bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of chemotherapeutic drugs on human monocyte-derived dendritic cell differentiation and antigen presentation
Authors: Hu J , Kinn J , Zirakzadeh A A , Sherif A , Norstedt G , Wikström A-C , Winqvist O 
Published: December 2012

SummaryRecent studies indicate that chemotherapeutic agents may increase the anti-tumoral immune response. Based on the pivotal role of dendritic cells (DCs) in host tumour-specific immune responses, we investigated the effect of commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs dexamethasone, doxorubicin, cisplatin and irinotecan and glucocorticoids on monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs). Dexamethasone displayed the strongest inhibitory effect on DC differentiation. The effect of cisplatin and irinotecan was moderate, while only weak effects were noticed for doxorubicin. Surprisingly, when the functional consequence of chemotherapy-treated CD14+ monocytes and their capacity to activate CD4+ T responders cells were investigated, cisplatin-treated monocytes gave rise to increased T cell proliferation. However, dexamethasone, doxorubicin and irinotecan-pretreated monocytes did not stimulate any increased T cell proliferation. Further investigation of this observation revealed that cisplatin treatment during DC differentiation up-regulated significantly the interferon (IFN)-β transcript. By contrast, no effect was evident on the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-6 or IFN-α transcripts. Blocking IFN-β attenuated the cisplatin-enhanced T cell proliferation significantly. In conclusion, cisplatin treatment enhanced the immune stimulatory ability of human monocytes, a mechanism mediated mainly by the increased production of IFN-β.
Effects of three different medications on metabolic parameters and testicular volume in patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: 3‐year experience
Authors: Aydogdu Aydogan , Bolu Erol , Sonmez Alper , Tasci Ilker , Haymana Cem , Acar Ramazan , Meric Coskun , Taslipinar Abdullah , Ozgurtas Taner , Azal Omer 
Published: December 2012

SummaryIntroductionThe aim of this study was to demonstrate the influences of three different treatment strategies on biochemical parameters and testicular volume (TV) in patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH).Subjects design and methodsSeventy‐seven never‐treated patients with IHH and age and body mass index (BMI)‐matched 42 healthy controls were analysed in a retrospective design. Twenty‐eight patients were treated with testosterone esters (TE), 25 patients were treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and 24 patients were treated with testosterone gel (TG). Biochemical parameters, tanner stages (TS) and TV were evaluated before and after 6 months of treatment.ResultsPretreatment TV, TS and biochemical test results were similar among the three treatment subgroup. In the TE‐treated group, BMI, haemoglobin, haematocrit, creatinine, triglyceride, total testosterone (TT), TS and TV increased, but HDL‐cholesterol (C) and urea level decreased significantly. In the hCG‐treated group, triglyceride level decreased, and luteinizing hormone level, TS and TV increased significantly. BMI, TT, TS and TV increased, and leucocyte count, total‐C, HDL‐C levels decreased significantly in the TG‐treated patients. No treatment type resulted in any changes in insulin resistance markers.ConclusionhCG treatment resulted in favourable effects particularly on TV and lipid parameters. When TV improvement is considered less important, TG treatment may be a better option for older patients with IHH because of its easy use, neutral effects on triglyceride, haemoglobin and haematocrit, and its beneficial effects on total cholesterol level.
99mTc‐labelled human serum albumin cannot replace 125I‐labelled human serum albumin to determine plasma volume in patients with liver disease
Authors: Henriksen Ulrik Lütken , Henriksen Jens H. , Bendtsen Flemming , Møller Søren 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackground and aimsDetermination of plasma volume (PV) is important in several clinical situations. Thus, patients with liver disease often have augmented PV as part of their sodium–water retention. This study was undertaken to compare PV determination by two indicators: technetium‐labelled human serum albumin (99mTc‐HSA) and iodine‐labelled human serum albumin (125I‐HSA), as the former may have advantages at repeated measurements and the latter is the classical gold standard.Study population and methodsIn 88 patients, (64 with liver disease, mainly cirrhosis, and 24 patients without liver disease), simultaneous measurements of PV were taken with 99mTc‐HSA and 125I‐HSA after 1 h in the supine position. Blood samples were obtained before and 10 min after quantitative injection of the two indicators. In a subset of patients (n = 32), the measurements were repeated within 1 h.ResultsIn all patients, a close correlation was present between PV determined by the two indicators (r = 0·89, P<0·0001). In all, but twelve patients, a higher PV was obtained with 99mTc‐HSA compared with 125I‐HSA (P<0·0001). PV determined with 99mTc‐HSA exceeded PV determined with 125I‐HSA by 367 ml (5·2 ml kg−1) in liver patients as compared to 260 ml (3·5 ml kg−1) in patients without liver disease (P<0·05). The precision of repeated PV determination was 1·75% (coefficient of variation) with 99mTc‐HSA and 1·71% with 125I‐HSA (ns), and similar values were found in patients with and without liver disease.ConclusionThe study demonstrates that 99mTc‐HSA has the same precision as that of 125I‐HSA. However, especially in patients with liver disease, 99mTc‐HSA consistently overestimates the PV, most likely owing to indicator heterogeneity with subsequent fast removal from the circulating medium with a higher volume of distribution as the outcome.
Detection of BK polyomavirus after kidney transplantation: a comparison of urine electron microscopy with plasma polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Westervelt Justin D. , Alexander Barbara D. , Costa Sylvia F. , Miller Sara E. , Howell David N. , Smith Stephen R. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBK polyomavirus (BKV) infection continues to be a significant source of allograft dysfunction in kidney transplant recipients. The optimal screening method to detect BKV remains undetermined. In this retrospective analysis of 347 consecutive kidney transplant recipients, we compare the diagnostic and screening performance of urine electron microscopy (EM) with plasma polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in testing for BKV, using biopsy‐proved polyomavirus‐associated nephropathy (PVAN) as the gold standard. Sixty‐nine of 347 recipients had a positive screening test for BKV infection. Twenty‐nine patients underwent biopsy, and 11 were diagnosed with PVAN. Sensitivity rates of urine EM and plasma PCR were 88% and 100%, respectively. Specificity rates of urine EM and plasma PCR were 91% and 78%. There was no statistical difference in the operating characteristics of the two tests. The majority of both plasma PCR and urine EM tests were positive in the six months prior to a diagnostic biopsy confirming PVAN. In those patients who had evidence of BKV infection but did not have PVAN, the percentage of positive screening tests decreased with aggressive lowering of immunosuppression. We conclude that urine EM and plasma PCR both function well in screening for BKV infection and in the diagnosis of PVAN. There is an opportunity to detect viral replication, lower immunosuppression, and to prevent PVAN in this population.
The role of initial hemodialysis vascular access in the outcome of subsequent kidney transplantation
Authors: Goldfarb‐Rumyantzev Alexander S. , Yoon Joo Heung , Patibandla Bhanu K. , Narra Akshita , Sandhu Gurprataap S. , DeSilva Ranil 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe role of initial hemodialysis vascular access in the subsequent kidney transplant outcome is unclear. Study population was derived from the United States Renal Data System and included adult patients with end‐stage renal disease who started HD 1/1/2005–9/1/2009 and subsequently received at least one kidney transplant. Primary outcome variables were death‐censored graft loss and all‐cause recipient mortality. Among the study population (n = 17 157), 12 428 (72.4%) patients were initiated on HD with a catheter, 4090 (23.8%) patients with an arterio‐venous fistula (AVF), and 639 (13.7%) patients with an arterio‐venous graft (AVG). The rate of death‐censored kidney allograft loss in AVF and AVG groups was not significantly different from the catheter group (HR, 0.82; p = 0.07 and HR, 0.68; p = 0.13, respectively). All‐cause mortality of patients initiated on HD with AVG (HR, 0.761; p = 0.21) was not significantly different compared to those with catheters. However, all‐cause mortality in the AVF group was lower compared to patients initiated on HD with catheters (HR, 0.65; p = 0.001). AVF used at the initiation of HD was associated with lower rate of all‐cause mortality after kidney transplantation compared to the catheter. The type of initial vascular access for hemodialysis was not associated with kidney allograft survival.
Cardiac arrest associated with reperfusion of the liver during transplantation: incidence and proposal for a management algorithm
Authors: Aufhauser David D. , Rose Tom , Levine Matthew , Barnett Rebecca , Ochroch E. Andrew , Aukburg Stanley , Greenblatt Eric , Olthoff Kim , Shaked Abraham , Abt Peter 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCardiac arrest associated with reperfusion of the liver allograft in a euvolemic patient is a rare but potentially devastating event. There are few case series describing experience with this complication and no published management protocols guiding treatment. This article is a retrospective case series of patients experiencing post‐reperfusion intraoperative cardiac arrest between 1997 and 2011. Among 1581 liver transplants, 16 (1%) patients experienced post‐reperfusion cardiac arrest. Among patients with intraoperative arrests, 14 (88%) patients required open cardiac massage. Seven (44%) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) when cardiac activity failed to adequately recover. Placement on CPB reversed cardiac pump failure and established a perfusing rhythm in six of seven (86%) recipients, leading to one of seven (14%) intraoperative mortality. Recovery of myocardial function was associated with low early survival with only 3/7 (43%) patients who underwent CPB surviving until discharge. Among all patients who survived the perioperative period, one‐yr survival was 70% (N = 7), and five‐yr survival was 50% (N = 5). Cardiac arrest during liver transplantation is associated with a poor prognosis during the perioperative period. In patients who do not recover cardiac activity after standard resuscitative measures, progression to physiologic support with systemic anticoagulation and CPB may allow correction of electrolyte derangements, maintenance of cerebral perfusion, and myocardial recovery.
Skin care practice in German nursing homes: a German‐wide cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kottner Jan , Rahn Yasmin , Blume‐Peytavi Ulrike , Lahmann Nils 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackground:Due to anatomical and physiological changes in the course of aging and due to increased vulnerability, there are special skin care needs in elderly and care‐dependent persons. Little is known about skin care practice in German long‐term care facilities. The aim of the study was to gather epidemiological data about skin care practice in German nursing homes.Methods and sample:In spring 2012 a German‐wide cross sectional study was conducted in 47 nursing homes. Based on standardized data collection sheets. demographics and variables about methods and frequencies of skin cleansing and application of skin care products for 3 552 nursing home residents were collected and analyzed. The variables age, gender and level of care dependency was representative for the group of all German nursing home residents.Results:More than 90% of investigated nursing home residents required skin care assistance. Washing body parts or the whole body were conducted most frequently (89.1%, 95% CI 88.0– 90.1). Skin care leave‐on products were used in 91.7% (95% CI 90.7–92.6), whereas there were large variations between individuals. In total, more than 100 brands were used.Conclusions:Skin care practice in multimorbid care dependent persons shows large variations. How skin care products meet the special requirements of aged skin and whether they enhance the skin barrier function and prevent cuteneous skin damage is unknown.
Usefulness of a continuous suction mouthpiece during percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: A single‐center, prospective, randomized study
Authors: Maekita Takao , Kato Jun , Nakatani Yukihiko , Enomoto Shotaro , Kayama Takashi , Tsuji Masahiro , Nakaya Tsuyoshi , Muraki Yosuke , Deguchi Hisanobu , Ueda Kazuki , Inoue Izumi , Iguchi Mikitaka , Tamai Hideyuki , Ichinose Masao 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundNo mouthpiece has been designed to control salivary flow during endoscopic procedures. A new continuous suction mouthpiece (CSM) was developed, and its usefulness for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was evaluated.Patients and MethodsSeventy‐two patients who were scheduled to undergo PEG or the exchange of a gastrostomy button or tube were assigned to one of two groups: the group using the CSM and the group using the conventional mouthpiece. Aspiration pneumonia, procedure duration, extent of salivary flow, frequency of saliva suction, and number of choking episodes during the procedures were evaluated and compared between the two groups.ResultsThe same number of patients was randomly allocated to each group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in sex, age, procedure type, duration of procedure,depth of sedation, and indication for the procedure. The grade of salivary flow was significantly lower in patients with the CSM than in patients with the conventional mouthpiece (P < 0.001). Significantly fewer suctions and choking episodes were observed in patients with the CSM than in patients with the conventional mouthpiece (P = 0.013, and P = 0.015, respectively). Aspiration pneumonia and other significant adverse events were not observed in either group.ConclusionsCSM reduced the number of episodes associated with salivary flow in PEG‐related procedures. The device is expected to reduce complications such as aspiration not only in PEG but in other upper endoscopic procedures.
Thymosin β4 protects C57BL/6 mice from bleomycin‐induced damage in the lung
Authors: Conte Enrico , Genovese Tiziana , Gili Elisa , Esposito Emanuela , Iemmolo Maria , Fruciano Mary , Fagone Evelina , Pistorio Maria P. , Crimi Nunzio , Cuzzocrea Salvatore , Vancheri Carlo 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundThymosin β4 (Tβ4) was recently found at high concentration in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of scleroderma patients with lung involvement. It has been hypothesized that Tβ4 may exert a cyto‐protective effect during lung injury because lower Tβ4 levels were associated with interstitial lung disease progression. Moreover, Tβ4 treatment prevented profibrotic gene expression in cardiac cells in vitro and in vivo.Materials and methodsIn this study, we explored a putative Tβ4 protective role in lung damage by utilizing a well‐known in vivo model of lung fibrosis. C57BL/6 mice were treated with bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) in the absence or presence of Tβ4 (6 mg/kg delivered intraperitoneally on the day of BLEO treatment and for two additional doses). After sacrifice 1 week later, measurement of fluid and collagen content in the lung, BALF analysis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity assay, lung histology and IHC were performed.ResultsCompared with BLEO‐treated mice, BLEO‐treated mice who received Tβ4 did not lose as much weight and had a higher survival rate. Moreover, BLEO‐induced inflammation and lung damage were substantially reduced by Tβ4 treatment, as demonstrated by the significant reduction in oedema, total collagen content, lung infiltration by leucocytes, MPO activity in lung homogenates, and histological evidence of the ongoing lung fibrosis. Results of IHC show a strong reactivity for Tβ4 in the lung tissue of Tβ4‐treated mice.ConclusionsThis is the first report that shows a Tβ4 protective role in lung toxicity associated with BLEO in a mouse model. Future studies are needed to assess its putative antifibrotic properties.
Coexistence, niches and biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning
Authors: Turnbull Lindsay Ann , Levine Jonathan M. , Loreau Michel , Hector Andy 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGeneral principles from coexistence theory are often invoked to explain how and why mixtures of species outperform monocultures. However, the complementarity and selection effects commonly measured in biodiversity experiments do not precisely quantify the niche and relative fitness differences that govern species coexistence. Given this lack of direct correspondence, how can we know whether species‐rich mixtures are stable and that the benefits of diversity will therefore persist? We develop a resource‐based included‐niche model in which plant species have asymmetric access to a nested set of belowground resource pools. We use the model to show that positive complementarity effects arise from stabilising niche differences, but do not necessarily lead to stable coexistence and hence can be transient. In addition, these transient complementarity effects occur in the model when there is no complementary resource use among species. Including a trade‐off between uptake rates and the size of the resource pool stabilised interactions and led to persistent complementarity coupled with weak or negative selection effects, consistent with results from the longest‐running field biodiversity experiments. We suggest that future progress requires a greater mechanistic understanding of the links between ecosystem functions and their underlying biological processes.
Recording fox baiting effort across the landscape using geographic information systems: Facilitating more effective management
Authors: Towerton Alison L. , Kavanagh Rodney P. , Penman Trent D. , Dickman Christopher R. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryPredation on native vertebrates and livestock by the European Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) remains a significant problem in many parts of Australia. Coordinated approaches to fox control are most effective in protecting these assets and involve placement of baits across the landscape by private and public land managers. However, participation in such programmes varies seasonally and the spatial coverage of baiting is often difficult to determine. Here, we describe a geographic information systems‐based system that assists land managers to collect and use spatial information, minimizing gaps in bait coverage and maximizing bait encounters by foxes to increase the effectiveness of pest control. The coordination of data collection and reporting between land managers should facilitate more effective adaptive management by allowing better strategic planning and increasing landholder involvement, which should, in turn, improve the programme's efficacy, provided other critical conditions and resources are met.
Intact rough‐ and smooth‐form lipopolysaccharides from Escherichia coli separated by preparative gel electrophoresis exhibit differential biologic activity in human macrophages
Authors: Pupo Elder , Lindner Buko , Brade Helmut , Schromm Andra B. 
Published: December 2012

We established a new preparative separation procedure, based on DOC/PAGE, to isolate intact lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fractions from natural LPS preparations of Escherichia coli. Analysis of the chemical integrity of LPS fractions by MS showed that no significant chemical modifications were introduced by the procedure. Contamination with toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2)‐reactive cell‐wall components present in the natural LPS mixture was effectively removed by the procedure, as determined by the absence of reactivity of the purified fractions in a HEK293‐TLR2 cell line. Biologic analysis of LPS fractions derived from E. coli O111 in human macrophages demonstrated that the rough (R), semirough (SR) and smooth (S) LPS fractions were highly active at inducing tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in the presence of human serum; however, on a weight basis the R‐LPS and SR‐LPS fractions were more active, by a factor of 10–100, than was the S‐LPS fraction. Under serum‐free conditions, the natural LPS mixture, as well as the R‐LPS and SR‐LPS fractions, showed dose‐dependent activation of macrophages, although the response was attenuated by about 10‐ to 100‐fold. In contrast, the S‐LPS fraction failed to induce TNF‐α. Remarkably, the dose–response of the natural LPS mixture resembled that of the R‐LPS and SR‐LPS fractions, supporting that short‐chain (R and SR) forms of LPS dominate the innate immune response of human macrophages to LPS in vitro. Biologic activity to the S‐LPS fraction under serum‐free conditions could be restored by the addition of recombinant lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP). In contrast, soluble cluster of differentiation antigen 14 was not able to confer activity of the S‐LPS fraction, indicating a crucial role of LBP in the recognition of S‐LPS by human macrophages.