| 1. |
- Karlsson, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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5-Hydroxytryptamine contracts human uterine artery smooth muscle predominantly via 5-HT2 receptors
- 1997
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In: Human Reproduction. - 0268-1161. ; 12:2, s. 361-367
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Serotonergic receptors were classified in the isolated human uterine artery with intact endothelium, using agonists and antagonists for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors. The efficacy for different agonists rated: alpha-methyl-5-HT (5-HT2) = 5-HT (non-selective) = 2-methyl-5-HT (5-HT3) >> sumatriptan (5-HT1), and the potency as: sumatriptan = 5-HT > 5-HT > alpha-methyl-5-HT > 2-methyl-5-HT. The contractile effects of 5-HT and alpha-methyl-5-HT were antagonized by the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin and the non-selective antagonist methiothepin. The efficacy of sumatriptan was comparatively low. No interaction was encountered between 2-methyl-5-HT and MDL72222, suggesting an absence of 5-HT3 receptors. The results indicate that the contractile serotonergic receptor population in the human uterine artery mainly comprises 5-HT2 receptors, although a minor contribution of contractile 5-HT1 receptors cannot be excluded.
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| 2. |
- Karlsson, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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Characterization of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors mediating circular smooth muscle contraction in the human umbilical artery
- 1999
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In: Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-002X .- 0378-7346. ; 47:2, s. 102-107
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study was performed to characterize pharmacologically the contractile 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors in the circular smooth muscle of the isolated human umbilical artery. Effects of agonists and antagonists for different 5-HT receptor subtypes were studied in intact endothelium vessel segments. All agonists induced concentration-dependent circular smooth muscle contractions. The potency was in declining order 5-HT > alpha-methyl-5-HT > sumatriptan >/= 2-methyl-5-HT. The effects of 5-HT and alpha-methyl-5-HT were antagonized by ketanserin, as well as methiothepin. The contractile effect of sumatriptan was antagonized by methiothepin but not by ketanserin. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, MDL 72222, did not affect the contraction by any of the agonists, including 2-methyl-5-HT. It is concluded that the 5-HT-induced contraction in the circular smooth muscle of the human umbilical artery seems to be mediated by a mixed population of 5-HT1-like receptors and 5-HT2 receptors.
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| 3. |
- Herías, M V, et al.
(author)
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Role of Escherichia coli P fimbriae in intestinal colonization in gnotobiotic rats.
- 1995
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In: Infection and immunity. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 63:12, s. 4781-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Adherence via P fimbriae is associated with long-term persistence of Escherichia coli in the human large intestine, but a causal relationship has not been proven. In the present study, germfree rats were colonized with a mixture of two isogenic E. coli strains, one P fimbriated and the other type 1 fimbriated. Both types of fimbriae conferred adherence to rat colonic epithelial cells. With two mutant strains from a pyelonephritogenic isolate of serotype O75:K5:H-, the P-fimbriated strain 824 attained much higher numbers than its type 1-fimbriated counterpart when colonized in vivo for 2 weeks (10(10) versus 10(6) bacteria per g, respectively; P < 0.0001). The expression of P fimbriae by 824 was also retained during colonization. With transformant isogenic strains obtained from a normal fecal isolate incapable of phase variation, no benefit of P fimbriae was seen and most bacteria lost their plasmids during in vivo colonization. When the pyelonephritogenic mutant and fecal transformant strains were combined, the former colonized at high levels while the latter were suppressed. In contrast, no suppression was seen when the transformant E. coli strains colonized in combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus or Peptostreptococcus sp. The results indicate that P fimbriae, but also other bacterial traits linked to uropathogeneicity, could play an important role for persistence in the gut normal microbiota. Neither P nor type 1 fimbriae seemed to contribute to the ability to translocate to the mesenteric lymph nodes.
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| 4. |
- Oohashi, T, et al.
(author)
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Mouse ten-m/Odz is a new family of dimeric type II transmembrane proteins expressed in many tissues
- 1999
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In: Journal of Cell Biology. - 0021-9525. ; 145:3, s. 563-577
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Drosophila gene ten-m/odz is the only pair rule gene identified to date which is not a transcription factor. In an attempt to analyze the structure and the function of ten-m/odz in mouse, we isolated four murine ten-m cDNAs which code for proteins of 2,700-2, 800 amino acids. All four proteins (Ten-m1-4) lack signal peptides at the NH2 terminus, but contain a short hydrophobic domain characteristic of transmembrane proteins, 300-400 amino acids after the NH2 terminus. About 200 amino acids COOH-terminal to this hydrophobic region are eight consecutive EGF-like domains. Cell transfection, biochemical, and electronmicroscopic studies suggest that Ten-m1 is a dimeric type II transmembrane protein. Expression of fusion proteins composed of the NH2-terminal and hydrophobic domain of ten-m1 attached to the alkaline phosphatase reporter gene resulted in membrane-associated staining of the alkaline phosphatase. Electronmicroscopic and electrophoretic analysis of a secreted form of the extracellular domain of Ten-m1 showed that Ten-m1 is a disulfide-linked dimer and that the dimerization is mediated by EGF-like modules 2 and 5 which contain an odd number of cysteines. Northern blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed widespread expression of mouse ten-m genes, with most prominent expression in brain. All four ten-m genes can be expressed in variously spliced mRNA isoforms. The extracellular domain of Ten-m1 fused to an alkaline phosphatase reporter bound to specific regions in many tissues which were partially overlapping with the Ten-m1 immunostaining. Far Western assays and electronmicroscopy demonstrated that Ten-m1 can bind to itself.
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| 5. |
- Mattsby-Baltzer, Inger, 1949, et al.
(author)
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IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha, fetal fibronectin, and endotoxin in the lower genital tract of pregnant women with bacterial vaginosis.
- 1998
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In: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349. ; 77:7, s. 701-6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In our studies on women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) in early pregnancy a strong association has been found between BV and the levels of endotoxin or interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) in the lower genital tract. In the present study we investigated if an association could be found between BV and other cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, TNF) or fetal fibronectin (FFN). The cytokine-inducing capacity of endotoxins present in the cervical mucus was explored in a monocytic cell assay.Cervical mucus or cervicovaginal fluid was collected from women with (BV) and without BV (nonBV) attending a family planning unit for first trimester abortion. The concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF and FFN were determined by quantitative enzyme immunoassays. TNF was determined in 63 women (BV, n=25) out of whom 37 (BV, n=11) were analyzed for IL-1beta and the remaining 26 for IL-6 (BV, n=14). FFN was determined in another 36 women (BV, n= 19). The cytokine-inducing capacity of endotoxin-containing cervical mucus and purified endotoxin of Prevotella bivia were studied by an in vitro cell assay using a human monocytic cell line (THP-1).IL-lbeta and IL-6 were found in almost all women. The levels of IL-1beta, but not IL-6, TNF or FFN, were significantly increased in women with BV compared with the nonBV women (p<0.05). Purified endotoxin from P. bivia, and cervical mucus from BV women containing high levels of endotoxin were able to induce a cytokine response (IL-6) in monocytic cells in vitro.BV is associated with increased levels of IL-1beta in the lower genital tract of pregnant women in the first trimester. The ability of BV-associated endotoxins to induce cytokine production in monocytic cells may partly explain the increased IL-1beta levels.
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| 6. |
- Karlsson, C, et al.
(author)
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Endothelium-derived prostanoids reduce 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced contraction in the human uterine artery
- 1998
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In: Human Reproduction. - 0268-1161. ; 13:7, s. 1947-1951
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The contribution of endothelium-linked mechanisms to the contraction induced by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) was investigated in the isolated human uterine artery. 5-HT contracted the uterine artery concentration-dependently. Removal of the endothelium or treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin potentiated the contractile response to 5-HT. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-N(G)-monomethyl-arginine (L-NMMA) did not influence the contraction induced by 5-HT. Indomethacin did not affect the response to 5-HT in endothelium-denuded vessels. The 5-HT1 receptor agonist 5-carboxyamidotryptamine (5-CT) did not relax precontracted arteries. Removal of the endothelium did not change the response to 5-HT in the presence of the 5-HT(1B/D) receptor antagonist GR127935 and the 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptor antagonist -pindolol. The 5-HT1B receptor antagonist SB224289 did not affect the contraction induced by 5-HT. The results indicate that the 5-HT-induced contraction in the human uterine artery is accompanied by the release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF). This EDRF seems to be a prostanoid, probably prostacyclin (PGI2). The endothelium-linked mechanism seems to be mediated via a 5-HT1 receptor, but it is not possible to further classify the receptor subtype by the information obtained in this study.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Hogevik, Harriet, et al.
(author)
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Virulence factors of Staphylococcus aureus strains causing infective endocarditis--a comparison with strains from skin infections.
- 1998
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In: APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0903-4641 .- 0903-465X .- 1600-5503 .- 1600-0463. ; 106:9, s. 901-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective was to study potential bacterial virulence factors in S. aureus endocarditis. S. aureus strains isolated from patients with well-classified episodes of infective endocarditis (IE) (n=26) were compared with control S. aureus strains from consecutive patients with skin infections (n=30). The potential virulence factors studied were Staphylococcal enterotoxin A-D (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) production and binding capacity to the extracellular matrix proteins: fibronectin, collagen type I, collagen type II and bone sialoprotein (BSP). None of the potential virulence factors studied was more prevalent among the IE strains. BSP binding was more often found in the control group with skin infections. Endocarditis patients with previous damage of the heart valves were more often infected by strains not producing any enterotoxin. No correlation was found between the potential bacterial virulence factors studied and IE. Concerning the toxins known to act as superantigens (SEA-E and TSST-1), the tendencies in this and other studies indicate that a larger study group might identify them as pathogenic factors in a subgroup of staphylococcal endocarditis.
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| 9. |
- Olaison, Lars, 1949, et al.
(author)
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Incidence of beta-lactam-induced delayed hypersensitivity and neutropenia during treatment of infective endocarditis.
- 1999
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In: Archives of internal medicine. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0003-9926. ; 159:6, s. 607-15
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Long-term parenteral beta-lactam treatment is often complicated by adverse reactions that necessitate drug withdrawal.To evaluate the incidence and mechanism of beta-lactam adverse reactions during an 8-year period in all episodes of suspected infective endocarditis in patients treated at a university-affiliated institution.Patients with 215 consecutive episodes of beta-lactam treatment for 10 days or more were prospectively enrolled during 2 periods, January 1984 through December 1988 and January 1993 through December 1995, and compared with 51 episodes of vancomycin hydrochloride treatment for 10 days or more. Incidents of adverse reactions, such as fever, rash, or neutropenia, were registered. Neutrophil counts, eosinophil counts, and penicillin antibodies were studied. Patients with delayed adverse reactions to penicillin G sodium were rechallenged with penicillin v potassium.Incidence of delayed adverse reactions during treatment was 33% with beta-lactams compared with 4% with vancomycin. Rates of adverse event for beta-lactams increased continuously from treatment day 15 to day 30. A 6-fold difference in capacity to induce adverse events was found with different beta-lactams. Penicillin G induced neutropenia in 14% and any adverse event in 51% of treated episodes. Mean daily doses significantly influenced the frequency of adverse events. Occurrence of hemagglutinating penicillin antibodies was significantly related to patients whose penicillin-treated episodes were complicated with adverse events. Patients with delayed adverse reactions to penicillin G were safely rechallenged with penicillin.Incidence of delayed adverse reactions to beta-lactams increases sharply when parenteral treatment is extended beyond 2 weeks. Penicillin G is the most frequent inducer of adverse reactions among beta-lactams studied. An immunological reaction mediated by antibodies to the penicilloyl determinant may be involved in the pathogenesis, possibly enhanced by a dose-related toxic trigger mechanism. Beta-Lactam-induced neutropenia followed a uniform pattern, occurring after, on average, 21 days of treatment, and might be due to both immunologic and toxic effects of treatment. Patients with a late adverse reaction to penicillin can safely be re-treated with penicillin, although they should remain under close surveillance if treatment extends beyond 2 weeks.
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| 10. |
- Adlerberth, Ingegerd, 1959, et al.
(author)
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Adhesins of Escherichia coli associated with extra-intestinal pathogenicity confer binding to colonic epithelial cells.
- 1995
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In: Microbial pathogenesis. - 0882-4010. ; 18:6, s. 373-85
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Escherichia coli adhesins are virulence factors in intestinal and extra-intestinal infections, but their role in normal intestinal colonization has not been defined. We investigated the intestinal adherence of E. coli with Dr hemagglutinin, S fimbriae, CFA/I or CFA/II, using freshly isolated ileal or colonic enterocytes and cells from the human colonic cell line HT-29. E. coli with S-fimbrial adhesins (Sfa I or Sfa II), P or type 1 fimbriae, adhered in a non-polarized manner, and in similar numbers to colonic and ileal enterocytes. S fimbriae of the variety Sfa II (originating from a meningitis isolate), mediated a stronger binding than Sfa I (of uropathogenic origin). Strains expressing Dr hemagglutinin adhered preferentially to the brush borders, slightly better to colonic than ileal enterocytes. Strains expressing CFA/I or II adhered to colonic and ileal enterocytes, although brush border adherence was predominantly observed with ileal cells. Binding to HT-29 cells paralleled binding to colonic enterocytes for all adhesin specificities except CFA/I. The results suggest that Dr hemagglutinin, P-, type 1- and S-fimbrial adhesins mediate binding to both colonic and ileal enterocytes. These specificities may contribute to the establishment of E. coli in the intestinal microflora, which precedes their spread to extra-intestinal sites.
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