bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies in Sjögren’s syndrome patients acutely inhibit muscarinic receptor function
Authors: Jin M , Hwang S‐M , Koo N‐Y , Kim B , Kho H‐S , Choi S‐Y , Song YW , Park K 
Published: August 2011

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 132–139Objectives:  Autoantibodies from the sera of Sjögren’s syndrome patients (SS IgG) have been suggested to inhibit muscarinic receptor function. However, the acute nature of such an inhibitory effect remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the acute effects of SS IgG on muscarinic receptor function in human submandibular gland (HSG) cells.Methods:  The effects of autoantibodies on muscarinic receptor function were studied using microspectrofluorimetry, whole‐cell patch clamp, immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, and a co‐immunoprecipitation assay.Results:  Carbachol (CCh) was found to consistently increase intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and activate K+ current in HSG cells. However, pretreatment of the cells with SS IgG for 5 or 30 min significantly attenuated these responses, with a substantially more prominent effect after 30 min of treatment. Like CCh, adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) also increased [Ca2+]i and activated K+ currents in HSG cells, although pretreatment with SS IgG did not affect the cellular response to ATP. CCh was found to reorganize α‐fodrin in HSG cells in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. However, pretreatment with SS IgG prevented the cytoskeletal reorganization of α‐fodrin induced by CCh.Conclusions:  SS IgG acutely and reversibly inhibited muscarinic receptor function, thereby inhibiting the Ca2+ mobilization necessary for the activation of K+ currents and α‐fodrin reorganization in HSG cells.
Evaluating the suitability of field beans as a substitute for soybean meal in early‐lactating dairy cow: Production and metabolic responses
Authors: TUFARELLI Vincenzo , KHAN Rifat Ullah , LAUDADIO Vito 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTTwenty‐four multiparous Holstein cows were utilized in a completely randomized design to examine the effect of feeding field beans (FB, Vicia faba L. var. minor) as substitute for soybean meal (SBM) on lactation performance and metabolic response during the early lactation period. Cows were individually divided into two equal groups and fed for 16 weeks on one each of the two experimental diets. The controls were fed pelleted concentrate contained 150 g/kg dry matter (DM) of SBM as the main protein source, whereas the experimental concentrate contained 345 g/kg DM of FB. Oat hay was offered ad libitum to cows and water was freely available. Blood samples were assayed for their content of: urea, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHBA). Inclusion of FB had no detectable effects on DM intake (DMI), body weight (BW), or body condition score (BCS). Neither milk yield nor quality were influenced by dietary treatment, except for milk urea nitrogen (MU) that was reduced in cows fed the FB diet (P < 0.05). Clotting properties of milk were not affected adversely by added dietary FB. Concentration of blood urea (BU) was lower in cows fed the FB diet than in those fed the control SBM diet (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that feeding FB in a lactation diet supported lactation performance similar to cows fed traditional SBM‐based diet, and the results may elicit great interest for countries where soybean utilization is adversely influenced by high supply costs.
Temoporfin (Foscan®, 5,10,15,20‐Tetra(m‐hydroxyphenyl)chlorin)—A Second‐generation Photosensitizer†,‡
Authors: Senge Mathias O. , Brandt Johan C. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThis review traces the development and study of the second‐generation photosensitizer 5,10,15,20‐tetra(m‐hydroxyphenyl)chlorin through to its acceptance and clinical use in modern photodynamic (cancer) therapy. The literature has been covered up to early 2011.
Neurovascular Decompression of the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Decreases Blood Pressure and Sympathetic Nerve Activity in Patients With Refractory Hypertension
Authors: Sasaki Susumu , Tanda Shuji , Hatta Tsuguru , Morimoto Satoshi , Takeda Kazuo , Kizu Osamu , Tamaki Shinji , Saito Mitsuru , Tamura Yoji , Kondo Akinori 
Published: August 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:818–820. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Recently, the authors experienced four patients who had refractory hypertension and neurovascular compression of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). One of them, a 49‐year‐old woman, had undergone continuous intravenous drip injections of calcium channel blockers and β‐blockers for more than 3 years because of severe and refractory hypertension. The patients had undergone microvascular decompression (MVD) of the RVLM, and the changes in blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic nerve activities were recorded. In these patients, BP decreased to the normal range without any antihypertensive drugs 2 to 3 months after MVD. The tibial sympathetic nerve activities under resting and stress conditions significantly decreased, and plasma levels of norepinephrine, urinary levels of adrenaline, and plasma renin activity were also significantly decreased after MVD of RVLM. In some patients with refractory hypertension, arterial compression of the RVLM enhances sympathetic nerve activity and renin‐angiotensin system to thereby increase BP. In these patients, the operative decompression of the RVLM could lower BP via restoration of sympathetic nerve activities and the renin‐angiotensin system.
KIOM-79 inhibits aldose reductase activity and cataractogenesis in Zucker diabetic fatty rats
Authors: Kim Junghyun , Kim Chan-Sik , Sohn Eunjin , Lee Yun Mi , Kim Jin Sook 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Objectives
KIOM-79, a combination of four plant extracts, has a preventive effect on diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy in diabetic animal models. In this study, we have investigated the inhibitory effects of KIOM-79 on diabetic cataractogenesis.

Methods
We evaluated aldose reductase activity during cataractogenesis using Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. ZDF rats were treated orally with KIOM-79 (50 mg/kg body weight) once a day for 13 weeks.

Key findings
In vehicle-treated ZDF rats, lens opacity was increased, and lens fibre swelling and membrane rupture were observed. In addition, aldose reductase activity and aldose reductase protein expression in diabetic lens were markedly enhanced. However, the administration of KIOM-79 inhibited the development of diabetic cataract through the inhibition of aldose reductase activity and protein expression in diabetic lenses.

Conclusions
These observations suggested that KIOM-79 was useful against the treatment of diabetic cataractogenesis.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae-Mediated Inhibition of Apoptotic Signalling in Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
Authors: Chen Adrienne , Seifert H. Steven 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

The human pathogen
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
recruits and interacts extensively with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) during infection.
N. gonorrhoeae
is able to survive the bactericidal activity of these innate immune cells and can actively modulate PMN functions
in vitro
. PMNs are short-lived cells which readily undergo apoptosis, and thus the effect of
N. gonorrhoeae
infection on PMN survival has implications for whether PMNs might serve as an important site of bacterial replication during infection. We developed and validated an HL-60 myeloid leukemia cell culture model for PMN infection and used both these cells and primary PMNs to show that
N. gonorrhoeae
infection alone does not induce apoptosis and furthermore that
N. gonorrhoeae
can inhibit both spontaneous apoptosis and apoptosis induced by the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis inducers staurosporine (STS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), respectively.
N. gonorrhoeae
infection also results in the activation of NF-κB signaling in neutrophils and induces secretion of an identical profile of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in both HL-60 cells and primary PMNs. Our data show that the HL-60 cell line can be used to effectively model
N. gonorrhoeae-
PMN interactions and that
N. gonorrhoeae
actively inhibits apoptosis induced by multiple stimuli to prolong PMN survival and potentially facilitate bacterial survival, replication, and transmission.
Infection Intensity-Dependent Responses of Anopheles gambiae to the African Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Mendes Antonio M. , Awono-Ambene Parfait H. , Nsango Sandrine E. , Cohuet Anna , Fontenille Didier , Kafatos Fotis C. , Christophides George K. , Morlais Isabelle , Vlachou Dina 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACT

Malaria remains a devastating disease despite efforts at control and prevention. Extensive studies using mostly rodent infection models reveal that successful
Plasmodium
parasite transmission by the African mosquito vector
Anopheles gambiae
depends on finely tuned vector-parasite interactions. Here we investigate the transcriptional response of
A. gambiae
to geographically related
Plasmodium falciparum
populations at various infection intensities and different infection stages. These responses are compared with those of mosquitoes infected with the rodent parasite
Plasmodium berghei
. We demonstrate that mosquito responses are largely dependent on the intensity of infection. A major transcriptional suppression of genes involved in the regulation of midgut homeostasis is detected in low-intensity
P. falciparum
infections, the most common type of infection in Africa. Importantly, genes transcriptionally induced during these infections tend to be phylogenetically unique to
A. gambiae
. These data suggest that coadaptation between vectors and parasites may act to minimize the impact of infection on mosquito fitness by selectively suppressing specific functional classes of genes. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated gene silencing provides initial evidence for important roles of the mosquito G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in controlling infection intensity-dependent antiparasitic responses.
Impact of Toll-Like Receptor 2 Deficiency on Immune Responses to Mycobacterial Antigens
Authors: Rahman Muhammad J. , Chuquimia Olga D. , Petursdottir Dagbjort H. , Periolo Natalia , Singh Mahavir , Fernández Carmen 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTIn the present study, we addressed the question of whether Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-mediated innate immunity can contribute to the development of acquired immune responses. We immunized TLR2−/−and wild-type (WT) mice three times subcutaneously with the mycobacterial antigen (Ag19kDa) (a TLR2 ligand) or Ag85A (not a TLR2 ligand). One week after the last immunization, sera and spleens were collected. To evaluate cellular responses, we measured gamma interferon (IFN-γ) afterin vitrorestimulation of spleen cells with antigen alone or antigen-pulsed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMAg) or pulmonary macrophages (PuMAg). Antibody responses were comparable in the two mouse strains, but we observed differences in the cellular responses. Recall responses to Ag85A were similar in the two strains, but responses to Ag19kDa given alone or presented by BMM or PuM were lower in TLR2−/−than in WT mice. The largest differences in cellular responses were observed when Ag19kDa was presented by PuM. To understand this, we analyzed phenotypic and functional differences between BMM and PuM upon stimulation with various ligands. Generally, PuM had a lower response to the TLR2 ligand Pam3Cys-Ser-(Lys)4trihydrochloride and to anti-CD40 than BMM, as measured by cytokine secretion and upregulation of costimulatory molecules. This might provide a partial explanation for the lower capacity of PuM when pulsed with Ag19kDa, also a TLR2 ligand. Altogether, our results revealed weaknesses in the T cell and antigen-presenting cell (APC) compartments of the Ag19kDa-immunized TLR2−/−mice but indicated that specific immune responses could be generated in the absence of TLR2 regardless of the characteristics of the antigen used.
Low Prevalence of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Among 65-Year-Old Swedish Men Indicates a Change in the Epidemiology of the Disease
Authors: Svensjö Sverker , Björck Martin , Gürtelschmid Mikael , Djavani Gidlund Khatereh , Hellberg Anders , Wanhainen Anders 
Published: August 2011

Background—
Screening elderly men with ultrasound is an established method to reduce mortality from ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA; Evidence Level 1a). Such programs are being implemented and generally consist of a single scan at 65 years of age. We report the results from screening 65-year-old men for AAA in middle Sweden.

Methods and Results—

All 65-year-old men (n=26 256), identified through the National Population Registry, were invited to an ultrasound examination. An AAA was defined as a maximum infrarenal aortic diameter of ≥30 mm. In total, 22 187 (85%) accepted, and 373 AAAs were detected (1.7%; 95% confidence interval, 1.5 to 1.9). With 127 previously known AAAs (repaired/under surveillance) included, the total prevalence of the disease in the population was 2.2% (95% confidence interval, 2.0 to 2.4). Self-reported smoking (odds ratio, 3.4;
P
<0.001), coronary artery disease (odds ratio, 2.0;
P
<0.001), and hypertension (odds ratio, 1.6;
P
=0.001) were independently associated with AAA in a multivariate logistic regression model. Thirteen percent of the entire population reported to be current smokers, one third of the frequency reported in the 1980s. The observed low prevalence of AAA was explained mainly by this change in smoking habits.

Conclusions—
On the basis of the observed reduced exposure to risk factors, lower-than-expected prevalence of AAA among 65-year-old men, unchanged AAA repair rate, and significantly improved longevity of the elderly population, the current generally agreed-on AAA screening model can be questioned. Important issues to address are the threshold diameter for follow-up, the possible need for rescreening at a higher age, and selective screening among smokers.
The predictability of serum anti-Müllerian level in IVF/ICSI outcomes for patients of advanced reproductive age
Authors: Lee Robert KK , Wu Frank SY , Lin Ming-Huei , Lin Shyr-Yeu , Hwu Yuh-Ming 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
The role of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as predictor of in-vitro fertilization outcomes has been much debated. The aim of the present study is to investigate the practicability of combining serum AMH level with biological age as a simple screening method for counseling IVF candidates of advanced reproductive age with potential poor outcomes prior to treatment initiation.

Methods
A total of 1,538 reference patients and 116 infertile patients aged greater than or equal to 40 years enrolled in IVF/ICSI cycles were recruited in this retrospective analysis. A reference chart of the age-related distribution of serum AMH level for Asian population was first created. IVF/ICSI patients aged greater than or equal to 40 years were then divided into three groups according to the low, middle and high tertiles the serum AMH tertiles derived from the reference population of matching age. The cycle outcomes were analyzed and compared among each individual group.

Results
For reference subjects aged greater than or equal to 40 years, the serum AMH of the low, middle and high tertiles were equal or lesser than 0.48, 0.49-1.22 and equal or greater than 1.23 ng/mL respectively. IVF/ICSI patients aged greater than or equal to 40 years with AMH levels in the low tertile had the highest cycle cancellation rate (47.6%) with zero clinical pregnancy. The nadir AMH level that has achieved live birth was 0.56 ng/mL, which was equivalent to the 36.4th percentile of AMH level from the age-matched reference group. The optimum cut-off levels of AMH for the prediction of nonpregnancy and cycle cancellation were 1.05 and 0.68 ng/mL, respectively.

Conclusions
Two criteria: (1) age greater than or equal to 40 years and (2) serum AMH level in the lowest tertile (equal or lesser than 33.3rd percentile) of the matching age group, may be used as markers of futility for counseling IVF/ICSI candidates.
A rapid and easy method for the DNA extraction from Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Mseddi Fatma , Jarboui Mohammed Ali , Sellami Amira , Sellami Hayet , Ayadi Ali 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
DNA isolation from C. neoformans is difficult due to a thick and resistant capsule. We have optimized a new and rapid DNA isolation method for Cryptococcus using a short urea treatment followed by a rapid method using a chelex resin suspension. This procedure is simpler than previously reported methods.
Spontaneous adrenal pheochromocytoma rupture complicated by intraperitoneal hemorrhage and shock
Authors: Hanna Joseph S , Spencer Philip J , Savopoulou Cornelia , Kwasnik Edward , Askari Reza 
Published: August 2011

AbstractMEN2A is a hereditary syndrome characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma, hyperparathyroidism, and pheochromocytoma. Classically patients with a pheochromocytoma initially present with the triad of paroxysmal headaches, palpitations, and diaphoresis accompanied by marked hypertension. However, although reported as a rare presentation, spontaneous hemorrhage within a pheochromocytoma can present as an abdominal catastrophe. Unrecognized, this transformation can rapidly result in death. We report the only documented case of a thirty eight year old gentleman with MEN2A who presented to a community hospital with hemorrhagic shock and peritonitis secondary to an unrecognized hemorrhagic pheochromocytoma. The clinical course is notable for an inability to localize the source of hemorrhage during an initial damage control laparotomy that stabilized the patient sufficiently to allow emergent transfer to our facility, re-exploration for continued hemorrhage and abdominal compartment syndrome, and ultimately angiographic embolization of the left adrenal artery for control of the bleeding. Following recovery from his critical illness and appropriate medical management for pheochromocytoma, he returned for interval bilateral adrenal gland resection, from which his recovery was unremarkable. Our review of the literature highlights the high mortality associated with the undertaking of an operative intervention in the face of an unrecognized functional pheochromocytoma. This reinforces the need for maintaining a high index of suspicion for pheochromocytoma in similar cases. Our case also demonstrates the need for a mutimodal treatment approach that will often be required in these cases.
Renin angiotensin system and gender differences in dopaminergic degeneration
Authors: Rodriguez-Perez Ana I , Valenzuela Rita , Joglar Belen , Garrido-Gil Pablo , Guerra Maria J , Labandeira-Garcia Jose L 
Published: August 2011

AbstractBackgroundThere are sex differences in dopaminergic degeneration. Men are approximately two times as likely as premenopausal women of the same age to develop Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been shown that the local renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays a prominent role in sex differences in the development of chronic renal and cardiovascular diseases, and there is a local RAS in the substantia nigra and dopaminergic cell loss is enhanced by angiotensin via type 1 (AT1) receptors.ResultsIn the present study, we observed that intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine induced a marked loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of male rats, which was significantly higher than the loss induced in ovariectomized female rats given estrogen implants (i.e. rats with estrogen). However, the loss of dopaminergic neurons was significantly lower in male rats treated with the AT1 antagonist candesartan, and similar to that observed in female rats with estrogen. The involvement of the RAS in gender differences in dopaminergic degeneration was confirmed with AT1a-null mice lesioned with the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPTP. Significantly higher expression of AT1 receptors, angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and NADPH-oxidase complex activity, and much lower levels of AT2 receptors were observed in male rats than in female rats with estrogen.ConclusionsThe results suggest that brain RAS plays a major role in the increased risk of developing PD in men, and that manipulation of brain RAS may be an efficient approach for neuroprotective treatment of PD in men, without the feminizing effects of estrogen.
Carboplatin Plus Paclitaxel Versus Carboplatin Plus Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin As First-Line Treatment for Patients With Ovarian Cancer: The MITO-2 Randomized Phase III Trial
Authors: Pignata Sandro , Scambia Giovanni , Ferrandina Gabriella , Savarese Antonella , Sorio Roberto , Breda Enrico , Gebbia Vittorio , Musso Pietro , Frigerio Luigi , Del Medico Pietro , Lombardi Alessandra Vernaglia , Febbraro Antonio , Scollo Paolo , Ferro Antonella , Tamberi Stefano , Brandes Alba , Ravaioli Alberto , Valerio Maria Rosaria , Aitini Enrico , Natale Donato , Scaltriti Laura , Greggi Stefano , Pisano Carmela , Lorusso Domenica , Salutari Vanda , Legge Francesco , Di Maio Massimo , Morabito Alessandro , Gallo Ciro , Perrone Francesco 
Published: August 2011

Purpose Carboplatin/paclitaxel is the standard first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Multicentre Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer-2 (MITO-2), an academic multicenter phase III trial, tested whether carboplatin/pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) was more effective than standard chemotherapy. Patients and Methods Chemotherapy-naive patients with stage IC to IV ovarian cancer (age ≤ 75 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2) were randomly assigned to carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 5 plus paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 or to carboplatin AUC 5 plus PLD 30 mg/m2, every 3 weeks for six cycles. Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). With 632 events in 820 enrolled patients, the study would have 80% power to detect a 0.80 hazard ratio (HR) of PFS. Results Eight hundred twenty patients were randomly assigned. Disease stages III and IV were prevalent. Occurrence of PFS events substantially slowed before obtaining the planned number. Therefore, in concert with the Independent Data Monitoring Committee, final analysis was performed with 556 events, after a median follow-up of 40 months. Median PFS times were 19.0 and 16.8 months with carboplatin/PLD and carboplatin/paclitaxel, respectively (HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.81 to 1.13; P = .58). Median overall survival times were 61.6 and 53.2 months with carboplatin/PLD and carboplatin/paclitaxel, respectively (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.72 to 1.12; P = .32). Carboplatin/PLD produced a similar response rate but different toxicity (less neurotoxicity and alopecia but more hematologic adverse effects). There was no relevant difference in global quality of life after three and six cycles. Conclusion Carboplatin/PLD was not superior to carboplatin/paclitaxel, which remains the standard first-line chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer. However, given the observed CIs and the different toxicity, carboplatin/PLD could be considered an alternative to standard therapy.