bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life on allergen‐ and vaccine‐specific immune responses
Authors: Taylor A. L. , Hale J. , Wiltschut J. , Lehmann H. , Dunstan J. A. , Prescott S. L. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground
A reduction in microbial burden during infancy when allergen‐specific memory is evolving has become a prominent explanation for the allergy epidemic.Objective
We sought to determine whether probiotic dietary supplementation in the first 6 months of life could modify allergen‐ and vaccine‐specific immune responses.Methods
Two hundred and thirty‐one pregnant women with a history of allergic disease and positive allergen skin prick test (SPT) were recruited into a randomized‐controlled trial. The infants received either a probiotic (3 × 109Lactobacillus acidophilus LAVRI‐A1; Probiomics) or placebo (maltodextrin alone) daily for the first 6 months of life, given independent of feeding methods. One hundred and seventy‐eight children completed the study; blood samples were available from 60 children in the placebo group and 58 children in the probiotic group. Infant cytokine (IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐13, TNF‐α or TGF‐β) responses to tetanus toxoid (TT), house dust mite (HDM), ovalbumin (OVA), β‐lactoglobulin (BLG), Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) and phytohaemaglutinin (PHA) were measured at 6 months of age.Results
Children who received the probiotics showed reduced production of IL‐5 and TGF‐β in response to polyclonal (SEB) stimulation (P=0.044 and 0.015, respectively). They also demonstrated significantly lower IL‐10 responses to TT vaccine antigen compared with the placebo group (P=0.03), and this was not due to any differences in vaccination. However, there were no significant effects of probiotics on either Type 1 (Th1) or Type 2 (Th2) T helper cell responses to allergens or other stimuli. The only other effects observed were for reduced TNF‐α and IL‐10 responsiveness to HDM allergens in children receiving probiotics (P=0.046 and 0.014, respectively).Conclusions
In summary, although we did not see any consistent effects on allergen‐specific responses, our study suggests that probiotics may have immunomodulatory effects on vaccine responses. The significance and clinical relevance of this need to be determined in further studies.
Gastro‐duodenal digestion products of the major peanut allergen Ara h 1 retain an allergenic potential
Authors: Eiwegger T. , Rigby N. , Mondoulet L. , Bernard H. , Krauth M.‐T. , Boehm A. , Dehlink E. , Valent P. , Wal J. M. , Mills E. N. C. , Szépfalusi Z. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground
The process of gastro‐duodenal digestion may play a role in determining the allergenic properties of food proteins. The sensitizing and allergenic potential of digestion products of highly degraded allergens, such as the major peanut allergen Ara h 1, is currently under debate. We evaluated the effect of in vitro gastro‐duodenal digestion of Ara h 1 on T cell reactivity and basophil histamine release.Methods
An in vitro model of gastro‐duodenal digestion was used to investigate changes in the allergenic properties of Ara h 1 using in vitro assays monitoring T cell reactivity (proliferation, cytokine production) and histamine release of basophils from peanut allergic individuals. The digestion process was monitored using an SDS‐PAGE gel.Results
In vitro gastric digestion led to rapid degradation of Ara h 1 into small fragments Mr L5600. Gastric digestion did not affect the ability of Ara h 1 to stimulate cellular proliferation. Gastro‐duodenal digestion significantly reduced its ability to stimulate clonal expansion (P<0,05; Wilxocon's signed rank test). The Th‐2 type cytokine polarization of T cells from peanut allergic donors (IFN‐γ/IL‐13 ratio and IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio of CFSElow CD4+ T cells) remained unchanged regardless of the level of digestion. Histamine release of basophils from peanut allergic individuals was induced to the same extent by native Ara h 1 and its digestion products.Conclusion
Gastro‐duodenal digestion fragments of Ara h 1 retain T cell stimulatory and IgE‐binding and cross‐linking properties of the intact protein.
Association of TNF‐α genetic polymorphism with HLA DPB1*0301
Authors: Kim S. ‐H. , Ye Y. ‐M. , Lee S. ‐K. , Choi J. ‐H. , Holloway J. W. , Park C. ‐S. , Park H. ‐S. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground
We speculated TNF‐α can be one of candidate gene for aspirin‐intolerant asthma (AIA) because TNF‐α is pro‐inflammatory cytokine and known to be increased level in asthmatic airways. In addition, genetic interaction between TNF‐α and human antigen leucocyte (HLA) DPB1*0301, which is a strong genetic marker for AIA, was examined for its close location within chromosome 6.Method
To investigate genetic association of TNF‐α with an AIA phenotype, three study groups (163 patients with AIA, 197 patients with aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA), 257 normal control subjects) were enrolled. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped using a single‐base extension method and HLA DPB1 genotyping was determined by high‐throughput sequencing method.Results
All five SNPs of TNF‐α were tested; there were no significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies among the three groups. However, significant association between TNF‐α−308G>A polymorphism and atopy status was noted (P<0.05). Gene to gene interaction between TNF‐α−1031T>C (or −863C>A or −857C>A) and HLA DPB1*0301 could synergistically increase the susceptibility to AIA with odds ratio (OR) to 7.738 (or OR=8.184 for −863C>A, OR=7.500 for −857C>T, P<0.001, respectively).Conclusion
TNF‐α promoter polymorphism may significantly increase susceptibility to AIA by gene‐to‐gene interaction with HLA DPB1*0301.
Herbivory, current velocity and algal regrowth: how does periphyton grow when the grazers have gone?
Authors: WELLNITZ TODD , LEROY POFF N. 
Published: October 2006

Summary1. An experiment conducted in streamside channels was used to document the regrowth of grazed periphyton. Our objective was to determine the relative importance of current velocity, grazing duration, and grazer type in shaping the trajectory of algal and periphytic regrowth.2. The grazing mayflies Baetis bicaudatus and Epeorus longimanus were used alone and in combination to create three grazing treatments at slow, medium and fast current (2–5, 15–20 and 30–40 cm s−1, respectively). Duration treatments consisted of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 days of grazing. Chlorophyll a and ash‐free dry mass (AFDM) accumulation on grazed tiles was measured (as periphytic AFDM and chlorophyll a, respectively) at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days following the removal of grazers.3. Chlorophyll a and AFDM was best predicted by interactions between current velocity, grazing duration and regrowth time.4. The two grazer species did not differ in their effect on Chlorophyll a and AFDM during the period of periphytic regrowth that followed grazing.5. Longer grazing duration reduced periphytic biomass, but also accelerated algal regrowth, and this growth enhancement was more pronounced at slower current velocities.6. Data from this study suggest that herbivory can have important historical effects on periphytic accrual.
Morphine‐Induced Locomotor and Neurochemical Stimulation is Enhanced in Transgenic Mice with Impaired Glucocorticoid Receptor Function
Authors: Spanagel Rainer , Stöhr Thomas , Barden Nicholas , Holsboer Florian 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIt has been suggested that the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenocortical (HPA) system contributes to individual differences in sensitivity towards drug abuse. Therefore, we studied the effects of the prototypic drug morphine in transgenic mice with impaired glucocorticoid receptor function. This mouse model has a profoundly dysfunctional HPA feedback. Since morphine‐induced locomotor stimulation is positively correlated with the rewarding effects of morphine, we examined morphine‐induced locomotor activity of transgenic mice and control mice (B6C3F1), Because morphine‐induced locomotor activity depends on an intact mesolimbic system, dopaminergic (DAergic) neuronal activity was also estimated within the mesolimbic system. Results indicated that the activity after vehicle injection do not differ between these two mouse lines. Compared to vehicle injections, morphine (7.5 and 15mg/kg; i.p.) dose‐dependently increased motor activity for 3 h in control and transgenic mice. However, morphine‐induced locomotion was significantly more pronounced in transgenic mice. Further, morphine‐induced mesolimbic DAergic activity was enhanced in transgenic animals as compared to control animals. These results parallel endocrine data that show that the plasma ACTH level of transgenic mice reach higher levels compared to those levels observed in control mice after morphine injections. Altogether, this transgenic mouse line shows an enhanced locomotor‐stimulant effect to morphine, a response that is reflected by an enhanced DAergic activity within the mesolimbic system and is also associated with increased HPA activity. We submit that the dysregulation of the HPA system in these transgenic mice influences the enhanced vulnerability to drug‐seeking behavior.
Neural Regulation of Corticotropin Releasing Hormone (CRH) and CRH Receptor mRNA in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus in the Rat
Authors: Kiss Alexander , Palkovits Miklos , Aguilera Greti 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe role of afferent innervation to the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) on CRH mRNA and CRH receptor mRNA levels was studied in control and stressed rats. Groups of rats were subjected to unilateral transection of the stria terminalis (ST), the medial forebrain bundle at the rostral hypothalamic level (RMFB), or the lower brainstem through the medulla oblongata between the obex and the locus coeruleus (CBs). Twelve days after surgery, each group of rats was further divided into controls (basal conditions) and stressed (1 h immobilization), before collecting brains for mRNA analysis by in situ hybridization histochemistry. While ST and RMFB cuts had no effect on basal CRH mRNA levels in the PVN, CBs cut decreased CRH mRNA in the PVN ipsilaterally to the knife cut but it was without effect on the contralateral side (– 40% and –37%vs contralateral and sham‐operated, respectively, P&0.01). Acute stress (rats were killed 3 h after immobilization) increased CRH mRNA levels by about 30% bilaterally, an effect which was unchanged by any of the three hemisections. Under basal conditions, CRH receptor mRNA levels in the PVN were indistinguishable from the surrounding areas in sham‐operated controls, ST and RMFB operated rats. However, brainstem hemisection resulted in clear expression of CRH receptor mRNA in areas consistent with the dorsal, medial‐ventral and lateral parvicellular subdivisions of the PVN, ipsilateral to the transection. CRH neurons in these subdivisions project to the lower brainstem and the spinal cord. Expression of CRH receptor mRNA in the medial‐dorsal and anterior parvicellular divisions (CRH neurons with median eminence projections) was not affected by CBs cut. In these subdivisions, immobilization stress markedly increased CRH receptor mRNA levels but it did not influence CBs cut‐induced CRH receptor expression. ST and RMFB hemisections were without effect on PVN CRH receptor mRNA levels under basal or stress conditions. Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) mRNA levels in the magnocellular subdivision of the PVN were unchanged after immobilization, or following ST, RMFB or CBs cuts, whereas OT mRNA in the medial‐ventral and caudal parvicellular subdivisions was decreased by 52% after CBs cut. The data demonstrate that: 1) basal CRH mRNA levels in the PVN are under tonic stimulatory influence of the lower brainstem (and/or spinal cord) afferents; 2) CRH receptor mRNA expression in PVN subdivisions (pituitary vs lower brainstem/spinal cord projecting neurons) is under different control mechanisms, and 3) immobilization‐induced changes in CRH mRNA and CRH receptor mRNA levels are mediated either by neural inputs from brain areas other than those investigated here, or by humoral factors.
Influence of Testosterone on LHRH Release, LHRH mRNA and Proopiomelanocortin mRNA in Male Sheep1
Authors: Hileman Stanley M. , Lubbers Laura S. , Petersen Sandra L. , Kuehl David E. , Scott Christopher J. , Jackson Gary L. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe mechanism whereby testosterone (T) reduces pulsatile LHRH and LH release is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that hypothalamic levels of LHRH mRNA decrease and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA increase coincident with reduced LHRH release induced by either long‐term or short‐term T treatment in male sheep. Experiment 1 examined the effect of long‐term T exposure on LHRH and LH release and LHRH and POMC mRNA levels. Yearling Suffolk rams were castrated and assigned to one of four treatments: 1) castrated (n = 4); 2) castrated, portal cannula (n = 5); 3) castrated +T (n = 4) and 4) castrated+T, portal cannula (n = 4). T‐treated males received ten 10‐cm silastic T‐implants immediately after castration. Surgical placement of devices for collecting hypophyseal‐portal blood occurred 2 to 3 months after castration. Seven to 10 days after surgery, blood samples were collected at 10‐min intervals for 8h from portal cannulated males or for 5 h from non‐cannulated males to assess pulsatile LHRH and/or LH release. Immediately after blood sample collection, hypothalamic tissue was collected for in situ measurement of LHRH or POMC mRNA. T‐treatment decreased (P < 0.01) mean LHRH and LH and decreased (P < 0.01) LHRH and LH pulse frequency. T did not significantly affect (P > 0.10) silver grain area per LHRH neuron, but decreased (P < 0.01) silver grain area per POMC neuron. Portal cannulation tended to decrease (P= 0.057) silver grain area per LHRH neuron without significantly affecting (P > 0.10) LHRH cell numbers while reducing (P < 0.01) silver grain area per POMC neuron and POMC cell numbers. A second experiment examined the effect of 72 h of T‐infusion on LHRH and POMC mRNA levels. Castrated yearling males were assigned to receive either vehicle (n = 4) or T (768 ug/kg/day;n=4). Blood samples were collected at 10 min intervals for 4h prior to and during the final 4 h of infusion. Infusion of T decreased (P < 0.01) mean LH and LH pulse frequency. T did not significantly affect (P > 0.10) silver grain area per LHRH neuron or LHRH cell numbers. T reduced (P < 0.01) silver grain area per POMC neuron without affecting (P > 0.10) POMC cell number. We reject our hypothesis and conclude that reduced LHRH or heightened POMC gene expression are not mechanisms whereby T reduces pulsatile LHRH release in male sheep.
Adrenergic Receptor Activation Hyperpolarizes the Caudal Neurosecretory Cells of the Flounder, Platichthys flesus
Authors: Hubbard P. C. , Balment R. J. , McCrohan C. R. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe physiological factors that govern activity of the caudal neurosecretory system in teleost fish are poorly understood. Immunocytochemical evidence indicates that the neurosecretory Dahlgren cells are innervated by descending monoaminergic fibres. Using intracellular recording techniques in an isolated preparation of the posterior spinal cord of the flounder (Platichthys flesus) we have demonstrated that superfusion of adrenaline or noradrenaline (10−7–10−3 M) causes hyperpolarization of Dahlgren cells (up to −30 mV). This hyperpolarization is likely to reflect an inhibitory effect of noradrenergic nerves on the neurosecretory system in vivo, reducing the rate of hormone release. Fluctuations in the input resistance and membrane time constant suggest involvement of a multiplicity of cellular mechanisms, including the opening and closing of populations of ion‐selective channels. Superfusion with dopamine (10−7–10−3 M) had no effect. Superfusion with the β‐adrenoreceptor agonist, isoprenaline, caused hyperpolarization but to a markedly lesser extent than the maximum effect of adrenaline or noradrenaline, suggesting that their effects are mediated, only in part, by a β‐adrenoreceptor subtype. Superfusion of the preparation with a membrane permeable, non‐hydrolysable cyclic AMP analogue (8‐[4‐chlorophenylthio]‐cAMP) resulted in a slight hyperpolarization which was accompanied by a small, but significant, increase in input resistance. These data are consistent with at least part of the β‐adrenoreceptor mediated effect involving closure of cAMP‐sensitive ion channels. Superfusion with the β‐adrenoreceptor agonist, phenylephrine, had no effect on any electrophysiological parameter studied. However, the α2‐adrenoreceptor agonist, clonidine, caused hyperpolarization which again failed to reach the maximum level produced by adrenaline or noradrenaline. Together, these data suggest that the adrenergic inhibition of Dahlgren cell activity is mediated by both α2‐and β‐adrenoreceptor subtypes.
Complementary (secondary) metabolites in a soft coral: sex‐specific variability, inter‐clonal variability, and competition
Authors: Fleury Beatriz , Coll John , Sammarco Paul 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSex‐specific interactions involving competition for space between the dioecious alcyonacean soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum and the scleractinian coral Acropora robusta were assessed experimentally on Bald Rock, central region of the Great Barrier Reef. To examine this, plus inter‐clonal responses, one male colony of S. glaucum, known to produce sarcophytoxide as its predominant complementary (secondary) metabolite, was sectioned, producing 10 clones. The same was done for a female colony. These two sets of clones were then relocated to grids and placed in contact with Acropora clones. Relocated and non‐relocated controls were also monitored. High levels of tissue necrosis were observed in the hard coral under contact conditions with both the male and female clones after 20 days. The development of a protective polysaccharide layer in the alcyonacean was also observed. Differences observed in the concentrations of complementary metabolites within the two different S. glaucum colonies were related to sex. Both under competition and non‐competition conditions, females exhibited significantly higher concentrations of sarcophytoxide than males, and this increased with time. Fatty ester concentration was also higher in females than males, varying significantly through time, and falling dramatically just after spawning. Fatty ester concentrations decreased linearly through time in the male clones. When involved in competition for space, females possessed higher concentrations of fatty esters than males, both at the site of contact and in non‐contact sites, again, decreasing after spawning. No significant changes in sarcophytoxide levels were noted in the parental colonies, but such changes were observed in fatty esters, with the female producing higher concentrations until after spawning. The use of these two variates in the form of a ratio (sarcophytoxide concentration:fatty ester concentration) yielded a variable Rho (ρ) which was a more sensitive indicator of biochemical change than either of its components alone. These two sets of compounds appeared to have a negative association through time and varied highly significantly between sexes. The diterpene sarcophytoxide may be considered an allelopathic or stress metabolite, while the lipids act as energy storage metabolites.
Age and growth in olive ridley seaturtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) from the North‐central Pacific: a skeletochronological analysis
Authors: Zug George R. , Chaloupka Milani , Balazs George H. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe olive ridley is the most abundant seaturtle species in the world but little is known of the demography of this species. We used skeletochronological data on humerus diameter growth changes to estimate the age of North Pacific olive ridley seaturtles caught incidentally by pelagic longline fisheries operating near Hawaii and from dead turtles washed ashore on the main Hawaiian Islands. Two age estimation methods [ranking, correction factor (CF)] were used and yielded age estimates ranging from 5 to 38 and 7 to 24 years, respectively. Rank age‐estimates are highly correlated (r = 0.93) with straight carapace length (SCL), CF age estimates are not (r = 0.62). We consider the CF age‐estimates as biologically more plausible because of the disassociation of age and size. Using the CF age‐estimates, we then estimate the median age at sexual maturity to be around 13 years old (mean carapace size c. 60 cm SCL) and found that somatic growth was negligible by 15 years of age. The expected age‐specific growth rate function derived using numerical differentiation suggests at least one juvenile growth spurt at about 10–12 years of age when maximum age‐specific growth rates, c. 5 cm SCL year−1, are apparent.
Perception and modification of plant flavonoid signals by rhizosphere microorganisms
Authors: Shaw Liz J. , Morris Phil , Hooker John E. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryFlavonoids are a diverse class of polyphenolic compounds that are produced as a result of plant secondary metabolism. They are known to play a multifunctional role in rhizospheric plant‐microbe and plant–plant communication. Most familiar is their function as a signal in initiation of the legume‐rhizobia symbiosis, but, flavonoids may also be signals in the establishment of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis and are known agents in plant defence and in allelopathic interactions. Flavonoid perception by, and impact on, their microbial targets (e.g. rhizobia, plant pathogens) is relatively well characterized. However, potential impacts on ‘non‐target’ rhizosphere inhabitants (‘non‐target’ is used to distinguish those microorganisms not conventionally known as targets) have not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this review first summarizes the conventional roles of flavonoids as nod gene inducers, phytoalexins and allelochemicals before exploring questions concerning ‘non‐target’ impacts. We hypothesize that flavonoids act to shape rhizosphere microbial community structure because they represent a potential source of carbon and toxicity and that they impact on rhizosphere function, for example, by accelerating the biodegradation of xenobiotics. We also examine the reverse question, ‘how do rhizosphere microbial communities impact on flavonoid signals?’ The presence of microorganisms undoubtedly influences the quality and quantity of flavonoids present in the rhizosphere, both through modification of root exudation patterns and microbial catabolism of exudates. Microbial alteration and attenuation of flavonoid signals may have ecological consequences for below‐ground plant‐microbe and plant–plant interaction. We have a lack of knowledge concerning the composition, concentration and bioavailability of flavonoids actually experienced by microbes in an intact rhizosphere, but this may be addressed through advances in microspectroscopic and biosensor techniques. Through the use of plant mutants defective in flavonoid biosynthesis, we may also start to address the question of the significance of flavonoids in shaping rhizosphere community structure and function.