Search

MicroRNAs are important regulators of gene expression in normal development and disease. miR-9 is overexpressed in several cancer forms, including brain tumours, hepatocellular carcinomas, breast cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Here we demonstrated a relevance for miR-9 in HL pathogenesis and identified two new targets Dicer1 and HuR. HL is characterized by a massive infiltration of immune cells and fibroblasts in the tumour, whereas malignant cells represent only 1% of the tumour mass. These infiltrates provide important survival and growth signals to the tumour cells, and several lines of evidence indicate that they are essential for the persistence of HL. We show that inhibition of miR-9 leads to derepression of DICER and HuR, which in turn results in a decrease in cytokine production by HL cells followed by an impaired ability to attract normal inflammatory cells. Finally, inhibition of miR-9 by a systemically delivered antimiR-9 in a xenograft model of HL increases the protein levels of HuR and DICER1 and results in decreased tumour outgrowth, confirming that miR-9 actively participates in HL pathogenesis and points to miR-9 as a potential therapeutic target.Oncogene advance online publication, 6 February 2012; doi:10.1038/onc.2012.15.

In soft-sediment coastal waters of Europe, the common cockle Cerastoderma edule is an abundant organism, occuring from Marocco to Norway. This cockle provides space for a variety of parasitic organisms. Via bivalve filtration current, trematodes infect their intermediate hosts by free-swimming propagules (miracidia or cercariae larvae). Infection success and kinetics are closely related to host dynamics (especially growth rates) and to environmental parameters (especially temperature).Parasite species richness and environmental parameters have been surveyed since March 2005 in the same cockle cohort at each site. We investigated trematode infections of C. edule at Moulay Bousselham (Morocco), Aveiro (Portugal), Arcachon (France), Saint-Brieuc (France), Sylt (Germany) and Skallingen (Denmark). Comparisons of the different parasite infracommunities showed no general trend of diversity decline along the latitudinal gradient. A species rich community in the investigated cockles was discovered at all sites with Meiogymnophallus minutus occurring everywhere except in Denmark.With respect to the wide latitudinal distribution of C. edule, this parasite host system is an excellent model for studying the role of climatic factors in determining the diversity as well as distribution and abundance of parasites.

In soft-sediment coastal waters of Europe, the common cockle Cerastoderma edule is an abundant organism, occuring from Marocco to Norway. This cockle provides space for a variety of parasitic organisms. Via bivalve filtration current, trematodes infect their intermediate hosts by free-swimming propagules (miracidia or cercariae larvae). Infection success and kinetics are closely related to host dynamics (especially growth rates) and to environmental parameters (especially temperature).Parasite species richness and environmental parameters have been surveyed since March 2005 in the same cockle cohort at each site. We investigated trematode infections of C. edule at Moulay Bousselham (Morocco), Aveiro (Portugal), Arcachon (France), Saint-Brieuc (France), Sylt (Germany) and Skallingen (Denmark). Comparisons of the different parasite infracommunities showed no general trend of diversity decline along the latitudinal gradient. A species rich community in the investigated cockles was discovered at all sites with Meiogymnophallus minutus occurring everywhere except in Denmark.With respect to the wide latitudinal distribution of C. edule, this parasite host system is an excellent model for studying the role of climatic factors in determining the diversity as well as distribution and abundance of parasites.

Parasite communities in cockles (Cerastoderma edule) along a latitudinal gradient (North Africa to Scandinavia): pattern and processesX. de Montaudouin, M. Baudrimont, H. Bazairi, M. Cottet, L. Dabouineau, C. Desclaux, M. Gam, P. Gonzalez, K.T. Jensen, F. Jude, M. Krakau, G. Lassalle, N. Raymond, K. Reise, F. Russell-Pinto, D.W. Thieltges, C. PaillardCockles (Cerastoderma edule) are important shellfish resource in the northeast Atlantic shallow water ecosystems. Their population sizes are highly fluctuating between years, so the standing crop in Europe is estimated to vary from 30 to 90 000 mt per year (FAO, 2005). Among factors involved in the population dynamics of cockles, digenean parasites can play an important role. Cockles are infected by free-swimming propagules (miracidia or cercariae larvae) through the bivalve ventilation current. Infection success and kinetics are closely related to host dynamics (especially growth rates) and to environmental parameters (especially temperature). With respect to the wide latitudinal distribution of this bivalve, this parasite/host system is an excellent model for studying role of climatic factors in controlling spread of vector borne pathogenic organisms and for predicting future epizootics in marine organisms as a result of climate change.Cockle dynamics, parasite species richness, parasite infection kinetics and environmental parameters have been surveyed since March 2005, focusing on the same cockle cohort (2005). This monitoring is concomitantly performed in Moulay Bousselham (Morocco), Aveiro (Portugal), Arcachon (France), Saint-Brieuc (France), Sylt (Germany) and Skallingen (Denmark). Comparisons of the different parasite/host systems point out the best parasite strategies and assess the plasticity of these biotic interactions.

Parasite communities in cockles (Cerastoderma edule) along a latitudinal gradient (North Africa to Scandinavia): pattern and processesX. de Montaudouin, M. Baudrimont, H. Bazairi, M. Cottet, L. Dabouineau, C. Desclaux, M. Gam, P. Gonzalez, K.T. Jensen, F. Jude, M. Krakau, G. Lassalle, N. Raymond, K. Reise, F. Russell-Pinto, D.W. Thieltges, C. PaillardCockles (Cerastoderma edule) are important shellfish resource in the northeast Atlantic shallow water ecosystems. Their population sizes are highly fluctuating between years, so the standing crop in Europe is estimated to vary from 30 to 90 000 mt per year (FAO, 2005). Among factors involved in the population dynamics of cockles, digenean parasites can play an important role. Cockles are infected by free-swimming propagules (miracidia or cercariae larvae) through the bivalve ventilation current. Infection success and kinetics are closely related to host dynamics (especially growth rates) and to environmental parameters (especially temperature). With respect to the wide latitudinal distribution of this bivalve, this parasite/host system is an excellent model for studying role of climatic factors in controlling spread of vector borne pathogenic organisms and for predicting future epizootics in marine organisms as a result of climate change.Cockle dynamics, parasite species richness, parasite infection kinetics and environmental parameters have been surveyed since March 2005, focusing on the same cockle cohort (2005). This monitoring is concomitantly performed in Moulay Bousselham (Morocco), Aveiro (Portugal), Arcachon (France), Saint-Brieuc (France), Sylt (Germany) and Skallingen (Denmark). Comparisons of the different parasite/host systems point out the best parasite strategies and assess the plasticity of these biotic interactions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with cavopulmonary connection have higher levels of vasoactive/water-salt regulating hormones and if so, whether hormone levels are related to postoperative haemodynamics and postoperative follow up.DESIGN: Cross sectional study.SETTING: University hospital.PATIENTS: 20 patients (New York Heart Association functional class I-II), mean age 11 years (range 4 to 22), were studied at a mean of 2 years (0.5 to 6) after a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC, n = 12) or a bidirectional Glenn anastomosis (BDG, n = 8).INTERVENTIONS: Cardiac catheterisation was performed and blood samples were drawn. Control blood samples were drawn from 33 healthy children, mean age 12 years (6 to 16).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma levels of angiotensin II, renin, aldosterone, arginine, vasopressin, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).RESULTS: All neurohormones were significantly increased in both TCPC and BDG patients (p < 0. 05), with a fourfold increase in angiotensin II, renin, and aldosterone, and a twofold increase in vasopressin, ANF, and BNP (compared with healthy controls). There was no correlation between haemodynamic variables and hormone levels. Angiotensin II and renin were inversely correlated with time to follow up. All subjects over 15 years (n = 5) had normal neurohormonal levels.CONCLUSIONS: Neurohormones were raised for years after successful cavopulmonary operations but lower levels were observed with time on follow up. This supports the hypothesis that neurohormonal activation is primarily related to altered postoperative physiology and that adaptation takes place over time.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether patients with cavopulmonary connection have higher levels of vasoactive/water-salt regulating hormones and if so, whether hormone levels are related to postoperative haemodynamics and postoperative follow up.DESIGN: Cross sectional study.SETTING: University hospital.PATIENTS: 20 patients (New York Heart Association functional class I-II), mean age 11 years (range 4 to 22), were studied at a mean of 2 years (0.5 to 6) after a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC, n = 12) or a bidirectional Glenn anastomosis (BDG, n = 8).INTERVENTIONS: Cardiac catheterisation was performed and blood samples were drawn. Control blood samples were drawn from 33 healthy children, mean age 12 years (6 to 16).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma levels of angiotensin II, renin, aldosterone, arginine, vasopressin, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).RESULTS: All neurohormones were significantly increased in both TCPC and BDG patients (p < 0. 05), with a fourfold increase in angiotensin II, renin, and aldosterone, and a twofold increase in vasopressin, ANF, and BNP (compared with healthy controls). There was no correlation between haemodynamic variables and hormone levels. Angiotensin II and renin were inversely correlated with time to follow up. All subjects over 15 years (n = 5) had normal neurohormonal levels.CONCLUSIONS: Neurohormones were raised for years after successful cavopulmonary operations but lower levels were observed with time on follow up. This supports the hypothesis that neurohormonal activation is primarily related to altered postoperative physiology and that adaptation takes place over time.

Recruitment and survival of Nereis diversicolor and Corophium volutator was studied in an artificial Saltwater Lagoon in the Danish Wadden Sea. The two species were the most successful colonizers of this lagoon and they have temporarily accounted for more than 80 % of the benthic individuals. Predation by waders, emigration and a low salinity in winter(<2‰) appeared to be important regulators of the population sizes. Various field experiments have been performed to examine the effect of selected infaunal species on recruitment of C. volutator and N. diversicolor. The density of recruits of C. volutator was negatively affected by adult individuals of its own species, by C. arenarium, by Macoma balthica, and by Nereis diversicolor. C. arenarium was the only species that had a negative effect on N. diversicolor. At the intertidal flat a high recruitment of both, C. volutator and N. diversicolor, took place within cages enclosing the natural fauna, while the density of recruits on the adjacent bottom was low. The importance of epibenthic predators and cage artifacts on the density of recruits is discussed.

Recruitment and survival of Nereis diversicolor and Corophium volutator was studied in an artificial Saltwater Lagoon in the Danish Wadden Sea. The two species were the most successful colonizers of this lagoon and they have temporarily accounted for more than 80 % of the benthic individuals. Predation by waders, emigration and a low salinity in winter(<2‰) appeared to be important regulators of the population sizes. Various field experiments have been performed to examine the effect of selected infaunal species on recruitment of C. volutator and N. diversicolor. The density of recruits of C. volutator was negatively affected by adult individuals of its own species, by C. arenarium, by Macoma balthica, and by Nereis diversicolor. C. arenarium was the only species that had a negative effect on N. diversicolor. At the intertidal flat a high recruitment of both, C. volutator and N. diversicolor, took place within cages enclosing the natural fauna, while the density of recruits on the adjacent bottom was low. The importance of epibenthic predators and cage artifacts on the density of recruits is discussed.

Recruitment and survival of Nereis diversicolor and Corophium volutator was studied in an artificial Saltwater Lagoon in the Danish Wadden Sea. The two species were the most successful colonizers of this lagoon and they have temporarily accounted for more than 80 % of the benthic individuals. Predation by waders, emigration and a low salinity in winter(<2‰) appeared to be important regulators of the population sizes. Various field experiments have been performed to examine the effect of selected infaunal species on recruitment of C. volutator and N. diversicolor. The density of recruits of C. volutator was negatively affected by adult individuals of its own species, by C. arenarium, by Macoma balthica, and by Nereis diversicolor. C. arenarium was the only species that had a negative effect on N. diversicolor. At the intertidal flat a high recruitment of both, C. volutator and N. diversicolor, took place within cages enclosing the natural fauna, while the density of recruits on the adjacent bottom was low. The importance of epibenthic predators and cage artifacts on the density of recruits is discussed.

Recruitment and survival of Nereis diversicolor and Corophium volutator was studied in an artificial Saltwater Lagoon in the Danish Wadden Sea. The two species were the most successful colonizers of this lagoon and they have temporarily accounted for more than 80 % of the benthic individuals. Predation by waders, emigration and a low salinity in winter(<2‰) appeared to be important regulators of the population sizes. Various field experiments have been performed to examine the effect of selected infaunal species on recruitment of C. volutator and N. diversicolor. The density of recruits of C. volutator was negatively affected by adult individuals of its own species, by C. arenarium, by Macoma balthica, and by Nereis diversicolor. C. arenarium was the only species that had a negative effect on N. diversicolor. At the intertidal flat a high recruitment of both, C. volutator and N. diversicolor, took place within cages enclosing the natural fauna, while the density of recruits on the adjacent bottom was low. The importance of epibenthic predators and cage artifacts on the density of recruits is discussed.