bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of oestrogen on T cell apoptosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kim W-U , Min S-Y , Hwang S-H , Yoo S-A , Kim K-J , Cho C-S 
Published: May 2010

SummaryDefective control of T cell apoptosis is considered to be one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Oestrogen has been known to predispose women to SLE and also to exacerbate activity of SLE; however, the role of oestrogen in the apoptosis of SLE T cells has not yet been documented. In this study, we investigated the direct effect of oestrogen on the activation-induced cell death of T cells in SLE patients. The results demonstrated that oestradiol decreased the apoptosis of SLE T cells stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, oestradiol down-regulated the expression of Fas ligand (FasL) in activated SLE T cells at the both protein and mRNA levels. In contrast, testosterone increased FasL expression dose-dependently in SLE T cells stimulated with PMA plus ionomycin. The inhibitory effect of oestradiol on FasL expression was mediated through binding to its receptor, as co-treatment of tamoxifen, an oestrogen receptor inhibitor, completely nullified the oestradiol-induced decrease in FasL mRNA expression. Moreover, pre-treatment of FasL-transfected L5178Y cells with either oestradiol or anti-FasL antibody inhibited significantly the apoptosis of Fas-sensitive Hela cells when two types of cells were co-cultured. These data suggest that oestrogen inhibits activation-induced apoptosis of SLE T cells by down-regulating the expression of FasL. Oestrogen inhibition of T cell apoptosis may allow for the persistence of autoreactive T cells, thereby exhibiting the detrimental action of oestrogen on SLE activity.
A novel technique to explore the functions of bronchial mucosal T cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: application to cytotoxicity and cytokine immunoreactivity
Authors: Lethbridge M W , Kemeny D M , Ratoff J C , O'Connor B J , Hawrylowicz C M , Corrigan C J 
Published: May 2010

Summary
Bronchial mucosal CD8+ cells are implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis, but there are few data on their functional properties. We have developed a novel technique to outgrow these cells from COPD patients in sufficient numbers to examine effector functions. Endobronchial biopsies from 15 COPD smokers and 12 ex-smokers, 11 control smokers and 10 non-smokers were cultured with anti-CD3/interleukin (IL)-2 ± IL-15. Outgrown CD3+ T cells were characterized in terms of phenotype (expression of CD4, 8, 25, 28, 69 and 56), cytotoxicity and expression of COPD-related cytokines. Compared with IL-2 alone, additional IL-15 increased the yield and viability of biopsy-derived CD3+ T cells (12–16-day culture without restimulation) without alteration of CD4+/CD8+ ratios or expression of accessory/activation molecules. Biopsy-derived T cells, principally CD8+/CD56+ cells, exhibited statistically significantly greater cytotoxic activity in current or ex-smokers with COPD compared with controls (P &lt; 0·01). Elevated percentages of CD8+ T cells expressed interferon (IFN)-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-13 (P &lt; 0·01) in current COPD smokers compared with all comparison groups. It is possible to perform functional studies on bronchial mucosal T cells in COPD. We demonstrate increased CD8+CD56+ T cell cytotoxic activity and expression of remodelling cytokines in smokers who develop COPD.
Fine needle aspiration cytology of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with a focus on rare variants: a review of 78 cases
Authors: Kaushal S. , Iyer V. K. , Mathur S. R. , Ray R. 
Published: May 2010

S. Kaushal, V. K. Iyer, S. R. Mathur and R. Ray Fine needle aspiration cytology of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with a focus on rare variants: a review of 78 casesBackground:  The cytological features of variants of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid (MCT) are sparsely documented in the literature from case reports. Detailed cytomorphological analysis of MCT variants and features helping to distinguish them from usual MCT are presented here.Materials and methods:  A total of 78 aspirates with a diagnosis of MCT over a period of 10 years were re‐evaluated. Cytomorphological details were reviewed and semiquantitatively analysed. Histology slides were reviewed in 36 cases.Results:  Most aspirates showed classical features of dispersed polygonal or plasmacytoid cells with areas of spindling. In 54 aspirates, a definite cytological diagnosis of medullary carcinoma was made, which in 87.1% was based on cytomorphology alone and in 12.9% was based on immunocytochemistry for calcitonin. In 30.1% of aspirates from MCT, a guarded report of tumour was given in the absence of calcitonin immunocytochemistry. Of the 78 cases, nuclear grooves were seen in 5.1%, intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions in 28.2%, cytoplasmic granularity in 23.1% and bizarre cells with abrupt anisocytosis in 85.9%. A follicular arrangement was seen in 14.1% and was more frequent in the follicular type (one case) and mixed follicular and medullary carcinoma (one case). Melanin production was seen in aspirates from two cases. One case of the giant cell type of MCT was seen, in which background cells showed large pleomorphic nuclei and numerous bizarre tumour giant cells, prompting a differential diagnosis with anaplastic carcinoma. One example each of the small cell type, paraganglioma‐like MCT and papillary MCT were seen.Conclusions:  MCT has uniform cytological features in the majority of aspirates, including many of the histological variants. Searching for pigment in every aspirate of MCT may be rewarding. The giant cell type of MCT is rare and has to be differentiated from anaplastic carcinoma.
Phenology determines seasonal variation in ectoparasite loads in a natural insect population
Authors: HASSALL CHRISTOPHER , LOWE CHRIS D. , HARVEY IAN F. , WATTS PHILLIP C. , THOMPSON DAVID J. 
Published: May 2010

1. The extent to which individuals are parasitised is a function of exposure to parasites and the immune response, which in ectotherms may be associated with temperature.2. We test the hypothesis that seasonal variation in ectoparasite burden is driven by temperature using an extensive mark‐release‐recapture study of adult Coenagrion puella (L.) (Zygoptera) as a model system. Mite counts were taken both at capture and on a subset of subsequent recaptures over two entire, consecutive breeding seasons.3. Emergence date was the most significant factor in determining individual differences in mite burden, and mean counts for individuals emerging on the same days showed strong unimodal relationships with time of season. Subsequent recounting of mites on a subset of individuals showed that patterns of loss of mites were similar between seasons.4. While temperature did not significantly affect mite burdens within seasons and ectoparasite prevalence was very similar across the two seasons, intensity of infection and rate of mite gain in unparasitised individuals were significantly higher in the cooler season.5. We demonstrate that, while temperature may modulate the invertebrate immune response, this modulation does not manifest in variations in mite burdens in natural populations.
Hitchhiking and the removal of microbial contaminants by the leaf‐cutting ant Atta colombica
Authors: GRIFFITHS HANNAH M. , HUGHES WILLIAM O. H. 
Published: May 2010

1. The ecologically dominant leaf‐cutting ants exhibit one of the most complex forms of morphological caste‐based division of labour in order to efficiently conduct tasks, ranging from harvesting fresh leaf material to caring for the vulnerable fungal crop they farm as food. While much of their division of labour is well known, the role of the smallest workers on foraging trails is puzzling. Frequently these minim workers hitchhike on leaf fragments and it has been suggested that they may act to reduce the microbial contamination of leaf material before they enter the nest. Here we investigated this potentially important role of minims with field colonies of Atta colombica.2. We experimentally increased the microbial load of leaf fragments and found that this resulted in minims hitchhiking on leaf fragments for longer. Furthermore, we show that leaves naturally have a significant microbial load and that the presence of hitchhikers reduces the microbial load of both experimentally manipulated and natural leaf fragments.3. Intriguingly, the microbial load of leaves high in the canopy where ants were foraging was much lower than closer to the ground where the ants avoided cutting leaves. This suggests that the often perplexing foraging patterns of leaf‐cutting ants may in part be explained by the ants avoiding leaves that are more heavily contaminated with microbes.4. The removal of microbial contaminants is therefore an important role of hitchhiking minim workers in natural colonies of Atta leaf‐cutting ants, although other tasks such as trail maintenance and defence also explain their occurrence on trails.
Multi‐transient electromagnetic repeatability experiment over the North Sea Harding field‡
Authors: Ziolkowski Anton , Parr Ronnie , Wright David , Nockles Victoria , Limond Christopher , Morris Ed , Linfoot Jonathan 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTWe present results of synthetic time‐lapse and real repeatability multi‐transient electromagnetic surveys over the North Sea Harding field. Using Archie's law to convert porosity and fluid saturation to resistivity we created 3D isotropic models of the reservoir resistivity at different stages of production from the initial state in 1996 through to complete hydrocarbon production by 2016 and, for each stage, we simulated an east‐west transient electromagnetic survey line across Harding. Unconstrained 1D full‐waveform Occam inversions of these synthetic data show that Harding should be detectable and its lateral extent reasonably well‐defined. Resistivity changes caused by hydrocarbon production from initial pre‐production state to production of the oil rim in 2011 are discernible as are significant changes from 2011–2016 during the modelled gas blowdown phase.The 2D repeatability surveys of 2007 and 2008 tied two wells: one on and the other off the structure. Between the two surveys the segment of the field under investigation produced 3.9 million barrels of oil – not enough to generate an observable time‐lapse electromagnetic anomaly with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 40 dB. Processing of the 2007 and 2008 data included deconvolution for the measured source current and removal of spatially‐correlated noise, which increased the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the recovered impulse responses by about 20 dB and resulted in a normalized root‐mean‐square difference of 3.9% between the data sets. 1D full‐waveform Occam inversions of the real data showed that Harding was detectable and its lateral extent was also reasonably well‐defined.The results indicate that the multi‐transient electromagnetic method is suitable for exploration, appraisal and monitoring hydrocarbon production.
Insecticidal and sublethal reproductive effects of Metarhizium anisopliae culture supernatant protein extract on the Mediterranean fruit fly
Authors: Ortiz‐Urquiza A. , Vergara‐Ortiz A. , Santiago‐Álvarez C. , Quesada‐Moraga E. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBecause natural product‐based pesticides are thought to be more rapidly degradable than synthetic chemicals while having a lower ecotoxicological effect, the interest in these products for pest control has grown substantially. Recently, a new insecticide compound, which is the crude soluble protein extract (CSPE) from the fermentation product of the entomopathogenic fungus (EF) Metarhizium anisopliae (strain EAMa 01/58‐Su), has appeared in the literature as a promising insecticide for the control of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. This CSPE has a moderate acute insecticide effect against adults of C. capitata when administered per os at 1 mg of protein/ml, as an exposure time of 8.3 h is necessary to get 50% of mortality. Even though the ingestion of this compound produces serious injuries in the midgut epithelium, it has a very low antifeedant effect on the flies. The effect of sublethal challenges on reproduction of adult flies was studied, and a reduction was found on the female fecundity levels during the first days after the treatment. On the other hand, the sublethal exposure to the CSPE affected neither the egg fertility nor the mortality of the larvae. However, the CSPE did affect the mortality of the pupae from the F1 generation, which suggests that there is a hormetic response from CSPE challenged females. The described sublethal reproductive effects are as important as direct lethal effects in contributing to the total value of the CSPE of the EF M. anisopliae 01/58‐Su strain.
Integrating the hospital library with patient care, teaching and research: model and Web 2.0 tools to create a social and collaborative community of clinical research in a hospital setting
Authors: San José Montano Blanca , Garcia Carretero Rafael , Varela Entrecanales Manuel , Pozuelo Paz Martin 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackground:  Research in hospital settings faces several difficulties. Information technologies and certain Web 2.0 tools may provide new models to tackle these problems, allowing for a collaborative approach and bridging the gap between clinical practice, teaching and research.Objectives:  We aim to gather a community of researchers involved in the development of a network of learning and investigation resources in a hospital setting.Methods:  A multi‐disciplinary work group analysed the needs of the research community. We studied the opportunities provided by Web 2.0 tools and finally we defined the spaces that would be developed, describing their elements, members and different access levels.Model description:  WIKINVESTIGACION is a collaborative web space with the aim of integrating the management of all the hospital’s teaching and research resources. It is composed of five spaces, with different access privileges. The spaces are: Research Group Space ‘wiki for each individual research group’, Learning Resources Centre devoted to the Library, News Space, Forum and Repositories.Conclusions:  The Internet, and most notably the Web 2.0 movement, is introducing some overwhelming changes in our society. Research and teaching in the hospital setting will join this current and take advantage of these tools to socialise and improve knowledge management.
Experiences of self‐blame and stigmatisation for self‐infliction among individuals living with COPD
Authors: Halding Anne‐Grethe , Heggdal Kristin , Wahl Astrid 
Published: May 2010

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 100–107 Experiences of self‐blame and stigmatisation for self‐infliction among individuals living with COPDBackground: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health problem estimated to become the third leading cause of death and the fifth leading cause of disability by 2020. Tobacco control is the most effective protective intervention, and it serves as a key element in patient counselling. However, a focus on tobacco control may cause unintended and adverse effects to individuals who already suffer from the disease.Aim: The current study aims to understand how patients with COPD experience daily life in a society with heavy emphasis on tobacco control.Method: The design was longitudinal and descriptive. The sample included thirteen men and five women with COPD, recruited from pulmonary rehabilitation units. Data were collected by means of qualitative interviews and analysed using qualitative content analysis with search for meanings.Findings: The main theme was a feeling of being exiled in the world of the healthy, because of self‐blame and society’s stigmatisation of COPD as a self‐inflicted disease. The participants experienced feelings of disgrace through subtle blame and a lack of support from their social network, health care encounters and larger society. This seemed to increase illness‐related strain and a need for defensive actions.Limitations: A small convenience sample, local cultural influence, the study’s wide scope and lack of health professionals’ views must be considered.Conclusion: This study illuminates the challenge of how to combine health advice on smoking cessation with nonblaming psycho‐social support throughout the course of COPD. An awareness of the potential for stigma, the nature of nicotine dependence and broadened causal explanations for the disease may improve the ability of caregivers to address patient strain and its negative association with coping and well‐being. Dilemmas in health communication concerning COPD patients’ experience of stigma and negative emotional response should be further explored.
Glucocorticoid‐induced differentiation of primary cultured bone marrow mesenchymal cells into adipocytes is antagonized by exogenous Runx2
Authors: LIN LE , DAI SHUN‐DONG , FAN GUANG‐YU 
Published: May 2010

Lin L, Dai S‐Dong, Fan G‐Yu. Glucocorticoid‐induced differentiation of primary cultured bone marrow mesenchymal cells into adipocytes is antagonized by exogenous Runx2. APMIS 2010; 118: 595–605.Long‐term clinical use of glucocorticoids often causes the serious side effect of non‐traumatic avascular osteonecrosis. The aim of this study was to examine the effects and mechanisms of a glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dex), on differentiation of primary cultured rat bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMCs). We also tried to block the inhibitory effects of Dex on osteoblast differentiation. Adipocyte markers (peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptorγ‐2 and aP2) were increased in response to Dex treatment in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, while osteoblastic markers [Runx2, COL 1, osterix, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and OC] were down‐regulated, consistent with ALP and osteocalcin promoter activity. To validate the effects of Runx2 on the expression of osteogenesis and adipocyte genes, pCMV/Flag‐Runx2 was transfected into BMCs, and relevant markers were detected after 10−7 M Dex treatment for 48 h. The results indicated that Dex treatment induced adipogenic differentiation and suppressed proliferation. No significant difference was detected in expressions of these genes between Runx2‐transfected cells and Dex‐treated BMCs. These data suggest that Dex primarily induced adipocyte differentiation of BMCs. Exogenous Runx2 can antagonize the effect of Dex on osteoblast differentiation.
In vitro activity of dermaseptin S1 derivatives against genital pathogens
Authors: SAVOIA DIANELLA , DONALISIO MANUELA , CIVRA ANDREA , SALVADORI SEVERO , GUERRINI REMO 
Published: May 2010

Savoia D, Donalisio M, Civra A, Salvadori S, Guerrini R. In vitro activity of dermaseptin S1 derivatives against genital pathogens. APMIS 2010; 118: 674–80.The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of nine dermaseptin‐S1 (DRS‐S1) derivatives (synthesized by solid‐phase methods and purified) against different pathogens causing genital infections (Trichomonas vaginalis, Herpes simplex virus, Papillomavirus). The in vitro activity on T. vaginalis was determined by counting the protozoon in a hemocytometer after vital staining with trypan blue; antiviral activity of the compounds was tested on monolayers of Vero cells for Herpes simplex virus‐1 (GFP) and on 293TT cells for human papillomavirus (HPV‐16) pseudovirions (GFP). The cytotoxicity of the derivatives was assessed by evaluating both the hemolytic activity and the effect on Vero and 293TT cells. The DRS‐S1 longer peptides demonstrated a superior activity on T. vaginalis but also a certain cytopathic effect. The compounds with 29 amino acids exhibited activity against the two viruses tested at concentrations not toxic to cells. The results obtained show that some of the synthetic peptides assessed have inhibitory activity against the pathogens tested, indicating a potential for the development of new molecules for use as topical microbicides to prevent the sexual transmission of microorganisms.
Bioengineering strategies for regeneration of craniofacial bone: a review of emerging technologies
Authors: Ward BB , Brown SE , Krebsbach PH 
Published: May 2010

Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 709–716Although advances in surgical techniques and bone grafting have significantly improved the functional and cosmetic restoration of craniofacial structures lost because of trauma or disease, there are still significant limitations in our ability to regenerate these tissues. The regeneration of oral and craniofacial tissues presents a formidable challenge that requires synthesis of basic science, clinical science, and engineering technology. Tissue engineering is an interdisciplinary field of study that addresses this challenge by applying the principles of engineering to biology and medicine toward the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, and improve normal function. This review will explore the impact of biomaterials design, stem cell biology and gene therapy on craniofacial tissue engineering.
Polymorphisms inCYP2A13andUGT1A7genes and head and neck cancer susceptibility in North Indians
Authors: Sharma R , Ahuja M , Panda NK , Khullar M 
Published: May 2010

Oral Diseases(2010)16, 760–768Objectives: To examine role of genetic variants ofCYP2A13andUGT1A7genes, involved in activation and detoxification of tobacco carcinogens, with risk of head and neck cancer as well as to assess the potential modifying role of gene‐gene and gene‐environment interactions.Methods: 203 head and neck cancer patients and 201 healthy controls were genotyped for functional polymorphisms ofCYP2A13andUGT1A7genes using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism, denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography and sequencing.Results: We identified two novel polymorphisms T478C and T494C inCYP2A13gene which were associated with significantly reduced risk of cancer (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.19–0.71;P < 0.05). ACYP2A13haplotype carrying variant alleles of T478C/T494C was found to be associated with reduced risk of head and neck cancer (OR 0.42; 95% CI 0.22–0.78;P = 0. 005). Mutant ‘T’ allele ofCYP2A13C578T polymorphism was found to be present in cancer patients only. A sevenfold increased risk of cancer was observed in smokers withUGT1A7low activity genotypes (OR 7.01; 95% CI 1.02–48.37;P < 0.05).UGT1A7haplotype carrying C allele (T622C) showed 10‐fold increased risk of cancer (OR 10.12; 95% CI 1.29–79.4;P < 0.05).Conclusion: Interplay between genetic variants ofCYP2A13andUGT1A7genes and smoking may modulate susceptibility to head and neck cancer.