bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of interleukin‐8 production via nuclear factor‐κB activation in human intestinal epithelial cells infected with Vibrio vulnificus
Authors: Lee B. C. , Kim S. H. , Choi S. H. , Kim T. S. 
Published: July 2005

Summary Vibrio vulnificus, a Gram‐negative estuarine bacterium, is a causative agent of food‐borne diseases, such as life‐threatening septicaemia and wound infection disease. V. vulnificus penetrating into the epithelial barrier stimulates an inflammatory response in the adjacent mucosa. Therefore, interaction between V. vulnificus and epithelial cells is important for understanding of both the immunology of mucosal surfaces and V. vulnificus. In this study, we investigated the effect and action mechanism of V. vulnificus infection on production of interleukin (IL)‐8, a proinflammatory cytokine, in human intestinal epithelial INT‐407 cells. V. vulnificus infection significantly induced IL‐8 production in a time‐ and multiplicity of infection (MOI)‐dependent manner, as determined by human IL‐8 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, V. vulnificus infection significantly increased IL‐8 mRNA levels in INT‐407 cells, indicating that the increased IL‐8 production by V. vulnificus occurred at the transcriptional level. V. vulnificus infection also enhanced IL‐8 gene promoter activity in INT‐407 cells transiently transfected with IL‐8 promoter constructs, but this effect was impaired in INT‐407 cells transfected with IL‐8 promoter constructs deleted or mutated of a κB site. V. vulnificus infection increased the nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) binding activity to a κB site and the degradation of IκB‐α protein in a time‐ and a MOI‐dependent manner. Furthermore, BAY11‐7082, an inhibitor of NF‐κB activation, significantly reduced the IL‐8 production, NF‐κB binding activity and IκB‐α degradation induced by V. vulnificus infection. Taken together, these results indicate clearly that V. vulnificus infection significantly induces IL‐8 production in human intestinal epithelial cells via NF‐κB activation.
Pulmonary infections in swine induce altered porcine surfactant protein D expression and localization to dendritic cells in bronchial‐associated lymphoid tissue
Authors: Soerensen Charlotte M. , Holmskov Uffe , Aalbaek Bent , Boye Mette , Heegaard Peter M. , Nielsen Ole L. 
Published: July 2005

SummarySurfactant protein D (SP‐D) is a pattern‐recognition molecule of the innate immune system that recognizes various microbial surface‐specific carbohydrate and lipid patterns. In vitro data has suggested that this binding may lead to increased microbial association with macrophages and dendritic cells. The aim of the present in vivo study was to study the expression of porcine SP‐D (pSP‐D) in the lung during different pulmonary bacterial infections, and the effect of the routes of infection on this expression was elucidated. Furthermore, the aim was to study the in vivo spatial relationship among pSP‐D, pathogens, phagocytic cells and dendritic cells. Lung tissue was collected from experimental and natural bronchopneumonias caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus, and from embolic and diffuse interstitial pneumonia, caused by Staph. aureus or Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Streptococcus suis serotype 2, respectively. By comparing normal and diseased lung tissue from the same lungs, increased diffuse pSP‐D immunoreactivity was seen in the surfactant in both acute and chronic bronchopneumonias, while such increased expression of pSP‐D was generally not present in the interstitial pneumonias. Co‐localization of pSP‐D, alveolar macrophages and bacteria was demonstrated, and pSP‐D showed a patchy distribution on the membranes of alveolar macrophages. SP‐D immunoreactivity was intracellular in dendritic cells. The dendritic cells were identified by their morphology, the absence of macrophage marker immunoreactivity and the presence of dendritic cell marker immunoreactivity. Increased expression of pSP‐D in the surfactant coincided with presence of pSP‐D‐positive dendritic cells in bronchus‐associated lymphoid tissue (BALT), indicating a possible transport of pSP‐D through the specialized M cells overlying (BALT). In conclusion, we have shown that pSP‐D expression in the lung surfactant is induced by bacterial infection by an aerogenous route rather than by a haematogenous route, and that the protein interacts specifically with alveolar macrophages and with dendritic cells in microbial‐induced BALT. The function of the interaction between pSP‐D and dendritic cells in BALT remain unclear, but pSP‐D could represent a link between the innate and adaptive immune system, facilitating the bacterial antigen presentation by dendritic cells in BALT.
Reverse signalling of membrane‐integrated tumour necrosis factor differentially regulates alloresponses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against human microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Vudattu Nalini K. , Holler Ernst , Ewing Patricia , Schulz Ute , Haffner Silvia , Burger Verena , Kirchner Silvia , Andreesen Reinhard , Eissner Günther 
Published: July 2005

SummaryReverse signalling of membrane‐integrated ligands is a common phenomenon in the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family and contributes to the pleiotropy of this pro‐inflammatory cytokine and to the plasticity of the immune system in general. Transmembrane TNF (mTNF) itself can induce resistance to bacterial endotoxin in monocytes and can stimulate the immune activity of mitogen‐activated, as well as of virus‐infected, T cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of reverse signalling of mTNF on the allogeneic activity of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells against human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC), as targets of various inflammatory responses. The proliferative potential of CD4+ T cells towards HMEC was attenuated by mTNF signalling, whereas stimulation of mTNF on CD8+ T cells increased their cytotoxic potential aginst HMEC. These effects were specific for reverse signalling of mTNF, as a blockade of the classical TNF–TNF receptor interaction by a neutralizing TNF receptor antibody had no effect. Cytokine profiling of the effector cells revealed that the anti‐endothelial CD4+ T cells were of a T helper 2 (Th2) phenotype, whereas CD8+ T cells mainly produced cytotox. T cell 1 (Tc1) cytokines. From the results obtained in this study, we conclude that reverse signalling of mTNF differentially modulates CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell activity against allogeneic endothelial cells, which should be taken into account in settings of therapeutic cytokine antagonisms.
Concerted antigen presentation by dendritic cells and B cells is necessary for optimal CD4 T‐cell immunity in vivo
Authors: Kleindienst Petra , Brocker Thomas 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe relative contributions of different types of antigen presenting cells to T‐cell activation, expansion and induction of effector functions are still not fully understood. In order to evaluate the roles of dendritic versus B cells during these phases of a CD4 T‐cell response in vivo, we adoptively transferred major histocompatibility complex class II restricted, T‐cell receptor‐transgenic CD4+ T cells into transgenic mice expressing selectively the T‐cell restricting class II molecules on either dendritic cells, B cells or both. Upon immunization with peptide antigen, we observed that dendritic cells were sufficient to induce activation, expansion, interleukin‐2 production and germinal centre migration of antigen‐specific T cells, independently of other antigen‐presenting cells. In contrast, neither resting nor activated B cells had similar antigen‐presenting capacities in vivo. However, in double transgenic mice where both B cells and dendritic cells were capable of presenting antigen, T cells showed increased proliferation, expansion and cytokine production in vivo. Moreover, higher antigen‐specific CD4 T‐cell numbers accumulated in germinal centres. Our data demonstrate that dendritic cells are sufficient to activate naive CD4 T cells in vivo, but B cells subsequently can enhance CD4 T‐cell expansion further.
Mixture model equations for marker‐assisted genetic evaluation
Authors: Liu Y. , Zeng Z.‐B. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryMarker‐assisted genetic evaluation needs to infer genotypes at quantitative trait loci (QTL) based on the information of linked markers. As the inference usually provides the probability distribution of QTL genotypes rather than a specific genotype, marker‐assisted genetic evaluation is characterized by the mixture model because of the uncertainty of QTL genotypes. It is, therefore, necessary to develop a statistical procedure useful for mixture model analyses. In this study, a set of mixture model equations was derived based on the normal mixture model and the EM algorithm for evaluating linear models with uncertain independent variables. The derived equations can be seen as an extension of Henderson's mixed model equations to mixture models and provide a general framework to deal with the issues of uncertain incidence matrices in linear models. The mixture model equations were applied to marker‐assisted genetic evaluation with different parameterizations of QTL effects. A sire‐QTL‐effect model and a founder‐QTL‐effect model were used to illustrate the application of the mixture model equations. The potential advantages of the mixture model equations for marker‐assisted genetic evaluation were discussed. The mixed‐effect mixture model equations are flexible in modelling QTL effects and show desirable properties in estimating QTL effects, compared with Henderson's mixed model equations.
Economic evaluation for conservation of farm animal genetic resources
Authors: Roosen J. , Fadlaoui A. , Bertaglia M. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryThe decline in biodiversity of farm animal genetic resources (AnGR) has come to the forefront of concern in the discussion of animal conservation and breeding programmes. To improve decision‐making regarding conservation and breeding programmes, a number of evaluation techniques of farm AnGR are available. This paper presents an overview of the different values associated to AnGR and of the techniques for their measurement being employed in the economic literature. Those include linear programming and farm simulation models, dynamic models estimating the value of research and development and econometric models estimating the demand for breed characteristics. While farm programming and simulation models are fairly well developed, they do have large data requirements. Alternatively, contingent valuation methods are available, in particular when the goal is to capture non‐market values embedded in breeds.
Differentiating among horse (Equus caballus), donkey (Equus asinus) and their hybrids with combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial gene polymorphism
Authors: Zhao C.J. , Han G.C. , Qin Y.H. , Wu Ch. 
Published: July 2005

SummaryA novel and brief method of differentiating among horse (Equus caballus) and donkey (Equus asinus) and their hybrids (mule, E. asinus × E. caballus and hinny, E. caballus × E. asinus) with combined analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial gene polymorphism (CANMGP) was reported in the present report. A nuclear gene, protamine P1 gene of donkey was sequenced and compared with the known horse sequence from GenBank while a published equid mitochondrial gene, cytochrome b gene of donkey was compared with that of horse. In each of the two genes, a fixed nucleotide substitution within an exon that could be recognized by Dpn II restriction enzyme was found between the two species. Two pairs of primers were designed for amplifying the fragments within the two genes containing the informative nucleotide positions in 65 horses and 41 donkeys and 38 hybrids and conditions of polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis were optimized. Horse, donkey and mule and hinny had their own specific cleavage patterns after the PCR‐RFLP analysis was performed, which made it very easy to identify them from each other. As multiplex PCR can be conducted with the two pairs of primers and only one restriction enzyme is involved in PCR‐RFLP analysis, the method described in the present study is a convenient way to identify horse and donkey and their hybrids. The idea involved in the method of CANMGP can be also used to differentiate other animal species or breeds and their hybrids.
Erythrokeratodermas: A classification in a state of flux?
Authors: Rogers Maureen 
Published: July 2005

SUMMARYThe term ‘erythrokeratodermas’ or ‘erythrokeratodermias’ has been applied to a group of inherited disorders characterized by well‐demarcated erythematous lesions and hyperkeratotic plaques. Connexin mutations have been demonstrated to be responsible for most cases of erythrokeratoderma variabilis but there remain some cases without demonstrated connexin mutations, suggesting genetic heterogeneity. The position of progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma has become rather unclear. Loricin mutations have been found in some cases that clinically resemble variant Vohwinkel syndrome and other cases have features that overlap with those of erythrokeratoderma variablis. Whether progressive symmetric erythrokeratoderma exists as a distinct entity is under question.
Operational teledermatology in Broken Hill, rural Australia
Authors: See Adrian , Lim Adrian C , Le Katie , See Jo‐Ann , Shumack Stephen P 
Published: July 2005

SUMMARYFrom January 2001 to January 2002, Broken Hill, New South Wales, served as a trial site for teledermatology as one method of access to dermatologists. Fourteen participating general practitioners referred 46 patients making up 48 teledermatology cases. The mean diagnostic agreement between general practitioners and dermatologists was 35% and 50% for primary and differential diagnoses, respectively. Teledermatology patients formed 12% of the collectively referred dermatology patients (outpatients and teledermatology). In this project, high patient and general practitioner acceptability and positive medical outcomes confirm the value of rural teledermatology. However, this project also revealed unexpected barriers and pitfalls in the effective operation of rural teledermatology. Lack of education of participants, inertia among potential users and patient inconvenience are issues that may adversely affect the effective implementation of rural teledermatology.
Neonatal lupus erythematosus presenting as papules on the feet
Authors: See Adrian , Wargon Orli , Lim Adrian , Sugo Ella , Le Katie 
Published: July 2005

SUMMARYWe describe a case of neonatal lupus erythematosus in a 4‐week‐old male baby presenting with nodules/papules on the plantar surface of both feet. Skin histology of the right foot papule was consistent with lupus erythematosus. Annular lesions more typical of this condition then appeared later and maternal antibodies were positive for speckled antinuclear antibodies (1:5120), anti‐Ro/SSA and anti‐La/SSB(+), rheumatoid factor 1380.0 IU/mL. The patient had no evidence of cardiac, haematological or hepatobilary involvement. Although the mother was asymptomatic, the maternal grandmother had recently been diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome.
Midblastula transition (MBT) of the cell cycles in the yolk and pigment granule‐free translucent blastomeres obtained from centrifuged Xenopus embryos
Authors: Iwao Yasuhiro , Uchida Yoshihisa , Ueno Shuichi , Yoshizaki Norio , Masui Yoshio 
Published: July 2005

We obtained translucent blastomeres free of yolk and pigment granules from Xenopus embryos which had been centrifuged at the beginning of the 8‐cell stage with cellular integrity. They divided synchronously regardless of their cell size until they had decreased to 37.5 µm in radius; those smaller than this critical size, however, divided asynchronously with cell cycle times inversely proportional to the square of the cell radius after midblastula transition (MBT). The length of the S phase was determined as the time during which nuclear DNA fluorescence increased in Hoechst‐stained blastomeres. When the cell cycle time exceeded 45 min, S and M phases were lengthened; when the cell cycle times exceeded 70 min, the G2 phase appeared; and after cell cycle times became longer than 150 min, the G1 phase appeared. Lengths of G1, S and M phases increased linearly with increasing cell cycle time. Enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)‐tagged proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressed in the blastomeres appeared in the S phase nucleus, but suddenly dispersed into the cytoplasm at the M phase. The system developed in this study is useful for examining the cell cycle behavior of the cell cycle‐regulating molecules in living Xenopus blastomeres by fluorescence microscopy in real time.
Molecular analysis of cardiomyocytes derived from human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Segev Hanna , Kenyagin‐Karsenti Dorit , Fishman Bettina , Gerecht‐Nir Sharon , Ziskind Anna , Amit Michal , Coleman Raymond , Itskovitz‐Eldor Joseph 
Published: July 2005

During early embryogenesis, the cardiovascular system is the first system to be established and is initiated by a process involving the hypoblastic cells of the primitive endoderm. Human embryonic stem (hES) cells provide a model to investigate the early developmental stages of this system. When removed from their feeder layer, hESC create embryoid bodies (EB) which, when plated, develop areas of beating cells in 21.5% of the EB. These spontaneously contracting cells were demonstrated using histology, immunostaining and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), to possess morphological and molecular characteristics consistent with cardiomyocytic phenotypes. In addition, the expression pattern of specific cardiomyocytic genes in human EB (hEB) was demonstrated and analyzed for the first time. GATA‐4 is the first gene to be expressed in 6‐day‐old EB. Alpha cardiac actin and atrial natriuretic factor are expressed in older hEB at 10 and 20 days, respectively. Light chain ventricular myosin (MLC‐2V) was expressed only in EB with beating areas and its expression increased with time. Alpha heavy chain myosin (α‐MHC) expression declined in the pulsating hEB with time, in contrast to events in EB derived from mice. We conclude that human embryonic stem cells can provide a useful tool for research on embryogenesis in general and cardiovascular development in particular.
Efficient RNA interference in zebrafish embryos using siRNA synthesized with SP6 RNA polymerase
Authors: Liu Wei‐Yi , Wang Yan , Sun Yong‐Hua , Wang Yun , Wang Ya‐Ping , Chen Shang‐Ping , Zhu Zuo‐Yan 
Published: July 2005

Double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been shown to be a useful tool for silencing genes in zebrafish (Danio rerio), while the blocking specificity of dsRNA is still of major concern for application. It was reported that siRNA (small interfering RNA) prepared by endoribonuclease digestion (esiRNA) could efficiently silence endogenous gene expression in mammalian embryos. To test whether esiRNA could work in zebrafish, we utilized Escherichia coli RNaseIII to digest dsRNA of zebrafish no tail (ntl), a mesoderm determinant in zebrafish and found that esi‐ntl could lead to developmental defects, however, the effective dose was so close to the toxic dose that esi‐ntl often led to non‐specific developmental defects. Consequently, we utilized SP6 RNA polymerase to produce si‐ntl, siRNA designed against ntl, by in vitro transcription. By injecting in vitro synthesized si‐ntl into zebrafish zygotes, we obtained specific phenocopies of reported mutants of ntl. We achieved up to a 59%no tail phenotype when the injection concentration was as high as 4 µg/µL. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and whole‐mount in situ hybridization analysis showed that si‐ntl could largely and specifically reduce mRNA levels of the ntl gene. As a result, our data indicate that esiRNA is unable to cause specific developmental defects in zebrafish, while siRNA should be an alternative for downregulation of specific gene expression in zebrafish in cases where RNAi techniques are applied to zebrafish reverse genetics.
Determinants of breast‐feeding within the first 6 months post‐partum in rural Vietnam
Authors: Duong Dat V , Lee Andy H , Binns Colin W 
Published: July 2005

Objective:  This study explored the determinants of breast‐feeding practices within the first 6 months post‐partum among women residing in rural Vietnam. Methods:  The study was conducted in Quang Xuong district, in the Thanh Hoa Province of Vietnam. In the first phase, 463 women were prospectively studied at weeks 1, 16 and 24 post‐partum. During the second phase, 16 focus group discussions were undertaken to obtain complementary information. Results:  Exclusive breast‐feeding dropped from 83.6% at week 1 to 43.6% at week 16 and by week 24, no infant was exclusively breast‐fed. A logistic regression analysis found ‘mother's education level’, ‘mother's decision‐making on breast‐feeding’, ‘mother's comfort to breast‐feed in public places’, ‘father's occupation’, ‘feeding preference of father’ and ‘having sufficient food for the family’ significantly influenced the exclusive breast‐feeding practice. Qualitative data provided in‐depth information on factors relating to mother, infant, close relatives and providers. Conclusion:  Providing appropriate training and supportive supervision on breast‐feeding counselling to health workers and supporting working mothers to exclusively breast‐feed their infants through community mobilization were recommended to improve breast‐feeding in rural Vietnam.
Blood pressure and related cardiovascular disease risk factors in 6–18 year‐old students in Italy
Authors: Pileggi Claudia , Carbone Vincenzo , Nobile Carmelo GA , Pavia Maria 
Published: July 2005

Objectives:  The aims of this study were to provide data on blood pressure (BP) levels, to measure prevalence of high‐normal or high BP and to identify a set of conditions that may predict high BP (HBP) in a population of children and adolescents in Italy. Methods:  A random sample of students 6–18 years old attending randomly selected schools in Catanzaro, Italy, was recruited. All students completed a questionnaire on their health and on health behaviours, such as physical activity, diet, drinking and smoking. Blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Results:  Of the 603 subjects examined, 12.8% had high‐normal BP, 3.5% hypertension (HTN) and 11.1% were obese. High‐normal or high diastolic BP (DBP) was significantly more likely in older subjects with a higher BMI, in those with a smoker mother and in preterm children, whereas high‐normal or high systolic BP (SBP) was significantly more likely to be found in older subjects with a higher BMI and in those who had at least one parent with HTN. High‐normal or high DBP or SBP were significantly predicted by BMI and age. Conclusions:  Interventions should focus at reducing obesity and encouraging proper dietary habits, sufficient exercise and cessation of smoking habit in parents too, especially in children with a family history of HTN.