bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological effects of ultrasound mist on fibroblasts
Authors: Lai Jengyu , Pittelkow Mark R. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  Chronic wounds present an increasing challenge in healthcare and consume a substantial portion of healthcare cost. Although new treatments have been developed, treatment success has not been improved greatly. Ultrasound has long been employed in medicine. Its unique ability to deliver energy makes it an ideal candidate as a wound care modality. We proposed that ultrasound would differentially affect intracellular signaling pathways and, with the ability to assess this effect using a noncontact form of ultrasound, were provided with a means to test this proposal.Methods  The cellular morphology, mitogenic activities, expression of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and transforming growth factor β‐1 (TGF‐β1), and activation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathways of dermal fibroblasts were studied after ultrasound treatment. Untreated and scrape‐wounded fibroblasts were utilized as controls.Results  There was no difference in morphology observed, except for vacuolization in ultrasound‐treated fibroblasts. Mitogenic activities were similar between ultrasound‐treated and scrape‐wounded fibroblasts. Ultrasound‐treated fibroblasts exhibited a much earlier increase in KGF expression, ERK activation, and JNK activation. The ERK/JNK ratio was increased markedly in ultrasound‐treated fibroblasts.Conclusion  We conclude that ultrasound induces cellular responses that may be beneficial to wound healing.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after mesotherapy: Preliminary report of 15 cases
Authors: Sañudo Alejandra , Vallejo Fernando , Sierra Martha , Hoyos Juan G. , Yepes Sandra , Wolff Juan Carlos , Correa Luis A. , Montealegre Carlos , Navarro Pilar , Bedoya Elina , Sanclemente Gloria 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBackground  Mesotherapy is an increasingly used technique which is currently causing several mycobacterial infections owing to contaminated substances being injected, and also to poor aseptic measures being held by nonprofessional practitioners.Patients and methods  We collected 15 cases of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection after mesotherapy in a 6‐month period.Results  All patients were female with ages ranging from 19 to 52 years; the main substances injected were procaine and lecithin, and the time between mesotherapy and the appearance of the lesions varied between 1 and 12 weeks. Clinical lesions were mostly nodules and abscesses, which were localized in the abdomen and buttocks in the majority of cases. The main patient complaint was local pain but some presented with systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise. Biopsies reported granulomatous chronic inflammation in the majority of cases. Skin cultures were positive for NTM and Mycobacterium chelonae.Discussion and conclusions  Mesotherapy not performed with quality controlled substances can be a predisposing factor for NTM infection.
Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis with angiokeratoma
Authors: Gao Jian , Li Chunying , Liu Ling , Gao Tianwen 
Published: June 2007

A 35‐year‐old woman presented with a nodular growth on her right buttock. She had more than a 20‐year history of multiple, asymptomatic, smooth, skin‐colored papules involving her right buttock. The lesions had increased in number over time and had become yellowish or pale red with coalescing nodules exhibiting irregular surfaces. There was no general malaise. Ten years earlier, a diagnosis of connective tissue nevus was made on the basis of a biopsy obtained at a local hospital, but the patient declined treatment at that time. During the past 10 years, the lesions had continued to develop. The medical and social history was otherwise unremarkable, and a general physical examination was negative except for the skin lesions. Cutaneous examination showed soft, yellowish or pale red to violaceous papules and nodules of various sizes with wrinkled surfaces, coalescing into plaques. The lesions were aggregated on her right buttock and extended onto the thigh. The biggest nodule, with a coarse and dry surface, was 40 mm in diameter (Fig. 1). Histopathologic examination of the largest nodule revealed hyperkeratosis and epidermal hyperplasia with elongated rete ridges. There were thin‐walled, ectatic papillary dermal vessels engorged with red blood cells and masses of mature adipose cells throughout the dermis (Fig. 2) (Tianwen G, Jianfang S. Non‐epidermal related. In: Tianwen G, Jianfang S, eds. Current Dermatopathology. Beijing: People's Medical Publishing House, 2001: 349–410). A diagnosis of nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis with angiokeratoma was made. The patient declined excision.Soft, yellowish or pale red to violaceous coalescing papules and nodules of various sizes, involving the right buttock and extending onto the thigh; the largest nodule has a coarse, dry surfaceimageHistopathology reveals hyperkeratosis, epidermal hyperplasia with elongated rete ridges, and thin‐walled ectatic and engorged vessels in the papillary dermis; there are multiple large aggregates of mature adipose cells throughout the dermis (hematoxylin and eosin, ×20)image
4IgB7‐H3 is the major isoform expressed on immunocytes as well as malignant cells
Authors: Zhou Y.‐H. , Chen Y.‐J. , Ma Z.‐Y. , Xu L. , Wang Q. , Zhang G.‐B. , Xie F. , Ge Y. , Wang X.‐F. , Zhang X.‐G. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractHuman B7‐H3, a novel member of B7 family, has two isoforms (2IgB7‐H3 and 4IgB7‐H3). As costimulatory functions of both isoforms are not clarified, there has been much discussion on their expression patterns, T‐cell responses, etc. This study generated two specific mouse anti‐human 2IgB7‐H3 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (7D7 and 10F1), whose specificities are quite different from those of the available B7‐H3 mAb (21D4) by competition assay. The use of antibodies indicated that B7‐H3 was found to have different expression patterns on monocyte‐derived dendritic cells, that is the isoform 2IgB7‐H3 is tended to express on immature dendritic cells (iDCs), whereas 4IgB7‐H3 could be detected in the whole process of maturation of dendritic cells. The isoform 4IgB7‐H3 was shown in the immunohistochemistry assay to be more widely expressed than 2IgB7‐H3 in human benign and malignant hepatic tissues. Furthermore, flow cytometry and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction indicated that 4IgB7‐H3 rather than 2IgB7‐H3 was the major isoform on many human tumor cell lines. In addition, both 2IgB7‐H3‐ and 4IgB7‐H3‐transfected cells could promote T‐cell proliferation, which could be blocked by 7D7 mAb. These two novel antibodies may shed light on the function of the two B7‐H3 isoforms.
Allelic diversity in KIR2DL4 in a bone marrow transplant population: description of three novel alleles
Authors: Shulse C. , Steiner N. K. , Hurley C. K. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGenomic DNA sequencing was used to identify alleles of KIR2DL4 from 78 unrelated individuals involved in hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Eight known alleles were observed. Three new alleles, KIR2DL4*00203, *00502, *0080104, which differ from known alleles at the nucleotide but not at the protein sequence level, were also identified.
Association of interleukin‐18 gene polymorphism (−607A/A genotype) with susceptibility to chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Hirankarn N. , Manonom C. , Tangkijvanich P. , Poovorawan Y. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractPolymorphisms in the gene promoter can lead to different levels of cytokine expression and let some individuals have unique immune responses. Therefore, the association of single nucleotide polymorphism of interleukin (IL)‐18 promoter region in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was examined. The results demonstrated the significant involvement of genotype A/A at position −607 in patients (n = 140) when compared with healthy individuals (n = 140) [OR (95% CI) = 2.62 (1.36–5.09), Pc= 0.009]. The frequencies of −607A/A, C/A, C/C genotypes were 27.86%, 48.57% and 23.57% in chronic HBV patients and 12.80%, 59.30% and 27.90% in healthy controls, respectively. No significant association at the position −137 was found between the two groups. The frequencies of −607A/−137G haplotype homozygosity were higher in the chronic HBV patients (17.14%) than in the controls (8.57%) [OR (95% CI) = 2.21 (1–4.93), P = 0.05], although this was not statistically significant when corrected for multiple comparison (Pc= 0.40). In conclusion, this study proposes that A/A genotype at position −607 in IL‐18 gene can be used as a new genetic maker in Thai population for predicting chronic hepatitis B development.
Th2‐mediated anti‐tumour immunity: friend or foe?
Authors: Ellyard J. I. , Simson L. , Parish C. R. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe concept that the immune system can recognise tumour cells and either eliminate them (tumour immune surveillance) or select for immunologically resistant variants (immunoediting) is gaining general acceptance by immunologists. In terms of an adaptive immune response to cancer, however, much of the research has focused on the response of cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes to tumour‐specific antigens and the production of Th1 cytokines by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. In contrast, Th2‐mediated immunity has traditionally been viewed as favouring tumour growth, both by promoting angiogenesis and by inhibiting cell‐mediated immunity and subsequent tumour cell killing. While there is evidence that components of type 2 inflammation, such as B cells and interleukin‐10, do promote tumour growth, there are also many studies demonstrating the anti‐tumour activity of CD4+ Th2 cells, particularly in collaboration with tumour‐infiltrating granulocytes, such as eosinophils. In this review, we examine all the components of type 2 immunity and their effects on tumour growth. Collectively, from this analysis, we conclude that there is a great potential for the development of Th2‐mediated immunotherapies that harness the cytotoxic activity of eosinophils.
Effects of early resource limitation and compensatory growth on lifetime fitness in the ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Authors: DMITRIEW C. , ROWE L. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractAcceleration of growth following a period of diet restriction may result in either complete or partial catch‐up in size. The existence of such compensatory growth indicates that organisms commonly grow at rates below their physiological maxima and this implies a cost for accelerated growth. We examined patterns of accelerated growth in response to temporary resource limitation, and assayed both short and long‐term costs of this growth in the ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis. Subsequent to the period of food restriction, accelerated growth resulted in complete compensation for body sizes, although we observed greater larval mortality during the period of compensation. There were no effects on female fecundity or survivorship within 3 months of maturation. Females did not discriminate against males that had undergone compensatory growth, nor did we observe effects on male mating behaviour. However, individuals that underwent compensatory growth died significantly sooner when deprived of food late in adult life, suggesting that longer‐term costs of compensatory growth may be quite mild and detectable only under stressful conditions.
Individual MHC class I and MHC class IIBdiversities are associated with male and female reproductive traits in the three‐spined stickleback
Authors: JÄGER I. , EIZAGUIRRE C. , GRIFFITHS S. W. , KALBE M. , KROBBACH C. K. , REUSCH T. B. H. , SCHASCHL H. , MILINSKI M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractGenes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are indispensable for pathogen defence in vertebrates. With wild‐caught three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) we conducted the first study to relate individual reproductive parameters to both MHC class I and II diversities. An optimal MHC class IIBdiversity was found for male nest quality. However, male breeding colouration was most intense at a maximal MHC class I diversity. One MHC class I allele was associated with male redness. Similarly, one MHC class IIBallele was associated with continuous rather than early female reproduction, possibly extending the reproductive period. Both alleles occurred more frequently with increasing individual allele diversity. We suggest that if an allele is currently not part of the optimum, it had not been propagated by choosy females. The parasite against which this allele provides resistance is therefore unlikely to have been predominant the previous year – a step to negative frequency‐dependent selection.
Sources of resistance to Watermelon Chlorotic Stunt Virus in melon
Authors: Yousif M. T. , Kheyr‐Pour A. , Gronenborn B. , Pitrat M. , Dogimont C. 
Published: June 2007

Abstract Watermelon Chlorotic Stunt Virus (WmCSV) is a bipartite geminivirus residing in the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) and is whitefly transmitted (Bemisia tabaci). WmCSV infects members of the Cucurbitaceae, and represents a considerable threat to melon and watermelon crops in Sudan, Yemen, and Iran. One hundred twenty‐eight melon accessions, mostly collected from Sudan, were screened in the open‐field in Sudan under severe whitefly inoculation pressure in order to identify sources of resistance to WmCSV. One WmCSV resistant line HSD 2445‐005 selected from this first screening along with 22 new melon accessions were agro‐inoculated with an infectious Sudanese clone of WmCSV. Ten accessions exhibited resistance to WmCSV infection upon agro‐inoculation. Six of them were confirmed to have complete resistance to WmCSV through graft‐inoculation as well as multiple field trials in Sudan. These lines include the Sudanese accession HSD 2445‐005, the South African accession PI 282448, and three Indian accessions: 90625, PI 124112, and PI 414723. Resistant plants exhibited no disease symptoms, and virus DNA could not be detected by hybridization with a WmCSV‐specific probe.
Quantitative trait loci for soil‐penetrating ability of roots in durum wheat
Authors: Kubo K. , Elouafi I. , Watanabe N. , Nachit M. M. , Inagaki M. N. , Iwama K. , Jitsuyama Y. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractIncreasing root penetration (RP) ability into hard soil is important to improve drought resistance in durum wheat. Traits related to RP ability were evaluated in 110 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between ‘Jennah Khetifa’ and ‘Cham1’ using paraffin‐Vaseline (PV) discs. QTL analyses were made for the number of roots penetrating the PV disc (PVRN), total number of seminal and crown roots (TRN), RP index (PVRN/TRN) and root dry weight (DW). ‘Jennah Khetifa’ had higher PVRN, RP index and root DW values than ‘Cham1’, and the RILs showed significant differences for these traits. Two closely‐linked markers, Xgwm617a and Xgwm427b, on the long arm of chromosome 6A were associated with PVRN and RP index. For root DW, a QTL was linked to marker Xgwm11 on chromosome 1B. Alleles of ‘Jennah Khetifa’ were associated with increased PVRN, RP index and root DW. No QTL was detected for TRN in this mapping population. The absence of co‐located QTLs suggested that RP ability was controlled separately from TRN and root DW. Although the population size and number of replications were small, this study helps in understanding the complexity of root growth and the potential of marker‐assisted selection for selecting genotypes with high RP ability in durum wheat populations.
Cytogenetic analysis of F1, F2 and BC1 plants from intergeneric sexual hybridization between Sinapis alba and Brassica oleracea by genomic in situ hybridization
Authors: Wei W. H. , Zhang S. F. , Wang L. J. , LI J. , Chen B. , Wang Z. , Luo L. X. , Fang X. P. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractBy intergeneric sexual hybridization between Sinapis alba and Brassica oleracea, F1, F2 and BC1 progeny plants were produced. S. alba plants (genome SS, 2n = 24) were pollinated with B. oleracea (genome CC, 2n = 18), and the fertile F1 plants were pollinated with B. oleracea to obtain BC1 plants. GISH analysis showed that 10 out of 12 F1 plants had 12 S. alba chromosomes (one full S chromosome set) and nine B. oleracea chromosomes (one C chromosome sets), representing the expected hybrids. However, two F1 plants had 12 S chromosomes and 18 C chromosomes (two C chromosome sets), indicating unexpected hybrids. A maximum of three trivalents between C and S chromosomes were identified at metaphase I of semi‐fertile F1 pollen mother cells (PMCs), which indicates homology and chromosome pairing between these two genomes. The C genome had obviously been doubled in two F2 plants from selfed semi‐fertile F1 plants. BC1 plants consisted of 18 C chromosomes and different numbers of one, five and six additional S chromosomes, respectively. Monosomic alien addition lines developed in the present study can be used for B. oleracea breeding and Sinapis alba gene mapping.
Relationships between seed oil content and fatty acid composition in high stearic acid sunflower
Authors: Velasco L. , Pérez‐Vich B. , Fernández‐Martínez J. M. 
Published: June 2007

AbstractThe high stearic acid sunflower mutant CAS‐3 is characterized by a low seed oil content, which might represent a constraint for the commercial production of high stearic acid sunflower oil. The objective of the present research was to investigate the relationships between fatty acid profile and seed oil content in CAS‐3. Plants of CAS‐3 were reciprocally crossed with plants of breeding line ADV‐37, with high oil content and standard fatty acid profile. Oil content and fatty acid composition were measured in individual F2 seeds and F2 plants (F3 seeds averaged). Both F2 seeds and F2 plants from the cross ADV‐37 × CAS‐3 had a significantly higher oil content than those from the reciprocal cross, which indicated the existence of cytoplasmic effects in the genetic control of the trait. A consistent negative correlation between oil content and palmitic acid and a positive correlation between oil content and oleic acid were detected both in F2 seeds and F2 plants. Conversely, no consistent correlation between oil content and stearic acid was observed, which suggested the feasibility of simultaneous selection for both traits.
Follicular Dynamics in Heifers during Pre‐pubertal and Pubertal Period Kept under Two Levels of Dietary Energy Intake
Authors: Romano MA , Barnabe VH , Kastelic JP , De Oliveira CA , Romano RM 
Published: June 2007

ContentsThe objective of this study was to characterize follicular dynamics in pre‐pubertal, pubertal and post‐pubertal periods, as well as the effect of high‐energy intake on follicular development and age at puberty in heifers. Thirty‐one Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers, 6 months old, were randomly assigned to receive two different diets: one of low (GI) and other of high dietary energy intake (GII). Animals were evaluated in relation to body weight gain by being weighed every 21 days. Heifers were evaluated every other day by real‐time linear ultrasonography to characterize ovarian structures development from weaning to post‐pubertal period. Blood samples were collected to determine plasmatic concentrations of progesterone by RIA method. The ovulation was determined when progesterone concentrations were >1 ng/mL in three consecutive samples, and by ultrasound images of corpus luteum; and oestrous behaviour in some animals. Age at puberty differed among heifers of GII (17.00 ± 0.46 months) compared with heifers of GI (19.87 ± 0.47 months; p ≤ 0.05). Maximum size of the dominant follicles at pre‐pubertal period was greater in GII heifers than in GI (10.52 ± 0.33 and 9.76 ± 0.15 mm, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). As heifers approached first ovulation time, size of dominant follicle increased (11.75 ± 0.37 mm for GI and 12.52 ± 0.91 mm for GII; p ≤ 0.05). Body weight at puberty was not different in both groups (302.33 ± 27.31 kg for GI and 326.19 ± 27.78 kg for GII heifers; p > 0.05). We conclude that animals receiving high dietary energy intake attained the puberty earlier and the development of follicles were different than in low dietary energy intake.
Pleural fluid exchange in rabbits
Authors: STASHENKO Gregg J. , ROBICHAUX Amy , LEE Y.C. (Gary) , SANDERS Jonathan R. , ROSELLI Robert J. , LIGHT Richard W. 
Published: June 2007

Background and objectives:  The study was designed to better characterize pleural fluid absorption in rabbits with the following two objectives: to determine the relative absorption of saline versus high‐protein solutions, and to identify the relative rates of absorption of dextran molecules of varying sizes.Methods:  Twenty New Zealand white rabbits received a 12‐mL intrapleural injection of saline solution and a 10% protein solution on opposite sides, each solution containing dextran molecules with varying MWs. At sacrifice at 1, 4, 8, 18 and 24 h, the volume of pleural fluid and the concentrations of the dextran molecules were determined.Results:  Saline was absorbed faster than the high‐protein fluid (P < 0.001). Dextran concentrations in the saline were significantly higher than those in the protein solution at all times after injection (P = 0.005; P < 0.001, respectively). The higher‐MW dextrans were cleared more slowly than the lower‐MW dextrans in a continuously graded manner.Conclusions:  Saline was absorbed faster than a solution with a high protein content. There was a continuous spectrum in the rate of absorption of the dextran molecules, with the larger molecules being absorbed more slowly.
Effect of 1,25‐(OH)2D3 (a vitamin D analogue) on passively sensitized human airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: SONG Yingfang , QI Haowen , WU Changgui 
Published: June 2007

Background and objectives:  In asthma, airway smooth muscle cell (ASMC) hyperplasia plays an important role in airway remodelling. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases‐9 (MMP‐9), a disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 (ADAM33) in ASMCs are also relevant to asthmatic airway remodelling. 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25‐(OH)2D3) has potent antiproliferative properties in vitro in various cell types; however, its role in ASMCs is not well understood. This study investigated the effect of 1,25‐(OH)2D3 on passively sensitized human bronchial (airway) smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation and MMP‐9 and ADAM33 expressions.Methods:  The effect of 1,25‐(OH)2D3 on cell proliferation was examined by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazole‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium‐bromide colorimetry assay; cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry; and immunocytochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The expression of MMP‐9 and ADAM33 in HASMCs was investigated by real‐time quantitative PCR and Western Blot analysis.Results:  1,25‐(OH)2D3 effectively suppressed passively sensitized HASMC proliferation, proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and G1/S transition in HASMCs passively sensitized with asthmatic serum. Further analysis showed that 1,25‐(OH)2D3 significantly down‐regulated the expressions of protein for MMP‐9 and ADAM33, as well as their mRNA levels in passively sensitized HASMCs.Conclusions:  1,25‐(OH)2D3 has direct inhibitory effects on passively sensitized HASMCs in vitro, including inhibition of cell proliferation and expression of MMP‐9 and ADAM33, suggesting a possible beneficial role for 1,25‐(OH)2D3 in preventing and treating asthmatic airway remodelling.