bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria treatment with eculizumab is associated with a positive direct antiglobulin test
Authors: Höchsmann B. , Leichtle R. , von Zabern I. , Kaiser S. , Flegel W. A. , Schrezenmeier H. 
Published: September 2011

Background/Objectives  Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is characterized by intravascular haemolysis with a negative direct antiglobulin test (DAT). Eculizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits complement component C5 and is approved for PNH treatment. Recent publications demonstrated that some patients with PNH develop a positive DAT during eculizumab treatment. These published clinical trials investigated a highly selected patient population. Therefore, it seems important to study this topic in a general PNH patient population with a longer follow‐up.Materials and Methods  We analysed haemolytic activity, RBC transfusion requirement, effect on DAT and ferritin levels in 41 patients with PNH before and during eculizumab therapy with a median follow‐up of 24 months (range 1–63 months).Results  During eculizumab therapy, median LDH decreased (1657–258 U/l; P < 0·0001), while median haemoglobin increased (9·2–10·3 g/dl). Eighteen of 32 pts (56%) who previously required regular transfusions became transfusion independent. DAT was positive for C3d in 72·4% of 21 eculizumab‐treated pts with available DAT. Ferritin levels increased (69–348 ng/ml, P < 0·0001). This increase was more pronounced in pts with ongoing transfusion dependency during eculizumab therapy.Conclusion  Eculizumab therapy for PNH should be added to the list of possible causes for a positive DAT. Intravascular haemolysis was inhibited by eculizumab, but signs of extravascular haemolysis should be monitored. Because renal iron loss was stopped, eculizumab‐treated pts can be prone to iron overload and therefore ferritin concentrations should be monitored closely.
Dose‐dependent effects of dietary zinc oxide on bacterial communities and metabolic profiles in the ileum of weaned pigs
Authors: Pieper R. , Vahjen W. , Neumann K. , Van Kessel A. G. , Zentek J. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryPharmacological levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) can improve the health of weaning piglets and influence the intestinal microbiota. This experiment aimed at studying the dose–response effect of five dietary concentrations of ZnO on small intestinal bacteria and metabolite profiles. Fifteen piglets, weaned at 25 ± 1 days of age, were allocated into five groups according to body weight and litter. Diets were formulated to contain 50 (basal diet), 150, 250, 1000 and 2500 mg zinc/kg by adding analytical‐grade (>98% purity) ZnO to the basal diet and fed ad libitum for 14 days after a 7‐day adaptation period on the basal diet. Ileal bacterial community profiles were analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and selected bacterial groups quantified by real‐time PCR. Concentrations of ileal volatile fatty acids (VFA), d‐ and l‐lactate and ammonia were determined. Species richness, Shannon diversity and evenness were significantly higher at high ZnO levels. Quantitative PCR revealed lowest total bacterial counts in the 50 mg/kg group. Increasing ZnO levels led to an increase (p = 0.017) in enterobacteria from log 4.0 cfu/g digesta (50 mg/kg) to log 6.7 cfu/g digesta (2500 mg/kg). Lactic acid bacteria were not influenced (p = 0.687) and clostridial cluster XIVa declined (p = 0.035) at highest ZnO level. Concentration of total, d‐ and l‐lactate and propionate was not affected (p = 0.736, p = 0.290 and p = 0.630), but concentrations of ileal total VFA, acetate and butyrate increased markedly from 50 to 150 mg/kg and decreased with further increasing zinc levels and reached low levels again at 2500 mg/kg (p = 0.048, p = 0.048 and p = 0.097). Ammonia decreased (p < 0.006) with increasing dietary ZnO level. In conclusion, increasing levels of dietary ZnO had strong and dose‐dependent effects on ileal bacterial community composition and activity, suggesting taxonomic variation in metabolic response to ZnO.
Broad spectrum antidermatophytic drug for the control of tinea infection in human beings
Authors: Bhadauria Seema , Kumar Padma 
Published: September 2011

SummaryDuring antifungal evaluation of various plant extracts, free and bound flavonoids of Piper betle were found to be most effective as an antidermatophytic against human pathogenic dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum and Candida albicans. Dermatophytic fungi cause both superficial and internal mycoses. These mycoses, although normally not lethal, are unpleasant and difficult to cure and cause considerable financial losses. Earlier workers prove that allopathic drugs are still found effective against dermatomycoses, but these drugs could not be accepted as a routine treatment for every case, because they are expensive and require long treatment. It is almost unaffordable by middle and lower class people. In view of such prospects and constraints, our aim was to explore more new compounds of plant origin for controlling dermatophytic infections. Author explored water, methanolic and flavonoid extracts for screening as antidermatophytic agent. Plant extracts that showed good results in vitro were selected for clinical studies. The study may give cheaper treatment for medium and lower class patients suffering with tinea and may provide them much relief. Well‐established paper disc method was used for the screening of different extracts of their antidermatophytic activity. Moreover, it did not exhibit any adverse side effect on mammalian skin. Flavonoids in the form of ointment Pi be I and Pi be II were subjected to topical testing on patients attending out patients department of S.M.S. Hospital, Jaipur, India. Patients were diagnosed as tinea corporis, tinea capitis, tinea manum or tinea pedis. All patients showed positive potassium hydroxide (KOH) results at the beginning of trial. Patients between the ages of 3 months to 58 years were enrolled. At the end of treatment, while 64% of patients cured completely, 24% showed significant improvement and 12% showed little improvement from the disease. Allopathic treatment took 4–8 weeks when compared with only 1–5 weeks taken by Pi be I and Pi be II ointments. The ointment, thus not only showed maximum affectivity but was also found to be a better and cost effective alternative to allopathic drug for tinea infections. The acceptability of alternative medicines, particularly herbal medicines, has now become a critical need of the times.
Subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome on Rome III criteria: A multicenter study
Authors: Yao Xin , Yang Yun Sheng , Cui Li Hong , Zhao Ka Bing , Zhang Zhen Hua , Peng Li Hua , Guo Xu , Sun Gang , Shang Jun , Wang Wei Feng , Feng Jia , Huang Qiyang 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The aim of this study was to explore the distribution and clinical characteristics of four subtypes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on Rome III criteria in Chinese.Methods:  A total of 754 consecutive IBS outpatients from three tertiary hospitals in China were included. Diagnostic criteria were based on Rome II or Rome III.Results:  Among 754 outpatients, 510 (67.6%) patients met the Rome II criteria, 735 (97.5%) patients met the Rome III criteria and 492 (65.3%) patients met both sets of criteria. Among 735 patients who met the Rome III criteria, 66.3% had IBS with diarrhea (IBS‐D), 14.7% had IBS with constipation (IBS‐C), 4.2% had mixed IBS (IBS‐M) and 14.8% had unsubtyped IBS (IBS‐U). Most of the IBS‐D, IBS‐C and IBS‐M patients based on the Rome III criteria matched the diarrhea‐predominant IBS, constipation‐predominant IBS and alternating IBS based on the Rome II criteria, respectively. Among IBS‐U patients, 57.0%, 33.3% and 9.7% had constipation‐predominant IBS, diarrhea‐predominant IBS and alternating IBS, respectively. For IBS‐M, the frequencies of bowel movements were stable in 48.4% patients and variable in 51.6% patients. Defecation urgency and straining were most frequent in IBS‐M and least frequent in IBS‐U patients than other subtypes. About 77.2% of IBS‐U patients had abnormal stool frequency (< 3 times/week or > 3 times/day).Conclusion:  The Rome III criteria are more sensitive and practical in diagnosing IBS. IBS‐D is the most frequent subtype, which is followed by IBS‐U, IBS‐C and IBS‐M. IBS‐U is a new subtype, which warrants further studies.
Serum immunoglobulin G4 associated with number and distribution of extrapancreatic lesions in type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis patients
Authors: Kaji Ryohei , Takedatsu Hidetoshi , Okabe Yoshinobu , Ishida Yusuke , Sugiyama Gen , Yonemoto Koji , Mitsuyama Keiichi , Tsuruta Osamu , Sata Michio 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is characterized by the increase of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G4 and abundant IgG4 plasma cell infiltration in the pancreas and various extrapancreatic lesions (EPL), which are proposed as IgG4‐related disease. We assessed the correlation between serum IgG4 and the number of EPL, and the association between serum IgG4 and the distribution of EPL in type 1 AIP patients.Methods:  Serum IgG4 was measured in 35 type 1 AIP patients and 71 non‐AIP patients. The clinical characteristics and distribution of eight EPL were determined in 35 type 1 AIP patients.Results:  Serum IgG4 in type 1 AIP was significantly higher than in non‐AIP (P < 0.001). A total of 33 patients had EPL among 35 patients with type 1 AIP (94.3%). There was a significant correlation between serum IgG4 and the number of EPL (ρ = 0.75, P < 0.001). Further, to assess the association between serum IgG4 and the distribution of EPL, type 1 AIP patients were divided into two groups: as abdominal localized EPL and systemic EPL. Both serum IgG4 and total numbers of EPL in systemic EPL were remarkably higher than those in abdominal localized EPL. Serum IgG4 cut‐off value was 346 mg/dL to distinguish between abdominal localized EPL and systemic EPL according to the receiver–operator characteristic curve data.Conclusions:  Our findings indicated that serum IgG4 was useful in both the diagnosis of type 1 AIP and the detection of systemic EPL. Our finding may help the concept and diagnostic criteria of IgG4‐related disease with type 1 AIP.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α agonist, Wy 14 643, improves metabolic indices, steatosis and ballooning in diabetic mice with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Larter Claire Z , Yeh Matthew M , Van Rooyen Derrick M , Brooling John , Ghatora Kamaljit , Farrell Geoffrey C 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Lipid accumulation precedes hepatocellular injury and liver inflammation in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)α regulates hepatic lipid disposal. We studied whether pharmacological stimulation of PPARα reverses NASH associated with metabolic syndrome in high‐fat (HF)‐fed foz/foz obese/diabetic mice.Methods:  Female foz/foz mice and wildtype (WT) littermates were fed HF diet for 16 weeks to initiate NASH then treated with Wy 14 643 (Wy) for 10 days or 20 days. Liver disease was assessed by histology, serum alanine aminotransferase, genes (real‐time polymerase chain reaction) and proteins (Western blot, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay) of interest and pro‐inflammatory signaling pathways were determined.Results:  In diabetic foz/foz mice, NASH was associated with elevated serum MCP1 and hepatic activation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, but not oxidative or endoplasmic reticulum stress. Wy treatment decreased steatosis and injury, although induction of PPARα‐responsive fatty acid oxidation genes was proportionally less than in WT. The PPARα agonist lowered serum insulin, corrected hyperglycemia, and suppressed the carbohydrate‐dependent lipogenic transcription factor, carbohydrate response element binding protein. Steatosis resolution was associated with suppression of NF‐κB and JNK activation and decreased hepatic macrophages and neutrophils. Despite this, histology inflammation score remained high, associated with serum monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)1 elevation, a pro‐inflammatory chemokine related to higher adipose, not liver MCP1 mRNA expression.Conclusions:  Pharmacological activation of PPARα improves metabolic milieu, steatosis, ballooning, and combats NF‐κB and JNK activation, neutrophil and F4/80 macrophage recruitment in diabetes‐related NASH. However, persistent liver inflammation with high serum MCP1 due to unsuppressed adipose inflammation may limit PPARα agonists' efficacy as therapy for NASH.
Effects of peripheral lymphocyte subpopulations and the clinical correlation with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Niwa Fumitoshi , Kuriyama Nagato , Nakagawa Masanori , Imanishi Jiro 
Published: September 2011

Aim:  To understand the characteristics of peripheral immunity in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), we investigated the natural killer (NK) cell activity and lymphocyte subpopulations including regulatory T (Treg) cells and type 17 helper T (Th17) cells.Methods:  Peripheral blood was collected from 29 PD patients (mean age 70.4 years) and 30 healthy controls (mean age 68.9 years). NK cell activity was measured by a calcein acetoxymethyl ester release assay using NK‐sensitive K562 cells, peripheral NK cells and lymphocytes subsets were analyzed using flow cytometry techniques.Results:  Comparison of the two groups demonstrated that the percentage of NK cells increased and that of helper T cells, particularly type 1 (Th1), decreased in patients with PD. There was no evidence of Th1/Th2 or Treg/Th17 cell predominance in PD. Moreover, the increase of NK cells and the decrease of Th1 cells correlated with Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores and the heart‐to‐mediastinum ratios based on myocardial 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine uptake, both of which represent disease severity in patients with PD.Conclusion:  Our investigation indicates that a certain proportion of NK cells and other lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with PD and their association with disease severity may reflect the effect of innate immunity in patients with PD in addition to the effect of dopaminergic‐related agents. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 102–107.
Comparison of cognitive performance in mild cognitive impairment and dementia patients with that in normal children and adults
Authors: Tsantali Eleni , Economidis Dimitris , Rigopoulou Stamatia , Porpodas Constantinos 
Published: September 2011

Background:  It is well known that there is rapid cognitive development in childhood and cognitive decline during aging, but the volume of these changes using the same clinical tool is not well documented in the literature. The aim of our study was to investigate and compare the cognitive performance of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia patients with that of children, adolescents and adults, using a worldwide screening tool, the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and considering the age, educational level and mental status of the participants.Methods:  Our sample included 1364 Greek participants and consisted of normal children, adolescents, adults and non‐demented, MCI and demented elderly participants.Results:  The variables of age, education and mental status influenced the participant's performance in the MMSE, but sex did not. The smallest variance of the MMSE score was found in 16–18‐year‐old adolescents, a big variance was found in 7–8‐year‐old children, while the biggest was in 71–90‐year‐olds. Alzheimer's disease (AD) participants performed poorer than the 7–8 years old children, though MCI participants showed similar cognitive performance to that age‐group. The participants with 7–9 years of schooling and those with more than 9 years had no significant difference in their MMSE performance.Conclusion:  Comparing cognitive performance between subgroups, our results indicated that MCI patients have a similar cognitive performance to that of 7–8‐year‐old children and AD patients' a poorer one than that group. The significant years of cognitive decline in aging are the 56th year, the 66 quinquennium, and the 7th and 8th decades. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; 12: 336–344.
Adult neurogenesis in the decapod crustacean brain: a hematopoietic connection?
Authors: Beltz Barbara S. , Zhang Yi , Benton Jeanne L. , Sandeman David C. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractNew neurons are produced and integrated into circuits in the adult brains of many organisms, including crustaceans. In some crustacean species, the first‐generation neuronal precursors reside in a niche exhibiting characteristics analogous to mammalian neurogenic niches. However, unlike mammalian niches where several generations of neuronal precursors co‐exist, the lineage of precursor cells in crayfish is spatially separated allowing the influence of environmental and endogenous regulators on specific generations in the neuronal precursor lineage to be defined. Experiments also demonstrate that the first‐generation neuronal precursors in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii are not self‐renewing. A source external to the neurogenic niche must therefore provide cells that replenish the first‐generation precursor pool, because although these cells divide and produce a continuous efflux of second‐generation cells from the niche, the population of first‐generation niche precursors is not diminished with growth and aging. In vitro studies show that cells extracted from the hemolymph, but not other tissues, are attracted to and incorporated into the neurogenic niche, a phenomenon that appears to involve serotonergic mechanisms. We propose that, in crayfish, the hematopoietic system may be a source of cells that replenish the niche cell pool. These and other studies reviewed here establish decapod crustaceans as model systems in which the processes underlying adult neurogenesis, such as stem cell origins and transformation, can be readily explored. Studies in diverse species where adult neurogenesis occurs will result in a broader understanding of fundamental mechanisms and how evolutionary processes may have shaped the vertebrate/mammalian condition.
Adult neurogenesis in mammals – a theme with many variations
Authors: Bonfanti Luca , Peretto Paolo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractInvestigations of adult neurogenesis in recent years have revealed numerous differences among mammalian species, reflecting the remarkable diversity in brain anatomy and function of mammals. As a mechanism of brain plasticity, adult neurogenesis might also differ due to behavioural specialization or adaptation to specific ecological niches. Because most research has focused on rodents and only limited data are available on other mammalian orders, it is hotly debated whether, in some species, adult neurogenesis also takes place outside of the well‐characterized subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus. In particular, evidence for the functional integration of new neurons born in ‘non‐neurogenic’ zones is controversial. Considering the promise of adult neurogenesis for regenerative medicine, we posit that differences in the extent, regional occurrence and completion of adult neurogenesis need to be considered from a species‐specific perspective. In this review, we provide examples underscoring that the mechanisms of adult neurogenesis cannot simply be generalized to all mammalian species. Despite numerous similarities, there are distinct differences, notably in neuronal maturation, survival and functional integration in existing synaptic circuits, as well as in the nature and localization of neural precursor cells. We also propose a more appropriate use of terminology to better describe these differences and their relevance for brain plasticity under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In conclusion, we emphasize the need for further analysis of adult neurogenesis in diverse mammalian species to fully grasp the spectrum of variation of this adaptative mechanism in the adult CNS.
Is there a relationship between adult neurogenesis and neuron generation following injury across evolution?
Authors: Ferretti Patrizia 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAll vertebrates can produce new neurons postnatally in discrete regions of their nervous system, but only some lower vertebrates (fish and amphibians) can significantly repair several neural structures, including brain, spinal cord, retina, olfactory and auditory–vestibular system, to compensate for neural tissue loss and recover significant functionality. Some regenerative ability, however, is found also in reptiles and birds, and even in mammals. The recognition that neurogenesis indeed occurs in the CNS of all adult vertebrates challenges the view that there is a simple relationship between maintenance of neurogenic regions in the adult CNS and regenerative capability. The aim of this review is to revisit this relationship in the light of recent literature focusing on selected examples of neurogenesis and regeneration, and discuss possible frameworks that may help to elucidate the relationship between adult neurogenesis and regeneration. This could provide useful paradigms for harnessing regeneration in the human CNS.
Birds as a model to study adult neurogenesis: bridging evolutionary, comparative and neuroethological approaches
Authors: Barnea Anat , Pravosudov Vladimir 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDuring the last few decades, evidence has demonstrated that adult neurogenesis is a well‐preserved feature throughout the animal kingdom. In birds, ongoing neuronal addition occurs rather broadly, to a number of brain regions. This review describes adult avian neurogenesis and neuronal recruitment, discusses factors that regulate these processes, and touches upon the question of their genetic control. Several attributes make birds an extremely advantageous model to study neurogenesis. First, song learning exhibits seasonal variation that is associated with seasonal variation in neuronal turnover in some song control brain nuclei, which seems to be regulated via adult neurogenesis. Second, food‐caching birds naturally use memory‐dependent behavior in learning the locations of thousands of food caches scattered over their home ranges. In comparison with other birds, food‐caching species have relatively enlarged hippocampi with more neurons and intense neurogenesis, which appears to be related to spatial learning. Finally, migratory behavior and naturally occurring social systems in birds also provide opportunities to investigate neurogenesis. This diversity of naturally occurring memory‐based behaviors, combined with the fact that birds can be studied both in the wild and in the laboratory, make them ideal for investigation of neural processes underlying learning. This can be done by using various approaches, from evolutionary and comparative to neuroethological and molecular. Finally, we connect the avian arena to a broader view by providing a brief comparative and evolutionary overview of adult neurogenesis and by discussing the possible functional role of the new neurons. We conclude by indicating future directions and possible medical applications.