bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Memory T cells in cancer immunotherapy: which CD8+ T‐cell population provides the best protection against tumours?
Authors: Perret R. , Ronchese F 
Published: July 2008

AbstractCancer immunotherapy strategies often fail because of immunosuppressive mechanisms present in the tumour‐bearing host. Adoptive T‐cell transfer therapy circumvents this problem by activating tumour‐specific CD8+ T cells in vitro and transferring them back into the patient. Classically, effector T cells have been used in these studies because of their potent anti‐tumour activity. However, it is becoming apparent that highly activated effector cells may become terminally differentiated, display impaired proliferation and survival in vivo, and mediate short‐term anti‐tumour effects. In contrast to effector cells, memory cells have enhanced proliferative potential and survival, and the potential to provide more robust and enduring protection against tumours. Here, we discuss key studies in the field of adoptive T‐cell transfer, along with some of our own results relating to this area. Based on the body of existing research, it is clear that CD8+ T cells with memory potential are superior to terminally differentiated effectors in mediating successful tumour clearance. Opinions remain divided as to whether the central memory or effector memory T‐cell subset is capable of providing the best protection against tumours. We propose that as these cell types have different but complementary benefits for the anti‐tumour immune response, the ideal cell population to use for adoptive T‐cell transfer should consist of a heterogeneous mixture of memory cells.
Investigation of CD69 as a new candidate gene for rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rueda B. , Fernandez‐Gutierrez B. , Balsa A. , Pacual‐Salcedo D. , Lamas J. R. , Raya E. , Gonzalez‐Gay M. A. , Martin J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the CD69 gene as a new functional candidate gene for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) genetic predisposition. A case–control association study including 933 RA patients and 800 healthy individuals was conducted. Five haplotype‐tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs929615, rs3176806, rs4763299, rs11052877, and rs3176789) covering the CD69 gene coding, 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions were selected as CD69 genetic markers and genotyped using a Taqman 5′ allelic discrimination assay. No statistically significant differences were observed in the single marker association study with regard to either genotypic or allelic frequencies when considering the rs929615, rs3176806, rs4763299, rs11052877, and rs3176789 CD69 SNPs independently. According to these findings, no statistically significant skewing was observed between the RA patients and the controls in the distribution of CD69 haplotypes. In summary, our results do not support a major role for the CD69 gene polymorphisms in RA genetic predisposition in our population.
Relative longevity and field metabolic rate in birds
Authors: MØLLER A. P. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractMetabolism is a defining feature of all living organisms, with the metabolic process resulting in the production of free radicals that can cause permanent damage to DNA and other molecules. Surprisingly, birds, bats and other organisms with high metabolic rates have some of the slowest rates of senescence begging the question whether species with high metabolic rates also have evolved mechanisms to cope with damage induced by metabolism. To test whether species with the highest metabolic rates also lived the longest I determined the relationship between relative longevity (maximum lifespan), after adjusting for annual adult survival rate, body mass and sampling effort, and mass‐specific field metabolic rate (FMR) in 35 species of birds. There was a strongly positive relationship between relative longevity and FMR, consistent with the hypothesis. This conclusion was robust to statistical control for effects of potentially confounding variables such as age at first reproduction, latitude and migration distance, and similarity in phenotype among species because of common phylogenetic descent. Therefore, species of birds with high metabolic rates senesce more slowly than species with low metabolic rates.
No fecundity cost of female secondary sexual trait expression in the horned beetle Onthophagus sagittarius
Authors: SIMMONS L. W. , EMLEN D. J. 
Published: July 2008

AbstractTypically males bear the products of sexual selection in the form of ornaments and/or weapons used to compete for and attract females. Secondary sexual traits in females have been thought of as the product of correlated responses to sexual selection on males. However, there is increasing phylogenetic evidence that female secondary sexual traits can arise independently of selection on males, and may be subject to sexual selection. Theoretical models of the evolution of female ornamentation via male mate choice have assumed that females suffer a cost of ornament expression via reduced fecundity, and hence female ornaments are less likely to evolve than male ornaments. In the dung beetle Onthophagus sagittarius, there has been an independent evolutionary origin of horns in females that are qualitatively different from the horns produced by males. We use this system as a model to examine the costs of horn expression for females within a life‐history context. We identified a longevity cost of reproduction for females that was independent of horn expression. Large females lived longer, and after controlling for lifespan, had a higher lifetime fecundity, and invested more heavily in maternal provisioning than did small females. We found no evidence of a cost to females of investment in horns. Rather, the rate of increase in fecundity and horn expression with body size were equal, so that absolute horn size provides an accurate indicator of body size and maternal quality. The effects we observe were independent of female contest competition and/or male mate choice, which were excluded in our experimental protocol. However, we speculate on the potential functional contributions female horns might make to female fitness.
A comparison of heat pulse velocity and lesion lengths for assessing the relative virulence of mountain pine beetle‐associated fungi on jack pine
Authors: Rice A. V. , Langor D. W. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe mountain pine beetle (MPB) vectors three blue‐stain fungi, Grosmannia clavigera, Ophiostoma montium and Leptographium longiclavatum, which contribute to the success of the beetles and the death of the trees. The utility of two methods, heat pulse velocity (HPV) and lesion length, for assessing the relative virulence of these fungi were compared on jack pine in central Alberta. The HPV monitoring apparatus failed to detect xylem sap flow in any of the trees and, thus, could not be used to assess fungal virulence. In contrast, measurement of lesion lengths was more sensitive and provided further evidence that G. clavigera and L. longiclavatum are more virulent than O. montium. The failure of the HPV apparatus to detect sap flow suggests that the study trees were moisture stressed, a factor likely to increase their susceptibility to MPB. Thus, this method is not appropriate for assessing the response of the most susceptible (i.e. drought stressed) trees to MPB and its associated fungi.
Resistance of Dalbergia sissoo to Fusarium solani f.sp. dalbergiae
Authors: Shukla A. N. 
Published: July 2008

SummaryLarge‐scale dieback of Dalbergia sissoo trees in India and neighbouring countries is causing concern to the state forest departments and farmers as trees of all age group are dying. Fusarium solani f.sp. dalbergiae, isolated from the roots of dying trees and from the oozing pitch on stems, was tested for pathogenicity. Seeds were collected from 107 mature healthy trees, from 21 heavily infected localities in the country. As many seed failed to germinate, resistance testing was carried out on a limited number of provenances. Seedlings were tested for disease resistance by soil drenching and root‐dip methods using spore suspensions of F. solani f.sp. dalbergiae. On the basis of seedling survival, provenances were classified into four susceptibility classes; seedlings from Amritsar (Punjab) showed maximum survival and were considered very resistant, whereas Dehra (Kangra), Himachal Pradesh, were the most susceptible. F. solani f.sp. dalbergiae from Nihal Gate (Haldwani), Uttarakhand, was the most virulent isolate amongst the three tested.
Mycological examination of the barbers’ tools about sources of fungal infections
Authors: Uslu Hakan , Uyanik Muhammet , Ayyildiz Ahmet 
Published: July 2008

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine the colonisation of causative agents for fungal skin infections on the tools and surfaces of barbershops. A total of 357 samples from tools and surfaces of 32 barbershops in Erzurum, Turkey were collected and examined for fungal pathogens. From the combs, Trichophyton rubrum (1), non‐dermatophytic moulds (35) and Candida albicans (1); from the hairbrushes, T. rubrum (3), T. mentagrophytes (1), non‐dermatophytic moulds (21) and yeast (1); from the shaving brushes, non‐dermatophytic moulds (2) and C. albicans (2); from the headrest of barber chairs, T. rubrum (1), non‐dermatophytic moulds (19) were isolated. No fungi were isolated from towels. In conclusion, this study showed that shared tools and contacted surfaces in barbershops are important sources for fungal colonization and may play an important role in spreading mycotic infections among people.
First case of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis due to Candida sake
Authors: Guclu Ertugrul , Soypacaci Zeki , Yildirim Mustafa , Kucukbayrak Abdulkadir , Ozdemir Davut 
Published: July 2008

SummaryFungal peritonitis is a relatively uncommon complication of peritoneal dialysis that contributes significantly to morbidity, drop out from the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) program, and mortality. Candida sake infections were rarely published in literature. We present the first case of peritonitis due to C. sake. A 41‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, weakness. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a fistula tract, which has an opening at inferolateral of the umbilicus extending 5 cm from the skin into the abdominal cavity with a foreign body (11 × 10 mm length) inside the fistula. The foreign body was removed by surgery being apparently a part of a previously inserted peritoneal catheter. Postoperative specimens revealed polymorph leucocytes and yeast cells in Gram stain, and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) yielded a growth of a fungus, subsequently identified as C. sake with Api ID 32C. Fluconazole (200 mg/day) therapy was started. He recovered after two weeks of therapy. In conclusion, C. sake, a rare type of Candida species, should be considered as a probable peritoneal pathogen in patients with multiple episodes of bacterial peritonitis, previous broad‐spectrum antibiotic therapy and diabetes mellitus.
Histopathological evolution of a cutaneous myxofibrosarcoma
Authors: Kwong Rhonda A , Kossard Steven 
Published: July 2008

SUMMARYA 54‐year‐old woman presented with a 6‐month history of a tender and swollen plaque appearing as a panniculitis affecting the left pretibial area. The initial histopathology revealed dermal and subcutaneous inflammation with interstitial histiocytes and mucinosis suggestive of either granuloma annulare or necrobiosis lipoidica. Over the subsequent 6 months the plaque grew progressively, despite treatment with topical corticosteroids under occlusion. Distal to the plaque reduced sensation developed in the limb. Biopsies of the nodular areas now revealed a dense dermal infiltrate of atypical spindle cells within a prominent myxoid stroma and a pleomorphic multinucleated epithelioid cell component. These features were those of an intermediate grade myxofibrosarcoma. This soft‐tissue sarcoma may initially masquerade clinically as a panniculitis and a granulomatous process on biopsy as in our patient, leading to a delay in surgical therapy.
Workplace stressors experienced by physiotherapists working in regional public hospitals
Authors: Lindsay Robyn , Hanson Lisa , Taylor Melanie , McBurney Helen 
Published: July 2008

AbstractObjective:  To identify and measure the effects of workplace stressors experienced by Victorian regional physiotherapists. Design:  Survey questionnaire. Setting and participants:  A questionnaire was distributed to three Victorian regional public physiotherapy departments and data were collected from 80 physiotherapists. Main outcome measures:  The type and frequency of workplace stressors, the nature and frequency of common signs and symptoms of stress and the amount of leave taken as a result of stress were measured. Results:  Caseload quantity, complexity of patients, constant excessive workload, covering staff on leave and staff shortages, were reported as key workplace stressors. Physiotherapists aged between 20 and 29 years were significantly more likely to report a higher number of workplace stressors (F = 4.173, n = 80, P = 0.009). Inpatient rehabilitation physiotherapists were significantly more likely to report stress at a higher frequency than physiotherapists working in other areas (χ2 = 14.359, n = 73, P = 0.002). Eleven per cent of all respondents reported taking leave from work as a result of stress with no significant difference identified between those who took leave and those who did not. There was, however, a trend identified with senior staff (Z = 1.792, n = 80, P = 0.073) and those who work in inpatient rehabilitation (χ2 = 6.926, n = 80, P = 0.074) being more likely to take leave as a result of stress. Many of these physiotherapists did not make their employers aware of the reasons for the leave (77%, n = 9).Conclusions:  High caseloads, periods of increased activity and staff shortages are some of the factors that contribute to stress in regional physiotherapists. Younger therapists were more likely to identify stressors with greater frequency. Strategies to monitor, prevent and manage stress should be implemented to minimise burnout in regional physiotherapists.
Harnessing the social capital of rural communities for youth mental health: An asset‐based community development framework
Authors: Boyd Candice P. , Hayes Louise , Wilson Rhonda L. , Bearsley‐Smith Cate 
Published: July 2008

Abstract In Australia, we are facing a period of mental health reform with the establishment of federally funded community youth services in rural areas of the country. These new services have great potential to improve the mental health of rural adolescents. In the context of this new initiative, we have four main objectives with this article. First, we consider the notion of social capital in relation to mental health and reflect on the collective characteristics of rural communities. Second, we review lessons learned from two large community development projects targeting youth mental health. Third, we suggest ways in which the social capital of rural communities might be harnessed for the benefit of youth mental health by using asset‐based community development strategies and fourth, we consider the role that rural clinicians might play in this process.
Withdrawal and limitation of life‐sustaining treatments in a paediatric intensive care unit and review of the literature
Authors: Moore Peter , Kerridge Ian , Gillis Jonathan , Jacobe Stephen , Isaacs David 
Published: July 2008

Objectives:  To examine withdrawal and limitation of life‐sustaining treatment (WLST) in an Australian paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to compare this experience with published data from other countries.Design:  Retrospective chart review and literature review.Source of Data:  Review of 12 months of patient records from a tertiary Australian children's teaching hospital. Medline search using relevant key words focusing on death and PICU.Results:  Twenty of 27 deaths (74%) followed either WLST (n = 16) or Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders (n = 4); five children failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); and two children were brain‐dead. Meetings between the medical team and family were documented for 15 of 16 children (93.8%) before treatment was withdrawn. The average time between withdrawal of life support and death was 13 min. A review of the English‐language literature revealed that 18–65% occurring in PICUs worldwide follow WLST and/or institution of DNR orders. Rates were higher (30–65%) in North America and Europe than elsewhere. Most PICU deaths occurred within 3 days of admission. North American and British parents appear to be involved in decisions regarding withdrawal and limitation of treatment more often than parents in other countries.Conclusions:  Withdrawal and limitation of life‐sustaining treatment was more common in an Australian children's hospital ICU than has been reported from other countries. Details of discussion with parents, including the basis for any decision to WLST, were almost always documented in the patient's medical record.
Spread of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 in a neonatal intensive care unit
Authors: McAdams Ryan M. , Ellis Michael W. , Trevino Sherry , Rajnik Michael 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground: Reports of community‐associated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA‐MRSA) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) and in otherwise healthy patients without obvious risk factors have been increasing in frequency. Described herein is a cluster of cases of CA‐MRSA USA300 strains in an NICU affecting infants, health‐care workers and the health‐care workers’ families.Methods: Infants and health‐care workers with infection and colonization due to MRSA between 1 January 2004 and 30 June 2005 in a tertiary care center NICU in San Antonio, TX were studied. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and polymerase chain reaction detection of the mecA gene characterized the MRSA isolates. All MRSA cases were reviewed for clinical severity of infection and outcome.Results: During the 18 months studied, a total of four (0.6%) of 676 infants had CA‐MRSA bacteremia or colonization. One infant with necrotizing pneumonia died and three health‐care workers who directly cared for the infected infants developed soft‐tissue infections caused by CA‐MRSA. Four family members of two health‐care workers subsequently developed soft‐tissue infections. All of the analyzed isolates (eight of nine) belonged to pulsed‐field type USA300 and possessed Panton–Valentine leukocidin genes, which have been associated with severe skin and soft‐tissue infections, and necrotizing pneumonia.Conclusions: It is likely that the CA‐MRSA USA300 strain can be transmitted between NICU patients to health‐care workers and their family members. The CA‐MRSA cases reported here reinforce the virulence of CA‐MRSA USA300 strains and emphasize the need to embrace infection control practices designed to protect hospitalized patients, health‐care workers and their family members.
Clinical importance of cytomegalovirus antigenemia for intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Kaneko Masatoki , Sameshima Hiroshi , Ikenoue Tsuyomu , Kusumoto Kazumi , Minematsu Toshio 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground: Little is known about the clinical importance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia for intrauterine‐CMV‐infected newborns. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CMV antigenemia during the neonatal period and its association with clinical manifestations.Methods: CMV antigenemia was analyzed using neonatal blood from 25 patients suspected of having intrauterine infection because of abnormal clinical manifestations in the mother, fetus, and newborn. Neonatal urine samples were collected for diagnosis of intrauterine infection. The diagnostic accuracy of the antigenemia analysis was evaluated by comparing it with the results of urinary CMV analyses. The clinical manifestations of antigenemia‐positive and ‐negative infected newborns were compared in the infected newborns.Results: Fifteen newborns were congenitally infected and 10 were uninfected as diagnosed on virus isolation from neonatal urine. Six of 15 infected newborns were positive for CMV antigenemia. CMV antigenemia had a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 52.6%, a sensitivity of 40%, and a specificity of 100%. CMV retinitis and pneumonitis were more prevalent among antigenemia‐positive newborns (4/6) than antigenemia‐negative newborns (0/9;P < 0.05).Conclusions: Antigenemia was significantly associated with retinitis and pneumonia, but it was not sensitive enough to diagnose intrauterine CMV infection.
Head circumference and development in young children after renal transplantation
Authors: Motoyama Osamu , Kawamura Takeshi , Aikawa Atushi , Hasegawa Akira , Iitaka Kikuo 
Published: July 2008

AbstractBackground:  Growth impairment, microcephaly and developmental delay in young children with chronic renal failure improve after successful renal transplantation. There have been few reports on head circumference (HC) and development after transplantation.Method:  Standard deviation scores (SDS) of height and HC and developmental quotient (DQ) after successful renal transplantation were evaluated in 12 recipients under 5 years of age. At the time of transplantation their mean age was 2.5 years and mean bodyweight was 9.0 kg.Results:  Mean height SDS was −3.0 at transplantation and increased to −2.3 at 1 year after transplant (P = 0.002). Mean HC‐SDS increased from −1.4 to −0.9 at 1 year after transplant (P = 0.02). As for each category of DQ examined 1 year after transplant, mean scores of gross motor function, basic practice, personal relations, speech and recognition increased from 69 to 90 (P = 0.007), from 77 to 102 (P = 0.02), from 87 to 103 (P = 0.04), from 71 to 90 (P = 0.0006), and from 88 to 101 (P = 0.03), respectively.Conclusion:  In young children, physical growth, HC growth and DQ scores increased 1 year after transplantation. Dialysis and transplantation program should be planned in young children with end‐stage renal failure in anticipation of growth and development of each patient.
MAC‐awake of sevoflurane in children
Authors: DAVIDSON ANDREW J. , WONG AARON , KNOTTENBELT GRAHAM , SHEPPARD SUZETTE , DONATH SUSAN , FRAWLEY GEOFF 
Published: July 2008

SummaryIntroduction:  Age influences the potency of anesthetic agents, but there is little information on how age influences MAC‐awake. MAC‐awake may be an important aspect of anesthesia potency for the prevention of awareness during anesthesia. The aim of this study was to measure MAC‐awake in a range of ages in children.Methods:  After institutional ethics approval and informed parental consent 60 children were enrolled; 20 in each of three age groups (2 to <5, 5 to <8 and 8–12 years). Children were excluded if they had opioids, sedative premedication or a procedure likely to cause any residual discomfort. All children had sevoflurane anesthesia. At the end of the procedure the sevoflurane was decreased to the target concentration. Once the target endtidal concentration was achieved it was maintained for 10 min before a standard stimulus was applied and an observer determined if the child was awake. The Dixon up–down method was used to determine progression of subsequent concentrations and MAC‐awake (ED50) for the three age groups were obtained using the probit model.Results:  This study found evidence for a difference in ED50 between age groups (P = 0.008). The MAC‐awake was highest in the youngest group (0.66%) and similar in the older groups (0.45% and 0.43%).Conclusion:  Although MAC‐awake changes with age, in the ages where awareness has been reported, MAC‐awake was found to be relatively low, and therefore it seems unlikely that age‐specific changes to MAC‐awake are a cause for awareness in children aged 5–12 years.