bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interstitial Foxp3‐positive T cells may predict renal survival in patients with myeroperoxidase anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated glomerulonephritis
Authors: Yoshimura Junko , Fukami Kei , Koike Kiyomi , Nagano Makio , Matsumoto Takafumi , Iwatani Ryuji , Kusumoto Takuo , Hazama Takuma , Ueda Seiji , Adachi Hisashi , Hirai Yuji , Takasu Konomi , Ohshima Koichi , Yamagishi Sho‐ichi , Okuda Seiya 
Published: May 2010

Summary1. Regulatory T cells (Treg) and cytotoxic T cells (CTL) are involved in various immune diseases. However, the prognostic impact of Treg and CTL in patients with myeroperoxidase anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐associated glomerulonephritis (MPO‐ANCA‐GN) is not well known. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the relationship between expression of forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and T cell intracytoplasmic antigen (TIA)‐1, Treg and CTL markers and renal survival in patients with MPO‐ANCA‐GN.2. Forty patients with MPO‐ANCA‐GN and 10 patients with minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) underwent physical examination, determination of blood chemistry and renal biopsy. Immunohistochemical staining for Foxp3 and TIA‐1 was performed on paraffin‐embedded renal sections.3. Although almost all patients received standard immunosuppressive treatment for 6 months, seven MPO‐ANCA‐GN patients needed maintenance haemodialysis (HD), whereas 33 patients did not (non‐HD). Both Foxp3‐ and TIA‐1‐positive cells were detected in the interstitium and glomeruli of MPO‐ANCA‐GN patients, whereas they were rarely detected in patients with MCNS. The total crescent rate was significantly higher in the HD group than in the non‐HD group (35.9 ± 3.5 vs 65.8 ± 7.4, respectively). In the interstitium, the age‐adjusted Foxp3/TIA‐1 ratio was significantly higher in the non‐HD group than in the HD group (0.016 ± 0.016 vs 0.004 ± 0.008, respectively; P < 0.05). The Foxp3/TIA‐1 ratio, but not the Foxp3/CD3 ratio, remained significantly higher in the non‐HD group than in the HD group even after adjustment for crescent rate. Age‐ and total crescent rate‐adjusted renal survival rates were higher in patients with a Foxp3/TIA‐1 ratio ≥ 0.06 than in patients with a Foxp3/TIA‐1 ratio < 0.06 (P = 0.02).4. The results of the present study suggest that Treg could play a protective role against MPO‐ANCA‐GN and that a decreased Foxp3/TIA‐1 ratio in interstitial areas may predict future renal failure in patients with MPO‐ANCA‐GN.
Role of the medial amygdala in mediating responses to aversive stimuli leading to hypertension
Authors: Davern Pamela J , Head Geoffrey A 
Published: May 2010

Summary1. The amygdala is a part of the limbic system that is associated with mediating the emotional and hormonal response to stress and although studies have focused on the central amygdala, there is increasing evidence that the medial amygdala is a major region activated by stressful stimuli.2. Neuroanatomical studies in rats have shown greater activation in the medial amygdala following aversive stresses compared with other brain regions, including the central amygdala. Inhibition of the medial, but not the central, amygdala attenuates the development of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.3. Schlager (BPH/2J) mice have a neurogenic form of hypertension that is most evident during the night when the mice are most active and is closely correlated with the level of activation of neurons in the medial, but not the central, amygdala. Pressor responses to aversive stimuli, such as restraint and cage‐switch stress, are much greater in BPH/2J hypertensive than BPN/3J normotensive mice, but appetitive arousal produces normal increases in blood pressure. The degree of activation in the medial amygdala in BPH/2J hypertensive mice during aversive stress closely correlates with the increased blood pressure.4. Thus, the inappropriate activation of the medial amygdala evoked by specific fear or aversive stimuli may be key to the neurogenic hypertension.
Partial nephrectomy for selected renal cortical tumours of ≥7 cm
Authors: Karellas Michael E. , O’Brien M. Frank , Jang Thomas L. , Bernstein Melanie , Russo Paul 
Published: May 2010

Study Type – Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo examine our institutional experience in patients treated with partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cortical tumours (RCTs) of ≥7 cm, as PN is an accepted surgical approach for appropriate RCTs of <7 cm but there are limited data on the use of PN for larger tumours.PATIENTS AND METHODSAfter Institutional Review Board approval, we examined our prospectively collected surgical database for patients treated with PN for RCTs of ≥7 cm between 1989 and 2008. Pertinent demographic, clinical, surgical and pathological data were reviewed.RESULTSIn all, 34 patients (37 renal units) were identified for analysis with a median (interquartile range, IQR) age of 63 (52–71) years, median (IQR) tumour size of 7.5 (7.2–9.0) cm with the largest tumour being 19 cm. In 31 renal units (28 patients, 84%) carcinoma was evident, with 16 renal units (43%) having conventional clear cell carcinoma, followed by papillary in eight renal units (21%). Currently, 20 of these 28 patients (71%) are disease free, three are alive with metastatic disease (two had known preoperative metastatic disease), three died from disease and two died from other causes. The median (IQR) preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was 65 (55–73) mL/min/1.73 m2, compared with 55 (47–74) mL/min/1.73 m2 after PN (P= 0.003, paired Student’s t‐test).CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that PN for RCTs of ≥7 cm can be safely performed and provide effective tumour control for selected patients. PN should be considered for patients with appropriate tumours, solitary kidneys or pre‐existing renal insufficiency.
Changing antibiotic prophylaxis for transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsies: are we putting our patients at risk?
Authors: Hori Satoshi , Sengupta Anup , Joannides Alexis , Balogun‐Ojuri Ben , Tilley Rebecca , McLoughlin John 
Published: May 2010

Study Type – Harm/Safety (case series) Level of Evidence 4OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether changing antibiotic prophylaxis from quinolone to penicillin antibiotics has affected infectious complication rates in those men undergoing transrectal ultrasound‐guided prostate biopsy (TRUSgpb).PATIENTS AND METHODSThis interventional study was designed to determine whether changing antibiotic prophylaxis had any bearing on developing serious infectious complications after taking TRUSgpb. As a secondary aim, we also investigated Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) rates in the same groups of men undergoing TRUSgpb. Men historically received ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally 1 h before their procedure followed by a 3‐day course of 500 mg given twice daily (group A). Due to increasing local patterns of antimicrobial resistance to quinolones and concerns regarding potential antibiotic induced C. difficile infection, antibiotic prophylaxis was changed to a penicillin‐based regimen comprising of co‐amoxiclav 625 mg given orally 1 h before TRUSgpb followed by a three times daily course for 3 days (group B). Excluded from the study were those men given an alternative antibiotic prophylaxis than those given within the two distinct groups due to reasons of previous hypersensitivity reactions and/or clinical decision by the attending Urologist. Comparisons were made between the groups using two‐tailed Fisher’s exact tests.RESULTSIn all, 119 and 110 men were identified in groups A and B, respectively. Two men in group A (1.68%) developed sepsis after TRUSgpb requiring hospital admission and intravenous antibiotic treatment. The sepsis rate in group B was significantly higher than that of group A (eight of 110, 7.27%; P= 0.036). Escherichia coli was the only organism isolated from our cohort of patients. There were no incidences of C. difficile infections in either antibiotic prophylaxis groups.CONCLUSIONCiprofloxacin appears to provide superior prophylaxis than co‐amoxiclav in men undergoing TRUSgpb and was not associated with an increased risk of quinolone induced C. difficile infections. Changing antibiotic prophylaxis from a quinolone‐based regime may therefore be putting our patients at an increased risk of serious infectious complications after TRUSgpb.
Developmental profiling by mass spectrometry of phosphocholine containing phospholipids in the rat nervous system reveals temporo‐spatial gradients
Authors: Löhmann Christian , Schachmann Elena , Dandekar Thomas , Villmann Carmen , Becker Cord‐Michael 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 114, 1119–1134.AbstractPhospholipids are important components of the nervous system, in particular of neuronal and glial membranes. Ontogenesis of the nervous system is associated with fundamental alterations in lipid patterns. Here, matrix‐assisted‐laser‐desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry and electro‐spray‐ionization mass spectrometry were combined to analyze phosphatidylcholines and sphingomyelins, allowing an assessment of individual molecular species. Analysis in eight different regions of the nervous system during development of the Wistar rat, from embryonic day 14 to adulthood, produced informative patterns of developmental and regional changes in lipid contents. Phospholipids containing long chain fatty acyl residues exhibited a characteristic patterning, with dramatic increases in the caudal parts of the nervous system 2 weeks after birth. In contrast, relative contents of short chain phosphatidylcholines were low in the perinatal CNS, decreasing even further during development. The relative amounts of sphingomyelins carrying the fatty acid residues 18:0, 22:0, 24:0, and 24:1 increased developmentally in the caudal nervous system. The rostro‐caudal gradient of long chain lipid accumulation is matched by expression gradients of myelin structural and regulatory genes, as evident from bioinformatic analysis. These observations characterize the accumulation of individual lipid classes in the nervous system as a highly regulated process, with structurally related lipids showing a similar temporo‐spatial distribution and developmental patterning.
Reduced inflammatory and neuropathic pain and decreased spinal microglial response in fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) knockout mice
Authors: Staniland Amelia A. , Clark Anna K. , Wodarski Rachel , Sasso Oscar , Maione Francesco , D’Acquisto Fulvio , Malcangio Marzia 
Published: May 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 1143–1157.AbstractThe chemokine fractalkine (FKN) is a critical mediator of spinal neuronal‐microglial communication in chronic pain. Mature FKN is enzymatically cleaved from neuronal membranes and activation of its receptor, CX3CR1, which is expressed by microglia, induces phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. We used CX3CR1 knockout (KO) mice to examine pain behaviour in the absence of FKN signalling. Naive CX3CR1 KO mice had normal responses to acute noxious stimuli. However, KO mice showed deficits in inflammatory and neuropathic nociceptive responses. After intraplantar zymosan, KO mice did not display thermal hyperalgesia, whereas mechanical allodynia developed fully. In the partial sciatic nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain, both mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were less severe in KO mice than in wild‐types (WT). Dorsal horn Iba1 immunostaining and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK increased after injury in WT controls but not in KO animals. In WT mice, inflammation and nerve injury increased spinal cord CX3CR1 and FKN expression. FKN protein was also increased in KO mice following inflammation but not after neuropathy, suggesting the FKN/CX3CR1 system is differently affected in the two pain models. Loss of FKN/CX3CR1 neuroimmune communication attenuates hyperalgesia and allodynia in a modality‐dependent fashion highlighting the complex nature of microglial response in pathological pain models.
Effects of super‐absorbent polymers on the physical and chemical properties of soil following different wetting and drying cycles
Authors: Bai W. , Zhang H. , Liu B. , Wu Y. , Song J. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractSuper‐absorbent polymers (SAPs), a group of new water‐saving materials and soil conditioners, have been widely adopted in agriculture, but little is known about their effects on soil physical and chemical properties under alternating dry and wet conditions. This study assesses soil moisture, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and available P and K after different wetting and drying cycles. Four types of SAPs, labelled BF, JP, BJ and WT, with organic macromolecules were mixed with sandy soils to give concentrations of 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%, with the aim of determining water retention and soil properties after amendment with the SAPs. Soil moisture increased by 6.2–32.8% with SAP application, while soil bulk density was reduced by 5.5–9.4% relative to the control, especially with a moderate water deficit when the relative soil moisture contents were about 40–50%. The largest increase in soil moisture and the greatest reduction in bulk density resulted from the WT treatment. The effects of SAPs on soil pH and EC were contrary. Soil available P increased slightly while available K significantly decreased, except following the first wetting and drying cycle. Available K increased with drying, but the opposite effect was observed for available P. Particular SAPs (JP and WT) seem more suitable under alternating dry and wet conditions. The effects on soil‐water retention and other soil properties varied according to the structure of the SAP and soil moisture.
Potassium channel activity and glutamate uptake are impaired in astrocytes of seizure‐susceptible DBA/2 mice
Authors: Inyushin Mikhail , Kucheryavykh Lilia Y. , Kucheryavykh Yuriy V. , Nichols Colin G. , Buono Russell J. , Ferraro Thomas N. , Skatchkov Serguei N. , Eaton Misty J. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryPurpose:  KCNJ10 encodes subunits of inward rectifying potassium (Kir) channel Kir4.1 found predominantly in glial cells within the brain. Genetic inactivation of these channels in glia impairs extracellular K+ and glutamate clearance and produces a seizure phenotype. In both mice and humans, polymorphisms and mutations in the KCNJ10 gene have been associated with seizure susceptibility. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether there are differences in Kir channel activity and potassium‐ and glutamate‐buffering capabilities between astrocytes from seizure resistant C57BL/6 (B6) and seizure susceptible DBA/2 (D2) mice that are consistent with an altered K+ channel activity as a result of genetic polymorphism of KCNJ10.Methods:  Using cultured astrocytes and hippocampal brain slices together with whole‐cell patch‐clamp, we determined the electrophysiologic properties, particularly K+ conductances, of B6 and D2 mouse astrocytes. Using a colorimetric assay, we determined glutamate clearance capacity by B6 and D2 astrocytes.Results:  Barium‐sensitive Kir currents elicited from B6 astrocytes are substantially larger than those elicited from D2 astrocytes. In addition, potassium and glutamate buffering by D2 cortical astrocytes is impaired, relative to buffering by B6 astrocytes.Discussion:  In summary, the activity of Kir4.1 channels differs between seizure‐susceptible D2 and seizure‐resistant B6 mice. Reduced activity of Kir4.1 channels in astrocytes of D2 mice is associated with deficits in potassium and glutamate buffering. These deficits may, in part, explain the relatively low seizure threshold of D2 mice.
Panayiotopoulos syndrome: A clinical, EEG, and neuropsychological study of 93 consecutive patients
Authors: Specchio Nicola , Trivisano Marina , Di Ciommo Vincenzo , Cappelletti Simona , Masciarelli Giovanni , Volkov Josiv , Fusco Lucia , Vigevano Federico 
Published: May 2010

SummaryPurpose: To explore the clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), neuropsychological features, and prognosis of Panayiotopoulos syndrome (PS).Methods: Of 1,794 children aged between 1 and 14 years referred for the first afebrile focal seizure, between January 1992 and December 2004, 93 (5.2%) had PS according to clinical criteria.Results: Age at onset ranged from 1.1 to 8.6 years, and was earlier in children with more than one seizure. Autonomic seizures followed a stereotypical onset and progression. Emesis, pallor, or flushing was almost always among the first symptoms that usually culminated in vomiting (77.4% of patients). More than half (55%) of seizures were longer than 30 min but these did not appear to affect remission and number of seizures. Interictal EEG showed great variability, with 79.5% of patients showing spikes of variable localizations and evolution over time; 16.1% had background abnormalities only, and 5.4% had consistently normal EEG studies. Onsets in five ictal EEGs were posterior or anterior—left or right. On neuropsychological testing, IQ and subtests of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Revised (WISC‐R) were within normal limits, although some minor statistically significant differences were found in arithmetic, comprehension, and picture arrangement in comparison with controls. Cumulative probability of recurrence was 57.6%, 45.6%, 35.1%, and 11.7% at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively, after the first seizure. Thirty‐four (58.6%) of 59 patients treated with antiepileptic drugs continued having seizures before ultimate remission.Discussion: PS is a uniform childhood susceptibility to autonomic seizures that is related to early age of development and with excellent prognosis with regard to seizure remission and neuropsychological development.
Sodium channelSCN1Aand epilepsy: Mutations and mechanisms
Authors: Escayg Andrew , Goldin Alan L. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryMutations in a number of genes encoding voltage‐gated sodium channels cause a variety of epilepsy syndromes in humans, including genetic (generalized) epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) and Dravet syndrome (DS, severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy). Most of these mutations are in theSCN1Agene, and all are dominantly inherited. Most of the mutations that cause DS result in loss of function, whereas all of the known mutations that cause GEFS+ are missense, presumably altering channel activity. Family members with the same GEFS+ mutation often display a wide range of seizure types and severities, and at least part of this variability likely results from variation in other genes. Many different biophysical effects ofSCN1A‐GEFS+ mutations have been observed in heterologous expression systems, consistent with both gain and loss of channel activity. However, results from mouse models suggest that the primary effect of both GEFS+ and DS mutations is to decrease the activity of GABAergic inhibitory neurons. Decreased activity of the inhibitory circuitry is thus likely to be a major factor contributing to seizure generation in patients with GEFS+ and DS, and may be a general consequence ofSCN1Amutations.
Alcohol Expectancies and Drinking Refusal Self‐Efficacy Mediate the Association of Impulsivity With Alcohol Misuse
Authors: Gullo Matthew J. , Dawe Sharon , Kambouropoulos Nicolas , Staiger Petra K. , Jackson Chris J. 
Published: May 2010

Background:  Recent work suggests that 2 biologically based traits convey risk for alcohol misuse: reward sensitivity/drive and (rash) impulsiveness. However, the cognitive mechanisms through which these traits convey risk are unclear. This study tested a model predicting that the risk conveyed by reward sensitivity is mediated by a learning bias for the reinforcing outcomes of alcohol consumption (i.e., positive alcohol expectancy). The model also proposed that the risk conveyed by rash impulsiveness (RI) is mediated by drinkers’ perceived ability to resist alcohol (i.e., drinking refusal self‐efficacy).Methods:  Study 1 tested the model in a sample of young adults (n = 342). Study 2 tested the model in a sample of treatment‐seeking substance abusers (n = 121). All participants completed a battery of personality, cognitive, and alcohol use questionnaires and models were tested using structural equation modeling.Results:  In both studies, the hypothesized model was found to provide a good fit to the data, and a better fit than alternative models. In both young adults and treatment‐seeking individuals, positive alcohol expectancy fully mediated the association between reward sensitivity and hazardous alcohol use. For treatment seekers, drinking refusal self‐efficacy fully mediated the association between RI and hazardous drinking. However, there was partial mediation in the young adult sample. Furthermore, neither trait was directly associated with the other cognitive mediator.Conclusions:  The hypothesized model was confirmed on a large sample of young adults and replicated on a sample of treatment‐seeking substance abusers. Taken together, these findings shed further light on the mechanisms through which an impulsive temperament may convey risk for alcohol misuse.
Survey of transfusion policies at US and Canadian children's hospitals in 2008 and 2009
Authors: Spinella Philip C. , Dressler Alex , Tucci Marisa , Carroll Christopher L. , Rosen Rosa Sanchez , Hume Heather , Sloan Steven R. , Lacroix Jacques ,   for the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators Network
Published: May 2010

BACKGROUND: Previous surveys have reported variation in transfusion practice or policies in specific pediatric populations. Our objective was to determine the current transfusion policies in US and Canadian children's hospitals for both neonatal and pediatric general populations.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: US and Canadian blood bank (BB) personnel at children's hospitals that provide blood products between the dates of October 2008 and January 2009 were surveyed.RESULTS: Of the 90 US and Canadian children's hospitals identified, 51 (56.7%) blood bankers or their designees responded. There were 42 of 51 (82.4%) respondents from the United States and 9 of 51 (17.6%) from Canada. There was wide variation in beliefs regarding the effect of red blood cell (RBC) storage age on outcomes with 66.6% of respondents interested in a prospective randomized trial in critically ill children. There was also wide variation in policies restricting the storage age of RBCs according to patient age and clinical condition. In the United States 28 of 33 (84.8%) respondents provide universal leukoreduction of RBCs whereas it is 9 of 9 (100%) in Canada. Variation of policies existed for RBC irradiation and washing. The majority of respondents indicated that RBC transfusions were audited if the pretransfusion hemoglobin level was more than 8 to 10 mg/dL. Fresh whole blood is available at 6 of 40 (15%) responding children's hospitals.CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide variation in BB policies regarding RBC transfusions at children's hospitals in the United States and Canada. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to allow for evidence‐based standards of care regarding RBC transfusions.