bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐12‐ and interferon‐γ‐mediated natural killer cell activation by Agaricus blazei Murill
Authors: Yuminamochi Eri , Koike Taisuke , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Horiuchi Isao , Okumura Ko 
Published: March 2007

SummaryDried fruiting bodies of Agaricus blazei Murill (A. blazei) and its extracts have generally used as complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). Here, we report that the oral administration of A. blazei augmented cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells in wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6, C3H/HeJ, and BALB/c mice. Augmented cytotoxicity was demonstrated by purified NK cells from treated wild‐type (WT) and RAG‐2‐deficient mice, but not from interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) deficient mice. NK cell activation and IFN‐γ production was also observed in vitro when dendritic cell (DC)‐rich splenocytes of WT mice were coincubation with an extract of A. blazei. Both parameters were largely inhibited by neutralizing anti‐interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) monoclonal antibody (mAb) and completely inhibited when anti‐IL‐12 mAb and anti‐IL‐18 mAb were used in combination. An aqueous extract of the hemicellulase‐digested compound of A. blazei particle; (ABPC) induced IFN‐γ production more effectively, and this was completely inhibited by anti‐IL‐12 mAb alone. NK cell cytotoxicty was augmented with the same extracts, again in an IL‐12 and IFN‐γ‐dependent manner. These results clearly demonstrated that A. blazei and ABPC augmented NK cell activation through IL‐12‐mediated IFN‐γ production.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat‐shock protein 70 impairs maturation of dendritic cells from bone marrow precursors, induces interleukin‐10 production and inhibits T‐cell proliferation in vitro
Authors: Motta Adriana , Schmitz Carla , Rodrigues Luiz , Ribeiro Flávia , Teixeira Cesar , Detanico Thiago , Bonan Carla , Zwickey Heather , Bonorino Cristina 
Published: March 2007

SummaryIn different inflammatory disease models, heat‐shock proteins (hsp) and hsp‐derived peptides have been demonstrated to possess anti‐inflammatory properties. While some studies have shown that hsp can directly interact with antigen‐presenting cells, others report that bacterial hsp can induce specific T cells with regulatory phenotypes. Effective characterization of the immunomodulatory effects of hsp 70, however, has historically been confounded by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contamination. In this study, we compared the effects of LPS‐free Mycobacterial tuberculosis hsp 70 (TBhsp70) and its possible contaminants on dendritic cells (DC). We demonstrate herein that LPS‐free TBhsp70 inhibits murine DC maturation in vitro, while LPS‐contaminated TBhsp70 induces DC maturation. Mock recombinant preparations have no effect. In contrast to LPS, TBhsp70 does not induce tumour necrosis factor‐α production by DC, but interleukin‐10. In vivo, only LPS‐contaminated TBhsp70 induces up‐regulation of CD86 in splenic mature DC. Finally, TBhsp70 inhibited phytohaemagglutinin‐induced T‐cell proliferation. Our results support the hypothesis that TBhsp70 does not have inflammatory potential, but rather has immunosuppressive properties.
Clinical amelioration of murine lupus by a peptide based on the complementarity determining region‐1 of an autoantibody and by cyclophosphamide: similarities and differences in the mechanisms of action
Authors: Sharabi Amir , Azulai Hava , Sthoeger Zev M. , Mozes Edna 
Published: March 2007

SummarySystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies and systemic clinical manifestations. In this study we investigated the beneficial effects on murine lupus accomplished by a peptide based on the sequence of the complementarity‐determining region 1 of an anti‐DNA autoantibody (hCDR1) when given alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide (CYC), and determined the mechanisms underlying those effects. SLE‐afflicted (NZB × NZW) F1 mice were treated for 12 weeks with injections of hCDR1, CYC or a combination of both drugs. We found that hCDR1 and CYC ameliorated serological and renal manifestations of the diseased mice, down‐regulated interferon‐γ and interleukin‐10, and up‐regulated transforming growth factor‐β. These effects were associated with an increment of naive CD4+ cells at the expense of the number of CD4+ cells with the memory/activated phenotype. Further, the number of CD8+ cells in the diseased mice was increased by the two drugs, resulting in a significant decrease in the CD4 : CD8 ratio. However, whereas the frequency and activity of CD4+ CD25+ CD45RBlow regulatory T cells and the expression of cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) in CD4+ cells were up‐regulated by hCDR1 treatment, they were minimally affected following treatment with CYC. CTLA‐4 played an important role in the activity of the hCDR1‐induced CD4+ CD25+ cells as manifested by down‐regulation of CD28 expression, decrease of activation‐induced apoptosis, and modulation of the cytokine profile in CD4+ CD25– cells derived from SLE‐afflicted mice. Thus, although the two drugs have similar ameliorative effects, hCDR1 but not CYC elicits regulatory pathways that are of importance for tolerance induction in SLE.
Histamine H4 receptor agonists have more activities than H4 agonism in antigen‐specific human T‐cell responses
Authors: Sugata Yuji , Okano Mitsuhiro , Fujiwara Tazuko , Matsumoto Rie , Hattori Hisashi , Yamamoto Miki , Nishibori Masahiro , Nishizaki Kazunori 
Published: March 2007

SummaryHistamine not only mediates immediate allergic reactions, it also regulates cellular immune responses. H4R is the most recently identified histamine receptor (HR). In the present study, we examined the in vitro effect of histamine and H4R agonists on the responses of human T cells to purified protein derivative from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD) and to Cry j1, the major allergen of Cryptomeria japonica pollen. Dimaprit, clobenpropit and clozapine, which are H4R agonists, dose‐dependently blocked both PPD‐induced interferon‐γ and Cry j1‐induced interleukin‐5 production by both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and antigen‐specific T‐cell lines. However, the addition of thioperamide, an H3R/H4R antagonist, as well as a mixture of d‐chlropheniramine, famotidine and thioperamide, did not reverse the inhibition. Pretreatment of PBMCs with SQ22536 and 8‐bromoadenosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphorothioate, Rp‐isomer, had varying abilities to reverse the inhibitory effects of H4R agonists, except for clobenpropit. Moreover, the addition of H4R agonists induced annexin‐V expression on PBMCs, especially in CD19+ and CD4+ cells. cDNA microarray analysis revealed that, among 16 600 genes tested, increased expression following treatment with clozapine was seen in 0·8% of the genes, whereas decreased expression was seen in 3·0% of the genes. These results suggest that H4R agonists inhibit antigen‐specific human T‐cell responses, although H4R does not appear to be important for this effect. In addition, the present study indicated that there may be orphan receptors or HR subtypes which can bind dimaprit, clobenpropit and clozapine, and that can exert an inhibitory effect on antigen‐specific cellular responses via a cAMP/cAMP‐dependent protein kinase‐dependent, apoptotic pathway.
Lost in the present but confident of the past: experiences of being in a psycho‐geriatric unit as narrated by persons with dementia
Authors: Edvardsson David , Nordvall Karin 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  To illuminate meanings of being in a psycho‐geriatric unit.Background.  There are known risks associated with moving persons with dementia from home to an institution, but little is known about how they experience being in psycho‐geriatric units.Method.  Using open‐ended research interviews, six persons with mild to severe dementia were asked to narrate about their experiences in the hospital. The interviews were interpreted using a phenomenological hermeneutical method of analysis.Results.  The comprehensive understanding of being in a psycho‐geriatric unit points towards an understanding of being lost in the present but confident of the past. The analysis showed that the participants appeared lost as they could not narrate where they were and why, but that they became confident when narrating about their previous life. The analysis also showed that being in the hospital meant sharing living space with strangers, invasions of private space and establishing new acquaintances. Being in the unit could also mean boredom and devaluation for participants. The interviews were interpreted in the light of narrative theory of identity: persons with dementia narrating about previous life experiences as to make claims of how to be interpreted by others; as persons instead of merely as ‘demented’ patients.Conclusions.  Experiences of care narrated by persons with dementia present meaningful and useful information that can provide feedback to inform care practice.Relevance to clinical practice.  Experiences of care from persons with dementia provide meaningful information about care and the doing and being of staff. Creating time for conversations with these persons may facilitate well‐being.
Patients’ self‐report of procedural pain in the intensive care unit
Authors: Siffleet Jo , Young Jeanne , Nikoletti Sue , Shaw Thérèse 
Published: March 2007

Aim.  To determine which routine nursing procedures performed on conscious intensive care unit (ICU) patients were painful and which routine procedures were not painful.Background.  Current empirical evidence supports that routine procedures are often not viewed in the context of causing pain to the critically ill patient. Given the complexity of illness and the need to prioritize care in ICU patients, clinicians may not consider routine procedures as causing pain. With patients in intensive care undergoing frequent routine procedures, greater understanding of which procedures inflict pain is warranted to improve patient care and inform and shape nursing practice.Design.  A prospective, descriptive study using a convenience sample of ICU patients was used.Methods.  Sixty‐one patients were asked to rate pain intensity experienced prior to and during a routine nursing procedure using a verbal numeric rating scale. The procedures observed were turning, tracheal suctioning, line removal, deep breathing and coughing exercises, simple dressings and drain removal.Results.  Results showed that certain routine procedures cause pain with significant differences observed between pre‐ and postprocedure pain scores for drain removal (p = 0·042), deep breathing and coughing exercises (p = 0·003), suctioning (p = 0·025), positional change (p = 0·000) and line removal (p = 0·010). A higher proportion of morphine was administered to those patients undergoing drain removal (50%), deep breathing and coughing exercises (38·5%) and turns (32·6%) but results show that <50% of patients actually received analgesia. Heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure all increased slightly postprocedure but were not found to be statistically significant.Conclusion.  Haemodynamic measures are not suitable indicators for the presence of pain. Nurses need to recognise that certain routine procedures can cause pain and should therefore plan patient care with this in mind.Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses need to recognise of the fact that routine procedures can cause pain and to use analgesia appropriately to minimize this pain. Practice guidelines should recommend that pain relieving measures be considered as part of routine procedural instructions. Analgesic prescription and administration could be improved for this patient group.
Supporting self‐care of patients following general abdominal surgery
Authors: Williams Bev 
Published: March 2007

Aims and Objectives.  To determine whether the information people receive following general abdominal surgery is sufficient for them to be able to care for themselves at home in the community.Background.  Health promotion is a consideration for individuals in all phases of health and illness but little is known about how best to promote health during hospitalization and in the transition from hospital to home in the community.Methods.  A self‐report questionnaire was used at the point of discharge and a telephone interview was conducted following discharge to determine the adequacy of discharge information received.Results.  Patients who received information on pain and wound management, activity, nutrition and complications generally felt that it was sufficient at the point of discharge and still felt informed up to three weeks following discharge. Up to 50% of patients did not receive information or received inaccurate formation. The majority of the patients who were given information about pain and wound management did not experience any concerns following discharge. However, many of the patients who did not receive information on pain and wound management experienced concerns that required them to make a non‐routine visit to a health care facility after discharge.Conclusion.  The findings emphasize the importance of nurses providing specific and accurate verbal and printed discharge information to all patients who have undergone abdominal surgery.Relevance to Clinical Practice.  Patients who receive accurate and relevant discharge information are less likely to access health care agencies following discharge. Practicing nurses need to ascertain patients’ information needs and nurse educators need to ensure that discharge teaching and self‐care are emphasized in undergraduate nursing curricula.
The Keele–Exeter young cluster survey – I. Low-mass pre-main-sequence stars in NGC 2169
Authors: Jeffries R. D. , Oliveira J. M. , Naylor Tim , Mayne N. J. , Littlefair S. P. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
We have used RCIC CCD photometry from the Isaac Newton telescope and intermediate-resolution spectroscopy from the Gemini North telescope to identify and characterize low-mass (0.15 &lt; M/M⊙ &lt; 1.3) pre-main-sequence stars in the young open cluster NGC 2169. Isochrone fitting to the high- and low-mass populations yields an intrinsic distance modulus of 10.13+0.06−0.09 mag and a model-dependent age of 9 ± 2 Myr. Compared to the nearby, kinematically defined groups of a similar age, NGC 2169 has a large low-mass population which potentially offers a more precise statistical investigation of several aspects of star formation and early stellar evolution. By modelling the distribution of low-mass stars in the IC versus RC−IC diagram, we find that any age spread among cluster members has a Gaussian full width at half-maximum (FWHM) ≤ 2.5 Myr. A young age and a small age spread (&lt;10 Myr) are supported by the lack of significant lithium depletion in the vast majority of cluster members. There is no clear evidence for accretion or warm circumstellar dust in the low-mass members of NGC 2169, bolstering the idea that strong accretion has ceased and inner discs have dispersed in almost all low-mass stars by ages of 10 Myr.
Validation of CADESI‐03, a severity scale for clinical trials enrolling dogs with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Marsella Rosanna , Iwasaki Toshiroh , Mueller Ralf ,   The International Task Force On Canine Atopic Dermatitis
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn dogs, atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common and chronic allergic skin disease that often necessitates treatment with pharmacological interventions. In the last 30 years, numerous clinical trials testing the efficacy of anti‐inflammatory drugs have been reported, but there has been a lack of consistency in the assessment of outcome measures. Several clinical scales have been employed over time, but none of these scoring systems were ever tested for validity and reliability. A committee of the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis evaluated the currently available scales used to assess disease morbidity in humans and dogs with AD, and a third version of the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI‐03) was designed. This version was expanded from previous ones by redistribution and increase in body sites tested, the use of an additional lesion reflecting underlying pruritus (e.g. self‐induced alopecia) and an increase in the numerical range of severity for each lesion. The CADESI‐03 scale was tested for validity and reliability in a cohort of 38 dogs with AD. Overall, this revised version of the CADESI was found to exhibit acceptable content, construct, criterion, and inter‐ and intra‐observer reliability and sensitivity to change. As a result, this scale is recommended as a validated tool for assessment of disease severity in clinical trials testing the efficacy of interventions in dogs with AD.
Effects of cyclosporin A and cilomilast on activated canine, murine and human keratinocytes
Authors: Bäumer Wolfgang , Kietzmann Manfred 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A and the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor cilomilast exhibit potent immunomodulatory properties which make them interesting therapeutics for the treatment of skin disorders like canine and human atopic dermatitis. Cyclosporin A and phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors have already demonstrated clinical efficacy in the therapy of canine and human atopic dermatitis. Their direct impact on keratinocytes, especially canine keratinocytes, is less obvious. Thus, an investigation was carried out to ascertain whether cyclosporin A and cilomilast modulate keratinocyte proliferation and secretion of proinflammatory mediators. Cyclosporin A inhibited canine and murine keratinocyte proliferation, whereas cilomilast had no affect. Cyclosporin A and cilomilast reduced the lipopolysaccharide‐induced prostaglandin E2 synthesis in canine and murine keratinocytes. Both immunomodulators also inhibited the production of the CXC chemokine KC and CCL2 in the murine keratinocyte cell line MSC‐P5. The two immunomodulators also significantly reduced the interferon‐γ‐induced production of interferon‐γ‐inducible protein 10 in human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Thus, cyclosporin A and cilomilast directly modulate keratinocyte functions which might contribute to the anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory action of these compounds in the treatment of allergic skin diseases.
Variability of laboratory identification and antibiotic susceptibility reporting ofPseudomonasspp. isolates from dogs with chronic otitis externa
Authors: Schick Anthea E. , Angus John C. , Coyner Kimberly S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate interlaboratory variation in isolation and antibiotic susceptibility pattern ofPseudomonasspp. as reported to veterinarians for cases of canine chronic bacterial otitis externa. Twenty‐six dogs with unilateral or bilateral bacterial otitis externa from multiple referral practices were included in this prospective study. Triplicate samples collected simultaneously from the same location in the external ear canal were randomly submitted to three laboratories for culture and susceptibility testing.Pseudomonasspp. were isolated from 18 of 34 (53%) ears. All three laboratories agreed on the presence ofPseudomonasspp. in 15 (83.3%) ears sampled. However, two laboratories agreed on two (11.1%) occasions, and on one occasion (5.5%)Pseudomonasspp. were identified in only one laboratory. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics were compared between laboratories B and C. Using laboratory‐defined susceptibility of sensitive (S), intermediate (I) and resistant (R), none of the 16Pseudomonasspp. with MIC data reported had identical patterns of antibiotic susceptibility. Agreement in susceptibility to individual antibiotics was observed in 13 of 16 (81%) occasions for amikacin and gentamicin, 10 of 16 (63%) occasions for ticarcillin, and nine of 16 (56%) for enrofloxacin. These results indicate thatPseudomonasspp. were identified by all three laboratories chosen for this study in 83% of the time. Moreover, antibiotic susceptibility patterns and MIC values reported to veterinarians may not agree between laboratories. Veterinarians should interpret bacterial culture and susceptibility results with multiple caveats including variability between laboratories.
Prioritization and resource allocation in health care. The views of older people receiving continuous public care and service
Authors: Werntoft Elisabet , Hallberg Ingalill R. , Edberg Anna‐Karin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractObjective  To describe the views of people, 65 years and over, receiving continuous public care and service, on prioritization and resource allocation in health care, in relation to gender, age, housing, health‐related quality of life (QoL) and degree of activities of daily living (ADL) dependency.Background  How older people receiving continuous public care and service view prioritization and resource allocation in health care is sparsely investigated, although this group most certainly has the experience and also often is the target in discussions concerning prioritization. It is necessary, for democracy and for the development of new models of service delivery, to find out how people receiving long‐term care and service view these issues.Design  146 persons, 34 men (23%) and 112 women (77%), aged 66–100 years were interviewed face to face, following a structured questionnaire.Results  The respondents thought that the patients’ well‐being, way of living and family situation should affect prioritization, not age per se. Resourcing of several health‐care services were considered to be below what is required by a majority of the respondents. The respondents wanted doctors to decide on prioritization at an individual level and wanted higher taxes to finance increasing health‐care costs. Although the respondents wanted publicly financed health care, a relatively high number were willing to pay for treatment.Conclusions  Knowledge of how older people receiving care and services, view prioritization and resource allocation has not previously been available. It seems that their views are in line with the Swedish Parliamentary Priority Commission which suggested that no account should be taken of age when allocating resources within the health‐care system. Respondents’ age, gender, housing, health‐related QoL and degree of dependency in ADL had limited influence on their views of resource allocation.
Patient and public involvement: What next for the NHS?
Authors: Hogg Christine N. L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIntroduction  Patient and public involvement is the cornerstone of the ‘patient‐led’ National Health Service (NHS). Though the UK has had state sponsored arrangements for patient and public involvement since 1974, they have become fragmented and unstable. Patients’ forums and the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health replaced community health councils (CHCs) and their national association in England in 2003, but now will be replaced by local involvement networks (LINks) and the Commission will be abolished in 2007.Learning from history  This study provides an overview of research on the effectiveness of arrangements for patient and public involvement and reviews the debates about accountability, independence, ensuring consistency of performance, representation and how arrangements for the NHS fit within the wider agenda of citizenship and renewal of democracy. It explores key themes and areas for learning to inform the debate about how LINks might work effectively to improve the health of local people, in particular addressing issues of equity, representation and citizen engagement.Conclusions  The proposed LINks provide the opportunity to integrate patient and public involvement into wider initiatives for local democracy and citizen engagement. But debates and key issues about user and public involvement in the 1970s remain current and unresolved. If the new LINks are to succeed where forums and CHCs are considered to have failed, the strengths and weakness of both need to be understood and addressed.