bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LOCAL IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN THE VAGINA, CERVIX AND ENDOMETRIUM
Authors: Vaerman J.-P. , Férin J.
Published: October 2009

The mechanism of the local excretion of secretory IgA (SIgA) in exocrine secretions has been reviewed. Numerous local IgA-plasma cells, in the lamina propria of the glandular mucosa, synthesize dimeric IgA with J-chain. Free secretory component (FSC) is synthesized and accumulated in the Golgi area of the columnar epithelial cells. It is then supposed to get onto their cell membranes. Dimeric IgA (and some IgM) reaches the spaces between and under the epithelial cells. There, a specific binding occurs between dimeric IgA (and some IgM) and the FSC located in the cell-membrane, whereby SIgA is formed. The complex becomes mobilized and is transported toward the apical part of the cell, where it will be excreted into the mucous coat covering the epithelium. In the female genital tract, the cervical mucosa appears to be better adapted to achieve a local secretory immune system. The endometrium seems less suitable, being normally short of local plasma cells. The vaginal wall appears almost incompatible with the proposed mechanism of local antibody secretion.

Criteria for establishing a local immune response in the female genital tract comprise: 1) a lack of correlation between antibody titers in secretions and serum; 2) the demonstration that the secretory antibodies are mainly of IgA class and 3) that they are SIgA molecules, possessing bound secretory component. However, the best criterion would be 4) the observation that antibody is actually synthesized in samples of mucosa, by in vitro culture or immunohistology.

Reviewing the literature, relatively few examples were found where SIgA antibodies were demonstrated, and unambiguous evidence for their local synthesis is almost non-existent. In addition, the authors were unable to detect antibody-containing cells in cervical and endometrial biopsies of women locally "immunized" with horse spleen ferritin and bovine serum albumin.

The need for further investigation with simple antigens and adequate immunological reagents is stressed.
Pharmacokinetic parameters of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) after intramuscular administration of nandrolone decanoate (Deca-Durabolin®) to healthy volunteers
Authors: Wijnand Herman P. , Bosch Anneke M. G. , Donker Catharina W.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Nandrolone decanoate (Deca-Durabolin®) was injected intramuscularly into healthy volunteers. One group of females received one injection of 100 mg and three groups of males received one injection of 200 mg, two repeat injections of 100 mg or four repeat injections of 50 mg respectively. The serum levels of nandrolone (19-nortestosterone) were determined by radioimmunoassay and used to estimate pharmacokinetic parameters. The following pharmacokinetic parameters were found:

— a mean half-life of 6 days for the release of the ester from the muscular injection depot into the general circulation;

— a mean half-life of 4.3 h for the combined processes of hydrolysis of nandrolone decanoate and of distribution and elimination of nandrolone;

— a mean nandrolone serum clearance of 1.55 1 · h−1 · kg−1.

The half-life of hydrolysis of nandrolone decanoate in serum was of the order of one hour or less.

The data are consistent with linear kinetics.
Mortality and associated risk factors in diabetics
Authors: Jarrett R. J. , Shipley M. J.
Published: October 2009

In 168 male diabetics aged 40-64 years participating in the Whitehall Study, ten-year age adjusted mortality rates were significantly higher than in non-diabetics for all causes, coronary heart disease, all cardiovascular disease and, in addition, causes other than cardiovascular. Mortality rates were not significantly related to known duration of the diabetes. The predictive effects of several major mortality risk factors were similar in diabetics and non-diabetics. Excess mortality rates in the diabetics could not be attributed to differences in levels of blood pressure or any other of the major risk factors measured.

Key words: diabetics; mortality rates; risk factors; coronary heart disease.

There are many studies documenting higher mortality rates - particularly from cardiovascular disease -in diabetics compared with age and sex matched diabetics from the same population (see Jarrett et al. (1982) for review). However, there is sparse information relating potential risk factors to subsequent mortality within a diabetic population, information which might help to explain the increased mortality risk and also suggest preventive therapeutic approaches. In the Whitehall Study, a number of established diabetics participated in the screening programme and data on mortality rates up to ten years after screening are available. We present here a comparison of diabetics and non-diabetics in terms of relative mortality rates and the influence of conventional risk factors as well as an analysis of the relationship between duration of diabetes and mortality risk.
Platelet function and thrombus in diabetes
Authors: Viinikka Lasse
Published: October 2009

Patients with diabetes mellitus are several fold more prone to various forms of vascular diseases than are the non-diabetic subjects. Because platelets are in the key position in thrombus formation and possibly in atherogenesis, much interest has focused on the role of platelets in the development of diabetic vascular disease. Most studies on this topic have suggested increased adhesiveness and aggregability of the platelets from diabetic patients. The increased production of von Willebrand factor may account for the enhanced adhesion. The shift of the balance between proaggregatory thromboxane A2 and antiaggregatory prostacyclin to the dominance of thromboxane A2 could explain the increased aggregability of diabetic platelets, but the data available at the moment do not allow the conclusion that such a change really exist in human in vivo. One recent work has suggested that the increased glycosylation of connective tissue proteins in diabetes would increase their aggregating potency, but also this finding needs further confirmation.

Key word: adhesion, aggregation, thromboxane A2, prostacyclin, atherosclerosis, diabetic microangiopathy.
Low energy diets in the treatment of gestational diabetes
Authors: Gillmer M. D. G. , Maresh M. , Beard R. W. , Elkeles R. S. , Alderson C. , Bloxham B.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. A randomised prospective study of treatment with dietary restriction alone or insulin therapy with dietary advice was performed in 15 women with glucose intolerance diagnosed early in the third trimester of pregnancy. Twentyfour hour profiles of plasma glucose and 3-hydroxybutyrate were performed before and four weeks after commencing treatment. The effect on neonatal outcome was assessed.

The case history of one of the patients in the study was sent to British physicians with a special interest in diabetes to obtain their opinion about the appropriate initial treatment of women with gestational diabetes.
Obstetric complications in diabetic pregnancy
Authors: Lunell Nils-Olov
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Some of the most common complications in diabetic pregnant women are discussed in this paper. These include hydramnios, pre-eclampsia, prematurity and birth trauma. Further, the author discusses a method to measure the uteroplacental blood flow, the choice of treatment for hypertension and treatment of premature uterine contractions.
Glycated plasma proteins in normal and diabetic mothers and their offsprings
Authors: Pollak A. , Lischka A. , Bartl W. , Langer M. , Waldhauser F. , Levin S. , Schmid R. , Gherardini R.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Glycated plasmaproteins (GPP) and glycated hemoglobin (G Hb) has been evaluated in 134 non-diabetics (ND), 299 women with potential abnormality of glucose tolerance (pot.AGT), 75 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 34 insulin dependent diabetics (IDDM) during pregnancy or postpartum including 94 cord blood determinations. Mean HbAIC levels were significantly elevated in IDDM (6.6 ± 1.3% m ± sd) compared to ND (5.1 ± 0.7%; P < 0.01), but were similar for the other groups studied. Mean GPP were increased for the IDDM (0.58 ± 0.29 nmol 5–HMF/mg protein; m ± sd) and the IGT-group (0.53 ± 0.22) over ND (0.3 ± 0.13; P < 0.01) and the Pot.AGT group (0.37 ± 0.14; P < 0.01). 6% of the ND, 15% of the Pot AGT-, 52% of the IGT- and 62% of the IDDM group were found to have GPP values exceeding the 97% confidential limit of the ND. However, the large overlap of individual values from patients with different degrees of glucose intolerance with the normal range of pregnancy precludes the use of GPP as a screening parameter for IGT during pregnancy. A 30–35% reduction of fetal hemoglobin- and plasma protein glycation relative to maternal values was observed.
Growth hormone and androgen effects in the third decade
Authors: VAN DER WERFF TEN BOSCH J.J. , BOT A.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT. Two male hypopituitary dwarfs were treated with human pituitary growth hormone (hGH) from the ages of 24.3 and 22.7 years, at bone ages of 13-14 years TW2-RUS. Height, weight, upper arm circumference and skinfolds, and skeletal maturation were studied during 1.7 and 2.2 years of hGH alone, followed by 3.1 and 3.0 years of hGH combined with exogenous androgen. Although height growth rate was doubled by hGH alone, actual growth during first year was only 2.2 and 3.5 cm. Addition of androgen caused growth rate of about 8 cm in first year, and total height gains of 17 and 16 cm. These figures are similar to those of normal late maturers, of hyposomatotropism with spontaneous puberty, and of hypogonadotropic hypogonadists receiving androgen. So at pubertal bone age hGH effect on height is largely dependent on presence of androgen, irrespective of chronological age. Arm fat and muscle underwent profound changes under influence of hGH alone (particularly fat) and with androgen (particularly muscle).
The biosynthesis of somatomedins and their role in the fetus
Authors: Sara Vicki R. , Carlsson-Skwirut Christine
Published: October 2009

The somatomedins are a family of hormones consisting of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 as well as their variant forms. These peptides have a direct growth-promoting action on fetal cells mediated through their interaction with Type I and II receptors distributed throughout the fetus. The genes for both IGF-1 and IGF-2 are expressed in the fetus. In man, the predominant forms are the truncated IGF-1 variant and IGF-2. Unlike production at maturity, fetal biosynthesis appears independent of growth hormone and may instead be primarily regulated by nutrition. Other hormones such as placental lactogen are also involved in the regulation of fetal biosynthesis of somatomedins.
The effects of intranasal insufflation of growth hormone releasing factor analogie GRF1 – 29 NH2 on growth hormone secretion in children with short stature
Authors: BORKENSTEIN M.
Published: October 2009

The effects of intranasal insufflation of the synthetic growth hormone releasing factor GRF 1-29-NH2 on serum growth hormone (GH) were investigated in five healthy prepubertal children with short stature. 100 μg/kg/body weight of synthetic GRF 1-29-NH2, 500 μg in 100 μl water, were insufflated intranasally after careful cleaning of the nose. GRF 1-29-NH2 induced a prompt rise of serum GH levels with peak values at 15 minutes in all children investigated. Peak serum GH values were 28.3 ± 12.0 ng/ml (x̄ ± SD), range 17.1 - 47.6 ng/ml; Δ was 27.0 ± 12.2 ng/ml (x̄ ± SD). Serum GH levels were still significantly raised 120 minutes after the insufflation of GRF 1-29-NH2 (p < 0.05). No side effects, except for burning of the nasal mucosa in one patient, were observed. The results of this study demonstrate that intranasal insufflation of synthetic GRF 1-29-NH2 induces a prompt release of GH in otherwise normal children with short stature. Pulsatile intranasal insufflation of GRF 1-29-NH2 probably could be used for the treatment of some children with GH deficiency due to a defect at a suprapituitary level.
Effect on growth of patients with Turner's syndrome treated with low estrogen doses
Authors: RANKE MICHAEL B. , HAUG FRANK , BLUM WERNER F. , ROSENDAHL WERNER , ATTANASIO ANDREA , BIERICH JÜRGEN R.
Published: October 2009

In 33 patients with Turner's syndrome growth during a one year period of treatment with low doses of estrogens was evaluated (group A: (N=12) PresomenR 5–9 μg/kg d; group B: (N=9) PresomenR 10–21 μg/kg d; group C: (N=12) ethinylestradiol 45–155 ng/kg d) and compared to a group (N=37) of untreated patients. The auxological evaluation was made using SDS derivations based on control data derived from 150 untreated patients. Based on chronological age (CA) SDS levels for height velocity and the increments in height at the end of treatment increased marginally. Compared to untreated patients no effect was seen when calculations were based on bone age (BA) due to an advancement in bone maturity. It is concluded that low doses of estrogens are not suitable to improve the height development in Turner's syndrome.
Patients with acromegaly come from tall families
Authors: Perheentupa Jaakko , Somersalo Heidi , Pelkonen Risto
Published: October 2009

Abstract. The heights of 59 patients with acromegaly and their first-degree relatives were studied. The mean height SD score (SDS) for the patients was 0.93±1.19 (equivalent to 5.6 cm above the population mean), and for their siblings (N=166) 0.39 ±1.05 (2.3 cm above the population mean) (P <10-5 for difference from the general population). The height distribution of both groups was markedly positively skewed. Probably the parents were as tall (in relation to the population of their age) as the siblings. Growth data were available for 13 of the patients and showed that the height of the tall (SDS>2.0) patients had increased by 2.5-10 (mean 5) cm after normal cessation of growth. This explains the extra height of the patients over their siblings. Only 2 of the 13 patients became oversized for their families during the normal growth period. We suggest that in a part of the population with acromegaly the disease is associated with primary genetic tallness.
Treatment of pubertal gynaecomastia with testolactone
Authors: Zachmann Milo , Eiholzer Urs , Muritano Mariarosaria , Werder Edmond A. , Manella Brigitte
Published: October 2009

22 Boys with pubertal gynaecomastia (age 15.9+/−1.9 years) were treated with testolactone (450 mg daily by mouth) for 2 to 6 months without side-effects. The mean breast gland diameter regressed from 4.4 to 3.3, 3.2 cm, and 1.7 cm at 2,4, and 6 months, while pubic hair and testicular volume progressed normally. Plasma androstenedione increased from 5.4 to 73.1 nmol/l. Testosterone, DHEA, and oestrone increased less, and oestradiol remained unchanged. Androgen/oestrogen ratios increased (most marked change: androstenedione/oestrone from 15 to 140). LH (basal and maximum after LHRH) did not change, but FSH increased somewhat (basal 133 to 173, maximum 225 to 269 μg/l). Prolactin remained unchanged. It is concluded that testolactone, an inhibitor of steroid aromatization, is an effective and safe medical treatment for pubertal gynaecomastia.
Idiopathic precocious puberty in girls: Long-term effects on adolescent behavior
Authors: EHRHARDT ANKE A. , MEYER-BAHLBURG HEINO F.L.
Published: October 2009

Precocious puberty in girls has endocrinological as well as behavioral implications. We present data from a first systematic controlled follow-up study of 16 adolescent girls with a history of idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP) compared to closely pairmatched adolescent control subjects of comparable pubertal status and normal pubertal history. Findings in four areas of behavior are reported: (1) Psychiatric sequelae: the IPP sample showed an increase in minor psychopathological symptoms. (2) Psychosexual development: The IPP sample was advanced in sociosexual milestones, albeit mostly within the normal range for adolescents. (3) Intelligence: IQ was not different from controls. However, school achievement was accelerated during childhood. (4) Cognitive pattern: The IPP sample had lower spatial perception scores than controls.
Normalization of glucose homeostasis by a long-acting somatostatin analog SMS 201-995 in a newborn with nesidioblastosis
Authors: BRUINING G.J. , BOSSCHAART A.N , AARSEN R.S.R. , LAMBERTS S.W.J. , SAUER P.J.J. , DEL POZO E.
Published: October 2009

A female child was admitted to the hospital few days after birth with severe hypoglycemia and convulsive episodes. Plasma insulin levels were elevated and oral and intravenous administration of glucose were unable to keep blood glucose above 2 mmol/l limit. Intravenous infusion of a long acting somatostatin analog, SMS 201-995, at a dosage gradually increasing from 2 to 50 μg/24 hr, was accompanied by a dramatic fall in circulating insulin levels. Normality of glucose homeostasis was restored and convulsive spells ceased. Fasting blood glucose levels stabilized between 3.4 and 4.7 mmol/l. No rebound phenomenon was observed during short term interruptions of the SMS 201-995 infusion. A subtotal pancreatectomy was performed during SMS treatment, and the diagnosis of nesidioblastosis was confirmed by immunocytologic and electron-microscopic studies. It is concluded that this new potent and long acting somatostatin derivative may be useful in the management of hyperinsulinism in the neonate.
Circadian fluctuation of plasma melatonin in Prader-Willi's syndrome and obesity
Authors: WILLIG R.P. , BRAUN W. , COMMENTZ J.C. , STAHNKE N.
Published: October 2009

In 3 groups of 8 children and adolescents each 1) with Prader-Willi-Labhart's Syndrome (PW-S), 2) obese patients matched for body weight (control I), and 3) normal weight subjects matched for pubertal stage (control II) plasma concentrations of melatonin, cortisol, growth hormone (hGH), insulin, gonadal hormones, and gonadotropins were measured every 1 to 4 hours in 24-hour-profiles. All hormones were determined by radioimmunoassay. The specific melatonin antibody was raised in rabbits. Criteria of the melatonin assay were as follows: detection limit for plasma concentrations of 13 pg/ml, intraassay and interassay variations: 8.4 and 11.2 %, respectively.

PW-S-patients showed cortisol fluctuations within normal limits. hGH was lower than 5 μg/l even during sleep, insulin ranged between 5 and 17o mU/l, and no excessively high glucose levels were found. Estradiol and testosterone were low for age and for pubertal development in all patients except in two girls. Basal LH and FSH levels were in the low normal range and showed sluggish response to LHRH. Plasma melatonin was low during the day, increased at mid-night and peaked at 3 a.m. Melatonin levels in PW-S were not significantly different from those in both control groups. We concluded that the impairment of gonadotropin secretion in patients with PW-S is not due to elevated levels of plasma melatonin.
Recurrent hypothermia, hypersomnolence, central sleep apnea, hypodipsia, hypernatremia, hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia and growth hormone deficiency in a boy – treatment with clomopramine
Authors: Gurewitz R. , Blum I. , Lavie P. , Pertzelan A. , Stivel M. , Weinstein R. , Galatzer A. , Laron Z.
Published: October 2009

A boy referred at the age of 4 years because of obesity and under observation for 16 years, was found to be suffering from a hypothalamic syndrome of unknown origin characterized by progressive obesity, polyphagia, deficiency of growth and thyroid hormone, hyperprolactinemia, hypodipsia, hypernatremia and hyperosmolality without diabetes insipidus. At ages 11 and 16 there were 3 day episodes of spontaneous muscular weakness, hypersomnolence and hypothermia associated with central sleep apnea and severe bradycardia. Subsequently, decreased ventilatory responsiveness to carbon dioxide (CO2) was found as a consequence of blunted neural drive. Therapy with clomipramine HCl (AnafranilR Ciba-Geigy) for 6 months led to a normalization of serum sodium levels, pulse rate, ventilatory response to dioxide with no recurrence of the central apnea within 4 following years.
Thyrocyte HLA class II expression and regulation in relation to thyroid autoimmunity
Authors: Todd Ian , Pujol-Borrell Ricardo , Belfiore Antonino , Bottazzo Gian Franco
Published: October 2009

Abstract. The occurrence of HLA Class II expression by thyroid (and other endocrine) epithelia in autoimmune diseases suggests that these cells may facilitate their own destruction by immunogenically presenting autoantigens. This is supported by the findings that Class II+ thyrocytes can specifically stimulate virus-specific and autoreactive T cell clones, and that Class II expression by thyrocytes correlates with the occurrence of thyroid autoantibodies. A variety of factors may contribute to the regulation of Class II expression by thyrocytes: this is induced by interferon (IFN-gamma), and is enhanced by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and by tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Conversely, epidermal growth factor (EGF) suppresses the induction of Class II in thyrocytes. This complex regulation is reflected in differences in HLA-D subregion expression between patients (DR > DP > DQ).

The immune-based mechanisms of thyrocyte Class II regulation are clearly applicable to the on-going disease in an infiltrated thyroid, but the possibility of nonimmune Class II induction deserves attention, particularly in identifying factors which might contribute to the initial autoimmune attack. The possible involvement of such mechanisms in autoimmunity is supported by findings in Type I diabetes in which Class II+ islet beta cells can be found in the absence of infiltration. Further evidence is provided by the observation that a proportion of thyrocytes transformed with SV40 DNA constitutively express Class II molecules.

Finally, the 'activated' state of capillary endothelial cells in organs subject to autoimmune attack suggests that they may play an important role in facilitating the autoreactive infiltration of the tissues.
Aberrant expression of class II HLA antigens by the target cell:
Authors: Khoury Emilio L.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Since the aberrant HLA-DR expression on thyroid follicular cells (TFC) has been found in glands already having an ongoing immune response, the possibility exists that this ectopic expression is not the primary event leading to the infiltration by autoreactive lymphocytes, but rather a consequence of that infiltration. We have explored that possibility in studies on the behaviour of TFC from normal and autoimmune glands with respect to their expression of HLA-DR antigens when they are cultured with or without autologous mononuclear cells from the intrathyroidal infiltrates or peripheral blood. Our findings suggest that 1) the ectopic expression of class II HLA antigens by TFC in autoimmune conditions is not the result of a primary or intrinsic defect of those cells but a consequence of their response to an environmental stimulus operating in situ; 2) this stimulus appears to be the lymphoid infiltration itself; 3) there are no significant differences in the responses given by TFC from autoimmune and normal glands. In alopecia areata, another presumably autoimmune condition characterized by the presence of lymphoid infiltration precedes that ectopic HLA-DR expression in vivo. In addition, we have found that human adrenocortical cells in the zona reticularis of adult glands normally express HLA-DR antigenic determinants. Therefore, the co-existence of both HLA-DR and potentially autoantigenic cell-surface constituents does not seem to be a sufficient stimulus to trigger an organ-specific autoimmune response.
Immunoreactivity of PTH-binding in intact bovine kidney tissue and cultured cortical kidney cells indicative for specific receptors
Authors: Niendorf Axel , Arps Hartmut , Sieck Manuela , Dietel Manfred
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Localization of PTH-binding sites has been examined in intact kidney sectios and cultured cells derived from bovine kidney cortex. Tissue sections were incubated with 10−7 m bovine PTH (1–84) for 2 h, cells for 15 min, at 37°C. Visualization of PTH-binding was achieved by immunocytochemistry using a carboxyterminal specific anti-PTH antiserum (S 478). For control, cell culture incubations were performed applying competitively 10−7 m bovine PTH (1–84) and a 10-fold excess of synthetic 1–34 PTH fragment, not antigenic for S 478. This resulted in a lack of staining. PTH-binding was found in all cells of the proximal and the distal tubule, and with less intensity in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. In collecting ducts a PTH specific staining was also present, which was confined to single cells localized between others without PTH binding sites. No staining was seen in glomerula, the thin limb of Henle's loop, in blood vessels, and in connective tissue. The data suggest that large parts of the nephron contain PTH-binding sites, although in different amounts. This is in agreement with the numerous actions of PTH in the kidney. In the collecting segment a distinct cell-to-cell difference was disclosed indicative for different functional states or cellular heterogeneity.
Role of non-TSH factors in thyroid cell growth
Authors: Eggo Margaret C. , Bachrach Laura K. , Burrow Gerard N.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. The effects of insulin, the tumour promotor tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), TSH and combinations of these factors on growth and DNA synthesis have been examined in the FRTL-5 cell strain and in sheep thyroid cells. In addition the regulation of the production by sheep thyroid cells of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF) by TSH and their possible autocrine roles have been investigated. We found that insulin and the IGF's stimulated DNA synthesis in both rat FRTL-5 cells and sheep cells. TPA also stimulated growth in both cell types, and its effects were additive to those of insulin. In the FRTL-5 cells, TPA was a less potent stimulator of growth than TSH, but the effects of TPA and TSH were not additive which may imply growth stimulation through a common pathway. In sheep cells TSH was not mitogenic and did not appear to activate protein kinase C, the receptor for TPA. Sheep cells, unlike FRTL-5 cells, were found to produce IGF-I and IGF-II, and their syntheses were regulated by TSH. Sheep cells were also found to produce IGF-binding proteins which may modulate the biologic effects of the IGF's. Sheep thyroid IGF binding proteins were found to copurify with urokinase-like plasminogen activator on immunoaffinity chromatography. The production of this serine protease has also been shown to be regulated by TSH.
The FRTL-5 thyroid cell strain as a model for studies on thyroid cell growth
Authors: Ambesi-Impiombato Francesco Saverio , Villone Giovanni
Published: October 2009

Abstract. Thyroid cell proliferation has been studied using an in vitro system of rat thyroid follicular cell strain (FRTL-5). While growing in continuous culture, this strain is still differentiated and non-tumourigenic. Both advantages and limitations in the use of such system for studies of thyroid cell growth should be considered. Some obvious limitations should be considered, such as the species (rat) from which FRTL-5 cells were originated, their long-term growth outside the animals, the presence of a chronic TSH stimulation. On the other hand, several advantages as the growth in hormonally and chemically defined media, their dependence upon TSH in the medium, their genetic homogeneity and their widespread use in many laboratories render the FRTL-5 strain a useful experimental tool. Studies on cell proliferation and mechanism of action of hormones, growth factors and human autoimmune IgG have been and are being performed, with the assumption that FRTL-5 cells are the in vitro equivalent of thyroid follicular cells.
Role of the adenylate cyclase-cAMP system on TSH-stimulated thyroid cell growth
Authors: Marcocci C. , Fenzi G. F. , Grollman E. F.
Published: October 2009

Abstract. TSH is a trophic factor for cultured rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5). In the present study we have investigated the mechanism by which TSH promotes cell growth and evaluated the possible role of the adenylate cyclase (AC)-cAMP system in this process. The mitogenic activity of several agents was evaluated by measuring their effect on cell number or 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Forskolin and cholera toxin, two potent and specific activators of the AC, induced a dose dependent increase of 3H-thymidine incorporation. The maximal stimulation, observed at concentrations of 10 μm and 10 ng/ml, respectively, was β 80% of that obtained with optimal concentrations of TSH. A similar effect was obtained with a Graves' IgG preparation (0.2 mg/ml) able to stimulate the thyroid AC or with 3-isobutyl-l-methyl-xanthine (IBMX, 0.5 mm), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor. 8-bromo cAMP (0.5 mm), a cAMP analog, also stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation, and its potency was ∼ 60% of that of TSH. Similar results were obtained when the mitogenic activity of these compounds was evaluated by cell number. Norepinephrine (NE, 10 μm), although devoid of AC stimulatory activity in these cells, also stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation, but its potency was only 20–30% of that of TSH. Indomethacin (100 μm), an inhibitor of phospholipid and arachidonic acid metabolism, was able to inhibit the stimulatory effect of NE (84%), and to a lesser extent of TSH (63%) and cholera toxin, had minor effect on forskolin (24%), IBMX (16%) and Graves' IgG (8%), and no effect on 8-bromo cAMP. The results of the present study indicate that: 1) 8-bromo cAMP, as well as agents which stimulate the thyroid adenylate AC (cholera toxin, forskolin or Graves' IgG) or inhibit intracellular cAMP degradation (IBMX) promote FRTL-5 cell proliferation; 2) NE, although devoid of AC stimulatory activity in FRTL-5 cells, also stimulates 3H-thymidine incorporation; 3) indomethacin has a different inhibitory effect on stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation. These data suggest that cAMP is involved in FRTL-5 cell proliferation, but other biochemical events, independent of the AC-cAMP system and indomethacin sensitive, are operating and may be required to achieve the full activation of the replicative machinery, as obtained with TSH.
Precious Palladium-Aluminium-Based Alloys with High Hardness and Workability
Authors: Brelle Julien , Blatter Andreas , Ziegenhagen René
Published: October 2009

New palladium-aluminium-based alloys with promising potential for application in the areas of jewellery and watchmaking are presented. Aparticular emphasis is placed on the mechanical behaviour of ternary palladium-aluminium-ruthenium (PdAlRu) alloys with 95 wt.% Pd. The new alloys combine high plasticity with high hardness relative to common Pd alloys. The low work-hardening rate enables cold working in excess of 95% reduction without intermediate annealing. The hardness (Vickers pyramid indentation) ranges from 100 HV to 300 HV in the annealed condition, depending on the Al:Ru ratio. Their whiteness in terms of colour coordinates is compared with platinum and white gold. The feasibility of porcelain fusion to PdAlRu for decorative purposes is also demonstrated.
Melting the Platinum Group Metals
Authors: Griffith W. P.
Published: October 2009

Some fifty years ago Donald McDonald wrote in Platinum Metals Review on ‘The History of the Melting of Platinum’() and Leslie B. Hunt marked the event’s bicentenary in ‘The First Real Melting of Platinum: Lavoisier’s Ultimate Success with Oxygen’(), which is also covered in the invaluable “A History of Platinum and its Allied Metals” (). The topic is revisited and extended here, showing how oxygen, first isolated by Joseph Priestley and Carl Wilhelm Scheele, was used by Antoine Lavoisier to melt platinum. Work on the melting of the other platinum group metals (pgms) and modern methods for melting the metals are also discussed.
Boar Fertility and Sperm Chromatin Structure Status: A Retrospective Report
Authors: Didion Bradley A. , Kasperson Kay M. , Wixon Regina L. , Evenson Donald P.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Little information exists about boar sperm chromatin quality and fertility within a commercial setting. The objective of this report is to provide information about boar sperm chromatin integrity and its relationship to fertility. The sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA) was used retrospectively to characterize sperm from 18 sexually mature boars having fertility information. Boar fertility was defined by farrow rate (FR) and average total number of pigs born (ANB) per litter of gilts and sows mated to individual boars. Fertility data was compiled for 1867 matings across the 18 boars. The SCSA uses flow cytometry to evaluate the structural integrity of sperm nuclear DNA. The SCSA parameters measured in this retrospective analysis were the percentage DNA fragmentation index (%DFI) and standard deviation of the DNA fragmentation index (SD DFI). The %DFI and SD DFI showed the following significant negative correlations with FR and ANB; %DFI vs FR, r = −0.55, P < .01; SD DFI vs FR, r = −0.67, P < .002; %DFI vs ANB, r = −0.54, P < .01; and SD DFI vs ANB, r = −0.54, P < .02. Although more information is required to better understand the relationship between DFI and boar fertility, this report suggests that the SCSA assay may be an important assay for identification of boars having potential for lowered fertility.
The Efficacy of Recombinant Human Follicle‐Stimulating Hormone in the Treatment of Various Types of Male‐Factor Infertility at a Single University Hospital
Authors: Efesoy Ozan , Çayan Selahi̇tti̇n , Akbay Erdem
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to prospectively investigate the efficacy of recombinant human follicle‐stimulating hormone (rhFSH) in the treatment of various types of male‐factor infertility at a single university hospital. The study included 61 infertile men receiving rhFSH because of various type of male infertility. Treatment included 100–150 IU of rhFSH 2–3 times/wk. All men were divided into 4 groups: hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (n = 21), isolated follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) deficiency (n = 13), idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (n = 16) and maturation arrest on testicular biopsy (n = 11). Total motile sperm count (TMSC), serum FSH level, and testicular volume were compared before and after treatment in all groups. In the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism group, spermatozoa appeared in the ejaculate, with a mean TMSC of 6.67 ± 1.57 million, in 15 of 21 patients (71.4%) who were totally azoospermic before the treatment. In the isolated FSH deficiency group, TMSC significantly increased from 6.64 ± 3.27 to 32.4 ± 9.09 million after the treatment (P = .003). TMSC did not significantly increase in the idiopathic oligoasthenospermia group. Two of the men with maturation arrest (18.1%) had spermatozoa in the ejaculate after the treatment. rhFSH therapy may be effectively used to improve sperm parameters in infertile men with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and isolated FSH deficiency. In addition, rhFSH may effect some improvement by either providing sperm in ejaculate or increasing intracytoplasmic sperm injection success in infertile men with maturation arrest.
APOB Gene Signal Peptide Deletion Polymorphism Is Not Associated With Infertility in Indian Men
Authors: Khattri Arun , Pandey Rajeev K. , Gupta Nalini J. , Chakravarty Baidyanath , Deenadayal Mamta , Singh Lalji , Thangaraj Kumarasamy
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT: Apolipoprotein B (APOB) plays a key role in lipoprotein metabolism and plasma lipid transport. It has been shown that about two‐thirds of male mice heterozygous for ApoB were infertile. Moreover, a 3‐codon deletion polymorphism (rs11279109) in the signal peptide region of the APOB gene has been shown to be a risk factor for infertility in Slovenian men, but its association with infertility in Indian men has not been evaluated to date. Hence, in the present study, we have genotyped this polymorphism in 545 Indian men, including 294 infertile and 251 fertile men. Our results show that the distribution of this deletion polymorphism was consistent with the Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium in both infertile and fertile men. No statistically significant difference was observed in the distribution of the APOB signal peptide deletion polymorphism between infertile and fertile men (χ2 = 0.156, P = .925 for genotypes; χ2 = 0.015, P = .903 for alleles). Moreover, no significant difference was observed when infertile and fertile men were categorized on the basis of presence (D/D and D/W genotypes) or absence (W/W genotypes) of deletion (odds ratio, 0.955; 95% confidence interval, 0.644–01.418; P = .820). Our study concludes that the APOB gene deletion polymorphism is not a risk factor for the development of infertility in Indian men.
Optimisation potential for a SBR plant based upon integrated modelling for dry and wet weather conditions
Authors: Rönner-Holm S. G. E. , Alves I. Kaufmann , Steinmetz H. , Holm N. C.
Published: October 2009

Integrated dynamic simulation analysis of a full-scale municipal sequential batch reactor (SBR) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was performed using the KOSMO pollution load simulation model for the combined sewer system (CSS) and the ASM3 + EAWAG-BioP model for the WWTP. Various optimising strategies for dry and storm weather conditions were developed to raise the purification and hydraulic performance and to reduce operation costs based on simulation studies with the calibrated WWTP model. The implementation of some strategies on the plant led to lower effluent values and an average annual saving of 49,000 € including sewage tax, which is 22% of the total running costs. Dynamic simulation analysis of CSS for an increased WWTP influent over a period of one year showed high potentials for reducing combined sewer overflow (CSO) volume by 18–27% and CSO loads for COD by 22%, NH4-N and Ptotal by 33%. In addition, the SBR WWTP could easily handle much higher influents without exceeding the monitoring values. During the integrated simulation of representative storm events, the total emission load for COD dropped to 90%, the sewer system emitted 47% less, whereas the pollution load in the WWTP effluent increased to only 14% with 2% higher running costs.
Electrocoagulation efficiency of the tannery effluent treatment using aluminium electrodes
Authors: Espinoza-Quiñones Fernando R. , Fornari Marilda M. T. , Módenes Aparecido N. , Palácio Soraya M. , Trigueros Daniela E. G. , Borba Fernando H. , Kroumov Alexander D.
Published: October 2009

An electro-coagulation laboratory scale system using aluminium plates electrodes was studied for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants as a by-product from leather finishing industrial process. A fractional factorial 23 experimental design was applied in order to obtain optimal values of the system state variables. The electro-coagulation (EC) process efficiency was based on the chemical oxygen demand (COD), turbidity, total suspended solid, total fixed solid, total volatile solid, and chemical element concentration values. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for final pH, total fixed solid (TFS), turbidity and Ca concentration have confirmed the predicted models by the experimental design within a 95% confidence level. The reactor working conditions close to real effluent pH (7.6) and electrolysis time in the range 30–45 min were enough to achieve the cost effective reduction factors of organic and inorganic pollutants' concentrations. An appreciable improvement in COD removal efficiency was obtained for electro-coagulation treatment. Finally, the technical-economical analysis results have clearly shown that the electro-coagulation method is very promising for industrial application.
A new rule generation method to develop a decision support system for integrated management at river basin scale
Authors: Benedetti Lorenzo , Prat Pau , Nopens Ingmar , Poch Manel , Turon Clàudia , De Baets Bernard , Comas Joaquim
Published: October 2009

The Besòs River Basin authority is working towards the implementation of integrated river basin management, as required by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), to achieve a good ecological and chemical status of all water bodies by 2015. The studied system is constituted by two communities (La Garriga and Granollers), their corresponding draining catchments, sewer systems and two WWTPs, which discharge treated water at different locations of the same river. Within this context, the realisation of an integrated model of the river stretch and of the two WWTPs with their sewer systems and draining catchments was necessary. Such a model allows to efficiently simulate and analyse the behaviour of the integrated system and to optimize its performance holistically. In this article, a method is presented to generate rules to be implemented in a supervisory system for automatic management of the Integrated Urban Wastewater System (IUWS) in dry and storm weather. This is achieved by identifying, with the help of Monte Carlo simulations, the most performing operational parameters—according to environmental and economic criteria—for the two weather conditions.
Optimal predictive control of water transport systems: Arrêt-Darré/Arros case study
Authors: Puig V. , Romera J. , Quevedo J. , Cardona C. M. , Salterain A. , Ayesa E. , Irizar I. , Castro A. , Lujan M. , Charbonnaud P. , Chiron P. , Trouvat J.-L.
Published: October 2009

This paper proposes the use of predictive optimal control as a suitable methodology to manage efficiently transport water networks. The predictive optimal controller is implemented using MPC control techniques. The Arrêt-Darré/Arros dam-river system located in the Southwest region of France is proposed as case study. A high-fidelity dynamic simulator based on the full Saint-Venant equations and able to reproduce this system is developed in MATLAB/SIMULINK to validate the performance of the developed predictive optimal control system. The control objective in the Arrêt-Darré/Arros dam-river system is to guarantee an ecological flow rate at a control point downstream of the Arrêt-Darré dam by controlling the outflow of this dam in spite of the unmeasured disturbances introduced by rainfalls incomings and farmer withdrawals.
Wet air and catalytic wet air oxidation of several azodyes from wastewaters: the beneficial role of catalysis
Authors: Rodríguez A. , García J. , Ovejero G. , Mestanza M.
Published: October 2009

Degradation of several azo dyes, Acid Orange 7 (AO7), Acid Orange 74 (AO74), Direct Blue 71 (DB71), Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Eriochrome Blue Black B (EBBB), well-known non-biodegradable mono, di and tri azo dyes has been studied using, wet-air oxidation (WAO) and catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO). The efficiency of substrate decolorization and mineralization in each process has been comparatively discussed by evolution concentration, chemical oxygen demand, total organic carbon content and toxicity of dyes solutions. The most efficient method on decolorization and mineralization (TOC) was observed to be CWAO process. Mineralization efficiency with wet air and catalytic wet air oxidation essays was observed in the order of mono-azo > di-azo > tri-azo dye. Final solutions of CWAO applications after 180 min treatment can be disposed safely to environment.
The HSG procedure for modelling integrated urban wastewater systems
Authors: Muschalla D. , Schütze M. , Schroeder K. , Bach M. , Blumensaat F. , Gruber G. , Klepiszewski K. , Pabst M. , Pressl A. , Schindler N. , Solvi A.-M. , Wiese J.
Published: October 2009

Whilst the importance of integrated modelling of urban wastewater systems is ever increasing, there is still no concise procedure regarding how to carry out such modelling studies. After briefly discussing some earlier approaches, the guideline for integrated modelling developed by the Central European Simulation Research Group (HSG - Hochschulgruppe) is presented. This contribution suggests a six-step standardised procedure to integrated modelling. This commences with an analysis of the system and definition of objectives and criteria, covers selection of modelling approaches, analysis of data availability, calibration and validation and also includes the steps of scenario analysis and reporting. Recent research findings as well as experience gained from several application projects from Central Europe have been integrated in this guideline.
Using runoff slope-break to determine dominate factors of runoff decline in Hutuo River Basin, North China
Authors: Tian Fei , Yang Yonghui , Han Shumin
Published: October 2009

Water resources in North China have declined sharply in recent years. Low runoff (especially in the mountain areas) has been identified as the main factor. Hutuo River Basin (HRB), a typical up-stream basin in North China with two subcatchments (Ye and Hutuo River Catchments), was investigated in this study. Mann-Kendall test was used to determine the general trend of precipitation and runoff for 1960–1999. Then Sequential Mann-Kendall test was used to establish runoff slope-break from which the beginning point of sharp decline in runoff was determined. Finally, regression analysis was done to illustrate runoff decline via comparison of precipitation-runoff correlation for the period prior to and after sharp runoff decline. This was further verified by analysis of rainy season peak runoff flows. The results are as follows: (1) annual runoff decline in the basin is significant while that of precipitation is insignificant at α=0.05 confidence level; (2) sharp decline in runoff in Ye River Catchment (YRC) occurred in 1968 while that in Hutuo River Catchment (HRC) occurred in 1978; (3) based on the regression analysis, human activity has the highest impact on runoff decline in the basin. As runoff slope-breaks in both Catchments strongly coincided with increase in agricultural activity, agricultural water use is considered the dominate factor of runoff decline in the study area.
The impact of groundwater quality on the removal of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) using advanced oxidation technology
Authors: Tawabini B. , Fayad N. , Morsy M.
Published: October 2009

In this study, the removal of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated groundwater using advanced oxidation technology was investigated. The UV/H2O2 treatment process was applied to remove MTBE from two Saudi groundwater sources that have different quality characteristics with regard to their contents of inorganic species such as chloride, bromide, sulfates and alkalinity. MTBE was spiked into water samples collected from the two sources to a concentration level of about 250 μg/L. A 500 mL bench-scale forced-liquid circulation photoreactor was used to conduct the experiments. Two different UV lamps were utilized: 15 Watt low pressure (LP) and 150 Watt medium pressure (MP). Results of the study showed that the UV/H2O2 process removed more than 90% of MTBE in 20 minutes when the MP lamp was used at an MTBE/H2O2 molar ratio of 1:200. The results also showed that groundwater sources with higher levels of radical scavengers such as alkalinity, bromide, nitrate and sulfate showed lower rate of MTBE removal.
Development and evaluation of a reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for rapid and high-sensitive detection of Cryptosporidium in water samples
Authors: Inomata A. , Kishida N. , Momoda T. , Akiba M. , Izumiyama S. , Yagita K. , Endo T.
Published: October 2009

We describe a novel assay for simple, rapid and high-sensitive detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts in water samples using a reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). The assay is based on the detection of 18S rRNA specific for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The detection limit of the developed RT-LAMP assay was as low as 6 × 10−3 oocysts/test tube, which theoretically enables us to detect a Cryptosporidium oocyst and perform duplicated tests even if water samples contain only one oocyst. The developed RT-LAMP assay could more sensitively detect Cryptosporidium oocysts in real water samples than the conventional assay based on microscopic observation.