bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CMV‐specific T‐cell immunity, viral load, and clinical outcome in seropositive renal transplant recipients: a pilot study
Authors: Sund Fredrik , Lidehäll Anna‐Karin , Claesson Kerstin , Foss Aksel , Tötterman Thomas H. , Korsgren Olle , Eriksson Britt‐Marie 
Published: February 2009

Sund F, Lidehäll A‐K, Claesson K, Foss A, Tötterman TH, Korsgren O, Eriksson B‐M. CMV‐specific T‐cell immunity, viral load, and clinical outcome in seropositive renal transplant recipients: a pilot study. Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 401–409. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Abstract: Background:  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is still the leading opportunistic infection following solid organ transplantation. The aim of this prospective study of renal transplant recipients was to evaluate the dynamics of CMV‐specific T‐cells, viral load, and clinical symptoms of CMV infection.Methods:  Levels of tetramer‐selected CD8+ T‐cells (TetraCD8), CMV‐specific interferon‐γ producing CD8+ T‐cells (IFNγCD8), and CD4+ T‐cells (IFNγCD4), measured using major histocompatibility complex‐tetramer and cytokine flow cytometry techniques, and CMV DNA were monitored monthly in 17 CMV‐seropositive patients up to one yr (median 12 months, range 3–12) after transplantation and correlated to clinical outcome.Results:  CMV DNAemia was detected in 94% of the patients, but only one patient developed CMV disease. CMV DNAemia >1 million copies/mL was seen in asymptomatic patients. CMV‐specific T‐cells decreased rapidly after transplantation. TetraCD8 and IFNγCD8 regenerated within three months, whereas IFNγCD4 recovery was impaired up to one yr after transplantation. The proportion of IFNγCD4 at two months post‐transplantation as compared with baseline, correlated strongly with the magnitude of the CMV DNAemia.Conclusions:  Monitoring the reduction of IFNγCD4 compared with baseline during the first months after transplantation could be considered in predicting risk for high‐grade CMV DNAemia and in deciding strategic approaches for pre‐emptive and prophylactic therapy.
Does the use of pulmonary artery catheters increase the number of organs available for transplantation?
Authors: Hadjizacharia Pantelis , Salim Ali , Brown Carlos , Inaba Kenji , Chan Linda S. , Mascarenhas Angela , Margulies Daniel R. 
Published: February 2009

Hadjizacharia P, Salim A, Brown C, Inaba K, Chan LS, Mascarenhas A, Margulies DR. Does the use of pulmonary artery catheters increase the number of organs available for transplantation? Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 62–66. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Aggressive donor management, including the placement of a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) to monitor hemodynamic status and tissue perfusion, has been associated with a significant increase in the number of organs recovered for transplantation. Nonetheless, there has been growing scrutiny over the use of PACs because of their known complications and lack of therapeutic effect. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of PACs in the management of organ donors. The records of all patients who successfully donated organs between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2005 were reviewed. A total of 96 patients underwent successful organ donation during the four‐yr study period. Of these, 49 (51.0%) were managed with a PAC. Compared with donors managed without a PAC, there were significantly more hearts recovered from donors managed with a PAC (71.4% vs. 44.7%; p = 0.0079) with no difference in the daily administration of fluids and vasopressors between the two groups. The management of organ donors with a PAC can help maximize cardiac procurement.
Mountain birch under multiple stressors – heavy metal‐resistant populations co‐resistant to biotic stress but maladapted to abiotic stress
Authors: ERÄNEN J. K. , NILSEN J. , ZVEREV V. E. , KOZLOV M. V. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractStress adaptations often include a trade‐off of weakened performance in nonlocal conditions, resulting in divergent selection, and potentially, genetic differentiation and evolutionary adaptation. Results of a two‐phase (greenhouse and field) common garden experiment demonstrated adaptation of mountain birch (Betula pubescenssubsp.czerepanovii) populations from industrially polluted areas of the Kola Peninsula, north‐western Russia, to heavy metals (HM), whereas no adaptations to wind or drought stress were detected in populations from wind‐exposed sites. HM‐adapted seedlings were maladapted to drought but less palatable (co‐resistant) to insect herbivores, even under background HM concentrations. The absence of adaptations to harsh microclimate and the generally high adaptive potential of mountain birch, a critical forest forming tree in subarctic Europe, need to be accounted for in models predicting consequences of human‐driven environmental changes, including the projected climate change.
The fitness costs of developmental canalization and plasticity
Authors: VAN BUSKIRK J. , STEINER U. K. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractOrganisms are capable of an astonishing repertoire of phenotypic responses to the environment, and these often define important adaptive solutions to heterogeneous and unpredictable conditions. The terms ‘phenotypic plasticity’ and ‘canalization’ indicate whether environmental variation has a large or small effect on the phenotype. The evolution of canalization and plasticity is influenced by optimizing selection‐targeting traits within environments, but inherent fitness costs of plasticity may also be important. We present a meta‐analysis of 27 studies (of 16 species of plant and 7 animals) that have measured selection on the degree of plasticity independent of the characters expressed within environments. Costs of plasticity and canalization were equally frequent and usually mild; large costs were observed only in studies with low sample size. We tested the importance of several covariates, but only the degree of environmental stress was marginally positively related to the cost of plasticity. These findings suggest that costs of plasticity are often weak, and may influence phenotypic evolution only under stressful conditions.
Lacustrine radiations in AfricanSynodontiscatfish
Authors: DAY J. J. , BILLS R. , FRIEL J. P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractSynodontiscatfish are a species‐rich, tropical pan‐African genus that predominately occur in fluviatile environments, but which also form a small radiation within Lake Tanganyika (LT). Here we estimateSynodontisrelationships, based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, greatly expanding previous sampling. Data were analysed using different methods of phylogenetic inference: Bayesian (also testing compositional heterogeneity), likelihood and parsimony, in order to investigate biogeographic history and the extent of intralacustrine speciation within this group. Bayesian‐relaxed clock analyses were used to estimate timings of radiations. Our analyses reveal a single origin of the LT flock with the inclusion of the nonendemicS. victoriae, and that these taxa evolved relatively recently (5.5 Ma), considerably later than the formation of LT (9–12 Ma). Two internal endemic clades diversified at a similar time (2–2.5 Ma), corresponding to a period of climate change, when lake levels dropped. We find evidence for a further species flock, composed of riverine southern African taxa, the diversification of which is very rapid, 0.8 Ma (95% HPD: 0.4–1.5) and infer a similar scenario for the diversification of this flock to southern African serrachromine cichlids in that they radiated in the now extinct lake Makgadikgadi. We also reveal that the biogeographic history ofSynodontiscatfish is more complex than previously thought, with nonmonophyletic geographic species groupings.
Applying the genetic theories of ageing to the cytoplasm: cytoplasmic genetic covariation for fitness and lifespan
Authors: DOWLING D. K. , MAKLAKOV A. A. , FRIBERG U. , HAILER F. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractTwo genetic models exist to explain the evolution of ageing – mutation accumulation (MA) and antagonistic pleiotropy (AP). Under MA, a reduced intensity of selection with age results in accumulation of late‐acting deleterious mutations. Under AP, late‐acting deleterious mutations accumulate because they confer beneficial effects early in life. Recent studies suggest that the mitochondrial genome is a major player in ageing. It therefore seems plausible that the MA and AP models will be relevant to genomes within the cytoplasm. This possibility has not been considered previously. We explore whether patterns of covariation between fitness and ageing across 25 cytoplasmic lines, sampled from a population of Drosophila melanogaster, are consistent with the genetic associations predicted under MA or AP. We find negative covariation for fitness and the rate of ageing, and positive covariation for fitness and lifespan. Notably, the direction of these associations is opposite to that typically predicted under AP.
Release of lipoxygenase products and monoterpenes by tomato plants as an indicator of Botrytis cinerea‐induced stress
Authors: Jansen R. M. C. , Miebach M. , Kleist E. , Van Henten E. J. , Wildt J. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractChanges in emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tomato induced by the fungus Botrytis cinerea were studied in plants inoculated by spraying with suspensions containing B. cinerea spores. VOC emissions were analysed using on‐line gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, with a time resolution of about 1 h, for up to 2 days after spraying. Four phases were delimited according to the starting point and the applied day/night rhythm of the experiments. These phases were used to demonstrate changes in VOC flux caused by B. cinerea infestation. Tomato plants inoculated with B. cinerea emitted a different number and amount of VOCs after inoculation compared to control plants that had been sprayed with a suspension without B. cinerea spores. The changes in emissions were dependent on time after inoculation as well as on the severity of infection. The predominant VOCs emitted after inoculation were volatile products from the lipoxygenase pathway (LOX products). The increased emission of LOX products proved to be a strong indicator of a stress response, indicating that VOC emissions can be used to detect plant stress at an early stage. Besides emission of LOX products, there were also increases in monoterpene emissions. However, neither increased emission of LOX products nor of monoterpenes is specific for B. cinerea attack. The emission of LOX products is also induced by other stresses, and increased emission of monoterpenes seems to be the result of mechanical damage induced by secondary stress impacts on leaves.
Efficacy of entecavir treatment for lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B over 3 years: Histological improvement or entecavir resistance?
Authors: Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Suzuki Fumitaka , Kawamura Yusuke , Yatsuji Hiromi , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Akuta Norio , Kobayashi Masahiro , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Miyakawa Yuzo , Kumada Hiromitsu 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Long‐term lamivudine therapy is required for patients with chronic hepatitis B, because hepatitis reappears frequently after it has withdrawn. However, hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants resistant to lamivudine emerge frequently accompanied by breakthrough hepatitis.Methods:  Effects of entecavir were evaluated in 19 patients who had developed breakthrough hepatitis during lamivudine therapy for longer than 5 years. This study is a subgroup analysis of a previously reported study. Entecavir, in either 0.5 or 1.0 mg/day doses, was given to 10 and nine patients for 52 weeks, respectively, and then all received 1.0 mg/day entecavir for an additional 68–92 weeks.Results:  There were no differences in biochemical and virological responses in the two groups of patients with respect to the two different initial doses of entecavir. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase were normalized in 17 (90%) patients, and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) disappeared from the serum in two (14%) of the 14 patients who were HBeAg‐positive before. Furthermore, a decrease in histological activity index score greater than 2 points was achieved in nine of the 11 (82%) patients in whom annual liver biopsies were performed during 3 years while they received entecavir. HBV mutants resistant to entecavir emerged in five of the 19 (26%) patients, and hepatitis flare occurred in two of them (40%).Conclusion:  Entecavir in the long term would be useful for histological improvement of breakthrough hepatitis induced by lamivudine‐resistant HBV mutants in patients with chronic hepatitis B. However, the relatively high rate of entecavir resistance is a concern, and other strategies need to be considered when available.
Relationship between Helicobacter pylori hopQ genotype and clinical outcome in Asian and Western populations
Authors: Ohno Tomoyuki , Sugimoto Mitsushige , Nagashima Aiko , Ogiwara Hiroaki , Vilaichone Ratha‐Korn , Mahachai Varocha , Graham David Y , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Outer membrane proteins of Helicobacter pylori mediate important pathogen–host interactions such as colonization, adhesion and the inflammatory response. hopQ genotypes have been suggested to be associated with increased risk of peptic ulcer. The aim of this study was to test the relation of hopQ genotype to H. pylori‐related disease and histological changes in Asian and Western countries.Methods:  hopQ genotype, cagA status and vacA genotype of H. pylori isolated from patients from Asian and Western countries were determined and the results were compared with the clinical presentation and gastric histology.Results:  Most Asian strains possessed virulent genotypes (hopQ type I, vacA s1‐m1 and cagA‐positive). In Western countries, hopQ type I genotype was significantly linked with vacA s1 and m1 genotypes and cagA‐positive status. Inflammatory cell infiltration and atrophy scores were significantly higher in patients with hopQ type I strains than those with type II in Western patients. However, the hopQ type I genotype was not associated with an increased risk for peptic ulcer or gastric cancer, and had no additive effects to vacA genotypes or cagA‐positive status.Conclusion:  The expression of multiple putative virulence factors in Asian strains likely explains the relatively high incidence of clinical outcomes including gastric cancer compared with other parts of the world. Although hopQ genotype did not improve the predictive value above other genotyping for development of H. pylori‐related gastroduodenal diseases, the hopQ genotype might be able to add a useful virulence marker for gastroduodenal diseases.
Apoptosis in experimental NASH is associated with p53 activation and TRAIL receptor expression
Authors: Farrell Geoffrey C , Larter Claire Z , Hou Jing Yun , Zhang Rena H , Yeh Matthew M , Williams Jacqueline , Dela Peňa Aileen , Francisco Rona , Osvath Sarah R , Brooling John , Teoh Narcissus , Sedger Lisa M 
Published: February 2009

AbstractBackground and Aims:  We examined extrinsic and intrinsic (endogenous) mitochondrial apoptosis pathways in experimental non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).Methods:  To assess extrinsic pathways, we measured hepatic expression of death‐inducing cytokine receptors (tumor necrosis factor‐α‐receptor (TNF‐R)1, TNF‐R2, Fas, and TNFα‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand‐receptor (TRAIL‐R) mRNA, TUNEL, caspase 3 activation, liver injury and liver pathology in mice fed a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet. For endogenous stress pathways, we determined serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1), hepatic p53, Bcl‐XL, tBid and p21 expression.Results:  Methionine and choline deficient feeding increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and apoptosis from day 10, without increases in TNF‐R1, TNF‐R2, and Fas. However, murine TRAIL receptors, particularly decoyTRAIL‐R1/TNFRSFH23 and Killer/DR5 mRNA increased. MCD feeding enhanced hepatic p53 expression, corresponding to ∼50% fall in serum IGF‐1, decreased Bcl‐XL, enhanced Bid cleavage to tBid, and up‐regulation of p21. Nutritional restitution experiments showed that correcting either methionine or choline deficiency suppressed liver inflammation (extrinsic pathway), but failed to correct apoptosis, IGF‐1 or p53.Conclusions:  Methionine and choline deficiency lower IGF‐1 to de‐repress p53 during induction of steatohepatitis. The p53 induced by nutritional stress is biologically active in mediating mitochondrial cell death pathways, but may also be responsible for TRAIL receptor expression, thereby linking intrinsic and exogenous apoptosis pathways in NASH.
X chromosome number causes sex differences in gene expression in adult mouse striatum
Authors: Chen Xuqi , Grisham William , Arnold Arthur P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractPrevious research suggests that sex differences in the nigrostriatal system are created by direct effects of the sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY), independent of the action of gonadal hormones. Here we tested for sex chromosome effects on expression of three mRNAs in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of adult mice of the four core genotypes model (XX and XY gonadal males, XX and XY gonadal females). Mice were gonadectomized (GDX) at 47–51 days old to eliminate group differences in the levels of gonadal steroids. Three weeks later, mice were killed and brains collected for in situ hybridization of the striatum, or the striatum was dissected out for quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Expression in XX and XY mice was measured by in situ hybridization using riboprobes encoding the dynorphin precursor Pdyn (prodynorphin), the substance P precursor Tac1 (preprotachykinin) or dopamine D2 receptor. XX mice had higher expression, relative to XY mice of the same gonadal sex, of Pdyn and Tac1 mRNA in specific striatal regions. Quantitative PCR confirmed that GDX XX mice have higher Pdyn expression in striatum than XY mice, regardless of their gonadal sex. XX had higher Pdyn expression than XY or XO mice, indicating that the sex chromosome effect is the result of XX vs. XY differences in the number of X chromosomes, probably because of sex differences in the expression of X gene(s) that escape inactivation. We detected no sex chromosome effect on D2 receptor mRNA.
Main olfactory system mediates social buffering of conditioned fear responses in male rats
Authors: Kiyokawa Yasushi , Takeuchi Yukari , Nishihara Masugi , Mori Yuji 
Published: February 2009

AbstractWe previously reported that the presence of a conspecific animal blocked freezing of a male rat in response to an auditory conditioned stimulus that had been paired with foot shocks, as well as associated Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus. Here we investigated how this ‘social buffering’ is mediated by examining the contributions of both physical contact and the main olfactory system. Fear‐conditioned rats exposed to the conditioned stimulus alone responded by freezing and increased Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus. However, the presence of another rat, but not a guinea pig, dramatically mitigated these responses, even if the dyad was separated by a wire mesh or a pair of wire meshes 5 cm apart. In contrast, social buffering was absent when a transparent acrylic board was inserted between the double wire mesh. Lesioning of the main olfactory epithelium by injection of ZnSO4 intranasally also abolished social buffering. Thus, we conclude that the main olfactory system is essential for the social buffering but does not require physical contact between the dyad.
Rapid cortical reorganisation and improved sensitivity of the hand following cutaneous anaesthesia of the forearm
Authors: Björkman Anders , Weibull Andreas , Rosén Birgitta , Svensson Jonas , Lundborg Göran 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe cortical representation of various body parts constantly changes based on the pattern of afferent nerve impulses. As peripheral nerve injury results in a cortical and subcortical reorganisation this has been suggested as one explanation for the poor clinical outcome seen after peripheral nerve repair in humans. Cutaneous anaesthesia of the forearm in healthy subjects and in patients with nerve injuries results in rapid improvement of hand sensitivity. The mechanism behind the improvement is probably based on a rapid cortical and subcortical reorganisation. The aim of this work was to study cortical changes following temporary cutaneous forearm anaesthesia. Ten healthy volunteers participated in the study. Twenty grams of a local anaesthetic cream (EMLA®) was applied to the volar aspect of the right forearm. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed during sensory stimulation of all fingers of the right hand before and during cutaneous forearm anaesthesia. Sensitivity was also clinically assessed before and during forearm anaesthesia. A group analysis of functional magnetic resonance image data showed that, during anaesthesia, the hand area in the contralateral primary somatosensory cortex expanded cranially over the anaesthetised forearm area. Clinically right hand sensitivity in the volunteers improved during forearm anaesthesia. No significant changes were seen in the left hand. The clinically improved hand sensitivity following forearm anaesthesia is probably based on a rapid expansion of the hand area in the primary somatosensory cortex which presumably results in more nerve cells being made available for the hand in the primary somatosensory cortex.
Genetic, immunological and biochemical evidence for a Rnf complex in the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii
Authors: Biegel Eva , Schmidt Silke , Müller Volker 
Published: February 2009

SummaryAcetogenic bacteria grow by the oxidation of various substrates coupled to the reduction of carbon dioxide (acetogenesis) or other electron acceptors but the mechanisms of energy conservation are still enigmatic. Here, we report the presence of a rnf gene cluster rnfCDGEAB in Acetobacterium woodii that is speculated to encode a novel, energy‐conserving ferredoxin:NAD+‐oxidoreductase complex composed of at least six different subunits. Transcriptional analysis revealed that the genes constitute an operon. RnfC and RnfG were heterologously produced and antibodies were generated. Western blot analyses demonstrated that these subunits were produced and are associated with the cytoplasmic membrane. The subunits were present in cells respiring with either carbon dioxide or caffeate. A preparation with NADH dehydrogenase activity was obtained from detergent solubilized membranes that contained RnfC and RnfG.