bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Link spam target detection using page farms
Authors: Zhou Bin , Pei Jian
Published: July 2009

Currently, most popular Web search engines adopt some link-based ranking methods such as PageRank. Driven by the huge potential benefit of improving rankings of Web pages, many tricks have been attempted to boost page rankings. The most common way, which is known as link spam, is to make up some artificially designed link structures. Detecting link spam effectively is a big challenge. In this article, we develop novel and effective detection methods for link spam target pages using page farms. The essential idea is intuitive: whether a page is the beneficiary of link spam is reflected by how it collects its PageRank score. Technically, how a target page collects its PageRank score is modeled by a page farm, which consists of pages contributing a major portion of the PageRank score of the target page. We propose two spamicity measures based on page farms. They can be used as an effective measure to check whether the pages are link spam target pages. An empirical study using a newly available real dataset strongly suggests that our method is effective. It outperforms the state-of-the-art methods like SpamRank and SpamMass in both precision and recall.
MPTLsim
Authors: Zeng Hui , Yourst Matt , Ghose Kanad , Ponomarev Dmitry
Published: July 2009

The introduction of multicore microprocessors in the recent years has made it imperative to use cycleaccurate and full-system simulators in the architecture research community. We introduce MPTLsim - a multicore simulator for the X86 ISA that meets this need. MPTLsim is a uop-accurate, cycle-accurate, full-system simulator for multicore designs based on the X86-64 ISA. MPTLsim extends PTLsim, a publicly available single core simulator, with a host of additional features to support hyperthreading within a core and multiple cores, with detailed models for caches, on-chip interconnections and the memory data flow. MPTLsim incorporates detailed simulation models for cache controllers, interconnections and has built-in implementations of a number of cache coherency protocols.
How to simulate 1000 cores
Authors: Monchiero Matteo , Ahn Jung Ho , Falcón Ayose , Ortega Daniel , Faraboschi Paolo
Published: July 2009

This paper proposes a novel methodology to efficiently simulate shared-memory multiprocessors composed of hundreds of cores. The basic idea is to use thread-level parallelism in the software system and translate it into corelevel parallelism in the simulated world. To achieve this, we first augment an existing full-system simulator to identify and separate the instruction streams belonging to the different software threads. Then, the simulator dynamically maps each instruction flow to the corresponding core of the target multi-core architecture, taking into account the inherent thread synchronization of the running applications. Our simulator allows a user to execute any multithreaded application in a conventional full-system simulator and evaluate the performance of the application on a many-core hardware. We carried out extensive simulations on the SPLASH-2 benchmark suite and demonstrated the scalability up to 1024 cores with limited simulation speed degradation vs. the single-core case on a fixed workload. The results also show that the proposed technique captures the intrinsic behavior of the SPLASH-2 suite, even when we scale up the number of shared-memory cores beyond the thousand-core limit.
SlackSim
Authors: Chen Jianwei , Annavaram Murali , Dubois Michel
Published: July 2009

The fast simulation of chip multiprocessors (CMPs) presents a critical challenge to the architecture research community as both industry and academia shift their research focus to multicore design. Parallel simulation is a technique to accelerate microarchitecture simulation of CMPs by exploiting the inherent parallelism of CMPs. In this paper, we explore the simulation paradigm of simulating each core of a target CMP in one thread and then spreading the threads across the hardware thread contexts of a host CMP. We implement several parallel simulation schemes using POSIX Threads (Pthreads). We start with cycle-by-cycle simulation and then relax the synchronization condition in various schemes, which we call slack simulations.

In slack simulations, the Pthreads simulating different simulated cores do not synchronize after each simulated cycle, but rather they are given some slack. The slack is the difference in cycle between the simulated times of any two target cores. Small slacks, such as a few cycles, greatly improve the efficiency of parallel CMP simulations, with no or negligible simulation error. We have developed a simulation framework called SlackSim to experiment with various slack simulation schemes. Unlike previous attempts to parallelize multiprocessor simulations on distributed memory machines, SlackSim takes advantage of the efficient sharing of data in the host CMP architecture.

We demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of some well known slack simulation schemes and of some new ones on SlackSim running on a state-of-the-art CMP platform.
Real time power estimation and thread scheduling via performance counters
Authors: Singh Karan , Bhadauria Major , McKee Sally A.
Published: July 2009

Estimating power consumption is critical for hardware and software developers, and of the latter, particularly for OS programmers writing process schedulers. However, obtaining processor and system power consumption information can be non-trivial. Simulators are time consuming and prone to error. Power meters report whole-system consumption, but cannot give per-processor or per-thread information. More intrusive hardware instrumentation is possible, but such solutions are usually employed while designing the system, and are not meant for customer use.

Given these difficulties, plus the current availability of some form of performance counters on virtually all platforms (even though such counters were initially designed for system bring-up, and not intended for general programmer consumption), we analytically derive functions for real-time estimation of processor and system power consumption using performance counter data on real hardware. Our model uses data gathered from microbenchmarks that capture potential application behavior. The model is independent of our test benchmarks, and thus we expect it to be well suited for future applications. We target chip multiprocessors, analyzing effects of shared resources and temperature on power estimation, leveraging our model to implement a simple, power-aware thread scheduler. The NAS and SPEC-OMP benchmarks shows a median error of 5.8% and 3.9%, respectively. SPEC 2006 shows a marginally higher median error of 7.2%.
Area-efficiency in CMP core design
Authors: Azizi Omid , Mahesri Aqeel , Patel Sanjay J. , Horowitz Mark
Published: July 2009

In this paper, we examine the area-performance design space of a processing core for a chip multiprocessor (CMP), considering both the architectural design space and the tradeoffs of the physical design on which the architecture relies. We first propose a methodology for performing an integrated optimization of both the micro-architecture and the physical circuit design of a microprocessor. In our approach, we use statistical and convex fitting methods to capture a large micro-architectural design space. We then characterize the area-delay tradeoffs of the underlying circuits through RTL synthesis. Finally, we establish the relationship between the architecture and the circuits in an integrative model, which we use to optimize the processor. As a case study, we apply this methodology to explore the performance-area tradeoffs in a highly parallel accelerator architecture for visual computing applications. Based on some early circuit tradeoff data, our results indicate that two separate designs are performance/area optimal for our set of benchmarks: a simpler single-issue, 2-way multithreaded core running at high-frequency, and a more aggressively tuned dual-issue 4-way multithreaded design running at a lower frequency.
Recent Advances on the Design of High-Gain Wideband Operational Transconductance Amplifiers
Authors: Assaad Rida , Silva-Martinez Jose
Published: July 2009

Feed-forward techniques are explored for the design of high-frequency Operational
Transconductance Amplifiers (OTAs). For single-stage amplifiers, a recycling folded-cascode OTA presents twice
the GBW (197.2 MHz versus 106.3 MHz) and more than twice the slew rate (231.1 V/s versus 99.3 V/s) as a conventional folded cascode OTA for the same load, power consumption, and transistor dimensions. It is demonstrated that the efficiency of the recycling folded-cascode is equivalent to that of a telescopic OTA. As for multistage amplifiers, a No-Capacitor Feed-Forward (NCFF) compensation scheme which uses a high-frequency pole-zero doublet to obtain
greater than 90 dB DC gain, GBW of 325 MHz and better than phase margin is discussed. The settling-time- of the NCFF topology can be faster than that of OTAs with Miller compensation. Experimental results for the recycling folded-cascode OTA fabricated in TSMC 0.18 m CMOS, and results of the NCFF demonstrate the efficiency and feasibility of the feed-forward schemes.
Transoral Endoscopic Adenoidectomy
Authors: El-Badrawy Amr , Abdel-Aziz Mosaad
Published: July 2009

Objective. Adenoid curette guided by an indirect transoral mirror and a headlight is a simple and quick procedure that has already been in use for a long time, but this method carries a high risk of recurrence unless done by a well-experienced surgeon. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the efficacy of transoral endoscopic adenoidectomy in relieving the obstructive nasal symptoms.Methods. 300 children underwent transoral endoscopic adenoidectomy using the classic adenoid curette and St Claire Thomson forceps with a Hopkins 4-mm nasal endoscope introduced through the mouth and the view was projected on a monitor. Telephone questionnaire was used to follow-up the children for one year. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy was carried out for children with recurrent obstructive nasal symptoms to detect adenoid rehypertrophy.Results. No cases presented with postoperative complications. Only one case developed recurrent obstructive nasal symptoms due to adenoid regrowth and investigations showed that he had nasal allergy which may be the cause of recurrence.Conclusion. Transoral endoscopic adenoidectomy is the recent advancement of classic curettage adenoidectomy with direct vision of the nasopharynx that enables the surgeon to avoid injury of important structures as Eustachian tube orifices, and also it gives him the chance to completely remove the adenoidal tissues.
Paraneoplastic Syndromes in Patients with Urological Malignancies
Authors: Sacco Emilio , Pinto Francesco , Sasso Francesco , Racioppi Marco , Gulino Gaetano , Volpe Andrea , Bassi Pierfrancesco
Published: July 2009

Introduction: Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) may represent the main clinical problem in cancer patients; however, the knowledge of their clinical aspect remains quite poor among urologists. Objective: To provide urologists with an overview on main clinical aspects of PNS that have been reported to be associated to urological cancers. Methods: Literature search of peer-reviewed papers published by July 2008. Results: All genitourinary tumors can cause a PNS, and renal cell carcinoma is the most frequent urological malignancy involved. Prostate cancer is the second urological tumor associated with PNS which, conversely, are uncommon in bladder cancer and rare in testicular cancer. Tumor neuroendocrine differentiation is involved in most endocrine PNS. Neurologic PNS are very uncommon but may dominate the clinical picture and need a high suspicion index to be recognized. Important advances have been made on radionuclide scan methods in order to detect the primary tumor. The most effective treatment strategy is always represented by the radical therapy of the underlying cancer, but specific therapeutic options are sometimes available. Conclusions: Endocrine PNS are frequently associated with urological cancers, especially renal and prostate carcinoma. PNS have been rarely reported in association with cancers of bladder, urethra and testicle.
Thromboprophylaxis in Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy: Efficacy and Patient Compliance of a Dual Modality
Authors: Cindolo Luca , Salzano Luigi , Mirone Vincenzo , Imbimbo Ciro , Longo Nicola , Kakkos Stavros K. , Reddy Daniel J.
Published: July 2009

Objectives:The risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in urologic patients undergoing major surgery without thromboprophylaxis is high (up to 40%). The aims were to study the acceptability rate of and overall patient satisfaction with an automatic sequential leg compression system and the short-term effectiveness of a combined VTE prevention modality. Methods: One-hundred and eighty-four consecutive patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy were postoperatively treated with enoxaparine and intermittent pneumatic compression of the thigh. By completing a questionnaire, the patients were prospectively studied to evaluate the comfort and tolerability of a compression device (SCD Response Compression System; Covidien, Gosport, UK). The patients were monitored for complications and development of VTE for up to 4 weeks postoperatively. The device used ensures customized and effective compression therapy matching the patient’s individual vascular refill by sequential, gradient, circumferential microprocessor-controlled compression cycles. Results: No clinically evident VTE, critical bleeding or postoperative death occurred during the study period. Drain output was associated with transfusion requirement (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.02) and longer operation duration (p < 0.001). The sequential compression devices were well tolerated by 63% of the patients, in that the sleeves were judged as being pleasant (72%) and nonoppressive (79%). Patients reported bothersome insomnia (23%) and noise (44%), and early removal was required in 3%. Conclusions: Combined mechanical and pharmacological thromboprophylaxis was highly effective, well tolerated, and safe. The device tested showed a high comfort and tolerability profile. The use of combined modalities for VTE prophylaxis is justified in patients at very high risk of VTE, such as those undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.
Effects of Tamsulosin on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms due to Double-J Stent: A Prospective Study
Authors: Wang Chung-Jing , Huang Shi-Wei , Chang Chien-Hsing
Published: July 2009

Objective: To evaluate the effect of tamsulosin in improving symptoms in, and quality of life of, patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents. Patients and Methods: This prospective study lasted from January 2005 to February 2007. All the patients with symptomatic lower ureteral stones with <15 mm diameter were enrolled in this prospective study, and were prospectively randomized (programs Plus 1.0 and Plus 2.10; S-Plus, Taiwan) into two groups. There was a total of 146 patients with insertion of a double-J ureteral stent after ureteroscopic stone removal. In group 1, 71 patients were enrolled and they received placebo for 2 weeks. Group 2 included 75 patients who received 0.4 mg of tamsulosin, once daily for 2 weeks. All patients completed a 10-cm linear visual analogue scale (VAS) for evaluating pain and voiding flank pain, and irritative domain of the International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS) before double-J stent removal 2 weeks later. Results: The mean VAS for pain was 4.01 in group 1, 1.52 in group 2, and for voiding flank pain it was 3.3 in group 1 and 1.93 in group 2. The mean score of frequency in IPSS was 3.7 in group 1 and 1.55 in group 2. The mean score of urgency in IPSS was 3.82 in group 1 and 1.43 in group 2. The mean score of nocturia in IPSS was 2.01 in group 1 and 0.65 in group 2. The mean score of quality of life in IPSS was 4.21 in group 1 and 1.6 in group 2. All p values are <0.0001 with statistical significances. Conclusions: Tamsulosin improved a subset of stent-related urinary symptoms, pain, voiding flank pain and quality of life.
Choosing the Ideal Length of a Double-Pigtail Ureteral Stent according to Body Height: Study Based on a Chinese Population
Authors: Ho Chen-Hsun , Huang Kuo-How , Chen Shyh-Chyan , Pu Yeong-Shiau , Liu Shih-Ping , Yu Hong-Jeng
Published: July 2009

Objective: We conducted this study to determine the ideal stent length according to body height, as data are limited. Patients and Methods: A total of 408 patients undergoing ureteroscopic lithotripsy and stent insertion (22, 24 or 26 cm) were enrolled. The appropriateness of the stent length was determined according to the plain films and was further compared among patients with different body heights and stent lengths. Results: In patients <160 cm, the use of a 22-cm stent was significantly more appropriate than a 24- or 26-cm stent (86.5, 51.9 and 46.4%). In patients between 160 and 175 cm, a 22- or 24-cm stent was significantly more appropriate than a 26-cm stent (79.2, 66.7 and 46.3%), while the difference between the use of a 22- and 24-cm stent was not significant. In patients >175 cm, a 24- or 26-cm stent might be more appropriate. Conclusions: Body heights can predict the ideal stent length. Based on a Chinese population, a 22-cm stent length is more appropriate for those <175 cm. A longer, 24- or 26-cm stent may be suitable for those >175 cm.
Metanephric Adenoma in a Two-Year-Old Child
Authors: Loeser Andreas , Katzenberger Tiemo , Spahn Martin , Gerharz Elmar W. , Riedmiller Hubertus
Published: July 2009

Metanephric adenomas in children are very rare. We present the case of a 2-year-old girl with a mass of the left kidney. The lesion was completely removed by nephron-sparing surgery. Histopathologic examination revealed a metanephric adenoma.
A 2008 Questionnaire-Based Survey of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Related Diseases by Physicians in East Asian Countries
Authors: Fujiwara Yasuhiro , Takahashi Shin-ichi , Arakawa Tetsuo , Sollano Jose D. , Zhu Qi , Kachintorn Udom , Rani Abdul Aziz , Hahm Ki-Baik , Joh Takashi , Kinoshita Yoshikazu , Matsumoto Takayuki , Naito Yuji , Takeuchi Koji , Furuta Kenji , Terano Akira
Published: July 2009

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disease. This study was designed to examine current epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients diagnosed with GERD by surveying physicians in several East Asian countries. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was completed in six countries including China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand between July 2008 and December 2008. Results: In total, 876 physicians participated in the study. Most physicians in all countries, except Japan, frequently used international guidelines for the care of GERD patients, whereas approximately half of Japanese physicians did not use such guidelines. GERD was common among many patients, but Barrett’s esophagus, particularly the long-segmental type, was rare. The incidence of esophageal cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, was high in China, but low in other countries. Most physicians diagnosed GERD based on symptoms, followed by endoscopy in Japan and Korea, or in other countries, by the proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) test. Heartburn was recognized as the chief complaint in all countries except Korea. Most physicians in all countries used PPI as the first-line of treatment for GERD. Increasing the PPI dose was the treatment of choice for PPI-refractory erosive esophagitis in Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand. In contrast, in other countries, physicians used a combination of PPI and other drugs to treat PPI-refractory erosive esophagitis. Prescription of antidepressant drugs increased for PPI-refractory nonerosive reflux disease compared with PPI-refractory erosive esophagitis. Conclusion: The findings in the present survey are useful to understand the current epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of GERD in East Asian countries.
A New Method to Account for Missing Data in Case-Parent Triad Studies
Authors: Bergemann T.L. , Huang Z.
Published: July 2009

Background/Aims: The case-parent triad design is commonly used in genetic association studies. Generally, samples are drawn from an affected offspring, manifesting a phenotype of interest, as well as from the parents. The trio genotypes may be analyzed using a variety of available methods, but we focus on log-linear models because they test for genetic association and additionally estimate the relative risks of transmission. The models need to be modified to adjust for missing genotypes. Furthermore, instability in the parameter estimates can arise when certain kinds of genotype combinations do not appear in the dataset. Methods: In this paper, we kill two birds with one stone. We propose a new method to simultaneously account for missing genotype data and genotype combinations with zero counts. This method solves a zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression likelihood. The maximum likelihood estimates yield relative risks and the information matrix gives appropriate variance estimates for inference. A likelihood ratio test determines the significance of genetic association. Results: We compared the ZIP regression to previously proposed methods in both simulation studies and in a dataset that investigates the risk of orofacial clefts. The ZIP likelihood estimates regression coefficients with less bias than other methods when the minor allele frequency is small.
A Powerful Two-Stage Association Test Using Case-Control and Case-Parents Genotype Data
Authors: Cheng K.F. , Lin W.J. , Chen J.H. , Horng J.T.
Published: July 2009

Objective: The performance of association tests based on case-control or case-parents substudy alone can be improved by jointly using genetic data from two substudies. However, genetic data from different sources may not be combinable due to population stratification. We propose a two-stage association test based on using combinability tests in stage 1 and association tests in stage 2. Methods: The combinability tests are designed for testing that genotype data from different sources have same genotype frequencies and relative risks. The association tests are well known tests in the literature. We propose a method to adjust the significance levels at two stages so that the overall type I error rate of the two-stage test can be controlled at the desired level. Results: The simulation results confirm that the two-stage test has empirical type I error rates approximately equal to the predetermined levels while making substantially fewer false negatives than the usual test based only on case-parents substudy. Conclusion: It is advantageous to combinecase-control and case-parents data into a single analysis.The two-stage test has significant power improvement when the family-based test has weak or moderate power performance and is robust to the effect of population stratification.
Interactions of Bacillus subtilis Alkaline Proteinases with α2-Macroglobulin and α1-Antitrypsin
Authors: Wicher Victoria , Dolovich Jerry
Published: July 2009

Alkaline proteinases of B. subtilis origins bind to α2-macroglobulin and α1-antitrypsin of normal human serum with a resulting inhibition of the proteolytic activities. The interaction of subtilopeptidase A with α2-macroglobulin results in the formation of complexes which, like the complexes formed by trypsin and α2-macroglobulin, are protective insofar as there is a residual proteinase activity which is resistant to inhibition by α1-antitrypsin. The observed interactions are potential determinants of host responses to these proteolytic agents.
Reactivities to Horse Anti-Lymphocyte Globulin
Authors: Johnson D. , Gewurz H. , Moberg A.W. , Simmons R.L. , Najarian J.S.
Published: July 2009

The immune response of adult rabbits to daily doses of horse γ-globulin (HoGG) administered intravenously or intramuscularly in various tolerance-inducing regimens was investigated. Circulating HoGG, anti-HoGG antibodies, and hemolytic complement (C) levels were measured daily. High dose tolerance, as defined by antigen elimination, was achieved by both routes with 100, but not 10, mg HoGG/kg body weight/day. There was an initial accumulation of large amounts of HoGG during the 1st week. The HoGG titer decreased markedly during weeks 2 and 3 in association with the appearance of agglutinating and precipitating anti-HoGG antibody in most of the animals. However, by the 4th week detectable antibody formation against certain of the HoGG antigens ceased and the HoGG concentration again began to rise. Antibodies to at least one HoGG antigen persisted while ‘tolerance’ to at least two other HoGG antigens had been induced. Serum C levels showed close correlation with HoGG levels, such that marked hypocomplementemia was seen during the immune phase of weeks 2 and 3, and normal or elevated C levels were observed when HoGG levels rose to the high ‘tolerant’ values. Pretreatment with centrifuged deaggregated HoGG 7 days prior to the daily regime led to accumulation of each of the 3 HoGG antigens without a demonstrable immune phase; antigen levels constantly were high, circulating antibodies could not be detected and hypocomplementemia was avoided. Administration of horse anti-rabbit lymphocyte serum in association with HoGG led to a greatly increased catabolism of the HoGG, an early appearance of anti-HoGG antibodies and absence of tolerance to any HoGG antigens. These observations add descriptive data on the interplay between antigen, antibody and C during the induction of high-dose tolerance, and have aided in interpreting the response of humans to HoGG and horse anti-lymphocyte globulin (HoALG). They are consistent with the hypothesis that dosages of HoGG commonly used in the administration of HoALG to man favor the induction of tolerance to HoGG via the mechanism of ‘immunologic paralysis’ or ‘high-dose tolerance’.
A Radial Immuno-Gel Filtration Method for Characterization and Quantitation of Macromolecules
Authors: Hanson L.Å. , Holmgren J. , Wadsworth Ch.
Published: July 2009

A technique combining thin-layer gel filtration with single radial immuno-diffusion (SRID) is described, which was designed for characterization according to molecular size and for quantitation of proteins in biological fluids. Based on methodological experiments it is recommended to use boiled and autoclaved Sephadex G-200 superfine at about 3.2% in tris-HCl buffer, a plate-slope of 7° and 3 cm hydrostatic pressure between the buffer reservoirs. With these conditions proteins could be characterized in regard to migration rate as compared to a human serum reference. It was possible to separate fragments, monomers and polymers of albumin as well as 7S IgG and 7S and 11S IgA. Visualization of gel-filtered material was effected by overlaying agarose slabs containing antiserum monospecific for the protein to be analyzed. SRID reactions occurred and the halo precipitates were measured. Albumin, transferrin, immunoglobulins A and G in human serum as well as 7S and US IgA in human serum-colostrum mixtures could be quantitated. Quantitation of samples from 0.25 to 8.0 μl in size, each containing 20 μg of albumin, gave an error of the method less than ± 5 %.
Effect of Irradiation on Adoptive Immunization in Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Purdy C.W. , Loan R.W.
Published: July 2009

X-irradiation (600 R) of Lewis strain recipient rats had no effect on subsequent adoptive immunization with encephalitogen-sensitized lymph node cells. Adoptive immunization with irradiated (200–600 R) encephalitogen-sensitized lymph node cells resulted in clinical signs of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), and a reduced number of histopathologic lesions. Irradiation of both recipients and sensitized donor cells resulted in clinical signs, but only mild lesions of EAE. Subsequent injection of ‘nonsensitized’ lymph node cells did not increase the severity of EAE in these animals. The results suggested that the production of clinical signs by radioresistant sensitized lymphoid cells was not dependent upon interaction with radiosensitive lymphoid cells. Radiosensitive cells, however, appeared to be important for optimal development of microscopic lesions.
Clinical, Immunochemical and Serological Studies of Dementia Paralytica (GPI)
Authors: Schmidt H. , Dein E. , Bøje Rasmusen E. , Clausen J.
Published: July 2009

Sera and cerebrospinal fluids from 32 patients (25 males and 7 females) suffering from dementia paralytica, were assayed for seroreactivity by standard immunological tests, including the Wassermann reaction, Kahn’s and Meinicke’s reactions, as well as the Treponema pallidum immobilization test. The data obtained were compared to the albumin and IgG content of serum and spinal fluid, assayed by the quantitative radial immunodiffusion. The data obtained were also compared to erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the number of leucocytes in the blood and spinal fluid specimens. Compared to normal adults, no change occurred in serum IgG and albumin content of patients with neurosyphilis. The albumin and IgG leves were, however, increased in the spinal fluid. This increase showed a statistical significant correlation to the total number of leucocytes in serum. The IgG level of the spinal fluid was not correlated to the sero-reactions or the results of the TPI test of the spinal fluid. On the other hand, a mutual correlation was found between the results of the individual serotests of the spinal fluid. The results obtained were discussed on a basis of the literature available.
Immunogenicity of Bovine Serum Albumin in Adult Rabbits of Various Strains
Authors: Perrudet-Badoux Anne , Frei P.C.
Published: July 2009

Adult rabbits of 3 different strains were immunized by an intravenous injection of 7 mg BSA, followed 18 days later by a booster injection of 7 mg BSA and endotoxin. ‘Gris’ rabbits responded the best (86% responders) and ‘fauve de Bourgogne’ the worst (25%), whereas ‘albinos’ were intermediate between the other 2 strains (48%). After 100 mg of BSA, the poor response of ‘fauve de Bourgogne’ was slightly increased. These animals responded also poorly to HSA.
Ultrastructural Alterations in Guinea Pig Mast Cells During Anaphylaxis
Authors: Taichman N.S.
Published: July 2009

Guinea pigs passively sensitized with rabbit antisera were subjected to lethal anaphylaxis by an intravenous injection of antigen (bovine serum albumin or horse spleen ferritin). Specimens of lung were obtained for ultrastructural examination. During anaphylaxis pulmonary mast cells exhibit degranulative phenomena associated with intracellular fragmentation of cytoplasmic granule constituents. No apparent extracellular expulsion of granules was observed. It is suggested that histamine release under these circumstances occurs initially intracellularly, followed by amine liberation from the cell.
In vitro Lymphocyte Responsiveness of Human Subjects Receiving Azathioprine
Authors: Zweiman B. , Silberberg D.H.
Published: July 2009

In subjects without immune abnormalities, administration of azathioprine in immunosuppressive doses over a period of months was found to be associated with no consistent effect on phytohemagglutinin-induced in vitro lymphocyte proliferation. This suggests no drug-related alteration in proliferative responses of one group of immunologically competent cells.
In vitro Diagnosis of Atopic Allergy
Authors: Berg T. , Johansson S.G.O.
Published: July 2009

In 20 children with symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinoconjunctivitis the serum concentrations of IgE antibodies (reagins) and of total IgE were followed during and after rush desensitization. The reaginic activity in serum was determined by the radioallergosorbent technique (RAST). In the majority of children an increase was found 2–4 weeks after the start of the treatment both of the IgE antibodies and of the total concentration of IgE. In some cases this increase was very pronounced. Usually the increase of IgE antibodies was more pronounced than that of total IgE. The reaginic increase was often but not always observed during the first days of treatment. The quantitative changes were most varying, both in the group and in the same individual concerning IgE antibodies to different allergens.
In vitro Diagnosis of Atopic Allergy
Authors: Johansson S.G.O. , Bennich H. , Berg T.
Published: July 2009

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was applied for quantitative estimation of IgE antibodies to various common allergens. The results could be expressed in per mille of a reference serum containing IgE antibodies to birch allergen. Since the allergen extracts vary considerably both on a quantitative and qualitative basis, the results cannot, with few exceptions, be compared between different allergens. However, for each type of allergen the results can be compared between samples obtained from different individuals or at different times. Birch and dandelion allergen extracts were found to be potent and give rise to allergen excess in the systems used. A comparison between these two allergens showed that a group of allergic children had on the average approx. 15 times more circulating IgE antibodies to birch than to dandelion allergen.
Culture of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Sarcoidosis; Response to Mitogenic Factor
Authors: Girard J.-P. , Poupon M.-F. , Press P.
Published: July 2009

The peripheral blood lymphocytes from 43 patients with sarcoidosis were cultured in the presence of various stimuli. Uptake of thymidine-3H was employed as a measure of in vitro DNA synthesis. The spontaneous DNA synthesis of lymphocytes from cases of sarcoidosis was slightly increased when compared with that of control cells. On the other hand, the response to phytohemagglutinin from control cells and that from cells of patients with sarcoidosis were not significantly different. Lymphocytes from patients with sarcoidosis exhibiting negative skin tests to tuberculin (PPD) failed to respond to that antigen in vitro whereas those from patients with a positive skin test showed an uptake of thymidine-3H which was similar to that of PPD positive controls. Lymphocytes from patients with sarcoidosis previously vaccinated with polio antigen, were shown to be stimulated in vitro by this specific antigen. A mitogenic factor (MF), prepared by incubating lymphocytes from patients highly sensitive to PPD antigen, was shown to induce DNA synthesis in vitro in lymphocytes from healthy donors, whether or not they were tuberculin sensitive, as well as in lymphocytes from patients with sarcoidosis. On these 3 populations of cells, a non-specific stimulatory effect was also demonstrated in vitro, with the use of pooled sera from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis. Finally, testing the role of macrophages, it was shown that incubation of control sensitized macrophages with lymphocytes from patients with sarcoidosis, failed to reverse the unresponsiveness of these lymphocytes in the presence of tuberculin.
Quantitative Studies on Anaphylaxis in Guinea-Pigs Passively Sensitized with Homologous Antibody
Authors: Davies G.E. , Johnston T.P.
Published: July 2009

The course of anaphylaxis has been studied in guinea pigs passively sensitized by the injection of guinea-pig antibody to egg albumin. A variety of conditions were used for sensitization and for each condition the effect of an anti-histamine (mepyramine) was measured. Reduction in the amount of antiserum used led to a corresponding reduction in the severity of anaphylaxis but little change was found when the amount of antigen was altered over a 50-fold range. A considerable proportion of the anaphylactic response was resistant to anti-histamine treatment. A small part of the antibody was heat-stable but most of it was persistent for at least 10 days. β-adrenergic blockade increased the anaphylactic response and animals so treated were refractory to anti-histamine treatment.
Effects of Rice Proteins from Two Cultivars, Koshihikari and Shunyo, on Hepatic Cholesterol Secretion by Isolated Perfused Livers of Rats Fed Cholesterol-Enriched Diets
Authors: Yang Lin , Kadowaki Motoni
Published: July 2009

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of rice proteins, with different contents of glutelin and prolamin, on the regulation of hepatic cholesterol output pathways and the development of hypocholesterolemia in rats. Methods: Seven-week-old male Wistar rats were fed 2 types of rice protein from either the cultivar Koshihikari (RRP) or the cultivar Shunyo (SRP), or casein as a control, for 2 weeks (n = 6 for each group). Each diet was supplemented with 1% cholesterol and 0.25% sodium cholate. Using an isolated perfused liver, hepatic secretion of cholesterol into bile and the circulation was measured during a 4-hour perfusion. Results: Total hepatic cholesterol secretions into the circulation were significantly reduced by both rice proteins (p < 0.05), and hepatic cholesterol secretions into very-low-density lipoproteins were also effectively decreased by RRP and SRP. In contrast, bile flow and biliary output of bile acids were significantly stimulated by RRP and SRP (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the key metabolic pathways of hepatic cholesterol are modified by both rice proteins leading to similar hypocholesterolemic effects. The increased excretion of biliary bile acids associated with a decreased output of hepatic cholesterol into the circulation suggests a functional reciprocal interrelationship between both of the hepatic cholesterol secretory pathways in the rice-protein-fed rats, regardless of rice protein type.
Relation Between Optical Configuration of Polyalanyl Determinants and Systemic Anaphylaxis in Mice
Authors: Villa Maria Luisa , Clerici E. , Schechter I.
Published: July 2009

Mice sensitized with polyalanyl proteins could develop lethal anaphylactic shock that was specific either to the protein carrier or to the attached polyalanine chains. The susceptibility of the animals to become sensitized to the polyalanine moiety was dependent on the optical configuration of the alanine residues. It was possible to obtain anaphylactic reactions that were specific to poly-d-alanine chains, but not towards poly-l-alanine chains. The reaction towards ρoly-d-alanine was strictly stereospecific. Preferential sensitization towards d-alanine sequences in poly-dl-alanyl determinants was observed, as mice immunized with poly-dl-AlaRSA developed anaphylactic shock by injection of poly-dl-AlaRNase or poly-d-AlaRNase, but not by poly-l-AlaRNase.
Studies on Carcinoembryonic Antigen
Authors: Abeyounis C.J. , Milgrom F.
Published: July 2009

The presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in saline extracts (SE) prepared from adenocarcinomas of the colon has been confirmed. This antigen was also detected in perchloric acid extracts (PAE) and in boiled and ethanol precipitated extracts (BE) of colonic tumors. CEA was present in BE preparations of feces from 4 of 8 patients with colon cancer. None of the feces BE specimens from 7 normal individuals contained detectable CEA. In addition, CEA was detected in PAE of sputum from patients with cystic fibrosis and asthma and in PAE of feces from patients with cystic fibrosis. CEA was also detected in PAE of normal colonic mucosa. In these non-tumorous specimens, however, the concentration of CEA was about 100 times lower than in tumor tissue.
Autoimmune Uveitis (Choroiditis) in the Guinea Pig Sensitized with Homologous Uvea and its Differentiation from that Following Sensitization with Homologous Retina
Authors: Wacker W.B.
Published: July 2009

The present results show that the immunogenicity of homologous uvea in the guinea pig may be either potentiated or suppressed according to the amount of mycobacteria in the immunizing inoculum. With an appropriate concentration of mycobacteria in the uveal emulsion, one immunization was found to elicit allergic uveitis within a few weeks. Temporal studies of the pathologic manifestations show that the lesions originate and persist in the choroid, and are associated with humoral and hypersensitive response to a uveal specific antigen localized in the posterior uveal segment. According to both immunologic and pathologic criteria, the model of uveitis evoked with uvea is not the same as that evoked with retina. Results are discussed in relation to the controversial nature of the disease obtained previously by persistent reimmunization with uvea emulsions.
Studies of Non-Migrating, Long-Lived Lymphocytes in Rats
Authors: Miller, III J.J.
Published: July 2009

Tritiated thymidine was injected into the hind foot pads of isolated, gnotobiotic rats and of conventional rats after a stimulus with Salmonella flagellin or after no specific antigenic stimulus. The popliteal nodes were examined 30, 37, and 45 days after labeling. The rate of disappearance of stably labeled, long-lived small lymphocytes was more rapid in nodes from isolated rats than in nodes from conventional rats. Prior immunization made no difference. Labeled plasma cells persisted in high proportion in isolated rats, but in greater numbers in conventional rats.
Human Monocyte Aggregation in vitro
Authors: Douglas S.D. , Louie J.S. , Goldberg L.S.
Published: July 2009

Human peripheral blood monocytes can be used in an aggregation test for delayed hypersensitivity. Aggregation occurs when monocytes are incubated with supernatants from cultures of sensitized lymphocytes stimulated with antigen in vitro. Although monocyte aggregation was observed macroscopically and by light microscopy, electron microscopic examination revealed no differences between aggregated cell suspensions and non-aggregated control monocytes; microvilli were prominent in both preparations.
The Macrophage in the Antibody-Mediated Suppression of the Humoral Response
Authors: Pryjma J. , Ptak W. , Szybiński Z. , Sarnowicz Krystyna
Published: July 2009

Inbred Balb/c mice were used throughout the experiments. Highly purified IgM-type and IgG-type anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antibodies were used. 51Cr-labelled SRBC were incubated with antibodies at different antigen-antibody ratios. Thioglycollate-induced peritoneal macrophages were incubated with SRBC or antibody-complexed SRBC and injected into syngeneic animals. The number of macrophages varied within groups, the radioactivity being, however, constant. The antibody response was quantitated by the Jerne plaque technique at different intervals after transfer. Macrophage-associated antigen triggers a significant immune response. IgG-complexed SRBC given in macrophages evoke only a marginal response even when only a minority of available antigenic determinants are antibody-complexed. The immune response after transfer of IgM-complexed macrophage-associated antigen is suppressed when tested on the 4th day; but on the 7th day, a moderate reaction is discernible. Suppression was observed also when antigen was given in macrophages and antibody intravenously. Suppression was dependent on the antibody dose injected or used for complexing with antigen, particularly in the IgM system. The degradation of engulfed Ag-Ab complexes proceeds in macrophages more efficiently than in free antigen. Two possible mechanisms of antibody-mediated suppression are discussed, i.e., blocking of antigen in macrophages by antibody or increased decay of Ab-Ag complexes in the lysosomal system.
Experimental Glomerulonephritis Induced with the Major Antigen of Rat Kidney
Authors: Dinh B.L. , Brassard A. , Katiyar V.N.
Published: July 2009

The major antigen of rat kidney (KMA) isolated in an immunochemically purified form was injected into homologous rats at 2-week intervals during 42 weeks. Circulating antibodies against KMA were constantly found in the sera of all immunized animals after 4 months of KMA treatment. Marked proteinuria accompanied by a significant increase in the serum γ-globulin level occurred only several months after the appearance of circulating antibodies. Histological examinations of the KMA-treated rat kidney revealed mild but definite glomerular lesions of the membranous, non-proliferative type. Rat γ-globulin was found as a mixed, linear and granular, deposit along the basement membranes and the mesangial regions. However, rat β1C-globulin was found as an exclusively granular deposit in the same areas, but more intensively in the mesangium. The acid elution of KMA-treated rat kidney contained γ-globulin which reacted with KMA. As compared with Edgington’s nephritogenic tubular antigen RTE-α5, KMA was found to be completely different. However, it was also localized exclusively in the proximal tubular cells. Its presence in normal rat serum and liver has been suggested as a source of autologous immunogens in the long-term development of an autoimmune complex nephritis in the rat.
Antagonistic Effects of Bacterial Endotoxin and Phytohaemagglutinin upon the Primary Immune Response
Authors: Kierszenbaum F.
Published: July 2009

Mice treated with one or several 1-mg doses of phytohaemagglutinin M (PHA-M) showed a suppressed immune response to human IgG. Similar suppression was obtained with 0.5 mg of phytohaemaggultinin P (PHA-P). Both, PHA-M and PHA-P, antagonized the adjuvant effect of E. coli endotoxin on the antibody response to human IgG. Maximal extent of antagonism between PHA-M or PHA-P, and endotoxin, depended on the relative time of administration of these biologically active substances.
Induction of Aspermatogenesis by Passive Transfer of Immune Sera or Cells
Authors: Willson J.T. , Jones N. , Katsh S.
Published: July 2009

We have demonstrated that varying degrees of seminiferous epithelial damage up to and including aspermatogenesis could be induced by transfer of immune serum. Aspermatogenesis was consistently produced when the recipient guinea pigs were pretreated with Freund’s complete adjuvant plus saline intradermally 7 days prior to transfer of serum from donor guinea pigs immunized 7 days previously with testicular homogenate in Freund’s complete adjuvant. Aspermatogenesis was also induced by transfer of cells of lymph node, spleen or peritoneal exudate from the same immune donor animals.
Effect of Lymphocytosis-Promoting Factor of Bordetella pertussis on the Immune Response
Authors: Ochiai T. , Okumura K. , Tada T. , Iwasa S.
Published: July 2009

Lymphocytosis-promoting factor (LPF) was obtained from culture filtrate of Bordetella pertussis and tested for its effect on the three well-defined cellular hypersensitivity reactions. The development of delayed-type skin reaction with tuberculin PPD and adjuvant disease in the rat was greatly suppressed by intracutaneous injections of a submicrogram dose of LPF. The rejection time of skin homograft in rats and mice was also prolonged by the treatment with LPF. The injection of LPF caused a striking lymphocytosis in the circulation and depletion of lymphocytes in the lymphatic tissues. It is suggested that LPF interacts directly with a selected population of lymphoid cells which participate in the development of cellular hypersensitivity.