bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Transgenic Animals to Improve Human Health and Animal Production
Authors: Houdebine L‐M
Published: July 2005

Contents

Transgenic animals are more widely used for various purposes. Applications of animal transgenesis may be divided into three major categories: (i) to obtain information on gene function and regulation as well as on human diseases, (ii) to obtain high value products (recombinant pharmaceutical proteins and xeno‐organs for humans) to be used for human therapy, and (iii) to improve animal products for human consumption. All these applications are directly or not related to human health. Animal transgenesis started in 1980. Important improvement of the methods has been made and are still being achieved to reduce cost as well as killing of animals and to improve the relevance of the models. This includes gene transfer and design of reliable vectors for transgene expression. This review describes the state of the art of animal transgenesis from a technical point of view. It also reports some of the applications in the medical field based on the use of transgenic animal models. The advance in the generation of pigs to be used as the source of organs for patients and in the preparation of pharmaceutical proteins from milk and other possible biological fluids from transgenic animals is described. The projects in course aiming at improving animal production by transgenesis are also depicted. Some the specific biosafety and bioethical problems raised by the different applications of transgenesis, including consumption of transgenic animal products are discussed.
The Development and Application of the Modern Reproductive Technologies to Horse Breeding
Authors: Allen WR
Published: July 2005

Contents

Although the horse was probably the first animal to experience and benefit from artificial insemination, it trailed the field somewhat with regard to the application of embryo transfer and other oocyte and embryo‐related modern breeding technologies. But with a late run it is now back in mid‐field and gaining fast on the other large domestic species in the application of the many technological advances of the past 20 years to sound breeding practice. Improvements in extenders and cryoprotectants have resulted in a veritable upsurge in the transport and insemination of cooled and frozen stallion semen, and parallel improvements in ovulation induction and synchrony, exogenous gonadotrophic stimulation of multiple fertile ovulations and simplified, more efficient methods for non‐surgical transfer of embryos to recipient mares, coupled with relaxation of breed society registration restrictions, have together contributed to a similar upsurge in the application of embryo transfer to all breeds and athletic types of horses worldwide, with the continuing and notable exception of the Thoroughbred. Although conventionalin vitrofertilization remains something of an unjumped fence in equids, other modern breeding technologies like hysteroscopic low‐dose insemination, fluorescence‐activated sex sorting of stallion spermatozoa, between‐species embryo transfer, embryo freezing and bisection, transvaginal ultrasound‐guided oocyte collection, intracytoplasmic sperm injection for fertilization (ICSI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and now nuclear transfer (cloning), have all been applied to equids with encouraging success. Cloning, especially, holds enormous promise for the Sporthorse industry to re‐create champion geldings in stallion form for breeding purposes.
Market and technical trend of cleansing oils
Authors: Tsuda H.
Published: July 2005

Consumers’ makeup behavior has changed greatly in past several years. Lipsticks and foundation were mainly used before, but recently mascara is becoming widely used to emphasize their eyes. Following this change, the market for makeup remover also changed. That is, the market for cleansing oil, which has superior eye makeup removing ability, expanded quickly. The cleansing oils contain oils and surfactants. The latter emulsify the oils and help them to be washed away. Multichain non‐ionic surfactants are usually used for their high emulsifying ability and for their low safety risk. However, conventional cleansing oils cannot be used with wet hands, because oils are emulsified, and makeup removing ability obviously declines. Recently, a new cleansing oil that can be used with wet hands was developed. As it can solubilize a lot of water in itself, it retains its makeup removing ability in spite of the water contamination. To realize the high water solubilizing ability, it is important to use a surfactant that has a lipophobic group like the hydroxyl group as well as to control the HLB of the entire system.
Determination of 2‐aminoethanol in 2,2’,2’’‐nitrilotriethanol by reversed‐phase HPLC‐UV using o‐phthalaldehyde as a pre‐column derivatizing reagent
Authors: Kageshima K. , Okada K. , Saito H. , Shimizu T.
Published: July 2005

A measurement method for determination of 2‐aminoethanol in 2,2’,2’’‐nitrilotriethanol by reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet detector has been developed using o‐phthalaldehyde as a pre‐column derivatizing reagent. As a result, the calibration curve of 2‐aminoethanol standard solutions was linear over the range of 1.0 × 10 – 5 – 5.0 × 10 – 3 mol L–1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 and the detection limit, defined as S/N = 3, was 7.5 × 10 – 7 mol L–1. The relative SD at 5.0 × 10 – 5 mol/ L–1 of 2‐aminoethanol standard solution was 6.0% (n = 6). This measurement method was applied to the determination of 2‐aminoethanol in several commercial 2,2’,2’’‐nitrilotriethanol samples and it was found that both the calibration curve method and the standard addition method based on the peak height are available for the determination of 2‐aminoethanol. These results suggest that the method reported here will be useful for determination of 2‐aminoethanol in 2,2’,2’’‐nitrilotriethanol.
Technology in emulsified particle size control by new mixing method
Authors: Nagai Y. , Asa T. , Ishizu K.
Published: July 2005

The best pulverization of emulsions that can be achieved using conventional mixing blades is in the micrometer realm. Now, with our new ‘thin‐film spin system’ high‐speed mixer, it is possible to attain pulverization in the nanometer realm. The particle size distribution can now be controlled to achieve an almost single distribution state. Particles can be pulverized without being severed, preventing secondary agglomeration after processing. This new mixing system also solves many of the problems common to conventional pulverization processes.
Analysis of hair lipids and tensile properties as a function of distance from scalp
Authors: Duvel L. , Chun H. , Deppa D. , Wertz P. W.
Published: July 2005

Synopsis

Cuticle cells form the outer covering surrounding and protecting the cortex. The cuticle cells are thin, flat and overlap, and intercellular lipid lamellae are found in the gaps between the cell boundaries. The lipid lamellae are also found within the cortex in the cell boundaries between the long fribrous corticle cells. In addition, the outer surfaces of the cuticle cells are covered by a monolayer of covalently bound fatty acids, a major component of which is 18‐methyleicosanoic acid. The fatty acids are thought to be attached through thio‐ester linkages. Together these lipids are thought to be major determinants of the physical properties of the hair. The present study tested the hypothesis that both free and covalently bound lipids are progressively lost during normal environmental exposures. This progressive loss within the cuticle layers may, in part, lead to an increased susceptibility of the protein and lipid lamellae in the cortex to degradation. This degradation, in turn, would contribute to a progressive decrease in the tensile properties of the hair. Research grade hair was cut into five segments from the root to the distal end. Lipids from each segment were extracted and analyzed by thin‐layer chromatography in conjunction with photodensitometry. The major free polar lipid classes in the hair included ceramides, glucosylceramides and cholesterol sulfate. The concentrations of all of the free polar lipids as well as the covalently bound fatty acids decreased in going from the root to the distal end of the hair. In addition, there was a significant reduction in tensile properties of the hair from the root to distal end. In conclusion, the progressive loss of endogenous free and covalently bound lipids from hair, which are probably related to normal weathering of the hair and grooming practices, may help contribute to a marked decrease in tensile properties to the hair.
Determination of phthalate esters in cosmetics by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and mass spectrometric detection
Authors: Chen Huiming , Wang Chao , Wang Xing , Hao Nan , Liu Juan
Published: July 2005

Synopsis

A gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection (GC‐FID) and mass spectrometric detection (MSD) method was developed to determine the six kinds of phthalate esters [dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di‐n‐butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di‐n‐octyl phthalate (DOP)] in cosmetics (solid, cream and liquid cosmetics). The cosmetics were extracted with methanol by ultrasonic and then separated with high‐speed centrifugation. The upper clear layer was dried and filtered through a 0.45 μm pore diameter filter. The filtrate was injected into GC‐FID/GC‐MS for detection. GC‐FID chromatogram was applied for qualitative analysis, external standard method was used for quantitative analysis. Confirmation of phthalate presence was undertaken by GC‐EI‐MS. The recovery range of all phthalates were between 92.0 and 110.0% with relative standard deviations between 1.95 and 5.92%. The low detection limits of the method were: 0.1 ng for DMP, DEP, DBP and BBP, 0.5 ng for DEHP and DOP. The method had advantages of high precision and sensitivity, simplicity of pretreatment. The method can be used to test the six kinds of phthalate esters in cosmetics.
Method for evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial preservatives in cosmetic wet wipes
Authors: Crémieux A. , Cupferman S. , Lens C.
Published: July 2005

Synopsis

Many cosmetic formulations are now available in the form of wet wipes packaged in sealed sachets or packets. Like the majority of cosmetic products having an aqueous phase, wipes are susceptible to microbial contamination and require the addition of preservatives. The efficacy of such preservatives can be evaluated using a standard challenge test performed on the wetting liquid but this test cannot be regarded as representative for this new type of formulation. The method presented here evaluates the efficacy of preservatives used in wet wipes kept in their original packaging. Dried inoculums were prepared by membrane filtration followed by drying in an incubator. The method is applicable to bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis), Bacillus cereus spores and fungi (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger). These inoculated carriers were inserted between two wipes in the original package, which was then re‐sealed immediately. The test requires one dry inoculum per packet and one packet for each control or test. After incubation at 22.5°C for 1, 2, 7, 14 or 28 days and, for the control, immediately after insertion of the membrane (time 0), microorganism counts were performed on the germ‐carrier membranes as well as on adjacent wipes, after transfer into a suitable neutralizing agent. The membranes were shaken in the presence of glass beads and microorganisms were dissociated from the wipes by means of a Stomacher. The supernatants recovered after being left to stand for 20 min are counted by pour plate method or membrane filtration. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated for each of the seven above‐mentioned strains. The repeatability and reproducibility of the results obtained is similar to that obtained for preservative efficacy tests in the Pharmacopoeias. The lethal rate of microorganisms during the preparation of dry inoculums ranges from 50 to 90% depending on the strain and the test (generally, a spontaneous reduction of about 1 log up to a maximum of 2 log). The recovery rate for microorganisms from dry inoculums (on membranes) at time 0 (control = T0) is around 90%, regardless of the strain or the test. The number of microorganisms recovered from the wipes (W0) is between 2 and 10% of the number recovered from membranes (T0) and may be considered negligible. Application of this method to different types of wipes demonstrates that the efficacy of preservatives, expressed as the logarithmic reduction in the number of microorganisms at each time point, depends on the type of wipe and on the strain tested. The results obtained are considerably different from those found with the standard challenge tests applied to wetting liquids for wipes. The differences found confirm the need for a specific method applicable to wipes.
Comparative assessment of the performance of two generations of Tewameter®: TM210 and TM300
Authors: Rosado C. , Pinto P. , Rodrigues L. M.
Published: July 2005

Synopsis

The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) has been established as one of the main parameters in the assessment of skin barrier function. One of the most widely employed devices to measure TEWL is the Tewameter®. Courage and Khazaka launched the TM300 in 2003 and successfully eliminated some of the limitations of the previous model. In the more recent device, the sensors inside the probe head can be pre‐heated to a temperature close to that of the skin, which considerably decreases sampling time. Additionally, the new technology of the probe does not require frequent and time‐consuming recalibration with different solutions. The main objective of this work was to perform a comparative assessment of the performance of the two different Tewameter® models. Fifteen volunteers were used in this study, which was conducted in the mid‐portion of the volar forearm. The standard measurements assessed differences in the basal values, time necessary for a stable value and coefficient of variability under normal and extreme conditions. The dynamic measurements performed were based on a plastic occlusion stress test (POST), involving the application of an occlusive patch for 24 h, after which the TEWL desorption curves were recorded. A mathematical model was adjusted to the data points using a specially modified simplex routine. Calculated parameters considered relevant to the study were t1/2evap (evaporation half‐life) and dynamic water mass (DWM). Results show slight differences in the performance the two models, which are nevertheless statistically significant. The TM300 seems to be more sensitive to differences in TEWL and presents a much quicker measurement capacity. These results confirm a marked improvement in the more recent Tewameter® model, when compared with its predecessor. The main conclusion of this work is that caution is advised when comparing results obtained with the two different models and that studies should be carried out entirely with the same device.
Systemic evening primrose oil improves the biophysical skin parameters of healthy adults
Authors: Muggli R.
Published: July 2005

Synopsis

Biophysical skin parameters are indicators of age‐related structural and functional changes in skin tissues. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in healthy adults tested the effect of Efamol evening primrose oil [EPO, a gamma‐linolenic acid (GLA) containing vegetable oil] on skin moisture, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), redness, firmness, elasticity, fatigue resistance and roughness. Efamol EPO was administered orally in soft gel capsules, 3 × 500 mg b.i.d. for 12 weeks. Measurements were taken at baseline and at weeks 4 and 12. The two treatment groups did not differ at baseline and at week 4. At week 12, however, all measured variables, with the exception of skin redness, were significantly different in the EPO group compared with placebo. Skin moisture, TEWL, elasticity, firmness, fatigue resistance and roughness had significantly improved by 12.9, 7.7, 4.7, 16.7, 14.2 and 21.7%, respectively. The two‐sided levels of significance in favor of the EPO treatment ranged between 0.034 and 0.001. These findings lend further support to the notion that GLA is a conditionally essential fatty acid for the skin, i.e. it is unable to synthesize GLA, and therefore depends on preformed GLA for optimal structure and function.
Probabilistic Feature Analysis of Facial Perception of Emotions
Authors: Meulders Michel , De Boeck Paul , Van Mechelen Iven , Gelman Andrew
Published: July 2005

According to the hypothesis of configural encoding, the spatial relationships between the parts of the face function as an additional source of information in the facial perception of emotions. The paper analyses experimental data on the perception of emotion to investigate whether there is evidence for configural encoding in the processing of facial expressions. It is argued that analysis with a probabilistic feature model has several advantages that are not implied by, for example, a generalized linear modelling approach. First, the probabilistic feature model allows us to extract empirically the facial features that are relevant in processing the face, rather than focusing on the features that were manipulated in the experiment. Second, the probabilistic feature model allows a direct test of the hypothesis of configural encoding as it explicitly formalizes a mechanism for the way in which information about separate facial features is combined in processing the face. Third, the model allows us to account for a complex data structure while still yielding parameters that have a straightforward interpretation.
Radiocarbon Peat Chronologies and Environmental Change
Authors: Blaauw Maarten , Christen J. Andrés
Published: July 2005

Raised bog peat deposits form important archives for reconstructing past changes in climate. Precise and reliable age models are of vital importance for interpreting such archives. We propose enhanced, Markov chain Monte Carlo based methods for obtaining age models from radiocarbon-dated peat cores, based on the assumption of piecewise linear accumulation. Included are automatic choice of sections, a measure of the goodness of fit and outlier downweighting. The approach is illustrated by using a peat core from the Netherlands.
Nonparametric Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Population Size Based on the Counting Distribution
Authors: Böhning Dankmar , Schön Dieter
Published: July 2005

The paper discusses the estimation of an unknown population size n. Suppose that an identification mechanism can identify nobs cases. The Horvitz–Thompson estimator of n adjusts this number by the inverse of 1−p0, where the latter is the probability of not identifying a case. When repeated counts of identifying the same case are available, we can use the counting distribution for estimating p0 to solve the problem. Frequently, the Poisson distribution is used and, more recently, mixtures of Poisson distributions. Maximum likelihood estimation is discussed by means of the EM algorithm. For truncated Poisson mixtures, a nested EM algorithm is suggested and illustrated for several application cases. The algorithmic principles are used to show an inequality, stating that the Horvitz–Thompson estimator of n by using the mixed Poisson model is always at least as large as the estimator by using a homogeneous Poisson model. In turn, if the homogeneous Poisson model is misspecified it will, potentially strongly, underestimate the true population size. Examples from various areas illustrate this finding.
Multivariate Tests Comparing Binomial Probabilities, with Application to Safety Studies for Drugs
Authors: Agresti Alan , Klingenberg Bernhard
Published: July 2005

In magazine advertisements for new drugs, it is common to see summary tables that compare the relative frequency of several side-effects for the drug and for a placebo, based on results from placebo-controlled clinical trials. The paper summarizes ways to conduct a global test of equality of the population proportions for the drug and the vector of population proportions for the placebo. For multivariate normal responses, the Hotelling T2-test is a well-known method for testing equality of a vector of means for two independent samples. The tests in the paper are analogues of this test for vectors of binary responses. The likelihood ratio tests can be computationally intensive or have poor asymptotic performance. Simple quadratic forms comparing the two vectors provide alternative tests. Much better performance results from using a score-type version with a null-estimated covariance matrix than from the sample covariance matrix that applies with an ordinary Wald test. For either type of statistic, asymptotic inference is often inadequate, so we also present alternative, exact permutation tests. Follow-up inferences are also discussed, and our methods are applied to safety data from a phase II clinical trial.
A Robust Regression Model for a First-Order Autoregressive Time Series with Unequal Spacing: Application to Water Monitoring
Authors: Andrés Houseman E.
Published: July 2005

Time series arise often in environmental monitoring settings, which typically involve measuring processes repeatedly over time. In many such applications, observations are irregularly spaced and, additionally, are not distributed normally. An example is water monitoring data collected in Boston Harbor by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. We describe a simple robust approach for estimating regression parameters and a first-order autocorrelation parameter in a time series where the observations are irregularly spaced. Estimates are obtained from an estimating equation that is constructed as a linear combination of estimated innovation errors, suitably made robust by symmetric and possibly bounded functions. Under an assumption of data missing completely at random and mild regularity conditions, the proposed estimating equation yields consistent and asymptotically normal estimates. Simulations suggest that our estimator performs well in moderate sample sizes. We demonstrate our method on Secchi depth data collected from Boston Harbor.
Modelling Longitudinal Semicontinuous Emesis Volume Data with Serial Correlation in an Acupuncture Clinical Trial
Authors: Albert Paul S. , Shen Joannie
Published: July 2005

In longitudinal studies, we are often interested in modelling repeated assessments of volume over time. Our motivating example is an acupuncture clinical trial in which we compare the effects of active acupuncture, sham acupuncture and standard medical care on chemotherapy-induced nausea in patients being treated for advanced stage breast cancer. An important end point for this study was the daily measurement of the volume of emesis over a 14-day follow-up period. The repeated volume data contained many 0s, had apparent serial correlation and had missing observations, making analysis challenging. The paper proposes a two-part latent process model for analysing the emesis volume data which addresses these challenges. We propose a Monte Carlo EM algorithm for parameter estimation and we use this methodology to show the beneficial effects of acupuncture on reducing the volume of emesis in women being treated for breast cancer with chemotherapy. Through simulations, we demonstrate the importance of correctly modelling the serial correlation for making conditional inference. Further, we show that the correct model for the correlation structure is less important for making correct inference on marginal means.
Analysing the Independence Hypothesis in Models for Rare Errors: An Application to Auditing
Authors: Martel-Escobar M. , Vázquez-Polo F. J. , Hernández-Bastida A.
Published: July 2005

Populations where items are error free are found in many areas of applied statistics, such as auditing and actuarial science. Decisions are then made by inferring the total error in a population. This parameter is usually modelled by two parametric structures under the assumption of prior independence. This paper explores the usefulness of robust Bayesian techniques in the setting of an applied problem. The results reveal a dramatic lack of robustness with regard to the independence hypothesis.
Ferulic acid, a natural protector against carbon tetrachloride‐induced toxicity
Authors: Srinivasan M. , Rukkumani R. , Ram Sudheer A. , Menon Venugopal P.
Published: July 2005

The present work is aimed at evaluating the protective effect of ferulic acid (FA), a naturally occurring phenolic compound on CCl4 induced toxicity. The activities of liver markers (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, γ‐glutamyl transferase), lipid peroxidative index (thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, hydroperoxides, nitric oxide, protein carbonyl content), the antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) were used as biomarkers to monitor the protective role of FA. The liver marker enzymes in plasma and lipid peroxidative index in liver and kidney were increased in CCl4‐treated groups, which were decreased significantly on treatment with FA. The antioxidants, which were depleted in CCl4‐treated groups, were improved significantly by FA treatment. Administration of FA to normal rats did not produce any harmful effects. Thus our results show that FA is an effective antioxidant without any side‐effects and may be a great gain in the current search for natural therapy.
The efficacy of herbal medicine – an overview
Authors: Ernst Edzard
Published: July 2005

Herbal medicine has become a popular form of healthcare. Even though several differences exist between herbal and conventional pharmacological treatments, herbal medicine can be tested for efficacy using conventional trial methodology. Several specific herbal extracts have been demonstrated to be efficacious for specific conditions. Even though the public is often misled to believe that all natural treatments are inherently safe, herbal medicines do carry risks. Ultimately, we need to know which herbal remedies do more harm than good for which condition. Because of the current popularity of herbal medicine, research in this area should be intensified.
Vascular and renal actions of brain natriuretic peptide in man: physiology and pharmacology
Authors: Houben Alphons J.H.M. , van der Zander Kim , de Leeuw Peter W.
Published: July 2005

During the last decade brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has received increasing attention as a potential marker of cardiovascular disease. BNP may act as a compensating mechanism in cardiovascular diseases in order to reduce preload. However, the increase in endogenous BNP is often not sufficient to compensate for volume overload in diseases like established hypertension and heart failure. The reported hemodynamic and renal effects of BNP in man differ largely between studies, because of differences in design and doses of BNP employed. In the pharmacological range, BNP has clear blood pressure and afterload lowering effects, and in the kidney blood flow and filtration is increased with concomitant natriuresis and diuresis. While in the physiological range BNP does not affect blood pressure and reduces preload only, and induces natriuresis/diuresis without changes in renal blood flow and filtration. There is increasing evidence from vascular studies that BNP preferentially acts on the venous system resulting in preload reduction, in contrast to atrial natriuretic peptide which acts preferentially on the arterial system to reduce afterload. This review summarizes our current understanding of BNP, and discuss its regulation and mechanisms of action on the vasculature and the kidneys.
Eradication of Helicobacter pylori: recent advances in treatment
Authors: McLoughlin Ramona M. , O'Morain Colm A. , O'Connor Humphrey J.
Published: July 2005

Helicobacter pylori plays a key role in dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric neoplasia and eradication of the infection has become an important treatment goal in clinical practice. Seven‐day proton‐pump inhibitor–amoxicillin–clarithromycin triple therapy is the current first‐line therapy for H. pylori but eradication rates are compromised by poor compliance and antibiotic resistance. Ten‐day sequential treatment may emerge as an alternative first‐line therapy. Bismuth‐based quadruple therapy is the second‐line regimen of choice. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing is not recommended in the routine management of H. pylori infection. Novel triple‐therapy regimens containing rifabutin, levofloxacin, or furazolidone may be useful alternatives as second‐ or third‐line therapy.
Cytotoxicity of Abnormal Savda Munziq aqueous extract in human hepatoma (HepG2) cells
Authors: Yusup Abdiryim , Upur Halmurat , Baudrimont Isabelle , Umar Anwar , Kader Turghun , Begaud Bernard , Creppy Edmond E. , Moore Nicholas
Published: July 2005

Abnormal Savda Munziq (ASMq) is a traditional Uighur medicinal herbal preparation commonly used to treat diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic asthma and especially digestive cancer. Earlier studies have shown that ASMq is a free radical scavenger and could prevent mitochondrial and DNA oxidative damage. In this study, we tested the effects of aqueous extract of ASMq on human hepatoma cells (HepG2) to explore the possible mechanism of its putative anticancer properties. Aqueous extract of ASMq was tested on HepG2 proliferation (MTT assay) at 72 h, cell viability at 48 h (neutral red assay), lactate dehydrogenase release over 48 or 72 h as a measure of cytoplasmic leakage, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde–thiobarbituric acid adducts) at 48 h, and incorporation of [3H]‐leucine, [3H]‐thymidine and [3H]‐uridine into cellular protein, DNA and RNA, respectively, at 24 or 48 h to assess the inhibition effects to cellular macromolecule synthesis. Our results showed a significant (P < 0.05) time‐ and concentration‐dependent inhibition of HepG2 proliferation and viability, with increased cytoplasmic leakage, and time‐ and concentration‐dependent inhibition of protein, DNA and RNA synthesis. No lipid peroxidation was found at these concentrations. The results of the present study suggest that the putative anticancer mechanisms of ASMq may at least involve cytotoxicity.
Curcumin has a palliative action on gentamicin‐induced nephrotoxicity in rats
Authors: Ali B.H. , Al‐Wabel N. , Mahmoud O. , Mousa H.M. , Hashad M.
Published: July 2005

Generation of free radicals in kidney cortex plays an important role in the pathogenesis of gentamicin (GM) nephrotoxicity, and curcumin, the yellow curry pigment isolated from turmeric, has been confirmed to have a strong antioxidant action. Therefore, in the present work, we aimed at testing the possible protective or palliative effect of curcumin on GM nephrotoxicity. Curcumin was given to rats at an oral dose of 200 mg/kg/day for 10 days, and in some of these rats GM was also injected intramuscularly at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day during the last 6 days of the treatment. Nephrotoxicity was evaluated histopathologically by light microscopy, and biochemically by measuring the concentrations of creatinine and urea in serum, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in renal cortex. The concentration of GM in renal cortex was measured microbiologically. GM significantly increased the concentrations of urea and creatinine (P < 0.05) by about 111 and 97%, respectively. GM treatment reduced cortical GSH concentration by about 31% (P < 0.05), and the activity of SOD by about 27% (P < 0.05). Curcumin significantly mitigated these effects. Sections from saline and curcumin‐treated rats showed apparently normal proximal tubules. However, kidneys of GM‐treated rats had a moderate degree of necrosis. The degree of necrosis appeared lessened when GM was given simultaneously with curcumin. The concentration of GM in the renal cortex of the rats given GM + curcumin was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that found in rats treated with GM alone by about 39%. The results suggested that curcumin had ameliorated the histopathological and biochemical indices of nephrotoxicity in rats. Pending further studies, curcumin may potentially be useful as a nephroprotectant agent.
Effect of sildenafil on the isolated rat aortic rings
Authors: Sharabi F.M. , Daabees T.T. , El‐Metwally M.A. , Senbel A.M.
Published: July 2005

Sildenafil, a highly selective inhibitor of PDE 5, is effective in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Penile erection involves relaxation of smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum and its associated arterioles. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of sildenafil on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP)‐dependent relaxation of rat aortic rings. The contribution of sildenafil to the vasorelaxation of rat aortic rings was also investigated. Sildenafil produced significant potentiation of acetylcholine (ACh, 2 × 10−6 m)‐induced relaxation at concentration ≥1 × 10−8 m. Addition of sildenafil (1 × 10−7 m) to aortic rings failed to alter the effect ofNG‐nitro‐l‐arginine (l‐NNA, 3 × 10−5 m) or methylene blue (MB, 3 × 10−5 m) on ACh response. Similarly, sildenafil (1 × 10−7 m) augmented significantly the vasorelaxation induced by sodium nitroprusside over the range of 1 × 10−9–1 × 10−8 m. When added to phenylephrine (3 × 10−6 m)‐precontracted rat aortic rings, sildenafil (1 × 10−9–1 × 10−4 m) induced concentration‐dependent relaxation reaching a maximum of 96.48 ± 1.44%. These relaxations were not significantly attenuated by previous incubation withl‐NNA (3 × 10−5 m) or MB (3 × 10−5 m). Denudation did not significantly affect the vasorelaxant effect of sildenafil. Sildenafil may act in the rat aortic rings through the amplification of NO/cGMP pathway. It may augment both basal endothelial NO function and exogenous NO‐dependent vasodilatation. However, sildenafil may act by a mechanism independent of NO/cGMP pathway and this mechanism contributes to its smooth muscle relaxant effect.
Erythropoietin and myocardial protection: what's new?
Authors: Joyeux‐Faure M. , Godin‐Ribuot D. , Ribuot C.
Published: July 2005

Erythropoietin (EPO), the principal hematopoietic cytokine produced by the kidney and the liver in fetuses, regulates mammalian erythropoiesis and exhibits diverse cellular effects in non‐hematopoietic tissues. The introduction of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) has marked a significant advance in the management of anemia associated with chronic renal failure. At the same time, experimental studies have unveiled its potential cardioprotective actions. As with other preconditioning agents, administration of exogenous rhEPO can confer myocardial protection against ischemia–reperfusion injury, in terms of reduction in cellular apoptosis and necrosis as well as improvement in myocardial functional recovery. The purpose of this study is to review current information regarding the various protocols used to investigate the effects of rhEPO administration as well as its cardioprotective properties. We also address the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of EPO. A better understanding of these mechanisms is essential for the development of clinical applications and the design of novel therapeutical strategies.
Influence of antisecretory treatment with proton pump inhibitors on serum pepsinogen I levels
Authors: Mario Francesco Di , Ingegnoli Anna , Altavilla Nadia , Cavallaro Lucas Giovanni , Bertolini Simone , Merli Roberta , Cavestro Giulia Martina , Iori Veronica , Maino Marta , Leandro Gioacchino , Franzè Angelo
Published: July 2005

It has been reported in literature that serum pepsinogen levels rise during omeprazole and lansoprazole administration. However, the influence of pantoprazole and esomeprazole on serum pepsinogens levels is still to be assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy on pepsinogen I (PGI) levels. PGI and gastrin (G17) levels (EIA; Biohit, Helsinki, Finland) in 126 consecutive patients (M 57; F 69, mean age 53, range 15–91), with upper gastrointestinal symptoms at baseline condition and after 2 months of PPI treatment, were evaluated. Patients underwent a therapy schedule based on: omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (20 patients), pantoprazole 40 mg b.i.d. (27 patients), esomeprazole 40 mg b.i.d. (29 patients), lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d. (21 patients) and rabeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (26 patients) for 2 months. A significant increase in serum PGI (sPGI) levels was found after a 2‐month treatment for all five different PPIs: omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole (P < 0.05). The effect of rabeprazole on sPGI was less pronounced as compared with other PPIs, whereas esomeprazole achieved superior sPGI levels, with no overall statistically significant difference among the five groups (P > 0.05). However, a comparison within a single group of PPIs showed a statistical significance when the esomeprazole group was compared with the rabeprazole group (P = 0.007). sPGI levels are significantly influenced by antisecretory therapy, rising under PPI treatment. Moreover, a statistically significant difference in sPGI levels between the rabeprazole and esomeprazole groups has been demonstrated.
Captopril–furosemide survival study in experimental heart failure
Authors: Mougenot Nathalie , Bos Romain , Médiani Odile , Lechat Philippe
Published: July 2005

The strategy of diuretic drug administration remains to be defined in heart failure as experimental and clinical evidence have clearly established the benefit of neurohormonal blockade. The impact of addition of diuretic treatment to angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition on survival remains to be demonstrated. The objectives of the study were to evaluate cardiovascular and renal effects of addition of diuretic treatment to captopril (2 g/L, in drinking water), on survival, on the experimental model of heart failure. Rats were followed for 10 months after coronary ligation. Echocardiographic, hemodynamic, morphometry and renal function investigations were then performed on surviving rats. Survival (from 34 to 61%), diuresis and natriuresis were significantly improved compared to control group only in animals treated with a combination of captopril + furosemide. In treated group: cardiac dimensions were reduced with left ventricular fractional shortening significantly increased in combination group (from 22.4 to 28%); captopril + furosemide animals had highest heart rate and lowest systolic and diastolic blood pressures; body and heart weight were reduced, but kidney weight was significantly increased with furosemide (1.7 g in control vs. 2 g in capto + furo); plasma renin activity and angiotensin 1 were greatly increased, and moderately stimulated in control. In conclusion, this combination of drugs significantly improved cardiac remodeling and survival of animals, increased diuresis and natriuresis despite stimulation of plasma renin activity and kidney hypertrophy.
Selective modifiers of glutathione prevent restoration of photorelaxations in mouse gastric fundus
Authors: Ergün Yusuf , Öğülener Nuran
Published: July 2005

S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) has previously been shown to have a role in ultraviolet (UV) light‐elicited relaxations and proposed to account for the photosensitive store in the mouse gastric fundus. Furthermore, the depletion of this photosensitive store and its replenishment via long‐term electrical field stimulation were demonstrated in the same tissue. In relation to these results, the aim of the present study was to investigate the putative role of S‐nitrosothiols in the restorative effect of long‐term electrical field stimulation on the reduced photosensitive store. Two series of UV light‐elicited relaxations (photorelaxations) were obtained, and the magnitudes of the responses were 53 ± 6 and 26 ± 3%, respectively. The second series of photorelaxations attenuated statistically when compared with those in the first series. Ethacrynic acid (1 μm), diamide (1 μm) and glutathione (1 μm) had no effect on the photorelaxations occurred in the second series of responses. Electrical field stimulation (4 Hz, 25 V, 1 ms, 60 min), applied between two series of photorelaxations, revealed a complete recovery of the attenuated photorelaxations appeared in the second series. NG‐monomethyl‐l‐arginine (100 μm), ethacrynic acid (1 μm) and diamide (1 μm) extensively prevented the restorative effect of electrical field stimulation on photorelaxations. In addition, glutathione (1 μm) reversed the prevention achieved by ethacrynic acid and diamide. The conclusion is that the restoration accomplished by electrical field stimulation is because of the activation of nitric oxide synthase, which in turn brings about the regeneration of GSNO proposed to be the photodegradable material store.
An Indexed Genomic Library for Paramecium Complementation Cloning
Authors: KELLER ANNE‐MARIE , COHEN JEAN
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT. Recent pioneering work opened the way for cloning genes in Paramecium by functional complementation of mutants. We present here the construction and pilot utilization of a new indexed library of Paramecium macronuclear DNA. The library is made of 61,440 clones containing inserts mostly between 6 and 12 kilobases. It has already allowed the complementation cloning of four new genes, and this library has proven to be very useful for rapid hybridization cloning.
Fatty Acid Composition of Four Microsporidian Species Compared to that of their Host Fishes
Authors: BIDERRE CORINNE , BABIN FRANCOIS , VIVARES CHRISTIAN P.
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT. The fatty acid composition of four microsporidian species (Glugea atherinae, Spraguea lophii, Glugea americanus, and Pleistophora mirandellae) and their host fishes has been determined using gas chromatography. Twenty‐four fatty acids were identified with differences in relative abundance of fatty acids among the four parasites. Certain even‐saturated fatty acids were found in a very high proportion: palmitic acid (16:0) represented one‐third of total fatty acids in Pleistophora mirandellae. The level of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6ω3) attained 26–28% in Glugea atherinae, Spraguea lophii, and Glugea americanus, but only 8–9% in P. mirandellae. With respect to fatty acid compositions of host organs, some significant differences were evident between marine and freshwater fishes. Palmitic acid was prevalent in the marine fishes, Atherinae boyeri and Lophius piscatorius, and oleic acid (18:1ω9) in the freshwater fish Leuciscus cephalus. The proportion of docosahexaenoic acid in marine fishes was two or three times as great as in freshwater fish Leuciscus. The high polyunsaturated fatty acid content in both parasites and host fishes may be related to the scavenging of these fatty acids by the parasites rather than a microsporidia‐specific fatty acid biosynthesis pathway.
Protists as Opportunistic Pathogens: Public Health Impact in the 1990s and Beyond1
Authors: KAPLAN JONATHAN E. , JONES JEFFREY L. , DYKEWICZ CLARE A.
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT. Protist organisms (protozoa and fungi) have become increasingly prominent as opportunistic pathogens among persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and among organ transplant recipients—two immunocompromised populations that have increased dramatically in the past two decades. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia continues to be the most common serious opportunistic infection (OI) among HIV‐infected persons in the United States, occurring frequently among persons not previously receiving medical care. Toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, cryptosporidiosis, and isosporiasis occur frequently in HIV‐infected persons in the developing world. Candidiasis and aspergillosis are common OIs in organ transplant recipients. As these populations of immuno‐suppressed patients continue to expand worldwide new OIs caused by protist pathogens are likely to emerge.
Penicillium marneffei: An Insurgent Species Among the Penicillia1
Authors: COOPER CHESTER R. , HAYCOCKS NEIL G.
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT. Most species of Penicillium are considered relatively benign with respect to causing human disease. However, one species, P. marneffei, has emerged as a significant pathogen particularly among individuals who live in Southeast Asia and are concurrently infected with the human immunodefiency virus. While environmental and epidemiological studies have yet to resolve the reason for the heightened virulence of P. marneffei, one characteristic does distinguish this fungus from other Penicillium species. Whereas the latter grow as monomorphic moulds bearing typical asexual propagules (conidia), P. marneffei is thermally dimorphic. At room temperature, P. marneffei exhibits the morphology characteristic of the genus. In contrast to other Penicillia, though, P. marneffei grows as a yeast‐like entity (arthroconidium) when found in diseased tissue or cultivated at 37°C. Studies in our laboratory have focused on the differential gene expression between the mould and arthroconidial phases. Many of the genes whose expression differs during mould‐to‐arthrocondium transition are related to energy metabolism. A better understanding of gene expression during morphogenesis in P. marneffei may help detect unique target sites or cellular processes that can be exploited in the development of antifungal agents or immunomodulation therapies.
The Increasing Importance of Acanthamoeba Infections1
Authors: MARCIANO‐CABRAL FRANCINE , PUFFENBARGER ROBYN , CABRAL GUY A.
Published: July 2005

ABSTRACT. Free‐living amebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of granulomatous amebic encephalitis, a chronic progressive disease of the central nervous system, and of amebic keratitis, a chronic eye infection. Granulomatous amebic encephalitis occurs more frequently in immunocompromised patients while keratitis occurs in healthy individuals. The recent increased incidence in Acanthamoeba infections is due in part to infection in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, while that for keratitis is due to the increased use of contact lenses. Understanding the mechanism of host resistance to Acanthamoeba is essential since the amebae are resistant to many therapeutic agents. Studies in our laboratory as well as from others have demonstrated that macrophages from immunocompetent animals are important effector cells against Acanthamoeba. We have demonstrated also that microglial cells, resident macrophages of the brain, elicit cytokines in response to A. castellanii. Neonatal rat cortical microglia from Sprague‐Dawley rats co‐cultured with A. castellanii produced mRNA for the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1α, interleukin 1β, and tumor necrosis factor a. In addition, scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that microglia ingested and destroyed A. castellanii in vitro. These results implicate macrophages as playing an effector role against Acanthamoeba and suggest immune modulation as a potential alternative therapeutic mode of treatment for these infections.