bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic treatment with bromocriptine modifies metabolic adjustments in response to restraint stress in rats
Authors: Balthazar C. H. , Ribeiro Oliveira A. , Marubayashi U. , Dos Reis A. M. , Coimbra C. C. 
Published: March 2007

Summary 1 We investigated the influence of bromocriptine (BR) chronic treatment in the autonomic adjustments to energetic metabolism during restraint stress (RS). To achieve this, Wistar male rats were chronically treated with BR before the application of RS. The rats were divided into two groups: those treated with BR and control rats, treated with saline. 2 Chronic treatment with BR did not affect rat growth and induced a 20% higher basal plasma glucose concentration. During RS, BR rats presented higher plasma glucose concentrations than the control animals. Despite this, the 30‐min analysis of the areas under the glucose curve showed that the control rats presented a hyperglycemic response to RS two‐fold greater than the BR rats. 3 RS induced an increase in plasma lactate concentration in both groups of rats; however, the 30‐min analyses under the lactate curves showed that BR rats presented a lactate response to RS three times higher than control rats. 4 RS induced an increase in plasma free fatty acids (FFA) concentration in both groups; however, plasma FFA concentration of BR rats returned to the basal values at the end of RS. In contrast, in the control group, this concentration continued to rise until the end of RS. 5 The results showed that BR chronic treatment shifts the balance of substrate utilization in response to RS, suggesting that the essential role of lactate in the metabolism homeostasis may be altered by chronic BR treatment.
Clinical benefits of ultrapure dialysis fluid for hemodialysis
Authors: LEDEBO Ingrid 
Published: March 2007

AbstractUltrapure dialysis fluid contains less than 0.1 CFU/mL and 0.03 EU/mL and can be prepared by ultrafiltration of standard‐quality dialysis fluid. Today, the use of ultrapure dialysis fluid is widely recommended based on our awareness of potential transfer of bacterial products across dialysis membranes. Early observations associated improved fluid quality with reduced incidence of the carpal tunnel syndrome, but provided no proof of mechanism. Recent clinical studies in hemodialysis patients have shown that the introduction of ultrapure dialysis fluid brings about significant improvements in a number of inflammation‐related parameters. Levels of C‐reactive protein and IL‐6 are reduced, anemia management is achieved using less EPO or reaching higher hemoglobin levels, nutritional indices are improved, and β2‐microglobulin levels have been observed to decline, when ultrapure dialysis fluid is used in comparison with standard‐quality fluid. In addition, some studies have documented reduced levels of advanced glycation end products and delayed decline of residual renal function in patients using ultrapure dialysis fluid. Although further evidence is needed before we can assess the long‐term benefits associated with improved fluid quality, there should be sufficient data available today to support our efforts toward gradual improvement of the microbiological quality of dialysis fluid.
The extracorporeal circuit: Materials, problems, and solutions
Authors: HOENICH Nicholas 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe extracorporeal circuit in hemodialysis and related therapies facilitates passage of blood to and from the patient and forms an integral link with the safety systems of the proportioning system. Historically, elements of the circuit were subject to problems such as spallation introduced by the blood pump and plasticizer from the tubing sets leaching into the blood. Many of these early issues have been largely resolved, although there is still potential for further improvement and innovation. The introduction of such improvements and innovations into clinical practice is critically dependent upon their cost and benefit to patient and renal unit staff.
The stereochemistry of benzo[a]pyrene‐2′‐deoxyguanosine adducts affects DNA methylation by SssI and HhaI DNA methyltransferases
Authors: Subach Oksana M. , Maltseva Diana V. , Shastry Anant , Kolbanovskiy Alexander , Klimašauskas Saulius , Geacintov Nicholas E. , Gromova Elizaveta S. 
Published: March 2007

The biologically most significant genotoxic metabolite of the environmental pollutant benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), (+)‐7R,8S‐diol 9S,10R‐epoxide, reacts chemically with guanine in DNA, resulting in the predominant formation of (+)‐trans‐B[a]P‐N2‐dG and, to a lesser extent, (+)‐cis‐B[a]P‐N2‐dG adducts. Here, we compare the effects of the adduct stereochemistry and conformation on the methylation of cytosine catalyzed by two purified prokaryotic DNA methyltransferases (MTases), SssI and HhaI, with the lesions positioned within or adjacent to their CG and GCGC recognition sites, respectively. The fluorescence properties of the pyrenyl residues of the (+)‐cis‐B[a]P‐N2‐dG and (+)‐trans‐B[a]P‐N2‐dG adducts in complexes with MTases are enhanced, but to different extents, indicating that aromatic B[a]P residues are positioned in different microenvironments in the DNA–protein complexes. We have previously shown that the (+)‐trans‐isomeric adduct inhibits both the binding and methylating efficiencies (kcat) of both MTases [Subach OM, Baskunov VB, Darii MV, Maltseva DV, Alexandrov DA, Kirsanova OV, Kolbanovskiy A, Kolbanovskiy M, Johnson F, Bonala R, et al. (2006) Biochemistry45, 6142–6159]. Here we show that the stereoisomeric (+)‐cis‐B[a]P‐N2‐dG lesion has only a minimal effect on the binding of these MTases and on kcat. The minor‐groove (+)‐trans adduct interferes with the formation of the normal DNA minor‐groove contacts with the catalytic loop of the MTases. However, the intercalated base‐displaced (+)‐cis adduct does not interfere with the minor‐groove DNA–catalytic loop contacts, allowing near‐normal binding of the MTases and undiminished kcat values.
On the Mechanism of Coronary Vasodilation Induced by Angiotensin‐(1–7) in the Isolated Guinea Pig Heart
Authors: Kozlovski Valery I. , Lomnicka Magdalena , Fedorowicz Andrzej , Chlopicki Stefan 
Published: March 2007

Abstract: Various mechanisms have been postulated to be involved in angiotensin‐(1–7)‐induced endothelium‐dependent vasodilation. Here, we characterized the vasodilator action of angiotensin‐(1–7) in the isolated guinea pig heart. Angiotensin‐(1–7) (1–10 nmol, bolus) induced dose‐dependent increase in the coronary flow. The coronary vasodilation induced by angiotensin‐(1–7) was significantly reduced by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, L‐NG‐nitroarginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) (100 µM) and abolished by a B2receptor antagonist, icatibant (100 nM). Coronary vasodilation induced by bradykinin (3 pmol, bolus) was inhibited by L‐NAME and icatibant to similar extent as that induced by angiotensin‐(1–7). Neither the selective AT2angiotensin receptor antagonist, PD123319 (1 µM), nor the antagonist of a putative angiotensin‐(1–7) receptors, [D‐alanine‐7]‐angiotensin‐(1–7) (A‐779, 1 µM), influenced the response to angiotensin‐(1–7). In conclusion, in the isolated guinea pig heart angiotensin‐(1–7) induces coronary vasodilation that is mediated by endogenous bradykinin and subsequent stimulation of nitric oxide release through endothelial B2receptors. In contrast to other vascular beds, AT2angiotensin receptors and specific angiotensin‐(1–7) receptors do not appear involved in angiotensin‐(1–7)‐induced coronary vasodilation in the isolated guinea pig heart.
Lycopene, a Carotenoid, Attenuates Cyclosporine‐Induced Renal Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress in Rats
Authors: Ateşşahin Ahmet , Çeribaşı Ali Osman , Yılmaz Seval 
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of antioxidant treatment with lycopene on cyclosporine A‐induced nephrotoxicity using biochemical and histopatological approaches. Adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received physiological saline; animals in the lycopene group received only lycopene (10 mg/kg); animals in the cyclosporine A group received only cyclosporine A (15 mg/kg) and animals in cyclosporine plus lycopene group received cyclosporine and lycopene for 21 days. The effects of lycopene on cyclosporine A‐induced nephrotoxicity were evaluated by plasma creatinine, urea, sodium and calcium concentrations; kidney tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive species, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and catalase activities and histopatological examinations. Administration of cyclosporine A to rats induced a marked renal failure, characterized with a significant increase in plasma creatinine and urea concentrations. Cyclosporine A also induced oxidative stress as indicated by increased kidney tissue concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive species and GSH, and reduced activities of GSH‐Px and catalase. Moreover, the kidneys of cyclosporine A‐treated rats showed tubular necrosis, degeneration, dilatation, thickened basement membranes, luminal cast formation and inter‐tubular fibrosis. Lycopene markedly reduced elevated plasma creatinine, urea levels and counteracted the deleterious effects of cyclosporine A on oxidative stress markers. In addition, lycopene ameliorated cyclosporine A‐induced pathological changes including tubular necrosis, degeneration, thickened basement membranes and inter‐tubular fibrosis when compared to the alone cyclosporine A group. These data indicate that the natural antioxidant lycopene might have protective effect against cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.
Antipropionibacterial Activity of BAL19403, a Novel Macrolide Antibiotic
Authors: Heller Stefanie , Kellenberger Laurenz , Shapiro Stuart 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

BAL19403 exemplifies a new family of macrolide antibiotics with excellent in vitro activity against propionibacteria. MICs indicated that BAL19403 was very active against erythromycin-resistant and clindamycin-resistant propionibacteria with mutations in the region from positions 2057 to 2059 (
Escherichia coli
numbering) of the 23S rRNA, although it is less active against those rare clinical isolates in which a methyltransferase, ErmX, confers macrolide and lincosamide resistance by dimethylation of the adenine moiety at position 2058. BAL19403 was predominantly bacteriostatic toward the propionibacteria, and population analyses indicated resistance selection frequencies for BAL19403 and the comparator drugs (erythromycin, clindamycin) in the range 10
−8
to 10
−9
for cutaneous propionibacteria with diverse antibiotic resistance profiles. On the basis of its antipropionibacterial activity and its high anti-inflammatory activity, BAL19403 represents a promising topical treatment for mild to moderate inflammatory acne vulgaris.
Colistin Is Effective in Treatment of Infections Caused by Multidrug-Resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in Cancer Patients
Authors: Hachem Ray Y. , Chemaly Roy F. , Ahmar Corine A. , Jiang Ying , Boktour Maha R. , Rjaili Georges Abou , Bodey Gerald P. , Raad Issam I. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

The increasing incidence of infections caused by multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a worldwide health problem. Because no new antipseudomonal agents are expected to be available in the near future, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of colistin, an old drug with bactericidal activity against this organism. We collected clinical and demographic data on 95 cancer patients diagnosed with infections caused by multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
between January 2001 and January 2004 and treated with either colistin (colistin group) or at least one active antipseudomonal agent (a beta-lactam antibiotic or a quinolone) (control group). We compared the results obtained for both groups. Thirty-one patients had been treated with colistin and 64 had been treated with an antipseudomonal non-colistin-containing regimen. Compared with the control group, patients in the colistin group had a lower median age (52 and 62 years, respectively;
P
= 0.012) but were more likely to have had nosocomial infections (87% and 64%, respectively;
P
= 0.02). Twenty-five patients (81%) in the colistin group and 40 patients (63%) in the control group had an APACHE II score of >15 (
P
= 0.074). The overall clinical response rates were 52% in the colistin group and 31% in the control group (
P
= 0.055). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that those patients treated with colistin were 2.9 times (95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 7.6 times) more likely than those in the control group to experience a clinical response to therapy (
P
= 0.026). Colistin therapy was at least as effective and as safe a beta-lactam antibiotic or a quinolone in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant
P. aeruginosa
and, hence, may be a useful or preferred alternative therapy for this infection in cancer patients.
Phage Therapy of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Infection in a Mouse Burn Wound Model
Authors: McVay Catherine S. , Velásquez Marisela , Fralick Joe A. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Mice compromised by a burn wound injury and subjected to a fatal infection with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
were administered a single dose of a
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
phage cocktail consisting of three different
P. aeruginosa
phages by three different routes: the intramuscular (i.m.), subcutaneous (s.c.), or intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. The results of these studies indicated that a single dose of the
P. aeruginosa
phage cocktail could significantly decrease the mortality of thermally injured,
P. aeruginosa
-infected mice (from 6% survival without treatment to 22 to 87% survival with treatment) and that the route of administration was particularly important to the efficacy of the treatment, with the i.p. route providing the most significant (87%) protection. The pharmacokinetics of phage delivery to the blood, spleen, and liver suggested that the phages administered by the i.p. route were delivered at a higher dose, were delivered earlier, and were delivered for a more sustained period of time than the phages administered by the i.m. or s.c. route, which may explain the differences in the efficacies of these three different routes of administration.
Improved Assessment of
Plasmodium vivax
Response to Antimalarial Drugs by a Colorimetric Double-Site
Plasmodium
Lactate Dehydrogenase Antigen Capture Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Authors: Druilhe Pierre , Brasseur Philippe , Blanc Catherine , Makler Michael 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

The occurrence of
Plasmodium vivax
resistance to chloroquine has been reported in several countries of Asia and South America. However, the resistance of
P. vivax
is insufficiently documented for three reasons: it has received far less attention than
P. falciparum
; in vivo investigations are handicapped by the existence of hypnozoites, which make it difficult to distinguish between recrudescences due to drug failure and relapses due to dormant forms in the liver; and in vitro studies are greatly limited by the poor growth of
P. vivax
. We report on the adaptation to
P. vivax
of a colorimetric double-site
Plasmodium
lactate dehydrogenase antigen capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay previously developed for
P. falciparum
. The assay proved remarkably sensitive, as under optimal conditions it could detect
P. vivax
parasitemia levels as low as 10
−8
. The technique, which relies on the detection of protein synthesis by the parasite, yielded steep drug-response curves, leading to the precise determination of the 50% inhibitory concentrations for a high proportion of isolates. Chloroquine-resistant parasites were identified in an area where this phenomenon had been documented by in vivo methods. Thus, the results indicate that the in vitro susceptibility of
P. vivax
can now be monitored easily and efficiently. The data suggest that the threshold of resistance is similar to that of
P. falciparum
, i.e., in the range of 100 nM for chloroquine and 15 nM for pyronaridine. However, further studies are required to precisely define the cutoff for resistance and the sensitivity to each drug.
External Guide Sequences Targeting the
aac(6′)-Ib
mRNA Induce Inhibition of Amikacin Resistance
Authors: Bistué Alfonso J. C. Soler , Ha Hongphuc , Sarno Renee , Don Michelle , Zorreguieta Angeles , Tolmasky Marcelo E. 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

The dissemination of AAC(6′)-I-type acetyltransferases have rendered amikacin and other aminoglycosides all but useless in some parts of the world. Antisense technologies could be an alternative to extend the life of these antibiotics. External guide sequences are short antisense oligoribonucleotides that induce RNase P-mediated cleavage of a target RNA by forming a precursor tRNA-like complex. Thirteen-nucleotide external guide sequences complementary to locations within five regions accessible for interaction with antisense oligonucleotides in the mRNA that encodes AAC(6′)-Ib were analyzed. While small variations in the location targeted by different external guide sequences resulted in big changes in efficiency of binding to native
aac(6′)-Ib
mRNA, most of them induced high levels of RNase P-mediated cleavage in vitro. Recombinant plasmids coding for selected external guide sequences were introduced into
Escherichia coli
harboring
aac(6′)-Ib
, and the transformant strains were tested to determine their resistance to amikacin. The two external guide sequences that showed the strongest binding efficiency to the mRNA in vitro, EGSC3 and EGSA2, interfered with expression of the resistance phenotype at different degrees. Growth curve experiments showed that
E. coli
cells harboring a plasmid coding for EGSC3, the external guide sequence with the highest mRNA binding affinity in vitro, did not grow for at least 300 min in the presence of 15 μg of amikacin/ml. EGSA2, which had a lower mRNA-binding affinity in vitro than EGSC3, inhibited the expression of amikacin resistance at a lesser level; growth of
E. coli
harboring a plasmid coding for EGSA2, in the presence of 15 μg of amikacin/ml was undetectable for 200 min but reached an optical density at 600 nm of 0.5 after 5 h of incubation. Our results indicate that the use of external guide sequences could be a viable strategy to preserve the efficacy of amikacin.
Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Bloodstream Infections Caused by Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing
Enterobacteriaceae
: Importance of Inadequate Initial Antimicrobial Treatment
Authors: Tumbarello Mario , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Montuori Eva , Trecarichi Enrico M. , Posteraro Brunella , Fiori Barbara , Citton Rita , D'Inzeo Tiziana , Fadda Giovanni , Cauda Roberto , Spanu Teresa 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACT

Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms markedly increase the rates of treatment failure and death. We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to identify risk factors for mortality in adult in-patients with BSI caused by ESBL-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(ESBL-BSI). Particular attention was focused on defining the impact on the mortality of inadequate initial antimicrobial therapy (defined as the initiation of treatment with active antimicrobial agents >72 h after collection of the first positive blood culture). A total of 186 patients with ESBL-BSI caused by
Escherichia coli
(
n
= 104),
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(
n
= 58), or
Proteus mirabilis
(
n
= 24) were identified by our microbiology laboratory from 1 January 1999 through 31 December 2004. The overall 21-day mortality rate was 38.2% (71 of 186). In multivariate analysis, significant predictors of mortality were inadequate initial antimicrobial therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 6.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.18 to 12.42;
P
< 0.001) and unidentified primary infection site (OR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.38 to 5.27;
P
= 0.004). The inadequately treated patients (89 of 186 [47.8%]) had a threefold increase in mortality compared to the adequately treated group (59.5% versus 18.5%; OR = 2.38; 95% CI = 1.76 to 3.22;
P
< 0.001). The regimens most commonly classified as inadequate were based on oxyimino cephalosporin or fluoroquinolone therapy. Prompt initiation of effective antimicrobial treatment is essential in patients with ESBL-BSI, and empirical decisions must be based on a sound knowledge of the local distribution of pathogens and their susceptibility patterns.
Is Interleukin-4δ3 Splice Variant Expression in Bovine Tuberculosis a Marker of Protective Immunity?
Authors: Rhodes Shelley G. , Sawyer Jason , Whelan Adam O. , Dean Gillian S. , Coad Michael , Ewer Katie J. , Waldvogel Andreas S. , Zakher Anthony , Clifford Derek J. , Hewinson R. Glyn , Vordermeier H. Martin 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTSplice variants of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) cytokine gene have been described for humans, mice, and cattle. IL-4 splice variants have been shown to inhibit IL-4-mediated cellular responses and thus act as IL-4 antagonists. Recent work has highlighted the possibility of a correlation between IL-4 splice variants and protection against clinical tuberculosis. In this study we investigated the potential role of IL-4 splice variants IL-4δ2 and IL-4δ3 in cattle with bovine tuberculosis, using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR. For this analysis we used naturally exposed tuberculin skin test-positive field reactor cattle, uninfected control cattle, and cattle from two experimental models of protective immunity againstMycobacterium bovis: (i) vaccination withM. bovisBCG and challenge with virulentM. bovisand (ii) infection withM. bovisand treatment with isoniazid (INH) prior to rechallenge. The cytokine levels of field reactor cattle were compared to the levels of uninfected controls, while in kinetic studies of BCG vaccination and INH treatment we compared pre-experimental values with sequential samples for each individual animal. The data revealed a significant increase in IL-4δ3 mRNA expression in field reactor cattle, which had no visible pathology compared to cattle with gross pathology typical of bovine tuberculosis. Increased IL-4δ3 expression in both cattle models of protective immunity (BCG vaccination and INH treatment) was transient over time, reaching significance in the INH treatment model. Our results support the hypothesis that IL-4δ3 is involved in protective immunity againstM. bovisinfection in cattle and are in accordance with clinical studies that have suggested a role for IL-4 splice variants in protective immunity in tuberculosis.