Mice that received an anti-interleukin-10 (anti-IL-10) neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MAb) (SXC-1) prior to infection with Listeria monocytogenes initially demonstrated resistance to the infection, as indicated by reduced recovery of L. monocytogenes from their spleens and livers during the first 5 days after challenge. Anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice then demonstrated reduced resistance during the later stage of infection, as indicated by persistent infection with L. monocytogenes in their livers 11 days after challenge. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (a measure of liver damage) in the sera of control mice increased between 1 and 5 days after challenge, while anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice maintained lower AST levels. At 7 days after challenge, AST levels in the sera of control mice decreased as the numbers of organisms declined. In contrast, AST levels increased as the infections persisted in anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice. The AST levels in serum reflected liver histopathology as anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice exhibited fewer granulomatous lesions and less necrosis of liver tissue than the control mice during the first 5 days after challenge. Anti-IL-10 MAb treatment altered the expression of inflammatory cytokine mRNAs during L. monocytogenes infection. Control MAb-treated mice exhibited increased expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA in their lives during L. monocytogenes infection, but this increase did not occur in anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice. Gamma interferon mRNA expression in the livers of the control MAb-treated mice was increased between 1 and 5 days after L. monocytogenes challenge and then decreased at 7 days after challenge. In contrast, gamma interferon mRNA expression in the livers of anti-IL-10 MAb-treated mice was not decreased until 7 days after challenge. These results indicate that endogenous IL-10 has both beneficial and detrimental effects on the host response to L. monocytogenes infection in mice.
A bioassay was developed to measure the minimum concentration of an antimicrobial drug that disrupts the colonization resistance mediated by model human intestinal microbiota against Salmonella invasion of Caco-2 intestinal cells. The bioassay was used to measure the minimum disruptive concentrations (MDCs) of drugs used in animal agriculture. The MDCs varied from 0.125 microg/ml for some broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs (e.g., streptomycin) to 16 microg/ml for drugs with limited spectra of antimicrobial activity (e.g., lincomycin). The acceptable daily intake (ADI) residue concentration calculated on the basis of the MDCs were higher for erythromycin, lincomycin, and tylosin than the ADI residue concentrations calculated on the basis of the MICs. The MDC-based ADI values for apramycin, bacitracin, neomycin, novobiocin, penicillin G, streptomycin, tetracycline, and vancomycin were lower than the reported MIC-based ADI values. The effects of antimicrobial drugs at their MDCs on the bacterial composition of the microbiota were observed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rRNA sequences amplified by PCR. Changes in the population composition of the model colonization resistance microbiota occurred simultaneously with reduced colonization resistance. The results of this study suggest that direct assessment of the effects of antimicrobial drugs on colonization resistance in an in vitro model can be useful in determining ADI values.
Vaginal epithelial cells have receptors, signal transduction mechanisms, and cytokine secretion capabilities to recruit host defenses against Candida albicans infections. This research evaluates how probiotic lactobacilli affect the defensive epithelial response. This study used quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry, and a multiplex immunoassay to observe changes in the regulation of gene expression related to cytokine responses in the VK2 (E6/E7) vaginal epithelial cell line treated with 17β-estradiol, exposed to probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® and challenged with C. albicans. Data were statistically evaluated by repeated measures analysis of variance and paired t-tests where appropriate. C. albicans induced mRNA expression of genes related to inflammatory cytokine responses associated with nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways. 17β-estradiol suppressed expression of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) mRNA. Probiotic lactobacilli suppressed C. albicans-induced nuclear factor-kappa B inhibitor kinase kinase alpha (Iκκα), Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2), TLR6, IL-8, and TNFα, also suggesting inhibition of NF-κB signaling. The lactobacilli induced expression of IL-1α, and IL-1β mRNA, which was not inhibited by curcumin, suggesting that they induce an alternate inflammatory signal transduction pathway to NF-κB, such as the mitogen activated protein kinase and activator protein-1 (MAPK/AP-1) signal transduction pathway. Curcumin inhibited IL-13 secretion, suggesting that expression of this cytokine is mainly regulated by NF-κB signaling in VK2 cells. The results suggest that C. albicans infection induces pro-inflammatory responses in vaginal epithelial cells, and estrogen and lactobacilli suppress expression of NF-κB-related inflammatory genes. Probiotic lactobacilli may induce IL-1α and IL-1β expression by an alternate signal transduction pathway, such as MAPK/AP-1. Activation of alternate signaling mechanisms by lactobacilli to modify epithelial cell cytokine production may be a mechanism for probiotic modulation of morbidity in vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Daily application of 32 mg/kg sodium thiocynate from 1--11th respectively 12th--21st experimental day causes in epinephrectomised guinea pigs at the 26th experimental day an inhibition of cell-mediated immune response (sensitization was induced by intraperitoneal injection of horse serum at the 5th and 7th experimental day). The inhibition of cell-mediated immune response could be demonstrated by means of migration inhibition of spleen cells. Epinephrectomy was performed by operation procedures twice a week. Gluco- and mineralocorticoids were applied supplementary. -- Also other proved thiocyanates respectively compounds with thiocyanate groups such as potassium thiocyanate, ammonium thiocyanate and d,1-2-imino-3.4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-thiacolidinhydrothiocyanate showed the same effect. The results are only pointed out in intact animals, but distinct in epinephrectomised guinea pigs. Finally a significant weaker effect, but of the same kind was observed by potassium- and sodium iodate. Every used dose of prednisolone and cyclophosphamide suppress the migration inhibition. The influence of 2-iminothiacolidin-4-carbon acid and desoxycorticosteronacetat on the migration inhibition is different and depends on the antigen dose applied for sensitization. -- Simulated daily injections undertaken in form of stitches and application of aqua destillata are inefficacious.
This report examines the relationship between exhaust emissions and fuel economy of automobiles. Examined are vehicle characteristics such as driveability, performance, costs, octane requirements, and production lead time. Also included is past EPA reports on fuel economy and exhaust emissions, a literature search identifying other pertinent reports and finally the 1981 automobile fleet was examined and its fuel economy and exhaust emissions performance was assessed.
ABSTRACT The use of a crystal modifier to control paraffin deposition in hydraulically pumped wells in Hartzog Draw has proven successful. There are currently thirty wells, 11,000 BOPD, being treated chemically for paraffin. Before the chemical program was initiated, the wells were being treated by hot oiling. The frequency of hot oiling the wells averaged as high as three times per month. This cost, along with paraffin cleanouts with workover equipment and frequent pump repairs, caused high operating costs. Therefore, a chemical treatment program was implemented. Data were gathered for each well before and after chemical treating. The total cost for hot oiling versus chemically treating the wells showed a savings of 20% per month. The cost of chemical has been reduced which in turn has lowered the treating costs from $.l6/bbl. initially to $.10/bbl. currently. Some of the wells have shown production increases one to two months after chemical treating was initiated. This is due to keeping the entire system cleaner and reducing the plugging of the formation with paraffin, a result of hot oiling. This paper will document the data collected and further impress the fact that chemical treatment of paraffin is far superior to hot oiling.
The imagination is the great discovery of modern self-consciousness. We have come to suppose that supreme moments of vision—whether these be the “shewings” of Dame Julian of Norwich or the “résurrections de la mémoire” of Marcel Proust—are the fruit merely of a human power to transform the ordinary appearances of daily life into transparent images on which the mind can rest. It could follow that all spiritual clarifications of reality, like great works of art, reveal no more than successful conjunctions of matter and consciousness.
