The neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR1) is induced upon human alternative macrophage polarization and stimulates the expression of markers of the M2 phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which macrophages play a crucial role. Macrophages are present in different phenotypes, with at the extremes of the spectrum the classical M1 pro-inflammatory and the alternative M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages. The neuron-derived orphan receptor 1 (NOR1), together with Nur77 and Nurr1, are members of the NR4A orphan nuclear receptor family, expressed in human atherosclerotic lesion macrophages. However, the role of NOR1 in human macrophages has not been studied yet. OBJECTIVES: To determine the expression and the functions of NOR1 in human alternative macrophages. METHODS AND RESULTS: In vitro IL-4 polarization of primary monocytes into alternative M2 macrophages enhances NOR1 expression in human but not in mouse macrophages. Moreover, NOR1 expression is most abundant in CD68+MR+ alternative macrophage-enriched areas of human atherosclerotic plaques in vivo. Silencing NOR1 in human alternative macrophages decreases the expression of several M2 markers such as the Mannose Receptor (MR), Interleukin-1 Receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), CD200 Receptor (CD200R), coagulation factor XIII A1 polypeptide (F13A1), Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR)γ. Bioinformatical analysis identified F13A1, IL-1Ra, IL-10 and the Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) as potential target genes of NOR1 in human alternative macrophages. Moreover, expression and enzymatic activity of MMP9 are induced by silencing and repressed by NOR1 overexpression in M2 macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: These data identify NOR1 as a transcription factor induced during alternative differentiation of human macrophages and demonstrate that NOR1 modifies the alternative macrophage phenotype.

The coronary artery disease-associated gene C6ORF105 is expressed in human macrophages under the transcriptional control of PPARγ.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Mutations in C6ORF105, associated with decreased gene expression, positively correlate with the risk of CAD in Chinese populations. Moreover, the C6ORF105-encoded protein may play a role in coagulation. Here, we report that C6ORF105 gene expression is lower in circulating mononuclear cells from obese diabetic than lean subjects. Moreover, C6ORF105 is expressed in human macrophages and atherosclerotic lesions, where its expression positively correlates with expression of the transcription factor Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor (PPAR)γ. Activation of PPARγ increases, in a PPARγ-dependent manner, the expression of C6ORF105 in human macrophages and atherosclerotic lesions.

Automatic method for evaluating the activity of sourdough strains based on gas pressure measurements.

A new method is proposed for the evaluation of the activity of sourdough strains, based on gas pressure measurements in closed air-tight reactors. Gas pressure and pH were monitored on-line during the cultivation of commercial yeasts and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria on a semi-synthetic medium with glucose as the major carbon source. Relative gas pressure evolution was compared both to glucose consumption and to acidification and growth. It became obvious that gas pressure evolution is related to glucose consumption kinetics. For each strain, a correlation was made between maximum gas pressure variation and amount of glucose consumed. The mass balance of CO2 in both liquid and gas phase demonstrated that around 90% of CO2 was recovered. Concerning biomass production, a linear relationship was found between log colony-forming units/ml and log pressure for both yeasts and bacteria during the exponential phase; and for yeasts, relative gas pressure evolution also followed optical density variation.

An evaluation of diagnostic techniques utilized in the initial workup of pediatric patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia.

The records of 32 pediatric patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were reviewed to evaluate the role of various diagnostic techniques used to assess the extent of extramedullary disease. Our findings indicate that adequate screening for hepatosplenomegaly is obtained by clinical assessment and for bone and renal involvement by bone scintigraphy including concomitant renal imaging. We recommend that radiographs be restricted to scintigraphically abnormal areas and/or sites of bone pain. Liver-spleen scintigraphy, gallium studies, intravenous pyelography, and ultrasound studies of the abdomen and pelvis should be utilized only to answer specific clinical questions. Evaluation in this manner reduces both radiation exposure and patient expense, while it adequately defines the extent of disease in these organs.

The reliable sonographic diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Fifty-five infants who presented to the Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital with vomiting and the clinical suspicion of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) were evaluated using real-time ultrasound. Previously published criteria for the sonographic diagnosis of HPS were evaluated in these patients. The anterposterior diameter measurement of 1.5 cm or greater proposed by Strauss et al. had an accuracy of 36/50 (72%). The 4-mm or greater wall thickness measurement of Blumhagen et al. was correct in 46/50 (92%) of cases. A proposed criterion, the true pyloric muscle (TPM) length of 2.0 cm or greater was accurate in 33/33 cases. Application of the TPM length criterion should improve the reliability of sonographic diagnosis of HPS and decrease the need for radiographic studies.

Digital radiography: utilization of a nuclear medicine computer system.

A standard nuclear medicine computer system was modified to accept video input and utilized to perform digital intravenous and intra-arterial angiography, substration of CT images and enhance ultrasound images as well as to read video and magnetic tape. This system provides greater versatility and adaptability than presently conceptualized and produced digital systems and deserves further evaluation as a multipurpose imaging device.

Enhanced gastroduodenal motility in children.

Metoclopramide hydrochloride was administered to nine children for the treatment of gastric stasis (N=6) and unexplained vomiting (N=3). One additional patient with gastric stasis displayed no response to the test dose of metoclopramide. Both the frequency and apparent forcefulness of the gastric and duodenal waves increased with the administration of metoclopramide in the nine patients receiving treatment. Eight clinical aspects were monitored, with improvement seen in all during therapy; the rates of both improvement and freedom from symptoms were time dependent. After one month, the median rate of improvement in individual symptoms was 86%, and the median rate of freedom from symptoms was 54%. Only two of the nine patients became totally asymptomatic within the month. However, sustained improvement was maintained after discontinuance of metoclopramide administration. Within the administered dosages and within the study population, metoclopramide was found to be safe.

Femoral neck anteversion in perspective.

Routine evaluation of anteversion by biplanar radiographic means is unreliable, poorly reproducible, and unnecessary. Isolated measurement of femoral neck anteversion is a concept which has outlived its usefulness. The relationship of the femoral head to the acetabulum is more important than the direct measurement of femoral anteversion. Computerized axial tomography can provide both forms of information. The radiation dose in computerized tomography is relatively large and its use in children should be correspondingly limited.

A two-year reject/retake profile analysis in pediatric radiology.

With increasing interest in the use of reject/retake analysis as an integral part of a routine quality assurance program in diagnostic radiology comes the need for a better understanding of the information obtained. The present study investigated the reject/retake profiles in a pediatric radiology department on a long-term basis. Retake profiles have been continually analyzed for a period of 24 months. Emphasis of the analysis were placed upon understanding the characteristics of the profiles observed and the effectiveness of the corrective actions implemented. The analysis indicated that after the implementation of a comprehensive quality assurance program, the overall rejection profile is predominantly determined by the rate of positioning errors.

Gluceptate renal imaging: experience in a pediatric population.

Gluceptate renal imaging was performed to evaluate renal function and morphology in 50 pediatric patients (27 males, 23 females). Retrospective categorization revealed that 49% (27) of the studies were for functional evaluation, 27% (15) were for anatomic considerations and 23% (13) were of a miscellaneous nature. Thirty-one patients also underwent intravenous pyelograms (IVP) and in seven discordant cases gluceptate imaging provided correct information in five, compared with only one correct IVP. While both the IVP and gluceptate imaging provide clinical information concerning renal function and morphology, the ability to obtain blood flow data and to quantitate differential renal functional mass allows gluceptate imaging to define renal function more specifically than the IVP making a more meaningful diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of patients with known or suspected renal abnormalities.

The application of pattern recognition techniques in the analysis of metacarpophalangeal lengths.

Pattern recognition techniques have been applied to the analysis of metacarpophalangeal lengths obtained from hand radiographs. A data base consisting of healthy subjects, and subjects exhibiting achondroplasia, Down's syndrome, and Turner's syndrome was studied. A classification technique was found which effectively separates these conditions. The technique is suitable for computer automation.

A potential pitfall of operative cholangiography in infants.

Retrograde linear extravasation of contrast media along the anatomical course of intrahepatic arborizing structures may occur during intraoperative cholangiography for evaluation of prolonged neonatal jaundice. The resultant image may mimic the appearance of intrahepatic biliary radicles.

Treatment of overt CNS leukemia.

At this time, methotrexate and CNS radiotherapy used together offer the best chance for prolonged remissions in children who develop overt CNS leukemia. Toxicity is a major problem. Unless a lower dose of radiation is used, the contribution of radiotherapy to neurotoxicity cannot be reduced. However, the toxicity of intrathecal methotrexate can be reduced by using Elliot's B as a diluent, combining methotrexate with hydrocortisone, and using a standard dose after the age of 3 years rather than a dose based on body surface area. Fortunately, the incidence of CNS leukemia has decreased over the years due to prophylactic CNS therapy. However, when a CNS relapse does occur, it carries a grave prognosis and is therefore still a significant problem necessitating continued research.

Positive 67Ga-citrate scans in patients receiving Corynebacterium parvum.

Gallium-67 citrate imaging for the staging of lymphomas was performed in three patients receiving Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) immunotherapy. Unexpected uptake at the site of C. parvum injections was identified and although the mechanism of localization is not determined by this study, similarities between C. parvum's known actions and the postulated mechanism of 67Ga-citrate localization are compared.

A generalization of Chevrot's method for determining anteversion and cervico-diaphyseal angles.

Chevrot's method for determining the angle between the axis of the femoral shaft and the axis of the femoral neck (the cervico-diaphyseal angle), and the angle between the axis of the femoral neck and the diacondylar plane (the anteversion angle) has been investigated and generalized. Mathematical formulae giving the anteversion and cervico-diaphyseal angles in terms of two x-ray tube angles and two measured projections of the cervico-diaphyseal angle have been derived. These formulae facilitate preparation of computer programs and tables for the routine clinical determination of the anteversion and cervico-diaphyseal angles.