bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of mechanomyography and acceleromyography for the assessment of rocuronium induced neuromuscular block in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Vanlinthout L. E. H. , Booij L. H. D. J. , Van Egmond J. , Robertson E. N. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryWe measured acceleromyography and mechanomyography simultaneously with monitoring of rocuronium‐induced neuromuscular block in four patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. Furthermore, we compared neuromuscular block measures from these patients with those from normal controls from previous studies. In myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients, the dose‐response curve obtained with acceleromyography was steeper and right‐shifted compared with that obtained using mechanomyography. However, the effective doses to produce 95% neuromuscular block determined with both acceleromyography and mechanomyography were similar to each other and to values found in normal patients. In the three myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients with mild to moderate disease, times to recovery from block were similar to those observed in normal controls. In both patients and normal controls, neuromuscular block recovered faster with acceleromyography. However, in one patient with severe muscle wasting, recovery of neuromuscular block was prolonged. We conclude that mechanomyography and acceleromyography cannot be used interchangeably to monitor neuromuscular block in myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients.
Continuous patient‐controlled epidural infusion of levobupivacaine plus sufentanil in labouring primiparous women: effects of concentration*
Authors: Tixier S. , Bonnin M. , Bolandard F. , Vernis L. , Lavergne B. , Bazin J. E. , Dualé C. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe effects of two different concentrations of epidural levobupivacaine were compared when used to provide analgesia for labour. Primiparous women in spontaneous uncomplicated labour were enrolled in a prospective, randomised and partially double‐blinded study. The study solutions were either 0.568 mg.ml−1 levobupivacaine (low concentration group) or 1.136 mg.ml−1 levobupivacaine (high concentration group), with sufentanil 0.45 μg.ml−1 added to both solutions. Epidural analgesia was initiated with 20 ml of the study solution, followed by a standardised algorithm of top‐up bolus injections. Epidural analgesia was then continued by self‐administered boluses of 5‐ml plus a continuous infusion of 5 ml.h−1. Analgesia was found to be more efficacious in the high‐concentration group. The dose of levobupivacaine administered was higher and sometimes overstepping recommended limits in the high concentration group, but with no observed increase in side‐effects. The choice between these two concentrations may still be made according to the patient’s and the practitioner’s preferences. The effects of an intermediate concentration should be studied in the future.
Association of G6PD202A,376G with lower haemoglobin concentration but not increased haemolysis in patients with sickle cell anaemia
Authors: Nouraie Mehdi , Reading Noel S. , Campbell Andrew , Minniti Caterina P. , Rana Sohail R. , Luchtman‐Jones Lori , Kato Gregory J. , Gladwin Mark T. , Castro Oswaldo L. , Prchal Josef T. , Gordeuk Victor R. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe genetic bases of the highly variable degrees of anaemia and haemolysis in persons with Hb SS are not fully known, but several studies have indicated that G6PD deficiency is not a factor. The G6PD202A and G6PD376G alleles and α‐thalassaemia were determined by molecular genetic testing in 261 children and adolescents with Hb SS in a multicentre study. G6PD202A,376G (G6PD A−) was defined as hemizygosity for both alleles in males and homozygosity in females. Among the participants 41% were receiving hydroxycarbamide. The prevalence of G6PD202A,376G was 13·6% in males and 3·3% in females with an overall prevalence of 8·7%. G6PD202A,376G was associated with a 10 g/l decrease in haemoglobin concentration (P = 0·008) but not with increased haemolysis as measured by lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin, aspartate‐aminotransferase, reticulocyte count or a haemolytic component derived from these markers (P > 0·09). Similar results were found within a sub‐group of children who were not receiving hydroxycarbamide. By comparison, single and double α‐globin deletions were associated with progressively higher haemoglobin concentrations (P = 0·005 for trend), progressively lower values for haemolytic component (P = 0·007), and increased severe pain episodes (P < 0·001). In conclusion, G6PD202A,376G may be associated with lower haemoglobin concentration in sickle cell anaemia by a mechanism other than increased haemolysis.
Low thymic output in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome measured by CCR9+CD45RA+ T cell counts and T cell receptor rearrangement excision circles
Authors: Lima K , Abrahamsen T G , Foelling I , Natvig S , Ryder L P , Olaussen R W 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThymic hypoplasia is a frequent feature of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, but we know little about patients' age-related thymic output and long-term consequences for their immune system. We measured the expression of T cell receptor rearrangement excision circles (TREC) and used flow cytometry for direct subtyping of recent thymic emigrant (RTE)-related T cells in 43 patients (aged 1–54 years; median 9 years) from all over Norway and in age-matched healthy controls. Thymic volumes were estimated by ultrasound in patients. TREC levels correlated well with RTE-related T cells defined by co-expression of CD3, CD45RA and CCR9 (r = 0·84) as well as with the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subtypes. RTE-related T cell counts also paralleled age-related TREC reductions. CD45RA+ T cells correlated well with absolute counts of CD4+ (r = 0·87) and CD8+ (r = 0·75) RTE-related T cells. Apart from CD45RA- T cells, all T cell subsets were lower in patients than in controls. Thymic volumes correlated better with RTE-related cells (r = 0·46) than with TREC levels (r = 0·38). RTE-related T cells and TREC levels also correlated well (r = 0·88) in patients without an identifiable thymus. Production of RTEs is impaired in patients with a 22q11.2 deletion, and CCR9 appears to be a good marker for RTE-related T cells.
Avidity of thyroglobulin antibody in sera from patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis with different thyroid functional status
Authors: Zhang Y , Gao Y , Li M , Xie L , Huang Y , Gao Y , Guo X 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe mechanism of disease progression in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is still unclear. Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) is a diagnostic hallmark of HT. The aim of our study was to evaluate the avidity of TgAb in sera from HT patients with different thyroid functional status. Sera from 50 patients with newly diagnosed HT were collected and divided into three groups according to thyroid function: patients with hypothyroidism (H, n = 18), subclinical hypothyroidism (sH, n = 18) and euthyroidism (Eu, n = 14). Titres and avidity of TgAb were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Avidity constant (aK) was determined as the reciprocal value of the thyroglobulin molar concentration in the liquid phase resulting in 50% inhibition of TgAb binding to thyroglobulin in solid-phase ELISAs. The titres and aK of TgAb were performed using log-transformation, and expressed as lgT and lgaK, respectively. Mean lgT of TgAb in sera was 4.19 ± 0.60 in H, 3.77 ± 0.63 in sH, and 3.29 ± 0.64 in Eu, respectively. The median avidity of TgAb was 2.30 × 109 in H, 8.80 × 108 in sH, 2.00 × 107 in Eu, respectively. lgT and lgaK of TgAb were at significantly lower levels in Eu than in sH and H (P &lt; 0.05). Correlation was found between lgT and lgaK (r = 0.594, P &lt; 0.05). lgaK was also related to TSH (r=0.308, P &lt; 0.05). Our study indicated that patients with high-avidity TgAb might be at high risk of developing subclinical, even to overt, hypothyroidism.
Combined Env- and Gag-specific T cell responses in relation to programmed death-1 receptor and CD4+ T cell loss rates in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection
Authors: Pettersen F O , Taskén K , Kvale D 
Published: May 2010

Summary
Additional progression markers for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection are warranted. In this study we related antigen-specific responses in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to CD38, reflecting chronic immune activation, and to CD4+ T cell loss rates. Clones transiently expressing CD107a (CD8+) or CD154 (CD4+) in response to Gag, Env and Nef overlapping peptide pools were identified, along with their expression of the inhibitory programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1) in fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 31 patients off antiretroviral treatment (ART). HIV-specific CD8+ T cell responses dominated over CD4+ T cell responses, and among CD8+ responses, Gag and Nef responses were higher than Env-responses (P &lt; 0·01). PD-1 on CD8+ HIV-specific subsets was higher than CMV-specific CD8+ cells (P &lt; 0·01), whereas PD-1 on HIV-specific CD4+ cells was similar to PD-1 on CMV-specific CD4+ cells. Gag and Env CD8+ responses correlated oppositely to the CD4 loss rate. Env/Gag CD8+ response ratios, independently of PD-1 levels, correlated more strongly to CD4 change rates (r = −0·50 to −0·77, P &lt; 0·01) than the total number of Gag-specific CD8+ cells (r = 0·44–0·85, P ≤ 0·02). The Env/Gag ratio performed better than CD38 and HIV-RNA in logistic regression analysis predicting CD4 change rate as a measure of progression. In conclusion, HIV-specific CD8+CD107a+ Env/Gag response ratio was a stronger predictor for progression than CD38 and HIV-RNA. The Env/Gag ratio may reflect the balance between possibly beneficial (Gag) and detrimental (Env) CD8+ T cell responses and should be explored further as a progression marker.
Ligation of CD11c during vaccination promotes germinal centre induction and robust humoral responses without adjuvant
Authors: White Ann L. , Tutt Alison L. , James Sonya , Wilkinson Kevin A. , Castro Fernanda V. V. , Dixon Sandra V. , Hitchcock Jessica , Khan Mahmood , Al‐Shamkhani Aymen , Cunningham Adam F. , Glennie Martin J. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the mouse dendritic cell (DC) receptor, complement receptor 4 (CR4; CD11c/CD18), as an immunotarget for triggering humoral immunity. Comparison of antibody titres generated against a panel of 13 anti‐antigen‐presenting cell receptor monoclonal antibodies, with or without conjugated ovalbumin (OVA), revealed uniquely rapid and robust responses following CR4 targeting, with antibody titres approaching 1 : 100 000 7 days after a single dose of antigen. Furthermore, using just 100 ng OVA conjugated to anti‐CD11c Fab′, we generated anti‐OVA titres greater than those produced by a 100‐fold higher dose of OVA in complete Freund’s adjuvant at day 28. These anti‐OVA antibody titres were sustained and could be boosted further with targeted OVA on day 21. Investigations to explain this vaccine potency showed that, in addition to targeting splenic DC, anti‐CDl1c antibodies delivered a powerful adjuvant effect and could boost humoral immunity against OVA even when the OVA was targeted to other molecules on DC, such as major histocompatibility complex class II, CD11a and CD11b. However, interestingly, this adjuvant effect was lost if OVA was targeted to other cells such as B cells via CD21 or CD19. The adjuvant effect was mediated through a marked enhancement of both germinal centre and extrafollicular plasma cell formation in responding spleens. These results demonstrate that anti‐CD11c monoclonal antibody can both target antigen and act as a powerful adjuvant for rapid and sustained antibody responses. They also point to an interesting role for CR4 on DC in triggering B cells during humoral immunity.
Proviral integration site 2 is required for interleukin‐6 expression induced by interleukin‐1, tumour necrosis factor‐α and lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Yang Jianfei , Li Xiang , Hanidu Adedayo , Htut Tin M. , Sellati Rosemarie , Wang Lian , Jiang Huiping , Li Jun 
Published: May 2010

SummaryPIM (proviral integration site) kinases are a distinct class of serine/threonine‐specific kinases consisting of PIM1, PIM2 and PIM3. PIM2 is known to function in apoptosis pathways. Expression of PIM2 is highly induced by pro‐inflammatory stimuli but the role of PIM2 in the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines is unclear. In this study, we showed that over‐expression of PIM2 in HeLa cells as well as in human umbilical vein endothelial cells enhanced interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) ‐induced and tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced IL‐6 expression, whereas over‐expression of a kinase‐dead PIM2 mutant had the opposite effect. Studies with small interfering RNA specific to PIM2 further confirmed that IL‐6 expression in HeLa cells requires PIM2. To investigate the function of PIM2 further, we generated PIM2‐deficient mice. It was found that IL‐6 production was significantly decreased from PIM2‐deficient spleen cells after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. Taken together, we demonstrated an important function of PIM2 in controlling the expression of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐6. PIM2 inhibitors may be beneficial for IL‐6‐mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Generation, persistence and plasticity of CD4 T‐cell memories
Authors: Lees Jason R. , Farber Donna L. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe development of immune memory mediated by T lymphocytes is central to durable, long‐lasting protective immunity. A key issue in the field is how to direct the generation and persistence of memory T cells to elicit the appropriate secondary response to provide protection to a specific pathogen. Two prevailing views have emerged; that cellular and molecular regulators control the lineage fate and functional capacities of memory T cells early after priming, or alternatively, that populations of memory T cells are inherently plastic and subject to alterations in function and/or survival at many stages during their long‐term maintenance. Here, we will review current findings in CD4 T‐cell memory that suggest inherent plasticity in populations of memory CD4 T cells at all stages of their development – originating with their generation from multiple types of primed CD4 T cells, during their persistence and homeostatic turnover in response to T‐cell receptor signals, and also following secondary challenge. These multiple aspects of memory CD4 T‐cell flexibility contrast the more defined lineages and functions ascribed to memory CD8 T cells, suggesting a dynamic nature to memory CD4 T‐cell populations and responses. The flexible attributes of CD4 T‐cell memory suggest opportunities and mechanisms for therapeutic manipulation at all phases of immune memory development, maintenance and recall.
Correlated expression patterns of microRNA genes with age‐dependent behavioural changes in honeybee
Authors: Behura S. K. , Whitfield C. W. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe hive‐living honeybees (Apis mellifera) show age‐dependent behavioural changes; young bees usually nurse the broods in the colony and the older bees engage in foraging activities. These developmentally regulated behavioural changes were previously shown to be correlated with genome‐wide transcriptional changes in the honeybee brain. The indigenous small regulatory RNA molecules, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), are potent regulators of gene expression and also are developmentally regulated. Thus, we wanted to study if there might be correlation of differential expression of miRNA genes in the brain with age‐dependent behavioural changes of the bees. We determined expression patterns of a set (n= 20) of predicted miRNA genes, by quantitative real‐time PCR assays, in the brains of young and old bees that were engaged in nursing or foraging activities in the colony, respectively. Our data show correlated up‐regulation of miRNA‐124, miRNA‐14, miRNA‐276, miRNA‐13b, let‐7 and miRNA‐13a in the young nurse bees. miRNA‐12, miRNA‐9, miRNA‐219, miRNA‐210, miRNA‐263, miRNA‐92 and miRNA‐283 showed correlated expression patterns in the old forager bees. The modular changes of miRNA genes in the young nurse and old forager bees suggest possible roles of miRNAs in age‐dependent behavioural changes in bees. The correlated expression of intronic miRNA genes and their host genes as well as of miRNA genes physically clustered in the genome are also observed.
Novel roles for ATP‐binding cassette G transporters in lipid redistribution in Toxoplasma
Authors: Ehrenman Karen , Sehgal Alfica , Lige Bao , Stedman Timothy T. , Joiner Keith A. , Coppens Isabelle 
Published: May 2010

Summary Toxoplasma is a protozoan parasite proficiently adapted to thrive in a parasitophorous vacuole (PV) formed in the cytoplasm of a large variety of mammalian cells. As an actively dividing organism, the parasite must adjust the lipid composition of its membranes to preserve organelle vitality and expand the size of the PV membrane to accommodate growing progeny. We showed that Toxoplasma takes up host lipids and can expel major lipids in an ATP‐dependent process. In order to provide detailed mechanistic insights into lipid trafficking phenomena relevant to Toxoplasma biology, we characterized six parasite ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) G family transporters and investigated their potential contribution to lipid homeostatic processes. All these transporters are expressed in the parasite and five of them are upregulated upon exposure to sterols. Four ABCG are localized to secretory organelles and the plasma membrane, and promote cholesterol and phospholipid efflux, reflecting the importance in exportation of large amounts of lipids into the PV. Interestingly, one ABCG that is associated with vesicles in the PV and the plasma membrane acts as a cholesterol importer. This last finding expands our current view on the role of some ABCG transporters in eukaryotic sterol influx.
Attitudes and opinions on organ donation: an opportunity to educate in a Canadian city
Authors: Lee Edward , Midodizi William , Gourishankar Sita 
Published: May 2010

Lee E, Midodizi W, Gourishankar S. Attitudes and opinions on organ donation: an opportunity to educate in a Canadian city.  Clin Transplant 2010: 24: E223–E229. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background: Patients on organ transplant waiting lists continue to far exceed donor rates. We seek to understand the barriers preventing people in a Canadian city from donating organs for transplantation.Methods:  One thousand adults were surveyed assessing knowledge, personal involvement, and attitudes about organ donation in an urban center in Canada. Primary outcomes of interest were a signed organ donor card and willingness to donate.Results:  Of those surveyed, 64% did not realize that they possessed an organ donor card; 90% would consider being a donor if a friend was in need of an organ. Of the 36% who did know, 72% had signed it. Those who had misconceptions about the organ donation process were less likely to be donors.Interpretation:  There is a tremendous lack of knowledge about organ donation. While the majority of people are interested in organ donation, they lack a means to express this interest – most do not even realize they possess an organ donor card. A significant proportion of people who were not supportive of donation were misinformed in critical areas of knowledge that likely influenced this decision including the rich being preferentially transplanted, the consent process, disfigurement, and donors receiving worse medical care.
Decreased brain serotonin transporter binding in the euthymic state of bipolar I but not bipolar II disorder: a SPECT study
Authors: Chou Yuan‐Hwa , Wang Shyh‐Jen , Lin Chun‐Lung , Mao Wei‐Chung , Lee Shin‐Min , Liao Mei‐Hsiu 
Published: May 2010

Chou Y‐H, Wang S‐J, Lin C‐L, Mao W‐C, Lee S‐M, Liao M‐H. Decreased brain serotonin transporter binding in the euthymic state of bipolar I but not bipolar II disorder: a SPECT study. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 312–318. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objectives:  Previous positron emission tomography studies have demonstrated that serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in the midbrain is decreased in the depressive state of bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to assess SERT binding in the midbrain of patients in a euthymic state of BD.Methods:  Twenty‐eight healthy controls and 24 patients in a euthymic state of medicated BD were recruited. Euthymic state was defined as Montgomery‐Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores < 10 and Young Mania Rating Scale scores < 7 within a consecutive eight‐week period. Single photon emission computed tomography with the radiotracer 123I‐ADAM was used to measure SERT binding in the midbrain. An equilibrium ratio model was used for data analysis. Specific uptake ratio (SUR), which represents availability of SERT binding in the midbrain, was the primary measurement outcome.Results:  The averaged SURs were not different between healthy controls and BD patients in euthymic state (p = 0.27). However, a three‐way ANCOVA analysis comparing SURs in healthy controls, bipolar I disorder (BD I) patients, and bipolar II disorder (BD II) patients, covarying education duration and sex, showed that the averaged SURs were significantly lower in BD I than BD II patients and healthy controls (p = 0.042). The decreased SURs in BD I patients were well correlated with duration of illness (R = −0.742, p = 0.014) only.Conclusions:  Our findings demonstrate that there is differential biological regulation in BD I and BD II patients after stable treatment, which may support the existence of a dichotomy in BD.
Impulsivity across the course of bipolar disorder
Authors: Strakowski Stephen M , Fleck David E , DelBello Melissa P , Adler Caleb M , Shear Paula K , Kotwal Renu , Arndt Stephan 
Published: May 2010

Strakowski SM, Fleck DE, DelBello MP, Adler CM, Shear PK, Kotwal R, Arndt S. Impulsivity across the course of bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 285–297. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Objective:  To determine whether abnormalities of impulse control persist across the course of bipolar disorder, thereby representing potential state markers and endophenotypes.Methods:  Impulse control of 108 bipolar I manic or mixed patients was measured on three tasks designed to study response inhibition, ability to delay gratification, and attention; namely, a stop signal task, a delayed reward task, and a continuous performance task, respectively. Barrett Impulsivity Scale (BIS‐11) scores were also obtained. Patients were then followed for up to one year and reassessed with the same measures if they developed depression or euthymia. Healthy comparison subjects were also assessed with the same instruments on two occasions to assess measurement stability.Results:  At baseline, bipolar subjects demonstrated significant deficits on all three tasks as compared to healthy subjects, consistent with more impulsive responding in the bipolar manic/mixed group. In general, performance on the three behavioral tasks normalized upon switching to depression or developing euthymia. In contrast, BIS‐11 scores were elevated during mania and remained elevated as bipolar subjects developed depression or achieved euthymia.Conclusions:  Bipolar I disorder patients demonstrate deficits on laboratory tests of various aspects of impulsivity when manic, as compared to healthy subjects, that largely normalize with recovery and switching into depression. However, elevated BIS‐11 scores persist across phases of illness. These findings suggest that impulsivity has both affective‐state dependent and trait components in bipolar disorder.