bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Swainsonine Toxicosis Mimics Lectin Histochemistry of Mannosidosis
Authors: Alroy J. , Orgad U. , Ucci A. A. , Gavris V. E.
Published: January 2017

Cells affected by locoweed (Astragalus lentiginosus) and Swainsona galegifolia toxicosis or mannosidosis exhibit similarities in their catabolism of N-linked glycoproteins and accumulation of cytoplasmic vacuoles. We used nine different biotinylated lectins as histochemical markers for specific sugars and avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex as a visualant to study the cells affected with these conditions. Since locoweed and Swainsona spp block mannosidase activity, we expected a similar lectin staining pattern in cells under these conditions as that seen in mannosidosis. Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin, wheat germ agglutinin and succinyl wheat germ agglutinin stained the undegraded glycoproteins and oligosaccharides stored in the lysosomes of affected cells in all three conditions. Bandeirea simplicifolia-I, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin, peanut agglutinin, Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, soybean agglutinin and Ulex europaeus agglutinin-I did not stain any of these cells. These results indicate that in all three conditions there is an accumulation of undegraded oligosaccharides that contain α-mannosyl and β-N-acetyl glucosamine residues which are revealed by lectin staining in the vacuoles of all affected cells.
Canine Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis
Authors: Woodard J. C. , Poulos P. W. , Parker R. B. , Jackson R. I. , Eurell J. C.
Published: January 2017

The radiographic and necropsy findings in a case of canine diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis are reported. Radiographically, the disease was characterized by progressive development of para-articular mineral densities along joint surfaces of the appendicular skeleton; progressive osseous fusion of the ilium, pubis, femur, and ischium; and progressive flowing ossification of the dorsal spinous processes of cervical and thoracic vertebrae. The para-articular lesions were considered to develop as a consequence of fibrocartilaginous proliferation followed by endochondral ossification. Progression of the ossification process led to para-articular joint fusion and almost complete ossification of the metaplastic cartilage. A distinguishing feature was the sparing of intra-articular structures.
Endocarditis in Six Horses
Authors: Buergelt C. D. , Cooley A. J. , Hines S. A. , Pipers F. S.
Published: January 2017

Six horses (five males) aged three months to fourteen years had endocarditis at necropsy. Two of the horses had a clinical diagnosis of valvular endocarditis with negative blood cultures. Single or complex valvular involvement was present in five horses. One horse had non-infectious thrombi associated only with the chordae tendineae. Mitral valves were affected in four horses, and aortic semilunar valves were affected in two. Infarcts had occurred in the kidneys and the myocardium of four horses. Bacteria were isolated postmortem from the valvular vegetations of two horses; Candida parapsilosis was isolated and demonstrated morphologically in a third horse.
Amyloid in Canine Mammary Tumors
Authors: Vos J. H. , Gruys E.
Published: January 2017

In canine mammary carcinomas, amyloid was present as amyloid-containing corpora amylacea and as local deposits between neoplastic epithelial cells or in stromal tissue. Histochemical staining methods revealed that this amyloid was not of the AA-type amyloid and contained tryptophan. The possible pathogenesis of this amyloid deposition is discussed.
Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Immunologically Derived Equine Platelet-Activating Factor
Authors: Wimberly H. C. , Slauson D. O. , Neilsen N. R.
Published: January 2017

Antigen-specific challenge of equine leukocytes induced the non-lytic release of a platelet-activating factor in vitro. The equine platelet-activating factor stimulated the release of serotonin from equine platelets in a dose-responsive manner, independent of the presence of cyclo-oxygenase pathway inhibitors such as indomethacin. Rabbit platelets were also responsive to equine platelet-activating factor. The release of equine platelet-activating factor was a rapid reaction with near maximal secretion taking place in 30 seconds. Addition of equine platelet-activating factor to washed equine platelets stimulated platelet aggregation which could not be inhibited by the presence of aspirin or indomethacin. Platelets preincubated with equine platelet-activating factor became specifically desensitized to equine platelet-activating factor while remaining responsive to other platelet stimuli such as collagen and epinephrine.

The following biochemical properties of equine platelet-activating factor are identical to those properties of 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine (AGEPC): stability upon exposure to air and acid; loss of functional activity after basecatalyzed methanolysis with subsequent acylation that returned all functional activity; and identical relative mobilities on silica gel G plates developed with chloroform:methanol:water (65:35:6, volume/volume). The combined functional and biochemical characteristics of equine platelet-activating factor strongly suggest identity between this naturally occurring, immunologically derived equine factor and AGEPC.
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know…
Authors: de Waal Alex
Published: January 2017

…ABOUT AIDS TODAY AND TOMORROW. HIV/AIDS THREATENS THE SURVIVAL OF ENTIRE SOCIETIES IN AFRICA AND IS MOVING ON TO CREATE NEW EPICENTRES IN RUSSIA AND ASIA
Old Wine in New Barrels
Authors: Smith Gayle
Published: January 2017

US AID TO AFRICA HAS LESS TO DO WITH COMBATING AIDS THAN WITH SECURING NEW AND SAFER SUPPLIES OF OIL
The Economics of AIDS
Authors: Sutcliffe Bob
Published: January 2017

THE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF AIDS ARE LARGELY UNDERESTIMATED - OR IGNORED
The Tet Offensive
Authors: Tan Lek Hor
Published: January 2017

Big Story: How the American Press and Television Reported and Interpreted the Crisis of Tet 1968 in Vietnam and Washington by Peter Braestrup Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado (two volumes) 1,496pp $50
Life in the GDR
Authors: Volkmer Werner
Published: January 2017

Gedächtnisprotokolle (Minutes from Memory) by Jürgen Fuchs rororo Reinbeck

Vernehmungsprotokolle (Minutes of Interrogations) by Jürgen Fuchs rororo Reinbeck

DDR-konkret by T. Auerbach, W. Hinkeldey, M. Kirstein, G. Lehmann, B. Markowsky, M. Sallmann Olle & Wolter Verlag Berlin 138pp

Glaubt bloss nicht dass ich traurig bin (For Goodness Sake Don't Think I Am Sad) by Gerald K. Zschorsch Verlag Europäische Ideen Berlin 94pp

Schattenstadt (Shadow Town) by Gerald K. Zschorsch Verlag Europäische Ideen Berlin 72pp

Mein schmerzliches Land (My Painful Country) by Siegfried Heinrichs Bücherei Oberbaum Berlin 86pp

Vor den Vätern sterben die Söhne (The Sons Die Before Their Fathers) by Thomas Brasch Rotbuch Verlag Berlin 110pp
Monika Maron's Flight of Ashes
Authors: Kastor-Volkmer Werner
Published: January 2017

Her novels cannot be published in East Germany, where she lives, not because she attacks socialism, but because her work, which presents the human individual amid the impersonal machinery of modern life, is ‘too negative’
Explosion of Independent Journalism
Authors: Bratkowski Stefan
Published: January 2017

Message from Warsaw to the London censorship conference.
Reporting the Third World
Authors: Ottaway David B.
Published: January 2017

How governments silence foreign correspondents
The Problem of Seeing
Authors: Maja-Pearce Adewale
Published: January 2017

What do Peru and Nigeria have in common? Or Bangladesh and Mexico? Or India and Swaziland? Only this: they do not belong to the area of the world which has attached this label to them: ‘Third World’
Ethiopia
Authors: Tiquet Margaret
Published: January 2017

Religious leaders of all denominations are targets of persecution, but some groups are more persecuted than others.
Official Reactions to Chernobyl
Authors: Cooke Stephanie
Published: January 2017

Following the accident, ‘there was a concerted effort by both East and West to limit the damage to public opinion of nuclear power’
A Tough Tale
Authors: Serote Mongane Wally
Published: January 2017

Extract from the South African author's latest poem
Battered but no longer embattled
Authors: Viera David J.
Published: January 2017

After half a century of censorship under Salazar's military regime, Portuguese theatre is on the move once more
Islands apart: tradition and transition
Authors: Brookshaw David
Published: January 2017

Old traditions die hard in the shallow waters of a new democracy
Shooting the messenger
Authors: Short Martin
Published: January 2017

Veronica Guerin was murdered for daring to investigate where other journalists feared to tread. Few of her investigative colleagues in Britain step outside boardroom scandals and the sex lives of politicians into the violent world of organised crime
No truth, no justice
Authors: de Plaza de Mayo Madres
Published: January 2017

Just a few blocks from the Buenos Aires' Congress building, where the street narrows again, the Madres de Plaza de Mayo have their office. Tourists pass by without noticing the building with its small brass plaque reading ‘House of the Mothers’. Every day the Mothers meet here to continue their 20-year struggle, begun during the military dictatorship (1976-1983), to establish exactly what happened to their disappeared sons and daughters and to demand retribution against those who imprisoned, tortured and killed their children. July this year marked their 1,000th meeting. There are also the Grandmothers, women who lost not only a daughter or son, but also their children's children. Some of these were separated from their mothers and killed, others were given for adoption and, to this day, have no idea of their real parents. Ingo Malcher talked to them for Index
The world in judgement
Authors: Dworkin Anthony
Published: January 2017

Do international war crimes tribunals help or hinder national reconciliation?
Testament of lies
Authors: Michnik Adam
Published: January 2017

On 3 June 1992, Poland's interior minister, Antoni Macierewicz, sent lists of politicians and officials suspected of being former security police agents to parliamentary deputies. The list was drawn up on the basis of secret police files, with no other evidence against those named. In the bitter row that followed, President Lech Walesa was accused of being an alleged Communist informer. Within days the government was dismissed
No time for reconciliation
Authors: Cohen Stanley
Published: January 2017

Israeli Jews are too locked in to their own domestic conflicts to care about what happens to the Palestinians. Peace is precarious and ‘reconciliation’ a long way off
Rewards for the unworthy
Authors: Marques Rafael
Published: January 2017

Despite the constitution and the Lusaka Ceasefire Protocol of November 1994, both of which stipulate a free press, journalism in Angola remains under fire from all quarters
Probability of loss reversal in Australia
Authors: Wu Hai
Published: January 2017

Investors in loss firms assess the likelihood of these firms reverting to profit (i.e. loss reversal). This research examines the factors useful for predicting future loss reversal in the Australian market. Specifically, it focuses on loss firms’ investment activities, in addition to factors examined in previous US literature. The results show that when the level of investment in specialised assets, such as mineral exploration and research and development, is high relative to fixed-asset investment, future loss reversals are less likely to occur. In contrast, a high level of fixed-asset investment increases the likelihood of future loss reversal. These results hold implications for loss-firm valuation. Further analysis documents a positive association between the ex-ante probability of loss reversal and future abnormal stock returns for loss firms with a weak information environment. Investors in these loss firms could benefit from the findings of this study.
Key Informants’ Perceptions on the Implementation of a National Program for Improving Nutritional Status of Children in Iran
Authors: Ghodsi Delaram , Omidvar Nasrin , Rashidian Arash , Raghfar Hossein , Eini-Zinab Hassan , Ebrahimi Marziyeh
Published: January 2017

Introduction:

Childhood malnutrition is a major public health issue. Multidisciplinary approach for Improvement of Nutritional Status of Children in Iran was implemented in order to reduce malnutrition among children.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation aspect of the program and to explore key informants’ perceptions and experience regarding the factors affected its implementation.

Methods:

Data were collected through the review of secondary data and semistructured interviews at national, province, and local levels. Four layers of key informants were selected purposefully for interviewing, including policymakers, senior nutrition officers, head of Hygiene, Remedy and Insurance Affairs in Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation, and community health workers. Qualitative content analysis was carried out based on Supporting the Use of Research Evidence framework and Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases’ checklist to interpret the viewpoints of the study participants.

Results:

Results showed that the program had successes in improving mother’s knowledge on health, nutrition, and child care through health system and increased families’ access to food, but there were some aspects that affected program’s implementation. Some of these factors are the lack of clarity in the program’s protocol and indicators, human shortage and inadequate financial resources, poor facilities, inattention to staff motivation, insufficient commitment among different sections, poor communication and supervision among different executive sections, and program protocols designing regardless of practical condition.

Conclusion:

Based on the results, top-down approach in policymaking and inadequate financial and human resources were responsible for most of the challenges encountered in the implementation.
Nutrition Label Use in a Latin American Middle-Income Country
Authors: Mazariegos Monica , Barnoya Joaquin
Published: January 2017

Background:

Obesity has become a major public health issue in Latin America. Nutrition labels have been proposed as 1 strategy to address the obesity epidemic as they may encourage consumers to reassess their choices at point-of-purchase.

Objective:

We sought to determine the knowledge and stated use of the nutrition label in Guatemala.

Methods:

Caregivers were randomly selected from public and private schools in Guatemala City. Caregivers were interviewed to assess knowledge and behaviors related to nutrition label use. Anthropometric measurements were measured using standardized procedures. Descriptive statistics and χ2 test were used to determine the differences between school types.

Results:

Higher-income caregivers (88%) were more likely to be aware of nutrition labels, compared to those from low-income families (51%; P < .05). Furthermore, they were more likely to use it more frequently (42.2%) than their counterparts (18.3%; P = .03). Less than 50% of caregivers used nutrition labels for determining the amount of calories or nutritional content in a food portion, to compare nutrient content for different brands of the same food or to select products low in sugar, fat, and/or sodium.

Conclusions:

Our results provide evidence of the need to further explore nutritional label use and design that can better inform caregivers in Guatemala and other middle-income countries. Furthermore, given that the nutrition labels were for the most part rarely used by the participants in our study and that there are low literacy rates, other straightforward, easy-to-use strategies to communicate nutrition information at the point-of-sale could be useful to explore.
Sublingual Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy in Allergic Rhinitis and Related Pathologies: Efficacy in a Paediatric Population
Authors: Della Volpe A. , D'Agostino G.W. , Varricchio A.M. , Mansi N.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the sublingual-swallow allergen-specific immunotherapy (SLIT) in a paediatric population suffering from allergic rhinitis and related pathologies. From March 1994 through March 2000, at our ENT Department 4000 children (1800 males and 2200 females), aged 3 to14 years, were examined for recurrent nasal obstruction and nasal polyps. 2400 (60%) of them were allergic and underwent the following investigations: Impedance test, Pure tone audiometry, rhinomanometry, Prick test, RAST, nasal provocation test and paranasal sinus TC without contrast media. Of the allergic group we admitted 288 patients(12%) to a 3 yr SLIT, meeting the following criteria: children aged 5 years or more, mono-sensitised to one allergen and with family cooperation support. After three years of SLIT, we observed complete symptom remission and a marked improvement in instrumental examinations in 80% of these children. The improvement was poor in 8% of patients, while in 12% of the subjects no changes in symptoms and instrumental results were detected. These results are in agreement with previously published studies and confirm that SLIT can be a valid tool for treating allergic upper respiratory tract diseases in children.
Involvement of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Modulation of Gene Expression of Human Papillomavirus Type 18
Authors: Pisani S. , Fioriti D. , Conte M. P. , Chiarini F. , Seganti L. , Degener A. M.
Published: January 2017

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) can establish latent or persistent infections in the host, and are involved in the aetiology of benign and/or malignant lesions of the urogenital tract. To investigate the putative interaction between these DNA viruses when a double infection occurs, we have studied the effect of HSV-2 infection in HeLa 229 cells containing 10–50 copies of HPV type 18 genomic DNA. Twenty hours post HSV-2 infection, the analysis of mRNA transcripts from El, E2, E6 early and L1 late HPV18 genes was performed in HeLa cells by a semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay. A modulation of HPV18 E1 and E6 early genes was observed, resulting in a 9-fold and 3-fold increased transcription respectively.
Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Adults with Seasonal and Perennial Rhinitis: Is There a Link for Asthma and Rhinitis?
Authors: Riccioni G. , Della Vecchia R. , Castronuovo M. , Di Pietro V. , Spoltore R. , De Benedictis M. , Di Iorio A. , Di Gioacchino M. , Guagnano M.T.
Published: January 2017

Epidemiological studies have shown that asthma and rhinitis often coexist in the same patients and the prevalence of asthma is greater in patients with rhinitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in bronchial reactivity in subjects with seasonal and perennial rhinitis.

We enrolled 128 subjects with seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis divided into three groups: A with perennial rhinitis and allergy to “Dermatophagoides Pteronissynus”; B with seasonal rhinitis and allergy to “Graminae” and “Parietaria”, who underwent methacholine challenge test (MCHt) during the exposure period (fron March until May); C with seasonal rhinitis and allergy to “Graminae” and “Parietaria”, who underwent MCHt during the non exposure period (from June until February).

The PC20 mean values of group A (1774.8 ± 20.7) and group B (1740.7 ± 38.8) were not significantly different, but significantly lower than those of group C (3010.0 ± 56.9) (p=0.001). The subjects with group A were positive to the MCHt in 54.54%, against 29.28% of group B and 11.62% of group C (p=0.007).

The results show differences in the degree of bronchial responsiveness. The dose-response curves documented a lower value of PC20 in the group with perennial rhinitis and a statistically significant difference of bronchial hyperresponsiveness prevalence between the three groups (p=0.007).
Neurobehavioral, Autonomic Nervous Function and Lymphocyte Subsets among Aluminum Electrolytic Workers
Authors: He S.C. , Qiao N. , Sheng W.
Published: January 2017

The purpose of our study is to determine the alteration of neurobehavioral parameters, autonomic nervous function and lymphocyte subsets in aluminum electrolytic workers of long-term aluminum exposure. Thirtythree men who were 35.16 ± 2.95 (mean ± S.D) years old occupationally exposed to aluminum for 14.91 ± 6.31 (mean ± S.D) years. Air AI level and urinary aluminum concentration were measured by means of graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Normal reference groups were selected from a flour plant. Neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) recommended by WHO was utilized. Autonomic nervous function test battery recommended by Ewing DJ was conducted on subjects. FAC SCAN was used to measure the lymphocyte subsets of peripheral blood. The mean air aluminum level in the workshop was 6.36 mg/m3, ranged from 2.90 to 11.38 mg/m3. Urinary aluminum of the AI electrolytic workers (40.08 ± 9.36 microgram/mg.cre) was obviously higher than that of control group (26.84 ± 8.93m/mg.cre). Neurobehavioral results showed that the scores of DSY, PAC and PA in AI electrolytic workers were significantly lower than those of control group, The scores of POMSC, POMSF and SRT among AI exposed workers were significantly augmented in relation to those of control group. The scores of SRT and SRTF were obviously decreased in AI exposed group compared to control group. Autonomic nervous function test results showed that R-R interval variability of max:min ratio of immediately standing up in AI electrolytic workers were decreased compare with the control group, while the BP-IS, HR-V, HR-DB, R30:15 had no significant change. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets test showed that CD4−CD8+ T lymphocyte in AI electrolytic workers increased. This study suggests that AI exposure exerts adverse effects on neurobehavioral performance, especially movement coordination and negative mood, and parasympathetic nervous function; moreover it increase CD4−CD8+ T lymphocyte subsets.
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons Administered in Humans by Dermal Route Increase Total IgE
Authors: Mastrangelo G. , Fornasa C. Veller , Pavanello S. , Marcer G. , Lazzaro M. , Milan G. , Fadda E. , Fedeli U. , Clonfero E.
Published: January 2017

Inhalation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) extracted from diesel exhaust particles (DEP) enhances local (nasal) production of IgE in humans. The aim of the present research is to investigate whether in humans dermal exposure to PAHs which are not extracted from DEPs increases serum IgE and whether host factors modify the immunologic effect. In thirty-two patients with acute psoriatic lesions, a cream containing 3% of coal tar (which holds a variety of PAHs) was applied to the skin for 24 hours. Serum IgE were measured before (IgE0) and four (IgE4) and eight (IgE8) days after application. Replicated means were compared by analysis of variance for repeated measures and by the Newman-Keuls' test. IgE0, IgE4 and IgE8 were 151.19, 159.69 (a 6% excess) and 170.90 kU/L (a 13% excess) respectively; pairwise comparison showed IgE8 was significantly higher than IgE0 (p<0.05). At multiple linear regression analysis, the percentage increase in serum IgE across observation days was the dependent variable against age, sex, cigarettes/day, urinary 1-pyrenol, atopy, skin area treated, and grams of cream. Of the independent variables, only age had a significant (p<0.028) influence: the younger the age, the higher the IgE response to PAHs. We conclude that whatever the source and the route of entry (skin or respiratory tract), PAHs increase total serum IgE, mainly in younger age groups.
Compartmentalisation between Gut and Lung Mucosae in a Model of Secondary Immunodeficiency: Effect of Thymomodulin
Authors: Roux M.E. , Marquez M.G. , Olmos S. , Frecha C.A. , Florin-Christensen A.
Published: January 2017

Compartmentalisation of mucosal immune response seems to be the result mainly of the preferential migration of activated cells back to their inductive sites. The aim of this report was to demonstrate, in a model of secondary immunodeficiency in Wistar rats (severely protein deprived at weaning and refed with casein 20 %; group R21), that the oral administration of Thymomodulin (group: R21TmB) has different effects on gut and BALT (Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue). Tissue sections (5μ) were studied by immunohistochemistry 1). The oral administration of Thymomodulin restores only in gut Lamina propria (LP) the IgA B and CD4 T cell populations to control levels. The CD8a and CD25 subpopulations do not vary in gut as they return to control levels when refed with 20% casein diet. All the populations mentioned above remained decreased even after receiving Thymomodulin by the oral route. However, the same behaviour was observed for the TCRδ T cells that were decreased and return to normal levels in both mucosae by the effect of the immunomodulator; 2) when studying the iIEL (intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes) CD8α, CD25 and TCRγδ T cells, that were increased in R21, return to control levels in R21TmB. In BALT intraepithelium CD8α and CD25 T cells remained decreased, while only TCRγδ T cells (increased in R21) return to control values. Conclusions: 1) there exists a compartmentalisation between both mucosae, as T CD4+ and IgA B+ cells are restored by TmB only in gut; 2) only those iIEL involved in inflammation (CD8α+/CD25+ and TCRγδ+/CD25+) are normalised by means of the Thymomodulin 3) however, in BALT, only TCRγδ+ T cells are restored 4) the oral administration of the present immunomodulator may be useful as a therapeutic agent, although the preferential survival in the tissue of initial stimulation is the major factor in the preferential distribution of activated cells.
Cox-2 Selective Inhibitors and Bone
Authors: Goodman S. B. , Ma T. , Genovese M. , Smith R. Lane
Published: January 2017

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed medications for relief of pain and inflammation. Recent animal studies using models of fracture healing and bone ingrowth suggest that NSAIDs (both non-selective NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors) adversely affect these bone-related processes. The dose and time-relationships of these medications and their resulting effects on bone have not yet been fully elucidated. Furthermore, whether COX-2 inhibitors and non-selective NSAIDs lead to clinically relevant adverse effects on bone healing in humans is unknown.
Novel Peptides Enhance the Production of Nitric Oxide and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Gene Expression in Murine Macrophage
Authors: Acharya A. , Tripathi V.
Published: January 2017

Bioactive novel polypeptide of Anurans skin has a wide range of antimicrobial properties against the infection and tumour cell. Macrophages are known to produce the Nitric oxide (NO) by a variety of cells upon activation. NO produced by the activated macrophages an important mediator for antimicrobial and tumoricidal activity. In-vitro macrophage exposed with medium alone, containing LPS, containing polypepeptides and LPS + polypeptides for 24 h showed enhanced production of NO with respect to control and LPS treated and significant increase in NO production in LPS + polypeptide. Western blot and PCR analysis also showed that increased production of protein expression and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). These findings suggest that novel polypeptides are potent activating agent for enhanced production of NO through activation of iNOS gene.
Different Cytokine Production and Effector/Memory Dynamics of αβ+ or γδ+ T-Cell Subsets in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Gioia C. , Agrati C. , Goletti D. , Vincenti D. , Carrara S. , Amicosante M. , Casarinp M. , Giosue S. , Puglisi G. , Rossi A. , Colizzi V. , Pucillo L. P. , Poccia F.
Published: January 2017

Immunity to M.tuberculosis (MTB) infection consists of interactions between various T-cell subsets that control the infection and prevent further reactivation. We analysed the effector/memory T-cell dynamics and cytokines production in the peripheral blood of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We observed that the frequency of CD4+ T-cell effectors was significantly increased during active TB, confirming a major role of this T-cell subset in TB immunity. Pre-terminally differentiated CD8+ T-lymphocytes were increased in the peripheral blood as well. In contrast, we observed a reduced number of effector mycobacteria-reactive γδ+ T-lymphocytes with a specific defects in reacting to mycobacterial nonpeptidic antigens, suggesting that this innate response is rapidly lost during TB infection. Nevertheless, the frequency of γδ+ T-cells effectors in TB patients was higher than the αβ+ T-cell response to peptide from MTB-ESAT-6 protein and quantitatively similar to PPD reactivity. Thus, αβ+and γδ+ T-cell differentiation and function are differently triggered by active TB infection.
Specific Immunotheraphy of Allergic Diseases: A Three Years Perspective Observational Study
Authors: Arena A. , Barbatano E. , Gammeri E. , Bruno M. , Riva G.
Published: January 2017

In order evaluate the long-term benefit of Specific ImmunoTherapy (SIT), administered either subcutaneously or sublingually, in comparison with drug therapy, in terms of efficacy, tolerability and patients' adherence to the treatment, a three years perspective, observational study was carried out in a rather large number of allergic subjects. One hundred and ten patients of both sex (50F, 60M; age: 22.4 – 35.5 years) were admitted. Sixty of them were rhinitics, some with concomitant mild intermittent asthma or conjunctivitis; 43 had a persistent asthma, often with concomitant rhinitis. Seven had urticaria. Sixty patients were treated with the sublingual allergoid SIT (in tablets) plus drugs on demand, 19 with the subcutaneous SIT (depot, aluminium hydroxide subcutaneous SIT) and 31 with the pharmacological therapy alone, mainly nasal steroids and antihistamines. The treatment efficacy, evaluated after 36 months, by symptoms and drug consumption reduction, was statistically better in the group from the allergoid sublingual SIT than in the other two groups. This was the case also for the tolerability, the patient's compliance and the physicians' and patients' opinion. The present findings, obtained by a non-randomized study, show that the sublingual allergoid SIT was very appreciated by both patients and physicians for the good effectiveness and the high degree of safety guaranteed, in addition to its simplicity of use.
Lipoxin A4 Counteracts Synergistic Activation of Human Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes
Authors: Sodin-Semrl S. , Spagnolo A. , Barbaro B. , Varga J. , Fiore S.
Published: January 2017

Excessive production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and transforming growth factor (32 (TGF-|32) have potential anti-inflammatory activities; these two mediators were tested to determine how they affect IL-1β-dependent release of IL-6 and MMPs in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes. The results revealed dramatic differences between the mediators: TGF-β2 acted synergistically with IL-1β to stimulate IL-6 protein levels, whereas LXA4 inhibited IL-6 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inhibition, by LXA4 was abrogated when cells were pre-incubated with antibody against the ALXR (Lipoxin A4 Receptor) TGF-β2 by itself had no significant effect on IL-6 or MMP levels. LXA4, at nanomolar concentrations, altered the MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression levels of IL-1β and TGF-β2 stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes. Furthermore, IL-1β and TGF-β2 up-regulated ALXR mRNA. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that ALXR mediate the effects of LXA4 on inflammatory responses after stimulation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes with IL-1β plus TGF-β2. These activities might constitute an important mechanism by which LXA4 regulates synovial fibroblast activation.
Activation of Tumor-Associated Macrophages by Thymosin Alpha-1
Authors: Shrivastava P. , Singh S.M. , Singh N.
Published: January 2017

It was shown earlier that the progressive growth of a transplantable T-cell lymphoma of spontaneous origin, designated as Dalton's lymphoma (DL), in a murine host is associated with an inhibition of macrophages (TAM) along with an involution of thymus. However, it remained unclear if a decline in the level of thymic peptides in DL-bearing host, due to thymic regression, has any implications in the inhibited responses of TAM. Therefore, the present investigation was under taken to study whether the TAM of DL-bearing host can be activated to tumoricidal state by peptides of thymic origin. It was observed that intraperitoneal administration of thymosin α1 to DL-bearing mice resulted in activation of TAM. Such TAM were found to produce enhanced amounts of interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI), nitric oxide (NO) and showed an increased abilities of pinocytosis, phagocytosis, antigen presentation and tumor cytotoxicity. The TAM were found to be directly responsive to thymosinα1 as in vitro treatment with thymosinα1 could activate TAM to tumoricidal state. Treatment of TAM with thymosinα1 also enhanced their LPS responsiveness for an augmented state of activation. The findings of this study demonstrate for the first time that the TAM of a T cell lymphoma can be activated to tumoricidal state by thymosin α1.
T Lymphocyte Subsets and Immunoglobulins in Intracranial Tumor Patients before and after Treatment and Based on Histological Type of Tumors
Authors: Kempuraj D. , Devi R. S. , Madhappan B. , Conti P. , Nazer M.Y. , Christodoulou S. , Reginald J. , Suthinthirarajan N. , Namasivayam A.
Published: January 2017

It has been reported that nervous system and peripheral immune system communicate with each other and the peripheral immune status is depressed in some intracranial tumor (ICT) patients pre operatively. Little is known about the immune status of intracranial tumor patients during the post operative survival period. We thus investigated total T cells (CD 11+), helper/inducer (CD4+) T cells, suppressor/cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells, B cells (CD19+) and serum immunoglobulins in peripheral blood in certain ICT patients before and after treatment, and based on the histological type of the tumors. Post treatment analysis were conducted 30 days after surgical removal of tumor tissue in benign brain tumor patients and 30 days after chemo therapy (CT)/radiotherapy (RT) following surgical removal of tumor tissue in malignant brain tumor patients. Decreased CD11+, CD4+ and increased CD8+ T cell counts were observed in both benign and malignant tumor cases before treatment compared with control subjects. After treatment, CD4+ T cell count increased and CD8+ T cell count decreased than their pre treatment levels. Serum IgA and IgG levels were decreased in both benign and malignant brain tumor patients before treatment than in control subjects. Serum IgM level has been increased in both benign and malignant tumor patients before and after treatment than in control subjects. Anaplastic malignant astrocytoma, medulloblastoma and glioblastoma multiforme patients showed higher IgM level than astrocytoma, meningioma and ependymoma patients. In conclusions, the depressed host cellular immunity in benign and malignant tumor patients before treatment may be due to the changes in CD4+ and CD8+ counts in addition to tumour specific immunosuppressive factors. Treatment procedures such as surgery, CT and RT may play certain role in the post operative depressed immunosuppression in malignant tumor patients. Humoral immune mechanism (CD19+) in the ICT patients was less markedly affected.
Effect of HSV-2 Infection on the Expression of HPV 16 Genes in Caski Cells
Authors: Pisani S. , Imperi M. , Seganti L. , Superti F. , Tinari A. , Bucci M. , Degener AM.
Published: January 2017

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been proposed to be the most important etiological factors for cervical cancer although different agents may act in conjunction. Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is considered as a possible cofactor to malignant transformation. To examine the influence of HSV-2 infection on the HPV genes expression, CaSki cells bearing 60 to 600 copies of HPV-16 DNA per cell were used as a model system. Twenty hours post HSV-2 infection the mRNA transcripts for HPV-16 early (E1, E2 and E6) and late (L1) genes were analysed by RT-PCR assay. Results indicated that the level of transcription of E1, E2 and E6 genes was up to 3-fold enhanced in HSV-2 infected CaSki cells suggesting that HSV-2 infection could increase the risk of cervical cancer by overexpression of both HPV regulatory and oncogenic genes.
Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species in Bacterial Killing within Epithelial Cells
Authors: Battistoni A. , Ajello M. , Ammendola S. , Superti F. , Rotilio G. , Valenti P.
Published: January 2017

Several non-phagocytic cells can actively generate the superoxide anion by NAD(P)H oxidases resembling the enzymatic complex typical of phagocytes. Overexpression of periplasmic Cu,ZnSOD rescues invasive E. coli strains from killing within epithelial cells, suggesting that superoxide generation by such cells can oxidatively damage invading bacteria. Pre-treatment of HeLa cells with diphenyl iodonium or 4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxyacetophenone, two inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase, significantly enhances intracellular survival of wild type invasive E. coli cells. On the contrary, these inhibitors have no effect on the intracellular survival of an invasive E. coli strain engineered to overexpress Cu,ZnSOD. These results support the hypothesis that superoxide generation by a NAD(P)H oxidase-like complex can limit bacterial survival within epithelial cells and suggest that the role of periplasmic Cu,ZnSOD in bacterial infections is not simply that of conferring protection against the phagocytic oxidative burst.
Role of the Hla-Dp Glu 69 and the Tnf-α Tnfa-α2 Gene Markers in Susceptibility to Beryllium Hypersensitivity
Authors: Rogliani P. , Amicosante M. , Berretta F. , Dotti C. , Bocchino M. , O'Donnell K.M. , Saltini C.
Published: January 2017

Berylliosis is an environmental chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung caused by inhalation of beryllium dusts, characterized by the accumulation of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in the lower respiratory tract. Beryllium presentation to CD4(+) T cells from patients with berylliosis results in T cell activation, and these Be-specific CD4(+) T cells undergo clonal proliferation and Th1-type cytokine production such as interleukin-2, interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. In exposed workers, genetic susceptibility to this granulomatous disorder is associated with major histocompatibility gene and the TNF-α gene. The HLA-DP glutamic 69 residue was shown to be the MHC genetic marker associated with disease susceptibility; furthermore the TNF-α TNFA-308*2 allele was found to be independently associated with HLA-DP GIu69 in the determination of berylliosis risk.
Stressful Life Events of Dental Students and Salivary Immunoglobulin A
Authors: Ng V. , Koh D. , Mok B. , Lim L. P. , Yang Y. , Chia S. E.
Published: January 2017

To study the perceived sources of stressful events in dental students and the relationships between their self-perceived stress levels and salivary IgA. Undergraduates as well as postgraduates at the Faculty of Dentistry, National University of Singapore were surveyed one month after the new term. A 38-item dental environmental stress (DES) questionnaire, with subscales of academic work (AW), clinical factors (CF), faculty and administration factors (FA) and personal factors (PF), was used to identify the potential stressors in the dental environment. A 4-point perceived stress scale was used to rank their self-perceived stress levels. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method was used to determine the salivary IgA level. One hundred and thirty students (81.3% - valid response rate) participated in the study. Overall, students ranked AW with the highest score (mean 2.76), followed by CF (2.67), FA (2.24) and PF (2.16). Among the 38 items of DES questionnaire, 1st year students perceived “fear of being unable to catch up if behind” as the most stressful event (mean 3.30). For 2nd and 3rd year students, examination and grades had the highest scores (mean 3.28, 3.19, respectively). Completing graduation requirements was the most important stressor for 4th year students (mean 3.89). Postgraduates perceived atmosphere created by clinical faculty was most stressful to them (mean 3.05). The mean total perceived stress scores were highest (22.1) in 1st year students and lowest (21.0) in postgraduates, however, no significant different among various classes. First year students had the lowest IgA secretion rates (geometric mean [GM] 46.8 μg/min), significantly lower (p<0.05) than postgraduates (GM 79.4 μg/min). An inverse correlation was noted between perceived stress scale and log IgA secretion rates (r=-0.20, p=0.002.). AW was also significantly inversely correlated with salivary IgA (r=-0.18, p=0.04). Dental students in different academic years perceived different important stressors. Salivary IgA secretion rate correlated inversely with self perceived stress.
Immune Effects of Nickel
Authors: Salsano F. , Francia C. , Roumpedaki I. , Proietti M. , Pisarri S. , Verna N. , Gabriele E. , Di Gioacchino G. , Di Gioacchino M.
Published: January 2017

Data on nickel immunomodulation are contradictory. The most consistent immune effects are suppression of immune responses. It has been show that T-lymphocytes and NK cells are more susceptible to nickel toxicity than are B lymphocytes or macrophages. Data reported about cytokine production in human and nickel reactive T-cell clones are also conflicting. Some authors studied cytokine production PBMC cultures of nickel allergic individuals after stimulation with NiSo4. They showed a higher synthesis of IL4, IL5 and IL13 but not of IFN gamma and TNFα in Ni allergic subjects. We found that the addiction of NiSo4 to the PBMC cultures of non sensitised subjects induces a reduction of release of IL5, IFN γ and TNFα. Our studies demonstrate a clear difference in NK cell activity between nickel-tolerant and intolerant individuals. In particular NK cell activity in reduced in sensitised patients respect to the normal subjects and the addition of Ni to the PBMC cultures induce a significant decrease of NK cell activity. The decrease was greater in cell derived from allergic subjects than non allergic. In conclusion, reported data show Ni has immunotoxic potential. Researches are in progress in an attempt to correlate the present data with other immune parameters and to measure the effects of a Ni free diet on the immune system of subjects with Ni intolerance. The comprehension of the mechanisms inducing these changes requires further studies in the uptake and intracellular distribution and binding of the metal.
Naïve (CD4+CD45RA+) T Cell Subpopulation is Susceptible to Various Types of Hazardous Substances in the Workplace
Authors: Tanigawa T. , Takehashf H. , Nakata A.
Published: January 2017

To find the most susceptible lymphocyte subpopulation with exposure to various occupational hazardous substances, we reanalyzed our previous data. We measured T, B and natural killer (NK) cell subpopulations by means of flowcytometry among workers who were exposed to aromatic amines, chromate, mercury lead and organic-solvents. The exposed/non-exposed ratio was defined as the mean value of the absolute number of lymphocyte subpopulations in the exposed workers divided by the corresponding value of the non-exposed control group in 5 studies reported previously by us. The ratio of CD4+CD45RA+ T cells in all the exposed groups examined in this study was less than 1.0, and the mean of these ratio was 0.77, which was the lowest among lymphocyte subpopulations examined. The mean ratio was 1.06 for CD4+CD29+ T cells, 0.91 for CD4+ T cells, 0.99 for CD8+ T cells, 0.93 for CD3+ T cells, 0.99 for CD19+ B cells, 0.96 for CD57-CD16+ NK cells, 0.82 for CD57+CD16+ NK cells, 1.25 for CD57+CD16- NK cells and 0.89 for total lymphocytes. With regard to the difference between exposed and non-exposed workers The estimated overall difference in the mean absolute number of CD4+CD45RA+ T cell subpopulation between exposed and non-exposed workers among five studies was −135 (99% confidence interval, CI:(−194, −75)) cells/mm3 (p<0.01). In conclusion, naïve (CD4+CD45RA+) T cell subpopulation was the most susceptible to the effects of various toxic substances as compared with other lymphocyte subpopulations. This lymphocyte subpopulation may be useful for monitoring immune system of workers exposed to various types of substances in the workplace.
“In Vitro” Comparative Immune Effects of Different Titanium Compounds
Authors: Di Giampaolo L. , Di Gioacchino M. , Ponti J. , Sabbioni E. , Castellani M.L. , Reale M. , Toto E. , Verna N. , Conti P. , Paganelli R. , Boscolo P.
Published: January 2017

Exposure to Ti compounds is today an occupational and environmental health hazard. Object of this study was to determine “in vitro” effects of different Ti salts on cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation and cytokine release. 10−4 and 10−7 M Ti compounds did not modify spontaneous PBMC proliferation. Ti dioxide (a biocompatible material and sunscreen component) did not exert effects on phytoemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated PBMC proliferation and on PHA stimulated IFN-γ and TNF-α release from PBMC. On the other hand, 10−4 M Ti oxalate (with wide industrial applications) and Ti ascorbate (used mainly in agriculture) inhibited about 70 % the PHA stimulated PBMC proliferation; both these Ti compounds at 10−4 and 10−7 M concentrations significantly inhibited TNF-α release, while only Ti oxalate inhibited that of IFN-γ. Titanocene (used in chemotherapy) did not exert effects on PBMC proliferation but markedly inhibited IFN-γ and TNF-α release. On the whole, this study demonstrates that Ti dioxide is not immunotoxic; Ti oxalate shows marked immunotoxicity; titanocene exerts selective toxicity on cytokine release but not on PBMC proliferation, while Ti ascorbate affects TNF-α release from PBMC but not IFN-γ release. In conclusion, these data show that immunotoxicity of Ti depends on speciation.
Reversibility of Thymulin Production Impairment by L-Arginine Supplementation in Mice Exposed to Inorganic Mercury
Authors: Santarelli L. , Valentino M. , Bracci M. , Rapisarda V. , Soleo L. , Mocchegiani E.
Published: January 2017

Immunotoxicological effects of mercury on peripheral immune system are known. We had previously in vitro found that mercuric chloride inhibits thymulin production in mouse thymus cultures at concentrations as low as 10−8 M. In this study, thymus efficiency, assessed as production of active and total thymulin, was evaluated in vivo using young mice that were injected sc every 3 days for 4 weeks with saline containing mercuric chloride at different concentrations (0 -controls-, 0.001 or 1.0 mg HgCl2/kg body weight). The results show that both the doses are able to cause a significant reduction in active and total thymulin production. Since arginine enhances immune efficiency some of the animals also received a diet supplemented with arginine in order to evaluate a possible role of arginine during mercury intoxication. The data show that arginine has a protective effect on thymic endocrine efficiency. Mice, treated with the lowest dose of mercury and receiving an arginine supplemented diet, produced active and total thymulin like mercury untreated mice. Arginine is an aminoacid which may be found in various amounts in different foods, some foods are particularly rich in arginine i.e. peanuts, stock fish. We suggest that the daily arginine intake may account for an individual susceptibility to the mercury-induced immunological effects which are found in mercury occupationally exposed workers.