bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in Inflammation and QoL After a Single Dose of Infliximab During Ongoing IBD Treatment
Authors: DeBoer Mark D. , Barnes Barrett H. , Stygles Nicholas A. , Sutphen James L. , Borowitz Stephen M. 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and Objectives:Infliximab is used increasingly as maintenance therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, the effects of a single maintenance dose of infliximab are unclear with respect to the quality of life and hormones related to growth and puberty. The aim of the present study was to determine the time course of inflammatory, hormonal, and quality‐of‐life changes following a single dose of infliximab in the context of ongoing therapy, as related to presence of IBD symptoms at time of administration.Methods:Children and adolescents with IBD receiving ongoing therapy with infliximab for clinical indications were recruited. The Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index was determined at baseline and laboratory measures of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and hormones of growth and puberty were determined on days 0, 2, and 14. IBD‐related quality of life (IMPACT III questionnaire) was tested on days 0 and 14. Subjects who had symptoms of IBD were compared with asymptomatic subjects.Results:Subjects overall and in the symptomatic group exhibited improved hsCRP by day 2 following treatment. Symptomatic subjects had higher Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index scores and lower quality‐of‐life scores than asymptomatic subjects on day 0, whereas at day 14 there were no significant differences in quality‐of‐life scores between the 2 groups.Conclusions:Even in the context of ongoing treatment, a single dose of infliximab results in decreased hsCRP, an improvement that is particularly noted among subjects who are symptomatic at the time of treatment. Although randomized trials are needed, these observational data may assist clinicians, patients, and families regarding expectations about timing and extent of these changes following a single treatment dose.
Disentangling ribbon worm relationships: multi‐locus analysis supports traditional classification of the phylum Nemertea
Authors: Andrade Sónia C. S. , Strand Malin , Schwartz Megan , Chen Haixia , Kajihara Hiroshi , von Döhren Jörn , Sun Shichun , Junoy Juan , Thiel Martin , Norenburg Jon L. , Turbeville James M. , Giribet Gonzalo , Sundberg Per 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe phylogenetic relationships of selected members of the phylum Nemertea are explored by means of six markers amplified from the genomic DNA of freshly collected specimens (the nuclear 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA genes, histones H3 and H4, and the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I). These include all previous markers and regions used in earlier phylogenetic analyses of nemerteans, therefore acting as a scaffold to which one could pinpoint any previously published study. Our results, based on analyses of static and dynamic homology concepts under probabilistic and parsimony frameworks, agree in the non‐monophyly of Palaeonemertea and in the monophyly of Heteronemerta and Hoplonemertea. The position of Hubrechtella and the Pilidiophora hypothesis are, however, sensitive to analytical method, as is the monophyly of the non‐hubrechtiid palaeonemerteans. Our results are, however, consistent with the main division of Hoplonemertea into Polystilifera and Monostilifera, the last named being divided into Cratenemertea and Distromatonemertea, as well as into the main division of Heteronemertea into Baseodiscus and the remaining species. The study also continues to highlight the deficient taxonomy at the family and generic level within Nemertea and sheds light on the areas of the tree that require further refinement.© The Willi Hennig Society 2011.
Complications associated with peripheral or central routes for central venous cannulation
Authors: Pikwer A. , Åkeson J. , Lindgren S. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryWe undertook a review of studies comparing complications of centrally or peripherally inserted central venous catheters. Twelve studies were included. Catheter tip malpositioning (9.3% vs 3.4%, p = 0.0007), thrombophlebitis (78 vs 7.5 per 10 000 indwelling days, p = 0.0001) and catheter dysfunction (78 vs 14 per 10 000 indwelling days, p = 0.04) were more common with peripherally inserted catheters than with central catheter placement, respectively. There was no difference in infection rates. We found that the risks of tip malpositioning, thrombophlebitis and catheter dysfunction favour clinical use of centrally placed catheters instead of peripherally inserted central catheters, and that the two catheter types do not differ with respect to catheter‐related infection rates.
The influence of patient position on withdrawal force of thoracic epidural catheters*
Authors: Sim W. S. , Choi J. W. , Lee C. J. , Nahm F. S. , Lee S. H. , Shin B. S. , Cho H. S. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryWe investigated the forces required to remove thoracic epidural catheters to determine the effect of patient position on removal. Eighty‐four patients undergoing open thoracotomy and thoracic patient‐controlled epidural analgesia were enrolled. Catheterisation was performed under fluoroscopic guidance before surgery, and the patients were allocated to one of three position groups for removal: prone; sitting; and lateral. On the third postoperative day, the peak tension during withdrawal in the assigned position was measured. No differences in mean (SD) forces were found between groups: prone 1.61 (0.39) N, supine 1.62 (0.61) N and lateral 1.36 (0.56) N (p = 0.140). The withdrawal forces required to remove thoracic epidural catheters were not affected by the position. Thus, the position for removal can be determined by patient’s choice and clinical judgement.
Twenty‐four‐hour profiles of plasma glucose, insulin, C‐peptide and free fatty acid in subjects with varying degrees of glucose tolerance following short‐term, medium‐dose prednisone (20 mg/day) treatment: evidence for differing effects on insulin secretion and action
Authors: Yuen Kevin C. J. , McDaniel Patricia A. , Riddle Matthew C. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryObjective  To determine the time course and prandial effects of short‐term, medium‐dose prednisone on 24‐h metabolic patterns under standardized conditions.Context  Glucocorticoids (GCs) adversely affect glucose homoeostasis but 24‐h profiles of glucose, insulin, C‐peptide and free fatty acids (FFAs) following short‐term, medium‐dose prednisone treatment in persons with varying degrees of glucose tolerance are not well defined.Design  An open‐label cross‐sectional interventional study.Subjects  Three groups were prospectively studied: persons with type 2 diabetes (T2DM; n = 7), persons ‘at risk’ for T2DM (AR; n = 8) and persons with normal glucose tolerance (NGT; n = 5).Methods  Before and after 3‐day treatment with prednisone 20 mg each morning, subjects underwent 24‐h frequent blood sampling. Eucaloric mixed meals were provided at 08:00, 12:00 and 18:00 h. Insulin/glucose ratio provided an estimate of β‐cell response to meal stimuli.Measurements  Plasma glucose, insulin, C‐peptide, haemoglobin A1c and FFA.Results  Prednisone induced greater increases in glucose levels from midday (P = 0·001) to midnight (P = 0·02) in the T2DM than the AR and NGT groups. In contrast, insulin (P = 0·03) and C‐peptide (P = 0·04) levels decreased postbreakfast in the T2DM group, whereas no changes in the morning but higher C‐peptide levels (P = 0·03) from midday to midnight were observed in the AR group. In the T2DM group, insulin/glucose ratio decreased postbreakfast (P = 0·04) and increased postdinner (P = 0·03). Fasting glucose, insulin and C‐peptide levels were unchanged in all groups, and FFA levels modestly increased postdinner (P = 0·03) in the NGT group.Conclusion  Short‐term, medium‐dose prednisone treatment induces postprandial hyperglycaemia in T2DM and AR predominantly from midday to midnight because of suppression of insulin secretion followed by decreased insulin action that dissipates overnight. Effective treatment of prednisone‐induced hyperglycaemia should target both rapid onset relative insulin deficiency and a less than 24‐h total duration of effect.
Structural and biophysical determinants of αβ T‐cell antigen recognition
Authors: Bridgeman John S. , Sewell Andrew K. , Miles John J. , Price David A. , Cole David K. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryThe molecular rules that govern MHC restriction, and allow T‐cells to differentiate between peptides derived from healthy cells and those from diseased cells, remain poorly understood. Here we provide an overview of the structural constraints that enable the T‐cell receptor (TCR) to discriminate between self and non‐self peptides, and summarize studies that have attempted to correlate the biophysical parameters of TCR/peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) binding with T‐cell activation. We further review how the antigenic origin of peptide epitopes affects TCR binding parameters and the ‘quality’ of a T‐cell response. Understanding the principles that govern pMHC recognition by T‐cells will unlock pathways to the rational development of immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of infectious disease, cancer and autoimmunity.
Intra‐arterial blood pressure reading in intensive care unit patients in the lateral position
Authors: Aries Marcel JH , Aslan Adnan , Elting Jan Willem J , Stewart Roy E , Zijlstra Jan G , De Keyser Jacques , Vroomen Patrick CAJ 
Published: October 2011

Background.  Routine lateral turning of patients has become an accepted standard of care to prevent complications of immobility. The haemodynamic and oxygenation effects for patients in both lateral positions (45°) are still a matter of debate. We aimed to study the effect of these positions on blood pressure, heart rate and oxygenation in a general intensive care population.Design.  Observational study.Method.  Twenty stable intensive care unit patients had intra‐arterial blood pressure recordings in the supine and lateral positions with the correction of hydrostatic height compared with a fixed reference point (phlebostatic level). A multilevel model was used to analyse the data.Results.  Mean arterial pressure readings in the lateral positions were, on average, 5 mmHg higher than in the supine position (p < 0·001). There were no significant differences between mean arterial pressure recordings in the left and right lateral position (p = 1·0). No important differences in oxygenation and heart rate were observed. After correction for covariates, the effects persisted.Conclusion.  Our study demonstrated an increase, albeit small, in blood pressure in the lateral positions. No major differences between the left and right lateral position were found. No important differences in oxygenation and heart rate were observed.Relevance to clinical practice.  Turning haemodynamically stable patients in the intensive care unit has no important effects on blood pressure measurements when continuous hydrostatic height correction is applied.
Segmentation of virus particle candidates in transmission electron microscopy images
Authors: KYLBERG G. , UPPSTRÖM M. , HEDLUND K.‐O. , BORGEFORS G. , SINTORN I.‐M. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryIn this paper, we present an automatic segmentation method that detects virus particles of various shapes in transmission electron microscopy images. The method is based on a statistical analysis of local neighbourhoods of all the pixels in the image followed by an object width discrimination and finally, for elongated objects, a border refinement step. It requires only one input parameter, the approximate width of the virus particles searched for. The proposed method is evaluated on a large number of viruses. It successfully segments viruses regardless of shape, from polyhedral to highly pleomorphic.
Intraspecific variation in host susceptibility and climatic factors mediate epidemics of sudden oak death in western US forests
Authors: Hüberli D. , Hayden K. J. , Calver M. , Garbelotto M. 
Published: October 2011

Umbellularia californica is one of the key infectious hosts of the exotic Phytophthora ramorum, which causes sudden oak death (SOD) in California and Oregon forests. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiologically relevant parameters for SOD in California and southern Oregon, including potential differences between the two states. Experimental infection of U. californica leaves was optimal when leaves were wet for 6–12 h, temperature was approximately 19°C and pathogen concentration was approximately 2·7 × 104 zoospores mL−1. Seasonal variation in host susceptibility and disease incidence was examined for two populations by inoculating detached leaves at 12 dates and by monitoring naturally infected leaves, respectively. Susceptibility of U. californica and disease incidence varied significantly in time and the variation was highest for both in spring. Susceptibility of trees from 17 natural populations from California and southern Oregon was assessed in detached leaf inoculations. One California and three southern Oregon populations had significantly and repeatable lower average susceptibility in artificial inoculations, but differences among three selected California and Oregon populations were not significant in inoculations of seedlings grown from seed in a common garden. This study concludes that U. californica susceptibility has a large environmental component, yet still predicts potential disease severity in different sites especially where infestations are young or the pathogen has not yet arrived. The accuracy and utility of predictive risk models for P. ramorum will be enhanced by the inclusion of both the environmental and host susceptibility components.
Resistance to Wheat streak mosaic virus– a survey of resources and development of molecular markers
Authors: Fahim M. , Mechanicos A. , Ayala‐Navarrete L. , Haber S. , Larkin P. J. 
Published: October 2011

Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) has been newly documented in Australia. The vulnerability of contemporary Australian elite wheat germplasm prompted a survey for effective resistance against an Australian isolate, WSMV‐ACT. This study confirms the effectiveness of previously reported sources of resistance and shows that new sources of resistance also confer protection. The resistance derived from Thinopyrum intermedium (Wsm1) as a 4D translocation and a new 4A translocation, and two bread wheat resistances, Wsm2 and the new source c2652, were effective against WSMV‐ACT in glasshouse experiments. Wsm1 was effective at lower temperatures but ineffective above 20°C, a temperature sensitivity shared with many of the derivatives of Wsm2 except for one new selection which was effective at 26°C. True wheats c2652 and Wsm2 selection CA745, and amphiploids Zhong1, Zhong2, Zhong4, Zhong5, TAF46, Summer1, Ot38 and OK7211542 were uniformly resistant at 20, 25 and 28°C. New sources of resistance were identified in a Th. scirpeum‐wheat amphiploid, B84‐994, and in chromosome addition lines Z2, Z6 and TAi27, derived from wheat‐Th. intermedium partial amphiploids. Several new, tightly linked SSR, RAPD and EST‐ILP PCR markers were developed for tracking the various Th. intermedium translocations associated with Wsm1, including the smaller translocations on wheat chromosome 4AS and 4DS. Three markers for the 4A‐Wsm1 translocation were validated on a segregating breeding population.
The vertical turbulence structure of experimental turbidity currents encountering basal obstructions: implications for vertical suspended sediment distribution in non‐equilibrium currents
Authors: EGGENHUISEN JORIS T. , McCAFFREY WILLIAM D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractLarge roughness features, caused by erosion of the sea floor, are commonly observed on the modern sea floor and beneath turbidite sandstone beds in outcrop. This paper aims to investigate the effect of such roughness elements on the turbulent velocity field and its consequences for the sediment carrying capacity of the flows. Experimental turbidity currents were run through a rectangular channel, with a single roughness element fixed to the bottom in some runs. The effect of this roughness element on the turbulent velocity field was determined by measuring vertical profiles of the vertical velocity component in the region downstream of the basal obstruction with the Ultrasonic Doppler Velocity Profiling technique. The experiments were set up to answer two research questions. (i) How does a single roughness element alter the distribution of vertical turbulence intensity? (ii) How does the altered profile evolve in the downstream direction? The results for runs over a plane substrate are similar to data presented previously and show a lower turbulence maximum near the channel floor, a turbulence minimum associated with the velocity maximum, and a turbulence maximum associated with the upper flow interface. In the runs in which the flows were perturbed by the single roughness element, the intensity of the lower turbulence maximum was increased between 41% to 81%. This excess turbulence dissipated upwards in the flow while it travelled further downstream, but was still observable at the most distal measurement location (at a distance ca 39 times the roughness height downstream of the element). All results point towards a similarity between the near bed turbulence structure of turbidity currents and free surface shear flows that has been proposed by previous authors, and this proposition is supported further by the apparent success of a shear velocity estimation method that is based on this similarity. Theory of turbulent dispersal of suspended sediment is used to discuss how the observed turbulent effects of a single large roughness element may impact on the suspended sediment distribution in real world turbidity currents. It is concluded that this impact may consist of a non‐equilibrium net‐upwards transport of suspended sediment, counteracting density stratification. Thus, erosive substrate topography created by frontal parts of natural turbidity flows may super‐elevate sediment concentrations in upper regions above equilibrium values in following flow stages, delay depletion of the flow via sedimentation and increase their run‐out distance.
A dual regulatory role of Arabidopsis calreticulin‐2 in plant innate immunity
Authors: Qiu Yongjian , Xi Jing , Du Liqun , Roje Sanja , Poovaiah B.W. 
Published: October 2011

SummaryCalreticulin (CRT) is an endoplasmic reticulum‐resident calcium‐binding molecular chaperone that is highly conserved in multi‐cellular eukaryotes. Higher plants contain two distinct groups of CRTs: CRT1/CRT2 and CRT3 isoforms. Previous studies have shown that bacterial elongation factor Tu receptor (EFR), a pattern‐recognition receptor that is responsible for pathogen‐associated molecular pattern‐triggered immunity, is a substrate for Arabidopsis CRT3, suggesting a role for CRT3 in regulating plant defense against pathogens. Here we report that Arabidopsis CRT2 is another regulator of plant innate immunity. Despite significantly increased salicylic acid levels and constitutive expression of the systemic acquired resistance‐associated marker genes PR1, PR2 and PR5, transgenic plants over‐expressing CRT2 displayed reduced resistance to virulent Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (PstDC3000). A 45Ca2+ overlay assay and a domain‐swapping experiment further demonstrated that the negatively charged C‐terminal tail of CRT2 is responsible for its high calcium‐binding capacity and function in regulating the endogenous salicylic acid level. In addition, over‐expression of the His173 mutant of CRT2 greatly enhanced plant defense against PstDC3000, supporting the existence of a self‐inhibition mechanism that can counteract the effects of salicylic acid‐dependent immune responses. These results suggest that CRT2 functions through its N‐terminal domain(s) as a self‐modulator that can possibly prevent the salicylic acid‐mediated runaway defense responses triggered by its C‐terminal calcium‐buffering activity in response to pathogen invasion.
Polar development of preprophase bands and cell plates in the Arabidopsis leaf epidermis
Authors: Lucas Jessica Regan , Sack Fred David 
Published: October 2011

SummaryPreprophase bands are belts of cortical microtubules that appear at the end of interphase and predict where cell plates will fuse with parental walls during division. Phragmoplasts are microtubule‐rich arrays that orchestrate the growth and guidance of cell plates during cytokinesis. Descriptions of the development of these arrays often assume non‐polar formation, with preprophase bands developing more or less simultaneously around the cell circumference. Phragmoplasts are often described as initiating at the cell center and then expanding evenly outwards until fusion with parent cell walls. We analyzed the spatio‐temporal development of both arrays because initial observations of array growth in the Arabidopsis leaf epidermis revealed directional variability. Almost all preprophase bands formed in a polar fashion, with initiation and maturation occurring first in the cell cortex near the inside of the leaf, and later in the outer cell cortex. A similar polarity developed in phragmoplasts and cell plates, raising the possibility that polarized division is common in plants. Together, these findings identify additional polar features of the epidermis, and thereby provide a visually accessible system for identifying new proteins and subcellular components involved in the development of cell division and the previously formed division site.
Variables involved in the cue modulation of the startle reflex in alcohol‐dependent patients
Authors: Rubio Gabriel , Borrell José , Jiménez Mónica , Jurado Rosa , Grüsser Sabine M. , Heinz Andreas 
Published: October 2011

ABSTRACTCue modulation of the startle reflex is a paradigm that has been used to understand the emotional mechanisms involved in alcohol dependence. Attenuation of the startle reflex has been demonstrated when alcohol‐dependent subjects are exposed to alcohol‐related stimuli. However, the role of clinical variables on the magnitude of this response is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between a number of clinical variables—severity of alcoholism, family history of alcoholism (FHA+), personality traits related to the sensitivity to reward—and the startle reflex response when subjects with alcohol dependence were viewing alcohol‐related cues. After detoxification, 98 participants completed self‐report instruments and had eye blink electromyograms measured to acoustic startle probes [100‐millisecond burst of white noise at 95 dB(A)] while viewing alcohol‐related pictures, and standardised appetitive, aversive and neutral control scenes. Ninety‐eight healthy controls were also assessed with the same instruments. There were significant differences on alcohol‐startle magnitude between patients and controls. Comparisons by gender showed that women perceived alcohol cues and appetitive cues more appetitive than men. Male and female patients showed more appetitive responses to alcohol cues when compared with their respective controls. Our patients showed an appetitive effect of alcohol cues that was positively related to severity of alcohol dependence, sensitivity to reward and a FHA+. The data confirmed that the pattern of the modulation of the acoustic startle reflex reveals appetitive effects of the alcohol cues and extended it to a variety of clinical variables.