bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Innate versus Adaptive Immunity: A Paradigm Past Its Prime?
Authors: Borghesi Lisa , Milcarek Christine 
Published: May 2007

AbstractStudies in tumor immunology have relied upon the classic paradigm of distinct innate and adaptive parts of the immune system. However, recent advances in immunology suggest that this division may be overly simplistic, with emerging evidence of a breakdown in conventional hallmarks of each system. Here, we provide an overview of this area and discuss how the concept of a continuum of immune cell populations suggests novel areas of investigation in cancer research. [Cancer Res 2007;67(9):3989–93]
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2–Mediated Tumor Suppression Is Nitric Oxide Dependent and Involves Angiostasis
Authors: Zhao Xueqiang , Mohaupt Mariette , Jiang Jing , Liu Shubai , Li Bing , Qin Zhihai 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTumor necrosis factor (TNF) binds to two different receptors. Although most of its functions are attributed to TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), the independent role of TNFR2 is still largely unknown. Using TNFR single or double knock-out mice, we show here that the expression of TNFR2 alone on host cells was sufficient to suppress the growth of TNF-secreting tumors in both immune competent and T/B lymphocyte–deficient severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Histologic studies showed that TNF recruited, via TNFR2, large numbers of macrophages and efficiently inhibited angiogenesis in the tumor. In vitro, TNF activated TNFR1-deficient macrophages to produce nitric oxide (NO). Treatment of TNFR1 knock-out mice with L-NAME, a specific NO synthase inhibitor, almost completely eliminated TNF-induced angiostasis and tumor suppression. Moreover, L-NAME acted only during the first few days of tumor growth. Our results show for the first time that TNFR2 expressed on host innate immune cells is sufficient to mediate the antitumor effect of TNF, and NO is necessary for this process, possibly by inhibition of angiogenesis in the tumor. [Cancer Res 2007;67(9):4443–9]
Divine Justice across the Mediterranean: Hittite Arkuwars and the Trial Scene in Aeschylus' Eumenides
Authors: Bachvarova Mary 
Published: April 2007

AbstractA survey of Bronze Age Akkadian prayers and Hittite arkuwars, and Iron Age Anatolian, Greek and Latin curses shows a wide-spread conflation of prayer and forensic speech. The evidence is sufficiently abundant to allow us to trace an evolution in the conventions of prayer which keeps pace with changes in judicial procedure. Furthermore, the Hittite prayers in particular, with their detailed descriptions of the imagined court scenario, provide context to the trial scene in Aeschylus' Eumenides, allowing us to separate traditional elements from innovations.
Lyre Gods of the Bronze Age Musical Koine
Authors: Franklin John Curtis 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThat the Late Bronze Age cultural koine included a musical dimension is suggested by the Mesopotamian and Hurrian/Ugaritic musical tablets. This paper presents a selective survey and analysis of evidence for a parallel phenomenon, the deification of lyres/harps, which seemingly originated in late third millennium Mesopotamia and spread abroad in the second. Deified lyres are considered as both a ritual reality and an inducement to poetic elaboration by the same poetpriests who used them; much of the textual evidence thus represents remnants of a professional repertoire. At the same time, the motif also commonly centers on kingship, which is explained in terms of the dual office of priest-kingship; as such, there is some involvement of the deified lyre with the ritual of sacred marriage (hieros gamos). Relevant material comes from Ugarit and Cyprus, especially in the figure of Kinyras. In Greek evidence, 'lyre heroes' like Orpheus, Amphion, Cadmus and Linus are seen as late mythological derivatives of the pattern, Archaic survivals of Mycenaean ritual-poetics. Finally, Old Testament evidence for musical prophecy is considered in light of the foregoing.
Golden Fetters and Economies of Cultural Exchange
Authors: Moyer Ian 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn W. Burkert's Orientalizing Revolution, itinerant craftsmen and other specialists moving from East to West are the primary vector for the movement of Near Eastern ideas and practices to the Greek world in the archaic period. In this model, the incentive for movement is a choice between western economic freedom and the despotism of eastern palace-centered economies. When set in the context of theoretical debates over the ancient economy, and particularly the important studies of C. Grottanelli and C. Zaccagnini on the mobility of specialists, Burkert's model appears to accept that modern divisions between eastern and western economies were also salient for ancient actors. This supposition is tested through a reexamination of Herodotus' story of the Greek doctor Democedes and the golden fetters awarded to him by Darius (Histories 3.125, 129-137). Though Herodotus uses the symbol of "golden fetters" as a focal point for the construction of cultural difference, parallel Greek and Egyptian evidence of specialists in royal service suggests that such gifts could also function as cross-cultural prestige items, and that the royal economies in which they circulated could facilitate and even stimulate the adoption and dissemination of notionally foreign ideas and practices.
Ino-Leukothea between East and West
Authors: Finkelberg Margalit 
Published: April 2007

AbstractUntil recently it has generally been taken for granted that cultural contacts between the Aegean and the Near East invariably proceeded in one direction, from East to West. It seems, however, that recent archaeological discoveries are about to change this picture. As these discoveries demonstrate, with the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization some Bronze Age populations of Greece migrated to the Levant and settled along the Mediterranean coast from Tarsos in the north to Ashkelon in the south, eventually to be assimilated into the native population. This fact suggests a much more complex network of relations between the Aegean and the Near East than the simple one-sided cultural dependence which has usually been postulated.
Some Oriental Elements in Hesiod and the Orphic Cosmogonies
Authors: López-Ruiz Carolina 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThis paper examines the oriental background of the so-called Orphic cosmogonies of ancient Greece. The first section explores the relationship between the motif of Zeus' swallowing the phallus of Uranos and a corresponding feature in the Hurrian-Hittite Song of Kumarbi. The second section examines the complex figure of Kronos, arguing all aspects of his personality can be understood better if we take account of the figure of El in Ugaritic mythology; in particular, the relationship between Kronos and the virtually homophonous and often related-figure of Khronos ("Time") can be better understood if we take account of West Semitic mythology.
Pigs at the Gate: Hittite Pig Sacrifice in its Eastern Mediterranean Context
Authors: Collins Billie Jean 
Published: April 2007

AbstractThe consumption of pork in Hittite Anatolia is unlikely to have been a simple matter of geography or ethnicity, but was governed by a complex set of principles involving determiners like status, gender, and the level of cultic influence from religious sanctuaries. On the few occasions that the Hittite texts refer directly to eating pork, the context is highly ritualized, suggesting that special religious significance was sometimes attached to the eating of pig's flesh. Further, drawing on evidence from the societies surrounding the Mediterranean basin, a case can be made for the private nature of pig sacrifice in Hittite Anatolia. They were killed to ensure the wellbeing of the community and the fertility of humans and crops. A festival performed in Istanuwa to reaffirm the human-divine relationship may parallel the practice of sacrificing a pig at the ratification of treaties in the classical world. Finally, this animal's unique place among the domesticates extends to its role as a substitute for humans, a ritual motif that can be found throughout the Mediterranean in antiquity.
In vivo p53 response and immune reaction underlie highly effective low-dose radiotherapy in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Knoops Laurent , Haas Rick , de Kemp Sanne , Majoor Donné , Broeks Annegien , Eldering Eric , de Boer Jan Paul , Verheij Marcel , van Ostrom Conny , de Vries Annemieke , van't Veer Laura , de Jong Daphne 
Published: May 2007

Abstract
Very low-dose irradiation (2 × 2 Gy) is a new, effective, and safe local treatment for follicular lymphoma. To understand the biologic mechanisms of this extremely effective response, we compared by microarray the gene-expression profile of patients' biopsies taken before and after radiation. In all patients, a major and consistent induction of p53 target genes was seen. p53 targets involved in cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis showed the same mode of regulation, indicating that, in vivo, both are activated simultaneously. p53 up-regulation and p53-mediated proliferation arrest and apoptosis were substantiated using immunohistochemistry, with activation of both the intrinsic and the extrinsic apoptotic pathways. The other induced genes revealed a whole set of biologically meaningful genes related to macrophage activation and TH1 immune response. Immunohistochemical analysis suggested a specific activation or differentiation of resident macrophages by apoptotic cells. These biologic insights are important arguments to advocate the use of low-dose radiotherapy as an effective palliative treatment for follicular lymphoma. Moreover, this study is the first in vivo report of the radiation-induced p53 apoptotic response in patients and suggests that this apoptotic response is not immunologically silent.
Associations between HLA Class I alleles and the prevalence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) among Tunisians
Authors: Li Xin , Ghandri Nahla , Piancatelli Daniela , Adams Sharon , Chen Deborah , Robbins Fu-Meei , Wang Ena , Monaco Alessandro , Selleri Silvia , Bouaouina Noureddine , Stroncek David , Adorno Domenico , Chouchane Lotfi , Marincola Francesco M 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe high prevalence of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) in Southern Asia and Mediterranean Northern Africa suggests genetic predisposition among other factors. While Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) haplotypes have been conclusively associated with NPC predisposition in Asians, Northern African Maghrebians have been less intensely studied. However, low resolution serological methods identified weak positive associations with HLA-B5, B13 and B18 and a negative with HLA-B14. Using sequence based typing (SBT), we performed a direct comparison of HLA class I frequencies in a cohort of 136 Tunisian patients with NPC matched for gender, age and geographical residence to 148 normal Tunisians. The bimodal age distribution of NPC in Maghrebians was also taken into account. HLA frequencies in normal Tunisians were also compared with those of Northern Moroccan Berbers (ME) to evaluate whether the Tunisian population in this study could be considered representative of other Maghrebian populations. HLA-B14 and -Cw08 were negatively associated with NPC (odd ratio = 0.09 and 0.18 respectively, Fisher p2-value = 0.0001 and = 0.003). Moreover, positive associations were observed for HLA-B-18, -B51 (split of -B5) and -B57 (p2-value < 0.025 in all) confirming previous findings in Maghrebs. The HLA-B14/Cw*08 haplotype frequency (HF) was 0.007 in NPC patients compared to 0.057 in both Tunisian (OR = 0.12; p2-value = 0.001) and Moroccan controls. This study confirms several previous associations noted by serologic typing between HLA class I alleles and the prevalence of NPC in Maghrebians populations. In addition, we identified a putative haplotype rare in Tunisian patients with NPC that may serve as a genetic marker for further susceptibility studies.
CD39 activity correlates with stage and inhibits platelet reactivity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Pulte Dianne , Olson Kim E , Broekman M Johan , Islam Naziba , Ballard Harold S , Furman Richard R , Olson Ashley E , Marcus Aaron J 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackgroundChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by accumulation of mature appearing lymphocytes and is rarely complicated by thrombosis. One possible explanation for the paucity of thrombotic events in these patients may be the presence of the ecto-nucleotidase CD39/NTDPase-1 on the surface of the malignant cells in CLL. CD39 is the major promoter of platelet inhibitionin vivovia its metabolism of ADP to AMP. We hypothesize that if CD39 is observed on CLL cells, then patients with CLL may be relatively protected against platelet aggregation and recruitment and that CD39 may have other effects on CLL, including modulation of the disease, via its metabolism of ATP.MethodsNormal and malignant lymphocytes were isolated from whole blood from patients with CLL and healthy volunteers. Enzyme activity was measured via radio-TLC assay and expression via FACS. Semi-quantititative RT-PCR for CD39 splice variants and platelet function tests were performed on several samples.ResultsFunctional assays demonstrated that ADPase and ATPase activities were much higher in CLL cells than in total lymphocytes from the normal population on a per cell basis (p-value < 0.00001). CD39 activity was elevated in stage 0–2 CLL compared to stage 3–4 (p < 0.01). FACS of lymphocytes demonstrated CD39 expression on > 90% of normal and malignant B-lymphocytes and ~8% of normal T-lymphocytes. RT-PCR showed increased full length CD39 and splice variant 1.5, but decreased variant 1.3 in CLL cells. Platelet function tests showed inhibition of platelet activation and recruitment to ADP by CLL cells.ConclusionCD39 is expressed and active on CLL cells. Enzyme activity is higher in earlier stages of CLL and decreased enzyme activity may be associated with worsening disease. These results suggest that CD39 may play a role in the pathogenesis of malignancy and protect CLL patients from thrombotic events.
Report on primate supply for biomedical scientific work in the UK
Authors: Owen S. , Thomas C. , West P. , Wolfensohn S. , Wood M. 
Published: April 2007

A Working Party of the UK group of European Primate Resources Network (EUPREN) considered primate supply for scientific work in the UK. Through a questionnaire, which achieved a very good response, it obtained details of primate use, sources and breeding in the UK and it put forward options to ensure that animal welfare is the best possible whilst ensuring continued supply. The questionnaire showed that contract research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies use about 80% of the 4233 primates used annually at the moment, with the rest accounted for by academic establishments and public sector laboratories. Fifty-four per cent are cynomolgus macaques ( Macaca fascicularis), of which nearly 90% are captive-bred outside the European Union (EU), the remainder being bred in the UK. Nearly 90% of cynomolgus macaques are used by only five institutions. Thirty-seven per cent of primates used are marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus jacchus), all of which are bred in the UK. Most of the rest are rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta), about half of which are captive-bred outside the EU, the other half being bred in the UK. Overall primate use has increased from about 3000 per year in 1990 and users predict that requirements for all species except baboons ( Papio sp.) will be maintained or increase. Marmoset breeding in the UK is already closely matched to use, and it could be increased reasonably easily if necessary. Some of the existing breeding centres of macaques in the UK would be prepared to consider expanding to supply others, although investment and imported breeding stock would be needed and it is likely that a large investment would be needed to breed a significant fraction of the macaque use in the UK. A further problem is that the users of only about 10% of the cynomolgus macaques said that they could replace this species by rhesus macaques, which are easier to breed in the UK. The questionnaire showed that much of the use of macaques would be transferred to other countries equally remote from the natural source countries of the animals, if constraints on primate use became more severe in the UK. Users felt that it is unlikely that much of the work could be transferred to the natural source countries themselves. A review of the literature revealed a paucity of information on the effects of transport on primate welfare. The importance of obtaining this information before making decisions about alternative means of supply is stressed. Current schemes for the accreditation of primate breeders were reviewed. A list of options is presented for discussion. Users vary so much in their requirements that it is unlikely that one means of supply will be applicable to all. Animal welfare will benefit and supply will be more certain if cooperation between those concerned (preferably through the UK group of EUPREN) is maintained.
Reporting animal use in scientific papers
Authors: Smith Jane A. , Birke Lynda , Sadler Dawn 
Published: April 2007

This paper reports the results of an examination of the 'methods' sections of a range of experimental research papers in biomedical science, focusing on the descriptions of animal use and housing. Detailed descriptions in the methods should enable replication, and also enable readers to judge scientific quality. Relatively few papers sampled gave adequate descriptions of housing conditions and many failed to give details of physiologically relevant variables such as weight of animals. Thirty per cent of papers omitted the number of animals used, and the deaths of animals (whether as part of the protocol, or accidental death) were not always recorded. Adequate reporting of the conditions of animal maintenance and use are important, both in relation to the quality of the science produced, and also because of public concerns about the ethics of animal experiments.
Method for long-term intestinal access in the dog
Authors: Wilsson-Rahmberg M. , Jonsson O. 
Published: April 2007

A variety of devices have been used to establish long-term intestinal access in laboratory animals. Their use is complicated by infection, tissue reaction, and a frequent need for single housing to prevent implant damage. Intussuscepted nipple valves have long been used in the human field of surgery for various applications where there is a need to create a reservoir without leakage. With the use of the nipple valve it was possible to establish long-term intestinal access in dogs with minimal post-operative complications, no leakage and, because no foreign material was used, no complications due to tissue rejection. The advantages of a nipple valve over the similar technique of a straight stoma is less post-operative complications in the form of leakage as well as enhanced access due to the design of the nipple valve. Encouraging results prompted us to widen the use of nipple valves to 14 dogs in which it has been possible to establish long-term colonic or duodenal/ileal access at one or two sites. Nine of the dogs are still in use with duration of instrumentation for some animals exceeding 60 weeks. This method requires minimal maintenance, does not prevent group housing of instrumented dogs or outdoor activities nor does it compromise the quality of life for the animals.
Practical role of genetic profiling and preservation stock of human tumour xenograft lines as a tool in animal experiments for antitumour drug evaluation
Authors: Ohnish Y. , Yamamoto N. , Ebukuro M. , Yoshimura M. , Sawa N. , Ueyama Y. , Nomura T. , Katoh H. 
Published: April 2007

Human tumour xenografts (HTXs) are a useful tool for animal experiments especially for evaluation of new antitumour drugs. We have been establishing HTXs, and have developed tumour chemosensitivity panels for new drug evaluation using them. With regard to quality control (problems in changes into mouse-type tumours and/or artificial cross-contamination among tumour lines), we studied genetic profiling, and effects of long-term passaging on tumour properties such as growth and chemosensitivities, and we discuss the use of cryopreservation stock of HTXs and periodic replacement in order to maintain reproducibility of the experimental results. We examined isozyme markers and DNA fingerprinting to identify species and individuality of the tumours, respectively. Growth curves and sensitivities to antitumour drugs were examined using HTXs with different passaging in nude mice. Among the tumours we maintained, five human tumours were found to have changed to mouse origin from their isozyme markers and were excluded. We identified the individuality of tumours which we used for the chemosensitivity panels by DNA fingerprinting, and their properties were stable for long-term passaging in nude mice. However, growth speed and chemosensitivities to drugs were altered with long-term passaging, although DNA fingerprint analysis did not show any obvious changes with passaging. Genetic profiling, such as isozyme markers and DNA fingerprinting, is useful to identify individuality of experimental HTXs, and tumours should be renewed periodically even when there are no signs of artificial contamination when they are used in experiments which require continuous reproducibility of experimental results.
A comparison between medetomidine-ketamine and medetomidine-propofol anaesthesia in rabbits
Authors: Hellebrekers Ludo J. , de Boer Evert-Jan W. , van Zuylen Michiel A. , Vosmeer Hans 
Published: April 2007

We investigated the effects of combinations of the α2-agonist medetomidine with either ketamine or propofol for their overall quality of anaesthesia, including the possible concomitant changes in respiratory and circulatory function in New Zealand White rabbits. Medetomidine was administered at 0.35 mg/kg, intramuscularly. Following sedation, ketamine (5 mg/kg) or propofol (2 and 3 mg/kg) were administered intravenously via the ear vein. Data on reflexes (palpebral, corneal, ear-pinch and toe-pinch), jaw muscle tone and physiologic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate, body temperature) were recorded before and after administration of drugs. Intermittent arterial blood sampling was performed at predetermined intervals before and after anaesthesia. The results show that the ear-pinch and toe-pinch reflexes and the jaw muscle tone are reliable indices to determine surgical anaesthetic depth. A surgical level of anaesthesia could be obtained reliably with the combination medetomidine-ketamine and medetomidine-propofol (3 mg/kg) with a duration of 19 min (variation 10 to 40 min, n=6) and 11 min (variation 5 to 15 min, n=6), respectively. Propofol administered at 2 mg/kg did not produce an adequate anaesthetic level. The data from this study demonstrate a high degree of predictability in achieving a fast induction and adequate anaesthetic depth together with a low incidence of untoward side-effects and a zero mortality with the combinations investigated. The data from the medetomidine-ketamine group show that, although adequate anaesthetic depth of medium duration is achieved, the arterial oxygen tension is reduced to hypoxemic levels. With the use of this combination, the supplemental administration of oxygen is advised. With the combination of medetomidine-propofol (3 mg/kg) a short duration anaesthesia of adequate depth was achieved, whereby physiological variables all remained within acceptable ranges. The use of medetomidine-propofol, in combination with the α2-antagonist atipamezole to shorten recovery time, will provide reliable and very versatile anaesthesia in rabbits.