bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of heat exposure on nutrient digestibility, rumen contraction and hormone secretion in goats
Authors: HIRAYAMA Takuji , KATOH Kazuo , OBARA Yoshiaki
Published: May 2004

The present study investigated changes in nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation, behavior and hormone (growth hormone (GH), insulin and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1)) secretion among goats (three male goats) in a hot environment (H, 35 ± 1.2°C; relative humidity (RH), 80 ± 7.2%; 13 days), in a thermoneutral environment (T, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days), and in a thermoneutral environment accompanied by the same restricted diet as provided in the hot environment (TR, 20 ± 0.6°C; RH, 80 ± 3.4%; 20 days). The following results were obtained: rectal temperature and water intake were higher in the H treatment than in the T treatment or TR treatment, while hay consumption was lower. Crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber digestibility was highest in H treatment. The concentrations of acetic acid and butyric acid in the rumen was also highest in the H treatment. Time spent eating in the H treatment was also the highest, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. Ruminating time was lower in H treatment than in T treatment or TR treatment, and reposing time was highest in the TR treatment. When eating and ruminating, the amplitude values of the rumen contraction were lowest in the H treatment, as was the frequency of rumen contraction. Excretion of plastic particles was faster in T treatment and TR treatment than H treatment. Heat exposure was associated with world lowered concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and acetic acid in plasma. The plasma glucose concentration was highest in the T treatment, followed in order by TR treatment and H treatment. The plasma GH concentration was lowest in the H treatment, while the plasma insulin was highest in the H treatment. The IGF‐1 concentration was highest in the H treatment, followed in order by T treatment and TR treatment. In conclusion, heat exposure in goats decreased feed intake and rumen contraction, but increased digestibility. However, when goats in a thermoneutral environment received the same restricted feeding as they received in the hot environment, digestibility increased without a change in rumen contraction. Between the H treatment and TR treatment, the changes in digestibility were accomplished by coordinate changes in hormone secretion in order to maintain body homeostasis.
Classification of lactic acid bacteria isolated from chigee and mare milk collected in Inner Mongolia
Authors: AN Ying , ADACHI Yoshikazu , OGAWA Yasuki
Published: May 2004

One hundred and seventeen isolates from chigee and 191 isolates from mare milk collected in Inner Mongolia were classified into six and 10 groups, respectively, based on the protein profiles obtained by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). A dendrogram on the basis of the molecular sizes of the protein bands was drawn and the similarity among the groups ranged from 96% to 44%. Representative isolates from all groups were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a phylogenetic tree was drawn. Furthermore, the results of carbohydrate fermentation tests of all groups were compared with those obtained by 16S rDNA sequencing and SDS‐PAGE analyzes. The isolates from chigee consisted of mainly Lactobacillus sp., Lactobacillus (Lb.) plantarum, Lb. pentosus and Lactococcus (Lc.) lactis ssp. cremoris were isolated at the rates of 48, 33 and 19%, respectively. The isolates from mare milk consisted of coccus, namely, Leuconostoc (Leuc.) mesenteroides, Leuc. pseudomesenteroides, Lc. garvieae, Lc. lactis ssp. lactis, Streptococcus (Sc.) parauberis and Enterococcus (Ec.) faecium. The isolation rates were 45, 19, 7, 8, 16 and 6%, respectively. The results demonstrated that the species isolated from chigee were different from those in mare milk.
Influence of sudden changes in management program on physiological and behavioral parameters in hens
Authors: KHALIL Ashraf M. , MATSUI Kanji , TAKEDA Ken‐ichi
Published: May 2004

The present study was designed to test the effects of sudden changes of food access and light duration on the physiological and behavioral parameters of hens. The physiological parameters investigated were heart rate (HR), body temperature (BT), and locomotor activity (LA) using a radiotelemetry system. After implantation of the telemetry transmitters, six hens were housed individually in cages under constant environmental conditions for 10 days with a photoperiod of 15 h light (04.00–19.00 hours), and food was available ad libitum at all times. After that, the same hens were subjected to a feed withdrawal trial, from 12.00 to 08.30 hours, followed by a lighting hour reduction trial by changing the time of lights‐off from 19.00 to 14.00 hours. The physiological and behavioral data were recorded for 2 days before each trial, as control data. With the feed withdrawal trial, during the light and dark periods, HR and BT were significantly lower in the hens without food access than in the control. Whereas, LA was significantly lower only during the light period in the hens without food access than in the control. Further, the time spent resting increased significantly, but the time spent feeding decreased significantly in the hens without food access than in the control. Also, the number of times the cage was pecked and pecking of the feeder occured at a significantly higher level, while the number of times beaks were wiped occured at a significantly lower level in the hens without food access than in the control. With the lighting hour reduction trial, during the light period, HR and BT were significantly higher, whereas LA was significantly lower in the ’sudden light‐off’ treated hens than in the control. In addition, during the dark period, HR, BT and LA were significantly higher in the sudden light‐off treated hens than in the control. Moreover, in the sudden light‐off treated hens, the time spent preening and feeding decreased significantly, but the time spent resting increased significantly than in the control. It is concluded that sudden changes in a management program might result in many significant differences as were found in the physiological and behavioral parameters of hens in the present study.
Genetic analysis of shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli isolates from cattle in a limited region
Authors: OTAWA Kenichi , SATO Masaaki , SASAKI Takako , SASAKI Hiraku , NONAKA Jun , ITO Kikuji , KUROKI Toshio , NAKAI Yutaka
Published: May 2004

The ecology of shiga‐toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) is important in the animal production environment. We investigated fecal shedding of STEC in one town in Miyagi, Japan by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting shiga toxin gene 1 (stx1), gene 2 (stx2) and malB promoter gene, and analyzed the PCR products of stx1 or stx2 (54 samples) by direct sequencing. Three of 46 (6.5%) beef cattle in the University Farm of Tohoku University (Kawatabi Farm) and 11 of 70 (15.7%) calves in neighboring dairy farms carried STEC. Rate of detecting genes of stx1, stx2 and stx1+2 was 3.4% (4/116), 8.6% (10/116) and 0.9% (1/116), respectively. Serotyping indicated that STEC contaminated farms at different times or through different routes. Isolates harbored no mutation among stx1, but six (Kawatabi Farm) and 38 (neighboring farms) base substitutions among stx2, respectively. The diversity of substitutions of stx2 was observed among farms or even in a farm. Phylogenic analysis revealed that STEC detected in the area were classified into three clusters by the variety of stx2. Sequence analysis of stx2 will be one of the tools for clarifying the source of outbreaks and the route of contamination of STEC.
Attempt to produce nuclear transferred primordial germ cells using electrofusion in domestic chicken
Authors: MINEMATSU Takeo , TAJIMA Atsushi , KANAI Yukio
Published: May 2004

As a step to develop a somatic nuclear transfer technique for avian species, an attempt to produce somatic nuclear transferred primordial germ cells (PGC) in the domestic chicken was carried out. Primordial germ cells and embryonic blood cells (EBC) were collected from 2‐day‐old embryos and the nuclei were transferred from EBC into PGC by electrofusion. The most efficient pearl chain was developed when a 350‐V/cm AC field was applied for 60 s. Cell fusion between PGC and EBC was most effective when 4‐kV/cm DC pulses, 60 µs pulse width, were applied three times to a cell suspension dispersed in 0.2 or 0.25 mol/L saccharose solution. The present results provide basic information for the production of somatic cell nuclear transferred chickens using PGC as the nuclear recipient.
Critical appraisal of the mouse model of myocardial infarction
Authors: Degabriele Naomi M. , Griesenbach Uta , Sato Kaori , Post Mark J. , Zhu Jie , Williams John , Jeffery Peter K. , Geddes Duncan M. , Alton Eric W. F. W.
Published: May 2004

In order to critically evaluate the utility of a mouse model of myocardial infarction (MI) for therapeutic studies, we investigated survival, haemodynamic measurements and histopathology in mice with an occluding suture placed at one of three distinct sites along the left anterior descending coronary artery. The suture was placed at the atrioventricular juncture (High), or at two sites more distally towards the base (Middle and Low). In the High group, only 33% of animals survived 7 days after MI (P< 0.05 compared to all other groups). Only the Middle group had significantly reduced haemodynamics compared to sham‐operated animals (maximum left ventricular pressure: 55.9 ± 3.5versus80.8 ± 5.1 mmHg, maximum change in pressure over time : 2003 ± 172versus4402 ± 491,P< 0.01). Histological examination showed morphological changes in all MI groups. The Middle group had larger lesions than the Low group (P< 0.05). Lesions in the anterior and lateral walls correlated, albeit weakly, with cardiac function. Power calculations indicated that, despite a certain amount of intragroup variation, the Middle Suture model may be useful for therapeutic studies to assess the effects of treatment on cardiac function and overall lesion size.
Divergence of renal vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA expression and protein level in post‐ischaemic rat kidneys
Authors: Vannay Ádám , Fekete Andrea , Ádori Csaba , Tóth Tibor , Losonczy György , László Lajos , Vásárhelyi Barna , Tulassay Tivadar , Szabó András
Published: May 2004

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent regulator of angiogenesis and vascular protection. Synthesis of VEGF is induced by hypoxia and different cytokines including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). However, post‐ischaemic alterations of this growth factor in the kidney are incompletely known. To determine VEGF synthesis in renal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury unilateral warm ischaemia was induced by cross‐clamping the left renal pedicle for 55 min followed by 2 and 24 h of reperfusion (T2 and T24 kidneys; n= 6 in each group). Sham‐operated, non‐clamped animals served as controls (n= 6). Renal VEGF, IL‐6 and IL‐1β mRNA expression were determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). VEGF protein level and distribution were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Immunohistochemistry revealed prominent VEGF staining in the outer medulla of control, T2 and T24 kidneys. VEGF immunoreactivity accumulated at the basolateral area of tubular epithelial cells in T2 kidneys, while it was diffuse in control and T24 kidneys. VEGF protein levels were increased 2‐ to 3‐fold in T2 and T24 kidneys (both P < 0.01 versus controls), while VEGF mRNA expression remained unchanged. IL‐6 mRNA expression was increased (P < 0.01 versus controls) in T2 kidneys, while IL‐1β mRNA expression remained unchanged. Increased VEGF protein levels but not mRNA expression suggests that during renal I/R injury VEGF synthesis in kidneys – unlike in other organs – is primarily regulated at a post‐transcriptional level. As IL‐6 mRNA expression increased simultaneously with VEGF protein levels, the post‐ischaemic regulation of IL‐6 and VEGF synthesis might be interrelated in rat kidney.
The influence of acute hypothermia on renal function of anaesthetized euthermic and acclimatized rats
Authors: Sabharwal R. , Johns E. J. , Egginton S.
Published: May 2004

Acute hypothermia has a major impact on cardiovascular control and renal function, but the extent to which these can be correlated with and influenced by changes in the altered pattern of sympathetic outflow to the kidneys is unclear. Moreover, it is unknown whether these responses to acute hypothermia are altered by chronic cold exposure and this study aimed to examine these factors. Renal function and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were measured in male Wistar rats, euthermic (control) or acclimatized (exposed to progressively lower environmental temperature and photoperiod over 8 weeks), anaesthetized with chloralose/urethane. Reduction of core temperature (Tc) to 25°C caused ∼40% reduction in heart rate (HR), ∼10% fall in mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by ∼50% and ∼5% in euthermic and acclimatized rats, respectively. At 25°C, urine flow increased some two‐fold and absolute and fractional sodium excretions by 4‐ to 6‐fold in the euthermic rats and to a lesser extent in the cold acclimatized rats, while basal levels of fluid excretion were higher in the acclimatized rats. A loss of pulsatility in the RSNA signal with cooling was seen in both groups. One of the factors contributing to modest hypotension during acute hypothermia is a reduction in RSNA. There was a progressive fall in the proportion of RSNA power at HR frequency with cooling of 20% in euthermic and 80% in acclimatized rats. All variables were restored to basal levels on rewarming in both groups of rats. We conclude that natriuresis and diuresis in euthermic rats during hypothermia is a consequence of a reduction in nephron reabsorption, reduced urine osmolality and possibly altered patterning of RSNA. In acclimatized rats, the response was modified by altered renal haemodynamics and/or hormonal influences induced by chronic cold exposure to minimize the hypothermic stress on renal function.
Development affects in vitro vascular tone and calcium sensitivity in ovine cerebral arteries
Authors: Geary Greg G. , Osol George J. , Longo Lawrence D.
Published: May 2004

We have shown recently that development from neonatal to adult life affects cerebrovascular tone of mouse cerebral arteries through endothelium‐derived vasodilatory mechanisms. The current study tested the hypothesis that development from fetal to adult life affects cerebral artery vascular smooth muscle (VSM) [Ca2+]i sensitivity and tone through a mechanism partially dependent upon endothelium‐dependent signalling. In pressurized resistance sized cerebral arteries (∼150 μm) from preterm (95 ± 2 days gestation (95 d)) and near‐term (140 ± 2 days gestation (140 d)) fetuses, and non‐pregnant adults, we measured vascular diameter (μm) and [Ca2+]i (nm) as a function of intravascular pressure. We repeated these studies in the presence of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS; with l‐NAME), cyclo‐oxygenase (COX; with indomethacin) and endothelium removal (E–). Cerebrovasculature tone (E+) was greater in arteries from 95 d fetuses and adults compared to 140 d sheep. Ca2+ sensitivity was similar in 95 d fetuses and adults, but much lower in 140 d fetuses. Removal of endothelium resulted in a reduction in lumen diameter as a function of pressure (greater tone) in all treatment groups. [Ca2+]i sensitivity differences among groups were magnified after E–. NOS inhibition decreased diameter as a function of pressure in each age group, with a significant increase in [Ca2+]i to pressure ratio only in the 140 d fetuses. Indomethacin increased tone and increased [Ca2+]i in the 140 d fetuses, but not the other age groups. Development from near‐term to adulthood uncovered an interaction between NOS‐ and COX‐sensitive substances that functioned to modulate artery diameter but not [Ca2+]i. This study suggests that development is associated with significant alterations in cerebral vascular smooth muscle (VSM), endothelium, NOS and COX responses to intravascular pressure. We speculate that these changes have important implications in the regulation of cerebral blood flow in the developing organism.
Short‐term bed rest impairs amino acid‐induced protein anabolism in humans
Authors: Biolo Gianni , Ciocchi Beniamino , Lebenstedt Marion , Barazzoni Rocco , Zanetti Michela , Platen Petra , Heer Martina , Guarnieri Gianfranco
Published: May 2004

Diminished muscular activity is associated with alterations of protein metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short‐term muscle inactivity on regulation of whole‐body protein deposition during amino acid infusion to simulate an experimental postprandial state. We studied nine healthy young volunteers at the end of 14 day periods of strict bed rest and of controlled ambulation using a cross‐over design. Subjects received a weight‐maintaining diet containing 1 g protein kg−1 day−1. l[1‐13C]leucine was used as a marker of whole‐body protein kinetics in the postabsorptive state and during a 3 h infusion of an amino acid mixture (0.13 g amino acid (kg lean body mass)−1 h−1). In the postabsorptive state, bed rest decreased (P < 0.05) the rate of leucine disposal (Rd) to protein synthesis and tended to decrease leucine rate of appearance (Ra) from proteolysis, whereas the rate of leucine oxidation did not change significantly. Amino acid infusion increased leucine Rd to protein synthesis and oxidation and decreased leucine Ra from proteolysis in both the bed rest and ambulatory conditions. Changes from basal in leucine Rd to protein synthesis were lower (P < 0.05) during bed rest than those in the ambulatory period, whereas changes in leucine Ra from proteolysis and oxidation were not significantly different. During amino acid infusion, net leucine deposition into body protein was 8 ± 3% lower during bed rest than during the ambulatory phase. In conclusion, short‐term bed rest leads to reduced stimulation of whole‐body protein synthesis by amino acid administration. Results of this study were, in part, presented at the meeting, Experimental Biology, 2004, Washington DC.
Ultraconserved Elements in the Human Genome
Authors: Bejerano Gill , Pheasant Michael , Makunin Igor , Stephen Stuart , Kent W. James , Mattick John S. , Haussler David
Published: May 2004

There are 481 segments longer than 200 base pairs (bp) that are absolutely conserved (100% identity with no insertions or deletions) between orthologous regions of the human, rat, and mouse genomes. Nearly all of these segments are also conserved in the chicken and dog genomes, with an average of 95 and 99% identity, respectively. Many are also significantly conserved in fish. These ultraconserved elements of the human genome are most often located either overlapping exons in genes involved in RNA processing or in introns or nearby genes involved in the regulation of transcription and development. Along with more than 5000 sequences of over 100 bp that are absolutely conserved among the three sequenced mammals, these represent a class of genetic elements whose functions and evolutionary origins are yet to be determined, but which are more highly conserved between these species than are proteins and appear to be essential for the ontogeny of mammals and other vertebrates.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Vaccines: New Ground for Optimism?
Authors: Aurelian L.
Published: May 2004

The development of effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against genital herpes has proven problematic. Difficulties are associated with the complexity of the virus life cycle (latency) and our relatively poor understanding of the mechanism of immune control of primary and recurrent disease. The types of effector cells and the mechanisms responsible for their activation and regulation are particularly important. Studies from my and other laboratories have shown that recurrent disease is prevented by virus-specific T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines (viz., gamma interferon) and activated innate immunity. Th2 cytokines (viz., interleukin-10 [IL-10]) and regulatory (suppressor) T cells downregulate this immune profile, thereby allowing unimpeded replication of reactivated virus and recurrent disease. Accordingly, an effective therapeutic vaccine must induce Th1 immunity and be defective in Th2 cytokine production, at least IL-10. These concepts are consistent with the findings of the most recent clinical trials, which indicate that (i) a herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) glycoprotein D (gD-2) vaccine formulated with a Th1-inducing adjuvant has prophylactic activity in HSV-2- and HSV-1-seronegative females, an activity attributed to the adjuvant function, and (ii) a growth-defective HSV-2 mutant (ICP10ΔPK), which is deleted in the Th2-polarizing gene ICP10PK, induces Th1 immunity and has therapeutic activity in both genders. The ICP10ΔPK vaccine prevents recurrent disease in 44% of treated subjects and reduces the frequency and severity of recurrences in the subjects that are not fully protected. Additional studies to evaluate these vaccines are warranted.
Dogs Vaccinated with Common Lyme Disease Vaccines Do Not Respond to IR6, the Conserved Immunodominant Region of the VlsE Surface Protein ofBorrelia burgdorferi
Authors: O'Connor Thomas P. , Esty Kathy J. , Hanscom Jancy L. , Shields Paulette , Philipp Mario T.
Published: May 2004

A 25-amino-acid synthetic peptide (C6peptide) derived from an immunodominant conserved region (designated IR6) of the VlsE protein ofBorrelia burgdorferihas been identified and used to construct immunoenzyme-based diagnostic procedures. These procedures have excellent sensitivity and specificity. Previous reports have demonstrated the usefulness of the C6peptide as an antigen for the serodiagnosis of human and canine Lyme disease. Results indicated that assays based on the C6peptide were nonreactive to sera from vaccinated nonexposed animals. The purpose of the present study was to confirm these results in a controlled trial by testing sera from experimentally vaccinated dogs known to be uninfected. Nine specific-pathogen-free beagles were assigned to one of three vaccine groups, each containing three dogs. Each group received one of three commercial Lyme vaccines: RECOMBITEK Lyme (Merial), LymeVax (Fort Dodge Animal Health), and Galaxy Lyme (Schering-Plough Animal Health). Each animal was administered a total of five doses of vaccine over a period of 39 weeks. Serum samples were collected prior to vaccination and then on a weekly basis from weeks 3 to 18 and from weeks 33 to 43. Selected samples were tested by the immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and the Western blot (WB) assay using whole-cellB. burgdorferiantigen extracts, and the results were compared to those obtained with two immunoenzyme-based procedures formatted by using the C6peptide. Serum specimens from all animals were reactive to the IFA and WB assay at week 5 and became highly reactive following the administration of multiple doses of vaccine. All serum specimens were uniformly nonreactive in the C6peptide immunoenzyme procedures at all time points throughout the study.
Validation of a Blocking Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Antibodies against Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Ferrin Neal H. , Fang Ying , Johnson Craig R. , Murtaugh Michael P. , Polson Dale D. , Torremorell Montserrat , Gramer Marie L. , Nelson Eric A.
Published: May 2004

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) continues to be one of the most significant diseases of swine. IDEXX HerdChek PRRS, a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), has become the industry standard for the detection of antibodies against PRRS virus (PRRSV). The need to accurately determine the PRRSV serostatus of herds and individual animals has prompted the development of several follow-up assay methods. A highly specific and repeatable blocking ELISA (bELISA) was developed on the basis of the use of an expressed PRRSV nucleocapsid (N) protein as the antigen and a biotinylated monoclonal antibody. Validation of the bELISA used sera from 316 animals experimentally and naturally infected with North American PRRSV and sera from 370 uninfected animals. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the data calculated a diagnostic sensitivity of 97.8% and a diagnostic specificity of 100%. The between-run coefficient of variation of an internal quality control serum was 4.24%. The bELISA was able to detect seroconversion as well as the IDEXX ELISA and the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assay; kappa values were 0.94 and 0.96, respectively. A collection of 133 serum samples with unexpected positive IDEXX ELISA results was obtained from 4,038 diagnostic samples submitted from farms from which PRRS-negative results were expected. The bELISA identified 97% of the samples as PRRS seronegative, while the IFA identified 100% as seronegative. The anticipated use of the bELISA is as a follow-up test to the IDEXX ELISA for determining the PRRSV serostatus of individual animals with unexpected positive test results from swine herds from which negative results are expected.
Heat Shock Protein and Gliadin Peptide Promote Development of Peptidase Antibodies in Children with Autism and Patients with Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Vojdani Aristo , Bazargan Mohsen , Vojdani Elroy , Samadi John , Nourian Alen A. , Eghbalieh Navid , Cooper Edwin L.
Published: May 2004

Searching for a mechanism underlying autoimmunity in autism, we postulated that gliadin peptides, heat shock protein 60 (HSP-60), and streptokinase (SK) bind to different peptidases resulting in autoantibody production against these components. We assessed this hypothesis in patients with autism and in those with mixed connective tissue diseases. Associated with antigliadin and anti-HSP antibodies, children with autism and patients with autoimmune disease developed anti-dipeptidylpeptidase I (DPP I), anti-dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV [or CD26]) and anti-aminopeptidase N (CD13) autoantibodies. A significant percentage of autoimmune and autistic sera were associated with elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, or IgA antibodies against three peptidases, gliadin, and HSP-60. These antibodies are specific, since immune absorption demonstrated that only specific antigens (e.g., DPP IV absorption of anti-DPP IV), significantly reduced IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody levels. For direct demonstration of SK, HSP-60, and gliadin peptide binding to DPP IV, microtiter wells coated with DPP IV were reacted with SK, HSP-60, and gliadin. They were then reacted with anti-DPP IV or anti-SK, anti-HSP, and antigliadin antibodies. Adding SK, HSP-60, and gliadin peptides to DPP IV resulted in 27 to 43% inhibition of the DPP IV-anti-DPP IV reaction, but DPP IV-positive peptides caused 18 to 20% enhancement of antigen-antibody reactions. We propose that (i) superantigens (e.g., SK and HSP-60) and dietary proteins (e.g., gliadin peptides) in individuals with predisposing HLA molecules bind to aminopeptidases and (ii) they induce autoantibodies to peptides and tissue antigens. Dysfunctional membrane peptidases and autoantibody production may result in neuroimmune dysregulation and autoimmunity.
Role ofvav1in the Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Upregulation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Production and Nuclear Factor for Interleukin-6 Expression Activity in Murine Macrophages
Authors: Godambe Sandip A. , Knapp Katherine M. , Meals Elizabeth A. , English B. Keith
Published: May 2004

vav1has been shown to play a key role in lymphocyte development and activation, but its potential importance in macrophage activation has received little attention. We have previously reported that exposure of macrophages to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) leads to increased activity ofhckand othersrc-related tyrosine kinases and to the prompt phosphorylation ofvav1on tyrosine. In this study, we tested the role ofvav1in macrophage responses to LPS, focusing on the upregulation of nuclear factor for interleukin-6 expression (NF-IL-6) activity and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein accumulation in RAW-TT10 murine macrophages. We established a series of stable cell lines expressing three mutant forms ofvav1in a tetracycline-regulatable fashion: (i) a form producing a truncated protein,vavC; (ii) a form containing a point mutation in the regulatory tyrosine residue,vavYF174; and (iii) a form with an in-frame deletion of 6 amino acids required for the guanidine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity ofvav1for rac family GTPases,vavGEFmt. Expression of the truncated mutant (but not the other two mutants) has been reported to interfere with T-cell activation. In contrast, we now demonstrate that expression of any of the three mutant forms ofvav1in RAW-TT10 cells consistently inhibited LPS-mediated increases in iNOS protein accumulation and NF-IL-6 activity. These data provide direct evidence for a role forvav1in LPS-mediated macrophage activation and iNOS production and suggest thatvav1functions in part via activation of NF-IL-6. Furthermore, these findings indicate that the GEF activity ofvav1is required for its ability to mediate macrophage activation by LPS.
Failure of Gamma Interferon but Not Interleukin-10 Expression in Response to Human Papillomavirus Type 11 E6 Protein in Respiratory Papillomatosis
Authors: DeVoti James A. , Steinberg Bettie M. , Rosenthal David W. , Hatam Lynda , Vambutas Andrea , Abramson Allan L. , Shikowitz Mark J. , Bonagura Vincent R.
Published: May 2004

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a chronic, debilitating disease of the upper airway caused by human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV-6) or HPV-11. We describe responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and T cells from RRP patients and controls to the HPV-11 early proteins E6 and E7. PBMC were exposed in vitro to purified E6 or E7 proteins or transduced with fusion proteins containing the first 11 amino acids of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protein tat fused to E6 or E7 (tat-E6/tat-E7). TH1-like (interleukin-2 [IL-2], gamma interferon [IFN-γ], IL-12, and IL-18), and TH2-like (IL-4 and IL-10) cytokine mRNAs were identified by reverse transcription-PCR, and IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokine-producing cells were identified by enzyme-linked immunospot assay. These studies show that HPV-11 E6 skews IL-10-IFN-γ expression by patients with RRP toward greater expression of IL-10 than of IFN-γ. In addition, there is a general cytokine hyporesponsiveness to E6 that is more prominent for TH1-like cytokine expression by patients with severe disease. Patients showed persistent IL-10 cytokine expression by the nonadherent fraction of PBMC when challenged with E6 and tat-E6, and, in contrast to controls, both T cells and non-T cells from patients expressed IL-10. However, E7/tat-E7 cytokine responses in patients with RRP were similar to those of the controls. In contrast, E6 inhibited IL-2 and IL-18 mRNA expression that would further contribute to a cytokine microenvironment unfavorable to HPV-specific, T-cell responses that should control persistent HPV infection. In summary, E6 is the dominant inducer of cytokine expression in RRP, and it induces a skewed expression of IL-10 compared to the expression of IFN-γ.
Flow Cytometry Study of Lymphocyte Subsets in Malnourished and Well-Nourished Children with Bacterial Infections
Authors: Nájera Oralia , González Cristina , Toledo Guadalupe , López Laura , Ortiz Rocío
Published: May 2004

Protein-energy malnutrition is the primary cause of immune deficiency in children across the world. It has been related to changes in peripheral T-lymphocyte subsets. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of infection and malnutrition on the proportion of peripheral-lymphocyte subsets in well-nourished non-bacterium-infected (WN), well-nourished bacterium-infected (WNI), and malnourished bacterium-infected (MNI) children by flow cytometry. A prospectively monitored cohort of 15 MNI, 12 WNI, and 17 WN children was studied. All the children were 3 years old or younger and had only bacterial infections. Results showed a significant decrease in the proportion of T CD3
+
(
P
< 0.05 for relative and
P
< 0.03 for absolute values), CD4
+
(
P
< 0.01 for relative and absolute values), and CD8
+
(
P
< 0.05 for relative values) lymphocyte subsets in WNI children compared to the results seen with WN children. Additionally, B lymphocytes in MNI children showed significant lower values (CD20
+
P
< 0.02 for relative and
P
< 0.05 for absolute values) in relation to the results seen with WNI children. These results suggest that the decreased proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets observed in WNI children were associated with infection diseases and that the incapacity to increase the proportion of B lymphocyte was associated with malnutrition. This low proportion of B lymphocytes may be associated with the mechanisms involved in the immunodeficiency of malnourished children.
Inflammatory Responses in Blood Samples of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients with Pulmonary Infections
Authors: Benito Natividad , Moreno Asunción , Filella Xavier , Miró José M. , González Julià , Pumarola Tomás , Valls María Eugenia , Luna Montserrat , García Felipe , Rañó Ana , Torres Antoni , Gatell José M.
Published: May 2004

We analyzed the characteristics of the inflammatory response occurring in blood during pulmonary infections in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. A prospective study of consecutive hospital admissions of HIV-infected patients with new-onset radiologic pulmonary infiltrates was carried out in a tertiary university hospital from April 1998 to May 2001. Plasma cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were determined at the time of admission and 4, 5, and 6 days later. Patients were included in a protocol addressed to study etiology and outcome of disease. A total of 249 episodes of infection were included, with the main diagnoses being bacterial pneumonia (BP) (118 episodes),
Pneumocystis carinii
pneumonia (PCP) (41 episodes), and mycobacteriosis (36 episodes). For these three patient groups, at the time of admission the median CRP and cytokine levels were as follows: CRP, 10.2, 3.8 and 5 mg/dl, respectively (
P
= 0.0001); IL-8, 19, 3, and 2.9 pg/ml (
P
= 0.045); and TNF-α, 46.4, 44, and 75 pg/ml, respectively (
P
= 0.029). There were no significant differences in levels of IL-1β, IL-6, or IL-10 among the patient groups. A total of 23 patients died. At the time of admission, HIV-infected patients with BP had higher plasma CRP and IL-8 levels than did PCP and mycobacteriosis patients. TNF-α levels were higher in patients with mycobacteriosis. An elevated IL-8 level (>61 pg/ml) at the time of admission was an independent factor associated with higher mortality (odds ratio, 12; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 235.5).
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Arg677Trp Polymorphism Is Associated with Susceptibility to Tuberculosis in Tunisian Patients
Authors: Ben-Ali Meriem , Barbouche Mohamed-Ridha , Bousnina Soufia , Chabbou Abdellatif , Dellagi Koussay
Published: May 2004

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is critical in the immune response to mycobacteria. Herein, we report that the frequency of a human TLR2 Arg677Trp polymorphism (C2029T nucleotide substitution) in tuberculosis patients in Tunisia is significantly higher than in healthy controls (
P
< 0.0001). This finding suggests that this polymorphism could be a risk factor for tuberculosis.
Management of acute cholecystitis in UK hospitals: time for a change
Authors: Cameron I C , Chadwick C , Phillips J , Johnson A G
Published: May 2004

Early cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis is safe, cost effective, and leads to less time off work compared with delayed surgery. This study was designed to assess current practice in the management of acute cholecystitis in the UK. A postal questionnaire was sent to 440 consultant general surgeons to ascertain their current management of patients with acute cholecystitis. Replies were received from 308 consultants who were involved in treating patients with acute cholecystitis of whom 18 transferred these patients on to another team for further management the day after admission. Thirty two consultants (11%) routinely treated patients by early cholecystectomy, with limiting factors stated to be the availability of surgical staff, theatre space, and radiological investigations. The remaining consultants (n = 258) routinely manage their patients conservatively with intravenous antibiotics and allow the inflammation to resolve before undertaking cholecystectomy at a later date. Indications for undertaking early cholecystectomy during the first admission by this latter group included the presence of spreading peritonitis due to bile leak, empyema, and unexpected space on theatre list. The commonest method for both elective and early cholecystectomy is laparoscopic, but the percentage of consultants using an open method rises from 8% in the elective situation to 47% for urgent early cholecystectomy. Despite evidence which strongly advocates early cholecystectomy, this practice is routinely carried out by only 11% of consultants in the UK at present.
Should doctors wear white coats?
Authors: Douse J , Derrett-Smith E , Dheda K , Dilworth J P
Published: May 2004

Objective

To compare the views of doctors and patients on whether doctors should wear white coats and to determine what shapes their views.

Methods

A questionnaire study of 400 patients and 86 doctors was performed.

Results

All 86 of the doctors’ questionnaires were included in the analysis but only 276 of the patients were able to complete a questionnaire. Significantly more patients (56%) compared with their doctors (24%) felt that doctors should wear white coats (p<0.001). Only age (>70 years) (p<0.001) and those patients whose doctors actually wore white coats (p<0.001) were predictive of whether patients favoured white coats. The most common reason given by patients was for easy identification (54%). Less than 1% of patients believed that white coats spread infection.

Only 13% of doctors wore white coats as they were felt to be an infection risk (70%) or uncomfortable (60%). There was no significant difference between doctor subgroups when age, sex, grade, and specialty were analysed.

Conclusion

In contrast to doctors, who view white coats as an infection risk, most patients, and especially those older than 70 years, feel that doctors should wear them for easy identification. Further studies are needed to assess whether this affects patients’ perceived quality of care and whether patient education will alter this view.
A QUANTUM TRANSMITTING SCHRÖDINGER–POISSON SYSTEM
Authors: BARO M. , KAISER H.-CHR. , NEIDHARDT H. , REHBERG J.
Published: May 2004

We study a stationary Schrödinger–Poisson system on a bounded interval of the real axis. The Schrödinger operator is defined on the bounded domain with transparent boundary conditions. This allows us to model a non-zero current through the boundary of the interval. We prove that the system always admits a solution and give explicit a priori estimates for the solutions.
LOCAL NATURE OF COSET MODELS
Authors: KÖSTER S.
Published: May 2004

The local algebras of the maximal Coset model [Formula: see text] associated with a chiral conformal subtheory [Formula: see text] are shown to coincide with the local relative commutants of [Formula: see text] in ℬ, provided [Formula: see text] possesses a stress-energy tensor.

Making the same assumption, the adjoint action of the unique inner-implementing representation [Formula: see text] associated with [Formula: see text] on the local observables in ℬ is found to define net-endomorphisms of ℬ. This property is exploited for constructing from ℬ a conformally covariant holographic image in (1+1) dimensions which proves useful as a geometric picture for the joint inclusion [Formula: see text].

Immediate applications to the analysis of current subalgebras are given and the relation to normal canonical tensor product subfactors is clarified. A natural converse of Borchers' theorem on half-sided translations is made accessible.
CONNECTIONS OVER TWO-DIMENSIONAL CELL COMPLEXES
Authors: SENGUPTA AMBAR N.
Published: May 2004

A framework of connections, gauge transformations, and more, is developed over cell complexes. The relationship between this and the continuum theory is explained. A 2-form over the space of flat connections over certain types of cell complexes is defined and its significant properties proved; this 2-form is induced by the Atiyah–Bott symplectic structure on the space of connections over closed, oriented surfaces.
ON APPROXIMATE SOLUTIONS OF SEMILINEAR EVOLUTION EQUATIONS
Authors: MOROSI CARLO , PIZZOCCHERO LIVIO
Published: May 2004

A general framework is presented to discuss the approximate solutions of an evolution equation in a Banach space, with a linear part generating a semigroup and a sufficiently smooth nonlinear part. A theorem is presented, allowing one to infer from an approximate solution the existence of an exact solution. According to this theorem, the interval of existence of the exact solution and the distance of the latter from the approximate solution can be evaluated by solving a one-dimensional "control" integral equation, where the unknown gives a bound on the previous distance as a function of time. For example, the control equation can be applied to the approximation methods based on the reduction of the evolution equation to finite-dimensional manifolds; among them, the Galerkin method is discussed in detail. To illustrate this framework, the nonlinear heat equation is considered. In this case the control equation is used to evaluate the error of the Galerkin approximation; depending on the initial datum, this approach either grants global existence of the solution or gives fairly accurate bounds on the blow up time.
RESTRICTED SOLID-ON-SOLID MODEL: FROM LOCAL MORPHOLOGY TO CORRELATION FUNCTIONS AND SCALING EXPONENTS
Authors: CHIEN CHIH-CHUN , PANG NING-NING , TZENG WEN-JER
Published: May 2004

We study the restricted solid-on-solid (RSOS) model by grouping consecutive sites into local configurations and obtain the master equations of the probability distribution of these local configurations in closed forms. The obtained solutions to these equations fit very well with those from direct computer simulation of the RSOS model. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this new approach for studying interfacial phenomena, we then calculate the correlation functions and even scaling exponents based on this obtained probability distribution of local configurations. The results are also consistent very well with those obtained from the KPZ equation or direct simulation of the RSOS model.
MACROTHERMODYNAMICS OF BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION: AGING OF LIVING BEINGS
Authors: GLADYSHEV GEORGI P.
Published: May 2004

The author sets forth general considerations pertaining to the thermodynamic theory of biological evolution and the aging of living organisms. It becomes much easier to comprehend the phenomenon of life scrutinizing the formation of structural hierarchies of biological matter applying different temporal scales. These scales are 'identified' by nature itself, and this is reflected in the law of temporal hierarchies. The author discusses some misunderstandings in thermodynamics and evolutionary biology. A simple physicochemical model of biological evolution and the development of living beings is proposed. The considered theory makes it possible to use physicochemical evaluations to develop effective anti-aging diets.
CHARGE-DENSITY-WAVES IN THE PRESENCE OF IMPURITY POTENTIAL IN ONE-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS: A FIELD THEORY APPROACH
Authors: BELVEDERE L. V. , DO AMARAL R. L. P. G. , DE QUEIROZ A. F.
Published: May 2004

The effective Lagrangian model for charge-density waves interacting with an impurity potential in one-dimensional systems is considered in the dynamical phonon phase approach. Using the fermion–boson mapping we obtain the effective bosonized version of the model. The impurity potential breaks the linked electron–phonon symmetry, the phason field turns out to be in interaction with the electron–phonon condensate and the phonon field develops a non-vanishing vacuum expectation value. The effective fermionized version of the model corresponds to the chiral Gross–Neveu model with quartic self-interaction among a massless and a massive (electron) Fermi fields. The electron–phonon system exhibits a conserved topological charge which is independent of local variations of the phases of the phonon and electron fields. The equation of state of the associated statistical-mechanical system is obtained. For the dynamical phonon phase field the Kosterlitz–Thouless phase transition is suppressed.
CRITICAL EXPONENTS OF THE CONTINUOUS PHASE TRANSITION IN ZIFF–GULARI–BARSHAD MODEL
Authors: HUA DA-YIN , ZHU YUE-JIN , MA YU-QIANG
Published: May 2004

A simple irreversible surface reaction model first introduced by Ziff, Gulari and Barshad has been studied using Monte Carlo simulation. We determine the static critical exponents accurately which are in excellent agreement with those of directed percolation universality class.
COLLECTIVE PROPERTIES OF UNCONVENTIONAL SUPERCONDUCTORS
Authors: BRUSOV PETER , BRUSOV PAUL , LEE CHONG
Published: May 2004

In light of recent experiments, the study of the collective excitations in unconventional superconductors (USC) becomes very important. We build by path integration technique 2D and 3D models of p- and d-pairing for superfluids and superconductors (SC). Within these models we calculate the collective excitations in different USC (high temperature superconductors (HTSC), heavy fermion superconductors (HFSC) etc.) under p- and d-pairing. We considered both bulk and 2D systems. Some recent ideas concerning realization in HTSC of the mixtures of different states are investigated. In particular, we consider the mixture of dx2-y2 and dxy states in HTSC. Obtained results could be used for interpretation of the sound and microwave absorption data as well as for identification of the type of pairing and order parameter in unconventional superconductors.
QUANTUM NOISE INDUCED ENTANGLEMENT AND CHAOS IN THE DISSIPATIVE QUANTUM MODEL OF BRAIN
Authors: PESSA ELIANO , VITIELLO GIUSEPPE
Published: May 2004

We discuss some features of the dissipative quantum model of brain in the frame of the formalism of quantum dissipation. Such a formalism is based on the doubling of the system degrees of freedom. We show that the doubled modes account for the quantum noise in the fluctuating random force in the system-environment coupling. Remarkably, such a noise manifests itself through the coherent structure of the system ground state. The entanglement of the system modes with the doubled modes is shown to be permanent in the infinite volume limit. In such a limit the trajectories in the memory space are classical chaotic trajectories.
CRYSTALLIZATION-MELTING BEHAVIORS AND CRYSTALLIZATION KINETICS OF Nd60Al10Fe20Co10 BULK METALLIC GLASS
Authors: XIA L. , DONG Y. D.
Published: May 2004

Crystallization and melting behaviors of the Nd 60 Al 10 Fe 20 Co 10 bulk metallic glass (BMG) have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). It is found that the BMG exhibits a melting process before the crystallization when the heating rate is larger than 20 K/min and the anomalous melting and crystallization behaviors are attributed to the partially melted phase due to primary crystallization. The kinetics of the main crystallization exclusive of the effect of melting process is studied by subtracting the heating behaviors from the DSC traces of the as-cast rod.