bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental Influence on Immune Inhibition of Release of Herpes simplex Virus from Cells
Authors: Benitez J. , Ahmad A. , Davies J. , Skinner G.R.B. 
Published: April 2003

Immune inhibition of virus release (IVR) of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) from baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21) was mediated by antisera against BHK cells, HSV-1, human fibronectin and mouse heparan sulphate proteoglycan and was irreversible for at least 24 h following removal of antiserum. Enhancement of IVR by calf serum depletion of growth media was obtained in varying measure using each of these antisera and also by treatment of virus-infected cells by the lectin concanavalin A. Enhancement was reversible by replenishment of growth media with bovine serum components larger than 12 kD but this only occurred when replenishment was instituted prior to virus infection. There was also reversibility to varying degree following replenishment by ovine, equine and human serum which indicates that this phenomenon is not species specific. In addition to the presence of relevant antigens on the cell surface, IVR may also require an alteration in the cell membrane; this is evidenced by the absence of anticellular serum-mediated IVR when treatment was introduced less than 6 h after virus infection, suggesting that a certain level of alteration or possibly cell damage – in this case virus induced – is necessary. Enhancement of IVR by calf serum depletion would seem to operate through a specific alteration in the virus-infected cell membrane as serum-depleted cells did not show histological alteration and were able to replicate HSV-1 to usual titres; it is possible that this enhancement may represent an as yet unidentified host defence mechanism whereby extracellular release of virus will be reduced in ischaemic or necrotic tissue in the course of infectious inflammatory processes.
Temperature-Dependent Phosphorylation State of the H5R Protein Synthesised at the Early Stage of Infection in Cells Infected with Vaccinia Virus ts Mutants of the B1R and F10L Protein Kinases
Authors: Beaud Georges , Beaud Ruth 
Published: April 2003

The phosphorylation state of H5R protein was investigated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of proteins of BSC-40 cells infected at 32° or 39.5° with vaccinia virus ts mutants of the viral B1R or F10L protein kinase genes. A temperature-dependent increase of underphosphorylated H5R protein (pI 6.8) was demonstrated in the case of the B1R, but not of the F10L gene. The temperature-dependent cytoplasmic location of underphosphorylated H5R protein after infection with the ts mutants of the B1R gene was the consequence of the associated viral DNA replication block. These results show that the B1R protein kinase controls the phosphorylation state of the H5R protein synthesised at the early stage in vaccinia-virus-infected cells.
Influence of Arterial Baroreceptors on Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Piepoli Massimo , Bernardi Luciano 
Published: April 2003

<b>Objective: </b>Fluctuations in heart rate, blood pressure and other circulatory parameters have been described since the last century, but only recently the observation that changes in these fluctuations are associated with changes in the sympathovagal balance and with the activity of the arterial baroreflexes has led to the practical use of analysis of cardiovascular variability as a marker of autonomic function. The present review reports the various hypotheses on the origin of fluctuations in cardiovascular variability and the possibility to apply these observations to the clinical field. <b>Method: </b>Two main oscillatory components have been described in the cardiovascular system: one is related to the respiratory activity; a second component whose period is ∼10 s is independent of respiration. These can be accurately quantified by computerized methods based on spectral analysis. These fluctuations might not only be used as a marker of vagal and sympathetic activity, but also provide information on the activity of the arterial baroreflex. A practical approach to obtain this data is discussed. <b>Results:</b> Practical implications of this methodology involve the non-invasive assessment of baroreflex activity and sympathovagal balance under a large number of physiologic and pathologic conditions. In this article the application to the autonomic assessment during physical exercise and after cardiac transplantation is reviewed in depth. <b>Conclusions:</b> The arterial baroreceptors exert a strong, though not exclusive influence on the cardiovascular fluctuations, through both sympathetic and vagal activity. These might be conveniently evaluated by non-invasive techniques involving spectral analysis of cardiovascular variability.
Normal Values of Lower Limb Nerve Conduction in Kuwait
Authors: Shehab Dia , Moussa MohamedA.A. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objectives:</i> To establish the normal electrophysiological values of the common lower limb nerves and to study the relationship of conduction velocity (CV) of the lower limb nerves to height and age in healthy adult subjects. <i>Methods:</i> Nerve conduction investigations were performed on the lower limbs of 51 screened healthy volunteers using standard electrophysiological techniques. <i>Results:</i> Fifty-one subjects (21 males and 30 females) participated in the study. The mean (± SD) ages of the subjects were 38 (±8.82) and 36 (±8.58) years for males and females, respectively. The tibial motor nerve showed a mean (± SD) CV of 46.1 (±3.3) m/s, distal latency (DL) 4.4 (±0.8) ms, and amplitude 8.8 (±3.4) mV for males. For females, the results were CV 47.8 (±3.4) m/s, DL 3.9 (±0.85) ms and amplitude 12.0 (±3.4) mV. Peroneal motor parameters were CV 47.1 (±3.3) m/s, DL 3.9 (±0.53) ms, amplitude 5.6 (±2.2) mV for males and 49.3 (±2.3) m/s, 4.0 (±0.56) ms, 6.0 (±2.2) mV for females, respectively. The sural sensory nerve parameters were CV 48.7 ± 6.0 m/s, DL 2.9 (±0.3) ms, amplitude 18.9 (±3.3) μV for males and 51.5 (±4.9) m/s, 2.7 (±0.24) ms and 21.6 (±6.3) μV for females. Most CV values were significantly correlated with height, and there was a significant difference between males and females. However, after adjustment for height by the linear regression method, all significant gender differences disappeared. <i>Conclusion:</i> This study established the normative conduction parameters of the commonly tested nerves of the lower limbs for our electromyography laboratory in Kuwait. Gender differences disappeared when the data were adjusted for age and height.
Profile of Chromosomal Abnormalities in the Al Jahra Region of Kuwait
Authors: Al-Naggar R.L. , Mady S.A. , Tayel S.M. , Farag T.I. , Al-Awadi S.A. , Al-Ghanim M.M. , Abulhasan S.J. , Sabry M.A. , Bastaki L. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> One hundred and seventy-seven newborn babies with chromosomal abnormalities were studied at the Al-Jahra satellite clinic of the Kuwait Medical Genetics Centre (KMGC), Kuwait, over a 7-year period from January 1983 to December 1989 to make a reanalysis and recomputation of the statistical results of the previous short-term studies. <i>Methods:</i> The data were collected from the registry of chromosomal abnormalities and from the clinical records of the patients in KMGC retrospectively. Controls were selected from the newborn babies delivered in the same period of study. The logistic regression analysis was computed using dependent/independent variables. <i>Results:</i> Ninety-five percent of the cases had numerical chromosomal abnormalities, and 5% had structural chromosomal abnormalities. One hundred and forty-five cases had classic trisomy 21, with an incidence of 2.9/1,000 live births (LB), 16 cases had trisomy 18 (0.3/1,000 LB), 5 cases had trisomy 13 (0.1/1,000 LB), 1 case had triploidy 69, XXY (0.02/1,000 LB) and 1 had Turner’s syndrome (0.05/1,000 female LB). Nine cases with structural chromosomal abnormalities were enumerated, dir dup(1) (p21–p32), del(1)(q32–q42), del(13)(q22–q34) and inversion Y chromosome, the incidence was 0.02/1,000 LB for each. Two cases of translocation trisomy 21 (0.04/1,000 LB) and 3 cases of cri-du-chat (0.06/1,000 LB) were enumerated too. Bedouins had a double-fold increased risk of trisomy 21 (odds ratio = 1.819, p = 0.032), and advanced maternal age was also a risk factor while paternal age showed inconsistent pattern of risk. <i>Conclusion:</i> This study confirmed the high incidence of the common trisomies and the role of advanced maternal age and the Bedouin ethnicity as a risk factor.
The Effect of Forskolin on Isoproterenol-Induced Relaxation in Rat and Guinea-Pig Tracheal Preparations
Authors: Yousif Mariam H. , Thulesius Olav 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> In this study, we have examined the relaxant effects of forskolin and isoproterenol on isolated rings of the rat and guinea-pig trachea. The objective of the study was to compare the potency and efficacy of both agents on the tracheal preparations from different species and to assess any possible synergistic bronchodilator effect of forskolin and isoproterenol. <i>Method:</i> The preparations were mounted in organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution and changes in isometric tension were recorded. <i>Results:</i> Forskolin, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and the β-adrenergic stimulator isoproterenol produced concentration-dependent (10<sup>–9</sup> to 3 × 10<sup>–5</sup> <i>M</i>) relaxations in rat and guinea-pig tracheal rings pre-contracted by carbachol (10<sup>–6</sup> and 3 × 10<sup>–7</sup> <i>M</i>, respectively). Forskolin was less potent than isoproterenol but is had a higher relaxing efficacy. It increased isoproterenol-elicited maximal relaxation in rat tracheal preparations. Forskolin significantly potentiated the bronchorelaxant response to isoproterenol in guinea-pig preparations (lower IC<sub>50</sub> values). Moreover, relaxation to standard concentrations of isoproterenol (10<sup>–8</sup> and 3 × 10<sup>–8</sup> <i>M</i>) were significantly enhanced in the presence of forskolin (10<sup>–6</sup> and 3 × 10<sup>–6</sup> <i>M</i>) in both rat and guinea-pig tracheal rings. <i>Conclusion:</i> These results suggest that in guinea-pig tracheal ring preparations, forskolin produces an apparent potentiation of isoproterenol-induced relaxation, while in rat tracheal preparations, forskolin increases the efficacy of isoproterenol. This response could provide an alternative to increasing the dosage of β-adrenergic bronchodilator drugs in patients with asthma. Therefore, a combined therapy with forskolin may be considered.
Reissner’s Fibre in Rat: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study
Authors: Mathew T.C. , Al-Bader A. , Abul H. , Dashti H.M. 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> To study the detailed morphology of Reissner’s fibre (RF) that lies on the floor of the fourth ventricle in an adult rat by scanning electron microscopy. <i>Method:</i> For these studies 7 Wistar rats weighing about 200 g were used. The animals were anaesthetised and perfused with 0.9% oxygenated saline followed by 3% glutaraldehyde. The brain stems were dissected out and processed for scanning electron microscopy. <i>Observations:</i> Scanning electron microscopic studies showed that the RF is longitudinally grooved and covered with fine granular material. At certain regions, cellular debris and large amounts of amorphous material are found attached to the RF. Interestingly, we have observed the presence of a knot-like swelling or convolution in the RF, in the fourth ventricle, prior to its entry into the central canal of the spinal cord, that has not been previously described. Furthermore, a dense network of supra-ependymal nerve fibres is found on the surface of the fourth ventricle, in the near vicinity of the RF. <i>Conclusion:</i> Although the functional significance of the knot-like structure is not understood, it is reasonable to believe that these structures may represent one of the regions of RF disintegration.
Bacterial Endotoxin Induces Changes in the Organization and Expression of Actin and Modulation of the Cell Membrane of Microglia
Authors: Abd-El-Basset Ebtesam 
Published: April 2003

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> In situ there are at least three morphologically and functionally different forms of microglia: the resting, the activated, and the phagocytic microglia. The signals promoting the morphological changes which adapt microglia to specific functions are still unknown. In this study the effect of bacterial wall lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the morphology and organization and expression of actin in microglia was investigated. In addition, the changes in the appearance of the cell membrane were investigated. <i>Methods:</i> Microglia cultures were prepared from neopallia of newborn mice and treated with LPS. Scanning electron microscopy, labeling with phalloidin, and immunoblotting were used. <i>Results:</i> The majority of nontreated microglia were ameboid in shape with many short processes that extended into lamellipodia. When microglia were treated with LPS most of the microglia acquired a large, round, and flat shape. The rest of the ameboid microglia became larger in size. Fluorescent labeling with phalloidin showed that the F-actin network appeared diffusely arranged throughout the cytoplasm of nontreated microglia. In LPS-treated microglia the F-actin network was reorganized into filamentous bundles extending into microspike-like projections. Using scanning electron microscopy, the nontreated microglia had large membrane folds and few large blebs. In LPS-treated microglia most of the membrane folds and blebs at the cell periphery disappeared with the appearance of many microspike-like projections. Immunoblotting showed that LPS-treated microglia upregulated their actin protein. <i>Conclusions:</i> These changes in the organization of F-actin and the cell membrane may reflect adaptation of activated microglia to specific functional activity, such as increases in their phagocytic activity.
Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy versus Thoracotomy for Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ayed Adel K. , Jamal Al-Din Hassan 
Published: April 2003

<i>Objective:</i> Video-assisted thoracic surgery has been evaluated to replace thoracotomy for recurrent or persistent spontaneous pneumothorax. This study aimed to compare the clinical results and long-term follow-up of both procedures in treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax. <i>Methods: </i>In a prospective comparison, all 60 patients aged 14–57 years with recurrent or persistent primary spontaneous pneumothorax seen at the Chest Diseases Hospital in Kuwait were randomly allocated to treatment by video-assisted surgery or thoracotomy. Subsequently various factors were analysed and compared in both groups, and the follow-up of both procedures was 3 years. <i>Results:</i> The mean and standard deviation (SD) operating time was longer in the thoracotomy group (95.3 ± 16.4 min) than in those undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopy (77.5 ± 13.7 min; p < 0.0001). The mean ± SD amount of analgesics (Demerol) used in the first 12 h postoperatively was 67.16 ± 27.1 mg in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group and 148.3 ± 24.5 mg in the thoracotomy group (p < 0.0001). The mean 24-hour chest tube drainage was less in the video-assisted thoracoscopy group than in the thoracotomy group (82 vs. 347.1 ml; p < 0.0001). The mean duration of intercostal chest tube was 4.1 days in the thoracoscopy group and 5 days in the thoracotomy group (p = 0.18). The length of hospital stay was shorter in the thoracoscopy group than in the thoracotomy group (6.5 vs. 10.7 days; p < 0.0001). After a follow-up of 3 years, the number of recurrences was 3 in the thoracoscopy group and none in the thoracotomy group. <i>Conclusion: </i>Video-assisted thoracoscopy has many clinical advantages over thoracotomy for recurrent or persistent primary spontaneous pneumothorax; but it results in a higher recurrence rate. The future role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in this disease remains to be determined by a larger study.
Relationships between Cholesterol, Apolipoprotein E Polymorphism and Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the PAQUID Study
Authors: Bonarek Mojgan , Barberger-Gateau Pascale , Letenneur Luc , Deschamps Valérie , Iron Albert , Dubroca Bénédicte , Dartigues Jean François 
Published: April 2003

This study assesses the cross-sectional relationship between serum cholesterol level and dementia, controlling for apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype, in a nested case-control study of 334 elderly French subjects aged 73 and over who participated in the PAQUID study (37 demented subjects and 297 nondemented controls). A diagnosis of dementia was established by two-step screening: (1) psychometric testing and DSM-III-R criteria and (2) neurologist’s confirmation. Cholesterol, its fractions and apoE genotype were determined from a blood sample. Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a significantly decreased risk of dementia, independent of apoE status and other potential confounding variables, suggesting that cholesterol fractions could be involved in both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Clearance of [<sup>125</sup>I]-Tumor Necrosis Factor-α from the Brain into the Blood after Intracerebroventricular Injection in Rats
Authors: Chen Guanjie , Reichlin Seymour 
Published: April 2003

To test the hypothesis that brain to blood clearance is a mechanism by which brain inflammation and damage can increase circulating acute phase cytokines, rate of transfer of [<sup>125</sup>I]-tumor necrosis factor-α ([<sup>125</sup>I]-TNF) from brain to blood was determined. Acid precipitable [<sup>125</sup>I]-TNF appeared in peripheral blood within 5 min of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection and was cleared from brain to blood following first order kinetics at a fractional rate of 0.01123 ± 0.0030/min, a value virtually identical with a previously determined clearance rate of [<sup>125</sup>I]-IL-6. Area under blood concentration curve compared with that after intravenous injection shows that 31.6 ± 5.8% of the intracerebral dose reached peripheral blood in 4 h. Elevated ratios of superior sagittal sinus to aortic blood radioactivity concentration at 1 and 3 h (1.48 ± 0.26, p = 0.042; 1.95 ± 0.39, p = 0.026, respectively) indicate that TNF-α drains from brain at least in part via the sagittal sinus. <i>Escherichia coli</i> lipopolysaccharide i.c.v. injection increased the rate of brain efflux of TNF-α.
Changes in the Leukocyte Distribution and Surface Expression of Adhesion Molecules Accompanied with Hypothalamically Induced Restlessness in the Cat
Authors: Mori Yoshinobu , Kaname Hitoshi , Sumida Yasuhisa , Tanaka Sansei , Kubo Chiharu , Tashiro Nobutada , Nomoto Kikuo 
Published: April 2003

One type of emotional behavior called restlessness occurs when the anteromedial hypothalamus is stimulated in cats. We examined the changes in the distribution and surface expression of adhesion molecules in leukocytes accompanied with restlessness. Mature female cats were used for this study. The cats were stimulated with 60 Hz sine wave train pulses (20–90 μA, 10 s in duration, at 5-min intervals) for 60 min. Samples of blood were collected from 30 min before stimulation up to several hours after the final stimulation. The number of granulocytes increased just after stimulation, while at the same time the expression of L-selectin decreased. On the other hand, the number of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes decreased at 1–2 h after the end of the stimulation, while the expression of L-selectin increased. In addition, the expression of LFA-1 and VLA-4 did not change. These data suggest that hypothalamically elicited restlessness is thus accompanied by a leukocyte distribution change, which might be mediated by changes in the expression of L-selectin on leukocytes. Plasma cortisol increased during stimulation in restlessness. However, during in vitro culture experiments, cortisol did not alter the expression of leukocyte L-selectin which thus indicated that cortisol does not directly affect the surface expression of L-selectin. These results thus suggest that hypothalamically induced restlessness is a useful stress model for psychoneuroimmunological studies.
Cortisol, Hypothermic, and Behavioral Responses to Ipsapirone in Patients with Bipolar Depression and Normal Controls
Authors: Shiah I-Shin , Yatham Lakshmi N. , Lam Raymond W. , Tam Edwin M. , Zis Athanasios P. 
Published: April 2003

To examine if 5-HT<sub>1A</sub> receptor function is involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar depression, we measured the cortisol, hypothermic and behavioral responses to ipsapirone, a 5-HT<sub>1A</sub> receptor agonist, in 8 patients with bipolar depression and 26 normal controls. After obtaining blood samples for baseline cortisol levels and measuring baseline body temperature, a single dose of 0.3 mg/kg of ipsapirone was administered orally to all the subjects, and further blood and temperature readings were obtained every 30 min for 3 h. The results showed that the administration of ipsapirone led to a significant increase in cortisol release and a significant decrease in body temperature both in bipolar depressed patients and normal controls. There was no significant difference in the cortisol or hypothermic responses to ipsapirone between groups. However, there was a significant positive correlation between the Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD) scores and the hypothermic response in the depressed patients, while the HAMD scores were not significantly correlated with the cortisol response. Comparing our findings with those of previous studies, we suggest that the alterations in 5-HT<sub>1A</sub> receptor sensitivity in depressed patients may be related to the severity of depression, and they may only occur in more severely depressed patients.
Antidepressants Augment Natural Killer Cell Activity: In vivo and in vitro
Authors: Frank Matthew G. , Hendricks Shelton E. , Johnson Donald R. , Wieseler JulieL. , Burke William J. 
Published: April 2003

Depressed mood has been associated with reduced natural killer cell activity (NKCA). Further, amelioration of depressive symptoms by pharmacotherapy has resulted in augmented NKCA. Serotonin, an indoleamine implicated in the pathophysiology of affective disorders, enhances NKCA in vitro and lymphocytes possess serotonin transporters and receptors. The present study evaluated NKCA in depressed outpatients before and during treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (Prozac<sup>®</sup>). Further, the SSRIs, fluoxetine and paroxetine (Paxil<sup>®</sup>), were also incubated in vitro with lymphoid cells to evaluate possible direct effects of SSRIs on NKCA. Depressed outpatients were administered fluoxetine (20 mg/day) for 4 weeks. NKCA and severity of depression were evaluated at weeks 0, 1, 2, and 4. Serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine were obtained as well. Mononuclear cells obtained from nonpatient volunteers were incubated with pharmacologic concentrations of fluoxetine or paroxetine and NKCA measured with a standard chromium release assay. Fluoxetine treatment resulted in decreased symptoms of depression and increased serum concentrations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine. Further, fluoxetine treatment was associated with augmented NKCA in a subgroup of depressed outpatients exhibiting low NKCA at baseline. Fluoxetine had no effect on NKCA in depressed individuals exhibiting high NKCA at baseline. Incubation of mononuclear cells with fluoxetine and paroxetine augmented NKCA in vitro. The enhancing effects of antidepressants on NKCA in vivo and in vitro indicate a possible direct drug interaction with lymphoid cells during pharmacotherapy, suggesting that pharmacologic treatment of depression may result in enhanced immune competence as indexed by enhanced NKCA and that NKCA could be pharmacologically augmented with antidepressants in individuals with compromised immune function.