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Porcine
Terms modified by Porcine Selected AbstractsTransdermal delivery of two antioxidants from different cosmetic formulationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1-2 2003S. Richert Synopsis The efficacy of any cosmetic product containing a functional ingredient is determined by the skin delivery of the active molecule, which is influenced by the type of the vehicle and the molecule itself. This study was designed to compare the percutaneous absorption habits of the antioxidants carcinine and lipoic acid out of various formulations by means of the porcine skin model. Initial evaluation of the in vitro porcine skin model has demonstrated its feasibility for various substances and formulations [1, 2]. Increasing legal requirements for risk assessment in the cosmetic industry have led to the development of this alternative test method. The penetration properties are determined by the OECD Guideline TG 428: Skin Absorption: in vitro Method [3, 4], which allows the use of porcine skin for penetration studies. Porcine skin is used because of its similarity to human skin in terms of its morphology and the essential permeation characteristics [5]. The mass balances for each tested formulation type of the antioxidants show individual penetration behaviours with significant differences. The presented data plainly demonstrate that the lipophilic lipoic acid has a distinct higher penetration potential than the hydrophilic carcinine. The chosen vehicle can enhance or reduce the transdermal delivery of both tested antioxidants. Modern effective cosmetic formulations will work only, if the active ingredients penetrate into the epidermis. In conclusion, the correct selection of a suitable formulation plays an important role during product development. Résumé L'efficacité d'un produit cosmétique ou de son principe actif est définie par l'absorption du principe actif par la peau. Cette action est influencée par la structure moléculaire du principe actif ainsi que par la galénique du produit. Dans cette étude, les taux d'absorption percutanée des agents anti-oxydants Carcinine et Acide Lipoïque intégrés dans différentes formulations cosmétiques ont été comparés avec le modèle de peau porcine. La phase de validation sur plusieurs années du modèle peau porcine in vitro a prouvé qu'il se prête très bien à la détermination de la pénétration percutanée de différentes substances et formulations. Des exigences légales de plus en plus sévères concernant la pratique des tests de sécurité pour les produits cosmétiques ont mené au développement de cette méthode qui remplace les essais sur animaux. La définition des qualités de pénétration se fait selon la directive OECD TG 428 : Skin Absorption : in vitro Method [3, 4] qui permet l'utilisation de la peau porcine provenant des abattoirs pour l'exécution des études de pénétration. Les bilans quantitatifs des formulations testées montrent que les agents anti-oxydants ont des comportements de pénétration différant de manière significative. Les données présentées démontrent très clairement que l'acide Lipoïque, lipophile, possède un potentiel de pénétration bien plus élevé que la Carcinine, hydrophile. La base cosmétique peut aussi réduire ou augmenter le potentiel de pénétration des agents anti-oxydant testés. En résumé, le choix correct d'un type de formulation joue un rôle très important dans le développement d'un produit cosmétique. [source] Protein Denaturation and Structural Damage During High-Pressure-Shift Freezing of Porcine and Bovine MuscleJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 6 2000F. Fernández-Martín ABSTRACT: Pork and beef muscles were subjected to 200 MPa and ,20 °C with or without water freezing. Both tissues responded to the treatment with similar behavior. Protein denaturation was greater when freezing occurred. Pressure-induced cold denaturation was complete for actin and very considerable for myosin and other muscle proteins. Connective proteins remained practically unaltered by pressurization and/or freezing. Structural changes in the muscle at sarcomere levels caused by pressurization were more severe when freezing occurred. Color, drip loss, and textural properties on the pressurized samples also revealed an additional deleterious influence of freezing. Pressurization alone and pressure-shift freezing resulted unsuitable for muscle preservation. [source] Human ABO Blood Group Is Important in Survival and Function of Porcine Working HeartsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2003Rizwan A. Manji Pig organs express ,Gal antigen and thus are hyperacutely rejected if perfused by human blood. Human B/A antigens are similar to pig ,Gal antigen, suggesting that the corresponding antibodies may cross-react. Our purpose was to determine if there is a human ABO blood-group difference in porcine,human xenotransplantation. Plasma from six A, five B, seven AB, and six O individuals pooled by blood group were tested in an ex-vivo porcine working heart model. Blood-group A plasma-perfused hearts survived 20 ± 14 min (n = 5), B 241 ± 9 min (n = 3), AB 151 ± 37 min (n = 5), and O 9 ± 1 min (n = 8). A and O were different (p < 0.001) from B and AB. Function was significantly better in group B. Edema accumulation and creatine kinase change was highest in A and O. All groups had comparable levels of anti-,Gal antibody, as well as comparable perfusion and operative conditions. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed the anti-B antibody levels to be predictive of survival (p < 0.001). At higher plasma concentrations, hearts perfused with B plasma survived longer (p =,0.01) than AB (218 ± 45 min, n = 4 vs. 6 ± 0 min, n = 3). These results suggest a human ABO blood-group difference in porcine-to-human xenotransplantation, which may be mediated by the anti-A and anti-B antibodies. [source] Induction of proliferation and differentiation of cultured urothelial cells on acellular biomaterialsBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2004Gouya Ram-Liebig OBJECTIVE To determine the optimum conditions for the proliferation of urothelial cells, leading to the confluent coverage of large surfaces of biocompatible membranes, and for their terminal differentiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Porcine and human urothelial cells were cultured on different matrices under different growth conditions. Proliferative activity and the viability of cells were evaluated using fluorescent markers for nuclei and cytoplasm. Growth and differentiation were assessed by histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. RESULTS Under fibroblastic induction and supplementation of 5% fetal calf serum (FCS), urothelial cells showed more proliferation than in other conditions tested. Terminal differentiation of superficial cells was achieved by lowering the concentration of FCS to 1% at the air,liquid interface. CONCLUSIONS The mitogenic effects of the extracellular matrix content of biological membranes and fibroblastic inductive factors are synergistic with each other, and can compensate for a low FCS concentration and the absence of other additives. Lowering the FCS concentration to 1% inhibits the proliferation of urothelial cells and permits their terminal differentiation. [source] Tamoxifen dilates porcine coronary arteries: roles for nitric oxide and ouabain-sensitive mechanismsBRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 6 2006H S Leung Background and purpose: Experiments were designed to determine the mechanism of the relaxation induced by tamoxifen in porcine coronary arteries at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels. Experimental approach: Porcine left circumflex coronary arteries were isolated and isometric tension was measured. [Ca2+]i in native endothelial cells of intact arteries was determined by a calcium fluorescence imaging technique and eNOS ser1177 phosphorylation was assayed by Western blotting. Key results: Tamoxifen induced an endothelium-dependent relaxation that was antagonized by ICI 182,780 and abolished by NG -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadizolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). L-Arginine reversed the effect of L-NAME while indomethacin was without effect. Tamoxifen-induced relaxation was attenuated by charybdotoxin (CTX) plus apamin, ouabain or by incubation in a K+ -free solution. Moreover, tamoxifen triggered extracellular Ca2+ -dependent increases in endothelial [Ca2+]i and this effect was abolished by ICI 182,780. Endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside was also inhibited by ouabain or in a K+ -free solution. Furthermore, tamoxifen increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation at Ser-1177 and ICI 182,780 prevented this effect. Conclusions and Implications: The present results suggest that tamoxifen mainly induces endothelium-dependent relaxation and that endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is the primary mediator of this effect. NO-dependent responses may result from elevated [Ca2+]i in endothelial cells; an effect abolished by ICI 182,780. NO activates Na+/K+ -ATPase in vascular smooth muscle, leading to relaxation. These results suggest that tamoxifen is able to modulate eNOS phosphorylation directly. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 703,711. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706921 [source] Relaxant effects of , -adrenergic agonists on porcine and human detrusor muscleACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 2 2005J. K. Badawi Abstract Aim:, Relaxant effects of different , -adrenoceptor agonists on porcine and human detrusor were examined. Thus, the , -adrenoceptor subtype mainly responsible for relaxation in the detrusor muscle of pigs was characterized. Additionally, different effects of several , -agonists in both species were shown. Methods:, Experiments were performed on muscle strips of porcine and human detrusor suspended in a tissue bath. The relaxant effects of the non-selective , -agonist isoprenaline, the selective ,2-agonists procaterol, salbutamol and the selective ,3-agonists BRL 37344, CL 316 243 and CGP 12177 on potassium-induced contraction were investigated. The inhibitory effect of different substances on the maximum contraction and the rank order of potency for endogenous catecholamines was determined in pigs. Furthermore, concentration-relaxation curves were performed for pigs and humans. Results:,Pigs: In the pre-treatment experiments isoprenaline and procaterol showed similar effects. The concentration,response experiments showed that the maximum relaxation induced by procaterol and salbutamol was more than 90%, not significantly different from isoprenaline, whereas the maximum relaxations of CL 316 243, BRL 37344 and CGP 12177 amounted to 68, 70 or 30%, respectively. Rank order of potencies was isoprenaline , adrenaline > noradrenaline. Humans: Isoprenaline, procaterol, salbutamol and CL 316 243 showed a maximum relaxation of 80, 41, 24 and 35% and pD2 values of 6.24, 5.65, 5.48 and 5.55, respectively. Conclusion:,,2-receptors play a main functional role in mediating relaxation of porcine detrusor. Selective ,2- and ,3-agonists similarly relax the human detrusor. Effects were smaller compared with the pig. [source] Structural model for an AxxxG-mediated dimer of surfactant-associated protein CFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 11 2004Visvaldas Kairys The pulmonary surfactant prevents alveolar collapse and is required for normal pulmonary function. One of the important components of the surfactant besides phospholipids is surfactant-associated protein C (SP-C). SP-C shows complex oligomerization behavior and a transition to ,-amyloid-like fibril structures, which are not yet fully understood. Besides this nonspecific oligomerization, MS and chemical cross-linking data combined with CD spectra provide evidence of a specific, mainly ,-helical, dimer at low to neutral pH. Furthermore, resistance to CNBr cleavage and dual NMR resonances of porcine and human recombinant SP-C with Met32 replaced by isoleucine point to a dimerization site located at the C-terminus of the hydrophobic ,-helix of SP-C, where a strictly conserved heptapeptide sequence is found. Computational docking of two SP-C helices, described here, reveals a dimer with a helix,helix interface that strikingly resembles that of glycophorin A and is mediated by an AxxxG motif similar to the experimentally determined GxxxG pattern of glycophorin A. It is highly likely that mature SP-C adopts such a dimeric structure in the lamellar bilayer systems found in the surfactant. Dimerization has been shown in previous studies to have a role in sorting and trafficking of SP-C and may also be important to the surfactant function of this protein. [source] Molecular modeling of the dimeric structure of human lipoprotein lipase and functional studies of the carboxyl-terminal domainFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2002Yoko Kobayashi Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a key role in lipid metabolism. Molecular modeling of dimeric LPL was carried out using insight ii based upon the crystal structures of human, porcine, and horse pancreatic lipase. The dimeric model reveals a saddle-shaped structure and the key heparin-binding residues in the amino-terminal domain located on the top of this saddle. The models of two dimeric conformations , a closed, inactive form and an open, active form , differ with respect to how surface-loop positions affect substrate access to the catalytic site. In the closed form, the surface loop covers the catalytic site, which becomes inaccessible to solvent. Large conformational changes in the open form, especially in the loop and carboxyl-terminal domain, allow substrate access to the active site. To dissect the structure,function relationships of the LPL carboxyl-terminal domain, several residues predicted by the model structure to be essential for the functions of heparin binding and substrate recognition were mutagenized. Arg405 plays an important role in heparin binding in the active dimer. Lys413/Lys414 or Lys414 regulates heparin affinity in both monomeric and dimeric forms. To evaluate the prediction that LPL forms a homodimer in a ,head-to-tail' orientation, two inactive LPL mutants , a catalytic site mutant (S132T) and a substrate-recognition mutant (W390A/W393A/W394A) , were cotransfected into COS7 cells. Lipase activity could be recovered only when heterodimerization occurred in a head-to-tail orientation. After cotransfection, 50% of the wild-type lipase activity was recovered, indicating that lipase activity is determined by the interaction between the catalytic site on one subunit and the substrate-recognition site on the other. [source] The solution structure of gomesin, an antimicrobial cysteine-rich peptide from the spiderFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2002Nicolas Mandard Gomesin is the first peptide isolated from spider exhibiting antimicrobial activities. This highly cationic peptide is composed of 18 amino-acid residues including four cysteines forming two disulfide linkages. The solution structure of gomesin has been determined using proton two-dimensional NMR (2D-NMR) and restrained molecular dynamics calculations. The global fold of gomesin consists in a well-resolved two-stranded antiparallel ,,sheet connected by a noncanonical ,,turn. A comparison between the structures of gomesin and protegrin-1 from porcine and androctonin from scorpion outlines several common features in the distribution of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues. The N- and C-termini, the ,,turn and one face of the ,,sheet are hydrophilic, but the hydrophobicity of the other face depends on the peptide. The similarities suggest that the molecules interact with membranes in an analogous manner. The importance of the intramolecular disulfide bridges in the biological activity of gomesin is being investigated. [source] Optimization of storage conditions for diluted working solutions of porcine factor VIII and performance of the Bethesda assay for the determination of antiporcine FVIII inhibitor titresHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 1 2003R. Winikoff Summary. The use of porcine factor VIII (FVIII) (Hyate:C, Ipsen) has proven to be very successful in treating patients with FVIII inhibitors. The best way to predict the usefulness of porcine FVIII therapy, and/or to estimate the appropriate treatment dose in a given patient, is to measure the patient inhibitor titre against porcine FVIII with the Bethesda assay, using porcine FVIII as the source of FVIII in the assay. The goals of the present study were to (1) find the optimal storage temperature, diluent and concentration for a working solution of porcine FVIII to be used as the source of FVIII for the porcine Bethesda assay, (2) assess the reliability of the labelled FVIII units in the preparation of such working solutions of porcine FVIII and (3) compare the inhibitor titres determined by the Bethesda assay using both porcine and human standard reference curves for measuring residual FVIII. The results of the present study demonstrate that a ready-to-use working solution of 1 U mL,1 of Hyate:C diluted in human FVIII deficient plasma, either containing or deficient in von Willebrand factor antigen, is stable for up to 12 months, at ,20 °C. The preparation of the 1 U mL,1 working solution could be reliably calculated based on the units indicated on the vial label. Finally, using the human standard curve yields similar results to using the porcine standard curve for measuring any titre of allo- or auto-antibody against FVIII in the Bethesda assay, using Hyate:C as the source of FVIII. These findings are of practical value when performing a porcine FVIII-based Bethesda assay. [source] La Chevrotière, Coopérative agro-alimentaire,ACCOUNTING PERSPECTIVES, Issue 2 2007Raymond Morissette ABSTRACT L'histoire de La Chevrotière est celle du développement d'une coopérative agricole en milieu rural québécois. Fondée en 1925, la coopérative La Chevrotière a connu une croissance contrôlée en étant à l'affût d'occasions d'affaires correspondant à son orientation de développement, pour et par le milieu agricole régional. Ses principaux secteurs d'activité étaient ceux de la machinerie agricole et de l'approvisionnement de la ferme. Par la suite, La Chevrotière a étendu ses activités aux secteurs de la production porcine, du fromage et de la transformation du lait (beurre et crème glacée). La coopérative emploie aujourd'hui 738 personnes. Le cas se déroule le 9 janvier 2006, lors d'une réunion du conseil d'administration ayant pour objet l'analyse des résultats financiers de l'exercice terminé le 31 décembre 2005, la révision du plan stratégique triennal et l'approbation du budget de fonctionnement pour le prochain exercice. C'est la première fois en dix ans que la coopérative n'a pas atteint ses objectifs financiers. De plus, les membres du conseil d'administration doivent choisir, parmi trois projets d'investissement majeurs, lequel s'arrime le mieux à leur plan stratégique triennal. Nota: Une version anglaise de ce cas ainsi que les notes d'enseignement en français et en anglais sont également disponibles. Les notes d'enseignement relatives aux cas didactiques ne sont pas publiées dans la revue mais sont mises à la disposition des abonnés qui sont membres à part entière de l'ACPC, dans une zone du site Web de l'ACPC protégée par un mot de passe. Rendez-vous à l'adresse http:www.caaa.caAccountingPerspectivesCAPCasesTeachingNotes pour pouvoir consulter ces notes. The "La Chevrotière" case tells the story of the development of a food co-operative ("Co-op") located in rural Quebec. Founded in 1925, the La Chevrotière Co-operative has enjoyed regular growth by pursuing business opportunities aligned with the Co-op's path of development - for and by means of regional agriculture. Initially, its two main sectors of activities were farm machinery and agricultural supplies. With time, La Chevrotière has extended its activities to include pork production, cheese making, and milk processing (butter and ice cream). Today, the Co-op has a staff of 738. The case unfolds on January 9, 2006, during a board of directors meeting whose purpose is to analyze the financial results of the period ended December 31, 2005; to review the three-year strategic plan; and to approve the operating budget for the next period. This is the first time in 10 years that the Co-op has not attained its financial objectives. Moreover, the members of the board of directors must take a hard look at three major investment projects and choose the one which fits in best with their three-year strategic plan. [source] Transdermal delivery of two antioxidants from different cosmetic formulationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1-2 2003S. Richert Synopsis The efficacy of any cosmetic product containing a functional ingredient is determined by the skin delivery of the active molecule, which is influenced by the type of the vehicle and the molecule itself. This study was designed to compare the percutaneous absorption habits of the antioxidants carcinine and lipoic acid out of various formulations by means of the porcine skin model. Initial evaluation of the in vitro porcine skin model has demonstrated its feasibility for various substances and formulations [1, 2]. Increasing legal requirements for risk assessment in the cosmetic industry have led to the development of this alternative test method. The penetration properties are determined by the OECD Guideline TG 428: Skin Absorption: in vitro Method [3, 4], which allows the use of porcine skin for penetration studies. Porcine skin is used because of its similarity to human skin in terms of its morphology and the essential permeation characteristics [5]. The mass balances for each tested formulation type of the antioxidants show individual penetration behaviours with significant differences. The presented data plainly demonstrate that the lipophilic lipoic acid has a distinct higher penetration potential than the hydrophilic carcinine. The chosen vehicle can enhance or reduce the transdermal delivery of both tested antioxidants. Modern effective cosmetic formulations will work only, if the active ingredients penetrate into the epidermis. In conclusion, the correct selection of a suitable formulation plays an important role during product development. Résumé L'efficacité d'un produit cosmétique ou de son principe actif est définie par l'absorption du principe actif par la peau. Cette action est influencée par la structure moléculaire du principe actif ainsi que par la galénique du produit. Dans cette étude, les taux d'absorption percutanée des agents anti-oxydants Carcinine et Acide Lipoïque intégrés dans différentes formulations cosmétiques ont été comparés avec le modèle de peau porcine. La phase de validation sur plusieurs années du modèle peau porcine in vitro a prouvé qu'il se prête très bien à la détermination de la pénétration percutanée de différentes substances et formulations. Des exigences légales de plus en plus sévères concernant la pratique des tests de sécurité pour les produits cosmétiques ont mené au développement de cette méthode qui remplace les essais sur animaux. La définition des qualités de pénétration se fait selon la directive OECD TG 428 : Skin Absorption : in vitro Method [3, 4] qui permet l'utilisation de la peau porcine provenant des abattoirs pour l'exécution des études de pénétration. Les bilans quantitatifs des formulations testées montrent que les agents anti-oxydants ont des comportements de pénétration différant de manière significative. Les données présentées démontrent très clairement que l'acide Lipoïque, lipophile, possède un potentiel de pénétration bien plus élevé que la Carcinine, hydrophile. La base cosmétique peut aussi réduire ou augmenter le potentiel de pénétration des agents anti-oxydant testés. En résumé, le choix correct d'un type de formulation joue un rôle très important dans le développement d'un produit cosmétique. [source] Porcine induced pluripotent stem cells may bridge the gap between mouse and human iPSIUBMB LIFE, Issue 4 2010Miguel A. Esteban Abstract Recently, three independent laboratories reported the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from pig (Sus scrofa). This finding sums to the growing list of species (mouse, human, monkey, and rat, in this order) for which successful reprogramming using exogenous factors has been achieved, and multiple others are possibly forthcoming. But apart from demonstrating the universality of the network identified by Shinya Yamanaka, what makes the porcine model so special? On one side, pigs are an agricultural commodity and have an easy and affordable maintenance compared with nonhuman primates that normally need to be imported. On the other side, resemblance (for example, size of organs) of porcine and human physiology is striking and because pigs are a regular source of food the ethical concerns that still remain in monkeys are not applicable. Besides, the prolonged lifespan of pigs compared with other domestic species can allow exhaustive follow up of side effects after transplantation. Porcine iPSCs may thus fill the gap between the mouse model, which due to its ease is preferred for mechanistic studies, and the first clinical trials using iPSCs in humans. However, although these studies are relevant and have created significant interest they face analogous problems that we discuss herein together with potential new directions. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(4): 277,282, 2010 [source] Antimicrobial resistance profiling and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in human, poultry and porcine samples from the Cork region of IrelandJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2000B. Lucey Antimicrobial resistance (R) typing and DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF) of a random collection of 84 Irish thermophilic Campylobacter isolates is described. The collection included human, veterinary (porcine) and poultry isolates cultured between 1996 and 1998 in the Cork region of Ireland. Biochemical and molecular methods were used to identify Campylobacter jejuni and Camp. coli. Many of these isolates were simultaneously resistant to several common antimicrobial agents. In particular, resistance to ampicillin, spectinomycin, sulphafurazole and tetracycline was common. A total of 74 DAF profiles was identified among the study collection, showing a high degree of diversity. Dendrogram analysis of the DNA patterns identified three main clusters at the 50% similarity level, which included two clusters of Camp. coli and a third containing a mixture of Camp. jejuni and Camp. coli. [source] Optical Mapping of Transmural Activation Induced by Electrical Shocks in Isolated Left Ventricular Wall Wedge PreparationsJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 11 2003OLEG F. SHARIFOV Ph.D. Introduction: It is believed that electrical shocks interrupt fibrillation by directly stimulating the bulk of ventricular myocardium in excitable states, but how shocks activate intramural tissue layers is not known. In this study, Vm responses and transmural activation patterns induced by shocks during diastole were measured in isolated coronary perfused preparations of porcine left ventricle. Methods and Results: Rectangular shocks (duration = 10 ms; field strength, E = 1,44 V/cm) were applied across preparations (thickness = 14.9 ± 2.5 mm, n = 9) via large mesh electrodes during diastole or action potential (AP) plateau. Vm responses at the transmural surface were measured using optical mapping technique (resolution = 1.2 mm). Depending on shock strength, three types of Vm responses were observed. (1) Weak shocks (E , 1,4 V/cm) applied in diastole induced APs with simple monophasic upstrokes. The latency and time of transmural activation (TTA) rapidly decreased with increasing shock strength. Earliest activation occurred predominantly at the cathodal side of preparations in the areas that exhibited maximal ,Vm during AP plateau. (2) Intermediate shocks (E , 4,23 V/cm) induced monophasic and biphasic upstrokes that were paralleled with predominantly negative plateau ,Vm. Activation was initiated at multiple transmural sites and rapidly spread across the myocardial wall (TTA = 0.6 ± 0.2 ms). (3) Very strong shocks (E , 23,44 V/cm) could cause triphasic upstrokes, likely reflecting occurrence of membrane electroporation, and delayed activation (TTA = 6.7 ± 3.8 ms) at sites of largest negative plateau ,Vm. Conclusion: Shocks applied during diastole cause direct and rapid (within 1 ms) activation of ventricular bulk over a wide range of shock strengths, supporting the excitatory hypothesis of defibrillation. Very strong shocks can cause multiphasic Vm responses and delayed activation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 1215-1222, November 2003) [source] Relationship Between Fragmentation of Myofibrils and Liberation of Phospholipids from Z-Disks Induced by Calcium Ions at 0.1 mM: Mechanism of Tenderization of Pork and Beef during Postmortem AgingJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 9 2003K. SHIMADA ABSTRACT We studied the myofibril fragmentation using porcine and bovine myofibrils to determine the mechanism by which myofibrils are fragmented during postmortem aging of meat. Both myofibril fragmentation and liberation of phospholipids from Z-disks were maximally induced by calcium ions at 0.1 mM. These phenomena showed identical dependencies on pH and temperature in the presence of calcium ions at 0.1 mM. All phospholipids in Z-disks, except for lysophosphatidylethanolamine, had affinity for calcium ions. Therefore, we concluded that liberation of calcium-phospholipid compounds from Z-disks causes weakening of the Z-disk structure, resulting in the myofibril fragmentation during postmortem aging of meat. [source] Comparison of bovine and porcine ,-lactoglobulin: a mass spectrometric analysisJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 6 2006Gaetano Invernizzi Abstract Nano-electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (nano-ESI-MS) is applied to comparison of bovine and porcine ,-lactoglobulin (BLG and PLG). The conformational and oligomeric properties of the two proteins under different solvent and experimental conditions are analyzed. The pH-dependence of dimerization is described for the pH range 2,11. The results indicate maximal dimer accumulation at pH 6 for BLG and pH 4 for PLG, as well as a lower stability of the PLG dimer at pH 4 compared to BLG at pH 6. Conformational stability appears to be higher for BLG at acidic pH, but higher for PLG at basic pH. The higher stability of BLG at low pH is revealed by means of either chemical or thermal denaturation. Equilibrium folding intermediates of both proteins are detected. Finally, conditions are found that promote dissociation of the BLG dimer at pH 6 into folded monomers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Long-term effects of porcine small intestine submucosa on the healing of medial collateral ligament: A functional tissue engineering studyJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2006Rui Liang Abstract Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was previously shown to enhance the mechanical properties of healing medial collateral ligaments (MCL), and the histomorphological appearance and collagen type V/I ratio were found to be close to those of normal MCL. We hypothesized that at a longer term, 26 weeks, SIS could guide a better organized neo-ligament formation, increasing mechanical properties and increasing collagen fibril diameters mediated by a reduction in collagen type V. A 6 mm gap injury in the right MCL was surgically created in 38 rabbits, while the contralateral intact MCL served as a sham-operated control. In half the animals, a strip of SIS was sutured onto the severed ends. In the other half, no SIS was applied. The cross-sectional area (CSA) was determined with a laser micrometer system. The femur,MCL,tibia complex was mechanically tested in uniaxial tension. Histomorphology was determined through H&E and immunofluorescent staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Sodium-dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to determine collagen type V/I ratio. SIS-treated MCLs displayed a 28% reduction in CSA, a 33% increase in tangent modulus, and a 50% increase in tensile strength compared with the nontreated group (p,<,0.05). TEM showed groups of collagen fibrils with larger diameters in the SIS-treated ligaments in comparison with uniformly small fibrils for the nontreated group. H&E staining showed more densely stained collagen fibers in the SIS-treated group aligned along the longitudinal axis with more interspersed spindle-shaped cells. Immunofluorescent staining showed less collagen type V signals, confirmed by a 5% lower ratio of collagen type V/I compared with the nontreated controls (p,<,0.05). The findings extend the shorter term 12-week results, and support the potential of porcine SIS as a bioscaffold to enhance ligament healing. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res [source] Detection of changes in articular cartilage proteoglycan by T1, magnetic resonance imagingJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Andrew J. Wheaton Abstract The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of T1, -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantitatively measure changes in proteoglycan content in cartilage. The T1, MRI technique was implemented in an in vivo porcine animal model with rapidly induced cytokine-mediated cartilage degeneration. Six pigs were given an intra-articular injection of recombinant porcine interleukin-1, (IL-1,) into the knee joint before imaging to induce changes in cartilage via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction. The induction of MMPs by IL-1 was used since it has been extensively studied in many systems and is known to create conditions that mimic in part characteristics similar to those of osteoarthritis. The contralateral knee joint was given a saline injection to serve as an internal control. T1, -weighted MRI was performed on a 4 T whole-body clinical scanner employing a 2D fast spin-echo-based T1, imaging sequence. T1, relaxation parameter maps were computed from the T1, -weighted image series. The average T1, relaxation rate, R1, (1/T1,) of the IL-1,-treated patellae was measured to be on average 25% lower than that of saline-injected patellae indicating a loss of proteoglycan. There was an average reduction of 49% in fixed charge density, measured via sodium MRI, of the IL-1,-treated patellae relative to control corroborating the loss of proteoglycan. The effects of IL-1,, primarily loss of PG, were confirmed by histological and immunochemical findings. The results from this study demonstrate that R1, is able to track proteoglycan content in vivo. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Effects of porcine 25 kDa amelogenin and its proteolytic derivatives on bone sialoprotein expressionJOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH, Issue 5 2010Y. Nakayama Nakayama Y, Yang L, Mezawa M, Araki S, Li Z, Wang Z, Sasaki Y, Takai H, Nakao S, Fukae M, Ogata Y. Effects of porcine 25 kDa amelogenin and its proteolytic derivatives on bone sialoprotein expression. J Periodont Res 2010; 45: 602,611. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective:, Amelogenins are hydrophobic proteins that are the major component of developing enamel. Enamel matrix derivative has been used for periodontal regeneration. Bone sialoprotein is an early phenotypic marker of osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we examined the ability of porcine amelogenins to regulate bone sialoprotein transcription. Material and Methods:, To determine the molecular basis of the transcriptional regulation of the bone sialoprotein gene by amelogenins, we conducted northern hybridization, transient transfection analyses and gel mobility shift assays using the osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells. Results:, Amelogenins (100 ng/mL) up-regulated bone sialoprotein mRNA at 3 h, with maximal mRNA expression occurring at 12 h (25 and 20 kDa) and 6 h (13 and 6 kDa). Amelogenins (100 ng/mL, 12 h) increased luciferase activities in pLUC3 (nucleotides ,116 to +60), and 6 kDa amelogenin up-regulated pLUC4 (nucleotides ,425 to +60) activity. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor inhibited amelogenin-induced luciferase activities, whereas the protein kinase A inhibitor abolished 25 kDa amelogenin-induced bone sialoprotein transcription. The effects of amelogenins were abrogated by 2-bp mutations in the fibroblast growth factor 2 response element (FRE). Gel-shift assays with radiolabeled FRE, homeodomain-protein binding site (HOX) and transforming growth factor-beta1 activation element (TAE) double-strand oligonucleotides revealed increased binding of nuclear proteins from amelogenin-stimulated ROS 17/2.8 cells at 3 h (25 and 13 kDa) and 6 h (20 and 6 kDa). Conclusion:, These results demonstrate that porcine 25 kDa amelogenin and its proteolytic derivatives stimulate bone sialoprotein transcription by targeting FRE, HOX and TAE in the bone sialoprotein gene promoter, and that full-length amelogenin and amelogenin cleavage products are able to regulate bone sialoprotein transcription via different signaling pathways. [source] Tocopheryl acetate disposition in porcine and human skin when administered using lipid nanocarriersJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Mojgan Moddaresi Abstract Objectives Assessing the delivery of a drug into the skin when it has been formulated within a nanocarrier is a complex process that does not conform to the conventions of traditional semi-solid formulations. The aim of this study was to gain a fundamental understanding of drug disposition in both human and porcine skin when applied using a lipidic nanocarrier. Methods A model system was generated by loading tocopheryl acetate into a well-characterised solid lipid nanoparticle and formulating this system as a traditional aqueous hyaluronic acid gel. Franz diffusion cells fitted with a silicone or nylon membrane were used to assess drug and particle transport independently whilst human and pig skin were employed to determine skin delivery. Key findings The tocopheryl acetate, when loaded into the solid lipid nanoparticles, did not release from the particle. However, 1.65 ± 0.90% of an infinite dose of tocopheryl acetate penetrated into the stratum corneum of pig skin when delivered using a nanoparticle-containing gel. Conclusions These results suggest that hydration of the stratum corneum in pig skin could lead to the opening of hydrophilic pores big enough for 50 nm-sized particles to pass into the superficial layers of the skin, a phenomenon that was not repeated in human skin. [source] Mechanisms involved in the relaxant action of the ethanolic extract of propolis in the guinea-pig trachea in-vitroJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2002Niraldo Paulino This study examines the mechanisms by which the standardised ethanolic extract of propolis induces relaxation of the guinea-pig trachea in-vitro. In guinea-pig trachea with or without epithelium and contracted by histamine, the propolis extract caused reproducible and graded relaxation, with a mean EC50 value of 3.8 or 10.5 ,g mL,1 and Emax of 100%, respectively. The propolis extract-induced relaxation was markedly reduced (26 ± 9 and 96 ± 3%) when guinea-pig tracheas were exposed to Krebs solution containing elevated K+ in the medium (40 or 80 mM). Pre-incubation of guinea-pig tracheas with tetraethylamonium (100 mM) or with 4-aminopyridine (10 mM) reduced the propolis extract-induced relaxation by 31±10% and 28 ± 2%. Likewise, apamin (0.1 ,M), charybdotoxin (0.1 ,M) or iberiotoxin (0.1 ,M) caused marked inhibition of propolis extract-mediated relaxation in guinea-pig trachea (percentage of inhibition: 65 ± 3%, 60 ± 5% and 65 ± 9%, respectively). Also, glibenclamide (1 ,M) inhibited the relaxant response caused by the propolis extract by 57 ± 4%. ,-Conotoxin GIVA (0.1 ,M) or capsaicin (1 ,M) produced small but significant inhibition (30 ± 5% or 47 ± 7%, respectively) of the propolis extract-induced relaxation. The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonist D- P -CI-Phe6, Leu17[VIP] porcine (0.1 ,M) inhibited relaxation by 55 ± 5%, while propranolol (1 ,M) induced a parallel rightward displacement (about 20 fold) of the propolis extract concentration-response curve. Finally, the propolis extract-induced relaxation was inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NG -nitroarginine (L-NOArg, 100 ,M) (48 ± 6%), and by the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (10 ,M) (37 ± 6%), while the more selective soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H -[1,2,4]oxadiazolol[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 1 ,M) produced only a parallel (about 3 fold) rightward displacement of the propolis extract concentration-response curve. Collectively, these results support the notion that the propolis extract-mediated relaxation in the guinea-pig trachea involves the release of nitric oxide, probably from sensory neurons, besides the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and activation of Ca2+ - and ATP-sensitive K+channels. Furthermore, the stimulation of ,2 -adrenergic and VIP receptors also seems to account for its relaxant action. [source] Fusion protein consisting of the first immunoglobulin-like domain of porcine nectin-1 and Fc portion of human IgG1 provides a marked resistance against pseudorabies virus infection to transgenic miceMICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Yukiko Tomioka ABSTRACT Nectin-1 is a Ca2+ -independent Ig-like cell,cell adhesion molecule and an alphaherpesvirus receptor that binds to virion glycoprotein D by the first Ig-like domain. We have investigated the antiviral potentials of soluble forms of porcine nectin-1 to PRV infection by generating transgenic mice expressing different types of fusion protein. Previously, we reported that mice transgenic for a chimera that carried the entire ectodomain of porcine nectin-1 fused to the Fc portion of porcine IgG1 were more resistant than those transgenic for a chimera that carried the first Ig-like domain fused to the Fc portion. Recently, we generated transgenic mice expressing a fusion protein made of the first Ig-like domain fused to the Fc portion of human IgG1, and reported that they showed a microphthalmia. Here, two transgenic mouse lines expressing the fusion protein were challenged with PRV for comparing their resistances with those of transgenic mice expressing different types of fusion protein. Surprisingly, both transgenic mouse lines showed a high resistance to the viral infection, especially via the i.n. route. Significant resistance of the embryonic fibroblasts was also observed. Altogether, these findings indicated that the fusion protein consisting of the first Ig-like domain fused to the human Fc portion provided a marked resistance against PRV infection to the transgenic mice. [source] Global H3K9 dimethylation status is not affected by transcription, translation, or DNA replication in porcine zygotesMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2010Ki-Eun Park Methylation of the lysine 9 residue of histone H3 (H3K9) is linked to transcriptional repression. The observed structure of chromatin in porcine and murine embryos is different with regard to H3K9 dimethylation status, leading to our hypothesis that the intracellular mechanisms responsible for H3K9 methylation would also differ between these two species. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the extent that DNA, mRNA, and protein synthesis serve in maintaining the asymmetrical distribution of dimethylated H3K9 in porcine zygotes, (2) determine the extent to which the intracellular localization of individual pronuclei correlated with H3K9 dimethylation status, and (3) to determine the abundance of transcripts encoding the histone methyltransferases, with H3K9 methylation activity, in porcine oocytes and embryos. Our findings are that (1) H3K9 dimethylation status is not affected by DNA replication, transcription, or protein synthesis, (2) the location of a pronucleus does not significantly affect the H3K9 dimethylation status of the chromatin within that pronucleus, and (3) the histone methyltransferases with activity for H3K9 differ in transcript abundance in porcine oocytes and cleavage stage embyros. These results support our hypothesis that there is a difference in intracellular mechanisms affecting dimethylation status of H3K9 between porcine and murine embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77: 420,429, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Embryotropic effect of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and its receptor on development of porcine preimplantation embryos produced by in vitro fertilization and somatic cell nuclear transferMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2005Sue Kim Abstract Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I is a receptor-mediated autocrine/paracrine growth/survival factor for mammalian embryo development. The present study investigated the temporal expression and regulation of porcine IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) mRNA and the role of IGF-I on development of porcine in vitro fertilized (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos. As assessed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the level of IGF-IR mRNA expression was high in unfertilized oocytes, 2-cell and 4-cell embryos and gradually decreased in 8-cell embryos, morulae, and blastocysts in both IVF and SCNT series. The IVF or SCNT embryos were cultured with 0, 1, 10, 50, or 100 ng/ml IGF-I for 168 hr. Supplementing with 50 ng/ml IGF-I increased blastocyst formation and the number of cells in inner cell masses (ICMs) in both IVF and SCNT embryos. In a second experiment, more blastocysts were obtained when IVF or SCNT embryos were cultured for the first 48 hr or for the entire 168 hr with 50 ng/ml IGF-I compared to culturing without IGF-I for 48 hr or with IGF-I for the last 120 hr or without IGF-I for the entire 168 hr. Treating IVF or SCNT embryos with 50 ng/ml IGF-I significantly up-regulated IGF-IR mRNA compared to untreated control embryos. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that IGF-IR mRNA is expressed in porcine IVF and SCNT embryos, and that IGF-I improved the developmental competence of IVF and SCNT embryos through its specific receptors. Mol. Reprod. Dev. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ovine ooplasm directs initial nucleolar assembly in embryos cloned from ovine, bovine, and porcine cellsMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2004Hamish M. Hamilton Abstract Here we present ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence that ovine ooplasm is directing the initial assembly of the nucleolus independent of the species of the nuclear donor. Intergeneric porcine,ovine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and intrageneric ovine,ovine SCNT embryos were constructed and the nucleolus ultrastructure and nucleolus associated rRNA synthesis examined in 1-, 2-, 4-, early 8-, late 8-, and 16-cell embryos using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopical autoradiography. In addition, immunocytochemical localization by confocal microscopy of nucleolin, a key protein involved in processing rRNA transcripts, was performed on early 8-, late 8-, and 16-cell embryos for both groups of SCNT embryos. Intergeneric porcine,ovine SCNT embryos exhibited nucleolar precursor bodies (NPBs) of an ovine (ruminant) ultrastructure, but no active rRNA producing fibrillo-granular nucleoli at any of the stages. Unusually, cytoplasmic organelles were located inside the nucleus of two porcine,ovine SCNT embryos. The ovine,ovine SCNT embryos, on the other hand, revealed fibrillo-granular nucleoli in 16-cell embryos. In parallel, autoradiographic labeling over the nucleoplasm, and in particular, the nulcleoli was detected. Bovine,ovine SCNT embryos at the eight-cell stage were examined for nucleolar morphology and exhibited ruminant-type NPBs as well as structures that appeared as fibrillar material surrounded by a rim of electron dense granules, perhaps formerly of nucleolar origin. Nucleolin was localized throughout the nucleoplasm and with particular intensity around the presumptive nucleolar compartments for all developmental stages examined in porcine,ovine and ovine,ovine SCNT embryos. In conclusion, this study suggests that factors within the ovine ooplasm are playing a role in the initial assembly of the embryonic nucleolus in intrageneric SCNT embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 69: 117,125, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Determinants of Lesion Sizes and Tissue Temperatures During Catheter CryoablationPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007MARK A. WOOD M.D. Background:Factors which influence lesion size from catheter-based cryoablation have not been well described. This study describes factors which influence lesion size during catheter cryoablation. Methods and Results:Cryoablation was delivered to porcine left ventricular myocardium in a saline bath using 4- or 8-mm electrode catheters. Ablation was delivered with the electrodes either vertical or horizontal to the tissue and both with and without superfusate flow over the electrode. The effect of electrode contact pressure was tested. Lesion dimensions were measured. All experiments were duplicated to measure tissue temperatures at 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-mm deep to the ablation electrode. The 8-mm electrode produced lower tissue temperatures and larger lesion volumes when compared with the 4-mm electrode (all P < 0.05). Superfusate flow slowed the rate of tissue cooling, markedly warmed tissue temperatures, and reduced lesion volume when compared with no flow conditions. By linear regression modeling, lesion sizes and tissue temperatures were related to the presence of superfusate flow, electrode orientation, contact pressure and electrode size, or catheter refrigerant flow rate (r2 for models = 0.90,0.96, all P < 0.001). Electrode temperature predicted lesion size or tissue temperatures only when analyzed independent of electrode size or refrigerant flow rate. Conclusions:Lesion sizes and tissue temperatures during catheter cryoablation are related to convective warming, electrode orientation, electrode contact pressure, and any of the following: electrode size, catheter refrigerant flow rate or electrode temperature. However, electrode temperature may be a poor predictor of lesion size and tissue temperature for a given catheter size. [source] Identification of immunogenic cell wall-associated proteins of Streptococcus suis serotype 2PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 17 2008Anding Zhang Abstract Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is a porcine and human pathogen with adhesive and invasive properties. The absence of suitable vaccine or virulent marker can be the bottleneck to control SS2 infection. An immunoproteome-based approach was developed to identify candidate antigens of SS2 for vaccine development. Hyperimmune sera, convalescent sera, and control sera were analyzed for reactivity by Western Blot against SS2 cell wall-associated proteins (WAPs) separated by 2-DE. A total of 34 proteins were identified by immunoproteomic analysis, of which 15 were recognized by both hyperimmune sera and convalescent sera, including most WAPs currently characterized as SS2 vaccine candidate antigens: muramidase-released protein (MRP), surface protein SP1 (Sao), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GapdH). The novel immunogenic proteins may be developed as alternative antigens for further study of SS2 vaccine and diagnostics. [source] Cattle Pathogen Tritrichomonas foetus (Riedmüller, 1928) and Pig Commensal Tritrichomonas suis (Gruby & Delafond, 1843) Belong to the Same SpeciesTHE JOURNAL OF EUKARYOTIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2002JAN TACHEZY ABSTRACT. A number of reports suggest that the sexually transmitted pathogen of cattle, Tritrichomonas foetus, and a gastrointestinal commensal of pigs, Tritrichomonas suis, are very similar and may be co-specific. A conclusive review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural status of these species has not been presented so far. Toward this end, we reexamined and compared porcine and bovine trichomonads with regard to their morphology, pathogenic potential, and DNA polymorphism. Using light and electron microscopy, no distinguishing features between T. foetus and T. suis strains were found in size, general morphology, and karyomastigont structure. Both bovine and porcine trichomonads showed pathogenic potential in the subcutaneous mouse assays and did not separate into distinct groups according to strain virulence. Three DNA fingerprinting methods (i.e. RFLP, RAPD, and PCR-based analysis of variable-length DNA repeats) that produce species-specific DNA fragment patterns did not distinguish between the bovine and porcine strains. Sequencing of a variable 502-bp DNA fragment as well as comparison of 16S rRNA gene sequences did not reveal species-specific differences between the cattle and porcine strains. Therefore, we conclude that T. foetus and T. suis belong to the same species. To prevent confusion that may arise from T. foetus-T. suis synonymy, we propose to suppress the older name suis and maintain its accustomed junior synonym foetus as a nomen protection for both cattle and porcine trichomonads. The case has been submitted to the International Commision on Zoological Nomenclature for ruling under its plenary power. [source] Monocyte-Induced Endothelial Calcium Signaling Mediates Early Xenogeneic Endothelial ActivationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2005Mark D. Peterson Hallmarks of delayed xenograft rejection include monocyte infiltration, endothelial cell activation and disruption of the endothelial barrier. The monocyte is an important initiator of this type of rejection because monocytes accumulate within hours after xenografting and prior monocyte depletion suppresses the development of this type of rejection. However, the mechanisms that mediate monocyte-induced xenograft injury are unclear at present. Here we report that human monocytes activate xenogeneic endothelial cells through calcium signals. Monocyte contact with porcine but not human endothelium leads to an endothelial calcium transient mediated via a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that results in up-regulation of porcine VCAM-1 and E-selectin. Although human monocyte adhesion was greater to porcine than to human endothelium, especially when studied under laminar flow, blockade of the xeno-specific endothelial calcium signals did not reduce adhesion of human monocytes to porcine endothelium. Human monocyte contact to porcine endothelium also resulted in reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton with a concomitant increase in endothelial monolayer permeability. In contrast to the effect on adhesion, these changes appear to be regulated through endothelial calcium signals. Taken together, these data suggest that human monocytes are capable of activating xenogeneic endothelial cells through calcium transients, as well as other distinct pathways. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||