julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Effect of a Fungal Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase on the Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Graffi Tumor Bearing Hamsters
2003-02-01

The antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) of spleen lymphocytes, isolated fromhamsters with progressing myeloid Graffi tumor, was studied. The effect of the application of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase, isolated from the fungal strain Humicola lutea (HL SOD), before and during tumor transplantation on the lymphocyte ADCC was examined. Myeloid Graffi tumor cells as target cells were used. Antibodies from a rabbit hyper-immune anti-tumor Graffi cells serum, or from tumor-bearing hamsters serum were used in the test. The leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) in the presence of tumor antigenwas examined also during tumor progression. ADCC of the spleen lymphocytes, determined by both, rabbit and hamster anti-tumor antibodies, decreased during tumor progression. The optimum treatment of the animals by HL SOD induced a 20-30% increase of lymphocyte cytotoxicity againstmyeloid Graffi tumor cells. Cytotoxicity in presence of tumor bearing hamsters serum was twofold lower as compared to that one determined in the presence of rabbit hyper-immune anti-myeloid Graffi tumor cells serum. Leukocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) index in the presence of tumor antigen increased during tumor development in the groups of treated and untreated animals. The LAI indices of HL SOD-treated tumor-bearing hamsters were lower than that of untreated animals with tumors, what can be explained by a higher adherence ability of leukocytes induced by HL SOD treatment (in formula for calculation of LAI index the adherence value is in the denominator). The results show the beneficial effect of HL SOD on the cell- mediated immune response of myeloid Graffi tumor bearing hamsters, what is probably due to the participation of the enzyme in the host’s oxidant-antioxidant balance
Reconstructive urology
2003-02-01

Objective: The use of "porcine acellular matrix", obtained from small intestine submucosa, could simplify the repair of long urethral strictures, whereas single stage techniques can be carried out only by means of grafts, as buccal mucosa; or flaps, as prepucial skin.To our knowledge we report the first use of porcine intestine submucosa in urethroplastic surgery.Materials and Methods: From May 2001 to December 2001, five urethral reconstructions were completed using "porcine acellular matrix".Four male patients had urethral strictures longer than 10 cm.After circumcision and penile degloving, we extended the surgical approach to the perineum-scrotal region by a midline longitudinal incision.The urethra was exposed, dissected from corpora cavernosa, then rotated of 180 degrees and on this side longitudinally incised throughout all the stenotic length.Urethroplasty was accomplished with matrix tissue modelled according to the length of the stenosis and grafted by a 5-0 polyglycolic acid running suture.The enlarged urethra was then derotated, laying the graft dorsally, closed to corpora cavernosa, to prevent pouching.A further graft was accomplished in a female patient with a 3 cm long urethral stricture.All urethroplasties were stented for 14 days.No complication developed.Results: After 1 month urethral patency was satisfactory compared with preoperatory images and the urinary flow was normal.After 2 months the urethra was endoscopically verified: it was easy to appreciate the homogeneous transformation of the graft into the native tissue.At 6-month follow-up radiological and urodynamic outcome is still satisfactory in all patients.Conclusions: According to our preliminary experience "porcine acellular matrix" is a promising approach for the repair of long urethral strictures.Its safety and effectiveness encourage us to treat more cases in male and female patients.
Expression of adhesion molecules in the lower uterine segment during term and preterm parturition
2003-02-03

Abstract Term and preterm cervical ripening and dilatation have similarities with an inflammatory reaction. Since cell adhesion molecules are involved in this process, investigations on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1, and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule in the lower uterine segment and in vitro experiments on human umbilical vein endothelial cells were performed. In addition, current reports on expression of endothelial adhesion molecules by the uterine cervix were summarized. Cell adhesion molecule expression by lower uterine segment and uterine cervix in term and preterm parturition was measured using immunohistochemistry, enzyme immunoassay, and Northern blot analysis. Regulation of adhesion molecule expression was evaluated in vitro by indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry using human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Investigations in term parturition revealed that intercellular adhesion molecule‐1, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule‐1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 expression increases during parturition. In preterm labor, the expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule‐1 and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 in the lower uterine segment increased. Expression of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule did not change in term and preterm parturition. Expression of adhesion molecules was localized mainly on lower uterine segment vascular endothelial cells and to a smaller extent on leukocytes. In vitro experiments showed that expression of adhesion molecules by human umbilical vein endothelial cells can be stimulated by tumor necrosis factor‐α, 17β‐estradiol, prostaglandin E 2 , and the antigestagen onapristone. Progesterone exerted no stimulatory effect. Cervical ripening and dilatation during term and preterm parturition are associated with an increased expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules by lower uterine segment and uterine cervix. The expression can be modulated by pro‐inflammatory cytokines, sex hormones, and prostaglandin E 2 . Mechanisms controlling the extravasation of leukocytes may play a fundamental role in term and preterm parturition. Microsc. Res. Tech. 60:430–444, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Off-shellωproduction in proton-proton collisions near threshold
2003-02-04

The omega production in nucleon-nucleon collisions is described through the decay of intermediate nuclear resonances. Close to threshold the pp --> pp omega cross section is dominated by the off-shell production of omega mesons with masses far below the physical omega mass of 782 MeV. A crucial role plays thereby the N^*(1535) resonance. Due to a strong N omega decay mode this resonance leads to off-shell contributions which are in the vicinity of the threshold about one order of magnitude larger than the experimentally measurable contribution from only the omega peak. After a subtraction of the theoretical "background" from off-shell omega production the available data are accurately reproduced over the entire energy range from very close to threshold up to several GeV above threshold. The scenario of a weaker N^*(1535) --> N omega decay mode which is still consistent with electro- and photo-production data is discussed as well. In the latter case the off-shell contributions to the pp --> pp omega cross section are substantially reduced but the description of the experimental cross section is poor above threshold.
The volume effect of detectors in the dosimetry of small fields used in IMRT
2003-02-05

In this study we investigate the effect of detector size in the dosimetry of small fields and steep dose gradients with a particular emphasis on IMRT measurements. Comparisons of calculated and measured cross‐profiles and absolute dose values of IMRT treatment plans are presented. As a consequence of the finite size of the detector that was used for the commissioning of the IMRT tool, local discrepancies of more than 10% are found between calculated cross‐profiles of intensity modulated beams and intensity modulated profiles measured with film. Absolute dose measurements of intensity modulated fields with a 0.6 cm 3 Farmer chamber show significant differences of more than 6% between calculated and measured dose values at the isocenter of an IMRT treatment plan. Differences of not more than 2% are found in the same experiment for dose values measured with a 0.015 cm 3 pinpoint ion chamber. A method to correct for the spatial response of finite‐sized detectors and to obtain the “real” penumbra width of cross‐profiles from measurements is introduced. Output factor measurements are performed with different detectors and are presented as a function of detector size for a 1×1 cm 2 field. Because of its high spatial resolution and water equivalence, a diamond detector is found to be suitable as an alternative to other detectors used for small field dosimetry as there are photographic and photochromic film, TLDs, or water‐equivalent scintillation detectors.
Concurrent increase of cholesterol, sphingomyelin and glucosylceramide in the spleen from non‐neurologic Niemann–Pick type C patients but also patients possibly affected with other lipid trafficking disorders
2003-02-07

Niemann–Pick type C disease (NPC) is a neurovisceral (or, extremely rarely, only visceral) lipidosis caused by mutations in the NPC1 gene or, in a few patients, the HE1 gene, which encode sterol regulating proteins. NPC is characterised by a complex lipid anomaly including a disturbed cellular trafficking of cholesterol but also multi‐lipid storage in visceral organs and brain. Lipids were studied using conventional methods in enlarged spleens that had been removed from five patients for different therapeutic and diagnostic reasons and found to have microscopic signs of lysosomal storage disease not suspected clinically. The spleen lipid findings with a concurrent accumulation of cholesterol, sphingomyelin and glucosylceramide (Acc‐CSG) allowed us to suggest NPC diagnoses for these patients, who were free of neurologic symptoms. From two patients no material for confirmatory studies was available, but in two other patients NPC diagnoses could be confirmed with the filipin cytochemical cholesterol assay and NPC1 gene analysis, respectively. However, these tests and also HE1 gene analysis were negative in a third patient. Since the Acc‐CSG lipid pattern seems to indicate a multi‐lipid trafficking defect rather than being highly specific for NPC, this patient, if not affected with very atypical NPC, may be a candidate for a different lipid trafficking disorder. The Acc‐CSG pattern was considered to be similar to the lipid pattern known for the lipid rafts, these functional cell structures being probably disorganised and accumulated in late endosomes and lysosomes of NPC cells.
Stability of the viscously spreading ring
2003-02-07

\\n We study analytically and numerically the stability\\nof the pressure-less, viscously spreading accretion ring.\\nWe show that the ring is unstable to small non-axisymmetric\\nperturbations. To perform the perturbation analysis of the ring\\nwe use a stretching transformation of the time coordinate.\\nWe find that to 1st order, one-armed spiral\\nstructures, and to 2nd order additionally two-armed spiral features may\\nappear. Furthermore, we identify a dispersion relation determining the\\ninstability of the ring. The theoretical results are confirmed in\\nseveral simulations, using two different numerical methods.\\nThese computations prove independently the existence of a secular\\nspiral instability driven by viscosity, which evolves into\\npersisting leading and trailing spiral waves.\\nOur results settle the question whether the\\nspiral structures found in earlier simulations of the spreading ring\\nare numerical artifacts or genuine instabilities. \\n\\n\\n
Cholesterol storage and tau pathology in Niemann–Pick type C disease in the brain
2003-02-11

Abstract Niemann–Pick type C disease is an inherited neurovisceral storage disorder with intracellular accumulation of cholesterol. In affected brains, many ballooned neurons are seen. Considerable nerve cell loss of unknown pathogenesis leads to neurological deterioration and dementia. Chemical examination of brains has failed to demonstrate increased levels of cholesterol. Using filipin fluorometry of neuronal cells in tissue slices, we found massive accumulation of cholesterol in neurons in four out of five human Niemann–Pick type C cases including adult patients. Neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregates of the otherwise highly soluble protein tau were present in three Niemann–Pick type C cases and were also immunologically identical to those associated with Alzheimer's disease. However, only a thin slab of spinal cord or a tiny piece of isocortex was available for examination in the two cases without tangles. In a further semi‐quantitative analysis of 576 neurons, we determined higher cholesterol content in tangle‐bearing neurons than in adjacent tangle‐free neurons. The association of cholesterol accumulation with neurofibrillary degeneration in Niemann–Pick type C disease and Alzheimer's disease awakens interest in the role of impaired cholesterol metabolism in the development of neurofibrillary tangles in both diseases. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.
Field Trial of Contaminant Groundwater Monitoring:  Comparing Time-Integrating Ceramic Dosimeters and Conventional Water Sampling
2003-02-11

Passive sampling is a technology that is gaining more and more importance in the field of environmental monitoring. Sampling with ceramic dosimeters (passive samplers) is a new method which is being developed for long-term, time-integrated monitoring of organic pollutants in groundwater. The concept of time-integrated concentration measure ments can theoretically be used for contaminant monitoring in groundwater, rivers, lakes, wastewater sewers, and so on, and can be used to quantify exposures to contaminants for a range of contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTEX), and volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons. This paper presents (1) results from laboratory tests for recovery rates for the extraction of analytes from the adsorbent material Dowex Optipore L-493; (2) tests on the long-term stability of adsorbed BTEX and naphthalenes in ceramic dosimeters; and (3) results from field tests in groundwater wells comparing contaminant (BTEX) concentrations detected with ceramic dosimeters to concentrations determined from conventional pumped groundwater samples over different overlapping time periods. These results demonstrate that ceramic dosimeters are suitable devices for monitoring aqueous contaminant concentrations over long time periods without the artifacts that may arise from pumping, handling, and storing water samples.
Survivin is a shared tumor-associated antigen expressed in a broad variety of malignancies and recognized by specific cytotoxic T cells
2003-02-12

Abstract Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is expressed in almost all types of malignancies, making this protein a useful tool for the development of broadly applicable vaccination therapies. We used a recently identified HLA-A2 binding peptide and dendritic cells (DCs) from healthy donors to induce survivin-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in vitro. These T cells efficiently lysed target cells pulsed with the cognate peptide. Furthermore, survivin-specific CTLs recognized HLA-A2–matched tumor cell lines and primary malignant cells from patients with leukemia in an antigen-specific and HLA-restricted manner as demonstrated with the use of cold target inhibition assays and blocking antibodies. To validate the immunogenicity of survivin we performed the experiments in an autologous setting and used monocyte-derived DCs as targets. Interestingly, we found that DCs up-regulate survivin expression on stimulation with tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). However, these mature DCs were not recognized by survivin-specific CTLs, whereas they lysed autologous mature DCs pulsed with the antigenic peptide or transfected with whole tumor RNA purified from a survivin-expressing cell line. To further analyze the possible use of survivin-specific CTLs in cancer therapies, we induced survivin-specific CTLs using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and DCs from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The in vitro–generated T cells efficiently recognized autologous malignant CLL cells, whereas they spared autologous-purified nonmalignant B cells or DCs. Our results demonstrate that survivin epitopes are presented on a broad variety of malignancies and can be applied in vaccination therapies.
Endocytosis of a Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored Protein via Clathrin-coated Vesicles, Sorting by Default in Endosomes, and Exocytosis via RAB11-positive Carriers
2003-02-12

Recently, proteins linked to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) residues have received considerable attention both for their association with lipid microdomains and for their specific transport between cellular membranes. Basic features of trafficking of GPI-anchored proteins or glycolipids may be explored in flagellated protozoan parasites, which offer the advantage that their surface is dominated by these components. In Trypanosoma brucei, the GPI-anchored variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) is efficiently sorted at multiple intracellular levels, leading to a 50-fold higher membrane concentration at the cell surface compared with the endoplasmic reticulum. We have studied the membrane and VSG flow at an invagination of the plasma membrane, the flagellar pocket, the sole region for endo- and exocytosis in this organism. VSG enters trypanosomes in large clathrin-coated vesicles (135 nm in diameter), which deliver their cargo to endosomes. In the lumen of cisternal endosomes, VSG is concentrated by default, because a distinct class of small clathrin-coated vesicles (50–60 nm in diameter) budding from the cisternae is depleted in VSG. TbRAB11-positive cisternal endosomes, containing VSG, fragment by an unknown process giving rise to intensely TbRAB11- as well as VSG-positive, disk-like carriers (154 nm in diameter, 34 nm in thickness), which are shown to fuse with the flagellar pocket membrane, thereby recycling VSG back to the cell surface.
Immobilization of thermolysin to polyamide nonwoven materials
2003-02-12

Abstract In the last few years, an increasing number of biotechnological techniques have been applied to the restoration and conservation of works of art, paintings, old maps, and papers or books. Enzymes can solve problems that give restorers difficulties, although for many applications it is not possible to use soluble enzymes; therefore, it is necessary to look for suitable carriers for immobilization. Different methods for covalent immobilization of enzymes to polyamide nonwovens were tested, using thermolysin as an example. Two distinct strategies were pursued: (1) controlled, partial hydrolysis of the polymer and subsequent binding of the enzyme to the released amino and carboxy groups; and (2) attachment of reactive groups directly to the polyamide without disintegrating the polymeric structure ( O ‐alkylation). Different spacers were used for covalent fixation of the enzyme in both cases. The enzyme was fixed to the released amino groups by glutaraldehyde, either with or without a spacer. Either way, active enzyme could be immobilized to the matrix. However, intense treatment caused severe damage to the stability of the nonwoven fabric, and reduced the mechanical strength. Conditions were investigated to conserve the nonwoven fabric structure while obtaining near‐maximum immobilized enzyme activity. Immobilization of the enzyme to the released carboxy group after acid hydrolysis was performed using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. In comparison to the enzyme bound via the amino group, the yield of immobilized enzyme activity was slightly lower when benzidine was taken as spacer and still lower with a 1,6‐hexanediamine spacer. O ‐alkylation performed with dimethylsulfate caused severe damage to the nonwoven fabric structure. Considerably better results were obtained with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate. As the spacers 1,6‐hexanediamine and adipic acid dihydrazide were used, activation for immobilizing thermolysin was performed with glutaraldehyde, adipimidate, and azide. With the exception of azide, all combinations of spacers and activation reagents gave high yields of immobilized enzyme activity. Thermolysin immobilized by this technique showed a remarkably improved stability with respect to elevated temperature, extreme pH values, and reduced polarity. The nonwoven fabric can be stored for weeks without loss of enzyme activity by washing with distilled water and drying. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 82: 190–199, 2003.
Suppressive DNA Vaccination in Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Peptide-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Involves a T1-Biased Immune Response
2003-02-15

Abstract Vaccination with DNA encoding a myelin basic protein peptide suppresses Lewis rat experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) induced with the same peptide. Additional myelin proteins, such as myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), may be important in multiple sclerosis. Here we demonstrate that DNA vaccination also suppresses MOG peptide-induced EAE. MOG91–108 is encephalitogenic in DA rats and MHC-congenic LEW.1AV1 (RT1av1) and LEW.1N (RT1n) rats. We examined the effects of DNA vaccines encoding MOG91–108 in tandem, with or without targeting of the hybrid gene product to IgG. In all investigated rat strains DNA vaccination suppressed clinical signs of EAE. There was no requirement for targeting the gene product to IgG, but T1-promoting CpG DNA motifs in the plasmid backbone of the construct were necessary for efficient DNA vaccination, similar to the case in DNA vaccination in myelin basic protein-induced EAE. We failed to detect any effects on ex vivo MOG-peptide-induced IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, and brain-derived neurotropic factor expression in splenocytes or CNS-derived lymphocytes. In CNS-derived lymphocytes, Fas ligand expression was down-regulated in DNA-vaccinated rats compared with controls. However, MOG-specific IgG2b responses were enhanced after DNA vaccination. The enhanced IgG2b responses together with the requirement for CpG DNA motifs in the vaccine suggest a protective mechanism involving induction of a T1-biased immune response.
Hemin Binding, Functional Expression, and Complementation Analysis of Pap 31 fromBartonella henselae
2003-02-18

ABSTRACT Growth of Bartonella henselae is strongly heme dependent, and B. henselae is unable to synthesize heme itself. At least five outer membrane-associated proteins from B. henselae bind hemin, including the 31-kDa protein designated Pap31. The gene of this protein was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli M15(pREP4) and detected with monoclonal antibodies in the outer membrane fraction. Complementation of the hemA -deficient mutant E. coli K-12 EB53 ( aroB tsx malT hemA ) with pap31 demonstrated that this protein is involved in heme acquisition and may be an important virulence factor in the pathogenesis of B. henselae .