bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus‐Induced Migration of Lymphoid Cells into Lymph Nodes
Authors: Matsuzawa A. , Yasuda T. , Sakamoto S. , Nagase H. , Nakano H. , Yoshimoto T.
Published: March 2003

We previously found that Mtv‐2+ lymph nodes (LN) implanted into Mtv‐2− mice underwent marked hyperplasia owing to the influx of lymphocytes. LN grafts infected with exogenous mouse mammary tumour viruses (MMTV), MMTV(FM) transmitted by FM mice and MMTV‐2 produced by Mtv‐2, also swelled in MMTV‐free recipients. Mtv‐3 and Mtv‐7 also displayed this capability. Mtv‐2‐induced LN hyperplasia was earlier in onset and greater in extent when major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II I‐E was expressed than unexpressed. Mtv‐3‐induced LN hyperplasia was suppressed completely by Mtv‐3 from a different mouse strain and partially by Mtv‐6 slightly different from Mtv‐3 in superantigen (SAg) Vβ specificity. LN hyperplasia occurred bidirectionally in LN transplantation between mice carrying Mtv‐2 and Mtv‐3, which are different SAg Vβ specificity. LN hyperplasia induced by MMTV‐2 carrying SAg responsive to Vβ14 alone and MMTV(FM) carrying SAg responsive to Vβ14 and Vβ8.2 was completely but partially suppressed by MMTV(FM) and MMTV‐2, respectively. CD4+ T cells were essential for MMTV‐induced LN hyperplasia. LN in situ also underwent significant hyperplasia when infected with MMTV. Thus, MMTV SAg may entice circulating lymphocytes into lymphoid organs and contribute to more efficient dissemination MMTV in vivo. Secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC) may not be directly involved in this event.
Validity of the Two‐Signal Model for Activation of CD28‐Deficient T Lymphocytes: Quantitative Characterization of an Alternative Costimulatory Function of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Cassell D. J.
Published: March 2003

The observation that primary T‐dependent immune responses are generated in mice lacking CD28, the only receptor definitively shown to costimulate naive T cells, has led to ambiguity as to whether costimulation is absolutely required for initiation of T‐cell responses. In this report, in vitro analysis of the relationship between cell density and proliferation demonstrates that activation of CD28‐/‐ T cells to immobilized T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐α monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) depends on costimulatory signals provided by other cells in culture and occurs only at cell densities sufficient to permit these intercellular interactions. These signals are necessary even under TCR triggering conditions that obviate the CD28 requirement. Dendritic cells (DCs) provide the necessary costimulation in vitro and prime T cells in vivo in CD28‐/‐ mice. Single‐cell and limiting dilution analyses indicate that individual T cells from normal and CD28‐/‐ mice produce equivalent interleukin (IL)‐2 in response to DCs. However, half as many T cells produce IL‐2 when only the CD28‐independent pathway is used. Nonetheless, CD28‐/‐ T cells produce sufficient IL‐2 to support clonal expansion comparable to that of CD28+/+ T cells, which may account for the equally robust in vivo responses initiated by DCs in normal and CD28‐deficient animals.
α4 Integrins and Sialyl Lewis x Modulation in Chronic Chagas Disease: Further Evidence of Persistent Immune Activation
Authors: Laucella S. A. , Riarte A. , Prado N. , Zapata J. , Segura E. L.
Published: March 2003

We have previously shown that titers of soluble platelet selectin (s‐P‐selectin) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (s‐VCAM‐1) were increased in sera of patients with chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. In this study, we analyzed the expression of CD49d‐integrins, that bind to VCAM‐1, and sialyl Lewis × (SLex), which binds selectins, in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 27 patients with Chagas' disease at different levels of disease severity. Patients with a mild form of Chagas' disease showed a lower number of CD49d+ cells, in comparison with those with severe chronic cardiopathy. Decreased levels of CD49d+ cells were detected in CD3− cell populations. Conversely, SLex expression was found to be decreased in patients with severe Chagas' disease. Levels of soluble platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (s‐PECAM‐1) were significantly increased in the plasma of patients with severe Chagas' disease while unaltered levels of MCP‐1 were recorded. These data show that VCAM‐1 and P‐Selectin ligands are differentially expressed during the chronic phase of the Trypanosoma cruzi infection. These findings also reinforce a role of the P‐selectin/SLex adhesion pathway rather than very late antigen‐4 (VLA‐4)/VCAM‐1, in the pathogenesis of Chagas' disease.
Acanthamoeba polyphaga in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Possibility for a Chronic Infection
Authors: Jeansson S. , Kvien T. K.
Published: March 2003

Acanthamoeba polyphaga (AP) is ubiquitous in nature and frequently infects humans. AP has some features, such as persistence, which makes it an attractive candidate in studies of a possible infectious aetiology in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study the occurrence of AP‐specific antibodies was compared between RA patients and matched controls.
T‐Cell Mean Telomere Lengths Changes in Treatment Naïve HIV‐Infected Patients Randomized to G‐CSF or Placebo Simultaneously with Initiation of HAART
Authors: Aladdin H. , Von Essen M. , Schjerling P. , Katzenstein T. , Gerstoft J. , Skinhøj P. , Klarlund Pedersen B. , Ullum H.
Published: March 2003

The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) on mean telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was examined in 11 treatment naïve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected individuals with a CD4+ T‐cell count < 350cells/mm3. Patients were randomized to HAART combined with G‐CSF thrice weekly for 12 weeks (n = 6) or placebo (n = 5). An increase in the mean TRF lengths was observed in PBMC of patients on HAART after 24 weeks of treatment mainly owing to increased mean CD8+ T‐cell TRF lengths. However, in the group of patients on HAART combined with G‐CSF no changes of PBMC mean TRF length was observed during treatment or during 12 weeks of follow‐up. The mean CD4+ T‐cell TRF length did not change in any of the two groups. These results confirm that HAART induces mainly the lengthening of the mean CD8+ T‐cell TRF length. However, G‐CSF given simultaneously with HAART induces an inhibition of the expected lengthening in mean TRF length. These results do therefore not support the use of adjuvant G‐CSF treatment simultaneously when initiating HAART and should further be evaluated before use in non‐neutropenic HIV‐infected patients.
Genetic Dissection of Age‐Related Changes of Immune Function in Mice
Authors: Mountz J. D. , Van Zant G. E. , Zhang H.‐G. , Grizzle W. E. , Ahmed R. , Williams R. W. , Hsu H.‐C.
Published: March 2003

Understanding of the genetic basis of normal and abnormal development of the immune response is an enormous undertaking. The immune response, at the most minimal level, involves interactions of antigen presenting cells (APCs), T and B cells. Each of these cells produce cell surface and soluble factors (cytokines) that affect both autocrine and paracrine functions. A second level of complexity needs to consider the development of the macrophage/monocyte lineage as well as the production of the common lymphoid precursor which undergoes distinct maturation steps in the thymus and periphery to form mature T cells as well as in BM (BM) and lymphoid organs to form mature B cells. A third level of complexity involves the immune response to infectious agents including viruses and also the response to tumour antigens. In addition, there are imbalances that predispose to decreased responses (immunodeficiencies) or increased responses (autoimmunity). A fourth level of complexity involves attempts to understand the differences in the immune response that occurs at a very young age, in adults, and at a very old age. This review will focus on the use of C57BL/6 J X DBA/2 J (BXD) recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice to map genetic loci associated with the production of lymphoid precursors in the BM, development of T cells in the thymus, and T‐cell responses to stimulation in the peripheral lymphoid organs in adult and in aged mice. Strategies to improve the power and precision in which complex traits such as the age‐related immune response can be mapped is limited with the current set of 35 strains of BXD mice. Strategies to increase these strains by generating recombinant intercross (RIX) strains of mice are being developed to enable this large set of lines to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with a much higher consistency and statistical power. More importantly, the resolution with which these QTLs can be mapped would be greatly improved and, in many cases, adequate to carry out direct identification of candidate genes. It is likely that, given the complexity of the immune system development, the number of cells involved in an immune response, and especially the changes in the immune system with ageing, mapping hundreds of genes will be required to fully understand age‐related changes in the immune response. This review outlines ongoing and future strategies that will enable the mapping and identification of these genes.
Association of CD40 Ligand Expression on HTLV‐I‐Infected T Cells and Maturation of Dendritic Cells
Authors: Makino M. , Utsunomiya A. , Maeda Y. , Shimokubo S. , Izumo S. , Baba M.
Published: March 2003

Human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‐I) induces HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL). The development of HAM/TSP is associated with rapid maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), while ATL is accomplished with their maturation defect. The DC maturation is induced by cell‐to‐cell contact with CD4+ T cells expressing CD40 ligand (L). We determined the influence of CD40L expressed on various HTLV‐I‐infected T cells on the DC maturation. Around 60% of CD4+ T cells infected with HTLV‐I for 1 week, expressed CD40L molecules involved in DC maturation. DCs matured by the CD40L+ T cells activated autologous CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. HTLV‐I‐immortalized T‐cell lines established from healthy donors consistently expressed CD40L molecules for 3 months, however, some lines lost the expression soon thereafter. Interleukin (IL)‐2‐independent and transformed lines lacked that expression. Furthermore, T cells obtained from HAM/TSP patients expressed CD40L molecules for at least 3 weeks, whereas T cells from ATL patients did not express that. The CD40L− T cells did not induce DC maturation, and required exogenous CD40L molecules for maturation. The CD40L+ T‐cell‐induced maturation was blocked by anti‐CD40L antibody. Therefore, the lack of CD40L expression on HTLV‐I‐infected T cells may be associated with the development of ATL.
Ontogeny of the Murine Ig Joining Chain Gene and Protein
Authors: Kimura M. , Takahashi T. , Iwata A. , Matsumoto N. , Ogura Y. , Akagi T. , Akima S. , Kobayashi K. , Moro I.
Published: March 2003

We used Northern blot analysis in order to investigate the ontogeny of the murine joining (J)‐chain gene. No J‐chain expression was detected in embryonic tissues, including liver, spleen and intestine, but an expression of µ heavy chain was detected in foetal liver at day 17. J‐chain expression was detected in the spleen at day 9 and in the intestine at day 15 after birth. Western blot analysis was carried out in order to compare the protein levels of J and µ heavy chains in serum from day 8 to day 24 after birth, using antihuman J chain and antimouse µ chain antibodies. Although µ chain protein could be detected in serum from day 8, J‐chain protein was detectable only at day 24. These results suggest that the expression of J chain is a later event than the µ chain in the mouse, which thus differs in embryogenesis from humans.
A Partially Humanized Monoclonal Antibody to Human IFN‐γ Inhibits Cytokine Effects both In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Fiorentini S. , De Panfilis G. , Pasolini G. , Bonfanti C. , Caruso A.
Published: March 2003

The mouse monoclonal antibody (MoAb) IGMB17 (muIGMB17) is a high‐affinity antibody‐ neutralizing human interferon (IFN)‐γ and, accordingly, is a potential therapeutic agent for patients suffering from various diseases in which the cytokine is abnormally expressed. The clinical usefulness of mouse antibodies is limited, however, owing to their immunogenicity in humans. MuIGMB17 antibody was partially humanized by engrafting a small portion of mouse light chain (LC) in a human framework and by engineering its heavy chain (HC) in a chimeric version. The engineered IGMB17 (huIGMB17) was able to replicate a range of functional properties of the original muIGMB17, namely, specific binding to IFN‐γ, inhibition of histocompatibility complex (HLA‐DR) expression in response to IFN‐γ induction, reversion of IFN‐γ antiproliferative activity on sensitive cell lines. We have hypothesized that as huIGMB17 was able to block IFN‐γ binding to its receptor as well as its murine counterpart, huIGMB17 could neutralize all cytokine activity, also in vivo. Indeed huIGMB17 was capable of interfering with delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction in humans, thus demonstrating its effectiveness in neutralizing IFN‐γ‐mediated reactions in vivo.
Natural Killer Cells: A Mystery No More
Authors: Moretta L. , Biassoni R. , Bottino C. , Mingari M. C. , Moretta A.
Published: March 2003

Recent years have witnessed remarkable progress in our understanding of the molecular mechanism regulating natural killer (NK) cell function. NK cells can sense whether cells have lost the surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐class I molecules. The discovery of MHC‐class I‐specific inhibitory receptors clarified the basis of this discrimination and elucidated the nature of the ‘off’ signal. However, the receptors responsible for the ‘on’ signal in the process of natural cytotoxicity remained mysterious until recently. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of such receptors and discuss the emerging implications of these findings in different diseases.
To be or Not to be Ridded? – That is the Question Addressed by the Associative Antigen Recognition Model*†
Authors: Cohn M. , Langman R. E.
Published: March 2003

The reasons that germline‐encoded recognitive sites cannot sort the immune system's large and random somatically generated repertoire into anti‐Not‐to‐be‐ridded (‘self ’) and anti‐To‐be‐ridded (‘nonself ’) specificities are analysed. The immune system cannot use ‘nonself ’‐markers of To‐be‐ridded antigens (‘Danger’, toll receptors, pathogenicity, localization, etc.) to sort the repertoire; it may, however, use them to determine the magnitude and class of the effector response.
‘Ignorance’ of Antigen‐Specific Murine CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells is Overruled by Lipopolysaccharide and Leads to Specific Induction of IFN‐γ*
Authors: Moré S. H. , Breloer M. , Fentz A.‐K. , Fleischer B. , Von Bonin A.
Published: March 2003

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate human and murine T cells in vivo and in vitro. Here we analysed the effects of LPS on T cells with defined specificities in T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐transgenic systems. LPS rapidly induced high amounts of interferon (IFN)‐γ in a subpopulation of purified T cells from DO11.10 (OVA323–339/H2‐Ad) and OT‐1 (OVA257–264/H2‐Kb) mice when coincubated with antigen‐pulsed peritoneal exudate cells (PECs). LPS induced IFN‐γ in T cell cultures even when the number of antigenic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class‐I complexes was too small to stimulate the T cells. LPS, thus, overruled the unresponsiveness of the otherwise ‘antigen‐ignorant’ T cells. The release of IFN‐γ strictly correlates with the PECs' ability to produce interleukin (IL)‐12. In contrast to the induction of IFN‐γ, antigen‐specific IL‐2 secretion and proliferation of T cells were rather decreased in the presence of LPS. Only very few IFN‐γ‐secreting natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells in the given experimental system could be detected using intracellular fluorescence‐activated cell sorter (FACS) staining. Taken together, our results indicate that LPS has the potential to activate quiescent T cells and to specifically induce IFN‐γ in CD4 and CD8 T cells. This may have direct consequences for the activation of autoreactive T cells following bacterial infections.
CD14+CD16+ Monocytes in the Course of Sepsis in Neonates and Small Children: Monitoring and Functional Studies
Authors: Skrzeczyñska J. , Kobylarz K. , Hartwich Z. , Zembala M. , Pryjma J.
Published: March 2003

The phenotype and function of peripheral blood monocytes change after trauma and during sepsis. The aim of the study was to evaluate monocyte expression of human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR and Fc receptor III (FcR III) (CD16) in neonates and small children with high risk of sepsis (hospitalized at the intensive care unit). The reduced proportion of CD14+HLA‐DR+ monocytes was observed in all patients at the intensive care unit, while the increase of CD16 expression on monocytes was observed in the course of sepsis. The measurement of CD16 expression on monocytes also proved to be more useful for monitoring patient. The proportion of both CD14dimCD16+ and CD14highCD16+ monocytes increased during sepsis; however, monocytes showed reduced ability to phagocytose Escherichia coli, compromised ability to cooperate with T cells and reduced CD86 expression in parallel to HLA‐DR depression. The reduced interleukin (IL)‐1 but rather increased IL‐10 production was associated with sepsis. The differences between CD14+CD16+ monocytes of healthy donors and patients with sepsis are discussed.
Purification, Biochemical Characterization and Immunogenicity of SA5K, a Secretion Antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Batoni G. , Bottai D. , Esin S. , Florio W. , Pardini M. , Maisetta G. , Freer G. , Senesi S. , Campa M.
Published: March 2003

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
(MTB) secretory proteins are generally considered important antigens for immune protection against tuberculosis (TB). An 8.3‐kDa secretory antigen of MTB and
Mycobacterium bovis
bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG), called SA5K, was recently identified and cloned in our laboratory. In this report, recombinant SA5K containing a histidine hexamer was expressed in
Escherichia coli
and purified to investigate its biochemical structure and to establish whether it was immunogenic for healthy sensitized and nonsensitized human donors and for patients infected with MTB. The protein nucleotide sequence was shown to be identical in BCG and in MTB. SA5K revealed an abnormal electrophoretic mobility in SDS‐PAGE that made it look lighter than it is in Western blotting. While recombinant SA5K was poorly recognized by T lymphocytes from patients with pulmonary TB, it elicited proliferation of CD4
+ T lymphocytes in the vast majority of healthy individuals sensitized to mycobacterial antigens by BCG vaccination. At a serum dilution of 1 : 80, antibodies reacting against recombinant SA5K were found in 67% of sera from TB patients and in 73% of sera from healthy subjects. The percentage of positive subjects dropped at higher serum dilutions, but no significant difference in the recognition rate was observed between TB patients and healthy donors and between healthy vaccinated and nonvaccinated subjects. Owing to the high percentage of sera from healthy subjects who recognized SA5K in Western blotting, the antigen seems to exhibit, at least in the present form, a poor specificity for an employment for a serodiagnosis of TB.
Distinct Phenotypic Adhesion Molecule Expression on Human Cord Blood Progenitors During Early Eosinophilic Commitment: Upregulation of β7 Integrins
Authors: Lundahl J. , Sehmi R. , Moshfegh A. , Hayes L. , Howie K. , Upham J. , Denburg J. A.
Published: March 2003

Increasing levels of proinflammatory cells, including eosinophils and basophils, are seen at the site of allergen challenge in allergic disease of the airways. Mechanisms for the recruitment of these cell types could involve either specific upregulation of adhesion molecule and chemoattraction, or the initiation of proliferation and differentiation of inflammatory cell progenitors derived from the bone marrow.

In this study, we demonstrate, in two systems of eosinophilic–basophilic lineage‐committed granulocytes of relative immaturity, that eosinophilic differentiation in vivo implies the induction of a distinct adhesion phenotype, characterized by the upregulation of β7 integrin and downregulation of β1 and α5 integrins. Moreover, the eosinophilic differentiation induced an upregulation of complement receptor type 1 and type 3, and the expression was further enhanced upon a short‐course in vitro activation with ionomycin. These data indicate a sequential alteration of disparate members of the integrin family during eosinophilic–basophilic differentiation, which may attribute to specific adhesion requirements at distinct stages of cell maturation.
Different Role of Apaf‐1 in Positive Selection, Negative Selection and Death by Neglect in Foetal Thymic Organ Culture
Authors: Matsuki Y. , Zhang H.‐ G. , Hsu H.‐ C. , Yang P.‐ A. , Zhou T. , Dodd C. H. , Cecconi F. , Gruss P. , Tadakuma T. , Mountz J. D.
Published: March 2003

Apoptotic protease‐activating factor 1 (Apaf‐1) is a component of the apoptosome which is required for the activation of procaspase‐9. As Apaf‐1 knockout (KO) (Apaf‐1‐/‐) mice die before birth, the role of Apaf‐1 during thymic selection was investigated using 5 day foetal thymic organ culture (FTOC) of thymi obtained at gestational day 15. There was a lower ratio of CD4 single‐positive (SP) to CD8 SP cells and decreased apoptosis of CD4+CD8+ (DP) thymocytes from Apaf‐1‐/‐ mice compared with wild‐type. To determine if these defects resulted in increased production of neglected thymocytes, the Apaf‐1‐/‐ mice were crossed with the T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐α‐chain KO mice. There was no difference in thymocyte development in the thymi of TCR‐α‐/‐Apaf‐1‐/‐ and TCR‐α‐/‐Apaf‐1+/+ mice 5 days after FTOC. To determine if Apaf‐1 is involved in apoptosis during death by negative or positive selection, FTOC of the thymus of Apaf‐1‐/‐ Db/HY TCR‐αβ transgenic (Tg) mice was carried out. There was decreased apoptosis of the HY clonal‐specific M33+ thymocytes and an increased percentage of the autoreactive CD8+M33+ thymocytes in male, but not female Apaf‐1‐/‐ Db/HY TCR Tg mice. Our data suggest that Apaf‐1 is not involved in positive selection or death by neglect, but may have a partial role in negative selection during early thymic T‐cell development.
Restriction in T‐Cell Receptor Repertoire in a Patient Affected by Trichothiodystrophy and CD4+ Lymphopenia
Authors: Cancrini C. , Romiti M. L. , Di Cesare S. , Angelini F. , Gigliotti D. , Livadiotti S. , Bertini E. , Rossi P. , Racioppi L.
Published: March 2003

Molecular analysis of T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, by measuring the CDR3 heterogeneity length of beta‐variable regions (spectratyping), is useful for acquiring novel information on the status of immune system in primary immunodeficiency. Here, we evaluate TCR repertoire in a child with trichothiodystrophy (TTD) and combined immunodeficiency (CID). Spectratyping revealed marked alterations of TCR repertoire distribution: 21 and 10 out of 27 TCR Vβ (TCRBV) families and subfamilies were skewed in CD8+ and CD4+ subsets, respectively. These findings revealed, for the first time in a TTD patient with CID, a marked reduction in the TCR repertoire complexity, which may reflect alterations in the mechanisms regulating the generation and homeostasis of T cells.
The Evolution and Breakdown of the Immune System: Implications for Development of Autoimmune Diseases*
Authors: JONSSON R. , BROKSTAD K. A. , HANSEN T. , DAVIES T. , ULVESTAD E.
Published: March 2003

At the most recent meeting of the Scandinavian Society for Immunology in Bergen, one of the major target phenomena was autoimmune diseases. The approach started from the evolutionary origins of immunity, went on to review some of the notable advances in molecular architecture of immune processes and finally focussed the findings on autoimmune disease.
Cross‐Reaction Between Mammalian Cell Entry (Mce) Proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Harboe M. , Christensen A. , Ahmad S. , Ulvund G. , Harkness R. E. , Mustafa A. S. , Wiker H. G.
Published: March 2003

In addition to the previously cloned Mce1A and Mce1E genes of the Mce1 operon of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Ahmad et al. Scand J Immunol 1999;50:510–8), Mce1B, Mce1D and Mce1F were cloned and expressed as glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) fusion proteins in recombinant Escherichia coli. Polyclonal antibodies against a predicted B‐cell epitope of each of the Mce1 proteins of M. tuberculosis were produced by immunizing rabbits with synthetic peptides coupled to keyhole limpet haemocyanin. These antibodies reacted specifically with the corresponding fusion protein, except for GST‐Mce1F. A mouse monoclonal antibody, TB1‐5 76C, raised against a synthetic 60‐mer peptide corresponding to the residues 106–165 in the N‐terminal part of Mce1A, reacted strongly with GST‐Mce1A. The antibody cross‐reacted with GST‐Mce1F, but not with the other recombinant GST‐Mce1 fusion proteins or free GST. Bioinformatic analysis revealed only slight homology between Mce1A and Mce1F, along the length of the polypeptide chains. Higher homology was found between the residues 106–165 of Mce1A and the residues 347–406, further into the mature Mce1F polypeptide chain. There was a striking, localized homology, indicating that the epitope reacting with the monoclonal antibody TB1‐5 76C may be narrowed to the KRRITPKD region, the residues 131–138 in Mce1A corresponding to the residues 372–379 in Mce1F. This was confirmed in enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, showing binding of TB1‐5 76C to a 17‐mer synthetic peptide containing the KRRITPKD sequence.
Structural, Quantitative and Functional Comparison of Amyloid P Component in Sera from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Healthy Donors
Authors: Sen J. W. , Recke C. , Rahbek L. , Skogstrand K. , Heegaard N. H. H.
Published: March 2003

Serum amyloid P component (SAP) is a serum protein that has a function as opsonin and is known to bind nuclear material with high affinity. Quantitative and/or qualitative deficiencies in SAP may possibly lead to the impairment of normal homoeostatic mechanisms of tissue turnover. Thus, SAP knockout mice display systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)‐like manifestations such as nephritis and circulating antinuclear antibodies. In the present study, we investigated whether there are changes in the structure, function or serum levels of SAP in serum from SLE patients as compared with those from healthy donors. We found that SAP in SLE sera has the same molecular mass as that of in the sera of normal individuals, when analysed by online immunoaffinity reversed phase mass spectrometry. Also, the serum levels of SAP did not differ significantly between the two groups. Finally, as an estimate of function, SAP from SLE patients appeared to have the same affinity for heparin and nucleosomes as SAP from normal individuals, when analysed by crossed affinity immunoelectrophoresis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent capture assay (ELISA). In conclusion, the data do not support alterations in the levels, structure or function of SAP circulating in SLE patients.
Cytokines in Patients with Lung Cancer
Authors: Matanić D. , Beg‐Zec Z. , Stojanović D. , Matakorić N. , Flego V. , Milevoj‐Ribić F.
Published: March 2003

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases and is amongst the leading causes of death. Cell‐mediated immune response and cytokines could play an important role in antitumour immunity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytokines', tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6, releasing capacity in patients with lung carcinoma and benign lung disease. A group of 41 patients were tested for the production of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and blood. The levels of cytokines in the lung cancer patients were: (1) in BAL – IL‐6, 173 ± 85 pg/ml; TNF‐α, 170 ± 116 pg/ml; and IL‐1β, 473 ± 440 pg/ml; (2) in the blood – IL‐6, 197 ± 53 pg/ml; TNF‐α, 311 ± 202 pg/ml; and IL‐1β, 915 ± 239 pg/ml. Alveolar macrophages of the patients with a lung cancer secreted significantly more cytokines, IL‐6 (P = 0.0004) and IL‐1β (P = 0.0047), than alveolar macrophages of the patients with a nonmalignant lung cancer. However, significantly lower levels of cytokine production by the BAL cells were found in patients with small cell lung cancer. This production decreased further in phase IV of nonsmall cell lung cancer.
Facies and allostratigraphy of high‐latitude, glacially influenced marine strata of the Early Permian southern Sydney Basin, Australia
Authors: Eyles Carolyn H. , Eyles Nicholas , Gostin Victor A.
Published: March 2003

The Sydney Basin of New South Wales, Australia is a foreland basin containing a thick (up to 10 km) Permo‐Triassic succession. The southern margin of the basin exposes strata deposited during Late Palaeozoic glaciation of south‐eastern Gondwana. The Early Permian Wasp Head, Pebbley Beach, Snapper Point Formations and Wandrawandian Siltstone were deposited between 277 and 258 Ma on a polar, glacially influenced continental margin adjacent to ice sheets located over East Antarctica and eastern Australia. Sedimentary facies, together with related ichnofacies and fauna, can be grouped into six facies associations that record marine sub‐environments ranging from high energy, storm‐dominated inner shelf to turbidite‐dominated upper slope settings. Cold marine conditions, with near‐freezing bottom water temperatures, are recorded by glendonites. Ice‐rafted debris, most likely deposited by icebergs, occurs in almost all facies associations.

An allostratigraphic approach, emphasizing the recognition of bounding discontinuities (i.e. erosion surfaces and marine flooding surfaces), is used to subdivide the Early Permian stratigraphy into facies successions. Three types of succession can be identified and record changes in the relative influence of allocyclic controls such as basin tectonics, sediment supply and glacio‐eustatic sea level variation.

Together, sedimentological and allostratigraphic data allow reconstruction of the depositional history of the south‐western margin of the Sydney Basin. Initial marine sedimentation, characterized by sediment gravity flows and storm‐deposited sandstones of the lower Wasp Head Formation, occurred adjacent to a faulted basin margin. Overlying successions within the upper Wasp Head, Pebbley Beach and Snapper Point Formations, record aggradation in inner to outer shelf settings along a storm‐ and glacially influenced continental margin. Tectonic subsidence and basin flooding is recorded by deeper water turbidites of the Wandrawandian Siltstone.
Pedogenic‐phreatic carbonates on a Middle Devonian (Givetian) terrigenous alluvial‐deltaic plain, Gilwood Member (Watt Mountain Formation), northcentral Alberta, Canada
Authors: WILLIAMS C. A. , KRAUSE F. F.
Published: March 2003

In the Muskeg Trough of northcentral Alberta the Gilwood Member contains widespread carbonate deposits that formed within terrigenous mudstone and sandstone hosts. Stratigraphic, depositional and petrographic relationships indicate that these carbonates represent calcretes and dolocretes. Calcretes, observed best with cathodoluminescence, display microcrystalline alpha fabrics, circumgranular cracks, root networks, displacive growth fabrics, elongate channel voids and rare coloform growths with flower spar. Similarly, dolocretes have microcrystalline alpha fabrics, brecciation, gradational contacts with host mudstones, extensive layered nodular horizons and are associated with anhydrite and pyrite. δ13C values range between −7‰ to +1‰ and –6‰ to +3‰ for calcretes and dolocretes, respectively. Oxygen isotopes are more variable and differ with host lithologies. δ18O of calcretes ranges between −11‰ to −8‰ for sandstones and −8‰ to −3‰ for mudstones, whereas δ18O of dolocretes ranges between −3‰ to 1‰ for marine mudstones and −6‰ to −2‰ for pedogenic mudstones. Regional mapping indicates that calcretes thicken towards the deepest parts of the Muskeg Trough. Widespread dolocretes extend beyond the eastern and western limits of Muskeg Trough and are useful marker intervals for regional correlations. Dolocretes of restricted lateral extent are found within gleyed palaeosol mudstones next to calcretized channel sandstones.

Calcrete isotopic values are interpreted as indicative of carbonate precipitation from waters with meteoric water input. However, the higher δ18O values in dolocretes are indicative of a contribution from an isotopically heavier source such as seawater. Stratigraphically, calcretes are most common along the western and northern edges of Muskeg Trough; thus, calcrete accumulation was further controlled by meteoric water in‐flow from the highland to the west and sluggish groundwater flow in Muskeg Trough. In contrast, regionally widespread dolocrete horizons appear to have formed from mixing of fresh waters derived from the highland to the west and seawaters introduced from the east. Regionally restricted dolocretes which are found next to channel sandstones formed from groundwater out‐flow from the permeable channel sandstones which resulted in calcretization in channel proximal mudstones and dolomitization in channel distal mudstones.
Quaternary colluvium in west‐central Anatolia: sedimentary facies and palaeoclimatic significance
Authors: Nemec  , Kazanci
Published: March 2003

The Quaternary colluvial aprons in Lake Eğirdir area, Taurus Mountains, consist of steep coalescent fans, up to 17–20 m thick and 350–450 m in plan‐view radius, and the sedimentary succession comprises four lithostratigraphic divisions. The basal red–brown colluvium consists of a chaotic, bouldery fan‐core rubble covered with bedded, openwork to matrix‐rich gravel, whose deposition is attributed to rockfalls and cohesive debrisflows, with minor grainflows and sheetwash processes. The middle part of this division contains interbeds of early Pleistocene tephra. The overlying light‐grey colluvium consists of bedded gravel with numerous palaeogullies and its deposition is attributed to waterflow, rockfalls and cohesive debrisflows. The younger, medium‐grey colluvium consists of stratified pebbly sand interspersed with cobble/boulder gravel and its deposition is attributed to sheetwash processes accompanied by rockfalls and wet snowflows/slushflows. A bulk‐pollen radiocarbon date indicates Late Würm age. The youngest, yellow–grey colluvium consists of bedded, mainly pebbly and openwork gravel, whose deposition is attributed to dry grainflows, rockfalls and minor cohesive debrisflows. Based on the sedimentary facies assemblages and available isotopic dates, the four colluvial divisions are correlated with the following stages of the region’s climatic history: (1) the latest Pliocene to Early Pleistocene stage of warm–humid climate with pronounced phases of drier conditions; (2) the Late Pleistocene stage of colder climate, with alternating phases of higher and lower humidity; (3) the last glacial (Würm) stage of coldest climate; and (4) the Holocene stage of warm semi‐arid climate. It is concluded that colluvial depositional systems bear a valuable proxy record of climatic changes and regional geoclimatic differences.
Glaciodynamically upthrusted bands of englacially transported debris in the Pleistocene of central Poland
Authors: Ruszczyńska‐Szenajch Hanna
Published: March 2003

Two kinds of buried structures are described from Dzirżenin, north‐east of Warsaw, where they occur within a glaciofluvial landform: (1) narrow till ridges, showing vertically oriented structures, excavated from stratified gravel and sands; and (2) a narrow vertical zone of massive gravelly/sandy material, involving vertically oriented lens‐like layers composed of massive sand with pebbles, or of diamicton. The gravelly/sandy zone is also closely surrounded by stratified glaciofluvial sediments. In spite of their vertical position and internal deformation, the till ridges and gravelly/sandy zone show non‐tectonic contacts with the surrounding, stratified, undisturbed sediments. The glaciofluvial sediments that occur immediately next to the structures under discussion are characterized by the occurrence of comparatively coarse material and interbeddings of diamicton, which wedge out away from these structures. The gravelly/sandy zone separates different kinds of water‐laid deposits. The buried structures are interpreted as former debris‐laden bands, thrust upwards within the frontal part of the ice sheet and then transformed into still‐frozen debris ridges projecting over the already dead ice. Further melting of the decaying ice resulted in abundant glaciofluvial sedimentation, and the debris ridges also supplied material for the deposition of the neighbouring stratified deposits. One of the ridges separated different glaciofluvial environments. The glaciofluvial sediments completely buried the ice‐cemented ridges, which were finally transformed by a melting‐out process into the till ridges and the gravelly/sandy zone. The former are interpreted as having been transformed from upturned debris‐laden bands with a high concentration of debris or from the bands composed of frozen‐up sediment slabs. The gravelly/sandy zone is interpreted as having (most probably) been deposited from upturned bands characterized by a lesser concentration of debris.
Silicification in the Belt Supergroup (Mesoproterozoic), Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Authors: Maliva Robert G.
Published: March 2003

Nodular cherts can provide a window on the original sediment composition, diagenetic history and biota of their host rock because of their low susceptibility to further diagenetic alteration. The majority of Phanerozoic cherts formed by the intraformational redistribution of biogenic silica, particularly siliceous sponge spicules, radiolarian tests and diatom frustules. In the absence of a biogenic silica source, Precambrian cherts necessarily had to have had a different origin than Phanerozoic cherts. The Mesoproterozoic Belt Supergroup in Glacier National Park contains a variety of chert types, including silicified oolites and stromatolites, which have similar microtextures and paragenesis to Phanerozoic cherts, despite their different origins. Much of the silicification in the Belt Supergroup occurred after the onset of intergranular compaction, but before the main episode of dolomitization. The Belt Supergroup cherts probably had an opal‐CT precursor, in the same manner as many Phanerozoic cherts. Although it is likely that Precambrian seas had higher silica concentrations than at present because of the absence of silica‐secreting organisms, no evidence was observed that would suggest that high dissolved silica concentrations in the Belt sea had a significant widespread effect on silicification. The rarity of microfossils in Belt Supergroup cherts indicates that early silicification, if it occurred, was exceptional and restricted to localized environments. The similarity of microtextures in cherts of different ages is evidence that the silicification process is largely controlled by host carbonate composition and dissolved silica concentration during diagenesis, regardless of the source of silica.
The development of a burkeite‐dominated salt crust – an example of evaporite sedimentation in a saline pan with non‐monomineralic deposits
Authors: Mees Florias
Published: March 2003

A salt crust from an ephemeral saline lake in northern Namibia includes a basal thenardite layer (Na2SO4), followed by intervals consisting of burkeite (Na6(CO3)(SO4)2) with a palisade‐type fabric that are separated by layers of fine‐grained burkeite. All palisade burkeite formed as coatings along the sides of the neighbouring intervals and around thin lenses of fine‐grained burkeite. During the development of these coatings, the original constituents of the intervals that they now occupy were dissolved. Textural features indicate that the dissolved deposits were composed at least in part of halite crystals. The study of this crust illustrates the complexity of evaporite sedimentation in ephemeral saline lakes where more than one dominant mineral is formed. In the studied basin, selective dissolution of the most soluble salts occurred during flooding stages, partly affecting subsurface occurrences that consisted of continuous beds. The final product is a nearly monomineralic deposit, derived from a layered non‐monomineralic formation. The deposit developed to a large extent by subsurface crystal growth in a subaqueous setting, rather than by mineral formation along the brine–sediment interface or under subaerial conditions.
Seismogenically induced fluidization of Jurassic erg sands, south‐central Utah
Authors: Netoff Dennis
Published: March 2003

Large bodies of fluidized sandstone occur in the Jurassic Entrada, Carmel, Page and Navajo Formations at several locations in south‐central Utah. They are most abundant in the Entrada Sandstone, where they commonly occur in clusters, have a cylindrical form and have a sharp contact with their cross‐bedded host rock. These clastic pipes are as wide as 75 m and have exposed heights of as much as 100 m. Some of the Entrada pipes extend well into the underlying Carmel redbeds. Other clastic pipes in the Entrada Sandstone are less deformed and display various degrees of brittle‐to‐hydroplastic deformation and liquefaction. Clastic pipes in the Page and Navajo Sandstones are less common, but are similar in size and form to those in the Entrada and Carmel, and probably have a similar origin. Some massive sandstone bodies are irregular in form and have tongue‐like projections into the host rock, implying forcible injection of fluidized sand. Several pipe–host contacts in the Entrada Sandstone display small‐scale ring faults. Where relative displacement can be clearly demonstrated, pipe sandstones are invariably down‐faulted, locally as much as 5 m. At two sites, Carmel host rock is upwarped around the Entrada pipes. Stratified and cross‐bedded breccia blocks occur in many Entrada pipes, and preliminary petrographic analysis indicates that at least some of these breccia blocks are derived from the host rock. Homogeneous pipe sandstones are also petrographically similar to their Entrada host rock, suggesting that some pipes originate through fluidization of the fine‐grained Entrada. Fluidization of the Entrada must have occurred in a water‐saturated environment during early diagenesis but before complete lithification, most probably under considerable porewater pressure. Although there are no known modern analogues to these huge masses of structureless sandstone, they may have a small‐scale modern counterpart in earthquake‐induced sandblows. These features were most probably caused by large‐magnitude seismic events during the Middle Jurassic, although other possibilities cannot be ruled out at this point.
Phylogeny of the water strider genus Gerris Fabricius (Heteroptera: Gerridae) based on COI mtDNA, EF‐1α nuclear DNA and morphology
Authors: Damgaard Jakob , Sperling Felix A. H.
Published: March 2003

Phylogenetic relationships between water striders (Heteroptera: Gerridae) of genus Gerris Fabricius were examined using molecular and morphological characters. The molecular dataset was 820 bp DNA from the 3′ half of the mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome oxidase subunit I and 515 bp DNA from the nuclear gene encoding elongation factor 1 alpha. The morphological dataset was a slightly modified version of a previously published dataset. Representatives from all eight recognized species groups of Gerris, as well as six species from three related genera, including Gigantometra gigas, Limnoporus esakii, L. rufoscutellatus, Aquarius najas, A. conformis and A. paludum, were included. Unweighted parsimony analyses of the COI sequences gave a topology with strong support for only those nodes that were already recognized as closely related based on morphological characters. Similar analyses of EF‐1α gave a cladogram with a topology quite different from that based on morphology and COI. Unweighted parsimony analyses of the ‘total evidence’ dataset largely supports the traditional view of Gerris phylogeny. Finally, the implications of the reconstructed phylogeny in relation to biogeography and ecological phylogenetics of Gerris is discussed.
A cladistic analysis of Dialeurodes, Massilieurodes and Singhiella, with notes and keys to the Nearctic species and descriptions of four new Massilieurodes species (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Jensen Andrew S.
Published: March 2003

Abstract. A large subset of the whitefly genus Dialeurodes was analysed using cladistics. Thirty‐five characters and thirty‐five species were analysed. The results suggest that the species can be divided into three groups. Appropriate generic names are assigned to these groups based on the placement of the type species of Dialeurodes Cockerell, Massilieurodes Goux and Singhiella Sampson, to each of which species are assigned based on their placement in the cladograms or based on examination of original descriptions. Thirteen species are assigned to Dialeurodes, twenty‐four to Singhiella (twenty‐three new combinations) and fifteen to Massilieurodes including eleven new combinations and four new species, Massileurodes alabamensis sp.n., M. americanus sp.n., M. curiosa sp.n. and M. myricae sp.n. Discussions of the three genera are provided, along with keys for the identification of the Nearctic species. Descriptions of the adults of three previously described species are presented. Illustrations are provided for all North American members of the three genera.
Morphometric correlates of karyotype and host plant in genus Euceraphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: BLACKMAN ROGER L. , DE BOISE EMMA
Published: March 2003

Abstract Samples of birch‐ and alder‐feeding aphids of genus Euceraphis were measured and analysed using multiple discriminant analysis (canonical variates) to find out if morphological variation correlated with previously reported differences of karyotype and host association. The dataset comprised groups of specimens defined solely by locality and collection date. Mean scores on the first two canonical variates clustered the samples fully in accordance with their karyotypes and host plants, confirming the existence of a number of morphologically similar but distinct host‐specific taxa within the E. betulae group. Three new species are described: Euceraphis borealis Blackman, sp.n. on Betula glandulosa and B. nana, Euceraphis papyrifericola Blackman, sp.n. on B. papyrifera, and Euceraphis quednaui Blackman, sp.n. on B. occidentalis. A key is provided to alate viviparae of the genus.
Phylogeny and higher classification of Hoplandriini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae)
Authors: HANLEY RODNEY S.
Published: March 2003

Abstract The monophyly of the aleocharine beetle tribe Hoplandriini is established and the phylogenetic relationships of sixteen genus‐group taxa are resolved. Three primary lineages are recognized: the Ligulata+ ((Platandria+Tetrallus) + (Paroplandria+ (Ditropandria+ (Omoplandria+ (Nosora+Tinotoma))))) clade forms a sister group to the ((Hoplandria+ undescribed species 5, 4, 6) + undescribed species 1, 2, 3) clade, and together form the sister group to Pseudoplandria. On the basis of phylogenetic inference, three subtribes are proposed within Hoplandriini. Hoplandriina is composed of Hoplandria s.l and two as yet undescribed genera from the New World. Platandriina, subtr.n., is composed of Ditropandria, Paroplandria, Platandria, Tetrallus, Omoplandria, Nosora and Tinotoma from the Nearctic, Neotropical, Oriental and Palearctic Regions. Pseudoplandriina, subtr.n., is composed of genus Pseudoplandria, primarily from the Oriental Region with one species from the Palearctic Region.