Recent studies in humans have highlighted the importance of a distinct cellular entity, the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (PDC). To identify genes for which expression is restricted to human PDCs, a ...cDNA subtraction technique was applied using cDNA from activated monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) as competitor. In the 650 sequences analyzed, 25% were for B-cell transcripts. We also found lymphoid-related genes, immunoglobulinlike transcript 7 (ILT7), granzyme B (GrB), Spi-B, and the receptor tyrosine kinase Eph-B1. Granzyme B was up-regulated on activation, and protein was detected only in PDCs. Eph-B1 protein was expressed in the cytoplasm and the nuclei of PDCs and MDDCs, respectively. Interestingly, several novel molecules have been identified that were predicted to encode for a type 2 transmembrane protein (BRI3), a putative cytokine (C-15, a cysteine-rich–secreted protein), and a type 1 leucine-rich repeat protein (MAPA). The identification of genes expressed in PDCs provides new insights into their function and origin.
Using 448 million ψ(2S) events, the spin-singlet P-wave charmonium state hc(11P1) is studied via the ψ(2S)→π0hc decay followed by the hc→γηc transition. The branching fractions are measured to be ...BInc(ψ(2S)→π0hc)×BTag(hc→γηc)=(4.22+0.27−0.26±0.19)×10−4, BInc(ψ(2S)→π0hc)=(7.32±0.34±0.41)×10−4, and BTag(hc→γηc)=(57.66+3.62−3.50±0.58)%, where the uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The hc(11P1) mass and width are determined to be M=(3525.32±0.06±0.15) MeV/c2 and Γ=(0.78+0.27−0.24±0.12) MeV. Using the center of gravity mass of the three χcJ(13PJ) mesons M(c.o.g.), the 1P hyperfine mass splitting is estimated to be Δhyp=M(hc)−M(c.o.g.)=(0.03±0.06±0.15) MeV/c2, which is consistent with the expectation that the 1P hyperfine splitting is zero at the lowest order.
The benefits of breast milk are well described, yet the mechanistic details related to how breast milk protects against acute and chronic diseases and optimizes neurodevelopment remain largely ...unknown. Recently, breast milk was found to contain stem cells that are thought to be involved in infant development.
The purpose of this review was to synthesize all available research involving the characterization of breast milk stem cells to provide a basis of understanding for what is known and what still needs further exploration.
The literature search was conducted between August and October 2015 using the CINAHL, PubMed, and reference list searching. Nine studies addressed characterization of human breast milk stem cells.
Five research teams in 4 countries have published studies on breast milk stem cells. Current research has focused on characterizing stem cells in full-term breast milk. The amount, phenotype, and expression of breast milk stem cells are known to vary between mothers, and they have been able to differentiate into all 3 germ layers (expressing pluripotent characteristics).
There is much to learn about breast milk stem cells. Given the potential impact of this research, healthcare professionals should be aware of their presence and ongoing research to determine benefits for infants.
Extensive research is needed to further characterize stem cells in breast milk (full-term and preterm), throughout the stages of lactation, and most importantly, their role in the health of infants, and potential for use in regenerative therapies.
Background. Cholera remains endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. We characterized the 2009 cholera outbreaks in Kenya and evaluated the response. Methods. We analyzed surveillance data and estimated case ...fatality rates (CFRs). Households in 2 districts, East Pokot (224 cases; CFR = 11.7%) and Turkana South (1493 cases; CFR = 1.0%), were surveyed. We randomly selected 15 villages and 8 households per village in each district. Healthcare workers at 27 health facilities (HFs) were surveyed in both districts. Results. In 2009, cholera outbreaks caused a reported 11 425 cases and 264 deaths in Kenya. Data were available from 44 districts for 6893 (60%) cases. District CFRs ranged from 0% to 14.3%. Surveyed household respondents (n = 240) were aware of cholera (97.5%) and oral rehydration solution (ORS) (87.9%). Cholera deaths were reported more frequently from East Pokot (n = 120) than Turkana South (n = 120) households (20.7% vs. 12.3%). The average travel time to a HF was 31 hours in East Pokot compared with 2 hours in Turkana South. Fewer respondents in East Pokot (9.8%) than in Turkana South (33.9%) stated that ORS was available in their village. ORS or intravenous fluid shortages occurred in 20 (76.9%) surveyed HFs. Conclusions. High CFRs in Kenya are related to healthcare access disparities, including availability of rehydration supplies.
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