bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling of colloid leaching from unsaturated, aggregated soil
Authors: Laegdsmand M. , Moldrup P. , De Jonge L. W. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe migration of colloids in soils can enhance the leaching of strongly sorbing contaminants. We present a model for the simulation of colloid leaching from unsaturated, aggregated soil media under stationary flow. Transport in the intra‐aggregate pores is simulated by convection–dispersion, and transport in the interaggregate pores, and a stagnant layer of water surrounding the aggregates, is simulated by diffusion. The model describes the release of colloids from soil aggregates, sorption and desorption processes at the air–water interfaces, and flocculation and subsequent straining from the flowing water. All three processes were simulated as functions of ionic strength. Transport of ions in intra‐aggregate pores was simulated by Fickian diffusion. The model was calibrated against experimental results of colloid leaching from columns packed with natural soil aggregates. The aggregates were of two soils differing in organic matter content. On each soil a single calibrated parameter set could describe the experiments with the three ionic strengths. The parameters for release of colloids from the aggregate surface and the sorption properties of the air–water interface were different for the two soils. The key parameters for leaching were the thickness of the stagnant layer of water surrounding the aggregates, the mechanical dispersion, the maximum concentration of colloids at the surface of the aggregates, the sorption capacity and rate coefficient of the colloids at the air–water interface, and the colloid diffusion coefficient. Simulations were also done with two additional irrigation intensities at one ionic strength. Simulated leaching was greater than measured leaching at both irrigation intensities, but the diffusion‐controlled release of colloids from the aggregates was simulated correctly.
Sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical antibodies used to distinguish between benign and malignant pleural disease: a systematic review of published reports
Authors: King J , Thatcher N , Pickering C , Hasleton P 
Published: November 2006

Aims:  A systematic review of published reports that have evaluated the ability of immunohistochemistry and argyrophil nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR) staining to distinguish between benign and malignant pleural disease.Methods:  Nineteen relevant papers published during the period 1979–2005 were identified. Individual results of immunohistochemistry for five diagnostic antibodies were extracted to calculate diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Results from five of these studies that had evaluated proliferation markers or AgNOR staining techniques were also summarized.Results:  Most antibodies demonstrated poor to moderate diagnostic ability. Desmin and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) were the most useful, with sensitivity and specificity both above 74%. The combination of EMA and AgNOR was reported as having 95% diagnostic sensitivity. A high MCM2 labelling index also differentiated between benign and malignant pleural disease.Conclusions:  Immunohistochemistry is of limited value, but newer diagnostic methods may be useful additions in this area of pathology. The diagnostic importance of histological features seen on plain tissue sections is emphasized as vital for correctly differentiating between benign pleural disease and malignant pleural mesothelioma.
Diagnostic utility of FLI‐1 monoclonal antibody and dual‐colour, break‐apart probe fluorescence in situ (FISH) analysis in Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumour (EWS/PNET). A comparative study with CD99 and FLI‐1 polyclonal antibodies
Authors: Mhawech‐Fauceglia P , Herrmann F , Penetrante R , Beck A , Sait S , Block A M , Odunsi K , Fisher J , Balos L , Cheney R T 
Published: November 2006

Aims:  To compare the sensitivity and specificity of the recently commercially available FLI‐1 monoclonal (FLI‐1m) antibody with the currently used antibodies [CD99 and FLI‐1 polyclonal (FLI‐1p)] in the diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumour (EWS/PNET) and to determine the diagnostic value of the EWSR1 (22q12) dual‐colour, break‐apart rearrangement probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique.Materials and methods:  Forty‐three cases of well‐documented EWS/PNET and 15 non‐EWS/PNET cases were retrieved from the archival files. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for FLI‐1p, FLI‐1m and FISH analysis was performed.Results:  The most sensitive and specific test panel for the diagnosis of EWS/PNET is the combination of CD99 and FLI‐1p. FISH had a very high specificity (100%) but only a moderate sensitivity (50%).Conclusion:  The combination of CD99 and FLI‐1p is the method of choice for the diagnosis of EWS/PNET. EWRS1 (22q12) dual‐colour, break‐apart rearrangement probe FISH should be used as a confirmatory test in addition to CD99 and FLI1‐p due to its high specificity.
Expression of Endo180 is spatially and temporally regulated during wound healing
Authors: Honardoust H A , Jiang G , Koivisto L , Wienke D , Isacke C M , Larjava H , Häkkinen L 
Published: November 2006

Aims:  Interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix are important for normal wound healing and may play a role in scar formation. Remarkably, wound healing in human gingiva does not result in scar formation and serves as a model for wound regeneration. Endo180 (CD280) is a cell surface receptor that has novel functions to regulate cell migration and bind and internalize collagens that are key processes in wound healing. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of Endo180 during gingival wound regeneration.Methods and results:  Biopsies were collected from normal human gingiva and 1–60 days after wounding and expression of Endo180 was analysed by immunostaining. Expression of Endo180 by cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes was studied by immunoblotting and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. In normal gingiva, Endo180 was expressed by basal epithelial cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, pericytes, macrophages and endothelial cells. In wounds, Endo180 expression was spatiotemporally increased in the migrating and differentiating wound epithelium, in subsets of myofibroblasts, pericytes, macrophages and endothelial cells. Growth factors involved in wound healing up‐regulated the expression of Endo180 in keratinocytes and fibroblasts.Conclusions:  The findings suggest that Endo180 plays a role in re‐epithelialization and connective tissue remodelling during wound regeneration.
Immunohistochemical and mutational analysis of PDGF and PDGFR in desmoid tumours: is there a role for tyrosine kinase inhibitors in c‐kit‐negative desmoid tumours?
Authors: Liegl B , Leithner A , Bauernhofer T , Windhager R , Guelly C , Regauer S , Beham A 
Published: November 2006

Aim:  To determine the platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) α and β status of desmoid tumours. Desmoid tumours are rare monoclonal neoplasms that appear to have no metastatic potential. Surgical resection and radiotherapy in the event of a positive surgical margin is the first‐line treatment. Recurrences are frequent. Treatment results using non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agents, anti‐oestrogen compounds and other agents such as Imatinib mesylate have been published. Therapy with Imatinib has been proposed as a therapeutic option, although in most reports desmoid tumours are reported to be c‐kit–.Methods and results:  We performed immunohistochemical analysis on 124 archived samples (85 patients) of desmoid tumours using antibodies to PDGFα, PDGFβ, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. All desmoid tumours showed immunoreactivity with antibodies to PDGFα and PDGFRα, whereas with antibodies to PDGFβ and PDGFRβ no specific reaction could be detected. Mutational analysis of PDGFRα (exons 11, 12, 17 and 18) and PDGFRβ (exon 12) on frozen material from 14 patients was performed, but no mutations leading to amino acid changes in the mature protein were identified.Conclusion:  The absence of an activating mutation in a protooncogene does not exclude the efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors through other possible mechanisms, and these might be a therapeutic option for patients with desmoid tumours in whom established local and systemic approaches fail to control the disease.
A hexanucleotide selected for increased cellular uptake in cis contains a highly active CpG‐motif in human B cells and primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Mende Miriam , Hopert Anne , Wünsche Winfried , Overhoff Marita , Detzer Anke , Börngen Kirsten , Schlenke Peter , Kirchner Holger , Sczakiel Georg 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe relationship between immunostimulation of human B cells by cytosine–phosphate–guanosine (CpG) ‐containing oligonucleotides and their physical cellular uptake is of mechanistic interest and a prerequisite for rational improvements of the therapeutic potential of CpG‐harbouring oligonucleotides. Here, a combinatorial approach was used to identify nucleotide sequence motifs that facilitate increased cellular uptake in mammalian cells. Oligonucleotides harbouring the selected hexanucleotide TCGTGT in cis show increased cellular uptake. This motif contains a CpG dinucleotide within a sequence context that shows a very strong CpG‐specific stimulatory activity on human B cells. Here we describe the influence of concentration, length and sequence position of the unmethylated CpG dinucleotide on immunostimulation. A comparison between phosphorothioate‐derivatives and unmodified TCGTGT‐containing oligonucleotides strongly indicates a great CpG‐specificity for the unmodified CpG‐harbouring oligonucleotides but not for the phosphorothioate versions. This work describes a link between the physical cellular uptake of naked oligonucleotides harbouring the selected cellular uptake motif TCGTGT, its strong CpG‐specific stimulation of human B cells and its relationship with the sequence context of CpG and its cellular uptake.
TRAF1 regulates recruitment of lymphocytes and, to a lesser extent, neutrophils, myeloid dendritic cells and monocytes to the lung airways following lipopolysaccharide inhalation
Authors: Oyoshi Michiko K. , Barthel Robert , Tsitsikov Erdyni N. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryInhaled lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces an inflammatory response that may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and other airway diseases. Here we investigate the role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor‐associated factor 1 (TRAF1) in leucocyte recruitment using a model of LPS‐induced lung inflammation in mice. TRAF1–/– mice are completely deficient in the recruitment of lymphocytes to the lower respiratory tract after inhalation of LPS. Although TRAF1–/– mice display normal early accumulation of neutrophils, dendritic cells and monocytes in the alveolar airspace, they have a significantly reduced recruitment of these cells by 24 hr after inhalation of LPS when compared to wild‐type (WT) mice. Despite normal expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF, interleukin‐1 (IL‐1) and IL‐6 after LPS treatment, TRAF1–/– mice displayed decreased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, CCL17 and CCL20 in the lungs, when compared to LPS‐treated WT mice. These results suggest that TRAF1 facilitates LPS‐induced leucocyte recruitment into the lung airways by augmenting the expression of chemokines and adhesion molecules. Mice lacking TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) but not TNFR2 show a phenotype similar to the TRAF1–/– mice, suggesting that TRAF1 may act downstream of TNFR1. Significantly, we use bone marrow chimeras to demonstrate that expression of TRAF1 by cells resident in the lungs, but not by circulating leucocytes, is necessary for efficient LPS‐induced recruitment of leucocytes to the lung airways.
Fas ligand exerts its pro‐inflammatory effects via neutrophil recruitment but not activation
Authors: Dupont Peter J. , Warrens Anthony N. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryFas ligand (FasL) expression induces apoptosis of activated T cells and has been suggested as a strategy to inhibit graft rejection. Unfortunately, the use of FasL to confer ‘immune privilege’ in this setting has been hampered by the finding that it may also provoke a destructive granulocytic response. While the Fas/FasL‐mediated apoptotic pathways are well defined, the pro‐inflammatory effects of FasL are poorly understood. Our aim in this study was to define in vitro the biological effects of FasL on neutrophil recruitment and activation. DAP‐3 cells expressing human FasL on the cell membrane (mFasL) potently induced apoptosis in human neutrophils and in activated T lymphocytes. Recombinant human soluble FasL (sFasL), by contrast, was a very weak inducer of apoptosis, even at high concentrations. This latter observation suggests that cleavage of mFasL by naturally occurring matrix metalloproteinases may serve to down‐regulate FasL activity in vivo. However, in the presence of a cross‐linking antibody, the efficiency of apoptosis‐induction by sFasL was greatly increased, suggesting that the lesser pro‐apoptotic potency of sFasL reflects an inability to induce trimerization of the Fas receptor. With regard to pro‐inflammatory effects, we found that sFasL is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant and, given that it induces little apoptosis, the dominance of sFasL over mFasL may mean that graft‐infiltrating neutrophils will survive to mediate inflammation. Neither sFasL nor mFasL produced neutrophil activation as assessed by chemiluminescence assay. This suggests that neutrophils recruited to an inflammatory site by FasL will be activated by mechanisms other than Fas–FasL signalling.
Expression of galectin‐3 and its regulation in the testes
Authors: Deschildre Catherine , Ji Jing Wei , Chater Sonia , Dacheux Françoise , Selva Jacqueline , Albert Martine , Bailly Marc , Hatey François , Benahmed Mohamed 
Published: November 2006

SummaryAlthough spermatogenesis is a complex process under hormonal control, which includes mainly follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and androgens, little is known about the intra‐testicular mediators of these hormones. In the present study, galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) expression has been identified in human, rat and porcine testes where it is under hormonal control. Gal‐3 is present in Sertoli cells and appears to be absent in human and (probably) in rat germ cells. Gal‐3 expression was evidenced in the testes, in terms of both mRNA and protein (31 kDa). Gal‐3 expression in cultured porcine Sertoli cells was shown to be under the positive control of FSH as well as of two cytokines epidermal growth factor (EGF) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Gal‐3 expression in Sertoli cells is also potentially under the control of mature germ cells as an increased expression was observed in adult rat testes depleted in spermatocytes or spermatids. Although the function of testicular Gal‐3 remains to be investigated, a potential role of Gal‐3 in germ cell survival/regeneration is suggested based on its increased expression 1 month after a transient germ cell death process triggered by 10 days of treatment with the antiandrogen flutamide. Finally, although in the normal human testes, Gal‐3 is exclusively located in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm, a nuclear localization is observed in the infertile testes. Together, the present findings have shown that (i) Gal‐3 is expressed in the porcine, rat and human Sertoli cells; (ii) Gal‐3 is under the positive control of FSH as well as of EGF and TNF‐α and possibly of adult germ cells. These observations are compatible with a potential pro‐survival role of Gal‐3 in the testes.
Modifications of surface carbohydrates on bovine spermatozoa mediated by oviductal fluid: a flow cytometric study using lectins
Authors: Taitzoglou Ioannis A. , Kokoli Alexandra N. , Killian Gary J. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to characterize and quantify changes in exposed saccharide residues of bovine sperm during capacitation in oviductal fluid (ODF) using flow cytometry (FC). Bovine sperm were incubated with 0% or 50% non‐luteal ODF for 30 min or 3.5 h. After incubation, sperm were labelled with 11 fluorescein isothiocyanate‐labelled lectins and evaluated for lectin binding with FC. Furthermore, inhibiting sugars were used to determine specificity of lectin binding to oligosaccharides on the sperm surface. After 30 min incubation, there was a 91% decrease in fluorescence intensity of labelled sperm incubated in WGA, a 76% decline for Con A, 75% decline for BS‐I and a 36% decline for DBA. These differences remained approximately the same over the 3.5‐h incubation. Interestingly, although there was no reduction in UEA‐I binding at 30 min, a significant reduction (23%) was observed at 3.5 h. Con A fluorescence was mostly inhibited with eitherα‐d‐glucose orα‐d‐mannose (86% and 90% respectively). BS‐I fluorescence was reduced after prior incubation of the control samples withN‐acetyl‐galactosamine and galactose by 74% and 80% respectively. After prior incubation withN‐acetyl‐galactosamine DBA fluorescence reduced by 18% in the control samples. With UEA‐I no fluorescence reduction was observed after prior incubation withl‐fucose. We have demonstrated that capacitation of bovine sperm in ODF is accompanied by a quantitative reduction in individual lectin binding sites. These modifications may be crucial to the subsequent signalling events involved with sperm‐zona binding, zona penetration or interaction with the oolema.
Selective impairment of noradrenergic transmission in the bisected rat vas deferens following photochemically‐induced cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Boselli C. , Gioglio L. , Preda S. , Govoni S. 
Published: November 2006

SummaryBackground:  Cerebrovascular disease may impair the autonomic control of peripheral organs including the male urogenital tract. This study investigates the effect of cortico‐parietal focal ischaemia on the adrenergic and purinergic transmission in isolated epididymal and prostatic portion of rat vas deferens.Methods:  Focal brain ischaemia was induced in male rats by photochemical activation following rose bengal intravenous injection. Twenty‐four hours following brain ischaemia, cumulative and non‐cumulative concentration–response curves were obtained for noradrenaline and α,β‐methylene ATP in the right and left epididymal and prostatic portions of the vas deferens. Both portions were also stimulated by single‐pulse or pulse trains at 2–30 Hz to produce isometric contractions.Results:  In both portions from ischaemic rats the response to exogenous noradrenaline was markedly depressed compared with controls. Acute cortico‐parietal ischaemia almost completely abolished the adrenergic phase of the response to single‐pulse stimulation in the epididymal portion of the vas deferens. In addition, brain ischaemia deeply depressed phasic and tonic contractions of the frequency–response curve in both portions of bisected vas deferens.Conclusions:  Cortico‐parietal ischaemia produces a selective noradrenergic impairment at the level of male sexual secondary organs that may contribute to sexual dysfunction after stroke.
Plant productivity and soil nitrogen as a function of grazing, migration and fire in an African savanna
Authors: HOLDO RICARDO M. , HOLT ROBERT D. , COUGHENOUR MICHAEL B. , RITCHIE MARK E. 
Published: November 2006

Summary

Herbivores can play a key role in affecting ecosystem function, but their direct and indirect effects are often confounded with each other and have rarely been dissected. Predictions for open systems, i.e. those with cross‐habitat nutrient fluxes and dispersal, may differ from those expected in closed systems, where no such transfers occur, but these differences have only recently begun to be characterized.
We present a theoretical model of plant productivity and soil nitrogen (N) based on the Serengeti ecosystem in order to investigate the interplay among herbivore movement, nutrient transport across habitats (spatial subsidies), the fire regime and the effects of herbivores on N cycling.
Model results suggest that the fire regime and herbivore migration are key determinants of primary productivity and fertility, and that the impact of these factors depends on grazing intensity. At low intensity, high grass biomass leads to extensive fires and N volatilization, but this effect is reduced at high grazing intensity. Without migration, the model predicts that primary productivity and fertility initially increase, then decline with increasing grazing intensity. Conversely, seasonal migration decouples the growing and grazing seasons, leading to a monotonic increase in productivity with grazing intensity. Cross‐habitat N transport has a relatively modest effect on N dynamics, and the magnitude of the seasonality effect outweighs the spatial subsidy effect.
Our model suggests that herbivores and fire may play key interactive roles in regulating producers and determining ecosystem functional properties in grazing systems, both through consumption and via indirect effects on nutrient availability. The direction and magnitude of these effects could potentially vary greatly among ecosystems with resident vs. migratory herbivores, suggesting that spatial coupling through animal movement can be important at both the population and ecosystem levels.
This study suggests that the degree to which trophic interactions influence ecosystem function may be strongly modulated by whether systems are open or closed. It also suggests that direct and indirect effects of consumers on their resources (top‐down effects) may be far more important than nutrient subsidies in open terrestrial systems.
Role of niche restrictions and dispersal in the composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities
Authors: LEKBERG YLVA , KOIDE ROGER T. , ROHR JASON R. , ALDRICH‐WOLFE LAURA , MORTON JOSEPH B. 
Published: November 2006

Summary

Metacommunity and neutral theory have reinvigorated the study of ‘niches’ and have emphasized the importance of understanding the influences of competition, abiotic factors and regional spatial processes in shaping communities.
We conducted a field survey to examine the effects of soil characteristics and distance on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities of maize (Zea mays) in sand and clay soils. To address whether the field distributions of AM fungal species represented their fundamental or realized niches, we grew representative species of the two dominant genera, Glomus and Gigaspora, alone or together on Sorghum bicolor plants in sand, clay or a sand/clay mixture in the glasshouse.
In the field, soil characteristics and spatial structure accounted for significant proportions of the variation in community composition among sites, suggesting that both environmental variables and dispersal were important factors shaping AM fungal communities.
AM fungi in the family Glomeraceae occurred predominately in clay soils, whereas AM fungi in the family Gigasporaceae dominated in sand soils. Niche space of Glomeraceae was further partitioned by levels of soil organic carbon and nitrogen.
In the glasshouse, root colonization by Glomus was high in all three soils when grown in the absence of Gigaspora, indicating a broad fundamental niche. Root colonization by Gigaspora was negatively correlated with percentage clay when grown in the absence of Glomus, consistent with the low abundance of this family in clay soils in the field. When grown together, spore production of both Glomus and Gigaspora was significantly reduced only in the sand soil, indicating that competition could limit niches of both families in certain soil environments.
Our results suggest that AM fungal distributions are the product of environment, interspecific competition and regional spatial dynamics, emphasizing the importance of using a metacommunity perspective in community ecology.