bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of opioid peptides on human neutrophil apoptosis and activation in vitro
Authors: Sulowska Zofia , Majewska Ewa , Krawczyk Katarzyna , Klink Magdalena , Tchórzewski Henryk 
Published: November 2002

Background: It has been shown that cells of the immune system release opioid peptides and possess receptors for them. The concentrations of opioid peptides in the peripheral circulation rapidly increase during inflammation and acute stress response.Aims: The effect of opioid peptides Met‐enkephalin (M‐ENK) and beta‐endorphin (β‐END) on the oxidative metabolism of normal human neutrophils and their death by apoptosis in vitro was investigated.Methods: Isolated from peripheral blood, neutrophils were incubated in the presence or absence of 10-6 to 10-10 M of M‐ENK and β‐END for 12 and 18 h. Apoptosis of neutrophils was determined in vitro by flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA content and Annexin V‐FITC protein binding to the cell surface. The MTT‐reduction assay was employed to estimate the oxidative metabolism of neutrophils.Results: Treatment with M‐ENK caused a significant increase in apoptotic cells after 18 h of culture: ∗0
M (control) versus 10-10 M, p ≤ 0.02; ∗∗10−10 M versus 10-10 M, p ≤ 0.02. Treatment with β‐END caused a significant increase in apoptotic cells after 12 h of culture: 0 M versus 10-8 M,
p ≤ 0.03; ∗∗0M
M versus 10-10 M,
p ≤ 0.04. We found the significant increase in MTT reduction by neutrophils in the presence of M‐ENK and β‐END both before and after the culture. However, the ability of neutrophils to reduce the MTT salt to formazan decreased significantly after the culture.Conclusions: We observed that the in vitro effect of opioid peptides on the neutrophil survival and their functional state was time and dose dependent. The presence of antioxidants in the culture medium modifies neutrophil survival.
The effect of high dose digoxin on cytokines in healthy dogs
Authors: Dülger Haluk , Şekeroğlu Mehmet Ramazan , Eryonucu Beyhan , Noyan Tevfik , Alici Süleyman 
Published: November 2002

Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1β are pro‐inflammatory cytokines, causing myocardial dysfunction and a negative inotropic effect. The drugs used to treat heart failure affect the production of cytokines. Digoxin, on which this study was focused, is one of the drugs for the treatment of heart failure.Aim: The present study was designed to examine the early effects of high doses of digoxin on the production of cytokines in healthy dogs.Methods: Digoxin was given parenterally to dogs at 0.15 mg/kg. IL‐1β and TNF‐α production and levels of digoxin in the serum were measured 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h following administration of digoxin.Results: As the levels of serum digoxin taken at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of administration were considered significantly high compared with preceding values
(p < 0.001),
no notable change in serum IL‐1β and TNF‐α levels was observed.Conclusions: These results suggest that high doses of digoxin do not cause a significant cytokine production in heart muscle in the early phase.
Blood serotonin and joint pain in seropositive versus seronegative rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kopp Sigvard , Alstergren Per 
Published: November 2002

Aim: To investigate whether blood serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine) (5‐HT) modulates musculoskeletal pain differently in seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods: Patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement of seropositive RA (33 patients) or seronegative RA (28 patients) and 26 healthy individuals were included. TMJ pain, general musculoskeletal pain, plasma and serum 5‐HT, acute phase reactants and thrombocyte count were investigated.Results: The patients with seropositive RA had higher serum (median = 1130 nmol/l) and plasma (55 nmol/l) levels of 5‐HT than the healthy individuals (704 nmol/l, p = 0.044 and 23 nmol/l, p < 0.001, respectively), and higher plasma levels of 5‐HT than the seronegative patients (14 nmol/l, p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between serum and plasma levels of 5‐HT in any group.In the seropositive RA patients, positive correlations were found between serum levels of 5‐HT and the number of painful mandibular movements
(rs = 0.36, n = 33, p = 0.042), as well as pain on maximum mouth opening (rs = 0.41, n = 24, p = 0.047) and tenderness to digital palpation (rs = 0.49, n = 33, p = 0.003).In the healthy individuals, there was a negative correlation between plasma level of 5‐HT and the TMJ pressure pain threshold
(rs = −0.47
, n = 20
, p = 0.037).Conclusion: Peripheral serotonergic pain mechanisms seem to be activated by blood 5‐HT in patients with seropositive RA, in contrast to seronegative patients.
Increased apoptosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with perennial allergic asthma/rhinitis: relation to serum markers of apoptosis
Authors: Grzegorczyk Janina , Kowalski Marek L. , Pilat Anna , Iwaszkiewicz Jolanta 
Published: November 2002

Background: The goal of our study was to examine spontaneous and stimulated apoptosis of peripheral blood MNC from allergic patients, sensitized to Der p I antigen as compared to cells from non‐atopic subjects. Furthermore we aimed to investigate which populations of mononuclear cells (lymphocytes, monocytes) undergo the apoptosis and to determine relations between apoptosis and serum levels of sFas/APO‐1, ICE/caspase‐1 or TNF‐α.Methods: The study included 17 patients with perennial, allergic asthma and/or allergic rhinitis [6 male and 11 female; mean age 29,5 years; (range 15‐49)].Apoptosis was assessed by fluorescence technique and confirmed by flow‐cytometric method and DNA ladder. Serum levels of sFas, ICE/caspase‐1 or TNF‐α were determined by immunoassays (ELISA).Results: Apoptotic index of unfractionated mononuclear cells (MNC) and lymphocytes (but not monocytes) were significantly higher in allergic patients as compared to non‐allergic subjects after 48 and 72 hours of culture (p < 0.05). Incubation of cells with ConA (10 μg/ml) resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of apoptotic cells in all populations once the apoptotic index for MNC and lymphocytes (but not monocytes) was again significantly higher in allergic as compared to non‐allergic subjects after 24, 48 and 72 hour of culture.In allergic patients, mean serum sFas level, was significantly lower then in non‐allergic group (mean value 624.8 pg/ml ± 25.67 versus 802.0 pg/ml ± 31.91; p = 0.003)
and in both groups sFas level correlated inversely with apoptosis of MNC. The mean ICE/caspase‐1 concentration was significantly higher in sera of allergic patients as compared to non‐allergic group (mean value 27.71 pg/ml ± 3.79 vs 23.54 pg/ml respectively; p < 0.01).
ICE/caspase‐1 levels in allergic patients correlated with apoptotic index of mononuclear cells (r = 0.57
; p < 0.001).Conclusions: An increased spontaneous and mitogen‐induced apoptosis of MNC from peripheral blood of atopic patients as well as different serum levels of sFas and ICE/caspase‐1 correlating with apoptosis, suggest different regulation of apoptotic process in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with allergic asthma and/or rhinitis.
Inhibitory action of a macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin, on co‐stimulatory molecule expressions in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Suzuki Mayumi , Asano Kazuhito , Yu Mei , Hisamitsu Tadashi , Suzaki Harumi 
Published: November 2002

Objective: The influence of a macrolide antibiotic, roxithromycin (RXM), on co‐stimulatory molecule expression was examined in vitro and in vivo.Materials and methods: Spleen cells obtained from BALB/c mice 10 days after immunization with 8.0 μg of hemocyanin absorbed to 4.0 mg of aluminum hydroxide were cultured in the presence of 100.0 μg/ml of hemocyanin and various concentrations of RXM. We first examined the influence of RXM on cell activation by examining the proliferative response of cells and cytokine production. We also examined the influence of RXM on co‐stimulatory molecule (CD40, CD80 and CD86) expressions on cultured splenic B‐lymphocytes induced by
in vitro antigenic stimulation using flow cytometry. In the second part of experiments, non‐immunized and immunized mice were treated orally with 2.5 mg/kg of RXM once a day for 4 or 8 weeks. Splenic B lymphocytes were obtained from these mice 24 h after antigenic challenge, and co‐stimulatory molecule expressions were examined by flow cytometer.Results: Cell activation induced by in vitro antigenic stimulation was suppressed by RXM when cells were cultured in the presence of more than 5.0 μg/ml of the agent. Addition of RXM at a concentration of 5.0 μg/ml into cell cultures also suppressed co‐stimulatory molecule (CD40, CD80 and CD86) expressions on splenic B lymphocytes, which was enhanced by antigenic stimulation in vitro. Oral RXM administration for 4 weeks clearly suppressed the enhancement of CD40 and CD86 (but not CD80) expressions on splenic B lymphocytes induced by antigenic stimulation in vivo. This suppressive activity of RXM on co‐stimulatory molecule (CD40 and CD86) expressions was further strengthened by the treatment of mice for 8 weeks. Long‐term treatment with oral RXM also suppressed CD80 expressions, which was not suppressed by 4‐week treatment.Conclusion: The present results suggest that RXM exerts its immunomodulating effects through suppression of both cell activation and co‐stimulatory molecule expressions induced by antigenic stimulation. These suppressive activities of RXM might contribute, in part, to the therapeutic mode of action of RXM on inflammatory diseases.
The Phospholipids Sphingosine-1-Phosphate and Lysophosphatidic Acid Prevent Apoptosis in Osteoblastic Cells via a Signaling Pathway Involving Gi Proteins and Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase
Authors: Grey Andrew , Chen Qi , Callon Karen , Xu Xin , Reid Ian R. , Cornish Jill 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe naturally occurring phospholipids lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) have recently emerged as bioactive compounds that exert mitogenic effects in many cell types, including osteoblasts. In the current study, we examined the ability of each of these compounds to influence osteoblast survival. Using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5′-triphosphate nick-end labeling and DNA fragmentation assays, we found that both LPA and S1P dose-dependently inhibited (by at least 50% and 40%, respectively) the apoptosis induced by serum withdrawal in cultures of primary calvarial rat osteoblasts and SaOS-2 cells. The antiapoptotic effects were inhibited by pertussis toxin, wortmannin, and LY294002, implicating Gi proteins and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase) in the signaling pathway that mediates phospholipid-induced osteoblast survival. Specific inhibitors of p42/44 MAPK signaling did not block LPA- or S1P-induced osteoblast survival. LPA and S1P induced PI-3 kinase-dependent activation of p70 S6 kinase, but rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of p70 S6 kinase activation, did not prevent phospholipid-induced osteoblast survival. LPA and S1P also inhibited apoptosis in Swiss 3T3 fibroblastic cells in a Gi protein-dependent fashion. In fibroblastic cells, however, the antiapoptotic effects of S1P were sensitive to inhibition of both PI-3 kinase and p42/44 MAPK signaling, whereas those of LPA were partially abrogated by inhibitors of p42/44 MAPK signaling but not by PI-3 kinase inhibitors. These data demonstrate that LPA and S1P potently promote osteoblast survival in vitro, and that cell-type specificity exists in the antiapoptotic signaling pathways activated by phospholipids.
Insulin Inhibits Dexamethasone Effect on Angiotensinogen Gene Expression and Induction of Hypertrophy in Rat Kidney Proximal Tubular Cells in High Glucose
Authors: Zhang Shao-Ling , Chen Xing , Wei Chih-Chang , Filep Janos G. , Tang Shiow-Shih , Ingelfinger Julie R. , Chan John S. D. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe present studies investigated whether insulin inhibits the stimulatory effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on angiotensinogen (ANG) gene expression and induction of hypertrophy in rat immortalized renal proximal tubular cells (IRPTCs) in a high-glucose milieu. Rat IRPTCs were cultured in monolayer. ANG and ANG mRNA expression in IRPTCs were quantified by a specific RIA for rat ANG and by RT-PCR assay, respectively. A fusion gene containing the full length of the 5′-flanking region of the rat ANG gene linked to a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase reporter gene was introduced into IRPTCs. The level of fusion gene expression was determined by cellular chloramphenicol acetyl transferase enzymatic activity. Cellular hypertrophy was assessed by flow cytometry, cellular p27Kip1 protein expression, and protein assay. Our results showed that high glucose (i.e. 25 mm) and DEX (10−7m) additively stimulated ANG gene expression and induced IRPTC hypertrophy. Insulin inhibited the effect of high glucose and DEX on these parameters. The inhibitory effect of insulin was reversed by PD 98059 (a MAPK inhibitor) but not by wortmannin (a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor). These results demonstrate that insulin is effective in blocking the stimulatory action of high glucose and DEX on ANG gene expression and induction of IRPTC hypertrophy, suggesting its important role in preventing local intrarenal renin-angiotensin system activation and renal proximal tubular cell hypertrophy induced by hyperglycemia and glucocorticoids in vivo.
A Novel Method for Growing Human Breast Epithelium in Vivo Using Mouse and Human Mammary Fibroblasts
Authors: Parmar Hema , Young Peter , Emerman Joanne T. , Neve Richard M. , Dairkee Shanaz , Cunha Gerald R. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractA novel system is described for studying the growth of normal human mammary epithelium in vivo as grafts in athymic nude mice. The key feature of this model is reconstitution of the epithelial-stromal interactions required for normal growth and differentiation of the human mammary epithelium, which produces ducts that are comparable to those in the normal human mammary gland. Human breast epithelial organoids were combined with mammary fibroblasts from mouse or human origin in collagen gels, which were subsequently transplanted under the renal capsule of female nude mice hosts. The resulting grafts showed an increase in the ductal density compared with that observed previously. These ducts expressed appropriate markers for luminal and myoepithelial cells and steroid receptors. Treatment of the host with diethylstilbestrol or estradiol and progesterone significantly increased the number of ducts observed and increased cell proliferation. The grafts also displayed production of β-casein and milk fat globule membrane protein when the hosts were allowed to become pregnant. This model allows for a variety of epithelial and stromal cells to be used in combination, which would aid in understanding key factors that regulate normal human mammary gland development.
Neuropeptide Y1 and Y5 Receptors Mediate the Effects of Neuropeptide Y on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis
Authors: Fekete Csaba , Sarkar Sumit , Rand William M. , Harney John W. , Emerson Charles H. , Bianco Antonio C. , Beck-Sickinger Annette , Lechan Ronald M. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractNeuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most important hypothalamic-derived neuropeptides mediating the effects of leptin on energy homeostasis. Central administration of NPY not only markedly stimulates food intake, but simultaneously inhibits the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT axis), replicating the central hypothyroid state associated with fasting. To identify the specific NPY receptor subtypes involved in the action of NPY on the HPT axis, we studied the effects of the highly selective Y1 ([Phe7,Pro34]pNPY) and Y5 ([chicken pancreatic polypeptide1–7, NPY19–23, Ala31, Aib32 (aminoisobutyric acid), Q34]human pancreatic polypeptide) receptor agonists on circulating thyroid hormone levels and proTRH mRNA in hypophysiotropic neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. The peptides were administered continuously by osmotic minipump into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) over 3 d in ad libitum-fed animals and animals pair-fed to artificial CSF (aCSF)-infused controls. Both Y1 and Y5 receptor agonists nearly doubled food intake compared with that of control animals receiving aCSF, similar to the effect observed for NPY. NPY, Y1, and Y5 receptor agonist administration suppressed circulating levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) and resulted in inappropriately normal or low TSH levels. These alterations were also associated with significant suppression of proTRH mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus, particularly in the Y1 receptor agonist-infused group [aCSF, NPY, Y1, and Y5 (density units ± sem), 97.2 ± 8.6, 39.6 ± 8.4, 19.9 ± 1.9, and 44.6 ± 8.4]. No significant differences in thyroid hormone levels, TSH, or proTRH mRNA were observed between the agonist-infused FSanimals eating ad libitum and the agonist-infused animals pair-fed with vehicle-treated controls. These data confirm the importance of both Y1 and Y5 receptors in the NPY-mediated increase in food consumption and demonstrate that both Y1 and Y5 receptors can mediate the inhibitory effects of NPY on the HPT axis.
Double Mutations in Klotho and Osteoprotegerin Gene Loci Rescued Osteopetrotic Phenotype
Authors: Yamashita Teruhito , Okada Seiji , Higashio Kanji , Nabeshima Yo-ichi , Noda Masaki 
Published: November 2002

Abstract
Klotho gene mutant mice (klotho mice, also called kl/kl) exhibit osteopetrosis in the metaphysis of femora and tibiae and die within 3 months. We previously showed by semiquantitative RT-PCR that osteoprotegerin (opg) expression levels in klotho mice were about 2-fold higher than those in wild-type mice in the bone marrow, spleen, and lung. To examine whether the high osteoprotegerin expression levels account for the osteopetrotic phenotype in the klotho homozygous mutant mice in vivo, we made double mutant mice by crossing klotho mutant and osteoprotegerin-deficient mice. Micro computed tomography analysis in the two-dimensional sagittal planes of the metaphyses and cross-sections of femoral midshaft revealed that the abnormally high fractional trabecular bone volume in klotho homozygous mice (kl/kl; 29.71%), which was about 4-fold higher compared with that of wild-type [klotho (+/+) opg (+/+)] mice (7.81%), was rescued by the coexistence of heterozygous mutation in opg gene locus (+/−; 8.36%). Single heterozygous mutation in the opg gene locus alone (without klotho mutation) did not show phenotype (trabecular bone volume, 5.84%; not significantly different from wild type). High levels of osteoprotegerin mRNA expression in the bone marrow in klotho mutant mice were reduced by the heterozygous mutation in the opg gene locus. Furthermore, high osteoprotegerin protein levels in klotho mutant mice were also reduced by the heterozygous mutations in opg gene locus. Thus, elevated levels of osteoprotegerin in mutant mice contribute at least in part to reveal the osteopetrotic phenotype in klotho mice.
A generalized multinomial discriminant procedure with applications
Authors: Mojirsheibani Majid 
Published: November 2002

AbstractWe propose a generalized multinomial discriminant procedure for classification on discrete spaces. Both the mechanics and the asymptotic optimality of the method are discussed. An application of the proposed procedure to combined classification, as well as the conditions under which the resulting combined classifier is asymptotically optimal, are also discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The bivariate lognormal distribution for describing joint statistical properties of a multivariate storm event
Authors: Yue Sheng 
Published: November 2002

AbstractThe bivariate lognormal distribution is proposed as a model for the joint distribution of storm peak (maximum rainfall intensity) and storm amount. Using the marginal distributions, the joint distribution, the conditional distributions, and the associated return periods are derived. The model is found appropriate for representing multiple episodic storm events at the Motoyama meteorological observation station in Japan. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical analysis of catalyst data
Authors: Hjorth Urban , Chan Albert , Zhao Dongmei , Ljungström Evert 
Published: November 2002

AbstractCatalytic converters are crucial for the reduction of car emissions. The performance of aging catalysts in use has not been well known. Data on catalysts from scrapped cars of different ages has been taken in well controlled laboratory conditions. The statistical analysis of these data compares and uses different models of the regression type and also generalized regression for ordered categorical data. A significant, though not very dramatic, deterioration with age is shown for the catalytic converters. The overall impression is, however, that converters like those examined in this study do function reasonably well at least up to about 200000 km driving distances. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Magnitude–frequency relationship for debris flows on the fan of the Chalance torrent, Valgaudemar (French Alps)
Authors: Helsen M. M. , Koop P. J. M. , Van Steijn H. 
Published: November 2002

AbstractIn 1996 a large debris flow occurred on the fan of the Chalance torrent system, a tributary of the Séveraisse river, French Alps. To investigate the magnitude and frequency of such debris flows on this fan, fieldwork was carried out in the summer of 1998. Detailed investigation revealed that several debris flows have occurred in the past 200 years. Lichenometry was used as a dating technique to obtain the frequency of these debris‐flow events. Also the volume of these flows was estimated. With these data a magnitude–frequency relationship was constructed. This relationship shows a maximum magnitude of at least 50 × 103 m3. Based on data for the past c. 150 years, a debris flow of such a volume appears to have a recurrence interval of approximately 34 years. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fire intensity, slopewash and bio‐transfer of sediment in eucalypt forest, Australia
Authors: Dragovich Deirdre , Morris Rowena 
Published: November 2002

AbstractSediment movement (slopewash and bio‐transfer), runoff, and organic matter movement (mainly leaf litter, ash and charcoal) were monitored on ten plots for a six‐month period following bushfires in eastern Australia in the 1990s. Plots were installed in areas which had experienced high, moderate and low intensity burns. Although between‐plot variability was high, slopewash and organic matter amounts were greatest on the intensely burnt areas, and progressively less on moderate and low intensity burns. In contrast, most leaf litter input from scorched leaf fall was derived from, and collected in, moderately burnt areas. Bio‐transfer of sediment (direct downslope surface movement produced by faunal activity) occurred mainly by ant mounding, and was more than ten times greater on moderately burnt areas than on plots having high or low intensity burns. Bio‐transfer accounted for approximately 36 per cent of total sediment collected, with this material being recorded least often and in smallest quantities on areas of high intensity burns. Bio‐transfer by ant mounding and animal scratchings contributed loose surface sediment for transport by overland flow, disproportionately increasing total sediment movement to plot aprons in areas of moderate intensity burns. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.