bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cysteinyl leukotrienes: biosynthesis and receptors
Authors: Lam B. , Kanaoka Y. , Boyce J. , Austen K. F. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryLTC4 synthase (LTC4S) catalyzes the conjugation of LTA4 with glutathione to form LTC4, the parent compound of the cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs). LTC4S is an 18kD membrane protein that belongs to MAPEG superfamily. Mutational analysis of LTC4S indicates that Arg‐51 and Tyr‐93 are critical in enzyme catalysis. LTC4S expression is upregulated by IL‐4 in both the human and the mouse in vitro derived‐mast cells. The cysLTs exert their biological activities through binding to their G‐protein coupled receptors, CysLT1 and CysLT2. Targeted disruption of mouse LTC4S gene and of the mouse CysLT1 gene markedly reduced the plasma leakage induced by innate or by adaptive immune inflammatory responses.
Genetic insights into mast cell chymase and tryptase function
Authors: Caughey G. H. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryAs the major secreted proteins of degranulating mast cells, chymases and tryptases have long been suspected to be perpetrators of pathology in asthma and other forms of allergic disease. Indeed, the preponderance of evidence now suggests that these enzymes, collectively, are guilty. However, confusion remains over which are most culpable and which of them produce what kinds of pathology. This confusion has several causes, including daunting, nonsystematic nomenclatures, unexplained multiplicities of closely related genes in animal models of allergic disease, uncertainty over which genes deserve to be labelled ‘pseudo’, perplexing allelic relationships and, until recently, a shortage of data correlating enzyme structure with function. Fortunately, recent developments bring these elements into sharper focus. This brief review summarizes some of these developments and discusses how they help to identify the enzymes likely to be important in allergic disease.
Membrane and soluble pattern recognition receptors: the unique functions of the long pentraxin PTX3
Authors: Mantovani A. , Garlanda C. , Otero K. , Peri G. , Vecchi A. , Bottazzi B. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryPentraxin 3 (PTX3), the first long pentraxin identified, is characterized by a C‐terminal pentraxin like domain, showing sequence similarity to C‐reactive protein and serum amyloid P component, coupled with a N‐terminal unrelated portion. PTX3 is made by diverse cell types, including endothelial cells, macrophages and dendritic cells, in response to proinflammatory signals such as interleukin 1, tumor necrosis factor and lipopolysaccharide. It binds different ligands, including Clq, apoptotic cells and microbial mojcties. PTX3 levels are <2 ng/mL in normal subjects but increase in a number of pathological conditions such as autoimmune, infectious and degenerative disorders. Evidence from clinical studies and genetically modified animals suggests that PTX3 plays a role in inflammatory reactions as well as in the regulation of innate resistance to pathogens and female fertility. The results obtained so far indicate that PTX3 is a soluble pattern recognition receptor which plays a non redundant role in female fertility and resistance against selected pathogens.
Formylpeptide receptors and their potential roles in inflammatory airway diseases*
Authors: Le Y. , Zhou Y. , Tao H. , Wang J. M. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryLeucocytes accumulate at sites of inflammation and microbial infection in direct response to locally produced chemotactic factors, most of which signal through specific G protein‐coupled receptors. N‐formylpeptides were the first chemotactic factors to be structurally defined. These peptides may originate from either mitochondrial proteins of ruptured host cells or invading pathogens, which suggested that formylpeptide receptors FPR and its variant FPRL1 (FPR‐like 1) are involved mainly in host defence against bacterial infection and in the clearance of damaged cells. However, recent observations imply that FPR and FPRL1 may play more complex roles in pathophysiological conditions as a large number of structurally diverse pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory ligands associated with diseases have been discovered. While more rigorous research is required to fully understand the biological significance of formylpeptide receptors, the available evidence supports their potential as targets for the development of therapeutics.
First‐ and second‐generation H1 antihistamines: from the molecular basis of their interaction with HERG K+ channels to physiological and pathophysiological implication
Authors: Taglialatela M. , Castaldo P. , Pannaccione A. , Secondo A. , Cataldi M. , Boscia F. , Annunziato L. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThe present article reports on the recent findings addressing the molecular basis for some rare but serious cardiovascular side‐effects exerted by some non‐sedating H1‐blocking antihistamines. These latest developments, which have allowed fundamental insights into the role played by a specific class of potassium channels, the so‐called human ether‐a‐gogo‐related gene (HERG) channels, in the regulation of cardiac action potential duration and rhythm regulation, have also opened new areas of investigation into its participation in neuronal and endocrine (adenohypophyseal, chromaffin, and pancreatic) cells functioning.
Strategies for early prevention of allergic disorders
Authors: Wahn U. , Nickel R. , Illi S. , Lau S. , Grüber C. , Hamelmann E. 
Published: February 2005

SummarySeveral studies have indicated, that non‐genetic risk as well as protective factors, which appeared to be modifiable, are influencing the “atopic march”. Based on these findings intervention studies in experimental animals have led to encouraging results. It will be the challenge of the future to develop save and effective strategies for preventive intervention in early infancy in order to avoid allergic sensitization reduce the incidence of atopic manifestation in early childhood.
Immunotherapy for allergic disease: a four‐decade investigation
Authors: Creticos Peter S. , Lichtenstein Lawrence M. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThis paper describes the early work done with allergen immunotherapy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Furthermore, it cites the mechanistic studies that help define the therapeutic effect of specific allergen immunotherapy. It next explores various experimental approaches that have been investigated to improve the therapeutic response to allergen immunotherapy. Finally, it highlights the recent work with a novel approach in which immunostimulatory DNA is coupled to an allergen in an attempt to further improve the immunogenicity and to attenuate the allergenicity of the therapeutic construct.
Eosinophils in repair and remodelling
Authors: Kay A. B. , Flood‐Page P. , Menzies‐Gow A. , Robinson D. , Phipps S. 
Published: February 2005

SummarySeveral studies in man suggest a role for the eosinophil in repair in remodelling. Skin biopsies taken at time intervals after allergen injection into human skin indicate that the formation of myofibroblast‐like cells and activation of fibroblasts, as shown by tenascin and procollagen‐1 production, may be partly under the control of infiltrating TGF‐β1+/IL‐13+ eosinophils. Studies involving the infusion of an anti‐IL‐5 monoclonal antibody to atopic subjects indicate that eosinophils are unlikely to be essential for the redness, swelling and induration characteristic of late‐phase allergic response but may play a role in repair/remodelling processes as shown by inhibition of tenascin deposition. Selective reduction of eosinophils by anti‐IL‐5 was also associated with a significant reduction in the up‐regulated expression of ECM proteins in the reticular basement membrane of asthmatics. Furthermore, this reduction in the expression of matrix proteins occurred over a relatively short time period and despite only partial eosinophil depletion. Taken together these data provide direct evidence of a causal association between eosinophils and ECM protein deposition in mild atopic asthma.
The paradoxical relationship between animal dander, exposure, sensitization and asthma: is there a hierarchy of inhalant allergens?
Authors: Platts‐Mills T. A. E. , Erwin E. A. , Perzanowski M. , Woodfolk J. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryAlthough sensitization to allergens is undoubtedly dependent on exposure, there is now extensive evidence that high exposure to cat allergens does not consistently increase the prevalence of sensitization. Investigating this paradoxical effect of high exposure provides an opportunity to understand the mechanisms of control of allergic disease. The evidence suggests that the T cell response to specific peptides in Fel d 1 is important to the development of tolerance. In addition, it is possible that the “tolerant” response to cat allergens is sufficient to explain why the prevalence and severity of allergic disease (particularly asthma) is lower in those countries where (because of the absence of dust mites) cats are the dominant source of indoor allergens.
Unique social structure ofProbolomyrmex longinodus
Authors: KIKUCHI Tomonori , TSUJI Kazuki 
Published: February 2005

AbstractColonies ofProbolomyrmex longinoduscollected in Yonaguni Island, the Ryukyus, Japan contained several dealate queens, only one of which was inseminated and reproduced. All queens and workers had only one ovariole per ovary.
Abundance of inflorescence tissue feeders on three willow species
Authors: NOZAWA Akiyoshi , INARI Naoki 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe report the relative abundance of inflorescence tissue feeders among three willow species (Salix integra, S. miyabeana and S. sachalinensis) with reference to the plant sexes. We found that (i) a total of 270 individuals belonging to six species and two orders were recorded from willow inflorescences; (ii) the abundance of Xanthia caterpillars differed across willow species and sexes; (iii) the abundance of weevil larvae differed across willow species; (iv) Gypsonoma bifasciata abundance was affected by sex and inflorescence size; and (v) Nemophora raddei was collected from a single female S. miyabeana tree. Although nitrogen content of inflorescences is not likely to affect the herbivory pattern of inflorescence tissue feeders, inflorescence size is likely to affect the abundance of Gypsonoma caterpillars.
Influence of urbanization on ant distribution in parks of Tokyo and Chiba City, Japan II. Analysis of species
Authors: YAMAGUCHI Takeshi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractTo study the influence of urbanization on the distribution of ant species, I compared the occurrence of several ant species in urban parks of different areas and ages in Tokyo and Chiba City, Japan. Analysis of the presence or absence of 42 species revealed that the probability of occurrence in a park was significantly associated with park area for 15 species (35.7%), with park age for five (11.9%), and with region for seven (16.7%). It is likely that different species respond differently to urbanization. Species sensitive to urbanization could be good bioindicators of urban environments. Furthermore, to estimate the influence of the modification of underground environments, Messor aciculatus was selected, because this species nests in an almost vertical shaft with many chambers, to a depth of up to 4 m. The probability of occurrence of the species in a park tended to be lower in reclaimed land and banked land than in other landforms. This fact suggests that M. aciculatus could be a bioindicator of underground modification.
Social wasps and bees captured in carrion traps in a rainforest in Brazil
Authors: SILVEIRA Orlando Tobias , ESPOSITO Maria Cristina , SANTOS José Nazareno dos , GEMAQUE Francisco Espíndola 
Published: February 2005

AbstractInformation is presented on social wasps and bees caught in carrion traps in ‘terra firme’ rainforest in Caxiuanã, PA, Brazil. Six species of epiponine wasps were captured. Angiopolybia pallens was the most frequent species, being caught in approximately 43.5% of the trials, followed by Angiopolybia paraensis (15.8%), Agelaia fulvofasciata (5.6%) and Agelaia angulata (3.3%). Agelaia pallipes and Agelaia cajennensis both had only a single individual captured. Twelve species of social bees were captured. The genera Trigona, Partamona and Melipona had similar numbers of species, but frequencies varied considerably. One individual of Apis mellifera was captured.
Demography of the Okinawan eusocial waspRopalidia fasciata(Hymenoptera: Vespidae) I. Survival rate of individuals and colonies, and yearly fluctuations in colony density
Authors: ITÔ Yosiaki , KASUYA Eiiti 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe conducted a series of demographic studies of the primitively eusocial waspRopalidia fasciatain Okinawa, a subtropical part of Japan, and found the following. The colony cycle of this wasp is annual, spanning from April to November or even December; this is longer than the colony cycles of other temperate polistine wasps so far reported. The survival rate of the marked foundresses was 40% to June, dropping to 1.4% by September. These survival rates are similar to other subtropical and tropical species. Most females that emerged in November were probably second generation adults (progeny of the original foundresses), which would participate in founding nests in the following spring. These facts indicate thatR. fasciatain Okinawa is at least partially bivoltine. Survival of a nest to September was 10–20%; however, because a failed nest is often rebuilt, survival of the colony to September was as high as 50%. The mean number of new foundresses produced per foundress was 7.5, and their overwintering survival was 16%. Hence, a single foundress produced, on average, 1.2 progeny foundresses to the following year. Density dependence was shown in the rate at which the progeny foundresses were produced. These results explain the remarkable stability of nest densities from year to year in the area. The above results reveal thatR. fasciatain Okinawa shares many demographic characteristics with other primitively eusocial wasps, particularly year‐to‐year stability of nest density and a long colony cycle.
Dynamics of eupyrene and apyrene sperm storage in ovipositing females of the swallowtail butterfly Papilio xuthus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)
Authors: WATANABE Mamoru , HACHISUKA Ayako 
Published: February 2005

AbstractA male swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus, transfers both eupyrene and apyrene sperm during copulation, both of which migrate to the spermatheca via the spermatophore in the bursa copulatrix of the female. Because the spermatheca seems to remain constant in size during the female lifespan, the excess sperm migration may cause the spermatheca to overflow. Approximately 9000 eupyrene and 265 000 apyrene spermatozoa were transferred during a single copulation, and approximately 1000 eupyrene and 1100 apyrene spermatozoa successfully arrived in the spermatheca. The number of both types of spermatozoon decreased in the spermatheca after the onset of oviposition, and no eupyrene spermatozoa were found by 7 days after copulation, partly due to insemination. The spermathecal gland leading from the distal end of the spermatheca was gradually filled by eupyrene spermatozoa. Although the function of the gland remains unclear, the final destination of the sperm is likely to be the gland.
First record of the genusBuchananiellaReuter (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) from Japan, with description of a new species
Authors: YAMADA Kazutaka , HIROWATARI Toshiya 
Published: February 2005

AbstractTwo species of the anthocorid genusBuchananiellaReuter are recorded from Japan for the first time.Buchananiella leptocephalasp. nov. is described here based on specimens from Honshu and the Ryukyus.Buchananiella crassicornisCarayon, hitherto known from the Ivory Coast and India, was found in the Ryukyus.
Taxonomic status of the grasshopper Podisma tyatiensis and reproductive isolation between P. tyatiensis and Podisma sapporensis
Authors: BUGROV Alexander G. , WARCHAŁOWSKA‐ŚLIWA Elżbieta , AKIMOTO Shin‐ichi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe grasshopper Podisma tyatiensis, which is distributed only at the summit of Mount Tyatya on Kunashiri Island, the Kuril Islands, is closely related to Podisma sapporensis, which has a broad distribution range on the islands of northern Japan and the Russian Far East (Hokkaido, Sakhalin and Kunashiri). The present study examined the taxonomic status of P. tyatiensis by crossing P. tyatiensis males with P. sapporensis females from Sakhalin. More than 90% of eggs from intrapopulation crosses developed to at least the last embryonic stage, whereas only 64% of eggs from the interpopulation crosses developed into that embryonic stage. Cytogenetic observations of prediapause embryos showed that the interpopulation crosses always led to the production of unfertilized eggs, and that all of the developing embryos had the maternal genome only. A mixture of haploid and diploid cells of maternal origin was found in most of those embryos. This result shows that unfertilized eggs produced by P. sapporensis females from Sakhalin developed parthenogenetically to at least the embryonic stage before hatching. The present crossing experiments revealed a high level of incompatibility between the genomes of the Sakhalin population and the Tyatya population, and confirmed the full species status of P. tyatiensis.
Taxonomic revision of the genus Dolophilodes subgenus Dolophilodes (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) of Japan
Authors: KUHARA Naotoshi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractJapanese species of the genus Dolophilodes subgenus Dolophilodes are revised taxonomically. Seven described species are recognized: D. japonicus (Banks), D. shinboensis (Kobayashi), D. auriculatus Martynov, D. nomugiensis (Kobayashi), D. babai (Kobayashi), D. iroensis (Kobayashi) and D. commatus (Kobayashi). In addition, two new species, D. angustatus and D. dilatatus, are described. Males of all nine species and females of all but D. babai are described and illustrated. The subgenus Hisaura Kobayashi is synonymized under the subgenus Dolophilodes. Three synonymies of species proposed are Wormaldia triangulata Kobayashi under D. nomugiensis, D. kunashirensis Ivanov under D. iroensis and Sortosa kaishoensis Kobayashi under D. commatus.
Practical Rapid, Minimally Invasive, Reliable Nonendoscopic Method to Obtain Helicobacter pylori for Culture
Authors: Graham David Y. , Kudo Mayumi , Reddy Rita , Opekun Antone R. 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground.  Helicobacter pylori culture typically requires endoscopy.Aim.  To develop a minimally invasive rapid and reliable method to obtain H. pylori cultures.Methods.  An extendable oro‐gastric brush, contained within a plastic over‐tube, was constructed (Baylor Brush, US Endoscopy). After topical oral anesthesia, the 5‐mm diameter brush assembly was swallowed. The brush was extended in the stomach and the mucosa was brushed three or four times. The brush was then retracted into the protective sleeve and withdrawn from the patient. The brush was either cultured directly or placed in cysteine transport medium with 20% glycerol which was then sampled immediately or after freezing at −70°C.Results.  Twenty‐five adult H. pylori‐infected subjects (13 male, 12 female) were studied. Helicobacter pylori recovery rate was 100% (11 of 11) when cultured immediately or after storage in transport medium at −70°C for 1 or 2 weeks or after storage at 4°C for 24 hours (four of four) or 72 hours (four of four) before being cultured. Freezing on dry ice and air shipment did not reduce recovery.Conclusion.  Rapid, reliable, nonendoscopic culture of gastric mucus is a practical method to obtain culture of H. pylori for clinical or research purposes. The method is amenable to being performed in a doctor's office or in the field.
Comparison of Two Management Strategies for Helicobacter pylori Treatment: Clinical Study and Cost‐effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Marko Dritana , Calvet Xavier , Ducons Julio , Guardiola Jordi , Tito Llucia , Bory Felipe ,   the GRESCA (Group for Eradication Studies from Catalonia and Aragón)
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground.  First‐line proton pump inhibitor‐based triple and quadruple therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication present similar levels of efficacy. Cross‐over treatment (quadruple following triple failure, and triple following quadruple failure) seems the most sensible approach to treatment failures, but the two strategies –‘quadruple first’ versus ‘triple first’– have not been previously compared. The aims of our study were to assess the usefulness and the cost‐effectiveness of the two treatment strategies.Material and methods.  Forty‐nine out of 344 patients included in a previous study comparing triple therapy – 7 days of omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin twice a day – with quadruple therapy – 7 days of omeprazole twice a day, plus tetracycline, metronidazole and bismuth subcitrate three times a day – failed initial treatment and were assigned to cross‐over therapy. Cure was determined by urea breath test. A decision analysis was performed to compare the two eradication strategies.Results.  Intention to treat cure rates were 46% (10/22 patients; 95% CI 24–68%) for second‐line triple therapy and 63% (17/27 patients; 95% CI 42–81%) for second‐line quadruple therapy. Per protocol cure rates were 71% and 85%, respectively. Intention to treat cure rates were 87% (95% CI 81–92%) for the ‘triple first’ versus 86% (95% CI 80–91%) for the ‘quadruple first’ strategy (p = .87). The ‘quadruple first’ strategy was more cost‐effective. The incremental cost of ‘triple first’ strategy per person was 19 € in the low‐cost area and 65 US$ in the high‐cost area.Conclusions.  The effectiveness of ‘triple first’ and ‘quadruple first’ strategies is similar, although the latter seems slightly more cost‐effective.
Effects of Antioxidant Vitamin Supplements on Helicobacter pylori‐induced Gastritis in Mongolian Gerbils
Authors: Sun Yi‐Qian , Girgensone Ilze , Leanderson Per , Petersson Fredrik , Borch Kurt 
Published: February 2005

ABSTRACTBackground.  Epidemiological studies show that high intake of food‐bound vitamin C and E reduces the risk of gastric cancer. Whether dietary supplementation with antioxidant micronutrients interferes with Helicobacter pylori infection and associated diseases is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate if dietary vitamin C or E supplementation influences the progression of gastritis, gastric mucosal nitrosative and oxidative protein damage, gastric mucosal lipid peroxidation, or gastric mucosal oxidative DNA damage in H. pylori‐infected Mongolian gerbils.Materials and methods.  Gerbils were divided into four groups: H. pylori‐infected animals fed with vitamin C‐ or vitamin E‐supplemented food, and infected and uninfected animals given standard rodent food. Subgroups of animals were killed at different time‐points until 52 weeks postinfection. Concentrations of 3‐nitrotyrosine and thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) in the gastric mucosa were determined with an immunodot blot and a fluorometric method, respectively. Mucosal concentrations of carbonyl carbons on proteins and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Gastritis was scored semiquantitatively.Results.  Vitamin supplements had no effect on the colonization with H. pylori. Vitamin C as well as vitamin E supplements reduced mucosal 3‐nitrotyrosine concentrations to normal levels in infected animals. Vitamin E supplements decreased mucosal protein carbonyls and TBARS in short‐term gastritis. In addition, vitamin C supplements caused attenuated mucosal oxidative DNA damage and milder mucosal inflammation in short‐term gastritis.Conclusion.  Vitamin C or vitamin E supplementation leads to some short‐term protective effects on H. pylori‐induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils. These effects seem to subside over time when the infection persists.