bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aluminium per se and in the anti‐acid drug sucralfate promotes sensitization via the oral route
Authors: Brunner R. , Wallmann J. , Szalai K. , Karagiannis P. , Altmeppen H. , Riemer A. B. , Jensen‐Jarolim E. , Pali‐Schöll I. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  Aluminium (ALUM) is used as experimental and clinical adjuvant for parenteral vaccine formulation. It is also contained in anti‐acid drugs like sucralfate (SUC). These anti‐acids have been shown to cause sensitization to food proteins via elevation of the gastric pH. The aim of this study was to assess the oral adjuvant properties of ALUM, alone or contained in SUC, in a BALB/c mouse model.Methods:  Mice were fed SUC plus ovalbumin (OVA) and compared with groups where ALUM or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were applied as adjuvants. The humoral and cellular immune responses were assessed on antigen‐specific antibody and cytokine levels. The in vivo relevance was investigated in skin tests.Results:  The highest OVA‐specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE antibody levels were found in mice fed with OVA/SUC, followed by OVA/ALUM‐treated animals, indicating a T helper 2 (Th2) shift in both groups. Antibody levels in other groups revealed lower (OVA/PPI‐group) or baseline levels (control groups). Positive skin tests confirmed an allergic response in anti‐acid or adjuvant‐treated animals.Conclusions:  Our data show for the first time that ALUM acts as a Th2‐adjuvant via the oral route. This suggests that orally applied SUC leads to an enhanced risk for food allergy, not only by inhibiting peptic digestion but also by acting as a Th2‐adjuvant by its ALUM content.
Reactivity to sodium tetrachloropalladate (Na2[PdCl4]) compared to PdCl2 and NiCl2 in lymphocyte proliferation tests
Authors: Muris J. , Kleverlaan C. J. , Feilzer A. J. , Valentine‐Thon E. 
Published: February 2009

Background:  For patch testing, replacement of the commonly used palladium dichloride (PdCl2) by sodium tetrachloropalladate (Na2[PdCl4]) was recently demonstrated to improve test accuracy and show a significant correlation with nickel (Ni), supporting the concept of cross‐reactivity between Pd and Ni. A promising alternative to metal allergy patch testing is the in vitro lymphocyte proliferation test (LTT).Objectives:  The aim of this study was to test whether Na2[PdCl4] is also more sensitive for diagnosing Pd allergy with a standardized LTT.Patients/methods:  After determining optimal nontoxic and nonmitogenic concentrations for Na2[PdCl4], blood samples from 105 patients with clinical suspicion of metal allergy were tested with an LTT called memory lymphocyte immuno stimulation assay for Na2[PdCl4], PdCl2 and NiCl2. Reaction profiles were analysed for concordant positive reactions.Results:  Using the conventional cut‐off of stimulation index ≥ 3, 74.3% showed a positive reaction to NiCl2, 15.2% to PdCl2 and 28.6% to Na2[PdCl4]. All positive results to PdCl2 were covered by Na2[PdCl4]. From the 30 positive reactions to Na2[PdCl4], 26 (87%) were concordant for NiCl2 reactivity.Conclusion:  In LTT, the use of Na2[PdCl4] results in more positive reactions in Pd allergy testing which are in concordance with positive reactions to PdCl2 and NiCl2.
Asthma symptoms in rural living Tanzanian children; prevalence and the relation to aerobic fitness and body fat
Authors: Berntsen S. , Lødrup Carlsen K. C. , Hageberg R. , Aandstad A. , Mowinckel P. , Anderssen S. A. , Carlsen K.‐H. 
Published: February 2009

Objective:  To determine the prevalence of asthma symptoms in children from a rural district in North‐Tanzania, and their relationship to aerobic fitness and body fat.Methods:  In Manyara region in Tanzania, children (aged 9–10 years) were randomly selected to participate in the present cross‐sectional study. Hundred and seventy two participants completed a video questionnaire showing the symptoms and signs of asthma. Lung function was measured by maximum forced expiratory flow‐volume curves. Aerobic fitness was estimated from a standardized indirect maximal cycle ergometer test and sum of three skinfolds reflected body fat.Results:  Twenty four per cent reported asthma symptoms last year. Severe wheezing attacks last year were reported in 5% of the participants. Thirty seven per cent of the participants were underweight. Underweight children had significantly lower (P < 0.02) lung function (per cent of predicted). Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms (odds ratio and 95% CI; 0.45 (0.22–0.95; P = 0.04). Aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms.Conclusions:  More than every fifth 9–10 year old child from a rural district in North‐Tanzania reported asthma symptoms. Lower body fat was associated with higher occurrence of asthma symptoms, but aerobic fitness was not associated with asthma symptoms.
MELD and other predictors of survival after liver transplantation
Authors: Brandão Ajacio , Fuchs Sandra C. , Gleisner Ana L. , Marroni C. , Zanotelli Maria L. , Cantisani Guido ,   on behalf of the Liver Transplantation Group
Published: February 2009

Abstract:  Background:  This study examined how reliable is the pre‐transplant model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score in predicting post‐transplantation survival and analyzed variables associated with patient survival.Methods:  A cohort study was conducted. Receiver operating characteristic curve c‐statistics were used to determine the ability of MELD score to predict mortality. The Kaplan–Meier (KM) method was used to analyze survival as a function of time regarding the MELD score and Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) category. The Cox model was employed to assess the association between baseline risk factors and mortality.Results:  Recipients and donors were mostly male, with a mean age of 51.6 and 38.5 yr, respectively (n = 436 transplants). The c‐statistic values for three‐month patient mortality were 0.60 and 0.61 for MELD score and CTP category, respectively. KM survival at three, six and 12 months were lower in those who had a MELD score ≥21 or were CTP category C. Multivariate analysis revealed that recipient age ≥65 yr, MELD ≥ 21, CTP C category, bilirubin ≥ 7 mg/dL, creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL, platelet transfusion, hepatocellular carcinoma, and non‐white color donor skin were predictors of mortality.Conclusions:  Severe pre‐transplant liver disease, age ≥ 65, non‐white skin donor, and hepatocellular carcinoma are associated with poor outcome.
Should the law on anonymity of organ donation be changed? The perception of liver transplant recipients
Authors: Dobbels Fabienne , Van Gelder Frank , Remans Kathleen , Verkinderen Ann , Peeters Jos , Pirenne Jacques , Nevens Frederik 
Published: February 2009

Abstract: Background:  Belgian politicians submitted a proposal to rescind the law on anonymity of organ donation and transplantation and facilitate contact between donor families and recipients. It remains uncertain if recipients support this proposal.Methodology:  One liver transplant patient organization (n = 176/249) answered and provided comments on two questions: (i) how satisfied are you with the current principle of anonymity of the identity of the donor and (ii) the law about anonymity should be changed to allow the donor family and the patient to meet.Results:  Seventy percent were satisfied/very satisfied with the present law, because of anxiety for emotional involvement or feeling obliged to do something in return, feelings of guilt, and out of mutual respect. Nineteen percent was dissatisfied/very dissatisfied and want to obtain some information about the donor, and directly express their gratitude. Forty‐two percent disagreed with a change, because of anxiety for manipulation, feelings of guilt, respect for the privacy, and worry about the donor having a different background. Thirty‐six percent wanted to change the law out of curiosity, to express their gratitude, or to facilitate their coping process.Discussion:  Prudence to change the law is warranted, as only a minority of patients are in favor of rescinding the anonymity.
Isolation and characterization of the plant glsA promoter from Alstroemeria
Authors: Igawa T. , Hoshino Y. , Yanagawa Y. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe differentiation of a vegetative cell and a generative cell is a critical event during pollen development. The Lilium GlsA is known to localize in pollen and is considered to be involved in development of the generative cell. Here, we cloned a glsA ortholog from Alstroemeria, a commercially important cut flower. The expression of AaglsA (Alstroemeria aurea glsA) transcripts increased gradually after pollen mitosis I (PMI) and reached a significant level when the generative cell started to elongate. Analysis of the promoter of AaglsA suggests that AaglsA expression is controlled by several cis‐regulatory elements during pollen development. This is the first investigation of reproductive factors regulating male gametogenesis in Alstroemeria.
Circuit projection from suprachiasmatic nucleus to ventral tegmental area: a novel circadian output pathway
Authors: Luo Alice H. , Aston‐Jones Gary 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is a circadian pacemaker that synchronizes a number of vital processes. Although a great deal of research has focused on input pathways to SCN and on the central clock itself, relatively little is known about SCN output signaling pathways. The ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been extensively studied for its influence in motivated learning and, recently, for a potential role in arousal and sleep–wake regulation. Here we present data that SCN indirectly projects to VTA via the medial preoptic nucleus (MPON). Microinjection of the retrograde, transynaptic tracer pseudorabies virus (PRV) in rat VTA consistently labeled SCN neurons at time points indicative of an indirect circuit projection. To specify intermediate relay nuclei between SCN and VTA, putative relays were lesioned 1 week prior to PRV injections in VTA. Unilateral lesions of MPON reduced PRV labeling in SCN by 81.6% in the ipsilateral hemisphere and 75.8% in the contralateral hemisphere. Bilateral lesions of the caudal–dorsal lateral septum, another putative relay nucleus and dorsal injection control, did not significantly reduce PRV labeling in the SCN. Single‐unit extracellular recordings under halothane anesthesia revealed a novel population of VTA neurons that selectively fired during the active circadian phase. These results show that SCN provides an indirect circuit pathway to VTA via MPON, and that VTA neurons exhibit a circadian rhythm in their impulse activity. This pathway may function in the circadian regulation of numerous behavioral processes including arousal and motivation.
Spinal NK‐1 receptor‐expressing neurons and descending pathways support fentanyl‐induced pain hypersensitivity in a rat model of postoperative pain
Authors: Rivat Cyril , Vera‐Portocarrero Louis P. , Ibrahim Mohab M. , Mata Heriberto P. , Stagg Nicola J. , De Felice Milena , Porreca Frank , Malan T. P. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractThe clinically important opioid fentanyl, administered acutely, enhances mechanical hypersensitivity in a model of surgical pain induced by plantar incision. Activity of neurokinin‐1 (NK‐1) receptor‐expressing ascending spinal neurons, descending pathways originating in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), and spinal dynorphin are necessary for the development and maintenance of hyperalgesia during sustained morphine exposure, suggesting that these mechanisms may also be important in opioid enhancement of surgical pain. Therefore, we examined the roles of these mechanisms in sensory hypersensitivity produced by acute fentanyl administration in rats not undergoing surgical incision and in rats undergoing plantar incision. In non‐operated rats, fentanyl induced analgesia followed by immediate and long‐lasting sensory hypersensitivity, as previously described. Fentanyl also enhanced pain sensitivity induced by plantar incision. Ablation of NK‐1‐expressing spinal neurons by pre‐treatment with substance P–Saporin reduced sensory hypersensitivity in fentanyl‐treated rats and, to a lesser extent, in fentanyl‐treated rats with a surgical incision. Microinjection of lidocaine into the RVM completely reversed fentanyl‐induced sensory hypersensitivity and fentanyl enhancement of incision‐induced sensory hypersensitivity. RVM lidocaine injection resulted in a slight reduction of incision‐induced sensory hypersensitivity in the absence of fentanyl pre‐treatment. Spinal dynorphin content increased by 30 ± 7% and 66 ± 17% in fentanyl‐ and fentanyl/incision‐treated rats. Spinal administration of antiserum to dynorphin attenuated sensory hypersensitivity in fentanyl‐treated rats. These data support a partial role of NK‐1 receptor‐containing ascending pathways and a crucial role of descending facilitatory pathways in fentanyl‐induced hyperalgesia and in the enhanced hyperalgesia produced by fentanyl treatment following surgical incision.
Context conditioning and extinction in humans: differential contribution of the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex
Authors: Lang Simone , Kroll Alexander , Lipinski Slawomira J. , Wessa Michèle , Ridder Stephanie , Christmann Christoph , Schad Lothar R. , Flor Herta 
Published: February 2009

AbstractFunctional magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate the role of the hippocampus, amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in a contextual conditioning and extinction paradigm provoking anxiety. Twenty‐one healthy persons participated in a differential context conditioning procedure with two different background colours as contexts. During acquisition increased activity to the conditioned stimulus (CS+) relative to the CS− was found in the left hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The amygdala, insula and inferior frontal cortex were differentially active during late acquisition. Extinction was accompanied by enhanced activation to CS+ vs. CS− in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). The results are in accordance with animal studies and provide evidence for the important role of the hippocampus in contextual learning in humans. Connectivity analyses revealed correlated activity between the left posterior hippocampus and dACC (BA32) during early acquisition and the dACC, left posterior hippocampus and right amygdala during extinction. These data are consistent with theoretical models that propose an inhibitory effect of the mPFC on the amygdala. The interaction of the mPFC with the hippocampus may reflect the context‐specificity of extinction learning.
Geometry and landmark representation by pigeons: evidence for species‐differences in the hemispheric organization of spatial information processing?
Authors: Wilzeck Christiane , Prior Helmut , Kelly Debbie M. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractIn this study, we investigated how pigeons (Columba livia) represent environmental geometry and landmark information. Birds learned to locate the centre of a square arena by means of geometric cues alone, or by means of both geometric and landmark cues. By manipulating the type of information available at training and testing, we assessed which cues the birds had encoded, and through the use of monocular occlusion we examined how the information was represented by the two brain hemispheres. Our results show that both brain hemispheres encoded geometric and landmark information. During all viewing conditions, the geometric representation was based mainly on an absolute metric for distance. The relative use of geometry and landmarks was experience dependent. With both brain hemispheres available birds relied, to a greater degree, on geometric information and used it in a more integrated way than with either hemisphere alone. Overall, our findings show a different pattern for the hemispheric encoding of geometric and landmark information by the pigeon than that previously reported for the domestic chick. Our results suggest that the organization of spatial information processing in the left and right brain hemispheres of birds may be more diverse than what is currently known.
Steroid hormones and maternal experience interact to induce glial plasticity in the cingulate cortex
Authors: Salmaso N. , Nadeau J. , Woodside B. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractNeocortical plasticity is not usually associated with changes in reproductive function. However, we have shown a six to 10‐fold increase in the number of astrocytes labeled with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and astrocytic basic fibroblast growth factor or FGF‐2 (bFGF) in the cingulate cortex area 2 (Cg2) in postpartum rats, indicative of changes in connectivity in this area. In the present studies, we investigated the necessary and sufficient stimuli for these changes to occur. We show that 3 h of maternal experience combined with a hormonal treatment that mimics late pregnancy induces the astrocytic changes in Cg2 in virgin rats. The extent of these changes was similar to those of postpartum females. Sensitized virgin females did not show any astrocytic changes after 3 h of maternal behavior, suggesting that a similar amount of maternal experience alone is not sufficient to increase astrocytic bFGF‐ and GFAP‐immunoreactivity in Cg2. Consistent with these data, eliminating early maternal experience by removing pups immediately postpartum abolishes the increased bFGF and GFAP protein expression in the cingulate cortex. These results suggest that maternal experience and hormonal state interact to produce astrocytic remodeling in the Cg2. The current results are consistent with a role for the cingulate cortex in maternal responsivity as suggested by early lesion studies in rats and more recent imaging studies in humans.
Impairment of aversive memory reconsolidation by localized intracranial electrical stimulation
Authors: Stehberg Jimmy , Levy Dino , Zangen Abraham 
Published: February 2009

AbstractReconsolidation of long‐term memory is blocked in animal models by macromolecular synthesis inhibitors, resulting in item‐specific post‐retrieval amnesia. The induction of such amnesia could ameliorate traumatic memories and phobias. However, this pharmacological approach is of limited value in humans because of toxicity. Here we report that reconsolidation of conditioned taste aversion in the rat is impaired by localized intracranial electrical stimulation. Lasting impairment was obtained only when stimulation was applied during memory reactivation and only to the dysgranular insular cortex bilaterally, which subserves the memory, but not to adjacent brain sites. The ability to learn a new association was not affected. The same method blocked new memory consolidation, but produced anterograde amnesia, reminiscent of the known effect of non‐localized electroconvulsive therapy. Our results suggest that localized electrical microstimulation, such as produced by deep‐brain stimulation or deep transcranial magnetic stimulation, could be used to impair long‐term memory if applied during memory reactivation, and could lead to the development of a novel treatment for intractable post‐traumatic stress disorder.
Sacral nerve modulation and other treatments in patients with faecal incontinence after unsuccessful pelvic floor rehabilitation: a prospective study
Authors: Koch S. M. , Melenhorst J. , Uludağ Ö. , Deutekom M. , Stoker J. , Van Gemert W. G. , Baeten C. G. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjectives Sacral nerve modulation (SNM) is a minimally invasive technique for the treatment of faecal incontinence. This study investigates the results of SNM after negative outcome of a standardized pelvic floor rehabilitation (PFR) programme for the treatment of faecal incontinence.Method  A prospective cohort study was performed between December 2001 and August 2007. Consecutive patients who visited the outpatient department for faecal incontinence were included in a multicentre study and treated with standardized PFR. Those with an unsuccessful result who were eligible for SNM were included in the present study. Failures at test stimulation or SNM received another treatment. Clinical outcome, Vaizey scores and Hirschsprung’s disease/anorectal malformation quality‐of‐life (EQ‐5D and HAQL) were assessed during follow‐up in patients with SNM and in patients with other treatments (OT). Adverse events (AE) were documented.Results  Thirty‐five patients (mean age 59.7 years; 31 females) were included. Twenty‐one had a successful test stimulation and 19 patients proceeded to a SNM implant. Incontinence episodes per week decreased significantly from 11.1 ± 11.7 to 1.9 ± 2.6 during test stimulation (P < 0.0001) and SNM over 24.1 months follow‐up. The overall success rate was 49% (17/35). The patients with unsuccessful test stimulation or SNM received OT. The Vaizey score improved in both SNM (18.2 ± 3.5 vs 13.7 ± 4.8; P = 0.004) and other treatment (18.2 ± 3.5 vs 13.9 ± 6.9; P = 0.019). The HAQL scale improved significantly during SNM in all subscales (P < 0.005), but not in the other treatment group. Eight AE occurred during test stimulation (23%) and six AE after permanent implantation (26%).Conclusion  Sacral nerve modulation improves disease specific quality of life significantly compared with other treatment.
Long‐term outcome of loose seton for complex anal fistula: a two‐centre study of patients with and without Crohn’s disease
Authors: Galis‐Rozen E. , Tulchinsky H. , Rosen A. , Eldar S. , Rabau M. , Stepanski A. , Klausner J. M. , Ziv Y. 
Published: February 2009

AbstractObjective  Complex anal fistulas traverse a significant portion of the external sphincter muscle, making their treatment a surgical challenge. Several surgical options are used with conflicting results. The aim of this study was to analyse the results of permanent loose seton in the management of high anal fistulas in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and two‐stage seton fistulotomy in patients without CD.Method  We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 77 patients with complex anal fistula treated by loose seton over a 4‐year period, in two medical centres. Recorded parameters included demographics, medical history, type of fistula, disease duration, previous surgery, morbidity, recurrence and mortality.Results  Sixty patients without CD underwent 107 fistula‐related surgical procedures, and 17 CD patients underwent 29 procedures. Early postoperative complications were recorded in eight (10%) patients. Perioperative complications, mainly local sepsis or bleeding, were recorded in eight (10%) patients. Long‐term complications were observed in nine non‐CD and four CD patients. During a median follow‐up period of 24 months, the recurrence rate was 40% in CD patients and 47% in patients without CD. Five patients (four non‐CD patients and one CD patient) developed some degree of faecal incontinence.Conclusion  The fistula recurrence rate following two‐stage seton fistulotomy in non‐CD patients was high. In CD patients the use of permanent loose seton is effective in controlling local sepsis in about half of patients and has low rates of subsequent incontinence.