bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toll‐like receptor 6 drives interleukin‐17A expression during experimental hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Authors: Fong Daniel J. , Hogaboam Cory M. , Matsuno Yosuke , Akira Shizuo , Uematsu Satoshi , Joshi Amrita D. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryHypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a T‐cell‐driven disease that is histologically characterized by diffuse mononuclear cell infiltrates and loosely formed granulomas in the lungs. We have previously reported that interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A) contributes to the development of experimental HP, and that the pattern recognition receptor Toll‐like receptor 6 (TLR6) might be a factor in the initiation of this response. Using a well‐established murine model ofSaccharopolyspora rectivirgula‐induced HP, we investigated the role of TLR6 in the immunopathogenesis of this disease. In the absence of TLR6 signalling, mice that received multiple challenges withS. rectivirgula‐antigen (SR‐Ag) had significantly less lung inflammation compared with C57BL/6 mice (wild‐type; WT) similarly challenged with SR‐Ag. Flow cytometric analysis of whole lung samples from SR‐Ag‐challenged mice showed that TLR6−/−mice had a decreased CD4+ : CD8+T‐cell ratio compared with WT mice. Cytokine analysis at various days after the final SR‐Ag challenge revealed that whole lungs from TLR6−/−mice contained significantly less IL‐17A than lungs from WT mice with HP. The IL‐17A‐driving cytokines IL‐21 and IL‐23 were also expressed at lower levels in SR‐Ag‐challenged TLR6−/−mice, when compared with SR‐Ag‐challenged WT mice. Other pro‐inflammatory cytokines, namely interferon‐γ and RANTES, were also found to be regulated by TLR6 signalling. Anti‐TLR6 neutralizing antibody treatment of dispersed lung cells significantly impaired SR‐Ag‐induced IL‐17A and IL‐6 generation. Together, these results indicate that TLR6 plays a pivotal role in the development and severity of HP via its role in IL‐17A production.
Expression and regulation of interleukin‐33 in human monocytes
Authors: Nile Christopher J. , Barksby Emma , Jitprasertwong Paiboon , Preshaw Philip M. , Taylor John J. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryInterleukin‐33 (IL‐33) is an IL‐1 family cytokine that has a role in regulating T helper type 2 cytokines and mast cell development. Expression of IL‐33 is also associated with chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is little information regarding IL‐33 in myeloid cell immune responses, which are important in immunity and inflammation. We therefore investigated the expression, intracellular location and regulation of myeloid cell IL‐33 by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli and the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis. We detected IL‐33 messenger RNA in the human promonocytic cell line THP‐1, in monocytes derived from these cells and in primary human monocytes. However, IL‐33 was not expressed in primary monocyte‐derived dendritic cells. Stimulation of monocytes with E. coli LPS (Toll‐like receptor 4 agonist) and LPS from P. gingivalis (Toll‐like receptor 2 agonist) up‐regulated IL‐33 at both the messenger RNA and protein levels but IL‐1β and tumour necrosis factor‐α had no effect. The IL‐33 protein was mainly found in the cytoplasm of monocytes with no evidence of nuclear translocation in stimulated cells. Furthermore, no IL‐33 secretion was detected after stimulation with LPS and/or ATP. These data indicate that the function, if any, of IL‐33 in activated monocytes is primarily intracellular. Interestingly, immunofluorescence analysis indicated that IL‐33 was sequestered in the nucleus of monocytes undergoing apoptosis but released into the extracellular milieu by LPS‐stimulated cells in which necrosis had been induced by freeze–thawing. Therefore, this endorses the view that IL‐33 may function as an ‘alarmin’ and have a role in signalling cellular damage and inflammatory disease pathogenesis through release from damaged or necrotic cells.
Facilitating an importance index
Authors: Seifan Merav , Seifan Tal , Ariza Clara , Tielbörger Katja 
Published: January 2010

Summary 1. An unresolved question in plant ecology is how the balance between positive and negative interactions changes with environmental conditions. Recently, the debate has been expanded by Brooker & Kikvidze (2008), reintroducing the importance, rather than the intensity, of interactions as the appropriate concept for empirical studies. Importance is the difference in performance with interactions relative to all affecting factors. 2. Positive interactions among plants (facilitation) are common in nature. However, the advocated importance indices fail to address facilitation and can thus not be applied to studying shifts in the balance between positive and negative interactions. The deficiencies of the current importance indices are both conceptual as well as mathematical. In particular, their maximum performance estimator is based on the assumption that it can only be attained in the absence of neighbours. 3. We suggest two major improvements. First, we use the target’s overall maximum performance as a surrogate for the plant optimum, i.e. we allow the possibility of higher performance with neighbours (i.e. facilitation). Second, we propose an alternative approach to treat the factors affecting measured performance. The new index is limited in its range [−1, 1], is symmetrical for competition and facilitation, and it preserves the intuitive nature of the original index by Brooker & Kikvidze (2008). 4.
Synthesis. The concept of interaction importance is useful for studying interactions along environmental gradients. In contrast to previous indices, our index accommodates facilitative interactions and thus offers a significant conceptual and methodological advancement. We advocate its use in future empirical studies.
Profound cardiac conduction delay predicts mortality in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Mörner S. , Lindqvist P. , Mellberg C. , Olofsson B.‐O. , Backman C. , Henein M. , Lundblad D. , Forsberg H. 
Published: January 2010

Abstract. Mörner S, Lindqvist P, Mellberg C, Olofsson B‐O, Backman C, Henein M, Lundblad D, Forsberg H (Umeå University Hospital, Umeå; Umeå University, Umeå; Sunderby Hospital, Luleå; Sweden). Profound cardiac conduction delay predicts mortality in myotonic dystrophy type 1.J Intern Med2010;268:59–65.Background. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is known to affect mainly the musculoskeletal system. Early mortality is related to respiratory disease and possibly additional cardiovascular complications.Aims. To identify possible cardiovascular disturbances that could predict survival of DM1 patients.Methods. We studied 30 DM1 patients (mean age 41 ± 13.5 years, range 16–71, 15 women) who were cardiovascularly stable and compared them with 29 controls (mean age 55 ± 7.8 years, range 42–66, 14 women) using electrocardiography (ECG) and conventional transthoracic echocardiography. The subgroup that survived a follow‐up period of 17 years was re‐examined using the same protocol.Results. Of the 30 patients, 10 died of a documented respiratory cause and three of acute myocardial incidents. Compared with controls, left ventricular cavity size, corrected to body surface area, was slightly enlarged at end systole (P < 0.05) and hence fractional shortening was reduced (P < 0.01). Nine patients had first‐degree heart block and 15 had a QRS duration >90 ms. Of all ECG and echocardiographic measurements, the sum of QRS duration + PR interval was the best predictor of mortality as shown by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 85%, sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 84%.Conclusions. These findings suggest that silent cardiac dysfunction in DM1 patients may cause significant disturbances that over time result in serious complications. Regular follow‐up of such patients with detailed electrical and mechanical cardiac assessment may suggest a need for early intervention that may avoid early mortality in some.
Spine micromorphology of normal and hyperhydric Mammillaria gracilis Pfeiff. (Cactaceae) shoots
Authors: PEHAREC P. , POSILOVIĆ H. , BALEN B. , KRSNIK‐RASOL M. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryArtificial conditions of tissue culture affect growth and physiology of crassulacean acid metabolism plants which often results in formation of hyperhydric shoots. In in vitro conditions Mammillaria gracilis Pfeiff. (Cactaceae) growth switches from organized to unorganized way, producing a habituated organogenic callus which simultaneously regenerates morphologically normal as well as altered hyperhydric shoots. In this study, influence of tissue culture conditions on morphology of cactus spines of normal and hyperhydric shoots was investigated. Spines of pot‐grown Mammillaria plants and of in vitro regenerated shoots were examined with stereo microscope and scanning electron microscope. The pot‐grown plants had 16–17 spines per areole. In vitro grown normal shoots, even though they kept typical shoot morphology, had lower number of spines (11–12) and altered spine morphology. This difference was even more pronounced in spine number (six to seven) and morphology of the hyperhydric shoots. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed remarkable differences in micromorphology of spine surface between pot‐grown and in vitro grown shoots. Spines of in vitro grown normal shoots showed numerous long trichomes, which were more elongated on spines of the hyperhydric shoots; the corresponding structures on spine surface of pot‐grown plants were noticed only as small protrusions. Scanning electron microscopy morphometric studies showed that the spines of pot‐grown plants were significantly longer compared to the spines of shoots grown in tissue culture. Moreover, transverse section shape varies from elliptical in pot‐grown plants to circular in normal and hyperhydric shoots grown in vitro. Cluster and correspondence analyses performed on the scanning electron microscope obtained results suggest great variability among spines of pot‐grown plants. Spines of in vitro grown normal and hyperhydric shoots showed low level of morphological variation among themselves despite the significant difference in shoot morphology.
A clinical assessment of mycophenolate drug monitoring after liver transplantation
Authors: Hwang Shin , Lee Sung‐Gyu , Ahn Chul‐Soo , Kim Ki‐Hun , Moon Deok‐Bog , Ha Tae‐Yong , Song Gi‐Won , Jung Dong‐Hwan , Choi Nam‐Kyu , Kim Kwan‐Woo , Yu Young‐Dong , Park Gil‐Chun , Park Pyoung‐Jae , Choi Young‐Il 
Published: January 2010

Hwang S, Lee S‐G, Ahn C‐S, Kim K‐H, Moon D‐B, Ha T‐Y, Song G‐W, Jung D‐H, Choi N‐K, Kim K‐W, Yu Y‐D, Park G‐C, Park P‐J, Choi Y‐I. A clinical assessment of mycophenolate drug monitoring after liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01166.x © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Background:  Recent findings have suggested the clinical utility of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF).Aim:  To assess whether routine mycophenolic acid (MPA) TDM is beneficial and how to utilize it.Methods:  A series of short‐term prospective studies on TDM for MPA and/or tacrolimus was performed at a large‐volume center.Results:  The 673 adult liver transplants were divided into four groups based on immunosuppressive regimens as tacrolimus monotherapy (n = 369), tacrolimus–MMF therapy (n = 270), MMF‐minimal tacrolimus therapy (n = 17), and MMF monotherapy (n = 17). There was a significant difference of tacrolimus concentration between the groups receiving tacrolimus monotherapy and tacrolimus–MMF therapy during the first two yr (at two yr: 8.4 ± 2.7 vs. 6.3 ± 2.6 ng/mL; p ≤ 0.002). MMF‐minimal tacrolimus therapy and MMF monotherapy were applied after first three months and MPA levels ranged from 1.8 to 5.3 μg/mL. Correlation between MMF dosage and MPA concentration showed wide interindividual variations (n = 304, r2 = 0.271, p < 0.001), in which r2 was fluctuating from 0.056 to 0.213 according to the post‐transplant period over five yr; wide intraindividual variation was also observed during the first two months (n = 12, r2 < 0.2, p > 0.195). About 10% of patients were classified as poor MMF absorber and excluded from MMF usage. Mean MPA level leading to successful MMF monotherapy or MMF‐minimal tacrolimus therapy was ≥1.0 μg/mL in 87% and >2.0 μg/mL in 56.5%.Conclusion:  MPA TDM‐based MMF dosage adjustment enabled us to administer MMF more confidently than categorical dosing. MPA TDM appears to be a useful tool to cope with the wide pharmacokinetic variability of MMF after liver transplantation.
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Neurones in the Hypoglossal Nucleus of the Pig
Authors: Sienkiewicz W. , Dudek A. , Kaleczyc J. , Chrószcz A. 
Published: January 2010

SummaryWith 4 figures and 1 tableIn this study, the presence of several neurotransmitters and transmitter synthesizing enzymes was studied in hypoglossal nucleus (HN) of the juvenile (4 months old) female pigs (n = 3). Double‐labeling immunofluorescence revealed neurones expressing cholinacetyltranspherase (ChAT), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and somatostatin (SOM). Nerve fibers within HN were ChAT, CGRP, NOS, SOM, substance P (SP), Leu‐5‐enkephalin (Leu‐5‐Enk), ß‐dopamine hydroxylase (DßH), neuropeptide Y (NPY) positive. Virtually all the perikarya contained ChAT, whereas CGRP was present in 47% of the neurones. Nerve cell bodies containing NOS or SOM were only occasionally observed. Immunoreactive nerve fibers were found in a close vicinity of the perikarya, often forming baskets around nerve cell bodies. The results obtained were compared with similar data obtained in other species. The presence of immunoreactive structures, origin of the nerve fibers, and functional significance of the findings are discussed.
Evaluation of damage to satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) by the leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus zonatus (Hemiptera: Coreidae)
Authors: Xiao Y. F. , Fadamiro H. Y. 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe leaffooted bug, Leptoglossus zonatus (Dallas) (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is a key direct pest of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marcovitch) in much of the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The injury and amount of damage to satsuma fruit caused by L. zonatus adults and nymphs at various insect densities (0–3 individuals per fruit) and feeding durations (0–14 days after infestation) were assessed in laboratory and field experiments. The parameters evaluated included fruit damage symptoms, fruit colour, premature fruit abortion (PFA), fruit weight loss (FWL), percentage of damaged sections (PDS), and soluble solids content (SSC) of the fruits. Feeding by L. zonatus on satsuma produced typical damage symptoms including the presence of green spots and dark spots on the outer rind and the collapsing and drying out of the juice vesicles in the inner rind. Insect density and feeding duration had significant effects on most damage parameters. Fruit weight loss and PDS increased with insect density and feeding duration. Soluble solids content decreased with both factors, and was also negatively correlated to PDS. Premature fruit ripening (yellowing) was recorded at densities of 1 or more insects per fruit. Premature fruit abortion was significantly higher in fruits infested by L. zonatus than in uninfested fruits, but insect density may not fully explain the PFA data. Leptoglossus zonatus female and male produced similar amounts of damage, which were slightly more than the damage produced by the nymphs. In general, the results were fairly consistent between laboratory and field experiments, although some minor differences were recorded. The data suggest an economic injury level of 1–2 L. zonatus per satsuma fruit. The results are discussed in relation to the ecology and management of L. zonatus on satsuma.
Silicon Suppresses Phytophthora Blight Development on Bell Pepper
Authors: French‐Monar Ronald D. , Rodrigues Fabrício Avila , Korndörfer Gaspar Henrique , Datnoff Lawrence Elliot 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThe application of silicon (Si) reduces the intensity of diseases in several economically important crops. This study aimed at determining the potential of this element to decrease the symptoms of Phytophthora blight development on bell pepper, caused by Phytophthora capsici. Bell pepper plants (Sakata Hybrid X pp6115) were initially grown in plastic pots with substrate composed of 1 : 1 mixture of sterile fine sand and Fafard No. 2 peat mix amended with calcium silicate (+Si) or calcium carbonate (−Si). Six weeks later, plants were transplanted to new pots that contained the same +Si and −Si substrate but were infested with finely ground wheat grains (1‐ to 2‐mm diameter) colonized by two isolates of P. capsici, Cp30 (compatibility type A1) and Cp32 (compatibility type A2). At the end of the experiment, roots and stems from plants of each treatment were collected to determine Si concentration. The presence of lesions on crowns and stems and wilting of plants were monitored up to 9 days after transplanting (DAT). Data obtained were used to calculate the area under diseased plants progress curve (AUDPPC) and area under wilting plants progress curve (AUWPPC). Relative lesion extension (RLE) was obtained as the ratio of vertical lesion extension to stem length at 9 DAT. There was a 40% increase in the concentration of Si in the roots but not in the stems of bell pepper plants in the +Si treatment compared to the −Si treatment. When comparing +Si to −Si treatments, the AUDPPC was reduced by 15.4 and 37.5%, while AUWPPC was reduced by 29.1 and 33.3% in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. RLE values were reduced by 35% in the +Si treatment. Dry root weights increased by 23.7%, and stem weights were increased by 10.2% in the +Si treatment. Supplying Si to bell peppers roots can potentially reduce the severity of Phytophthora blight while enhancing plant development.
Time Course ofIn VitroMaturation of Compact Cumulus Horse Oocytes after Roscovitine‐Induced Meiotic Inhibition: Effects on the Coordination Between Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Maturation
Authors: Consiglio A Lange , Arrighi S , Cremonesi F 
Published: January 2010

ContentsThis study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of a pre‐maturation step in improving the coordination between cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of horse compact cumulus oocytes by the addition of roscovitine (ROSC). Oocytes were collected by scraping and pre‐cultured for 18 h in a maturation medium TCM199 supplemented with pyruvate, LH, FSH, insulin growth factor (IGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin, transferrin and selenium (IVM‐ROSC) or in a simple medium (M199‐ROSC). After pre‐maturation, oocytes from both the groups were in part denuded and fixed‐stained and in partin vitromatured to assess the kinetic ofin vitromaturation (IVM). The nuclear progression and the cytoskeletal organization of microfilaments and cortical granules (CG) of treated and untreated oocytes were assessed by fluorescent probes. Oocytes immediately fixed after recovery and oocytes pre‐cultured in M199‐ROSC for 18 h did not show metaphase II (MII) plates, whereas in IVM‐ROSC group, 6/69 oocytes (8.7%) showed MII plates. After inhibition, during maturation kinetics at 11, 18 and 29 h, maturation rate of M199‐ROSC group progressively increased and at 29 h of IVM, reached the maturation rate of control group (13/66, 19.7% vs 31/125, 24.8%). No statistically significant differences in cytoplasmic maturation were found. The number of MII plates after 29 h of IVM, was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in IVM‐ROSC group (34/90) compared with M199‐ROSC (13/66) and control groups (31/125) as well as the number of oocytes with microfilaments and CG distributed in cortical region (25/34 vs 3/13 and 7/31 respectively). Our results showed that pre‐culturing in the presence of Roscovitine in a fully supplemented maturation medium containing gonadotropins and growth factors partially suppressed the meiotic maturation, but established a more suitable environment for improving cytoplasmic maturation of horse compact cumulus oocytes as defined by microfilaments and CG configuration.
Seasonal variation in the incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax and its association with climate: A nationwide population‐based study
Authors: CHEN Chao‐Hung , KOU Yu Ru , CHEN Chin‐Shyan , LIN Herng‐Ching 
Published: January 2010

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  While links between meteorological conditions and the incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) have been postulated, the findings are controversial. In this first large‐scale, nationwide, population‐based study, seasonal variation in the incidence of SP among young adults aged 15–44 years was investigated, in order to identify possible associations with meteorological parameters (rainfall, ambient temperature, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, hours of sunshine) in a subtropical Asian climate.Methods:  Data (2001–2005) from the National Health Insurance Research Database were used to identify a total of 8575 patients who had been hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of SP. The autoregressive integrated moving average method was used to evaluate the effects of seasonality and monthly climatic factors on the incidence of SP.Results:  The incidence of SP was not significantly associated with either particular months of the year or seasons. After adjusting for seasonality, month and time trends, relative humidity was positively associated with the monthly incidence of SP among men, while ambient temperature and rainfall were significantly associated with SP events among women. However, changes in monthly atmospheric pressure did not appear to influence the monthly risk of SP.Conclusions:  These results do not support the premise that seasonal factors are involved in precipitating SP, although certain climatic parameters showed weak associations with the incidence of SP. Future studies should investigate other combinations of weather phenomena and potential triggering factors, in order to shed light on the occurrence of SP in various regions and climatic conditions, and among both men and women.
Spontaneous uterine rupture caused by placenta percreta at 18 weeks' gestation after in vitro fertilization
Authors: Medel Jorge Martínez , Mateo Sergio Castán , Conde César Rodrigo , Cabistany Esqué Ana Cristina , Ríos Mitchell María José 
Published: January 2010

AbstractWe report a case of spontaneous uterine rupture caused by placenta percreta at 18 weeks' gestation after in vitro fertilization. Spontaneous uterine rupture is an extremely infrequent obstetric complication that may compromise the lives of the fetus and the mother. We describe the case of a pregnant woman at 18 weeks' gestation who presented with sudden abdominal pain and severe hemoperitoneum. We noticed a uterine rupture and carried out an urgent obstetric hysterectomy. The patient died due to hypovolemic shock and severe generalized coagulopathy. The pregnancy had been obtained via in vitro fertilization techniques. The patient did not have any risk factor or antecedent. The anatomopathological study showed a fundus uterine rupture caused by placenta percreta.