bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
KINETICS OF ANTIBODY FORMATION AND REGULATORY ASPECTS OF IMMUNITY
Authors: Nossal G. J. V. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
This paper, which is to be read in conjunction with that of Dr. J. F. A. P. Miller earlier in this volume, addresses itself to the kinetics of antibody production and to the regulation of the immune response. It is divided into four main sections. The first examines the kinetics of antibody production to a single, strong challenge injection of antigen. The cellular events involved in the latent period and the subsequent exponential phase of antibody production are examined from the viewpoint of four key concepts: triggering, clonal expansion, IgM to IgG switch and affinity maturation.
The second section examines the major regulatory influences and feedback loops in immunity. Antigen is discussed as an agent capable of causing tolerance as well as triggering. Antibody is considered an important regulator, and the mechanisms of IgM-positive feedback, IgG-negative feedback, and tolerance and blockade effects of immune complexes are outlined. Immunological memory, the opposite phenomenon to tolerance, is briefly described, as is the importance of genetic factors.
The third sections looks at more complex models of the immune response, and in particular at the lessons to be learnt from tumour progression.
The importance of three different kinds of cell-mediated killing is discussed, as is the combinatorial influence of B and T cell activation. Attention is drawn to the reasons for believing that tumour progression eventually will lead to immunological non-reactivity, and to the fact that there are analogies between growth of tumours, starting from a single cell, and growth of foetuses.
The fourth section finally poses the question of the immunological privilege of the developing foetus. While there are more questions than answers in this field, anatomical barriers and antigen as a blocking factor probably both play important roles.
EFFECTS OF IMMUNIZATION WITH LDH-X ON FERTILITY
Authors: Goldberg Erwin 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
Immunological regulation of fertility can be best achieved if a defined macromolecule is used to provide the antigenic stimulus. Proteins with known enzymatic properties are attractive molecules in this area if it can be demonstrated unequivocally that they are unique constituents of spermatozoa, and are completely foreign to the female. This paper describes immunosuppression of fertility by the sperm-specific isozyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH-X). In addition, evidence is reviewed which suggests that acrosomal proteinase and hyaluronidase may be unique to sperm. Data are presented which confirm the sperm specificity of LDH-X and the immunochemical homogeneity of purified preparations of this isozyme.
Immunization of female rabbits with LDH-X significantly reduces the fertility of these animals. Experimental results indicate that the primary effect of immunization involves blockage of fertilization. While those ova which are fertilized in an immune environment develop and implant normally, there is a high rate of post-implantation embryo mortality. Rabbit blastocysts transferred to immune recipients implant at the same rate as in non-immune controls. These findings are consistent with the conclusion that the developing embryo must interact with antibody during the pre-implantation stages of pregnancy when antigenic sites conferred by the sperm LDH-X are available. Such interaction can be demonstrated directly by immunofluorescence techniques.
LOCAL IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN THE VAGINA, CERVIX AND ENDOMETRIUM
Authors: Vaerman J.-P. , Férin J. 
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT
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

Summary.
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

Summary
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.
The biosynthesis of somatomedins and their role in the fetus
Authors: Sara Vicki R. , Carlsson-Skwirut Christine 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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.
Treatment of pubertal gynaecomastia with testolactone
Authors: Zachmann Milo , Eiholzer Urs , Muritano Mariarosaria , Werder Edmond A. , Manella Brigitte 
Published: October 2009

Abstract
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

ABSTRACT
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

ABSTRACT
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

Abstract
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

ABSTRACT
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.
Breast-Feeding Modulates the Influence of the Peroxisome Proliferator–Activated Receptor-γ (PPARG2) Pro12Ala Polymorphism on Adiposity in Adolescents
Authors: Verier Caroline , Meirhaeghe Aline , Bokor Szilvia , Breidenassel Christina , Manios Yannis , Molnár Dénes , Artero Enrique G. , Nova Esther , De Henauw Stefaan , Moreno Luis A. , Amouyel Philippe , Labayen Idoia , Bevilacqua Noemi , Turck Dominique , Béghin Laurent , Dallongeville Jean , Gottrand Frédéric ,   on behalf of the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) Study Group
Published: October 2009

OBJECTIVE
The peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ2 (PPARG2) Pro12Ala polymorphism has been associated with a higher BMI and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in adulthood. The association between adiposity and PPARG variants can be influenced by environmental factors such as early growth, dietary fat, and (as recently shown) breast-feeding. The objectives of this study were to assess 1) the influence of the PPARG2 Pro12Ala polymorphism on adiposity markers in adolescents and 2) a possible modulating effect of breast-feeding on these associations.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Data on breast-feeding duration, BMI, and genotypes for the Pro12Ala polymorphism were available for 945 adolescents (mean age 14.7 years). The breast-feeding duration was obtained from parental records. We measured weight, height, waist circumference, and six skinfold thicknesses.

RESULTS
No significant associations between the Pro12Ala polymorphism and any of the above-mentioned anthropometric parameters were found. There were significant interactions between the PPARG2 Pro12Ala polymorphism and breast-feeding with regard to adiposity measurements (all adjusted P &lt; 0.05). Indeed, in children who had not been breast-fed, Ala12 allele carriers had higher adiposity parameters (e.g., Δ BMI +1.88 kg/m2, adjusted for age, sex, and center, P = 0.007) than Pro12Pro adolescents. In contrast, in breast-fed subjects, there was no significant difference between Ala12 allele carriers and Pro12Pro children in terms of adiposity measurements, whatever the duration of breast-feeding.

CONCLUSIONS
Breast-feeding appears to counter the deleterious effect of the PPARG2 Pro12Ala polymorphism on anthropometric parameters in adolescents.