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  • 1995-1999  (374)
  • 1999  (374)
  • apoptosis  (112)
  • Life and Medical Sciences  (96)
  • Apoptosis  (93)
  • Amino acids  (73)
  • Nuclear reactions
Material
Years
  • 1995-1999  (374)
Year
Keywords
  • 1
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 125 (1999), S. 1-8 
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words Cell proliferation ; Apoptosis ; Cell death ; Cultured cells ; Hepatocellular carcinoma
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract There are conflicting results for experiments aimed at determining whether anticancer drug therapy of human hepatocellular carcinoma prolongs the survival rate effectively. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of low concentrations of doxorubicin, mitomycin C, and ethanol on cell replication (cell number and proliferation), and cell apoptosis of cultured human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cells. After 1 day of exposure doxorubicin inhibited cell replication initially by 72%, but a partial recovery of the cell number was observed. Mitomycin C inhibited to the same extent but without recovery. Ethanol reduced the cell number even further, the maximum inhibition (12 days after exposure) being 96.4%. After 3 days of exposure all three agents stopped cell replication at a level of 2%–4% of the control (P 〈 0.001). Cell apoptosis was activated most strikingly by mitomycin C (5 μg/ml) after 1 day of exposure and by ethanol (150 μl/ml) after 3 days of exposure. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences, with ethanol being the most significant followed by mitomycin C doxorubicin, and the control (P 〈 0.01). Thus, a low dose of ethanol combined with an exposure time of up to 3 days appears to be an effective regimen to control growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro. The strong induction of apoptosis by ethanol might be of additional benefit for a local application in vivo.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 2
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words Basic fibroblast growth factor ; Cisplatinum ; Apoptosis ; Bcl-2 ; MCF-7
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a classical mitogen in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Our previous studies have demonstrated that bFGF inhibits the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of bFGF on cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(cisplatin)-induced cytotoxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer cells as compared to normal endothelial cells. MCF-7/NCF cells transduced with a vector expressing the bFGF gene and overexpressing its product, and MCF-7/N2 cells transduced with the backbone vector were incubated with a combination of bFGF and cisplatin for 5 days; results were compared with those obtained with bovine aortic endothelial cells. Cell proliferation was assessed with the sulforhodamine B colorimetric cytotoxicity assay. Apoptosis was quantitatively determined by flow-cytometric analysis for DNA damage and the apoptotic death assay for DNA fragmentation, and qualitatively by electron microscopy. Reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction analysis and an enzyme immunoassay were used to determine the mRNA and protein level, respectively, of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 gene product. We found that bFGF enhanced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in MCF-7 breast cancer sublines. bFGF enhanced proliferation of normal endothelial cells and did not increase cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity. This effect was accompanied by down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protooncogene bcl-2 and the enhancement of cisplatin-induced apoptosis. We suggest that the improved understanding of the role of bFGF in the differential modulation of the response of breast cancer and normal endothelial cells to chemotherapy may enable active intervention to alter the therapeutic ratio favorably in breast cancer patients.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 3
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Keywords Chemosensitivity ; Human gastric carcinoma ; Micrometastasis ; Apoptosis ; Circulating tumor cells ; Fluoropyrimidine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Antimetastatic effects of 5-FU and its derivative, 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) on human gastric cancer micrometastasis and their mode of action were evaluated, using a spontaneous lung metastasis model (HY-1) in nude mice. Metastases were first detected in the lung from 4 weeks after subcutaneous transplantation, growing intravascularly and forming micrometastases at 100% incidence by 6 weeks after implantation. Lung metastasis in mice bearing subcutaneous tumors was significantly inhibited by HCFU at doses of 100–150 mg kg−1 day−1 without severe toxic side-effects, when orally administered three times per week either from week 4 or week 6 to 9 weeks after implantation. Spontaneous lung metastasis was also inhibited by the administration of 5-FU, but to lesser extent than with HCFU at equimolar low doses. Apoptosis within primary tumors and lung metastatic foci, as detected by the terminal-deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling method, was found to be significantly enhanced by HCFU as well as 5-FU administration at doses of more than 100 mg kg−1 day−1 and 50 mg kg−1 day−1 respectively. However, proliferating activity of the metastatic foci, as evaluated by MIB-1 immunostaining, was not significantly suppressed by HCFU or 5-FU treatment. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction analysis using human specific primers for the β-globin gene, which proved to be capable of detecting 10 tumor cells/ml mouse blood, revealed that circulating tumor cells in the peripheral blood of mice bearing primary tumors were reduced by HCFU or 5-FU administration. These results indicate that circulating tumor cells in blood and micrometastases in the lung are sensitive to these chemotherapeutic agents, and suggest that the anti-metastatic effect of these agents is mediated, at least in part, by enhanced apoptosis rather than by inhibition of cell proliferation.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 4
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key wordsIGF ; Apoptosis ; Transformation ; Chemosensitivity ; Signaling
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) exerts pleiotropic effects on mammalian cells via stimulation of its receptor (IGF-IR), a receptor tyrosine kinase. In vivo, IGF-I acts both as a local tissue growth factor and as a circulating hormone. In oncological research, IGF-I has received increased attention as the activated IGF-I/IGF-IR system displays mitogeneic, transforming, and anti-apoptotic properties in various cell types by stimulating distinct intracellular signaling pathways. Recent data suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of IGF-I may mediate decreased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in vitro and in vivo. Thus, targeting the IGF-I/IGF-IR system could serve as an approach to overcome clinical drug resistance in certain tumors.
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  • 5
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words Immunohistochemistry ; DNA repair ; Radiation-inducible response ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine abundance and subnuclear distribution of DNA topoisomerase I and the Bax protein in normal and excision-repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) fibroblasts after irradiation of cells with γ rays or UV light, or exposure to the topoisomerase I inhibitor topotecan. DNA topoisomerase I and Bax were monitored using antisera raised against the human proteins. In addition, topoisomerases IIα and IIβ were made visible with specific antibodies. In untreated cells, DNA topoisomerase I was found to occur in the cytoplasm and in nucleoli. Irradiation with γ rays (2–12 Gy) or UV light (0.3–1.2 mW/cm2) changed the staining pattern in nuclei such that a multitude of small topoisomerase-I-rich centers occurred, which were evenly distributed over the karyoplasm. Simultaneously nucleoli disintegrated. Treatment of fibroblasts with topotecan (6–100 μM concentrations) resulted in similar alterations although the changes were much more pronounced. Combinations of topotecan and γ irradiation caused additive effects. We conclude that the increase in the number of topoisomerase-I-positive spots and the high fluorescence intensity of the latter may reflect three biological processes: (i) enhanced transcriptional activity (e.g. of DNA damage response genes), (ii) tagging of damaged DNA sites for repair, or (iii) initiation of apoptosis. In separate assays using normal and XP cells, a dose-dependent increase in protein reacting with Bax antibody was observed in nuclei, following treatment with γ rays or topotecan. In addition, topotecan induced a netlike arrangement of this Bax protein in nuclei. The meshes of the net structure resembled vesicles. DNA staining with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride revealed that the vesicle-type structures contained DNA. Upon further incubation with topotecan, cells showing the netlike Bax arrangement eventually died. We conclude that topotecan-induced changes made visible by nuclear Bax protein are associated with apoptosis. XP cells, when treated with topotecan, responded more readily than normal cells with both an increase in nuclear Bax protein and rearrangement of Bax, indicating that UV repair functions may be required to process DNA damage inflicted by topotecan. Monitoring of DNA topoisomerases IIα and IIβ in γ-irradiated cells with antibodies revealed a dramatic increase in the IIα form and a redistribution of the IIβ form representing fragmentation of nucleoli.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 6
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words Experimental pancreatic cancer ; Hormonal therapy ; Bombesin antagonist ; Somatostatin analog ; LH-RH antagonist ; EGF receptor ; Apoptosis ; AgNOR
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Reduction in receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF) in cancers appears to be one of the principal mechanisms through which peptide hormone analogs can inhibit tumor growth. In this study, hamsters with nitrosamine-induced pancreatic cancers were treated for 8 weeks with bombesin/gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) antagonist RC-3095, somatostatin analog RC-160 or the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix, using sustained delivery systems releasing 20, 35 and 20 μg analog/ day respectively. To establish the pattern of changes in the number and affinity of EGF receptors on tumors, groups of animals were sacrificed at regular intervals during therapy. Chronic treatment with RC-3095 or Cetrorelix resulted in an early (day 10) and sustained reduction (71% or 69% respectively) in EGF receptors on pancreatic tumors. In contrast, RC-160 decreased receptor concentration by 60% only after 20 days. Among the histological characteristics of proliferation, the decrease in argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions, but not apoptotic and mitotic indices, showed a correlation with the fall in EGF receptors. The concentration of the receptors returned to the control level 4 days after cessation of chronic treatment with RC-3095. The effect of single injections of RC-3095, RC-160 and Cetrorelix on EGF receptors was also investigated. RC-160 decreased the number of EGF receptors on pancreatic cancers by 31% 3 h after administration, but the receptors had returned to normal level at 6 h. RC-3095 and Cetrorelix caused a 67% and 59% decline, respectively, in EGF receptors only 6 h after injection and the concentration of receptors remained low for 24 h. Thus, the pattern of down-regulation of EGF receptors in pancreatic cancers appears to depend on the peptide used for therapy. Since the antitumor effect may be the result of the fall in EGF receptors in cancers, information on the time course of changes in these receptors during treatment with these analogs may lead to an improvement in therapeutic regimens.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 7
    ISSN: 1432-2307
    Keywords: Key words Proliferation ; Apoptosis ; Ki-67 antigen ; Prognosis ; Retinoblastoma
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The balance between proliferation and cell death is the major determinant of tumour growth. We analysed the proliferative and apoptotic indices (PI and AI, respectively) of 33 children with retinoblastoma. PI and AI were assessed by immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 antigen and TUNEL staining, respectively. The mean PI was 21.0±21.1%, and higher PI was associated with more advanced tumour stage (P〈0.0001) and poor clinical outcome (P〈0.05). Patients in whom amplified N-myc oncogene was found (n=6) determined by the multiplex polymerase chain reaction tended to have a higher PI (37.6±27.2%) than those without amplified N-myc (n=27; PI=17.3±18.1). A PI value of over 40% was clearly associated with an unfavourable prognosis. The AI, however, did not correlate with any of the other variables analysed. The findings suggest that proliferation, but not apoptosis, is of critical significance in retinoblastoma biology. PI, as determined by the Ki-67 antigen labelling index, seems to be a relevant histopathological parameter that can predict the clinical outcome of retinoblastoma.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 8
    ISSN: 1432-2307
    Keywords: Key words Anencephaly ; Thymic hyperplasia ; CD99 ; Apoptosis ; Aggregation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  In a significant proportion of cases, anencephaly is associated with thymic enlargement, suggesting a possibility that anencephalic fetuses have a functional disturbance in thymocyte differentiation and development. In this report, we demonstrated that CD99 expression was consistently reduced in cortical thymocytes of all anencephalic fetuses. In addition, the CD99-dependent aggregation of immature cortical thymocytes was almost completely impaired and apoptosis of thymocytes was markedly reduced in several cases. These results are in agreement with previous findings that CD99 regulates the aggregation and apoptosis of various types of cells. These data strongly suggest that functional disturbance of thymocytes and thymic hyperplasia are related to the reduced expression of CD99 molecule in anencephalic fetuses.
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  • 9
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology 359 (1999), S. 228-234 
    ISSN: 1432-1912
    Keywords: Key words Natural killer ; Pentoxifylline ; Macroangiopathic patients ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The methylxanthine derivative pentoxifylline, widely used in the treatment of vascular diseases, also has numerous immunological effects. In in vitro experiments, the human natural killer cell cytotoxicity was investigated in the presence of pentoxifylline. A clinical trial involved an investigation of the natural killer cell activity in patients to whom pentoxifylline had been administered for different periods. The natural cytotoxicity in macroangiopathic patients treated with pentoxifylline was compared with that in healthy controls and that in patients with vascular diseases who did not receive pentoxifylline therapy. A total of 62 macroangiopathic patients and 20 healthy controls were investigated. The natural killer cell activity in patients receiving pentoxifylline therapy for more than a year proved to be significantly lower (P〈0.005). The presence of vascular disease did not influence the natural killer activity. In the in vitro cytotoxicity reaction, pentoxifylline at a concentration of 100 µg/ml was found to suppress the natural killer cell cytotoxicity at any stage of the reaction. The influence of pentoxifylline on the natural killer cell activity was not due to inhibition of the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. However, this drug significantly decreases (P〈0.05) the apoptosis of target cells. It is presumed that the suppressor effect of pentoxifylline on natural killer cell activity should be taken into consideration in the treatment of clinical diseases where this drug is administered chronically.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 10
    ISSN: 1432-1939
    Keywords: Key words Estuarine food web ; Stable isotopes ; Amino acids ; Growth experiment ; Crustacean metabolism
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract The stable isotope compositions (C and N) of plants and animals of a marsh dominated by Spartina alterniflora in the Delaware Estuary were determined. The study focused on the juvenile stage of the Atlantic blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, and the importance of marsh-derived diets in supporting growth during this stage. Laboratory growth experiments and field data indicated that early juvenile blue crabs living in the Delaware Bay habitat fed primarily on zooplankton, while marsh-dwelling crabs, which were enriched in 13C relative to bay juveniles, utilized marsh-derived carbon for growth. In laboratory experiments, the degree to which juvenile blue crabs isotopically fractionated dietary nitrogen, as well as the growth rate, depended on the protein quality of the diet. The range of δ13C of amino acids in laboratory-reared crabs and their diets was almost 20‰, similar to the isotopic range of amino acids of other organisms. In laboratory studies, the δ13C of nonessential and essential amino acids in the diet were compared to those in juvenile crabs. Isotopic fractionation at the molecular level depended on diet quality and the crabs' physiological requirements. Comparison of whole-animal isotope data with individual amino acid C isotope measurements of wild juvenile blue crabs from the bay and marsh suggested a different source of total dietary carbon, yet a shared protein component, such as zooplankton.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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  • 11
    ISSN: 1432-1963
    Keywords: Schlüsselwörter Epitheloides Hämangioendotheliom ; Leber ; Kindesalter ; Proliferation ; Apoptose ; Key words Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma ; Liver ; Childhood ; Proliferation ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Description / Table of Contents: Summary We report on a 12-year old boy suffering from malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the liver, which is a very rare tumor in childhood. The tumor was detected by ultrasound examination at the age of 10 and appeared at that time as a solitary intrahepatic nodular lesion. During the following 2 years multiple nodular lesions developed in both hepatic lobes. There were neither any suspect anamnestic findings nor abnormal clinical or laboratory data. The tumor showed the typical histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of this entity, which is usually seen in older patients. We investigated proliferative activity, apoptotic regulation, and expression of VEGF and VEGF-receptor flk-1 by means of immunohistochemical techniques. According to the known slow growth activity of these tumors we found only a few Ki-67 positive tumor cells. We did not detect any apoptotic cells using TUNEL technique. The positive immunoreaction of the tumor cells with antibodies against VEGF and VEGF-receptor flk-1 may indicate the regulation of tumor growth by angiogenetic factors. We present our findings together with a summary of the most important publications of recent years concerning these tumors.
    Notes: Zusammenfassung Bei einem 12 Jahre alten Jungen wurde ein im Kindesalter sehr seltenes malignes epitheloides Hämangioendotheliom der Leber diagnostiziert. Im Alter von 10 Jahren fiel erstmals sonografisch ein solitärer Leberrundherd auf, im Verlauf der nächsten zwei Jahre entwickelten sich multiple Rundherde in beiden Leberlappen. Die Anamnese des Patienten war hinsichtlich möglicher prädisponierender Faktoren unauffällig. Die klinischen und laborchemischen Parameter befanden sich im Normbereich. Der Tumor wies die für diese, üblicherweise bei Erwachsenen auftretenden Entität typischen histomorphologischen, immunhistochemischen und ultrastrukturellen Merkmale auf. Mittels immunhistochemischer Untersuchungen wurde das Tumorgewebe hinsichtlich Proliferationsaktivität, Apoptoseregulation und Expression angiogenetischer Faktoren (VEGF und VEGF-Rezeptor flk-1) untersucht. Bei bekanntermaßen langsamer Wachstumstendenz dieser Tumoren fand sich ein geringer Anteil Ki-67-positiver Tumorzellen. Mittels TUNEL-Technik wurden keine Apoptosen gefunden. Die positive Immunreaktion der Tumorzellen mit Antikörpern gegen VEGF und den VEGF-Rezeptor flk-1 deutet auf eine Regulation des Tumorwachstums durch angiogenetische Faktoren hin. Die Ergebnisse werden in Verbindung mit einer Zusammenstellung der wichtigsten Publikationen der letzten Jahre über diese seltenen Tumoren diskutiert.
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  • 12
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Springer
    Medical microbiology and immunology 187 (1999), S. 221-226 
    ISSN: 1432-1831
    Keywords: Key wordsToxoplasma gondii ; Apoptosis ; Actinomycin D ; HL-60 ; Intracellular survival
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Intracellular microorganisms have to rely on the integrity of their host cells to persist. We, therefore, investigated the effect of infections with different Toxoplasma gondii strains on apoptosis of human-derived HL-60 cells at the single cell level. Infection with either mouse-avirulent (NTE strain) or virulent parasites (RH strain) did not induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells as compared to uninfected controls. In contrast, treatment with actinomycin D (act D) led to apoptosis in 15–25% of the cells. However, concomitant infection with T. gondii clearly abrogated act D-induced apoptosis. This was especially apparent in those host cells that were actually infected; in these parasite-positive cells the rate of apoptosis decreased by 82.8±4.3% (mean±SEM, P=0.017, Student's t-test) and 91.7±3.4% (P=0.024) after infection with either the NTE or the RH strain, respectively. Inhibition of host cell apoptosis was similarly observed in cells which had been invaded by UV-irradiated, non-replicating parasites (P=0.001, Student's t-test). However, incubation with heat-killed parasites or T. gondii lysates did not abrogate act D-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, inhibition of apoptosis by living, but not necessarily replicating T. gondii may facilitate parasite survival and persistence within its host cell.
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  • 13
    ISSN: 1432-1831
    Keywords: Key words Verocytotoxin ; Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli ; Hemolytic uremic syndrome ; Renal proximal tubular cell ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Verocytotoxin 1 and 2 (VT1 and 2) produced by verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli have been considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerular and tubular damage in the epidemic form of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). VTs are known to be cytotoxic to culture cells by inhibiting cellular protein synthesis. In this in vitro study, the mechanism(s) of tubular damage in HUS and the ability of VT1 to induce apoptosis in normal human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEC) were examined. VT1 markedly reduced cell viability of HRPTEC and rapidly inhibited overall protein synthesis. VT1 directly induced apoptotic cell death in HRPTEC in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, and co-incubation with tumor necrosis factor-α enhanced the VT1-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that apoptosis induced by VT1, possibly in concert with host cytokines, in renal tubular cells may contribute to the tubular damage in HUS.
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  • 14
    ISSN: 1433-0474
    Keywords: Schlüsselwörter Ataxia teleangiectatica ; Immunfunktionsstörung ; Lymphozytensubpopulationen ; Apoptose ; CD45RO ; CD45RA ; Key words Ataxia teleangiectasia ; Immunodeficiency ; Lymphocyte subset ; Apoptosis ; CD45RO ; CD45RA
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Description / Table of Contents: Summary Background: Can a characterisation of the lymphocyte subset in patients with ataxia teleangiectasia offer an explanation for the cellular defect of their immunfunction? Methods: In ten patients with ataxia teleangiectasia and a corresponding control group of individuals of similar age and sex, immunophenotyping was carried out by means of flow cytometric analysis and the use of monoclonal antibodies. Results: Patients with ataxia teleangiectasia showed a reduction of the number of T-cells with a decrease in the T-helper cell subset (CD3: 990/µl, p〈0.0005 and CD4: 568/µl, p〈0.0005). The number of B-cells was low (CD19: 39/µl, p〈0.005). Moreover, there was an increase in highly activated T-lymphocytes which can be seen from a higher percentage of the HLA-DR- and CD45RO-expression in patients with ataxia teleangiectasia compared to the individuals of the control group (HLA-DR: 57%, p〈0.0005 and CD45RO: 82%, p〈0.001). At the same time, the expression of CD95 (Fas/AP01) was clearly increased (CD95: 74%, p〈0.001). Interpretation: The lymphocyte subset of the patients suffering from ataxia teleangiectasia shows a significant decrease of the B- and T-cell subsets. The reduced number of T-helper cells – caused by a CD45RA-cell loss – leads to a change in the relation „RA/RO”. It is possible that there is a link between the imbalance of „RA/RO”, the increase of highly activated T-lymphocytes and the higher expression of CD95 (Fas/APO1).
    Notes: Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Können durch eine Charakterisierung der Lymphozytensubpopulationen bei Patienten mit Ataxia teleangiectatica Rückschlüsse auf den zellulären Defekt der Immunfunktionsstörung gezogen werden? Methodik: Mit Hilfe der Durchflußzytometrie und des Einsatzes monoklonaler Antikörper führten wir eine Immunophänotypisierung bei jeweils 10 Patienten mit Ataxia teleangiectatica und eines bezüglich des Alters und des Geschlechts gleichverteilten Kontrollkollektivs durch. Ergebnisse: Die Patienten mit Ataxia teleangiectatica zeigten verminderte T-Zell-Zahlen mit Abnahme der T-Helferzell-Subpopulationen (CD3: 990/µl, p〈0,0005 und CD4: 568/µl, p〈0,0005). Auch die B-Zell-Zahl war erniedrigt (CD19: 39/µl, p〈0,005). Die T-Lymphozyten befanden sich darüber hinaus vermehrt im aktivierten Zustand, erkennbar an einer prozentual erhöhten HLA-DR- und CD45RO-Expression (HLA-DR: 57%, p〈0,0005 und CD45RO: 82%, p〈0,001) sowie an einer Verschiebung der Relation „RA/RO” zugunsten der „RO”-Expression. Gleichzeitig war die Expression von CD95 (Fas/APO1) deutlich gesteigert (CD95: 74%, p〈0,001). Schlußfolgerung: Die Veränderungen der Lymphozytensubpopulationen zeigen bei den Patienten mit Ataxia teleangiectatica eine verminderte B- und T-Zell-Zahl. Die CD4-Lymphopenie – verursacht durch einen CD45RA-Zellverlust – bedingt eine Verschiebung der Relation „RA/RO”. Möglicherweise besteht ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Störung der Homöostase „RA/RO” und dem erhöhten Aktivierungsgrad der Zellen sowie der vermehrten CD95(Fas/APO1)-Expression.
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  • 15
    ISSN: 1432-0843
    Keywords: Key words Baccatin III ; Paclitaxel ; Apoptosis ; Mitotic arrest ; bcl-2
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose: Paclitaxel has been demonstrated to possess significant cell-killing activity in a variety of tumor cells by induction of apoptosis, but the mechanism by which paclitaxel leads to cell death and its relationship with mitotic arrest is not entirely clear. In this study, baccatin III, a synthetic precursor of paclitaxel, was used to analyze whether paclitaxel-induced apoptosis can be a separate event from microtubule bundling and G2/M arrest. Methods: Several different methods including DNA fragmentation, flow cytometric analyses, TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and time-lapse video microscopy were used to analyze apoptotic cell death induced by baccatin III and its possible correlation with cell cycle distribution. Results: Our results demonstrated that baccatin III could also cause apoptotic cell death in both BCap37 (a human breast cancer cell line) and KB cells (derived from human epidermoid carcinoma), but had less effect on microtubule bundling and G2/M arrest. Furthermore, we demonstrated that most apoptotic events induced by baccatin III were not coupled with G2/M arrest. Instead, these apoptotic events occurred predominantly in the cells in other phases of the cell cycle. Conclusion: Baccatin III, which contains the core taxane ring, is the fundamental piece of paclitaxel structure. The finding of baccatin III-induced apoptosis independent of cell cycle arrest, on the one hand, implies that the core taxane ring may play a critical role in inducing cell death and, on the other hand, suggests that paclitaxel might induce apoptosis from other phases of the cell cycle by a similar mechanism.
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  • 16
    ISSN: 1432-0738
    Keywords: Key words 2 ; 3 ; 7 ; 8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin ; TCDD ; Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase ; PEPCK ; Glucose ; Glycogen ; Amino acids
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Reduced gluconeogenesis due to decreased activity of key gluconeogenic enzymes in liver, together with feed refusal, has been suggested to play an important role in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced lethality in rats. This study was carried out to further analyse the toxicological significance of reduced gluconeogenesis by comparing dose-responses and time-courses of effects of TCDD on the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in liver, liver glycogen concentration as well as plasma concentrations of glucose and amino acids in both genders of TCDD-sensitive Long-Evans (L-E) rats and TCDD-resistant Han/Wistar (H/W) rats. A dose-dependent decrease in PEPCK activity was observed in H/W rats, but in L-E rats the activity was not decreased. However, TCDD impaired the strong increase in liver PEPCK activity observed in pair-fed controls of the L-E strain. Liver glycogen concentrations were severely decreased in L-E rats and moderately in H/W rats. This effect seems to be secondary to reduced feed intake, since a similar decrease was seen in pair-fed controls. Decreases in plasma glucose concentrations were also more profound in L-E rats than in H/W rats, but pair-fed controls were generally less affected. Circulating concentrations of amino acids were markedly increased in TCDD-treated L-E rats, which is likely to reflect increased mobilization of amino acids and their decreased metabolism in liver. Reduction of liver PEPCK activity cannot account for the sensitivity difference of these two strains of rats in terms of mortality. Nevertheless, the response of both strains of TCDD-treated rats regarding gluconeogenesis is different from that seen in pair-fed controls and suggesting that impairment of this pathway contributes to the development of the wasting syndrome.
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  • 17
    ISSN: 1432-0843
    Keywords: Key words Cyclin-dependent kinase ; Cytotoxicity ; Apoptosis ; Multidrug resistance
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose: To determine the in vitro effects of flavopiridol on bladder cancer cell lines, immortalized urothelial cell lines, and normal urothelial cells well characterized for defects in p53, pRb, and p16. Methods: Growth inhibition was assessed via an MTT assay and apoptosis via DAPI nuclear staining. Cell cycle analysis was performed via propidium iodide staining and fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS). Multidrug-resistant cells were generated by continuous exposure to doxorubicin. Results: Growth inhibition was not correlated with inactivation of p53, pRb, or p16. All cells experienced G2/M arrest within 24 h of flavopiridol exposure. Modest apoptosis was observed but required 72 h of continuous drug exposure to become evident. There was no obvious synergistic or antagonistic toxicity when flavopiridol was combined with radiotherapy or cisplatin dosed at the IC50 despite the observation that radiotherapy and flavopiridol led to more profound G2/M arrest than either agent alone. Doxorubicin-resistant cells, demonstrated to overexpress the MDR1 multidrug-resistance protein were equally as sensitive to flavopiridol as the parental cells. Conclusions: Flavopiridol is a novel cell cycle inhibitor that may be a useful agent in bladder cancers with tumor suppressor gene alterations and/or multidrug resistance.
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  • 18
    ISSN: 1432-0843
    Keywords: Key words Dolastatin ; Lung cancer ; Apoptosis ; Xenografts ; Experimental therapeutics
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose: Dolastatin 10 is a natural cytotoxic peptide which acts through the inhibition of microtubule assembly. Studies have suggested that such agents can induce apoptosis in association with bcl-2 phosphorylation. Since bcl-2 overexpression is common in small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), we evaluated the activity of dolastatin 10 in SCLC cell lines and xenografts. Methods: In vitro growth inhibition was evaluated with a standardized MTT assay and apoptosis with fluorescent microscopy and a TUNEL assay. Immunoblot analysis and phosphatase digestion were used to determine bcl-2 modification. In vivo activity was evaluated in subcutaneous and metastatic SCLC xenograft models in SCID mice. Results: Dolastatin 10 had growth inhibitory activity against four SCLC cell lines (NCI-H69, -H82, -H446, -H510) with IC50 values ranging from 0.032 to 0.184 nM. All four cell lines exhibited evidence of apoptosis after 48 h of exposure to 1.3 nM dolastatin 10. Immunoblot analysis revealed that 1.3 nM dolastatin 10 altered the electrophoretic mobility of bcl-2 in NCI-H69 and -H510 cells within 16 h of treatment. Incubation of protein extract from dolastatin 10-treated NCI-H69 and -H510 cells with calcineurin resulted in the disappearance of the altered mobility species, suggesting dolastatin 10-induced bcl-2 phosphorylation. In in vivo studies, 450 μg/kg of dolastatin 10 IV × 2 given after intravenous injection of NCI-H446 cells completely inhibited tumor formation. In established subcutaneous NCI-H446 xenografts, 450 μg/kg of dolastatin 10 IV induced apoptosis in the majority of tumor cells within 96 h, resulting in a log10 cell kill of 5.2 and an increase in median survival from 42 to 91 days. Conclusions: These findings suggest that dolastatin 10 has potent activity against SCLC and that the modulation of apoptotic pathways deserves further evaluation as an anticancer strategy.
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  • 19
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    Archives of dermatological research 291 (1999), S. 212-216 
    ISSN: 1432-069X
    Keywords: Key words UV irradiation ; Solar-simulated irradiation ; Apoptosis ; bcl-2 ; bax
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Recently, the proto-oncogenes bcl-2 and bax have emerged as important regulators of the apoptotic form of cell death. We examined UV irradiation-elicited apoptosis and regulation of bcl-2 and bax expression both in vivo in human skin and in vitro in HeLa cells. Using flow cytometric analysis, HeLa cells were found to undergo apoptosis at the 12-h time-point after exposure to UVB irradiation (100 mJ/cm2). The expression of bcl-2 mRNA was found to decrease after a single dose of UVB radiation (doses 10–200 mJ/ cm2). In contrast, the expression of bax mRNA was not significantly changed. When human skin was irradiated with a single dose of solar-simulated radiation (40 mJ/cm2), Bcl-2-positive cells were significantly reduced in the epidermis at the 3- and 6-h time-points. Our results suggest that UV irradiation downregulates bcl-2 expression both in vitro at the mRNA level and in vivo at the protein level, and that downregulation of bcl-2 constitutes a mechanism of potential importance in UV-induced apoptosis in human epidermis.
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  • 20
    ISSN: 1432-069X
    Keywords: Key words TUNEL ; Apoptosis ; Trichilemmal ; keratinization ; Epidermal appendages
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
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  • 21
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    Archives of dermatological research 291 (1999), S. 303-305 
    ISSN: 1432-069X
    Keywords: Key words Langerhans cells ; Sunburn cells ; UV ; erythema ; Apoptosis ; Immunohistochemistry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
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  • 22
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words c-Jun ; Jun B ; Jun D ; Apoptosis ; Colchicine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The expression of members of the Jun family of transcription factors was examined by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, in situ hybridization and Northern blotting in the developing and adult rat brain following colchicine administration. Apoptotic cells, as revealed by their typical morphology and positive staining with the method of in situ end-labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation, were restricted to granule cells of the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb, and a few cells in the upper layers of the entorhinal cortex in adult rats, whereas widespread apoptosis occurred in developing rats after colchicine administration. No modifications in the expression of Jun D and Jun B, except for a generalized and moderate Jun B expression in glial cells, were observed in colchicine-treated rats. Generalized and strong c-jun mRNA induction and c-Jun/AP-1 (Ab-1) protein expression was observed in the cerebral neocortex, entorhinal and piriform cortices, CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus and granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus in adult treated rats, thus indicating a generalized c-Jun response to colchicine administration. In contrast, c-Jun/AP-1 (N) and c-Jun/AP-1 (Ab-2) immunoreactivity was restricted to apoptotic cells in colchicine-treated adult and developing brains. Western blots of hippocampal homogenates and total brain homogenates in adult and developing rats, respectively, demonstrated a band of 39 kDa for the c-Jun/AP-1 (Ab-1) antibody in control animals, the intensity of which increased in colchicine-treated rats. However, a band of 37 kDa, the intensity of which also increased following colchicine administration, was observed for the c-Jun/AP-1 (N) and c-Jun/AP-1 (Ab-2) antibodies. Selective c-Jun/AP-1 (N) and c-Jun/AP-1 (Ab-2) expression was also observed in apoptotic cells of the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma line after the addition of colchicine to the culture medium. Taken together, the present in vivo and in vitro results indicate a generalized c-Jun response to colchicine in sensitive cells, whereas the antibodies c-Jun/AP-1 (N) and c-Jun/AP-1 (Ab-2) recognize vulnerable cells dying via apoptosis.
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  • 23
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Immediate early gene ; Heat shock protein ; Cerebral ischemia ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The neuroprotective role of the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) and immediate early gene remains unclear. Using immunoelectron microscopy, we examined the ultrastructural integrity of the neurons with expression of c-Fos, c-Jun and HSP70 in gerbils after transient cerebral ischemia and repefusion. Induction of c-Fos and c-Jun was observed in the CA3 region resistant to ischemia, while HSP70 was expressed not only in the CA3 but also in the vulnerable CA1 region. With immunoelectron microscopy, the expression of c-Fos/c-Jun and HSP70 was observed in the neurons which retained neuronal integrity except for mitochondrial swelling and polyribosomal disaggregation. In contrast, the CA1 neurons without immunoreaction for HSP70 showed cytoplasmic vacuoles and parallel stacking of rough endoplasmic reticulum, the features associated with the process of delayed neuronal death. These findings suggested that c-Fos and c-Jun were induced selectively in reversibly damaged neurons, whereas HSP70 was up-regulated even in neurons with irreversible damage, but was more preferentially and intensely expressed in neurons with reversible damage.
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  • 24
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    Acta neuropathologica 97 (1999), S. 5-12 
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease ; Apoptosis ; Cell death ; Prion protein ; In situ end-labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The method of in situ end-labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation was used in the study of ten patients (two biopsies, eight autopsies) with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). All the patients had the typical morphological lesions including neuron loss, spongiform change and astrocytosis. Four of them also showed prion protein (PrP) deposits in the cerebral cortex, and two of them kuru-like plaques in the cerebellum. A few cells with DNA breaks were found in the two biopsy cases; one of them, suffering from a panencephalopathic form of the disease, showed positive nuclei not only in the cerebral cortex but also in the subcortical white matter. Variable numbers of positive nuclei were observed in the gray and white matter in the eight autopsy cases, in which, although the distribution of positive cells roughly correlated with the distribution of neuron loss, no clear relationship was found as regards the distribution and degree of cell labeling and the degree of neuron loss. Furthermore, large numbers of positive cells were concentrated in a particular area, whereas a few cells were seen in a neighboring equally affected area. Positive glial cells in the plexiform layer of the CA1 area of the hippocampus, and in the frontal white matter were frequently encountered. Staining of the cytoplasm in a minority of cells was interpreted as the result of nuclear DNA leakage. None of the stained cells had the typical morphology of apoptosis; most particularly, peripheral chromatin condensation and formation of apoptotic bodies were not seen in any case. PrP deposits did not result in an increase of nuclear DNA breaks either within the area or in adjacent regions. Although positive cells were also observed in autopsy cases of controls which were processed in the same way, positive labeling as a whole was higher in CJD than in age-matched controls. These results show that brain nuclear DNA is vulnerable in CJD, and suggest that increased DNA vulnerability has a role in cell death and neuron loss. Since nuclear shrinkage and positive nuclear staining with the method of in situ end-labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation are not exclusive to apoptosis, further information is needed to categorize cell death in CJD as apoptosis. Necrosis or other forms of cell death, as well as increased DNA vulnerability to agonal changes of the individuals, and to postmortem delay in the fixation of the tissues, may account for additional positive staining in cases examined at autopsy.
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  • 25
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Parkinson’s disease ; Apoptosis ; Bcl-2 ; Bax ; Bcl-x
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract We studied the substantia nigra of three Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and three age-matched individuals by in situ DNA-end labeling (ISEL) and immunohistochemistry for the apoptosis regulating proteins Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-x on 50 consecutive sections per patient. No melanin-containing cell was identified with typical apoptotic changes in either patient or control substantia nigra. With prolonged reaction-time the terminal transferase-mediated DNA-end labeling revealed a signal in 2.0 ± 1.2% melanin-containing cells in PD compared to 1.3 ± 1.1% in control. This difference did nor reach statistical significance and no condensation or margination of the chromatin was evident. No significant changes of any of the apoptosis regulating proteins were apparent in PD substantia nigra. These findings do not support the hypothesis that apoptosis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PD.
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  • 26
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    Acta neuropathologica 97 (1999), S. 279-287 
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Canine distemper virus ; Oligodendrocytes ; Apoptosis ; Necrosis ; Demyelination
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a multifocal demyelinating disease in dogs. It was previously shown that the initial demyelinating lesions are directly virus induced since a correlation between the occurrence of demyelination and CDV replication in white matter cells was observed. During the course of infection oligodendrocytes undergo distinct morphological alterations, partly due to a restricted CDV infection of these cells, and eventually disappear from the lesions. This phenomenon has been described in vivo as well as in vitro. However, the reason for the morphological alterations and the following oligodendroglial depletion remained unclear. Since virus infection can induce cell death, it was investigated whether apoptosis or necrosis plays a role in the pathogenesis of demyelination in canine distemper. In brain tissue sections from dogs with acute distemper apoptotic cells were not detected within the demyelinating lesions using morphological and biochemical cell death criteria. In chronic distemper, apoptotic cells – presumably inflammatory cells – were seen within the perivascular cuffs. These in vivo findings were correlated to the in vitro situation using CDV-infected primary dog brain cell cultures as well as Vero cells. Infection with culture-adapted CDV lead to massive necrosis but not to apoptosis. After infection with virulent CDV neither apoptosis nor necrosis was a predominant feature in either culture system. These findings suggest that virus-induced demyelination in canine distemper is not the direct consequence of apoptosis or necrosis. It is speculated that another mechanism must be responsible for the observed morphological alterations of oligodendrocytes, ultimately leading to demyelination.
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  • 27
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Synaptogenesis ; Primate ; Spinal cord ; Apoptosis ; Neuropeptides
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Development of glomerular synapses in the superficial dorsal horn has been studied in the embryonic macaque spinal cord using light and electron microscopic techniques including Golgi impregnation, 3H-thymidine radioautography and pre-embedding immunohistochemistry of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), calbindin D-28 K (CB) and parvalbumin (PV). The study revealed that substantia gelatinosa cells of the primate dorsal horn are generated last, but unlike in rodents, synaptogenesis in this region starts at early embryonic (E) stages of the 165-day long gestation. Already by E30, both Type 1 (light) and 2 (dark) dorsal root axons and their growth cones are identifiable within the oval bundle of His, before they form synaptic contact with their final target cells. Subsequently they invade the dorsal horn and enter the bisecting interfaces formed by orderly programmed cell death. Each type of scalloped (sinusoid) central primary afferent terminal (i.e. DSA, RSV and LDCV) have well defined pre- and post-synaptic specializations already by E40. Among the neuropeptides studied, SP appears first at E67 and CGRP at E70 in the lateral position but within a few days both of them are spread to the entire superficial dorsal horn. Both SP and CGRP are present in the thin dorsal root axons and their growth cones, giving rise to scalloped and simple axon terminals. PV is transiently present in the entire length of the thick dorsal root afferents before becoming concentrated in the synaptic boutons. CB is displayed mainly in neurons of the lamina I and III. Dendrites of CB-immunoreactive cells establish synaptic connection with each type of dorsal root afferents, including glomerular synaptic complexes. These data reveal that the superficial dorsal horn in the primate spinal cord develops its characteristic synaptic complexes much earlier in gestation than in any other mammalian species studied. Furthermore, characteristic cytological features of the prospective glomerular complex emerge before establishment of the final synaptic contacts.
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  • 28
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    Acta neuropathologica 97 (1999), S. 192-195 
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Neuronal vacuolation ; Rottweiler dog ; Bcl-2 ; Bax ; c-Jun ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Neuronal vacuolation, involving the cerebellar roof nuclei, Purkinje cells, selected nuclei of the brain stem, thalamus, Clarke’s column, anterior and posterior horns of the spinal cord, visceral autonomic ganglia and myenteric plexus, as well as axonal degeneration of the white matter of the brain stem, cerebellar pedunculi, dorsolateral columns of the spinal cord and ventral roots of the spinal cord, were observed in two young Rottweiler dogs which were clinically afflicted with hind limb weakness progressing to paraparesia, ataxia, intention tremor, and difficulty in swallowing and barking. The absence of modifications in Bcl-2 and Bax immunoreactivity, a lack of strong c-Jun/AP-1 (N) immunoreactivity in vacuolated cells, and the absence of DNA breaks, as seen with the method of in situ end-labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation, all suggest that there is no involvement of the apoptotic pathway in vacuolated cells in this new neurodegenerative disorder.
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  • 29
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Brain ; Cortical parcellation ; Development ; Proteoglycans ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Nitric oxide (NO) regulates several functions both in the developing and the adult central nervous systems (CNS). During development, NO is assumed to contribute to the histogenetic differentiation of the CNS especially through the modulation of programmed neuronal death. The embryonal and postnatal changes in the distribution of the cortical NO producing system were studied in Balb/c mice using immunocytochemistry for nitric oxide synthase-I (NOS-I) and NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) enzyme histochemistry. NOS-I reactive neurons (RN) appeared first at embryonic day 14 (E14) in the spinal cord in the vicinity of the central canal, and later, at E16–18, in the thalamus and striatum. The first cortical region to present NOS-I reactivity was the parietal cortex, which happened at E18–20. After E20 the number of NOS-I RN increased in every cortical area, plateauing at postnatal day 4 (P4). In parietal regions, however, the highest density of NOS-I RN was observed already at P1. The neuronal packing density (PD) of NOS-I RN declined until adulthood, interrupted by a transient increase in some cortical areas at the onset of puberty. The heterochronous appearance of NOS-I during pre- and postnatal development of different brain regions and the sequence of up- and downregulation of expression until adult stages points to an important role of NO in brain development and functional differentiation.
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  • 30
    ISSN: 1432-0533
    Keywords: Key words Glucocorticosteroids ; Apoptosis ; Guillain-Barré syndrome
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Lipocortin-1 exerts a potent immunosuppressive effect on pathogenic T cells. In multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis levels of lipocortins are raised, suggesting their involvement in the recovery from an immunological insult or in neural regeneration. To further understand the role of lipocortins in the peripheral nervous system we have characterized lipocortin-1 levels and cellular distribution of lipocortin-1 immunoreactivity in sciatic nerves of rats with experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN), a model of human Guillain-Barré syndrome. EAN was induced actively by immunization with bovine peripheral myelin (active EAN) or by adoptive-transfer (AT-EAN) of P2-specific T cells. Cellular infiltrates in serial and semithin cryosections were characterized by immunohistochemistry. In parallel, lipocortin-1 levels in tissue extracts were quantified by a sandwich-ELISA. Only weak lipocortin-1 immunoreactivity was found in nerves of control animals injected with non-pathogenic T cells. The majority of macrophages and lymphocytes in EAN lesions exhibited lipocortin-1 immunoreactivity. Some very heavily stained cells showed a distribution and morphology similar to ED-2-positive macrophages which were abundant during early stages of EAN. Lipocortin-1 expression in T cells and macrophages was proven by immunocytochemical studies in semithin serial sections. In tissue extracts, lipocortin-1 levels increased from 0.24 ± 0.14 μg/mg protein in controls receiving non-pathogenic T cells to a maximum of 0.55 ± 0.1 μg/mg protein in AT-EAN at the peak of disease, and then slowly decreased during clinical recovery but still remained elevated. In dose-response studies in AT-EAN, highest values of lipocortin-1 (0.71 ± 0.23 μg/mg protein) were recorded after transfer of 2 × 107 T cells. Increased levels of lipocortin-1 were also measured in active EAN but occurred during the recovery phase (0.65 ± 0.27 μg/mg protein). By analogy with other immune-mediated disorders, increased lipocortin-1 expression in the inflamed sciatic nerve in EAN may exert immunoregulatory functions in-situ and contribute to the termination of the autoimmune response.
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  • 31
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    Anatomy and embryology 200 (1999), S. 203-214 
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Extracellular material ; Cell proliferation ; Apoptosis ; Anoikis ; Tenascin ; Laminin
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Extracellular material molecules play a key role in the regulation of morphogenesis and differentiation of a large number of organs including the central nervous system. However, the role of the neural basement membrane in the growth of different parts of the neural tube has yet to been delineated. Here, the structural and compositional modifications of the basement membrane (BM) of rhombencephalic tectoria lamina anlage (RTLA) have been examined during the process of RTLA epithelial attenuation. Between stages 10 to 11– the presumptive RTLA epithelium showed a structure, thickness and cell-proliferating capacity similar to those observed in other zones of the rhombencephalic walls. Moreover, the rhombencephalic vesicles were surrounded by a continuous BM that was heterogeneous both ultrastructurally and with regard to ruthenium red, laminin and tenascin distribution. After stage 11, the RTLA epithelium underwent a rapid process of attenuation and change to a stratified flattened epithelium. During this remodelling process, apoptosis and inhibition of both PCNA expression and 3H-thymidine uptake occurred in the RTLA epithelium. The BM of the RTLA underwent a process of degration at the beginning of the remodelling, and apoptosis and cell proliferation inhibition of RTLA epithelium were also observed. The loss of the biochemical signals encoded within the BM could lead to cell shape changes, cell proliferation inhibition and to the anoikis type of cell death. Our findings support the idea that the BM surrounding the neural tube plays a key role in controlling both the structure and growth of the CNS during the early developmental stages.
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  • 32
    ISSN: 1432-0568
    Keywords: Key words Somite explant culture ; Sonic hedgehog protein ; Myogenic induction ; Primary fiber type diversity ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Primary skeletal muscle fibers first form in the segmented portions of paraxial mesoderm called somites. Although the neural tube and notochord are recognized as crucial in patterning myogenic cell lineages during avian and mammalian somitic myogenesis, the source, identities, and actions of the signals governing this process remain controversial. It has been shown that signals emanating from the ventral neural tube and/or notochord alone or Shh alone serve to activate MyoD expression in somites. However, beyond a role in initiating MyoD expression, little is known about the effects of Shh on primary muscle fiber formation in somites of higher vertebrates. The studies reported here investigate how the ventral neural tube promotes myogenesis and compare the effects of the ventral neural tube with those of purified Shh protein on fiber formation in somites. We show that purified Shh protein mimics actions of the ventral neural tube on somites including initiation of muscle fiber formation, enhancement of numbers of primary muscle fibers, and particularly, the formation of primary fibers that express slow myosin. There is a marked increase in slow myosin expression in fibers in response to Shh as somites mature. The effects of ventral neural tube on fiber formation can be blocked by disrupting the Shh signaling pathway by increasing the activity of somitic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that apoptosis is a dominant fate of somite cells, but not somitic muscle fibers, when cultured in the absence of the neural tube, and that application of Shh protein to somites reduced apoptosis. The block to apoptosis by Shh is a manifestation of the maturity of the somite with a progressive increase in the block as somites are displaced rostrally from somite III forward. We conclude that purified Shh protein in mimicking the effects of the ventral neural tube on segmented mesoderm can exert pleiotropic effects during primary myogenesis, including: control of the proliferative expansion of myogenic progenitor cells, antagonism of cell death pathways within the precursors to muscle fibers, and during the crucial process of primary myogenesis, can exert an effect on diversification of muscle fiber types.
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  • 33
    ISSN: 1423-0127
    Keywords: TNFα ; Fas ; FasL ; Apoptosis ; Cytokine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The CD3+/TCRαβ+ T-cell-mediated hepatic inflammation induced byPropionibacterium acnes could be divided into an acute and a chronic phase. The acute phase occurred within 72 h after injection and displayed hepatic apoptosis. Anti-TNFα antibody inhibited both theP. acnes-induced hepatic apoptosis and lymphocyte infiltration seen in this phase, indicating the involvement of this cytokine. Thereafter, a chronic phase was manifested from days 7 to 14 after injection. It was characterized as granulomatous inflammation admixed with apoptosis of infiltrating lymphocytes and some hepatocytes. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the infiltrating lymphocytes displayed TNFα, TNF type I receptor and a variety of cytokines including IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFNγ or IL-12. Interestingly, in naive mice, the arteries in the liver constitutively expressed IFNγ. Its expression appeared to be substantially increased at 48 h, decreased at 72 h, and increased again on day 14 afterP. acnes injection. Furthermore, Fas or FasL was only detected on the lymphocytes within the granuloma. We conclude thatP. acnes can induce a TNFα-mediated acute hepatic apoptosis which subsequently progress to a T-cell-mediated granulomatous hepatitis with increased expression of multiple cytokines and Fas/FasL.
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  • 34
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    Journal of biomedical science 6 (1999), S. 433-438 
    ISSN: 1423-0127
    Keywords: AIDS dementia complex ; Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; Cerebral atrophy ; gp120 ; HIV-1 protease ; Human neuroblastoma cell ; Neuroprotection ; Protease inhibitor (KNI-272)
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract A significant number of adult male patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome develop cerebral atrophy and progressive brain disorders such as dementia complex and neuropsychiatric problems. Upon entering the brain via activated macrophages or microglias, the human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) may produce cytotoxic factors such as HIV-1 envelope protein (gp 120) and protease. Owing to significant proteolysis of nonviral proteins, the protease derived from HIV-1 may be detrimental to brain cells and neurons. Our results revealed that HIV-1 protease, at nanomolar concentrations, was as potent as gp 120 in causing neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma neurotypic SH-SY5Y cells. As shown by the Oncor ApopTag staining procedure, HIV-1 protease significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells over the serum-free controls. Moreover, HIV-1 protease-induced neurotoxicity was blocked by a selective protease inhibitor, kynostatin (KNI-272). Antioxidants such as 17β-estradiol, melatonin, andS-nitrosoglutathione also prevented protease-induced neurotoxicity. These findings indicate that oxidative proteolysis may mediate HIV-1 protease-induced apoptosis and the degeneration of neurons and other brain cells. Centrally active protease inhibitors and antioxidants may play an important role in preventing cerebral atrophy and associated dementia complex caused by HIV-1.
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  • 35
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    Zeitschrift für Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung 208 (1999), S. 355-361 
    ISSN: 1431-4630
    Keywords: Key words Flavor enhancer ; Taste ; Amino acids ; Carbohydrates ; Maillard reaction
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Abstract  Hydrolyzed vegetable protein produced using hydrochloric acid (HVP) or proteolytic enzymes (EVP) was given a maturation period of up to 6 weeks at 30  °C. The maturation resulted in a darker color for both hydrolysates, but the sensory profiles were not altered to any great extent. For both hydrolysates a decrease in the amount of free amino acids or an increase in the amount of bound amino acids was seen, and for EVP, a decrease in the amount of free monosaccharides was likewise observed. In HVP the mono- and polysaccharides were destroyed during hydrolysis. The changes in amino acids could be due to, for example, a reversible binding to either a monosaccharide in EVP or a degradation product of carbohydrates in HVP, leading to the first stage of the Maillard reaction. These early reactions did not proceed to any flavor-giving Maillard reaction compounds. Maturation can therefore not be used to enhance the flavor of protein hydrolysates under the applied production conditions.
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  • 36
    ISSN: 1432-0428
    Keywords: Keywords Type I diabetes ; interferon-γ ; transgenic mice ; apoptosis ; insulin secretion ; tumour necrosis factor.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Aims/hypothesis. To examine whether interferon-γ destroys islet beta cells directly or indirectly through lymphocyte activation, or whether direct action of interferon-γ on beta cells by itself induces diabetes without insulitis. Methods. To avoid possible nonspecific breakdown of beta cells by transgenic overexpression of interferon-γ by the insulin promoter, we generated transgenic mice expressing interferon-γ under the control of rat glucagon promoter (RGP-IFN-γ-Tg mice). Results. The absence of insulitis in RGP-IFN-γ-Tg mice enabled us to investigate the direct effects of paracrine interferon-γ. In RGP-IFN-γ-Tg mice, serum concentrations of interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were 50 and 6 times higher than those in their littermates, respectively, and glucose-responsive insulin secretion decreased to one-half the level of that in the littermates. Transgenic interferon-γ induced remodelling of beta cells where apoptosis of many beta cells was compensated by their vigorous regeneration and diabetes did not occur in most of the RGP-IFN-γ-Tg mice. Conclusion/interpretation. Interferon-γ alone is insufficient for the complete destruction of beta cells in vivo, and factors other than interferon-γ including activated lymphocytes or other cytokines, are necessary in addition to interferon-γ for the development of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 566–573]
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  • 37
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    Diabetologia 42 (1999), S. 711-718 
    ISSN: 1432-0428
    Keywords: Keywords Malnutrition ; ageing ; beta-cell mass ; apoptosis ; glucose tolerance.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Aims/hypothesis. In a recently developed rat model, maternal food restriction from day 15 of pregnancy until weaning induced low birth weight and a 70 % reduction of beta-cell mass in the offspring at day 21 after birth. Subsequent renutrition from weaning was insufficient to fully restore beta-cell mass in young adult rats. The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term consequences of early malnutrition on beta-cell mass and function. Methods. Oral glucose tolerance tests were done in 3- and 12-month-old animals and beta-cell mass and apoptosis were determined by morphometrical measurements on pancreatic sections. The specific impact of postnatal malnutrition was studied by comparing control animals (C group) with animals malnourished during their fetal life only (R/C group), and animals malnourished during fetal life and until weaning (R group). Results. In 3-month-old R/C animals beta-cell mass reached 8.0 ± 1.5 mg with no further increase until 12 months (8.1 ± 1.5 mg), compared with 9.3 ± 1.9 mg in control rats. Twelve-month-old R/C animals showed normal plasma insulin responses and borderline glucose tolerance. In R animals, apoptosis reached 1.9 ± 0.4 % of the beta cells at 3 months, compared with 0.7 ± 0.5 % in control rats, and beta-cell mass did not increase between 3 and 12 months (4.7 ± 0.8 mg at 12 months). In aged control and R animals, apoptosis affected 8 % of the beta cells. At 12 months only, R animals showed profound insulinopenia and marked glucose intolerance. Conclusion/interpretation. In conclusion, perinatal malnutrition profoundly impairs the programming of beta-cell development. In animals with decreased beta-cell mass the additional demand placed by ageing on the beta cells entails glucose intolerance since beta-cell mass does not expand and apoptosis is increased. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 711–718]
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  • 38
    ISSN: 1432-0428
    Keywords: Keywords Nicotinamide ; cytokine ; islet ; insulin ; apoptosis ; diabetes.
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Nicotinamide intervention trials are presently undertaken to prevent Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes in high risk subjects. They are based on studies in rodents reporting nicotinamide protection against beta-cell injury in vitro and in vivo. This study examines whether nicotinamide can protect human beta cells in vitro. At concentrations (2 and 5 mmol/l) to protect rat beta cells against necrosis by streptozotocin or hydrogen peroxide, nicotinamide prevents hydrogen peroxide-induced necrosis of human beta cells. As with rat beta cells, nicotinamide fails to protect human beta cells against apoptosis induced by a combination of the cytokines interleukin-1β , interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α. In rat beta cells, nicotinamide (2 to 20 mmol/l) was also found to induce apoptosis, in particular during the days following its protection against necrosis; this cytotoxic effect was not observed with human beta cells. These data demonstrate that nicotinamide can protect human beta cells against radical-induced necrosis, but not against cytokine-induced apoptosis. This effect is not associated with a delayed apoptosis as in rat beta cells. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 55–59]
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  • 39
    ISSN: 1423-0127
    Keywords: Glioma ; Apoptosis ; Vandate ; Akt ; PKB
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The dual signal hypothesis of apoptosis holds that a common signal can activate both apoptotic and proliferative pathways. The fate of a cell is dependent on which of these two pathways predominates. In the MAPK family of kinases, ERK and JNK have been proposed to mediate apoptosis whereas the PI3K-stimulated kinase, Akt/PKB, has been shown to inhibit apoptosis. The object of this study was to determine the role of these kinases in a glioma model of apoptosis. We have previously shown that K252a induces apoptosis and inhibits kinase activity. In this study we confirm these results and shown that the protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium vanadate activates ERK, JNK and Akt/PKB, but does not stimulate proliferation. Vanadate did protect T98G cells from K252a-induced apoptosis, an effect that was abolished by addition of the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. This suggests that PI3K and Akt/PKB may be responsible for mediating vanadate's protective effect on glioma cells. We conclude that the intracellular balance between protein phosphorylation pathways is a critical determinant of both cell proliferation and cell death.
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  • 40
    ISSN: 1423-0127
    Keywords: Autoimmunity ; Apoptosis ; IL-2 ; FasL ; Tolerance
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Studies of several gene knockout mice suggest an interesting association of a moderate T cell response with systemic autoimmune diseases. In addition, CD95 ligand (FasL) expression in some strains of these mice is impaired. Because FasL is critically involved in regulating peripheral tolerance, there may be a link between autoimmune diseases and a moderate T cell response that cannot activate the FasL gene. Here, we propose that there are two thresholds of T cell activation. When moderately stimulated, T cells can be activated to the low (1st) threshold, which permits the induction of CD40L, IL-2, IL-4, and other components that help the immune response. The high (2nd) activation threshold can only be achieved by a strong and concurrent stimulation through TCR and IL-2R. Once the high threshold is reached, FasL is produced to induce apoptosis of the activated T and B cells. In the absence of the FasL-mediated downregulation, the activated B cells become efficient antigen-presenting cells for self-antigens and excellent responders for T cell help. Such an exacerbating condition, induced by recurrent and moderate activation, favors the development of autoreactive T cells and autoantibody production. Evidence supporting this hypothesis and some predictions that can be tested are described.
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  • 41
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    Zeitschrift für Lebensmittel-Untersuchung und -Forschung 208 (1999), S. 50-56 
    ISSN: 1431-4630
    Keywords: Key words Flavor enhancer ; Savory flavoring ; Taste ; Amino acids ; Partial least squares regression
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Notes: Abstract  Enzymatically hydrolyzed vegetable protein was produced from soy protein using hydrolysis times of 0–20 h. The development of sensory properties and the pattern of protein degradation was followed. Around two-thirds of the final amount of free amino acids and degree of hydrolysis (DH) were achieved during the first 4 h of hydrolysis. Between 6 h and 10 h of hydrolysis the bouillon-like tastes increased significantly (P〈0.001). In this time interval the amount of free amino acids exceeded 40% of the total amino acids and the DH exceeded 50% of the theoretically possible (100%). Using partial least squares regression with standardisation of free amino acid data according to their taste threshold values showed that free glutamic acid, aspartic acid and lysine correlated with the bouillon-like tastes. By standardisation of free amino acid data with respect to their SD the specificity of the enzymes for amino acid side-chains could be seen.
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  • 42
    ISSN: 1432-0851
    Keywords: Key words NK cells ; IL-2 ; Fas ; FasL ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The Fas/Fas-ligand (FasL) system seems to play a key role in regulating immunoresponses. Highly purified CD56+CD3− natural killer (NK) cells were found to be resistant to the apoptosis-inducing Fas mAb CH11 in the absence or in the presence of interleukin-2 (IL-2) for up to 3 days. However, NK cells activated with IL-2 for 3 days became apoptotic following combined treatment with CH11 and actinomycin D, suggesting the presence of an intact apoptotic machinery. In contrast, NK cells cultivated in IL-2 for 6 days became sensitive to CH11-induced apoptosis without addition of actinomycin D. At this time, a pronounced up-regulation of the Fas protein on the NK cell membrane was detected. By using reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction it was found that the anti-apoptotic gene FLIP was strongly expressed in NK cells for up to 6 days of IL-2 stimulation. After day 6, a time-dependent decrease in the expression of FLIP was observed concomitantly with increased sensitivity for Fas-mediated apoptosis. The amount of apoptotic and necrotic NK cells in the presence of IL-2 increased in a time-dependent manner, reaching 40% at day 6 of culture. The amount of apoptotic and necrotic NK cells was reduced in the presence of Fas-Fc protein. In addition, IL-2 stimulated the NK cells to release soluble FasL in a time-dependent manner, whereas membrane FasL did not seem to increase in a similar manner. These results indicate that Fas/FasL interactions are involved in the down-regulation of IL-2-activated human NK cells.
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  • 43
    ISSN: 1432-0851
    Keywords: Key words CD95L ; FasL ; Renca ; Apoptosis ; Tumor growth
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The CD95/CD95 ligand (CD95L) system plays an important role in the induction of lymphoid apoptosis and has been implicated in the suppression of immune responses. In this system, two murine CD95L-transfected renca clones and a control renca clone transfected only with the vector were implanted into the subcapsule of the left kidney of Balb/c and Balb/c nude mice. Both CD95L-expressing and control renca clones formed macroscopic tumors in all of the Balb/c and Balb/c nude hosts 14 days after implantation. Growth of tumors of murine CD95L-transfected renca cells was significantly better than that of control renca cells in Balb/c mice, while the growth advantage of CD95L transfectants was not observed in Balb/c nude mice. Lymphocytes underwent apoptosis mainly in the periphery of the CD95L-expressing tumors but not in control tumors grown in Balb/c mice, while lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis were not observed in CD95L-expressing tumors or in control tumors grown in Balb/c nude mice. Neutrophilic recruitment was rarely observed in CD95L-expressing or control tumors. CD95L expressed on renca cells possibly suppressed immune responses against renca tumors by inducing apoptosis of the infiltrating lymphocytes. However, CD95L-expressing renca cells did not form tumors in the renal subcapsule of allogeneic C3H/HeJ mice.
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  • 44
    ISSN: 1432-0851
    Keywords: Key words Tumour antigen ; MUC1 ; T cell ; immunosuppression ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract The in vitro anti-proliferative properties of various supernatants from MUC1-expressing cell lines and of purified preparations of MUC1 were evaluated. We have observed that supernatants from the MUC1- and MUC3-positive cell line T47D, but not from the MUC1- and MUC4-positive cell line MCF7, were able to inhibit proliferation of cells from various haematopoietic cell lines. Although the activity of T47D supernatants could be abrogated by immunodepletion of MUC1, immunopurified MUC1 from T47D was unable to inhibit cell proliferation. Significantly, supernatants from mouse 3T3 cells transfected with a secreted form of MUC1 or from BHK-21 cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus coding for the secreted form of MUC1, as well as preparations of purified MUC1 from bile or urine, were likewise unable to inhibit T cell proliferation. Surprisingly, a crude mixture of bile mucins had a suppressive effect on T cell growth. Our results suggest that other molecules, such as amino sugars or other mucins, which can associate with MUC1, are likely to be responsible for the observed anti-proliferative effects of T47D cells.
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  • 45
    ISSN: 1432-0851
    Keywords: Key words Immunotherapy ; MK-1 antigen ; Chimeric antibody ; ADCC ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Mouse monoclonal antibody FU-MK-1, raised against a human gastric adenocarcinoma, recognizes a glycoprotein antigen (termed MK-1 antigen) present on most carcinomas and seems to be valuable in immunodiagnosis and immunotherapy of various cancers. In a recent study, we constructed a mouse/human chimeric antibody, designated Ch FU-MK-1, by fusing the FU-MK-1 VH and Vκ genes to the human Cγ1 and Cκ genes, respectively. In the present study, we tested combination immunotherapy of Ch FU-MK-1 with human lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells in vitro and in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) bearing human MK-1-expressing tumors. In in vitro experiments, Ch FU-MK-1 effectively mediated antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against MK-1-expressing MKN-74 cells, which was completely blocked by an anti-FcR antibody. Since the apoptotic pathway as well as the necrotic pathway have been shown to be utilized in various cytotoxic effector mechanisms, we investigated the role of apoptosis in ADCC mediated by LAK cells and Ch FU-MK-1 against MKN-74 cells. The implication of the apoptosis during ADCC was demonstrated by means of both a terminal-deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end-labeling assay and a propidium iodide staining method. In vivo antitumor activity of combination treatment with LAK cells and Ch FU-MK-1 was estimated using SCID mice inoculated s.c. with MKN-74 cells. The i.v. administration of LAK cells and i.p. administration of Ch FU-MK-1 and interleukin-2 (IL-2) produced a marked growth inhibition of MKN-74 tumors in SCID mice. When the actual tumor weights were measured 16 days after initiation of treatment, more than 70% reduction was observed in the group receiving LAK cells plus Ch FU-MK-1 plus IL-2 as compared to the control untreated group. Together these results suggest that Ch FU-MK-1 may serve as a potentially useful immunotherapeutic reagent for human MK-1-expressing tumors.
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  • 46
    ISSN: 1432-0983
    Keywords: Key words Fission yeast ; Caspases ; Bcl-2 ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology
    Notes: Abstract Two pro-apoptotic proteases, caspase-1 and caspase-3, have been expressed as full-length proteins in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Both proteins autoprocess to generate the corresponding active enzyme and both are lethal to the yeast cell. Lethality is due to catalytic activity since the expression of the inactive mutant forms of both caspases does not result in an obvious phenotype. Caspase-expressing yeast can be rescued by co-expression of the baculovirus protein p35, a known inhibitor of the caspase family. Co-expression of Bcl-2, another anti-apoptotic protein, does not prevent the cell death induced by either caspase. However, Bcl-2 is itself cleaved by both caspase-1 and caspase-3 at two adjacent recognition sites, YEWD31′A and DAGD34′V respectively, immediately downstream from the N-terminal BH4 domain, a region of Bcl-2 which is essential for its anti-apoptotic activity; similar cleavage of Bcl-2 by caspases has been demonstrated in mammalian cells. Hence, key elements of the apoptotic pathway can be reliably reconstituted in fission yeast, opening the way to exploit yeast in order to study the control of apoptosis. Furthermore, the activity of caspase-3, although not caspase-1, can be demonstrated in vitro using chromogenic substrates. This offers the possibility of using caspase-producing strains of yeast to screen for chemical inhibitors either in vivo or in vitro.
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  • 47
    ISSN: 1432-0738
    Keywords: Key words Doxorubicin ; Apoptosis ; Testicular toxicity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract To clarify whether apoptosis is involved in doxorubicin (DXR)-induced testicular toxicity and to identify the target germ cell type, adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single intravenous dose of DXR (8 or 12 mg/kg) and euthanized at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h subsequently. Histologically, germ cell degeneration was first found 6 h after dosing in meiotically dividing spermatocytes and early round spermatids of seminiferous tubules at stage I, and subsequently observed in spermatogonia at stages I–VI showing ultrastructural characteristics of apoptosis. Coincident with the appearance of morphological changes, degenerating germ cells were shown to be undergoing apoptosis as revealed by in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The frequency of TUNEL-labeled germ cells increased in a stage- and cell type-specific manner, the peak of frequency gradually progressing from stage I of seminiferous tubules to later stages with time after dosing, suggesting that the damaged germ cells, especially spermatogonia, gradually underwent the processes leading to apoptosis. DNA laddering on gel electrophoresis was apparent 24 and 48 h after dosing. The results demonstrate that apoptosis plays an important role in the induction of testicular toxicity caused by DXR with meiotically dividing spermatocytes and type A and intermediate spermatogonia as highly vulnerable target cells.
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  • 48
    ISSN: 1432-0738
    Keywords: Key words Allylnitrile ; Apoptosis ; Behavioral abnormalities ; Habenula ; Mice brain
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract A single dose of allylnitrile in mice might induce persistent behavioral abnormalities, of which the mechanism is not yet known. The present study was undertaken to explore the relationship between behavioral abnormalities and pathological changes in the brain of mice following exposure to allylnitrile. Exposure to allylnitrile (63, 84, and 112 mg/kg, p.o.) resulted in dose-dependent changes in behavioral abnormalities, including increased locomotor activity, circling, retropulsion, head twitching, and alteration in reflexive behavior, which appeared at day 2 postdosing and were persistent throughout the experimental period (60 days) at the higher dose levels. Allylnitrile produced neuronal retraction including hyperchromasia of the nuclei in the raphe nuclei, cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus later than 30 days. No gliosis was observed in these regions. Not all but a significant number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1, medial habenula and raphe nuclei were immunoreactive to CPP32 (Caspase-3) even at day 2. These neurons were also positive to Hoechst 33258 staining, indicating allylnitrile caused apoptotic changes in specific neurons when neuronal behaviors became apparent. These apoptotic changes were persistent even in the area without neuronal contraction such as medial habenula. However, almost all neurons in these areas were also positive to terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). It is conceivable that allylnitrile caused apoptotic changes in neurons but did not always lead them to cell death immediately. Moreover, even when neuronal contraction resulted in retention of behavioral abnormalities, onset of these abnormalities seems to be associated with the impairment in the habenulo-raphe relay due to activation of apoptotic cascade in neurons.
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  • 49
    ISSN: 1432-069X
    Keywords: Key words Keratinocyte ; UVB ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; p53
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Normal human keratinocytes are stimulated to proliferate in serum-free medium containing subphysiological concentrations of calcium (0.09 mM, low calcium). In this study, we examined the effect of increased levels of extracellular calcium (2.0 mM, normal calcium) on UVB-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis was assessed by changes in cellular morphology, annexind V-FITC flow cytometry, and the formation of internucleosomal DNA ladders. High doses of UVB induced keratinocytes grown in low calcium medium to undergo apoptosis. In contrast, keratinocytes grown for 72 h in normal calcium medium were completely resistant to UVB-induced apoptosis. No apoptosis was observed even at UVB doses as high as 1200 J/m2. However, despite the lack of UVB-induced cell death, keratinocytes grown in normal calcium medium lost the ability to proliferate following high levels of UVB irradiation. High doses of UVB also increased the expression of the differentiation-specific proteins involucrin and cytokeratin 10 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, growth in normal calcium medium lowered the UVB-induced stimulation of the p53 protein and altered the normal subcellular localization pattern of p53. UVB irradiation of human keratinocytes grown in normal calcium medium may be inducing further cell differentiation in the absence of overt cell death.
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  • 50
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    Biology and fertility of soils 29 (1999), S. 257-261 
    ISSN: 1432-0789
    Keywords: Key words Alpine nitrogen cycle ; Amino acids ; Kobresia myosuroides ; Organic nitrogen ; Plant-microbe competition
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Biology , Geosciences , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Notes: Abstract  Microbes are assumed to possess strong competitive advantages over plants for uptake of nutrients from the soil. The finding that non-mycorrhizal plants can obtain a significant fraction of their N requirement from soil amino acids contradicts this assumption. The amino acid glycine (Gly) has been used as a model amino acid in many recent studies. Our preliminary studies showed that Gly was a poor substrate for microbial growth compared to other amino acids. We tested the hypothesis that the alpine sedge Kobresia myosuroides competes better for Gly than for other amino acids because of decreased microbial demand for this compound. Soil microbial populations that could grow using Gly as a sole carbon source were about 5 times lower than those that could grow on glutamate (Glu). Gly supported a significantly lower population than any of the ten other amino acids tested except serine. In contrast, K. myosuroides took up Gly from hydroponic solution at faster rates than Glu. In plant-soil microcosms, plants competed with soil microbes 3.25 times better for Gly than for Glu. We conclude that the low microbial demand and the rapid plant uptake of Gly relative to other amino acids allow Gly to be an especially important nitrogen source for K. myosuroides.
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  • 51
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    Experimental brain research 124 (1999), S. 241-247 
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Melatonin ; Kainate ; Glutathione ; Apoptosis ; Excitotoxicity
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The anti-excitotoxic efficacy of the pineal hormone melatonin was investigated in kainate-injured brains of rats. Kainate (a glutamate-receptor agonist, 2.5 nmol in 1 µl) was directly injected to unilateral striatum. Melatonin (10 mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally 1 h before and 1, 3, and 5 h after intrastriatal kainate injection in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Three days after kainate injection, a significant neuronal damage was found, as determined by Nissl staining and the TUNEL method, not only in the injected striatum, but also in the ipsilateral neighboring cortex. The kainate-induced cortical apoptotic neuronal death was significantly attenuated by treatment with melatonin compared with the vehicle control group. However, no detectable changes were observed in the contralateral side of the brain in either vehicle- or melatonin-treated rats. Moreover, the biochemical results indicated that kainate can indeed induce oxidative stress, such as a decrease in the content of total glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and an increase in the ratio of GSSG/GSH in the striatum and cortex compared with the contralateral brain regions. In the kainate-injected striatum, melatonin did not reduce the oxidative stress, but in the neighborhood of injected area-cortex, kainate-induced oxidative stress was significantly reduced by melatonin. Enhancement of glutathione-peroxidase activity was induced by intrastriatal kainate injection, not only in the cortical area of control and melatonin-treated rats, but also in striatum of control rats. However, a large elevation was found in the melatonin-treated cortex. Taking the morphological and biochemical data together, the present results suggest that melatonin functions as an antioxidant by upregulating the glutathione antioxidative defense system, thereby reducing neuronal death caused by excitotoxicity and preventing the kainate-induced damage from spreading to adjacent brain regions.
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  • 52
    ISSN: 1432-1106
    Keywords: Key words Gabaculine ; NMR spectroscopy ; Microdialysis ; Amino acids ; Compartmentation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  The aim of this work was to study the neurochemical effects in the brain of GABA-transaminase inhibition by systemic administration of gabaculine (100 mg/kg, i.a.) in the rat. In order to investigate neurotransmitter and related amino-acid compartmentation and metabolism, we have developed an original tool: the coupling, in vivo, on the same animal, of 2D COSY 1H-NMR spectroscopy with intracerebral microdialysis. The main result is a continuous increase in GABA levels, both in the intracellular compartment (up to 3000±450%; P〈0.001) and extracellular compartment (up to 808±82%; P〈0.01) at the sixth hour. The intracellular increase in GABA level became significant at the first hour following gabaculine administration, whereas the extracellular level increased as of the second hour, probably indicating that accumulation of GABA in nerve endings precedes its release in synaptic clefts. Moreover, the levels of the excitatory amino acids, glutamate and aspartate, were decreased both in the intra- and extracellular compartments, thus enhancing sedative effects of the drug. We also observed a decrease in the global energetic creatine-phosphocreatine pool, which also could be related to the sedative properties of gabaculine, measurable by the diminution of cortical electrical activity and mean arterial blood pressure. Finally, the coupling between 2D 1H-NMR spectroscopy and intracerebral microdialysis appears to be an original tool for investigating the cerebral metabolic effects induced by pharmacological agents, in situ, in living animals.
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  • 53
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    Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology 125 (1999), S. 357-360 
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words Colorectal neoplasms ; Apoptosis ; Chemosensitivity ; p53 gene
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Purpose : The p53 gene is considered one of the most important in the control of apoptosis, and its mutations have a close relationship with chemosensitivity. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of p53 in the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells in vitro, induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and hydroxy-camptothecin (HCPT). Methods : A total of 39 colorectal cancer samples from patients were treated in vitro with 5-FU (10 μg/ml), 5-FU (10 μg/ml) + leucovorin (5 μg/ml), HCPT (0.1 μg/ml) and HCPT (0.1 μg/ml) + Salvia mitorrhiza (6 μl), using an in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase assay to detect chemosensitivity. p53 gene mutations from tumor DNA were detected, after amplification by the polymerase chain reaction of exons 5–8, by non-radioactive single-strand conformation polymorphism. Results : p53 gene mutations were observed in 43.6% (17/39) of colorectal carcinomas, when the terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase assay was used to detect the tumor apoptotic rate. Cells with mutated p53 had lower chemosensitivity than those without (p 〈 0.01). Conclusion : Routine assessment of p53 status may be helpful in selecting patients with the wild-type p53 gene, who have a predictably better response to chemotherapy.
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  • 54
    ISSN: 1432-1335
    Keywords: Key words EGF receptor signalling ; Tyrphostin ; Apoptosis ; Colon cancer
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Growth effects of tyrphostins A25 and AG1478 on colorectal tumor cells were studied to explore therapeutic potential. Cell number, DNA synthesis and apoptotic index were measured as growth parameters and cell-death-associated proteins Bcl-2 and Bak and protein phosphorylation were analyzed. Both tyrphostins inhibited DNA synthesis and induced apoptosis in tumor cell cultures with different patterns of activity. A25 displayed strong selectivity for the cell lines expressing high levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), HT29/HI1 and SW480. Inhibition of DNA synthesis was efficient in all cells except T84, and the apoptotic index increased two- to fivefold. By contrast, AG1478 was highly effective in all cell lines. In addition, it caused cell loss in VACO235 adenoma cells at concentrations lower than those necessary to inhibit BrdU incorporation, reflecting preferential retention of cells actively synthesizing DNA. Induction of apoptosis was more efficient with AG1478 than with A25 (tenfold in VACO235). Insulin-like growth factor (IGF1) did not rescue cells exposed to A25 or to high concentrations of AG1478, but was effective with suboptimal amounts of AG1478. Both compounds inhibited phosphorylation of the EGF receptor as well as additional proteins. AG1478 induced expression of Bak and down-regulated Bcl-2. In summary, tyrphostins may provide alternatives for colorectal tumor treatment. Their broader range of activities and the lower susceptibility to interactions with IGF1 can be an advantage over receptor antibodies.
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  • 55
    ISSN: 1432-0584
    Keywords: Key words IL-6 variants ; Cell cycle ; Apoptosis ; Multiple myeloma ; Cell line
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  Interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels and the proliferative activity of bone marrow plasma cells have been described as important prognostic factors for survival duration in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Since growth of neoplastic plasma cells is frequently promoted by IL-6, inhibition of its activity has been considered for the management of MM patients. With a similar rationale, IL-6 variants characterized by wild-type or increased affinity for the ligand-specific IL-6 α receptor chain and reduced ability to bind and/or dimerize the gp 130 chain have recently been generated. In the present study, the antiproliferative effects of the variants Sant1, Sant5, and Sant7, characterized by increasing antagonistic activity, were investigated by means of a detailed cell kinetic and apoptotic analysis of the IL-6-dependent MM XG-1 cell line. A significant reduction in the mean percent of XG-1 cells in active S-phase (DNA/bromodeoxyuridine incorporation) from 41% to 28.1% (p=0.04), 25.8% (p=0.04), and 15.3% (p=0.02), respectively, was observed using Sant1, Sant5, and Sant7. These effects were confirmed using the acridine-orange (AO) flow-cytometric technique, which showed a similar reduction of S-phase (34.2% of baseline value) in the presence of Sant1, Sant5, and Sant7, as well as a significant G1b arrest (from 44.5% to 47.6%, 48%, and 64.9%). Furthermore, IL-6 variants were capable of down-regulating the G1 cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1 expression. Cell cycle effects were coupled with a significant increase of apoptosis, measured by the AO and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assays, from 12.9% (control culture with IL-6) to 21.2% (Sant1), 29.1% (Sant5), and 23.5% (Sant7). These results were comparable to those obtained by depriving XG-1 of recombinant IL-6. Our study documents the antiproliferative activity exerted by IL-6 mutants on the XG-1 cell line, thus supporting the investigation of these molecules on primary MM cells.
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  • 56
    ISSN: 1432-0584
    Keywords: Key words Idiopathic myelofibrosis ; PCNA labeling ; Apoptosis ; Dynamic disease features ; Prognosis ; Proportion of life loss ; Bone marrow
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract  A retrospective study of 120 patients with the clinically and histologically established diagnosis of idiopathic (primary) myelofibrosis (IMF) was performed to determine prognostic factors of predictive value, including parameters characterizing the dynamics of hematopoietic cell kinetics. In contrast to previous studies, our cohort comprised the full spectrum of the disease, from initial prefibrotic to advanced osteosclerotic stages. The in situ end-labeling (ISEL) technique was used to demonstrate apoptosis, in order to determine dynamic parameters of predictive value. Cell proliferation was evaluated by employing the monoclonal antibody PC10 directed against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Proliferative activity (PCNA index) and frequency of apoptosis showed significant differences between early and advanced fibrosclerotic stages of disease. Decrease in proliferation indicated a significantly shorter survival, whereas a higher frequency of apoptotic cells was associated with a better prognosis. It may be speculated that a normal or enhanced proliferation rate expressed by PCNA positivity (late G1- and S-phase of the cell cycle) that is accompanied by a higher incidence of apoptosis reflects the regenerative (turnover) capacity of hematopoiesis. This may apply especially to early hypercellular stages without relevant myelofibrosis. In consideration of a recently published multivariate risk model, a simplified synthesis score for stratification of a patient's prognosis was constructed. Age, degree of anemia, leukocytes, and platelet count were regarded as the most important parameters. A substantial improvement of prognostic efficiency was further achieved by including PCNA index and frequency of apoptosis. Our results are in keeping with the assumption that generalization, indicated by myeloid metaplasia, has a prodigious impact on prognosis in IMF. Furthermore, in this context dynamic features such as proliferative activity and frequency of apoptosis exert an additional predictive value.
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  • 57
    ISSN: 1279-8509
    Keywords: p53 ; Apoptosis ; PKC ; g-irradiation ; Transcription
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Several mutations prevent the expression of p53 in the human lymphoblastoid T cell line Jurkat. Restoration of p53 in Jurkat cells had no effect on the cell growth but markedly increased the amount of apoptosis induced by g-irradiation. Inhibition of RNA synthesis using 5,6-dichlorobenimidizole riboside had little effect on apoptosis induced by irradiation in the presence of p53 and did not affect the p53-independent apoptotic pathway. Expression of p53 also had no effect on the expression levels of proteins such as Fas, GADD45, Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-xL or p53 induced proteins (PIGS) in resting cells or after irradiation. Activation of protein kinase C by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate produced an almost complete inhibition of p53-independent apoptosis following irradiation, whereas no significant effect was observed on the rate of p53-induced apoptosis. Although phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate strongly induced p21 and stabilised p53 in the resting transfected Jurkat cells, neither apoptosis nor cell arrest was observed. In summary, this work shows that p53 enhances the radiosensitivity of Jurkat cells through an apoptotic process that is triggered by irradiation and is largely independent of RNA synthesis and protein kinase C activation. Apoptosis in p53- negative Jurkat cells is strongly inhibited by PMA indicating that the pathway triggered by p53 may be distinct from apoptotic pathways used in its absence.
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  • 58
    ISSN: 1432-2277
    Keywords: Key words Liver transplantation ; Survival ; Amino acids ; Organ preservation ; Primary nonfunction
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract There are too few reliable markers by which one can predict future function of a liver before implantation. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that amino acids in rinse–effluents could predict transplant outcome in marginal fatty livers from rats. Amino acids were measured in the rinse effluent from the livers immediately after harvest and graft preparation or cold storage. Amino acids in the effluent were twice as high in ethanol-treated animals compared to those in nonfatty controls. Ethanol-treated fatty livers survived for no longer than 7 days after transplantation while 83 % of nonfatty controls survived (P 〈 0.05). In subsequent studies, the cold-storage time was decreased to 6 h to determine whether failing fatty livers released more amino acid than grafts that would function normally. There was a significant increase in amino acids in the effluent of fatty grafts compared to controls. Moreover, the sum of the four selected amino acids (alanine, valine, histidine, leucine) was lower than 23 nmol/g liver in functional livers, whereas failing grafts had totals significantly higher than 25 nmol/g liver. The sum of the four amino acids correlated well with 24 h post-transplant serum AST levels (r = 0.78, P 〈 0.0001). So we can conclude that amino acid release can serve as a useful marker of graft viability and reliably predicts survival.
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  • 59
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    Theoretical chemistry accounts 101 (1999), S. 186-193 
    ISSN: 1432-2234
    Keywords: Key words: Solvent accessibility ; Logistic function ; Hydrophobicity ; Burial index ; Amino acids
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Notes: Abstract. For predicting solvent accessibility from the sequence of amino acids in proteins, we use a logistic function trained on a non-redundant protein database. Using a principal component analysis, we find that the prediction can be considered, in a good approximation, as a monofactorial problem: a crossed effect of the burial propensity of amino acids and of their locations at positions flanking the amino acid of interest. Complementary effects depend on the presence of certain amino acids (mostly P, G and C) at given positions. We have refined the predictive model (1) by adding supplementary input data, (2) by using a strategy of prediction correction and (3) by adapting the decision rules according to the amino acid type. We obtain a best score of 77.6% correct prediction for a relative accessibility of 9%. However, compared to trivial strategy only based upon the frequencies of buried or exposed residues, the gain is less than 4%.
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  • 60
    ISSN: 1534-4681
    Keywords: Gemcitabine ; bcl-2 ; Pancreatic cancer ; Apoptosis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Abstract Background: Gemcitabine is a new nucleoside analogue that produces a clinical response in 30% of patients with unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. The cytotoxic effects of many chemotherapeutic agents occur through induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis), which is controlled by the bcl-2 gene family. We determined whether induction of apoptosis by gemcitabine in pancreatic carcinoma is associated with cellular Bcl-2 content. Methods: Four pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (MIA-PaCa-2, AsPC-1, Panc-1, and Panc-48) were screened by Western blotting for Bcl-2 protein expression. Dose-response relationships for the cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine were determined using methylthiotetrazole assays, and induction of apoptosis was confirmed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. MIA-PaCa-2 cells transfected with human bcl-2 were also analyzed for gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Results: Pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed varying amounts of Bcl-2, and the 50% lethal dose for gemcitabine-induced apoptosis was correlated with Bcl-2 content. Furthermore, Bcl-2 overexpression was associated with a significant increase in the 50% lethal dose for gemcitabine-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: Cellular Bcl-2 content was directly correlated with the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine in pancreatic carcinoma. Therefore, routine immunohistochemical analyses may be useful in predicting gemcitabine efficacy, and patients who would likely not benefit could be spared gemcitabine administration. Furthermore, the effectiveness of gemcitabine and other chemotherapeutic agents may be increased by gene therapy-mediated alteration of bcl-2 gene family members.
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  • 61
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Nitric oxide ; Ornithine decarboxylase ; Proliferation ; Cell death ; Cardiomyocytes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule involved in several signal transduction pathways leading either to proliferation or to cell death. Induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, represents an early event preceding DNA synthesis. In some cell types increased ODC activity seems to be involved in cytotoxic response. We investigated the role of NO and ODC induction on the events linked to cell proliferation or to cell death in cultured chick embryo cardiomyocytes. Exposure of cardiomyocytes to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) caused NO synthase (NOS) and ODC induction as well as increased incorporation of [3H]-thymidine. This last effect was blocked by a NOS inhibitor and was strongly reduced by difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an exogenous NO donor, inhibited the increases of NOS and ODC activities and abolished the mitogenic effect of TNF and LPS. Moreover, SNP alone caused cell death in a dose dependent manner. The cytotoxicity of SNP was not affected by DFMO while it was prevented by antioxidants. The results suggest that different pathways would mediate the response of cardiomyocytes to NO: they can lead either to ODC induction and DNA synthesis when NO is formed through NOS induction or to growth inhibition and cell death, when NO is supplied as NO donor. Increased polyamine biosynthesis would mediate the proliferative response of NO, while the cytotoxicity of exogenous NO seems to involve some oxidative reactions and to depend on the balance between NO availability and cellular redox mechanisms.
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  • 62
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    Amino acids 16 (1999), S. 297-320 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Pipecolic acid ; Pipecolic acid derivatives ; Asymmetric synthesis ; Hemisyntheses ; Chiral auxiliaries
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Results in the field of asymmetric synthesis of pipecolic acid derivatives are reviewed. Three sections describe the asymmetric syntheses of the title compounds (i) from the chiral pool (α-amino acids or carbohydrates) (ii) using a chiral auxiliary either derived from terpenes,α-amino acids, tartaric acid, an amine orβ-amino alcohols (iii) by means of asymmetric catalysis.
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  • 63
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 185-193 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Anaerobic bacteria ; Catabolism ; HPLC ; Stereochemistry
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The utilization ofd- andl -amino acids with acidic, basic or polar side chains was demonstrated by HPLC. Two species of the anaerobeFusobacterium utilized D-lysine and the L isomers of glutamate, glutamine, histidine, lysine and serine. OnlyF. varium usedl-arginine,d-glutamate andd-serine as substrates, whereasF. nucleatum specifically utilizedd-histidine andd-glutamine.d-Glutamate accumulated in F. nucleatum cultures supplemented withd-glutamine, and ornithine was detected when eitherdl- orl-arginine was included inF. varium cultures. Based on literature precedents,d-glutamate andd-histidine are isomerized to their L isomers prior to degradation, but separate catabolic pathways are possible for each enantiomer of lysine and serine.
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  • 64
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Non-proteinogenic optically active amino acids ; Dehydroamino acids ; Chiral rhodium catalysts ; Asymmetric hydrogenation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary (Z)-α-[(Benzyloxy)- or (tert.-butyloxy)carbonylamino]-β (thienyl)-or (furyl)-acrylic acids and their esters were prepared by known methods and hydrogenated to the corresponding optically active alanine derivatives with optical yields in the range of 58–93% ee using the cationic rhodium complex of “PROPRAPHOS”.
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  • 65
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; L-Tryptophan ; Serum albumin ; Transport ; L-Tryptophan depletion ; α-Methyl-DL-tryptophan ; Analbuminemic rat
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The role of serum albumin in the transport of orally administered L-tryptophan (Trp) into rat tissues was examined using analbuminemic and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with and without a-methyl-DL-tryptophan (AMT)-induced Trp depletion. Trp was orally administered to rats 16h after AMT or 0.85% NaCl administration, when liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase and protein synthetic activities in AMT-treated rats were similar to those of 0.85% NaCl-treated rats. After oral Trp administration, regardless of the presence or absence of Trp depletion, free serum Trp concentrations were similar in the analbuminemic and SD rats, while total serum Trp concentrations were lower in analbuminemic rats than in SD rats. Although liver, brain, and muscle Trp concentrations after oral Trp administration under Trp depletion were lower in analbuminemic rats than in SD rats, the ratio of the liver Trp concentration in analbuminemic rats to that in SD rats was smaller than that of the brain or muscle Trp concentration. These results suggest that variations in serum albumin levels could affect the transport of orally administered Trp into the liver of rats with Trp depletion.
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  • 66
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Tissue protein synthesis ; Stable isotope amino acids
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The tracers L15N-proline and L(1-13C)-leucine were used to explore the synthesis of skin proteins in vivo in rabbits. They orally received a single dose containing an equimolecular mixture of L(1-13C)-leucine and L15N-proline. The changes in the amounts of these tracers in blood and skin were monitored for a total of 8 h. The data showed the appearance of the two tracers in blood within 15 min and their clearance in 8h. They were both rapidly (15 min) incorporated into skin proteins, but more proline was incorporated than leucine. We therefore consider L15N-proline to be a better tracer than L(1-13C)-leucine for studying protein metabolism in the skin.
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  • 67
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine ; Kainic acid ; Epilepsy ; Anticonvulsants ; Neuroprotection ; Excitatory amino acids
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Male Sprague-Dawley rats received TAU supplementation (1.5% in drinking water) or TAU deficient diets for 4 weeks to test for a possible neuroprotective role of TAU in KA-induced (10 mg/kg s.c.) seizures. TAU supplementation significantly increased serum and hippocampal TAU levels, but not TAU content in temporal cortex or striatum. TAU deficient diets did not attenuate serum or tissue TAU levels. Dietary TAU supplementation failed to decrease the number or latency of partial or clonic-tonic seizures or wet dog shakes, whereas a TAU deficient diet decreased the number of clonictonic and partial seizures. This study does not support previous observations of an anticonvulsant effect of TAU against KA-induced seizures. KAtreatment decreasedα 2-adrenergic receptor binding sites and TAU content in the temporal cortex across all dietary treatment groups, supporting previous evidence of severe KA-induced damage and neuronal loss in this brain region.
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  • 68
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    Amino acids 16 (1999), S. 191-213 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Enzymatic resolution ; Ester hydrolysis ; Proteases ; Lipases
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The present review outlines recent examples of enzyme-based resolution procedures for amino acids via the hydrolysis of their esters. The resolutions have been achieved by using proteases (α-chymotrypsin, subtilisin and other microbial proteases, and sulfhydryl proteases of plant origin) and lipases. Relevant work utilizing yeast and other microbial cells is also included.
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  • 69
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    Amino acids 16 (1999), S. 251-272 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Unusual amino acids ; Aspartic acidβ-semialdehyde ; Aspartaldehyde ; 2-Amino-4-oxobutyric acid ; Enantioselective synthesis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Strategies for the synthesis of optically active aspartaldehyde derivatives are reviewed. Most of them are using the chiral pool: allylglycine or naturally occurring homoserine, aspartic acid or methionme and side chain modifications. This will be developed in the first part. Some other original routes are also displayed in the second part. Different aspects of each strategy are discussed: the nature and number of steps, the problem of protecting groups, the price and availability of starting materials. Some synthetic applications of such interesting chiral synthons are shown in the last part.
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  • 70
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 195-205 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Apis mellifera ; Drones ; Osmolarity ; Age dependency
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In the haemolymph of honeybee drones, concentrations of free amino acids were higher than in worker haemolymph, with different relative proportions of individual amino acids. The overall concentration of free amino acids reached its highest level at the 5th day after adult drone emergence, and after the 9th day only minor changes in the concentration and distribution of free amino acids were observed. This coincides with the age when drones reach sexual maturity and change their feeding behaviour. Levels of essential free amino acids were high during the first 3 days of life and thereafter decreased. Osmolarity was lowest at emergence (334 ± 41 mOsm), increased until the age of 3 days (423 ± 32mOsm) and then stayed generally constant until the 16th day of life. Only 25-day-old drones had significantly higher osmolarity (532 ± 38 mOsm). The overall change in osmolarity during a drone's lifetime was about 40%.
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  • 71
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Conformational constraint ; Cyclic disulfides ; -Cys-Cys-peptides ; Dipeptide mimetics ; Dithiols ; Glutathione analogues
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The glutathione analogue γ-(H-Glu-OH)- -OH (5), containing the 8-membered disulfide ring- replacing the native -Cys-Gly fragment, has been synthesized and characterized together with its reduced dithiol form γ-(H-Glu-OH)-Cys-Cys-OH (6).
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  • 72
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Polyamine catabolism ; Polyamine oxidase ; Diamine oxidase ; Testosterone ; Mouse kidney
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In the present study developmental patterns of renal polyamineoxidizing enzymes polyamine oxidase (PAO) and diamine oxidase (DAO) in male and female ICR mice were demonstrated. The effects of testosterone (10μg/100g body weight) on renal PAO and DAO activities were also studied. The differences between sexes in both PAO and DAO activities were most clearly expressed in the immature kidney. At the age of 20 days PAO and DAO activities were 1.52 fold (p 〈 0.01) and 1.75 (p 〈 0.02) respectively higher in male mouse kidney than in female. Maturational processes reflected in significant increases in polyamine- oxidizing enzyme activities mainly in female mouse kidney, comparable with the gain in the kidney wet weight. Our data show that testosterone is able to influence renal PAO and DAO activities in addition to the well-known stimulation of polyamine biosynthesis. The hormonal effects were sex and age dependent. The influence of testosterone on renal PAO activity was mainly age dependent. The slight stimulation of renal PAO activity observed in 20- and 50-day old mice, 24h after testosterone administration, change with a decrease in the enzyme activity at the age of 70 days. The effects of testosterone on renal DAO activity were mainly sex dependent. Testosterone caused stimulation of DAO activity with a very close magnitude (nearly twice) in female mouse kidney, independently of the age of mice. In contrast, in male mice the hormone treatment resulted in a statistically significant increase in renal DAO activity at the age of 70 days (.1.3 fold, p 〈 0.05) only. It could be suggested that our data indicate the different contribution of renal PAO and DAO in androgen regulation of polyamine levels, depending on sex and the stage of the postnatal development.
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  • 73
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Allohydroxyproline ; Allothreonine ; Chiral separation ; Chirasil-Val ; Hydroxyproline ; Threonine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Experimental conditions for the derivatization and resolution by GLC of all stereoisomers of threonine and 4-hydroxyproline are reported. Threonine was in two steps converted toN,O-bisisobutoxycarbonyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl ester derivatives, the second of which was performed under anhydrous conditions. As such the enantiomers could pairwise be separated by capillary gas chromatography on a Chirasil-Val column. SinceL- andD-threonine eluted much earlier than the corresponding allo forms, quantitative determination of the allothreonine content inD- orL-threonine down to the one percent level could be simply accomplished but also enantiomeric impurities could be determined. Unlike for threonine, the corresponding 4-hydroxyproline isomers could not all be resolved asN,O-bisisobutoxycarbonyl 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl esters on this column. Although diastereomers could still be separated, the allo pair cochromatographed and the resolution for theL- andD-isomers was low. Complete separation of the 4-hydroxyproline isomers could be accomplished asN,O-bisprotected isobutyl amides, the formation of which required three derivatization steps. These were used for the determination of allohydroxyproline.
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  • 74
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 323-334 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine release ; Cerebellar granule cells ; Celldamaging conditions ; Glutamate receptors ; Veratridine ; Potassium stimulation
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The release of taurine from cultured cerebellar granule neurons was studied in different cell-damaging conditions, including hypoxia, hypoglycemia, ischemia, oxidative stress and in the presence of free radicals. The effects of both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists on the release were likewise investigated. The release of [3H]taurine from the glutamatergic granule cells was increased by K+ (50mM) and veratridine (0.1 mM), the effect of veratridine being the greater. Hypoxia and ischemia produced an initial increase in release compared to normoxia but resulted in a diminished response to K. Hypoglycemia, oxidative stress and free radicals enhanced taurine release, and subsequent K− treatment exhibited a correspondingly greater stimulation. A common feature of taurine release in all the bove conditions was a slow response to the stimulus evoked by K+ and particularly to that evoked by veratridine. All ionotropic glutamate receptor agonists potentiated taurine release, but only the action of kainate seemed to be receptor-mediated. Metabotropic receptor agonists of group I slightly stimulated the release. The prolonged taurine release seen in both normoxia and cell-damaging conditions may be of importance in maintaining homeostasis in the cerebellum and reducing excitability for a longer period than other neuroprotective mechanisms.
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  • 75
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine ; Osmoregulation ; Rat ; Osmolarity sensor protein ENVZ
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Although the involvement of taurine in osmoregulation is well-documented and widely accepted, no detailed mechanism for this function has been reported so far. We used subtractive hybridization to study mRNA steady state levels of genes up- or downregulated by taurine. Rats were fed taurine 100mg/kg body weight per day for a period of three days and hearts (total ventricular tissue) of experimental animals and controls were pooled and used for mRNA extraction. mRNAs from two groups were used for subtractive hybridization. Clones of the subtractive library were sequenced and the obtained sequences were identified by gen bank assignment. Two clones were found to contain sequences which could be assigned to the osmolarity sensor protein envZ, showing homologies of 61 and 65%. EnvZ is an inner membrane protein in bacteria, important for osmosensing and required for porine gene regulation. It undergoes autophosphorylation and subsequently phosphorylates OmpR, which in turn binds to the porin (outer membrane protein) promoters to regulate the expression of OmpF and OmpC, major outer membrane porines. This is the first report of an osmosensing mechanism in the mammalian system, which was described in bacteria only. Furthermore, we are assigning a tentative role for taurine in the osmoregulatory process by modifying the expression of the osmoregulatory sensor protein ENVZ.
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  • 76
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Protein ; arginine methyltransferase ; Inhibitors ; Ginseng extract ; Arginine derivatives ; Basic amino acids
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Protein-arginine N-methyltransferase (protein methylase I) catalyzes methylation of arginyl residues on substrate protein posttranslationally utilizing S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the methyl donor and yields NG-methylarginine residues. Arginyl-fructose and arginyl-fructosyl-glucose from Korean red ginseng were found to inhibit protein methylase I activity in vitro. This inhibitory activity was shown to be due to arginyl moiety in the molecules, rather than that of carbohydrates. Several basic amino acids as well as polyamines were also found to inhibit protein methylase I activity. Interestingly, the intensity of the inhibitory activity was correlated with the number of amino-group in polyamines, thus, in the order of spermine 〉 spermidine 〉 putrescine 〉 agmatine-sulfate, with IC50 at approximately 15 mM, 25 mM, 35 mM, and 50 mM, respectively. On the other hand, neutral amino acids or NaCI did not inhibit the enzyme activity. Lineweaver-Burk plot analysis of the protein methylase I activity in the presence of arginine and spermidine indicated that the inhibition was competitive in nature in respect to protein substrate, with the Ki values of 24.8 mM and 11.5 mM, respectively.
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  • 77
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Liver ; Hepatic damage ; Carbon tetrachloride
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The aims of the present study were to assess the changes of individual plasma amino acid levels in relation (1) to the severity of liver damage and (2) to the process of liver recovery. Acute liver injury was induced by an intragastric administration of CCl4 diluted in olive oil in doses of 2, 4 and /or 6 g of CCl4 per kg b.w. The control rats received olive oil only. Animals were sacrificed at 16, 24, 48 and 96 hours after treatment. The severity of liver injury was assessed by histological examination, by changes in ALT and AST in the blood plasma and by changes in liver weight. Statistical analysis was carried by ANOVA, p 〈 0.05 was considered significant. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was used as a measure of the degree of linear relationship between variable and dose. In the period of the development of acute liver damage, i.e. at 16 and 24 hours after treatment, an increase in blood plasma amino acid levels and positive correlations with the dose of CCl4 were observed for most individual amino acids. The only exception was arginine which decreased in a dose dependent manner. At a phase of liver recovery, i.e. at 48 and 96 hours after CCl4 treatment, the concentrations of some individual amino acids decreased below the control values. The negative correlation with the dose of CCl4 occurred for taurine and isoleucine (at 48 hours) and taurine, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine and leucine (at 96 hours).
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  • 78
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Alanine ; Fatty acids ; Glutamine and glutamate synthesis ; Glycerol and lactate metabolism ; Malate-aspartate shuttle ; Rabbit kidney-cortex tubules ; Renal gluconeogenesis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In isolated rabbit renal cortical tubules, glucose synthesis from 1 mM alanine is negligible, while the amino acid is metabolized to glutamine and glutamate. The addition of 0.5 mM octanoate plus 2 mM glycerol induces incorporation of [U-14C]Alnine into glucose and decreases glutamine synthesis, whereas oleate and palmitate in the presence of glycerol are less potent than octanoate. Gluconeogenesis is also significantly accelerated when glycerol is substituted by lactate. In view of an increase in14CO2 fixation and elevation of both cytosolic and mitochondrial NADH/NAD+ ratios, the activation of glucose formation from alanine upon the addition of glycerol and octanoate is likely due to (i) stimulation of pyruvate carboxylation, (ii) increased availability of NADH for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and (iii) elevation of mitochondrial redox state causing a diminished provision of ammonium for glutamine synthesis. The induction of gluconeogenesis in the presence of alanine, glycerol and octanoate is not related to cell volume changes. The results presented in this paper show the importance of free fatty acids and glycerol for regulation of renal gluconeogenesis from alanine. The possible physiological significance of the data is discussed.
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  • 79
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    Amino acids 16 (1999), S. 79-89 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Anti-neoplastic amino acids ; Purine and DNA synthesis inhibitors ; PRPP amido transferase and IMP dehydrogenase inhibitors
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary 4-Hydroxyproline di- and tri-peptides and N-cbz-hydroxypropylglycinamides were observed to be potent cytotoxic agents against the growth of suspended single cells, L-1210, Tmolt3, and HeLa-S3. The agents were not as potent against the growth of cultured solid tumor cells. Selected derivatives were investigated for their mode of action in Tmolt3 leukemia cells. The compounds selectively inhibited DNA synthesis at 50 and 100smM. The target site of action of the agents appeared to be the purinede novo pathway with marked inhibition of the activities of the two regulatory enzymes of the pathway, i.e. PRPP amido-transferase and IMP dehydrogenase. d[NTP] pools were reduced by the agents consistent with their overall reduction of DNA synthesis. Other marginally inhibited targets of the agents were r-RNA polymerase and TMP-kinase activities. The DNA molecule itself did not appear to be a target of these agents.
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  • 80
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Targeting ; Mitochondria ; Chloroplasts ; Cysteine synthase ; Transit peptide ; Transgenic plants ; Processing
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Cysteme synthase, the key enzyme for fixation of inorganic sulfide, catalyses the formation of cysteine from O-acetylserine and inorganic sulfide. Here we report the cloning of cDNAs encoding cysteine synthase isoforms fromArabidopsis thaliana. The isolated cDNA clones encode for a mitochondrial and a plastidic isoform of cysteine synthase (O-acetylserine (thiol)-lyase, EC 4.2.99.8), designated cysteine synthase C (AtCS-C, CSase C) and B (AtCS-B; CSase B), respectively.AtCS-C andAtCS-B, having lengths of 1569-bp and 1421-bp, respectively, encode polypeptides of 430 amino acids (∼45.8 kD) and of 392 amino acids (∼ 41.8 kD), respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences of the mitochondrial and plastidic isoforms exhibit high homology even with respect to the presequences. The predicted presequence of AtCS-C has a N-terminal extension of 33 amino acids when compared to the plastidic isoform. Northern blot analysis showed thatAtCS-C is higher expressed in roots than in leaves whereas the expression ofAtCS-B is stronger in leaves. Furthermore, gene expression of both genes was enhanced by sulfur limitation which in turn led to an increase in enzyme activity in crude extracts of plants. Expression of theAtCS-B gene is regulated by light. The mitochondrial, plastidic and cytosolic (Hesse and Altmann, 1995) isoforms of cysteine synthase ofArabidopsis are able to complement a cysteine synthasedeficient mutant ofEscherichia coli unable to grow on minimal medium without cysteine, indicating synthesis of functional plant proteins in the bacterium. Two lines of evidence proved thatAtCS-C encodes a mitochondrial form of cysteine synthase; first, import ofin vitro translation products derived from AtCS-C in isolated intact mitochondria and second, Western blot analysis of mitochondria isolated from transgenic tobacco plants expressing AtCS-C cDNA/c-myc DNA fusion protein.
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  • 81
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine release ; Metabotropic glutamate receptors ; Hippocampal slices ; Adult ; Developing mice
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The inhibitory amino acid taurine has been held to function as an osmoregulator and modulator of neural activity, being particularly important in the immature brain. lonotropic glutamate receptor agonists are known markedly to potentiate taurine release. The effects of different metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonists and antagonists on the basal and K+-stimulated release of [3H]taurine from hippocampal slices from 3-month-old (adult) and 7-day-old mice were now investigated using a superfusion system. Of group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists, quisqualate potentiated basal taurine release in both age groups, more markedly in the immature hippocampus. This action was not antagonized by the specific antagonists of group I but by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) and 6-nitro-7-sulphamoylbenzo[f]quinoxaline-2,3-dione (NBQX), which would suggest an involvement of ionotropic glutamate receptors. (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) potentiated the basal release by a receptor-mediated mechanism in the immature hippocampus. The group II agonist (2S, 2′R, 3′R)-2-(2′,3′-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG IV) markedly potentiated basal taurine release at both ages. These effects were antagonized by dizocilpine, indicating again the participation of ionotropic receptors. Group III agonists slightly potentiated basal taurine release, as did several antagonists of the three metabotropic receptor groups. Potassium-stimulated (50 mM K+) taurine release was generally significantly reduced by mGluR agents, mainly by group I and II compounds. This may be harmful to neurons in hyperexcitatory states. On the other hand, the potentiation by mGluRs of basal taurine release, particularly in the immature hippocampus, together with the earlier demonstrated pronounced enhancement by activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors, may protect neurons against excitotoxicity.
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  • 82
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Hexafluoroacetone ; α-N-Methylamino acids ; α-N-Phosphinoylmethylamino acids ; Pro-Glu-chimeras ; Pro-Tauchimeras
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary A new method for the preparation of N-methylamino acids and some of their derivatives starting from hexafluoroacetone protected amino acids is described. The new concept results in saving of steps compared to conventional protection/activation techniques. Protection and deprotection proceed without racemization.
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  • 83
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Perfluorinated compounds ; Surfactants ; Complexing properties ; Carnosine ; β ; Amino acids ; Blood substitutes
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The reaction of amines or sodium azide with 3-perfluoroalkyl-3-fluoroprop-2-enoate, followed by hydrogenation, affords perfluoroalkylatedβ-alanine analogues in very good yields. These compounds can be linked via an amide bond to produce peptide analogues such as carnosine or carcinine derivatives, which could have surfactive and complexing properties.
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  • 84
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    Amino acids 16 (1999), S. 415-423 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; SOD-like activity ; Cu (III)-Poly-L-lysine ; Cu(III)-Poly-L-glutamic acid
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The SOD-like activity of Cu(III) -complexes with polypeptides poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamic acid respectively was investigated. The Cu(II)-polypeptide complexes were first oxidized by K2IrCl6 to give the corresponding Cu(III) -compounds. The oxidation of Cu(II) and the corresponding Cu(II)/Cu(III) potential was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (c.v.), UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopic (r.t.) experiments. Spin trapping EPR spectra were also conducted to confirm the formation of the superoxide radical. The SOD-like activity of each Cu(III)-complex was proved using the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) method slightly modified.
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  • 85
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Lysine ; Herbicides ; Azotobacter ; Xenobiotics
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Production of lysine byAzotobacter chroococcum strain H23 was studied in chemically-defined media amended with different concentrations of alachlor, metolachlor, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T and 2,3,6-TBA. The presence of 5, 10, and 50μg/ml of alachlor or 2,3,6-TBA significantly decreased quantitative production of lysine. However, the presence 2,4-D or 2,4,5-T at concentrations of 10 and 50μg/ml enhanced the production of lysine. Quantitative production of lysine was not affected as consequence of the addition of metolachlor to the culture medium, showing that the release lysine to the culture media byA. chroococcum was not affected by that herbicide.
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  • 86
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Trypanothione ; Glutathione ; Benzyloxycarbonyl-reductase ; Hydrocinnamoyl
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Kinetic data for alternative substrates of recombinant trypanothione reductase fromTrypanosoma cruzi were measured for a series ofN-substituted-L-cysteinylglycyl-3-dimethylaminopropylamides, in which the cysteineN-substituent was either a variant of the benzyloxycarbonyl group or was L-phenylalanine or L-tryptophan. Replacing the benzylic ether oxygen atom by CH2. or NH had relatively minor effects on kcat, but raised the value of Km, 4.5- and 10-fold, respectively. Similarly, relative to the carbobenzoxy group, anN-L-phenylalanyl orN-L-tryptophanyl replacement on the cysteine hardly altered kcat, but increased Km, values by 16.6 and 7.4 fold, respectively. These observations were consistent with the Km, values referring primarily to binding for this series of nonspecific substrates.
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  • 87
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Serotonin receptor ; Serotonin-3 receptor ; Ion channel ; Ion permeability
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Human 5-HT3 receptors expressed in HEK 293 cells were studied using patch-clamp techniques. The permeability ratios of cations to Na+ were Li+, 1.16; K+, 1.04; Rb+, 1.11; Cs+ 1.11; NMDG+, 0.04; Ca2+, 0.49, and Mg2+, 0.37. The permeability sequence of the alkali metal cations was Li+ 〉 Rb+ = Cs+ 〉 K+ 〉 Na+. Increased external concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ decreased 5-HT-induced currents at all potentials tested in a voltage-independent manner. The single-channel conductance of human 5-HT3 receptors measured by fluctuation analysis of whole-cell currents was 790 ± 100fS. Differences in the basic properties of 5-HT3 receptors between species may explain interspecies differences in pharmacological properties.
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  • 88
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 301-313 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine ; Transporter ; Rat ; Brain ; Heart
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In pro- and eucaryotic life, cellular and subcellular compartments are separated by membranes and the regulated and selective passage of specific molecules across these membranes is a basic and highly conserved principle. We were interested whether taurine, a naturally occuring amino acid, would be able to induce or suppress expression of transporters with the Rationale that taurine was shown to detoxify a series of endogenous toxins and xenobiotics of various chemically non-related structures. For this purpose we used a gene hunting technique, subtractive hybridization, subtracting mRNAs of taurine-treated rat brain and heart from untreated controls. Subtracted mRNAs were then converted to cDNAs, amplified, sequenced and identified by gene bank data. We found five transporter transcripts, the phosphonate transport ATPase PHNC, multidrug transporter homolog MTH104, protein-exportmembrane protein SECD, oligopeptide transporters oppA and oppD, in the brain and two: ABC-transporter BRAF-2 and cation-transport ATPase PACS, in the heart. Homologies of the sequences found were in any case 〉50% thus permitting the identification of transporters with high probability. The biological meaning could be that a naturally occuring amino acid, taurine, modulates complex transport systems. The most prominent finding is the upregulation of a multidrug transporter transcript, explaining a mechanism for the nonselective detoxifying action of taurine.
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  • 89
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Tyrosine ; Phenylalanine ; Aromatic compounds ; Rumen microorganisms[/klw]
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Rumen contents from three fistulated Japanese native goats fed Lucerne hay cubes (Medicago sativa) and concentrate mixture were collected to prepare the suspensions of mixed rumen bacteria (B), mixed protozoa (P) and a combination of the two (BP). Microbial suspensions were anaerobically incubated at 39°C for 12h with or without 1 MM ofl-phenylalanine (Phe). Phe, tyrosine (Tyr) and other related compounds in both supernatant and microbial hydrolysates of the incubations were analyzed by HPLC. Tyr can be produced from Phe not only by rumen bacteria but also by rumen protozoa. The production of Tyr during 12h incubation in B (183.6 μmol/g MN) was 4.3 times higher than that in P. One of the intermediate products between Phe and Tyr seems to bep-hydroxyphenylacetic acid. The rate of the net degradation of Phe incubation in B (76.O μmol/g MN/h) was 2.4 times higher than in P. In the case of all rumen microorganisms, degraded Phe was mainly (〉53%) converted into phenylacetic acid. The production of benzoic acid was higher in P than in B suspensions. Small amount of phenylpyruvic acid was produced from Phe by both rumen bacteria and protozoa, but phenylpropionic acid and phenyllactic acid were produced only by rumen bacteria.
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  • 90
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 357-368 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; o-Carboranylalanine ; Histidine ; Bacteria ; Fungi ; Oomycota ; Plasmopara
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Functionalized polyhedral carboranes, including amino acid analogs, have unique physicochemical properties and are used as experimental anticancer agents. However, our current knowledge on their effect in nonmammalian biological systems is limited. We investigated the activity spectrumin vitro ofo-carboranylalanine (o-Cba), considered to be a highly lipophilic analog of phenylalanine, against representative plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi of various taxonomic position. The antibacterial effect ofo-Cba against some species was comparable to that of the widely used agricultural antibiotic, streptomycin. The sensitivity of individual bacterial species too-Cba within the same genus varied to a greater extent than the average sensitivity of various genera. In general, this carborane-containing amino acid was more toxic to Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus, Corynebacterium, Curtobacterium, Micrococcus, Rhodococcus, and Staphylococcus) than to Gram negative ones (Agrobacterium, Erwinia, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Xanthomonas). Compared to the commercial fungicide, prochloraz,o-Cba was weakly toxic against various fungi (Zygo- and Ascomycota). It was also inferior to the commercial fungicide metalaxyl in inhibiting the vegetative growth of oomyceteous plant pathogens (Pythium irregulare, Phytophthora cryptogea and Plasmopara halstedii). Against the asexual spores of P. halstedii,o-Cba, however, was over a thousandfold more active than tridemorph, a selective zoospore inhibitor fungicide. For all taxonomic groups, the observed antimicrobial effect ofo-Cba could be diminished with histidine, but not with phenylalanine. In studies on healthy and mildew-infected sunflower and tobacco plantso-Cba showed neither fungicidal nor phytotoxic effects at 500ppm. This is the first report on the biological activity spectrum of a carborane-containing amino acid.
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  • 91
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 401-413 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Indolylacrylic acid ; Tryptophan ; Indolylacryloylglycine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In addition to the main catabolic routes of tryptophan (Trp), there exist minor and less thoroughly investigated pathways; one of these leads to indolylacrylic acid (IAcrA). IAcrA is a plant growth hormone, whereas its biological role in animals is still obscure, as is the way and site where it is formed in the organism. A two-stage production is likely: Intestinal microorganisms catabolize Trp to indole derivatives which are then absorbed and converted to IAcrA and its glycine conjugate, indolylacryloylglyeine (IAcrGly). Our finding of IAcrGly in the urine of proven germ-free piglets points to the possibility that Trp can be converted to IAcrA without the intervention of intestinal microorganisms. Seasonal and age variations, influence of light and connection with photodermatoses have been reported. Besides other pathological conditions the differences in IAcrGly excretion relative to normal controls were especially pronounced in some myopathies, namely in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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  • 92
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    Amino acids 16 (1999), S. 321-343 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Amino alcohols ; β-Lactams ; NCA ; Peptides ; Synthesis
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The potential ofβ-lactams as intermediates for the access toα- andβ-amino acid-derived peptides is shortly reviewed, with major focus on the technologies developed in our group. The two general strategies lie, on one side, in the oxidative ring expansion of 3-hydroxyβ-lactams toN-carboxyα-amino acid anhydrides or Leuch's anhydrides and subsequent coupling withα-amino acid esters and, on the other side, in the nucleophilic ring opening ofN-Boc-β-lactams. Both approaches have been successfully applied to the synthesis ofα,β-diamino acid,α-amino-β-hydroxy acid, polyhydroxylatedα-amino acid,α,α-disubstitutedα-amino acid,β-amino acid,β-amino-α-hydroxy acid andβ,β-disubstitutedβ-amino acid derived peptides. Because of the mild reaction conditions needed for the above transformations and the highly stereoselective procedures employed for the construction of the startingβ-lactam ring, the whole process allows the production of optically pure final products.
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  • 93
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Clonidine ; GABAA receptor antagonists ; GABA turnover ; SHR ; WKY rats
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A antagonists (bicuculline, picrotoxin) on clonidine hypotension in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were examined. The GABA turnover changes after clonidine injection in both strains were also studied. Administration of clonidine alone induced the stronger decrease of systolic blood pressure (SBP) in SHR. Co-dosage of clonidine with these agents reduced its hypotensive effect in dose dependent manner and the effectiveness of both antagonists was higher in SHR. We find that clonidine stimulates GABA synthesis in the hypothalamus and the pons-medulla in both strains but the GABA turnover rate is significantly slower in SHR. Therefore, the differences in inhibitory action of GABAA receptor anatgonists between WKY and SHR rats may be explained by central GABAergic system dysfunction in the hypertension. Our results indicate that the down regulation of the GABAergic system observed in hypertension may be compensated by the action of clonidine.
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  • 94
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; RT/PCR ; Protooncogene ; ets-2
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Protooncogenes (PO) play a crucial role for brain biology and pathology. Only the concerted action of protooncogenes enables normal brain development. The reliable and sensitive quantification of brain PO is still holding centre stage in neurobiological research. The aim of our study was therefore the determination of PO in minute amounts of brain areas. For this purpose we decided to apply the most sensitive detection principle of competitive reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction using capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection. We selected the PO ets-2 for our studies as this transcription factor was shown to be involved in neurodegenerative disease. As little as 10ng of total RNA each were extracted from 5 different regions of human postmortem brain and used in the assay system. Our results revealed that the ets-2 gene transcript was detectable at the atto-gram level in the brain (54.5 ± 17.7 ag/ 10 ng RNA in the occipital lobe, 34.2 ± 7.5 in temporal lobe, 40.2 ± 15.6 in the frontal lobe, 31.4 ± 15.7 in the cerebellum, and undetectably low in the parietal lobe). This is the first report at this sensitivity level providing neurobiology with a powerful analytical tool.
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  • 95
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Taurine ; Marathon ; Endurance exercise
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The sulphonated amino acid taurine increased significantly in the plasma of trained athletes after three endurance exercises of different duration and intensity, a 90 min run on a treadmill at 75% of an individual's VO2 peak, a Marathon, 42.2km and a 100km run, by 19%, 77% and 36%, respectively. Such results indicated that the speed at which the exercise is per formed, referred to as the intensity, rather than the duration of the exercise, correlated with the elevated taurine levels possibly indicating its release from muscle fibres. The plasma amino acid pool decreased significantly in relationship with the duration of the exercise, caused by their utilisation for glucogenesis. The possible sources of the increased plasma taurine are discussed.
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  • 96
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Cerebellar granule cells ; Neurotoxicity ; Terfenadine ; Excitatory amino acids ; Histamine
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Exposure of cultured cerebellar neurons to the histamine H1 receptor antagonist terfenadine resulted in neuronal degeneration and death. Terfenadine neurotoxicity was dependent upon concentration and time of exposure. After 2h exposure, 20µM terfenadine reduced the number of surviving neurons by 75%, and as low as 10nM terfenadine induced significant neurotoxicity after 5 days of exposure. Neuronal sensitivity to terfenadine changed with age in culture, and at 25 days in culture neurons appeared to be much less sensitive than at 5 or 9–17 days in culture. Neurotoxicity by terfenadine could not be prevented by high concentrations of histamine (5 mM), but it was significantly delayed by blocking NMDA or non-NMDA glutamate receptors with MK-801 or CNQX respectively, suggesting the involvement of excitatory transmission mediated by glutamate in the neurotoxicity induced by terfenadine in these neurons. We also found that the presence of terfenadine (5,µM) unveiled the potential excitotoxicity of the non-NMDA receptor agonist AMPA (100µM), and reduced the concentration of glutamate necessary to induce excitotoxicity, compared to untreated cultures. These results suggest a role for terfenadine in the modulation of the excitotoxic response mediated in cerebellar neurons through ionotropic glutamate receptors.
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  • 97
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; eIF-5A ; Hypusine ; Protein folding ; Posttranslational modification
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary The molecular properties of the human eukaryotic initiation factor 5A precursor and its site directed Lys50 → Arg variant have been investigated and compared. Structure perturbation methods were used to gain information about the protein architecture in solution. Intrinsic and extrinsic spectroscopic probes strategically located in the protein matrix detected the independent unfolding of two molecular regions. Three cystemes out of four were titrated in the native protein and the peculiar presence of a tyrosinate band at neutral pH was detected. At alkaline pH only two tyrosines out of three were titratable in the native protein, with an apparent pK of about 9.9. Native protein and its Lys50 → Arg variant reacted in a similar fashion to guanidine and to pH variation, but differently to thermal stress. The complex thermal unfolding of both proteins indicated the presence of intermediates. Spectroscopic data showed that these intermediates are differently structured. Consequently, the two proteins seem to have different unfolding pathways.
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  • 98
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    Keywords: Amino acids ; 5/6 nephrectomy ; Renal failure ; Amino acid transport ; Kidney ; Triiodothyronine ; Dexamethasone ; Amino acid load ; Rats
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In anaesthetized adult female rats, the renal amino acid handling was measured six days after 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6NX). The distinct rise in blood urea nitrogen as well as the significant reduction in urine flow and GFR indicate an impairment of kidney function. In principle, in 5/6NX rats amino acid plasma concentrations were comparable to those of control animals with two intact kidneys, whereas the fractional excretions (FEAA) of most endogenous amino acids measured were significantly enhanced. After bolus injection of leucine or taurine (each 20 mg/100 g b.wt.) or glutamine (90 mg/ 100 g b.wt.), dissolved in 2m1 normal saline per 100 g b.wt., the FEAA of both the amino acids administered and the endogenous amino acids increased as a sign of overloaded amino acid reabsorption capacity. This effect was more pronounced in 5/6NX rats than in controls. As early as one hour after amino acid load, plasma concentrations and FEAA returned to baseline values of 5/6NX rats. A pretreatment with triiodothyronine (20,µg/100 g b.wt.) or dexamethasone (60 µg/100 g b.wt.), both given intraperitoneally once daily for 3 days, stimulated the renal amino acid transport capacity in 5/6NX rats: the increase in FEAA after amino acid load was significantly lower compared to non-pretreatred animals. This stimulation could be shown for the bolus amino acids and the endogenous amino acids and was more distinct in 5/6NX rats than in controls with two intact kidneys.
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  • 99
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 227-241 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; Glutamine ; Lymphocyte ; Macrophage ; Mononuclear cell ; Cytokine ; Infection
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary Glutamine is utilised at a high rate by cells of the immune system in culture and is required to support optimal lymphocyte proliferation and production of cytokines by lymphocytes and macrophages. Macrophage-mediated phagocytosis is influenced by glutamine availability. Hydrolysable glutamine dipeptides can substitute for glutamine to support in vitro lymphocyte and macrophage functions. In man plasma and skeletal muscle glutamine levels are lowered by sepsis, injury, burns, surgery and endurance exercise and in the overtrained athlete. The lowered plasma glutamine concentrations are most likely the result of demand for glutaminne (by the liver, kidney, gut and immune system) exceeding the supply (from the diet and from muscle). It has been suggested that the lowered plasma glutamine concentration contributes, at least in part, to the immunosuppression which accompanies such situations. Animal studies have shown that inclusion of glutamine in the diet increases survival to a bacterial challenge. Glutamine or its precursors has been provided, usually by the parenteral route, to patients following surgery, radiation treatment or bone marrow transplantation or suffering from injury. In most cases the intention was not to stimulate the immune system but rather to maintain nitrogen balance, muscle mass and/or gut integrity. Nevertheless, the maintenance of plasma glutamine concentrations in such a group of patients very much at risk of immunosuppression has the added benefit of maintaining immune function. Indeed, the provision of glutamine to patients following bone marrow transplantation resulted in a lower level of infection and a shorter stay in hospital than for patients receiving glutamine-free parenteral nutrition.
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  • 100
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    Amino acids 17 (1999), S. 277-283 
    ISSN: 1438-2199
    Keywords: Amino acids ; D-Aspartic acid ; D-Leucine ; Pineal gland ; Sympathetic nervous system ; Anesthesia
    Source: Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Summary In a previous report (Hamase, K. et al., Biochim Biophys Acta 1134: 214–222 (1997)), we showed that the rat pineal gland contains D-leucine (D-Leu) as well as D-aspartic acid (D-Asp). In this communication we report alterations in the content of these D-amino acids during anesthesia. The D-Asp content was significantly increased from 2.8 to 5.0, 4.8 and 5.8 nmol/pineal gland by administration of ether, urethane and pentobarbital, respectively. In contrast, the D-Leu content was decreased by administration of urethane or pentobarbital. The D-Leu content decreased from 4.2 to 2.2 pmol/pineal gland 4 hours after administration of urethane, although the content remained unchanged until 1.5 hours after administration. The content of the L-enantiomers of these amino acids were not affected by anesthesia. The urethane-induced decrease in D-leucine content was almost completely suppressed by aβ-agonist, (-)-isoproterenol, whereas the agonist itself had no effect.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
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