bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thromboxane‐like actions of prostaglandin D2 on the contractility of the rat colon in vitro
Authors: DIENER M. , GABATO D. 
Published: December 2008

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) concentration‐dependently induced a contraction of the longitudinal muscle of the intact isolated rat colon in vitro. The effect of PGD2 increased continuously from the anal to the oral end of the colon. The action of PGD2 was not inhibited but rather enhanced by the neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin, and by the PGD2 antagonist, AH 6809. In contrast, the thromboxane A2 antagonist, SK&F 88046, concentration‐dependently inhibited the PGD2 effect. The action of PGD2 was mimicked by the stable thromboxane A2 derivative, carbocyclic thromboxane A2, indicating that PGD2 exerts its action on the smooth muscle by stimulation of thromboxane receptors.Between 18 (distal colon) and 38% (proximal colon) of the preparations exhibited spontaneous phasic myogenic contractions. The thromboxane antagonist, SK&F 88046, completely suppressed these spontaneous contractions. The combined lipoxygenase/ cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitors nordihydroguaiaretic acid and sulfasalazine mimicked the action of SK&F 88046, whereas the cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, was ineffective. These results suggest that endogenously produced metabolites of arachidonic acid, e.g. thromboxane A2, contribute to the generation of spontaneous muscle contractions in vitro. The failure of indomethacin to suppress muscular activity, however, requires further studies.
Hypertension and thirst outlasting renal vasoconstriction as effects of a brief elevation of systemic angiotensin II in sheep
Authors: ERIKSSON S. , ANDERSSON B. , GUNNARSSON U. , RUNDGREN M. 
Published: December 2008

The influence of 10 min intracarotid (i.e.) and intravenous (i.v.) infusions of angiotensin II (Ang II; 20 pmol kg‐1 min‐1) on carotid blood pressure (cBP) and renal blood flow (RBF) was studied in unanaesthetized ewes without and with pre‐treatment with the α1‐and β‐adrenoceptor blocker labetalol. RBF was also monitored during 30 min intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of Ang II at 2 pmol kg‐1 min‐1.The i.e. infusions of Ang II induced about 50 mmHg rise in cBP. A steep decline occurred during 5 min post‐infusion, followed by a much slower reduction with the cBP remaining above control level at 40 min post‐infusion. The pressure elevation induced by i.v. Ang II was less pronounced but exhibited a similar pattern. Labetalol significantly reduced the pressor response to i.e. as well as i.v. Ang II.The i.e. and i.v. infusions of Ang II conspicuously reduced the RBF regardless of whether the ewes were labetalol‐treated or not. At 5 min after the infusions RBF had returned to control level. The ICV infusions did not influence the RBF.Ang II i.e. elicited thirst in 50% of the ewes with the urge to drink remaining at 40 min post‐infusion. The dipsogenic response was not reduced by labetalol pre‐treatment.The results imply that no cerebral component contributes to the reduction in RBF induced by systemic Ang II. However, a centrally mediated action seems to be the cause of the long‐lasting post‐infusion cBP elevation and dipsogenic response. It suggests that, once bound at brain sites, Ang II may have a sustained action, alternatively may initiate cerebral processes of long duration.
Analysis of the pressure‐flow characteristics of isolated perfused rat kidneys with inhibited tubular reabsorption
Authors: JOHNSSON E. , RIPPE B. , HARALDSSON B. 
Published: December 2008

The renal hemodynamics were studied in an isolated perfused rat kidney model modified for investigations of the glomerular permeability characteristics. The tubular reabsorptive activity was inhibited by perfusion at low temperature (8 oC) in the presence of furosemide and nitroprusside resulting in a dramatic increase in the filtered load of fluid and solute reaching the tubules and hence in tubular pressure. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), arterial pressure (PA) aid needle pressure (intrarenal tissue pressure, PiR) were continuously recorded and the glomerular hydrostatic pressure was estimated by an arterial occlusion technique.The pre‐ to postglomerular resistance ratio was calculated from the pressure vs. GFR relationships for two perfusates having differing oncotic pressures (π= 5.5 and 77 = 20 mmHg), from which estimations of glomerular hydrostatic pressures (PGC) were concomitantly made. Thus, increases in An could be exactly counterbalanced by equally large increases in Pac for any given GFR, the needle and Bowman's capsule pressures being dependent on GFR but not on plasma colloid oncotic pressure.The experimental interventions resulted in a pronounced elevation of PiR as compared with in vivo conditions, while the PGC values were in a normal range, resulting in reduced glomerular filtration pressures. Furthermore, the clearance of albumin varied with the oncotic pressure in agreement with the notion of heteroporosity.
LocaIization of 125l‐labelled α‐r‐atriaI natriuretic peptide in rat tissues by whole‐body and microautoradiography
Authors: TJÄLVE H. , WILANDER E. 
Published: December 2008

125I‐labelled α rat atrial natriuretic peptide (28 amino acids: Ser 99‐Tyr 126) ([125I] α‐rANP) was given i.v. to SpragueDawley rats and the distribution of radioactivity in the tissues was examined by whole‐body and microautoradiography at intervals from 2 min to 4 h after the administration. Inhibition of uptake of the [1251]α‐rANP by simultaneous injection of an excess of non‐labelled α‐rANP was taken as an indication that highly labelled structures in rats injected with [125I]α(‐rANP alone are due to an abundance of specific receptors for the peptide. In the rats given only the [125I]α‐rANP a rapid and high radioactivity occurred in the renal glomeruli, the endocardium of the heart ventricles, the endothelium of the processus ciliares of the eyes, the portal vessels and a few larger vessels of the liver, the subcapsular vessels of the adrenal glands and the parenchyma of the lungs. Other tissues showing a distinct, but less prominent, radioactivity were the endocardium of the heart atria, the walls of the great afferent and efferent vessels in the thoracic cavity, the choroid plexuses of the brain ventricles, the pia mater, brown fat, the muscularis layer of the stomach and the intestines, the lamina propria of the villi in the small intestine and the walls of a few small blood vessels in the kidney medulla. The specific labelling was highest at 2 min after injectian and then diminished at later intervals.Several of the labelled structures are localized in tissues involved in the regulation of blood pressure, and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, processes in which the atrial peptides are considered to play a role. It is suggested that high concentrations of receptors are present at the sites at which the [125I]α‐rANP was strongly localized and that biological effects of the atrial peptides are everted via these structres.
A vaccine manufacturer’s approach to address medical needs related to seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses
Authors: Baras Benoit , Bouveret Nancy , Devaster Jeanne‐Marie , Fries Louis , Gillard Paul , Sänger Roland , Hanon Emmanuel 
Published: December 2008

Abstract Vaccination is considered to be one of the most effective tools to decrease morbidity as well as mortality caused by influenza viruses.For the prevention of seasonal influenza, Fluarix™ and FluLaval™ have been marketed since 1987 and 1992, respectively. Both vaccines have consistently been shown to meet or exceed the regulatory criteria for immunogenicity against the three strains H1N1, H3N2 and B, have a good safety profile, and are recommended for vaccinating children and adults of all ages.For the prevention of pandemic influenza, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has obtained licensure of a pre‐pandemic vaccine, Prepandrix™. This split‐virus H5N1 adjuvanted with AS03, a proprietary oil‐in‐water emulsion‐based adjuvant system, has demonstrated broad immunity against drifted H5N1 strains and has been shown to be effective in preventing mortality and viral shedding in animal studies.The influenza vaccine portfolio of GSK addresses specific medical needs related to seasonal or pandemic influenza viruses, which remain an important public health threat worldwide.
Yearly licensing studies from 1997 to 2007 of the inactivated whole virus seasonal influenza vaccine fluval – a useful approach to pandemic vaccine development even in less well developed countries?
Authors: Vajo Zoltan , Kosa Lajos , Szilvasy Istvan , Pauliny Zsuzsanna , Bartha Kálmán , Visontay Ildiko , Jankovics Mate , Kis Agnes , Jankovics Istvan 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective  Seasonal vaccination has been consistently shown to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality because of influenza epidemics, even in healthy, working adults. Here we report the results of the yearly licensing studies of the past 11 influenza seasons (1997–2007) with a trivalent, inactivated whole virus vaccine with an aluminum phosphate adjuvant system.Methods  Sixty healthy volunteers per age group (18–60 years and 60 years and older) were enrolled to receive vaccination each year, thus, a total of 1080 subjects were studied. Serum antibody titers were measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HI).Results:  The vaccine met the criteria for licensing each year, meaning seroprotection (achievement of an HI titer of >1:40 in >70% of subjects); seroconversion, i.e. a >4‐fold increase in HI antibody titer, or reaching a titer of >1:40, in >40% of subjects; and an increase in geometric mean titers by >2·5‐fold. Side effects were rare and mild. The same method was used to produce a pre‐pandemic vaccine against influenza A (H5N1), which has been shown to be safe and immunogenic in humans.Conclusions  We conclude that the method presented is safe, effective and may serve as a useful approach to seasonal and pandemic vaccine production even in less well‐developed countries by means of technological transfer.
Safety and immunogenicity of live attenuated influenza reassortant H5 vaccine (phase I–II clinical trials)
Authors: Rudenko Larisa , Desheva Julia , Korovkin Sergey , Mironov Alexander , Rekstin Andrey , Grigorieva Elena , Donina Svetlana , Gambaryan Alexandra , Katlinsky Anton 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective Our studies aimed to evaluate in clinical trials the safety and immunogenicity of an H5 live influenza vaccine candidate obtained using classical reassortment techniques from a low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) A/Duck/Potsdam/1402‐6/86(H5N2) virus and the cold‐adapted (ca) donor strain A/Leningrad/134/17/57(H2N2).Methods During Phase I–II clinical trials, volunteers received intranasally two doses of reassortant influenza vaccine strain A/17/Duck/Potsdam/86/92 (H5N2) 21 days apart. Clinical examination of all vaccinees was conducted 7 days post‐vaccination. Serum antibody responses were measured by hemagglutination‐inhibition and microneutralization and local antibodies were estimated using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay test.Results The vaccine was safe and of low reactogenicity with no febrile reactions. After revaccination 47·1–54·8% of subjects showed ≥fourfold seroconversions of Hamagglutination inhibition (HAI) antibodies to the hemagglutinin (HA) antigen of the A/17/Duck/Potsdam/86/92 (H5N2) virus and 29·4–30·8% were seroconverted to the HA antigen of the reverse genetics reassortant A/Indonesia/05/2005 × PR8 IBCDC‐RG (H5N1). Virus‐neutralizing antibody levels in sera of volunteers were similar to those shown in HAI test. The virus‐specific nasal IgA antibody response after two vaccine doses demonstrated significant increases of ≥fourfold rise SIgA antibodies (65%) geometrical mean titers (16·0) and a rise in SIgA antibodies (2·8) compared with one dose.Conclusion The live attenuated influenza vaccine candidate prepared using the LPAI A(H5N2) strain was well tolerated and elicited serum and local immune responses. There was evident cross‐reactivity to the A(H5N1) strain in the HAI test.
The extent of emphysema in patients with COPD
Authors: Shaker Saher Burhan , Stavngaard Trine , Hestad Marianne , Bach Karen Skjoelstrup , Tonnesen Philip , Dirksen Asger 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The global initiative for COPD (GOLD) adopted the degree of airway obstruction as a measure of the severity of the disease. The objective of this study was to apply CT to assess the extent of emphysema in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and relate this extent to the GOLD stage of airway obstruction.Materials and Methods:  We included 209 patients with COPD. COPD was defined as FEV1/FVC < 0.70 and no reversibility to β2‐agonists. All patients were current smokers with a smoking history of ≥20 pack‐years. Patients were assessed by lung function measurement and visual and quantitative assessment of CT, from which the relative area of emphysema below −910 Hounsfield units (RA‐910) was extracted.Results:  Mean RA‐910 was 7.4% (n = 5) in patients with GOLD stage I, 17.0% (n = 119) in stage II, 24.2% (n = 79) in stage III and 33.9% (n = 6) in stage IV. Regression analysis showed a change in RA‐910 of 7.8% with increasing severity according to GOLD stage (P < 0.001). Combined visual and quantitative assessment of CT showed that 184 patients had radiological evidence of emphysema, whereas 25 patients had no emphysema.Conclusion:  The extent of emphysema increases with increasing severity of COPD and most patients with COPD have emphysema. Tissue destruction by emphysema is therefore an important determinant of disease severity in COPD.Please cite this paper as: Shaker SB, Stavngaard T, Hestad M, Bach KS, Tonnesen P and Dirksen A. The extent of emphysema in patients with COPD. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 15–21.
Overview on the current status of asthma genetics
Authors: Halapi Eva , Bjornsdottir Unnur Steina 
Published: December 2008

AbstractIntroduction:  Asthma is a complex heterogeneous and mutifactorial disease occurring at the interface of multiple genes that interact with various environmental stimuli insulting the immune system at different levels and different times of disease susceptibility.Objective:  The present paper is a review of the current status of the genetics of asthma.Results:  Sequence variants in hundreds of genes have been associated with asthma using both family‐based and case control screening methods.Conclusion:  As the number of genes known to be associated with asthma risk is rapidly growing, it is essential to begin integrating epidemiologic, genetic and genomic strategies to unravel the relationships between genotype and phenotype, and elucidate the pathogenesis of asthma with the goal to make clinical use of these discoveries.Please cite this paper as: Halapi E and Bjornsdottir US. Overview on the current status of asthma genetics. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 2–7.
Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Assay for Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus NS3-4A Protease Activity in Live Cells
Authors: Sabariegos Rosario , Picazo Fernando , Domingo Beatriz , Franco Sandra , Martinez Miguel-Angel , Llopis Juan 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT
The NS3/4A protease from hepatitis C virus (HCV) plays a key role in viral replication. We report a system for monitoring the activity of this enzyme in single living mammalian cells. We constructed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe that consists of an enhanced cyan fluorescent protein-citrine fusion, with a cleavage site for HCV NS3/4A protease embedded within the linker between them. Expression of the biosensor in mammalian cells resulted in a FRET signal, and cotransfection with the NS3/4A expression vector produced a significant reduction in FRET, indicating that the cleavage site was processed. Western blot and spectrofluorimetry analysis confirmed the physical cleavage of the fusion probe by the NS3/4A protease. As the level of FRET decay was a function of the protease activity, the system allowed testing of NS3/4A protease variants with different catalytic efficiencies. This FRET probe could be adapted for high-throughput screening of new HCV NS3/4 protease inhibitors.
Nucleoside and Nucleotide Analogs Select in Culture for Different Patterns of Drug Resistance in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Types 1 and 2
Authors: Ntemgwa Michel L. , Toni Thomas d'Aquin , Brenner Bluma G. , Oliveira Maureen , Asahchop Eugene L. , Moisi Daniela , Wainberg Mark A. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTRecent findings suggest bidirectional antagonisms between the K65R mutation and thymidine analogue mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected, treatment-experienced patients, yet little is known about HIV-2 in this regard. This study addressed the effects of innate polymorphisms in HIV-2 on emergent resistance to nucleoside/nucleotide analogues. Emergent drug resistance profiles in HIV-2 subtypes A (n= 3) and B (n= 1) were compared to those of HIV-1 subtypes B and C. Drug resistance was evaluated with cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs) and MT2 cells, using selective pressure with tenofovir (TFV), zidovudine (ZDV), stavudine (d4T), didanosine (ddI), abacavir (ABC), lamivudine (3TC), emtricitabine (FTC), or various dual-drug combinations. Resistance was evaluated using conventional and ultrasensitive sequencing approaches. In agreement with our previous findings, dual-drug combinations of TFV, ddI, ABC, d4T, ZDV, and 3TC preferentially selected for K65R in HIV-1 subtype C isolates. In HIV-1 subtype B, TFV-3TC and ZDV-3TC selected for M184I and D67N, respectively. In contrast, selections with all four HIV-2 cultures favored the development of M184I in dual-drug combinations that included either 3TC or FTC. Since HIV-2 cultures did not develop K65R, an ultrasensitive allele-specific real-time PCR assay was developed to distinguish the presence of 65R from wild-type K65 after 16 cycles with a discriminatory ability of 0.1% against a population of wild-type virus. These results underscore potential differences in emergent drug resistance pathways in HIV-1 and HIV-2 and show that polymorphisms may influence the development of the resistance pathways that are likely to emerge.
Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Prime-Boost Regimens with Recombinant Δ
ureC hly
+
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Expressing
M. tuberculosis
Antigen 85A against Murine Tuberculosis
Authors: Tchilian Elma Z. , Desel Christiane , Forbes Emily K. , Bandermann Silke , Sander Clare R. , Hill Adrian V. S. , McShane Helen , Kaufmann Stefan H. E. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

In the light of the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, the epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) in populations coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus, and the failure of
Mycobacterium bovis
bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) to protect against disease, new vaccines against TB are urgently needed. Two promising new vaccine candidates are the recombinant Δ
ureC hly
+
BCG (recBCG), which has been developed to replace the current BCG vaccine strain, and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing
M. tuberculosis
antigen 85A (MVA85A), which is a leading candidate vaccine designed to boost the protective efficacy of BCG. In the present study, we examined the effect of MVA85A boosting on the protection afforded at 12 weeks postchallenge by BCG and recBCG by using bacterial CFU as an efficacy readout. recBCG-immunized mice were significantly better protected against aerosol challenge with
M. tuberculosis
than mice immunized with the parental strain of BCG. Intradermal boosting with MVA85A did not reduce the bacterial burden any further. In order to identify a marker for the development of a protective immune response against
M. tuberculosis
challenge, we analyzed splenocytes after priming or prime-boosting by using intracytoplasmic cytokine staining and assays for cytokine secretion. Boosting with MVA85A, but not priming with BCG or recBCG, greatly increased the antigen 85A-specific T-cell response, suggesting that the mechanism of protection may differ from that against BCG or recBCG. We show that the numbers of systemic multifunctional cytokine-producing cells did not correlate with protection against aerosol challenge in BALB/c mice. This emphasizes the need for new biomarkers for the evaluation of TB vaccine efficacy.
Plant community diversity and composition provide little resistance to Juniperus encroachment
Authors: Ganguli Amy C. , Engle David M. , Mayer Paul M. , Hellgren Eric C. 
Published: December 2008

Widespread encroachment of the fire-intolerant species Juniperus virginiana L. into North American grasslands and savannahs where fire has largely been removed has prompted the need to identify mechanisms driving J. virginiana encroachment. We tested whether encroachment success of J. virginiana is related to plant species diversity and composition across three plant communities. We predicted J. virginiana encroachment success would (i) decrease with increasing diversity, and (ii) J. virginiana encroachment success would be unrelated to species composition. We simulated encroachment by planting J. virginiana seedlings in tallgrass prairie, old-field grassland, and upland oak forest. We used J. virginiana survival and growth as an index of encroachment success and evaluated success as a function of plant community traits (i.e., species richness, species diversity, and species composition). Our results indicated that J. virginiana encroachment success increased with increasing plant richness and diversity. Moreover, growth and survival of J. virginiana seedlings was associated with plant species composition only in the old-field grassland and upland oak forest. These results suggest that greater plant species richness and diversity provide little resistance to J. virginiana encroachment, and the results suggest resource availability and other biotic or abiotic factors are determinants of J. virginiana encroachment success.
Sense of coherence and coping in adolescents directly affected by the 1991—5 war in Croatia
Authors: Ebina Ryoko , Yamazaki Yoshihiko 
Published: December 2008

This study was guided by the salutogenic model, and aimed to: 1. describe the social contexts of stronger and weaker SOC (sense of coherence) participants who were adolescents or entering adulthood in the war-affected regions in Croatia, and 2. identify how the levels of SOC related to their responses to the stressors in their social context. Qualitative longitudinal study design and methods were used for the analysis. In-depth semi-structured interviews, participant observations and SOC scale were carried out, and data were collected from 17 female participants twice during two years. The general social context of the participants was summarized with published materials on the similar subjects and analysis of the field-notes and the participants' narratives. In the analysis of the qualitative data, comparisons were made between the three SOC levels (low, middle, high levels categorized with SOC scores), relating to the participants' self-described social contexts. Childhood stability, acceptance of own ethnic identity, management of uncertainty, and the meanings of work emerged as the responses and resources that may influence SOC. How Ottawa Charter health promotion strategies can be adapted in the post-conflict regions is discussed and priorities of addressing strategies are suggested. The discussion points include: 1. the importance of re-orienting health services and creating supportive environments from the aspects of building the secure base of children and promoting health of the next generation; 2. the required personal skills that enabled adolescents to exercise control and make choices conducive to health in a social context of the a war-related turbulent society; 3. the needs for building healthy public policies to tackle unemployment and strengthening community action to rebuild social capital through work revenues. (Promot Educ, 2008; 15 (4): pp. 5-10)