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Reduced Production (reduced + production)
Selected AbstractsA link between neutrophils and chronic disease manifestations of Chlamydia muridarum urogenital infection of miceFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Hyo Y. Lee Abstract Vigorous acute inflammatory responses accompany Chlamydia muridarum infections in mice and are positively correlated with adverse urogenital and respiratory tract infection outcomes in the mouse model. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that neutrophils induce an acute inflammatory insult that, in the repair phase, leads to the chronic sequelae of hydrosalpinx , a surrogate marker of infertility in the mouse model. To this end, we induced neutropenia in mice using a neutrophil-depleting monoclonal antibody during acute phases of C. muridarum urogenital infection only (days 2,21 postinfection). To prove induced neutropenia, peripheral blood was monitored for neutrophils during the treatment regimen. Neutropenic mice had a similar infection course as control mice, but had significantly reduced levels of certain histopathological parameters, reduced production of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and reduced rates of hydrosalpinx following resolution of the infection. We conclude that neutrophils are a major source of MMP-9, a previously proved pathological factor in this model. Further, we conclude that acute inflammation in the form of neutrophils and neutrophil activation products are at least partially responsible for inducing the histological changes that ultimately result in fibrosis and infertility in the mouse model of chlamydial upper genital tract disease. [source] Epicutaneous immunization converts subsequent and established antigen-specific T helper type 1 (Th1) to Th2-type responsesIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Jessica Strid Summary Epicutaneous immunization is a potential novel technique for topical vaccine delivery. It targets the immunologically rich milieu of the skin while having the advantage of being a non-invasive immunization procedure. By disrupting the stratum corneum of the epidermis a natural adjuvant effect can be achieved through activation of resident Langerhans cells. This negates the normal need for co-application of noxious adjuvants. Epicutaneous immunization on barrier-disrupted skin induces potent antigen-specific systemic immunity with a strong T helper type 2 (Th2) bias. We show here that epicutaneous immunization enhances the vigour of a subsequent T-cell response to the same antigen. The induced systemic Th2 response prevents the development of Th1 responses induced through injection of antigen in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Prior epicutaneous immunization results in reduced production of antigen-specific interferon-, and immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and enhanced interleukin-4, IgG1 and IgE responses to immunization with CFA. Moreover, epicutaneous immunization converts an established Th1 response to a Th2 response, as demonstrated by the specific reduction of interferon-, and IgG2a and the enhancement of interleukin-4 and IgE. This Th2 dominance of epicutaneous immunization may have direct therapeutic application as an immune-modulating procedure in Th1-dominant diseases such as autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and multiple sclerosis. [source] Effectiveness of topical skin care provided in aged care facilitiesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 4 2005Brent Hodgkinson MSc GradCertPH GradCertEcon(Health) Executive summary Background, The 2001 Australian census revealed that adults aged 65 years and over constituted 12.6% of the population, up from 12.1% in 1996. It is projected that this figure will rise to 21% or 5.1 million Australians by 2031. In 1998, 6% (134 000) of adults in Australia aged 65 years and over were residing in nursing homes or hostels and this number is also expected to rise. As skin ages, there is a decreased turnover and replacement of epidermal skin cells, a thinning subcutaneous fat layer and a reduced production of protective oils. These changes can affect the normal functions of the skin such as its role as a barrier to irritants and pathogens, temperature and water regulation. Generally, placement in a long-term care facility indicates an inability of the older person to perform all of the activities of daily living such as skin care. Therefore, skin care management protocols should be available to reduce the likelihood of skin irritation and breakdown and ultimately promote comfort of the older person. Objectives, The objective of this review was to determine the best available evidence for the effectiveness and safety of topical skin care regimens for older adults residing in long-term aged care facilities. The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse skin conditions with patient satisfaction considered as a secondary outcome. Search strategy, A literature search was performed using the following databases: PubMed (NLM) (1966,4/2003), Embase (1966,4/2003), CINAHL (1966,4/2003), Current Contents (1993,4/2003), Cochrane Library (1966,2/2003), Web of Science (1995,12/2002), Science Citation Index Expanded and ProceedingsFirst (1993,12/2002). Health Technology Assessment websites were also searched. No language restrictions were applied. Selection criteria, Systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials, randomised and non-randomised controlled trials evaluating any non-medical intervention or program that aimed to maintain or improve the integrity of skin in older adults were considered for inclusion. Participants were 65 years of age or over and residing in an aged care facility, hospital or long-term care in the community. Studies were excluded if they evaluated pressure-relieving techniques for the prevention of skin breakdown. Data collection and analysis, Two independent reviewers assessed study eligibility for inclusion. Study design and quality were tabulated and relative risks, odds ratios, mean differences and associated 95% confidence intervals were calculated from individual comparative studies containing count data. Results, The resulting evidence of the effectiveness of topical skin care interventions was variable and dependent upon the skin condition outcome being assessed. The strongest evidence for maintenance of skin condition in incontinent patients found that disposable bodyworn incontinence protection reduced the odds of deterioration of skin condition compared with non-disposable bodyworns. The best evidence for non-pressure relieving topical skin care interventions on pressure sore formation found the no-rinse cleanser Clinisan to be more effective than soap and water at maintaining healthy skin (no ulcers) in elderly incontinent patients in long-term care. The quality of studies examining the effectiveness of topical skin care interventions on the incidence of skin tears was very poor and inconclusive. Topical skin care for prevention of dermatitis found that Sudocrem could reduce the redness of skin compared with zinc cream if applied regularly after each pad change, but not the number of lesions. Topical skin care on dry skin found the Bag Bath/Travel Bath no-rinse skin care cleanser to be more effective at preventing overall skin dryness and most specifically flaking and scaling when compared with the traditional soap and water washing method in residents of a long-term care facility. Information on the safety of topical skin care interventions is lacking. Therefore, because of the lack of evidence, no recommendation on the safety on any intervention included in this review can be made. [source] Genome-wide screen identifies Escherichia coli TCA-cycle-related mutants with extended chronological lifespan dependent on acetate metabolism and the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor ArcAAGING CELL, Issue 5 2010Stavros Gonidakis Summary Single-gene mutants with extended lifespan have been described in several model organisms. We performed a genome-wide screen for long-lived mutants in Escherichia coli, which revealed strains lacking tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-cycle-related genes that exhibit longer stationary-phase survival and increased resistance to heat stress compared to wild-type. Extended lifespan in the sdhA mutant, lacking subunit A of succinate dehydrogenase, is associated with the reduced production of superoxide and increased stress resistance. On the other hand, the longer lifespan of the lipoic acid synthase mutant (lipA) is associated with reduced oxygen consumption and requires the acetate-producing enzyme pyruvate oxidase, as well as acetyl-CoA synthetase, the enzyme that converts extracellular acetate to acetyl-CoA. The hypoxia-inducible transcription factor ArcA, acting independently of acetate metabolism, is also required for maximum lifespan extension in the lipA and lpdA mutants, indicating that these mutations promote entry into a mode normally associated with a low-oxygen environment. Because analogous changes from respiration to fermentation have been observed in long-lived Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Caenorhabditis elegans strains, such metabolic alterations may represent an evolutionarily conserved strategy to extend lifespan. [source] Gingival fibroblasts grown from cyclosporin-treated patients show a reduced production of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) compared with normal gingival fibroblasts, and cyclosporin down-regulates the production of MMP-1 stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokinesJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2007T. Z. Sukkar Background and Objective:, Cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth arises from an alteration in collagen homeostasis and is enhanced by inflammatory changes in the gingival tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction among interleukin-1, oncostatin M, cyclosporin and nifedipine in promoting the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase by gingival fibroblasts. Material and Methods:, Fibroblast cultures (n = 5) were obtained from healthy controls and from patients with cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth, and cells were harvested between the fourth and ninth passages. Cells were stimulated with interleukin-1 and oncostatin M, alone or in combination, and with different concentrations of cyclosporin (0,2000 ng/mL) and nifedipine (0,200 ng/mL). MMP-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 production was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. A CyQuant cell proliferation assay was used to determine the DNA concentration in the sample. Results:, Fibroblasts obtained from patients with cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth produced significantly lower levels of MMP-1 than control fibroblasts (p < 0.001); tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05), and the ratio of MMP-1 to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 was reduced, in the conditioned medium of patients with cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth compared with controls. Interleukin-1 and oncostatin M produced a significant increase in the up-regulation of MMP-1, which was reversed when cyclosporin and nifedipine were added to the cell cultures (p < 0.05). Conclusion:, Pro-inflammatory cytokines significantly up-regulate MMP-1 in cultured gingival fibroblasts. Up-regulation is attenuated by both cyclosporin and nifedipine. The interaction may account for the synergism between inflammation and cyclosporin-induced gingival overgrowth. [source] Fodder production and soil health with conjunctive use of saline and good quality water in ustipsamments of a semi-arid regionLAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2007R. K. Yadav Abstract Food and fodder shortage in arid and semi-arid regions force farmers to use marginal quality water for meeting the water requirement of crops which result in low quality, reduced production and an adverse impact on soil properties. A field study on loamy-sand (Hyperthermic Typic Ustipsamments) saline soil was conducted during 1999,2001 at Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar. This involved assessment of effects of conjunctive use of saline water, EC,=,4·6,7·4,dSm,1, SAR,=,14,22 ((mmol,1)½ with good quality water on five fodder crop rotations: oat-sorghum (Avena sativa- ,Sorghum bicolor), rye grass,sorghum (Loleum rigidum,Sorghum bicolor), Egyptian clover,sorghum (Trifoleum alexandrinum,Sorghum bicolor), Persian clover,sorghum (Trifoleum resupinatum,Sorghum bicolor) and Indian clover,sorghum (Melilotus indica,Sorghum bicolor) and certain soil properties associated with it. Leguminous winter fodder crops were more sensitive to poor quality water use. Reductions in fodder yield with use of saline water alone throughout season were 85, 68, 54, 42, 36 and 26 per,cent in Indian clover, Egyptian clover, Persian clover, oat, rye grass and sorghum respectively as compared to good quality water. Leguminous fodder crops produced protein rich (12,14 per,cent) and low fibre (18,20 per,cent) fodder as compared to poor quality grassy fodder under good quality water irrigation but their quality deteriorated when saline water was used. These leguminous crops accumulated proportionately higher Na+ (1·58 per,cent) resulting in adverse impact on their growth as compared to grassy fodder crops. Higher soil salinity (12·2,dSm,1), SAR,=,20 (mmol,1)½ was recorded with saline water irrigation; and slight adverse impact was noticed on infiltration rate and contents of water dispersible clay. Alternate cyclic use of canal and saline water could be an option for fodder production under such conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Proteomic changes in the crucian carp brain during exposure to anoxiaPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 8 2009Richard W. Smith Dr. Abstract During exposure to anoxia, the crucian carp brain is able to maintain normal overall protein synthesis rates. However, it is not known if there are alterations in the synthesis or expression of specific proteins. This investigation addresses this issue by comparing the normoxic and anoxic brain proteome. Nine proteins were found to be reduced by anoxia. Reductions in the glycolytic pathway proteins creatine kinase, fructose biphosphate aldolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase and lactate dehydrogenase reflect the reduced production and requirement for adenosine tri-phosphate during anoxia. In terms of neural protection, voltage-dependent anion channel, a protein associated with neuronal apoptosis, was reduced, along with gefiltin, a protein associated with the subsequent need for neuronal repair. Additionally the expression of proteins associated with neural degeneration and impaired cognitive function also declined; dihydropyrimidinase-like protein-3 and vesicle amine transport protein-1. One protein was found to be increased by anoxia; pre-proependymin, the precursor to ependymin. Ependymin fulfils multiple roles in neural plasticity, memory formation and learning, neuron growth and regeneration, and is able to reverse the possibility of apoptosis, thus further protecting the anoxic brain. [source] Control of microbial attachment by inhibition of ATP and ATP-mediated autoinducer-2BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 1 2010Huijuan Xu Abstract In this study, 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), a typical chemical uncoupler, was employed to investigate the possible roles of ATP and autoinducer-2 (AI-2) of suspended microorganisms in attachment onto nylon membrane and glass slide surfaces. Results showed that DNP could disrupt ATP synthesis, subsequently led to a reduced production of AI-2 which is a common signaling molecule for cellular communication. Attachment of suspended microorganisms exposed to DNP was significantly suppressed as compared to microorganisms without contact with DNP. These suggest that an energized state of suspended microorganisms would favor microbial attachment to both nylon membrane and glass slide surfaces. The extent of microbial attachment was found to be positively related to the AI-2 content of microorganisms. This study offers insights into the control of biofouling by preventing initial microbial attachment through inhibition of energy metabolism. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107: 31,36. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Preventive effect of preoperative portal vein ligation on endotoxin-induced hepatic failure in hepatectomized rats is associated with reduced tumour necrosis factor , productionBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 10 2000Dr S. Yachida Background Preoperative portal vein embolization successfully reduces the incidence of postoperative hepatic failure in which endotoxin is postulated to be involved. To identify the mechanism of this preventive effect, the relationship of endotoxin-induced liver injury with tumour necrosis factor (TNF) , and nitric oxide production in the peripheral blood, liver and spleen of rats subjected to preoperative portal vein branch ligation (PVL) was compared with that in rats undergoing sham operation. Methods Rats with PVL and those that underwent sham operation were subjected to resection of ligated liver lobes (PVL-Hx rats) and two-thirds hepatectomy (noPVL-Hx rats) respectively at day 5, followed by intravenous administration of endotoxin 200 ,g/kg body-weight at day 7. At various time intervals after endotoxin injection, the peripheral blood, liver and spleen tissues were harvested and analysed for TNF-, and nitric oxide production. Results The survival rates of noPVL-Hx and PVL-Hx rats at 48 h after endotoxin administration were 40 and 100 per cent respectively. The former rats showed more extensive liver injury as represented by higher serum aminotransferase and hyaluronate levels than the latter. Plasma concentrations of TNF-, at 1·5 h after endotoxin treatment were significantly higher in noPVL-Hx rats (mean(s.e.m.) 22 125(2175) pg/ml; n = 6) than PVL-Hx rats (8344(4076) pg/ml; n = 6) (P < 0·01). Consistent with this, expression of TNF-, messenger RNA in the liver and spleen was suppressed in PVL-Hx rats. In two-thirds hepatectomized rats, plasma TNF-, concentrations after endotoxin administration at 1, 2 and 3 days (14 350(2186), 26 375(2478) and 23 000(3745) pg/ml respectively; n = 6 each) were significantly higher than that before operation (9067(1559) pg/ml; n = 6) (P < 0·05), whereas those at 5 and 7 days (10 102(3616) and 8580(1427) pg/ml respectively; n = 6 each) showed no significant increase. Furthermore, nitric oxide production in peripheral blood and liver was suppressed by preoperative PVL. Conclusion Prevention of endotoxin-induced liver failure by preoperative PVL is associated with reduced production of TNF-, in the later phase of liver regeneration. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] Incorporation of Dynamic Flexibility in the Design of a Methanol Synthesis Loop in the Presence of Catalyst DeactivationCHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (CET), Issue 1 2008P. Parvasi Abstract A typical methanol loop reactor is analyzed in this study. All basic equipment in the Lurgi-type methanol loop is included in the proposed model. A detailed dynamic model described by a set of ordinary differential and algebraic equations is developed to predict the behavior of the overall process. The model is validated against plant data. A new deactivation model is proposed and its parameters are estimated using daily plant data. The interesting feature of this model is that it incorporates the effect of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide on the catalyst deactivation. Using the model, the effect of various factors to compensate for the reduction of production rate due to catalyst deactivation has been examined. Some improvements can be achieved by adjusting the operating conditions. Finally, a strategy is proposed for prevention of reduced production due to catalyst deactivation. [source] Interleukins 7 and 12 are expressed in head and neck squamous cancerCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 4 2001V. Paleri paleri v., pulimood a., davies g.r. &birchall m.a. (2001) Clin. Otolaryngol.26, 302,306 Interleukins 7 and 12 are expressed in head and neck squamous cancer Interleukin 7 (IL-7) and IL-12 have major roles in cell-mediated tumour immunity. In head and neck squamous cell cancer, depressed cell-mediated immunity is well documented and may account for the poor prognosis. This is the first study to assess intratumour expression of IL-7 and IL-12 in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). Immunohistochemistry was used to identify IL-7 and IL-12 expression in snap-frozen tumour specimens from 25 patients with HNSCC and the results of immunohistochemical staining were semiquantitatively graded. Both IL-7 and IL-12 were expressed in all tumour samples and expression was not related to tumour stage or site. A trend towards better survival was associated with high expression of IL-7 and IL-12, this being more pronounced with IL 7. The universal expression suggests that the depressed cell-mediated immunity in HNSCC is not caused by reduced production of IL-7 and IL-12. Further studies with larger cohorts, especially of IL-7, are certainly warranted. [source] | ||||||||||||||||