δ13C and δ15N zooplankton isoscapes as trace of water masses and mesoscale activity in the Pacific Tropical-Subtropical Convergence off Mexico during June 2010

This research analyzes for the first time in the Pacific Tropical-Subtropical Convergence off Mexico during June 2010 the relationships among the δ13C and δ15N signal distribution in the bulk zooplankton, water masses, and mesoscale structures. The environmental analysis showed that the California Current Water (CCW) and Transitional Water (TrW) converge where the 22 °C isotherm and 34.6 g kg-1 isohaline were observed (22°N). Two cyclonic eddies were detected: one in CCW at 24°N about 70 km in diameter, the other one located in TrW at 21°N with 150 km in diameter. A cluster analysis defined three zooplankton isoscapes with significant differences. Isoscape 1, immerses in CCW - the lowest δ13C (-22.37 ± 0.89 ‰) and δ15N (9.89 ± 1.32 ‰) - showed temperature (19.86 ± 1.97 °C), salinity (34.08 ± 0.37 g kg-1) values, the deepest thermocline (77.93 ± 25.51 m) and oxygen minimum zone (164.78 ± 44.96 m). The CCW was relatively oligotrophic without important mesoscale features in the sampled time within the sampled area. Isoscape 2, a cyclonic eddy in CCW - relatively enriched zooplankton δ13C values (-16.78 ± 1.95 ‰) due to the entry of enriched coastal biota- reflected in high chlorophyll a and subsequently assimilated into zooplankton tissues. Isoscape 3, a cyclonic eddy immerses in TrW - the highest δ15N (13.14 ± 1.60 ‰), salinity (34.76 ± 0.19 g kg-1) and temperature (19.90 ± 2.27 °C) values and shallowest thermocline (32.27 ± 18.63 m), and oxygen minimum zone (66.82 ± 37.68 m) in depth. Likely, this 15N-enriched recycled nitrate was pumped from the deoxygenated subsurface to the surface, reflected in the zooplankton bulks. The results showed that the isotopic signals in bulk zooplankton may be a good water mass and mesoscale activity tracer.

Genetic regulatory effects modified by immune activation contribute to autoimmune disease associations

The immune system plays a major role in human health and disease, and understanding genetic causes of interindividual variability of immune responses is vital. Here, we isolate monocytes from 134 genotyped individuals, stimulate these cells with three defined microbe-associated molecular patterns (LPS, MDP, and 5'-ppp-dsRNA), and profile the transcriptomes at three time points. Mapping expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL), we identify 417 response eQTLs (reQTLs) with varying effects between conditions. We characterize the dynamics of genetic regulation on early and late immune response and observe an enrichment of reQTLs in distal cis-regulatory elements. In addition, reQTLs are enriched for recent positive selection with an evolutionary trend towards enhanced immune response. Finally, we uncover reQTL effects in multiple GWAS loci and show a stronger enrichment for response than constant eQTLs in GWAS signals of several autoimmune diseases. This demonstrates the importance of infectious stimuli in modifying genetic predisposition to disease.Insight into the genetic influence on the immune response is important for the understanding of interindividual variability in human pathologies. Here, the authors generate transcriptome data from human blood monocytes stimulated with various immune stimuli and provide a time-resolved response eQTL map.

Characterizing the genetic basis of innate immune response in TLR4-activated human monocytes

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in innate immunity. Apart from their function in host defense, dysregulation in TLR signalling can confer risk to autoimmune diseases, septic shock or cancer. Here we report genetic variants and transcripts that are active only during TLR signalling and contribute to interindividual differences in immune response. Comparing unstimulated versus TLR4-stimulated monocytes reveals 1,471 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) that are unique to TLR4 stimulation. Among these we find functional SNPs for the expression of NEU4, CCL14, CBX3 and IRF5 on TLR4 activation. Furthermore, we show that SNPs conferring risk to primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease are immune response eQTLs for PDGFB and IL18R1. Thus, PDGFB and IL18R1 represent plausible candidates for studying the pathophysiology of these disorders in the context of TLR4 activation. In summary, this study presents novel insights into the genetic basis of the innate immune response and exemplifies the value of eQTL studies in the context of exogenous cell stimulation.

Self-priming determines high type I IFN production by plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are responsible for the robust and immediate production of type I IFNs during viral infection. pDCs employ TLR7 and TLR9 to detect RNA and CpG motifs present in microbial genomes. CpG-A was the first synthetic stimulus available that induced large amounts of IFN-α (type I IFN) in pDCs. CpG-B, however, only weakly activates pDCs to produce IFN-α. Here, we demonstrate that differences in the kinetics of TLR9 activation in human pDCs are essential for the understanding of the functional difference between CpG-A and CpG-B. While CpG-B quickly induces IFN-α production in pDCs, CpG-A stimulation results in delayed yet maximal IFN-α induction. Constitutive production of low levels of type I IFN in pDCs, acting in a paracrine and autocrine fashion, turned out to be the key mechanism responsible for this phenomenon. At high cell density, pDC-derived, constitutive type I IFN production primes pDCs for maximal TLR responsiveness. This accounts for the high activity of higher structured TLR agonists that trigger type I IFN production in a delayed fashion. Altogether, these data demonstrate that high type I IFN production by pDCs cannot be simply ascribed to cell-autonomous mechanisms, yet critically depends on the local immune context.

Treatment-related changes in neurobehavioral symptoms

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Background: Neurobehavioral outcomes, such as fatigue and neurocognitive dysfunction, are disabling side effects in a subgroup of breast cancer (BC) patients. Longitudinal studies with appropriate controls to dissociate treatment-related effects from those experienced by healthy post-menopausal women are sparse, and virtually all define “pre-treatment” baseline as prior to adjuvant therapy, but following surgery. Given the phenomenon of “postoperative cognitive dysfunction” reported in older patients undergoing major surgery, we are evaluating treatment-related impact using pre-surgery assessment as the baseline.

Methods: Eligible post-menopausal BC patients are assessed prior to any local or systemic treatment and one month after completion of treatment (surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy). Healthy controls (HC) are age-matched 1:2-3 and tested at similar time intervals. Currently 130 BC and 60 HC are enrolled; results for 80 BC and 30 HC who have reached Time 2 are available (Mean time between assessments = 143 days, SD = 93).

Results: Interim analyses using repeated measures ANOVA, controlling for age and education differences, show that the BC group declined in verbal memory functioning post-treatment relative to baseline, while the HC group improved due to practice effects (F(1, 102) = 3.43, p = .061). A similar interaction effect is observed for executive functioning, where the BC group failed to benefit from practice effects to the same degree as did HC (F(1, 102) = 6.04, p = .016). Anxiety but not depression was significantly elevated at baseline and decreased post treatment in BC patients treated with and without chemotherapy (F (1, 102) = 6.85, p = .010). Fatigue did not significantly change for the BC group; however, it was significantly higher than HC at baseline (t =2.77, p = .01) and remained high at the post-treatment measurement.

Conclusions: Significant declines in neurocognitive functioning soon after completion of BC treatment were observed compared to healthy post-menopausal women. This observation did not appear to be due to mood disturbance, as anxiety and depression decreased following treatment. Our data also suggest that fatigue is present even prior to any cancer treatment.

Oral pharmacokinetics of fenbendazole in llamas, South American Camelids

Llamas, South American Camelids are increasingly popular in the United States, as a source of fiber, livestock guard, and pack animals. Gastrointestinal parasites have been identified as a major health problem in all classes of livestock including llamas. Currently, there are no approved anthelmintics available for use in llamas. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of a single, oral administration of fenbendazole paste at a minimum target dose of 5mg/kg, with an upper limit of <10mg/kg, was evaluated in llamas. Plasma fenbendazole concentration time profiles were best described by a single compartment model. After oral administration of fenbendazole, T(max) and Cp(max) were 28.39+/-12.80h, and 0.28+/-0.17µg/ml, respectively. The T(1/2alpha) and T(1/2beta) were 16.25+/-11.67 and 36.00+/-25.00h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution (V(d)) and the area under the curve (AUC) were 11.28+/-4.66l/kg, and 22.52+/-8.67µgh/ml, respectively. The results of this preliminary study indicate that when the paste formulation of fenbendazole is administered orally to llamas, its rate of absorption appears to be very similar to that of other ruminants including sheep, goats, and cattle as indicated by the time required to reach peak plasma concentrations. It was also found that the rate of elimination of fenbendazole was prolonged in llamas as compared to sheep, goats, and cattle.

Methamphetamine poisoning in three Oklahoma dogs

Methamphetamine is an amphetamine derivative and a category II controlled substance. It is uncommonly prescribed by physicians, but is more often used illegally as a stimulant. In this case study, 3 dogs were believed maliciously poisoned. Methamphetamine was detected in the stomach contents of 1 dog. One died and 2 recovered after gastrointestinal decontamination and supportive care. The recommended treatment protocol of methamphetamine toxicosis should also include urine acidification and alpha-adrenergic blocking agents.

Flurazepam toxicosis in two dogs

Flurazepam is a benzodiazepine (BZD) derivative and a category IV controlled substance. It is a widely prescribed hypnotic drug for use in sleep disorders. Two dogs were maliciously poisoned with this drug and died. Flurazepam was detected in the urine of 1 dog by thin-layer chromatography. Flumazenil, an antagonist for BZD receptors, is currently used in humans to reverse the effects of intoxication with BZD. It may also be of use in treating companion animals.

[Measuring equipment for bedside diagnosis of respiratory function in spontaneously breathing newborn infants]

Equipment was developed for bedside lung function testing in the newborn using the simultaneous measurement of air flow rate, tidal volume, and esophageal pressure changes as a measure of transpulmonary pressure. The equipment has a number of advantages for the investigation of very low birthweight infants. A flow-through technique was used to eliminate the dead space of the face mask and a very thin micro-tipped catheter permits ready measurement of esophageal pressure. With this equipment, long-term measurements are also possible in oxygen-dependent newborns and the air-tightness of the mask can be monitored continuously. Long-time measurements in neonates are a prerequisite for standardizing the measuring conditions and adapting the duration of the measurement to the variability of the signals, especially in newborn with an irregular pattern of breathing.

1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 inhibits parathyroid cell proliferation in experimental uremia

Parathyroid cell proliferation and parathyroid hyperplasia are features of renal secondary hyperparathyroidism. Since parathyroids have recently been recognized as an important target for 1,25(OH)2D3, the effects of administration of variable doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 on ex vivo radiothymidine incorporation in the parathyroid glands, on parathyroid cell mitoses, on parathyroid weight, morphometric indices and on parathyroid protein/DNA ratio were examined in rats with uremia (subtotal nephrectomy; NX) or with calcium deficiency. 3H-thymidine incorporation (3 hr; 37 degrees C; PBS with 10 mmol glucose) was elevated in NX animals, that is, 204 +/- 51 dpm/micrograms DNA versus 96 +/- 28 in controls. In vivo pretreatment with 1,25(OH)2D3, either by intermittent i.p. injection or by osmotic minipump, dose-dependently decreased 3H-thymidine incorporation and parathyroid cell mitoses without affecting morphometric indices of parathyroid cells. Prophylactic administration (i.p.) of 1,25(OH)2D3, starting on the day of nephrectomy, prevented parathyroid hyperplasia (NX + 1,25(OH)2D3 0.84 micrograms tissue/g body wt vs. 1.25 micrograms in untreated NX and 0.54 in ad libitum fed controls), but 10 days of treatment beginning on the 21st day of uremia did not reverse existing hyperplasia (NX + 1,25(OH)2D3 1.5 micrograms/g body wt vs. 1.37 micrograms in untreated NX and 0.56 micrograms in ad libitum fed controls). The inhibitory effect was specific for 1,25(OH)2D3 and not imitated by Dexamethason. However, the effect was not specific for parathyroid hyperplasia of uremia, since similar inhibition of 3H-thymidine incorporation by 1,25(OH)2D3 was also observed in rats on low calcium diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)