bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distinct differences in tachykinin gene expression in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and diverticular disease: a role for hemokinin‐1?
Authors: Liu L. , Markus I. , Saghire H. E. , Perera D.S , King D. W. , Burcher E. 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground  In the intestine, the tachykinins substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) are found in neurons and have key roles in motility, secretion, and immune functions. A new tachykinin, hemokinin (HK‐1), has been identified in non‐neuronal cells in recent years and its role in intestinal inflammation is unclear. We aimed to examine the expression of genes encoding tachykinin peptides and receptors in colon from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn’s disease (CD), and acute diverticular disease (DD).Methods  Human colon segments were dissected into mucosa and muscle, and evaluated for tachykinin and tachykinin receptor gene expression by real‐time PCR.Key Results  In UC mucosa, the TAC4 gene (encoding HK‐1) was 10‐fold more abundant than in control mucosa (P < 0.01). Similarly, TAC1 (encoding SP and NKA) and TACR1 (encoding NK1 receptor) displayed 6‐fold and 12‐fold upregulation, respectively, in UC mucosa, but no change occurred in UC muscle. In contrast to UC, no difference was observed for any tachykinin genes in CD mucosa. In CD muscle, expression of TAC1 (P < 0.01), TAC4 and TACR1 (both P < 0.05) were moderately upregulated. In DD, there was a decrease in TACR1 (P < 0.05), and TACR2 (encoding NK2 receptor, P < 0.0001) in muscle compared with control. Histological staining showed increased collagen fibers between muscle bundles in DD smooth muscle.Conclusions & Inferences  We provide evidence for the first time that HK‐1, like SP, may be involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease. Distinctly different expression patterns of tachykinin‐related genes occur in UC, CD and DD.
Shoot‐supplied ammonium targets the root auxin influx carrier AUX1 and inhibits lateral root emergence in Arabidopsis
Authors: LI BAOHAI , LI QING , SU YANHUA , CHEN HAO , XIONG LIMING , MI GUOHUA , KRONZUCKER HERBERT J. , SHI WEIMING 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTDeposition of ammonium (NH4+) from the atmosphere is a substantial environmental problem. While toxicity resulting from root exposure to NH4+ is well studied, little is known about how shoot‐supplied ammonium (SSA) affects root growth. In this study, we show that SSA significantly affects lateral root (LR) development. We show that SSA inhibits lateral root primordium (LRP) emergence, but not LRP initiation, resulting in significantly impaired LR number. We show that the inhibition is independent of abscisic acid (ABA) signalling and sucrose uptake in shoots but relates to the auxin response in roots. Expression analyses of an auxin‐responsive reporter, DR5:GUS, and direct assays of auxin transport demonstrated that SSA inhibits root acropetal (rootward) auxin transport while not affecting basipetal (shootward) transport or auxin sensitivity of root cells. Mutant analyses indicated that the auxin influx carrier AUX1, but not the auxin efflux carriers PIN‐FORMED (PIN)1 or PIN2, is required for this inhibition of LRP emergence and the observed auxin response. We found that AUX1 expression was modulated by SSA in vascular tissues rather than LR cap cells in roots. Taken together, our results suggest that SSA inhibits LRP emergence in Arabidopsis by interfering with AUX1‐dependent auxin transport from shoot to root.
Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia in a community in the Mayan area of Mexico
Authors: González‐Losa Maria R. , Suarez‐Allén Rosa E. , Canul‐Canche Jaqueline , Conde‐Ferráez Laura , Eljure‐Lopez Nixma 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground  Multifocal epithelial hyperplasia is a pathology of the oral mucosa which has been reported in diverse ethnic groups. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 13 and 32 DNA has been detected in these lesions. The aims of this paper are to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of an outbreak in a rural community in the Mayan area of Mexico and to identify a possible route of transmission through saliva.Methods  A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Chemax (Yucatan, Mexico). Clinical and epidemiological data were obtained through direct interviews. Samples of oral cells and saliva were taken. HPV 13 and 32 were identified by polymerase chain reaction using specific primers.Results  A total of 57 patients were studied, of whom 79.1% were aged <15 years, 38.6% were male, and 61.3% were female. The duration of lesions ranged from one month to 50 years. Lesions were located on the lips, jugal mucosa, and more frequently, the tongue. HPV 13 was found in all the patients and HPV 32 in none. A total of 42 saliva samples were positive for HPV 13.Conclusions  Human papillomavirus type 13 is involved in multifocal epithelial hyperplasia among the Mexican Mayan population. The presence of HPV 13 in cells from saliva, combined with poor hygiene behaviors, may explain the familial distribution of the pathology.
Characteristics of atopic children with pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection: Pandemic H1N1 influenza reveals ‘occult’ asthma of childhood
Authors: Hasegawa Shunji , Hirano Reiji , Hashimoto Kunio , Haneda Yasuhiro , Shirabe Komei , Ichiyama Takashi 
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Hasegawa S, Hirano R, Hashimoto K, Haneda Y, Shirabe K, Ichiyama T. Characteristics of atopic children with pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection: Pandemic H1N1 influenza reveals ‘occult’ asthma of childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e119–e123.The number of human cases of pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection has increased in Japan since April 2009, as it has worldwide. This virus is widespread in the Yamaguchi prefecture in western Japan, where most infected children exhibited respiratory symptoms. Bronchial asthma is thought to be one of the risk factors that exacerbate respiratory symptoms of pandemic H1N1‐infected patients, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. We retrospectively investigated the records of 33 children with pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection who were admitted to our hospital between October and December 2009 and analyzed their clinical features. The percentage of children with asthma attack, with or without abnormal findings on chest radiographs (pneumonia, atelectasis, etc.), caused by pandemic H1N1 influenza infection was significantly higher than that of children with asthma attack and 2008–2009 seasonal influenza infection. Of the 33 children in our study, 22 (66.7%) experienced an asthma attack. Among these children, 20 (90.9%) did not receive long‐term management for bronchial asthma, whereas 7 (31.8%) were not diagnosed with bronchial asthma and had experienced their first asthma attack. However, the severity of the attack did not correlate with the severity of the pulmonary complications of pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection. The pandemic H1N1 influenza virus greatly increases the risk of lower respiratory tract complications such as asthma attack, pneumonia, and atelectasis, when compared to the seasonal influenza virus. Furthermore, our results suggest that pandemic H1N1 influenza viral infection can easily induce a severe asthma attack, pneumonia, and atelectasis in atopic children without any history of either an asthma attack or asthma treatment.
Cellular immunological barriers in xenotransplantation: current status and prospects for avoidance of graft destruction
Authors: Plege A. , Schwinzer R. 
Published: February 2011

Genetic modification of pigs (e.g. transgenic expression of human complement regulatory molecules or inactivation of α1,3galactosyltransferase) enabled the development of promising strategies to overcome hyperacute rejection after pig‐to‐primate xenotransplantation. However, cellular rejection still remains a hurdle for successful xenograft survival. Cellular rejection of porcine cells in xenotransplantation models is mediated by macrophages, T cells and NK cells. Activation of human monocytes by pig cells is partly due to the incapacity of porcine ligands to bind the inhibitory receptor SIRPα (signal regulatory protein α). Thus, one approach to impair the ability of human macrophages to phagocyte porcine cells is the overexpression of the human ligand for SIRPα in porcine cells. To inhibit human NK cell reactivity after xenotranslantation transgenic expression of HLA‐E in pigs has been shown to be a promising concept. Cells from these pigs were partially protected from lysis by human NK cells. Our group focuses on manipulation of human anti‐pig T cell responses by negative costimulatory signals. Thus, we asked whether overexpression of PD‐L1 on porcine cells can (i) downregulate human anti‐pig cellular responses in vitro, and (ii) inhibit rat anti‐pig cellular immune responses in vivo. Pig cells overexpressing PD‐L1 triggered reduced proliferation and low amounts of IL‐2, IFNγ, TNF‐alpha, IL‐4, and IL‐5 in human CD4+ T cells compared to control pig cells. The concentration of IL‐10, however, was increased. In long‐term cultures of human CD4+ T cells and PD‐L1 transfectants a high frequency of CD4+ CD25high FoxP3+ cells showed up which had the capacity to suppress the activation of conventional CD4+ T cells. Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and NK cells lysed pig control cells very efficiently. In contrast, PD‐L1 transfected pig cells were partially protected from lysis by human effector cells. Overexpression of PD‐L1 on porcine cells was not sufficient to prevent rejection after transplantation under the rat kidney capsule. However, in rats that had been grafted with PD‐L1 expressing cells we observed reduced cellular infiltrates in the kidneys and lower antibody responses compared to rats grafted with control cells. Together these observations support the assumption that PD‐1/PD‐Ligand pathways are interesting targets to prevent cellular immune responses after xenotransplantation. PD‐L overexpression might not only impede the initiation of an anti‐pig T cell response by suppressing CD4+ T cells but may also protect pig cells from destruction by cytotoxic effectors.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Transregio Forschergruppe “Xenotransplantation”, FOR 535).
Infectious risk and retroviral restriction factors in xenotransplantation
Authors: Dörrschuck E. , Münk C. , Tönjes R. R. 
Published: February 2011

The clinical application of xenotransplantation evokes immunological and microbiological as well as virological challenges.Porcine pathogens that do not show any symptoms in their natural host could exhibit a risk of fatal infections to humans. The presence of pig infectious agents including zoonotic and dissimilar agents should be reduced by specific pathogen free (spf) breeding of donor animals. However, the genetic information of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERV) is integrated in the pig genome and can not be eradicated by spf breeding. The concerns about PERV for human xenograft recipients are based on data of in vitro replication of PERV in some human cell lines. So far, viral replication of PERV has been difficult to demonstrate in non‐human primate cell lines and in preclinical studies of non‐human primates receiving porcine xenografts, respectively. In this regard, natural and effective mechanisms of human and porcine cells counteracting productive infections caused by PERV are important to investigate. Intracellular proteins and components of the innate immune system including endogenous “antiretroviral restriction factors” act at various steps in retroviral replication. The cellular front is composed by several constitutively expressed genes which prevent or suppress retroviral infections. Some of these factors such as members of the tripartite motif (TRIM) and the apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing polypeptide (APOBEC) families as well as tetherin and zinc‐finger antiviral protein (ZAP) could be useful in the management of PERV in xenotransplantation. The risks of infection and the potential role of antiretroviral restriction factors in xenotransplantation are presented in detail.
Cardiac xenotransplantation—state of the art 2010
Authors: Reichart B. , McGregor C. 
Published: February 2011

The availability of double transgenic pigs (Gal‐KO, CD46) is a major step towards clinical xenogenic heart transplantation. The addition of further transgenes (e.g. with human thrombomodulin/hemoxygenase‐1) will further advance the field. An expanded predictable breeding program to allow adequate numbers of donors for preclinical trials is now a priority.It is now an appropriate time to consider potential indications for clinical application. Clearly, there are patients who have difficulties in finding appropriate donor allotransplants such as those with low body surface areas <1.5m2, the obese and the hypersensitized (HLA does not crossreact with SLA). Also terminally ill patients needing biventricular assist devices would be potential recipients, since the mid‐ and long‐term results of total artificial hearts or biventricular devices are significantly worse when compared to those patients with left ventricular assist devices alone. At least at the beginning of the clinical experience, heterotopic thoracic heart transplantations (according to the techniques of Losman and Barnard) should be considered with both donor and recipient organs contributing to the cardiac output. Thereafter an allotransplantation could be performed leaving the xenotransplant in place while replacing the (diseased) recipient heart. This strategy had been proven successful in the past and in the clinical setting of allotransplant vasculopathy.Finally, in regard to safety issues: Initially the few worldwide available designated pathogen free units would be sufficient to supply appropriate animals. A prerequisite for this would be a change in the European legislation allowing the import of live animal stock from other countries.
Xenogeneic infection risk: limits to individual right restrictions
Authors: González J. G. 
Published: February 2011

One day even clinical organ xenotransplantation (XTx) will be a reality; this will mean assuming an uncertain infection risk for patients, their close contacts and society in general. Legislation will have to consider and cope with this xenogeneic infection risk (XIR) as well as reduce it as much as possible. It has to be determined, when, if, how and which legal instruments may be used to prevent XIR. The chief focus here will concern individual rights restrictions.The utility of this analysis is double: to have a legal basis ready when XTxs are deemed prepared for the first clinical experiments; and to offer new arguments to the discussion of if XTx should be authorized—on the basis of what would be currently legally possible, or if the law would have to be changed instead.The view of current European law (especially EU, Spanish, German and English Law) facing these—to date—hypothetical problems will be considered. The well‐established legal institutions of proportionality and reasonableness will provide the foundations for the legal analysis. They will answer the questions of whether and how law should or must act as well as which individual rights can be constrained in a concrete situation, and consider time or rather risk (from the XTx until the appearance of a XZn or beyond) as an independent variable.Individual risk reduction would imply that at least XTx recipients would have to observe certain measures in order to prevent xenogeneic transmissions. Either these patients may oblige themselves with a private law instrument to do so; or they can be obliged to with a public law instrument, as it is always allowed to constrain individual rights if higher public interests are threatened. According to the legal systems analysed, the XIR must be a real or direct menace if individual rights are to be significantly constrained. Hence any use of the precautionary principle cannot be a firm legal basis for such individual rights restrictions.Factual and theoretical legal aspects limit the present and traditional law as an instrument to prevent XIR. Due to the essential value of fundamental rights, law can only react when a real XIR directly threatens society. And even in this case it is doubtful if legal repression is the best way to face infectious diseases with regard to human beings.
Comparison of immunogenicity and porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal xenografts survival between fresh preserved and dehydrated porcine corneas
Authors: Li Aipeng , Pan Zhiqiang , Jie Ying , Sun Yajie , Luo Fei , Wang Li 
Published: February 2011

Li A, Pan Z, Jie Y, Sun Y, Luo F, Wang L. Comparison of immunogenicity and porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal xenografts survival between fresh preserved and dehydrated porcine corneas. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 46–55. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Background:  To compare the immunogenicity of fresh preserved and dehydrated lamellar porcine corneas in porcine‐to‐mouse heterotopic transplantation and to investigate the survival of preserved porcine corneas as xenografts in porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal transplantation.Methods:  Dehydrated and fresh preserved, endothelium deprived, porcine corneas were cut into fragments and grafted beneath the kidney capsule of BALB/c mice. Porcine‐specific delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and antibody (IgM, IgG) immune responses of the recipient mice were assessed. In addition, fresh preserved and dehydrated porcine corneas were used in porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar corneal xenotransplantation. The rhesus recipients were divided into three groups. Dehydrated corneas were applied to Group 1 and 3, and fresh preserved corneas were applied to Group 2. Only Group 3 received subconjunctival injections with triamcinolone acetonide for 1 month. All xenografts were evaluated by slit‐lamp microscopy for 6 months. Two recipients in each group were examined by in vivo confocal microscopy and then killed for corneal histopathological staining 3 months after surgery.Results:  Neither fresh preserved nor dehydrated corneal fragments evoked any measurable change in mice recipient humoral immune status, but both could induce porcine‐specific DTH at 1, 2, and 4 week after being grafted. However, the intensity of the DTH responses evoked by dehydrated corneas was lower than that evoked by fresh preserved corneas. In porcine‐to‐rhesus lamellar keratoplasty, with the exception one graft in Group 2 that developed characteristics of rejection, all the xenografts remained transparent or translucent up to 6 month after surgery. Histopathological examination of Group 1 showed that the infratemporal xenografts were much thicker and displayed some inflammatory cell infiltration in the peripheral portion of the graft and bed interface. However, in Group 3, which was treated with triamcinolone acetonide, there was an easily identified scar at the lamellar interface with no inflammatory cells present. In the rejected graft in Group 2, infiltrating cells included a few eosinophils and massive lymphocytes. Confocal microscopy examination showed that activated keratocytes localized in the anterior stroma and highly reflective tissue at the interface of the graft and bed.Conclusions:  Porcine corneas might be an ideal source for clinical lamellar corneal xenotransplantation. In cases of tectonic lamellar transplantation, the possibility to use dehydrated pig material may become an option in the future.
Preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched formula until 6 months show improved growth and development
Authors: Jeon Ga Won , Jung Yu Jin , Koh Sun Young , Lee Yeon Kyung , Kim Kyung Ah , Shin Son Moon , Kim Sung Shin , Shim Jae Won , Chang Yun Sil , Park Won Soon 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of feeding nutrient‐enriched preterm formula to preterm infants until 6 months' corrected age (CA) on growth and development in the first 18 months of life.Methods:  Very low‐birthweight preterm infants were fed preterm formula until term (40 weeks CA). Infants were then assigned to one of three groups and were fed term formula until 6 months' CA (group 1, n= 29); preterm formula to 3 months' CA and then term formula to 6 months' CA (group 2, n= 30); or preterm formula until 6 months' CA (group 3, n= 31). Anthropometry was performed at term, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and at s18 months' CA. Mental and psychomotor development were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at 18 months' CA.Results:  Although body weight, length, head circumference and z score for CA at term in group 3 were significantly lower than those of groups 1 and 2, growth rates of these parameters were significantly higher in group 3 up to 18 months CA', as compared to groups 1 and 2. The mental developmental index and psychomotor developmental index of the Bayley test were not significantly different between the three groups.Conclusions:  Very low‐birthweight preterm infants fed nutrient‐enriched preterm formula until 6 months' CA demonstrated significantly improved growth rates for bodyweight, length and head circumference, and comparable mental and psychomotor development throughout the first 18 months of life.
Intravenous immune globulin plus corticosteroids in refractory Kawasaki disease
Authors: Jibiki Toshiaki , Kato Izumi , Shiohama Tadashi , Abe Katsuaki , Anzai Satoshi , Takeda Nobue , Yamaguchi Ken‐ichi , Kanazawa Masaki , Kurosaki Tomomichi 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of i.v. immune globulin (IVIG) therapy combined with corticosteroids for additional treatment of acute Kawasaki disease (KD) unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment.Methods:  In 50 prospective KD patients, six IVIG non‐responders without clinical improvement within 24–48 h after completion of initial IVIG, received 2 g/kg IVIG concurrently with 2 mg/kg i.v. prednisolone sodium succinate (PSL) until normalization of C‐reactive protein level. Treatment was then changed to oral PSL, which was tapered over time. Clinical and coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcomes were compared with those of 13 IVIG non‐responders who received additional heterogeneous therapies in 125 retrospective KD patients. In addition, the scoring system of Kobayashi et al. for prediction of non‐responsiveness to initial IVIG treatment was retrospectively verified in 175 KD subjects, consisting of 50 prospective and 125 retrospective patients in order to evaluate the efficacy of the re‐treatment regimen.Results:  Incidence of CAL in the study patients was lower than in the control patients, although differences were not significant both in the acute stage (within 1 month: 1/6, 16.7% vs 7/13, 53.8%; P= 0.177) and in the convalescent stage (after 1 month: 0/6, 0.0% vs 4/13, 30.8%; P= 0.255). According to the non‐responder prediction system, the scores of six study and 13 control patients before initial IVIG treatment were similar (7.2 ± 1.9 vs 5.3 ± 3.1; P= 0.200). No serious adverse effects related to each treatment were noted in patients of either group.Conclusions:  Additional IVIG combined with concurrent PSL appears to be safe and worth evaluation for the treatment of acute KD unresponsive to initial IVIG treatment.