bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histamine and prostaglandin E2up‐regulate the production of Th2‐attracting chemokines (CCL17 and CCL22) and down‐regulate IFN‐γ‐induced CXCL10 production by immature human dendritic cells
Authors: McIlroy Anne , Caron Gersende , Blanchard Simon , Frémaux Isabelle , Duluc Dorothée , Delneste Yves , Chevailler Alain , Jeannin Pascale 
Published: March 2006

SummaryEffector memory T helper 2 (Th2) cells that accumulate in target organs (i.e. skin or bronchial mucosa) have a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. To date, the factors that selectively trigger local production of Th2‐attracting chemokines remain poorly understood. In mucosa, at the sites of allergen entry, immature dendritic cells (DC) are in close contact with mast cells. Histamine and prostaglandin E2(PGE2) are two mediators released by allergen‐activated mast cells that favour the polarization of maturing DC into Th2‐polarizing cells. We analysed here the effects of histamine and PGE2on the prototypic, Th2‐(CCL17, CCL22) versus Th1‐(CXCL10) chemokine production by human DC. We report that histamine and PGE2dose‐dependently up‐regulate CCL17 and CCL22 by monocyte‐derived immature DC. These effects were potentiated by tumour necrosis factor‐α, still observed in the presence of the Th1‐cytokine interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and abolished by the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin‐10. In addition, histamine and PGE2down‐regulated IFN‐γ‐induced CXCL10 production by monocyte‐derived DC. These properties of histamine and PGE2were observed at the transcriptional level and were mediated mainly through H2 receptors for histamine and through EP2 and EP4 receptors for PGE2. Finally, histamine and PGE2also up‐regulated CCL17 and CCL22 and decreased IFN‐γ‐induced CXCL10 production by purified human myeloid DC. In conclusion, these data show that, in addition to polarizing DC into mature cells that promote naïve T‐cell differentiation into Th2 cells, histamine and PGE2may act on immature DC to trigger local Th2 cell recruitment through a selective control of Th1/Th2‐attracting chemokine production, thereby contributing to maintain a microenvironment favourable to persistent immunoglobulin E synthesis.
Phenotypic and immunoregulatory characteristics of monocytic iris cells
Authors: Li Xingya , Shen Shujing , Urso David , Kalique Samara , Park Song Hee , Sharafieh Roshanak , O'Rourke James , Cone Robert E. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe introduction of antigen into the anterior chamber of an eye induces the antigen‐specific suppression of cell‐mediated immunity and the antigen‐induced production of immunoglobulin G2 antibodies. To define further the role of iris monocytic cells in the systemic suppression of cell‐mediated immunity that follows the entry of foreign antigen into the anterior chamber, murine iris wholemounts or cell suspensions of iris cells were stained with fluorescent anti‐F4/80 and/or anti‐CD11c, anti‐CD11b antibodies and examined by confocal microscopy or flow cytometry, respectively. Monocytic cells in iris cell suspensions were recovered from mice receiving an injection of trinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (TNP‐BSA) into an anterior chamber and Percoll‐enriched iris cells separated into cells expressing F4/80 or CD11c were injected intravenously into TNP‐BSA‐immunized or naive recipients. The recipients were challenged to induce delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) or were provided with splenocytes or thymocytes that transfer the suppression of DTH. The homing of monocytic bone marrow cells to the iris was determined by the intravenous injection of bone marrow cells from green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐transgenic donors into C57 mice, and the staining of recipient iris wholemounts with anti‐F4/80 antibodies. Iris cells with a dendritic morphology expressing both F4/80 and/or CD11c and CD11b, some cells expressing only F4/80 or CD11c, were detected. The irides of irradiated GFP– mice that received intravenous GFP+ bone marrow cells contained GFP+ F4/80+ cells. F4/80+ and CD11c+ cells from the irides of donors that received intracameral TNP‐BSA transferred the suppression of DTH when injected intravenously into TNP‐BSA‐immunized recipients, activated immunoregulatory thymocytes and activated antigen‐specific splenic regulatory effector cells. These results support the hypothesis that iris monocytic cells may participate in the systemic induction of regulatory T cells.
Putative virulence‐related genes in Vibrio anguillarum identified by random genome sequencing
Authors: Rodkhum C , Hirono I , Stork M , Di Lorenzo M , Crosa J H , Aoki T 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe genome of Vibrio anguillarum strain H775‐3 was partially determined by a random sequencing procedure. A total of 2300 clones, 2100 from a plasmid library and 200 from a cosmid library, were sequenced and subjected to homology search by the BLAST algorithm. The total length of the sequenced clones is 1.5 Mbp. The nucleotide sequences were classified into 17 broad functional categories. Forty putative virulence‐related genes were identified, 36 of which are novel in V. anguillarum, including a repeat in toxin gene cluster, haemolysin genes, enterobactin gene, protease genes, lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes, capsule biosynthesis gene, flagellar genes and pilus genes.
Interaction of water temperature and challenge model on xenoma development rates for Loma salmonae (Microspora) in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)
Authors: Becker J A , Speare D J , Dohoo I R 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThis study evaluated the regulatory effects of water temperature on the development of branchial xenomas caused by Loma salmonae using a high‐dose per os‐challenge model compared with a low‐dose cohabitation‐challenge model. Approximately 275 juvenile rainbow trout (RBT), Oncorhynchus mykiss, were randomly distributed to six tanks with two tanks each maintained at 11, 15 and 19 °C. Fish in one tank from each temperature setting were exposed per os to macerated L. salmonae‐infected gill material and fish in the other tank from each temperature setting were exposed to L. salmonae using the cohabitation‐challenge model. Fish were monitored for the development of branchial xenomas beginning at day 21 post‐exposure. Survival analyses were used to evaluate the effect of water temperature and challenge model on the number of days until the first visible branchial xenoma was detected. The survivor curves for the per os‐challenge model revealed that there was at least one significant difference, whereas the cohabitation challenge did not reveal any significant differences amongst the temperature settings. The proportional hazards model revealed a significant interaction between the challenge model used and water temperature. This indicated that the effect of water temperature was different depending on challenge model. Additionally, from the mean xenoma intensities, on average, the per os‐challenged fish showed higher xenoma intensity compared with the cohabitation‐challenged fish. Overall, the impact of water temperature on disease pathogenesis was greater when the RBT were per os challenged compared with using the cohabitation model.
Induced cross‐protection in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), against different immobilization serotypes of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
Authors: Xu D‐H , Klesius P H , Panangala V S 
Published: March 2006

AbstractChannel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), were immunized with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ich) theronts and trophonts, and the immune response and host protection against both homologous and heterologous serotypes of Ich were evaluated. Immunizations were done with two immobilization serotypes (ARS4 and ARS6) of live theronts by bath immersion (trial I) and with sonicated trophonts by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection (trial II). Cutaneous and serum antibody titres against Ich following immunization were measured and survival of catfish was determined after theront challenge. Theronts were immobilized by the antiserum from fish immunized with homologous theronts or trophonts, but not by the serum of fish immunized with the heterologous serotype. Serum from fish immunized by immersion with live theronts showed higher enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay titres against both homologous and heterologous serotypes than fish immunized by i.p. injection of trophonts. Channel catfish immunized by immersion with live theronts or by i.p. injection with sonicated trophonts developed an immune response against Ich and provided cross‐protection against challenge from both serotypes (ARS4 and ARS6) of the parasite. Sonicated trophont antigens in aqueous solution by i.p. injection could stimulate an immune response in fish, but the immunity was of short duration.
Host preference of adult Caligus elongatus Nordmann in the laboratory and its implications for Atlantic cod aquaculture
Authors: Øines Ø , Simonsen J H , Knutsen J A , Heuch P A 
Published: March 2006

AbstractThe sea louse Caligus elongatus utilizes a range of marine fish species as hosts, and it has been suggested that fish farms are infected with adult C. elongatus from wild fish hosts. We assessed experimentally whether dislodged lice return to their original host species. Adult lice from wild lumpfish and saithe were presented to lumpfish, sea trout, Atlantic cod, saithe and European plaice. All fish species became infected. Lumpfish and cod were strongly preferred, followed by saithe, trout and plaice. Lice from wild saithe showed a preference for saithe and lumpfish, followed by cod, sea trout and plaice. The mtCO1 gene was used to determine the genotypes of the lice. Lice from lumpfish were genotype 1. Lice from saithe were mainly genotype 2. The two genotypes of C. elongatus differed slightly in their host preferences: lice from saithe were less discriminating. The data support the hypothesis that adult C. elongatus may transfer between different host species. Cod is an attractive host for lice from both lumpfish and saithe, which suggests that C. elongatus may become a serious pest of farmed cod.
Dietary habits of the Somali population in Liverpool, with respect to foods containing calcium and vitamin D: a cause for concern?
Authors: Maxwell S. M. , Salah S. M. , Bunn J. E. G. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  A large percentage of Liverpool Somalis have vitamin D deficiency and low calcium excretion. The dietary habits of Liverpool Somalis were investigated with respect to food items containing calcium and vitamin D.Methods  A questionnaire, administered by a Somali field worker, assessed the intake of food of 60 adult (45 females and 15 males; mean age 42 years) and 10 child (seven females and three males; mean age 10 years) Somali volunteers. Questions concerned personal details, health (bone and muscle problems) and dietary habits including the frequency of consumption of food items containing substantial amounts of calcium and vitamin D.Results  Most subjects reported bone and muscle pain. Eating habits reflected traditional customs. Foods containing substantial amounts of calcium and vitamin D were consumed infrequently. Milk was only consumed in tea. Those self‐reporting bone pain consumed eggs, cheese and beans rarely.Conclusion  The food choices of these individuals with regard to bone health is a cause for concern and indicates a likelihood of low calcium and vitamin D intake.
Serum homocysteine concentration as a marker of nutritional status of healthy subjects in Crete, Greece
Authors: Vrentzos G. E. , Papadakis J. A. , Malliaraki N. , Bampalis D. E. , Repa A. , Lemonomichelaki V. , Petinellis E. G. , Ganotakis E. S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractBackground  Dietary habits are an important determinant of serum homocysteine (tHcy), which may be a marker rather than a cause of progression of the atherosclerotic process. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional status, and to determine the serum tHcy concentrations in healthy subjects who live in rural areas of Crete, and who theoretically follow a contemporary Mediterranean‐style diet.Methods  Serum tHcy, folate, vitamin B12, creatinine, glucose, and the lipid profile, were measured in 203 (141 men and 62 women) healthy subjects, aged 33–78 years. The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as age, gender, cigarette smoking, obesity were recorded and dietary data were assessed using a 3‐day weighed food intake record.Results  Our population had high serum tHcy, low serum folate concentrations and lower than the traditional Cretan dietary folate intake [median (range): 12.0 (3.6–44.7) μmol L−1, 7.9 (1.9–15.5) ng mL−1 and 241 (68–1106) μg, respectively]. Dietary intake of fibre, omega‐3, and mono‐ or/ polyunsaturated fatty acids was also low. An inverse relation was observed between serum tHcy concentrations and serum folate (r = −0.28; P < 0.01) and vitamin B12 levels (r = −0.33; P < 0.001).Conclusions  Nowadays, the Cretan diet has changed towards a more westernized eating pattern. Given the analytic difficulties in determining the amount of folate in food and the inverse correlation between serum tHcy and folate levels, serum tHcy concentrations may be a useful marker for nutritional status, especially folate deficiency, in healthy subjects.
Cold Stress Induces Metabolic Activation of Thyrotrophin‐Releasing Hormone‐Synthesising Neurones in the Magnocellular Division of the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus and Concomitantly Changes Ovarian Sympathetic Activity Parameters
Authors: Fiedler J. , Jara P. , Luza S. , Dorfman M. , Grouselle D. , Rage F. , Lara H. E. , Arancibia S. 
Published: March 2006

AbstractRecent studies suggest thyrotrophin‐releasing hormone (TRH) serves as a neurotransmitter and thereby provides a functional vegetative connection between the brain and the ovary. In the present study, magnocellular neurones of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in animals subjected to cold exposure were studied to determine the hypothalamic origin of the TRH involved in this pathway. In situ hybridisation analysis of hypothalamic tissue showed that cold exposure causes a two‐fold increase in the total number of neurones expressing TRH mRNA in the PVN. Immunohistochemical studies showed that TRH peptide is localised to the magnocellular PVN and that the number of TRH immunoreactive cells increases two‐fold following 64 h of cold exposure. Double‐immunostaining for MAP‐2 and TRH revealed that TRH peptide is localised in the perikarya of the magnocellular neurones. TRH release was measured in vivo from the magnocellular portion of the PVN using push–pull perfusion. Although controls exhibited a very low level of TRH release, animals subjected to cold showed a pulsatile‐like TRH release profile with two different patterns of release: (i) low basal level with small bursts of TRH release and (ii) a profile with an up to seven‐fold increase in TRH release compared to controls. The colocalisation of TRH with the specific somato‐dendritic marker MAP‐2 in processes of the magnocellular neurones suggested a local release of TRH. Additional studies demonstrated a reduction in ovarian noradrenaline content after 48 h of cold exposure, a feature indicative of nerve activation at the terminal organ. After 64 h of cold exposure, the ovarian noradrenaline returned to control values but the noradrenaline content of the coeliac ganglia was increased, suggesting a compensatory effect originating in the cell bodies of the sympathetic neurones that innervate the ovary. The correlation between the local release of TRH from dendrites within the magnocellular PVN in conditions of cold and the activation of the sympathetic nerves supplying the ovary raises the possibility that TRH contributes to the processing regulating sympathetic outflow and may thereby impact on the functional activity of the ovary.
Automated analysis of eclipsing binary light curves – II. Statistical analysis of OGLE LMC eclipsing binaries
Authors: Mazeh T. , Tamuz O. , North P. 
Published: March 2006

Abstract
In the first paper of this series, we presented EBAS – Eclipsing Binary Automated Solver, a new fully automated algorithm to analyse the light curves of eclipsing binaries, based on the ebop code. Here, we apply the new algorithm to the whole sample of 2580 binaries found in the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) photometric survey and derive the orbital elements for 1931 systems. To obtain the statistical properties of the short-period binaries of the LMC, we construct a well-defined subsample of 938 eclipsing binaries with main-sequence B-type primaries. Correcting for observational selection effects, we derive the distributions of the fractional radii of the two components and their sum, the brightness ratios and the periods of the short-period binaries. Somewhat surprisingly, the results are consistent with a flat distribution in log P between 2 and 10 d. We also estimate the total number of binaries in the LMC with the same characteristics, and not only the eclipsing binaries, to be about 5000. This figure leads us to suggest that (0.7 ± 0.4) per cent of the main-sequence B-type stars in the LMC are found in binaries with periods shorter than 10 d. This frequency is substantially smaller than the fraction of binaries found by small Galactic radial-velocity surveys of B stars. On the other hand, the binary frequency found by Hubble Space Telescope (HST) photometric searches within the late main-sequence stars of 47 Tuc is only slightly higher and still consistent with the frequency we deduced for the B stars in the LMC.
Diurnal regulation of plant growth*
Authors: NOZUE KAZUNARI , MALOOF JULIN N. 
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACTLife occurs in an ever‐changing environment. Some of the most striking and predictable changes are the daily rhythms of light and temperature. To cope with these rhythmic changes, plants use an endogenous circadian clock to adjust their growth and physiology to anticipate daily environmental changes. Most studies of circadian functions in plants have been performed under continuous conditions. However, in the natural environment, diurnal outputs result from complex interactions of endogenous circadian rhythms and external cues. Accumulated studies using the hypocotyl as a model for plant growth have shown that both light signalling and circadian clock mutants have growth defects, suggesting strong interactions between hypocotyl elongation, light signalling and the circadian clock. Here, we review evidence suggesting that light, plant hormones and the circadian clock all interact to control diurnal patterns of plant growth.
The costs of changing national policy: lessons from malaria treatment policy guidelines in Tanzania
Authors: Mulligan J‐A. , Mandike R. , Palmer N. , Williams H. , Abdulla S. , Bloland P. , Mills A. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryObjective  To document the cost incurred by the Tanzanian government by changing the policy on first‐line treatment of malaria, from chloroquine to sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine.Methods  Costs were analysed from the perspective of the Ministry of Health and included all sources of funding. Costs external to the public health sector (e.g. private and community costs) were not included. The base case analysis adopted an incremental rather than a full cost approach, assuming that an organizational infrastructure was already in place. However, specific attention was paid to the burden placed on National Malaria Control Program staff. We also costed activities planned but not implemented to estimate the total expense for an ‘ideal’ process.Results  Total costs were Tsh 795 million (USD 813 743), with the largest proportion accounted for by training. Costs of the policy change process were equivalent to about 4% of annual government and donor expenditure on malaria and to about 1% of overall public expenditure on health. A number of planned activities were not implemented; including these would bring the total cost to Ts 880 million (USD 896 130).Conclusion  On top of extra costs for the drugs themselves, a change in treatment policy requires time, resources and substantial management capacity at national and local level. A better understanding of these issues and the costs involved benefits countries planning and implementing policy change.
The Guinea Fowl Spleen at Embryonic and Post‐Hatch Periods
Authors: Onyeanusi B. I. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe spleen of the guinea fowl was bean‐shaped but without a dented hilus. It is supplied by three short arteries that came from the ventral surface, two on the cranial end and one at the caudal end of the organ. The whole organ had a thin but tough capsule covering the outer surface except at the point of entry of the blood vessels. By day 18 of incubation, the spleen had a thin but well‐defined capsule and internal to this been complete network of sinusoids filled with erythrocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes. By day 19, dark and light staining zones, which could be termed red and white pulps, had appeared. By day 20, the granulocytes with a lot of granules within their cytoplasm, had become the biggest‐sized cells in the spleen. At day 21, arteries and veins were noticed clearly in the spleen and many lymphocytes, few granulocytes and reticular cells surrounded these. Red pulp with its sinusoids was now distinct. A giant cell containing three nuclei was seen within the red pulp. At day 1 post‐hatch, the capsule was at its greatest thickness so far and muscle cells were seen at the inner most part of the capsule. Granulocytes that had been a constant feature suddenly disappeared. At day 5, the small lymphocytes had dominated the large and medium‐sized ones. By 2 weeks, the red and white pulps were virtually equal in distribution but by 3 weeks, the red pulp was convincingly greater. By 7 weeks, plasma cells had appeared in the peripheral splenic cords. Monocytes were observed in the sinusoids. Two germinal centres were identified for the first time in week 13 post‐hatch.
The Lymph Drainage of the Neoplastic Mammary Glands in the Bitch: A Lymphographic Study
Authors: Patsikas M. N. , Karayannopoulou M. , Kaldrymidoy E. , Papazoglou L. G. , Papadopoulou P. L. , Tzegas S. I. , Tziris N. E. , Kaitzis D. G. , Dimitriadis A. S. , Dessiris A. K. 
Published: March 2006

SummaryThe purpose of this investigation was to study the lymph drainage of the neoplastic mammary glands in the bitch using indirect lymphography. The main conclusions drawn from the study of 41 natural cases were as follows: the first or cranial thoracic and second or caudal thoracic neoplastic mammary glands usually drain into the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes and rarely into the ipsilateral axillary and sternal lymph nodes, simultaneously. The third or cranial abdominal neoplastic mammary gland usually drains into the ipsilateral axillary and superficial inguinal lymph nodes simultaneously, but sometimes only cranially into the ipsilateral axillary lymph nodes. Rarely, it drains only caudally into the ipsilateral superficial inguinal and medial iliac lymph nodes, simultaneously. The fourth or caudal abdominal neoplastic mammary gland usually drains only caudally into the ipsilateral superficial inguinal lymph nodes. Rarely, it drains into the ipsilateral axillary and superficial inguinal lymph nodes simultaneously. The fifth or inguinal neoplastic mammary gland usually drains into the ipsilateral superficial inguinal lymph nodes but rarely, does it also drain into the ipsilateral popliteal lymph node and into a lymphatic plexus at the medial aspect of the ipsilateral thigh. Lymphatic connections between the neoplastic and adjacent normal mammary glands were demonstrated in only one case. The lymph drainage pattern of the neoplastic mammary glands is slightly different to that described in normal glands using the same radiographic method.