bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection, immunoabsorption, and inhibition of cytotoxic activity of anti‐αGal antibodies using newly developed substances with synthetic Gal α1–3Gal disaccharide epitopes
Authors: Rieben Robert , von Allmen Edith , Korchagina Elena Y. , Nydegger Urs E. , Neethling Francisca A. , Kujundzic Milan , Koren Eugen , Bovin Nicolai V. , Cooper David K.C. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract:The presence of naturally occurring anti‐Galα1–3Gal (anti‐αGal) antibodies in human serum is believed to be a major factor in the hyperacute rejection of discordant organ xenografts such as the pig‐to‐human combination. Galα1–3Gal epitopes are expressed on pig tissues and the binding of anti‐αGal leads to endothelial cell activation and complement‐mediated, hyperacute graft rejection. One possible method to overcome this problem is to absorb anti‐αGal antibodies from the plasma of the xenograft recipient using a suitable immunoabsorbent or to interfere with their binding to tissues and thus prevent their cytotoxic activity by the intravenous injection of soluble antigen. We describe here the use of new synthetic antigens containing the Galα1–3Gal disaccharide (Bdi) epitope. Soluble conjugates of the Bdi with polyacrylamide (PAA‐Bdi) were used as coating antigens for an anti‐αGal ELISA as well as for in vitro inhibition of the cytotoxicity of anti‐αGal. An immunoabsorbent consisting of PAA‐Bdi coupled to macroporous glass (Sorbent Bdi) was tested for absorption of anti‐αGal from human serum.Anti‐αGal IgM, IgG and IgA could be detected by the anti‐αGal ELISA and were specifically absorbed by Sorbent Bdi with absorption efficiencies ranging from 70 to 50% for anti‐αGal IgG and 60 to 25% for anti‐αGal IgM. A comparison of the anti‐αGal absorption by Sorbent Bdi and rabbit red blood cells revealed a qualitatively (isotype distribution) and quantitatively similar pattern. Nonspecific absorption by Sorbent Bdi was low, as detected by the reduction of anti‐A trisaccharide antibodies. The cytotoxic effect of human serum on pig kidney (PK15) cells was almost totally inhibited by the addition of synthetic B disaccharide or by adsorption of the serum through immunoaffinity columns of PAA‐Bdi. We conclude that the newly developed, synthetic αGal1–3Gal antigens are suitable for the detection and immunoabsorption or inhibition of anti‐αGal antibodies.
Mechanisms of hyperacute rejection of discordant liver xenograft
Authors: Hengster P. , Lsnke R. , Feichtinger J. , Hechenleitner P. , Mark W. , Eberl T. , Klima G. , Huemer H. , Daha M. , Margreiter R. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract: Use of discordant liver xenografts is a possible means of overcoming the ever‐increasing organ shortage. Immunological barriers, however, remain the major obstacle to the application of this therapeutic option. The aim of the study was to establish the model and to further investigate mechanisms of hitherto assumed liver xenograft rejection in the discordant guinea pig to rat combination and to determine the role of complement activation in this model.Male guinea pigs served as donors, and all recipient Lewis rats underwent splenectomy prior to orthotopic liver transplantation with a modified cuff technique. Animals were grouped according to their pharmacologic therapy: group 1: control group, no further therapy; group 2: plasmapheresis immediately prior to transplantation; group 3: Cobra venom factor; group 4: plasmapheresis and Cobra venom factor; group 5: Cyclosporin A; and group 6: RS 61443 with three animals in each group. Median survival was 62 (52–68) minutes in group 1, 150 (129–190) in group 2, 745 (260–1034) in group 3, 45 (18–60) in group 4, 91 (76–118) in group 5, and 212 (170–245) in group 6. Histologically, portal and sinusoidal congestion, interstitial haemorrhages, intragraft granulocyte deposits, and parenchymal damage were found to be most pronounced in groups 1 and 3. In all groups endothelial cells stained positive for IgM and complement component C3 compatible with classical pathway activation. From our findings where deposition of Factor H was noted it is concluded that in this discordant model the complement system is activated by the alternative pathway. Intragraft IgM deposits, however, suggest that the classical activation pathway may also be involved.
Isolation of porcine pancreatic islets for xenotransplantation studies: Effects of low collagenase digestion temperatures
Authors: Sun YiSu , Zhou Daobiao , Vacek Ivan , Sun Anthony M. 
Published: November 2008

Abstract: Islets of Langerhans were isolated from porcine pancreata by a modification of our previously described method. The modification involved the use of a low temperature of collagenase digestion (30°C) during the process of islet isolation. The resulting islets were then evaluated in vitro and in vivo and compared to islets isolated at the regular 37°C temperature.The islets produced at the low temperature were more compact compared to the control islets. In the dextran density gradient these islets were deposited at the interface of the 1.060 and 1.068 g/ml density bands as compared to 1.050 and 1.060 g/ml for the control islets. In addition, the experimental islets contained a higher proportion of compact, unfragmented islets (68%) compared to the regular islets (55%), and their uptake of the dithizone stain was considerably slower than with the control islets. All ten batches of freshly isolated microencapsulated islets produced at both temperatures responded to the glucose stimulation. After 4 weeks of in vitro culture the islets of both groups microencapsulated in alginate‐polylysine‐alginate (APA) microcapsules still retained glucose responsiveness, with the experimental islets demonstrating significantly higher responsiveness to the high glucose (16.7 mM) and 0.1 mM IB MX stimulation. The morphology of unencapsulated islets in the experimental group following 4 weeks of in vitro culture indicates much firmer islet structure compared to the control islets. In addition, the unencapsulated experimental islets following the 4 week culture were still found to have secreted insulin when exposed to glucose. In transplantation studies both the experimental and the control islets normalized diabetic hyperglycemia in diabetic mice in a comparable fashion. In general, the low temperature digestion results in superior islets in terms of their morphology, viability, and physiological function.
A study of three candidate genes for pre‐eclampsia in a Sinhalese population from Sri Lanka
Authors: Dissanayake Vajira H. W. , Giles Victoria , Jayasekara Rohan W. , Seneviratne Harshalal R. , Kalsheker Noor , Pipkin Fiona Broughton , Morgan Linda 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  The aim of these investigations was to study three candidate genes for pre‐eclampsia – epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha, and angiotensinogen – in pregnant Sinhalese women from Sri Lanka, the first such study undertaken in this ethnic group. Reproducibility of results of genetic association studies of candidate genes for pre‐eclampsia has not been consistent across populations. One of the factors that may contribute to such inconsistencies is genetic stratification due to population admixture. We therefore compared the allele frequencies of these candidate genes in healthy Sri Lankan subjects from three ethnic groups – Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils and Moors – and in white Western Europeans.Methods:  Allele frequencies were established in 80 subjects from each of four populations (Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils, and Moors in Sri Lanka and white Western Europeans in the UK). A further 175 Sinhalese women with pre‐eclampsia and 171 normotensive Sinhalese controls were genotyped at eight single nucleotide polymorphisms in the candidate genes.Results and Discussion:  In all genes haplotype and allele frequencies were comparable within the three Sri Lankan populations, but differed significantly from those in the white Western European population. Consequently cryptic population stratification is unlikely to have significant effects on allele or haplotype frequencies of the genes examined in this case–control study of Sinhalese women which showed a marginal association for EGF haplotypes and genotypes with pre‐eclampsia (P = 0.031). This association requires replication in other populations.
Maternal and fetal serum transformed alpha‐fetoprotein levels in normal pregnancy
Authors: González‐Bugatto Fernando , Foncubierta Esther , Ángeles Bailén María de los , Illanes Sebastián , Hervías‐Vivancos Blas , Bartha José L. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  To evaluate transformed alpha‐fetoprotein (t‐AFP) (a new molecular conformation of alpha‐fetoprotein) levels in maternal serum and fetal serum in normal pregnancy.Methods:  Prospective longitudinal study. Fifty pregnant women were studied in two groups: 25 were evaluated in each trimester of pregnancy and near term (12, 20, 32 and 36 weeks) and the other 25 were evaluated at the time of planned cesarean section at term. In the first group, maternal serum t‐AFP was measured and in the second group, maternal and fetal serum t‐AFP were analyzed.Results:  Maternal serum t‐AFP levels (medians) were 14.73 ng/mL in the first trimester, 28.29 ng/mL in the second trimester, 30.45 ng/mL in the early third trimester and 8.06 ng/mL in late pregnancy. t‐AFP levels were significantly higher in maternal than in fetal serum (P < 0.001). There were no significant correlations between AFP and t‐AFP levels in maternal versus fetal serum.Conclusions:  t‐AFP increases during pregnancy until the early third trimester and then falls before delivery. t‐AFP levels are higher in maternal than in fetal serum which suggests that native AFP is transformed to t‐AFP either in the mother or in the placenta.
The effect of dietary protein intake on coronary heart disease risk
Authors: Papakonstantinou E. , Zampelas A. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryThere is cumulative evidence that there is a relationship between diet and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. The majority of studies have focused on the role of carbohydrate and fat on CHD risk; yet the role of protein has, until recently, been neglected. The effects of dietary protein on modulating CHD risk factors are still unclear. The aim of this review is to summarise available data from epidemiological and randomised control trials on the effects of animal and vegetable protein intake on markers of CHD risk; that is, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, glucose intolerance, diabetes and hypertension. Regarding the management of body weight, reviewed data suggest that there is no convincing evidence that higher protein (HP) diets enhance weight loss compared with low protein (LP) diets, but there is some evidence that HP diets may lead to better weight maintenance. Moreover, HP diets seem to have a more favourable effect on triglyceride levels than LP diets, but on the other hand, there is no convincing evidence that there is a significant beneficial effect on total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. In the literature, there is also a concern that higher protein intakes may increase blood glucose levels and may aggravate glycaemic control. Currently, data suggest that HP diets may have a favourable effect on postprandial glucose and glycated haemoglobin levels, whereas there is no convincing evidence on their effects on fasting glucose and insulin levels. There has also been concern that higher protein intakes may increase arterial blood pressure because of higher levels of sodium in protein‐rich foods. The data we reviewed suggest that HP diets may be more beneficial in ameliorating hypertension than LP diets. Finally, the effect of a higher protein intake on kidney function has been debated.
Mycoprotein and health
Authors: Denny A. , Aisbitt B. , Lunn J. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMycoprotein is a high protein, high fibre, low fat food ingredient derived from fermentation of the filamentous fungus Fusarium venenatum. Interest in the putative role of mycoprotein in lowering blood cholesterol concentrations, reducing energy intakes and controlling blood sugar levels has generated a small number of human studies investigating the effects of mycoprotein on cholesterol reduction, satiety and insulinaemia/glycaemia.In today's ‘obesogenic’ environment, in which there is an abundance of foods high in fat and/or sugar available to consumers, there is growing interest in foods that are both nutritious and satiating, but that are of low‐energy density, and are low in saturates, salt and sugar. Mycoprotein has a favourable fatty acid profile (being relatively low in saturates), a fibre content that is comparable with other vegetarian protein sources, and a naturally low sodium content. Mycoprotein is a good source of zinc and selenium but the levels of iron and vitamin B12 in mycoprotein are low in comparison to red meat.A small number of studies investigating the cholesterol‐lowering effects of mycoprotein have been carried out among normo‐ and hypercholesterolaemic adults. The published studies to date have a number of limitations (including small sample sizes and short study durations), but overall the studies report statistically significant reductions in total cholesterol amongst hypercholesterolaemic subjects (in the order of 4–14%). These results look promising in terms of the ability of mycoprotein to contribute modest but meaningful effects on blood cholesterol concentrations, as part of a varied and balanced diet. However, the exact amount of mycoprotein that would need to be consumed in free‐living populations to have meaningful effects on cholesterol is a candidate for further confirmatory research.A number of studies have investigated the effects of mycoprotein in comparison with other protein sources on satiety. Several studies suggest that the effects of mycoprotein on satiety are greater than an equivalent amount of chicken but it is unclear what mechanism underlies this. The studies conducted so far are relatively small, and carried out under controlled conditions, so it is difficult to extrapolate the results to larger free‐living populations.The promotion of mycoprotein could potentially be useful, alongside other strategies, in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes, as it appears to show beneficial effects on glycaemia and insulinaemia in the small number of studies where this has been investigated. More research is needed to better understand the mechanism of action whereby mycoprotein influences glycaemia and insulinaemia, and whether there is any dose‐dependent effect.This paper reviews the published evidence for mycoprotein and the topics above, draws interim conclusions about the role of mycoprotein in human health and identifies areas for future research.
Perspectives for metabolomics in human nutrition: an overview
Authors: Koulman A. , Volmer D. A. 
Published: November 2008

SummaryMetabolomics describes the measurement of the full complement of the products of metabolism in a single biological sample and correlating these metabolomic profiles with known physiological or pathological states. The metabolome offers the possibility of finding unique fingerprints responsible for different phenotypes. Analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance or mass spectrometry measure thousands of compounds within the metabolome simultaneously, and appropriate data mining and database tools allow the finding of significant correlations among the measured metabolomes. The first direct outcome of nutritional metabolomics will be the discovery of biomarkers, which can reveal changes in health and disease, but also indicate short‐term and long‐term dietary intake. The concerted actions of nutrigenomics and metabolomics will play a crucial role in understanding how specific interactions of single nucleotide polymorphisms influence a person's response to a diet. Finally, systems biology approaches to human nutrition combine transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, with the aim of understanding how diets interact within the human being.
Real Wage Cyclicality in Italy
Authors: Peng Fei , Siebert W. Stanley 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis paper analyses the cyclical behaviour of male real wages in Italy, distinguishing between North and Centre‐South, using the European Community Household Panel 1994–2001. We separate job stayers (remaining in the same job), from within‐ and between‐company job movers. Stayers are the large majority. We find stayers in the North to have high procyclicality of real wages, higher in fact than the USA and the UK. Procyclicality is highest in small firms and the private sector, as expected. In contrast, we find that real wages in the Centre‐South exhibit little cyclicality, responding rather to Northern than to local unemployment conditions.
Legislative Pay and Legislator Quality
Authors: Mixon Jr Franklin G. , Salter Sean P. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThis study extends previous work by Mixon and Wilkinson (1999, Public Finance Review 27: 418–433) and Palia (2000, RAND Journal of Economics 31: 165–179) suggesting that formal human capital attainment is lower in political and managerial roles wherein expected compensation is less. The present study constructs a cumulative probability distribution function for years of education attained for both branches of the 109th US Congress and finds that the distribution of years of education attainment in the US Senate second‐order dominates that in the US House due to differences in the expected compensation levels favoring the former congressional branch. The stochastic dominance test results are supported by findings of significant differences in education attainment (favoring senators) at different quantiles of the joint education attainment distribution. Finally, goodness‐of‐fit tests also indicate that the distribution of education attainment quality in the US Senate, as measured by various academic institution quality indicators, is significantly different from that in the US House, again owing to the differences in expected compensation.
The Early‐career Gender Wage Gap among University Graduates in the Finnish Private Sector
Authors: Napari Sami 
Published: November 2008

AbstractIn the Finnish private sector, the gender wage gap increases significantly during the first 10 years after labour market entry, accounting for most of the lifetime increase in the gender wage differentials. This paper investigates the reasons for this gender difference in early‐career wage development. By focusing on university graduates the paper considers several explanations based on the human capital theory, job mobility, and labour market segregation. The results suggest that only about 20–26 per cent of the average early‐career gender wage gap is explained by gender differences in experience, the field of education, employer characteristics, and mobility. A substantial unexplained gap thus remains. Of the investigated factors gender differences in the field of education and work experience matter most.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation improves naming in Alzheimer disease patients at different stages of cognitive decline
Authors: Cotelli M. , Manenti R. , Cappa S. F. , Zanetti O. , Miniussi C. 
Published: November 2008

Objective:  Word‐finding difficulty (anomia) is commonly observed in Alzheimer’s dementia (AD). The aim of this study was to assess the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the dorso‐lateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on picture naming in 24 probable AD patients with different degrees of cognitive decline.Methods:  High‐frequency rTMS was applied to the left and right dlPFC during object and action naming in AD patients. A sham stimulation was used as a control condition.Results:  Whilst, as previously reported, stimulation to both the left and the right dlPFC improved action, but not object naming in the mild AD group; an improved naming accuracy for both classes of stimuli was found in the moderate to severe group.Conclusions:  Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the dlPFC improves naming performance also in the advanced stages of AD. Moreover, in the severe group the effect is not specific for action naming, as in the case of the mild AD group. These findings suggest that rTMS can affect the intrinsic ability of the brain to restore or compensate for damaged function and may represent an useful new tool for cognitive rehabilitation.
The long‐term functional status in patients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome
Authors: Rudolph T. , Larsen J. P. , Farbu E. 
Published: November 2008

Background and purpose:  The purpose of this study was to analyse the long‐term impact of Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) on quality of life, and the relationship between clinical variables at disease onset and symptoms at follow‐up to general health status.Methods:  Forty‐two GBS patients were examined at median 6 years after disease onset and were compared with 50 healthy controls. The fatigue severity scale (FSS), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, disability rating index (DRI) and medical outcome study 36‐item short‐form health status scale (SF‐36) were applied. Variables at onset and symptoms at follow‐up were correlated with outcome measurements in GBS.Results:  VAS [2.9 (SD 3.3) vs. 1.5 (SD 1.9); P = 0.01] and DRI [2.5 (SD 2.1) vs. 1.0 (SD 1.5); P < 0.001] were significantly higher in patients with GBS, compared with healthy controls. Decreased physical functioning and general health were found on SF‐36. Differences between GBS patients with shorter (<6 years) and longer (≥6 years) follow‐up after onset were not found.Conclusions:  Relatively independent from various variables at onset, patients with GBS seem to have a reduced quality of life and functioning, and the distress seems to have become persistent after the first few years with improvement following the acute disease.
Body temperature and response to thrombolytic therapy in acute ischaemic stroke
Authors: Millán M. , Grau L. , Castellanos M. , Rodríguez‐Yáñez M. , Arenillas J. F. , Nombela F. , Pérez de la Ossa N. , López‐Manzanares L. , Serena J. , Castillo J. , Dávalos A. 
Published: November 2008

Objective:  To determine the relationship between body temperature (BT), arterial recanalization, functional outcome, and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) of cerebral infarction in patients treated with i.v. tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).Methods:  We studied 254 patients treated with tPA within 3 h from stroke onset. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score, BT, and transcranial Doppler ultrasound (n = 99) on admission and at 24 h were recorded. Hypodensity volume and HT were evaluated on CT at 24–36 h. Poor outcome (Rankin Scale > 2) was evaluated at 3 months.Results:  Arterial recanalization at 24 h was found in 70.7% of patients, HT in 24.8% (symptomatic in 4.7%) and poor outcome in 44.1%. Baseline BT was not associated with greater stroke severity at admission or at 24 h, HT or poor outcome. However, BT at 24 h correlated to stroke severity (P < 0.001) and hypodensity volume (P < 0.001) at 24 h, and was higher in patients who did not recanalize (P = 0.001), had symptomatic HT (P = 0.063) and poor outcome (P < 0.001). The adjusted odds ratio of poor outcome for patients with BT at 24 h ≥ 37°C was 2.56 (1.19–5.50, P = 0.016).Conclusion:  Body temperature ≥37°C at 24 h, but not at baseline, is associated with a lack of recanalization, greater hypodensity volume and worse outcome in stroke patients treated with tPA.