bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential Effects of Reconstituted High-density Lipoprotein on Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Platelet Activation during Human Endotoxemia
Authors: Pajkrt Dasja , Lerch Peter G , van der Poll Tom , Levi Marcel , Illi Marlies , Doran Jan E , Arnet Beat , van den Ende Abraham , ten Cate Jan Wouter , van Deventer Sander J H 
Published: July 2018

SummaryHigh-density lipoproteins (HDL) can bind and neutralize lipopoly- saccharides (LPS) in vitro and in vivo. HDL can also affect fibrinolytic activity and can directly influence platelet function by reducing platelet aggregation. In this study, the effects of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) on LPS-induced coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet activation in humans were investigated. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, eight healthy male volunteers were injected with LPS (4 ng/kg) on two occasions, once in conjunction with rHDL (40 mg/kg, given as a 4 h infusion starting 3.5 h prior to LPS injection), and once in conjunction with placebo. rHDL significantly reduced LPS-induced activation of coagulation (plasma levels of prothrombin fragment F1+2) and fibrinolysis (plasma levels of tissue type plasminogen activator antigen, t-PA). No effect was observed on LPS-induced inhibition of the fibrinolytic pathway (PAI-1) or on the transient thrombocytopenia elicited by LPS. Furthermore, rHDL treatment significantly enhanced the inhibition of collagen-stimulated inhibition of platelet aggregation during endotoxemia, but had no such effect on arachido- nate-stimulated platelet aggregation. rHDL treatment per se also reduced collagen-induced platelet aggregation. These results indicate that rHDL modifies the procoagulant state associated with endotoxemia.
The Effect of Factor Xa/Phospholipid Infusion on the Acute Phase Response in Baboons
Authors: Kruithof Egbert K O , Agay Diane , Mestries Jean Claude , Gascon Marie-Paule , Ythier Arnaud 
Published: July 2018

SummaryDisseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a frequent complication of septicemia or tissue injury and may be accompanied by elevations of interleukin-6, a mediator of the acute phase response. It is not known whether thrombin or fibrin deposition may directly induce an acute phase response. To study this, we employed a baboon model of in vivo thrombin generation, induced by the administration of purified bovine Factor Xa and phospholipid vesicles. Two Xa/phospholipid dosages were used, a low dosage (2 animals) leading to a rapid 49% decrease in fibrinogen and a high dosage (two injections at 5h interval; 3 animals) leading to complete fibrinogen depletion. Thereafter, fibrinogen levels increased in both treatment groups, reached a maximum of 2.52 ± 0.23 g/1 (mean ± SE, n = 5; p <0.01 with respect to basal levels) at day 2, and returned to normal by day seven. In five control (injection of 0.15% NaCl) baboons no significant changes of fibrinogen were observed (maximal values: 1.88 ± 0.12 g/1). Serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, an acute phase protein, increased from 3.7 ± 0.4 mg/1 to a maximum of 33.0 ± 7.3 at day one, which was five-fold higher (p <0.01) than in control animals at day one (6.2 ± 0.5 mg/1). Transient increases were observed within 6 h for interleukin-6 from basal values of 6.2 ± 1.7 ng/1 to peak plasma levels of 42.9 ±21.4 ng/1, a value threefold higher (p = 0.07) than in control animals (14.8 ± 4.0 ng/1).The preliminary results of this observational study suggest that factor Xa/phospholipid infusion is followed by an acute phase response, leading after one day to significant increases of fibrinogen and of C-reactive protein.
Evaluation of Sensitivity and Specificity of a Standardized Procedure Using Different Reagents for the Detection of Lupus Anticoagulants
Authors: Goudemand J , Caron C , De Prost D , Derlon A , Borg J Y , Sampol J , Sié P ,   for the Working Group on Hemostasis of the Société Française de Biologie Clinique and for the Groupe d’Etudes sur I’Hémostase et la Thrombose
Published: July 2018

SummaryThis study was designed to test the sensitivity and specificity of a combination of 3 phospholipid-dependent assays performed with various reagents, for the detection of lupus anticoagulant (LA). Plasmas containing an LA (n = 56) or displaying various confounding pathologies [58 intrinsic pathway factor deficiencies, 9 factor VIII inhibitors, 28 plasmas from patients treated with an oral anticoagulant (OAC)] were selected. In a first step, the efficiency of each assay and reagent was assessed using the Receiving Operating Characteristic (ROC) method. Optimal cut-offs providing both sensitivity and specificity ≥80% were determined. The APTT assay and most of the phospholipid neutralization assays failed to discriminate factor VIII inhibitors from LA. In a second step, using the optimal cut-offs determined above, the results of all the possible combinations of the 3 assays performed with 4 different reagents were analyzed. Thirteen combinations of reagents allowed ≥ 80% of plasmas of each category (LA, factor deficiency or OAC) to be correctly classified (3/3 positive test results in LA-containing plasmas and 0/3 positive results in LA-negative samples).
PAI-1 Concentrations in First-degree Relatives of Patients with Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes: Metabolic and Genetic Associations
Authors: Mansfield Michael W , Stickland Max H , Grant Peter J 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAim: To identify whether levels of PAI-1 are elevated in relatives of NIDDM patients and the extent to which they relate to features of insulin resistance and to genotype at a common PAI-1 promoter polymorphism.Results: In 132 first-degree relatives of NIDDM patients and 151 controls PAI-1 activity was higher in relatives 14.4 U/ml than controls U/ml (p <0.0005) with higher body mass index 27.3 v. 24.7 kg/m2 p <0.0005, fasting insulin 9.3 v. 7.6 mU/l p <0.005 and triglyceride v. 1.2 mmol/1 p <0.05. PAI-1 activity levels were higher in men and in smokers and showed a trend to being higher with increasing number of 4G alleles at the PAI-1 promoter polymorphism. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking, BMI and triglyceride levels, PAI-1 levels remained 26% higher in the NIDDM relatives (p = 0.01).Conclusion: In relatives of NIDDM patients PAI-1 levels are elevated, presenting an additional mechanism for their increased cardiovascular risk.
Plasminogen-dependent and -independent Proteolytic Activity of Murine Endothelioma Cells with Targeted Inactivation of Fibrinolytic Genes
Authors: Lijnen H R , Wagner E F , Collen D 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPlasminogen-dependent and -independent proteolytic activity of murine endothelioma (End) cells that were derived from mice with targeted inactivation of the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA -/-), urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA-/-) or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1 -/- genes was studied with the use of fibrin and extracellular matrix degradation assays. In a buffer milieu, the activation rate of plasminogen (final concentration 0.25 µM) with wild-type and t-PA-/- End cells (3 X 104 to 4 X 106 cells/ml) was comparable, but it was about 4-fold reduced with u-PA -/- End cells and 3-fold enhanced with PAI-1End cells. Plasminogen activation was markedly reduced by addition of amiloride or of anti-murine u-PA antibodies but not by addition of anti-murine t-PA antibodies, and it was not stimulated by addition of fibrin. Lysis of125I-fibrin labeled matrix in the presence of plasminogen was comparable with wild-type, t-PA-/- and PAI-1-/- End cells (50% lysis in 3 h with 0.7 to 1.5 X 106 cells/ml), but was significantly reduced with u-PA-/- End cells (50% lysis in 20 h with 0.87 X 106 cells/ml). Lysis of3H-proline labeled extracellular matrix in the presence of plasminogen with wild-type, t-PA-/- and PAI-1-/- End cells (20% lysis in 48 h with 3 to 5 X 106 cells/ml) was comparable, but it was virtually abolished with u-PA-/- End cells. In the absence of plasminogen, lysis of both the fibrin and the extracellular matrix by all four cell types was drastically reduced and was virtually abolished by addition of phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride or 1,10 phenanthroline.These data indicate that the proteolytic activity of the transformed murine endothelioma cells, measured in plasminogen activation or matrix degradation assays, is essentially u-PA-related and largely plasminogen-dependent.
Antithrombin III-Independent Effect of Depolymerized Holothurian Glycosaminoglycan (DHG) on Acute Thromboembolism in Mice
Authors: Nagase Hideki , Kitazato Keiko T , Sasaki Eiji , Hattori Masahiko , Kitazato Kenji , Saito Hidehiko 
Published: July 2018

SummaryA previous study in this laboratory showed that depolymerized holothurian glycosaminoglycan (DHG) has two different antithrombin III (ATIII)-independent inhibitory effects on the in vitro blood coagulation system: heparin cofactor II (HCII)-dependent inhibition of thrombin, and ATIII- and HCII-independent inhibition of factor X activation by factor IXa-factor Villa complex (Nagase et al. Blood 85, 1527-1534, 1995). In the present study, we compared the antithrombotic effects of DHG in normal and in ATIII-deficient mice with those of unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). DHG, unlike UFH and LMWH, exerted an in vivo antithrombotic effect even in mice with decreased plasma ATIII activity (about 30% of normal). We then compared the anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects of DHG in mice with those of high molecular weight (HMW)-DHG, low molecular weight (LMW)-DHG, and dermatan sulfate (DS). In terms of in vitro anticoagulant activity assessed by use of purified human components, DHGs (DHG, HMW-DHG, and LMW-DHG) had different anti-thrombin activity in the presence of HCII and anti-factor Xase activities, which differences were dependent on the molecular weight. With respect to in vivo antithrombotic activity, DHG, HMW-DHG, and LMW-DHG showed almost the same inhibitory effect on acute thromboembolism in mice (minimum effective dose [MED]: >0.3 mg/kg). Since the antithrombotic activities of DHGs were not correlated with the anticoagulant-specific activities, the contribution of the two anticoagulant activities to the in vivo antithrombotic effect of DHGs remains unknown. However, DHG was more effective against acute thromboembolism in mice than DS (MED >1 or >3 mg/kg), which showed no inhibitory activity toward factor Xase. Therefore, it seems that factor Xase inhibition contributes greatly to the antithrombotic effect of DHG and that DHG exerts this effect in mice mainly by inhibiting factor Xase.
Value of Preoperative MRI and Examination under Anesthesia for Differentiating Complete from Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears
Authors: Cavinatto Leonardo , Gupta Sunny , Morgan Craig , Bartolozzi Arthur R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPartial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) recently regained attention due to a better understanding of the two distinct bundles of the ligament and the possibility of single-bundle reconstruction procedures. An accurate diagnosis is important as it influences treatment options and patient prognosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of examination under anesthesia (EUA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for differentiating partial from complete ACL tears. For this purpose, this prospective case series included 95 consecutive patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction surgeries. MRI, EUA, and MRI combined with EUA were performed preoperatively, and results were compared with arthroscopy. Our data showed that ACL lesions were diagnosed as partial tears in 42.1% (n = 40) of EUA, 23.2% (n = 22) of MRI, and 11.6% (n = 11) of arthroscopies. EUA and MRI demonstrated sensitivity of 100 and 90.1%, and specificity of 65.5 and 85.6%, respectively. Combined EUA and MRI demonstrated sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 83.1%. Our study revealed that preoperatively MRI and EUA may help surgeons early identify partial ACL tears and influence treatment decisions.
Gradual progression from sensory to task-related processing in cerebral cortex
Authors: Brincat Scott L. , Siegel Markus , von Nicolai Constantin , Miller Earl K. 
Published: July 2018

Significance
The earliest stages of processing in cerebral cortex reflect a relatively faithful copy of sensory inputs, but intelligent behavior requires abstracting behaviorally relevant concepts and categories. We examined how this transformation progresses through multiple levels of the cortical hierarchy by comparing neural representations in six cortical areas in monkeys categorizing across three visual domains. We found that categorical abstraction occurred in a gradual fashion across the cortical hierarchy and reached an apex in prefrontal cortex. Categorical coding did not respect classical models of large-scale cortical organization. The dimensionality of neural population activity was reduced in parallel with these representational changes. Our results shed light on how raw sensory inputs are transformed into behaviorally relevant abstractions.
Separation of circadian- and behavior-driven metabolite rhythms in humans provides a window on peripheral oscillators and metabolism
Authors: Skene Debra J. , Skornyakov Elena , Chowdhury Namrata R. , Gajula Rajendra P. , Middleton Benita , Satterfield Brieann C. , Porter Kenneth I. , Van Dongen Hans P. A. , Gaddameedhi Shobhan 
Published: July 2018

Significance
Shift workers, whose schedules are misaligned relative to their suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) circadian pacemaker, are at elevated risk of metabolic disorders. In a study of simulated day- versus night-shift work followed by a constant routine, we separated plasma-circulating metabolites according to whether their 24-h rhythms aligned with the central SCN pacemaker or instead reflected externally imposed behavioral schedules. We found that rhythms in many metabolites implicated in food metabolism dissociated from the SCN pacemaker rhythm, with the vast majority aligning with the preceding sleep/wake and feeding/fasting cycles. Our metabolomics study yields insight into the link between prolonged exposure to shift work and the spectrum of associated metabolic disorders by providing a window into peripheral oscillators and the biobehavioral factors that orchestrate them.
Genome-wide fitness assessment during diurnal growth reveals an expanded role of the cyanobacterial circadian clock protein KaiA
Authors: Welkie David G. , Rubin Benjamin E. , Chang Yong-Gang , Diamond Spencer , Rifkin Scott A. , LiWang Andy , Golden Susan S. 
Published: July 2018

Significance
Understanding how photosynthetic bacteria respond to and anticipate natural light–dark cycles is necessary for predictive modeling, bioengineering, and elucidating metabolic strategies for diurnal growth. Here, we identify the genetic components that are important specifically under light–dark cycling conditions and determine how a properly functioning circadian clock prepares metabolism for darkness, a starvation period for photoautotrophs. This study establishes that the core circadian clock protein KaiA is necessary to enable rhythmic derepression of a nighttime circadian program.
Poisonous and venomous: marine alien species in the Mediterranean Sea and human health.
Authors: Galil B. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

The Suez Canal is the main pathway of introduction of alien species into the Mediterranean Sea. Its successive enlargements left the entire sea prone to colonization by highly impacting invasive alien species, including poisonous and venomous ones. The temporal and spatial extent of occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea of nine species (fish, sea-urchin, jellyfish and stinging hydroid), the evidence of their impacts on human health in their native range, the frequency and severity of human health impacts in their introduced range are described, as well as management measures. This chapter aims to acquaint and forewarn the public, stake-holders and decision makers, and to urge the latter to take the necessary steps to control the pathways and vectors of introduction and prepare themselves for these new health hazards.
Invasive alien plant impacts on human health and well-being.
Authors: Lazzaro L. , Essl F. , Lugliè A. , Padedda B. M. , Pyšek P. , Brundu G. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

In this chapter we review, based on information available in scientific literature and reports, the most common negative direct impacts of invasive alien plants and Cyanobacteria on human health and well-being. Poisonous or toxic plants, i.e. plants containing toxic compounds, may impact human health generally after the ingestion of part of the plant (see Nicotiana glauca) or of some product derived from toxic plants (see Senecio inaequidens poisoned products). Allergenic plants are among the most studied cases of impacts of alien plants, particularly concerning the role of allergenic pollen. Many invasive species are well-known allergenic species (e.g. Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Some species may cause contact dermatitis, due to chemical compounds capable of causing adverse cutaneous reactions (e.g. Heracleum mantegazzianum and Parthenium hysterophorus). A significant cause of impact is linked to plants armed with thorns, spines and prickles. Injuries caused by these plants, and their consequences, represent a common clinical issue, sometimes leading also to dermatitis, infection and chronic wounds. Finally we include a review of human impacts related to Cyanobacteria and toxic algal blooms, highlighting the impacts related to cyanotoxins, which seriously impede water uses and environment, causing hazards to human health and sanitary alarm, with acute and chronic effects.
Human health impact by alien spiders and scorpions.
Authors: Nentwig W. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Only a few alien spider species are of medical importance to humans because they are large and/or aggressive enough to inject venom and/or possess peculiar venom components. Spiders of serious medical concern include several Latrodectus (Theridiidae) and Loxosceles species (Sicariidae), numerously and globally introduced into many new areas. Loxosceles species are the only spiders that can cause severe local effects (necrosis) and both mentioned genera contain the only alien spider species that can provoke severe systemic effects. However, fatal issues are very rare. For all other spider species large enough to penetrate the human skin and introduced somewhere as alien species, 42 genera or species from 16 families are considered in detail. The venoms of these spiders cause only modest local (redness at the site of the bite, itching and swelling) and systemic (headache or nausea) effects and can be considered as harmless. In contrast to spiders, information on health issues of alien scorpions is rare and restricted to three species so far. One of them is potentially dangerous to humans, two species are not.
The invasive mosquitoes of medical importance.
Authors: Romi R. , Boccolini D. , Luca M. di , Medlock J. M. , Schaffner F. , Severini F. , Toma L. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are the most important group of blood-sucking insects that are vectors of human diseases. This chapter focuses mainly on six species belonging to the Aedes, Culex and Anopheles genera, which, closely adapted to human habitats for thousands of years, have exploited human activities to spread and establish in areas far from their origin, becoming invasive. The mechanisms leading to the introduction and establishment of invasive mosquito species and the risk that they represent for human health in newly colonized areas are extensively described. In particular, this chapter focuses on the three powerful and widespread arbovirus disease vectors, Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus and Ae. japonicus, with shorter references to Ae. koreicus and other alien species recently recorded in Europe. The disease vectors belonging to the genus Culex are represented by the Cx. pipiens complex, whose history of travel between continents dates back centuries. The detailed story of the journey undertaken by species belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex in the 19th century between Africa and Brazil represents the only significant example of invasion by Anophelinae mosquitoes. The last section of the chapter deals with the surveillance and control activities to be implemented in order to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive mosquito species.
Impact of alien mammals on human health.
Authors: Capizzi D. , Monaco A. , Genovesi P. , Scalera R. , Carnevali L. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We provide an overview of the impact of wild invasive alien mammals on human health, focusing specifically on species acting as zoonotic hosts or pathogens, along with the diseases and mechanisms of disease transmission associated with mammals in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. We checked for published data on the impact on human health for 129 alien invasive mammals, reported in 123 different countries. The highest number of invasive alien mammals causing impacts on human health is reported in Japan (31 species), followed by Australia (24) and Argentina, New Zealand and Cuba (19). However, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the Bahamas and the Czech Republic are characterized by the highest proportions of alien mammals impacting human health of the total number of invasive mammals reported in the country (range from 93% to 96%). Carnivores are the taxonomic group with the highest numbers of alien species impacting on human health, followed by ungulates and rodents. Our review highlights the important role of alien mammals in threatening human health and welfare, particularly through the transmission of zoonoses. Alien mammals can act as vectors of both alien and native pathogens, and as hosts of either native or alien parasites (which in turn can act as vectors of either native or alien pathogens). In this way, alien mammals can introduce new pathogens, alter the epidemiology of local pathogens, become reservoir hosts and increase disease risk for humans, along with other species. The increasing movements of humans and other species because of climate change and other factors could result in the sudden emergence of disease outbreaks, including new diseases and in new locations. This shows the urgent need for a better understanding of the parasite-vector-host trio and the environmental, climatic and socio-economic factors involved, as well as the large potential for future zoonotic emergence.
Climate change and increase of impacts on human health by alien species.
Authors: Schindler S. , Rabitsch W. , Essl F. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that climate change will facilitate biological invasions. Regarding alien species relevant for human health, climate change can modify their impacts by altering the likelihood of their introduction, establishment, distribution and abundance, the scale of impacts and management. In this chapter, we summarize climate change impacts on health-relevant alien species with a focus on Europe. Climate change can support introductions of alien species impacting human health, but its role is moderate compared with the other aspects of globalization, such as increased trade and people's increased mobility. There is strong evidence that changing climate characteristics, notably temperature, are crucial for the establishment and spread of human health-relevant alien species. Resulting increases and shifts in distribution might cause increasing health impacts, particularly in cold regions such as temperate and polar regions or areas of higher elevation. In Europe, changes in health impacts caused by alien species are mainly related to arthropod vectors and plants with allergenic pollen. As numbers of alien species will probably increase, preventive management needs to be strengthened. Further, a better understanding of drivers and management options of alien diseases and vectors, as well as joint efforts in education and outreach to the public and decision-makers, is required. There is a need for action and research, particularly in the fields of pathway management, epidemiology, modelling and vector monitoring.