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Biomedical subjects

A Pfeffer

Publications and source records attributed to A Pfeffer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Variation among Merino sheep in susceptibilty to lice (Bovicola ovis) and association with susceptibility to trichostrongylid gastrointestinal parasites.

Sheep of two bloodlines of Merino were artificially infested with equal numbers of lice (Bovicola ovis) and the resulting louse populations were monitored over the following 20 months. The sheep were shorn 6 and 17 months after infestation and, for analysis, the louse counts considered in 3 years separated by shearings. Nematode faecal egg counts (FECs) were assessed on faecal samples collected on five occasions, three times following natural challenge and twice after artificial challenge with 40,000 trichostrongyloid larvae (84% Trichostrongylus vitrinus). In addition, blood samples were collected and measured for B. ovis-specific immunoglobulins (predominantly IgG), B. ovis-specific IgE and serum total IgE. Bloodlines differed significantly in the size of louse populations at the end of year 2, FEC after both natural and artificial challenge and in serum levels of all three antibodies (p<0.05). There were also large variations in louse counts and FEC among sheep within bloodlines. Louse counts at inspections after louse populations had been allowed to build up were highly repeatable, both between and within years. However, correlations with counts at inspections soon after initial infestation and following shearing were lower. FEC after natural challenge was correlated with louse counts in year 2 (r=0.45, p<0.01) and year 3 (r=0.38, p<0.05), but the correlation with counts in year 1 was not significant (r=0.25, p>0.05). FEC following artificial challenge was significantly correlated with louse counts in year 3 (r=0.36, p<0.05), but not in year 2 (r=0.25, p>0.05) or year 1 (r=0.04, p>0.05). Louse counts in the 3 years were significantly correlated with anti-B. ovis antibody concentration (r=0.60, 0.48, 0.36), but not with levels of either anti-B. ovis or total serum IgE. These results suggest that sheep with greater resistance to gastrointestinal parasites also tend to be less susceptible to lice. Whether this is due to interaction of the effects of the parasites or to correlation in underlying resistance mechanisms requires clarification.

Animals↗

The diagnostic value of EEG in Alzheimer disease: correlation with the severity of mental impairment.

The aim of our study was to analyze EEG changes in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and to determine how closely EEG reflects the progression of mental impairment in people with AD. Ninety-five patients with probable AD according to National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria treated in our Clinic for Memory Disorders were selected for this study. Patients were divided into three subgroups with mild, marked, and severe dementia according to the results of psychometric scales. The EEG findings were classified using an eight-degree scale according to the background activity, presence and amount of theta and delta waves, focal changes, lateralization of focal changes, synchronization, and presence of sharp and spike waves. A significant correlation between the degree of EEG abnormalities and cognitive impairment was found. We did not observe any correlation between the presence of delta waves and the results of neuropsychological tests. Our study revealed an important diagnostic value of EEG in the estimation of the severity of dementia parallel to psychometric scales.

Adult↗

Population substructure and patterns of quantitative variation among the Gollas of southern Andhra Pradesh, India.

Population substructure and biological differentiation was studied among the Golla, a pastoral caste living in the southern areas of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in India, using 11 anthropometric measurements and 20 quantitative dermatoglyphic variables. The data were collected from a sample of 334 adult males drawn from 30 villages distributed in the Chittoor district of AP, who belonged to 8 endogamous subunits of the same caste. Multiple discriminant analysis of the anthropometrics suggests a highly significant degree of discrimination that is consistent with the microgeographic variations of the groups. In contrast, in different sets of dermatoglyphs discrimination is low and generally inconsistent with both the geographic and ethnohistorical affiliations of the groups. These findings are reflected in the F(ST) value for anthropometry, which is more than double the value of dermatoglyphs. The patterns of gene flow as inferred through the regression of phenotypic variance on the distance of groups from the centroid is not generally consistent with the known backgrounds in the case of either dermatoglyphs or anthropometry. It is concluded that at the level of caste substructure representing the lowest level of population hierarchy, the quantitative variables examined here may not portray a complete picture of the historical process of subdivision. The results of this study are not in congruence with those based on another study of 13 short tandem repeat loci on the same set of populations (Reddy et al. 2001), which may provide better insights into the population structure and history of subdivision that are consistent with the known ethnohistorical backgrounds of the populations.

Adult↗

Lipid metabolism parameters in patients with Alzheimer's disease and their first degree relatives.

Recently, it was suggested that the presence of total cholesterol (TC), age and sex interaction in Alzheimer's type dementia (AD) is linked with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. Our objective was to determine whether the serum lipid profile in AD patients and their first degree non-demented relatives of a certain age (NDR) was dependent on APOE genotype. We included 28 mild to moderate AD and 30 NDR according to DSM-III-R and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. NDR individuals were investigated in an age group similar to the AD group (brother-sister relationship) and in a group including younger individuals (AD patients-children relationship). Our data indicate significant differences between decreased total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in the group of AD patients versus NDR individuals of similar age, independent of APOE genotype, and an increased total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in a group of AD patients versus their children of the same genotype. There was no significant correlation between triglycerides and high density lipoprotein levels with APOE genotype in any of the tested groups. In conclusion, there was a decreased selected lipid serum profile parameters in AD compared to age matched non demented first degree relatives.

Adult↗

Studies on the role of mucus and mucosal hypersensitivity reactions during rejection of Trichostrongylus colubriformis from the intestine of immune sheep using an experimental challenge model.

Nematode-naive sheep and sheep immunised by truncated infections with Trichostrongylus colubriformis were fitted with intestinal cannulae to allow administration of challenge infection and collection of intestinal fluids. Sheep were slaughtered at various times after challenge and the distribution of larvae along the small intestine was determined. Results showed that immune sheep had significantly fewer larvae in their intestines and that some sheep could expel the challenge infection within 2 h. Mucus samples from immune sheep contained increased parasite-specific antibody, histamine and anti-parasite activity as measured by larval migration inhibition assay. Higher levels of antibody and histamine were seen in intestinal fluids of immune sheep after challenge. Immunisation of sheep by truncated infections stimulated serum IgE and resulted in significantly higher numbers of IgE-positive cells in gut tissue sections before challenge and at 2 h and 24 h after challenge. Immune sheep also had greater numbers of mucosal mast cells and globule leucocytes after challenge, compared with naive sheep. When challenge larvae were mixed with mucus from immune sheep and infused back into naive recipient sheep, there was a distinct displacement of the larval population towards the distal part of the intestine, compared with the profile of larval establishment after infusion with mucus from naive sheep. These results are further evidence for an immediate hypersensitivity reaction in the intestine of immune sheep, where challenge larvae are expelled within 2 h and confirm the direct anti-larval properties of mucus. The cannulated-sheep challenge model described here will be a useful tool to unravel the mechanism of larval rejection from immune sheep and could lead to novel therapies.

Animals↗

Integrated viral genomes can be lost from adenovirus type 12-induced hamster tumor cells in a clone-specific, multistep process with retention of the oncogenic phenotype.

In adenovirus type 12 (Ad12)-induced tumor cells, in Ad12-transformed cells and in continuously passaged cell lines from these sources, the viral DNA is integrated in multiple copies, usually at a single chromosomal location. In different tumors or cell lines, the sites of integration of Ad12 DNA are all different. Rare exceptions exist. In most instances, the integrated viral DNA resides very stably in the host cell genomes. However, upon continuous serial passage of such cell lines, the integrated viral DNA can be destabilized and lost. In two instances, i.e. in the Ad12-induced hamster tumor cell lines H1111(1) and CLAC1, we have investigated the loss of integrated viral DNA in detail. After extended serial passage, these two cell lines seemed to be devoid of Ad12 DNA sequences, as detectable by Southern blot hybridization, but continued to induce tumors after reinjection into hamsters. Cells from these two cell lines were now recloned three times, and DNAs from cultures derived from several individual clones were reinvestigated for the presence of several parts of the viral genome by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Some of the clones still carried parts of the Ad12 genome. However, several clones were isolated that proved free of all parts of the viral genome, except for minute segments from the right terminus of the Ad12 genome. Apparently, the loss of integrated viral DNA from these cell lines proceeded as a continuous, gradual, multistep process whose pattern could differ from cell clone to cell clone, once destabilization had been initiated. The mechanism of destabilization is not understood. Cell populations of 2 x 10(6) to 3 x 10(7), and as low as 10(2), cells from the clones, that contained only minimal remnants from the right viral DNA terminus, were reinjected into newborn or 13-20 day-old weanling Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Tumors developed within 5-17 days after injection. Tumor cell clones also grew in soft agar. The injection of primary hamster skin fibroblasts never elicited tumor formation. The tumor cells induced by this reinjection proved repeatedly free of Ad12 DNA both by Southern blot hybridization and by PCR, except for those cell and tumor clones that contained small segments of the right terminal E4 region of the Ad12 genome. The tumor cells, however, retained their oncogenic phenotype. The results raise questions about the cell clone-specific excision patterns of integrated foreign DNA from the recipient genome and the possibility of a hit-and-run mechanism of adenoviral oncogenesis.

Adenoviruses, Human↗

[Ultrasound guided forceps biopsy of the pleura].

AIM: Between cytology of pleural effusion and thorascopy there is a gap for another non invasive biopsy method to diagnose pleural diseases, especially since Adam's and Ramel's blind pleural biopsy is uncommon. Therefore it is suggestive to test feasibility and usefulness of pleural forceps biopsy. METHOD: It is possible to take biopsies under ultrasound guidance with the help of a biopsy-forceps from the diaphragmatic pleura or pleural appositions through a 2.5 mm canula with a stop cock and a rubber vent. The specimen can be used for histological or immunohistochemical examinations. The procedure is coducted in a closed system to avoid pneumothorax. The puncture was done in 12 patients with a puncturable pleural effusion. RESULTS: In 11 of 12 patients it was possible to get the final diagnosis. In one of three cases of mesotheliomas a rebiopsy was necessary. In 9 cases a malign tumor was diagnosed, effusion cytology was negative in 4 of 7 tumors. In 5 patients with a history of a former tumor pleural carcinosis was related three times correctly to the former cancer and twice to a secondary cancer. In one case a fibrous plaque was found. There were two patients with pleuritis, in one case a pulmonary tuberculosis was found 8 weeks later. In one patient with a mesothelioma inoculated metastasis were present in the sites of the punctures. In all pleural forceps punctures we got enough biopsy material for histological and immunohistochemical diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The ultrasound guided forceps biopsy of the pleura is a very promising less invasive method to diagnose pleural tumors. Additional improvements of the equipment are possible. Definitive evaluation of the procedure especially in infectious pleural diseases requires a higher number of cases.

Adult↗

[Differential diagnosis of early dementia].

The principles of differential diagnosis are discussed of dementia in Alzheimer's disease against similar syndromes of other origin. Among the syndromes which should be differentiated from Alzheimer's disease those are considered: syndromes erroneously diagnosed as dementia, potentially reversible dementia, vascular dementia and dementia in certain degenerative diseases. In the differential diagnosis history data, results of neurological and neuropsychological examinations are helpful, while among laboratory investigations brain imaging by CT, MRI and SPECT are most important.

Age Factors↗

Follistatin has a biphasic response but follicle-stimulating hormone is unchanged during an inflammatory episode in growing lambs.

The effects on plasma follistatin concentrations of an inflammatory episode, induced by the intrathoracic injection of yeast, were examined in growing lambs; this model results in acute loss of appetite, food intake and liveweight and the activation of the acute-phase pathway for several weeks as adjudged by the production of haptoglobin and other acute-phase proteins. In these animals (n = 8) there was a biphasic response in follistatin concentrations, with an initial 200% increase (P < 0.001) in follistatin within 24 h of injection of yeast. Thereafter, follistatin concentrations were depressed to 70% of pretreatment levels 48 h after injection (P < 0.01), followed by a gradual recovery of concentrations to pretreatment values. In another group of lambs (n = 16) that were feed-restricted to mimic the reduced food intakes and liveweight changes in the yeast-injected group, plasma follistatin was also reduced to around 70% of pretreatment levels (P < 0.01) within 1 day of the dietary regimen being implemented, followed by a gradual return to pretreatment values as food intakes were increased. Plasma follistatin correlated significantly (r = 0.57, P < 0.0001) with food intake, but not with liveweight changes. Plasma follistatin concentrations were unchanged in a third group fed ad libitum (n = 8), except during two periods when food intakes were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced, when follistatin concentrations also decreased (P < 0.01). Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations in the three groups of lambs were not significantly affected by the treatment regimes or changes in follistatin concentrations. These findings indicate that peripheral follistatin concentrations are modulated by both inflammatory and nutritional mechanisms, and that significant fluctuations in follistatin levels can occur without detectable perturbations in FSH secretion.

Animals↗

ApoE polymorphism in Polish patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a genetically heterogeneous disorder of CNS. The presence of APOE-epsilon 4 allele is known to increase the risk of early and late onset sporadic and late onset familial forms of AD. In various Western European countries, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia the allelic frequency ranges between 0.1-0.18 in controls, and between 0.24-0.52 in AD patients. In the present study on Polish population, we analyzed the frequency of APOE-epsilon 4 allele in persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). APOE genotypes were determined in 30 mild to moderate AD (83%) and mixed dementia (MIX, 17%), as well as in 11 nondemented first-degree relatives of AD (NDR), recruited from AD patient registry in Warsaw. Among the AD and MIX patients the APOE-epsilon 4, epsilon 3, epsilon 2 allele frequency was 0.333, 0.65 and 0.017 respectively.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Detection of homocytotropic antibody in lambs infested with the louse, Bovicola ovis, using a basophil histamine-release assay.

The utility of a basophil histamine-release assay using washed whole blood cells was examined in lambs and was used to determine if homocytotropic antibody with specificity for Bovicola ovis was produced in response to infestation with the louse. Maximal histamine release in the assay in response to Concanavalin A, anti-ovine IgE monoclonal antibody and, in sensitized lambs, to B. ovis antigen ranged from 18 to 48%. Histamine release from blood cells in response to B. ovis antigen was significantly higher in louse-infested lambs than in louse-naive lambs and was significantly correlated with louse and cockle scores. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) tests were negative with sera obtained from the lambs at the same time as blood for the basophil histamine-release assay. Serum histamine levels also were significantly higher in the louse-infested lambs than in louse-naive lambs and were significantly correlated with louse and cockle scores. The present results support a role for B. ovis-specific homocytotropic antibody in the development of cockle and indicate that the basophil histamine-release assay is more sensitive than the PCA test.

Animals↗

Cross-reacting antibodies to Sarcoptes suis, Chorioptes bovis and Notoedres cati and anti-P. ovis IgE in sera from sheep infested naturally with Psoroptes ovis.

For the development of immunodiagnostic tests to detect mange mite infections in man and animals, it is necessary to know about antigen structure and cross-reactivity between different mite species and other arthropods in contact with the host. Sera from sheep infected with Psoroptes ovis (sheep anti-P. ovis sera) showed positive reactions in dot blots to P. ovis antigen and cross-reactivity to crude antigen extracts from Sarcoptes suis, Notoedres cati and Chorioptes bovis. Using sheep Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) sera in dot blots, weak reactions were seen to all but the Ch. bovis antigen. In SDS PAGE-separated P. ovis antigens at least 35 different proteins could be distinguished. In western blots, at least 24 out of these 35 were recognized as antigens by sheep anti-P. ovis immunoglobulins. At least 13 were recognized by sheep anti-P. ovis IgE. One of these, at 19 kDa, was recognized only with sheep anti-P. ovis IgE, the other 12 also with anti-P. ovis immunoglobulins. Cross-reactive antigens were recognized by sheep anti-P. ovis immunoglobulins in SDS PAGE-separated, and nitrocellulose transferred mite extracts in western blots as follows: 13 antigens in S. suis extracts, 9 in N. cati and 8 in Ch. bovis. Sheep SPF sera recognized an antigen at 67 kDa in each of these 4 mite species. Rabbit anti-sheep immunoglobulins in the P. ovis antigen control bound to a protein at 28 kDa which may be sheep IgG light chain taken up by P. ovis feeding on sheep. Despite the antigenic similarities between mange mites, sufficient differences were apparent to make immunodiagnostic tests for mange feasible.

Animals↗

Sequential cellular and humoral responses in the abomasal mucosa and blood of Romney sheep dosed with Trichostrongylus axei.

Abomasal cannulae were surgically placed in 7 2-year-old New Zealand Romney sheep which had been maintained parasite-free from birth. Four of these sheep were randomly selected and dosed orally with 10,000 infective Trichostrongylus axei larvae per week for 8 weeks, while the remaining 3 sheep served as uninfected controls. Abomasal biopsy, blood and faecal samples were obtained from all sheep at regular intervals from 5 days before and until 58 days after the first infection. The sheep were then killed, worm burdens assessed and abomasal and small intestinal samples collected Faecal egg counts of all 4 dosed sheep were low and only one (No. 701) had a substantial worm burden (8400) post mortem. Overall, levels of mucosal mast cells/globule leukocytes, eosinophils, T19+ cells and larval migration inhibitory activity increased significantly in the abomasal mucosa of the dosed sheep compared to the controls. The CD4+:CD8+ cell ratio in the abomasal mucosa of the dosed sheep also increased compared to that of the controls (P = 0.06). In blood, T. axei-specific antibody (total and IgG1) and eosinophil numbers increased significantly in the dosed sheep. Mucosal cells staining for IgE (IgE+), and blood and mucosal eosinophils showed the earliest substantive increases in number followed by increases in specific serum antibody levels, numbers of mucosal cells fluorescing under UV light (UVf) and T19+ cells. The difference in the IgE+ and UVf cell responses indicated that expansion of globule leukocyte numbers lagged behind that of mucosal mast cells. The results supported the concept of CD4+ T cell help in the abomasal mucosa and defined the sequential expression of components of the immunological responses potentially mediating resistance to T. axei. In sheep No. 701, persistence of adult worms was associated with lower mucosal IgE+ cell and eosinophil responses compared with the other dosed sheep.

Abomasum↗

Immune responsiveness of nematode-resistant or susceptible Romney line-bred sheep to continuous infection with Trichostrongylus axei.

Two divergent lines of Romney sheep have been selected on the basis of differences in faecal egg counts (FEC) to natural poly-generic parasite challenge in New Zealand. However, it is not known if the expression of resistance or susceptibility extends to parasitic nematodes that were not a major part of the selection challenge. To examine this, the immune response to infection with Trichostrongylus axei was examined in these sheep lines. Changes in the proportions of CD5+, CD4+, CD8+, T19+ and CD45R+ lymphocytes and parasite specific antibody titres in peripheral blood were monitored each week in six resistant and six susceptible line lambs that were maintained indoors in pens during the course of 14 weekly infections with 10,000 T. axei larvae. No difference in FEC was observed. Similarly, no significant difference in T. axei specific antibody titre between sheep lines was seen although antibody titre increased steadily from Week 4. Significant increases in the proportions of CD5+, CD4+, CD8+ and T19+ cells occurred in both resistant and susceptible line lambs during Weeks 1-4 of infection. Following peak levels, proportions of CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells fell with the rate of decline of CD5+ and CD4+ cells significantly greater in the resistant line lambs. Proportions of CD45R+ cells showed significant changes with time that were the inverse of those of CD5+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Susceptible line lambs showed higher proportions of CD5+ and lower proportions of CD45R+ cells than resistant lambs before infection with T. axei. Overall, during infection, these differences were maintained while CD4+ and T19+ levels were higher in the susceptible line lambs.

Analysis of Variance↗

Immunization of sheep against parasitic nematodes leads to elevated levels of globule leukocytes in the small intestine lumen.

In sheep that had been given three immunizing infections with Trichostrongylus colubriformis and Ostertagia circumcincta infective (L3) larvae, drenched after the last infection and challenged with larvae of the same species, there was a significant increase in numbers of small intestine mucosal tissue globule leukocytes (TGLs) and lumenal globule leukocytes (LuGLs) compared with sheep that had only been drenched and challenged. There was a positive correlation between the numbers of LuGLs and TGLs in the small intestine but the ratio of these two cell types was lower in non-immunized than immunized sheep. In immunized sheep positive correlations were observed between LuGLs and levels of arylsulphatase and peroxidase in the intestinal mucus and between arylsulphatase and larval migration inhibition (LMI) activity in mucus. Lumen eosinophils correlated with blood eosinophils, serum antibody against T. colubriformis correlated with peroxidase in the mucus and blood eosinophils correlated with nematode specific IgM levels in the intestinal mucus. In the abomasum, TGLs were present but not LuGLs. Sheep repeatedly infected with T. axei also had significantly more LuGLs in the small intestine than control animals. Two sheep that had a surgically prepared isolated small intestinal loop, after oral infection with T. colubriformis had TGLs and LuGLs in the intact intestine, but not in the isolated loop. Significantly more LuGLs were produced in sheep by allowing repeated T. colubriformis L3 infections to develop to adult stages compared to sheep treated with the same number of larvae, but where the infections were terminated by drenching at various intervals.

Animals↗

Proliferative responses of lymphocytes in Bovicola ovis-infested lambs.

Proliferative responses of peripheral blood and prescapular lymph node lymphocytes from 8 B. ovis-infested and 8 naive lambs to concanavalin A (Con A) and soluble antigen of B. ovis were examined in vitro. The numbers of lice and the extent of cockle were also assessed on each lamb. Prescapular lymph node lymphocytes from infested lambs showed significantly higher responses to B. ovis antigen than those from naive lambs. Only a marginal difference was observed between infested and naive lambs in the response of lymphocytes from peripheral blood. Proliferative responses to Con A by prescapular lymph node or blood cells were not significantly different between groups. The results indicated a relationship between the intensity of louse infestation and the proliferative response of prescapular lymph node lymphocytes to B. ovis antigen.

Animals↗

Comparison of local and systemic responsiveness of lymphocytes in vitro to Bovicola ovis antigen and concanavalin A in B. ovis-infested and naive lambs.

The in vitro proliferation assay was used to determine lymphocyte responsiveness to soluble antigen of B. ovis and to Concanavalin A (Con A) in peripheral blood, spleen and various lymph nodes from B. ovis-infested and naive lambs. From March to July, an assay of monthly blood samples showed generally higher proliferative responses to antigen and Con A in B. ovis-infested than naive lambs. The proliferative response of cells from the skin-draining prescapular lymph nodes to B. ovis antigen was significantly higher in B. ovis-infested than naive lambs. Responses of cells from the medial iliac, mediastinal and mesenteric lymph nodes (which do not receive lymph from the skin) and spleen showed no significant differences between groups. Within the B. ovis-infested lambs, the response of cells from the prescapular lymph node was significantly higher than that from any other lymphoid organ examined. Responsiveness of the prescapular, medial iliac and mesenteric lymph node and spleen cells to Con A was not significantly different between groups, while mediastinal lymph node cells showed a significantly higher response in B. ovis-infested lambs. The data indicate that the antigen-specific cellular immune response is operating mainly locally, at the level of the skin and draining lymph nodes. Responses to the T cell mitogen Con A did not support non-specific immunodepression as reported in other ectoparasite/host systems.

Animals↗

Effectiveness of BCG vaccination in protecting possums against bovine tuberculosis.

Three groups of eight possums were vaccinated with BCG Pasteur by the subcutaneous, intratracheal or intragastric routes, with a fourth group serving as unvaccinated controls. Forty-two days after the start of vaccination, five possums from each group were challenged intratracheally with virulent Mycobacterium bovis. The vaccination by the subcutaneous or intratracheal routes resulted in a marked reduction in the severity of disease compared with the unvaccinated animals or the animals vaccinated intragastrically. The severity of the disease was assessed by changes in bodyweight, pathological changes in the lungs and bronchial nodes and the number of acid-fast bacilli in the lesions. Before the challenge, lymphocyte blastogenic responses to bovine PPD were observed in the eight animals vaccinated subcutaneously and in two of the animals vaccinated intratracheally.

Animals↗