Happy to breed in the city? Urban food resources limit reproductive output in Western Jackdaws

Urban areas expand worldwide, transforming landscapes and creating new challenging habitats. Some bird species, mainly omnivorous feeding on human waste and cavity nesters, commonly breed in these habitats and are, therefore, regarded as urban‐adapted. Although urban areas may provide new nesting sites and abundant human waste, the low breeding success found in some of these species suggests that the poor protein content in human waste might limit breeding parameters. We investigated whether the breeding success of a cavity nester and omnivorous species commonly breeding in urban areas, the Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula), depended on the availability of good‐quality non‐urban food. We approached the objective by combining a literature review and experiments in the field. With the literature review, we compared jackdaw populations in different habitats across Europe and found that clutch size and number of fledglings per pair decreased with distance to non‐urban foraging grounds, even after controlling for the effect of colony size, latitude, and climate. In two experiments, we tested whether the breeding success of urban pairs could be increased by supplementing high‐quality food, first only during egg formation and second also until chick fledging. Food supplementation during egg formation led to larger eggs and higher hatching success than in urban control nests, but this did not result in higher chick survival. However, when food supplementation was prolonged until fledging in the second experiment, we observed a significant increase of nestling survival. These findings highlight that research and management actions should not only focus on species displaced by urbanization, but also on “urban‐adapted” species, as they might be suffering from a mismatch between availability of nesting sites in buildings and adequate non‐urban food resources. In these cases, nest sites should be provided in or close to adequate food resources.

The myelin protein MAL affects peripheral nerve myelination: a new player influencing p75 neurotrophin receptor expression

The myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) is a raft-associated membrane protein predominantly expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells. Here we show that MAL regulates myelination in the peripheral nervous system. In mice overexpressing MAL, myelination was retarded and fibers were hypomyelinated, whereas myelination in MAL knockout mice was accelerated. This was not due to impaired Schwann cell proliferation, differentiation or axonal sorting. We found that the expression level of p75 neurotrophin receptor mRNA and protein was strongly reduced in developing sciatic nerves in MAL-overexpressing mice. This reduction is well correlated with the observed alterations in myelination initiation, speed of myelination and alterations in Remak bundle development. Our results suggest a functional role for MAL in peripheral myelination by influencing the expression of membrane components that mediate axon-glia interaction during ensheathment and myelin wrapping.

Laparoscopic gastric re-banding versus laparoscopic gastric bypass as a rescue operation for patients with pouch dilatation

BACKGROUND

The authors assessed whether laparoscopic rebanding or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) is the best approach for failed gastric banding after pouch dilatation.

METHODS

Between January 2000 and June 2005, 489 patients underwent laparoscopic gastric banding, and of these, 33 (6.7%) required rescue procedures for pouch dilatation. Each reoperated patient was contacted to obtain information about their postoperative course. Additionally, preoperative weight and BMI, weight loss at 1 year postoperatively, weight at time of pouch dilatation and the time-period between the primary operation and pouch dilatation were analyzed.

RESULTS

The most common operation for pouch dilatation was band repositioning or rebanding (16 patients). Band removal without replacement was performed in 7 patients. 8 patients underwent conversion to a LRYGBP. 1 patient underwent laparoscopic gastric sleeve resection and 1 patient received an intragastric balloon. Patients who underwent conversion to LRYGBP are very content and, although weight loss has been nearly the same as after gastric banding, they would prefer the gastric bypass operation to the gastric banding.

CONCLUSION

Conversion to LRYGBP appears to offer significant advantages, and appears to be the rescue therapy of choice after failed laparoscopic gastric banding.

Paraproteinaemic neuropathies

In this article, we review the main clinical and pathological features of paraproteinaemic neuropathies and discuss recent experimental findings. Further knowledge of the disease process at the molecular level has allowed a better characterization of clinical syndromes and has given new insights into their pathogenesis. The most convincing evidence for a causal relationship can be drawn from IgM monoclonal gammopathies with specificities directed against carbohydrate determinants of the myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG). There remain however, many unresolved questions, such as how monoclonal anti-MAG IgM antibodies cross the blood-nerve barrier and trigger a chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy while the central nervous system is essentially spared. IgM paraproteins with specificity for other molecules, such as neurofilaments, sulphatide, gangliosides, chondroitin sulphate and tubulin, have also been identified, but their pathogenetic importance remains to be elucidated. Other paraproteinaemic neuropathies such as IgG and IgA neuropathies have to be considered separately. The paraneoplastic endocrine and cytokine manifestations of rare osteosclerotic myelomas provide valuable insights into the interaction between the immune and the nervous system. The antigen-specificity of IgG and IgA monoclonal antibodies are only poorly characterized but some have been found to be directed against endoneurial determinants and a few against axonal proteins such as neurofilaments.

Can total and transition zone volume of the prostate determine whether to perform a repeat biopsy?

OBJECTIVES

To compare the ability of total prostate (TP) and transition zone (TZ) volume to predict the outcome of a repeat prostate biopsy in patients with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of 4 to 10 ng/mL.

METHODS

A total of 1137 patients were included and underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided needle sextant and two transition zone biopsies of the prostate. All patients with a prior negative biopsy (benign prostatic tissue) underwent a repeat biopsy after 6 weeks. The TP and TZ volumes of the prostate were measured by transrectal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Of the 1137 patients, prostate cancer was diagnosed in 364 (32%), in 276 (24.2%) after the first biopsy and in 88 (7.7%) after the repeated biopsy. The TP and TZ volumes were larger in the patients with prostate cancer detected on the repeated biopsy (P <0.0001). Using a cutoff for TP volume of less than 20 cm3 and greater than 80 cm3 and for TZ volume of less than 9 cm3 and greater than 41 cm3 would have spared 7.1% and 10% of repeated biopsies, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The probability for a positive repeat prostate biopsy increases in a logarithmic function for larger prostates, as well as for larger TP and, especially, for larger TZ volumes. The probability of finding prostate cancer on a repeat biopsy in prostates with small (less than 20 cm3) and large (greater than 79 cm3) TP, as well as in small (less than 9.3 cm3) and large (greater than 41 cm3) TZ volumes, was very low. Therefore, a repeat prostate biopsy within 6 weeks is unnecessary. These patients should be followed up by serial PSA determination.

Rafts in adult peripheral nerve myelin contain major structural myelin proteins and myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) and CD59 as specific markers

The myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) proteolipid is localized in central and peripheral compact myelin membranes, as well as in apical membranes of particular polarized cells. In this study, we addressed the question whether MAL and other peripheral myelin proteins are sorted and targeted to myelin membranes using mechanisms similar to those observed in polarized epithelial cells. To investigate the presence of raft-mediated sorting pathways in Schwann cells, we have isolated and analysed their composition in myelin membranes. Here, we show that rafts are present in adult human and rat peripheral compact myelin membranes and contain MAL, the GPI-anchored protein CD59, and substantial amounts of the PMP22 and P0. Colocalization studies show that CD59, and MAL have an almost identical expression pattern within compact myelin. Moreover, immuno-electron microscopy revealed that MAL, besides its localization in compact myelin, is also localized to Schmidt-Lanterman incisures. Taken together, our results demonstrate the presence of detergent-insoluble glycolipid-enriched complexes (DIGs) in different compartments of myelin membranes and indicate an important role for DIG-mediated transport mechanisms in the maintenance of the adult myelin sheath.

Characterization of human nerve basal lamina for their binding properties of anti-MAG antibodies

The functional importance of the basal lamina in Schwann cell development and in adult peripheral nerve fibers is well known. We have demonstrated previously by confocal microscopy that IgM deposits are present on the basal lamina of myelinating Schwann cells of nerve biopsies from patients with an anti-MAG IgM neuropathy. Therefore, the basal lamina was postulated to represent an early target for the uptake of autoantibodies on the surface of myelinated nerve fibers. In this study, the preparation of cell- and myelin-free basal lamina from human peripheral nerves, using a detergent-dependent method is described and characterized by immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis. Using these methods we demonstrated that an enrichment of basal lamina components of Schwann cells with extraction of myelin could be achieved. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical characterization showed that anti-MAG IgM antibodies did not recognize an epitope on the basal lamina of normal nerves. The established method will allow in situ investigations of basal lamina components from human peripheral nerves in health and in disease, e.g. peripheral neuropathies of infectious or inflammatory origin.

TNF-alpha expression in painful and nonpainful neuropathies

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) acts as a pain mediator in neuropathic pain in humans.

BACKGROUND

In animal models, inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha have been shown to facilitate neuropathic pain.

METHODS

The expression of TNF-alpha was analyzed immunohistochemically in 20 human nerve biopsy specimens of patients with painful (n = 10) and nonpainful (n = 10) neuropathies. Additionally, serum soluble TNF-alpha receptor I (sTNF-RI) levels were determined in 24 patients with neuropathies, 16 of which were painful and 8 that were painless.

RESULTS

Colocalization studies by confocal fluorescence microscopy for S-100 and TNF-alpha showed expression of TNF-alpha in human Schwann cells. Patients with painful neuropathies showed a stronger TNF-alpha immunoreactivity in myelinating Schwann cells relative to the epineurial background staining compared with patients with nonpainful neuropathy (0.949 +/- 0.047 vs 1.010 +/- 0.053, p < 0.05). Although there was no difference in sTNF-RI levels between painful (n = 16) and nonpainful (n = 8) neuropathies (sTNF-RI: 1412 +/- 545 pg/mL vs 1,318 +/- 175 pg/mL), patients with a mechanical allodynia (n = 9) had elevated serum sTNF-RI (1627 +/- 645 pg/mL vs 1233 +/- 192 pg/mL, p < 0.05) compared with patients without allodynia (n = 15).

CONCLUSIONS

TNF-alpha expression of human Schwann cells may be up-regulated in painful neuropathies. The elevation of sTNF-RI in patients with centrally mediated mechanical allodynia suggests that systemic sTNF-RI levels may influence central pain processing mechanisms.

[Effect of the learning phase on safety and efficiency of laparoscopic fundoplication]

The introduction of laparoscopic techniques into surgical practice has required a learning process on the part of the surgeons involved. The duration, morbidity, and functional outcome of laparoscopic fundoplication were evaluated in our institution's first 146 cases. During a 34-month period the patients underwent laparoscopic Nissen (n = 102) or Toupet (n = 44) fundoplication. Conversion to open access was necessary in 7 cases, re-operation for complications in 2, all among the first 40 cases of the series. The median operating time was 165 min (range 75-375) in the first 40 cases, and 105 min (range 50-235) thereafter (P < 0.001). Body mass index, grade of esophagitis, and the surgeon's experience were independent predictors of the operating time. One hundred and thirty-four patients (92%) could be evaluated for recurrence of reflux, which was encountered in 2 (5%) of the first 40 cases and 8 (8%) of 94 patients in the later group.

Characterisation of autoantibodies to peripheral myelin protein 22 in patients with hereditary and acquired neuropathies

To investigate the possibility that an autoimmune mechanism may play a role in the hereditary neuropathy Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A), sera were analysed by Western blot for anti-peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) autoantibodies. These sera were compared with sera from patients with CMT type 2 (CMT2), acquired peripheral neuropathies such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (CIDP), anti-MAG IgM neuropathy, Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), diabetic neuropathy and with control blood donors. Anti-PMP22 positive sera were detected in 70% of patients with CMT1 and unexpectedly in 60% of patients with CMT2. Interestingly, 44% of the patients with other peripheral neuropathies and 23% of the apparently healthy controls showed also anti-PMP22 antibody reactivity. Immunohistochemical analysis of the human anti-PMP22 antisera on healthy sural nerve sections and on PMP22-expressing COS cells revealed that these sera did not recognise endogenous PMP22. Our results indicate that anti-PMP22 autoantibodies are found in sera of patients with different types of peripheral neuropathies, but their role in the pathogenesis of these diseases remains to be determined.

Anti-MAG IgM penetration into myelinated fibers correlates with the extent of myelin widening

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies penetration into myelinated peripheral nerve fibers and the widening of the peripheral myelin sheaths in anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) demyelinating IgM monoclonal polyneuropathy. Demyelinating polyneuropathy with monoclonal IgM is often associated with anti-MAG autoantibodies, which are thought to initiate the disease with IgM deposits usually present on the myelin sheaths. We analyzed nerve biopsies from 12 patients with an anti-MAG demyelinating neuropathy by confocal and electron microscopy. The total number of nerve fibers and the proportion of IgM-associated fibers were quantified after immunohistochemical staining. The affinities of IgM were examined by analyzing the binding pattern of serum IgM on normal peripheral nerve sections. Ultrastructural examinations of the biopsies showed a good correlation between in situ widened myelin sheaths and the IgM penetration level into myelinated fibers. The terminal complement complex appears not be involved in the penetration of IgM into the myelinated fibers. Our findings suggest a causative role of the IgM anti-MAG antibodies in the ultrastructural modifications of the myelin sheaths. The basement membrane and myelin components appear to be the major targets of the IgM monoclonal antibodies. However, the pathogenic mechanism whereby IgM antibodies reach their targets and induce nerve damage are still unclear.

Matrix metalloproteinase upregulation in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy

OBJECTIVE

To determine the expression pattern and cellular source of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN).

BACKGROUND

MMPs are endopeptidases involved in tissue destruction and infiltration by immune cells in multiple sclerosis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Enzyme inhibitors of MMPs attenuate clinical symptoms in corresponding animal models of these diseases. MMP inhibition may therefore be a novel approach for the treatment of CIDP and NSVN. However, the spectrum of MMPs expressed in chronic inflammatory neuropathies has not been established.

METHODS

The expression of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9 in T cells, macrophages, and stromal cells in CIDP, NSVN, and noninflammatory neuropathies (NIN) was quantitated by immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with clinical and electrophysiologic findings.

RESULTS

The production of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is increased in nerve tissue in CIDP and NSVN compared with NIN. T cells are the predominant source of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in CIDP and NSVN, whereas macrophages contribute only to a minor extent. Stromal cells of the perineurium/epineurium are an additional source of MMP-2 in NSVN, but not in CIDP. Expression of MMP-3 and MMP-7 was not detectable in CIDP or NSVN. Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not correlate with clinical disease activity and electrophysiologic measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The upregulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is a specific feature of CIDP and NSVN, and selective inhibitors of these enzymes could be used to prevent inflammatory tissue damage. The similar increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in both demyelinating (CIDP) and nondemyelinating (NSVN) neuropathies raises doubts about whether MMPs play a primary role in demyelination.

Motor neuropathy in porphobilinogen deaminase-deficient mice imitates the peripheral neuropathy of human acute porphyria

Acute porphyrias are inherited disorders caused by partial deficiency of specific heme biosynthesis enzymes. Clinically, porphyrias are manifested by a neuropsychiatric syndrome that includes peripheral neuropathy. Although much is known about the porphyrias' enzyme defects and their biochemical consequences, the cause of the neurological manifestations remains unresolved. We have studied porphyric neuropathy in mice with a partial deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD). PBGD-deficient mice (PBGD-/-) imitate acute porphyria through massive induction of hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase by drugs such as phenobarbital. Here we show that PBGD-/- mice develop impairment of motor coordination and muscle weakness. Histologically femoral nerves of PBGD-/- mice exhibit a marked decrease in large-caliber (>8 microm) axons and ultrastructural changes consistent with primary motor axon degeneration, secondary Schwann cell reactions, and axonal regeneration. These findings resemble those found in studies of affected nerves of patients with acute porphyria and thus provide strong evidence that PBGD deficiency causes degeneration of motor axons without signs of primary demyelination, thereby resolving a long-standing controversy. Interestingly, the neuropathy in PBGD-/- mice developed chronically and progressively and in the presence of normal or only slightly (twofold) increased plasma and urinary levels of the putative neurotoxic heme precursor delta-aminolevulinic acid. These data suggest that heme deficiency and consequent dysfunction of hemeproteins can cause porphyric neuropathy.

Confocal microscopic localization of anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein autoantibodies in a patient with peripheral neuropathy initially lacking a detectable IgM gammopathy

We report here on a patient with anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) neuropathy in whom examination of a sural nerve biopsy by multichannel confocal microscopy showed a partly overlapping distribution of MAG and IgM deposits in myelinated fibers. Our data demonstrate that MAG in Schmidt-Lanterman incisures and paranodal loops, as well as some additional HNK-1-positive components of the basal lamina, are the major targets of the anti-MAG monoclonal IgM autoantibodies in this neuropathy in vivo. Perforation of the basal lamina can allow the penetration and binding of anti-MAG IgM inside myelinated fibers. Our results support and extend the notion that the production of monoclonal anti-MAG IgM may be antigenically driven by MAG molecules and that this process may occur in the immunologically privileged environment of the nerve prior to the appearance of a genuine gammopathy in serum.

Reciprocal expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein splice variants in the adult human peripheral and central nervous systems

The L- and S-MAG isoforms differ only at their C-terminus and are believed to be functionally distinct. To obtain information on the relative expression of these alternatively spliced isoforms in humans, we cloned an S-MAG cDNA fragment. The deduced amino-acid sequence of the human S-MAG C-terminus shows fairly conservative substitutions of 4 out of the 10 residues compared to the rodent peptide. Using reverse transcription and a competitive polymerase chain reaction, we show that, in contrast to rodents, the L-MAG splice variant predominates in adult human brain while, like in rodents, S-MAG transcripts are most abundant in peripheral nerve. The results obtained by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry are in good agreement with the findings at the mRNA level. Animal experiments may thus be more representative for the role of MAG in human nerve than in brain.

Gene dosage effects in hereditary peripheral neuropathy. Expression of peripheral myelin protein 22 in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies nerve biopsies

A duplication of a 1.5-Megabase genomic region encompassing the gene for the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) is found on chromosome 17p11.2-12 in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A), whereas the reciprocal deletion is associated with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP). Since most CMT1A patients harbor three copies of the PMP22 gene, and most HNPP patients carry only a single copy, a gene dosage effect has been proposed as a mechanism for both diseases. We have analyzed the steady-state expression of PMP22 protein in sural nerve biopsies from three CMT1A and four HNPP patients. Quantitative immunohistochemical determination showed that PMP22 protein expression relative to that of myelin protein zero and myelin basic protein was increased in all CMT1A patients and reduced in all HNPP patients, as compared with biopsy samples of patients with normal PMP22 gene expression. These data demonstrate that both neuropathies result from an imbalance of PMP22 protein expression.

Selective loss of myelin-associated glycoprotein from myelin correlates with anti-MAG antibody titre in demyelinating paraproteinaemic polyneuropathy

The IgM monoclonal autoantibodies of patients with demyelinating paraproteinaemic polyneuropathy recognize a carbohydrate structure present on both myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and protein zero (P0). These autoantibodies are sufficient to cause the disease but the mechanism of demyelination remains unclear. We have analysed nerve biopsies from eight patients with polyneuropathy and anti-MAG antibodies by quantitative immunohistochemistry and find a concordant pattern of reduced expression of myelin markers with the loss of myelinated fibres. We report here novel features of this disease, in particular a selective lack of detectable MAG in a large proportion of myelinated-fibres containing P0, myelin basic protein (MBP) and periaxin. There is also an inverse correlation of the distribution of MAG in peripheral nerve myelin with the serum anti-MAG antibody titres but no correlation of these titres with the loss of myelinated fibres. Double immunofluorescence staining of paraproteinaemic polyneuropathy (PPN) nerves shows anti-MAG IgM deposited on the periphery of myelinated fibres associated with or lacking MAG staining. These data suggest that the binding of anti-MAG antibodies to MAG and/or other myelin component(s) results in MAG downregulation and may have an essential role in the molecular mechanisms leading to demyelination and partial regeneration in this disease.

Ultrastructural analysis of rat articular cartilage following treatment with dexamethasone and glycosaminoglycan-peptide complex

This ultrastructural study describes a stereological analysis of rat articular cartilage, with and without exposure to dexamethasone and a chondroprotective drug used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Normal rat cartilage was found to contain 27.6 x 10(4) chondrocytes/mm3 which occupied approximately 10% of the cartilage tissue, and the organelle content of each chondrocyte was calculated to be about 20% of the cytoplasmic volume. After 3 weeks of treatment with dexamethasone the chondrocytic volume was increased by 23% with a proportionate increase in the cellular volume of the whole cartilage, and in addition the organelle content was significantly reduced to about half that of the control chondrocytes. By contrast the administration of GP-C (RUMALON) to dexamethasone-treated animals reduced these steroid effects. No significant change was seen in the total chondrocyte numbers with either of the treatments. Whereas dexamethasone inhibits chondrocyte metabolism and produces concomitant ultrastructural changes, GP-C was found to counteract these effects, a result which supports the contention that GP-C helps to preserve chondrocyte function.

The mode of action of a glycosaminoglycan-peptide-complex (Rumalon) on articular cartilage of the rat in vivo

Quantitative ultrastructural morphometry and autoradiography of articular cartilage were used to assess in 3 months old rats the effects of in vivo administration of dexamethasone alone or in combination with a glycosaminglycan-peptide-complex (GAGPC). Dexamethasone treatment (3 mg/kg week for three weeks) induced a decrease of 35S-sulphate incorporation in cartilage and ultrastructural changes of articular chondrocytes, mainly characterized by an increase in cell mortality rate, a decrease in length of endoplasmic reticulum, in the number of Golgi bodies and in mitochondrial pool and size. These autoradiographic and ultrastructural changes were reversed or prevented when GAGPC was administered concomitantly with dexamethasone. These results show that the modifications measured by quantitative ultrastructural morphometry of chondrocytes are consistent with changes in biosynthetic functions and that the GAGPC protects cartilage from the inhibitory effects of corticoids.