bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intradermal immunization with ovalbumin‐loaded poly‐ɛ‐caprolactone microparticles conferred protection in ovalbumin‐sensitized allergic mice
Authors: Roman B. S. , Espuelas S. , Gómez S. , Gamazo C. , Sanz M. L. , Ferrer M. , Irache J. M. 
Published: January 2007

SummaryBackground
Although immunotherapy has been reported as the only treatment able to revert the T‐helper type 2 (Th2) response, its administration has some disadvantages such as the requirement of multiple doses, possible side‐effects provoked by conventional adjuvants and the risk of suffering an anaphylactic shock. For these reasons, drug‐delivery systems appear to be a promising strategy due to its ability to (i) transport the allergens, (ii) protect them from degradation, (iii) decrease the number of administrations and (iv) act as immuno‐adjuvants.Objective
The aim of this work was to evaluate the properties of poly‐ɛ‐caprolactone (PCL) microparticles as adjuvants in immunotherapy using ovalbumin (OVA) as an allergen model. For this purpose, the protection capacity of these microparticles (OVA PCL) against OVA allergy was studied in a murine model.Methods
The humoral and cellular‐induced immune response generated by OVA encapsulated into PCL microparticles was studied by immunizing BALB/c mice intradermically. Also, OVA‐sensitized mice were treated with OVA PCL and OVA adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (OVA‐Alum). Fifteen days after therapy, animals were challenged with OVA and different signs of anaphylactic shock were evaluated.Results
One single shot by an intradermal route with OVA PCL resulted in a Th2‐type immune response. In OVA‐sensitized mice, treatment with OVA PCL elicited high OVA‐specific IgG but low levels of IgE. Furthermore, OVA PCL mice group displayed lower levels of serum histamine and higher survival rate in comparison with the positive control group.Conclusion
The anaphylactic shock suffered by OVA PCL‐treated mice was weaker than the one induced in the OVA‐Alum group. Hence, the intradermal immunization with OVA PCL microparticles induced hyposensitization in OVA‐allergic mice.
Cytopathological spectrum of unusual malignant pleural effusions at a tertiary care centre in north India
Authors: Awasthi A. , Gupta N. , Srinivasan R. , Nijhawan R. , Rajwanshi A. 
Published: January 2007

Background:  Cytological examination of pleural fluid is one of the most informative laboratory procedures in the diagnosis of pleural effusions. Although tuberculosis is the commonest cause of pleural effusions in developing countries, tumours, including grade ones, can present with effusions.Objective:  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the uncommon causes of malignant pleural effusion.Methods:  A 2‐year retrospective analysis of pleural fluid cytological specimens submitted to the Department of Cytopathology, PGIMER, Chandigarh between January 2003 and December 2004 was performed to retrieve unusual metastases. Out of a total of 898 samples reviewed, 710 were negative for malignancy and 24 cases were suspicious for malignancy. The remaining 164 cases were positive for malignancy, out of which 38 cases revealed malignancies other than adenocarcinoma.Results:  The 38 unusual malignancies metastasizing to the pleural cavity included 29 haematological malignancies (non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, acute lymphoid leukaemia, multiple myeloma and chronic myeloid leukaemia) and nine non‐haematological malignancies (Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms’ tumour, squamous cell carcinoma, small‐cell carcinoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma).Conclusion:  Although metastatic adenocarcinoma was the commonest aetiology of malignant pleural effusions, a significant number of unusual causes of malignant pleural effusion were also encountered.
How relevant are instantaneous measurements for assessing resource depletion under plant cover? A test on light and soil water availability in 18 herbaceous communities
Authors: VIOLLE C. , LECOEUR J. , NAVAS M.‐L. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

Quantifying the amount of resources remaining under plant cover is essential for assessing plant–plant interactions or biological invasions. Although resource levels fluctuate in time, their quantification is performed mainly by instantaneous measurements. We investigated how instantaneous measurements are related to the amount of resources cumulated throughout one growing season, measuring parameters of both light and soil water depletion.
During a growing season, we measured regularly light and soil water levels under the cover of 18 plant species grown as monocultures in a common garden. The temporal dynamics of light and soil water depletion were assessed within each monoculture using mechanistic modelling approaches.
The total amounts of resources remaining over the year under the range of communities were best predicted by instantaneous measurements performed at critical periods, differing among resources. The significance of prediction decreased dramatically for other dates, including the period of peak production, but without changing the ranking of communities according to ability to deplete resources. We therefore recommend that such measurements should be limited to qualitative studies, and that mechanistic modelling for quantitative assessments should be developed.
Expression of mucosal chemokines TECK/CCL25 and MEC/CCL28 during fetal development of the ovine mucosal immune system
Authors: Meurens François , Whale Julia , Brownlie Robert , Dybvig Tova , Thompson David R. , Gerdts Volker 
Published: January 2007

SummaryCCL25/TECK and CCL28/MEC are CC chemokines primarily expressed in thymic dendritic cells and mucosal epithelial cells. The cognate receptors of CCL25 and CCL28, CCR9 and CCR10, respectively, are mainly expressed on T and B lymphocytes. In human, mouse and pig, CCL25 and CCL28 play a key role in the segregation and the compartmentalization of the mucosal immune system through recruitment of immune cells to specific locations. However, little is known about their role in the ontogeny of the mucosal immune system during fetal development. In the present paper, we report the cloning and the sequencing of ovine CCL25, CCL28, CCR9 and CCR10 and the subsequent assessment of their mRNA expression by q‐polymerase chain reaction in several tissues, including thymus, gut‐associated lymphoid tissue and mammary gland, from young and adult sheep and in the fetal lamb during the development of the immune system. CCL25 mRNA was highly expressed in thymus and gut while CCL28 mRNA was more expressed in large intestine, trachea, tonsils and mammary gland, especially at the end of gestation. These results are consistent with observations in other species suggesting similar roles for these chemokines in sheep. In fetuses, mRNA of CCL25, CCL28 and their receptors are expressed early in the thymus and mucosal tissues, including the small intestine and the nasal mucosa. Furthermore, their expression increased towards the end of gestation. Consequently, we hypothesize that CCL25 and CCL28 play an important role in the lymphocyte colonization of fetal tissues, enabling the development of a functional immune system.
Recombination and introgression of nuclear and chloroplast genomes between the peat mosses,Sphagnum capillifoliumandSphagnum quinquefarium
Authors: NATCHEVA RAYNA , CRONBERG NILS 
Published: January 2007

AbstractHaploid hybrid gametophytes are often present at low frequencies in sympatric populations ofSphagnum capillifoliumandSphagnum quinquefarium. We used intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers and polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism of the trnLUAAintron of the chloroplast genome to reveal the nuclear and chloroplast composition of mature hybrid gametophytes from natural populations and of gametophytes derived from spores of hybrid sporophytes collected in nature. Asymmetrical nuclear inheritance was found in the progeny of the hybrid sporophytes, indicating that only spores with a low level of recombination of parental genomes were viable. A similarly skewed nuclear composition was found among the naturally occurring hybrid gametophytes. All hybrid genomes contained a larger proportion ofS. capillifoliumISSR markers, combined with only two to fiveS. quinquefariummarkers together with a chloroplast haplotype derived fromS. quinquefarium. In this way, a pattern resembling introgression is created within a single generation. Some individuals possessed nuclear genomes typical forS. capillifoliumin combination with the chloroplast haplotype ofS. quinquefarium,possibly indicating backcrossing. Our results indicate that hybridization betweenS. capillifoliumandS. quinquefariumis relatively common, but the resistance of large parts of the genome against heterospecific genes maintains the genetic distinctness of the species. Further evolutionary and phylogenetic consequences of restricted interspecific gene exchange are discussed.
CB1‐independent inhibition of dopamine transporter activity by cannabinoids in mouse dorsal striatum
Authors: Price David A. , Owens William A. , Gould Georgianna G. , Frazer Alan , Roberts James L. , Daws Lynette C. , Giuffrida Andrea 
Published: January 2007

AbstractCannabinoid drugs are known to affect dopaminergic neurotransmission in the basal ganglia circuitry. In this study, we usedin vitroandin vivotechniques to investigate whether cannabinoid agonists and antagonist could affect dopaminergic transmission in the striatum by acting at the dopamine transporter. Incubation of striatal synaptosomes with the cannabinoid agonists WIN55,212‐2 or methanandamide decreased dopamine uptake (IC50 = 2.0 μmol/L and 3.1 μmol/L, respectively). A similar inhibitory effect was observed after application of the inactive WIN55,212‐2 isomer, S(−)WIN55,212‐3. The CB1antagonist AM251 did not reverse WIN55,212‐2 effect but rather mimicked it. WIN55,212‐2 and AM251 partially displaced the binding of the cocaine analog [3H]WIN35,428, thus acting as dopamine transporter pseudo‐substrates in the high micromolar range. High‐speed chronoamperometry measurements showed that WIN55,212‐2 (4 mg/kg, i.p.) caused significant release of endogenous dopamineviaactivation of CB1receptors, followed by a reduction of dopamine clearance. This reduction was CB1‐independent, as it was mimicked by S(−)WIN55,212‐3. Administration of AM251 (1 and 4 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the signal amplitude and reduced the clearance of dopamine pressure ejected into the striatum. These results indicate that both cannabinoid agonists and antagonists inhibit dopamine transporter activityviamolecular targets other than CB1receptors.
Characterization of 12 new microsatellite loci in Aenictus and Neivamyrmex army ants
Authors: KRONAUER DANIEL J. C. , GADAU JÜRGEN , BOOMSMA JACOBUS J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractHere we describe 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci that were cloned and characterized for three species of army ants: the North American Neivamyrmex nigrescens, and the Asian Aenictus laeviceps and Aenictus dentatus. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.37 to 0.97 (mean 0.70), and from 0.48 to 0.95 (mean 0.72), respectively. We observed 2–30 (mean 12) alleles per locus. These new genetic markers will be useful for studies of overall population structure and the complex pedigrees in colonies of army ants.
Thrombin peptide Chrysalin® stimulates healing of diabetic foot ulcers in a placebo‐controlled phase I/II study
Authors: Fife Caroline , Mader Jon T. , Stone Jeffery , Brill Leon , Satterfield Kathleen , Norfleet Andrea , Zwernemann Amber , Ryaby James T. , Carney Darrell H. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTThrombin and thrombin peptides play a role in initiating tissue repair. The potential safety and efficacy of TP508 (Chrysalin®) treatment of diabetic foot ulcers was evaluated in a 60‐subject, prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled phase I/II clinical trial. Chrysalin® in saline or saline alone was applied topically, twice weekly, to diabetic ulcers with standardized care and offloading. A dose‐dependent effect was seen in the per‐protocol population where 1 and 10 μg Chrysalin® treatment resulted in 45 and 72% more subjects with complete healing than placebo treatment. Chrysalin® treatment of foot ulcers more than doubled the incidence of complete healing (p<0.05), increased mean closure rate ∼80% (p<0.05), and decreased the median time to 100% closure by ∼40% (p<0.05). Chrysalin® treatment of heel ulcers within this population resulted in mean closure rates 165% higher than placebos (p<0.02) and complete healing in 86% (6/7) of ulcers compared with 0% (0/5) of placebo ulcers (p<0.03). Local wound reactions and adverse events (AEs) were equal between groups with no reported drug‐related changes in laboratory tests or serious AEs. These results indicate the potential safety and efficacy of Chrysalin® for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.
Collagenase‐2 (MMP‐8) and matrilysin‐2 (MMP‐26) expression in human wounds of different etiologies
Authors: Pirilä Emma , Korpi Jarkko T , Korkiamäki Timo , Jahkola Tiina , Gutierrez‐Fernandez Ana , Lopez‐Otin Carlos , Saarialho‐Kere Ulpu , Salo Tuula , Sorsa Timo 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTWound healing involves highly controlled events including reepithelialization, neoangiogenesis, and reformation of the stromal compartment. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of neutral zinc‐dependent endopeptidases known to be essential for the wound‐healing process. MMP‐8 (collagenase‐2) is a neutrophil‐derived highly effective type I collagenase, recently indicated to be important for acute wound healing. MMP‐26 is a more recent and less well‐studied member of the MMP family. Our aim was to study the expression of MMP‐8 and MMP‐26 in human cutaneous wound repair and chronic wounds using histological methods and cell culture. MMP‐8 expression was associated with epithelial cells, neutrophils, and other inflammatory cells in chronic human wounds. MMP‐26 was prominently expressed in the extracellular compartment of most chronic wounds in close vicinity to the basement membrane area. MMP‐26 was also expressed in acute day 1 wounds with declining expression thereafter. In vitro wound experiments showed that both MMP‐8 and MMP‐26 were expressed by migrating human mucosal keratinocytes. Inhibiting MMP‐26 resulted in aberrant keratinocyte migration and proliferation. We conclude that MMP‐8 and MMP‐26 are differentially expressed in acute and chronic wounds.
A comparative study of the cytotoxicity of silver‐based dressings in monolayer cell, tissue explant, and animal models
Authors: Burd Andrew , Kwok Chi H , Hung Siu C , Chan Hui S , Gu Hua , Lam Wai K , Huang Lin 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTOver the past decade, a variety of advanced silver‐based dressings have been developed. There are considerable variations in the structure, composition, and silver content of these new preparations. In the present study, we examined five commercially available silver‐based dressings (Acticoat™, Aquacel® Ag, Contreet® Foam, PolyMem® Silver, Urgotul®SSD). We assessed their cytotoxicity in a monolayer cell culture, a tissue explant culture model, and a mouse excisional wound model. The results showed that Acticoat™, Aquacel® Ag, and Contreet® Foam, when pretreated with specific solutes, were likely to produce the most significant cytotoxic effects on both cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts, while PolyMem® Silver and Urgotul®SSD demonstrated the least cytotoxicity. The cytotoxicity correlated with the silver released from the dressings as measured by silver concentration in the culture medium. In the tissue explant culture model, in which the epidermal cell proliferation was evaluated, all silver dressings resulted in a significant delay of reepithelialization. In the mouse excisional wound model, Acticoat™ and Contreet® Foam indicated a strong inhibition of wound reepithelialization on the postwounding‐day 7. These findings may, in part, explain the clinical observations of delayed wound healing or inhibition of wound epithelialization after the use of certain topical silver dressings. Caution should be exercised in using silver‐based dressings in clean superficial wounds such as donor sites and superficial burns and also when cultured cells are being applied to wounds.
Prostaglandin E2 inhibition of keloid fibroblast migration, contraction, and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1–induced collagen synthesis
Authors: Sandulache Vlad C. , Parekh Aron , Li‐Korotky HaSheng , Dohar Joseph E. , Hebda Patricia A. 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTKeloid formation has been linked to aberrant fibroblast activity, exacerbated by growth factors and inflammatory mediators. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), synthesized from arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenases (COX) and synthases (PGES), acts as both an inflammatory mediator and fibroblast modulator. Although PGE2 has known antifibrotic effects in the lower airway, its role in dermal fibrosis in general, and keloid formation in particular, remains unclear. This study focused on: (1) the effects of PGE2 on keloid fibroblast migration, contraction, and collagen synthesis and (2) endogenous PGE2 synthesis in response interleukin‐1β. PGE2 decreased keloid fibroblast migration and contraction via an EP2/EP4–cAMP mechanism that disrupted actin cytoskeletal dynamics and reversed transforming growth factor‐β1–induced collagen I and III synthesis. Impaired fibroblast PGE2 production has been linked to lower airway fibrosis and recently to keloid formation. Here, we showed that interleukin‐1β stimulation leads to nuclear factor‐κB translocation to the nucleus, resulting in up‐regulation of COX‐2 and microsomal PGE2 synthase 1. Up‐regulation of COX‐2 in, and secretion of PGE2 by keloid fibroblasts are diminished compared with their normal fibroblast counterparts. We suggest that the antifibrotic effects of PGE2 during keloid formation are potentially diminished due to aberrant paracrine fibroblast signaling. Exogenous PGE2 may supplement decreased endogenous levels and inhibit keloid formation or progression.
In Heavy Drinkers, Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters Remain Elevated for Up to 99 Hours
Authors: Borucki K. , Dierkes J. , Wartberg J. , Westphal S. , Genz A. , Luley C. 
Published: January 2007

Background: Both medical and forensic needs require reliable detection of earlier ethanol intake after the disappearance of ethanol from blood. The esters of ethanol with free fatty acids (FAEEs) are candidate markers of this kind. However, it is unknown whether FAEEs can serve as a marker for a single prior ethanol intake. In addition, the period for which FAEEs are elevated is unknown. Therefore, we measured FAEEs in heavy drinkers admitted to detoxification, and in healthy subjects after a drinking experiment.Methods: Blood from 30 heavy drinkers was obtained for up to 5 days during a detoxification period in a psychiatric hospital. In addition, 17 healthy subjects who participated in a drinking experiment and who were abstinent thereafter gave blood during a similar time period for analysis of FAEEs. Fatty acid ethyl esters were measured by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy.Results: Heavy drinkers had much higher ethanol and FAEEs concentrations than healthy subjects; however, in both groups, FAEEs decreased rapidly during the first day. Only in heavy drinkers, elevated concentrations of FAEEs were observed at days 2 to 4. Concentrations of FAEEs were not associated with serum triglycerides or patients' body mass index.Conclusions: It is concluded that kinetics of FAEEs are different in heavy drinkers compared with healthy subjects and that FAEEs are of limited value for the detection of prior single ethanol intake.
Alcohol Screening Scores and Risk of Hospitalizations for GI Conditions in Men
Authors: Au David H. , Kivlahan Daniel R. , Bryson Chris L. , Blough David , Bradley Katharine A. 
Published: January 2007

Background: Alcohol misuse is a common cause of liver disease, upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and pancreatitis, but it is not known whether alcohol screening questionnaires can identify patients at increased risk for hospitalizations due to these conditions.Objective: To evaluate the association of alcohol screening scores with the risk of subsequent hospitalization for alcohol‐related GI conditions.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Participants: Male general medicine outpatients from 7 Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers who returned mailed questionnaires.Measurements: The CAGE questionnaire (0–4 points) and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption questions (AUDIT‐C; 0–12 points) were included on mailed surveys. The main outcome, “GI hospitalization,” was a primary VA or Medicare discharge diagnosis indicating liver disease, upper GI bleeding, or pancreatitis.Results: Among 31,311 patients followed, a median of 3.75 years, patients with CAGE scores ≥2 points or AUDIT‐C scores ≥6 points were at a significantly increased risk for GI hospitalizations. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRadj) ranged from 1.6 (95% CI 1.2–2.0) for CAGE score 2, to 1.7 (1.4–2.2) for CAGE 4, and from 1.4 (1.01–2.0) for AUDIT‐C scores from 6 to 7, to 2.7 (1.9–3.8) for AUDIT‐C scores from 10 to 12. Secondary analyses demonstrated that the association was the strongest among patients less than 50 years of age who reported drinking in the past year.Conclusions: Brief alcohol screening questionnaires predict subsequent hospitalizations for alcohol‐related GI conditions.
Evaluating prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in patients with haematologic malignancies
Authors: Maertens Johan 
Published: January 2007

Abstract Objective: Patients with hematologic malignancies are at substantial risk of developing invasive fungal infections (IFI) that are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This article reviews the epidemiology, risk factors, and efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis in patients with hematologic malignancies. Methods: A PubMed search was conducted to identify relevant studies with special emphasis on meta‐analyses and direct comparisons between antifungal agents. Results: The epidemiology of IFI has changed substantially in recent years with Candida albicans becoming less common owing to the widespread prophylactic use of azole antifungals. Invasive aspergillosis, fusariosis, and zygomycosis have increased in frequency. This change is at least partly related to the use of broad‐spectrum antifungal agents, either as prophylaxis or as empirical treatment. Other risk factors for IFI include prior fungal exposure, immunosuppression, underlying disease, graft‐vs.‐host disease, and organ dysfunction. Inconsistent results have been reported in studies evaluating the efficacy of antifungal prophylaxis in patients at risk of IFI. Meta‐analyses found that antifungals, such as fluconazole and itraconazole, are effective in decreasing IFI and IFI‐related mortality, primarily owing to yeast infections in patients with more severe immunosuppression (i.e. patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation), but do not decrease the overall mortality. The European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL) guidelines currently recommend fluconazole (AI, ie. strongly recommended, based on at least 1 well‐executed, randomized trial) and itraconazole (BI, ie. generally recommended, based on at least 1 well‐executed, randomized trial) in allogeneic transplant recipients. Posaconazole, a triazole antifungal, has been recently shown to decrease IFI incidence and overall mortality in some high‐risk patients compared with standard azoles. Based on preliminary data, a provisional AI ECIL recommendation has been given. Conclusions: Because of the substantial morbidity and mortality associated with IFI, there is a need to accurately define patient groups at greatest risk of IFI and, when appropriate, to initiate effective antifungal prophylaxis.