Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni effect on the hemolytic potential of Listeria monocytogenes.

The effect of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni on the hemolytic potential of Listeria monocytogenes was studied by means of the assessment of the Listeriolysin O (LLO) production. The three factors under study, stevia concentration in the range [0-2.5] % (w/v), incubation temperature (10 and 37°C), and exposure time (0-65h) significantly affected (p≤0.

A novel self-lipid antigen targets human T cells against CD1c(+) leukemias.

T cells that recognize self-lipids presented by CD1c are frequent in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals and kill transformed hematopoietic cells, but little is known about their antigen specificity and potential antileukemia effects. We report that CD1c self-reactive T cells recognize a novel class of self-lipids, identified as methyl-lysophosphatidic acids (mLPAs), which are accumulated in leukemia cells. Primary acute myeloid and B cell acute leukemia blasts express CD1 molecules.

Development of methods for cryopreservation of rooster sperm from the endangered breed "Gallina Valenciana de Chulilla" using low glycerol concentrations.

Glycerol (11%; v:v) is the cryoprotectant most often used for the cryopreservation of rooster sperm. However, chicken breeds differ in the resistance of their sperm to the cryopreservation process and endangered or local breeds usually present low fertilizing ability when conventional sperm cryopreservation protocols are used. The objective of this study was to optimize the protocol for the cryopreservation of the sperm from the endangered breed "Gallina Valenciana de Chulilla".

Peroxisome-derived lipids are self antigens that stimulate invariant natural killer T cells in the thymus.

The development and maturation of semi-invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) rely on the recognition of self antigens presented by CD1d restriction molecules in thymus. The nature of the stimulatory thymic self lipids remains elusive. We isolated lipids from thymocytes and found that ether-bonded mono-alkyl glycerophosphates and the precursors and degradation products of plasmalogens stimulated iNKT cells.

Structural reorganization of the antigen-binding groove of human CD1b for presentation of mycobacterial sulfoglycolipids.

The mechanisms permitting nonpolymorphic CD1 molecules to present lipid antigens that differ considerably in polar head and aliphatic tails remain elusive. It is also unclear why hydrophobic motifs in the aliphatic tails of some antigens, which presumably embed inside CD1 pockets, contribute to determinants for T-cell recognition. The 1.

The HOX gene network in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver organogenesis and cancerogenesis share common mechanisms. HOX genes control normal development, primary cellular processes and are characterized by a unique genomic network organization. Less is known about the involvement of HOX genes with liver cancerogenesis.

Dysregulation of the host mevalonate pathway during early bacterial infection activates human TCR gamma delta cells.

Primates, but not rodents, have T cell receptor Vgamma9-Vdelta2 T cells bridging innate and adaptive antimicrobial immunity. This T cell population is activated by prenyl pyrophosphates isolated from microbial or eukaryotic cells. Although the microbial metabolites are more active than the cellular ones, their involvement in TCR gammadelta activation during infection has not been studied.

Endogenous phosphatidylcholine and a long spacer ligand stabilize the lipid-binding groove of CD1b.

CD1 proteins present lipid antigens to T cells. The antigens are acquired in the endosomal compartments. This raises the question of how the large hydrophobic CD1 pockets are preserved between the moment of biosynthesis in the endoplasmic reticulum and arrival to the endosomes.

Bacterial infections promote T cell recognition of self-glycolipids.

Recognition of self is essential for repertoire selection, immune regulation, and autoimmunity and may be a consequence of infection. Self-induced recognition may represent the escape mechanism adopted by pathogens but may also incite autoimmune diseases. Here, we show that bacterial infection may promote activation of T cells reactive to self-glycosphingolipids (self-GSL).

Characterization of human nerve basal lamina for their binding properties of anti-MAG antibodies.

The functional importance of the basal lamina in Schwann cell development and in adult peripheral nerve fibers is well known. We have demonstrated previously by confocal microscopy that IgM deposits are present on the basal lamina of myelinating Schwann cells of nerve biopsies from patients with an anti-MAG IgM neuropathy. Therefore, the basal lamina was postulated to represent an early target for the uptake of autoantibodies on the surface of myelinated nerve fibers.

Rafts in adult peripheral nerve myelin contain major structural myelin proteins and myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) and CD59 as specific markers.

The myelin and lymphocyte protein (MAL) proteolipid is localized in central and peripheral compact myelin membranes, as well as in apical membranes of particular polarized cells. In this study, we addressed the question whether MAL and other peripheral myelin proteins are sorted and targeted to myelin membranes using mechanisms similar to those observed in polarized epithelial cells. To investigate the presence of raft-mediated sorting pathways in Schwann cells, we have isolated and analysed their composition in myelin membranes.

Resistance to staining, flexural strength, and chemical solubility of core porcelains for all-ceramic crowns.

Purpose: The increased demand for tooth-colored restorations has prompted the use of ceramics in areas that are subject to masticatory stresses. To maximize the strength of these restorations, manufacturers and clinicians advocate placement of core materials in lieu of veneering materials in areas that are more susceptible to fracture. The objectives of this study were to determine the: resistance to staining of three core porcelains used for all-ceramic restorations, Procera, IPS Empress, and In-Ceram, through the use of colorimetry and visual observation; flexural strength of these porcelains under a three-point bend test; and chemical solubility in a controlled environment.

Characterization of GFP-MAL expression and incorporation in rafts.

During myelin formation, membrane-associated proteins have to be sorted and transported in specified membrane regions such as compact and non-compact myelin membranes. One protein that may be involved in such a process is the Myelin and Lymphocyte protein MAL (VIP17/ MVP17). MAL was identified as a novel myelin membrane component expressed by oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells.

The origin and function of soluble CD14 in experimental bacterial meningitis.

Murine experimental meningitis models induced by either Escherichia coli LPS, live Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Listeria monocytogenes were used to study the origin and potential function of soluble CD14 (sCD14) in the brain during bacterial meningitis. Whereas intracerebral infection caused only a minor and/or transient increase of sCD14 levels in the serum, dramatically elevated concentrations of sCD14 were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. Reverse-transcriptase PCR and FACS analysis of the leukocytes invading the subarachnoid compartment revealed an active amplification of CD14 transcription and concomitant surface expression.

Soluble CD14 activates monocytic cells independently of lipopolysaccharide.

The glycoprotein CD14 acts as a receptor for lipopolysaccharide (LPS), either when anchored in the myeloid cell membrane (mCD14) or as a soluble molecule (sCD14) in serum. sCD14-LPS complexes activate cells devoid of mCD14. However, the role of sCD14 independent of LPS is unknown.

Human monocyte CD14 is upregulated by lipopolysaccharide.

Membrane CD14 is involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced monocyte activation; it binds LPS, and antibodies against CD14 block the effects of low-dose LPS. It is unknown how LPS regulates its own receptor CD14 in vitro. Therefore, we investigated the effects of LPS on CD14 mRNA and membrane and soluble CD14 (mCD14 and sCD14, respectively) in human monocytes and macrophages.

Function of soluble CD14 in serum from patients with septic shock.

Soluble CD14 (sCD14) mediates lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation of epithelial cells in vitro and may thereby be harmful in sepsis. sCD14 function was analyzed in sera from 62 patients with septic shock and compared with data from appropriate controls. sCD14 function was measured as sCD14-dependent LPS-induced interleukin (IL)-8 release in the SW620 epithelial cell line.

Pharmacokinetics of cefetamet in plasma and skin blister fluid.

Cefetamet pivoxil is an oral cephalosporin with enhanced affinity for the target penicillin-binding proteins 1 and 3 and an increased stability to beta-lactamases compared with older cephalosporins, such as cefalexin or cefaclor. The pharmacokinetics of cefetamet pivoxil was determined after the seventh and final dose of 500 mg of cefetamet pivoxil in eight healthy volunteers. Concentrations in plasma and cantharidin-induced skin blister fluid were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography method.

LPS directly induces oxygen radical production in human monocytes via LPS binding protein and CD14.

In human monocytes, superoxide (O2-) generation accompanies phagocytosis and is important for bactericidal activity. It also contributes to tissue damage in inflammation. In the present study we investigated, whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) directly stimulates monocyte O2- production with kinetics known for other LPS effects and, if so, by which mechanism.

Increased circulating soluble CD14 is associated with high mortality in gram-negative septic shock.

The soluble glycoprotein sCD14 binds lipopolysaccharide, a complex that activates endothelial cells and that may be crucial in gram-negative sepsis. Therefore, serum sCD14 was analyzed in 54 patients with gram-negative septic shock and in 26 healthy controls. sCD14 was tested by ELISA and Western blotting.

Pharmacodynamic activity of a cephalosporin, Ro 40-6890, in human skin blister fluid: antibiotic activity in concert with host defense mechanisms.

The pharmacokinetics of an antimicrobial drug in human plasma and in vitro susceptibility testing of an antimicrobial drug do not necessarily predict its efficacy in vivo. Therefore, the combined activity of an antimicrobial drug and blood-derived polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) against Staphylococcus aureus were investigated in vitro. In addition, a pharmacological model allowing analysis of the bactericidal activity of a drug-containing exudate against S.

Influence of the anti-inflammatory compound flosulide on granulocyte function.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are involved in inflammatory reactions. It is thought that oxygen-derived free radicals released from activated PMN may participate in tissue damage during inflammation. We have shown that flosulide (6-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)-5-methylsulfonylamino-1-indanone ), a novel highly potent anti-inflammatory compound, inhibits superoxide production induced by N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (FMLP), C5a and PMA without impairing bacterial killing or chemotaxis.