bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of immune responses and suppression of experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis by surgical denervation of the spleen
Authors: Bakhiet M , Yu L-Y , Özenci V , Khan A , Shi F-D 
Published: March 2006

SummaryCritical interactions between the nervous system and the immune system during experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) were examined in an animal model for human MG after immunization of adult female Lewis rats with Torpedo acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and complete Freund’s adjuvant. Immunized rats depicted marked clinical severity of the disease. Using enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and in situ hybridization techniques, immune responses in these animals were examined and showed elevated numbers of anti-AChR IgG secreting B cells and AChR reactive interferon (IFN)-γ-secreting cells, enhanced mRNA expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α as Th1 subset and the anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 as a Th2 subset, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β as a Th3 cytokine. Corticosterone and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay and illustrated increased production after immunization. Surgical denervation of the spleen reduced significantly the clinical severity of the disease, suppressed the numbers of IgG and IFN-γ-secreting cells, down-regulated the mRNA expression for cytokines and reduced corticosterone and PGE2 production. As controls, sham-operated rats were used and showed results as the EAMG non-denervated control rats. The data present herein, and for the first time, substantial effects of the nervous system on immune responses that may influence the outcome of EAMG. These effects were not dependent on cytokine inhibitory mediators such as prostaglandins or stress hormones. IL-10 and TGF-β, the two potent immunosuppressive cytokines, were also suppressed, indicating a general suppression by splenic denervation. More investigations are initiated at our laboratories to understand the evident neural control over the immune system during challenges leading to the break of tolerance and development of autoimmunity, which may assist in innovative therapeutic approaches.
The presence of antibodies to oxidative modified proteins in serum from polycystic ovary syndrome patients
Authors: Palacio J R , Iborra A , Ulcova-Gallova Z , Badia R , Martínez P 
Published: March 2006

Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age. Free radicals, as a product of oxidative stress, impair cells and tissue properties related to human fertility. These free radicals, together with the oxidized molecules, may have a cytotoxic or deleterious effects on sperm and oocytes, on early embryo development or on the endometrium. Aldehyde-modified proteins are highly immunogenic and circulating autoantibodies to new epitopes, such as malondialdehyde (MDA), may affect the reproductive system. Autoantibodies or elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum are often associated with inflammatory response. The purpose of this work is to investigate whether PCOS women show increased levels of oxidized proteins (protein–MDA) and anti-endometrial antibodies (AEA) in their sera, compared with control patients, and to determine whether AEA specificity is related to oxidized protein derivatives. Sera from 31 women [10 patients with PCOS (PCOS group) and 21 women with male factor of infertility (control group)] were chosen from patients attending for infertility. Anti-endometrial antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with an endometrial cell line (RL-95). Antibodies against MDA modified human serum albumin (HSA–MDA) were also determined by ELISA. Oxidized proteins (protein–MDA) in serum were determined by a colorimetric assay. Patients with PCOS have significantly higher levels of AEA and anti-HSA–MDA, as well as oxidized proteins (protein–MDA) in serum than control patients. For the first time, we describe an autoimmune response in PCOS patients, in terms of AEA. The evidence of protein–MDA in the serum of these patients, together with the increased antibody reactivity to MDA-modified proteins (HSA–MDA) in vitro, supports the conclusion that oxidative stress may be one of the important causes for abnormal endometrial environment with poor embryo receptivity in PCOS patients.
Ischaemia is linked to inflammation and induction of angiogenesis in pancreatic islets
Authors: Linn T , Schmitz J , Hauck-Schmalenberger I , Lai Y , Bretzel R G , Brandhorst H , Brandhorst D 
Published: March 2006

Summary
β-cell replacement is the only way to restore euglycaemia in patients with type-1 diabetes. Pancreatic tissue, processed for subsequent clinical islet transplantation, is exposed to ischaemia causing injury and death in a large number of islets before and after transplantation. In this review we summarize what is known on the sources of environmental stress for pancreatic islets, such as insufficient oxygen supply during pancreas procurement and in culture prior to intraportal transplantation, nutritional and oxygen deprivation during the isolation process, and the consequences of hyperglycaemia. An increasingly recognized role in the modulation of β-cell function and these environmental stress factors plays the vascular network of the pancreatic islets. Islet revascularization by angiogenesis is relevant for the survival of the graft subsequent to transplantation. Potential strategies offered by therapeutic induction of revascularization to ameliorate the detrimental impact of these factors on the quality of islet transplants are discussed.
Imatinib mesylate inhibits proliferation of rheumatoid synovial fibroblast-like cells and phosphorylation of Gab adapter proteins activated by platelet-derived growth factor
Authors: Kameda H , Ishigami H , Suzuki M , Abe T , Takeuchi T 
Published: March 2006

SummaryReceptors for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) are abundantly expressed on synovial fibroblast-like (SFL) cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and stimulation with PDGF enhances both the anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of RA–SFL cells. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for the excessive growth of RA–SFL cells and to seek a novel molecular-targeting therapy for RA, we examined the expression of adapter proteins and the effect of the specific inhibition of PDGF receptor activation by imatinib mesylate. Cultured SFL cells were used in the present study after 2–5 passages. The anchorage-dependent and -independent growth patterns of the SFL cells were evaluated using a tetrazolium-based assay and colony formation in 0·3% agar, respectively. Adapter proteins Gab1 and Gab2 were expressed in RA–SFL cells, and both proteins were rapidly (&lt; 1 min) tyrosine-phosphorylated after the stimulation of RA–SFL cells with 10 ng/ml of PDGF and, to a lesser extent, after stimulation with 100 ng/ml of epidermal growth factor (EGF). The inhibition of PDGF receptor tyrosine kinase activation by 1 µM or less of imatinib mesylate specifically suppressed the PDGF-dependent, but not EGF-dependent, tyrosine phosphorylation of various proteins. Moreover, imatinib mesylate abolished both the anchorage-dependent and -independent proliferation of RA–SFL cells induced by PDGF stimulation. These results suggest that Gab adapter proteins are expressed and likely to be involved in the growth signalling of rheumatoid synovial cells and that imatinib mesylate, a key drug in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia, may also be effective for the treatment of RA.
Influence of major surgery on the mannan-binding lectin pathway of innate immunity
Authors: Ytting H , Christensen I J , Basse L , Lykke J , Thiel S , Jensenius J C , Nielsen H J 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe mannan-binding lectin (MBL) pathway of complement activation is important in host defence against pathogens and possibly against cancer. We investigated the effect of major surgery on two central components of the MBL pathway; MBL and the MBL-associated serine protease MASP-2, and for comparison also measured the interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Serial blood samples were obtained from patients belonging to two different cohorts. Cohort 1 comprised 60 patients undergoing open or laparoscopic colectomy for benign disease (n = 12) or colon cancer (n = 48). Cohort 2 comprised 27 patients undergoing elective, open surgery for colorectal cancer, and was included in order to cover blood sampling between days 2 and 6. As expected, the surgical stress induced a marked acute phase response, as evidenced by a large increase in IL-6 (18-fold) and CRP (13-fold) levels with maximum at 12 h and 2 days, respectively. However, in both cohorts the levels of MBL and MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) were largely unaffected, except for a minor but significant increase around day 8 in cohort 1. The preoperative levels of IL-6 and CRP were correlated significantly in both cohorts (r = 0·71, P &lt; 0·0001 and r = 0·65, P = 0·005, respectively). Preoperative MASP-2 correlated with preoperative CRP (r = 0·59, P = 0·001) and IL-6 (r = 0·55, P = 0·02) in cohort 2 only. In contrast to the marked effects on the levels of IL-6 and CRP, the surgery influenced only marginally the two proteins of the MBL pathway.
The C-terminus of complement regulator Factor H mediates target recognition: evidence for a compact conformation of the native protein
Authors: Oppermann M , Manuelian T , Józsi M , Brandt E , Jokiranta T S , Heinen S , Meri S , Skerka C , Götze O , Zipfel P F 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe complement inhibitor Factor H has three distinct binding sites for C3b and for heparin, but in solution uses specifically the most C-terminal domain, i.e. short consensus repeats (SCR) 20 for ligand interaction. Two novel monoclonal antibodies (mABs C14 and C18) that bind to the most C-terminal domain SCR 20 completely blocked interaction of Factor H with the ligands C3b, C3d, heparin and binding to endothelial cells. In contrast, several mAbs that bind to the N-terminus and to the middle regions of the molecule showed no or minor inhibitory effects when assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and ligand interaction assays. This paradox between a single functional binding site identified for native Factor H versus multiple interaction sites reported for deletion constructs is explained by a compact conformation of the fluid phase protein with one accessible binding site. On zymosan particles mAbs C14 and C18 blocked alternative pathway activation completely. Thus demonstrating that native Factor H makes the first and initial contact with the C terminus, which is followed by N terminally mediated complement regulation. These results are explained by a conformational hypothetical model: the native Factor H protein has a compact structure and only one binding site accessible. Upon the first contact the protein unfolds and exposes the additional binding sites. This model does explain how Factor H mediates recognition functions during complement control and the clustering of disease associated mutations in patients with haemolytic uraemic syndrome that have been reported in the C-terminal recognition domain of Factor H.
Modulation of endothelial monolayer permeability induced by plasma obtained from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated whole blood
Authors: Nooteboom A , Bleichrodt R P , Hendriks T 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to elucidate the time course of the permeability response of endothelial monolayers after exposure to plasma obtained from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human whole blood; to investigate the role of apoptosis in monolayer permeability, and to inhibit the permeability increase, particularly after addition of the plasma stimulus. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured on semiporous membranes and the permeability for albumin was measured after exposure, according to different schedules, to LPS-conditioned plasma. Apoptotic HUVEC were measured by both flow cytometry and ELISA. A variety of agents, including antibodies against cytokines, inhibitors of NF-κB, and a caspase inhibitor, were added to HUVEC, either prior to or after the stimulus. A maximum increase of the permeability was achieved after 4–6 h of exposure to LPS-conditioned plasma. This response was not accompanied by an increase in the number of apoptotic HUVEC. Administration of antibodies against both Tumour Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) to HUVEC within 1 h after stimulation significantly reduced the permeability increase. Similarly, pyrollidine di-thiocarbamate (PDTC), but not N-acetylcysteine, could prevent the permeability response, and was still effective when added within 2 h after LPS-conditioned plasma. The TNF-α/IL-1β signal present in LPS-conditioned plasma appears to increase endothelial permeability through intracellular pathways that very likely involve the activation of NF-κB. Although poststimulatory inhibition of the permeability response proves to be possible with agents such as PDTC, the window of opportunity appears very small if placed in a clinical perspective.
A phase II randomized controlled trial of a novel male contraception, an intra‐vas device
Authors: Song L. , Gu Y. , Lu W. , Liang X. , Chen Z. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe aim of this study was to introduce a novel male contraceptive method, an intra‐vas device (IVD), and to assess the efficacy, safety and satisfaction of recipients compared with no‐scalpel vasectomy (NSV). A phase II randomized controlled trial was conducted in China in 2003. Two hundred and eighty‐eight male subjects seeking vasectomy were randomly assigned to the IVD or NSV group. Follow up included a telephone questionnaire on the 14th postoperative day and visits at the third and 12th postoperative months. The follow‐up rates at the three time points were 100%, 100% and 96.5% respectively. There was no technical failure in any subject. The surgical conditions were similar in both groups, but the IVD group experienced an additional 5 min of operative time (p < 0.001). The IVD group recovered normal activity and sexual intercourse more rapidly (both p < 0.05). The azoospermia rate was lower in the IVD group than in the NSV group at the third and 12th postoperative months. The rate of contraceptive success based on semen analyses was similar in both groups, especially at the 12th postoperative month (94.3% in the IVD group vs. 98.6% in the NSV group; p = 0.054). The IVD group had less risk of complications (i.e. pain, congestive epididymitis and sperm granuloma). More subjects reported satisfaction with IVD sterilization than with NSV. The two procedures were similar in terms of surgical complications. The IVD was slightly less effective, but had a lower risk of later adverse events than the NSV technique. The IVD group also reported a higher level of satisfaction.
Effect of storage in short‐ and long‐term commercial semen extenders on the motility, plasma membrane and chromatin integrity of boar spermatozoa
Authors: De Ambrogi Marco , Ballester Juan , Saravia Fernando , Caballero Ignacio , Johannisson Anders , Wallgren Margareta , Andersson Magnus , Rodriguez‐Martinez Heriberto 
Published: March 2006

SummaryFor artificial insemination (AI) in pigs, preservation of liquid boar semen at 16–20 °C is still common practice as sperm cryopreservation remains suboptimal in this species. To meet the different needs of the swine industry, several extenders have been developed to preserve semen in liquid form for short‐ and long‐term storage. In the present study, three different commercial extenders devised for short‐term (BTS+) or long‐term preservation (MR‐A and X‐Cell), were used to test whether storage of semen from four mature, fertile boars at 17 °C for 96 h would affect sperm characteristics relevant for fertility, such as motility, membrane integrity and chromatin stability. Computer‐assisted sperm analysis, and stainings with the acylated membrane dye SYBR‐14/propidium iodide, and acridine orange in connection with flow cytometry were used to evaluate these variables. Percentages of total motile spermatozoa decreased slightly, but significantly, after 72–96 h. While membrane integrity values varied during the period of study, no significant changes in either membrane integrity or chromatin stability were, however, registered. This suggests a customary 96‐day storage at 17 °C in these extenders was too short an interval to cause losses of integrity in nuclear DNA in the boar population studied.
Steady and dynamic shear rheology of glutinous rice flour dispersions
Authors: Yoo Byoungseung 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe steady and dynamic shear rheological properties of Korean glutinous rice flour dispersions were evaluated at different concentrations (4, 5, 6, 7 and 8%). Glutinous rice flour dispersions at 25 °C showed a shear‐thinning behaviour (n = 0.487–0.522) with low magnitudes of Casson yield stresses (σoc = 0.056–0.339 Pa). The magnitudes of σoc, consistency index (K) and apparent viscosity (ηa,100) increased with the increase in concentration. The power law model was found to be more suitable than the exponential model in expressing the relationship between concentration and apparent viscosity. The apparent viscosity over the temperature range of 25–70 °C obeyed the Arrhenius temperature relationship, with high determination coefficients (R2 = 0.982–0.998), indicating that the magnitudes of activation energies (Ea) were in the range of 9.05–11.89 kJ mol−1. A single equation, combining the effects of temperature and concentration on ηa,100, was used to describe the flow behaviour of glutinous rice flour dispersions. Magnitudes of storage (G′) and loss (G′′) moduli increased with the increase in concentration and frequency. Magnitudes of G′ were higher than those of G′′ over most of the frequency range.
Cassava starch functional properties by etherification – hydroxypropylation
Authors: Schmitz Cláudio S. , De Simas Karina N. , Santos Karina , João Jair J. , De Mello Castanho Amboni Renata D. , Amante Edna R. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryStarches are important food biopolymers with gelling properties that are well explored by the food industry for texture and physical food characteristic control. Brazil contributes to a large part of the starches produced world wide, but the modified starches used are imported and expensive. The objective of this work was to develop a hydroxypropylated starch from cassava starch, at a lower price and in conditions in accordance with Brazilian reality. Dihydroxypropylstarch (DHPS) was produced with a less expensive and less harmful substituting molecule, chloropropylene glycol. DHPS physical chemistry properties, retrogradation and micro structural characteristics were studied and compared with native corn, cassava starches and a commercial hydroxypropylated (HPS) cassava starch, with an extensive use in the food industry. DHPS showed the highest values for swelling power and viscosity, low retrogradation and higher freezing–thawing stability, compared with HPS, cassava and native corn starches. The microstructure of DHPS remained unmodified when compared with commercial HPS. Retrogradation and physical chemistry properties are superior to DHPS, which would indicate its use in industrial food production.
Extent of decortication and quality of flour, couscous and porridge made from different sorghum cultivars
Authors: Aboubacar Adam , Yazici Nejla , Hamaker Bruce R. 
Published: March 2006

SummarySorghum grain was decorticated to remove 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of the kernel for the purpose of improving flour colour, couscous colour and yield, and porridge texture. Flour lightness increased while yellow colour decreased with increased extent of decortication. Processing of the flours into couscous caused a considerable drop in lightness and increased yellow colour in couscous at all levels of decortication. As decortication level increased, couscous colour became lighter. Yellow colour progressively increased up to 30% kernel removal and dropped at 40%. Couscous yield, as measured by the proportion of particles of 1–2 mm size, also increased up to 30% kernel removal. This improvement in yield was attributed to decreased proportion of bran as indicated by ash content. However, the yield dropped at 40% kernel removal due to formation of large chunks of agglomerated flour particles. Thick porridge became harder as decortication level increased and this was strongly associated with the concomitant increase in starch concentration. Overall, this study defined the decortication levels necessary to improve the couscous colour and yield, and texture of porridge made from different sorghum cultivars.
Rapid molecular identification of freshly squeezed and reconstituted orange juice
Authors: Ng Chang‐Chai , Chang Chen‐Chin , Wu I‐Chieh , Kotwal Sabir , Shyu Yuan‐Tay 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThis work presents a rapid and accurate molecular approach in the identification of freshly squeezed and reconstituted orange juice. Primers were designed based on the 18S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The findings indicated that self‐made freshly squeezed orange juice heated to 80 °C for 30 s caused damage to DNA integrity, thus failing in amplification by primer 18S‐ITSe, which gives a polymerase chain reaction product of 2081 bp, whereas primer 18S‐ITSf, fragment length 2421 bp, could only be seen in heating conditions less stringent than 70 °C, 15 s. This new DNA integrity‐dependent method has potential applications in identifying adulteration of freshly or processed orange juice.
Monitoring and modelling of starch cake washing
Authors: Salmela Nina , Oja Marja 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThis study describes the washing of starch filter cakes in a filter press, and shows an easy, simple and reliable method for the prediction of starch cake washing. The specific properties of starch particles that affect the filtration behaviour are introduced, as well as the starch pressure filtration process cycle, the monitoring of the cake washing process in a filter press, the sampling of the filter cake, and the modelling of the washing process. The monitoring of the washing process for industrial‐scale cake washing operations is quite difficult, and a prediction of the result is needed. The use of the simple model in predicting the washing process is for the purpose of making the washing process easier. The results obtained show that the starch cake washing can be effectively carried out in a filter press and the behaviour of the starch cake during washing can be interpreted with the washing models if the filtration properties of that starch are known.
Bovine splenic NK cells synthesize IFN‐γ in response to IL‐12‐containing supernatants from Babesia bovis‐exposed monocyte cultures
Authors: GOFF WILL L. , STORSET ANNE K. , JOHNSON WENDELL C. , BROWN WENDY C. 
Published: March 2006

SUMMARY The spleen is a critical effector organ functioning, in haemoparasitic diseases like babesiosis, to destroy the pathogen and clear the host of infected erythrocytes. It has an important role in both innate responses and adaptive immune responses. Young calves demonstrate a strong spleen‐dependent innate response to an initial infection with Babesia bovis involving the type‐1 regulating cytokines IL‐12 and IFN‐γ. However, the specific splenic cell types that produce IFN‐γ in response to infection and the cellular factors that regulate the induction have not been fully determined. Splenic NKp46+ NK cells were identified and purified. They consisted of CD3−, CD2+/–, and CD8+/– populations. NK cells responded to exogenous IL‐12 and IL‐18 with the production of IFN‐γ. Functionally, IL‐18 served as a potent co‐stimulant with IL‐12 for IFN‐γ production. Finally, innate IFN‐γ production was induced in splenic NK cells in the presence of supernatants from B. bovis merozoite‐exposed monocytes in an IL‐12 pathway‐dependent manner.