bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presence of Maedi Visna Virus (MVV)‐Proviral DNA in the Genital Tissues of Naturally Infected Ewes
Authors: Cortez‐Romero C , Fieni F , Russo P , Pepin M , Roux C , Pellerin JL 
Published: April 2010

ContentsMaedi Visna virus (MVV) causes progressive degenerative inflammatory disease in multiple organs including the lungs (pneumonia, ‘maedi’), mammary gland, joints and nervous system (meningoencephalomyelitis, ‘visna’) in sheep. Maedi Visna Virus has been detected in macrophages of several tissues and epithelial cellsin vivo: bone marrow, cells of the central nervous system, lung and bronchial tissues, milk epithelial cells recovered from milk samples and epithelial cells of mammary tissue. However, the presence of MVV in the genital tracts of naturally infected ewes has not previously been studied. The aim of this study was to use nested‐PCR, targeting thegaggene, to determine whether genital tissues (ovaries, oviducts and uterus) from 83 ewes originating from various breeding herds in the South‐East of France were positive for MVV‐proviral DNA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) tested positive for MVV‐proviral DNA, using nested‐PCR analysis, in 57.8% of ewes (48/83). The provirus was also identified in 47% (78/166) of the ovaries, 38.6% (64/166) of the oviducts and 45.8% (38/83) of the uteri sampled. These findings clearly demonstrate, for the first time, that tissue samples from the genital tract of ewes (ovary, oviduct and uterus) can be infected with MVV. This suggests that there is a risk of vertical and/or horizontal transmission of MVV during embryo transfer from embryos producedin vivoorin vitro.
In Vitro Cytochrome P450 2E1 and 2A Activities in the Presence of Testicular Steroids
Authors: Rasmussen MK , Zamaratskaia G , Ekstrand B 
Published: April 2010

ContentsCytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and 2A (CYP2A) are the main enzymes involved in the metabolism of skatole in pigs. In this study, physiological concentrations of androstenone, 17β‐oestradiol and testosterone were tested for their ability to regulate CYP2E1 and CYP2A activity in liver microsomes isolated from entire male and female pigs as well as in microsomes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing either human recombinant CYP2E1 or CYP2A6. We found that physiological concentrations of androstenone and oestradiol had the ability to inhibit CYP2E1 activity. The magnitude of this inhibition (approximately 30%) was similar in recombinant human CYP2E1 and microsomes from entire male pigs. This inhibition was only seen when adding the steroid to the assay 15 min before the substrate. Interestingly, CYP2E1 activity in the microsomes from female pigs was not affected. None of the investigated steroids modified the activity of recombinant human CYP2A6. However, CYP2A activity was slightly increased in the microsomes from female pigs in the presence of oestradiol, but the magnitude of this increase was very low (below 10%) and probably irrelevant. Overall, these results indicate that physiological concentrations of androstenone and oestradiol have a potential to inhibit CYP2E1 activities in vitro, and that this inhibition is gender‐specific. Further studies are needed to investigate the biochemical mechanisms underlying those differences between the genders.
Administration of Thyroxine Affects the Morphometric Parameters and VEGF Expression in the Uterus and Placenta and the Uterine Vascularization but does Not Affect Reproductive Parameters in Gilts During Early Gestation
Authors: Souza CA , Ocarino NM , Silva JF , Boeloni JN , Nascimento EF , Silva IJ , Castro RD , Moreira LP , Almeida FRCL , Chiarini‐Garcia H , Serakides R 
Published: April 2010

ContentsThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thyroxine administration on morphometric parameters, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vascularization in the uterus and placenta and reproductive parameters in gilts at 70 days of gestation. At 150 days of age, i.e., before first heat, 20 gilts were randomly divided into two experimental groups: treated (n = 10) and control (n = 10). The treated group received a daily dose of 400 μg of l‐thyroxine (T4) in their diet until slaughter and the control group received only typical meals. Before artificial insemination, blood was collected to determine plasma total T4. The gilts were inseminated in the second oestrus and slaughtered at 70 days of gestation. The foetal thyroid follicular epithelium height, number, size and weight of foetuses; foetal myogenesis, corpora lutea number, embryonic mortality rate, uterine weight, placental weight and placental fluid volume were measured. Histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of uterus and placenta were determined. The averages of all variables were compared by the Student’s t‐test. The gilts treated with thyroxine showed significant increase of plasma total T4. At 70 days of gestation, the heights of the trophoblastic epithelium, endometrial epithelium and endometrial gland epithelium were significantly higher in the group treated with T4. The expression of cytoplasmatic and nuclear VEGF in trophoblastic cells and the number of blood vessels per field in endometrial stroma were significantly higher in the gilts treated with T4. No other significant differences between groups were obtained with respect to other parameters (p > 0.05). We conclude that oral administration of T4 up to 70 days of pregnancy in gilts affects the morphometric parameters, the expression of placental VEGF and the uterine vascularization but does not affect reproductive parameters in gilts during early gestation.
Expression of Maternal Transcripts During Bovine Oocyte In Vitro Maturation is Affected by Donor Age
Authors: Romar R , De Santis T , Papillier P , Perreau C , Thélie A , Dell’Aquila ME , Mermillod P , Dalbiès‐Tran R 
Published: April 2010

ContentsThe primary objective of this study was to compare expression of maternal transcripts in bovine oocyte populations with differential developmental competence: oocytes from prepubertal and pubertal animals; and oocytes from small (3–4 mm) and large (6–10 mm) follicles from pubertal animals. All transcripts were examined in oocytes prior to and after in vitro maturation (IVM). Genes were selected based on their known maternal effect in mouse (ZAR1, STELLA, HSF1, MATER/NLRP5 and its paralogue NLRP9), or their identification as markers of oocyte maturation, either involved in redox metabolism (PRDX1, PRDX2) or meiotic progression (AURKA). Total or polyadenylated forms of the transcripts were followed by reverse transcription coupled to real‐time PCR. Six polyadenylated transcripts were found significantly reduced after maturation irrespective of donor age or follicle diameter (p < 0.05). Within these six polyadenylated transcripts, ZAR1, NLRP9, HSF1, PRDX1 and PRDX2 were significantly reduced in oocytes from prepubertal animals compared to adult animals (p < 0.05). A younger age was also associated with lower abundance (total form) of PRDX2/PRDX1 irrespective of maturation. Total HSF1, PRDX1 and polyadenylated NLRP9 showed a tendency (p values from 0.053 to 0.08) for a higher detection in oocytes from small follicles, thus encouraging further investigation of the follicle diameter model. However, at the present time, follicle size did not significantly affect expression of transcripts examined. In conclusion, this study demonstrates differences in the maternal store of RNA and its regulation during IVM which is dependent on donor age.
Embryonic Development and Gene Expression in Oocytes Cultured In Vitro in Supplemented Pre‐Maturation and Maturation Media
Authors: Adona PR , de Bem THC , Mesquita LG , Rochetti RC , Leal CLV 
Published: April 2010

ContentsThis study aimed at assessing the effect of the addition of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (10 ng/ml BDNF) and/or cysteamine (100 μm CYS) during pre‐maturation and BDNF, CYS or leptin (10 ng/ml LEP) during maturation culture in vitro on embryo development and oocyte gene expression in cattle. Oocytes were obtained by the aspiration of 2‐ to 8‐mm follicles from slaughtered cows. In Experiment 1, oocytes were pre‐matured for 24 h with 10 μm butyrolactone I in the presence or not of BDNF and/or CYS followed by in vitro maturation (IVM), fertilization (IVF) and culture (IVC). In Experiment 2, oocytes were submitted to IVM with BDNF, CYS or LEP or no supplements followed by IVF and IVC. In Experiment 3, oocytes were pre‐matured with BDNF and CYS followed by IVM or only in vitro matured with BDNF. Samples for quantitative PCR (qPCR) were collected after pre‐maturation (BGV) and after IVM of pre‐matured oocytes (BMII) or immediately after follicle aspiration (immature control = GV) and IVM (matured control = MII). Embryo production was not affected by the inclusion of the different factors either during pre‐maturation or maturation culture (∼43% blastocysts, p > 0.05). Transcripts analysis showed that most genes (NLRP5, ZAR1, GPX1, KEAP1, SPHK2, HSP70 and PSMP1) were downregulated (p < 0.05) after IVM irrespective of being previously pre‐matured. The relative abundance of BAX, BCL2, IGFBP3 and ARFRP1 transcripts was unaffected by pre‐maturation or maturation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of in vitro pre‐maturation (BDNF and/or CYS) or maturation media (BDNF, CYS or LEP) did not improve embryo development. Gene expression was not affected by pre‐maturation treatment, but some genes were downregulated after maturation, probably related to selective and differential degradation.
IgG4‐related sclerosing cholangitis and autoimmune pancreatitis: Histological assessment of biopsies from Vater's ampulla and the bile duct
Authors: Kawakami Hiroshi , Zen Yoh , Kuwatani Masaki , Eto Kazunori , Haba Shin , Yamato Hiroaki , Shinada Keisuke , Kubota Kanako , Asaka Masahiro 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Autoimmune pancreatitis is commonly associated with immunoglobulin (Ig) G4‐related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4‐SC). The discrimination between IgG4‐SC and pancreatobiliary malignancies or primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is now an important issue. The present study was carried out to examine the usefulness of endoscopic biopsies from Vater's ampulla and the bile duct to diagnose IgG4‐SC.Methods:  The present study included 29 IgG4‐SC patients (26 with both pancreatitis and cholangitis, and 3 with cholangitis only), 6 PSC patients, and 27 pancreatobiliary carcinoma patients. All patients underwent endoscopic biopsies from Vater's ampulla and the common bile duct. Biopsied specimens were histologically examined using immunostaining for IgG4.Results:  For the ampullary and bile duct biopsies, the IgG4‐SC samples had a significantly greater number of IgG4‐positive plasma cells than the PSC or pancreatobiliary carcinoma specimens. In addition, bile duct biopsies from five patients (17%) with IgG4‐SC showed diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration with irregular fibrosis corresponding to the histological features of lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatocholangitis. Based on the threshold of 10 IgG4‐positive plasma cells per high power field, the diagnostic rates of the ampullar and bile duct biopsies were both 52% (15/29 cases). Twenty‐one patients (72%) had more than 10 IgG4‐positive plasma cells in at least one biopsy. The bile duct biopsy was significantly valuable for IgG4‐SC patients with swelling of the pancreatic head.Conclusion:  The present study suggested that ampullar and bile duct biopsies are useful for diagnosing IgG4‐SC.
Ginger extract and polaprezinc exert gastroprotective actions by anti‐oxidant and growth factor modulating effects in rats
Authors: Ko Joshua K , Leung Catherine C 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim: Contemporary medications used in the treatment of gastric ulcers involve the use of novel mucosal protective drugs. The present study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective effect of ginger extract and polaprezinc in a rat model of acetic acid‐induced gastric ulcer.Methods: ‘Kissing’ ulcers were induced in male Sprague‐Dawley rats by using 60% acetic acid.Rhizoma Zingiber officinale(ginger) extract (1.5–5 g/kg) or polaprezinc (30 and 60 mg/kg) was orally given to the animals once daily for three consecutive days after ulcer induction. All animals were killed on day 5 by an overdose of ketamine.Results: Both ginger extract and polaprezinc significantly reduce the gastric ulcer area in a dose‐dependent manner, with concomitant attenuation of the elevated activities of xanthine oxidase and myeloperoxidase, as well as malondialdehyde level in the ulcerated mucosa. Nevertheless, only polaprezinc could restore the mucosal glutathione level. Polaprezinc also causes the overexpression of basic fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and ornithine decarboxylase, whereas ginger extract only increases the expression of the two growth factors in the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, polaprezinc could consistently downregulate the protein expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin‐1β, macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 and cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant‐2α that have been activated in the ulcerated tissues, whereas ginger extract mainly inhibits the expression of the chemokines and to some extent TNF‐α.Conclusion: Ginger extract and polaprezinc both show anti‐oxidation that consequently alleviates gastric mucosal damage and promotes ulcer healing, which together serve as effective mucosal protective agents.
Perforated peptic ulcer in southeastern Taiwan
Authors: Li Chin‐Hsien , Chang Wen‐Hsiung , Shih Shou‐Chuan , Lin Shee‐Chan , Bair Ming‐Jong 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground:  No studies focus on the population with perforated peptic ulcer in southeastern Taiwan. The present study aimed to assess the differences between the different races and the risk factors related to mortality and morbidity in postoperative patients in southeastern Taiwan.Methods:  The medical records of 237 patients were reviewed retrospectively. The following factors were analyzed: patient profiles, coexisting illnesses, diagnostic method, fever, preoperative shock, clinical data at emergency room, delay operation, site of perforation, operative method, positive ascites culture, species of microbes in ascites culture, postoperative complications, death and the length of hospital stay.Results:  Aborigines were significantly different from non‐aborigines in the ratio of female cases and in the habits of alcohol drinking and betel nut chewing. There were also four significantly different variables between them: fever, hemoglobin value, site of perforation and operative method. Total postoperative complication rate was 41.3% and 39 patients (16.6%) died. In multivariate analysis, age ≧ 65 years, lipase > upper normal limit and preoperative shock were independent predictors of mortality. Significant risk factors associated with morbidity were NSAIDs use, creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL and preoperative shock.Conclusion:  Aborigines were different from non‐aborigines in several categories. In southeastern Taiwan, NSAIDs use, creatinine > 1.5 mg/dL and preoperative shock were independent risk factors of morbidity, and age ≧ 65 years, lipase > upper normal limit and preoperative shock were independent risk factors of mortality in postoperative perforated peptic ulcer. Lipase > upper normal limit is needed for further research on the influence on mortality.
Role of ABCG8 D19H (rs11887534) variant in gallstone susceptibility in northern India
Authors: Srivastava Anshika , Srivastava Anvesha , Srivastava Kshitij , Choudhuri Gourdas , Mittal Balraj 
Published: April 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The excretion of cholesterol from the liver is regulated by the ATP‐binding cassette transporter ABCG8. A common genetic polymorphism D19H of ABCG8 might be related to the genetic predisposition of gallstone disease, which is causatively related to supersaturation of cholesterol in bile. We aimed to examine the role of the ABCG8 D19H (rs11887534) polymorphism in susceptibility to gallstone disease in the northern Indian population.Methods:  The study included 220 confirmed gallstone patients and 230 controls. Genotyping for the ABCG8 D19H polymorphism was carried out using the PCR‐RFLP method.Results:  We observed that the ABCG8 DH genotype frequency was significantly higher in gallstone patients (P = 0.038; odds ratio [OR] = 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1–4.6). At allele level also, the ABCG8 variant allele conferred an increased risk for gallstone susceptibility (P = 0.043; OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.2–4.3). The risk as a result of ABCG8 D19H variation was more pronounced in female gallstone patients at genotype (P = 0.026; OR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.1–7.9) as well as allele level (P = 0.030; OR = 2.85; 95% CI = 1.1–7.3). However, the molecular modeling results of the rs11887534 polymorphism showed that the overall configuration of both wild‐type and polymorphic ABCG8 protein were similar, with negligible deviation at the site of polymorphism.Conclusion:  Carriers of the DH genotype and H allele of the ABCG8 D19H polymorphism harbor a higher risk for gallstone susceptibility in the northern Indian population.
Renal PPARγ mRNA expression increases with impairment of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: LEPENIES JULIA , HEWISON MARTIN , STEWART PAUL M , QUINKLER MARCUS 
Published: April 2010

ABSTRACTAim:  Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is generally accepted as renoprotective factor in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and PPARγ agonists have been reported to reduce albuminuria. However, little is known about renal PPARγ expression in chronic kidney disease, and especially human data are scarce. We hypothesized that renal PPARγ expression is associated with extent of proteinuria, kidney function, histological diagnosis and inflammatory mediators. Therefore, we investigated PPARγ mRNA expression in human kidney biopsies.Methods:  We quantified PPARγ mRNA as well as the expression of macrophage chemoattractant protein‐1, transforming growth factor beta‐1 and interleukin‐6 in 64 human kidney biopsies from patients with chronic kidney disease and mild‐to‐marked proteinuria of diverse aetiology. We measured renal function, and macrophage invasion was quantified by CD68 and vascularization by CD34 immunostaining.Results:  PPARγ mRNA expression correlated inversely with renal function. Higher blood pressure levels were associated with higher PPARγ expression levels. PPARγ mRNA expression correlated significantly (P < 0.001) with macrophage chemoattractant protein‐1 mRNA expression and showed a negative trend with transforming growth factor beta‐1 mRNA expression. No differences in PPARγ expression were detected with regard to extent of proteinuria, histological diagnosis, macrophage invasion, interleukin‐6 expression, and age or body mass index.Conclusions:  PPARγ expression increases with loss of renal function and may be an important factor in maintaining normal renal function serving as a key protective mechanism to renal injury.
Anti‐Borna disease virus antibody responses in psychiatric patients: Long‐term follow up
Authors: Heinrich Alexander , Adamaszek Michael 
Published: April 2010

Aim:  Data suggesting a pathogenetic role for Borna disease virus (BDV) in neuropsychiatric diseases are still inconclusive and it is unknown whether humans become persistently infected or clear the virus infection. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate long‐term BDV‐specific antibody responses in psychiatric patients in order to gain new insights into human BDV infection and its pathogenicity.Methods:  BDV‐specific antibody titers and associations with clinical conditions were studied retrospectively in 94 seropositive patients with schizophrenia (n = 46), affective disorders (n = 19) and other psychiatric disorders (n = 29) who had been repeatedly tested for the presence of BDV‐specific antibodies on indirect immunofluorescence assay between 1985 and 2006. Long‐term titer dynamics were studied in 46 patients followed up for a period of >36 months.Results:  A total of 25 of these 46 patients (54.3%) had persistent seropositivity, whereas seroreversion from positive to negative was observed in 21 (45.7%). Patients in the early course of schizophrenia had lower antibody titers compared to patients in the advanced course (P = 0.017), while a higher proportion of patients in the early course had titer increases (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in antibody titers between patient subgroups with clinically stable and acute psychiatric disorders.Conclusion:  Persistent seropositivity in a subgroup of psychiatric patients in the long‐term analysis suggests chronic BDV infection in humans.
Early adaptive developments of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after the transition from life in the environment to persistent colonization in the airways of human cystic fibrosis hosts
Authors: Rau Martin Holm , Hansen Susse Kirkelund , Johansen Helle Krogh , Thomsen Line Elnif , Workman Christopher T. , Nielsen Kristian Fog , Jelsbak Lars , Høiby Niels , Yang Lei , Molin Søren 
Published: April 2010

Summary Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen ubiquitous to the natural environment but with the capability of moving to the host environment. Long‐term infection of the airways of cystic fibrosis patients is associated with extensive genetic adaptation of P. aeruginosa, and we have studied cases of the initial stages of infection in order to characterize the early adaptive processes in the colonizing bacteria. A combination of global gene expression analysis and phenotypic characterization of longitudinal isolates from cystic fibrosis patients revealed well‐known characteristics such as conversion to a mucoid phenotype by mucA mutation and increased antibiotic resistance by nfxB mutation. Additionally, upregulation of the atu operon leading to enhanced growth on leucine provides a possible example of metabolic optimization. A detailed investigation of the mucoid phenotype uncovered profound pleiotropic effects on gene expression including reduction of virulence factors and the Rhl quorum sensing system. Accordingly, mucoid isolates displayed a general reduction of virulence in the Caenorhabditis elegans infection model, altogether suggesting that the adaptive success of the mucoid variant extends beyond the benefits of alginate overproduction. In the overall perspective the global phenotype of the adapted variants appears to place them on paths in direction of fully adapted strains residing in long‐term chronically infected patients.