bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association ofChlamydia pneumoniaeIgA antibodies with recently symptomatic asthma
Authors: Hahn D. L. , Anttila T. , Saikku P. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryTo determine whether recently diagnosed adult–onset asthma is associated with serologic evidence of chronicChlamydia pneumoniaeinfection, we performed a case-control study in a primary care clinic of cases with asthma (25 adults reporting first symptoms of asthma within 2 years of enrollment) and 45 concurrently enrolled sex and age (±10 years) matched non-asthmatic controls with normal pulmonary function.C. pneumoniae-specific IgA, IgG and IgG4 antibodies, and circulating immune complexes (CIC) were measured by microimmunofluorescence testing. Results showed that frequencies of IgG litres>16 (92%), IgG4 litres>16 (20%) and CIC>4 (60%) in asthma patients were not significantly different from those of controls. However, asthmatics had a significantly higher prevalence ofC. pneumoniae-specific IgA litres>10 (72% of casesvs44% of controls,P< 0·05). After adjustment for the effects of age, sex and smoking, the odds ratio for an association of IgA and asthma was 3·7 (95% confidence interval 1·2–11·5). We conclude that recently symptomalic reversible airway obstruction in adults is associated with the presence ofC. pneumoniae-specific IgA antibodies, a proposed indicator of chronic respiratoryC. pneumoniaeinfection.
A study of maternally derived measles antibody in infants born to naturally infected and vaccinated women
Authors: Brugha R. , Ramsay M. , Forsey T. , Brown D. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryMaternal, cord and infant measles antibody levels were measured and compared in a group of 411 vaccinated mothers and 240 unvaccinated mothers, and their babies, between 1983 and 1991. Maternal and cord sera were tested by haemagglutination inhibition and/or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and plaque reduction neutralization tests were also used to test infant sera. Geometric mean litres were significantly higher in the unvaccinated than in the vaccinated mothers (P< 0·001). Infants born to mothers with a history of measles had higher antibody levels at birth than infants of vaccinated mothers and, although the difference narrowed over time, continued to have higher levels up to 30 weeks of age. Between 5 and 7 months of age significantly more of the children of vaccinated mothers had plaque reduction neutralization antibody levels below that which would interfere with vaccination. As the boosting effect of circulating natural measles disappears, earlier measles vaccination may need to be considered, perhaps as part of a two-dose policy.
Genotyping of hepatitis C virus isolates from Basque Country, Spain
Authors: Cilla G. , García-Bengoechea M. , Trallero E. Perez , Montalvo I. , Vicente D. , Arenas J. I. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe genotype of HCV was determined in 161 chronic HCV-infected patients. The patients were classified into three groups on the basis of the origin of the HCV infection: 50 patients had a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU) but no HIV infection; 41 patients had received blood transfusions, and 70 patients had no known exposure. The distribution of HCV genotypes was associated with the origin of infection and age of patients: genotype 1b was predominant among patients who had received blood transfusions and those without evidence of parenteral exposure (84·6% and 67·7%, respectively), whereas genotype 3a was present in 65·3% of IVDUs. Patients with genotype 1b were older than those with genotypes la or 3a: 50·3 ± 12 vs. 34·1±9·9 and 31 ± 5.4 years, respectively. These findings suggest that the pattern of HCV genotypes in our region is changing and that genotype 1b may be substituted by 3a as the dominant genotype in the future.
Trajectory analysis of winds and eastern equine encephalitis in USA, 1980–5
Authors: Sellers R. F. , Maarouf A. R. 
Published: May 2009

SUMMARYBackward trajectories of winds were determined to identify possible sources of eastern equine encephalitis virus associated with isolation of virus from mosquitoes or birds or outbreaks in horses between 1980 and 1985 in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Michigan, USA.The results of the trajectory analyses suggested that eastern equine encephalitis virus could have been carried by infected mosquitoes on surface winds at temperatures 13 °C or higher from North Carolina north-eastwards along the Atlantic Coast to Maryland and New Jersey and thence to upstate New York and from western Kentucky to Michigan. Landing of mosquitoes was associated with the presence of a cold front and rain leading to variations in the location and timing of outbreaks from year to year. The mosquito responsible was most likely to have been Culiseta melanura, but Coquillettidia perturbans and Aedes sollicitans could also have been involved.There may be a continual cycle of eastern equine encephalitis virus in mosquitoes and birds in south-eastern USA, from where the virus could be distributed by infected mosquitoes on the wind along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts and up the Mississippi Valley.
Mutational analysis of the PTEN gene in women with premature ovarian failure
Authors: SHIMIZU YOSHIHIKO , KIMURA FUMINORI , TAKEBAYASHI KOICHI , FUJIWARA MUTSUKO , TAKAKURA KENJI , TAKAHASHI KENTARO 
Published: May 2009

AbstractRecent studies in mammals have suggested that the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) – phosphatidylinositol‐3, 4, 5‐trisphosphate pathway in oocytes might be related to the pathogenesis of premature ovarian failure (POF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether mutations of the PTEN gene are present in women with POF. We analyzed the coding region of the PTEN gene in 20 women with idiopathic POF and 20 normal controls. The PTEN gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA isolated from blood samples. Amplified DNA was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and direct sequencing. No causative mutation was detected in the coding regions of this gene. Although we found a point variation in exon 7 of one POF patient, this was a single nucleotide polymorphism that has already been reported.
Detailed analyses of self‐poisoning episodes presenting to a large regional teaching hospital in the UK
Authors: Prescott Katherine , Stratton Richard , Freyer Anette , Hall Ian , Le Jeune Ivan 
Published: May 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Deliberate self‐poisoning accounts for 170 000 presentations to UK hospitals each year with a profound impact on the health of individual patients. We have basic demographic information on self‐poisoning but there is a relative paucity of contemporary, detailed information on the patterns of presentation, drugs taken in overdose and the current impact on services. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This study provides detailed analyses of demographics, timing of presentation, patterns of overdose, drugs taken with special emphasis on paracetamol, the patient pathway through hospital and an estimation of the financial impact to the hospital of this patient group. This information is essential in planning the necessary service developments in emergency departments and medical admissions units that are required to optimize management of this patient group.AIMSThe primary aim of this paper is to provide comprehensive contemporaneous data on the demographics, patterns of presentation and management of all episodes of deliberate self‐poisoning presenting to a large regional teaching hospital over a 12 month period.METHODSWe undertook detailed, retrospective analyses using information from electronic patient records and local patient‐tracking, pathology and administrative databases. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi‐squared tests, anova and two‐tailed t‐tests (Graphpad Prism).RESULTSOne thousand five hundred and ninety‐eight episodes of deliberate self‐poisoning presented over the year. Demographic data and information on the month, day and time of admission are provided. 70.7% presented to the emergency department (ED) within 4 h of ingestion. 76.3% of patients had only one episode in an extended 29 month follow‐up period. A mean of 1.72 drugs were taken per episode with just over half of all episodes involving a single drug only. Paracetamol and ibuprofen were the two most commonly ingested drugs involved in 42.5% and 17.3% of all overdoses respectively. 56.3% of patients taking paracetamol reported ingesting over 8 g (one over the counter packet). Detailed mapping of the patients' pathway through the hospital allowed an estimation of the hospital cost of caring for this patient group at £1.6 million pounds per year.CONCLUSIONSWe present comprehensive and contemporary data on presentations to hospital resulting from deliberate self‐poisoning. We include demographic information, presentation patterns, drugs used, a detailed analysis of episodes involving paracetamol and an estimate of the financial burden to hospitals of overdose presentations.
Exaggerated inflammatory response of primary human myeloid dendritic cells to lipopolysaccharide in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Baumgart D C , Thomas S , Przesdzing I , Metzke D , Bielecki C , Lehmann S M , Lehnardt S , Dörffel Y , Sturm A , Scheffold A , Schmitz J , Radbruch A 
Published: May 2009

SummaryInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) results from a breakdown of tolerance towards the indigenous flora in genetically susceptible hosts. Failure of dendritic cells (DC) to interpret molecular microbial patterns appropriately when directing innate and adaptive immune responses is conceivable. Primary (conventional, non-monocyte generated) CD1c+CD11c+CD14-CD16-CD19- myeloid blood or mucosal dendritic cells (mDC) from 76 patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission, during flare-ups (FU) and 76 healthy or non-IBD controls were analysed by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cytokine secretion of freshly isolated, cultured and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated highly purified mDC (purity &gt;95%) was assessed using cytometric bead arrays (CBA). More cultured and stimulated circulating mDC express CD40 in IBD patients. Stimulated circulating mDC from IBD patients secrete significantly more tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-8. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 expression by mDC was higher in remission and increased significantly in flaring UC and CD patients compared with remission (P &lt; 0·05) and controls (P &lt; 0·001). Fluorochrome-labelled LPS uptake by mDC was evaluated at different time-points over 24 h by measuring mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Circulating mDC from IBD patients take up more LPS and the uptake begins earlier compared with controls (P &lt; 0·05 in CD-FU and UC-FU at 24 h). The frequency of mucosal mDC (P &lt; 0·05) and the number of CD40 expressing mucosal mDC is significantly greater in UC and CD compared with non-IBD controls (P &lt; 0·001 versus P &lt; 0·01, respectively). Our data suggest an aberrant LPS response of mDC in IBD patients, resulting in an inflammatory phenotype and possibly intestinal homing in acute flares.
Vaccinia virus decreases major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presentation, T‐cell priming, and peptide association with MHC class II
Authors: Rehm Kristina E. , Connor Ramsey F. , Jones Gwendolyn J. B. , Yimbu Kenneth , Mannie Mark D. , Roper Rachel L. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryVaccinia virus (VACV) is the current live virus vaccine used to protect humans against smallpox and monkeypox, but its use is contraindicated in several populations because of its virulence. It is therefore important to elucidate the immune evasion mechanisms of VACV. We found that VACV infection of antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) significantly decreased major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II antigen presentation and decreased synthesis of 13 chemokines and cytokines, suggesting a potent viral mechanism for immune evasion. In these model systems, responding T cells were not directly affected by virus, indicating that VACV directly affects the APC. VACV significantly decreased nitric oxide production by peritoneal exudate cells and the RAW macrophage cell line in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon (IFN)‐γ, decreased class II MHC expression on APCs, and induced apoptosis in macrophages and dendritic cells. However, VACV decreased antigen presentation by 1153 B cells without apparent apoptosis induction, indicating that VACV differentially affects B lymphocytes and other APCs. We show that the key mechanism of VACV inhibition of antigen presentation may be its reduction of antigenic peptide loaded into the cleft of MHC class II molecules. These data indicate that VACV evades the host immune response by impairing critical functions of the APC.
Immunological dysfunction in HIV‐1‐infected individuals caused by impairment of adenosine deaminase‐induced costimulation of T‐cell activation
Authors: Martinez‐Navio José M. , Climent Núria , Pacheco Rodrigo , Garcia Felipe , Plana Montserrat , Nomdedeu Meritxell , Oliva Harold , Rovira Cristina , Miralles Laia , Gatell José M. , Gallart Teresa , Mallol Josefa , Lluis Carme , Franco Rafael 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe cell surface association between CD26 and adenosine deaminase (ADA) has a costimulatory function during T‐cell activation. Several studies have revealed correlations among CD4+ CD26+ T‐cell depletion, increased serum levels of ADA, and the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, implicating CD26 and ADA in HIV disease progression. In this context, we aimed to determine whether ADA costimulation could be altered during HIV infection. ADA costimulation was investigated in cells from HIV‐infected patients (n = 36) in terms of proliferation and cytokine secretion. An effect of ADA on T‐cell proliferation was found in HIV‐1‐infected patients and correlated positively with the CD4+ percentage and the nadir CD4 count and negatively with viral load, demonstrating that the response depends on the immunological status of the patient. The robust ADA‐induced increase in cytokine production [interferon (IFN)‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐10] was markedly reduced in T cells from HIV‐1‐infected subjects. To eliminate some of the variables associated with immunological defects in HIV‐1‐infected patients, anti‐CD3 plus ADA assays with T cells from healthy volunteers were performed in the presence of recombinant glycoprotein 120 (gp120). It was found that gp120 was responsible for the impairment of the ADA–CD26 interaction and consequently of the ADA‐induced effect on both costimulation and cytokine production. The gp120‐mediated disruption of the CD26–ADA interaction is a novel mechanism that might explain, at least in part, the altered immunological features observed in HIV‐1‐infected patients and may have significant relevance in AIDS pathogenesis.
Characterization of CD4+ T‐cell–dendritic cell interactions during secondary antigen exposure in tolerance and priming
Authors: Rush Catherine M. , Millington Owain R. , Hutchison Sharon , Bryson Karen , Brewer James M. , Garside Paul 
Published: May 2009

SummaryDespite the recent advances in our understanding of the dynamics of the cellular interactions associated with the induction of immune responses, comparatively little is known about the in vivo behaviour of antigen‐experienced T cells upon secondary antigen exposure in either priming or tolerance. Such information would provide an insight into the functional mechanisms employed by memory T cells of distinct phenotypes and provide invaluable knowledge of how a specific tolerogenic or immunogenic state is maintained. Using real‐time imaging to follow the in vivo motility of naïve, primed and tolerized CD4+ T cells and their interactions with dendritic cells (DCs), we demonstrate that each of these distinct functional phenotypes is associated with specific patterns of behaviour. We show that antigen‐experienced CD4+ T cells, whether primed or tolerized, display inherently slower migration, making many short contacts with DCs in the absence of antigen. Following secondary exposure to antigen, primed T cells increase their intensity or area of interaction with DCs whereas contacts between DCs and tolerized T cells are reduced. Importantly, this was not associated with alterations in the contact time between DCs and T cells, suggesting that T cells that have previously encountered antigen are more effective at surveying DCs. Thus, our studies are the first to demonstrate that naïve, primed and tolerized T cells show distinct behaviours before and after secondary antigen‐encounter, providing a novel mechanism for the increased immune surveillance associated with memory T cells. These findings have important consequences for many immunotherapeutics, which aim to manipulate secondary immune responses.
Unexpected panmixia in a long‐lived, deep‐sea fish with well‐defined spawning habitat and relatively low fecundity
Authors: WHITE THOMAS A. , STEFANNI SERGIO , STAMFORD JOANNE , HOELZEL A. RUS 
Published: May 2009

AbstractThe marine environment presents particular challenges for our understanding of the factors that determine gene flow and consequent population structure. For marine fish, various aspects of life history have been considered important in an environment with few physical barriers, but dominated by current patterns, often varying with depth. These factors include the abundance and longevity of larval stages, typically more susceptible to movement along current paths. It also includes adult body size, fecundity and longevity with ‘r‐selected’ species typically thought capable of greater gene flow and consequent panmixia. Here we investigate the population genetics of the orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus), a clearly ‘K‐selected’ species with habitat dependence on sea mounts for spawning, relatively large body size, a brief larval stage and relatively low fecundity. We used 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci to test the hypothesis that these characteristics will result in philopatry and genetic structure in the Atlantic Ocean. We discuss possible evolutionary mechanisms that could explain the results, which show the opposite pattern, with effective panmixia across thousands of kilometres in the North Atlantic.
Phylogeography of the North American red fox: vicariance in Pleistocene forest refugia
Authors: AUBRY KEITH B. , STATHAM MARK J. , SACKS BENJAMIN N. , PERRINE JOHN D. , WISELY SAMANTHA M. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractFossil, archaeological, and morphometric data suggest that indigenous red foxes in North America were derived from vicariance in two disjunct refugia during the last glaciation: one in Beringia and one in the contiguous USA. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a phylogeographical analysis of the North American red fox within its presettlement range. We sequenced portions of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (354 bp) gene and D‐loop (342 bp) from 220 historical red fox specimens. Phylogenetic analysis of the cytochrome b gene produced two clades that diverged c. 400 000 years before present (bp): a Holarctic and a Nearctic clade. D‐loop analyses of the Nearctic clade indicated three distinct subclades (≥ 99% Bayesian posterior probability); two that were more recently derived (rho estimate c. 20 000 bp) and were restricted to the southwestern mountains and the eastern portion of North America, and one that was older (rho estimate c. 45 000 bp) and more widespread in North America. Populations that migrated north from the southern refugium following deglaciation were derived from the colonization of North America during or prior to the Illinoian glaciation (300 000–130 000 bp), whereas populations that migrated south from the northern refugium represent a more recent colonization event during the Wisconsin glaciation (100 000–10 000 bp). Our findings indicate that Nearctic clade red foxes are phylogenetically distinct from their Holarctic counterparts, and reflect long‐term isolation in two disjunct forest refugia during the Pleistocene. The montane lineage, which includes endangered populations, may be ecologically and evolutionarily distinct.
Toxoplasma and schizophrenia
Authors: YOLKEN R. H. , DICKERSON F. B , FULLER TORREY E. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryResearch on infectious agents as a possible cause of schizophrenia has become prominent in the past decade. Toxoplasma gondii has emerged as a prime candidate for a variety of reasons; (i) many studies have reported that individuals with schizophrenia, compared to controls, have a higher prevalence of antibodies to T. gondii, (ii) some individuals with adult toxoplasmosis develop psychotic symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia, (iii) epidemiologically, there are many similarities between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia, (iv) antipsychotic drugs known to be effective in schizophrenia also inhibit some parasites, including T. gondii, (v) Toxoplasma has been shown to induce elevated levels of dopamine in experimentally infected animals (elevated dopamine is commonly seen in individuals with schizophrenia) and (vi) studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia, compared to controls, have had greater exposure to cats in childhood. A number of questions remain concerning a role for Toxoplasma in the aetiology of schizophrenia, including the roles of strain variation, the timing and source of infection, and the role of host genes in determining disease susceptibility. The establishment of a firm association between Toxoplasma and the aetiology of schizophrenia and related disorders would represent a major breakthrough in the understanding of these disorders and would lead to novel methods for their treatment and prevention.
Effect of water availability on leaf water isotopic enrichment in beech seedlings shows limitations of current fractionation models
Authors: FERRIO JUAN PEDRO , CUNTZ MATTHIAS , OFFERMANN CHRISTINE , SIEGWOLF ROLF , SAURER MATTHIAS , GESSLER ARTHUR 
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACTCurrent models of leaf water enrichment predict that the differences between isotopic enrichment of water at the site of evaporation (Δe) and mean lamina leaf water enrichment (ΔL) depend on transpiration rates (E), modulated by the scaled effective length (L) of water isotope movement in the leaf. However, variations in leaf parameters in response to changing environmental conditions might cause changes in the water path and thus L. We measured the diel course of ΔL for 18O and 2H in beech seedlings under well‐watered and water‐limited conditions. We applied evaporative enrichment models of increasing complexity to predict Δe and ΔL, and estimated L from model fits. Water‐limited plants showed moderate drought stress, with lower stomatal conductance, E and stem water potential than the control. Despite having double E, the divergence between Δe and ΔL was lower in well‐watered than in water‐limited plants, and thus, L should have changed to counteract differences in E. Indeed, L was about threefold higher in water‐limited plants, regardless of the models used. We conclude that L changes with plant water status far beyond the variations explained by water content and other measured variables, thus limiting the use of current evaporative models under changing environmental conditions.