bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes of lymphocyte apoptosis associated with sequential introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Wasmuth J‐C , Hackbarth F , Rockstroh JK , Sauerbruch T , Spengler U 
Published: September 2003

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on surrogate markers of lymphocyte apoptosis in HIV 1‐infected individuals.Methods Ex vivo apoptosis was studied prospectively in 26 antiretroviral naive HIV‐positive patients up to 12 weeks after sequential initiation of HAART [phase I: nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), phase II: NRTI + protease inhibitor (PI)]. Apoptosis was assessed via CD95‐, Apo2.7‐expression and annexin‐V‐binding in peripheral CD4, CD8, B and NK‐cells, and compared to changes in activation markers (HLA‐DR, CD38) and viral loads.ResultsAfter introduction of HAART CD4‐counts rose significantly mainly through cell redistribution, while activation markers decreased. Although Apo2.7 expression decreased throughout the study period, it was not possible to establish a correlation to the rise in CD4 cells. Unexpectedly, CD95 expression and annexin V binding were elevated during phase I of treatment without PI and began to decline only after the addition of a PI in phase II. Poor responders to antiretroviral therapy had significantly higher CD95 expression and annexin V binding in the initial phase of antiretroviral regimen.ConclusionThese data show divergent effects of HAART on surrogate markers of apoptosis, when treatment is initiated sequentially with NRTIs first. Partial suppression of HIV replication during treatment without PI may be associated with increased rates of apoptosis.
Mortality in workers in poultry slaughtering/processing plants: the Missouri poultry cohort study: Table 1
Authors: Netto G F , Johnson E S 
Published: September 2003

Background:Subjects who work in poultry slaughtering and processing plants have one of the highest human exposures to viruses that cause cancer in chickens and turkeys. It is not known whether these viruses cause cancer in humans also. Epidemiological studies investigating this issue are scarce.Aims and Methods:Mortality was studied during the period 1969–90 in a cohort of 7700 subjects who worked in poultry slaughtering and processing plants and were members of a local poultry union in the State of Missouri.Results and Conclusions:Statistically significant excess risks of non-malignant respiratory diseases, accidents, and symptoms, senility, and ill-defined conditions, and increased but not statistically significant excesses for some cancers were observed in particular race/sex groups. Most of these results were based on small numbers of deaths, and in many cases were evident only in particular subgroups of the cohort. Because of this and the multiple comparisons made, chance could not be ruled out in explaining the findings. Furthermore, the cohort is young, with only 6% deceased at the end of follow up. Further follow up of this cohort is required before a reliable assessment of the potential risk associated with these viruses can be made.
Cyclosporin A impairs dendritic cell migration by regulating chemokine receptor expression and inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 expression
Authors: Chen Taoyong , Guo Jun , Yang Mingjin , Han Chaofeng , Zhang Minghui , Chen Wei , Liu Qiuyan , Wang Jianli , Cao Xuetao 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMigration of dendritic cells (DCs) into tissues and secondary lymphoid organs plays a crucial role in the initiation of innate and adaptive immunity. In this article, we show that cyclosporin A (CsA) impairs the migration of DCs both in vitro and in vivo. Exposure of DCs to clinical concentrations of CsA neither induces apoptosis nor alters development but does impair cytokine secretion, chemokine receptor expression, and migration. In vitro, CsA impairs the migration of mouse bone marrow–derived DCs toward macrophage inflammatory protein-3β (MIP-3β) and induces them to retain responsiveness to MIP-1α after lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–stimulated DC maturation, while in vivo administration of CsA inhibits the migration of DCs out of skin and into the secondary lymphoid organs. CsA impairs chemokine receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression normally triggered in LPS-stimulated DCs; administration of exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) reverses the effects of CsA on chemokine receptor expression and DC migration. Inhibition of nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway signaling by CsA may be responsible for the CsA-mediated effects on the regulation of chemokine receptor and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Impairment of DC migration due to inhibition of PGE2 production and regulation of chemokine receptor expression may contribute, in part, to CsA-mediated immunosuppression.
Recombinant bacteria for mosquito control
Authors: Federici B. A. , Park H.-W. , Bideshi D. K. , Wirth M. C. , Johnson J. J. 
Published: September 2003

SUMMARY
Bacterial insecticides have been used for the control of nuisance and vector mosquitoes for more than two decades. Nevertheless, due primarily to their high cost and often only moderate efficacy, these insecticides remain of limited use in tropical countries where mosquito-borne diseases are prevalent. Recently, however, recombinant DNA techniques have been used to improve bacterial insecticide efficacy by markedly increasing the synthesis of mosquitocidal proteins and by enabling new endotoxin combinations from different bacteria to be produced within single strains. These new strains combine mosquitocidal Cry and Cyt proteins of Bacillus thuringiensiswith the binary toxin of Bacillus sphaericus, improving efficacy against Culex species by 10-fold and greatly reducing the potential for resistance through the presence of Cyt1A. Moreover, although intensive use of B. sphaericus against Culex populations in the field can result in high levels of resistance, most of this can be suppressed by combining this bacterial species with Cyt1A; the latter enables the binary toxin of this species to enter midgut epithelial cells via the microvillar membrane in the absence of a midgut receptor. The availability of these novel strains and newly discovered mosquitocidal proteins, such as the Mtx toxins of B. sphaericus, offers the potential for constructing a range of recombinant bacterial insecticides for more effective control of the mosquito vectors of filariasis, Dengue fever and malaria.
Immobilization of biologically active species on PA‐6 foils treated by a dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Dumitrascu N. , Borcia G. , Apetroaei N. , Popa G. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn the field of biomaterials and biomedical devices, surface activation has been focused on creating functional groups capable of preferential adsorption of biologically active species (proteins, enzymes, cells, drugs, etc.). In this way an interface can be created between the synthetic material and the biological medium, with the aim of increasing the compatibility of the implant with the human organism. In our experiments a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), in helium at atmospheric pressure, was used as the source of energy capable of creating active centers that render the functionalized surface favorable to immobilization of biological molecules. Retention of immunoglobulin (IgG) and heparin biomolecules on polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) surfaces after treatment by the DBD was analyzed by atomic force microscopy, adhesion evaluation, and measurement of the contact angle titration in order to assess this incorporation on the treated surfaces. The marked adsorption of the biomolecules on the active sites created by DBD on the exposed surfaces also was related to a complex set of processes, such as enhanced roughness, increased surface wettability, and modified distribution of cationic and anionic groups on the treated surfaces. All these factors could promote interfacial interactions between the specific groups of the biomolecules existing in the biological medium and the type of cationic and/or anionic groups present on the surface. The efficiency of the DBD treatment showed that the DBD technique is useful for preactivation of the polymer surface for immobilization of other biologically active species (such as drugs and enzymes). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1985–1990, 2003
Water absorbency of poly(sodium acrylate) superabsorbents crosslinked with modified poly(ethylene glycol)s
Authors: Zhang Jian , Sun Min‐Wei , Zhang Le , Xie Xu‐Ming 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA series of novel crosslinkers, polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) with different molecular weights, were prepared, consisting of acryloyl end groups and the PEG backbones. The corresponding poly(sodium acrylate) superabsorbents of 60 mol % neutralization degree were synthesized by using ammonium persulfate and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate as redox initiators in aqueous solution. PEGDA was characterized by FTIR and 1H‐NMR. The maximum of water absorbency (Q) of superabsorbents occurred at a specific mole fraction of crosslinker; Q‐values increased with increasing molecular weight of PEGDA at the same mole fraction, whereas the water absorption rate was the opposite, in which Q‐values decreased gradually with time (>24 h). Compared with superabsorbents containing methylene bisacrylamide crosslinker with PEGDA, the Q‐value of the former was significantly less than that of the latter, although levels of the residual monomer and the soluble polymer were opposite. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1851–1856, 2003
Mechanical and thermal flow properties of wood flour–biodegradable polymer composites
Authors: Lee Seung‐Hwan , Ohkita Tsutomu 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWood flour (WF)–polycaprolactone (PCL) and polybutylenesuccinate–butylenecarbonate (PBSC) composites were prepared by knead processing. The effects of a compatibilizer on the tensile and thermal flow properties of the composites were investigated. PCL‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PCL‐g‐MA) was used as a compatibilizer. Tensile properties were improved by adding PCL‐g‐MA to both composites. The tensile strength and Young's modulus were increased from 13 to 27 MPa and 581 to 1011 MPa in WF–PCL (50/50, w/w) composites, respectively, and from 17 to 28 MPa and 814 to 1007 Mpa in WF–PBSC (50/50, w/w) composites, respectively, with the addition of 5% PCL‐g‐MA. Elongation at break increased from 4 to 7% and from 3 to 6% in the WF–PCL and the WF–PBSC composites, respectively. Tensile strength was further increased with increasing WF content in the presence of PCL‐g‐MA. Thermal flow temperature and melt viscosity of the composites were increased, and water absorption and thickness swelling were improved with the addition of PCL‐g‐MA. It was found from the burial test that all composites were more than 40% degraded within 6 weeks, and there was no considerable difference in degradation between composites with PCL‐g‐MA and those without. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1900–1905, 2003
Synthesis and FTIR spectroscopic studies on shear induced oriented liquid crystalline chitin/poly(acrylic acid) composite
Authors: Nge Thi Thi , Hori Naruhito , Takemura Akio , Ono Hirokuni , Kimura Tsunehisa 
Published: September 2003

AbstractLiquid crystalline chitin/poly(acrylic acid) composite, with its unique optical properties, was fabricated by the free‐radical photopolymerization of acrylic acid in an aligned mesophase. Alignment of the mesophase was achieved by unidirectional shearing. The developed composites, coated on calcium fluoride (CaF2) substrate, were transparent, and the alignment was retained depending on the mesophase composition of the ternary dispersion (chitin microfibrils, water, acrylic acid). According to studies from polarized FTIR spectroscopy, both the degree of orientation and the molecular interactions were strongly affected by respective mesophase behavior. The average molecular chains of chitin microfibrils were oriented along the shear direction. A high dichroic ratio value of about 25, observed in composites of chitin/poly(acrylic acid) with a w/w ratio of 55:45, opens an interesting avenue to prepare a new chitin‐based optically anisotropic composite. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1932–1940, 2003
Predictive factors for malignancy in intraductal papillary–mucinous tumours of the pancreas
Authors: Sugiyama M , Izumisato Y , Abe N , Masaki T , Mori T , Atomi Y 
Published: September 2003

Abstract

Background
Preoperative assessment of the likelihood of malignancy in intraductal papillary–mucinous tumour (IPMT) of the pancreas is often difficult. Predictive factors for malignancy and invasive carcinoma in IPMT were analysed.

Methods
Sixty-two patients with IPMT underwent surgical treatment, with histological confirmation of adenoma in 28, carcinoma in situ in 14 and invasive carcinoma in 20. Tumours were of the main duct type in 14 patients, branch duct type in 32, and combined type in 16. A multivariate analysis of 17 potential predictive factors, including preoperative clinical and imaging findings, was conducted.

Results
Multivariate analysis identified two independent predictive factors for malignancy: mural nodules and main pancreatic duct diameter of 7 mm or more. Mural nodules in the main duct or combined type, and mural nodules and tumour diameter of 30 mm or more in the branch duct type were particularly indicative of malignancy. Mural nodules, jaundice and main duct or combined type were predictors of invasive carcinoma in the multivariate analysis.

Conclusion
The above factors should be considered in the diagnosis of IPMT to facilitate appropriate management.
Three streams of visual information processing in V2 of Cebus monkey
Authors: Nascimento‐Silva Sheila , Gattass Ricardo , Fiorani Mario , Sousa Aglai P.B. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractGattass and collaborators (Gattass R, Rosa MGP, Souza APB, Piñon MCG, Neuenschwander S [1990a] Braz J Med Biol Res 23:375–393) proposed that the dorsal stream of visual processing, as defined by Ungerleider and Mishkin (Ungerleider LG, Mishkin M [1982] In: Ingle DJ, Goodale MA, Mansfield RJW, editors. Analysis of visual behavior. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. p 549–586), can be subdivided into dorsolateral and dorsomedial streams, and suggested that they may be involved in different aspects of the processing of motion and spatial perception, respectively. The goal of the present study was to provide additional evidence for this hypothesis by using cytochrome oxidase immunohistochemistry combined with retrograde tracing techniques. In Old World monkeys, the locations of visual area 4 (V4; ventral stream) and middle temporal area (MT; dorsal stream) projecting neurons in V2 supports the hypothesis that the cytochrome oxidase (CytOx)–rich thin stripes and the CytOx‐poor interstripes are associated with the ventral stream, and that the CytOx‐rich thick stripes belong to the dorsal stream. In this study we describe, in the New World monkey Cebus, the distribution of retrogradely labeled cells in V2 relative to the CytOx compartments after fluorescent tracers were placed in areas V4, MT, and the parietooccipital area (PO). We found PO‐projecting neurons in CytOx‐rich thick stripes and CytOx‐poor interstripes in V2, whereas MT‐projecting neurons appeared almost exclusively in thick stripes. In contrast, V4‐projecting neurons were located mostly in CytOx‐poor interstripes and CytOx‐rich thin stripes. In addition, V4‐ and MT‐projecting neurons were located mainly in supragranular layers, whereas PO‐projecting neurons were located in supragranular and infragranular layers. These results support the hypothesis for the existence of three distinct streams of visual processing: ventral (including V4), dorsolateral (including MT), and dorsomedial (including PO). J. Comp. Neurol. 466:104–118, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AMPA receptors mediate acetylcholine release from starburst amacrine cells in the rabbit retina
Authors: Firth Sally I. , Li Wei , Massey Stephen C. , Marshak David W. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe light response of starburst amacrine cells is initiated by glutamate released from bipolar cells. To identify the receptors that mediate this response, we used a combination of anatomical and physiological techniques. An in vivo, rabbit eyecup was preloaded with [3H]‐choline, and the [3H]‐acetylcholine (ACh) released into the superfusate was monitored. A photopic, 3 Hz flashing light increased ACh release, and the selective AMPA receptor antagonist, GYKI 53655, blocked this light‐evoked response. Nonselective AMPA/kainate agonists increased the release of ACh, but the specific kainate receptor agonist, SYM 2081, did not increase ACh release. Selective AMPA receptor antagonists, GYKI 53655 or GYKI 52466, also blocked the responses to agonists. We conclude that the predominant excitatory input to starburst amacrine cells is mediated by AMPA receptors. We also labeled lightly fixed rabbit retinas with antisera to choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), AMPA receptor subunits GluR1, GluR2/3, or GluR4, and kainate receptor subunits GluR6/7 and KA2. Labeled puncta were observed in the inner plexiform layer with each of these antisera to glutamate receptors, but only GluR2/3‐IR puncta and GluR4‐IR puncta were found on the ChAT‐IR processes. The same was true of starburst cells injected intracellularly with Neurobiotin, and these AMPA receptor subunits were localized to two populations of puncta. The AMPA receptors are expected to desensitize rapidly, enhancing the sensitivity of starburst amacrine cells to moving or other rapidly changing stimuli. J. Comp. Neurol. 466:80–90, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo role of IFN‐γ produced by antigen‐presenting cells in early host defense against intracellular pathogens
Authors: Suzue Kazutomo , Asai Takashi , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Koyasu Shigeo 
Published: September 2003

AbstractAntigen‐presenting cells (APC), including dendritic cells and macrophages, produce a large amount of interferon (IFN)‐γ, a crucial cytokine for the control of infectious diseases. To elucidate the role of IFN‐γ from APC in vivo, we employed cytokine receptor common γ subunit (γc) and recombination‐activating gene (Rag)‐2 double‐knockout (γc–/–(y)‐Rag‐2–/–) mice, which are severely impaired in IFN‐γ production and are extremely susceptible to infection of intracellular pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes and Toxoplasma gondii. Adoptive transfer of IFN‐γ‐producing APC increased levels of serum IFN‐γ and the resistance to Listeria. Although depletion of NK cells from Rag‐2–/– mice slightly increased the susceptibility to bacterial infection, they are substantially more resistant than γc–/–(y)‐Rag‐2–/– mice, which are also devoid of all lymphoid cells. These results demonstrate that the APC‐derived IFN‐γ contributes to the control of infectious agents in vivo.
The OBF‐1 gene locus confers B cell‐specific transcription by restricting the ubiquitous activity of its promoter
Authors: Massa Steffen , Junker Steffen , Schubart Karin , Matthias Gabriele , Matthias Patrick 
Published: September 2003

AbstractTranscription of the gene encoding the transcriptional coactivator Oct‐binding factor 1 (OBF‐1)/OCA‐B/Bob.1 is largely restricted to B cells. During B cell development OBF‐1 expression shows two peaks, one in immature B cells in the bone marrow and the other in germinal center B cells. Promoter analysis has identified a cAMP response element (CRE)‐binding site present in the OBF‐1 proximal promoter that is crucial for activity in B cells and for the induction of OBF‐1 expression upon stimulation with CD40 ligand/IL‐4. Here we address the question of how transcription of the OBF‐1 gene is restricted to B cells. Surprisingly, in transient transfection assays the OBF‐1 proximal promoter exhibited an equally strong activity in B and non‐B cells. In contrast, upstream promoter regions displayed B cell‐specific properties, partly overlapping with DNaseI hypersensitive sites identified in this study. In mice, expression of a neomycin resistance gene under the control of a Polyoma enhancer/TK promoter cassette was restricted to B cells when integrated into the OBF‐1 locus, but was ubiquitous when integrated into two other loci, Oct‐1 or the large subunit of RNA polymerase II.Therefore, lineage commitment of the OBF‐1 gene is promoter independent and is achieved by regulating the entire locus in a B cell‐specific manner.
MEF2C regulates c‐Jun but not TNF‐α gene expression in stimulated mast cells
Authors: Wei Xudong , Sun Weiyong , Fan Ruihua , Hahn Joanne , Joetham Anthony , Li Guiming , Webb Saiphone , Garrington Timothy , Dakhama Azzeddine , Lucas Joseph , Johnson Gary L. , Gelfand Erwin W. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play essential roles in the transduction of extracellular signals to cytoplasmic and nuclear effectors. The MAPK kinase kinase MEKK2 is essential for activation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 5 (ERK5). These pathways are important for expression of specific cytokine genes in mast cells following cross‐linking of the high‐affinity IgE receptor (FcϵRI). A consequence of ERK5 activation is activation of the transcriptional factor myocyte enhancing factor‐2C (MEF2C), leading to increased c‐Jun expression. We have investigated the role of MEF2C activation in mast cells and demonstrated that it requires sequential activation of the signaling cascade of MEKK2‐MEK5‐ERK5. Following phosphorylation of MEF2C, activated MEF2C regulates transcription of c‐Jun but not TNF‐α. Inhibition of ERK5, MEK5 activation or activation of MEKK2‐deficient mast cells was associated with inhibition of MEF2C phosphorylation and a decrease in c‐Jun expression. Thus, these data define an activation module, MEKK2‐MEK5‐ERK5‐MEF2C in the transcriptional activation of c‐Jun in mast cells following FcϵRI cross‐linking. These results demonstrate the novel and important, MEKK2‐dependent role of MEF2C in induction of c‐Jun expression in mast cells activated through FcϵRI, a pathway distinct from that involving MEKK2‐MEK5‐ERK5 in the regulation of mast cell cytokine production.
The influence of CD95L expression on tumor rejection in mice
Authors: Igney Frederik H. , Behrens Christian K. , Krammer Peter H. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractMany tumors express the death ligand CD95L (CD178, APO‐1L, FasL) and can kill activated T cells in vitro. This may enable the tumor cells to suppress anti‐tumor immune responses, a phenomenon called "tumor counterattack". Preliminary evidence of tumor counterattack in human tumors exists. However, CD95L‐expressing tumors are rapidly rejected in mice. In order to clarify this controversial situation we investigated whether the level or the time point of CD95L expression might be critical factors determining tumor counterattack versus tumor rejection. We generated CD95‐resistant tumor cell lines expressing different levels of CD95L (LKC‐CD95L). In nude mice the CD95L expression level had no influence on the growth of the CD95L+ tumors. In contrast, a CD95L– control tumor cell line (LKC) grew much faster. In addition, we generated a CD95‐resistant cell line in which CD95L was induced via the tet system (LKCR‐tetCD95L). Induction of CD95Lin established tumors in nude and NOD/SCID mice led to rapid rejection of the tumors. Induction of lower CD95L expression levels delayed tumor rejection only marginally. These results demonstrate that rejection of CD95L‐expressing tumors in mice is not a result of overexpression and does not depend on the presence of CD95L at the onset of tumor progression.