bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular analysis of knock down resistance (kdr) mutation and distribution of kdr genotypes in a wild population of Culex quinquefasciatus from India
Authors: Sarkar Manas , Borkotoki Aparajita , Baruah Indra , Bhattacharyya Indra Kumar , Srivastava Ravi Bihari 
Published: June 2009

SummaryObjective  To investigate the presence of knock down resistance (kdr) mutation, its frequency distribution in the principal vector of bancroftian filariasis, Culex quinquefasciatus from northeastern India, and to relate kdr genotypes with susceptibility and/or resistance to DDT and deltamethrin in this vectors.Methods  Adult female mosquitoes were collected by aspiration from human dwellings in two villages, Benganajuli and Rikamari, and two military establishments, Field Units I and II. Insecticide susceptibility tests were performed following WHO methods with 4% DDT and 0.05% deltamethrin. Molecular identification of kdr mutation and genotyping of kdr locus was performed by allele‐specific PCR (AS‐PCR) and direct sequencing in a subset of samples.Results  Mosquitoes were resistant to DDT and showed 11.9–41.2% mortality, whereas the knock down bioassay for deltamethrin suggests complete susceptibility to this insecticide in all study sites except Benganajuli. The result of AS‐PCR confirmed the presence of three genotypes: susceptible (SS), resistant (RR) and heterozygous (SR) in the population. Genotype frequencies at kdr locus for DDT‐resistant individuals conformed with the Hardy–Weinberg proportion, whereas DDT and deltamethrin susceptible individuals differed significantly (P < 0.05). The efficacy of AS‐PCR in detecting the correct genotype was not encouraging.Conclusions  This is the first report from India on kdr genotyping in C. quinquefasciatus, and it confirms the occurrence of kdr allele in this vector in northeastern India. This finding has serious implications for the filariasis control programmes in India.
Non‐HLA T‐cell reactivity during the first year after HLA‐identical living‐related kidney transplantation
Authors: Gerrits Jeroen H. , Van De Wetering Jacqueline , Drabbels Jos J. , IJzermans Jan N.M. , Claas Frans H.J. , Weimar Willem , Van Besouw Nicole M. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Background:  It has been reported that donor‐reactive T‐cell responses may decrease during the first year after HLA‐mismatched organ transplantation. We wondered whether donor‐reactive T‐cell responses directed to minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAgs) or other non‐HLA antigens also decrease after HLA‐identical living‐related (LR) kidney transplantation.Methods:  We studied donor‐reactive T‐cell responses by IFN‐γ and granzyme B (GrB) Elispot assays in 15 HLA‐identical LR kidney transplant recipients before, six months and one yr after transplantation. Third‐party reactivity was used as control. Patient and donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells were typed for 11 known mHAgs.Results:  During the study period, 60% and 36% of the patients demonstrated donor‐reactive IFN‐γ and GrB producing cells (pc), respectively. The number of donor‐reactive IFN‐γ and GrB pc was significantly lower than the number of third‐party reactive IFN‐γ and GrB pc. After transplantation, donor‐reactivity and third‐party reactivity were comparable to pre‐transplant values. No relation was found in mHAg mismatches between donor and recipient and donor‐reactive T‐cell response.Conclusions:  Donor‐reactivity could be detected before and after HLA‐identical LR kidney transplantation, but was not related with the number of mHAg mismatches, and did not decrease after transplantation.
Disparity in utilization of combined kidney–liver transplantation in the United States
Authors: Mehta S.D. , Leehey D.J. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is performed as a definitive treatment of acute and chronic liver failure. The prevalence of acute and chronic kidney diseases is substantially higher in this population secondary to diverse etiologies. Combined kidney–liver transplantation (CKLT) is widely performed in some centers, even though there are no definitive studies which support or contradict this practice.Methods:  We comprehensively reviewed OLT as well as CKLT data from US transplant centers provided by United Network of Organ Sharing (UNOS).Results:  The incidence of CKLT as a percentage of total OLTs performed has been increasing, especially in the post‐MELD era (2002 and after). Moreover, there is a great disparity among centers in regard to percentage of CKLTs to total OLTs.Conclusion:  We conclude that there is much difference of opinion among US transplant centers as to indications for CKLT. A more scientific approach to this problem including studies to assess the role of kidney biopsy in determining renal outcome after OLT is needed.
Prevalence and staging of chronic kidney disease in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Costa de Oliveira Cláudia Maria , Mota Márcia Uchoa , Mota Rosa Salani , Nóbrega Joana Oliveira , Melo Débora Silva , Vieira Ariane Sá , Fernandes Paula Frassinetti Castelo Branco , Campos Henry de Holanda , Evangelista João Batista 
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Introduction:  Diagnosis and staging of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important for management and prevention of renal disease progression. It is unclear whether K/DOQI guidelines of the National Kidney Foundation are applicable to diagnosis of CKD in renal transplant recipients (RTRs) and which method is most appropriate for estimating glomerular filtration.Objectives:  To determine the prevalence and staging of CKD in RTRs, according to K/DOQI guidelines, and the prevalence of complications of CKD.Subjects and methods:  This cross‐sectional study included RTRs at least six months post‐transplantation followed at a single out‐patient service. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated with two different equations: the MDRD equation (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) with four variables (age, creatinine level, gender, and race) and the Cockcroft–Gault (CG) formula. Patients with GFR more than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were diagnosed with CKD only in the presence of renal damage (hematuria, proteinuria, or evidence of injury in renal biopsy). CKD staging was compared to the two equations and the prevalence of complications was determined.Results:  The study evaluated 241 RTRs (average age: 40.6 ± 12.5 yr, 62.2% male; 4.5% black, 50.6% from cadaveric donors). Average follow‐up time was 6.8 ± 6.1 yr and the average baseline creatinine level was 1.48 ± 0.72 mg/dL. CKD was diagnosed in 70.5% of RTRs, of whom 52.9% (MDRD)/47.6% (CG) were classified as Stage III (GFR: 30–59 mL/min/1.73 m2). The agreement between the two methods was very close with regard to CKD diagnosis (κ = 0.92) and close for stage‐dependent prevalence (κ = 0.68). The prevalence of anemia, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia (HF), hyperuricemia (HU), and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) was 10.6%, 7.6%, 10.3%, 54%, and 73.4% for patients with CKD. Significant differences were observed for HU, HF and SAH in patients without CKD. Anemia, HU and SAH were associated with CKD stage (p < 0.001).Conclusion:  The prevalence of CKD in the study population was high (70.5%). The two equations tested correlated closely when used for GFR estimation. Routine CKD staging in RTRs would provide patients with safer and more appropriate management.
Evasion and subversion of antigen presentation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Baena A. , Porcelli S. A. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most successful of human pathogens and has acquired the ability to establish latent or progressive infection and persist even in the presence of a fully functioning immune system. The ability of M. tuberculosis to avoid immune‐mediated clearance is likely to reflect a highly evolved and coordinated program of immune evasion strategies, including some that interfere with antigen presentation to prevent or alter the quality of T‐cell responses. Here, we review an extensive array of published studies supporting the view that antigen presentation pathways are targeted at many points by pathogenic mycobacteria. These studies show the multiple potential mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis may actively inhibit, subvert or otherwise modulate antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex class I, class II and CD1 molecules. Unraveling the mechanisms by which M. tuberculosis evades or modulates antigen presentation is of critical importance for the development of more effective new vaccines based on live attenuated mycobacterial strains.
Association of PTPN22 gene functional variants with development of pulmonary tuberculosis in Moroccan population
Authors: Lamsyah H. , Rueda B. , Baassi L. , Elaouad R. , Bottini N. , Sadki K. , Martin J. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causal agent of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), remains a major health problem throughout the world causing high mortality in humans. Previous studies showed that several genes may play crucial roles in susceptibility to TB. The PTPN22 gene encodes the lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase that has an important regulatory effect on T‐ and B‐cell activation in immune response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of two functional missense single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PTPN22 gene region (R620W and R263Q) in the susceptibility to TB in the Moroccan population. A case–control association study was performed including 123 pulmonary TB patients and 155 healthy controls. All subjects were genotyped by TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. Regarding the PTPN22 R620W (C1858T) SNP, we observed a statistically significant difference in the distribution of the PTPN22 1885T allele between pulmonary TB patients and healthy controls (0.41% vs 3.2%, P = 0.01, odds ratio (OR) = 0.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.01–0.93). With respect to the PTPN22 R263Q (G788A), we observed an increase of 788A allele frequencies in TB patients compared with those in healthy controls (3.65% vs 0.65%, P = 0.01, OR = 5.85, 95% CI = 1.17–39.55). These results suggest that PTPN22 gene variants may affect susceptibility to TB in the Moroccan population.
Natural killer T cell facilitated engraftment of rat skin but not islet xenografts in mice
Authors: Gordon Ethel J. , Kelkar Vinaya 
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Background:  We have studied cellular components required for xenograft survival mediated by anti‐CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and a transfusion of donor spleen cells and found that the elimination of CD4+ but not CD8+ cells significantly improves graft survival. A contribution of other cellular components, such as natural killer (NK) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells, for costimulation blockade‐induced xenograft survival has not been clearly defined. We therefore tested the hypothesis that NK or NKT cells would promote rat islet and skin xenograft acceptance in mice.Methods:  Lewis rat islets or skin was transplanted into wild type B6 mice or into B6 mice that were Jα18null, CD1null, or beta2 microglobulin (β2M)null NK 1.1 depleted, or perforinnull. Graft recipients were pretreated with an infusion of donor derived spleen cells and a brief course of anti‐CD154 mAb treatments. Additional groups received mAb or cells only.Results:  We first observed that the depletion of NK1.1 cells does not significantly interfere with graft survival in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. We used NKT cell deficient B6 mice to test the hypothesis that NKT cells are involved in islet and skin xenograft survival in our model. These mice bear a null mutation in the gene for the Jα18 component of the T‐cell receptor. The component is uniquely associated with NKT cells. We found no difference in islet xenograft survival between Jα18null and wild type B6 mice. In contrast, median skin graft survival appeared shorter in Jα18null recipients. These data imply a role for Jα18+ NKT cells in skin xenograft survival in treated mice. In order to confirm this inference, we tested skin xenograft survival in B6 CD1null mice because NKT cells are CD1 restricted. Results of these trials demonstrate that the absence of CD1+ cells adversely affects rat skin graft survival. An additional assay in β2Mnull mice demonstrated a requirement for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression in the graft host, and we demonstrate that CD1 is the requisite MHC component. We further demonstrated that, unlike reports for allograft survival, skin xenograft survival does not require perforin‐secreting NK cells.Conclusions:  We conclude that MHC class I+ CD1+ Jα18+ NKT cells promote the survival of rat skin but not rat islet xenografts. These studies implicate different mechanisms for inducing and maintaining islet vs. skin xenograft survival in mice treated with donor antigen and anti‐CD154 mAb, and further indicate a role for NKT cells but not NK cells in skin xenograft survival.
Quantitative tools for assessing the fate of xenotransplanted human stem/progenitor cells in chimeric mice
Authors: Cheng Kang , Gupta Sanjeev 
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Background:  Identification of transplanted human cells in mouse models is important for studying the biology and therapeutic potential of stem/progenitor cells. As stem/progenitor cells are often transplanted in low numbers, detection of cell engraftment requires sensitive tools. Probes for single copy genes, as well as repetitive genetic elements are available for detecting transplanted cells, although their value relative to one another had not been defined.Methods:  We examined whether human sequences in chimeric mice could be measured with quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reactions for Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease, type 1 repeat element, sex‐determining region Y, or short tandem repeats (STR) across human leukocyte antigen (HLA) regions, which are distinct from rodent genomes.Results:  We found that specific probes for all three candidate approaches successfully identified human cells in mixtures containing human and mouse genomes. However, probes for Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease element or STRs for HLA regions were less effective for low numbers of transplanted human stem/progenitor cells in mice than human sex‐determining region on Y‐chromosome. None of the approaches could identify transplanted human cells constituting less than one percent of the total cell mass. This required localization of transplanted cells in tissue sections with human‐specific in situ hybridization probes.Conclusions:  Quantitative assays with probes for single copy gene sequences, STRs or sex‐determining region will be helpful for demonstrating organ repopulation, although initial lower frequency engraftment of human cells in chimeric mice will be most effectively identified by complementary tools, such as in situ localization of human cells in tissues.
Primary antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori in children during the past 9 years
Authors: Kato Seiichi , Fujimura Shigeru 
Published: June 2009

AbstractBackground:  Antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori is a growing problem in clinical practice, particularly clarithromycin resistance. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori resistance to antimicrobial agents in Japanese children.Methods:  A total of 61 H. pylori strains isolated from children (mean age, 12.6 years; range, 4–18 years) between 1999 and 2007 were studied for primary antimicrobial resistance, using a microdilution method. In addition, the eradication rate with lansoprazole‐based triple regimens was determined.Results:  The overall resistance rate of clarithromycin, amoxicillin and metronidazole was 36.1%, 0% and 14.8%, respectively. Resistance to both clarithromycin and metronidazole was detected in 6.6% of the strains. The rate of clarithromycin‐resistant strains was 32.4% from 1999 to 2002 and 40.7% from 2003 to 2007, and clarithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration at which 90% of the isolates were inhibited (MIC90) increased fourfold from 1999–2002 to 2003–2007, with all clarithromycin‐resistant strains showing low‐level resistance. Metronidazole resistance rates were not different between these two study periods. Regimens involving amoxicillin and clarithromycin (n= 49) had a higher eradication rate in clarithromycin‐susceptible strains (97.1%) than in the resistant strains (57.1%; P < 0.001). There was no difference in the eradication rate between 7 day and 10 or 14 day courses of the regimens (P= 0.53). The regimen with amoxicillin and metronidazole produced successful eradication in all nine patients with clarithromycin‐resistant strains.Conclusions:  Clarithromycin resistance of H. pylori is high, and triple regimen treatment containing clarithromycin should be decided based on susceptibility to the agent.
Pediatric transtracheal and cricothyrotomy airway devices for emergency use: which are appropriate for infants and children?
Authors: COTÉ CHARLES J. , HARTNICK CHRISTOPHER J. 
Published: June 2009

SummaryCricothyrotomy or insertion of a transtracheal device is a life‐saving maneuver that may be performed on an emergent or semi‐elective basis as a means of bypassing an obstructed upper airway. A surgeon is trained to perform this life‐saving procedure whereas most anesthesiologists are not facile with the scalpel. It is for this reason that many percutaneous devices have been developed for use by surgeons and nonsurgeons alike. Unfortunately, the majority of such devices are designed for use in adults and/or teenagers but are not appropriate for neonates and infants. The unique anatomy of the infant larynx, the small size of the cricothyroid membrane, and the technical difficulty of locating the correct anatomical structures make the use of most of these devices impractical if not outright dangerous in neonates and infants. This paper will review many (but not all) of the available devices, associated literature, pitfalls and dangers. It is emphasized that each clinician should become familiar with the advantages and disadvantages of these devices and obtain training with simulators or animal models. A strategy for management of the ‘cannot ventilate, cannot oxygenate, cannot intubate’ situation should be developed with age and size appropriate equipment.
Infections of the airway
Authors: JENKINS IAN A. , SAUNDERS MICHAEL 
Published: June 2009

SummaryInfections of the airway in children may present to the anesthetist as an emergency in several locations: the Emergency Department, the Operating Department or on Intensive Care. In all of these locations, relevant and up to date knowledge of presentations, diagnoses, potential complications and clinical management will help the anesthetist and the surgical team, not only with the performance of their interventions, but also in buying time before these are undertaken, avoiding complications and altering the eventual outcome for the child. Diseases such as epiglottitis and diphtheria may show diminished incidence but they have not gone away and their clinical features and essential management remain unchanged. Paradoxically, perhaps, some conditions such as Lemierre’s syndrome appear to be making a comeback. In these instances, clinicians need to be alert to these less common conditions, not only in regard to the disease itself but also to potentially serious complications. This article describes those infections of the airway that are most likely to present to the anesthetist, their attendant complications and recommendations for treatment.
Iatrogenic damage to the pediatric airway Mechanisms and scar development
Authors: HOLZKI JOSEF , LASCHAT MICHAEL , PUDER CHRISTIAN 
Published: June 2009

SummaryIatrogenic damage to the pediatric airway occurs rather often. Most injuries will heal without any sequelae because larynx and trachea of children tolerate considerable trauma. However, sometimes the injury is penetrating the mucosa and scar formation can lead to an obstruction of the airway which is followed by a tracheostomy and long term surgery. A great problem is the early detection of trauma since noisy breathing develops often late when scar formation has occluded more than 50% of the airway. A selection of photo documents of airway endoscopy out of more than 5000 photos from the years 1987–2007 were used to explain the development of injuries from minor lesions to large areas of necrosis of the mucosa of larynx and trachea of infants and children. The visualization of airway lesions might help to prevent iatrogenic damage.
Key targets of hormonal treatment of prostate cancer. Part 1: the androgen receptor and steroidogenic pathways
Authors: Vis André N. , Schröder Fritz H. 
Published: June 2009

OBJECTIVEKnowledge of the molecular and cellular changes that occur during the transition of hormone‐naïve to castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is increasing rapidly. This might provide a window of opportunity for (future) drug development, and for treating patients with these potential devastating states of disease. The objective of this review is to provide an understanding of the mechanisms that prostate cancer cells use to bypass androgen‐deprived conditions.METHODSWe searched PubMed for experimental and clinical studies that describe the molecular changes that lead to CRPC.RESULTSCRPC remains dependent on a functional androgen receptor (AR), AR‐mediated processes, and on the availability of intraprostatic intracellular androgens. CRPCs might acquire different (molecular) mechanisms that enable them to use intracellular androgens more efficiently (AR amplification, AR protein overexpression, AR hypersensitivity), use alternative splice variants of the AR protein to mediate androgen‐independent AR functioning, and have altered co‐activator and co‐repressor gene and protein expression. Furthermore, CRPCs might have the ability to synthesise androgens de novo from available precursors through a renewed and up‐regulated synthesis of steroid‐hormone converting enzymes. Blocking of enzymes key to de novo androgen synthesis could be an alternative means to treat patients with advanced and/or metastatic disease.CONCLUSIONIn CRPC, prostate cancer cells still rely on intracellular androgens and on an active AR for growth and survival. CRPCs have gained mechanisms that enable them to use steroids from the circulation more efficiently through altered gene expression, and through a renewed and up‐regulated synthesis of steroid hormone‐converting enzymes. Additionally, CRPCs might synthesise AR isoforms that enable AR mediated processes independent from available androgens.
Dynamic GIS Case Studies: Wildfire Evacuation and Volunteered Geographic Information
Authors: Pultar Edward , Raubal Martin , Cova Thomas J , Goodchild Michael F 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIncorporating the temporal element into traditional GIS is a challenge that has been researched for many years and has many proposed solutions. The implemented system “Extended Dynamic GIS” or EDGIS is based on the “geo‐atom” and Space Time Point (STP). EDGIS provides a platform for spatiotemporal data representation, storage, and query in order to address the need for a dynamic GIS to manage complex geographic data types. The system has the capability of executing spatiotemporal object interaction queries (OIQs) such as crossing and coincidence of field‐objects and object‐fields. In this article existing dynamic GIS analysis techniques are further improved and enhanced through exploration of more in‐depth case studies. Further examined here are applications to wildfire evacuation modeling and travel scenarios of urban environments with individuals providing volunteered geographic information (VGI). The EDGIS platform provides a means for interacting with a range of dynamic geographic phenomena. The areas of transportation, location based services (LBS), hazards, and geo‐sensor networks provide challenges intertwined with the above applications as well as additional challenges pertinent to the ongoing GIScience research topic of spatiotemporal GIS. Using EDGIS to explore the described case studies of wildfire evacuation as well as VGI provides the advancements described above and demonstrates implemented uses for dynamic GIS.