AIMS:The aim of this study was to investigate MlF expression and activity in human sporadic colorectal adenomas and in intestinal adenomas from the Apc mouse model of familial adenomatous polyposis. METHODS: lmmunohistochemistry was performed on archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human sporadic colorectal adenomas (n=56), and on small and large intestine of Apc mice and wild type littermates. Human MLF protein levels were analysed in fresh paired colorectal adenoma and normal mucosa samples by ELSA (n=16) and by Western blot analysis (n=8). A phydroxyphenylpyruvate (HPP) tautomerase assay was used to measure specific MIF activity in paired fresh tissue (n=20). RESULTS: In human colorectal tissue, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis both demonstrated increased MIF protein levels in adenomas compared with paired normal colorectal mucosa. MIF was localised to both epithelial (particularly the apical membrane) and stromal cells in adenomas. The ELISA demonstrated a mean 1.9-fold increase (95% CI 1.1-2.7) in immunoreactive MlF in adenomas compared with paired normal mucosa. The HPP tautomerase assay revealed a mean 1.5-fold increase (95% CI 1.2-1.7) in MIF activity in adenomas. Inmunohistochemical analysis in the Apc mouse intestine revealed a similar pattern of protein localisation in adenomas and histologically normal mucosa, with MIF localisation in dysplastic epithelial cells being prominent. CONCLUSIONS: MIF protein levels are increased in human sporadic colorectal adenomas and in intestinal adenomas from the Apc mouse. The precise role of MIF in epithelial and stromal cell compartments of adenomas during the early stages of intestinal tumorigenesis is currently being investigated.
Ultramafic xenoliths in Eocene minettes of the Bearpaw Mountains volcanic field (Montana, USA), derived from the lower lithosphere of the Wyoming craton, can be divided based on textural criteria into tectonite and cumulate groups. The tectonites consist of strongly depleted spinel lherzolites, harzburgites and dunites. Although their mineralogical compositions are generally similar to those of spinel peridotites in off-craton settings, some contain pyroxenes and spinels that have unusually low Al 2 O 3 contents more akin to those found cratonic spinel peridotites. Furthermore, the tectonite peridotites have whole-rock major element compositions that tend to be significantly more depleted than non-cratonic mantle spinel peridotites (high MgO, low CaO, Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 ) and resemble those of cratonic mantle. These compositions could have been generated by up to 30% partial melting of an undepleted mantle source.Petrographic evidence suggests that the mantle beneath the Wyoming craton was reenriched in three ways: (i) by silicate melts that formed mica websterite and clinopyroxenite veins; (ii) by growth of phlogopite from K-rich hydrous fluids; and (iii) by interaction with aqueous fluids to form orthopyroxene porphyroblasts and orthopyroxenite veins. In contrast to their depleted major element compositions, the tectonite peridotites are mostly LREE-enriched and show enrichment in fluid-mobile elements such as Cs, Rb, U and Pb on mantle-normalised diagrams. Lack of enrichment in high field strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf) suggests that the tectonite peridotites have been metasomatised by a subduction-related fluid. Clinopyroxenes from the tectonite peridotites have distinct U-shaped REE patterns with strong LREE-enrichment. They have 143 Nd/ 144 Nd values that range from 0.5121 (close to the host minette values) to 0.5107, similar to those of xenoliths from the nearby Highwood Mountains. Foliated mica websterites also have low 143 Nd/ 144 Nd values (0.5113) and extremely high 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios in their constituent phlogopite, indicating an ancient (probably mid-Proterozoic) enrichment. This enriched mantle lithosphere later contributed to the formation of the high-K Eocene host magmas.The cumulate group ranges from clinopyroxene-rich mica peridotites (including abundant mica wehrlites) to mica clinopyroxenites. Most contain >30% phlogopite. Their mineral compositions are similar to those of phenocrysts in the host minettes. Their whole-rock compositions are generally poorer in MgO but richer in incompatible trace elements than those of the tectonite peridotites. Whole-rock trace element patterns are enriched in LILE (Rb, Cs, U and Pb) and depleted in HFSE (Nb, Ta Zr and Hf) as in the host minettes, and their Sr-Nd isotopic compositions are also identical to those of the minettes. Their clinopyroxenes are LREE-enriched and formed in equilibrium with a LREE-enriched melt closely resembling the minettes. The cumulates therefore represent a much younger magmatic event, related to crystallisation at man...
Coeliac disease (CD), caused by an inappropriate T-cell-mediated immune response to the ingestion of cereal proteins in genetically susceptible individuals, is a common disorder with a prevalence of about 1% in Caucasian populations. It has a strong association with other autoimmune disorders, particularly type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease. Although primarily affecting the small bowel, CD is a multisystem disorder and the adult or child patient may initially present to a wide range of clinical specialties. The concept of the 'coeliac iceberg' has been used to emphasize that many cases currently remain undiagnosed. The identification of tissue transglutaminase (TGA)-2 as the antigen against which the autoantibodies are directed has led to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of CD and to the development of improved serological tests. Enzyme-linked immunoassays using human tissue TGA as antigen have high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for the detection of CD. This review examines the evidence for adopting IgA anti-tissue TGA as the first-line diagnostic test for CD. It recommends a laboratory algorithm for the use and interpretation of TGA to enable the clinical laboratory to play a full part in detecting and monitoring a disorder that is eminently treatable once the diagnosis has been considered and confirmed.
In the British Isles the majority of volcanic rocks containing upper mantle and lower crustal xenoliths occur in Scotland. Most of the occurrences are of Carboniferous–Permian age. This paper presents new data on the mineral chemistry of spinel lherzolite xenoliths from the five principal Scottish tectonic terranes. Compositional variations among the minerals emphasize the broad lateral heterogeneity of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle across the region. The remarkable range of Al 2 O 3 v. CaO exhibited by the clinopyroxenes compared with data from other ‘xenolith provinces' emphasizes the extremely complex tectonomagmatic history of the Scottish lithosphere. The generalized age increase from southern and central Scotland to the Northern Highland and Hebridean terranes of the north and NW, with concomitant complexity of geological history, is reflected also by trace element and isotopic studies. Reaction relationships in lherzolites from the Hebridean Terrane, owing to pervasive metasomatism, involve secondary growth of sodic feldspar. This, and light REE enrichment of clinopyroxenes, points to involvement of a natro-carbonatitic melt. Most pyroxenitic xenoliths are inferred to form a basal crustal layer with a generally sharp discontinuity above the underlying (dominantly lherzolitic) mantle. A second discontinuity is inferred to separate these ultramafic cumulates from overlying, broadly cognate metagabbroic cumulates.
A survey of hospital laboratory services has demonstrated marked deficiencies in the performance of gastrointestinal function tests. The repertoire of gastrointestinal investigations available varies widely between laboratories and, in general, analyses are performed infrequently. Most laboratories do not perform internal quality control, and inter-laboratory reproducibility of some analytes is very poor. A wide variety of protocols and reference ranges are in use, many of which are unevaluated. Some analytical methods and protocols in current use are outdated, with published improvements not being applied.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.