bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Gene Expression by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes in Horses Experimentally Infected withAnaplasma phagocytophila
Authors: Kim Hyung-Yong , Mott Jason , Zhi Ning , Tajima Tomoko , Rikihisa Yasuko 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACTHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE), a tick-borne zoonosis, is caused by an obligatory intragranulocytic bacterium, the HGE agent, a strain ofAnaplasma phagocytophila. The equine model of HGE is considered valuable in understanding pathogenic and immune mechanisms of HGE. In the present study, cytokine mRNA expression by peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) in horses was examined during the course of infection by intravenous inoculation ofA. phagocytophilaor by allowing feeding by infected ticks. Thep44genes encoding the major outer membrane protein P44s ofA. phagocytophilawere detected by PCR in PBLs of all four horses from 4 to 20 days postexposure. During the 20-day infection period, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) mRNA expression was upregulated in PBLs of all four horses, and IL-8 mRNA expression was upregulated in three horses. Gamma interferon, IL-10, and IL-12 p35 mRNAs were weakly expressed in only one horse each. IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12 p40 mRNA expression , however, could not be detected in the PBLs of any of the four horses. These results suggest that IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-8 generation duringA. phagocytophilainfection has a primary role in HGE pathogenesis and immunomodulation.
Gamma Interferon Inhibits Production of Anti-OspA Borreliacidal Antibody In Vitro
Authors: Munson Erik L. , Du Chateau Brian K. , Jensen Jani R. , Callister Steven M. , DeCoster David J. , Schell Ronald F. 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACTThe ability of a Lyme borreliosis vaccine to induce and maintain sustained levels of borreliacidal antibody is necessary for prolonged protection against infection withBorrelia burgdorferi. Vaccination against infection withB. burgdorfericould be improved by determining the mechanism(s) that influences the production of protective borreliacidal antibody. Borreliacidal antibody was inhibited in cultures of lymph node cells obtained from C3H/HeJ mice vaccinated with formalin-inactivatedB. burgdorferiand cultured with macrophages andB. burgdorferiand treated with recombinant gamma interferon (rIFN-γ). The suppression of production of outer surface protein A (OspA) borreliacidal antibody by rIFN-γ was not affected by the time of treatment. In addition, treatment with rIFN-γ inhibited the production of other anti-B. burgdorferiantibodies. By contrast, treatment of cultures of immune lymph node cells with anti-IFN-γ marginally increased the production of borreliacidal antibody and enhanced the production of other antibodies directed againstB. burgdorferi. These results show that IFN-γ does not play a major role in the production of anti-OspA borreliacidal antibody. Additional studies are needed to determine which cytokine(s) will enhance production of borreliacidal antibody.
Suppression of Growth by All-
trans
Retinoic Acid Requires Prolonged Induction of Interferon Regulatory Factor 1 in Cervical Squamous Carcinoma (SiHa) Cells
Authors: Arany Istvan , Whitehead William E. , Grattendick Kenneth J. , Ember Istvan A. , Tyring Stephen K. 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACT

All-
trans
retinoic acid (ATRA) suppresses growth of cervical dysplasias in vivo, although the sensitivity to retinoids is frequently lost during cervical carcinogenesis. It has been suggested that prolonged treatment or use of higher doses of retinoids might offer favorable response rates. We found SiHa cervical squamous carcinoma cells that were virtually resistant to ATRA-induced growth-inhibitory effects at physiological doses (10
−7 to
10
−6
M) to be more responsive at pharmacological doses (10
−5 to
10
−4
M). The growth inhibition by high-dose (10
−4
M) ATRA was associated with a sustained activation of interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1), while a low dose (10
−6
M) of ATRA activated IRF-1 only transiently. Antisense IRF-1 inhibited the high-dose (10
−4
M), ATRA-mediated growth arrest; forced expression of IRF-1 caused a significant reduction in cell growth. High-dose (10
−4
M) ATRA increased binding of NF-κB and STAT1 proteins to sequences that originated from the IRF-1 promoter region, while low-dose (10
−6
M) ATRA induced only NF-κB binding. A delayed tyrosine phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT1) was observed after high-dose (10
−4
M) but not low-dose (10
−6
M) ATRA treatment. In agreement with this, induction of IRF-1 mRNA by ATRA was only modest and transient in a STAT1 knockout cell line, suggesting the importance of STAT1 in sustained IRF-1 expression. Our data showed that ATRA is capable of inducing dose-dependent cellular changes, which might be appropriate to overcome resistance to retinoids that frequently develops during cervical carcinogenesis.
Performance of Two Commercial Glycoprotein G-Based Enzyme Immunoassays for Detecting Antibodies to Herpes Simplex Viruses 1 and 2 in Children and Young Adolescents
Authors: Leach Charles T. , Ashley Rhoda L. , Baillargeon Jacques , Jenson Hal B. 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACT
In 61 patients 1 to 14 years of age, the Gull/Meridian enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) had a sensitivity of 100% for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and specificities of 74% for HSV-1 and 48% for HSV-2. In 128 similarly aged patients, the HerpeSelect ELISA (Focus Technologies) showed sensitivities of 80% for HSV-1 and 88% for HSV-2, and specificities of 97% for HSV-1 and 100% for HSV-2.
Determination of the Nucleotide Sequences of Heat Shock Operon
groESL
and the Citrate Synthase Gene (
gltA
) of
Anaplasma
(
Ehrlichia
)
platys
for Phylogenetic and Diagnostic Studies
Authors: Inokuma Hisashi , Fujii Kaori , Okuda Masaru , Onishi Takafumi , Beaufils Jean-Pierre , Raoult Didier , Brouqui Philippe 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACT

The 1,670-bp nucleotide sequence of the heat shock operon
groESL
and the 1,236-bp sequence of the citrate synthase gene (
gltA
) of
Anaplasma
(
Ehrlichia
)
platys
were determined. The topology of the
groEL
- and
gltA
-based phylogenetic tree was similar to that derived from 16S rRNA gene analyses with distances. Both
groESL
- and
gltA
-based PCRs specific to
A. platys
were also developed based upon the alignment data.
Diagnostic Techniques To Detect Cryptic Leishmaniasis in Dogs
Authors: Iniesta Laura , Fernández-Barredo Salceda , Bulle Béatrice , Gómez M. Teresa , Piarroux Renaud , Gállego Montserrat , Alunda José M. , Portús Montserrat 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACT

This study of several techniques for detecting cryptic leishmaniasis in dogs from areas in Spain where
Leishmania infantum
is highly endemic concludes that immunological techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence antibody test, Western blotting, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, and in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay) do not clearly differentiate between noninfected and infected asymptomatic dogs and that culture and PCR are more reliable diagnostic tools.
Active Surveillance for Scrapie by Third Eyelid Biopsy and Genetic Susceptibility Testing of Flocks of Sheep in Wyoming
Authors: O'Rourke Katherine I. , Duncan John V. , Logan James R. , Anderson Anne K. , Norden Dianne K. , Williams Elizabeth S. , Combs Bret A. , Stobart Robert H. , Moss Gary E. , Sutton Diane L. 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACTControl of scrapie, an ovine transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion disorder, has been hampered by the lack of conventional antemortem diagnostic tests. Currently, scrapie is diagnosed by postmortem examination of the brain and lymphoid tissues for PrPSc, the protein marker for this group of disorders. For live, asymptomatic sheep, diagnosis using tonsil or third-eyelid lymphoid tissue biopsy and PrPScassay has been described. To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of third-eyelid testing for identification of infected flocks and individual infected sheep, 690 sheep from 22 flocks were sampled by third-eyelid lymphoid tissue biopsy and immunohistochemistry. Sheep were further evaluated for relative genetic susceptibility and potential contact exposure to scrapie. Third-eyelid testing yielded suitable samples for 80% of the sheep tested, with a mean of 18.1 lymphoid follicles (germinal centers) per histologic section. Three hundred eleven of the sheep were sampled through passive surveillance programs, in which only sheep with potential contact with an infected sheep at a lambing event were tested, regardless of their scrapie susceptibility genotype. In addition, 141 genetically susceptible sheep with no record of contact with an infected animal at a lambing event were sampled through a targeted active surveillance program. Ten PrPSc-positive sheep were identified through the passive surveillance program, and an additional three PrPSc-positive sheep, including two from flocks with no history of scrapie, were identified through the active surveillance program. All PrPSc-positive sheep had the highly susceptible PrP genotype. Third-eyelid testing is a useful adjunct to flock monitoring programs, slaughter surveillance, and mandatory disease reporting in a comprehensive scrapie eradication and research program.
Augmentation of the Lipopolysaccharide-Neutralizing Activities of Human Cathelicidin CAP18/LL-37-Derived Antimicrobial Peptides by Replacement with Hydrophobic and Cationic Amino Acid Residues
Authors: Nagaoka Isao , Hirota Satoko , Niyonsaba François , Hirata Michimasa , Adachi Yoshiyuki , Tamura Hiroshi , Tanaka Shigenori , Heumann Didier 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACTMammalian myeloid and epithelial cells express various peptide antibiotics (such as defensins and cathelicidins) that contribute to the innate host defense against invading microorganisms. Among these peptides, human cathelicidin CAP18/LL-37 (L1to S37) possesses not only potent antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria but also the ability to bind to gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and neutralize its biological activities. In this study, to develop peptide derivatives with improved LPS-neutralizing activities, we utilized an 18-mer peptide (K15to V32) of LL-37 as a template and evaluated the activities of modified peptides by using the CD14+murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 and the murine endotoxin shock model. By replacement of E16and K25with two L residues, the hydrophobicity of the peptide (18-mer LL) was increased, and by further replacement of Q22, D26, and N30with three K residues, the cationicity of the peptide (18-mer LLKKK) was enhanced. Among peptide derivatives, 18-mer LLKKK displayed the most powerful LPS-neutralizing activity: it was most potent at binding to LPS, inhibiting the interaction between LPS and LPS-binding protein, and attaching to the CD14 molecule, thereby suppressing the binding of LPS to CD14+cells and attenuating production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by these cells. Furthermore, in the murine endotoxin shock model, 18-mer LLKKK most effectively suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α production and protected mice from lethal endotoxin shock. Together, these observations indicate that the LPS-neutralizing activities of the amphipathic human CAP18/LL-37-derived 18-mer peptide can be augmented by modifying its hydrophobicity and cationicity, and that 18-mer LLKKK is the most potent of the peptide derivatives, with therapeutic potential for gram-negative bacterial endotoxin shock.
Impaired Macrophage Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Neutrophils in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection
Authors: Torre Donato , Gennero Luisa , Baccino F. M. , Speranza Filippo , Biondi Gilberto , Pugliese Agostino 
Published: August 2002

ABSTRACTDysfunction of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNL]) and macrophagic cells occurs as a consequence of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. Macrophages contribute to the resolution of early inflammation ingesting PMNL apoptotic bodies. This study investigated macrophage ability to phagocytose PMNL apoptotic bodies in patients with HIV-1 infection in comparison with uninfected individuals and the effect of HIV Nef protein on apoptotic body phagocytosis to determine if phagocytic activity is impaired by HIV infection. Monocytes/macrophages were isolated from 10 HIV-1-infected patients and from five healthy volunteers, whereas PMNL were isolated from healthy volunteers. Macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic PMNL was determined by staining of apoptotic bodies with fluorescein-conjugated concanavalin A or with fluorescein-labeled phalloidin. Our data show significant impairment of PMNL apoptotic body macrophage phagocytosis in subjects with HIV-1 infection presenting a concentration of CD4+T lymphocytes of >200/mm3and in particular in those with <200 CD4+T lymphocyte cells/mm3. In addition, HIV-1 recombinant Nef protein is able to decrease phagocytosis of apoptotic PMNL from normal human macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. The results of our study suggest that impaired macrophage phagocytosis of PMNL apoptotic bodies may contribute to the persistence of the inflammatory state in HIV-infected subjects, especially during opportunistic infections that are often favored by defective phagocytic activity.
Work organisation and unintentional sleep: results from the WOLF study
Authors: Åkerstedt T , Knutsson A , Westerholm P , Theorell T , Alfredsson L , Kecklund G 
Published: August 2002

Background:Falling asleep at work is receiving increasing attention as a cause of work accidents.Aims:To investigate which variables (related to work, lifestyle, or background) are related to the tendency to fall asleep unintentionally, either during work hours, or during leisure time.Methods:5589 individuals (76% response rate) responded to a questionnaire. A multiple logistic regression analysis of the cross sectional data was used to estimate the risk of falling asleep.Results:The prevalence for falling asleep unintentionally at least once a month was 7.0% during work hours and 23.1% during leisure time. The risk of unintentional sleep at work was related to disturbed sleep, having shift work, and higher socioeconomic group. Being older, being a woman, and being a smoker were associated with a reduced risk of unintentionally falling asleep at work. Work demands, decision latitude at work, physical load, sedentary work, solitary work, extra work, and overtime work were not related to falling asleep at work. Removing “disturbed sleep” as a predictor did not change the odds ratios of the other predictors in any significant way. With respect to falling asleep during leisure time, disturbed sleep, snoring, high work demands, being a smoker, not exercising, and higher age (>45 years) became risk indicators.Conclusion:The risk of involuntary sleep at work is increased in connection with disturbed sleep but also with night work, socioeconomic group, low age, being a male, and being a non-smoker.
Validity of empirical models of exposure in asphalt paving
Authors: Burstyn I , Boffetta P , Burr G A , Cenni A , Knecht U , Sciarra G , Kromhout H 
Published: August 2002

Aims:To investigate the validity of empirical models of exposure to bitumen fume and benzo(a)pyrene, developed for a historical cohort study of asphalt paving in Western Europe.Methods:Validity was evaluated using data from the USA, Italy, and Germany not used to develop the original models. Correlation between observed and predicted exposures was examined. Bias and precision were estimated.Results:Models were imprecise. Furthermore, predicted bitumen fume exposures tended to be lower (−70%) than concentrations found during paving in the USA. This apparent bias might be attributed to differences between Western European and USA paving practices. Evaluation of the validity of the benzo(a)pyrene exposure model revealed a similar to expected effect of re-paving and a larger than expected effect of tar use. Overall, benzo(a)pyrene models underestimated exposures by 51%.Conclusions:Possible bias as a result of underestimation of the impact of coal tar on benzo(a)pyrene exposure levels must be explored in sensitivity analysis of the exposure–response relation. Validation of the models, albeit limited, increased our confidence in their applicability to exposure assessment in the historical cohort study of cancer risk among asphalt workers.
Urinary bisphenol A and plasma hormone concentrations in male workers exposed to bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and mixed organic solvents
Authors: Hanaoka T , Kawamura N , Hara K , Tsugane S 
Published: August 2002

Aims:To evaluate effects of exposure to bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) on urinary excretion of bisphenol A, and plasma gonadotrophic hormones and testosterone in male epoxy resin sprayers.Methods:Cross sectional study of 42 workers whose job was to spray epoxy resin hardening agents including BADGE and mixed organic solvents, and 42 matched control workers without BADGE use in the same machine plants.Results:Concentrations of urinary bisphenol A were higher in the epoxy resin sprayers (median 1.06 μmol/mol creatinine) compared with the controls (median 0.52 μmol/mol creatinine). Urinary metabolite concentrations of organic solvents used were all higher in the epoxy resin workers compared with the controls. Endocrinological examination showed different concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) between the epoxy sprayers (median 5.3 mIU/ml) and the controls (median 7.6 mIU/ml). FSH showed a mild correlation with urinary bisphenol A, but not with the metabolites of organic solvents. Luteinising hormone and free testosterone concentrations did not differ between the two groups.Conclusion:BADGE may generate bisphenol A endogenously. Results suggest that bisphenol A may disrupt secretion of gonadotrophic hormones in men. The clinical significance of endocrine disrupting effects by bisphenol A should be further investigated in male workers exposed to bisphenol A.
Occupational exposure to noise and the attributable burden of hearing difficulties in Great Britain
Authors: Palmer K T , Griffin M J , Syddall H E , Davis A , Pannett B , Coggon D 
Published: August 2002

Aims:To determine the prevalence of self reported hearing difficulties and tinnitus in working aged people from the general population, and to estimate the risks from occupational exposure to noise and the number of attributable cases nationally.Methods:A questionnaire was mailed to 22 194 adults of working age selected at random from the age–sex registers of 34 British general practices (21 201 subjects) and from the central pay records of the British armed services (993 subjects). Information was collected on years of employment in a noisy job; and whether the respondent wore a hearing aid, had difficulty in hearing conversation, or had experienced persistent tinnitus over the past year. Associations of hearing difficulty and tinnitus with noise exposure were examined by logistic regression, with adjustment for age, sex, smoking habits, and frequent complaints of headaches, tiredness, or stress. The findings were expressed as prevalence ratios (PRs) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Attributable numbers were calculated from the relevant PRs and an estimate of the prevalence of occupational exposure to noise nationally.Results:Some 2% of subjects reported severe hearing difficulties (wearing a hearing aid or having great difficulty in both ears in hearing conversation in a quiet room). In men, the prevalence of this outcome rose steeply with age, from below 1% in those aged 16–24 years to 8% in those aged 55–64. The pattern was similar in women, but severe hearing loss was only about half as prevalent in the oldest age band. Tinnitus was far more common in subjects with hearing difficulties. In both sexes, after adjustment for age, the risk of severe hearing difficulty and persistent tinnitus rose with years spent in a noisy job. In men older than 35 years with 10 or more years of exposure, the PR for severe hearing difficulty was 3.8 (95% CI 2.4 to 6.2) and that for persistent tinnitus 2.6 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.4) in comparison with those who had never had a noisy job. Nationally, some 153 000 men and 26 000 women aged 35–64 years were estimated to have severe hearing difficulties attributable to noise at work. For persistent tinnitus the corresponding numbers were 266 000 and 84 000.Conclusions:Significant hearing difficulties and tinnitus are quite common in men from the older working age range. Both are strongly associated with years spent in a noisy occupation—a predominantly male exposure. The national burden of hearing difficulties attributable to noise at work is substantial.
Raynaud's phenomenon, vibration induced white finger, and difficulties in hearing: Table 1
Authors: Palmer K T , Griffin M J , Syddall H E , Pannett B , Cooper C , Coggon D 
Published: August 2002

Background:An association has previously been reported between finger blanching and hearing difficulties, but only in workers with exposure to noise and hand transmitted vibration (HTV).Aims:To explore the association in a community sample, including cases who lacked occupational exposure to noise or HTV.Method:A questionnaire was mailed to 12 606 subjects aged 35–64 years, chosen at random from the age–sex registers of 34 British general practices. Inquiry was made about years of employment in noisy jobs, lifetime exposure to HTV, hearing difficulties and tinnitus, and lifetime history of cold induced finger blanching. Subjects were classed as having severe hearing difficulty if they used a hearing aid or found it difficult or impossible to hear conversation in a quiet room. Associations of finger blanching with hearing difficulties and tinnitus were analysed by logistic regression.Results:Among 8193 respondents were 185 who reported severe hearing difficulty and 1151 who reported finger blanching. After adjustment for age and years of work in noisy jobs, hearing difficulty was about twice as common in men and women who reported finger blanching, including those who had never been importantly exposed to noise and in those never exposed to HTV.Conclusions:These data support an association between finger blanching and hearing loss, which is not explained by confounding occupational exposure to noise, and suggest that it may extend to causes of blanching other than vibration induced white finger. Further investigations are warranted to confirm the association and explore possible mechanisms, such as sympathetic vasoconstriction in the cochlea.
Chrysotile and tremolite asbestos fibres in the lungs and parietal pleura of Corsican goats
Authors: Dumortier P , Rey F , Viallat J R , Broucke I , Boutin C , De Vuyst P 
Published: August 2002

Background and Aims:Environmental exposures to chrysotile and tremolite from the soil cause pleural plaques and mesothelioma in northeast Corsica. Goats grazing in the contaminated areas inhale asbestos fibres. We used this natural animal model to study whether these exposures actually result in increased fibre burdens in the lungs and parietal pleura.Methods:Ten goats from areas with asbestos outcrops and two from other areas were slaughtered. Fibre content of lung and parietal pleural samples was determined by analytical transmission electron microscopy.Results:Both chrysotile and tremolite fibres were detected. In the exposed goats, the geometric mean concentrations of asbestos fibres longer than 1 μm were 0.27 × 106fibres/g dry lung tissue and 1.8 × 106fibres/g dry pleural tissue. Asbestos fibres were not detected in the lungs of the two control goats. Chrysotile fibres shorter than 5 μm were predominant in the parietal pleura. Tremolite fibres accounted for 78% and 86% of the fibres longer than 5 μm in lung and parietal pleural samples, respectively.Conclusions:Environmental exposure in northeast Corsica results in detectable chrysotile and tremolite fibre loads in the lung and parietal pleura of adult goats. Tremolite fibres of dimensions with a high carcinogenic potency are detected in the parietal pleura.