Vascular access to the arterial side of the pancreas in the Syrian hamster

In order to establish a new approach to the treatment of tumours of the exocrine pancreas of humans, this work was aimed at gaining vascular access to the arterial side of the pancreas in the Syrian hamster. There is to our knowledge no information available in the literature concerning the catheterisation of the arterial side of the pancreas in the Syrian hamster. Preliminary anatomical studies revealed that the coeliac artery could be a possible vascular access to the different lobes of the pancreas in the Syrian hamster. The lumen of the splenic artery is too small to be catheterised. Injection of Evan´s blue and plastic beads in different sizes into the coelic artery demonstrated distribution to the different lobes of the pancreas as well as to the spleen, the stomach, the duodenum, and the omentum.This opens up the possibility of a treatment, using biodegradable plastic beads coated with immunomodulators injected on the arterial side of the pancreas, as well as alginate beads harbouring transfected cells, capable of delivering various substances in the area of interest

THE EFFECT OF POLY-L-LYSINE ON THE UPTAKE OF REOVIRUS DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA IN MACROPHAGES IN VITRO

The effect of polycations on cultured mouse peitoneal macrophages has been examined. Polycations, at concentrations greater than 5 µg/ml, are toxic for macrophages) as measured by failure of the cells to exclude vital dyes. At toxic concentrations polycations bind in large amounts to nuclei and endoplasmic reticulum, while at nontoxic levels polycations bind selectively to the cell surface. Nontoxic concentrations of polycations stimulate binding of reovirus double-stranded (ds) RNA to the macrophages by forming polycation-dsRNA complexes either in the medium or at the cell surface. These complexes enter the cell in endocytic vacuoles and are concentrated in secondary lysosomes. Despite exposure to the acid hydrolases within this cell compartment, the dsRNA and the polycation (poly-L-lysine) are conserved in a macromolecular form within the vacuolar system. The mechanism(s) by which the uptake of infectious nucleic acids and the induction of interferon by dsRNA are stimulated by polycations are discussed

Endothelin-1 stimulates human monocytes in vitro to release TNF-α , IL-1β and IL-6

Increased plasma- and tissue levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) during inflammatory diseases, have suggested a role of ET-1 in the pathophysiology of inflammatory reactions. The authors have studied the effect of ET-1 on cytokine release from monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages. ET-1 increased secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Optimal ET-1 concentration ranged from 0.01 to 1 nM. The maximal response was a 200 to 400% increase in cytokine release. A time-course study revealed that the pattern of cytokines induced by ET-1 was different in monocytes and macrophages, although an early increase in TNF-α was observed in both monocyte and macrophage supernatants. In conclusion, ET-1 stimulates monocytes and macrophages to release cytokines thereby demonstrating a potential role for ET-1 in regulation of inflammatory responses

EVIDENCE FOR A CYTOLYTIC FACTOR RELEASED BY MACROPHAGES

Mouse peritoneal macrophages cultivated in vitro acquire a strong extracellular cytotoxic activity towards isotope labeled syngeneic erythrocytes as demonstrated by isotope release to the medium. This lytic process is mediated by an extremely labile macrophage cytolytic factor (MCF) which is not detected under ordinary tissue culture conditions with serum present in the medium. By the use of serum-free medium containing low doses of 2-mercaptoethanol MCF is stabilized and found to be an easily dialysable, low molecular substance which resists heating at 60°C for 30 min

Programvarelisensavtalens stilling i lisensgivers konkurs. Med utgangspunkt i lisenstakerens forhold til lisensgiverens kreditorer

MasteroppgaveJUS39

A Knowledge Graph Framework for Dementia Research Data

Dementia disease research encompasses diverse data modalities, including advanced imaging, deep phenotyping, and multi-omics analysis. However, integrating these disparate data sources has historically posed a significant challenge, obstructing the unification and comprehensive analysis of collected information. In recent years, knowledge graphs have emerged as a powerful tool to address such integration issues by enabling the consolidation of heterogeneous data sources into a structured, interconnected network of knowledge. In this context, we introduce DemKG, an open-source framework designed to facilitate the construction of a knowledge graph integrating dementia research data, comprising three core components: a KG-builder that integrates diverse domain ontologies and data annotations, an extensions ontology providing necessary terms tailored for dementia research, and a versatile transformation module for incorporating study data. In contrast with other current solutions, our framework provides a stable foundation by leveraging established ontologies and community standards and simplifies study data integration while delivering solid ontology design patterns, broadening its usability. Furthermore, the modular approach of its components enhances flexibility and scalability. We showcase how DemKG might aid and improve multi-modal data investigations through a series of proof-of-concept scenarios focused on relevant Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers

EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies ), 2013. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to Yestimun ® and defence against pathogens in the upper respiratory tract pursuant to Article 13(5) of R egulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Leiber GmbH, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Yestimun® and defence against pathogens in the upper respiratory tract. The food that is the subject of the health claim, Yestimun®, which consists of (1,3)-(1,6)-β-D-glucans from brewer’s yeast cell wall, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect, defence against pathogens in the upper respiratory tract, is a beneficial physiological effect. No human intervention studies from which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim were provided by the applicant. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Yestimun® ((1,3)-(1,6)-β-D-glucans from brewer’s yeast cell wall) and defence against pathogens in the upper respiratory tract

Demographically adjusted Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test norms in a Swedish and Norwegian cohort aged 49–77 years and comparison with North American norms

Introduction The Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) is one of the most commonly used neuropsychological tests in Sweden and Norway. However, no publications provide normative data for this population. The objective of this study was to present demographically adjusted norms for a Swedish and Norwegian population and to evaluate these in an independent comparison group. Methods The RCFT was administrated to 344 healthy controls recruited from the Swedish Gothenburg MCI study, the Norwegian Dementia Disease Initiation study, and the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study. Age ranged from 49 to 77 years (mean = 62.4 years, SD = 5.0 years), and education ranged from 6 to 24 years (mean = 13.3 years, SD = 3.0 years). Using a regression-based procedure, we investigated the effects of age, sex, and years of education on test performance. We compared and evaluated our Swedish and Norwegian norms with North American norms in an independent comparison group of 145 individuals. Results In healthy controls, age and education were associated with performance on the RCFT. When comparing normative RCFT performance in an independent comparison group, North American norms generally overestimated immediate and delayed recall performance. In contrast, our Swedish and Norwegian norms appear to better take into account factors of age and education. Conclusions We presented demographically adjusted norms for the RCFT in a Swedish and Norwegian sample. This is the first normative study of the RCFT that presents normative data for this population. In addition, we showed that North American norms might produce inaccurate normative estimations in an independent comparison group