bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anaphylaxis to Gelofusine® confirmed by in vitro basophil activation test: a case series*
Authors: Apostolou E. , Deckert K. , Puy R. , Sandrini A. , De Leon M. P. , Douglass J. A. , Rolland J. M. , O'Hehir R. E. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryThe plasma expander Gelofusine® (succinylated gelatin) is a recognised cause of peri‐operative anaphylaxis. Current diagnosis of Gelofusine sensitivity is by skin testing, a procedure that itself carries a risk of allergic reaction. We evaluated the reliability of the in vitro basophil activation test as a diagnostic assay for Gelofusine sensitivity in subjects with a clinical history highly suggestive of Gelofusine allergy. Six patients with peri‐operative anaphylaxis clinically attributed to Gelofusine were skin tested to confirm sensitivity. Control subjects included three healthy subjects and five subjects allergic to a neuromuscular blocking drug, all negative on Gelofusine skin testing. Whole blood basophil activation to Gelofusine was analysed by flow cytometry for CD63 surface expression. All of the Gelofusine sensitive patients and one of the control allergic subjects showed positive basophil activation to Gelofusine. In this series of subjects, the basophil activation test for Gelofusine allergy had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 87.5%. Our findings suggest that basophil activation testing is a safe and reliable in vitro assay for prediction or confirmation of Gelofusine sensitivity in patients with high clinical suspicion of Gelofusine‐induced anaphylaxis.
A CD33‐specific single‐chain immunotoxin mediates potent apoptosis of cultured human myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Schwemmlein Michael , Peipp Matthias , Barbin Karin , Saul Domenica , Stockmeyer Bernhard , Repp Roland , Birkmann Josef , Oduncu Fuat , Emmerich Bertold , Fey Georg H. 
Published: February 2006

SummaryA novel single‐chain immunotoxin was constructed by combining a CD33‐specific single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragment with an engineered variant of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA). The variant toxin carries the KDEL peptide at its C‐terminus, a cellular peptide mediating improved retrograde transport to the endoplasmic reticulum. The purified recombinant fusion protein induced potent apoptosis of the human myeloid cell lines U937, HL‐60 and THP‐1. Up to 98% of U937 cells were eliminated after treatment for 72 h with a single dose of 500 ng/ml (c. 7 nmol/l). Killing was antigen‐specific and occurred by apoptosis. A control protein, consisting of a CD19‐specific scFv antibody fragment fused to the ETA‐KDEL toxin, failed to induce death of the CD19‐negative cell lines U937, HL‐60 and THP‐1. The CD33‐ETA toxin also mediated apoptosis of fresh patient‐derived acute myeloid leukaemia cells from bone marrow and peripheral blood. The pronounced antigen‐restricted cytotoxicity of the novel fusion protein makes it a candidate for further evaluation of its therapeutic potential.
2D and 3D potential‐field upward continuation using splines
Authors: Wang Bingzhu 
Published: February 2006

ABSTRACTThe dominant upward‐continuation technique used in the potential‐field geophysics industry is the fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. However, the spline‐based upward‐continuation technique presented in this paper has some advantages over the FFT technique. The spline technique can be used to carry out level‐to‐uneven surface 2D and 3D potential‐field upward continuation. An example of level‐to‐uneven surface upward continuation of 3D magnetic data using the spline technique is shown, and it is evident that the continued anomalies are very close to the theoretical values. The spacing can be irregular. Synthetic examples using the spline technique to continue noise‐contaminated gravity and magnetic data upward to an altitude of 15 km on irregular grids are shown. Gaussian noise with a zero mean and a standard deviation of 1% does not cause much error and can readily be tolerated. Through comparison with the FFT technique, it is found that for low‐altitude gravity and magnetic upward continuation, both the FFT technique and the spline technique are suitable; for high‐altitude upward continuation, the FFT technique is inaccurate, whereas the spline technique works very well. Also, upward continuation by the spline technique has a smaller edge effect than upward continuation by the FFT technique. The spline‐based upward continuation technique works fairly well even when the periphery of a grid is not quiet: it is rather robust in general. A real example shows that the spline technique can be employed to perform upward continuation of total‐field magnetic data and to de‐emphasize near‐surface noise.
Diptericin expression in bacteria infected Drosophila mbn‐2 cells – effect of infection dose and phagocytosis
Authors: Johansson K. C. , Söderhäll K. , Cerenius L. 
Published: February 2006

Abstract Drosophila haemocytes play a key role in defence against microbial aggression. Their capacity to sense and dispose of bacteria and also to signal to other immune tissues is probably vital to overcome an infection. In this work we used the haemocyte‐like mbn‐2 cell line to investigate how expression of the antimicrobial peptide diptericin is affected after a high dose bacterial challenge with diaminopimelic acid (DAP)‐peptidoglycan Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. We report that diptericin expression is negatively affected by high infection dose and rapid bacterial growth regardless of the type of infection and bacterial virulence and occurs in the absence of mbn‐2 cell death. Furthermore we show that the mbn‐2 cell population is heterogeneous, containing both phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells and that contact with large numbers of bacteria decreases diptericin expression in the phagocytic cell population.
Genome‐wide analysis of gene expression in adult Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Marinotti O. , Calvo E. , Nguyen Q. K. , Dissanayake S. , Ribeiro J. M. C. , James A. A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWith their genome sequenced, Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes now serve as a powerful tool for basic research in comparative, evolutionary and developmental biology. The knowledge generated by these studies is expected to reveal molecular targets for novel vector control and pathogen transmission blocking strategies. Comparisons of gene‐expression profiles between adult male and nonblood‐fed female Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes revealed that roughly 22% of the genes showed sex‐dependent regulation. Blood‐fed females switch the majority of their metabolism to blood digestion and egg formation within 3 h after the meal is ingested, in detriment to other activities such as flight and response to environment stimuli. Changes in gene expression are most evident during the first, second and third days after a blood meal, when as many as 50% of all genes showed significant variation in transcript accumulation. After laying the first cluster of eggs (between 72 and 96 h after the blood meal), mosquitoes return to a nongonotrophic stage, similar but not identical to that of 3‐day‐old nonblood‐fed females. Ageing and/or the nutritional state of mosquitoes at 15 days after a blood meal is reflected by the down‐regulation of ∼5% of all genes. A full description of the large number of genes regulated at each analysed time point and each biochemical pathway or biological processes in which they are involved is not possible within the scope of this contribution. Therefore, we present descriptions of groups of genes displaying major differences in transcript accumulation during the adult mosquito life. However, a publicly available searchable database (http://www.angagepuci.bio.uci.edu/) has been made available so that detailed analyses of specific groups of genes based on their descriptions, functions or levels of gene expression variation can be performed by interested investigators according to their needs.
Receptor of activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) is necessary for the 20‐hydroxyecdysone‐induced expression of the transcription factor CHR3 in the spruce budworm Choristoneura fumiferana
Authors: Quan G. X. , Krell P. J. , Arif B. M. , Feng Q. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractTo initiate moulting and metamorphosis, 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) binds to its nuclear receptors and the ligand–receptor complex then mediates changes in gene expression. Phosphorylation of the receptors is required for their function. The intracellular signal transduction pathway that is involved in receptor phosphorylation remains elusive. This study provides evidence that the receptor of activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) and protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction cascade is involved in the 20E‐induced expression of the moult‐associated transcription factor CHR3. A cDNA clone encoding a receptor of activated C kinase 1 was isolated from Choristoneura fumiferana (CfRACK1). This single copy gene coded a 36 kDa protein and was expressed ubiquitously in all of the developmental stages and the tissues tested, including the midgut, epidermis, fat body, head, Malpighian tubules, ovary and testis of larvae. High levels of the transcripts were also detected in a midgut‐derived CF‐203 cell line. We noticed that the green fluorescence protein‐fused CfRACK1 protein was distributed in the cytosol surrounding the nuclei in stably transformed cells. Interference of CfRACK1 mRNA suppressed the 20E‐induced expression of the transcription factor CHR3. Dequalinium‐14; 1,1′‐decamethylenebis‐4‐aminoquinaldinium diiodide (DECA), an inhibitor of RACK1 binding to protein kinase C, blocked the 20E‐induced expression of CHR3 and accumulation of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) in the nuclei. All of these data together suggest that 20E‐induced expression of CHR3 may involve phosphorylation of the ecdysone receptor component through the PKC/RACK1 signal transduction cascade, which facilitates the import of the receptor into the nuclei of cells.
Paradoxical Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Recovery: Effects on the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis Activity, Energy Balance and Body Composition of Rats
Authors: Hipólide D. C. , Suchecki D. , de Carvalho Pinto A. Pimentel , Chiconelli Faria E. , Tufik S. , Luz J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractNumerous studies indicate that sleep deprivation alters energy expenditure. However, this conclusion is drawn from indirect measurements. In the present study, we investigated alterations of energy expenditure, body composition, blood glucose levels, plasma insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone levels immediately after 4 days of sleep deprivation or after 4 days of sleep recovery. Rats were sleep deprived or maintained in a control environment (groups sleep‐deprived/deprivation and control/deprivation). One half of these animals were sacrificed at the end of the deprivation period and the other half was transported to metabolic cages, where they were allowed to sleep freely (groups sleep‐deprived/recovery and control/recovery). At the end of the sleep recovery period, these rats were sacrificed. After sleep deprivation, sleep‐deprived rats exhibited loss of body weight, augmented energy expenditure and reduced metabolic efficiency compared to control rats. These alterations were normalised during the sleep recovery period. The body composition of sleep‐deprived rats was altered insofar as there was a loss of fat content and gain of protein content in the carcass compared to control rats. However, these alterations were not reversed by sleep recovery. Finally, plasma levels of insulin were reduced during the sleep deprivation period in both control and sleep deprived groups compared to the recovery period. After the deprivation period, plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels were increased in sleep‐deprived rats compared to control rats, and although ACTH levels were similar between the groups after the sleep recovery period, corticosterone levels remained elevated in sleep‐deprived rats after this period. By means of direct measurements of metabolism, our results showed that sleep deprivation produces increased energy expenditure and loss of fat content. Most of the alterations were reversed by sleep recovery, except for corticosterone levels and body composition.
KiSS‐1 Neurones Are Direct Targets for Leptin in the ob/ob Mouse
Authors: Smith J. T. , Acohido B. V. , Clifton D. K. , Steiner R. A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractLeptin is an adipocyte‐derived hormone that acts on the hypothalamus to influence feeding, metabolism and reproduction, but the cellular and molecular targets for the action of leptin in the brain have yet to be fully elucidated. Kisspeptins are encoded by the Kiss1 gene, which is expressed in the hypothalamus and has been implicated in the neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone secretion. We tested the hypothesis that kisspeptin‐expressing neurones are targets for leptin. First, we examined whether leptin regulates the expression of Kiss1 by comparing levels of KiSS‐1 mRNA in the arcuate nucleus among groups of mice having different circulating levels of leptin: (i) wild‐type (WT); (ii) leptin‐deficient ob/ob; and (iii) ob/ob mice treated with leptin. All mice were castrated to control for endogenous concentrations of gonadal steroids. KiSS‐1 mRNA was significantly reduced in ob/ob compared to WT mice and levels of KiSS‐1 mRNA in ob/ob mice treated with leptin were increased, but not fully restored to that found in WT animals. Second, we performed double‐label in situ hybridisation for KiSS‐1 mRNA and the leptin receptor (Ob‐Rb) mRNA and found that almost one‐half (approximately 40%) of KiSS‐1 mRNA‐expressing cells in the arcuate nucleus expressed Ob‐Rb mRNA. These results demonstrate that KiSS‐1 neurones are direct targets for regulation by leptin and suggest that the reproductive deficits associated with leptin‐deficient states may be attributable, in part, to diminished expression of Kiss1.
Immunohistological features of visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice
Authors: CARRIÓN J. , NIETO A. , IBORRA S. , INIESTA V. , SOTO M. , FOLGUEIRA C. , ABANADES D. R. , REQUENA J. M. , ALONSO C. 
Published: February 2006

SUMMARY It has been reported that the level of protection provided by vaccines against murine visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is low and that progress in research on VL may be due to the lack of appropriate models to study protective immunity. We have analysed the immunohistological features occurring in BALB/c mice after intravenous administration of 10

3

, 10

5

and 10

6

parasites of Leishmania infantum. Our results show that in all cases parasite administration leads to the establishment of infection and to the development of quantifiable immunohistological features which are dependent on the inoculum size. This study demonstrates that differences in the parasite challenge result in changes in the evolution of some of the parameters associated with the degree of the infection in the BALB/c model: level of anti‐Leishmania antibodies, up‐regulation of spleen arginase activity, balance between IFN‐γ and IL‐10, extent of lymphoid follicle depletion in the splenic white pulp and ineffective development of hepatic granulomas. Also, and depending on the initial infectious inoculum, the absence of parasites in the bone marrow and the number of mature and empty type granulomas were parameters associated with protection. We think that in this model a challenge of the order of 105 parasites should prove useful for vaccine studies against VL.
Interferon‐γ Receptor‐1 Gene Promoter Polymorphisms (G‐611A; T‐56C) and Susceptibility to Tuberculosis
Authors: Bulat‐Kardum L. , Etokebe G. E. , Knezevic J. , Balen S. , Matakovic‐Mileusnic N. , Zaputovic L. , Pavelic J. , Beg‐Zec Z. , Dembic Z. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe analysed frequencies of two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) receptor‐1 (IFNGR1) gene promoter (G‐611A, T‐56C) in tuberculosis patients (n = 244) and compared them with controls (n = 521). These frequencies were not significantly different, whether analysed independently or as haplotypes. Because these SNP affect transcription, the results suggest that the expression of the IFNGR1 gene does not confer susceptibility to disease in patients from Croatia. Further analysis revealed a significant association between the protective (CA)n polymorphism (22 repeats, 192 FA1), located in the fifth intron of the IFNGR1 gene (+16682), and GT promoter haplotype (−611; −56) that showed the strongest expression capacity. In addition to this cis relationship, the (CA)22 allele was correlated in trans with an IFN‐γ SNP (IFNG G + 2109A), which might affect the transcription of the IFNG gene. These results suggest that a particular combination of IFNG and IFNGR1 SNP might offer a better protection against tuberculosis in this population.
Airway management practices at German university and university‐affiliated teaching hospitals – equipment, techniques and training: results of a nationwide survey
Authors: Goldmann K. , Braun U. 
Published: February 2006

Background: Until recently, Germany did not have national airway management guidelines. This survey collected comprehensive data on departmental airway management practices from German teaching institutions to identify weaknesses, and the results are presented here. German national airway guidelines were formulated by an expert group on the basis of these data and the current evidence in the literature.Methods: Questionnaires were mailed to the directors of 452 university and university‐affiliated anaesthesia departments. They were asked to respond to 39 questions on the use of particular equipment and techniques, management of the difficult airway and training in airway management.Results: Two hundred and twelve questionnaires were returned. Many alternative devices for endotracheal intubation, such as the Bullard®laryngoscope, the Bonfils®laryngoscope and the Trachlight®, are not used in the majority (80%) of departments. Thirty‐six per cent of departments do not have difficult airway carts. No departmental difficult airway management plan is used in 22% of departments. Patients are not provided with written information on their personal airway management difficulties in 14% of departments. Structured training in the form of block rotation is offered in only 29–40% of departments. Although trainees perform fibreoptic intubation (FOI) in most departments, appropriate training in FOI is not available in some departments (8%).Conclusion: There are deficits in various areas of airway management, in particular training and the use of algorithms. International guidelines and recommendations are not followed by a large number of German teaching institutions. The provision of German national airway guidelines should improve this situation.
Effects of dose‐dependent levels of isoflurane on cerebral blood flow in healthy subjects studied using positron emission tomography
Authors: Schlünzen L. , Cold G. E. , Rasmussen M. , Vafaee M. S. 
Published: February 2006

Background:  In this study, we tested the hypothesis that escalating drug concentrations of isoflurane are associated with a significant decline in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in regions sub‐serving conscious brain activity, including specifically the thalamus.Methods:  Nine human volunteers received three escalating drug concentrations: 0.2, 0.4 and 1.0 MAC end‐tidal inhalation. During waking, baseline and the three levels of sedation, aO PET scan was performed.Results:  Isoflurane decreased the bispectral index (BIS) values dose‐dependently. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were maintained constant over time. No significant change in global CBF was observed. Throughout all three MAC levels of sedation, isoflurane caused an increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the anterior cingulate and decreased rCBF in the cerebellum. Initially, isoflurane (0 vs. 0.2 MAC) significantly increased relative rCBF in the medial frontal gyrus and in the nucleus accumbens. At the next level (0.2 vs. 0.4 MAC), relative rCBF was significantly increased in the caudate nucleus and decreased in the lingual gyrus and cuneus. At the last level (0.4 vs. 1 MAC), relative rCBF was significantly increased in the insula and decreased in the thalamus, the cuneus and lingual gyrus. Compared with flow distribution in awake volunteers, 1 MAC of isoflurane significantly raised relative activity in the anterior cingulate and insula regions. In contrast, a significant relative flow reduction was identified in the thalamus, the cerebellum and lingual gyrus.Conclusions:  Isoflurane, like sevoflurane, induced characteristic flow redistribution at doses of 0.2–1.0 MAC. At 1 MAC of isoflurane, rCBF decreased in the thalamus. Specific areas affected by both isoflurane and sevoflurane included the anterior cingulate, insula regions, cerebellum, lingual gyrus and thalamus.
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire: a Novel Trade‐Off for Batesian Mimics
Authors: Nelson Ximena J. , Li Daiqin , Jackson Robert R. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA mimicry system was investigated in which the models were ants (Formicidae) and both the mimics and the predators were jumping spiders (Salticidae). By using motionless lures in simultaneous‐presentation prey‐choice tests, how the predators respond specifically to the static appearance of ants and ant mimics was determined. These findings suggest a rarely considered adaptive trade‐off for Batesian mimics of ants. Mimicry may be advantageous when it deceives ant‐averse potential predators, but disadvantageous in encounters with ant‐eating specialists. Nine myrmecophagic (ant‐eating) species (from Africa, Asia, Australia and North America) and one araneophagic (spider‐eating) species (Portia fimbriatafrom Queensland) were tested with ants (five species), with myrmecomorphic (ant‐like) salticids (six species ofMyrmarachne) and with non‐ant‐like prey (dipterans and ordinary salticids). The araneophagic salticid chose an ordinary salticid and chose flies significantly more often than ants.Portia fimbriataalso chose the ordinary salticid and chose flies significantly more often than myrmecomorphic salticids. However, there was no significant difference in howP. fimbriataresponded to ants and to myrmecomorphic salticids. The myrmecophagic salticids chose ants and chose myrmecomorphic salticids significantly more often than ordinary salticids and significantly more often than flies, but myrmecophagic salticids did not respond significantly differently to myrmecomorphic salticids and ants.
The Multipredator Hypothesis and the Evolutionary Persistence of Antipredator Behavior
Authors: Blumstein Daniel T. 
Published: February 2006

Invited ReviewAbstractIsolation from predators affects prey behavior, morphology, and life history, but there is tremendous variation in the time course of these responses. Previous hypotheses to explain this variation have limited predictive ability. I develop a ‘multipredator’ hypothesis to explain the evolutionary persistence of antipredator behavior after the loss of some, but not all, of a species’ predators. The hypothesis assumes pleiotropy, whereby elements of antipredator behavior may function in non‐predatory situations, and linkage, such that genes influencing the expression of antipredator behavior do not assort independently. The hypothesis is restricted to species with multiple predators (most species) and aims to predict the conditions under which antipredator behavior will persist following the loss of one or more of a species’ predators. I acknowledge that the relative costs of non‐functional antipredator behavior will influence the likelihood of linkage and therefore persistence. The hypothesis makes two main predictions. First, genes responsible for antipredator behavior will not be scattered throughout the genome but rather may be found close together on the same chromosome(s). Secondly, the presence of any predators may be sufficient to maintain antipredator behavior for missing predators. Advances in behavioral genetics will allow tests of the first prediction, while studies of geographic variation in antipredator behavior provide some support for the second.