bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complications of Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence and Predictors
Authors: SPRAGG DAVID D. , DALAL DARSHAN , CHEEMA AAMIR , SCHERR DANIEL , CHILUKURI KARUNA , CHENG ALAN , HENRIKSON CHARLES A. , MARINE JOSEPH E. , BERGER RONALD D. , DONG JUN , CALKINS HUGH 
Published: May 2008

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation by catheter ablation is an increasingly used strategy to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). Complication rates from AF ablation reported in different case series vary widely. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 641 consecutive ablation procedures to assess complication rates, temporal trends, and clinical predictors of adverse outcomes.
Methods: All patients (n = 517) undergoing catheter ablation for AF at Johns Hopkins Hospital between February, 2001 and June, 2007 were prospectively enrolled in a database. Data from 641 consecutive procedures were analyzed and complications considered if they occurred within 30 days of ablation. Major complications were defined as those that required intervention, resulted in long‐term disability, or prolonged hospitalization.
Results: Thirty‐two major complications occurred in 641 procedures (5%). Among the patients with major complications, seven had cerebrovascular accident (CVA), eight had tamponade, one had PV occlusion with hemoptysis, and 11 had vascular injury requiring surgical repair and/or transfusion. No periprocedural deaths occurred, and no instances of esophageal injury were seen. Complication rates were higher during the first 100 cases (9.0%) than during the subsequent 541 (4.3%). Major adverse clinical events were associated with age > 70 years (P = 0.007; odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4–9.6) and female gender (P = 0.014; odds ratio 3.0, 95% confidence interval 1.3–7.2). No other clinical or procedural predictors of complication were identified.
Conclusions: Complication rates from AF ablation remain significant, despite improved techniques and increased awareness of procedural risks. Both advanced age and female gender predict major adverse events, suggesting careful consideration of the risk/benefit profile in these patients prior to ablation.
Gene expression profile of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and their receptors in human and nonhuman primates
Authors: Jeong A. Ram , Nakamura Shin , Mitsunaga Fusako 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBackground  To date comparative knowledge concerning gene expression profiles of T‐helper 1(Th1)/Th2 cytokines and their receptors between human and non‐human primates is scarce.Methods  We assessed the gene expression level of both Th1 [interleukin‐4(IL‐4)] and Th2 [IL‐12, interferon‐ γ(IFN‐γ)] cytokines and the receptors (IL‐4Rα, IFN‐γR1, IFN‐γR2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from humans, chimpanzee, baboon, and macaque by a quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction(RT‐PCR).Results  The expression level of the IFN‐γ gene was markedly lower in humans than that in non‐human primates. The IL‐4 gene expression was significantly higher, whereas that of IL‐12 was distinctly lower, in human/chimpanzee than in baboon/macaque. The IFN‐γR2 gene expression was especially higher in the macaque than in the other three primates.Conclusions  These results indicate distinct gene expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines and their receptors in primates. These also suggest characteristic differences in Th1/Th2 immune responses affecting host defense and/or disease susceptibility among these primates.
Genetic analysis of residual feed intakes and other performance test traits of Japanese Black cattle from revised protocol
Authors: OKANISHI Takeshi , SHOJO Masayuki , KATSUTA Tomohiro , OYAMA Kenji , MUKAI Fumio 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe performance test protocol for Japanese Black cattle was revised in April 2002. This resulted in restriction of access to concentrate (based on body weight) and modification of the concentrate's ingredients. Genetic parameters of growth and feed utilization traits of the performance test were estimated using 1304 records using the revised protocol. Residual feed intakes (RFIs) as alternative indicators for feed utilization efficiency were included. (Co)variance components were estimated by EM‐REML. Heritabilities for growth traits were between 0.26 and 0.47. Heritabilities for feed intakes and conversions ranged from 0.25 to 0.37 and from 0.03 to 0.29, respectively. Genetic variances and heritabilities were lower for the revised protocol. Highly positive genetic correlations of daily gain (DG) with feed intakes indicated selection on DG is expected to increase feed intake. Selection on feed conversion may lead to higher DG. The heritability estimates for RFIs ranged from 0.10 to 0.33 and were generally higher than corresponding estimates for feed conversion ratios. RFI of TDN showed positive genetic correlations with all feed intakes. The reduction of feed intakes could be expected through selection on the RFI without changing body size. RFIs were considered to be alternative indicators to improve feed utilization efficiency under the new performance test.
Adaptive changes in microbial synthesis and nitrogen balance with progressing dietary feeding periods in sheep fed diets differing in their ruminal degradation synchronicity between nitrogen and organic matter
Authors: ICHINOHE Toshiyoshi , FUJIHARA Tsutomu 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTTwo diets differing in their degrees of ruminal degradation synchronicity between nitrogen (N) and organic matter (OM) were fed to six adult rams at a maintenance level for three months in a two‐way layout design combining a randomized block design. Adaptive changes in microbial N (MBN) supply and N balance were investigated for both diets. Thein siturumen degradation parameters of OM and N were determined for four feeds and subsequently were used to formulate the two diets to have different ruminal degradation synchronicity and to be identical with metabolizable energy (ME), metabolizable protein (MP) and ruminally degradable N concentrations. The animals were divided into two groups and fed asynchronous (ASYNC) or synchronous (SYNC) diet, respectively. On days 30, 60 and 90 of each feeding period, a five‐day metabolism trial was carried out. Animals consumed their diets thoroughly and did not show marked body weight change during the observation. The apparent digestibility of OM and N did not differ significantly between the diets throughout the periods. The MBN supply was significantly greater for ASYNC than that for SYNC (P < 0.01) and was greater on days 60 and 90 than that on day 30 (P < 0.05). Neither diets nor periods had a significant effect on the efficiency of MBN synthesis. There was a significant period effect on N retention (P < 0.05) together with tendency of diet × period interactions (P = 0.1). There was no significant dietary effect. An improvement in N retention with advancing feeding period was observed for both diets. The plasma urea concentration decreased with feeding period (P < 0.01) and there was a concomitant decrease in urinary N excretion. Plasma glucose concentration tended to increase (P = 0.07). The results suggest that lengthening feeding duration from 30 days might have caused ameliorative changes in the utilization of ME and MP, and may have improved microbe synthesis irrespective of the degradation synchronicity.
Rainfall Influences Ant Sampling in Dry Forests
Authors: Delsinne Thibaut , Leponce Maurice , Theunis Laurence , Braet Yves , Roisin Yves 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe standardized ‘Ants of the Leaf Litter’ protocol aims to facilitate the use of ground‐foraging and litter‐dwelling ants in biodiversity assessment and monitoring programs. It was initially developed to characterize assemblages from tropical rain forests and is based on two main techniques: Winkler extractions and pitfall traps. Here, we tested to what extent this protocol was adapted to tropical dry forests and affected by the rainfall regime. Our 10 study sites were located along an aridity gradient (average annual rainfall: 350–1300mm) in the Gran Chaco. The number of species collected per sampling effort increased with aridity for pitfalls but followed an opposite trend for Winkler samples. This trend could be explained by the low daytime foraging activity in the leaf litter during drought periods. In arid and semiarid regions the good performance of pitfalls was probably related to their 24‐h operation and to the attractiveness of the water they contained. Our results stress that the Winkler method used in the Ants of the Leaf Litter protocol may not be cost‐effective during periods of drought and may lead to severe underestimations of litter ant diversity in tropical dry forests.
Acute Toxicity of Several Chemicals to the Oligochaete Dero digitata
Authors: Mischke Charles C. , Terhune Jeffery S. , Wise David J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractProliferative gill disease (PGD) is a serious problem in the farm‐raised channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus industry. Interrupting the life cycle of the sporozoan causative agent by eliminating Dero digitata worms from culture ponds would be one method of controlling PGD. Eight chemicals—sodium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, formalin, potassium permanganate, liquid copper sulfate, chloramine‐T, rotenone and Bayluscide—were tested for acute toxicity against D. digitata. Static, single compound acute toxicity tests were conducted using three replications (10 worm/replicate) of six chemical concentrations and a control. Spearman‐Karber analysis was used to calculate 24‐ and 48‐h LC50 concentrations based on active ingredient for each compound. Calculated 24‐h LC50 values were: sodium chloride 6,800 mg/L, hydrogen peroxide 13.2 μL/L, formalin 23.3 μL/L, potassium perrnanganate 5.7 mg/L, copper sulfate 7.6 mg/L, chloramine‐T 29.5 mg/L, rotenone 0.26 μL/L, and Bayluscide 0.24 mg/L. Formalin and hydrogen peroxide may be options for eliminating D. digitata populations in ponds with fish because their LC50 concentrations were consistent with safe concentrations for fish. Rotenone, Bayluscide, chloramine‐T, formalin, and potassium permanganate may be useful as a pond sterilization strategy by treating fingerling ponds prior to stocking fish each year. However, the presence of substrate and organic matter in ponds could impact the efficacy of the chemicals and D. digitata's response to treatment. Treatments should be further evaluated to determine field efficacy, procedures for use, and effects on cost of production.
Use of transcolonic portal scintigraphy to evaluate efficacy of cellophane banding of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in 16 dogs
Authors: Landon BP , Abraham LA , Charles JA 
Published: May 2008

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of cellophane banding of single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs using transcolonic portal scintigraphy. To investigate the portal circulation of those dogs with elevated postoperative shunt fractions to determine the cause of the persistent shunting. Further, to evaluate whether presenting signs, clinical pathology findings and liver histopathology are predictive of outcome.Design Prospective study of 16 dogs presenting with single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts.Procedure Dogs with single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts attenuated by cellophane banding underwent portal scintigraphy and bile acids tolerance testing pre‐ and post‐operatively. Dogs identified with elevated shunt fractions at 10 weeks post‐operatively underwent mesenteric portovenography. Qualitative hepatic histopathology from all dogs was reviewed by a veterinary pathologist and assigned a semi‐quantitative score to identify any abnormalities that may predict surgical outcome.Results At 10 weeks post cellophane banding, 10 of 16 cases (63%) had normal shunt fractions, whilst six dogs (37%) had increased shunt fractions and seven dogs (44%) had increased serum bile acids. Of these dogs, mesenteric portovenography revealed incomplete closure of the shunt in three dogs (18.6%) and multiple acquired shunts in three dogs (18.6%). Liver histopathology findings were similar for all dogs, regardless of outcome.Conclusions Cellophane banding is an efficacious method for complete gradual occlusion of single extrahepatic shunts when the shunt vessel is attenuated to ≤ 3 mm. Transcolonic portal scintigraphy is a reliable method for assessment of shunt attenuation and, unlike serum bile acids, is not influenced by other causes of liver dysfunction.
Expression of Vinculin in Autoimmune Cutaneous Diseases
Authors: Wohl Yonit , Goldberg Ilan , Gat Andrea , Ron‐Tal Osnat , Brenner Sarah 
Published: May 2008

Background. Reports have appeared that sera of patients with systemic autoimmune disorders have demonstrated autoantibodies to vinculin.
Objective. To determine the presence and distribution of vinculin in the skin of patients with cutaneous autoimmune disorders.
Methods. Semiquantitative immunohistochemistry investigations for presence of vinculin were conducted on skin biopsy specimens from patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV), bullous pemphigoid (BP), and various collagen vascular diseases, and from healthy controls.
Results. Results of staining for vinculin were positive in 2 of 7 PV patients, 6 of 9 BP patients, and all 6 cutaneous autoimmune patients. Staining results were negative in all controls. Strong immunostaining to vinculin was found in 3 of 6 vinculin‐positive BP patients and 5 of 6 vinculin‐positive cutaneous autoimmune patients.
Conclusions. The expression and distribution of vinculin are accentuated in patients with various skin autoimmune diseases and appear to be stronger in diseases involving the basement membrane, where it is thought to be relatively more important than in other skin disorders.
Correlation of Cellular Immune Responses with Protection against Culture-Confirmed Influenza Virus in Young Children
Authors: Forrest Bruce D. , Pride Michael W. , Dunning Andrew J. , Capeding Maria Rosario Z. , Chotpitayasunondh Tawee , Tam John S. , Rappaport Ruth , Eldridge John H. , Gruber William C. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe highly sensitive gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT) assay permits the investigation of the role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in the protection of young children against influenza. Preliminary studies of young children confirmed that the IFN-γ ELISPOT assay was a more sensitive measure of influenza memory immune responses than serum antibody and that among seronegative children aged 6 to <36 months, an intranasal dose of 107fluorescent focus units (FFU) of a live attenuated influenza virus vaccine (CAIV-T) elicited substantial CMI responses. A commercial inactivated influenza virus vaccine elicited CMI responses only in children with some previous exposure to related influenza viruses as determined by detectable antibody levels prevaccination. The role of CMI in actual protection against community-acquired, culture-confirmed clinical influenza by CAIV-T was investigated in a large randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-ranging efficacy trial with 2,172 children aged 6 to <36 months in the Philippines and Thailand. The estimated protection curve indicated that the majority of infants and young children with ≥100 spot-forming cells/106peripheral blood mononuclear cells were protected against clinical influenza, establishing a possible target level of CMI for future influenza vaccine development. The ELISPOT assay for IFN-γ is a sensitive and reproducible measure of CMI and memory immune responses and contributes to establishing requirements for the future development of vaccines against influenza, especially those used for children.
Effects of Delays in Peripheral Blood Processing, Including Cryopreservation, on Detection of CD31 Expression on Naïve CD4 T Cells
Authors: Higgins Jeanette , Metcalf Julia A. , Stevens Randy A. , Baseler Michael , Proschan Michael , Lane H. Clifford , Sereti Irini 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
Delayed processing of peripheral blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cell isolation and cryopreservation can lead to the detection of somewhat higher levels of CD31 expression on naïve CD4 T cells by flow cytometry. These observations should be considered in the planning of multicenter clinical trials and in the interpretation of the results of functional studies.
Evaluation of a Multicolor, Single-Tube Technique To Enumerate Lymphocyte Subpopulations
Authors: Colombo F. , Cattaneo A. , Lopa R. , Portararo P. , Rebulla P. , Porretti L. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACT
To evaluate the fully automated FACSCanto software, we compared lymphocyte subpopulation counts obtained using three-color FACSCalibur-CELLQuest and six-color FACSCanto-FACSCanto software techniques. High correlations were observed between data obtained with these techniques. Our study indicated that FACSCanto clinical software is accurate and sensitive in single-platform lymphocyte immunophenotyping.
Cif Is Negatively Regulated by the TetR Family Repressor CifR
Authors: MacEachran Daniel P. , Stanton Bruce A. , O'Toole George A. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that the novelPseudomonas aeruginosatoxin Cif is capable of decreasing apical membrane expression of thecysticfibrosistransmembrane conductanceregulator (CFTR). We further demonstrated that Cif is capable of degrading the synthetic epoxide hydrolase (EH) substrateS-NEPC [(2S,3S)-trans-3-phenyl-2-oxiranylmethyl 4-nitrophenol carbonate], suggesting that Cif may be reducing apical membrane expression of CFTR via its EH activity. Here we report that Cif is capable of degrading the xenobiotic epoxide epibromohydrin (EBH) to its vicinal diol 3-bromo-1,2-propanediol. We also demonstrate that this epoxide is a potent inducer ofcifgene expression. We show that the predicted TetR family transcriptional repressor encoded by the PA2931 gene, which is immediately adjacent to and divergently transcribed from thecif-containing, three-gene operon, negatively regulatescifgene expression by binding to the promoter region immediately upstream of thecif-containing operon. Furthermore, this protein-DNA interaction is disrupted by the epoxide EBH in vitro, suggesting that the binding of EBH by the PA2931 protein product drives the disassociation from its DNA-binding site. Given its role as a repressor ofcifgene expression, we have renamed PA2931 as CifR. Finally, we demonstrate thatP. aeruginosastrains isolated from cystic fibrosis patient sputum with increasedcifgene expression are impaired for the expression of thecifRgene.
The Monoclonal Antibody against the Major Diagnostic Antigen ofParacoccidioides brasiliensisMediates Immune Protection in Infected BALB/c Mice Challenged Intratracheally with the Fungus
Authors: Buissa-Filho R. , Puccia R. , Marques A. F. , Pinto F. A. , Muñoz J. E. , Nosanchuk J. D. , Travassos L. R. , Taborda C. P. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTThe protective role of specific antibodies againstParacoccidioides brasiliensisis controversial. In the present study, we analyzed the effects of monoclonal antibodies on the major diagnostic antigen (gp43) using in vitro and in vivoP. brasiliensisinfection models. The passive administration of some monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) before and after intratracheal or intravenous infections led to a reduced fungal burden and decreased pulmonary inflammation. The protection mediated by MAb 3E, the most efficient MAb in the reduction of fungal burden, was associated with the enhanced phagocytosis ofP. brasiliensisyeast cells by J774.16, MH-S, or primary macrophages. The ingestion of opsonized yeast cells led to an increase in NO production by macrophages. Passive immunization with MAb 3E induced enhanced levels of gamma interferon in the lungs of infected mice. The reactivity of MAb 3E against a panel of gp43-derived peptides suggested that the sequence NHVRIPIGWAV contains the binding epitope. The present work shows that some but not all MAbs against gp43 can reduce the fungal burden and identifies a new peptide candidate for vaccine development.
Classification ofCryptosporidiumSpecies from Patients with Sporadic Cryptosporidiosis by Use of Sequence-Based Multilocus Analysis following Mutation Scanning
Authors: Jex Aaron R. , Pangasa Aradhana , Campbell Bronwyn E. , Whipp Margaret , Hogg Geoff , Sinclair Martha I. , Stevens Melita , Gasser Robin B. 
Published: May 2008

ABSTRACTIn the present study, we analyzed genetic variation inCryptosporidiumspecies from humans (n= 62) with clinical cryptosporidiosis in South Australia. Sequence variation was assessed in regions within the small subunit of nuclear rRNA (p-SSU), the 70-kDa heat shock protein (p-hsp70), and the 60-kDa glycoprotein (p-gp60) genes by employing single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis and sequencing. Based on the analyses of p-SSU and p-hsp70,Cryptosporidium hominis(n= 38) andCryptosporidium parvum(n= 24) were identified. The analysis of p-gp60revealed eight distinct subgenotypes, classified asC. hominisIaA17R1 (n= 3), IbA9G3R2 (n= 14), IbA10G2R2 (n= 20), and IfA12G1R1 (n= 1), as well asC. parvumIIaA18G3R1 (n= 15), IIaA20G3R1 (n= 6), IIaA22G4R1 (n= 2), and IIcA5G3R2 (n= 1). Subgenotypes IaA17R1 and IIaA22G4R1 are new. Of the six other subgenotypes, IbA10G2R2, IIaA18G3R1, IIaA20G3R1, and IIcA5G3R2 were reported previously from the state of Victoria. This is the fourth record in Australia ofC. parvumsubgenotype IIaA18G3R1 from humans, which, to date, has been isolated only from cattle in other countries. This subgenotype might be a significant contributor to sporadic human cryptosporidiosis and may indicate a greater zoonotic contribution to the infection of humans in the area of study. Comparative analyses revealed, for the first time, the differences in the genetic makeup ofCryptosporidiumpopulations between two relatively close, major metropolitan cities.