bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detailed analysis of Epstein–Barr virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses during infectious mononucleosis
Authors: Scherrenburg J , Piriou E R W A N , Nanlohy N M , van Baarle D 
Published: October 2008

SummaryWe studied simultaneously Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses during and after infectious mononucleosis (IM), using a previously described 12-day stimulation protocol with EBNA1 or BZLF1 peptide pools. Effector function of EBV-specific T cells was determined after restimulation by measuring intracellular interferon-γ production. During IM, BZLF1-specifc CD4+ T cell responses were dominant compared with CD8+ T cell responses. EBNA1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were low and remained similar for 6 months. However, 6 months after IM, BZLF1-specific CD4+ T cell responses had declined, but CD8+ T cell responses had increased. At diagnosis, EBV-specific CD8+ T cells as studied by human leucocyte antigen class I tetramer staining comprised a tetramerbrightCD8bright population consisting mainly of CD27+ memory T cells and a tetramerdimCD8dim population consisting primarily of CD27- effector T cells. The remaining EBV-specific CD8+ T cell population 6 months after the diagnosis of IM consisted mainly of tetramerbrightCD8brightCD27+ T cells, suggesting preferential preservation of memory T cells after contraction of the EBV-specific T cell pool.
Translational Mini-Review Series on the Immunogenetics of Gut Disease: Immunogenetics of coeliac disease
Authors: Dubois P C , van Heel D A 
Published: October 2008

SummaryOTHER ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THIS TRANSLATIONAL MINI-REVIEW SERIES ON THE IMMUNOGENETICS OF GUT DISEASEImmunogenetics of Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseRecent advances in immunological and genetic research in coeliac disease provide new and complementary insights into the immune response driving this chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder. Both approaches confirm the central importance of T cell-mediated immune responses to disease pathogenesis and have further begun to highlight other relevant components of the mucosal immune system, including innate immunity and the control of lymphocyte trafficking to the mucosa. In the last year, the first genome wide association study in celiac disease led to the identification of multiple new risk variants. These risk regions implicate genes involved in the immune system. Overlap with autoimmune diseases is striking with several of these regions being shown to confer susceptibility to other chronic immune-mediated diseases, particularly type 1 diabetes.
Impaired CD4+ and CD8+ T cell phenotype and reduced chemokine secretion in recent-onset type 1 diabetic children
Authors: Hedman M , Faresjö M , Axelsson S , Ludvigsson J , Casas R 
Published: October 2008

SummaryAlthough the role of the T cell-mediated autoimmune reaction in type 1 diabetes (T1D) is conclusive, studies including data from human circulating CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes subsets during the disease onset and posterior development are scarce. Further, chemokines and chemokine receptors are key players in the migration of pathogenic T cells into the islets of non-obese diabetic mice developing T1D, but few studies have investigated these markers in human T1D patients. We studied the expression of T helper 1 (Th1)- and Th2-associated chemokine receptors, and the two isoforms of CD45 leucocyte antigen on CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes from T1D and healthy children, as well as the secretion of chemokines in cell supernatants in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results showed increased expression of CCR7 and CD45RA and reduced CD45RO on CD8+ cells among recent-onset T1D patients. The percentages of CD4+ cells expressing CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3), CXCR6 and CCR5, and the secretion of interferon-γ-induced protein-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α and MIP-1β was lower among diabetics. Low expression of Th1-associated receptors and secretion of chemokines, together with an increased amount of CD8+ cells expressing CD45RA and CCR7 in T1D patients therefore might represent suboptimal Th function in T1D, leading to impaired T cytotoxic responses or alternatively reflect a selective recruitment of Th1 cells into the pancreas.
Mitogenic effect contributes to increased virulence ofStreptococcus suissequence type 7 to cause streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome
Authors: Zheng H , Ye C , Segura M , Gottschalk M , Xu J 
Published: October 2008

SummaryStreptococcus suis serotype 2 sequence type 7 strains emerged in 1996 and caused a streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome in 1998 and 2005 in China. Evidence indicated that the virulence of S. suis sequence type 7 had increased, but the mechanism was unknown. The sequence type 7 strain SC84, isolated from a patient with streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome during the Sichuan outbreak, and the sequence type 1 strain 31533, a typical highly pathogenic strain isolated from a diseased pig, were used in comparative studies. In this study we show the mechanisms underlying cytokine production differed between the two types of strains. The S. suis sequence type 7 strain SC84 possesses a stronger capacity to stimulate T cells, naive T cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation than does S. suis sequence type 1 strain 31533. The T cell response to both strains was dependent upon the presence of antigen-presenting cells. Histo-incompatible antigen-presenting cells were sufficient to provide the accessory signals to naive T cell stimulated by the two strains, indicating that both sequence type 7 and 1 strains possess mitogens; however, the mitogenic effect was different. Therefore, we propose that the difference in the mitogenic effect of sequence type 7 strain SC84 compared with the sequence type 1 strain 31533 of S. suis may be associated with the clinical, epidemiological and microbiological difference, where the ST 7 strains have a larger mitogenic effect.
Macrophage activation, phagocytosis and intracellular calcium oscillations induced by scorpion toxins fromTityus serrulatus
Authors: Petricevich V L , Reynaud E , Cruz A H , Possani L D 
Published: October 2008

SummaryThe research described here is focused upon studying the activation of mice peritoneal macrophages when submitted to in vitro effects of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom and its major toxic peptides. Several functional events were analysed, such as: cytotoxicity, spreading, extent of phagocytosis, vacuole formation and changes of internal calcium concentration. Among the main results observed, when macrophages are subjected to the effects of soluble venom of Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom, a partially purified fraction (FII) or a pure toxin (Ts1), are an increment in the percentage of phagocytosis and vacuole formation, a decrement of the spreading ability, accompanied by oscillations of internal calcium concentration. The net results demonstrate that scorpion venom or its major toxins are effective stimulators of macrophage activity; the effect of whole soluble venom or partially purified fractions is due to the toxic peptides, seen here clearly with Ts1. The possible involvement of Na+-channels in these events is discussed. A basic understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for macrophage activation should serve as a foundation for novel drug development aimed at modulating macrophage activity.
Nitric oxide attenuates vascular endothelial cadherin-mediated vascular integrity in human chronic inflammation
Authors: Hama S , Takeichi O , Fujisaki K , Tanabe N , Maeno M , Ochiai K 
Published: October 2008

Summary
In this study, we examined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in controlling vascular integrity mediated by vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin in chronic inflammation. Periapical granulomas were analysed for the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and VE-cadherin, and more iNOS expression than VE-cadherin was shown. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with proinflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide extracted from Porphyromonas gingivalis and it induced iNOS expression, whereas it reduced VE-cadherin expression, compared with negative controls. On the other hand, pre-incubation with 1400W, an iNOS-specific inhibitor, markedly reduced iNOS expression in stimulated HUVECs and restored VE-cadherin expression to its control level, suggesting that vascular integrity was modulated in conjunction with the reduction of NO. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the functional role of NO in cultured HUVEC monolayers with or without 1400W. These data are consistent with a hypothesis suggesting that NO could attenuate VE-cadherin-mediated vascular integrity in human chronic inflammation.
Tissue mRNA expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and its splice variants in fatal critical illness
Authors: Peeters R. P. , Hagendorf A. , Vanhorebeek I. , Visser T. J. , Klootwijk W. , Mesotten D. , Wouters P. J. , Koper J. W. , De Jong F. H. , Feelders R. A. , Lamberts S. W. J. , Van den Berghe G. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground  Critical illness results in activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which might be accompanied by a peripheral adaptation in glucocorticoid sensitivity. Tissue sensitivity is determined by the active glucocorticoid receptor GRα, of which two splice variants involving the hormone‐binding domain exist, GRβ and GR‐P.Objective  To study tissue mRNA expression of the GR and its splice variants in fatal critical illness.Design and methods  We assessed mRNA expression of the GRα, GRβ and GR‐P variants in liver (n = 58) and muscle (n = 65) of patients who had died after intensive care, and had been randomized for insulin treatment. We analysed whether GR mRNA expression was associated with insulin treatment, cortisol levels and glucocorticoid treatment.Results  GRα and GR‐P mRNA constituted 87 ± 8% and 13 ± 2%, respectively, of total GR mRNA in liver. GRβ mRNA could only be amplified in five liver samples. All variants were present in most muscle samples (α = 96 ± 11%, P = 3·9 ± 0·4%, β = 0·010 ± 0·002%). GR expression was not associated with insulin therapy. A strong positive relationship was observed between the different GR variants in both liver and muscle (P < 0·001 for all). Serum cortisol levels were negatively associated with liver GRα and muscle GR‐P expression (P < 0·05). mRNA expression of both liver GRα and GR‐P, but not muscle GR, was substantially lower in patients who had received exogenous glucocorticoids (P < 0·01).Conclusion  We demonstrate the presence of GRα and GR‐P mRNA in liver and of GRα, GRβ and GR‐P mRNA in muscle, with no evidence for altered splicing in critical illness. In contrast to muscle GR, liver GR expression was substantially lower in patients receiving exogenous glucocorticoids.
Cerebral white matter hyperintensity is mainly associated with hypertension among the components of metabolic syndrome in Koreans
Authors: Choi Hoon Sung , Cho Young Min , Kang Jin Hwa , Shin Chan Soo , Park Kyong Soo , Lee Hong Kyu 
Published: October 2008

SummaryBackground Cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) is a common abnormality in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is known to be associated with ischaemic stroke. Previous studies revealed that the risk factors for cerebral WMH were age, female gender, hypertension and diabetes. In this study we examined the association between cerebral WMH and metabolic syndrome, a cluster of hypertension, glucose intolerance, abdominal obesity and dyslipidaemia.Methods and results We reviewed the results of brain MRI of 5498 subjects who underwent routine check‐ups including laboratory tests at the Seoul National University Health Care System. Among the subjects who met the inclusion criteria (n = 5104), 1693 (33·2%) had cerebral WMH. They were characterized by old age, female predominance, higher body mass index (BMI), larger waist circumference, higher blood pressure, higher fasting plasma glucose level, and higher haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). In multivariate analyses, age, female gender and hypertension were the independent risk factors for cerebral WMH. Metabolic syndrome was associated with cerebral WMH after adjusting for age and gender [odds ratio (OR) 1·20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·04–1·39,P = 0·014]. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, hypertension was independently associated with cerebral WMH (OR 1·20, 95% CI 1·05–1·38,P = 0·007).Conclusion Age, female gender and hypertension were risk factors for cerebral WMH in the Korean population. Cerebral WMH was also associated with metabolic syndrome; however, metabolic syndrome offered no advantage over hypertension alone in predicting cerebral WMH.
Risk factors for cardiovascular disease do not fully explain differences in carotid intima–media thickness between Indigenous and European Australians without diabetes
Authors: Maple‐Brown L. , Hodge A. , Cunningham J. , Celermajer D. S. , O'Dea K. 
Published: October 2008

SummaryObjective  To investigate whether cardiovascular risk factors can explain the higher carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) in Indigenous compared with European Australians.Design  Cross‐sectional study in three subgroups.Patients  Non‐diabetic urban European (n = 86), urban Indigenous (n = 69), and remote Indigenous (n = 60) Australians aged 25–64 years.Measurements  CIMT, age, sex, anthropometry, blood pressure, smoking status, fasting glucose and insulin, haemoglobin (Hb)A1c, homocysteine, C‐reactive protein (CRP), lipids, urinary albumin and creatinine.Results  CIMT and levels of risk factors, except fasting glucose and total cholesterol, worsened across the three groups. Logn fasting insulin [β = 0·022, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0–0·0439], age (β = 0·006, 95% CI 0·004–0·007), gender (female β = –0·005 vs. male, 95% CI –0·084 to –0·026), mean arterial pressure (MAP) (β = 0·001, 95% CI 0·001–0·002) and ethnicity/location [urban Indigenous (β = 0·027, 95% CI –0·010 to 0·064 vs. European); remote Indigenous (β = 0·083, 95% CI 0·042–0·123 vs. European)] explained 41% of variance in CIMT. Significant interactions were seen for ethnicity/location with age (P = 0·014) and MAP (P = 0·018). Age was consistently associated with CIMT across the three populations, and was associated with larger increments in CIMT for the Indigenous subgroups (β = 0·007, 95% CI 0·005–0·009 urban; β = 0·007, 95% CI 0·004–0·010 remote) compared with Europeans (β = 0·003, 95% CI 0·002–0·006) in models including age, sex and MAP. MAP was only associated with CIMT in the remote Indigenous subgroup.Conclusion  After adjusting for selected risk factors, CIMT in remote Indigenous participants was still higher than in Europeans. The slope of the association between age and CIMT steepened from urban Europeans to remote Indigenous.
Puberty induction in Turner syndrome: results of oestrogen treatment on development of secondary sexual characteristics, uterine dimensions and serum hormone levels
Authors: Bannink E. M. N. , Van Sassen C. , Van Buuren S. , De Jong F. H. , Lequin M. , Mulder P. G. H. , De Muinck Keizer‐Schrama S. M. P. F. 
Published: October 2008

Summary
Background  Besides short stature, gonadal dysgenesis leading to a lack of oestrogen is one of the main characteristics of Turner syndrome (TS). In most TS girls, puberty is induced with exogenous oestrogens.
Objective  To describe the pubertal development and uterine dimensions achieved by low‐dose 17β‐oestradiol (17β‐E2) orally started at an appropriate age. Additionally, to determine whether serum hormone levels aid evaluation of pubertal progression.
Design  In 56 TS girls, we prospectively studied pubertal stage, serum E2, LH, FSH, SHBG and oestrone (E1), starting oestrogen treatment with a low‐dose 17β‐E2 (5 µg/kg/day) during GH treatment at mean (SD) age 12·7 (0·7) years. Hormone levels were measured at start, 3 months after start and after increasing 17β‐E2 dosage. Uterine dimensions were measured in 39 TS women at age 19·9 (2·2) years.
Results  Although breast and pubic hair development were similar to that in normal Dutch girls up to Tanner stage B5 and P5, respectively, breast development was 2 years later. Before oestrogen therapy, E2 levels were comparable to those in prepubertal girls. With a 17β‐E2 dose of 5 µg/kg/day, these levels increased significantly, becoming comparable to normal late pubertal or adult concentrations, whereas SHBG levels were unchanged. At the adult 17β‐E2 dose, SHBG had increased significantly. Uterus shape was juvenile in four (10·2%), cylindrical in four and mature‐adult shaped in 31 (79·5%) of TS patients.
Conclusions  During GH treatment in TS girls, normal breast development up to B5 can be mimicked, with just a 2‐year delay. In a clinical setting, serum hormone levels provide no additional information for evaluating pubertal progression. After age‐appropriate pubertal induction, uterine dimensions in women aged nearly 20 years were subnormal. It remains unclear whether this was related to E2 dosage, timing or duration, or factors related to TS.
Seasonal mortality trends in tree‐feeding insects: a field experiment
Authors: REMMEL TRIINU , TAMMARU TOOMAS , MÄGI MARKO 
Published: October 2008

Abstract 1. The majority of general life‐history models treat the environment as being invariable through time, even though temporal variation in selective agents could dramatically change the outcomes, e.g. in terms of optimal size and time at maturity. For herbivorous insects, seasonal differences in food quality are reasonably well described, but seasonal dynamics of top‐down selective forces are poorly documented.2. The present study attempted to quantify seasonal changes in predation risk of folivorous insect larvae in temperate forest habitats. In a series of field experiments, artificial larvae were exposed to predators, and the resulting bird‐inflicted damage was recorded. The trials were repeated regularly throughout the course of two summers.3. A distinct peak of larval mortality was recorded in mid‐June (the nestling period for most insectivorous passerine birds), after which predation risk declined to a plateau of 20–30% below the peak value.4. The recorded pattern is interpreted as a consequence of seasonal changes in the number and behaviour of insectivorous birds, and the abundance of alternative food resources for these predators.5. A quantitative analysis based on field data indicated that considering temporal variation in mortality in life‐history models is crucial for obtaining realistic predictions concerning central life‐history traits, such as final body size in different generations.
Illness consequences after myocardial infarction: problems with physical functioning and return to work
Authors: Brink Eva , Brändström Yvonne , Cliffordsson Christina , Herlitz Johan , Karlson Björn W. 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of a study to explore health problems, physical and mental functioning, and physical activity in working‐age patients after myocardial infarction, in order to assess the possible effects of these factors on return to work.Background.  A diagnosis of myocardial infarction may discourage patients from continuing an active working life. Enabling myocardial infarction patients to return to work has benefits for both individuals and society.Methods.  A convenience sample was recruited of 88 patients, ≤65 years of age, who had suffered a myocardial infarction. Assessments of employment, health‐related quality of life and physical activity (footsteps per day) were conducted in 2005–2006, 4–6 months after myocardial infarction. To explore data and compare groups, t‐tests were applied. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables that best predicted return to work.Results.  Differences were identified between individuals who were employed after myocardial infarction and those who were not. Those not in work scored lower on variables related to the physical dimension of health‐related quality of life and on physical activity. Logistic regression revealed that a multivariate model including age, physical dimension of health‐related quality of life and footsteps per day predicted return to work in 68% of all cases (R2 = 0·344).Conclusion.  Low physical health and low physical activity after myocardial infarction negatively affect returning to work. These findings stress the importance of clinical assessment of myocardial infarction patients’ daily physical activity and physical functioning.
Development and testing of four instruments to assess prior conditions that influence nurses' adoption of evidence‐based pain management practices
Authors: Carlson Cathy 
Published: October 2008

AbstractAim.  This paper is a report of the development and testing of the psychometric properties of a set of four instruments measuring prior conditions influencing nurses’ decisions to adopt evidence‐based pain management practices.Background.  Nurses do not use evidence‐based pain management practices consistently. Their adoption of pain management practices depends on several prior conditions. Prior conditions are factors that influence the need to learn more about an innovation and begin the adoption process.Method.  Four instruments were developed, collectively known as Carlson’s Prior Conditions Instruments, to assess the four theoretically‐derived prior conditions of previous practice, felt needs/problems, innovativeness and norms of the social system that influence nurses’ decisions to adopt evidence‐based pain management practices. Item‐to‐total correlations and Cronbach’s alpha were used to determine internal consistency reliability. Construct validity was examined through principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation. Data were collected as part of a larger study in 2005.Results.  Content validity of the four instruments was supported through review by experts. The instruments were distributed to nurses (n = 187). Each instrument demonstrated internal consistency (alpha range = 0·731–0·825). Factor analysis demonstrated that the Felt Needs/Problems and Norms of the Social System Instruments were unidimensional, with six and seven items respectively. The Previous Practice Instrument (11 items, three factors) and Innovativeness Instrument (six items, two factors) were multidimensional.Conclusion.  Initial psychometric testing revealed adequate estimates of reliability and validity for Carlson’s Prior Conditions Instruments. Further research is needed using the tools with nurses in different countries and cultures to test and confirm the constructs.
Erratum et addendum: transient amplification and attenuation in stage‐structured population dynamics
Authors: Townley Stuart , Hodgson David J. 
Published: October 2008

Summary

Not all members of natural populations contribute equally to population growth or decline. Populations that are disturbed away from stable stage structure will amplify (i.e. get bigger than expected) and/or attenuate (i.e. get smaller than expected) in the short term.
We provide mathematical bounds for the magnitude of this amplification and attenuation, both in terms of absolute population change and population change relative to the long‐term rate of population increase.
Our results correct an important error in an earlier analysis of transient population amplification, and provide new transient bounds for the analysis of population attenuation.
Synthesis and applications. Bounds on transient amplification and attenuation help population managers to gauge ‘worst case’ and ‘best case’ scenarios for the response of stage‐structured populations to disturbance and management strategies. Such bounds help to create an envelope of possible future population scenarios around the mean, long‐term predictions made by eigenvalues and eigenvectors of projection matrix models. Transient amplification, caused by stage structures biased towards reactive life stages, may be exploited by conservation managers wishing to boost population densities in the short term and may be avoided in pest species by stage‐specific control strategies. Similarly, transient attenuation should be avoided by conservation managers and exploited by pest managers.