Search results for "FRAGMENTS"
showing 10 items of 422 documents
Glucagon-like peptide-1 modulates neurally evoked mucosal chloride secretion in guinea pig small intestine in vitro
2011
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) acts at the G protein-coupled receptor, GLP-1R, to stimulate secretion of insulin and to inhibit secretion of glucagon and gastric acid. Involvement in mucosal secretory physiology has received negligible attention. We aimed to study involvement of GLP-1 in mucosal chloride secretion in the small intestine. Ussing chamber methods, in concert with transmural electrical field stimulation (EFS), were used to study actions on neurogenic chloride secretion. ELISA was used to study GLP-1R effects on neural release of acetylcholine (ACh). Intramural localization of GLP-1R was assessed with immunohistochemistry. Application of GLP-1 to serosal or mucosal sides of fla…
A human leucocyte antigen-DR1 transgene confers susceptibility to experimental allergic encephalomyelitis elicited by an epitope of myelin basic prot…
2003
Much evidence now indicates that human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II transgenic (Tg) mice can be of value in analysing HLA-restricted presentation of T-cell epitopes relevant to experimental models of autoimmune diseases. One area where this has been applied is the characterization of myelin epitopes presented by HLA class II molecules in experimental model of multiple sclerosis (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE)). As a first step towards humanized disease models in HLA Tg mice, we have analysed immune response of lymph node cells of HLA-DR1 Tg mice immunized with the human myelin basic protein (MBP) peptides 13–33, 87–106 and 139–154 bound by HLA-DR1. We report h…
Systemic Immune Responses in Alzheimer's Disease: In Vitro Mononuclear Cell Activation and Cytokine Production
2010
To investigate the systemic signs of immune-inflammatory responses in Alzheimer's disease (AD), in the present study we have analyzed blood lymphocyte subsets and the expression of activation markers on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from AD patients and age-matched healthy controls (HC) activated in vitro by recombinant amyloid-beta peptide (rAbeta42). Our study of AD lymphocyte subpopulations confirms the already described decrease of the absolute number and percentage of B cells when compared to HC lymphocytes, whereas the other subsets are not significantly different in patients and controls. We report the increased expression of the activation marker CD69 and of the chemoki…
High-sensitivity troponin assay improves prediction of cardiovascular risk in patients with cerebral ischaemia
2013
Background and purpose Clinical scores are recommended for predicting cardiovascular risk in patients with cerebral ischaemia to inform secondary prevention. Blood biomarkers may improve prediction beyond clinical scores. Methods Within the observational Find-AF trial (ISRCTN46104198), 197 patients >18 years of age with cerebral ischaemia and without atrial fibrillation had blood sampled at baseline. The predictive value of five biomarkers for a combined vascular endpoint (acute coronary syndrome, stroke, cardiovascular death) and all-cause mortality was determined, alone and in addition to the Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS), Stroke Prognostic Instrument 2 (SPI-2) and National Institutes of…
A novel class of potent nonglycosidic and nonpeptidic pan-selectin inhibitors.
2006
An early step of the inflammatory response, the rolling of leukocytes on activated endothelial cells, is mediated by selectin/carbohydrate interactions. The tetrasaccharide sialy Lewisx is a ligand for E-, P-, and L-selectin and therefore serves as a lead structure for the development of analogues. A combination of synthesis and structure-based design allowed rapid optimization. The current lead 2a was evaluated in our E-selectin cell flow chamber assay where it proved to inhibit rolling and adhesion with an IC50 of 28+/-7 microM. The assays used are predictive for the in vivo efficacy of test compounds as shown for 2a in a proteose peptone induced peritonitis model of acute inflammation in…
Effects Of COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH (11-13) on corneal epithelial wound healing:role of nitric oxide
2006
It is known that alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) may exert anti-inflammatory effects and facilitate reparative processes in different tissues. The effective message sequence of alpha-MSH resides in the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11-13). This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of topical administration of the COOH-terminal tripeptide sequence of alpha-MSH (alpha-MSH(11-13), KPV) on corneal epithelial wound healing in rabbits and the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in these effects. The whole corneal epithelium was denuded in both eyes by mechanical abrasion. The area of the corneal epithelial defect was stained with fluorescein, photographed, and then…
Hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis associated with the E693K mutation of APP
2010
Objective To report the clinical, genetic, neuroimaging, and neuropathologic studies of patients with the hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis linked to the APP E693K mutation. Design Case series. Clinical details and laboratory results were collected by direct evaluation and previous medical records. DNA analysis was carried out in several affected subjects and healthy individuals. Neuropathologic examination was performed in 2 subjects. Setting Southern Lombardy, Italy. Patients Individuals with and without amyloidosis in 4 unrelated Italian families (N = 37). Main Outcome Measure Genotype-phenotype relationship. Results The affected individuals presented with recurrent headach…
GE-25-like immunoreactivity in the rat eye.
2012
Abstract This study aimed to investigate the presence and distribution of the chromogranin A-derived peptide GE-25 in the rat eye. The molecular form detected by the GE-25 antiserum was evaluated in the rat trigeminal ganglion, retina and remaining tissues of the rat eye by means of Western blots and the distribution pattern of GE-25-like immunoreactivity was studied in the rat eye and rat trigeminal ganglion by immunofluorescence. One single band of approximately 70 kDa was stained in the trigeminal ganglion and retina which represents the uncleaved intact chromogranin A indicating that the proteolytic processing of chromogranin A to GE-25 is limited in these tissues. Sparse GE-25-like imm…
Bridge to Operation with the GPIIb/IIIa Inhibitor Abciximab in High-Risk Coronary Patients
2006
BACKGROUND Glycoprotein-IIb/IIIa inhibitors are now frequently used in the cardiological treatment of high-risk coronary patients even if the patient is considered suitable for surgical intervention. However, there is no consensus whether GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors should be stopped before operation because of an increased risk of bleeding or if surgery should even be delayed until the anticoagulating effect subsides. METHODS From June 2002 to August 2003 140 patients who had to undergo primary aorto-coronary bypass for ongoing myocardial ischemia were enrolled in the present study. The patients received either clopidogrel, aspirin and heparin or additionally abciximab until operation. RESULTS A…
Validation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide cut-off values for risk stratification of pulmonary embolism
2014
The optimal N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) cut-off value for risk stratification of pulmonary embolism remains controversial. In this study we validated and compared different proposed NT-proBNP cut-off values in 688 normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism. During the first 30 days, 28 (4.1%) patients reached the primary outcome (pulmonary embolism-related death or complications) and 29 (4.2%) patients died. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.70 (0.60-0.80) for NT-proBNP. A cut-off value of 600 pg·mL(-1) was associated with the best prognostic performance (sensitivity 86% and specificity 50%) and the highest odds ratio…