Business Corporation Law in Changing Society

Evidence suggests that depression is cross-sectionally and longitudinally associated with activation of inflammatory response system. A few studies, however, have investigated the longitudinal relationship between raised inflammatory biomarkers and persistence of depressive symptoms. We examined the temporal relationship between serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers and persistence of depressive symptoms among older participants

Defective fibrin deposition and thrombus stability in Bambi ‐/‐ mice is mediated by elevated anticoagulant function

BACKGROUND: Bone morphogenetic and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) is a transmembrane protein related to the type I transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β) receptor family that is present on both platelets and endothelial cells (ECs). Bambi-deficient mice exhibit reduced hemostatic function and thrombus stability characterized by an increased embolization. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to delineate how BAMBI influences endothelial function and thrombus stability. METHODS: Bambi-deficient mice were subjected to the laser-induced thrombosis model where platelet and fibrin accumulation was evaluated. Expression of thrombomodulin and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) was also assessed in these mice. RESULTS: Thrombus instability in Bambi-/- mice was associated with a profound defect in fibrin deposition. Injection of hirudin into Bambi+/+ mice prior to thrombus formation recapitulated the Bambi-/- thrombus instability phenotype. In contrast, hirudin had no additional effect upon thrombus formation in Bambi-/- mice. Deletion of Bambi in ECs resulted in mice with defective thrombus stability caused by decreased fibrin accumulation. Increased levels of the anticoagulant proteins TFPI and thrombomodulin were detected in Bambi-/- mouse lung homogenates. Endothelial cells isolated from Bambi-/- mouse lungs exhibited enhanced ability to activate protein C due to elevated thrombomodulin levels. Blocking thrombomodulin and TFPI in vivo fully restored fibrin accumulation and thrombus stability in Bambi-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that endothelial BAMBI influences fibrin generation and thrombus stability by modulating thrombomodulin and TFPI anticoagulant function of the endothelium; we also highlight the importance of these anticoagulant proteins in the laser-induced thrombosis model

The effect of B2 agonists on the immune function

This project investigated the effect of β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) stimulation on the function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells in vitro. Catecholamines have been previously shown to increase efflux of these cells into the blood, but the effects on cell function are unclear. In this thesis three aspects of function have been addressed. The results of the studies presented in this thesis showed that: (1) β2-adrenergic stimulation by salmeterol reduced the percentage of IFN-γ producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells activated by Staphylococcus Aureus enterotoxin type B (SEB) superantigen, cytomegalovirus lysate (CMV) or CMV pp65 (pp65) recombinant protein. (2) salmeterol, at high concentrations, increased rolling behaviour and decreased stationary behaviour of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) on human microvascular cell line (HMEC-1) and on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), in both flow and static assays. (3) adrenergic stimulation impaired the activation and cytotoxic function of CD8+ T and NK cells, as indicated by lower expression of CD107a (a marker of CD8+ T and NK cell activation and function) following incubation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with human erythromyeloblastoid leukemia (K562) cell line or MHC class I chain-related gene A (MICA*009) transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells (T-CHO) was analysed. The results presented in this thesis showed that adrenergic stimulation influences a number of cellular functions, such as those related to migration, cytokine production and cytotoxic function. Together the above studies may contribute to our understanding about how stress affects the ability of the cytotoxic cells

Home range e utilizzo del territorio in pernici rosse (Alectoris rufa rufa) nate in allevamento e allo stato selvatico

In Italy several small populations of red-legged partridges has been reconstituted in areas where the species was extinguished. In these areas release of different animals must be programmed, since the dimension of the reconstituted populations does not catch up the minimal dimension required to guard the species from a new extinction. We have thoght therefore indispensable to carry out a research in order to estimate the integration ability of the released raised partridges with the wild population, the survival rates, the use of the habitat and the home-ranges of both populations. In a protected areaf Central Italy 350 raised partridges were released during August month. In January 6 raised partridges and 21 wild partridges has been captured by traps. 6 subjects for each thesis (raised or wild) have been therefore equipped with radio necklaces and localised biweekly until July. No difference in mortality rates was observed between wild or raised partridges that had survived to the winter. Raised partridges, that survive after release in the wild, were able to integrate themselves in mixed brigades with the wild partridges. Vineyards with interlined grass were the habitat most frequented. The distance from the subsidiary artificial feeding points significantly increased during broods showing the necessity to increase the number and dispersion of the supplementary feeders in spring, to help the animals from an alimentary point of view. The distance from the houses and home range surfaces did not differ between wild and raised partridges

Home-range e utilizzo del territorio in pernici rosse (Alectoris rufa L.) nate in allevamento e allo stato selvatico

In Italy several small populations of red-legged partridges has been reconstituted in areas where the species was extinguished. In these areas release of different animals must be programmed, since the dimension of the reconstituted populations does not catch up the minimal dimension required to guard the species from a new extinction. We have thoght therefore indispensable to carry out a research in order to estimate the integration ability of the released raised partridges with the wild population, the survival rates, the use of the habitat and the home-ranges of both populations. In a protected areaf Central Italy 350 raised partridges were released during August month. In January 6 raised partridges and 21 wild partridges has been captured by traps. 6 subjects for each thesis (raised or wild) have been therefore equipped with radio necklaces and localised biweekly until July. No difference in mortality rates was observed between wild or raised partridges that had survived to the winter. Raised partridges, that survive after release in the wild, were able to integrate themselves in mixed brigades with the wild partridges. Vineyards with interlined grass were the habitat most frequented. The distance from the subsidiary artificial feeding points significantly increased during broods showing the necessity to increase the number and dispersion of the supplementary feeders in spring, to help the animals from an alimentary point of view. The distance from the houses and home range surfaces did not differ between wild and raised partridges

Home-range and land-use in reared and wild red-legged partridges

A research was carried out to estimate the integration ability of the released raised partridges with the wild population, the survival rate, the use of the habitat and the home ranges of both populations. No difference in mortality rates was observed between wild or raised partridges that had survived to the winter. The distance from the houses and home ranges surfaces did not differ between wild and raised

Targeting ß2 adrenergic receptors regulate human T cell function directly and indirectly

It is well-established that central nervous system activation affects peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) function through the release of the catecholamines (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE), which act on ß2-adrenergic receptors (ß2AR). However, most studies have used non-specific stimulation of cells rather than antigen-specific responses. Likewise, few studies have parsed out the direct effects of ß2AR stimulation on T cells versus indirect effects via adrenergic stimulation of antigen presenting cells (APC). Here we report the effect of salmeterol (Sal), a selective ß2AR agonist, on IFN-γ+ CD4 and IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells following stimulation with Cytomegalovirus lysate (CMVL-strain AD169) or individual peptides spanning the entire region of the HCMV pp65 protein (pp65). Cells were also stimulated with Staphylococcal enterotoxin B. Additionally, we investigated the effect of Epi and Sal on cytotoxic cell killing of transfected target cells at the single cell level using the CD107a assay. The results show that Sal reduced the percentage of IFN-γ+ CD4 and IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells both when applied directly to isolated T cells, and indirectly via treatment of APC. These inhibitory effects were mediated via a ß2 adrenergic-dependent pathway and were stronger for CD8 as compared to CD4 T cells. Similarly, the results show that Sal suppressed cytotoxicity of both CD8 T and NK cells in vitro following stimulation with Chinese hamster ovary cell line transfected with MICA*009 (T-CHO) and the human erythromyeloblastoid leukemic (K562) cell line. The inhibitory effect on cytotoxicity following stimulation with T-CHO was stronger in NK cells compared with CD8 T cells. Thus, targeting the ß2AR on lymphocytes and on APC leads to inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production and target cell killing. Moreover, there is a hierarchy of responses, with CD8 T cells and NK cells inhibited more effectively than CD4 T cells

Влияние генетических особенностей человека на течение и терапию инфекционных заболеваний на примере вирусного гепатита С: аннотация к дипломной работе; Биологический факультет, Кафедра генетики; научный руководитель Панкратов В.С.

It is well-established that central nervous system activation affects peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) function through the release of the catecholamines (Epi) and norepinephrine (NE), which act on ß2-adrenergic receptors (ß2AR). However, most studies have used non-specific stimulation of cells rather than antigen-specific responses. Likewise, few studies have parsed out the direct effects of ß2AR stimulation on T cells versus indirect effects via adrenergic stimulation of antigen presenting cells (APC). Here we report the effect of salmeterol (Sal), a selective ß2AR agonist, on IFN-γ+ CD4 and IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells following stimulation with Cytomegalovirus lysate (CMVL-strain AD169) or individual peptides spanning the entire region of the HCMV pp65 protein (pp65). Cells were also stimulated with Staphylococcal enterotoxin B. Additionally, we investigated the effect of Epi and Sal on cytotoxic cell killing of transfected target cells at the single cell level using the CD107a assay. The results show that Sal reduced the percentage of IFN-γ+ CD4 and IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells both when applied directly to isolated T cells, and indirectly via treatment of APC. These inhibitory effects were mediated via a ß2 adrenergic-dependent pathway and were stronger for CD8 as compared to CD4 T cells. Similarly, the results show that Sal suppressed cytotoxicity of both CD8 T and NK cells in vitro following stimulation with Chinese hamster ovary cell line transfected with MICA*009 (T-CHO) and the human erythromyeloblastoid leukemic (K562) cell line. The inhibitory effect on cytotoxicity following stimulation with T-CHO was stronger in NK cells compared with CD8 T cells. Thus, targeting the ß2AR on lymphocytes and on APC leads to inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production and target cell killing. Moreover, there is a hierarchy of responses, with CD8 T cells and NK cells inhibited more effectively than CD4 T cells