bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simvastatin prevents inflammation‐induced aortic stiffening and endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Wallace Sharon M. L. , Mäki‐Petäjä Kaisa M. , Cheriyan Joseph , Davidson Edward H. , Cherry Lynne , McEniery Carmel M. , Sattar Naveed , Wilkinson Ian B. , Kharbanda Rajesh K. 
Published: July 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Both acute and chronic inflammation are associated with aortic stiffening and endothelial dysfunction.• Statins have been shown to reduce inflammation and arterial stiffening and to improve endothelial function in patients with chronic inflammation.• In a model of acute‐inflammation, statins have been shown to prevent endothelial dysfunction, but the effect on aortic stiffening is unknown. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study demonstrates, for the first time, that pre‐treatment with simvastatin prevents inflammation‐induced aortic stiffening, as well as endothelial dysfunction, in a cohort of healthy individuals.• It also shows that simvastatin prevents the inflammation‐induced reduction in concentrations of apolipoprotein A‐I.AIMSThe aim of this study was to determine whether simvastatin would protect against inflammation‐induced aortic stiffening and endothelial dysfunction.METHODSAortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) and flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) were assessed three times, at baseline, after a 14 day administration of simvastatin or placebo and 8 h after Salmonella typhi vaccination in 50 healthy subjects.RESULTSFollowing vaccination there was a significant increase in aPWV in the placebo group (5.80 ± 0.87 vs. 6.21 ± 0.97 m s−1, 95% CI 0.19, 0.62, P= 0.002) but not the simvastatin group (5.68 ± 0.73 vs. 5.72 ± 0.74 m s−1, 95% CI −0.19, 0.27, P= 0.9; P= 0.016 for comparison). Whereas FMD response was reduced in the placebo group (6.77 ± 4.10 vs. 5.27 ± 2.88%, 95% CI −2.49, −0.52, P= 0.02) but not in the simvastatin group (7.07 ± 4.37 vs. 7.17 ± 9.94%, 95% CI −1.1, 1.3. P= 0.9, P < 0.001 for comparison). There was no difference in the systemic inflammatory response between groups following vaccination. However, there was a significant reduction in serum apolipoprotein A‐I (Apo A‐I) in the placebo, but not in the simvastatin, group.CONCLUSIONSSimvastatin prevents vaccination‐induced aortic stiffening and endothelial dysfunction. This protective mechanism may be due to preservation of the Apo A‐I lipid fraction, rather than pleiotropic anti‐inflammatory effects of statins.
MultipleMycobacteriumantigens induce interferon-γ production from sarcoidosis peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Carlisle J , Evans W , Hajizadeh R , Nadaf M , Shepherd B , Ott R D , Richter K , Drake W 
Published: July 2010

SummaryStudies of sarcoidosis immunology have noted oligoclonal T cell populations, suggesting cell-mediated immunity that is antigen-specific. Sarcoidosis immunology and pathology are most similar to mycobacterial infections. Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in mice and humans reflects T helper 1 (Th1) immune responses to multiple cell wall and secreted antigens. We investigated if the oligoclonal immune response in individual sarcoidosis subjects could be elicited by multiple secreted mycobacterial antigens by performing ex vivo enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 30 sarcoidosis, 26 purified protein derivative negative (PPD–) control and 10 latent tuberculosis subjects (PPD+) to assess Th1 responses to mycobacterial superoxide dismutase A (sodA), catalase-peroxidase (katG) and early secreted antigenic target protein (ESAT-6). A significant difference was noted among the sarcoidosis and PPD– control subjects to ESAT-6 [12 of 30 versus one of 26 (P = 0·0014)], katG [nine of 30 versus none of 26 (P = 0·002)] and sodA [12 of 30 versus none of 26 (P = 0·002)]. There was no significant difference between sarcoidosis and PPD+ subjects. Twelve sarcoidosis subjects recognized two or more mycobacterial proteins, as well as multiple distinct epitopes within individual proteins. One sarcoidosis subject on whom we collected bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and PBMC had no recognition of mycobacterial antigens using PBMC, but BAL fluid demonstrated strong Th1 immune responses to ESAT-6 and katG. Individual sarcoidosis subjects recognized not only multiple mycobacterial proteins, but multiple distinct peptides within a specific protein, thus demonstrating that multiple mycobacterial epitopes elicit the Th1 immune response observed. Immune responses by sarcoidosis T cells to mycobacterial proteins may have an important role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis.
Unique activation status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells at acute phase of Kawasaki disease
Authors: Ikeda K , Yamaguchi K , Tanaka T , Mizuno Y , Hijikata A , Ohara O , Takada H , Kusuhara K , Hara T 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Although Kawasaki disease (KD) is characterized by a marked activation of the immune system with elevations of serum proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines at acute phase, the major sources for these chemical mediators remain controversial. We analysed the activation status of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by flow cytometry, DNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The proportions of CD69+ cells in both natural killer cells and γδT cells at acute-phase KD were significantly higher than those at convalescent-phase KD. Microarray analysis revealed that five genes such as NAIP, IPAF, S100A9, FCGR1A and GCA up-regulated in acute-phase KD and the pathways involved in acute phase KD were related closely to the innate immune system. The relative expression levels of damage-associated molecular pattern molecule (DAMP) (S100A9 and S100A12) genes in PBMCs at acute-phase KD were significantly higher than those at convalescent-phase KD, while those of TNFA, IL1B and IL6 genes were not significantly different between KD patients and healthy controls. Intracellular production of tumour necrosis factor-α, interlaukin-10 and interferon-γ in PBMCs was not observed in KD patients. The present data have indicated that PBMCs showed a unique activation status with high expression of DAMP genes but low expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes, and that the innate immune system appears to play a role in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of KD.
An α-galactosylceramide C20:2 N-acyl variant enhances anti-inflammatory and regulatory T cell-independent responses that prevent type 1 diabetes
Authors: Ly D , Tohn R , Rubin B , Blumenfeld H , Besra G S , Veerapen N , Porcelli S A , Delovitch T L 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Protection from type 1 diabetes (T1D), a T helper type 1 (Th1)-mediated disease, is achievable in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice by treatment with α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) glycolipids that stimulate CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNK T) cells. While we have reported previously that the C20:2 N-acyl variant of α-GalCer elicits a Th2-biased cytokine response and protects NOD mice from T1D more effectively than a form of α-GalCer that induces mixed Th1 and Th2 responses, it remained to determine whether this protection is accompanied by heightened anti-inflammatory responses. We show that treatment of NOD mice with C20:2 diminished the activation of ‘inflammatory’ interleukin (IL)-12 producing CD11chighCD8+ myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and augmented the function of ‘tolerogenic’ DCs more effectively than treatment with the prototypical iNKT cell activator KRN7000 (α-GalCer C26:0) that induces Th1- and Th2-type responses. These findings correlate with a reduced capacity of C20:2 to sustain the early transactivation of T, B and NK cells. They may also explain our observation that C20:2 activated iNK T cells depend less than KRN7000 activated iNK T cells upon regulation by regulatory T cells for cytokine secretion and protection from T1D. The enhanced anti-inflammatory properties of C20:2 relative to KRN7000 suggest that C20:2 should be evaluated further as a drug to induce iNK T cell-mediated protection from T1D in humans.
Immune response toPlasmodium vivaxhas a potential to reduce malaria severity
Authors: Chuangchaiya S , Jangpatarapongsa K , Chootong P , Sirichaisinthop J , Sattabongkot J , Pattanapanyasat K , Chotivanich K , Troye-Blomberg M , Cui L , Udomsangpetch R 
Published: July 2010

SummaryPlasmodium falciparum infection causes transient immunosuppression during the parasitaemic stage. However, the immune response during simultaneous infections with both P. vivax and P. falciparum has been investigated rarely. In particular, it is not clear whether the host's immune response to malaria will be different when infected with a single or mixed malaria species. Phenotypes of T cells from mixed P. vivax–P. falciparum (PV-PF) infection were characterized by flow cytometry, and anti-malarial antibodies in the plasma were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found the percentage of CD3+δ2+-T cell receptor (TCR) T cells in the acute-mixed PV-PF infection and single P. vivax infection three times higher than in the single P. falciparum infection. This implied that P. vivax might lead to the host immune response to the production of effector T killer cells. During the parasitaemic stage, the mixed PV-PF infection had the highest number of plasma antibodies against both P. vivax and P. falciparum. Interestingly, plasma from the group of single P. vivax or P. falciparum malaria infections had both anti-P. vivax and anti-P. falciparum antibodies. In addition, antigenic cross-reactivity of P. vivax or P. falciparum resulting in antibodies against both malaria species was shown in the supernatant of lymphocyte cultures cross-stimulated with either antigen of P. vivax or P. falciparum. The role of δ2 ± TCR T cells and the antibodies against both species during acute mixed malaria infection could have an impact on the immunity to malaria infection.
T cell activation profiles in different granulomatous interstitial lung diseases – a role for CD8+CD28null cells?
Authors: Heron M , Claessen A M E , Grutters J C , Van Den Bosch J M M 
Published: July 2010

SummaryLymphocytes play a crucial role in lung inflammation. Different interstitial lung diseases may show distinct lymphocyte activation profiles. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of a variety of activation markers on T lymphocyte subsets from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with different granulomatous interstitial lung diseases and healthy controls. Bronchoalveolar lavage cells and blood cells from 23 sarcoidosis patients, seven patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and 24 healthy controls were analysed. Lymphocyte activation status was determined by flow cytometry. Lymphocytes were stained with antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD28, CD69, very late antigen-1 (VLA)-1, VLA-4 and human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR). In general, CD28, CD69 and VLA-1 expression on BALF CD4+ lymphocytes and HLA-DR expression on BALF CD8+ lymphocytes was different in patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and sarcoidosis patients with parenchymal involvement. This BALF lymphocyte phenotype correlated with carbon monoxide diffusing lung capacity (Dlco) values across interstitial lung diseases (ILD) (r2 = 0·48, P = 0·0002). In sarcoidosis patients, CD8+CD28null blood lymphocytes correlated with lower Dlco values (r = −0·66, P = 0·004), chronic BALF lymphocyte activation phenotype (r2 = 0·65, P &lt; 0·0001), radiographic staging (stage I versus stage II and higher, P = 0·006) and with the need for corticosteroid treatment (P = 0·001). Higher expression of CD69, VLA-1 and HLA-DR and lower expression of CD28 on BALF lymphocytes suggests prolonged stimulation and chronic lymphocyte activation in patients with ILD. In sarcoidosis, blood CD8+CD28null cells might be a new biomarker for disease severity but needs further investigation.
Decreased expression of Fli-1 in bone marrow-derived haematopoietic cells significantly affects disease development in Murphy Roths Large/lymphoproliferation (MRL/lpr) mice
Authors: Molano I , Mathenia J , Ruiz P , Gilkeson G S , Zhang X K 
Published: July 2010

Summary
The transcription factor Fli-1 is implicated in the pathogenesis of both murine and human lupus. Decreased expression of Fli-1 in heterozygous (Fli-1+/−) Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/lpr mice resulted in significantly lower kidney pathological scores and markedly increased survival. In this study, bone marrow (BM) transplantation was used to investigate the role of decreased expression of Fli-1 in haematopoietic versus non-haematopoietic cell lineages in autoimmune disease development. Wild-type (WT) MRL/lpr that received BM from Fli-1+/− MRL/lpr mice had statistically significantly lower autoantibodies, less proteinuria, reduced renal disease and prolonged survival compared to WT MRL/lpr mice that received BM from WT MRL/lpr mice. Although not statistically significant, Fli-1+/− MRL/lpr mice that received BM from WT MRL/lpr mice also had lower autoantibodies and improved survival compared to WT MRL/lpr mice that received BM from WT MRL/lpr mice. Our data indicate that expression of Fli-1 in haematopoietic cell lineages has a significant effect on disease development in MRL/lpr mice.
Benefits, costs and reactivity of inducible defences: an experimental test with rotifers
Authors: ARÁNGUIZ‐ACUÑA ADRIANA , RAMOS‐JILIBERTO RODRIGO , SARMA NANDINI , SARMA S.S.S. , BUSTAMANTE RAMIRO O. , TOLEDO VERÓNICA 
Published: July 2010

Summary1. A key aspect of the ecology and evolution of adaptive prey responses to predator risk is the timing by which the former develop a defensive trait in response to inducing signals released by the latter. This property, called reactivity, has been shown to affect population stability and persistence.2. Theoretically, the minimal predator density required by prey to exhibit induced defences is expected to increase with the effectiveness of the defence and decrease with its cost. Likewise, the time required for the prey population to exhibit an induced defence is expected to increase together with cost.3. The freshwater rotifers Brachionus calyciflorus and B. havanaensis and their predator Asplanchna brightwelli were used to test the hypothesis that prey species exhibiting defences that offer a larger fitness benefit and lower fitness cost are more reactive to predator signals, in terms of requiring shorter exposure time and lower signal concentration to trigger a morphological defence reaction.4. Our results showed that both prey species exhibited costly and effective defences after induction by predator infochemicals. Faster reactions were observed at higher levels of predator cues. Nevertheless, the observed relationship between reactivity and benefit/cost of defences did not agree with our expectations.5. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which the timing of induction of morphological defences is experimentally assessed over a gradient of risk signals. We propose new research directions to disentangle the mechanisms and project the consequences of prey decisions at the morphological level.
Host‐plant finding and recognition by visual and olfactory floral cues in an oligolectic bee
Authors: Burger Hannah , Dötterl Stefan , Ayasse Manfred 
Published: July 2010

Summary1. Bees use floral cues, such as odour, colour, size and shape, to discriminate and recognize flowers. The interplay between visual and olfactory cues in social as well as in solitary bee species is poorly understood.2. In this study we tested the host finding and recognition behaviour in a specialized (oligolectic) bee species,Hoplitis adunca(Megachilidae), which collects pollen exclusively on flowers ofEchium(Boraginaceae) species. We determined the importance of visual (especially floral colour) and olfactory cues ofEchium vulgareflowers in host‐plant finding and recognition, as well as in the discrimination of non‐host plants (Anchusa officinalis), by foraging‐naïve and ‐experiencedH. aduncafemales.3. Our investigations showed that the interplay between visual and olfactory cues ofE. vulgareflowers is essential for host‐plant finding and recognition byH. aduncafemales. The finding suggests that the blue colour of the flowers attracts the bees, while the olfactory cues, which areEchium‐specific, are used by the bees to recognize their host plant and discriminate it from non‐host plants.4. Our results show that different modalities of floral cues need to be studied in a combined approach in order to understand the communication in bee–flower interactions and the cues used by bees to find and recognize their host‐plants.
Obesity and obesity‐related secondary conditions in adolescents with intellectual/developmental disabilities
Authors: Rimmer J. H. , Yamaki K. , Lowry B. M. Davis , Wang E. , Vogel L. C. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractBackground  To explore the prevalence of obesity and related secondary conditions associated with obesity in adolescents with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD).Methods  In total, 461 parents of adolescents with IDD (M = 14.9 year, SD = 1.9) across 49 US states completed a web‐based survey containing questions related to their child's health status, including body weight and existing health conditions. Results were compared with published data for youth without disabilities.Results  Adolescents with autism and Down syndrome were two to three times more likely to be obese than adolescents in the general population. Secondary health conditions were higher in obese adolescents with IDD compared with healthy weight adolescents with IDD including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, depression, fatigue, liver or gallbladder problems, low self‐esteem, preoccupation with weight, early maturation and pressure sores.Conclusion  Obesity is as much of a health problem in youth with IDD as it is among youth without disabilities and, in certain disability groups, is a significantly greater health problem. Obese youth with IDD have a high number of obesity‐related secondary conditions predisposing them to greater health problems as they transition into adulthood. Federal and local initiatives to reduce obesity among youth in the general population must recognise the need for interventions that are also relevant (i.e. accessible and effective) for youth with IDD.
Rapid increase in myocardial infarction risk following diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis amongst patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2006
Authors: Holmqvist M. E. , Wedrén S. , Jacobsson L. T. H. , Klareskog L. , Nyberg F. , Rantapää‐Dahlqvist S. , Alfredsson L. , Askling J. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract.  Holmqvist ME, Wedrén S, Jacobsson LTH, Klareskog L, Nyberg F, Rantapää‐Dahlqvist S, Alfredsson L, Askling J (Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm; Karolinska Institutet/Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm; Malmö University Hospital, Malmö; AstraZeneca R&D, Mölndal; and Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden) Rapid increase in myocardial infarction risk following diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis amongst patients diagnosed between 1995 and 2006. J Intern Med 2010; 268: 578–585.The risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), and in particular myocardial infarction (MI), is increased amongst patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Few studies have included contemporary patients with RA. We recently reported that the risk of IHD is not elevated before the onset of RA symptoms. However, when, in relation to RA diagnosis, the risk is increased is unknown.Objective.  To assess the risk of MI and other IHD events amongst patients diagnosed with RA during the last decade and within 18 months following RA symptom onset, compared to the general population, by time since RA diagnosis, year of RA diagnosis and by rheumatoid factor (RF) status.Methods and patients.  A Swedish inception cohort of RA (n = 7469) diagnosed between 1995 and 2006 and a matched general population comparator cohort (n = 37 024), was identified and linked to national registers of morbidity and mortality from IHD. Relative risks (RRs) of MI and other IHD events were estimated using Cox regression.Results.  During follow‐up, 233 patients with RA and 701 controls developed a first MI, corresponding to an overall RR of MI of 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.4, 1.9). Increased risks of MI were already detected within 1–4 years following RA diagnosis, as well as in patients diagnosed with RA during the last 5 years, in RF‐negative patients and for transmural as well as nontransmural MIs.Conclusions.  MI risk increases rapidly following RA diagnosis, suggesting the importance of additional mechanisms other than atherosclerosis. The elevated short‐term risk is present amongst patients diagnosed in recent years, underscoring the importance of MI prevention from the time of RA diagnosis.
Iron abundances from optical Fe iii absorption lines in B-type stellar spectra
Authors: Thompson H. M. A. , Keenan F. P. , Dufton P. L. , Trundle C. , Ryans R. S. I. , Crowther P. A. 
Published: July 2010

Abstract
The role of optical Fe iii absorption lines in B-type stars as iron abundance diagnostics is considered. To date, ultraviolet Fe lines have been widely used in B-type stars, although line blending can severely hinder their diagnostic power. Using optical spectra, covering a wavelength range ∼3560–9200 Å, a sample of Galactic B-type main-sequence and supergiant stars of spectral types B0.5 to B7 are investigated. A comparison of the observed Fe iii spectra of supergiants, and those predicted from the model atmosphere codes tlusty[plane-parallel, non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE)], with spectra generated using synspec (LTE), and cmfgen (spherical, non-LTE), reveal that non-LTE effects appear small. In addition, a sample of main-sequence and supergiant objects, observed with the Fiber-fed Extended Range Optical Spectrograph (FEROS), reveal LTE abundance estimates consistent with the Galactic environment and previous optical studies. Based on the present study, we list a number of Fe iii transitions which we recommend for estimating the iron abundance from early B-type stellar spectra.
Detection of tracheal malpositioning of nasogastric tubes using endotracheal cuff pressure measurement
Authors: Fuchs J. , Schummer C. , Giesser J. , Bayer O. , Schummer W. 
Published: July 2010

Background:  Insertion of a gastric tube (GT) in anaesthetized, paralyzed and intubated patients may be difficult. Tracheobronchial malposition of a GT may result in deleterious consequences. The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of tracheal cuff pressure measurement to detect endobronchial malposition of GTs. We compared this new method with the measurement of exhaled CO2 through the GT.Methods:  Thirty patients under general anesthesia and orotracheal intubation were analysed. First, the cuff pressure of the low‐volume endotracheal tube (ET; ID 7.0–8.5 mm) was increased to 40 cmH2O. Then, in a randomized fashion, the GT (18 Charrière) was inserted consecutively into the trachea and oesophagus or vice versa. Cuff pressure was monitored continuously while advancing the GT. Furthermore, a capnograph was connected to the gastric tube and the aspirated PCO2 was monitored.Results:  Advancement of the gastric tube into the oesophagus increased ET cuff pressure by 1 ± 1 cmH2O, while endotracheal placement of the GT increased cuff pressure by 28 ± 8 cmH2O (P < 0.001). Using an increase of >10 cmH2O in cuff pressure detected endotracheal malpositioning of the GT with 100% sensitivity and specificity. In 28 out of 30 cases, PCO2 increased by more than 2.6 kPa. Thus, the PCO2 approach failed to detect tracheal malpositioning in two cases resulting in a sensitivity of 93.3%.Conclusions:  In intubated patients, cuff pressure measurement during insertion of a gastric tube is a new, simple and reliable bedside method to detect endotracheal malpositioning of a GT.