bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential cytokine mRNA expression in heterophils isolated from Salmonella‐resistant and ‐susceptible chickens
Authors: Swaggerty Christina L. , Kogut Michael H. , Ferro Pamela J. , Rothwell Lisa , Pevzner Igal Y. , Kaiser Pete 
Published: August 2004

SummaryWe recently showed that increased in vitro heterophil functional efficiency translates to increased in vivo resistance to a systemic Salmonella enteritidis (SE) infection utilizing a parental pair of broiler chickens (lines A and B) and the F1 reciprocal crosses (C and D). Heterophils produce cytokines and modulate acute protection against Salmonella in young poultry. Therefore, we hypothesize that heterophils from SE‐resistant chickens (A and D) have the ability to produce an up‐regulated pro‐inflammatory cytokine response compared to that of heterophils from SE‐susceptible chickens (B and C). In this study, heterophils were isolated from day‐old chickens and treated with either RPMI‐1640 (as the control), or phagocytic agonists (SE, or SE opsonized with either normal chicken serum or immune serum against SE) and cytokine mRNA expression assessed using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Heterophils from SE‐resistant chickens (A and D) had significantly higher levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokine (interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐18) mRNA expression upon treatment with all agonists compared to heterophils from SE‐susceptible lines (B and C). Further, heterophils from SE‐resistant chickens had significantly decreased mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor‐β4, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, when compared to heterophils from SE‐susceptible chickens. These data indicate cytokine gene expression in heterophils may be a useful parameter in determining resistance to Salmonella, as indicated by our previous in vivo SE studies. Therefore, heterophil functional efficiency and cytokine production may be useful biomarkers for poultry breeders to consider when developing new immunocompetent lines of birds.
Mutant forms of tumour necrosis factor receptor I that occur in TNF‐receptor‐associated periodic syndrome retain signalling functions but show abnormal behaviour
Authors: Todd Ian , Radford Paul M. , Draper‐Morgan Kelly‐Ann , McIntosh Richard , Bainbridge Susan , Dickinson Peter , Jamhawi Lama , Sansaridis Marios , Huggins Mary L. , Tighe Patrick J. , Powell Richard J. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryTumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐receptor‐associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a hereditary autoinflammatory disorder involving autosomal‐dominant missense mutations in TNF receptor superfamily 1A (TNFRSF1A) ectodomains. To elucidate the molecular effects of TRAPS‐related mutations, we transfected HEK‐293 cells to produce lines stably expressing high levels of either wild‐type (WT) or single mutant recombinant forms of TNFRSF1A. Mutants with single amino acid substitutions in the first cysteine‐rich domain (CRD1) were produced both as full‐length receptor proteins and as truncated forms lacking the cytoplasmic signalling domain (Δsig). High‐level expression of either WT or mutant full‐length TNFRSF1A spontaneously induced apoptosis and interleukin‐8 production, indicating that the mutations in CRD1 did not abrogate signalling. Consistent with this, WT and mutant full‐length TNFRSF1A formed cytoplasmic aggregates that co‐localized with ubiquitin and chaperones, and with the signal transducer TRADD, but not with the inhibitor, silencer of death domain (SODD). Furthermore, as expected, WT and mutant Δsig forms of TNFRSF1A did not induce apoptosis or interleukin‐8 production. However, whereas the WT full‐length TNFRSF1A was expressed both in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface, the mutant receptors showed strong cytoplasmic expression but reduced cell‐surface expression. The WT and mutant Δsig forms of TNFRSF1A were all expressed at the cell surface, but a proportion of the mutant receptors were also retained in the cytoplasm and co‐localized with BiP. Furthermore, the mutant forms of surface‐expressed Δsig TNFRSF1A were defective in binding TNF‐α. We conclude that TRAPS‐related CRD1 mutants of TNFRSF1A possess signalling properties associated with the cytoplasmic death domain, but other behavioural features of the mutant receptors are abnormal, including intracellular trafficking and TNF binding.
Engagement of the CD137 (4‐1BB) costimulatory molecule inhibits and reverses the autoimmune process in collagen‐induced arthritis and establishes lasting disease resistance
Authors: Foell Juergen L. , Diez‐Mendiondo Belkis I. , Diez Oliver H. , Holzer Ursula , Ruck Peter , Bapat Abhijit S. , Hoffmann Michael K. , Mittler Robert S. , Dannecker Guenther E. 
Published: August 2004

SummaryAgonistic antibodies against CD137 act as costimulators in the activation of CD8 T cells. They enhance the immune response against syngeneic tumour grafts and suppress T cell‐dependent humoral immune responses in vivo. The present study was undertaken to determine whether suppression of antibody production by anti‐CD137 mAb affects the development of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Male DBA/1J mice were immunized with bovine collagen II (CII) and treated with an agonistic anti‐CD137 mAb or an isotype‐matched control mAb. Mice were assessed regularly for macro‐ and microscopic signs of arthritis and for the appearance of collagen‐specific antibody production. Interferon (IFN)‐γ determination, FACS analysis of splenocytes and histopathological joint examinations were performed after the animals were killed. Administration of anti‐CD137 mAb at the time of collagen immunization blocked the development of disease and inhibited the humoral immune response against CII. Agonistic anti‐CD137 mAb exhibited therapeutic efficacy even after the immune response to CII had succeeded and the disease became apparent. Furthermore, it induced a protective memory in the animals, enabling resistance to subsequent challenges with the pathogenic antigen. Our results suggest a key role for CD137 in the pathogenesis of CIA. This model provides insights into immunoregulatory conditions that control the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
The macrophage and the apoptotic cell: an innate immune interaction viewed simplistically?
Authors: Gregory Christopher D. , Devitt Andrew 
Published: August 2004

SummaryMacrophages play important roles in the clearance of dying and dead cells. Typically, and perhaps simplistically, they are viewed as the professional phagocytes of apoptotic cells. Clearance by macrophages of cells undergoing apoptosis is a non‐phlogistic phenomenon which is often associated with actively anti‐inflammatory phagocyte responses. By contrast, macrophage responses to necrotic cells, including secondarily necrotic cells derived from uncleared apoptotic cells, are perceived as proinflammatory. Indeed, persistence of apoptotic cells as a result of defective apoptotic‐cell clearance has been found to be associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Here we review the mechanisms by which macrophages interact with, and respond to, apoptotic cells. We suggest that macrophages are especially important in clearing cells at sites of histologically visible, high‐rate apoptosis and that, otherwise, apoptotic cells are removed largely by non‐macrophage neighbours. We challenge the view that necrotic cells, including persistent apoptotic cells are, of necessity, proinflammatory and immunostimulatory and suggest that, under appropriate circumstances, persistent apoptotic cells can provide a prolonged anti‐inflammatory stimulus.
Bigfoot: a new family of MITE elements characterized from theMedicagogenus
Authors: Charrier Bénédicte , Foucher Fabrice , Kondorosi Eva , D’Aubenton‐Carafa Yves , Thermes Claude , Kondorosi Adam , Ratet Pascal 
Published: August 2004

SummaryWe have characterized from the legume plant Medicagoa new family of miniature inverted‐repeat transposable elements (MITE), called the Bigfoot transposable elements. Two of these insertion elements are present only in a single allele of two different M. sativagenes. Using a PCR strategy we have isolated 19 other Bigfoot elements from the M. sativa and M. truncatula genomes. They differ from the previously characterized MITEs by their sequence, a target site of 9 bp and a partially clustered genomic distribution. In addition, we show that they exhibit a significantly stable secondary structure. These elements may represent up to 0.1% of the genome of the outcrossing Medicago sativa but are present at a reduced copy number in the genome of the autogamous M. truncatula plant, revealing major differences in the genome organization of these two plants.
Genetic architecture of population differences in oviposition behaviour of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus
Authors: Fox C. W. , Stillwell R. C. , Amarillo-S A. R. , Czesak M. E. , Messina F. J. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Few studies have examined the genetic architecture of population differences in behaviour and its implications for population differentiation and adaptation. Even fewer have examined whether differences in genetic architecture depend on the environment in which organisms are reared or tested. We examined the genetic basis of differences in oviposition preference and egg dispersion between Asian (SI) and African (BF) populations of the seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. We reared and tested females on each of two host legumes (cowpea and mung bean). The two populations differed in mean oviposition preference (BF females preferred cowpea seeds more strongly than did SI females) and egg dispersion (SI females distributed eggs more uniformly among seeds than did BF females). Observations of hybrid and backcross individuals indicated that only the population difference in oviposition preference could be explained by complete additivity, whereas substantial dominance and epistasis contributed to the differences in egg dispersion. Both rearing host and test host affected the relative magnitude of population differences in egg dispersion and the composite genetic effects. Our results thus demonstrate that the relative influence of epistasis and dominance on the behaviour of hybrids depends on the behaviour measured and that different aspects of insect oviposition are under different genetic control. In addition, the observed effect of rearing host and oviposition host on the relative importance of dominance and epistasis indicates that the genetic basis of population differences depends on the environment in which genes are expressed.
Genetic assimilation can occur in the absence of selection for the assimilating phenotype, suggesting a role for the canalization heuristic
Authors: Masel J. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Genetic assimilation occurs when an acquired trait loses dependency on its environmental trigger and becomes an inherited trait. According to the standard quantitative genetic model for genetic assimilation, the trait is determined by the contributions of multiple genes. Trait expression occurs at a lower threshold with the trigger. Selection for the trait in the presence of the trigger increases the frequency of the trait-determining alleles. Eventually these alleles become frequent enough to breach the higher threshold for expression in the absence of the trigger. This loss of dependence on the trigger signifies genetic assimilation. Here I show that genetic assimilation can occur in the absence of selection for the trait in an evolutionary simulation of a gene network model. This contradicts the prediction of the standard quantitative genetic model, but is consistent with an explanation in terms of the canalization heuristic.
Carotenoid-based bill colour as an indicator of immunocompetence and sperm performance in male mallards
Authors: Peters A. , Denk A. G. , Delhey K. , Kempenaers B. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Female mate choice is often based on exaggerated sexual traits, signals of male qualities that females cannot assess directly. Two such key qualities are male immune and/or sexual competence, whereby honesty in signalling could be maintained by physiological trade-offs. Carotenoid-based ornaments likely constitute such honest signals, as there is direct competition for (limited) carotenoids between ornament deposition and anti-oxidant support of immune or sperm functioning. Using spectrometry, we assessed the potential signalling function of the yellow, carotenoid-based colour of the bill of male mallards, a target of female mate choice. Here we demonstrate that bill reflectance varied with plasma carotenoid level, indicating antioxidant reserves. Moreover, lower relative UV reflectance during autumn pairing predicted immune responsiveness and correlated positively with sperm velocity during breeding, a trait that affects fertility. Our data provide support for current theories that females could use carotenoid-based sexual signals to detect immune vigour and fertilizing ability of prospective mates.
Regional variation in the spatial scale of selection at MPI* and GPI* in the acorn barnacle Semibalanus balanoides (Crustacea)
Authors: Véliz D. , Bourget E. , Bernatchez L. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Elucidating the ecological processes by which adaptive genetic polymorphism is maintained in heterogeneous environments requires knowledge on the spatial scale at which alternate habitats affect genotype-specific fitness. The general objective of this study was to document patterns of temporal and spatial variation of genetic polymorphism in the acorn barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) at MPI* and GPI* allozyme loci. A total of 7261 barnacles were sampled in the intertidal at various locations north and south of the Miramichi estuary, New Brunswick, Canada. The results of this study supported the hypothesis that both MPI* and GPI* are under the effect of strong directional selection south of the Miramichi, whereas neutrality cannot be ruled out at sampling sites located north of the estuary. Comparisons between this study and previous ones also question the generality of current hypotheses regarding ecological processes that are responsible for maintaining polymorphism at MPI* and GPI* in the acorn barnacle.
Stabilizing natural selection on the early expression of a secondary sexual trait in a passerine bird
Authors: Gregoire A. , Preault M. , Cezilly F. , Wood M. J. , Pradel R. , Faivre B. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Natural selection is a central tenet of evolutionary theory, yet the estimation of the direction and intensity of selection remains problematic. Here, we assess the strength of selection on the early expression of a secondary sexual ornament, bill colour, in male European blackbirds (Turdus merula) using 5 years of capture-mark-recapture (CMR) data. The best-fitting model consisted of a quadratic relationship between survival rate and bill colour, indicating stabilizing natural selection on the early expression of a secondary sexual trait. There was no evidence for sexual selection acting on bill colour in the first year. We suggest that the consideration of early selection and the adoption of refined statistical methods may reveal patterns of selection in the wild that have, as yet, remained undetected.
Genotypic vs. condition effects on parasite-driven rare advantage
Authors: Dybdahl M. F. , Krist A. C. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Models and empirical studies of coevolution assume host resistance and parasite infectivity are genetically based. However, nongenetic physiological or environmental influences could alter host susceptibility even when the relationship is genetically based. In this experiment we examined the influence of host genotype, host condition at the time of infection (age and reproductive status), and their interaction on resistance of the freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum) to its dominant trematode parasite (Microphallus sp.). We used a laboratory infection experiment of a clonal snail population to determine the susceptibility of juveniles, brooding adult females, and nonbrooding adult females. We found a significant effect of both life-history state and clonal genotype on the prevalence of infection. However, the relative susceptibility of different clonal genotypes was not altered by condition; genotypes that were rare in the natural population were less infected than those that were common for each life-history state. These results suggest that although host condition affects susceptibility, it does not disrupt the specificity of the match between parasites and common clonal genotypes. Hence these findings support the Red Queen hypothesis for the maintenance of sex under genetically based host–parasite interactions.
Differential rates of morphological divergence in birds
Authors: Bokma F. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
There are more small-bodied bird species than there are large-bodied, even on a logarithmic scale. In birds this pattern, which is also found in other higher taxa, appears not to be due to neutral evolution. It has often been suggested that the skew of body size frequency distributions is the result of a relationship between body size and the net rate of speciation, but phylogenetic analyses so far have rejected the hypothesis that small-bodied species are subject to higher net rates of speciation. On the contrary, we show that there exists a relationship between body size and its own evolutionary variability: avian families of small body size show less interspecific variation in body size than large-bodied families of similar age and species richness.
Angular pregnancy
Authors: Tarim Ebru , Ulusan Serife , Kilicdag Esra , Yildirim Tulin , Bagis Tayfun , Kuscu Esra 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAngular pregnancy, a type of cornual pregnancy, is a rare obstetric complication that can be life‐threatening. In this situation, the embryo is implanted in the lateral angle of the uterine cavity, medial to the uterotubal junction and round ligament. Angular pregnancy must be distinguished from interstitial pregnancy, in which the embryo is implanted lateral to the round ligament. The report presented here describes a case of angular pregnancy that was diagnosed by endovaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Laparoscopy can be useful for guiding dilatation and curettage in angular pregnancies, and may circumvent the need for invasive surgery or hysterectomy.
Ovarian thecoma associated in the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Okada Ikuko , Nakagawa Shoko , Takemura Yuriko , Takenobu Takashi , Matsuoka Tatsunari , Mandai Hiroyuki , Takemura Tadashi 
Published: August 2004

AbstractOvarian thecoma is a relatively rare tumor which occurs before and after menopause. It is extremely rare that pregnancy is complicated with thecoma. Diagnosis of ovarian tumors during pregnancy is highly problematic due to difficulties in obtaining clinical manifestations, and treatment of these tumors poses an even greater challenge. Our patient was found to have estrogen‐producing thecoma accompanied by accumulation of ascites in an early phase of pregnancy. The patient underwent abdominal surgery to remove the tumor on the 13th week of gestation. This resulted in disappearance of the ascites and a favorable clinical course. Diagnosis and treatment of ovarian thecoma occurring during pregnancy are discussed with relevant references.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus infection and correlation with cervical lesions in Japanese women
Authors: Ishi Kazuhisa , Suzuki Fujihiko , Yamasaki Shigetaka , Suto Hiroko , Kina Katsunari , Nojima Michio , Yoshida Koyo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractPurpose:  To investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in patients attending a gynecologic outpatient department, and to correlate the infection status with the presence or absence of uterine cervical lesions and the grades assessed by cytological or histological examinations.Methods:  Five hundred and seventy‐two subjects were studied. In all subjects, HPV detection by the hybrid capture method and a cervical cytological examination were performedResults:  The HPV‐positive rate in subjects with normal cytology was 12.3%. The detection rate was high (21.7%) in subjects aged in the twenties and low in the forties, and HPV was not detected in subjects aged in the sixties and seventies. When HPV‐positive rates were examined according to cytological or histological grades, the rates were higher in subjects with abnormal cytology (P < 0.01) or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or squamous cell carcinoma compared with those with normal cytology.Conclusion:  Diagnosis of HPV infection is also important for the prediction of progression to CIN and cervical cancer.
Accuracy of frozen section in the diagnosis of malignant ovarian tumor
Authors: Boriboonhirunsarn Dittakarn , Sermboon Athita 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim:  To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of frozen section for histopathologic diagnosis of ovarian tumors.Methods:  A total of 147 surgically removed ovarian tumors were studied. Each ovarian tumor sample was evaluated for histopathologic diagnosis using both frozen and paraffin sections. Interpretation was separate and blinded between each technique. Accuracy, diagnostic values and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by comparing the results from both techniques, using paraffin section as a gold standard.Results:  Overall accuracy of frozen section was 89.8% (95% CI 83.4–94.0). Sensitivity was 90.4% (95% CI 78.2–96.4) for malignant, 33.3% (95% CI 6.0–75.9) for borderline, and 93.3% (95% CI 85.4–97.2) for benign tumors. The predictive value was 100% (95% CI 90.6–100) for malignant, 20% (95% CI 3.5–55.8) for borderline, and 92.2% (95% CI 84.1–96.5) for benign tumors. Most false negatives occurred in mucinous and borderline tumors. No benign tumor was misdiagnosed as malignant by frozen section. Accuracy and negative predictive value were significantly lower in epithelial rather than germ and other cell types. Excellent agreement with regard to histologic cell type was observed (Kappa 0.81).Conclusion:  Frozen section appears to be an accurate technique for the histopathologic diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Some limitations were observed among borderline and mucinous tumors; this emphasizes the great value of frozen section in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors.
Cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate in intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles
Authors: Jee Byung Chul , Ku Seung Yup , Suh Chang Suk , Choi Young Min , Kim Jung Gu , Moon Shin Yong , Kim Seok Hyun 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim:  We investigated the cumulative probability of ongoing pregnancy in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles.Methods:  During a period of 6 years, 519 ICSI cycles were performed in 260 infertile couples at the Seoul National University Hospital. The cumulative rate of ongoing pregnancy (≥12 weeks of gestation) was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method.Results:  The cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate was 54.9% after six consecutive cycles of ICSI. The age of the female had a significant impact; after five consecutive cycles, cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate was 61.8% in ≤30 years of age, 51.7% in 31–35, and 15.3% in ≥36. There was no significant difference in the cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate between groups with severe male factor and previous unexplained low fertilization rate (≤20%). Among the severe male factor group, cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate was not different according to the methods of sperm retrieval (surgically retrieved or ejaculated).Conclusion:  Intracytoplasmic sperm injection could be applied successfully both to severe male factor and patients with previous unexplained low fertilization rate. The origin of spermatozoa does not affect ICSI outcome in terms of cumulative probability of ongoing pregnancy.