Search

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) are inflammatory neuropathies that affect humans and are characterized by peripheral nerve myelin destruction and macrophage-containing immune infiltrates. In contrast to the traditional view that the peripheral nerve is simply the target of autoimmunity, we report here that peripheral nerve Schwann cells exacerbate the autoimmune process through extracellular matrix (ECM) protein induction. In a spontaneous autoimmune peripheral polyneuropathy (SAPP) mouse model of inflammatory neuropathy and CIDP nerve biopsies, the ECM protein periostin (POSTN) was upregulated in affected sciatic nerves and was primarily expressed by Schwann cells. Postn deficiency delayed the onset and reduced the extent of neuropathy, as well as decreased the number of macrophages infiltrating the sciatic nerve. In an in vitro assay, POSTN promoted macrophage chemotaxis in an integrin- AM (ITGAM) and ITGAV-dependent manner. The PNS-infiltrating macrophages in SAPP- affected nerves were pathogenic, since depletion of macrophages protected against the development of neuropathy. Our findings show that Schwann cells promote macrophage infiltration by upregulating Postn and suggest that POSTN is a novel target for the treatment of macrophageassociated inflammatory neuropathies., Introduction Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP, a form of Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS]) are characterized by sensory impairment and disabling weakness (1, 2) and are [...]

Myocardial infarction (MI) arising from obstruction of the coronary circulation engenders massive cardiomyocyte loss and replacement by non-contractile scar tissue, leading to pathological remodeling, dysfunction, and ultimately heart failure. This is presently a global health problem for which there is no effective cure. Following MI, the innate immune system directs the phagocytosis of dead cell debris in an effort to stimulate cell repopulation and tissue renewal. In the mammalian adult heart, however, the persistent influx of immune cells, coupled with the lack of an inherent regenerative capacity, results in cardiac fibrosis. Here, we reveal that stimulation of cardiac lymphangiogenesis with VEGF-C improves clearance of the acute inflammatory response after MI by trafficking immune cells to draining mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) in a process dependent on lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE-1). Deletion of Lyvel in mice, preventing docking and transit of leukocytes through the lymphatic endothelium, results in exacerbation of chronic inflammation and long-term deterioration of cardiac function. Our findings support targeting of the lymphatic/immune cell axis as a therapeutic paradigm to promote immune modulation and heart repair., Introduction The lymphatic system is a network of vessels that pervades the entire body, complementary to the blood cardiocirculatory system. It comprises blind-ended capillaries that collect extravasated interstitial fluid, macromolecules, [...]

We examined whether adults with autism had difficulty imitating atypical biological kinematics. To reduce the impact that higher-order processes have on imitation we used a non-human agent model to control social attention, and removed end-state target goals in half of the trials to minimise goal-directed attention. Findings showed that only neurotypical adults imitated atypical biological kinematics. Adults with autism did, however, become significantly more accurate at imitating movement time. This confirmed they engaged in the task, and that sensorimotor adaptation was self-regulated. The attentional bias to movement time suggests the attenuation in imitating kinematics might be a compensatory strategy due to deficits in lower-level visuomotor processes associated with self-other mapping, or selective attention modulated the processes that represent biological kinematics., Author(s): Spencer J. Hayes[sup.1] , Matthew Andrew[sup.1] , Digby Elliott[sup.1] [sup.2] , Emma Gowen[sup.3] , Simon J. Bennett[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Research Institute [...]

Introduction. Radiation therapy (RT) for cancer is a critical medical procedure that occurs in a complex environment involving numerous health professionals, hardware, software, and equipment. Uncertainties and potential incidents can [...]

Mammals control the volume and osmolality of their body fluids from stimuli that arise from both the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments. These stimuli are sensed by two kinds of [...]

Abstract The advent of mammography and increased awareness about breast cancer has resulted in the detection of smaller tumours. The majority of these small tumours would not have had metastasized [...]

Aims: It has been suggested that patients with T1-2 breast tumours and sentinel node (SLN) micrometastases, defined as foci of tumour cells smaller than 2 mm, may be spared completion [...]

Context.--Cancer is characterized by the development of a prothrombotic state Approximately 15% to 20% and 1.5% to 3.1% of cancer patients develop venous and arterial thrombosis, respectively, whereas 18% to 20% of idiopathic venous events are caused by an occult neoplasia. The highest risk is observed in hematologic, gastrointestinal, and lung malignancies, as well as in patients with active disease, especially in the first 3 months after cancer diagnosis. Hospitalization, surgical interventions, and implanted venous devices increase the thrombotic risk. Patients with metastatic disease, febrile neutropenia, infections, and severe comorbidities experience more frequently a thrombotic event. A contemporary prechemotherapy predictive model incorporates both clinical and biologic parameters, such as the primary cancer site, platelet count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, use of erythropoietic agents, and body mass index. Several studies aim to clarify the prognostic value of tissue factor, P-selectin, thrombin generation, microparticles, and D-dimers. Objectives.--To summarize current views on epidemiology, risk factors, and predictive variables, discussing the future perspectives and existing limitations in clinical practice. Data Sources.--Review of published literature, including review papers, epidemiologic studies, and clinical trials, in online medical databases. Conclusions.--The thrombogenic properties of tumor cells affect the prognosis and quality of life for the cancer population. Despite the improved awareness and prompt use of thromboprophylaxis, recent studies reported increased rates of thrombotic events, whereas the annual risks for thrombosis recurrence and bleeding are 21% and 12%, respectively. The clinical use of risk factors and prognostic parameters could allow for patient risk stratification and individualization of anticoagulant treatment. (Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2013;137:1286-1295; doi: 10.5858/arpa.2012-0490-RA), INTRODUCTION The association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer has been described for more than 140 years, since Armand Trousseau reported that patients with idiopathic thrombosis frequently developed cancer in [...]

Byline: K. Bassi, V. Seenu, A. Srivastava, N. Al Sharara Axillary lymph node dissection is the standard of care for treating and staging axilla in breast cancer. Sentinel lymph node [...]

Byline: Satoshi. Utsuki, Hidehiro. Oka, Yoshiteru. Miyajima, Kiyotaka. Fujii Here, we describe the first reported autopsy findings following gamma knife surgery for thalamic pain. A 62-year-old man presented with thalamic [...]

I. INTRODUCTION The neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OT) was the first peptide hormone to have its structure determined and the first to be chemically synthesized in biologically active form [143]. It [...]

The prognosis for patients with breast cancer or melanoma largely depends on the involvement of nearby lymph nodes. This article examines techniques used to identify and assess sentinel nodes -- those that drain the cancerous area. Such techniques may permit more conservative, node-sparing treatment. Studies evaluating the use of both radiopharmaceuticals and colored dyes are described. This article is a Directed Reading. See the quiz at conclusion., Within the next 10 years, it is estimated that 269 000 women annually will develop breast cancer.[1] Ten years from now, the number of women who develop breast cancer every [...]