Bacterial plasminogen activators are commonplace among microbial pathogens, implying a central role of host plasmin in supporting bacterial virulence. Group A streptococci (GAS) secrete streptokinase, a specific activator of human plasminogen (PLG). The critical contribution of the streptokinase-PLG interaction to GAS pathogenicity was recently demonstrated using mice expressing human PLG. To e...

Correspondence/Findings A common clinical definition of a chronic tympanic membrane perforation (TMP) is a perforation, which is still open after 3 months. Why the healing of a chronic TMP is arrested is still an enigma. Attempts to generate an animal model for studying the healing pattern of a chronic TMP have until recently been disappointing. However, several studies by the Umeå group, Ny T,...

one small-scale double emulsion technique for incorporation of naja- naja oxiana venom into poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (plga) microspheres were developed and optimized. the effects of high speed homogenization on the double emulsion stability, microsphere size, entrapment efficiency and in vitro release of venom were studied. a stable double emulsion was verified by homogenization method. slow...

Many currently used and candidate vaccine adjuvants are particulate in nature, but their mechanism of action is not well understood. Here, we show that particulate adjuvants, including biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) and polystyrene microparticles, dramatically enhance secretion of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) by dendritic cells (DCs). The ability of particulates to promote IL-1b...

Neuronal damage in the CNS after excitotoxic injury is correlated with blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown. We have used a glutamate analog injection model and genetically altered mice to investigate the relationship between these two processes in the hippocampus. Our results show that BBB dysfunction occurs too late to initiate neurodegeneration. In addition, plasma infused directly into the h...

The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the loading system effects [traditional chute (TC) vs. prototype loading gantry (PLG)] on i) welfare measures at loading and ii) performance measures and transport losses at the harvest facility for the market-weight pig (Sus scrofa). This study compared first pull (FP), which was the first group of pigs, and close out (CO), which was the last gr...

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) plays a central role in liver repair. Nevertheless, the hepatic overexpression of uPA results in panlobular injury and neonatal mortality. Here, we define the molecular mechanisms of liver injury and explore whether uPA can regulate liver repair independently of plasminogen. To address the hypothesis that the liver injury in transgenic mice results...

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM When the body defense is compromised, wounds can act as a route for entrance and colonization of microorganisms in the body. Photodynamic therapy with methylene blue is known as a promising antimicrobial modality. PURPOSE The present study aimed to investigate the effects of this procedure on wound healing processes. MATERIALS AND METHOD In this experimental study, ...

ABSTRACT: The objectives of these studies were to evaluate the loading system effects [traditional chute (TC) vs. prototype loading gantry (PLG)] on i) welfare measures at loading and ii) performance measures and transport losses at the harvest facility for the marketweight pig (Sus scrofa). This study compared fi rst pull (FP), which was the fi rst group of pigs, and close out (CO), which was ...

BACKGROUND The role of the plasminogen-plasmin (PLG-PLA) system in fertilization is unknown, although its dysfunction has been associated with subfertility in humans. We have recently detected and quantified plasminogen in the oviductal fluid of two mammals and showed a reduction in sperm penetration during IVF when plasminogen is present. The objective of this study was to describe the mechani...