bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential Cytotoxicities of N‐Methyl‐β‐Carbolinium Analogues of MPP+ in PC12 Cells: Insights into Potential Neurotoxicants in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Cobuzzi Robert J. , Neafsey Edward J. , Collins Michael A. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract: N‐Methylated β‐carbolinium cations that can form in vivo from environmental or endogenous β‐carbolines are putative neurotoxic factors in Parkinson's disease. The cytotoxicities of 11 N‐methylated β‐carbolinium cations and N‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium cation (MPP+), the experimental parkinsonian neurotoxicant which the carbolinium cations structurally resemble, were examined using rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells cultured in “low energy” N‐5 medium; cell death was estimated by released lactate dehydrogenase activity and viable cell protein. Of the eight N‐monomethylated β‐carbolinium cations utilized, only 2‐methyl‐harmalinium (harmaline‐2‐ methiodide) was as cytotoxic as MPP+. Also, three N2(β), N8(indole)‐dimethylated β‐carbolinium cations displayed cytotoxic effects, with the simplest, 2,9‐dimethylnorhar‐ manium, approaching the effectiveness of MPP+ in PC12 cells cultured in N‐5 medium. However, when PC12 cells grown in higher energy Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium were utilized with selected effective cations, it was observed that the cultures were relatively resistant to MPP+ and 2,9‐dimethylnorharmanium, but remained vulnerable to 2‐methylharmalinium. The results are interpreted to mean that different cytotoxic mechanisms exist for the two most potent β‐carbolinium cations—namely, a mechanism for the 2,9‐dimethyl‐β‐carbolinium species that, as with MPP+, is conditional on mitochondrial ATP depletion, but a different (or additional) mechanism for 2‐ methylharmalinium that is independent of mitochondrial inhibition. The possible accumulation of these cytotoxic cations in Parkinson's disease is discussed in the context of these findings.
Alterations of the Intestinal Barrier in Patients With Autism Spectrum Disorders and in Their First‐degree Relatives
Authors: de Magistris Laura , Familiari Valeria , Pascotto Antonio , Sapone Anna , Frolli Alessandro , Iardino Patrizia , Carteni Maria , De Rosa Mario , Francavilla Ruggiero , Riegler Gabriele , Militerni Roberto , Bravaccio Carmela 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:Intestinal permeability (IPT) was investigated in patients with autism as well as in their first‐degree relatives to investigate leaky gut hypothesis. Faecal calprotectin (FC) was also measured in patients with autism, either with or without gastrointestinal symptoms, and in their first‐degree relatives.Patients and Methods:IPT results, assessed by means of the lactulose/mannitol test, were compared with adult and child controls and with FC values.Results:A high percentage of abnormal IPT values were found among patients with autism (36.7%) and their relatives (21.2%) compared with normal subjects (4.8%). Patients with autism on a reported gluten‐casein–free diet had significantly lower IPT values compared with those who were on an unrestricted diet and controls. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 46.7% of children with autism: constipation (45.5%), diarrhoea (34.1%), and others (alternating diarrhoea/constipation, abdominal pain, etc: 15.9%). FC was elevated in 24.4% of patients with autism and in 11.6% of their relatives; it was not, however, correlated with abnormal IPT values.Conclusions:The results obtained support the leaky gut hypothesis and indicate that measuring IPT could help to identify a subgroup of patients with autism who could benefit from a gluten‐free diet. The IPT alterations found in first‐degree relatives suggest the presence of an intestinal (tight‐junction linked) hereditary factor in the families of subjects with autism.
Follow‐up in Children With Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis After Partial External Biliary Diversion
Authors: Arnell Henrik , Papadogiannakis Nikos , Zemack Helen , Knisely Alex S , Németh Antal , Fischler Björn 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of this study was to examine whether reversion of histological fibrosis followed partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) in patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC); whether the duration of cholestatic episodes after PEBD influenced the evolution of fibrosis; and whether genotyping was helpful in predicting outcome of PEBD.Patients and Methods:Children with PFIC who underwent PEBD were investigated with genetic, biochemical, and anthropometric standard methods. Serial liver specimens were assessed histologically without knowledge of genotype and outcome. Findings were evaluated in the contexts of the total duration of cholestasis and the clinical outcome after PEBD.Results:From a total of 18 children with PFIC, 13 underwent PEBD, and 12 of these (among them 10 with identified ABCB11 mutations) were amenable for clinical and histological follow‐up. When compared with baseline at PEBD, statistically significant reductions were found in histological cholestasis 1 and 3 years after PEBD, and in fibrosis 5 and >10 years after PEBD. The relative duration of cholestatic episodes after PEBD was positively correlated with the severity of fibrosis. Children homozygous for the missense mutation c.890A>G in ABCB11 responded well to PEBD.Conclusions:Biliary diversion should be regarded as the first choice of surgical treatment in noncirrhotic patients with severe ABCB11 disease and may also be efficacious in other forms of PFIC.
Synergistic effect of coumarin (1,2 benzopyrone) and endotoxin in the induction of human interleukin-1
Authors: STUHLMEIER K , THEYER G , BAUMGARTNER G , ZLABINGER G J 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYCoumarin as well as its derivatives 7-OH coumarin and 4-OH coumarin were found to stimulate interleukin-lβ (IL-1β) release from freshly isolated human mononuclear cells (MNC) if the culture medium contained fetal calf serum. Under serum-free conditions, almost no induction of IL-lβ release was observed and the former effect could be completely eliminated by polymyxin B. Therefore, the combined action of endotoxin and coumarin was tested on MNC IL-1β production. The coumarins were able to potentiate human MNC 1L-Iβ production by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a dose-dependent manner. That the effect was due to the presence of coumarins and not endotoxin contamination was shown by negative Limulus amebocyte lysate tests and pre-incubation of the coumarins with polymyxin B-agarose. The latter procedure was able to block endotoxin induced IL-lβ production but the synergism between coumarin and endotoxin was not influenced by preincubating the coumarins with polymyxin B-agarose. Cycloheximide as well as actinomycin D eliminated the induction of IL-I release by coumarin and LPS demonstrating that the cylokine was newly synthesized after MNC stimulation. In addition, both the total amount of MNC IL-lβ (cell-assoctuled + extracellular) and the extracellular portion of the cytokine were synergistically decreased if coumarin or its derivatives were added to endotoxin-stimulated cultures. Synergism of coumarin and endotoxin in the induction of interleukin-6 or tumour necrosis factor-alpha could be observed in a smaller percentage of donors. These findings demonstrate an immunomodulatory effect of coumarin on cytokine production by monocytes in vitro which might help to explain some of the biological activities attributed to the drug upon its application in tumour patients.
Differences in cytokine secretion by intestinal mononuclear cells, peripheral blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages from HIV-infected patients
Authors: STEFFEN M , REINECKER H C , PETERSEN J , DOEHN C , PFLÜGER I , VOSS A , RAEDLER A 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYMononuclear cells of the lamina propria (LpMNC), isolated from endoscopically taken biopsies of the large bowel from AIDS patients, were analysed for their ability to secrete tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-lβ and IL-6. Stimulation of LpMNC from normal controls with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) led to a time- and dose-dependent enhancement of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 secretion. In contrast, PWM stimulation of LpMNC from AIDS patients resulted in only a small increase in TNF-a release. Constitutive secretion of IL-1β and IL-6 in these patients was already increased to the concentration range of stimulated cells from normal controls and could not be further increased, probably due to maximal in vivo stimulation. Secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 by peripheral blood monocytes (PBM) and alveolar macrophages from AIDS patients was elevated with or without stimulation compared with normal controls. Obviously, the regulation of TNF-α secretion is dependent on the microenvironment. Since it is known that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) may induce the production of TNF-α, the secretion of this cytokine was examined. Release of IFN-γ was constitutively and under stimulation lowered in LpMNC from AIDS patients compared with normal controls. Addition of IFN-γ to LpMNC did not result in enhanced TNF-α secretion. Our data indicate a defective function of intestinal mononuclear cells in AIDS patients as shown by the diminished TNF-α secretion.
Combinations of low concentrations of cytokines and acute agonists synergize in increasing the permeability of endothelial monolayers
Authors: BEYNON H L C , HASKARD D O , DAVIES K A , HAROUTUNIAN R , WALPORT M J 
Published: July 2010

SUMMARYThe deposition of circulating immune reactants in blood vessels, an important event in the pathogenesis of certain types of vasculitis, requires an increase in permeability in the endothelial monolayer. An in vitro model to examine the integrity of endothelial cell monolayers and their response to inflammatory mediators has been developed. Human umbiiieal vein endothelial cells were grown to confluence on an FITC-labellcd matrix and monolayer integrity was assessed by the exclusion of a 125I-anti-FITC antibody. Alteration in endothelial monolayer penneability was associated with an increase in uptake of 125I-anti-FTTC antibody, expressed as a percentage of the maximal uptake of antibody on to FITC-matdx frotn which endothelial cells had been stripped. We determined the effects on endothelial monolayer permeability of acute agonists (thrombin and histamine). cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IL-1 and IL-4) and combinations of acute agonists and cytokines. Addition of thrombin in concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 15 U/ml led to an increased uptake of 125I-anti-FITC antibody from 2% to 15% relative to unstimulated endothelium. For other agonists and cyiokines the increases in permeability were: (i) histamine (50–400 pmol/ml) increased uptake 5–22%: (ii) TNF (125–100 ng/ml) increased uptake 2–12%: (iii) IFN-γ (125–250 U/ml) inereased uptake I5–3%. IL-lβ(50–100 U/ml) and IL-4 (50–100 U/ml) had no effect. Synergistic interactions on endothelial monolayer permeability were seen with the following combinations: (i) IL-4 (100 U/ml) and TNF (12·5 ng/ml) uptake 11%; (ii) IL-4 (100 U/ml) and IFN-γ (125 U/ml) uptake 6·5%; (iii) TNF (12·5 ng/ml) and IFN-γ (125 ng/ml) uptake 7%; (iv) thrombin (0·5 U/ml) and histamine (50 pmol/ml) uptake 13·5%; and (v) TNF (12·5 ng/ml) and thrombin (0·5 U/ml) uptake 8·5%. These observations suggest that interactions between cytokines and acute inflammatory mediators such as thrombin and histamine may be important in determining whether immune complexes are deposited in vessel walls. This model system may now be useful for the further investigation in vitro of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of immune complex-mediated vascular damage.
Rapid Near Infrared Spectroscopic Method for the Detection of Spoilage in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fillet
Authors: Lin Mengshi , Mousavi Mojgan , Al‐Holy Murad , Cavinato Anna G. , Rasco Barbara A. 
Published: July 2010

ABSTRACT:The possibility of using visible and short‐wavelength near‐infrared (SW‐NIR: 600 to 1100 nm) spectroscopy to detect the onset of spoilage and to quantify microbial loads in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Spectra were acquired on the skin and flesh side of intact trout fillet portions and on minced trout muscle samples stored at 4 °C for up to 8 d or at room temperature (21 °C) for 24 h. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) chemometric models were developed to predict the onset and degree of spoilage. PCA results showed clear segregation between the control (day 1) and the samples held 4 d or longer at 4 °C. Clear segregation was observed for samples stored 10 h or longer at 21 °C compared with the control (0 h), indicating that onset of spoilage could be detected with this method. Quantitative PLS prediction models for microbial loads were established. For trout fillets, 4 °C: R= 0.97, standard error of prediction (SEP) = 0.38 log colony‐forming units (CFU)/g (flesh side); R= 0.94, SEP = 0.53 log CFU/g (skin side); R= 0.82, SEP = 0.82 log CFU/g for minced fish held at 21 °C. These results indicate that SW‐NIR in combination with multivariate statistical methods can be used to detect and monitor the spoilage process in rainbow trout and quantify microbial loads rapidly and accurately.
Community‐acquired septic shock: early management and outcome in a nationwide study in Finland
Authors: Varpula M. , Karlsson S. , Parviainen I. , Ruokonen E. , Pettilä V. ,   Finnsepsis Study Group
Published: July 2010

Aim:  To determine how the early treatment guidelines were adopted, and what was the impact of early treatment on mortality in septic shock in Finland.Methods:  This study was a sub‐analysis of a prospective observational investigation of severe sepsis and septic shock in Finland (Finnsepsis). All patients with severe sepsis over 4 months in 24 intensive care units were included in the Finnsepsis study. Patients with community‐acquired septic shock, admitted directly from the emergency department to the intensive care unit, were included in the sub‐study. The following treatment targets were evaluated: measurement of lactate during the first 6 h; analysis of blood culture before antibiotics; commencement of antibiotics within 3 h; attainment of a mean arterial pressure of ≥65 mmHg, central venous pressure of ≥8 mmHg and central venous oxygen saturation of ≥70% or mixed venous oxygen saturation of ≥65% during the first 6 h.Results:  Of the 92 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria, six reached all treatment targets and 33 reached four or more targets (group ≥4). The hospital mortality of group ≥4 was 24% (8/33), compared with 42% (25/59) for those who reached three or fewer targets (group ≤3) (P= 0.08). The 1‐year mortality rates of group ≥4 and group ≤3 were 36% and 59% (P= 0.04), respectively. In logistic regression analysis, a delayed initiation of antimicrobials was associated with an unfavourable outcome (P= 0.04).Conclusions:  Compliance with international guidelines for the early treatment of septic shock was poor in Finnish hospitals. A failure to diagnose early and to start appropriate treatment was reflected in the high mortality. The delayed start of antibiotics was the most important individual variable leading to a high mortality in this nationwide study.
Personnel breathing zone sevoflurane concentration adherence to occupational exposure limits in conjunction with filling of vaporisers
Authors: HEIJBEL H. , BJURSTÖM R. , JAKOBSSON J. G. 
Published: July 2010

Background: Work place pollution during filling of anaesthetic vaporisers has been a matter of concern. We studied personnel breathing zone ambient air sevoflurane concentrations during filling of sevoflurane with three different filling systems: Quik‐Fil™ for Abbott and Dräger Fill™ resp. Easy‐Fil™ adapters for Baxter sevoflurane bottles, referred to as ‘Abbott and Baxter filling systems’.Method: Sequential filling of three vaporisers was performed for a 15‐min period, once with each of Abbott and Baxter filling systems, by four nurses. Ambient‐air sevoflurane p.p.m. concentration in the breathing zone was continuously measured using a Miran 1a device during filling, and the mean 15 min sevoflurane concentration was calculated.Results: All eight measured (4 × 2 sequences) 15‐min mean breathing zone sevoflurane concentrations covering filling of three vaporisers were well below the recommended short‐term value (STV) provided by the Swedish Work Environment Authority (STV 20 p.p.m.).Conclusion: The breathing zone sevoflurane concentration during filling of sevoflurane with Baxter or Abbott filling systems, in an ordinary operating theatre, was found to be reassuringly below the Swedish recommended STV (20 p.p.m. average for a 15‐min period).
Beobachtungen über die Koloniengründung von Lasius umbratus umbratus Nyl
Authors: Hölldobler Karl 
Published: July 2010

Zusammenfassung1. Lasius umbratus zeigte nach dem Hochzeitsflug den gleichen atavistischen Mordinstinkt wie Lasius mixtus. Im Experiment töteten umbratus‐Weibchen, die noch keine Lasius niger‐Arbeiterinnen erlegt hatten, auch junge niger‐Weibchen, die viel größer waren als sie selbst, und zerstückelten sie. Nachdem sie den Mordtrieb abreagiert hatten, schlossen sie sich jungen niger‐Weibchen an. Umbratus‐Weibchen, die schon eine niger‐Arbeiterin erlegt hatten, schlossen sich gleich an. In einem Versuch ist der Mordinstinkt durch einen erfolglosen Kampf mit einem niger‐Weibchen abreagiert worden. Es kam zum Anschluß an das erst bekämpfte niger‐Weibchen.2. Einzelne umbratus‐Weibchen lassen sich auch mit mehreren niger‐Weibchen alliieren. Mit anderen umbratus‐Weibchen vertragen sie sich nicht.3. Wenn man den alliierten Weibchen von umbratus und niger Kokons gibt, werden vom niger‐Weibchen daraus niger‐Arbeiterinnen erzogen, welche die niger‐Königin nach einiger Zeit töten. Es wird aber beobachtet, daß sich auch das umbratus‐Weibchen an dieser Beseitigung der niger‐Königin beteiligen kann.4. Wenn in einer gemischten Kolonie umbratus‐niger die umbratus die Überhand haben, werden die niger‐Arbeiterinnen ziemlich rasch beseitigt und den Larven gefüttert. Dadurch entsteht in sehr kurzer Zeit eine reine umbratus‐Kolonie aus der ursprünglich gemischten Kolonie.5. Es wird eine Koloniegründung von umbratus beschrieben, bei welcher das Weibchen vor allem durch seinen Pflegereiz die Aufnahme erreicht.6. Zwei umbratus‐Weibchen legten in den Versuchen noch im Jahre des Hochzeitsfluges starke Gelege.7. Die umbratus‐Weibchen zeigten Teilaktivierung des Brutpflegetriebes.8. Es wird über eine künstlich gemischte Kolonie eines niger‐Weibchens mit flavus‐Arbeiterinnen berichtet, die nach Überhandnahme der niger‐ Arbeiterinnen sehr schnell eine artreine niger‐Kolonie wurde.
Betrachtungen über den Einfluß der Blutlauszehrwespe Aphelinus mali (Hald.) auf den Massenwechsel ihres Wirtes, der Apfelblutlaus Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausm.), in den Niederlanden
Authors: Evenhuis H. H. 
Published: July 2010

ZusammenfassungÜberlegungen über den Einfluß des Blutlausparasiten Aphelinus mali ♂ Hald. (♀) (Chalcid. Hym.) auf seinen Wirt, die Apfelblutlaus, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausm.) (Eriosomat. Homopt.), werden angestellt. Obwohl die Vermehrungsfähigkeit des ersteren viel geringer als die des letzteren ist, wird nachgewiesen, daß dies nicht notwendigerweise bedeutet, daß der Parasit nicht in der Lage wäre, seinen Wirt unter Kontrolle zu halten. Allerdings muß die Bevölkerungsdichte des Parasiten, verglichen mit der des Wirtes, genügend hoch sein. Nach einem normalen Winter in Holland wird diese Bedingung erfüllt. Dennoch kann die Zehrwespe im Frühling und Frühsommer die Blutlaus nicht völlig ausschalten, da Wirtstiere nicht in ausreichender Anzahl aufgefunden werden. Während dieser Zeit nimmt deshalb die Parasitierung ab.Ende Juli/Anfang August steigt die Parasitierung wieder an, da die Vermehrungsfähigkeit der Blutlaus infolge der ungünstiger gewordenen Bedin‐gungen auf der Nährpflanze fast zum Stillstand kommt. Wenn im Herbst die Ernährungsverhältnisse für die Laus wieder günstig werden, erfolgt ein neuer Anstieg der Blutlauspopulation. Aphelinus mali geht zu dieser Zeit in Diapause. Die Parasitierung sinkt daher im Herbst soweit, bis sie zu Beginn des Frühjahrs nahezu gleich Null ist.SummaryReflections are given on the influence of the woolly aphid parasite, Aphelinus mali (Hald.), on its host, the woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausm.). Although the reproductive capacity of the former is much smaller than that of the latter, it is shown that this does not necessarily mean that the parasite is not able to control its host; however, the population density of the parasite has to be sufficiently high then as compared to that of its host. After a normal Dutch winter this condition is fulfilled. Nevertheless the parasite is not able to control its host in spring and in early summer, because it is unable to find sufficient hosts. So the parasitization is decreasing during this period.At the end of July or the beginning of August the parasitization percentage increases owing to the fact that the reproduction of the woolly aphid is slowing down even to almost nought as a result of a less suitable condition of the food plant.In autumn the food plant becomes suitable again, giving rise to a new increase of the population of the woolly aphid. Aphelinus mali then is going into diapause; the parasitization percentage drops in autumn until it is nought in early spring.
Ergebnisse von Bodentieruntersuchungen im Reinhardswald
Authors: HAMMAD S. M. 
Published: July 2010

SummaryThe soil fauna of the Sababurg Nature Reserve in Reinhardswald and the adjoining commercial woodlands was studied from December 1957 to August 1958 using the Tullgren method as modified by Schimitschek. The physical characteristics of the soil were also studied.Mites formed the greater part of the fauna, followed by Collembola and then Diptera. The majority of the mites were Oribatids and their highest percentage was 83.613 % in April in a commercial spruce wood. Trombidiforms reached their greatest density (35.644%) during July in oak leaf mould. The highest percentage of Acaridiae (23.954°/o) and Mesostigmata (19.152%) also occurred in July, in beech leaf mould and grass under ferns respectively. All other groups of animals except mites, Collembola and Uiptera decreased in numbers. True earthworms (Lumbricidae) occurred only in beech leaf mould, whilst Enchytraeids could be found in all the other soils studied. Myriapods were present throughout in small numbers but formed a relatively larger part of the fauna of beech and oak leaf moulds.The density of mites and Collembola was dependent on the physical characteristics of the soil in both the developed and the undeveloped parts of the Sababurg Forest, particularly on the air capacity and the amount of organic matter. The effect of soil pH and human activities on the mite and Collembolan populations could not be established here; there was a high population density of microarthropods in soils with an air capacity of more than 15 % and an organic matter content greater than 25%.