bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
O Antigen Protects
Bordetella parapertussis
from Complement
Authors: Goebel Elizabeth M. , Wolfe Daniel N. , Elder Kelly , Stibitz Scott , Harvill Eric T. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT

Bordetella pertussis
, a causative agent of whooping cough, expresses BrkA, which confers serum resistance, but the closely related human pathogen that also causes whooping cough,
Bordetella parapertussis
, does not. Interestingly,
B. parapertussis
, but not
B. pertussis
, produces an O antigen, a factor shown in other models to confer serum resistance. Using a murine model of infection, we determined that O antigen contributes to the ability of
B. parapertussis
to colonize the respiratory tract during the first week of infection, but not thereafter. Interestingly, an O antigen-deficient strain of
B. parapertussis
was not defective in colonizing mice lacking the complement cascade. O antigen prevented both complement component C3 deposition on the surface and complement-mediated killing of
B. parapertussis
. In addition, O antigen was required for
B. parapertussis
to systemically spread in complement-sufficient mice, but not complement-deficient mice. These data indicate that O antigen enables
B. parapertussis
to efficiently colonize the lower respiratory tract by protecting against complement-mediated control and clearance.
Youth exposure to smoking in the home and in cars: how often does it happen and what do youth think about it?
Authors: Leatherdale S T , Smith P , Ahmed R 
Published: February 2008

Aim:Little is known about what youth think about restricting smoking in their homes or in cars. The present study characterises the frequency of youth being exposed to smoking in their homes and cars, and the beliefs that youth have about restricting people from smoking around youth in those locations.Methods:Data from the 2004 Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) were used to examine youth exposure to smoking and beliefs about smoking in the home and car among 29 243 Canadian youth in grades 5–9. Logistic regression models were conducted to examine if being exposed to smoking at home or in the car were associated with the beliefs youth have about either smoking around children at home or smoking around children in cars.Results:In 2004, 23.1% of youth in grades 5–9 were exposed to smoking in their home on a daily or almost daily basis, 26.3% were exposed to smoking while travelling in a car at least once in the previous week. The majority of youth reported that they do not think smoking should be allowed around children at home (90.6%) or in cars (90.2%). Males were more likely than females to report that smoking should not be allowed around children at home (OR 1.38) or in cars (OR 1.39). Youth living in a house where someone smokes inside daily were more likely to report that smoking should not be allowed around children at home (OR 1.20) or in cars (OR 1.21). Youth living in a house where the rules do not prevent people from smoking inside were also more likely to report that smoking should not be allowed around children at home (OR 2.07) or in cars (OR 1.76). Youth who have ridden in a car with someone who was smoking cigarettes in the past 7 days were more likely to report that smoking should not be allowed around children in cars (OR 1.73).Conclusions:It is common for Canadian youth to be exposed to SHS in their homes or while in cars on a frequent basis even though the vast majority of youth do not think smoking should be allowed around children in those locations. This new evidence suggests that programs and policies designed to prevent individuals from smoking around youth in these locations should be a public health priority.
Association of snuff use with chronic bronchitis among South African women: implications for tobacco harm reduction
Authors: Ayo-Yusuf O A , Reddy P S , van den Borne B W 
Published: February 2008

Objective:Nasal use of snuff is the predominant form of tobacco use among black South African women. This study examines the association between snuff use and chronic bronchitis (CB) among black South African women.Design:The study investigated a nationally representative sample of 4464 black South African women ⩾25 years old who participated in the 1998 South African Demographic and Health Survey. Data on participants’ tobacco use patterns, medical history and other relevant factors were obtained through an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) were also measured. Data analysis included χ2statistics, Student t tests and multiple logistic regression analysis.Outcome measure:CB, defined as reporting a productive cough for ⩾3 months/year for at least 2 successive years.Results:The prevalence of current snuff use was 16.1% (n = 719). Compared to non-users of snuff, snuff users were not only more likely to present with a history of tuberculosis (TB) (23.3% vs 15.9%; p = 0.06), but they were also more likely to present with CB (5.3% vs 2.8%; p<0.01) and a lower PEFR (275 litres/min vs 293 litres/min; p<0.01). Significant determinants of CB included snuff use >8 times/day (odds ratio (OR) 2.86, 95% CI 1.17 to 7.02), a history of TB (OR 7.23, 95% CI 4.02 to 13.03), current smoking (OR 2.84, 95% CI 1.60 to 5.04) and exposure to smoky cooking fuels (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.96).Conclusions:These data suggest that snuff use, in the form predominantly used in South Africa, increases the risk of CB. This challenges the idea that snuff may be a much less harmful alternative to smoking in South Africa.
CONTINUOUS OPINION DYNAMICS UNDER BOUNDED CONFIDENCE: A SURVEY
Authors: LORENZ JAN 
Published: February 2008

Models of continuous opinion dynamics under bounded confidence have been presented independently by Krause and Hegselmann and by Deffuant et al. in 2000. They have raised a fair amount of attention in the communities of social simulation, sociophysics and complexity science. The researchers working on it come from disciplines such as physics, mathematics, computer science, social psychology and philosophy. In these models agents hold continuous opinions which they can gradually adjust if they hear the opinions of others. The idea of bounded confidence is that agents only interact if they are close in opinion to each other. Usually, the models are analyzed with agent-based simulations in a Monte Carlo style, but they can also be reformulated on the agent's density in the opinion space in a master equation style. The contribution of this survey is fourfold. First, it will present the agent-based and density-based modeling frameworks including the cases of multidimensional opinions and heterogeneous bounds of confidence. Second, it will give the bifurcation diagrams of cluster configuration in the homogeneous model with uniformly distributed initial opinions. Third, it will review the several extensions and the evolving phenomena which have been studied so far, and fourth it will state some open questions.
Effects of donor T-cell trafficking and priming site on graft-versus-host disease induction by naive and memory phenotype CD4 T cells
Authors: Anderson Britt E. , Taylor Patricia A. , McNiff Jennifer M. , Jain Dhanpat , Demetris Anthony J. , Panoskaltsis-Mortari Angela , Ager Ann , Blazar Bruce R. , Shlomchik Warren D. , Shlomchik Mark J. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractGraft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Effector memory T cells (TEM) do not cause GVHD but engraft and mount immune responses, including graft-versus-tumor effects. One potential explanation for the inability of TEM to cause GVHD is that TEM lack CD62L and CCR7, which are instrumental in directing naive T cells (TN) to lymph nodes (LN) and Peyer patches (PP), putative sites of GVHD initiation. Thus TEM should be relatively excluded from LN and PP, possibly explaining their inability to cause GVHD. We tested this hypothesis using T cells deficient in CD62L or CCR7, transplant recipients lacking PNAd ligands for CD62L, and recipients without LN and PP or LN, PP, and spleen. Surprisingly, CD62L and CCR7 were not required for TN-mediated GVHD. Moreover, in multiple strain pairings, GVHD developed in recipients that lacked LN and PP. Mild GVHD could even be induced in mice lacking all major secondary lymphoid tissues (SLT). Conversely, enforced constitutive expression of CD62L on TEM did not endow them with the ability to cause GVHD. Taken together, these data argue against the hypothesis that TEM fail to induce GVHD because of inefficient trafficking to LN and PP.
Maribavir prophylaxis for prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study
Authors: Winston Drew J. , Young Jo-Anne H. , Pullarkat Vinod , Papanicolaou Genovefa A. , Vij Ravi , Vance Estil , Alangaden George J. , Chemaly Roy F. , Petersen Finn , Chao Nelson , Klein Jared , Sprague Kellie , Villano Stephen A. , Boeckh Michael 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
The anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) activity and safety of oral maribavir in CMV-seropositive allogeneic stem-cell transplant recipients were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study. After engraftment, 111 patients were randomized to receive CMV prophylaxis with maribavir (100 mg twice daily, 400 mg once daily, or 400 mg twice daily) or placebo. Within the first 100 days after transplantation, the incidence of CMV infection based on CMV pp65 antigenemia was lower in each of the respective maribavir groups (15%, P = .046; 19%, P = .116; 15%, P = .053) compared with placebo (39%). Similarly, the incidence of CMV infection based on plasma CMV DNA was lower in each of the respective maribavir groups (7%, P = .001; 11%, P = .007; 19%, P = .038) compared with placebo (46%). Anti-CMV therapy was also used less often in patients receiving each respective dose of maribavir (15%, P = .001; 30%, P = .051; 15%, P = .002) compared with placebo (57%). There were 3 cases of CMV disease in placebo patients but none in the maribavir patients. Adverse events, mostly taste disturbance, nausea, and vomiting, were more frequent with maribavir. Maribavir had no adverse effect on neutrophil or platelet counts. These results show that maribavir can reduce the incidence of CMV infection and, unlike ganciclovir, does not cause myelosuppression. This trial is registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT00223925.
Local radiotherapy of exposed murine small bowel: Apoptosis and inflammation
Authors: Polistena Andrea , Johnson Louis Banka , Ohiami-Masseron Salomé , Wittgren Lena , Bäck Sven , Thornberg Charlotte , Gadaleanu Virgil , Adawi Diya , Jeppsson Bengt 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
Preoperative radiotherapy of the pelvic abdomen presents with complications mostly affecting the small bowel. The aim of this study was to define the features of early radiation-induced injury on small bowel.

Methods
54 mice were divided into two groups (36 irradiated and 18 sham irradiated). Animals were placed on a special frame and (in the radiated group) the exteriorized segment of ileum was subjected to a single absorbed dose of 19 or 38 Gy radiation using 6 MV high energy photons. Specimens were collected for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and ELISA analysis after 2, 24 and 48 hours. Venous blood was collected for systemic leucocyte count in a Burker chamber.

Results
Histology demonstrated progressive infiltration of inflammatory cells with cryptitis and increased apoptosis. MIP-2 (macrophage inflammatory protein) concentration was significantly increased in irradiated animals up to 48 hours. No significant differences were observed in IL-10 (interleukin) and TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor) levels. IHC with CD45 showed a significant increase at 2 hours of infiltrating leucocytes and lymphocytes after irradiation followed by progressive decrease with time. Caspase-3 expression increased significantly in a dose dependent trend in both irradiated groups up to 48 hours.

Conclusion
Acute small bowel injury caused by local irradiation is characterised by increased apoptosis of crypt epithelial cells and by lymphocyte infiltration of the underlying tissue. The severity of histological changes tends to be dose dependent and may affect the course of tissue damage.
Eggs modulate the inflammatory response to carbohydrate restricted diets in overweight men
Authors: Ratliff Joseph C , Mutungi Gisella , Puglisi Michael J , Volek Jeff S , Fernandez Maria Luz 
Published: February 2008

Abstract

Background
Carbohydrate restricted diets (CRD) consistently lower glucose and insulin levels and improve atherogenic dyslipidemia [decreasing triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)]. We have previously shown that male subjects following a CRD experienced significant increases in HDL-C only if they were consuming a higher intake of cholesterol provided by eggs compared to those individuals who were taking lower concentrations of dietary cholesterol. Here, as a follow up of our previous study, we examined the effects of eggs (a source of both dietary cholesterol and lutein) on adiponectin, a marker of insulin sensitivity, and on inflammatory markers in the context of a CRD.

Methods
Twenty eight overweight men [body mass index (BMI) 26–37 kg/m2] aged 40–70 y consumed an ad libitum CRD (% energy from CHO:fat:protein = 17:57:26) for 12 wk. Subjects were matched by age and BMI and randomly assigned to consume eggs (EGG, n = 15) (640 mg additional cholesterol/day provided by eggs) or placebo (SUB, n = 13) (no additional dietary cholesterol). Fasting blood samples were drawn before and after the intervention to assess plasma lipids, insulin, adiponectin and markers of inflammation including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1).

Results
Body weight, percent total body fat and trunk fat were reduced for all subjects after 12 wk (P < 0.0001). Increases in adiponectin were also observed (P < 0.01). Subjects in the EGG group had a 21% increase in this adipokine compared to a 7% increase in the SUB group (P < 0.05). Plasma CRP was significantly decreased only in the EGG group (P < 0.05). MCP-1 levels were decreased for the SUB group (P < 0.001), but unchanged in the EGG group. VCAM-1, ICAM-1, TNF-α, and IL-8 were not modified by CRD or eggs.

Conclusion
A CRD with daily intake of eggs decreased plasma CRP and increased plasma adiponectin compared to a CRD without eggs. These findings indicate that eggs make a significant contribution to the anti-inflammatory effects of CRD, possibly due to the presence of cholesterol, which increases HDL-C and to the antioxidant lutein which modulates certain inflammatory responses.
Extracardiac Fontan with T-shape conduit in non-confluent pulmonary arteries
Authors: Kwak Jae Gun , Lee Jeong Ryul , Jang Woo-Sung , Bae Eun Jung 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
A 34 months-old male patient with double inlet right ventricle with nonconfluent pulmonary arteries who underwent successful extracardiac fenestarated Fontan procedure using pre-designed T-shaped PTFE vascular graft after multi-step rehabilitation of the diminutive hilar pulmonary arteries. At first we performed 6 mm confluent pulmonary artery vascular graft implantation with 4 mm BT shunt at patient's 4 weeks old. At 9 months of patient, we upsized the confluent pulmonary arterial graft to 8 mm with bidirectional cavopulmonary connection, and, at 34 months, we performed extracardiac conduit Fontan procedure with pre-designed T-shape conduit including the confluent pulmonary arterial portion at last. Patient shows excellent functional status and development.
Biomarker profiles in serum and saliva of experimental Sjögren's syndrome: associations with specific autoimmune manifestations
Authors: Delaleu Nicolas , Immervoll Heike , Cornelius Janet , Jonsson Roland 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Introduction
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease that mainly targets the exocrine glands. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of 87 proteins measured in serum and 75 proteins analyzed in saliva in spontaneous experimental SS. In addition, we intended to compute a model of the immunological situation representing the overt disease stage of SS.

Methods
Nondiabetic, nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice aged 21 weeks were evaluated for salivary gland function, salivary gland inflammation and extraglandular disease manifestations. The analytes, comprising chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, autoantibodies and other biomarkers, were quantified using multi-analyte profile technology and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Age-matched and sex-matched Balb/c mice served as a reference.

Results
We found NOD mice to exhibit impaired salivary flow, glandular inflammation and increased secretory SSB (anti-La) levels. Thirty-eight biomarkers in serum and 34 in saliva obtained from NOD mice were significantly different from those in Balb/c mice. Eighteen biomarkers in serum and three chemokines measured in saliva could predict strain membership with 80% to 100% accuracy. Factor analyses identified principal components mostly correlating with one clinical aspect of SS and having distinct associations with components extracted from other families of proteins.

Conclusion
Autoimmune manifestations of SS are greatly independent and associated with various immunological processes. However, CD40, CD40 ligand, IL-18, granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 and anti-muscarinic M3 receptor IgG3 may connect the different aspects of SS. Processes related to the adaptive immune system appear to promote SS with a strong involvement of T-helper-2 related proteins in hyposalivation. This approach further established saliva as an attractive biofluid for biomarker analyses in SS and provides a basis for the comparison and selection of potential drug targets and diagnostic markers.
Tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cells are pleiotropic-inflamed monocytes/macrophages that bear M1- and M2-type characteristics
Authors: Umemura Naoki , Saio Masanao , Suwa Tatsuhiko , Kitoh Yusuke , Bai Juncheng , Nonaka Kenichi , Ouyang Guan-Feng , Okada Makoto , Balazs Margit , Adany Roza , Shibata Toshiyuki , Takami Tsuyoshi 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHere, tumor-infiltrating CD11b+ myelomonocytoid cells in murine colon adenocarcinoma-38 and GL261 murine glioma were phenotypically characterized. Over 90% were of the CD11b+F4/80+ monocyte/macrophage lineage. They also had a myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) phenotype, as they suppressed the proliferation of activated splenic CD8+ T cells and had a CD11b+CD11c+Gr-1lowIL-4Rα+ phenotype. In addition, the cells expressed CX3CR1 and CCR2 simultaneously, which are the markers of an inflammatory monocyte. The MDSCs expressed CD206, CXCL10, IL-1β, and TNF-α mRNAs. They also simultaneously expressed CXCL10 and CD206 proteins, which are typical, classical (M1) and alternative (M2) macrophage activation markers, respectively. Peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) strongly expressed CD36, CD206, and TGF-β mRNA, which is characteristic of deactivated monocytes. The MDSCs also secreted TGF-β, and in vitro culture of MDSCs and PECs with anti-TGF-β antibody recovered their ability to secrete NO. However, as a result of secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, MDSCs could not be categorized into deactivated monocyte/macrophages. Thus, tumor-infiltrating MDSCs bear pleiotropic characteristics of M1 and M2 monocytes/macrophages. Furthermore, CD206 expression by tumor-infiltrating MDSCs appears to be regulated by an autocrine mechanism that involves TGF-β.
A Multicenter Randomized Trial of Breast Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy to Reduce Acute Radiation Dermatitis
Authors: Pignol Jean-Philippe , Olivotto Ivo , Rakovitch Eileen , Gardner Sandra , Sixel Katharina , Beckham Wayne , Vu Thi Trinh Thuc , Truong Pauline , Ackerman Ida , Paszat Lawrence 
Published: February 2008

Purpose Dermatitis is a frequent adverse effect of adjuvant breast radiotherapy. It is more likely in full-breasted women and when the radiation is distributed nonhomogeneously in the breast. Breast intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a technique that ensures a more homogeneous dose distribution. Patients and Methods A multicenter, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was performed to test if breast IMRT would reduce the rate of acute skin reaction (notably moist desquamation), decrease pain, and improve quality of life compared with standard radiotherapy using wedges. Patients were assessed each week during and up to 6 weeks after radiotherapy. Results A total of 358 patients were randomly assigned between July 2003 and March 2005 in two Canadian centers, and 331 were included in the analysis. Breast IMRT significantly improved the dose distribution compared with standard radiation. This translated into a lower proportion of patients experiencing moist desquamation during or up to 6 weeks after their radiation treatment; 31.2% with IMRT compared with 47.8% with standard treatment (P = .002). A multivariate analysis found the use of breast IMRT (P = .003) and smaller breast size (P < .001) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of moist desquamation. The use of IMRT did not correlate with pain and quality of life, but the presence of moist desquamation did significantly correlate with pain (P = .002) and a reduced quality of life (P = .003). Conclusion Breast IMRT significantly reduced the occurrence of moist desquamation compared with a standard wedged technique. Moist desquamation was correlated with increased pain and reduction in the quality of life.
Health Status, Mood, and Cognition in Experimentally Induced Subclinical Thyrotoxicosis
Authors: Samuels M. H. , Schuff K. G. , Carlson N. E. , Carello P. , Janowsky J. S. 
Published: February 2008

Abstract
Objective: Our objective was to determine whether subclinical thyrotoxicosis alters health status, mood, and/or cognitive function.
Design: This was a double-blinded, randomized, cross-over study of usual dose l-T4 (euthyroid arm) vs. higher dose l-T4 (subclinical thyrotoxicosis arm) in hypothyroid subjects.
Patients: A total of 33 hypothyroid subjects receiving l-T4 were included in the study.
Measurements: Subjects underwent measurements of health status, mood, and cognition: Short Form 36 (SF-36); Profile of Mood States (POMS); and tests of declarative memory (Paragraph Recall, Complex Figure), working memory (N-Back, Subject Ordered Pointing, and Digit Span Backwards), and motor learning (Pursuit Rotor). These were repeated after 12 wk on each of the study arms.
Results: Mean TSH levels decreased from 2.15 to 0.17 mU/liter on the subclinical thyrotoxicosis arm (P &lt; 0.0001), with normal mean free T4 and free T3 levels. The SF-36 physical component summary and general health subscale were slightly worse during the subclinical thyrotoxicosis arm, whereas the mental health subscale was marginally improved. The POMS confusion, depression, and tension subscales were improved during the subclinical thyrotoxicosis arm. Motor learning was better during the subclinical thyrotoxicosis arm, whereas declarative and working memory measures did not change. This improvement was related to changes in the SF-36 physical component summary and POMS tension subscales and free T3 levels.
Conclusions: We found slightly impaired physical health status but improvements in measures of mental health and mood in l-T4 treated hypothyroid subjects when subclinical thyrotoxicosis was induced in a blinded, randomized fashion. Motor learning was also improved. These findings suggest that thyroid hormone directly affects brain areas responsible for affect and motor function.