bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the regional haemodynamic responses to methanandamide and anandamide in conscious rats
Authors: Gardiner SM , March JE , Kemp PA , Bennett T 
Published: August 2009

Background and purpose:  In vitro evidence suggests that metabolism of anandamide by cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) may be more important when the primary metabolic pathway [i.e. fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)] is inhibited. Thus, the first aim of the present study was to assess the effects of COX‐2 and/or FAAH inhibition, on the cardiovascular actions of anandamide. The second aim was to compare the effects of anandamide with those of the metabolically stable analogue (i.e. methanandamide) and investigate mechanisms involved in responses to the latter in conscious rats.Experimental approach:  Rats were chronically instrumented for recording blood pressure, heart rate and renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vascular conductances in the freely moving state.Key results:  Inhibition of FAAH with URB597 (cyclohexycarbamic acid 3′‐carbamoyl‐biphenyl‐3‐yl‐ester) augmented the haemodynamic actions of anandamide, but there was no effect of COX‐2 inhibition with parecoxib, either in the absence or the presence of URB597. Methanandamide caused CB1 receptor‐mediated renal and mesenteric vasoconstriction and evoked β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated hindquarters vasodilatation.Conclusions and implications:  No evidence for an involvement of COX‐2 in the systemic cardiovascular actions of anandamide could be demonstrated. Vasoconstrictor actions of methanandamide were shown to involve CB1 receptors, whereas no involvement of CB1 receptors in such actions of anandamide has been shown. However, β2‐adrenoceptor‐mediated hindquarters vasodilatation, independent of CB1 receptors, observed here with methanandamide, has previously been seen with anandamide and differs from previous results with other synthetic cannabinoids for which the response was CB1 receptor‐dependent. Thus, mechanisms underlying the cardiovascular actions of endocannabinoids and synthetic analogues appear to be agonist‐specific.
The hydroxyflavone, fisetin, suppresses mast cell activation induced by interaction with activated T cell membranes
Authors: Nagai K , Takahashi Y , Mikami I , Fukusima T , Oike H , Kobori M 
Published: August 2009

Background and purpose: Cell‐to‐cell interactions between mast cells and activated T cells are increasingly recognized as a possible mechanism in the aetiology of allergic or non‐allergic inflammatory disorders. To determine the anti‐allergic effect of fisetin, we examined the ability of fisetin to suppress activation of the human mast cell line, HMC‐1, induced by activated Jurkat T cell membranes.Experimental approach: HMC‐1 cells were incubated with or without fisetin for 15 min and then co‐cultured with Jurkat T cell membranes activated by phorbol‐12‐myristate 13‐acetate for 16 h. We determined gene expression in activated HMC‐1 cells by DNA microarray and quantitative reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR analysis. We also examined activation of the transcription factor NF‐κB and MAP kinases (MAPKs) in activated HMC‐1 cells.Key results: Fisetin suppresses cell spreading and gene expression in HMC‐1 cells stimulated by activated T cell membranes. Additionally, we show that these stimulated HMC‐1 cells expressed granzyme B. The stimulatory interaction also induced activation of NF‐κB and MAPKs; these activations were suppressed by fisetin. Fisetin also reduced the amount of cell surface antigen CD40 and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) on activated HMC‐1 cells.Conclusions and implications: Fisetin suppressed activation of HMC‐1 cells by activated T cell membranes by interfering with cell‐to‐cell interaction and inhibiting the activity of NF‐κB and MAPKs and thereby suppressing gene expression. Fisetin may protect against the progression of inflammatory diseases by limiting interactions between mast cells and activated T cells.
Hydrogen bonding between the 17β‐substituent of a neurosteroid and the GABAAreceptor is not obligatory for channel potentiation
Authors: Li Ping , Bandyopadhyaya Achintya K , Covey Douglas F , Steinbach Joe Henry , Akk Gustav 
Published: August 2009

Background and purpose: Potentiating neurosteroids are some of the most efficacious modulators of the mammalian GABAAreceptor. One of the crucial interactions may be between the C20 ketone group (D‐ring substituent at C17) of the neurosteroid, and the N407 and Y410 residues in the M4 domain of the receptor. In this study, we examined the contribution of hydrogen bonding between 17β‐substituents on the steroid D‐ring and the GABAAreceptor to potentiation by neurosteroids.Experimental approach: Whole‐cell and single‐channel recordings were made from HEK 293 cells transiently expressing wild‐type and mutant α1β2γ2L GABAAreceptors.Key results: A steroid with a 17β‐carbonitrile group (3α5α18nor17βCN) was a potent and efficacious potentiator of the GABAAreceptor. Potentiation was also shown by a cyclosteroid in which C21 and the C18 methyl group of (3α,5α)‐3‐hydroxypregnan‐20‐one are connected within a six‐membered ring containing a double bond as a hydrogen bond acceptor (3α5αCDNC12), a steroid containing a 17β‐ethyl group on the D‐ring (3α5α17βEt) and a steroid lacking a 17β‐substituent on the D‐ring (3α5α17H). Single‐channel kinetic analysis indicates that the kinetic mechanism of action is the same for the neurosteroid 3α5αP, 3α5α18nor17βCN, 3α5αCDNC12, 3α5α17βEt and 3α5α17H. Interestingly, 3α5α17βEt, at up to 3 µM, was incapable of potentiating the α1N407A/Y410F double mutant receptor.Conclusions and implications: Hydrogen bonding between the steroid 17β‐substituent and the GABAAreceptor is not a critical requirement for channel potentiation. The α1N407/Y410 residues are important for neurosteroid potentiation for reasons other than hydrogen bonding between steroid and receptor.
Making Sense of the History of Sex and Gender in Early Modern Spain
Authors: Behrend‐Martinez Edward 
Published: August 2009

AbstractProgress in describing the sexuality of Spaniards in the past has been accomplished by a handful of disparate movements and interests – women's history, studies of the Spanish Inquisition, literary criticism, ‘queer theory’, etc. Early modern Spanish history also presents historians with some persistent debates regarding sexual behavior; most notably, the relationship between religion and sexuality. Edward Behrend‐Martínez describes the different contributions, problems, and contradictory conclusions produced by scholars in this field, and proposes some paths forward in uncovering the history of early modern Spanish sexuality.
‘European Cities: Containers or Groups of Inhabitants? A Review of some Recent Developments in Early Modern Urban Studies’1
Authors: Patrouch Joseph F. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe study of European cities and their inhabitants in the early modern period (approximately from the 14th through the 18th centuries) has changed in emphasis in the last few decades. Instead of focusing on the role of urbanization in the development of modern capitalism, modernity or other major epochal shifts such as the Renaissance or Reformation, scholars from various disciplines look at cities as sites of exchange and conflict where identities are created and power is exercised in specific spatial contexts. These contexts are increasingly international and sometimes global.
Emergency Department Discharge Diagnosis and Adverse Health Outcomes in Older Adults
Authors: Hastings S. Nicole , Whitson Heather E. , Purser Jama L. , Sloane Richard J. , Johnson Kimberly S. 
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between the reason for an emergency department (ED) visit and subsequent risk of adverse health outcomes in older adults discharged from the ED.DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey.SETTING: ED.PARTICIPANTS: One thousand eight hundred fifty‐one community‐dwelling Medicare fee‐for‐service enrollees aged 65 and older discharged from the ED between January 2000 and September 2002.MEASUREMENTS: Independent variables were ED discharge diagnosis groups: injury or musculoskeletal (MSK) (e.g., fracture, open wound), chronic condition (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, heart failure), infection, non‐MSK symptom (e.g., chest pain, abdominal pain), and unclassified. Adverse health outcomes were hospitalization or death within 30 days of the index ED visit.RESULTS: Injury or MSK was the largest ED diagnosis group (31.4%), followed by non‐MSK symptom (22.2%), chronic condition (20.9%), and infection (7.8%); 338 (17.8%) had ED discharge diagnoses that were unclassified. In adjusted analyses, a discharge diagnosis of injury or MSK condition was associated with lower risk of subsequent adverse health outcomes (hazard ratio (HR)=0.69, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.50–0.96) than for all other diagnosis groups. Patients seen in the ED for chronic conditions were at greater risk of adverse outcomes (HR=1.86, 95% CI=1.37–2.52) than all others. There were no significant differences in risk between patients with infections, those with non‐MSK symptoms, and the unclassified group.CONCLUSION: Adverse health outcomes were common in older patients with an ED discharge diagnosis classified as a chronic condition. ED discharge diagnosis may improve risk assessment and inform the development of targeted interventions to reduce adverse health outcomes in older adults discharged from the ED.
Older People Contact More Obstacles When Wearing Multifocal Glasses and Performing a Secondary Visual Task
Authors: Menant Jasmine C. , St. George Rebecca J. , Sandery Blake , Fitzpatrick Richard C. , Lord Stephen R. 
Published: August 2009

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether wearing multifocal glasses affects obstacle avoidance and eye and head movements during walking with and without a secondary visual task in older people.DESIGN: Randomized order, cross‐over, controlled comparison.SETTING: Falls laboratory, medical research institute.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty community‐living adults aged 65 and older.MEASUREMENTS: Obstacle contacts, secondary‐task errors, average head angle (HA) in pitch, and peak‐to‐peak pitch amplitude of the eye (PA‐E) and the head (PA‐H) were assessed during obstacle‐only and dual‐task trials that required participants to read a series of letters presented in front of them at eye level under multifocal and single‐lens glasses conditions.RESULTS: When wearing multifocal lens glasses, participants performed the obstacle‐only trials more slowly (P=.004) and contacted more obstacles in the dual‐task trials (P=.001) than when wearing single‐lens glasses. For the dual task trials under the multifocal glasses condition, greater PA‐E was associated with more obstacle contacts (ρ=0.409, P=.02) and greater PA‐H was associated with more secondary‐task errors (ρ=0.583 P=.002). Lower HA was associated with more secondary‐task errors (ρ=0.608, P=.002) and increased PA‐H (ρ=0.426, P=.02).CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that older adults contact more obstacles while walking with their attention divided when wearing multifocal glasses. This is probably because of a failure to adopt a compensatory increase in pitch head movement, resulting in blurred vision of obstacles viewed through the lower segments of multifocal glasses.
Transfusion‐related acute lung injury reports in the Netherlands: an observational study
Authors: Van Stein Daniëlle , Beckers Erik A. , Sintnicolaas Kees , Porcelijn Leendert , Danovic Fikreta , Wollersheim Jacques A. , Brand Anneke , Van Rhenen Dick J. 
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious, sometimes fatal complication of transfusion, attributed to white blood cell (WBC)‐reactive antibodies present in the blood product. This study investigated incidence and etiology in the Netherlands.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: From January 2005 through July 2007, all TRALI cases reported to the Sanquin Blood Banks were evaluated. Only cases meeting the Canadian Consensus Conference criteria for TRALI were included and investigated for patient, donor, and product characteristics. Patients and donors were screened for HLA Class I, HLA Class II, and granulocyte antibodies.RESULTS: A total of 56 TRALI cases were reported of which 49 were completely evaluated. Seventy‐eight percent of the patients needed monitoring or mechanical ventilation on the intensive care unit, 10 patients died. In 61% of cases large‐volume plasma products were involved. WBC‐reactive antibodies in donors were found in 73% of cases, with proven incompatibility in 21 of 44 (48%) investigated cases. Possible TRALI cases, as defined by the Canadian Consensus Conference, had significantly lower incompatibility rates compared to TRALI cases, 18% versus 58% (p = 0.036). In the 21 alloimmune cases, a total of 31 implicated donors were found, of which 26 were female, including 12 fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) products.CONCLUSION: TRALI is the most serious transfusion complication in the Netherlands, causing severe morbidity and mortality. Antibodies were found in the majority of the cases, but causality with proven incompatibility could be established in 21 cases (48%). Female FFP products were involved in 57% of proven alloimmune cases and would theoretically be prevented using male FFP only.
TRANSPLANTATION AND CELLULAR ENGINEERING: Adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cell expansion in animal serum‐free medium supplemented with autologous human platelet lysate
Authors: Blande Ivan Souza , Bassaneze Vinicius , Lavini‐Ramos Carolina , Fae Kellen Cristhina , Kalil Jorge , Miyakawa Ayumi Aurea , Schettert Isolmar Tadeu , Krieger Jose Eduardo 
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered for human regenerative therapy applications, and safe culture and expansion protocols are needed especially in the context of interspecies contamination. Human platelet lysate (PL) has been proposed as animal serum substitute during in vitro MSC expansion. In this work, a simplified and efficient method to obtain autologous PL to replace animal serum in cell culture applications is described.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: PL obtained by freezing and centrifugation procedures was tested as medium supplement for human adipose mesenchymal stem cell (hASC) culture. Differential proliferation, immunophenotypic changes, and differentiation under PL or fetal bovine serum (FBS) were assessed.RESULTS: In contrast to 10% FBS supplementation, cell population doubling time was significantly lower when hASCs were cultured with the same concentration of PL (PL 22.9 ± 1.5 hr vs. FBS 106.7 ± 6.5 hr, t test, p < 0.05). Furthermore, hASCs maintained with 2.5% PL supplementation also showed satisfactory results. Immunophenotypic analysis revealed no differences between hASCs cultivated with PL or FBS supplementation and both cultures retained the potential to differentiate into adipose cells. These results demonstrate that autologous PL obtained from the same donor can be used as animal serum substitute in hASC culture.CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, evidence is provided that platelets provided by a single donor are sufficient to obtain PL for hASC propagation for clinical‐scale applications mitigating the potential untoward side effects associated with the use of animal‐derived reagents.
BLOOD COMPONENTS: Lack of antibody formation to platelet neoantigens after transfusion of riboflavin and ultraviolet light–treated platelet concentrates
Authors: Ambruso Daniel R. , Thurman Gail , Marschner Susanne , Goodrich Raymond P. 
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: Pathogen inactivation technologies provide a potential solution to donor screening and blood testing strategies reducing the risk of transfusion‐transmitted infectious diseases. The Mirasol pathogen reduction technology (PRT) system (CaridianBCT) uses riboflavin and UV light to introduce modifications in nucleic acids, reducing the infectious pathogen load in blood components. This study evaluated serum of patients who received PRT‐treated platelet (PLT) concentrates over a time period of 28 days for the appearance of antibodies to neoantigens on PLTs.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum specimens were obtained at study inclusion and at the 28‐day follow‐up visit from patients randomly assigned to receive PRT‐treated PLT concentrates and at study inclusion of control subjects receiving untreated PLTs. PLT samples from untreated and PRT‐treated PLTs were collected. PLT samples for each patient were pooled for the analysis. The presence of antibodies in patient serum to neoantigens was determined with a modified Capture‐P assay. The presence of auto‐ or alloantibodies in specific patient samples was determined with PAKAUTO and PAK 12 techniques.RESULTS: Forty‐four patients receiving PRT‐treated PLTs were evaluated; none of these patients demonstrated antibodies to neoantigens. One patient demonstrated a PLT alloantibody to human PLT antigen (HPA)‐5b and autoreactivity to glycoprotein Ia/IIa, consistent with an alloantibody at the beginning, but not at the end of the study interval. Of 22 patients evaluated in the control group, one alloantibody with HPA‐5b reactivity was detected.CONCLUSION: Patients receiving PRT‐treated PLT concentrates did not demonstrate antibodies to neoantigens, suggesting that neoantigen formation is not a critical side effect of this pathogen reduction process.
TRANSFUSION COMPLICATIONS: Bacterial culture reduces but does not eliminate the risk of septic transfusion reactions to single‐donor platelets
Authors: Fuller Alice K. , Uglik Kristin M. , Savage William J. , Ness Paul M. , King Karen E. 
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: Transfusion‐associated bacterial sepsis is a significant risk of morbidity and mortality related to platelet (PLT) transfusions. Previously the rate of septic PLT transfusion reactions (SPTRs) to single‐donor PLTs (SDPs) in our hospital was determined to be 1 in 15,098 (6.6 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17‐36.9 per 100,000) transfusions. The goal of this study was to determine if bacterial testing of SDPs reduced the rate of SPTRs in our hospital.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An automated microbial detection system was implemented by our blood supplier in February 2004. A retrospective examination of the number of SPTRs that have occurred to SDPs at our hospital since that time was performed, using the same criteria used before bacterial screening. Transfusions over a 3.5‐year period were examined. Clinical and laboratory data were gathered and correlated from transfusion reaction files and three independent computer systems.RESULTS: From March 1, 2004, through August 31, 2007, there were 49,625 transfusions of SDPs with 1096 transfusion reactions reported. Only one reaction detected the same organism in two of three sites, meeting our criteria for a SPTR. The rate of SPTRs in SDPs was identified as 1 in 49,625 (2.0 per 100,000; 95% CI, 0.05‐11.2 per 100,000). This represents a 69.7% reduction in the incidence of SPTRs (p = 0.41).CONCLUSION: With the implementation of bacterial testing, a decrease in the rate of SPTRs to SDPs from 6.6 per 100,000 to 2.0 per 100,000 transfusions was observed. Although not significant, these findings suggest a trend.
Level of platelet‐derived cytokines in leukoreduced red blood cells is influenced by the processing method and type of leukoreduction filter
Authors: Glenister Kristen M. , Sparrow Rosemary L. 
Published: August 2009

BACKGROUND: In contrast to the well‐documented effect of white blood cells on the quality of red blood cells (RBCs), the effect of platelets (PLTs) has received little consideration. In this study, the PLT content and level of PLT‐derived cytokines in RBCs prepared using different types of leukoreduction methods were investigated.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Buffy coat–poor RBCs and five types of leukofiltered (LF) RBCs, including RBCs prepared with a whole blood (WB) PLT‐saving filter, were prepared and stored according to standard blood bank conditions. PLT content was measured on Day 1, and levels of PLT‐derived cytokines were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay at nominated timepoints during 42 days of storage.RESULTS: The PLT content of leukoreduced RBCs varied widely depending on the processing method and/or leukoreduction filter used, with some types of RBCs containing very low PLT counts while other units contained PLT counts comparable to those of unprocessed WB. The PLT content of RBCs directly influenced the concentration and accumulation of PLT‐derived cytokines. Several PLT‐derived factors exhibited significant accumulation throughout 42 days of storage. RBCs with high PLT content exhibited concentrations of RANTES (CCL5) and soluble CD40 ligand equivalent to those previously reported to show significant biologic and clinical effects.CONCLUSION: The PLT content and levels of PLT‐derived cytokines in leukoreduced RBCs are influenced by the processing method and types of leukoreduction filters used. It may be inappropriate to consider LF‐RBCs prepared with different types of leukoreduction filters as equivalent products based on their differing levels of PLT factors.
Dofetilide for Atrial Arrhythmias in Congenital Heart Disease: A Multicenter Study
Authors: WELLS RONALD , KHAIRY PAUL , HARRIS LOUISE , ANDERSON C. CHRISTIAN , BALAJI SESHADRI 
Published: August 2009

Background: Very little is known about use of the class III antiarrhythmic dofetilide in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).
Methods: A multicenter retrospective review of experience with dofetilide in CHD patients was undertaken.
Results: Twenty adults with CHD and refractory atrial arrhythmias were treated with dofetilide at four institutions over a 7‐year period. Three (15%) experienced adverse effects during in‐hospital initiation of dofetilide (two with torsade de pointes, one with excessive QTc prolongation) and were not continued on this therapy. The remaining 17 were discharged taking dofetilide, with either resolved or improved arrhythmia. One was lost to follow‐up. Five subsequently discontinued dofetilide due to waning effectiveness, manifest by recurrence of their arrhythmias. Eleven (55%) remained on dofetilide at most recent visit, with a median follow‐up of nearly 1 year. Seven of these 11, or 35% of the CHD patients originally started on dofetilide, experienced a complete resolution of their arrhythmia. The remaining four had breakthrough episodes of atrial arrhythmia, but remained on dofetilide. No patient experienced torsade de pointes after the in‐hospital initiation period.
Conclusions: Used appropriately, dofetilide appears to be a viable adjunct to catheter‐based ablation and alternative pharmacological approaches for the treatment of atrial arrhythmias in adult patients with congenital heart disease.