Mahmoud Huleihel^1,4, Alaa Amash^1,3, Olga Sapir^2,3, Ester Maor⁴, Sharon Levy^1,3, Miriam Katz^2,3, Doron Dukler^2,4, Lesly Myatt⁵, Gershon Holcberg^2,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.1, pp. 30-36, 2004

Abstract The aim of the study was to investigate the stimulatory effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on IL-1α production in different compartments of term and preterm placental tissues. Homogenates from amnion, chorion, and from fetal (subchorionic placental tissues, maternal decidua, and mid-placental tissue before and after perfusion of isolated placental cotyledons of 5 term placentas and 4 placentas obtained after preterm birth (28-34 W of gestation) were examined. Isolated placental cotyledons were dually perfused LPS (100 ng/kg perfused placental tissue) was perfused into the maternal side during 10 hours. Homogenates of the samples were examined by ELISA… More >

Horst Rieth¹, Maik Mörmann¹, Adriana J. F. Luty^1,2, Constance A. Assohou-Luty¹, Maria Roupelieva¹, Peter G. Kremsner^1,2, Dieter Kube^1,3

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.2, pp. 153-158, 2004

Abstract Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is an important multifunctional immunmodulator. There is evidence that IL-10 secretion is associated with certain genetic elements of the proximal IL-10 gene 5’-flanking region. The allelic and genotypic comparison of IL-10 expression by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- stimulated leukocytes (PBMC) with a recently discovered distal “indel” DNA-sequence variation at – 7400 bp revealed significant inter-individual differences in the IL-10 in vitro production capacity. Homozygotes lacking the three base pairs “GGA” (– 7400del) at this gene locus are characterised by high expression of IL-10 with a median of 1690pg/ml (P ≤ 0.009). The allelic comparison supports More >

Isabelle Cognet¹, Florence Guilhot¹, Sylvie Chevalier², Angélique Guay-Giroux¹, Alexandra Bert¹, Greg C. A. Elson³, Hugues Gascan², Jean-François Gauchat¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 255-262, 2004

Abstract Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neuroprotective cytokine initially identified in chick embryo. It has been evaluated for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. CNTF also acts on non-neuronal cells such as oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, adipocytes and skeletal muscles cells. CNTF has regulatory effects on body weight and is currently in clinical trial for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. CNTF mediates its function by activating a tripartite receptor comprising the CNTF receptor α chain (CNTFRα), the leukemia inhibitory factor receptor β chain (LIFRβ) and gp130. Human, rat and chicken CNTF have been expressed as recombinant proteins,… More >

George Fildissis, Kyriaki Venetsanou, Pavlos Myrianthefs, Stylianos Karatzas, Vasilios Zidianakis, George Baltopoulos

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.3, pp. 217-221, 2004

Abstract Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is a therapeutic intervention with applications in a large variety of diseases, including traumatic injuries and acute or chronic infections. The presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines regulates certain factors including adhesion molecules, which play a significant role in HBO effects.
We have investigated the effect of HBO on pro-inflammatory cytokine release [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8)], and the regulation of adhesion molecules [soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM)] after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation in 16 healthy individuals, originating from an urban area. A total… More >

Claudio Pérez¹, Fermín E. González^1,2, Violeta Pavez³, Aida V. Araya⁴, Adam Aguirre¹, Andrea Cruzat^1,6, Juan Contreras-Levicoy^1,6, Andrés Dotte^1,6, Octavio Aravena¹, Lorena Salazar¹, Diego Catalán¹, Jimena Cuenca¹, Arturo Ferreira¹, Irene Schiattino⁵, Juan C. Aguillón¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.15, No.4, pp. 364-370, 2004

Abstract Several single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the TNF-α gene promoter. The transition G→A at position –308 generates the TNF-α1 (G/G) and TNF-α2 (G/A or A/A) alleles, where the polymorphic TNF-α2 allele is associated with a high, in vitro TNF-α expression and an increased susceptibility to diverse illnesses. Here we study the association of the –308 TNF-α SNP with the susceptibility for developing aggressive periodontitis (AP), AP combined with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and DM. We also explore the TNF-α capability expression and the presence of the –308 polymorphism. For this purpose we More >

Richard D. Sowery, D. Robert Siemens

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.11, No.5, pp. 2407-2410, 2004

Abstract Objective: To characterize tumor growth of patients managed conservatively for renal cell carcinoma.
Methods: Patients electing conservative management of radiographically determined renal cell carcinomas were referred to a surveillance database. Exclusion criteria consisted of locally advanced disease (>T2) and those with metastatic disease. Clinical follow-up included renal imaging with ultrasound or computed tomography at least every 6 months.
Results: Twenty-two patients were originally managed conservatively, two of whom subsequently underwent nephrectomy because of rapid tumor growth. Mean follow-up was 26 months. Mean tumor volume and diameter at presentation was 62.4 cc and 4.08 cm respectively. Overall tumor growth More >

ELIANE VICTORIANO, ELISA A. GREGÓRIO

BIOCELL, Vol.28, No.2, pp. 165-169, 2004, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2004.28.165

Abstract The Lyonet’s gland is found in Lepidoptera larvae, close to the excretory duct of the silk gland. The role played by this gland is still uncertain. This work aims to describe the ultrastructure of the Lyonet’s gland in Diatraea saccharalis larvae, offering suggestions regarding its possible function. The insects were reared under laboratory-controlled conditions. The glands were conventionally prepared for transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy. SEM showed that Lyonet’s glands are paired small structures located in the ventral side of the head. They are composed by clustered long cells resembling leaves. Under TEM observations,… More >

Leo Q. Wan^1,1, Chester Miller^1,1, X. Edward Guo^2,2, Van C. Mow^1,1,3,3

Molecular & Cellular Biomechanics, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 81-100, 2004, DOI:10.3970/mcb.2004.001.081

Abstract The triphasic constitutive law [Lai, Hou and Mow (1991)] has been shown in some special 1D cases to successfully model the deformational and transport behaviors of charged-hydrated, porous-permeable, soft biological tissues, as typified by articular cartilage. Due to nonlinearities and other mathematical complexities of these equations, few problems for the deformation of such materials have ever been solved analytically. Using a perturbation procedure, we have linearized the triphasic equations with respect to a small imposed axial compressive strain, and obtained an equilibrium solution, as well as a short-time boundary layer solution for the mechano- electrochemical… More >

Yoshihiro Ochiai¹, Vladimir Sladek²

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.6, No.6, pp. 525-536, 2004, DOI:10.3970/cmes.2004.006.525

Abstract The conventional boundary element method (BEM) uses internal cells for the domain integralsCwhen solving nonlinear problems or problems with domain effects. This paper is concerned with conversion of the domain integral into boundary ones and some non-integral terms in a three-dimensional BIEM, which does not require the use of internal cells. This method uses arbitrary internal points instead of internal cells. The method is based on a three-dimensional interpolation method in this paper by using a polyharmonic function with volume distribution. In view of this interpolation method, the three-dimensional numerical integration is replaced by boundary More >

X. Han^1,2,3, G. R. Liu^1,2, G. Y. Li ¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.1, No.1, pp. 39-50, 2004, DOI:10.3970/cmc.2004.001.039

Abstract An efficient hybrid numerical method is presented for investigating transient response of cross-ply laminated axisymmetric cylinders subjected to an impact load. In this hybrid numerical method, the laminated cylinder is divided into layered cylindrical elements in the thickness direction. The Hamilton principle is used to develop governing equations of the structure. The displacement response is determined by employing the Fourier transformations and the modal analysis. Numerical examples for analyzing transient waves have been provided in axisymmetric laminated cylindrical structures, both for thin cylindrical shells and thick cylinders.
A computational inverse technique is also presented for More >