bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What impact will the immune tolerance network have on the future treatment of allergic diseases?
Authors: Saxon A. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThe immune tolerance network (ITN) plans to capitalize on the current state of understanding of immunologic science to solicit, design and implement human trails designed to ‘cure’ allergic diseases. While the ITN can bring tremendous resources to bear, it is actively looking for the participation of innovative physician–scientists worldwide in order to optimize the changes of success and thereby have a major impact on the future treatment of allergic diseases.
The quantitative role of alternative pathway amplification in classical pathway induced terminal complement activation
Authors: HARBOE M , ULVUND G , VIEN L , FUNG M , MOLLNES T E 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYComplement activation with formation of biologically potent mediators like C5a and the terminal C5b-9 complex (TCC) contributes essentially to development of inflammation and tissue damage in a number of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. A particular role for complement in the ischaemia/reperfusion injury of the heart, skeletal muscle, central nervous system, intestine and kidney has been suggested from animal studies. Previous experiments in C3 and C4 knockout mice suggested an important role of the classical or lectin pathway in initiation of complement activation during intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury while later use of factor D knockout mice showed the alternative pathway to be critically involved. We hypothesized that alternative pathway amplification might play a more critical role in classical pathway-induced C5 activation than previously recognized and used pathway-selective inhibitory mAbs to further elucidate the role of the alternative pathway. Here we demonstrate that  selective  blockade  of  the  alternative  pathway  by  neutralizing  factor  D  in  human  serum  diluted 1 : 2 with mAb 166–32 inhibited more than 80% of C5a and TCC formation induced by solid phase IgM and solid- and fluid-phase human aggregated IgG via the classical pathway. The findings emphasize the influence of alternative pathway amplification on the effect of initial classical pathway activation and the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the alternative pathway in clinical conditions with excessive and uncontrolled complement activation.
L-ficolin in children with recurrent respiratory infections
Authors: ATKINSON A P M , CEDZYNSKI M , SZEMRAJ J , ST. SWIERZKO A , BAK-ROMANISZYN L , BANASIK M , ZEMAN K , MATSUSHITA M , TURNER M L , KILPATRICK D C 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY
The lectin pathway of complement activation is used by a collectin, mannan-binding lectin (MBL), and two ficolins, L-ficolin and H-ficolin, to opsonize microorganisms for phagocytosis. We published evidence recently that MBL insufficiency is associated with recurrent respiratory infections in childhood. We have now measured serum L-ficolin in 313 respiratory infection patients and 74 healthy control children. L-ficolin concentrations below the lower limit of the control group were found in 6% of the patients (P &lt; 0·02) and were associated most strongly with children having co-existing atopic disorders (11%; P = 0·002). We suggest that L-ficolin may have a role in protection from microorganisms complicating allergic disease.
TSH receptor-adenovirus-induced Graves’ hyperthyroidism is attenuated in both interferon-γand interleukin-4 knockout mice; implications for the Th1/Th2 paradigm
Authors: NAGAYAMA Y , SAITOH O , MCLACHLAN S M , RAPOPORT B , KANO H , KUMAZAWA Y 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYThe role of the Th1/Th2 balance in the pathogenesis of murine Graves’ hyperthyroidism is controversial. In BALB/c mice injected with adenovirus expressing TSH receptor (TSHR-adeno model), we found that suppression of TSHR-specific Th1 immune responses by exogenous interleukin-4 (IL-4), α-galactosylceramide or helminth (Schistosoma mansoni) infection was associated with inhibition of hyperthyroidism, indicating the critical role for Th1 cytokines. In contrast, BALB/c IL-4 knockout (KO), but not interferon-γ (IFN-γ) KO mice failed to develop Graves’ hyperthyroidism when injected with TSHR-expressing M12 B lymphoma cells (TSHR-M12 model), suggesting the importance of Th2 cytokine IL-4. To reconcile differences in these two models, we used IL-4 KO and IFN-γ KO BALB/c mice in the TSHR-adeno model. Unlike wild-type (wt) BALB/c mice in which 60% developed hyperthyroidism, only 13 and 7% of IL-4 KO and IFN-γ KO mice, respectively, became hyperthyroid. Thyroid stimulating antibodies were positive in most hyperthyroid mice. TSHR antibody titres determined by TSH binding inhibition and ELISA were comparable in all three groups. IgG1 and IgG2a TSHR antibody titres were similar in IFN-γ KO and wt mice, whereas IgG1 TSHR antibody titres and TSHR-specific splenocyte IFN-γ secretion were lower in IL-4 KO than in IFN-γ KO and wt mice, respectively. Our results clearly implicate both IFN-γ and IL-4 in development of hyperthyroidism in the TSHR-adeno model. These data, together with the previous report, also indicate different cytokine requirements in these two Graves’ models, with IFN-γ being more important in the TSHR-adeno than the TSHR-M12 model. Moreover, our previous and present observations indicate a difference in the role of exogenous versus endogenous IL-4 in TSHR-adenovirus induced Graves’ hyperthyroidism.
Antibodies cross-reacting with thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase are induced by immunization of rabbits with an immunogenic thyroglobulin 20mer peptide
Authors: THRASYVOULIDES A , LYMBERI P 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYThyroglobulin (Tg) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) are two major autoantigens in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). Cross-reactive anti-Tg/TPO antibodies have been identified in patients with AITD and in mice immunized with Tg or TPO. In the present study, we investigated the production of anti-Tg/TPO antibodies in rabbits immunized with human Tg and with a highly immunogenic Tg peptide (namely TgP41, sequence 2651–2670 of human Tg), by noncompetitive and competitive ELISA. TgP41 was found previously to induce intramolecular epitope spreading. We found that Tg-immunized rabbits developed a serological immune response to TPO due to cross-reactivity with Tg, since serum TPO reactivity was inhibited by soluble Tg and affinity-purified anti-Tg antibodies cross-reacted with TPO. Moreover, TgP41-immunized rabbits responded to Tg and TPO. This serological response was attributed to anti-Tg/TPO antibodies, based on the observation that serum TPO reactivity was again inhibited by soluble Tg, and affinity-purified anti-Tg antibodies, induced by TgP41-immunization, cross-reacted with TPO. Purified anti-TgP41 antibodies did not react with TPO, suggesting that a putative common antigenic determinant is not included in the peptide sequence. We propose that intermolecular spreading of reactivity to TPO observed after administration of the Tg-peptide is a result of intramolecular epitope spreading to determinant(s) responsible for Tg/TPO cross-reactivity.
Agronomic factors affecting the yield and quality of forage maize in Ireland: effect of plastic film system and seeding rate
Authors: Keane G. P. , Kelly J. , Lordan S. , Kelly K. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractThe objectives were to compare the effects of two plastic film systems [perforated (PP) and complete‐cover (CC) systems] on the yield and quality of forage maize, and to study the effects of seeding rate on maize grown with, and without, plastic film. Between 1995 and 1998 (Experiments 1 and 2), comparisons were made of maize without plastic film systems (NP), sown through clear plastic film (PP) and covered with clear plastic film (CC). In the CC system, the plastic was removed manually from the crop. Two dates of removal (CC1 and CC2) were compared in 1995, while four removal dates (CC1, CC2, CC3 and CC4) were examined in 1996–98. In 1996–98, three sowing dates (early, mid‐April; mid, early‐May; late, mid‐May) were also examined. Four seeding rates (78 200, 93 900, 107 000 and 126 000 seeds ha−1) were examined in two experiments (Experiment 3 in 1996 and Experiment 4 in 1996–98). No plastic was used in Experiment 3, while three plastic treatments (NP, PP and CC) were examined in Experiment 4. In the CC treatment, the plastic film was removed at the six‐ to eight‐leaf stage.In Experiment 1, the PP treatment gave lower DM yields than the NP treatment due to frost damage which killed 0·30 of the plants in the PP treatment. Plants were undamaged by frost in both CC treatments, and the CC2 treatment (plastic removal at the six‐leaf stage) gave significant increases in DM and grain yields. In Experiment 2, averaged over years and sowing dates, DM yields were significantly increased by all plastic film treatments except CC4. All plastic film treatments gave significantly earlier tassel emergence than the NP treatment, and significantly increased grain yields and contents of DM and grain. The highest yields of DM and grain were obtained from the PP system. Within the CC treatments, leaving the plastic film intact until the ten‐leaf stage (CC4) gave lower yields of DM and grain than removing the plastic film at an earlier stage. Averaged over years, the largest DM yields were obtained from the CC system with early‐sown material, while the yield differences between treatments with late‐sown crops under this system were not significant. Highest DM and grain yields were obtained with early sowing, while late sowing gave lower contents of DM and grain, and later tassel emergence.In Experiments 3 and 4, DM and grain yields increased as seeding rate increased up to 126 000 seeds ha−1 with NP and CC plastic treatments. With the PP treatment, DM yield reached a plateau at 107 000 seeds ha−1. Seeding rate did not significantly affect DM content in either experiments but grain content declined in both experiments as seeding rate increased.
Simultaneous increase in germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress under acute unilateral testicular ischaemia in rats
Authors: Chaki S. P. , Ghosh D. , Misro M. M. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryIschaemia induced germ cell apoptosis in rat testis was studied in detail to find out (i) spermatogenic stage or seminiferous epithelium region specific involvement of germ cells in apoptosis, (ii) preferential specificity of a particular germ cell type to become apoptotic and (iii) the ratio of live and dead testicular cells isolated in vitro after various period of ischaemic induction. Cell apoptosis, as observed in histological sections increased from 1 to 24 h of ischaemia. Apoptosis was not restricted to any specific germ cell type but was observed simultaneously in all the cell types in the initial hours (1–6 h) of ischaemia. No spermatogenic stage specific preference in apoptotic induction was also observed. However, as the duration of ischaemia progressed, the cell types observed to be most affected in number and morphology were the spermatids followed by spermatocytes. Centrally located tubules of testis were affected first than those located in the periphery. Overexpression of Bax staining was limited to few germ cell nuclei only. More than 95% of the germ cells in the control testis that earlier showed trypan blue dye exclusion were found stained after 12 h of ischaemia. Starting from early hours (1 h), lipid peroxidation rose proportionally with the duration of ischaemia while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were found decreased. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in the activities of glutathion‐s‐transferase and levels of hydrogen peroxide were observed after 6 h of ischaemia. These findings indicate that the physiological processes of oxidative stress have a direct linkage to the extent of germ cell apoptosis in the seminiferous epithelium.
The use of guar and xanthan gums in the production of ‘light’ low fat cakes
Authors: Zambrano Francy , Despinoy P. , Ormenese R. C. S. C. , Faria E. V. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThe objective of this work was to develop low fat or light cakes by substituting the fat with either guar or xanthan gums. In order to measure the effect of this substitution, the following were evaluated: specific density of the dough, specific volume, moisture content, internal characteristics and the presence of moulds. Cakes with 25 and 50% substitution of the fat were also evaluated with respect to water activity (Aw), firmness and elasticity. The proximate composition analysis was used to determine the reductions in fat content and caloric value. Cakes with 50% substitution with guar and xanthan gums, up to 15 days storage, showed no significant difference (P < 0.05) with respect to firmness and elasticity. Therefore substitution of 50% of the normal fat content with gums allowed the production of cakes that were light with respect to their fat content. It was found that those made with xanthan gum were considered better with respect to overall appreciation and texture in the acceptability test.
Experimental amoebic gill disease of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L.: further evidence for the primary pathogenic role of Neoparamoeba sp. (Page, 1987)
Authors: Adams M B , Nowak B F 
Published: November 2004

AbstractAmoebic gill disease (AGD) has been attributed to infection by Neoparamoeba sp. The causal mechanisms for AGD lesion development and the primary pathogenic role of Neoparamoeba sp. require elucidation. Three groups of Atlantic salmon were exposed to viable gill isolated amoebae, to sonicated amoebae, or to sea water containing viable amoebae without direct contact with gill epithelia. Fish were removed 8 days post‐exposure and the gills assessed histologically for AGD. AGD occurred only when fish were exposed to viable trophozoites. Consequently, in an accompanying experiment, infection was evaluated histologically at 12, 24 and 48 h post‐exposure in three groups of salmon, one group being mechanically injured 12 h prior to exposure. A progressive host response and significant increase (P < 0.001) in the numbers of attached amoebae was apparent over the 48‐h duration in undamaged hemibranchs in both treatment groups. There were no significant differences to mucous cell populations. Attachment of Neoparamoeba sp. to damaged gill filaments was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by 48 h post‐exposure. These data further confirm and describe the primary pathogenic role of Neoparamoeba sp. and the early host response in AGD. Preliminary evidence suggests that lesions resulting from physical gill damage are not preferentially colonized by Neoparamoeba sp.
Influence of individually estimated portion size on the assessment of nutritional risk in colorectal cancer in Portugal
Authors: Paiva I. , Amaral T. , Barros H. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe evaluated the influence of individually estimated portion sizes on the estimate of nutrient related risk of colorectal cancer, using data from a Portuguese hospital based case–control study on diet and colorectal cancer. A total of 100 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma (aged 15–92 years) and 211 controls (aged 36–89 years) were included. Two data sets were created for nutrient analysis, the first one allowed estimates of food intake using data on portion size as collected with visual aids during the interview. The second estimate substituted respondents’ estimate with a standard portion size, as used in the semi‐quantitative (SQ) food frequency approach. The two analytic approaches yielded similar energy and nutrient intakes in cases and controls. The percent range of concordance is acceptable, in the same quartile varying from 44 to 82% (mean: 56%) and very good in the same or adjacent (±1) quartile (mean: 91%, range: 85–97%). The two estimates lead to a similar pattern of multivariate odd's ratio, however the SQ estimates resulted in more significant findings. We conclude that little extra information is gained by including individual portion size information when assessing diet‐related risk of colorectal cancer.
Gastrostomy tube placement in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Moore R. 
Published: November 2004

Background:  In head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, the side effects of radiotherapy (RT) often lead to patients being unable to consume adequate nutrition and fluid (Chencharick and Mossman, 1983). Gastrostomy tube placement prior to RT can reduce incidence of severe weight loss and hospitalization during treatment (Beaver et al., 2001). However, gastrostomy tube usage is dependant upon HNC site and area of RT. The aims of the study were to identify the characteristics of those HNC patients who will require gastrostomy tube feeding during RT and utilize these data to target future patients for prophylactic tube placement prior to commencing RT and to write guidelines for the placement of feeding tubes.Method:  Data were collected retrospectively regarding diagnosis, surgery and area of RT on all HNC patients who had had a prophylactic gastrostomy placed prior to RT between April 2000 and April 2002. Outcome measurements in terms of utilization of gastrostomy, body weight and nutrition related emergency admissions were recorded.Results:  Thirty‐five patients had a prophylactic gastrostomy placed [26 male, nine female; mean age 62 (range 26–84) years]. Of these, 26 utilized their tube for feeding or fluids during RT. The sites of radiotherapy were: bilateral RT to the oro‐ or nasopharynx and neck (20 patients), bilateral RT to the neck (five) and RT to the left oropharynx and neck (one). The mean weight loss during RT in patients who utilized their prophylactic gastrostomy was 3.3 (range 0–11.5%) compared to 8 (5.5–12.0%) in patients who did not have a prophylactic gastrostomy. Only one of the patients with a prophylactic gastrostomy had a hospital admission (length of stay 11 days) compared to four patients who did not [mean length of stay 21 days (range 14–29)]. Six of the nine patients who did not utilize their gastrostomy for feeding and were able to maintain their nutrition orally, received bilateral RT to the neck only.Discussion:  Most of the patients who received bilateral RT to the oro‐ or nasopharynx required gastrostomy feeding during RT, which is consistent with findings of Beaver et al. (2001) who reported the highest incidence of weight loss in patients receiving RT to the nasopharynx or base of the tongue.Conclusion:  In view of the association between the site of RT and gastrostomy utilization, hospital admissions, length of stay and weight loss, HNC patients with planned bilateral RT to the oro‐ or nasopharynx or with existing dysphagia should be targeted for gastrostomy tube placement prior to starting treatment.References:  Beaver, M.E., Matheny, K.E., Roberts, D.B. & Myers, J.N.(2001) Predictors of weight loss during radiation therapy. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 125, 645–648.Chencharick, J.D. & Mossman, K.L. (1983) Nutritionalconsequences of the radiotherapy of head and neck cancer. Cancer 51, 811–815.
Factors associated with maintenance of wakefulness test mean sleep latency in patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea and normal subjects
Authors: Banks Siobhan , Barnes Maree , Tarquinio Natalie , Pierce Robert J. , Lack Leon C. , Doug McEvoy R. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryThis study investigated the possible factors related to the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) mean sleep latency. A second analysis explored the characteristics of subjects who had discrepant Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and MWT scores. A total of 151 subjects (110 mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients and 41 control subjects) were recruited for the study. The subjects completed an overnight Polysomnography (PSG), MWT, cognitive, performance and vigilance tasks and answered self‐report questionnaires on mood and sleepiness. A forward stepwise multiple regression was performed on MWT mean sleep latency. The predictor variables age (r = 0.28), subjective sleep history for 1 week prior to MWT (sleep diary; r = 0.19) and number of >4% SaO2 Dips during the PSG (r = −0.21) best explained the MWT results, but only accounted for 12.8% of the variance in the test. It was found that 33% of subjects had discrepant ESS and MWT scores. A new variable was created to analyse these subjects (MWT/ESS discrepancy score; MED). A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis found that depression, performance errors and sleep disordered breathing explained 13.4% of the variance in MED scores. The MWT is a complex behavioural test whose scores do not seem to have a very robust relationship with potential predictors and co‐correlates. Further comprehensive study is needed if the test is to be used in a diagnostically meaningful way.
Natal homing in juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta)
Authors: BOWEN BRIAN W. , BASS ANNA L. , CHOW SHAIO‐MEI , BOSTROM MEREDITH , BJORNDAL KAREN A. , BOLTEN ALAN B. , OKUYAMA TOSHINORI , BOLKER BENJAMIN M. , EPPERLY SHERYAN , LACASELLA ERIN , SHAVER DONNA , DODD MARK , HOPKINS‐ MURPHY SALLY R. , MUSICK JOHN A. , SWINGLE MARK , RANKIN‐BARANSKY KAREN , TEAS WENDY , WITZELL WAYNE N. , DUTTON PETER H. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractJuvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from West Atlantic nesting beaches occupy oceanic (pelagic) habitats in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, whereas larger juvenile turtles occupy shallow (neritic) habitats along the continental coastline of North America. Hence the switch from oceanic to neritic stage can involve a trans‐oceanic migration. Several researchers have suggested that at the end of the oceanic phase, juveniles are homing to feeding habitats in the vicinity of their natal rookery. To test the hypothesis of juvenile homing behaviour, we surveyed 10 juvenile feeding zones across the eastern USA with mitochondrial DNA control region sequences (N = 1437) and compared these samples to potential source (nesting) populations in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea (N = 465). The results indicated a shallow, but significant, population structure of neritic juveniles (ΦST = 0.0088, P = 0.016), and haplotype frequency differences were significantly correlated between coastal feeding populations and adjacent nesting populations (Mantel test R2 = 0.52, P = 0.001). Mixed stock analyses (using a Bayesian algorithm) indicated that juveniles occurred at elevated frequency in the vicinity of their natal rookery. Hence, all lines of evidence supported the hypothesis of juvenile homing in loggerhead turtles. While not as precise as the homing of breeding adults, this behaviour nonetheless places juvenile turtles in the vicinity of their natal nesting colonies. Some of the coastal hazards that affect declining nesting populations may also affect the next generation of turtles feeding in nearby habitats.
Mating frequency, within‐colony relatedness and male production in a yellow jacket wasp, Dolichovespula arenaria
Authors: FREIBURGER BRIAN J. , BREED MICHAEL D. , METCALF JESSICA L. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractWe examined the mating frequencies of queens in a social wasp, Dolichovespula arenaria (Vespinae) using DNA microsatellites. Five of the seven colonies supported the hypothesis of single mating by queens. The other two colonies supported two and three matings, with effective paternity of 1.48 and 1.91. Mean worker relatedness was 0.77 ± 0.09. In two of the four male‐containing colonies, all were likely progeny of the queen. In the other two colonies workers produced 8 and 14% of the male wasps. Overall, 94.3% of the male wasps were likely progeny of the queen. These patterns are consistent with published studies of vespine wasps.