bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fel d 4, a cat lipocalin allergen
Authors: Smith W. , Butler A. J. L. , Hazell L. A. , Chapman M. D. , Pomés A. , Nickels D. G. , Thomas W. R. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryBackground
Cat allergy is unique among allergy to mammals in that the major allergen Fel d 1 is a uteroglobin‐like protein and not a lipocalin. The biochemical spectrum of the cat allergens is thus uncertain, particularly with regard to the role that a cat lipocalin protein may play in sensitization to cats in allergic individuals.Objective
To analyse cDNA encoding a lipocalin allergen and the corresponding recombinant allergen at both the molecular and immunological levels.Methods
A submandibular salivary gland cDNA expression library was constructed and screened for clones producing IgE‐binding polypeptides. cDNA encoding a lipocalin allergen and its corresponding recombinant allergen were analysed.Results
An IgE binding molecule with high sequence identity to the boar salivary lipocalin and the horse lipocalin Equ c 1 allergen was isolated and designated, Fel d 4. Serum from 62.96% of cat‐allergic subjects examined had measurable IgE antibody to Fel d 4 but typically at low levels. Despite this in 47% of sera the anti‐Fel d 4 IgE titres were higher than the anti‐Fel d 1 titres. IgE binding to the lipocalin allergen could be blocked by an allergen extract from cow and to a lesser degree by extracts from horse and dog.Conclusion
Fel d 4 is a lipocalin allergen produced by the cat, which binds IgE at relatively high frequency in cat‐sensitive individuals. The allergen provides not only a means for investigating differences in the immune response to lipocalin allergens from that found for other mammalian species but also an important reagent for the diagnosis of cat allergy.
A functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the cyclooxygenase‐2 gene is not associated with asthma and atopy in an Australian population
Authors: Shi J. , Misso N. L. , Duffy D. L. , Thompson P. J. , Kedda M.‐A. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryBackground
Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 is a key inducible enzyme that regulates the production of anti‐inflammatory prostaglandin E2. A single‐nucleotide polymorphism, −765G>C, located within a stimulatory protein‐1 binding site in the COX‐2 promoter region, has been shown to have significantly lower promoter activity in vitro compared with the wild‐type and was associated with decreased plasma levels of C‐reactive protein after coronary artery bypass surgery. We hypothesized that this polymorphism, which may result in decreased COX‐2 transcription, could be associated with more severe asthma, and/or aspirin‐intolerant asthma (AIA).Objective
To determine the association between the −765G>C COX‐2 polymorphism and asthma, disease severity and AIA in a large, well‐phenotyped Australian population.Methods
PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was used to characterize the polymorphism in an Australian Caucasian population of patients with mild (n=322), moderate (n=254) or severe (n=88) asthma and in non‐asthmatic control subjects (n=512), as well as in patients with AIA (n=58). Genotype and allele association analyses were performed using χ2 tests.Results
The polymorphic −765C allele was present in approximately 30% of asthmatic patients and non‐asthmatic controls. There was no association between the −765G>C polymorphism and asthma (P=0.920), disease severity (P=0.840), atopy (P=0.655) or AIA (P=0.841) in this population.Conclusion
Although the −765G>C polymorphism may have lower promoter activity and result in decreased COX‐2 expression, it is not associated with asthma, disease severity, AIA or atopy in this Australian population.
Alcohol during pregnancy and atopic dermatitis in the offspring
Authors: Linneberg A. , Petersen J. , Grønbæk M. , Benn C. S. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryBackgroundThere is evidence that antenatal factors play a role in the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, little is known about the effects of maternal lifestyle factors during pregnancy on the risk of AD in the offspring.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the incidence of AD in the offspring.MethodsA total of 24 341 mother–child pairs enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort were followed prospectively. Information about alcohol consumption was obtained by interview at 12 and 30 weeks of gestation. Information about symptoms, time of onset, and doctor's diagnosis of AD in the offspring was obtained by interview at 18 months of age. The effect of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on the incidence of AD was analysed by Cox regression allowing for different effects of alcohol before (early infancy) and after 2 months (60 days) of age.ResultsAlcohol during pregnancy was associated with a significant and dose‐dependent increased risk of AD in early infancy. This effect was mainly seen in high‐risk infants (two parents with allergic disease). Thus, the highest risk of AD in early infancy was seen in high‐risk infants of mothers who consumed four or more drinks per week at 30 weeks of gestation (adjusted relative risk 4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.7–10.1). There was no effect of alcohol during pregnancy beyond early infancy.ConclusionsThe results suggest that alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of early‐onset AD in predisposed infants.
Constant infusion of epinephrine, but not bolus treatment, improves haemodynamic recovery in anaphylactic shock in dogs
Authors: Mink S. N. , Simons F. E. R. , Simons K. J. , Becker A. B. , Duke K. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryObjective
Epinephrine (Epi) is the treatment of choice for reversing cardiovascular collapse in anaphylactic shock (AS). In this condition, most treatment guidelines have been anecdotally derived and no randomized clinical trials have been conducted. In the present study, we examined the time course of haemodynamic recovery in a canine model of AS when Epi was administered at the initiation of allergen challenge before fully developed shock had occurred.Methods
Randomized, controlled, crossover studies were performed approximately 3–5 weeks apart in ragweed‐sensitized dogs while the animals were ventilated and anaesthetized. Epi was administered by bolus intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.), intramuscular (i.m.) routes and by continuous i.v. infusion (CI). The findings obtained in the Epi treatment (T) studies were compared with those found in a no treatment (NT) study. In the bolus studies, Epi was administered at 0.01 mg/kg, while in the CI study, the dose of Epi was titrated to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 70% of preshock levels. MAP, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and pulmonary wedge pressure (Pwp) were determined over a 3 h period.Results
In the CI study, haemodynamics (CO, MAP, and SV) were significantly higher than those measured in the NT study and the bolus studies over approximately the first hour of the study. In the CI study, the amount of Epi infused was significantly less than in the bolus studies.Conclusion
When administered at the initiation of allergen challenge, bolus treatment of Epi by i.m., i.v., or s.c. routes caused limited haemodynamic improvement in AS. In contrast, constant infusion of Epi at a lower total dose produced significant haemodynamic improvement. Within the limits of this anaesthetized canine model, the results suggest that CI should be the preferred route in the treatment of AS when this treatment option is available.
Divalent cation-dependent and -independent augmentation of macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by CD44 antibody
Authors: VIVERS S , HEASMAN S J , HART S P , DRANSFIELD I 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYPhagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by macrophages is required for resolution of an inflammatory response. Removal of intact apoptotic neutrophils prevents the release of cytotoxic granules that would otherwise cause tissue damage and may lead to development of fibrosis. Importantly, macrophage phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils fails to induce release of proinflammatory mediators, consistent with a ‘safe’ pathway for disposal of potentially harmful inflammatory cells. One pathway for increasing phagocytosis of apoptotic cells to allow matching of tissue phagocyte capacity to apoptotic cell load in vitro is via antibody-mediated cross-linking of CD44, providing a mechanism for limiting tissue damage during resolution of inflammation. In this study, we have defined divalent cation-dependent and -independent actions of the CD44 antibody. For the divalent cation-independent CD44 antibody effect, we provide evidence that ‘enabled’ CD32 on the apoptotic neutrophil binds to intact CD44 antibody on the macrophage surface. One implication is that macrophages can phagocytose apoptotic neutrophils that are ‘tethered’ to the macrophage surface in a manner that is independent of defined apoptotic mechanisms. These data also provide an explanation for the greater efficacy of intact CD44 antibody when compared with F(ab′)2 fragments.
Monocyte derived dendritic cell responses in common variable immunodeficiency
Authors: SCOTT-TAYLOR T H , GREEN M R J , EREN E , WEBSTER A D B 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY
The phenotype and function of monocyte derived dendritic cells (MdDC) were investigated in 25 patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) to test for abnormalities that might help explain the failure of antibody production. Using MHC class II DR and CD86 as markers of maturation, DCs from the majority of CVID patients were normal. However 5 patients, the majority of whom had affected family members who had previously been shown to have a susceptibility genetic locus in the MHC region, expressed abnormally low levels of DR on repeated testing, in some cases associated with a reduced capacity to support antigen stimulated T cell proliferation; nevertheless costimulatory molecules for production of IL-13, IL-10 and IFN-γ from T cells were intact. In contrast to DCs from healthy donors, DCs from many CVID patients had high spontaneous production of IL-8 and lipopolysaccharide stimulation often caused a reduction in DR expression. Expression of other cytokines (IL-1a, IL-6 and IL-12), either before or after LPS stimulation, was normal. The data suggests there is a fundamental defect in the maturation of MdDCs in a subset of CVID patients that may compromise antigen presentation and subsequent antibody production.
Increased expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), its receptor RANK and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin in the colon of Crohn's disease patients
Authors: FRANCHIMONT N , REENAERS C , LAMBERT C , BELAICHE J , BOURS V , MALAISE M , DELVENNE P , LOUIS E 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYCrohn's disease (CD) is associated with low bone mass due to chronic inflammation and other factors. Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), its receptor RANK and its decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) are potentially involved in this process as they regulate osteoclastogenesis and are influenced by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), RANK and OPG expression both in the serum and in the colon of CD patients. Levels of sRANKL and OPG were assessed in the serum and the supernatants of cultured colonic biopsies in patients with CD and controls by ELISA. RANK expression was explored by immunostaining and immunofluorescence of fixed colonic samples. OPG and sRANKL levels were higher in the serum of CD patients as compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Levels of sRANKL and OPG were significantly enhanced in cultured colonic biopsies from CD, and OPG levels correlated with histological inflammation, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. No significant correlation was found for sRANKL. RANK+ cells were increased in the colon of CD, particularly in inflamed areas. These cells were positive for CD68 or S100 protein. We conclude that serum and local levels of sRANKL and OPG are increased in CD. Moreover, RANK is expressed in the colonic mucosa by subpopulations of activated macrophages or dendritic cells at higher levels in CD compared to normal colon.
Intranasal bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine dosage needs balancing between protection and lung pathology
Authors: TREE J A , WILLIAMS A , CLARK S , HALL G , MARSH P D , IVANYI J 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARY
Intranasal vaccination may offer practical benefits and better protection against respiratory infections, including tuberculosis. In this paper, we investigated the persistence of the Mycobacterium bovis-strain bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) Pasteur, lung granuloma formation and protection against pathogenic tuberculous challenge in mice. A pronounced BCG dose-dependent granulomatous infiltration of the lungs was observed following intranasal, but not after subcutaneous, vaccination. Corresponding doses of BCG, over a 100-fold range, imparted similar protection against H37Rv challenge when comparing the intranasal and subcutaneous vaccination routes. Interestingly, a BCG dose-dependent reduction of the H37Rv challenge infection was observed in the lungs, but not in the spleens, following both intranasal and subcutaneous vaccination. In the light of the observed concurrence between the extent of granuloma formation and the level of protection of the lungs, we conclude that intranasal vaccination leading to best protective efficacy needs to be balanced with an acceptable safety margin avoiding undue pathology in the lungs.
The anti-CD2 monoclonal antibody BTI-322 generates unresponsiveness by activation-associated T cell depletion
Authors: XU Y , KOLBER-SIMONDS D , HOPE J A , BAZIN H , LATINNE D , MONROY R , WHITE-SCHARF M E , SCHUURMAN H-J 
Published: November 2004

SUMMARYThe antihuman CD2 MoAb BTI-322 (Lo-CD2a) effectively inhibits T cell responses in vitro to allogeneic cells, which is followed by unresponsiveness to the original stimulator in secondary stimulation. We studied the xenogeneic human antiporcine mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), and utilized anti-T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ family antibody-induced cell proliferation to determine the specificity and mechanism. BTI-322 and its humanized version, MEDI-507, effectively inhibited the primary xenogeneic MLR. After suboptimal primary stimulation using lower numbers of xenogeneic stimulator cells, the unresponsiveness in secondary culture was apparent only for xenogeneic stimulator cells of the original SLA haplotype, and not for third-party stimulators or allogeneic cells. The inhibition of primary MLR was not observed for nylon-wool-purified T cells, but was seen after reconstitution of purified T cells with monocytes. Similarly, anti-Vβ family-specific stimulation showed family-specific unresponsiveness in secondary culture. This required the presence of the whole BTI-322 molecule: a F(ab′)2 fragment was not effective. T cells of a distinct Vβ family were depleted after stimulation with an anti-Vβ family-specific antibody and BTI-322. We conclude that the inhibition by BTI-322 of a primary xenogeneic MLR or the response to an anti-TCR Vβ antibody is associated with unresponsiveness upon restimulation, due to activation-associated cell depletion. In this process, the interaction between monocytes and the Fc part of the antibody is involved. This unique characteristic of BTI-322 suggests the potential of the antibody for tolerance induction in vivo, besides the potential use as a T cell depleting agent.
Spatial prediction of categorical variables with the Bayesian Maximum Entropy approach: the Ooypolder case study
Authors: D’Or D. , Bogaert P. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryCategorical variables such as water table status are often predicted using the indicator kriging (IK) formalism. However, this method is known to suffer from important limitations that are most frequently solved byad hocsolutions and approximations. Recently, the Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) approach has proved its ability to predict categorical variables efficiently and in a flexible way. In this paper, we apply this approach to the Ooypolder data set for the prediction of the water table classes from a sample data set. BME is compared with IK using global as well as local criteria. The inconsistencies of the IK predictor are emphasized and it is shown how BME permits avoiding them.
Field application of industrial by‐products as Al toxicity amendments: chemical and mineralogical implications
Authors: Illera V. , Garrido F. , Vizcayno C. , García‐González M. T. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryLime, gypsum and various gypsum‐like by‐products have long been applied to soil surfaces as ameliorants of soil acidity and aluminium and manganese toxicity. We examined changes in chemical and mineralogical properties at two different depths in two acid soils one year after the application of gypsum, phosphogypsum + dolomitic residue, red gypsum + dolomitic residue, sugar foam, and sugar foam + mined gypsum. All treatments were found to increase the proportion of Ca2+and decrease those of Al3+and Mn2+in the exchange complex of the surface and subsurface horizons, thus reducing its effective Al and Mn saturation. However, the mined gypsum treatment resulted in losses of Mg2+from the Ap horizon of the soils, and the sugar foam treatment was not so effective with the AB horizons as the other treatments. The combined application of both gypsum‐like by‐products and the dolomitic residue proved the most effective choice with a view to reducing the effective Al and Mn saturation of the exchange complex in the Ap and AB horizons. In addition, both treatments reduced Mg2+losses at both depths. Finally, all treatments resulted in the formation and retention on mineral and organic surfaces of a large fraction of the Al3+released by exchange with Ca2+as Al polymers. This is quite consistent with the observed changes in the CuCl2‐, oxalate‐ and DTPA‐extractable Al contents as well as by SEM and EDS analyses. Based on these results, the use of the appropriate mixtures of these by‐products is an effective alternative to that of mined gypsum and lime to alleviate soil acidity and reduce toxic concentrations of Al3+and Mn2+in agricultural acid soils.
Sorption and desorption behaviour of acetochlor in surface, subsurface and size‐fractionated soil
Authors: Taylor J.P. , Mills M.S. , Burns R.G. 
Published: November 2004

SummaryPesticides leaching through a soil profile will be exposed to changing environmental sorption and desorption conditions as different horizons with distinct physical and chemical properties are encountered. Soil cores were taken from a clay soil profile and samples taken from 0.0 to 0.3 m (surface), 1.0–1.3 m (mid) and 2.7–3.0 m (deep) and treated with the chloroacetanilide herbicide, acetochlor. Freundlich isotherms revealed that sorption and desorption behaviour varied with each depth sampled. As soil depth increased, the extent and strength of sorption decreased, indicating that the potential for leaching was increased in the subsoils compared with the surface soil. Hysteresis was evident at each of the three depths sampled, although no significant correlations between soil properties and the hysteresis coefficients were evident.Desorption studies using soil fractions with diameters of > 2000, 250–2000, 53–250, 20–53, 2–20, 0–2 and 0–1 µm separated from each of the three soil depths showed that differential desorption kinetics occurred and that the retention of acetochlor significantly correlated (R2 = 0.998) with organic matter content. A greater understanding of the influence of soil components on the overall sorption and desorption potential of surface and subsurface soils is required to allow accurate prediction of acetochlor retention in the soil. In addition, it is likely that the proportion of each size fraction in a soil horizon would influence acetochlor bioavailability and movement to groundwater.
The use of herbage nitrogen status to optimize herbage composition and intake and to minimize nitrogen excretion: an assessment of grazing management flexibility for dairy cows
Authors: Duru M. , Delaby L. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractA framework for managing rotationally grazed pastures for dairy cattle which enables the cows’ energy and protein requirements to be met while simultaneously limiting the amount of N excreted in order to reduce N losses is described. The first objective is achieved by ensuring that lamina mass and the N concentration of herbage do not limit herbage intake or feeding value. The second objective is achieved by limiting N fertilizer supply or increasing the interval between defoliations to reduce the N concentration of herbage. Lower and upper thresholds for the N concentration of herbage and lamina mass were estimated from published data. The method is illustrated using two vegetative regrowths (beginning and end of spring) in a cutting experiment with two fertilizer treatments, 0 or 120 kg N ha−1 (−N and +N), and early or late cutting. Decreasing N supply led to a reduction in grazing management flexibility, i.e. the defoliation interval ranges which were compatible with the required sward characteristics (minimum lamina mass and N concentration of lamina) for herbage intake and to meet the protein requirements of dairy cows. Aiming for the upper threshold N concentration of herbage increased the minimum interval between defoliations only for the +N treatments. Nevertheless, grazing management flexibility remained the highest for the +N treatments.
The ability of the Ontario heat unit system to model the growth and development of forage maize sown under plastic mulch
Authors: Easson D. L. , Fearnehough W. 
Published: November 2004

AbstractIn a replicated field experiment carried out in Northern Ireland in 1998, the effects of sowing date (17 April, 5 May, 19 May and 1 June), cultivar of forage maize (Hudson and Diamant) and treatments with no mulch (NP), total cover plastic mulch (TC), TC plastic mulch removed at eight‐leaf growth stage (EL) and punch plastic mulch (PU) on the rate of development of the crop and the accumulation of dry matter (DM) in the whole plant and cobs were described. Soil and air temperatures under the mulch treatments and in the open were recorded and the daily accumulation of Ontario heat units (OUs) calculated for each treatment based on the air temperatures experienced by the crop for the periods that it was under plastic mulch and in the open.The interval from sowing to emergence was proportional to the accumulated heat units above a soil base temperature of 8·2°C. The phenology of leaf emergence varied widely in terms of calendar date across the sowing date and plastic mulch treatments but relative to adjusted OUs the treatments were more closely aligned. Treatment PU advanced the crop less than the other mulch treatments relative to calendar date but, relative to OUs, more than these treatments. Physical damage to plants emerging through the TC treatment and air temperatures exceeding 40°C during the first month under treatments TC and EL did not appear to retard physiological development. The total adjusted OUs to reach 50% silking ranged from 1432 to 1753. Close relationships were found between the total OUs from silking to harvest and the whole crop DM content, cob DM content, cob yield and starch concentration of the whole crop at harvest so that differences between the treatments could largely be accounted for by the differences in silking date. It was concluded that the OU system can provide a reasonable model of maize growth for crops sown under TC plastic mulch providing air temperatures under the plastic are used for the period that the crop experiences them. However, the OU system is less reliable for crops grown under punch plastic because of the soil warming effect of the mulch that is not taken into account by the OU system.