bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Postnatal changes in somatic γ‐aminobutyric acid signalling in the rat hippocampus
Authors: Tyzio Roman , Minlebaev Marat , Rheims Sylvain , Ivanov Anton , Jorquera Isabelle , Holmes Gregory L. , Zilberter Yuri , Ben‐Ari Yehezkiel , Khazipov Rustem 
Published: June 2008

AbstractDuring postnatal development of the rat hippocampus, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) switches its action on CA3 pyramidal cells from excitatory to inhibitory. To characterize the underlying changes in the GABA reversal potential, we used somatic cell‐attached recordings of GABA(A) and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate channels to monitor the GABA driving force and resting membrane potential, respectively. We found that the GABA driving force is strongly depolarizing during the first postnatal week. The strength of this depolarization rapidly declines with age, although GABA remains slightly depolarizing, by a few millivolts, even in adult neurons. Reduction in the depolarizing GABA driving force was due to a progressive negative shift of the reversal potential of GABA currents. Similar postnatal changes in GABA signalling were also observed using the superfused hippocampus preparation in vivo, and in the hippocampal interneurons in vitro. We also found that in adult pyramidal cells, somatic GABA reversal potential is maintained at a slightly depolarizing level by bicarbonate conductance, chloride‐extrusion and chloride‐loading systems. Thus, the postnatal excitatory‐to‐inhibitory switch in somatic GABA signalling is associated with a negative shift of the GABA reversal potential but without a hyperpolarizing switch in the polarity of GABA responses. These results also suggest that in adult CA3 pyramidal cells, somatic GABAergic inhibition takes place essentially through shunting rather than hyperpolarization. Apparent hyperpolarizing GABA responses previously reported in the soma of CA3 pyramidal cells are probably due to cell depolarization during intracellular or whole‐cell recordings.
Foot infections in diabetes (DFIs) in the out‐patient setting: an Italian multicentre observational survey
Authors: Esposito S. , Leone S. , Noviello S. , Fiore M. , Ianniello F. , Felaco F. M. , Romagnoli F. , Sarli E. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  To conduct a multicentre observational study to describe management of foot infections in diabetes in the out‐patient setting in Italy.Patients and methods  Ten centres equally distributed nationwide were asked to collect, by means of a spreadsheet (Access/Excel Microsoft program), data concerning 30 consecutive diabetic patients with foot infections deemed suitable for antibiotic treatment in the out‐patient setting. Centres with ≥ 5 years’ experience of out‐patient management were selected. Data from 271 consecutive patients treated as out‐patients were collected and analysed by the central coordinator. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS statistical software package.Results  Lesions were mainly located at the toes and midfoot (33.6 and 30.2%, respectively); 63 (23.2%) patients had multiple ulcers. Seventy (25.8%) patients also had concomitant osteomyelitis. Three hundred and four pathogens, including Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative aerobes and anaerobes, were isolated in 219/271 patients (80.8%) by culturing debrided tissue (71.2%) or purulent material (28.8%). Infections were polymicrobial in 33.8% of patients. The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (27.3%) and Pseudomonas spp. (20.4%); enterobacteriaceae, enterococci, streptococci and anaerobes accounted for 11.5, 7.6, 6.9 and 1.9%, respectively. Antibiotics were frequently administered by parenteral route and frequently in combination. Piperacillin/tazobactam was the parenteral antibiotic most frequently utilized (21.1%). Cure/improvement was observed in 93.4% of patients.Conclusions  Foot ulcers in diabetes are common and serious; the aetiology is often polymicrobial, often including S. aureus and Pseudomonas spp. Treatment in the out‐patient setting is safe and effective, and penicillins together with β‐lactamase inhibitors and fluoroquinolones are the most frequent choice.
RD Lawrence Lecture 2008 Targeting GLP‐1 release as a potential strategy for the therapy of Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gribble F. M. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractGlucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) and glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) are gastrointestinal hormones that play an important role in stimulating postprandial insulin release from pancreatic β‐cells. Agents that either mimic GLP‐1 or prevent its degradation are now available for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, and strategies to enhance endogenous GLP‐1 release are under assessment. As intestinal peptides have a range of actions, including appetite regulation and coordination of fat metabolism, harnessing the enteric endocrine system is a promising new field for drug development.
Re‐utilization of Schwann cells during ingrowth of ventral root afferents in perinatal kittens
Authors: Nilsson Remahl A. Ingela M. , Masterman Thomas , Risling Mårten 
Published: June 2008

AbstractVentral roots in all mammalian species, including humans, contain significant numbers of unmyelinated axons, many of them afferents transmitting nociceptive signals from receptive fields in skin, viscera, muscles and joints. Observations in cats indicate that these afferents do not enter the spinal cord via the ventral root, but rather turn distally and enter the dorsal root. Some unmyelinated axons are postganglionic autonomic efferents that innervate blood vessels of the root and the pia mater. In the feline L7 segment, a substantial proportion of unmyelinated axons are not detectable until late in perinatal development. The mechanisms inducing this late ingrowth, and the recruitment of Schwann cells (indispensable, at this stage, for axonal survival and sustenance), are unknown. We have counted axons and Schwann cells in both ends of the L7 ventral root in young kittens and made the following observations. (1) The total number of axons detectable in the root increased throughout the range of investigated ages. (2) The number of myelinated axons was similar in the root's proximal and distal ends. The increased number of unmyelinated axons with age is thus due to increased numbers of small unmyelinated axons. (3) The number of separated large probably promyelin axons was about the same in the proximal and distal ends of the root. (4) Schwann cells appeared to undergo redistribution, from myelinated to unmyelinated axons. (5) During redistribution of Schwann cells they first appear as aberrant Schwann cells and then become endoneurial X‐cells temporarily free of axonal contact. We hypothesize that unmyelinated axons invade the ventral root from its distal end, that this ingrowth is particularly intense during the first postnatal month and that disengaged Schwann cells, eliminated from myelinated motoneuron axons, provide the ingrowing axons with structural and trophic support.
The outcome of dimethylglyoxime testing in a sample of cell phones in Denmark
Authors: Thyssen Jacob Pontoppidan , Johansen Jeanne D. , Zachariae Claus , Menné Torkil 
Published: June 2008

Background:  Nickel dermatitis may be caused by frequent and prolonged use of cell phones. Because little is known about the frequency of nickel release from cell phones, it is difficult to estimate the risk of nickel sensitization and dermatitis among their users.Objective:  Inspired by a recent case of nickel dermatitis from prolonged cell phone use, the frequency of dimethylglyoxime (DMG)‐positive cell phones on the Danish market was investigated.Methods:  Five major cell phone companies were contacted. Two were visited, and the DMG test was performed on a sample of their products.Results:  5 of 15 (33.3%) phones from company A and 3 of 26 (11.5%) phones from company B showed at least 1 positive reaction. 3 phones had more than 1 positive DMG spots.Conclusions:  This study documents that excessive nickel release (i.e. a positive DMG test) is relatively frequent in a sample of cell phones from the Danish market. Prolonged use of cell phones may in some cases fulfil the criteria for items included in the European Union Nickel Directive. We believe that this new cause of nickel dermatitis should be carefully followed and that regulatory steps may be necessary.
Decreasing trends in methyldibromo glutaronitrile contact allergy – following regulatory intervention
Authors: Johansen Jeanne D , Veien Niels , Laurberg Grete , Avnstorp Christian , Kaaber Knud , Andersen Klaus E , Paulsen Evy , Sommerlund Mette , Thormann Jens , Nielsen Niels H , Vissing Susanne , Kristensen Ove , Kristensen Berit , Agner Tove , Menné Torkil 
Published: June 2008

Background:  The preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) has been banned, first from stay‐on, and later from rinse‐off cosmetics, in the EU countries because of increasing rates of contact allergy.Objectives:  To evaluate the frequency of contact allergy to MDBGN among patients patch tested by the Danish Contact Dermatitis Group just before and following regulatory decisions.Patients/Methods:  The data set comprised 19 279 consecutive eczema patients patch tested from 2003–2007 with MDBGN 0.3% in petrolatum (pet.) or, in a minority of patients, with Euxyl K™ 400 1.5% in pet.Results:  A significantly decreasing trend in the frequency of positive patch tests to MDBGN was found from 4.6% in 2003 to 2.6% in 2007 (P < 0.001). The decreasing trend was seen for both men and women. A significantly decreasing proportion of cases with a current relevance of contact allergy to MDBGN was also seen from 51.3% in 2003 to 29% in 2007 (P < 0.001).Conclusions:  Regulatory interventions have already had a major effect on allergic disease due to MDBGN in Denmark. The same trends are likely to be seen in other EU countries.
Angiogenesis and cell proliferation in nasal polyposis
Authors: Ahmed S.K. , Williams J.L. , Drake‐Lee A. , Egginton S. 
Published: June 2008

Objectives.  Nasal polyposis has been proposed to be an angiogenic disorder. The aim of this study was to quantify the extent and type of angiogenesis in nasal polyposis.Method.  Polyp and inferior turbinate biopsies were taken from each side of patients with bilateral polyposis. External control samples were taken from patients undergoing routine septorhinoplasty. None of the patients had any history of asthma, allergy or aspirin sensitivity. One set of samples was snap frozen, cryosectioned, and stained using fluorescent lectins (stains capillaries), Ki67 (stains proliferating nuclei) and DAPI (stains all nuclei). Capillary density, capillary associated proliferation indices, epithelial proliferation indices and stromal proliferation indices were all measured. Parallel sections were also stained for apoptosis using TUNEL staining. A second set of samples were formalin‐fixed and immersion stained for capillaries, then analysed in multiple orientations using confocal microscopy. Capillary fractional area, surface area, surface to volume ratio and mean diameter were measured.Results.  There was no significant change from controls in capillary density, capillary‐associated proliferation, capillary fractional area, surface area or surface to volume ratio. Increases in stromal proliferation and apoptosis were seen in polyp samples.Conclusions.  None of the commonly used measures of angiogenesis showed evidence of angiogenesis occurring in the polyp beyond that required for normal tissue growth. The architecture of the capillary bed is identical to the inferior turbinate tissue, hence angiogenesis is not a driving force in nasal polyposis. The previously reported presence of pro‐angiogenic growth factors may be involved in stromal proliferation and cell turnover.
The development of upper airway mucosal immune architecture depends on peri‐natal bacterial colonisation
Authors: Birchall M. , Inman C. , Laycock G. , Sait L. , Vandeimen P. , Rees L. , Cogan T. , Phillips A. , Burt R.I. , Mitchard L. , Ayling S.M. , Stokes C. , Humphrey T. , Stevens M. , Bailey M. 
Published: June 2008

Background.  Mucosal immunity is incomplete at birth1,2 and may depend early exposure to bacteria.Objectives.  Determine how early neonatal exposure to bacteria alters leukocytes in mammalian upper airways.Method.  Five sows were delivered by Caesarean section into a sterile tent. Group A (n = 9) was maintained germ‐free. Others were colonised with Schaedler flora plus Staphylococcus (Group B, n = 6) or Bacillus (Group C, n = 5). In group A, two animals were killed at birth and two at 14 days. Remaining animals were killed at a median 24 days. CD4 (helper T‐cells), MHC II (monocytic cells) and CD16 (monocyte activation) expression was measured in upper airway mucosa by quantitative immunofluorescence histology.Results.  CD4+ cells were rare in Group A, but increased significantly in colonised animals (GpB P = 0.004, GpC P = 0.018). In Group A, MHC II and CD16 expression was low and unaltered by age. Group B exhibited a significant increase in both antigens compared to Group A (MHC II P = 0.002; CD16 P = 0.017). Although higher, levels in Group C were statistically similar to Group A (MHC II P = 0.76, cd16 P = 0.883). There was significantly less co‐localisation of CD4+ cells with myeloid cells in Group A (P < 0.05).Conclusions.  Normal development of upper airway mucosal immune architecture is dependent on the presence and content of its bacterial flora. Flora containing (aerobic) staphylococcus results in significantly greater acquisition of helper T‐cells and myeloid cells than that containing (anaerobic) Bacillus. There is evidence that the bacteria also affect the functional interaction between T‐cells and myeloid cells in the upper airway.References. 1 (2007) Vet. immunol. immunopathol. 119, 243–2532 (2005) Dev. comp. immunol. 29, 977–987
Pharmacologic suppression of MITF expression via HDAC inhibitors in the melanocyte lineage
Authors: Yokoyama Satoru , Feige Erez , Poling Laura L. , Levy Carmit , Widlund Hans R. , Khaled Mehdi , Kung Andrew L. , Fisher David E. 
Published: June 2008

SummaryMelanoma incidence continues to rise at an alarming rate while effective systemic therapies remain very limited. Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is required for development of melanocytes and is an amplified oncogene in a fraction of human melanomas. Microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor also plays an oncogenic role in human clear cell sarcomas, which typically exhibit melanoma‐like features. Although pharmacologic suppression of MITF is of potential interest in a variety of clinical settings, it is not known to contain intrinsic catalytic activity capable of direct small molecule inhibition. An alternative drug‐targeting strategy is to identify and interfere with lineage‐restricted mechanisms required for its expression. Here, we report that multiple histone deacetylase (HDAC)‐inhibitor drugs potently suppress MITF expression in melanocytes, melanoma and clear cell sarcoma cells. Although HDAC inhibitors may affect numerous cellular targets, we observed suppression of skin pigmentation by topical drug application as well as evidence of anti‐melanoma efficacy in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Consequently, HDAC inhibitor drugs are candidates to play therapeutic roles in targeting conditions affecting the melanocyte lineage.
Iris phenotypes and pigment dispersion caused by genes influencing pigmentation
Authors: Anderson Michael G. , Hawes Norman L. , Trantow Colleen M. , Chang Bo , John Simon W.M. 
Published: June 2008

SummarySpontaneous mutations altering mouse coat colors have been a classic resource for discovery of numerous molecular pathways. Although often overlooked, the mouse iris is also densely pigmented and easily observed, thus representing a similarly powerful opportunity for studying pigment cell biology. Here, we present an analysis of iris phenotypes among 16 mouse strains with mutations influencing melanosomes. Many of these strains exhibit biologically and medically relevant phenotypes, including pigment dispersion, a common feature of several human ocular diseases. Pigment dispersion was identified in several strains with mutant alleles known to influence melanosomes, including beige, light, and vitiligo. Pigment dispersion was also detected in the recently arising spontaneous coat color variant, nm2798. We have identified the nm2798 mutation as a missense mutation in the Dct gene, an identical re‐occurrence of the slaty light mutation. These results suggest that dysregulated events of melanosomes can be potent contributors to the pigment dispersion phenotype. Combined, these findings illustrate the utility of studying iris phenotypes as a means of discovering new pathways, and re‐linking old ones, to processes of pigmented cells in health and disease.
Induction of a Specific Strong Polyantigenic Cellular Immune Response after Short-Term Chemotherapy Controls Bacillary Reactivation in Murine and Guinea Pig Experimental Models of Tuberculosis
Authors: Guirado Evelyn , Gil Olga , Cáceres Neus , Singh Mahavir , Vilaplana Cristina , Cardona Pere-Joan 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTRUTI is a therapeutic vaccine that is generated from detoxified and liposomedMycobacterium tuberculosiscell fragments that has demonstrated its efficacy in the control of bacillus reactivation after short-term chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to characterize the cellular immune response generated after the therapeutic administration of RUTI and to corroborate the lack of toxicity of the vaccine. Mouse and guinea pig experimental models were infected with a low-doseM. tuberculosisaerosol. RUTI-treated animals showed the lowest bacillary load in both experimental models. RUTI also decreased the percentage of pulmonary granulomatous infiltration in the mouse and guinea pig models. This was not the case afterMycobacterium bovisBCG treatment. Cellular immunity was studied through the characterization of the intracellular gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing cells after the splenocytes' stimulation withM. tuberculosis-specific structural and growth-related antigens. Our data show that the difference between the therapeutic administration of BCG and RUTI resides mainly in the stronger activation of IFN-γ+CD4+cells and CD8+cells against tuberculin purified protein derivative, ESAT-6, and Ag85B that RUTI generates. Both vaccines also triggered a specific immune response against theM. tuberculosisstructural antigens Ag16kDa and Ag38kDa and a marked mRNA expression of IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-12, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and RANTES in the lung. The results show that RUTI's therapeutic effect is linked not only to the induction of a Th1 response but also to the stimulation of a quicker and stronger specific immunity against structural and growth-related antigens that reduces both the bacillary load and the pulmonary pathology.
Characterization of Clonal Relatedness among the Natural Population of
Staphylococcus aureus
Strains by Using
spa
Sequence Typing and the BURP (Based upon Repeat Patterns) Algorithm
Authors: Mellmann Alexander , Weniger Thomas , Berssenbrügge Christoph , Keckevoet Ursula , Friedrich Alexander W. , Harmsen Dag , Grundmann Hajo 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the BURP (based upon repeat patterns) algorithm, which relies on sequencing of the
Staphylococcus aureus
protein A gene (
spa
), for its ability to infer clonal relatedness within a population of 110 wild-type strains. BURP clustering of the resulting 66
spa
types was highly concordant with multilocus sequence typing (96.5% concordance) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (94.9%).
Phenotypic and Molecular Characterization ofAcinetobacter baumanniiClinical Isolates from Nosocomial Outbreaks in Los Angeles County, California
Authors: Valentine Sonya C. , Contreras Deisy , Tan Stephanie , Real Lilian J. , Chu Sheena , Xu H. Howard 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTMultidrug-resistantAcinetobacter baumanniistrains have increasingly resulted in nosocomial outbreaks worldwide, leaving limited options for treatment. To date, little has been reported on the antimicrobial susceptibilities and genomic profiles ofA. baumanniistrains from hospital outbreaks in the Greater Los Angeles area. In this study, we examined the susceptibilities and genetic profiles of 20 nonduplicate isolates ofA. baumanniifrom nosocomial outbreaks in Los Angeles County (LAC) and determined their mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance. Antibiotic susceptibility testing indicated that the majority of these LAC isolates were not susceptible to 14 of the 17 antibiotics tested, with the exception of doxycycline, minocycline, and tigecycline. In particular, all isolates were found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin. Genomic DNA analysis revealed eight epidemiologically distinct groups among these 20A. baumanniiisolates, consistent with antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Sequencing analysis confirmed that concurrent GyrA and ParC amino acid substitutions in the “hot spots” of their respective quinolone resistance-determining regions were primarily responsible for the high-level ciprofloxacin resistance of these isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility testing using two efflux pump inhibitors suggested that the presence of efflux pumps was only a secondary contributor to ciprofloxacin resistance for some of the isolates. In summary, the present study has revealed good correlation between the antibiotic susceptibility profiles and genetic fingerprints of 20 clinical isolates from nosocomial outbreaks in Los Angeles County and has determined their mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance, providing an important foundation for continued surveillance and epidemiological analyses of emergingA. baumanniiisolates in Los Angeles County hospitals.
Evaluation of StrepB Carrot Broth versus Lim Broth for Detection of Group B Streptococcus Colonization Status of Near-Term Pregnant Women
Authors: Church D. L. , Baxter Heather , Lloyd Tracie , Miller Beverley , Elsayed Sameer 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT
The performance of StrepB Carrot Broth (SCB) versus group B Lim broth (LIM) for detection of group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization status in near-term pregnant women (35 to 37 weeks of gestation) was evaluated. Dually collected vaginal/rectal swabs from 279 women enrolled from a single large maternity clinic were analyzed. Fifty (18%) women were colonized by GBS according to both methods. SCB had excellent diagnostic performance compared to LIM, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 92%, 100%, 100%, and 98.3%, respectively. Improved diagnostic efficiency due to direct reporting of GBS cases based on an orange color change in the SCB decreased overall labor and material costs.