bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Levosimendan cardioprotection reduces the metabolic response during temporary regional coronary occlusion in an open chest pig model
Authors: Metzsch C. , Liao Q. , Steen S. , Algotsson L. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  Inotropic and myocardial anti‐ischemic effects have been demonstrated with levosimendan. The comparison of levosimendan started before an ischemia‐reperfusion event as compared with levosimendan started during ischemia has not been studied.Methods:  In anesthetized pigs, a major branch of the circumflex artery was completely occluded for 30 min and then reperfused. The metabolism in the ischemic myocardium and in non‐ischemic control myocardium was studied with microdialysis concomitantly with monitoring of global hemodynamics and coronary artery flow in the chosen artery. In the protection group (PRO, n= 6), a levosimendan infusion was started 30 min before coronary artery occlusion, and in the treatment group (TRE, n= 6), a levosimendan infusion was started 10 min after the coronary artery occlusion with a loading dose of 13.3 μg/kg followed by an infusion of 0.67 μg/kg/min. A two‐way repeated measures ANOVA completed with Bonferroni’s multiple comparison procedure was applied to the data. A P < 0.05 was considered significant.Results:  During the ischemic period, the cardiac output and contractility (dp/dtmax) were higher in the PRO as compared with the TRE and the systemic vascular resistance was lower. The myocardial microdialysate glucose concentration in the ischemic area during ischemia was higher in the PRO as compared with the TRE, and the lactate/pyruvate ratio and the lactate concentration were lower. The differences in the metabolites persisted into the first 10 min of reperfusion. No differences were found for the non‐ischemic areas.Conclusion:  Levosimendan used throughout myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion might have a cardioprotective affect on the response to myocardial ischemia as compared with levosimendan started during the ischemia.
Outcome from intensive care after cardiac arrest: comparison between two patient samples treated in 1986–87 and 1999–2001 in Finnish ICUs
Authors: Niskanen M. , Reinikainen M. , Kurola J. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  The aim of the study was to find out whether the characteristics of patients and the outcome from intensive care after cardiac arrest have changed over time.Methods:  Two nationwide databases were compared: (i) The Finnish National Intensive Care Study data in 1986–87 and (ii) data on 28,640 admissions to Finnish ICUs in 1999–2001. Patients whose reason for ICU admission was cardiac arrest were included. The former study included 604 patients treated in 18 medical and surgical ICUs in and the latter 1036 patients in 25 medical and surgical ICUs. Data on the components of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) were prospectively collected in both study periods. Logistic regression analysis was used to test the independent contribution of the study period on hospital mortality.Results:  In 1986–87, patients were younger and the proportion of males was lower than in 1999–2001. The hospital mortality in 1986–87 was 61.3% and in 1999–2001 59.1% (P= 0.396). Among patients aged < 57 years, the hospital mortality in 1986–87 was 62.1% and in 1999–2001 48.8% (P < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, controlling for age, gender, Glasgow coma score (GCS), chronic health evaluation points and source of admission, treatment during 1986–87 was an independent predictor for hospital death among all patients (OR 1.273; 95% CI 1.015–1.594), those aged < 57 years (OR 1.959; 95% CI 1.270–3.021) and among males (OR 1.384; 95% CI 1.050–1.825).Conclusion:  Since the late 1980s, the outcome from intensive care after cardiac arrest may have improved especially among younger patients and males.
Comparison of a propofol target‐controlled infusion and inhalational sevoflurane for fibreoptic intubation under spontaneous ventilation
Authors: Bonnin M. , Therre P. , Albuisson E. , Beaujard H. , Barthelemy I. , Mondie J.‐M. , Bazin J.‐E. 
Published: October 2006

Background:  A propofol target‐controlled infusion (TCI) is often proposed for the management of difficult airway intubation and fibreoptic intubation under anaesthesia and spontaneous ventilation. No data are available about sevoflurane. The aim of the present study was to compare propofol and sevoflurane as hypnotics during fibreoptic intubation under spontaneous ventilation.Methods:  After regional ethical committee approval, 52 ASA I–II patients without any predictors for difficult intubation gave their informed consent. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups. After 3 min of pre‐oxygenation, patients received either propofol with a plasmatic target concentration of 4 mg/l (group P; n= 26) or sevoflurane 4% with tidal volume ventilation (group S; n= 26). After 2 min, propofol was increased by 1 mg/l and sevoflurane was increased by 1% every 2 min until there was no reaction during mandible translation. This concentration was maintained for 4 min before starting nasotracheal fibrescopy for intubation. During both induction and fibrescopy, pulse oximetry, bispectral index (BIS), heart rate, and arterial blood pressure were monitored. Quality of intubation and operator satisfaction were evaluated. Data were compared using Student’s t‐test, Mann‐Withney U‐test or chi‐square test. A P‐value < 0.05% was considered to be significant.Results:  During induction, no difference in pulse oximetry, BIS values at the end of induction, or duration of induction were noticed. Five episodes of desaturation under 90% occurred during fibreoptic intubation in group P compared with none in group S.Conclusion:  Sevoflurane provides good fibreoptic intubation conditions to spontaneously breathing patients without any hypoxemic episodes such as those observed with propofol.
Analytical and clinical sensitivity of the Procleix Ultrio HIV‐1/HCV/HBV assay in samples with a low viral load
Authors: Katsoulidou A. , Moschidis Z. , Sypsa V. , Chini M. , Papatheodoridis G. V. , Tassopoulos N. C , Mimidis K. , Karafoulidou A. , Hatzakis A. 
Published: October 2006

Background and Objectives  The Procleix Ultrio human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) (Ultrio) assay simultaneously detects HIV‐1 RNA, HCV RNA and HBV DNA in individual blood donations. The main objective of the study was to assess the analytical and clinical sensitivity of the multiplex and discriminatory probe assays in samples with a low viral load.Material and Methods  The VQC HIV RNA genotype B, HCV RNA genotype 1 and HBV DNA genotype A standard dilutions were tested in 26 repeats. The probability of detection by Ultrio was compared with previously obtained data of the Procleix Duplex HIV‐1/HCV assay on the same reference panels. A selection of 121 anti‐HIV‐1, 138 anti‐HCV and 190 HBsAg positive samples from patients receiving antiviral therapy were tested. The majority of patient samples had a viral load below the detection limit of the diagnostic nucleic acid test assays, which made them suitable to evaluate the performance of the multiplex and discriminatory assays on yield cases with a similar low viral load.Results  The 95% and 50% detection end‐points of the Ultrio assay along with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals are 53·7 (32·9–117·2) and 8·6 (6·2–12·1) geq/ml for HIV‐1 RNA, 30·3 (19·0–62·4) and 5·2 (3·7–7·2) geq/ml for HCV RNA and 393·7 (147·9–6978) and 54·5 (22·4–143·8) geq/ml for HBV DNA. The analytical sensitivity of Ultrio expressed as a potency factor relative to previously obtained Duplex results on the same HIV‐1 RNA and HCV‐RNA standard dilutions was 1·09 (0·20–6·10) and 1·11 (0·21–5·89), respectively. The assay detected all 22 HIV‐1 infected patients with viral load > 50 copies/ml, and 41 of 99 patients (41%) with viral load < 50 copies/ml, of which 23 (56%) were detected by the discriminatory assay. All 47 patients with HCV RNA load > 521 IU/ml and 10/91 polymerase chain reaction‐negative patients with viral load < 50 IU/ml tested positive in Ultrio assay of which five were missed in the discriminatory test. The assay detected 53/55 HBV infected patients (96%) with viral load > 250 copies/ml and 108/135 patients (80%) with viral load < 250 copies/ml of which 17 (16%) were missed by the discriminatory test.Conclusions  The new Procleix Ultrio assay is as sensitive as the Procleix Duplex assay for HIV‐1 and HCV detection meeting the requirements of universal guidelines. The ability of the assay to detect HBV DNA in low viral load samples could be useful for screening blood. Inevitable negative results of discriminatory probe assays caused by stochastic sample variation will reduce the chance of recognizing low viraemic blood donors detected by individual donation nucleic acid test.
Rapid resolution of severe disc new vessels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy following a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin)
Authors: Isaacs Timothy W , Barry Chris 
Published: October 2006

AbstractA 70‐year‐old man with asymptomatic proliferative diabetic retinopathy received a single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin). One month following treatment there was complete resolution of new vessels.
The relationship between bispectral index and endtidal concentration of sevoflurane during anesthesia and recovery in spontaneously ventilating children
Authors: KERN DELPHINE , FOURCADE OLIVIER , MAZOIT JEAN‐XAVIER , MINVILLE VINCENT , CHASSERY CLEMENT , CHAUSSERAY GERALD , GALINIER P , SAMII KAMRAN 
Published: October 2006

SummaryBackground:  Global inverse correlation between BIS (bispectral index) and depth of anesthesia using sevoflurane has been documented in children in several studies under experimental conditions and in steady‐state conditions during mechanically controlled ventilation. Because sevoflurane mask anesthesia combined with a peripheral nerve block is widely used in children, we studied the relationship between BIS and endtidal concentration of sevoflurane (PEsevo) under these conditions during surgery and emergence.Methods:  In this prospective blinded study of 32 children, the relationship between BIS and PEsevo was studied during sevoflurane anesthesia via facemask combined with peripheral nerve block. The intraoperative phase was studied during steady‐state conditions (fixed PEsevo) and the emergence phase was studied during fast alveolar washout (FAW). BIS and PEsevo data fitted using the Emax model. Coefficients of variation of BIS and PEsevo during the two periods were compared.Results:  Fit was adequate with the simple Emax model. Intraoperative variation in BIS was large (28.4%), and larger than at awakening (28.4% vs 8%). At awakening, BIS varied less than PEsevo (8% vs 28.5%). No difference was found between children younger and those older than 5 years.Conclusions:  Caution is required for intraoperative titration based on BIS when spontaneous ventilation is maintained because of the wide variability compared with PEsevo. During emergence using FAW, BIS varied significantly less than PEsevo, but the clinical relevance of this point could be discussed during anesthesia without tracheal intubation.
Non‐invasive techniques for investigating and modelling root‐feeding insects in managed and natural systems
Authors: Johnson Scott N. , Crawford John W. , Gregory Peter J. , Grinev Dmitry V. , Mankin Richard W. , Masters Gregory J. , Murray Philip J. , Wall Diana H. , Zhang Xiaoxian 
Published: October 2006

Abstract1 Root‐feeding insects are now considered to play a greater role in ecosystem processes than previously thought, yet little is known about their specific interactions with host plants compared with above‐ground insect herbivores. Methodological difficulties associated with studying these insects in the soil, together with the lack of empirical and theoretical frameworks, have conventionally hindered progress in this area.2 This paper reviews recent empirical and theoretical developments that have been adopted for studying root‐feeding insects, focusing on the non‐invasive techniques of X‐ray tomography and acoustic field detection and how these can be integrated with new mathematical modelling approaches.3 X‐ray tomography has been used for studying the movements of several insects within the soil and has helped to characterize the host plant location behaviour of the clover root weevil, Sitona lepidus. Acoustic detection of soil insects has been used in various managed systems, ranging from nursery containers to citrus groves.4 Mathematical modelling plays a complementary role for investigating root‐feeding insects, illustrated by a number of published models. A model is presented for the movement of S. lepidus in the soil, which suggests that these insects undergo Lévy movements, similar to those recently demonstrated for above‐ground organisms.5 The future directions and challenges for investigating root‐feeding insects are discussed in the context of the wider ecosystem, incorporating both above and below‐ground organisms.
Immunohistochemical localization and biological activity of the steroidogenic enzyme cytochrome P450 17α‐hydroxylase/C17, 20‐lyase (P450C17) in the frog brain and pituitary
Authors: Do Rego Jean Luc , Tremblay Yves , Luu‐The Van , Repetto Emanuela , Castel Hélène , Vallarino Mauro , Bélanger Alain , Pelletier Georges , Vaudry Hubert 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIt is now clearly established that the brain has the capability of synthesizing various biologically active steroids including 17‐hydroxypregnenolone (17OH‐Δ5P), 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17OH‐P), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (Δ4). However, the presence, distribution and activity of cytochrome P450 17α‐hydroxylase/C17, 20‐lyase (P450C17), a key enzyme required for the conversion of pregnenolone (Δ5P) and progesterone (P) into these steroids, are poorly documented. Here, we show that P450C17‐like immunoreactivity is widely distributed in the frog brain and pituitary. Prominent populations of P450C17‐containing cells were observed in a number nuclei of the telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon and metencephalon, as well as in the pars distalis and pars intermedia of the pituitary. In the brain, P450C17‐like immunoreactivity was almost exclusively located in neurons. In several hypothalamic nuclei, P450C17‐positive cell bodies also contained 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase‐like immunoreactivity. Incubation of telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon, metencephalon or pituitary explants with [3H]Δ5P resulted in the formation of several tritiated steroids including 17OH‐Δ5P, 17OH‐P, DHEA and Δ4. De novo synthesis of C2117‐hydroxysteroids and C19ketosteroids was reduced in a concentration‐dependent manner by ketoconazole, a P450C17inhibitor. This is the first detailed immunohistochemical mapping of P450C17in the brain and pituitary of any vertebrate. Altogether, the present data provide evidence that CNS neurons and pituitary cells can synthesize androgens.
Hypothalamic Hamartoma and Infantile Spasms
Authors: Kerrigan John F. , Ng Yu‐tze , Prenger Erin , Krishnamoorthy Kalpathy S. , Wang Norman C. , Rekate Harold L. 
Published: October 2006

Summary: Purpose:A small number of patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) present with infantile spasms (IS) as an initial or early seizure type. We describe the clinical features of IS associated with HH.Methods:Our series of patients with HH and epilepsy was reviewed to identify cases with a history of IS. The clinical features and neuroradiological findings in this study group were compared to a control group of patients with HH and refractory epilepsy, but without a history of IS.Results:We identified six patients with HH and a history of IS in this series (n = 122, 4.9%). Five of the six are male. Four of the six patients (67%) developed IS as their first seizure type. The mean age for onset of IS was 6.2 months (range 4–9 months). Results of electroencephalographic (EEG) study at the time of IS diagnosis showed hypsarrhythmia in two (33%). Five patients were treated with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and four of the five (80%) responded with control of IS. However, these patients developed other seizure types, and were ultimately refractory to medical management. Aside from the IS, no significant differences in clinical and imaging features were determined between the study group and the control group.Conclusions:HH should be included in the differential diagnosis for infants presenting with IS. These patients may have hypsarrhythmia on initial EEG, and may respond to ACTH treatment with improvement of IS. However, all became refractory with other seizure types, more commonly seen in HH patients. Focal pathologies associated with IS may be subcortical, as well as cortical, in nature. We have not identified any predictive features for the occurrence of IS in the HH population.
Patterns of Regional Brain Activity in Alcohol‐Dependent Subjects
Authors: Hayden Elizabeth P. , Wiegand Ryan E. , Meyer Eric T. , Bauer Lance O. , O'Connor Sean J. , Nurnberger John I. , Chorlian David B. , Porjesz Bernice , Begleiter Henri 
Published: October 2006

Background: Electroencephalographic (EEG) measures of hemispheric asymmetry in anterior brain activity have been related to a variety of indices of psychopathology and emotionality. However, little is known about patterns of frontal asymmetry in alcohol‐dependent (AD) samples. It is also unclear whether psychiatric comorbidity in AD subjects accounts for additional variance in frontal asymmetry, beyond a diagnosis of AD alone.Methods: We compared 193 AD subjects with 108 control subjects on resting brain activity in anterior and posterior regions, as indexed by asymmetries in α band power in the left and right hemispheres. Within the AD group alone, we examined whether comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) or antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) had effects on regional asymmetry.Results: Compared with control subjects, AD subjects exhibited lower left, relative to right, cortical activation in anterior regions. Evidence that comorbidity in AD subjects accounted for further variance in EEG asymmetry was mixed; AD subjects with comorbid ASPD were not significantly different from those without ASPD, while AD subjects with a lifetime history of MDD showed less asymmetry in anterior regions than those without MDD.Conclusions: Our findings indicate that AD subjects exhibit a pattern of frontal asymmetry similar to that found in other psychiatric groups. Results examining the effects of comorbidity in AD on EEG asymmetry were inconclusive. The implications of our findings for future work are described.
Expression of Natural Cytotoxicity Receptors and a2V‐ATPase on Peripheral Blood NK Cell Subsets in Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Abortions and Implantation Failures
Authors: Fukui Atsushi , Ntrivalas Evangelos , Gilman‐Sachs Alice , Kwak‐Kim Joanne , Lee Sung‐Ki , Levine Rita , Beaman Kenneth 
Published: October 2006

Problem  Natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs) are unique markers, which regulate NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine production. a2V‐ATPase is expressed on subsets of PBMC and regulates the extracellular environment, which facilitates NK cytotoxicity or cytokine secretion. In this study, we aim to investigate the expression of NCRs and a2V‐ATPase in peripheral blood NK cells of women with recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) or implantation failures.Method of study  Peripheral blood NK cells (CD56dim and CD56bright were analyzed for the expression of NCRs (NKp46, NKp44 and NKp30) and a2V‐ATPase using 3‐color flow cytometry in women with RSA (n=24), implantation failures (n=19) or normal healthy women (n=13).Results  CD56+/NKp46+ cells were markedly decreased (P<0.05) and CD56bright/a2V‐ATPase+ cells were significantly increased (P<0.05) in women with RSA as compared to those of normal controls. In women with RSA or implantation failures, expression of NKp46, NKp44, NKp30, and a2V‐ATPase on CD56bright NK cells was significantly up‐regulated as compared with those of CD56dim NK cells.Conclusion  The differential expression of NCRs and a2V‐ATPase in NK cell subsets may suggest dysregulation of NK cytotoxicity and cytokine production in women with RSA and implantation failures.
B‐Cell Responses to Lipopolysaccharide Epitopes: Who Sees What First – Does It Matter?
Authors: Wade William F. 
Published: October 2006

Problem  Cholera is the paradigm for waterborne bacterial diseases. For over a 100 years, scientists have tried to develop a universally effective vaccine for cholera. We are hampered in our efforts because we do not know the details of the basic immune response to Vibrio cholerae antigens. What are the most proactive antigens? What special needs for immunization are engendered by previous exposure to cholera or the age of the individual? How long does immunity last, and is this immunity a classic immunologic memory or re‐exposure and continual boosting?Method of study  Immunization with synthetic derivatives of the carbohydrate moieties of V. cholerae lipopolysaccharide (LPS) coupled to different carrier proteins (neoglycoconjugates, NGC) has allowed dissection of the response to the disaccharide array of perosamine that represent either the Inaba or the Ogawa serotype. Studying serum anti‐LPS endpoint titers and the serum vibriocidal response to NGC provides insight into the importance of LPS serotype‐specific B‐cell epitopes and how antibody response are influenced by the form of the LPS immunogen.Results  We found that murine serum antibody responses to V. cholerae LPS are dynamic. The magnitude of serum anti‐LPS antibody titers and the capacity to induced vibriocidal antibodies (immunoglobulin M) are influenced by the initial immunizing serotype of LPS, the structure of the LPS immunogen (native LPS versus NGC), and the order of serotype immunization in a prime boost immunization strategy. The dynamic of the immune response to LPS immunogens is typified by the fact that the host species can affect the immunization response. We found mice do not make vibriocidal antibody to Inaba NGC but rabbits do. This is in contrast to the Ogawa NGC that induced vibriocidal antibody in mice.Conclusion  The results suggest that the host's B‐cell repertoire can influence the immunization efficacy; therefore, the development of the new generation of NGC V. cholerae vaccines should focus on human volunteers and their ability to mount protective responses.
Specific Isolation of Placenta‐Derived Exosomes from the Circulation of Pregnant Women and Their Immunoregulatory Consequences1
Authors: Sabapatha Anuradha , Gercel‐Taylor Cicek , Taylor Douglas D. 
Published: October 2006

Problem  One immunoregulatory pathway receiving little attention is placental exosome release. In normal pregnancy, as factors linked with early immunomodulation decline, placental exosomes become critical in modulating T‐cell activation, suppressing effector T cells by enhancing lymphocyte apoptosis and CD3‐zeta loss.Method of study  Placental exosomes were specifically isolated from the maternal peripheral circulation by a chromatographic/immunosorbent procedure. Exosomal suppression of T‐cell signaling molecules on unfractionated T cells and T subsets was analyzed by Western immunoblot. The role of Fas ligand (FasL) was defined by use of Fas‐blocking antibody.Results  While exosomes of lymphoid origin could be demonstrated in all women, placenta‐derived exosomes were only identified in pregnant patients. Placental exosomes suppressed T‐cell expression of CD3‐zeta and JAK3, while inducing SOCS‐2. This downregulation of CD3‐zeta was partially reversed by pre‐incubating T cells with ZB4 antibody. Using T subsets, the level of CD3‐zeta on CD8+ cells was inhibited 1.43‐fold more than in CD4+ cells. On CD4+ CD25+ cells, CD3‐zeta was not significantly inhibited.Conclusion  Placental exosomes suppressed T‐cell signaling components; however, while exosomal FasL is an important contributor, it does not appear to be the sole mediator. The additional expression of PD‐L1 may explain immunoregulatory consequences of exosomes with low or absent FasL.