bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of Sensory Neurons Reduces Ischemia/Reperfusion-induced Acute Renal Injury in Rats
Authors: Mizutani Akio , Okajima Kenji , Murakami Kazunori , Mizutani Sachiko , Kudo Kyosuke , Uchino Tetsuya , Kadoi Yuji , Noguchi Takayuki 
Published: January 2009

Background
Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) produced by endothelial cells improves ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal injury by inhibiting leukocyte activation in rats. However, the underlying mechanism(s) of increased PGI2 production is not fully understood. Activation of sensory neurons increases endothelial PGI2 production by releasing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rats with hepatic ischemia or reperfusion. We examined here whether activation of sensory neurons increases PGI2 endothelial production, thereby reducing ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal injury.

Methods
Anesthetized rats were subjected to 45 min of renal ischemia/reperfusion. Rats were pretreated with CGRP, capsazepine (a vanilloid receptor-1 antagonist), CGRP(8-37) (a CGRP receptor antagonist), or indomethacin (a cyclooxygenase inhibitor), or subjected to denervation of primary sensory nerves before ischemia/reperfusion.

Results
Renal tissue levels of CGRP and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha, a stable metabolite of PGI2, increased after renal ischemia/reperfusion, peaking at 1 h after reperfusion. Overexpression of CGRP was also noted at 1 h after reperfusion. Increases in renal tissue levels of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha at 1 h after reperfusion were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with capsazepine, CGRP(8-37), and indomethacin. Pretreatment with capsazepine, CGRP(8-37), indomethacin, and denervation of primary sensory nerves significantly increased blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, renal vascular permeability, renal tissue levels of myeloperoxidase activity, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and decreased renal tissue blood flow. However, pretreatment with CGRP significantly improved these changes.

Conclusions
Our results suggest activation of sensory neurons in the pathologic process of ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal injury. Such activation reduces acute renal injury by attenuating inflammatory responses through enhanced endothelial PGI2 production.
Predictors Associated with Terminal Renal Function in Deceased Organ Donors in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Blasi-Ibanez Annabel , Hirose Ryutaro , Feiner John , Freise Chris , Stock Peter G. , Roberts John P. , Niemann Claus U. 
Published: January 2009

Background
Factors determining renal function at organ recovery in deceased kidney donors are not well established.

Methods
The authors studied the prevalence and risk factors associated with elevated prerecovery creatinine and calculated glomerular filtration rate in 458 deceased organ donors identified through the California Donor Transplant Network between January 2005 and December 2006. Data collected retrospectively included demographics, medical history, laboratory values, mechanism of death, and medical treatment in the intensive care unit. Factors were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results
There were 260 men and 198 women in the study. The age was 43.2 +/- 14.9 yr, and body mass index was 26.9 +/- 6.0 (mean +/- SD). In multivariate analysis, several factors were important determinants of both prerecovery creatinine and glomerular filtration rate. Admission creatinine or glomerular filtration rate were major determinants of respective prerecovery values (P < 0.0001). Higher body mass index was associated with worse renal function (P < 0.01). Higher average glucose values and greater variability in glucose (when included) were associated with worse prerecovery renal function (P < 0.01). Administration of desmopressin acetate was highly associated with preserved renal function (P < 0.001). Lower platelet count (P < 0.0001) and proteinuria (P = 0.005) were also associated with worse renal function.

Conclusion
The data identify several important factors that predict renal function at kidney recovery in deceased donors. In particular, tighter control of blood glucose may improve renal function in potential organ donors, but prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.
How should we determine length of anticoagulation after proximal deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs?
Authors: Siragusa Sergio , Caramazza Domenica , Malato Alessandra 
Published: January 2009

SummaryThe current approach for deciding the duration of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment after an episode of venous thrombo‐embolism (VTE) is mainly based on the characteristic of the index event (3 months or longer in case of unknown/persistent risk factors, 3 months or less in case of removable causes). However, the length of anticoagulation should be tailored on the patient’s risk for recurrent thrombosis as well as for bleeding, but such ‘time for decision’ is often unclear and the optimal duration of VKA remains debatable. The presence of persistent residual vein thrombosis and increased d‐dimer levels after stopping therapy are predictors for recurrent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Management strategies based on these parameters have been demonstrated to optimize the decision for VKA duration, as they establish the patient’s intrinsic risk for recurrent events. This annotation discusses current practice and upcoming approaches regarding the length of VKA treatment after a first episode of DVT.
Food allergy is associated with an increased risk of asthma
Authors: Schroeder A. , Kumar R. , Pongracic J. A. , Sullivan C. L. , Caruso D. M. , Costello J. , Meyer K. E. , Vucic Y. , Gupta R. , Kim J. S. , Fuleihan R. , Wang X. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
The atopic march is well documented, but the interrelationship of food allergy (FA) and asthma is not well understood.Objective
The aim of this study was to examine the strength of the association and temporal relationships between FA and asthma.Methods
This analysis included 271 children 6 years (older group) and 296 children <6 years (younger group) from a family‐based FA cohort in Chicago, IL. Asthma was determined by parental report of physician diagnosis. FA status was determined based on the type and timing of clinical symptoms after ingestion of a specific food, and results of prick skin test (Multi‐Test II) and allergen‐specific IgE (Phadia ImmunoCAP). Analyses were carried out using logistic regression accounting for important covariates and auto‐correlations among siblings. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare the time to onset of asthma with the FA status.Results
Symptomatic FA was associated with asthma in both older [odds ratio (OR)=4.9, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.5–9.5] and younger children (OR=5.3, 95% CI: 1.7–16.2). The association was stronger among children with multiple or severe food allergies, especially in older children. Children with FA developed asthma earlier and at higher prevalence than children without FA (Cox proportional hazard ratio=3.7, 95% CI: 2.2–6.3 for children 6 years, and hazard ratio=3.3, 95% CI: 1.1–10 for children <6 years of age). No associations were seen between asymptomatic food sensitization and asthma.Conclusions
Independent of markers of atopy such as aeroallergen sensitization and family history of asthma, there was a significant association between FA and asthma. This association was even stronger in subjects with multiple food allergies or severe FA.
Expression profiling of genes related to asthma exacerbations
Authors: Aoki T. , Matsumoto Y. , Hirata K. , Ochiai K. , Okada M. , Ichikawa K. , Shibasaki M. , Arinami T. , Sumazaki R. , Noguchi E. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryBackground
Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease; however, the molecular mechanisms that underlie asthma exacerbation are only partially understood.Objective
To identify gene expression signatures that reflect the acute exacerbation of asthma, we examined the differential expression of genes during asthma exacerbation and stable condition by using microarray analysis.Methods
The subjects were mite‐sensitive asthmatic children and non‐asthmatic control children. The children were divided into four groups (AE: asthma exacerbation, n=12; SA: stable asthma, n=11; IC: infected control, n=6; and NC: non‐infected control, n=5). Total RNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and subjected to microarray analysis with Illumina Human Ref8 BeadChip arrays. Welch's t‐test was performed to identify genes whose expression was altered during asthma exacerbation. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR was performed on samples collected from 43 asthmatic children and 11 control children to verify the microarray results.Results
The expression of 137/16 genes was significantly up/down‐regulated during asthma exacerbation assessed by microarray analysis. Of the genes, 62 were also differentially expressed during upper respiratory infection. Many of the asthma exacerbation related genes were involved in defence responses and responses to external stimuli, but these associations disappeared after excluding the infection‐related genes. Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR confirmed that the genes related (S100A8 and GAS6) and unrelated to infections (CD200 and RBP7) were differentially expressed during asthma exacerbation (P<0.01).Conclusions
Previously unidentified immune responses during asthma exacerbation may provide further clarification of the molecular mechanisms underlying asthma.
Pattern recognition receptor expression is not impaired in patients with chronic mucocutanous candidiasis with or without autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy
Authors: Hong M , Ryan K R , Arkwright P D , Gennery A R , Costigan C , Dominguez M , Denning D W , McConnell V , Cant A J , Abinun M , Spickett G P , Swan D C , Gillespie C S , Young D A , Lilic D 
Published: January 2009

SummaryPatients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) have an unknown primary immune defect and are unable to clear infections with the yeast Candida. CMC includes patients with AIRE gene mutations who have autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED), and patients without known mutations. CMC patients have dysregulated cytokine production, suggesting that defective expression of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) may underlie disease pathogenesis. In 29 patients with CMC (13 with APECED) and controls, we assessed dendritic cell (DC) subsets and monocyte Toll-like receptor (TLR) expression in blood. We generated and stimulated monocyte-derived (mo)DCs with Candida albicans, TLR-2/6 ligand and lipopolysaccharide and assessed PRR mRNA expression by polymerase chain reaction [TLR-1–10, Dectin-1 and -2, spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and caspase recruitment domain (CARD) 9] in immature and mature moDCs. We demonstrate for the first time that CMC patients, with or without APECED, have normal blood levels of plasmocytoid and myeloid DCs and monocyte TLR-2/TLR-6 expression. We showed that in immature moDCs, expression levels of all PRRs involved in anti-Candida responses (TLR-1, -2, -4, -6, Dectin-1, Syk, CARD9) were comparable to controls, implying that defects in PRR expression are not responsible for the increased susceptibility to Candida infections seen in CMC patients. However, as opposed to healthy controls, both groups of CMC patients failed to down-regulate PRR mRNA expression in response to Candida, consistent with defective DC maturation, as we reported recently. Thus, impaired DC maturation and consequent altered regulation of PRR signalling pathways rather than defects in PRR expression may be responsible for inadequate Candida handling in CMC patients.
Immune regulation by non-lymphoid cells in transplantation
Authors: Dugast A-S , Vanhove B 
Published: January 2009

SummaryRegulatory cells play a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of tolerance by controlling T cell as well as B and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated immunity. In transplantation, CD4+CD25+forkhead box P3+ T regulatory cells are instrumental in the maintenance of immunological tolerance, as are several other T cell subsets such as NK T cells, double negative CD3+ T cells, γδ T cells, interleukin-10-producing regulatory type 1 cells, transforming growth factor-β-producing T helper type 3 cells and CD8+CD28- cells. However, not only T cells have immunosuppressive properties, as it is becoming increasingly clear that both T and non-T regulatory cells co-operate and form a network of cellular interactions controlling immune responses. Non-T regulatory cells include tolerogenic dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, mesenchymal stem cells, different types of stem cells, various types of alternatively activated macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Here, we review the mechanism of action of these non-lymphoid regulatory cells as they relate to the induction or maintenance of tolerance in organ transplantation.
BclI polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with decreased bone mineral density in patients with endogenous hypercortisolism
Authors: Szappanos Ágnes , Patócs Attila , Tõke Judit , Boyle Belema , Sereg Márta , Majnik Judit , Borgulya Gábor , Varga Ibolya , Likó István , Rácz Károly , Tóth Miklós 
Published: January 2009

SummaryObjective  The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis setpoint and the glucocorticoid sensitivity of various tissues are at least partially genetically determined. We investigated the impact of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene polymorphisms, including the BclI, N363S, ER22/23EK and A3669G variants on bone turnover and/or mineral density (BMD) in patients with endogenous glucocorticoid excess.Design  Sixty patients including 35 patients with ACTH producing pituitary adenoma (CD) and 25 patients with adrenal Cushing's syndrome (ACS) as well as 129 healthy subjects were genotyped. Analysis of the GR gene polymorphisms were determined using allele specific PCR, PCR‐RFLP and Taqman allelic discrimination assays. Hormonal evaluation, BMD and bone marker measurements were carried out.Results  No significant differences were found in allelic frequencies of the four polymorphisms between patients with ACS, CD and healthy controls. Patients with endogenous hypercortisolism carrying the BclI polymorphism in a homozygous form had reduced BMD at femoral subregions compared to patients with the wild‐type variant; femoral neck Z‐score (–1·44 ± 0·73 vs. –0·39 ± 0·91; P < 0·05), trochanteric Z‐score (–1·89 ± 0·47 vs.–0·54 ± 0·98; P < 0·05). Patients with homozygous BclI polymorphism had significantly higher β‐CrossLaps Z‐scores compared to those with the heterozygous and wild‐type variants (+4·42 ± 2·37 vs. +0·79 ± 1·67 and +0·11 ± 1·47; P < 0·01).Conclusions  The BclI, N363S, ER22/23EK and A3669G polymorphisms of the GR gene probably do not modify the risk for the development of CD or ACS. Contrary to healthy subjects, however, the BclI polymorphism may modify the skeletal sensitivity to glucocorticoids in patients with endogenous glucocorticoid excess.
Serum concentrations of 17β‐E2 and 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD) in relation to all‐cause mortality in older men – the MINOS study
Authors: Szulc Pawel , Claustrat Bruno , Delmas Pierre D. 
Published: January 2009

SummaryObjective  To examine the association of serum hormone levels with all‐cause mortality in older community‐dwelling men.Design  Single centre cohort study.Subjects  Men aged 50 and older, insured by Société de Secours Minière de Bourgogne (Montceau les Mines, France). Among 3400 men invited to participate, 782 volunteers had serum hormone measurements and were followed up for 10 years. No exclusion criteria were used.Results  Nonsurvivors (n = 182) were older, had more comorbidities and lower physical performance. The lowest quartile of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD) level predicted mortality [HR = 1·44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·03–2·03, P < 0·05] regardless of age, BMI, smoking, physical activity, vitamin D supplementation, and health status; mainly for the first 3 years. The 17β‐E2 level predicted mortality independent of confounders after the third year (HR = 1·21 per 1 SD increase, 95% CI: 1·09–1·35, P < 0·001). In the fully adjusted models, risk of death increased per quartiles of 17β‐E2 (trend –P < 0·001) and was higher in the third and the fourth quartiles compared with the lowest quartile (HR = 1·80, 95% CI: 1·09–2·98, P < 0·05 and HR = 2·83, 95% CI: 1·71–4·67, P < 0·001). Concentrations of testosterone and PTH did not predict mortality independent of the model.Conclusions  In older men, increased 17β‐E2 level predicted mortality after 3 years of follow‐up. Thus, high 17β‐E2 level may reflect presence of risk factors precipitating development of diseases. Low 25OHD level predicted mortality more weakly, mainly for the first 3 years of the follow‐up, and was strongly influenced by the confounding variables. Thus, low 25OHD level may reflect poor current health status and unhealthy lifestyle.
Intra‐plant heterogeneity influences the preference and performance of juveniles and adults of a gall midge
Authors: MORRISON ANDREW , QUIRING DAN 
Published: January 2009

Abstract 1. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the preference and performance of a gall‐inducing midge (Harmandia tremulae) within the crown of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides). Females did not select oviposition sites preferentially within leaves, but did lay preferentially on young leaves.2. Larvae were the only life stage involved in gall site selection within leaves and in gall initiation and development. Gall size, which was positively related to survival, was highest for galls on mid veins that were located close to the petiole. However, one‐third of galls were located on lateral veins and most galls were not adjacent to the petiole, indicating that many larvae choose sub‐optimal gall initiation sites.3. Gall density was positively associated with leaf length, and leaf length, was positively associated with gall size. However, gall density per leaf was not related to larval survival in galls. This latter result may be a result of an observed inverse relationship between gall size and gall density for similar‐sized leaves.4. The results partially support the plant vigour and optimal plant module size hypotheses, which predict that galler fitness in successfully induced galls should be highest on large, fast‐growing plant modules. The lack of a strong preference‐performance link supports the confusion hypothesis, which predicts that oviposition and gall site selection may often be suboptimal in systems where galler lifespan is short. This study suggests that small‐scale variations in plant quality within leaves, can render gall site selection by juveniles as important as that previously reported for adult females.
Response of Mediterranean coralline algae to ocean acidification and elevated temperature
Authors: MARTIN SOPHIE , GATTUSO JEAN‐PIERRE 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe effects of elevated partial pressure of CO2(pCO2) and temperature, alone and in combination, on survival, calcification and dissolution were investigated in the crustose coralline algaLithophyllum cabiochae. Algae were maintained in aquaria during 1 year at near‐ambient conditions of irradiance, at ambient or elevated temperature (+3 °C) and at ambient [ca. 400 parts per million (ppm)] or elevatedpCO2(ca. 700 ppm). Algal necroses appeared at the end of summer under elevated temperature first at 700 ppm (60% of the thallus surface) and then at 400 ppm (30%). The death of algae was observed only under elevated temperature and was two‐ to threefold higher under elevatedpCO2. During the first month of the experiment, net calcification was significantly reduced under elevatedpCO2. At the end of the summer period, net calcification decreased by 50% when both temperature andpCO2were elevated while no effect was found under elevated temperature and elevatedpCO2alone. In autumn and winter, net calcification in healthy algae increased with increasing temperature, independently of thepCO2level, while necroses and death in the algal population caused a net dissolution at elevated temperature andpCO2. The dissolution of dead algal thalli was affected by elevatedpCO2, being two‐ to fourfold higher than under ambientpCO2. These results suggest that net dissolution is likely to exceed net calcification inL. cabiochaeby the end of this century. This could have major consequences in terms of biodiversity and biogeochemistry in coralligenous communities dominated by these algae.
‘It's pretty hard with our ones, they can't talk, the more able bodied can participate’: staff attitudes about the applicability of disability policies to people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities
Authors: Bigby C. , Clement T. , Mansell J. , Beadle‐Brown J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground  The level of resident's adaptive behaviour and staff facilitative practices are key sources of variation in outcomes for residents in community‐based residential services. The higher the resident support needs the poorer their outcome. Although substantial investment has been made in values‐based training for staff, their attitudes and the impact of these on practice is largely unexplored.Method and findings  The first study used ethnographic and action research methods to examine the daily lives of 25 residents with severe and profound intellectual disabilities (ID), who lived in five small group homes, and the attitudes of the staff supporting them. Thematic analysis of the data led to a proposition that although staff accept principles of inclusion, choice and participation for people with ID in general, they do not consider it feasible to apply these to the people with severe and profound ID to whom they provide support. The findings from a second study that used a group comparison design and administered a short questionnaire about staff attitudes to 144 direct‐care staff and first‐line managers working in disability services confirmed this hypothesis.Conclusions  The study suggests more focused attention is needed to staff understanding the values embedded in current policies and their application to people with more severe disabilities.
DNA binding of citrus dehydrin promoted by zinc ion
Authors: HARA MASAKAZU , SHINODA YURI , TANAKA YASUTAKA , KUBOI TORU 
Published: January 2009

ABSTRACTDehydrins are hydrophilic proteins that accumulate during embryogenesis and osmotic stress responses in plants. Here, we report an interaction between citrus dehydrin Citrus unshiu cold‐regulated 15 kDa protein (CuCOR15) and DNA. Binding of CuCOR15 to DNA was detected by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, a filter‐binding assay and Southwestern blotting. The binding was stimulated by physiological concentrations of Zn2+, but little stimulation occurred when other divalent cations, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Cu2+, were substituted for Zn2+. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid cancelled the Zn2+‐stimulated binding. A binding curve and competitor experiments suggested that the DNA binding of CuCOR15 exhibited low affinity and non‐specificity. Moreover, tRNA competed with the DNA binding. Histidine‐rich domains and a polylysine segment‐containing domain participated in the DNA binding. These results suggest that CuCOR15 can interact with DNA, and also RNA, in the presence of Zn2+. Dehydrin may protect nucleic acids in plant cells during seed maturation and stress responses.