bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The pathogenicity of Entamoeba histolytica is related to the capacity of evading innate immunity
Authors: Campos‐Rodríguezp Rafael , Jarillo‐Luna Adriana 
Published: April 2005

SUMMARY The host and parasite factors that influence susceptibility to Entamoeba histolytica infection and disease are not well understood. Entamoeba histolytica pathogenicity has been considered by focusing principally on parasite rather than host factors. Thus, research has concentrated on explaining the molecular differences between pathogenic E. histolytica and non‐pathogenic E. dispar. However, the amoeba molecules considered most important for host tissue destruction (amoebapore, galactose/N‐acetyl galactosamine inhibitable lectin, and cysteine proteinases) are present in both pathogenic E. histolytica and non‐pathogenic E. dispar. In addition, the genetic differences in pathogenicity among E. histolytica isolates are unlikely to completely explain the different outcomes of infection. Considering that the principal difference between pathogenic and non‐pathogenic amoebas lies in their surface coats, we propose that pathogenicity of the amoebas is related to the composition and properties of the surface coat components (or pathogen‐associated molecular patterns, PAMPs), and the ability of innate immune response to recognize these components and eliminate the parasite. According to this hypothesis, a key feature that may distinguish pathogenic (E. histolytica) from non‐pathogenic (E. dispar) strains is whether or not they can overcome innate immune defences. A corollary of this hypothesis is that in susceptible individuals the PAMPs are either not recognized or they are recognized by a set of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) that leads to an inflammatory response. In both cases, the result is tissue damage. On the contrary, in resistant individuals the innate/inflammatory response, induced through the activation of a different set of TLRs, eliminates the parasite.
Presence of the LDNF glycan on the host‐protective H‐gal‐GP fraction from Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Geldhof P. , Newlands G. F. J. , Nyame K. , Cummings R. , Smith W. D. , Knox D. P. 
Published: April 2005

SUMMARY Immunization of sheep with the gut membrane‐associated protein complex H‐gal‐GP of adult Haemonchus contortus induces high levels of protection against a homologous challenge infection. Protection is correlated with a systemic IgG response against the antigen. Analysis of the antibody response showed that the majority of the antigen‐specific IgG was of the IgG2 isotype. A substantial proportion (74%) of this response was directed against the glycan component of H‐gal‐GP. The high immunogenicity of the H‐gal‐GP glycans may be due to the presence of the fucosylated LacdiNAc (LDNF) antigen. 2D electrophoresis, Western blotting and mass spectrometry analysis of H‐gal‐GP showed that this glycan epitope was specifically located on a metalloendopeptidase, MEP3. MEP3 is the most abundant protein in H‐gal‐GP and has been identified as one of the most likely protective components of the complex. Here, we present evidence that the LDNF glycan does not contribute to the protective capacity of H‐gal‐GP. Animals vaccinated with reduced and denatured H‐gal‐GP are not protected against subsequent infection, although the antibody response against the LDNF glycan is very similar to that of animals vaccinated with the native H‐gal‐GP. In addition, an alternative version of H‐gal‐GP, H‐sialgal‐GP, which is equally protective, but isolated by affinity chromatography on jacalin lectin rather than peanut lectin, contains a MEP3 component which has no detectable LDNF glycan.
Immuno‐Localization of DEAD Family Proteins in Germ Line Cells of Xenopus Embryos.
Authors: Watanabe Masanao , Itoh Keiji , Abe Kuniya , Akizawa Toshifumi , Ikenishi Kohji , Furusawa Mitsuru 
Published: April 2005

In order to investigate whether a vasa‐like protein is present in germ line cells of Xenopus, antibodies were produced which react specifically with synthetic oligopeptides of sequences from near the N‐ or C‐termini or with one including the DEAD box of the Drosophila vasa protein.Only the antibody against the oligopeptide including the DEAD box reacted strongly with germ plasm (GP) or with cytoplasm of germ line cells of Xenopus embryos by immunofluorescence microscopy. By immunoelectron microscopy, the antibody was demonstrated to react with the GP‐specific structure, germinal granules, in cleaving embryos, and with their derivatives in the germ line cells of embryos at stages extending from gastrula to feeding tadpole. It also reacted with mitochondria not only in the GP and the germ line cells but also in somatic cells, and with myofibrils in muscle cells. By Western blotting, the antibody was shown to react with several bands of Mr 42–69 ± 103 in protein samples from Xenopus embryos. In samples from Drosophila ovaries, it reacted with a Mr 71 ± 103 band which was probably the vasa protein. This indicates the possibility that Xenopus embryos contain several DEAD family proteins. One of these is present on germinal granules, resembling the vasa protein on polar granules of Drosophila.
Differentiation Inducing Phosphatidyl Choline(s) from the Embryos of Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri): Isolation and Structural Elucidation1
Authors: Suzuki Motofumi , Asahi Ken‐ichi , Isono Kiyoshi , Sakurai Akira , Takahashi Nobutaka 
Published: April 2005

Phospholipid which is able to induce the differentiation of some undifferentiated tumour cells was isolated from the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) embryos.As HPLC gave only one peak, the phospholipid seemed to be completely purified. However, the spectra of SIMS and FD‐MS have shown that it was a mixture of two molecular species. By the chemical and enzymic studies their structures were determined as C16:0/C22:6‐and C18:1/C22:6‐phosphatidyl cholines.The isolated and structurally elucidated phosphatidyl cholines induce haemoglobin synthesis in murine erythroleukemia cells and a rapid decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity in teratocarcinoma cells. Some phosphatidyl cholines which are commercially available have shown no or conspicuously low activities.Recently we isolated another differentiation‐inducing substance(s), which proved to be diglyceride(s) containing the completely same fatty acids as those in the above mentioned phosphatidyl cholines, that is, C16:0/C22:6‐and C18:1/C22:6. These results suggest that the lipids containing C22:6 fatty acid or this fatty acid itself might play an important part in the differentiation and development.
Immunological Characterization of cdc2 and wee1 Proteins during the Growth and Differentiation of Dictyostelium discoideum
Authors: Hinze Ehleen , Michaelis Christine , Daya‐Makin Maleki , Pelech Steven , Weeks Gerald 
Published: April 2005

Two different antibody preparations, raised independently against the conserved EGVPSTAIREISLLKE sequence of the protein kinases encoded by the Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc2 gene and its species homologs, immunoblotted a Dictyostelium protein of 32 kDa (p32). This polypeptide bound to p13suc1‐agarose beads, suggesting that it represents the Dictyostelium cdc2 and / or cdk2 products. The amounts of p32 detectable in cell free extracts and bound to p13suc1‐agarose were unaltered during the growth of cells synchronized for division. Although there was also essentially no change in the level of p32 during differentiation, the protein from the pseudoplasmodial stage of development did not bind to p13suc1‐agarose, implicating a developmentally regulated modification of the kinase. One of the EGVPSTAIREISLLKE antibodies also recognized a protein of 49 kDa (p49) that increased in amount dramatically during aggregation and then remained at elevated levels throughout the remainder of the differentiation process. This protein was present in low amounts throughout the growth of cells synchronized for division and was not absorbed by p13suc1‐agarose.A 103 kDa protein (p103) was detected by Western blot analysis using antibodies raised against two different peptides corresponding to sequences in the S. pombe protein kinase p105wee1, which is a putative upstream negative regulator of p34cdc2 in fission yeast. The levels of p103 were constant during differentiation and during the growth of cells synchronized for division.
Effect of Microtubular Poisons on Cleavage Furrow Formation and Induction of Furrow‐like Dent in Amphibian Eggs
Authors: Sawai Tsuyoshi 
Published: April 2005

The effects of the microtubular poisons colchicine, vinblastine and nocodazole, on cleavage furrow formation and induction of furrow‐like dents in eggs of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster, were examined.Solutions of the poisons were injected beneath the cortex around the small initial furrow, or around the advancing tip of the furrow of eggs during the first cleavage. This resulted in prompt block of the progress of the furrow at the injection site, and subsequent total regression of the furrow or incomplete cleavage.The ability of the cortex of a cleavage‐arrested blastomere to form a furrow‐like dent was tested by inhibiting furrow formation of one blastomere of two‐cell embryos by injection of the microtubular poisons, and then transplantation of the blastomere under the cortex of the animal half with furrow‐inducing cytoplasm (FIC) taken from normally cleaving eggs. No dent was formed. Moreover, FIC from eggs treated with a poison had no ability to induce a dent on the surface of normally cleaving eggs.These results show that microtubule structures are directly involved in formation of a cleavage furrow.
Interleukin‐17 and lipopolysaccharides synergistically induce cyclooxygenase‐2 expression in human intestinal myofibroblasts
Authors: ZHANG ZHUOBIN , ANDOH AKIRA , INATOMI OSAMU , BAMBA SHIGEKI , TAKAYANAGI ATSUSHI , SHIMIZU NOBUYOSHI , FUJIYAMA YOSHIHIDE 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:  Colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMF) play a role in the modulation of mucosal inflammatory responses via the secretion of various inflammatory mediators. In the present study the effects of interleukin (IL)‐17 and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in colonic SEMF were investigated.Methods:  The expression of COX‐1 and ‐2 proteins and mRNAs were determined by western and northern blotting, respectively. Nuclear factor (NF)‐κB DNA binding activities were evaluated by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assays (EMSA).Results:  The expression of COX‐2 protein and mRNA was rapidly induced by the addition of IL‐17 and LPS, whereas COX‐1 expression was not affected by these factors. The effects of IL‐17 and LPS were detected in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Furthermore, IL‐17 and LPS synergistically induced COX‐2 mRNA and protein expression. The EMSA demonstrated that the addition of IL‐17 and LPS induced NF‐κB activation within 1.5 h after stimulation, and a blockade of NF‐κB activation by a recombinant adenovirus containing a stable form of IκBa markedly reduced the IL‐17‐ and LPS‐induced COX‐2 mRNA expression. In these cells, the expression of Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4, which is a cellular receptor for LPS, was detected.Conclusion:  Interleukin‐17 and LPS play an important role in the induction of COX‐2 in SEMF. These findings suggest that COX‐2 expression and prostaglandin synthesis might be regulated by both T‐cell‐derived factor (IL‐17) and bacterial products (LPS) in the inflamed mucosa.
Calcitonin gene‐related peptide released by capsaicin suppresses myoelectrical activity of gastric smooth muscle
Authors: MIZUGUCHI SUMITO , OHNO TAKASHI , HATTORI YOUICHIRO , KAMATA KAZUHISA , ARAI KATSUHARU , SAEKI TAKEO , SAIGENJI KATSUNORI , HAYASHI IZUMI , KURIBAYASHI YOSHIKAZU , MAJIMA MASATAKA 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:  It is widely accepted that the inhibition of gastric motor activity as well as the maintenance of gastric mucosal blood flow and mucous secretion are important for the homeostasis of the gastric mucosa. The present study was performed to ascertain whether or not capsaicin, which can protect the stomach from noxious stimuli, affects gastric motor activity.Methods:  Male Sprague–Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane, and the stomach was cannulated by two catheters from esophageal and duodenal sides. A biopolar electrode was fixed to the serosal surface of the antrum and myoelectrical activity was recorded during the instillation of a small volume of solutions.Results:  The myoelectrical activity of rat gastric smooth muscle was increased at intragastric pressures of >2 cmH2O. Replacement of intragastric physiological saline with 1.6 mmol/L capsaicin solution significantly suppressed this myoelectrical activity by 50%. Intragastric capsaicin administration caused a significant release of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). The maximum released levels of CGRP in the gastric perfusates were 100‐fold those of SP. The myoelectrical activity observed at an intragastric pressure of 2 cmH2O was avoided by continuous infusion of CGRP (0.1–3.0 nmol/kg per min) into the gastric artery in a dose‐dependent manner, but not by that of SP (1.0 nmol/kg per min). Continuous CGRP‐(8‐37) infusion into the gastric artery completely blocked the reduction by intragastric capsaicin of myoelectrical activity.Conclusion:  These results suggest that the suppression of the myoelectrical activity of gastric smooth muscle by capsaicin is attributable to the endogenous CGRP released.
Usefulness of combined measurement of serum bile acids and ferritin as additional prognostic markers to predict failure to reach sustained response to antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: JORQUERA FRANCISCO , MONTE MARIA J , GUERRA JOSE , SANCHEZ‐CAMPOS SONIA , MERAYO JOSE A , OLCÓZ JOSE L , GONZÁLEZ‐GALLEGO JAVIER , MARIN JOSE J G 
Published: April 2005

AbstractAim: To investigate the relationship between serum levels of ferritin and bile acids (BA) and the response to antiviral treatment in chronic hepatitis C (HCV).Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 35 control volunteers and 50 patients receiving interferon alpha‐2b alone or plus ribavirin for 48 weeks. These were classified as sustained responders (SR) for >6 months after therapy (n = 17), non‐responders (NR) (n = 27) and relapsers (RL) (n = 6). Before treatment, serum ferritin levels were determined by immunoturbidometry, 3α‐hydroxyl‐BA levels (S‐3α‐OH‐BA) were assayed enzymatically and total (desulfated, deglucuronidated and deamidated) BA concentrations (STBA) by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry.Results: STBA were lower in controls than in patients (SR < NR + RL). The highest levels of cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid families were found in NR + RL. Levels of cholic acid family were similar in controls and SR, whereas those of chenodeoxycholic acid family were higher in SR than in controls. A significant correlation between STBA (but not S‐3α‐OH‐BA) and ferritin was found. Apparent value to predict the absence of a sustained response was calculated by combining elevated ferritin (>300 µg/mL) and STBA or individual BA species at different cut‐off values. The best degree of certainty (100% specificity) was obtained using STBA >15 µM.Conclusion: These results recommend that larger prospective trials should be performed in chronic HCV patients to evaluate the usefulness of combined measuring of STBA and ferritin as additional prognostic markers to predict the existence of a very low probability of a sustained response to the current standard treatment, i.e. pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin.
Clinical features of HBsAg‐negative but anti‐HBc‐positive hepatocellular carcinoma in a hepatitis B virus endemic area
Authors: SHIM JAEJUN , KIM BYUNG‐HO , KIM NAM HOON , DONG SEOK HO , KIM HYO JONG , CHANG YOUNG WOON , LEE JOUNG IL , CHANG RIN 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackgound:  The presence of antibody to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) IgG in serum usually means a past infection of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The clinical characteristics of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), who have only a marker for past HBV infection, were investigated.Methods:  A total of 565 HCC patients were classified according to their markers for HBV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The clinical features and the survival rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)(–)/anti‐HBc(+) patients were compared to those of HBsAg(+) patients.Results:  Four hundred and three patients were positive for HBsAg (B group, 71.3%), 64 were positive for anti‐HCV (11.3%), and 90 were negative for both HBsAg and anti‐HCV (N group, 15.9%). In the N group, 71 were positive for anti‐HBc (PB group, 12.6% of total patients). The clinical characteristics of the PB group were different from those of the B group: age at diagnosis (60.6 ± 9.6 vs 53.3 ± 10.6 years, P < 0.001), habitual drinking (59.2% vs 23.6%, P < 0.001), family history of liver disease (9.9% vs 38.9%, P < 0.005), detection with periodic screening (28.2% vs 50.4%, P < 0.001), and elevated α‐fetoprotein (53.5% vs 76.2%, P < 0.001). In both the PB group and the B group, liver cirrhosis was accompanied by a similar high prevalence (74.6% vs 89.1%). However, there was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate.Conclusions:  The prevalence of HBsAg(–)/anti‐HBc(+) HCC is not rare or more common than that of anti‐HCV(+) HCC in Korea, a high HBV endemic area. Although some differences in clinical characteristics may imply a different pathogenesis, chronic HBV infection or habitual drinking may be major contributing factors in the development of HCC in these patients.
Clinicopathologic features of patients with primary malignant hepatic tumors seropositive for α‐fetoprotein‐L3 alone in comparison with other patients seropositive for α‐fetoprotein‐L3
Authors: OKUDA HIROAKI , SAITO AKIKO , SHIRATORI KEIKO , YAMAMOTO MASAKAZU , TAKASAKI KEN , NAKANO MASAYUKI 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground:  Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) seropositive for lectin‐reactive α‐fetoprotein (AFP‐L3) have a poor prognosis. However, there have been no studies of the clinicopathologic features of patients seronegative for both AFP and des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin (DCP), and seropositive for AFP‐L3 alone in comparison with other patients seropositive for AFP‐L3.Methods:  Patients with primary malignant hepatic tumors seropositive for AFP‐L3 who underwent hepatectomy (n = 84) were divided into four groups, and their clinicopathologic features were compared: (i) group A, seronegative for AFP <100 ng/mL and DCP <40 mAU/mL; (ii) group B, seropositive for AFP ≥100 ng/mL and seronegative for DCP; (iii) group C, seronegative for AFP and seropositive for DCP ≥40 mAU/mL; and (iv) group D, seropositive for AFP and DCP.Results:  Among the 14 group A patients seropositive for AFP‐L3 alone with low AFP concentrations, three had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), one had a cholangiolocellular carcinoma, one had combined HCC and ICC, and one had undifferentiated hepatic sarcoma. Group A had a higher incidence of non‐HCC tumors (P < 0.001) and tumors derived from cholangiocytes (P < 0.001) than the other three groups. They also had a high frequency of poorly differentiated tumors and sarcomatous changes, and showed a poor prognosis.Conclusions:  Patients with primary malignant hepatic tumors seropositive for AFP‐L3 alone with low AFP concentrations have unique clinicopathologic features. Thus, we should be aware of these patients and should measure AFP‐L3 levels, at least once, even in those seronegative for both AFP and DCP.
Pegylated versus standard interferon‐α in antiviral regimens for post‐transplant recurrent hepatitis C: Comparison of tolerability and efficacy
Authors: TONIUTTO PIERLUIGI , FABRIS CARLO , FUMO ELISABETTA , APOLLONIO LUCA , CALDATO MAYA , AVELLINI CLAUDIO , MINISINI ROSALBA , PIRISI MARIO 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground: In the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, regimens including pegylated interferon‐α are superior to those including standard interferon; the present retrospective study was performed to verify whether the same is applicable to biopsy‐proven recurrent hepatitis C (genotype 1b) after liver transplantation (OLT).Methods: Twenty‐four patients (16 male) were studied. Twelve had received interferon‐α2b (IFN), 9 MU weekly and 12 received pegylated interferon‐α2b (PEG‐IFN), 0.5 µg/kg weekly. All had received oral ribavirin 600–800 mg/day. Treatment duration was intended for 12 months. A repeat liver biopsy, with evaluation of the Ishak grading and staging scores, was obtained at 1 year.Results: Only 12/24 patients (50%) completed a full year of therapy; 17 (71%) experienced side‐effects requiring a 50% dosage reduction or discontinuation of the IFN, PEG‐IFN and/or ribavirin. This was observed in 6/12 patients (50%) treated with IFN in comparison to 11/12 patients (92%) treated with PEG‐IFN (P < 0.05). The difference was mainly accounted for by anemia and leukopenia that were reported in 4/12 IFN patients (33%) versus 9/12 PEG‐IFN patients (75%; P < 0.05), respectively. End‐of‐treatment viral response (ETVR) and histological response were always associated and occurred in 4/24 patients (17%), two in each treatment arm. Patients with ETVR were younger, had always completed 1 year of therapy, had had recurrent hepatitis later after transplantation and presented a higher baseline grading score.Conclusions: In the OLT setting, the potential benefits of antiviral treatments including PEG‐IFN may be limited by the poor tolerability of the adopted drugs.
Norfloxacin and cisapride combination decreases the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic ascites
Authors: SANDHU BIMALJIT S , GUPTA RAJESH , SHARMA JAYANT , SINGH JAGDEEP , MURTHY NANDAGUDI S , SARIN SHIV K 
Published: April 2005

AbstractBackground: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication of cirrhosis with ascites, having high recurrence despite antibiotic prophylaxis. Small bowel dysmotility and bacterial overgrowth have been documented to be related to SBP. The purpose of the present paper was (i) to study whether addition of a prokinetic agent to norfloxacin ameliorates the development of SBP in high‐risk patients; and (ii) to identify risk factors for SBP development.Methods: A prospective, single blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted in high‐risk cirrhotic patients with ascites who had either recovered from an episode of SBP or who had low ascitic fluid protein. Norfloxacin 400 mg once daily (group I) or norfloxacin 400 mg once daily with cisapride 20 mg twice a day (group II) was given and occurrence of side‐effects of therapy and mortality were recorded.Results: Of the 94 patients, 48 (51%) were in group I, and 46 (49%) in group II. The actuarial probability of developing SBP at 12 month in group I was 56.8% and in group II, 21.7% (P = 0.026). Treatment failure was observed in five patients (10%) in group I and none in group II (P = 0.003). The actuarial probability of death at 18 months was 20.6% in group I and 6.2% in group II (P = 0.1). Low serum albumin, low ascitic fluid protein and alcoholic cirrhosis were related to development of SBP (P < 0.05). Additionally, low serum albumin (2.8 g/dL), gastrointestinal bleeding, alcoholic cirrhosis and low ascitic fluid protein were significantly associated with multiple occurrences of SBP.Conclusions: Prophylaxis with norfloxacin and cisapride significantly reduces the incidence of SBP in high‐risk cirrhosis patients; low serum albumin, low ascitic fluid protein and alcoholic cirrhosis predispose to the development of SBP in high‐risk cirrhosis patients; and low ascitic fluid protein should also be considered as a risk factor for the development of SBP requiring prophylaxis.