bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β-Defensin-3 and -4 in intestinal epithelial cells display increased mRNA expression in ulcerative colitis
Authors: FAHLGREN A , HAMMARSTRÖM S , DANIELSSON Å , HAMMARSTRÖM M-L 
Published: July 2004

SUMMARYmRNA expression of two recently described human β-defensins (hBD-3 and hBD-4) in epithelial cells of normal small and large intestine and the impact of chronic intestinal inflammation on their expression levels was investigated. Intestinal specimens from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD) and controls with no history of inflammatory bowel disease were studied. hBD-3 and hBD-4 mRNAs were determined in freshly isolated epithelial cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) and by in situ hybridization. The effect of proinflammatory cytokines on hBD-3 and hBD-4 mRNA expression in colon carcinoma cells was also investigated. Purified epithelial cells of normal small and large intestine expressed both hBD-3 and hBD-4 mRNA, with higher expression levels of hBD-3 mRNA. In situ hybridization revealed higher levels of mRNA expression in the crypt- compared to the villus/luminal-compartment. Interferon (IFN)-γ, but not tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α or IL-1β, augmented hBD-3 mRNA expression. None of these agents stimulated hBD-4 expression. Colonic epithelial cells from patients with UC displayed a significant increase in hBD-3 and hBD-4 mRNA compared to epithelial cells of controls. In contrast, small intestinal epithelial cells from CD patients did not show increased expression levels compared to the corresponding control cells. Moreover, Crohn's colitis did not show increased expression of hBD-4 mRNA, while the data are inconclusive for hBD-3 mRNA. We conclude that the chronic inflammatory reaction induced in the colon of UC patients enhances hBD-3 and hBD-4 mRNA expression in the epithelium, whereas in CD this is less evident.
Isolation and functional analysis of circulating dendritic cells from hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA-positive and HCV RNA-negative patients with chronic hepatitis C: role of antiviral therapy
Authors: TSUBOUCHI E , AKBAR S M F , MURAKAMI H , HORIIKE N , ONJI M 
Published: July 2004

SUMMARYHepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA has been localized in antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) from patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). DCs from patients with CHC also exhibit impaired functional capacities. However, HCV RNA in DCs and functional impairment of DCs in CHC might be independent or interrelated events. Moreover, the impact of antiviral therapy on the functions of DCs in CHC is not well documented. In order to address these issues, we took advantage of antiviral therapy in these patients. Ten patients with CHC, expressing HCV RNA in circulating DCs, became negative for HCV RNA in circulating DCs after therapy with interferon-α and ribavirin for 4 weeks. The functions of DCs from HCV RNA+ patients (isolated before antiviral therapy) and HCV RNA– patients (isolated 4 weeks after antiviral therapy) were compared in allogenic mixed leucocyte reactions. In comparison to circulating DCs from normal control subjects, DCs from HCV RNA+ patients had a significantly decreased capacity to stimulate allogenic T lymphocytes (P &lt; 0·01) and produce interleukin-12 (P &lt; 0·05). However, the allostimulatory capacity of circulating DCs from HCV RNA– patients was several-fold higher compared to that of HCV RNA+ DCs from the same patient. DC from HCV RNA– patients also produced significantly higher levels of interleukin-12 compared to HCV RNA+ DCs from the same patient (P &lt; 0·01). Taken together, this study is the first to provide experimental evidence regarding the impact of HCV RNA and antiviral therapy on the function of DCs in patients with CHC.
Anti-inflammatory effect ofViscum albumagglutinin-I (VAA-I): induction of apoptosis in activated neutrophils and inhibition of lipopolysaccharide-induced neutrophilic inflammationin vivo
Authors: LAVASTRE V , CAVALLI H , RATTHE C , GIRARD D 
Published: July 2004

SUMMARYViscum album agglutinin-I (VAA-I) is a plant lectin which possesses antitumoral properties. This lectin is also known for its immunostimulatory effects when used at low concentrations (1–100 ng/ml). We have demonstrated recently that VAA-I is a potent inducer of human neutrophil apoptosis in vitro when used at higher concentrations. The role of VAA-I on activated neutrophils has not so far been investigated and its potential proinflammatory properties in vivo are poorly documented. Herein, we demonstrated that VAA-I (1000 ng/ml) induces apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human neutrophils in vitro as well as in murine neutrophils isolated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neutrophil influx. Using this model, we found that administration of VAA-I (100 or 1000 ng/ml) did not induce an inflammatory response. However, when used at 1 or 10 ng/ml, VAA-I was found to significantly induce a transitory inflammatory response, based on an increased leucocyte infiltration (&gt;98% neutrophils). Also, we found that VAA-I inhibits LPS-induced neutrophil influx when administered simultaneously with LPS. In such conditions, some characteristic apoptotic neutrophils were observed in the pouch. Unlike LPS, which increased the production of some cytokines, VAA-I (1 or 10 ng/ml) did not increase the production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1Ra, IL-1α, IL-β, IL-8, IL-10 or IL-12 (p70) in human neutrophils. We conclude that VAA-I possesses the ability to induce apoptosis of preactivated neutrophils at a concentration that does not induce a proinflammatory response. Moreover, we conclude that VAA-I can inhibit a LPS-induced proinflammatory response in vivo. These data may provide new clinical perspectives in future mistletoe therapy and favour its potential utilization based on anti-inflammatory activity that at first appears contradictory with its use as immunostimulant.
DNA vaccination encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase can enhance insulitis and diabetes in correlation with a specific Th2/3 CD4 T cell response in non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: GAUVRIT A , DEBAILLEUL M , VU A-T , SAÏ P , BACH J-M 
Published: July 2004

SUMMARYDNA vaccination encoding β cell autoantigens has been shown very recently to prevent type I diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. However, DNA vaccination encoding microbial or reporter antigens is known to induce specific long-lasting CD4 Th1 and strong cytolytic CD8 T cell responses. As this immune phenotype is associated strongly with β cell destruction leading to diabetes, we have chosen to study the effects of plasmids encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a crucial β cell autoantigen, in female NOD mice that developed a ‘moderate’ diabetes incidence. In the present study, 3-week-old  female  NOD  mice  were  vaccinated  twice  in  tibialis  muscles  with  plasmid-DNA  encoding 65-kDa GAD or βgalactosidase. In GAD-DNA immunized mice, diabetes cumulative incidence (P &lt; 3·10−3) and insulitis (P &lt; 7·10−3) increased significantly. Simultaneously, DNA immunization induced GAD-specific CD4 T cells secreting interleukin (IL)-4 (P &lt; 0·05) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β (P = 0·03). These cells were detected in spleen and in pancreatic lymph nodes. Furthermore, vaccination produced high amounts of Th2 cytokine-related IgG1 (P &lt; 3·10−3) and TGF-β-related IgG2b to GAD (P = 0·015). Surprisingly, diabetes onset was correlated positively with Th2-related GAD-specific IgG1 (P &lt; 10−4) and TGF-β-related IgG2b (P &lt; 3·10−3). Moreover, pancreatic lesions resembled Th2-related allergic inflammation. These results indicate, for the first time, that GAD-DNA vaccination could increase insulitis and diabetes in NOD mice. In addition, our study suggests that Th2/3 cells may have potentiated β cell injury.
Role of peptide antigen for induction of inhibitory antibodies toStreptococcus mutansin human oral cavity
Authors: TSUHA Y , HANADA N , ASANO T , ABEI T , YAMAGUCHI S , SALAM M A , NAKAO R , TAKEUCHI H , KUROSAKI N , SENPUKU H 
Published: July 2004

SUMMARYThe alanine-rich repeating region (A-region) in the surface protein antigen (PAc) of Streptococcus mutans has received much attention as an antigenic component for vaccines against dental caries. The PAc (residue 361–386) peptide in the A-region possesses a multiple binding motif (L- -V-K- -A) to various HLA-DR molecules and a B-cell core epitope (- Y- - -L- -Y- - - -) that recognizes the inhibiting antibody to S. mutans. In the present study, we investigated the immunogenicity of the PAc (361–386) peptide in humans and regulators of induction of the anti-PAc (361–386) peptide IgA antibody (aPPA) in saliva. The PAc (361–386) peptide was confirmed as an ideal peptide antigen for induction of the inhibiting antibody to S. mutans in 151 healthy human subjects (36·6 ± 12·6 years old) by quantitative analyses of oral bacteria and ELISA, as the aPPA titre in human saliva decreased significantly in an age-dependent manner. Homozygous DRB1*0405 and 1502, and heterozygous DRB1*0405/1502 showed a negative association with production of aPPA and tended to reduce the number of total streptococci in saliva. In contrast, the DRB1*1501 allele was significantly correlated with a high level of induction of the antibodies, and also tended to reduce lactobacilli and mutans streptococci. Further, peptide immunogenicity was confirmed in NOD-SCID mice grafted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results indicate that the interplay between regulators such as age, DRB1 genotype, cytokines, and peptide immunogenicity may provide a potential means for developing a vaccine useful for the prevention of dental caries as well as their diagnosis.
Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome Type 2: the tip of an iceberg?
Authors: Betterle C , Lazzarotto F , Presotto F 
Published: July 2004

SUMMARYAutoimmune polyglandular syndromes (APS) are conditions characterized by the association of two or more organ-specific disorders. Type 2 APS is defined by the occurrence of Addison's disease with thyroid autoimmune disease and/or Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Clinically overt disorders are considered only the tip of the autoimmune iceberg, since latent forms are much more frequent. Historical, clinical, genetic, and immunological aspects of Type 2 APS are reviewed. Furthermore, data on 146 personal cases of Type 2 APS are also reported.
Alternatively spliced transcripts of Fas mRNAs in feline lymphoid cells
Authors: Mizuno T. , Baba K. , Goto Y. , Masuda K. , Ohno K. , Tsujimoto H. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryFas belongs to the tumour necrosis factor receptor family and transduces the death signal after binding to the Fas ligand. Five feline lymphoma cell lines were shown, by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, to express six species of Fas transcripts. Based on sequence comparison of these Fas transcripts with the genomic Fas gene, five of the six transcripts were found to be generated through alternative splicing and to encode five different Fas proteins lacking the transmembrane domain. We also detected such alternatively spliced transcripts in primary tumour tissues from cats with naturally occurring lymphoma. These results suggest a possible association of the alternatively spliced Fas variants with the pathogenesis of feline lymphoma.
Association between platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM‐1/CD31) polymorphisms and acute myocardial infarction: a study in patients from Sicily
Authors: Listì F. , Candore G. , Lio D. , Cavallone L. , Colonna‐Romano G. , Caruso M. , Hoffmann E. , Caruso C. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryAdhesion of circulating cells to the arterial surface is among the first detectable events in atherogenesis. Cellular adhesion molecules, expressed by the vascular endothelium and by circulating leucocytes, mediate cell recruitment and their transendothelial migration. Platelet endothelial cellular adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM‐1/CD31), involved in this migration, has been associated with the developmental course of atherosclerosis. A few studies have investigated an association between coronary heart disease and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in functionally important domains of the PECAM‐1/CD31 gene. In particular, Ser563Asn and Gly670Arg SNPs have been described as susceptibility factors involved in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Japanese male population. To confirm these observations, we studied 96 male patients (mean age 40 years; age range 20–46) affected by AMI and 118 healthy male controls (mean age 38 years, age range: 20–55), and analysed for the following PECAM‐1/CD31 SNPs: Val125Leu, Asn563Ser and Gly670Arg. The frequency of the Gly670Arg polymorphism was significantly higher in patients with AMI (58.9% vs. 48.3%; P = 0.019), whereas the frequencies of the other two SNPs (Leu125Val and Ser563Asn) were not significantly different between patients and controls. By comparing the observed number of 670Arg/Arg genotypes in the patients with the expected number, calculated from the allele frequency in a healthy population, a significance of P = 0.02 (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% CI: 1.1–3.7) was obtained, supporting a recessive model of inheritance. Hence, the differences between patients and controls are significant, but relatively small. However, as AMI is a multifactorial disease, any single mutation will only provide a small or modest contribution to the risk, which also depends on environmental interaction. All in all, we believe that the results of the present study would add support to the role of pro/anti‐inflammatory genotypes in determining susceptibility or resistance to immune‐inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis.
Effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the RANTES promoter region in healthy and HIV‐infected indigenous Chinese*
Authors: Zhao X.‐Y. , Lee S. S. , Wong K. H. , Chan K. C. W. , Ma S. , Yam W.‐C. , Yuen K. Y. , Ng M. H. , Zheng B. J. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryWe determined the occurrence of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) −403A/G and −28C/G in the promoter region of RANTES in 1082 Chinese blood donors from northern and southern China and 249 HIV patients from southern China. Compared to healthy adults, Chinese AIDS patients had a significantly higher frequency of the −403G allele and haplotype I, −403G/−28C (P < 0.05), and a lower frequency of the −403A/A genotype (P < 0.01). Symptomatic patients had a higher frequency of the −28G allele and a lower frequency of the −28C/C genotype (P ≤ 0.01). The plasma RANTES level was significantly lower in blood donors homozygous for haplotype I than in those who were homozygous for haplotypes II and III (P < 0.05). The frequency of the −403G allele was found to be higher in Chinese than in indigenous Africans, but lower than in Caucasians, Hispanics, and African Americans. The frequency of the −28G allele was comparable in Chinese and Japanese; this allele is rare in other ethnic groups. Results suggest that −403G may be associated with increased susceptibility to HIV infection, while −28G may be associated with advanced disease progression. The impact of SNPs on HIV infection appears to be unique in Chinese.
HLA‐DRB1 genotyping in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Taiwan
Authors: Huang J.‐L. , Yeh C.‐C. , Shaw C.‐K. , Yao T.‐C. , Chen L.‐C. , Lee T.‐D. , Kuo M.‐L. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryThe object of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between HLA‐DRB1 alleles and the development of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Taiwan. HLA‐DRB1 alleles were studied in 60 patients with JIA and 200 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes (SSO). The frequency of HLA‐DRB1*0405 in patients with JIA was found to be significantly higher than that in healthy controls [odds ratio (OR) 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–6.91]. The DRB1*0405 allele was significantly associated with the development of both polyarthritis (OR 4.30, 95% CI 1.34–13.80) and oligoarthritis (OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.01–10.58). The frequency of HLA‐DRB1*1502 was higher in Taiwanese JIA patients with systemic arthritis than in controls (OR 18.09, 95% CI 2.25–145.73). We conclude that, in Taiwan, HLA‐DRB1*0405 is associated with the development of polyarthritis and oligoarthritis in children, and HLA‐DRB1*1502 is associated with the development of systemic arthritis.
Detection of polymorphisms in the tumour necrosis factor alpha candidate gene in sheep
Authors: Alvarez‐Busto J. , Ruiz‐Nuñez A. , Mazón L. I. , Jugo B. M. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryPrimers based on GenBank sequences of the ovine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α gene were designed to amplify a 273‐bp fragment comprising part of the fourth exon and the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the ovine TNF‐α gene. Five different single‐strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) patterns were detected in a number of unrelated animals and three different alleles were identified and sequenced. These alleles differed in one deletion and one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and were named TNF*01, TNF*02 and TNF*03. These alleles corresponded to three sequences previously characterized by other groups. In the population analysis, no significant differences were found in the frequencies of the Latxa and Rasa breeds. This is the first description of allelic variation in the ovine TNF‐α gene.
Invertebrate community structure in streams of the Manawatu–Wanganui region, New Zealand: the roles of catchment versus reach scale influences
Authors: Death Russell G. , Joy Michael K. 
Published: July 2004

Summary1. Invertebrate communities at 187 least impacted streams in the Manawatu–Wanganui region of New Zealand were sampled between February and May 2000 to investigate the relative influence of catchment and reach scale environmental influences on community structure.2. Of the 138 biological (fish and periphyton), local habitat and catchment scale descriptors used to examine invertebrate community patterns, alkalinity and conductivity were the most consistently influential predictors.3. Of the 52 geographical information system (GIS)‐derived catchment variables (catchment geology, catchment land use, rainfall and topography) only per cent catchment in pasture, indigenous forest, coastal sand, crushed argillite and wind blown sand were associated with any measures of the invertebrate communities.4. Grouping of communities based on GIS data in general, did not generate distinct community types. Groupings based on river catchment, conductivity and alkalinity however, did produce distinct communities.5. Streams with very low alkalinity were dominated by Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera that were gradually replaced by Mollusca, Crustacea and Chironomidae as alkalinity increases.6. Habitat characteristics measured at the scale of the reach were more closely linked with measures of invertebrate community structure than any GIS derived variables or river classifications.
Two hundred years of a diverse Daphnia community in Lake Naivasha (Kenya): effects of natural and human‐induced environmental changes
Authors: Mergeay Joachim , Verschuren Dirk , Kerckhoven Liesbeth Van , Meester Luc De 
Published: July 2004

Summary1. We used fossil diapausing eggs extracted from 210Pb‐dated sediment cores to reconstruct historical changes in the Daphnia community of Lake Naivasha, a climate‐sensitive lake in Kenya which over the past 200 years has experienced a series of well‐documented natural and anthropogenic environmental changes.2. Contiguous sampling and analysis of four cores yielded ephippial capsules of eight Daphnia species. Only two of these had been recorded previously in live collections from Lake Naivasha, and one species is new to science. The four more common species (Daphnia barbata, D. laevis, D. magna, and D. pulex) show striking differences in abundance patterns and population dynamics through time. Four other species (D. lumholtzi, D. curvirostris, D. longispina s.l., and Daphnia sp. nov. type Limuru.) appear to have been present only occasionally. Nevertheless, between 1895 and 1915 seven species of Daphnia inhabited Lake Naivasha simultaneously.3. Despite considerable natural environmental change associated with climate‐driven lake‐level fluctuations, the Daphnia community of Lake Naivasha has been severely affected by human activities over the past century, especially the introduction of exotic fishes and water‐quality changes because of agricultural soil erosion. The recent reappearance of large‐bodied Daphnia species (D. magna, D. barbata, D. lumholtzi, Daphnia sp. nov. type Limuru) after 20–110 years of absence can be explained by their release from fish predation, following a dramatic increase in turbidity caused by excess clastic sediment input from eroded catchment soils. The small‐bodied species D. laevis has fared less well recently, presumably because the benefit of lowered predation pressure is counteracted by more pronounced negative effects of increased turbidity on this species and loss of submerged macrophyte beds which formerly served as predation refuge.4. Our results suggest that, despite considerable environmental instability and the absence of specialised zooplanktivores, top‐down control of fish on large zooplankton is important in Lake Naivasha. Predation pressure from fish has led to clear‐cut shifts in local Daphnia species composition, but failed to drive the larger taxa to extinction.
The influence of crevice size on the protection of epilithic algae from grazers
Authors: Bergey Elizabeth A. , Weaver Jennifer E. 
Published: July 2004

Summary1. This study investigated how the size of crevices might affect their effectiveness as refuges for diatom‐dominated algal assemblages from the grazing minnow Campostoma anomalum.2. Crevice size was manipulated by making fired‐clay substrates, using moulds to produce eight substrates with pits from 1.17 to 22.0 mm diameter. Non‐pitted clay‐stones and limestone were also tested. Cages were used to control the access of Campostoma to arrays of the 10 different algal‐colonised substrates. The grazing treatments were: open and grazed, caged and ungrazed, and a grazed cage control. The experiment was replicated in eight large outdoor tanks. After 3 weeks, substrates were brushed and chlorophyll a concentrations of the removed algae and the algae remaining in pits were measured.3. The experiment was field‐validated by exposing arrays of substrates to grazing Campostoma in five pools of a limestone stream.4. The clay‐stone and limestone substrates accrued similar algal biomass and assemblages.5. Smaller crevices provided more protection against grazing than larger crevices. Specifically, pits with openings smaller than 2 mm protected the enclosed algal assemblages in both the tank and field experiments. Larger pits provided less protection and pits over 7 mm in diameter were heavily grazed and may even be preferentially grazed by Campostoma.6. None of the tested pit sizes were protective against larval chironomid grazers in the tank experiment, demonstrating that differences in the grazer size influence the effectiveness of crevice refuges.