bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Natürliche Killerzellen und Natürliche Killer-T-Zellen bei Nierentransplantation / Natural killer cells and natural killer-T cells in patients with renal transplantation
Authors: Hoppe Anett , Kamprad Manja , Wegmann Claudia , Wötzel Michael , Hauss Johann , Emmrich Frank , Fangmann Josef , Sack Ulrich 
Published: June 2008

Zusammenfassung
Die Nierentransplantation als etabliertes Verfahren zur Behandlung des terminalen Nierenversagens birgt trotz hoher klinischer Standards besonders im postoperativen Bereich das Risiko zahlreicher Komplikationen. Dabei spielen besonders Rejektionsereignisse und bakterielle, virale sowie mykotische Infektionen eine Rolle. Oftmals sind deren rechtzeitige klinische sowie labordiagnostische Erkennung und die daraus resultierenden therapeutischen Konsequenzen zu ungenau. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird daher ein praxisnahes Konzept für ein immunologisches Monitoring innerhalb von 28 Beobachtungstagen nach erfolgter Transplantation unter Einbeziehung der Natürlichen Killerzellen (NK) und Natürlichen Killer-T-Zellen (NKT-Zellen) beschrieben. Mittelpunkt des Monitorings ist dabei die durchflusszytometrische Bestimmung der funktionellen Marker NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, CD16 und CXCR3 auf NK- und NKT-Zellen. Beide Zellpopulationen wurden durch die Therapie beeinflusst. Während sich Lebend- und Leichenspende kaum unterschieden und keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den verwendeten Immunsuppressiva gefunden wurden, ergaben sich insbesondere bei den NKT-Zellen Befunde, die eine diagnostische Nutzung dieser Zellen im Transplantatmonitoring möglich erscheinen lassen. Der Verlauf dieser Zellen nach Nierentransplantation weist typische Veränderungen unter Standardimmunsuppression auf und erlaubt die Erkennung von postoperativen Komplikationen.
Diagnostic value of peripheral blood markers for acute rejection in liver transplanted-patients receiving anti IL-2R antibodies / Diagnostik der akuten Rejektion mittels peripherer Blutparameter bei lebertransplantierten Patienten unter IL-2 Rezeptorantikörper basierter Immunsuppression
Authors: Weimann Andreas , Eisele Robert M. , Pawellek Sebastian , Hippler-Benscheid Michael , Rüggeberg Anne , Cammann Henning , Radke Cornelia , Müller Christian , Klupp Jochen , Sack Ulrich , Lun Andreas 
Published: June 2008

Abstract

Background: T-cell activation markers in peripheral blood are helpful to detect acute rejection in liver transplantation (LTX) patients with immunosuppression by Cyclosporin A or Tacrolimus. Immunosuppression including basiliximab may influence the diagnostic value of T-cell markers.

Methods: In the present study, 80 LTX patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment based on induction with basiliximab were monitored as well as clinical examination with conventional (liver enzymes, cholesterol, bilirubin, prothrombin time, leukocyte count and differentiation) and immunologic markers [soluble interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, IL-8, lymphocyte subpopulations] during the first 3 weeks after transplantation. In total, 15 patients suffered from acute rejection, 34 patients had no complications, and 31 patients suffered from other complications including infections, poor graft function or renal failure.

Results: Cholesterol, prothrombin time and CD3+/CD4–/CD8– lymphocytes allowed for discrimination between the group with acute rejection and patients suffering from other complications. Furthermore, significant time-dependent changes between both groups were found for alanine amino transferase (ALT), soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), eosinophils, lymphocytes and CD3+/CD4–/CD8– lymphocytes. In contrast, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for diagnostic relevance revealed only a Youden index >0.5 for prothrombin. When combining cholesterol, lymphocyte count, sIL-2R and time courses of ALT, eosinophils and sIL-2R, diagnostic efficacy could be maximized to a Youden index of 1.0.

Conclusion: Despite significant differences between several single parameters, diagnostic application of the laboratory results requires a combination of a broad panel including the analysis of time courses to distinguish groups suffering from acute rejection or other complications. The complexity of this approach may limit its application in clinical practice.
A variant of the IGF-I gene is associated with blood pressure but not with left heart dimensions at the age of 2 years: the Generation R Study
Authors: van Houten Vera A A , Mook-Kanamori Dennis O , van Osch-Gevers Lennie , Steegers Eric A P , Hofman Albert , Moll Henriëtte A , van Duijn Cornelia M , Helbing Willem A , Hokken-Koelega Anita C S , Jaddoe Vincent W V 
Published: June 2008

Background and objectiveA common variant of the IGF-I gene has been shown to be associated with cardiovascular disease in adulthood. The objective of this study was to examine whether this variant of the IGF-I gene is associated with blood pressure and left heart dimensions in early childhood.Research design and methodsThis study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study from foetal life onwards. IGF-I promoter region was genotyped in DNA obtained from cord blood. Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and echocardiography (left ventricular mass, left atrial diameter and aortic root diameter) measurements were performed at the age of 2 years. Analyses were performed in 538 subjects.ResultsEight alleles of the IGF-I promoter region were identified. In total, 43% of the subjects were homozygous for the 192 bp allele (wild type), 46% were heterozygous and 11% were non-carriers. Significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures were found in non-carrier subjects (difference compared with homozygous subjects: −4.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) −7.8 to −1.1) mmHg and −3.5 (95% CI: −6.9 to −0.1) mm respectively). No significant differences were found for left heart dimensions at the age of 2 years. No association was found when we used a previously proposed alternative classification of the IGF-I gene.ConclusionThe variant type of the IGF-I promoter region is associated with lower blood pressure but not with left heart dimensions at the age of 2 years. Follow-up studies are needed to examine whether these differences persist in later life.
Nanomaterials in the environment: Behavior, fate, bioavailability, and effects
Authors: Klaine Stephen J , Alvarez Pedro J. J , Batley Graeme E , Fernandes Teresa F , Handy Richard D , Lyon Delina Y , Mahendra Shaily , McLaughlin Michael J , Lead Jamie R 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
The recent advances in nanotechnology and the corresponding increase in the use of nanomaterials in products in every sector of society have resulted in uncertainties regarding environmental impacts. The objectives of this review are to introduce the key aspects pertaining to nanomaterials in the environment and to discuss what is known concerning their fate, behavior, disposition, and toxicity, with a particular focus on those that make up manufactured nanomaterials. This review critiques existing nanomaterial research in freshwater, marine, and soil environments. It illustrates the paucity of existing research and demonstrates the need for additional research. Environmental scientists are encouraged to base this research on existing studies on colloidal behavior and toxicology. The need for standard reference and testing materials as well as methodology for suspension preparation and testing is also discussed.
A Global Approach to Asphaltene Deposition Problems
Authors: Izquierdo A. , Rivas O. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract
Asphaltene deposition causes serious problems in production operations, from the reservoir, through production tubing, and in surface facilities. This work presents a systematic approach, preventive and corrective, taken at Intevep S.A to handle asphaltenes deposition problems at the different stages of crude oil production A predictive tool has been developed at Intevep. It is a software based on thermodynamically considerations, SPLASH (Solid Phase fLASH). It requires as input data, PVT and dead oil characterization and delivers the phase diagram of the crude oil. Phase diagrams obtained are shown. If as a resuit of the simulation, asphaltenes deposition is expected, preventive actions are recommended. We have successfully used continuous down whole injection of dispersants. As in the case of surface facilities, dispersants are specifically selected for each crude. Additional production in 1995 was estimated in 900000 barrels. A reservoir simulator has been developed as well. This is an in-house modification of a compositional commercially available simulator. It allows to simulate the behavior of the reservoir under asphaltene precipitation conditions. A simulation example for a reservoir in eastern Venezuela is presented.
Intracerebroventricular Administration of Neuropeptide Y Induces Hepatic Insulin Resistance via Sympathetic Innervation
Authors: van den Hoek Anita M. , van Heijningen Caroline , Schröder-van der Elst Janny P. , Ouwens D. Margriet , Havekes Louis M. , Romijn Johannes A. , Kalsbeek Andries , Pijl Hanno 
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVE—We recently showed that intracerebroventricular infusion of neuropeptide Y (NPY) hampers inhibition of endogenous glucose production (EGP) by insulin in mice. The downstream mechanisms responsible for these effects of NPY remain to be elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish whether intracerebroventricular NPY administration modulates the suppressive action of insulin on EGP via hepatic sympathetic or parasympathetic innervation.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The effects of a continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of NPY on glucose turnover were determined in rats during a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. Either rats were sham operated, or the liver was sympathetically (hepatic sympathectomy) or parasympathetically (hepatic parasympathectomy) denervated.
RESULTS—Sympathectomy or parasympathectomy did not affect the capacity of insulin to suppress EGP in intracerebroventricular vehicle–infused animals (50 ± 8 vs. 49 ± 6 vs. 55 ± 6%, in hepatic sympathectomy vs. hepatic parasympathectomy vs. sham, respectively). Intracerebroventricular infusion of NPY significantly hampered the suppression of EGP by insulin in sham-denervated animals (29 ± 9 vs. 55 ± 6% for NPY/sham vs. vehicle/sham, respectively, P = 0.038). Selective sympathetic denervation of the liver completely blocked the effect of intracerebroventricular NPY administration on insulin action to suppress EGP (NPY/hepatic sympathectomy, 57 ± 7%), whereas selective parasympathetic denervation had no effect (NPY/hepatic parasympathectomy, 29 ± 7%).
CONCLUSIONS—Intracerebroventricular administration of NPY acutely induces insulin resistance of EGP via activation of sympathetic output to the liver.
Extension of Type 2 Diabetes Genome-Wide Association Scan Results in the Diabetes Prevention Program
Authors: Moore Allan F. , Jablonski Kathleen A. , McAteer Jarred B. , Saxena Richa , Pollin Toni I. , Franks Paul W. , Hanson Robert L. , Shuldiner Alan R. , Knowler William C. , Altshuler David , Florez Jose C. ,   for the Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group
Published: June 2008

OBJECTIVE— Genome-wide association scans (GWASs) have identified novel diabetes-associated genes. We evaluated how these variants impact diabetes incidence, quantitative glycemic traits, and response to preventive interventions in 3,548 subjects at high risk of type 2 diabetes enrolled in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), which examined the effects of lifestyle intervention, metformin, and troglitazone versus placebo.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— We genotyped selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in or near diabetes-associated loci, including EXT2, CDKAL1, CDKN2A/B, IGF2BP2, HHEX, LOC387761, and SLC30A8 in DPP participants and performed Cox regression analyses using genotype, intervention, and their interactions as predictors of diabetes incidence. We evaluated their effect on insulin resistance and secretion at 1 year.
RESULTS— None of the selected SNPs were associated with increased diabetes incidence in this population. After adjustments for ethnicity, baseline insulin secretion was lower in subjects with the risk genotype at HHEX rs1111875 (P = 0.01); there were no significant differences in baseline insulin sensitivity. Both at baseline and at 1 year, subjects with the risk genotype at LOC387761 had paradoxically increased insulin secretion; adjustment for self-reported ethnicity abolished these differences. In ethnicity-adjusted analyses, we noted a nominal differential improvement in β-cell function for carriers of the protective genotype at CDKN2A/B after 1 year of troglitazone treatment (P = 0.01) and possibly lifestyle modification (P = 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS— We were unable to replicate the GWAS findings regarding diabetes risk in the DPP. We did observe genotype associations with differences in baseline insulin secretion at the HHEX locus and a possible pharmacogenetic interaction at CDKNA2/B.
Beyond Reference and Designation: On Interactive Implications of the Pronoun I in English
Authors: Hrisonopulo Katherine 
Published: June 2008

Beyond Reference and Designation: On Interactive Implications of the Pronoun I in English
Using English-language material the paper aims to elaborate a theoretical model for the study of personal pronouns which could account for those uses of pronouns that go beyond their typical deictic (or referential) function of indicating speech-event participants. The proposed analysis focuses on the following two usage types of the pronoun I: (1) I say, there are lots of places to see there; (2) I tell you, John is the one to rely on. It is argued that despite idiomatic boundedness of the pronoun I in the expressions I say and I tell you the pronoun does contribute to the pragmatic effects of the utterances in (1) and (2), namely, the effects of attention seeking and persuasion respectively. It is assumed that these effects could be attributed to interactive implications of the pronoun I that typically emerge in situations of dialogic discourse. To account for interactive orientedness of the first-person pronoun the paper puts forward two interrelated hypotheses. First, it is supposed that the first-person pronoun functions as a sign which is indexed to four regular contexts: referential context, perceptual context, the context of the speaker's subjective experiences, the context of interaction. Second, it is hypothesized that interactive implications of the pronoun I are introduced into oral discourse due to the interplay of two or more of the postulated contexts. Both hypotheses are further substantiated with reference to examples of oral discourse drawn from English-language fiction.
Paranormal belief and susceptibility to the conjunction fallacy
Authors: Rogers Paul , Davis Tiffany , Fisk John 
Published: June 2008

AbstractNumerous studies have shown paranormal believers misperceive randomness and are poor at judging probability. Despite the obvious relevance to many types of alleged paranormal phenomena, no one has examined whether believers are more susceptible to the ‘conjunction fallacy’; that is to misperceiving co‐occurring (conjunct) events as being more likely than singular (constituent) events alone. The present study examines believervs. non‐believer differences in conjunction errors for both paranormal and non‐paranormal events presented as either a probability or a frequency estimation task. As expected, believers made more conjunction errors than non‐believers. This was true for both event types, with both groups making fewer errors for paranormal than for non‐paranormal events. Surprisingly, the response format (probabilityvs. frequency) had little impact. Results are discussed in relation to paranormal believers' susceptibility to the conjunction fallacy and more generally, to their propensity for probabilistic reasoning biases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of genetic variations in the RGS9 gene and antipsychotic‐induced tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia
Authors: Liou Ying‐Jay , Chen Mao‐Liang , Wang Ying‐Chieh , Chen Jen‐Yeu , Liao Ding‐Lieh , Bai Ya‐Mei , Lin Chao‐Cheng , Chen Tzu‐Ting , Mo Geng‐Han , Lai I‐Ching 
Published: June 2008

AbstractSome patients treated chronically with antipsychotics develop tardive dyskinesia (TD), an abnormal involuntary movement disorder. Typical antipsychotics block D2 dopamine receptors (D2DR) and produce D2DR supersensitivity. On contrary, regulators of G‐protein signaling (RGS) can enhance the signal termination of G‐protein‐coupled D2DR. Besides, after prolonged inhibition of dopaminergic transmission, dopaminergic agonists induced severe dyskinesia only in RGS9 knock‐out mice but not in normal mice. Therefore, variety in the human RGS9 gene may be related to susceptibility to TD. In this study, schizophrenic inpatients receiving long‐term antipsychotic treatment were assessed using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale twice over a 3‐month interval. Only patients in whom abnormal involuntary movements were absent (non‐TD group) and those who showed persistent TD (TD group) were enrolled. There were 407 patients in the study sample (TD = 252; non‐TD = 155) and seven single nucleus polymorphisms (SNPs) in the RGS9 gene were genotyped for each subject. Genotype and allelic distributions of SNPs did not differ between the TD and non‐TD groups in this study, with the exception that a weak trend of allelic association was seen with rs4790953 (P = 0.0399). In the haplotype analysis, a significant association of the AGG haplotype (rs8077696–rs8070231–rs2292593) of the RGS9 gene was found (permutation P = 0.007), and this is worthy of replication and further study. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A searchable database of genetic evidence for psychiatric disorders
Authors: Konneker Thomas , Barnes Todd , Furberg Helena , Losh Molly , Bulik Cynthia M. , Sullivan Patrick F. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractThis paper describes a new bioinformatic tool for use in psychiatric research, “SLEP” (Sullivan Lab Evidence Project). SLEP is a searchable archive of findings from psychiatric genetics that is freely available on the web for non‐commercial use (http://slep.unc.edu). Via a simple interface, users can retrieve findings from genome‐wide linkage, genome‐wide association, and microarray studies for ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, major depression, nicotine dependence, and schizophrenia. Findings can be save to disk or viewed via a genome browser. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Descriptive epidemiology of fatal respiratory outbreaks and detection of a human‐related metapneumovirus in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at Mahale Mountains National Park, Western Tanzania
Authors: Kaur Taranjit , Singh Jatinder , Tong Suxiang , Humphrey Charles , Clevenger Donna , Tan Wendy , Szekely Brian , Wang Yuhuan , Li Yan , Alex Muse Epaphras , Kiyono Mieko , Hanamura Shunkichi , Inoue Eiji , Nakamura Michio , Huffman Michael A. , Jiang Baoming , Nishida Toshisada 
Published: June 2008

AbstractOver the past several years, acute and fatal respiratory illnesses have occurred in the habituated group of wild chimpanzees at the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. Common respiratory viruses, such as measles and influenza, have been considered possible causative agents; however, neither of these viruses had been detected. During the fatal respiratory illnesses in 2003, 2005 and 2006, regular observations on affected individuals were recorded. Cause‐specific morbidity rates were 98.3, 52.4 and 33.8%, respectively. Mortality rates were 6.9, 3.2 and 4.6%; all deaths were observed in infants 2 months–2 years 9 months of age. Nine other chimpanzees have not been seen since the 2006 outbreak and are presumed dead; hence, morbidity and mortality rates for 2006 may be as high as 47.7 and 18.5%, respectively. During the 2005 and 2006 outbreaks, 12 fecal samples were collected from affected and nonaffected chimpanzees and analyzed for causative agents. Analysis of fecal samples from 2005 suggests the presence of paramyxovirus, and in 2006 a human‐related metapneumovirus was detected and identified in an affected chimpanzee whose infant died during the outbreak. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that the causative agent associated with these illnesses is viral and contagious, possibly of human origin; and that, possibly more than one agent may be circulating in the population. We recommend that baseline health data be acquired and food wadge and fecal samples be obtained and bio‐banked as early as possible when attempting to habituate new groups of chimpanzees or other great apes. For already habituated populations, disease prevention strategies, ongoing health monitoring programs and reports of diagnostic findings should be an integral part of managing these populations. In addition, descriptive epidemiology should be a major component of disease outbreak investigations. Am. J. Primatol. 70: 755–765, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of food and topography on ranging behavior of black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) in Wuliang Mountain, Yunnan, China
Authors: Fan Peng‐Fei , Jiang Xue‐Long 
Published: June 2008

AbstractWe studied the ranging behavior of a habituated group of black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) in a high, seasonal habitat on Mt. Wuliang, central Yunnan, China, between March 2005 and April 2006. Our results indicated that the total home range size for the study group was 129 ha, or 151 ha if the lacunae within the borders in which gibbons were not observed were included. This is a much bigger range size than that of other gibbon species. However, 69.7% of their activities occurred within 29 ha. The intensity of quadrant use was significantly correlated with the distribution of important food patches. The mean yearly daily path length was 1,391 m. Gibbons traveled farther when they spent more time feeding on fruit. To avoid often passing through ridges with little food, gibbons usually stayed in the same valley for successive days, and then moved on to another valley for another several days, which resulted in a concentrated ranging pattern. Am. J. Primatol. 70:871–878, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermal and mechanical properties of poly(butylene terephthalate)/epoxy blends
Authors: Zhang Huiliang , Sun Shulin , Ren Minqiao , Chen Qingyong , Song Jianbin , Zhang Hongfang , Mo Zhishen 
Published: June 2008

AbstractIn this study, melt blends of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) with epoxy resin were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile testing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The results indicate that the presence of epoxy resin influenced either the mechanical properties of the PBT/epoxy blends or the crystallization of PBT. The epoxy resin was completely miscible with the PBT matrix. This was beneficial to the improvement of the impact performance of the PBT/epoxy blends. The modification of the PBT/epoxy blends were achieved at epoxy resin contents from 1 to 7%. The maximum increase of the notched Izod impact strength (≈ 20%) of the PBT/epoxy blends was obtained at 1 wt % epoxy resin content. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008