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The inverted teat defect is the most common disorder of the mammary complex in pigs. It is characterized by the failure of teats to protrude from the udder surface, preventing normal milk flow and thus limiting the rearing capacity and increasing the risk of mastitis. The inverted teat defect is a liability trait with a complex mode of inheritance. We previously identified QTL for inverted teats. As a complementary approach that integrates map-based efforts to identify candidate genes for the inverted teat defect with function-driven expression analysis, application-specific microarrays were constructed that cover 1525 transcripts mapping in QTL regions on pig chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 6 and 11. About 950 transcripts were expressed in epithelial and mesenchymal teat tissue. The expression of three categories of teats was compared: normal teats of both non-affected and affected animals and inverted teats of affected animals. In epithelium and mesenchyme, 62 and 24 genes respectively were significantly differentially expressed ( DE). The majority of biofunctions to which a significant number of DE genes were assigned are related to the following: (1) cell maintenance, proliferation, differentiation and replacement; (2) organismal, organ and tissue development; or (3) genetic information and nucleic acid processing. Moreover, the DE genes belong almost exclusively to canonical pathways related to signaling rather than metabolic pathways. This is in line with findings obtained by genome-wide catalogue microarrays. This study adds another piece to the puzzle of the etiology of inverted teats by indicating that causal genetic variation leading to the disorder is likely among the genes encoding for members of the signaling cascades of growth factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum dots provide a natural system in which to study both classical and quantum features of transport, as they possess a very rich set of eigenstates.When coupled to the environment through a pair of quantum point contacts, these dots possess a mixed phase space which yields families of closed, regular orbits as well as an expansive sea of chaos. In this latter case, many of the eigenstates are decohered through interaction with the environment, but many survive and are referred to as the set of pointer states. These latter states are described by a projected, non-Hermitian Hamiltonian which describes their dissipation through many-body interactions with particles in the external environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nature, optical structures in the subwavelength range have been evolved over millions of years. For example, in the form of 'moth-eye' structures they show a strong anti-reflective effect on the compound eyes of night-active insects and therefore offer a successful protection over predators. In this contribution the advantages and challenges to transfer this natural concept of subwavelength structured optical interfaces to high-end optical systems are discussed. Here, in comparison to alternative conventional multilayer systems, the bioinspired anti-reflective structures offer a wide wavelength range and a broad angle dependency. Additionally, adhesion problems are reduced drastically. Simultaneously to the theoretical consideration of the best profile form of the subwavelength structures, appropriate realization technologies have been developed in recent years, where both top-down and bottom-up approaches have been investigated. Depending on the choice of the structuring technique, anti-reflective subwavelength structures are applicable to a wide spectrum of optical elements ranging from micro-optical components to aspheres for applications in imaging and also illumination setups of high-end optical instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Elevation of the gastric pH increases the risk for sensitization against food allergens by hindering protein breakdown. This can be caused by acid-suppressing medication like sucralphate, H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors, as shown in recent murine experimental and human observational studies. Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the sensitization capacity of the dietary supplement base powder and of over-the-counter antacids. Methods Changes of the pH as well as of protein digestion due to base powder or antacids were measured in vitro. To examine the in vivo influence, BALB/c mice were fed codfish extract with one of the acid-suppressing substances. Read-out of antibody levels in the sera, of cytokine levels of stimulated splenocytes and of intradermal skin tests was performed. Results The pH of hydrochloric acid was substantially increased in vitro by base powder as well as antacids in a time- and dose-dependent manner. This elevation hindered the digestion of codfish proteins in vitro. A significant increase in codfish-specific IgE antibodies was found in the groups fed codfish combined with Rennie® Antacidum or with base powder; the latter also showed significantly elevated IgG1 and IgG2a levels. The induction of an anaphylactic immune response was proven by positive results in intradermal skin tests. Conclusions Antacids and dietary supplements influencing the gastric pH increase the risk for sensitization against allergenic food proteins. As these substances are commonly used in the general population without consulting a physician, our data may have a major practical and clinical impact. Cite this as: I. Pali-Schöll, R. Herzog, J. Wallmann, K. Szalai, R. Brunner, A. Lukschal, P. Karagiannis, S. C. Diesner and E. Jensen-Jarolim, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 1091–1098. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background One of the concerns of allergen-specific immunotherapy is the possible boost of inflammatory allergen-specific T lymphocytes. To address this problem, treatment with B cell epitopes devoid of allergen-specific T cell epitopes would be a promising alternative. Objective In this study, we examined the therapeutic potency of a single mimotope, mimicking a structural IgE epitope of grass pollen allergen Phl p 5 in an established memory mouse model of acute allergic asthma. Methods In the experimental set-up, BALB/c mice were primed with intraperitoneal injections of recombinant Phl p 5a (rPhl p 5a) and subsequently aerosol challenged with the nebulized allergen. Mice developed signs of bronchial asthma including hypereosinophilia around bronchi, goblet cell hyperplasia and enhanced mucus production. Results When the mice were subsequently treated with the grass pollen mimotope coupled to keyhole limpet haemocyanin, bronchial eosinophilic inflammation and mucus hypersecretion decreased. Further, a decrease of Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 could be observed in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). In contrast to rPhl p 5a, the mimotope was in vitro not able to stimulate splenocytes to proliferation or IL-5 production. Despite not affecting the levels of pre-existing IgE, vaccination with the single mimotope thus rendered anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse model of acute asthma. Conclusion From our data, we conclude that vaccination with a mimotope peptide representing a single IgE epitope of the allergen Phl p 5a and being devoid of allergen-specific T cell epitopes is able to down-regulate inflammation in acute asthma. Cite this as: J. Wallmann, M. M. Epstein, P. Singh, R. Brunner, K. Szalai, L. El-Housseiny, I. Pali-Schöll and E. Jensen-Jarolim, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2010 (40) 650–658. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aluminium (ALUM) is used as experimental and clinical adjuvant for parenteral vaccine formulation. It is also contained in anti-acid drugs like sucralfate (SUC). These anti-acids have been shown to cause sensitization to food proteins via elevation of the gastric pH. The aim of this study was to assess the oral adjuvant properties of ALUM, alone or contained in SUC, in a BALB/c mouse model. Methods: Mice were fed SUC plus ovalbumin (OVA) and compared with groups where ALUM or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were applied as adjuvants. The humoral and cellular immune responses were assessed on antigen-specific antibody and cytokine levels. The in vivo relevance was investigated in skin tests. Results: The highest OVA-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE antibody levels were found in mice fed with OVA/SUC, followed by OVA/ALUM-treated animals, indicating a T helper 2 (Th2) shift in both groups. Antibody levels in other groups revealed lower (OVA/PPI-group) or baseline levels (control groups). Positive skin tests confirmed an allergic response in anti-acid or adjuvant-treated animals. Conclusions: Our data show for the first time that ALUM acts as a Th2-adjuvant via the oral route. This suggests that orally applied SUC leads to an enhanced risk for food allergy, not only by inhibiting peptic digestion but also by acting as a Th2-adjuvant by its ALUM content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioural inhibition in the second year of life is a hypothesized predictor for shyness, social anxiety and depression in later childhood, adolescence and even adulthood. To search for the earliest indicators of this fundamental temperamental trait, this study examined whether behavioural characteristics in early infancy can predict behavioural inhibition, as previously postulated. The results show that infant crying to unfamiliar stimuli at 4 months of age is a significant predictor (p=.002) of behavioural inhibition in the second year of life. These data implicate the possibility of measuring a temperamental anxiety disposition at a very young age simply by assessing crying in the face of novel stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recently we have shown that anti-acid drugs lead to an enhanced risk of food allergy. This may be due to hindered peptic digestion, caused by an elevation of the gastric pH. Additionally, it is known that aluminium-linked antigens lead to an increased probability of sensitization. Objective Our aim in this study was to show whether sucralfate promotes sensitization not only by preventing peptic digestion but also by acting as a T-helper type 2 (Th2) adjuvant. Methods To avoid the effect of sucralfate on the gastric pH and to show only the adjuvant effect, BALB/c mice were immunized on the parenteral route with codfish extract plus sucralfate, and control groups with aluminium hydroxide (alum) (Th2 adjuvant) or monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) (Th1 adjuvant). Antigen-specific antibodies and cytokine levels were determined. The in vivo effect was investigated by intradermal skin tests. Results Codfish-specific high IgG1 and IgE antibody levels as well as elevated IL-4 and IL-5 levels in alum- and MPL-treated mice, but more importantly also in sucralfate-treated mice, indicated a Th2 shift. Positive skin tests confirmed this Th2 response. Conclusions Our data show that parenterally applied sucralfate is able to induce a Th2 response probably due to the aluminium content. This indicates that orally applied sucralfate may lead to an enhanced risk of food allergy not only by inhibiting peptic digestion but also by acting as a Th2 adjuvant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aponeurotomy, which is the transection of an aponeurosis perpendicular to its length, is performed to lengthen spastic and/or short muscles. During recovery, the cut ends of the aponeurosis are reconnected by new connective tissue bridging both ends. The aim of this study is to investigate the histological features of this new connective tissue as well as its mechanical properties after recovery from aponeurotomy. For this purpose, aponeurotomy was performed on the proximal aponeurosis of rat m. gastrocnemius medialis (GM), which was followed by six weeks of recovery. The lengths of aponeurotic tissues were measured as a function of active muscle length. The results are compared to a control group as well as to the acute effects and a sham operated group. Activation of the muscle at increasing lengths after aponeurotomy caused a gap between the cut ends of the aponeurosis. However, after recovery, new connective tissue is formed bridging the aponeurotic ends, consisting of thin collagen fibres, which are densely packed and generally arranged in the direction of the aponeurosis. The number of fibroblasts was three to five times higher than that of aponeurotic tissue of the intact parts as well as that of the acute and sham operated muscles. The strain of the new connective tissue as a function of active muscle length was shown to be about three times higher than that of the aponeurosis. It is concluded that the inserted new aponeurotic tissue is more compliant and that the aponeurosis becomes 10–15% longer than in untreated muscle. As a consequence, the muscle fibres located distally to the new aponeurotic tissue will become shorter than prior to aponeurotomy. This explains a shift of the length–force curve, which favours the restoration of the range of joint motion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rheological therapy attempts to favorably influence the blood flow mechanics for the treatment of diseases, mainly of the microcirculation but also of the macrocirculation. Hemapheresis, originally used only for the elimination of an excess of cellular or plasmatic components, was shown to also influence the hemorheology favorably. As extracorporeal therapy affects the rheology much more than conventional hemorheotherapy, not only cellular or plasmatic hyperviscosity syndromes but also many more diseases associated with organ perfusion problems due to diseases of the micro- and macrocirculation, especially in the elderly, were and are increasingly considered to be indicated. Technical progress led away from plasma exchange as an unspecific and unselective procedure to plasma differential separation using precipitation, adsorption, and filtration. With our recent development, we demonstrated that rheohemapheresis is the most advanced technical procedure. The mechanism of action can well be related to a synergetic consideration of rheology. However, one has to keep in mind that the elimination of blood components such as lipids, immunoglobulins, and endothelial factors may well contribute to the explanation and understanding of the positive clinical effects observed. These speculative aspects need further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative studies on the immunostimulating (paramunizing) effectiveness of BCG, levamisole, Corynebacterium parvum and preparations of pock viruses in various in vitro and in vivo tests There are 3 classical immunostimulants: BCG, levamisole and C. parvum. For some years in veterinary medicine two immunostimulants from pock or parapock viruses have been employed as paramunity inducers with success (PIND-AVI, PIND-ORF). In order to explore in detail the functional bases of the above preparations, they were compared by the following tests: 1. In 2 infection models (vesicular stomatitis and Aujesky virus; 2. In a tumour model (radiation induced osteosarcoma in the mouse); 3. The chromium 51 test to demonstrate spontaneous (natural) cytotoxicity; 4. An indirect plaque reduction test to detect stimulation from interferon; and 5. The lymphocyte transformation test. The results showed that the effect of the individual immunostimulants can vary very widely. Both paramunity inducers were effective in all the 5 tests and were harmless. PIND-AVI, however, activated above all the lymphocyte, whereas PIND-ORF had NK (natural mouse spleen killer cells) activity and was the only one of the 5 immunostimulants which also stimulated interferon production. C. parvum, BCG and levamisole were significantly less effective and they were also pyrogenic and in some cases also toxic. The main point arising from the study is that when using immunostimulants it is essential to know precisely how they act and also the damaging effects of the individual agents if the desired effects are to be achieved without harm to the patients. The 5 test systems which we used seem to be the ones of choice for the purpose. Special attention is directed to preparations of pock viruses which act as harmless but effective immunostimulants. Zusammenfassung Es gibt drei klassische Immunstimulantien: BCG, Levamisol und C. parvum. In der Tiermedizin werden seit Jahren 2 Immunstimulantien, die aus Pocken- bzw. Parapockenviren hergestellt werden, als sog. Paramunitätsinducer mit Erfolg verwendet (PIND-AVI, PIND-ORF). Um die funktionellen Grundlagen obiger Präparate detailliert erfassen zu können, sind sie in folgenden Testen vergleichend untersucht worden: 1. in 2 Infektionsmodellen ( Stomatitis vesicularis-, Aujeszky-Virus), 2. in einem Tumormodell (strahleninduziertes Osteosarkom der Maus), 3. im Chromium 51-Test zum Nachweis der spontanen, natürlichen Zytotoxizität, 4. im indirekten Plaque-Reduktions-Test zum Nachweis der Stimulierung von Interferon und 5. im Lymphozyten-Transformationstest. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse weisen darauf hin, daß die Wirkung der einzelnen Immunstimulantien sehr unterschiedlich sein kann. Die beiden Paramunitätsinducer waren in allen Testen wirksam und unschädlich. Trotzdem unterschieden sie sich. PIND-AVI aktivierte vor allem die Lymphozyten, während PIND-ORF besonders die NK-Aktivität und, als einziges der 5 Präparate, auch die Interferonbildung stimulierte. C. parvum, BCG und Levamisol schnitten wesentlich schlechter ab, waren zudem pyrogen und in bestimmten Konzentrationen auch toxisch. Als Fazit der Arbeit ergibt sich, daß beim Einsatz von Immunstimulantien genaue Kenntnisse über die Wirkungsmechanismen und die Unschädlichkeit der einzelnen Präparate notwendig sind, um sie wirksam und gezielt anwenden zu können. Die von uns benutzten 5 Testsysteme scheinen sich hierfür gut zu eignen. Auf die Herstellung von unschädlichen Immunstimulantien aus Pockenviren mit einer breiten Wirksamkeit wird aufmerksam gemacht. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifies polymorphic microsatellite repeats on a bovine tumor necrosis factor alpha gene-containing bacterial artificial chromosome clone. Polymorphism detection; Mendelian inheritance of the alleles in each of the microsatellite; Cytogenetic mapping.

Aims: To investigate the prevalence of pathological internet use (PIU) and maladaptive internet use (MIU) among adolescents in 11 European countries in relation to demographic, social factors and internet accessibility., Design: Cross-sectional survey., Setting: The 7th Framework European Union (EU) funded project, Saving and Empowering Young Lives in Europe (SEYLE), is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating interventions for risk behaviours among adolescents in Austria, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Romania, Slovenia and Spain, with Sweden serving as the coordinating centre., Participants: A total of 11 956 adolescents (female/male: 6731/5225; mean age: 14.9 ± 0.89) recruited from randomly selected schools within the 11 study sites., Measurements: Internet users were classified by gender into three categories: adaptive, maladaptive and pathological, based on their score in the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ)., Findings: The overall prevalence of PIU was 4.4%; it was higher among males than females (5.2% versus 3.8%) and differed between countries (χ(2)  = 309.98; d.f. = 20; P < 0.001). PIU correlated significantly with mean hours online and male gender. The highest-ranked online activities were watching videos, frequenting chatrooms and social networking; significantly higher rates of playing single-user games were found in males and social networking in females. Living in metropolitan areas was associated with PIU. Students not living with a biological parent, low parental involvement and parental unemployment showed the highest relative risks of both MIU and PIU., Conclusions: Across a range of countries in Europe, using the Young Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction yields a prevalence of 'pathological internet use' of 4.4% among adolescents, but varies by country and gender; adolescents lacking emotional and psychological support are at highest risk., (© 2012 The Authors, Addiction © 2012 Society for the Study of Addiction.)

A cosmid clone containing the complete sheep inhibin subunit beta B gene (INHBB) was assigned to sheep and cattle homologous chromosome bands 2q31-q33 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The assignment of INHBB in sheep excludes another candidate gene as the site of the FecB mutation.