bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunolocalization of cytokines to mast cells in normal and allergic conjunctiva
Authors: MACLEOD J. D. A. , ANDERSON D. F , BADDELEY S. M. , HOLGATE S. T. , MCGILL J. I. , ROCHE W. R. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
Recently, the potential role of mast cells in allergic reactions has been extended by the discovery that these cells synthesize, store and secrete multifunctional cytokines. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis is characterized as an immediate hypersensitivity reaction, in which allergen binds to specitic IgE on mast cells, leading to release of preformed and newly synthesized inflammatory mediators.Objective
In this study we aimed to localize the cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNFα to conjunctival mast cells and lo examine the relationship between mast cell‐associated ctokines and allergic conjunctivitis.Methods
Immunobistochemistry was perfonned on serial sections of conjunctival biopsies from patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, in and out of tbe hay fever season, as well as from non‐allergic volunteers.Results
IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐6 and TNFα were localized to mast cells in normal and allergic conjunctiva. IL‐8 was localized to mast cells in two patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, one during and the other outside the pollen season. Using the monoclonal antibody 3H4, which identifies the secreted form of IL‐4, biopsies frotn patients with active seasonal allergic conjunctivitis contained a significantly bigher proportion of mast cells positive for IL‐4. than those from out‐of‐season patients (P= < 0.016). There was no difference between the two groups in the number of mast cells immunostained by the antibody 4D9 which identifies the stored form of IL‐4.Conclusions
These results suggest that conjunctival mast cells can store a range of multifunctional cytokines and release IL‐4 during active disease, which may give them an important role in upregulating allergic inflamtnation in the conjunctiva.
A new role for interleukin‐7 in the induction of LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 adhesion molecules in Phorbol 12myristate 13acetate activated CD4+CD23+ T‐cell subset
Authors: FRATAZZI C. , CARINI C. 
Published: April 2006

SummaryBackground
The low affinity receptor for IgE, CD23, has been described in several pathological conditions. However, the factors involved in the upregulation or downregulation of this receptor are still debated.Methods and Results
We studied the effect of interleukin 7 (IL‐7) on the expression of CD23 in normal PBT cells stimulated with PMA + Ca2. The data indicate that activated PB‐T cultured in the presence of IL‐7 showed an increased expression of CD23. The induction of IL‐7 on CD23 production appears to be independent of IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐9, IL‐15. Indeed, the addition of specific MoAbs anti‐IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐9, IL‐15 oranti‐IL2R was unable to block the effect of IL‐7 on CD23. The addition of IL‐7 to a specific subset CD4+CD23+ was able to augment the adhesiveness of T cells to parenchymal cell monalayers. The use of different cytokine (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐9, IL‐15) resulted in no increase of adhesiveness. In contrast the addition of IL‐7 to a different T‐cell subset (i.e. CD4+CD23‐) was unable to rescue the lack of adhesiveness observed in these cells. Blocking experiments with MHM6 MoAb were able to drastically reduce the adhesiveness observed in CD4+FCD23+ subsets. The presence of LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 adhesion molecules were responsible for the augmented adhesiveness of activated CD4+CD23+ T cells cultured in the presence of IL‐7. Blocking experiments with anti‐LFA‐1, VLA‐4. anti‐LFA‐1β plus VLA‐4α MoAbs or anti‐ICAM‐1 MoAb added to the monolayers resulted in a complete inhibition of adhesion to parenchymal monolayers. In contrast, the addition of anti‐IL‐7 oranti‐IL‐7R MoAbs were able to block the augmented adhesiveness of CD4+CD23+ cells to monolayers observed in the presence of IL‐7.Conclusions
Taken together these findings point to the likelihood that IL‐7 is responsible for the observed quantitative difference in the level of adhesion molecules and may open a new role of CD23 in the immune regulation.
Human antibody responses of patients living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis to the tegumental protein Sm29 identified through genomic studies
Authors: Cardoso F C , Pacífico R N A , Mortara R A , Oliveira S C 
Published: April 2006

SummarySurface proteins of schistosomes are exposed to host tissues and thus present as potential candidate molecules for the development of new intervention strategies. Herein, we have identified a new tegumental protein of Schistosoma mansoni, termed Sm29. In silico analysis revealed a signal peptide, three glycosylation sites and a transmembrane region on Sm29 amino acid sequence. Sm29 transcription in mammalian developmental stages cDNA libraries of S. mansoni was verified by PCR using specific primers for Sm29 nucleotide sequence and it revealed the presence of transcripts in schistosomula and adult worm stages of the parasite. Sm29 (40–169) fragment was produced in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography to be used in the immunological assays. Confocal microscopy confirmed bioinformatic studies, revealing that Sm29 is a membrane-bound protein localized on the tegument of S. mansoni adult worm. ELISA was performed using rSm29 protein to investigate the antibody isotype profile to Sm29 in sera of patients living in endemic areas for schistosomiasis. IgG1 and IgG3 subclass antibodies to rSm29 were predominant in sera of individuals naturally resistant to infection and resistant to re-infection whereas low levels of IgM, IgA or IgE were measured. Since, IgG1 and IgG3 are involved in parasite killing and in protective immunity the findings reported here suggest the use of Sm29 as a potential candidate vaccine against schistosomiasis.
Induction of CXC chemokines in A549 airway epithelial cells by trypsin and staphylococcal proteases − a possible route for neutrophilic inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Sachse F , Von Eiff C , Stoll W , Becker K , Rudack C 
Published: April 2006

Summary
While various microorganisms have been recovered from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, the inflammatory impact of virulence factors, in particular proteases from Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci on the nasal epithelium, has not yet been investigated. Expression of CXC chemokines was determined in the epithelium of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis by immunohistochemistry. In a cell culture system of A549 respiratory epithelial cells, chemokine levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after stimulation with supernatants originating from three different staphylococcal strains or with trypsin, representing a serine protease. Inhibition experiments were performed with prednisolone, with the serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulphonylfluoride (AEBSF) and with the nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κΒ inhibitor (2E)-3-[[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]sulphonyl]-2-propenenitrite (BAY) 11–7085. Electromobility shift assays (EMSA) were used to demonstrate NF-κB-dependent protein synthesis. CXC chemokines interleukin (IL)-8, growth-related oncogene alpha (GRO-α) and granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2) were expressed in the patients’ epithelium whereas epithelial cell-derived neutrophil attractant 78 (ENA-78) was rarely detected. In A549 cells, chemokines IL-8, ENA-78 and GRO-α but not GCP-2 were induced by trypsin and almost equal levels were induced by staphylococcal supernatants. IL-8, GRO-α and ENA-78 synthesis was suppressed almost completely by AEBSF and BAY 11–7085, whereas prednisolone reduced chemokine levels differentially dependent on the supernatant added. CXC chemokines were detectable in the epithelium of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Staphylococcal serine proteases induced CXC chemokines in A549 cells, probably by the activation of proteases activated receptors, and thus might potentially be involved in neutrophilic inflammation in chronic sinusitis.
Assessing immune function in adult bronchiectasis
Authors: King P T , Hutchinson P , Holmes P W , Freezer N J , Bennett-Wood V , Robins-Browne R , Holdsworth S R 
Published: April 2006

Summary
Bronchiectasis is characterized by chronic airway infection and damage and remains an important health problem. Recent literature has emphasized the role of host defence and immune deficiency in the pathogenesis of bronchiectasis, but there have been few studies of immune function in adult bronchiectasis. A comprehensive screen of immune function was conducted in 103 adult patients with bronchiectasis, encompassing full blood examinations, immunoglobulins and IgG isotypes, complement levels, lymphocyte subsets and neutrophil function. Full blood examinations were normal in this cohort, as were complement levels. Statistical analysis confirmed that a significant number of subjects had low levels of IgG3 (13 patients), B cell lymphocytes (six patients) and T helper cell lymphocytes (seven patients) when compared with controls (P &lt; 0.05). The most common abnormality was found with testing of the neutrophil oxidative burst. All subjects had a normal neutrophil phagocytic function but 33 of the subjects had an oxidative burst that was below the normal range (P &lt; 0001). Almost half the group (45 subjects) had abnormally low levels of one of these four parameters. The findings of low B cells, Th cells and oxidative burst in bronchiectasis are novel. The results emphasize the importance of immune function assessment for adult bronchiectasis.
Listeriolysin O derived fromListeria monocytogenesinhibits the effector phase of an experimental allergic rhinitis induced by ovalbumin in mice
Authors: Yamamoto K , Kawamura I , Tominaga T , Nomura T , Ito J , Mitsuyama M 
Published: April 2006

SummaryListeriolysin O (LLO) derived from Listeria monocytogenes is highly capable of inducing interleukin (IL)-12, IL-18 and interferon (IFN)-γ, and facilitates the generation of Th1 cells. We have recently shown that recombinant LLO (rLLO) inhibits generation of ovalbumin (OVA)-specific Th2 immune response by skewing maturation of antigen-specific T cells into Th1 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of rLLO on the effector phase of Th2-dependent allergic rhinitis in BALB/c mice sensitized with OVA. In mice sensitized intraperitoneally and challenged intranasally with OVA, nasal allergic symptoms such as sneezing and nose-scratching were observed at a high frequency. A high titre of anti-OVA IgE antibody was detected in sera and a large number of eosinophils migrated into the nasal tissue. However, rLLO treatment during the intranasal challenge inhibited the allergic symptoms, production of anti-OVA IgE antibody and eosinophil infiltration. Though rLLO did not affect antigen-specific cytokine production from splenic CD4+ T cells, rLLO significantly suppressed OVA-specific IL-4 and IL-5 production from nasal mononuclear cells. We further found that rLLO inhibited the recruitment of CD4+ T cells in nasal mucosa, and diminished the transcription and cell surface expression of CCR4 on splenic CD4+ T cells. Moreover, rLLO was able to inhibit the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction mediated by anaphylactic antibodies (IgE and IgG1) and mast cells. Taken together, these data showed that rLLO suppresses the effector phase of allergic rhinitis by inhibition of Th2 cell recruitment to nasal mucosa and type I allergic reaction.
High prevalence of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency in premature neonates
Authors: Frakking F N J , Brouwer N , Zweers D , Merkus M P , Kuijpers T W , Offringa M , Dolman K M 
Published: April 2006

SummaryMannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of innate immunity and thus particularly important in neonates in whom adaptive immunity is not yet completely developed. Promoter polymorphisms and structural exon-1 mutations in the MBL2 gene cause reduced or deficient MBL plasma concentrations. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of MBL deficiency in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Eighty-five NICU patients (69 premature) were included in the study. We measured MBL concentrations in umbilical cord and neonatal blood within 24 h after birth by ELISA technique. MBL2 genotypes (n = 67) were determined by Taqman analysis. MBL concentrations were measured longitudinally during three weeks in 26 premature neonates. The association between pre- and intra-partum clinical data and MBL concentrations was investigated. At birth, 29 (42%) premature and six (38%) term neonates had MBL plasma concentrations ≤  0.7 µg/ml which was regarded as deficient. Twenty-one (38%) premature and four (36%) term neonates had variant MBL2 haplotypes, corresponding to exon-1 mutations and the LXPA haplotype. MBL concentrations increased over time in neonates with wild-type MBL2 haplotypes, but not in neonates with variant haplotypes. Low MBL plasma concentrations were related to lower gestational age and variant MBL2 haplotypes. Umbilical cord and neonatal MBL plasma concentrations appeared to be similar. In conclusion, almost half of our NICU patients, especially the premature ones, were MBL-deficient at birth. These infants may be at increased risk of neonatal infections. MBL concentration can reliably be measured in umbilical cord blood and it is positively correlated with gestational and postnatal age.
CD28 co-stimulation via tumour-specific chimaeric receptors induces an incomplete activation response in Epstein–Barr virus-specific effector memory T cells
Authors: Altvater B , Pscherer S , Landmeier S , Niggemeier V , Juergens H , Vormoor J , Rossig C 
Published: April 2006

SummaryExpression of tumour antigen-specific chimaeric receptors in T lymphocytes can redirect their effector functions towards tumour cells. Integration of the signalling domains of the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 into chRec enhances antigen-specific proliferation of polyclonal human T cell populations. While CD28 plays an essential role in the priming of naive CD4+ T cells, its contribution to effector memory T cell responses is controversial. We compared the function of the chRec with and without the CD28 co-stimulatory domain, expressing it in peripheral blood T cells or Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cell lines. The chimaeric T cell receptors contain an extracellular single-chain antibody domain, to give specificity against the tumour ganglioside antigen GD2. The transduced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) maintained their specificity for autologous EBV targets and their capacity to proliferate after stimulation with EBV-infected B cells. Intracellular cytokine staining demonstrated efficient and comparable antigen-specific interferon (IFN)-γ secretion by CTL following engagement of both the native and the chimaeric receptor, independent of chimaeric CD28 signalling. Furthermore, tumour targets were lysed in an antigen-specific manner by both chRec. However, while antigen engagement by CD28ζ chRec efficiently induced expansion of polyclonal peripheral blood lymphocytes in an antigen-dependent manner, CD28 signalling did not induce proliferation of EBV–CTL in response to antigen-expressing tumour cells. Thus, the co-stimulatory requirement for the efficient activation response of antigen-specific memory cells cannot be mimicked simply by combining CD28 and ζ signalling. The full potential of this highly cytolytic T cell population for adoptive immunotherapy of cancer requires further exploration of their co-stimulatory requirements.
Guided seismic waves in layered poroviscoelastic media for continuity logging applications: model studies1
Authors: Parra Jorge O. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractThe gas industry is continuing to concentrate its research and development efforts on new and advanced technology to improve reservoir descriptions through the producing life and development history of heterogeneous gas reservoirs. A very important aspect of this need is the ability to reduce the uncertainty of estimating probable reserves and to lower the operating costs to recover incremental reserves in producing and depleted gasfields. Established methods for reducing uncertainty in heterogeneous reservoir compartments, such as VSP and cross‐well techniques may enhance resolution, but they are currently not economically justifiable in on‐shore gasfields. Continuity logging using guided waves is an alternative approach to analysing inter‐well seismic data to confirm the continuity of heterogeneous gas reservoir compartments; in particular, the continuity of sand and shale stratigraphy in gas reservoirs.The solution of a coupled system of differential equations based on Biot and homogenization theories is adapted to calculate guided seismic waves trapped in low‐velocity layers. The general solution is for a 3D source in a horizontally layered poroviscoelastic medium having isotropic and laterally homogeneous material properties. A unified representation of the medium that includes fluid‐solid interactions and viscoelastic losses is incorporated into the solution. The guided‐wave part of the vector wave field and fluid‐pressure of the complete wave motion in layered dissipative media is verified and used to simulate dispersion and attenuation of guided seismic waves for continuity logging applications. The results of this work suggest that the multimode wave solution is appropriate to simulate guided seismic wave signatures to indicate continuity of layered earth structures in poroviscoelastic reservoirs. In particular, the normal mode information can be used for planning continuity logging surveys and for interpreting the corresponding seismic data. Further, fluid‐pressure waveforms show that maximum amplitude normal modes can be detected at layer interfaces in fluid‐filled porous media, and the corresponding Airy phase wave groups may carry information on the formation permeability.
3D Modelling of the electromagnetic response of geophysical targets using the FDTD method1
Authors: Debroux Patrick S. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA publicly available and maintained electromagnetic finite‐difference time domain (FDTD) code has been applied to the forward modelling of the response of 1D, 2D and 3D geophysical targets to a vertical magnetic dipole excitation. The FDTD method is used to analyse target responses in the 1 MHz to 100MHz range, where either conduction or displacement currents may have the controlling role. The response of the geophysical target to the excitation is presented as changes in the magnetic field ellipticity.The results of the FDTD code compare favourably with previously published integral equation solutions of the response of 1D targets, and FDTD models calculated with different finite‐difference cell sizes are compared to find the effect of model discretization on the solution. The discretization errors, calculated as absolute error in ellipticity, are presented for the different ground geometry models considered, and are, for the most part, below 10% of the integral equation solutions.Finally, the FDTD code is used to calculate the magnetic ellipticity response of a 2D survey and a 3D sounding of complicated geophysical targets. The response of these 2D and 3D targets are too complicated to be verified with integral equation solutions, but show the proper low‐ and high‐frequency responses.
EM target location1
Authors: Gelius L.‐J. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe consider the problem of computing the most probable location of a target based on radar measurements of the subsurface. Our algorithm makes use of the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE), which represents a correlation between the measured data and synthetic data generated for the object of interest at different locations. Previous studies assume a plane‐wave acquisition geometry and target object(s) embedded in a uniform background. In this paper, a generalization of the MLE method is presented which is valid for discrete point sources (and receivers) and a 2D model (i.e. a 2.5D acquisition geometry). Within this formulation the treatment of a non‐uniform background model is also possible. We concentrate on geotechnical ground investigations and assume that the characteristic dimensions of the target object are in the range 1–2λ, (λ being the wavelength). The potential of the method is demonstrated employing cross‐hole radar data acquired in a controlled field experiment. The MLE result is also compared with the image obtained employing a full reconstruction method such as diffraction tomography.
Velocity sensitivity in transversely isotropic media1
Authors: Chapman C.H. , Miller D.E. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractWe consider the problem of determining and predicting how the wave speeds in particular directions for a transversely isotropic (TI) medium depend on particular combinations of the density‐normalized moduli Aij. The expressions for the qP and qSV velocities are known to depend on four moduli. Normally, we can only determine three independent parameters from qP data, or two from qSZ data, as the others have much lower sensitivity. The resolvable parameters are conveniently described by axial and off‐axis parameters: for qP rays, P0°= A11, P90°= A33 and P45°=(A11+ A33)/4 + (A13+2A55)/2; and for qSV rays, S0°= S90°=A55 and S 45°= (A11+ A 33)/4‐ A13/2. These parameters control the magnitude of the squared‐velocities on the axes and at approximately 45°. For an arbitrary TI medium, if the medium is perturbed in a way that preserves a particular parameter, then slowness points in the associated direction and mode witl be approximately preserved in the new medium. we refer to these parameters as ‘push‐pins’, i.e. if a parameter is fixed, the associated part of the slowness surface is pinned in place.Because, these five push‐pins only contain four independent moduli, we can only fix at most three push‐pins. Perturbing one of the other parameters inevitably perturbs the other. Numerical results illustrating the linkage between two push‐pins, when three are fixed, are presented.So‐called anomalous TI media occur when the roles of the qP and qSV waves are reversed: in some directions the faster ray has transverse polarization. That, in turn, requires anomalous velocities at the push‐pins, i.e. S0° > P0°, S45° > P45° and/or S90° > P90° (equivalent to the usual anomalous conditions A11 < A55, < 0 and/or A33 < A55). In the Appendix, we confirm that anomalous sensitivities of the velocities at the five push‐pins only occur in such media, although the push‐pins still apply if interpreted appropriately. Truly anomalous sensitivities, in which push‐pins play no role, only occur in media near the boundary between normal and anomalous.
Ray tracing based on Fermat's principle in irregular grids1
Authors: Vesnaver Aldo L. 
Published: April 2006

AbstractA new method to trace rays in irregular grids based on Fermat's principle of minimum time is introduced. Besides the usual transmitted and reflected waves, refracted, diffracted and converted waves can also be simulated. The proposed algorithm is fast and stable, and respects the reciprocity principle between source and receiver better than procedures adopting the shooting method. It is particularly suited to form part of a traveltime inversion procedure. The use of irregular grids allows adaptation of the earth discretization to the available acquisition geometry and ray distribution, to obtain more stable and reliable tomographic images.