Search results for "Alpha"

Scale-dependent plant diversity in Palaearctic grasslands: a comparative overview

2016

Here we present an extensive overview of plant diversity values in Palaearctic grasslands for seven standard grain sizes from 0.0001 to 100 m². The data originate from 20 studies, including the Field Workshops of the Eurasian Dry Grassland Group (EDGG), ranging geographically from Spain in the west to Siberia in the east, from Sicily in the south to Estonia in the north and from the sea coast up to 3100 m a.s.l. The majority of data is from dry grasslands (Festuco-Brometea, Koelerio-Corynephoretea, Cleistogenetea squarrosae), but there are also some mesic, wet, saline, acidic, alpine and Mediterranean grasslands included. Among others, we compiled data from 1795 1-m², 1109 10-m² and 338 100…

Development of biosensors for detection of alpha-fetoprotein: As a major biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma

2020

Abstract Alpha-fetoprotein as a multifunctional glycoprotein with a dual regulatory role in cancer and fetal activities is belonging to an albuminoid gene family. Due to important biological activities of alpha-fetoprotein in the adjustment of cancer, the level of this biomarker, majorly in liver carcinomas, abnormally is elevated. Also, the probability of high-risk or low-risk patients for chromosomal abnormalities can be identified by the serum level of alpha-fetoprotein. The detection of biomarkers possesses an important role in prognosis and early diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. So, the development of accurate and sensitive methods for measurement of alpha-fetoprotein is of grea…

<p>A Country Pandemic Risk Exposure Measurement Model</p>

2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a Pandemic Risk Exposure Measurement (PREM) model to determine the factors that affect a country’s prospective vulnerability to a pandemic risk exposure also considering the current COVID-19 pandemic Methods: To develop the model, drew up an inventory of possible factor variables that might expose a country’s vulnerability to a pandemic such as COVID-19 This model was based on the analysis of existing literature and consultations with some experts and associa-tions To support the inventory of selected possible factor variables, we have conducted a survey with participants sampled from people working in a risk management environment carrying o…

Acetylcysteine therapy for chronic hepatitis C: are its effects synergistic with interferon alpha? A pilot study.

2008

This trial reports the 6-month results of a pilot study using lymphoblastoid interferon alpha (IFNalpha) and acetylcysteine (N-acetylcysteine) separately and in combination in patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 1b, who were nonresponders to previous treatment with recombinant IFNalpha alone.21 patients were randomly divided into three groups of seven each. Group A was treated with lymphoblastoid IFNalpha 6MU three times a week for 6 months; group B received the same schedule of lymphoblastoid IFNalpha as group A plus acetylcysteine 1200 mg/day per os in two administrations, and group C received only acetylcysteine 1200 mg/day per os in two administrations.Mean serum alanine aminotr…

Anesthesia for Euthanasia Influences mRNA Expression in Healthy Mice and after Traumatic Brain Injury

2014

Tissue sampling for gene expression analysis is usually performed under general anesthesia. Anesthetics are known to modulate hemodynamics, receptor-mediated signaling cascades, and outcome parameters. The present study determined the influence of anesthetic paradigms typically used for euthanization and tissue sampling on cerebral mRNA expression in mice. Naïve mice and animals with acute traumatic brain injury induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) were randomized to the following euthanasia protocols (n=10-11/group): no anesthesia (NA), 1 min of 4 vol% isoflurane in room air (ISO), 3 min of a combination of 5 mg/kg midazolam, 0.05 mg/kg fentanyl, and 0.5 mg/kg medetomidine intraperi…

Toll-like receptors play a crucial part in the pathophysiological activity of antiphospholipid antibodies

2011

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss and the presence of a variety of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), directed to phospholipids like Cardiolipin and phospholipid binding proteins like β2-glycoprotein I. Till date, the pathophysiological processes underlying these thrombotic events were still not fully understood. Recent data support the idea that the aPL might act via enhanced cytokine release due to activation of certain Toll-like receptors. The investigation of some of those mechanisms in more detail enlightens the involvement of the intracellular receptors TLR7 and TLR8 in a central point. Using patients…

P68 A diet rich in wheat alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) enhances disease progression in the MRL-Fas(lpr) mouse model of systemic lupus eryth…

2020

Background Wheat alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors (ATIs) are the second most prevalent proteins in wheat (3–4% vs 80–90% for gluten) and potent activators of the innate immune system via the toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)-MD2-CD14 complex in cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system (Junker Y et al, J Exp Med 2012), triggering several autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. In contrast, pure gluten that is de-enriched of ATIs shows no stimulatory activity. MRL-Fas(lpr) mice develop progressive and spontaneous glomerular, tubulointerstitial and perivascular kidney disease, arthritis, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and circulating autoantibodies in a syndrome that resembles systemic lupus erythematosus…

Tumornekrosefaktor

2009

Psoriasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

2018

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis (PS) are associated conditions. The reason for this association lies in the sharing of predisposition genes and common immunological mechanisms. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> This review will focus on the interplay between IBD and PS, with details on prevalence and phenotype of PS in IBD, genetics, pathogenetic pathways, and therapy. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Microbiome seems relevant in both conditions: a reduction of beneficial bacteria has been observed. IBD and PS have in common some comorbidities like cardiovascular disease, similar risk of cancer …

Functional relevance of soluble TNF-alpha, transmembrane TNF-alpha and TNF-signal transduction in gastrointestinal diseases with special reference to…

2002

As a result of extensive clinical and basic research, the pivotal role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has now generally been acknowledged. This has led to promising clinically effective anti-TNF-strategies. Of note, there is more and more evidence that TNF seems to play a key role in other gastrointestinal diseases including Helicobacter pylori infection, pancreatitis, viral hepatitis and toxic liver damage, too. The action of TNF at the cellular level is mediated by two cell surface receptors, TNF-R1 (p60) and TNF-R2 (p80). The function of these receptors and the downstream intracellular signal t…