfusate. A blocker of K+ channels (Ba2+) depressed responses in the superfusate, but not in the proximal retina. 4. Quantitative analysis of these responses indicates a transport number for K+ of 0.18 at onset of current, and that decreases over a few seconds. In contrast, a transport number of approximately 0.01 is predicted from the expected ionic concentrations within extracellular space. 5. These findings are compatible with the delta[K+] above the ILM being due to transcellular movement of K+ through Müller cells. The results suggest that K+ spatial buffering may be particularly potent in the retina. Furthermore, determinations of tissue characteristics by passage of electrical current must take into account that at least 17% of the current does not travel through extracellular space.

Action Potentials↗

Expression of GAP-43 (neuromodulin) during the development of the rat adrenal gland.

The 'growth-associated protein', GAP-43 was originally considered to be a neuron-specific protein associated with plasticity. However, we have recently shown that GAP-43 is expressed by noradrenergic, but not by adrenergic chromaffin cells in the adult rat adrenal gland. In this study, we examine the expression of GAP-43 during embryonic and post-natal development of the adrenal gland using immunohistochemical techniques. In parallel, antibodies directed against two neuroendocrine markers, the catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) were employed to permit identification of the developing chromaffin cell phenotypes. At embryonic day 15.5, GAP-43 was predominately localized in sympathoadrenergic precursor cells in the extra-adrenal blastema, and also in nerve fibers within the adrenal gland. At later embryonic stages, GAP-43 was expressed by nearly all intra-adrenal chromoblasts. Two subsets of chromoblasts can be distinguished even at early stages. A strong GAP-43-positive immunoreaction was observed in those chromoblasts organized in a few large compact clusters which weakly expressed TH and did not express PNMT. A generally weaker GAP-43 immunoreaction was observed in a second type of intra-adrenal chromoblasts which were organized in small isolated groups and characterized by a PNMT-positive, and strong TH-positive immunoreactivity. GAP-43 immunoreactivity was still associated with many PNMT-positive adrenergic chromoblasts at birth, but decreased to undetectable levels during the first post-natal week. By the second post-natal week, GAP-43 was restricted, as in the adult, to noradrenergic chromaffin cells which expressed TH, but not PNMT, in addition to nerve fibers and their associated glial cells in the gland. An immunoblot analysis confirmed a decrease in GAP-43 protein during the post-natal period. In agreement with these observations, a three-fold decrease in GAP-43 mRNA in the adrenal gland was measured between late embryogenesis and the second post-natal week. During development, the spatiotemporal expression of GAP-43 suggests a possible role in the migration and aggregation of chromaffin cell precursors into the medullary region of the adrenal gland.

Adrenal Glands↗

Human fetal ovary development involves the spatiotemporal expression of p450c17 protein.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to characterize the spatiotemporal expression of P450c17 in the human fetal ovary. DESIGN: P450c17 protein was visualized in sections of control and anencephalic ovaries using immunohistochemistry. SUBJECTS: Subjects included control (nonanencephalic) and anencephalic human fetal ovaries during the second and third trimesters. RESULTS: In second-trimester control ovaries, P450c17 was highly expressed in primary interstitial cells (PIC) located between the ovigerous cords near the cortical-medullary border where meiosis and primordial follicle formation were occurring. Morphometric analysis revealed a progressive decrease in the number of PIC during the second trimester, suggesting that PIC might have a finite lifetime. Between 25 and 32 wk, relatively few cells stained positive for P450c17; however, after 33 wk, P450c17 was strongly expressed in theca interstitial cells (TIC) bordering developing follicles. Surprisingly, the TIC appeared remarkably early during folliculogenesis, e.g. as early as the primary-to-secondary transition, and exhibited notable hyperplasia throughout preantral and early antral follicle growth. Owing to large numbers of developing preantral follicles, the third trimester was characterized by an increased abundance of P450c17-positive TIC. During this time period, P450c17 was strongly expressed in the hilus interstitial cells juxtaposed to the rete ovarii. Studies of ovaries of anencephalic fetuses revealed a similar spatiotemporal pattern of P450c17 expression in the PIC, TIC, and hilus interstitial cells, consistent with the possibility that pituitary hormones may not be involved in P450c17 expression in fetal ovaries. CONCLUSION: We identified three different classes of P450c17-expressing interstitial cells in the human fetal ovary, each having a different spatiotemporal pattern of P450c17 expression and, presumably, a different set of physiological functions.

Anencephaly↗

Variability in spatiotemporal gait characteristics over the course of the L-dopa cycle in people with advanced Parkinson disease .

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Understanding the nature and extent of fluctuations in spatial and temporal variables of gait (eg, speed, stride length [SL], stride time [ST]) over the course of the levodopa (L-dopa) cycle of individuals with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) is important in order to assess patients and examine the effectiveness of interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gait variables are sufficiently stable to be used as outcome measures in a clinical trial involving patients with advanced PD. SUBJECTS: Five volunteers (3 male, 2 female; mean age=67.8 years; Hoehn and Yahr stages 3-4) with idiopathic PD of a mean duration of 15.0 years participated. METHODS: Gait speed, SL, and ST were measured as the subjects walked 7.2 m at self-selected speeds. To evaluate the full "on-off" sequence of the L-dopa response, this analysis was repeated 11 times, at intervals of 10% of the L-dopa cycle. Each subject was analyzed on 3 separate days, with approximately 1 month between tests. Two-way repeated-measures analyses of covariance, with 2 within-subject factors (percentage of L-dopa cycle and day) and 1 covariate (height), were applied, and coefficients of variation were calculated to determine the extent of change in speed, SL, and ST over the L-dopa cycle and over the 3 days. RESULTS: The subjects' overall mean gait speed was 70.39 cm/s, representing 55.4% of the age-related normative values. There were no effects of percentage of the L-dopa cycle or day or of the interaction of percentage of the L-dopa cycle and day on speed, SL, and ST. The coefficients of variation for speed and SL were consistently higher than the normative values, ranging from 13.5% to 23.8% and from 13.9% to 23.3% at 20% of the L-dopa cycle, respectively. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: When interpreting spatiotemporal measurements of gait of patients with advanced PD, fluctuations can be extensive and may not follow a predictable pattern.

Aged↗

The ontogeny of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 1alpha-hydroxylase expression in human placenta and decidua.

In addition to its classical calciotropic effects, the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)) is a potent anti-proliferative/immunomodulatory secosteroid. The enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), 1alpha-hydroxylase (1alpha-OHase), is expressed in many human tissues, highlighting its possible role as an autocrine/paracrine activator of vitamin D. Immunohistochemical and RNA analyses were used to characterize the ontogeny of 1alpha-OHase expression in human placenta and decidua. Protein for 1alpha-OHase was detectable in trophoblast and decidua; the latter being stronger in decidualized stromal cells than macrophages, with no staining of lymphocytes. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to assess changes in mRNA expression for 1alpha-OHase at different gestations: first (mean, 9.1 +/- 1.5 weeks); second (mean, 14 +/- 1.8 weeks), and third trimester (mean, 39.3 +/- 2.5 weeks). 1alpha-OHase expression in decidua was approximately 1000-fold higher in first (95% confidence limits, 611 to 1376) and second (95% confidence limits, 633 to 1623) trimester biopsies when compared with the third trimester (95% confidence limits, 0.36 to 2.81) (both P < 0.001). In placenta, 1alpha-OHase expression was 80-fold higher in the first (range, 42 to 137) and second (range, 30 to 199) trimester when compared with third trimester biopsies (0.6 to 1.6) (both P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained by semiquantitative IHC. Parallel analysis of the receptor for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) (vitamin D receptor) indicated that, as with 1alpha-OHase, highest levels of expression occurred in first trimester decidua. However, changes in vitamin D receptor mRNA expression across gestation were less pronounced than 1alpha-OHase. These spatiotemporal data emphasize the potential importance of 1alpha-OHase during early fetoplacental life and, in particular, suggest an autocrine/paracrine immunomodulatory function for the enzyme.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase↗

Local dimension and finite time prediction in spatiotemporal chaotic systems.

We show how a recently introduced statistic [Patil et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5878 (2001)] provides a direct relationship between dimension and predictability in spatiotemporal chaotic systems. Regions of low dimension are identified as having high predictability and vice versa. This conclusion is reached by using methods from dynamical systems theory and Bayesian modeling. In this work we emphasize on the consequences for short time forecasting and examine the relevance for factor analysis. Although we concentrate on coupled map lattices and coupled nonlinear oscillators for convenience, any other spatially distributed system could be used instead, such as turbulent fluid flows.

Journal Article↗

Doppler effect of nonlinear waves and superspirals in oscillatory media.

Nonlinear waves emitted from a moving source are studied. A meandering spiral in a reaction-diffusion medium provides an example in which waves originate from a source exhibiting a back-and-forth movement in a radial direction. The periodic motion of the source induces a Doppler effect that causes a modulation in wavelength and amplitude of the waves ("superspiral"). Using direct simulations as well as numerical nonlinear analysis within the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, we show that waves subject to a convective Eckhaus instability can exhibit monotonic growth or decay as well as saturation of these modulations depending on the perturbation frequency. Our findings elucidate recent experimental observations concerning superspirals and their decay to spatiotemporal chaos.

Journal Article↗

Profiling of differentially expressed genes in wound margin biopsies of horses using suppression subtractive hybridization.

Disturbed gene expression may disrupt the normal process of repair and lead to pathological situations resulting in excessive scarring. To prevent and treat impaired healing, it is necessary to first define baseline gene expression during normal repair. The objective of this study was to compare gene expression in normal intact skin (IS) and wound margin (WM) biopsies using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to identify genes differentially expressed during wound repair in horses. Tissue samples included both normal IS and biopsies from 7-day-old wounds. IS cDNAs were subtracted from WM cDNAs to establish a subtracted (WM-IS) cDNA library; 226 nonredundant cDNAs were identified. Detection of genes previously shown to be expressed 7 days after trauma, including the pro-alpha(2)-chain of type 1 pro-collagen (COL1A2), annexin A(2), the pro-alpha(3)-chain of type 6 pro-collagen, beta-actin, fibroblast growth factor 7, laminin receptor 1, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1), secreted protein acidic cystein rich, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, supported the validity of the experimental design. A RT-PCR assay confirmed an increase or induction of the cDNAs of specific genes (COL1A2, MMP1, dermatan sulfate proteoglycan 2, cluster differentiation 68, cluster differentiation 163, and disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 9) within wound biopsies. Among these, COL1A2 and MMP1 had previously been documented in horses; 68.8% of the cDNAs had not previously been attributed a role during wound repair, of which spermidine/spermine-N-acetyltransferase, serin proteinase inhibitor B10, and sorting nexin 9 were highly expressed and whose known functions in other processes made them potential candidates in regulating the proliferative response to wounding. In conclusion, we identified novel genes that are differentially expressed in equine wound biopsies and that may modulate repair. Future experiments must correlate changes in mRNA levels for precise molecules with spatiotemporal protein expression within tissues.

Animals↗