bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Suppression of innate immunity by a nasal carriage strain of Staphylococcus aureus increases its colonization on nasal epithelium
Authors: Quinn Gerry A. , Cole Alexander M. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryNasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is an important source of nosocomial infection and community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Previous studies by our laboratory revealed that nasal carriage of S. aureus is accompanied by subclinical inflammation, which is insufficient to prevent colonization, and that carriage might also be a result of adaptation and selection of certain S. aureus strains to the host's nasal environment. In the present study we observed that a carrier strain of S. aureus preferentially colonizes and attaches to nasal epithelial cells (NEC) compared to a non‐carrier S. aureus strain. Conversely, when naive NEC were pretreated with interleukin‐1β for 24 hr, the growth and attachment of the carrier strain of S. aureus were significantly reduced in comparison to the non‐carrier strain, emphasizing the pivotal role played by host innate immunity in the initial events of nasal carriage. While both strains up‐regulated the expression of the pattern recognition receptor, Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2), NEC exposed to the nasal carrier strain had a 4‐hr delay in TLR2 expression compared with NEC exposed to non‐carrier S. aureus. Moreover, even after 20 hr of colonization the expression of two principal epithelial antimicrobial peptides, human β‐defensin‐2 and human β‐defensin‐3, was negligibly induced in NEC exposed to the nasal carrier strain of S. aureus in comparison to the non‐carrier strain. These results suggest that carrier strains of S. aureus retain a competitive advantage over non‐carrier strains by delaying the host's innate response to epithelial colonization and infection.
Peptide‐β2‐microglobulin‐major histocompatibility complex expressing cells are potent antigen‐presenting cells that can generate specific T cells
Authors: Obermann Sonja , Petrykowska Susanne , Manns Michael P. , Korangy Firouzeh , Greten Tim F. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryAdoptive T‐cell therapy represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of cancer. Successful adoptive immunotherapy depends on the ex vivo priming and expansion of antigen‐specific T cells. However, the in vitro generation of adequate numbers of functional antigen‐specific T cell remains a major obstacle. It is important to develop efficient and reproducible methods to generate high numbers of antigen‐specific T cells for adoptive T‐cell transfer. We have developed a new artificial antigen‐presenting cell (aAPC) by transfection of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I negative Daudi cells with a peptide‐β2‐microglobulin–MHC fusion construct (single‐chain aAPC) ensuring presentation of the peptide–MHC complex of interest. Using this artificial antigen‐presenting cell, we could generate up to 9·2 × 108 antigen‐specific cytotoxic CD8+ T cells from 10 ml blood. In vitro generated T cells lysed endogenously presented antigens. Direct comparison of the single‐chain aAPC with autologous monocyte‐derived dendritic cells demonstrated that these cells were equally efficient in stimulation of T cells. Finally, we were able to generate antigen‐specific T cell lines from perpheral blood mononuclear cells of patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. The use of single‐chain aAPC represent a promising option for the generation of antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells, which could be used for adoptive T‐cell therapy.
CD40‐mediated enhancement of immune responses against three forms of influenza vaccine
Authors: Hatzifoti Caterina , Heath Andrew W. 
Published: May 2007

SummaryThere is potential for influenza A infections to cause massive morbidity and mortality. Vaccination may be the primary defence against pandemic influenza, and potential pandemic'flu vaccines may be produced conventionally, in embryonated eggs, or as recombinant protein or synthetic peptide vaccines. However the vaccines are produced, the supply may be limiting, and it will be important to enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccines as much as possible. We have shown that conjugation to CD40 binding antibody is a very efficient way of enhancing immune responses against model antigens, but were interested in assessing the effectiveness of this system using influenza vaccines. We produced conjugates of CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and isotype control with three potential influenza vaccines: a peptide‐based vaccine containing T‐ and B‐cell epitopes from virus haemagglutinin; a whole, killed virus vaccine; and a commercially produced split virus vaccine. CD40 mAb conjugates in each case were more immunogenic, but the adjuvant effect of CD40 conjugation was greatest with the split vaccine, where antibody responses were enhanced by several hundred‐fold after a single immunization, and lymphocyte proliferation in response to antigen in vitro was also strongly enhanced.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptors expression and microvascular density in benign and malignant thyroid diseases
Authors: Jebreel Ala'eddin , England James , Bedford Karen , Murphy Justin , Karsai Laszlo , Atkin Stephen 
Published: May 2007

SummaryAngiogenesis is critical for the growth and metastatic spread of tumours. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent inducer of neovasculature, and its increased expression has been related to a worse clinical outcome in many diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between VEGF, its receptors (VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2) and microvessel density (MVD) in thyroid diseases. Immunostaining for VEGF and VEGF receptors was performed in 66 specimens of thyroid tissue, comprising 17 multinodular goitre (MNG), 14 Graves’ disease, 10 follicular adenoma, 8 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 7 papillary carcinoma and 10 normal thyroid specimens. Thyrocyte positivity for VEGF and VEGF receptors was scored 0–3. Immunohistochemistry for CD31, and CD34 on the same sections was performed to evaluate MVD. Immunohistochemical staining of VEGF in thyrocytes was positive in 92% of all the thyroid tissues studied. Using an immunostaining intensity cut off of 2, increased thyrocyte staining was seen in follicular adenoma specimens, MNG and normal thyroids compared with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves’ disease (P < 0.05). Similarly, VEGF thyrocyte expression in Graves’ disease was less than other pathologies (P < 0.05). VEGFR‐1 expression and the average MVD score did not differ between the different thyroid pathologies. VEGF expression was lower in autoimmune pathologies compared to autonomous growth processes. Conversely, both VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 were widely expressed in benign and neoplastic thyroid disease, suggesting that the up‐regulation of VEGF and not its receptors occurs as tissue becomes autonomous. There was no clear relationship between MVD measurement and thyroid pathology.
Floristic turnover in Iceland from 15 to 6 Ma – extracting biogeographical signals from fossil floral assemblages
Authors: Grímsson Friðgeir , Denk Thomas 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim  This study aims to document the floristic changes that occurred in Iceland between 15 and 6 Ma and to establish the dispersal mechanisms for the plant taxa encountered. Using changing patterns of dispersal, two factors controlling floristic changes are tested. Possible factors are (1) climate change, and (2) the changing biogeography of Iceland over the time interval studied; that is, the presence or absence of a Miocene North Atlantic Land Bridge.Location  The North Atlantic.Methods  Species lists of fossil plants from Iceland in the time period 15 to 6 Ma were compiled using published data and new data. Closest living analogues were used to establish dispersal properties for the fossil taxa. Dispersal mechanisms of fossil plants were then used to reconstruct how Iceland was colonized during various periods.Results  Miocene floras of Iceland (15–6 Ma) show relatively high floristic turnover from the oldest floras towards the youngest; and few taxa from the oldest floras persist in the younger floras. The frequencies of the various dispersal mechanisms seen in the 15‐Ma floras are quite different from those recorded in the 6‐Ma floras, and there is a gradual change in the prevailing mode of dispersal from short‐distance anemochory and dyschory to long‐distance anemochory. Two mechanisms can be used to explain changing floral composition: (1) climate change, and (2) the interaction between the dispersal mechanisms of plants and the increasing isolation of proto‐Iceland during the Miocene.Main conclusions  Dispersal mechanisms can be used to extract palaeogeographic signals from fossil floras. The composition of floras and dispersal mechanisms indicate that Iceland was connected both to Greenland and to Europe in the early Middle Miocene, allowing transcontinental migration. The change in prevalence of dispersal modes from 15 to 6 Ma appears to reflect the break‐up of a land bridge and the increasing isolation of Iceland after 12 Ma. Concurrent gradual cooling and isolation caused changes in species composition. Specifically, the widening of the North Atlantic Ocean prevented taxa with limited dispersal capability from colonizing Iceland, while climate cooling led to the extinction of thermophilous taxa.
Interactive controls of herbivory and fluvial dynamics on landscape vegetation patterns on the Tanana River floodplain, interior Alaska
Authors: Butler Lem G. , Kielland Knut , Scott Rupp T. , Hanley Thomas A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAim We examined the interactive effects of mammalian herbivory and fluvial dynamics on vegetation dynamics and composition along the Tanana River in interior Alaska.Location Model parameters were obtained from field studies along the Tanana River, Alaska between Fairbanks (64°50.50′ N, 147°43.30′ W) and Manley Hot Springs (65°0.0′ N, 150°36.0′ W).Methods We used a spatially explicit model of landscape dynamics (ALFRESCO) to simulate vegetation changes on a 1‐year time‐step. The model was run for 250 years and was replicated 100 times.Results Increases in herbivory decreased the proportion of early successional vegetation and increased the proportion of late successional vegetation on the simulated landscape. Erosion and accretion worked as antagonists to herbivory, increasing the amount of early successional vegetation and decreasing the amount of late successional vegetation. However, the interactive effects of herbivory and erosion/accretion were especially important in determining system response, particularly in early seral vegetation types. High erosion rates, when coupled with low herbivory, greatly increased the proportion of willow on the landscape. When coupled with high herbivory, however, they greatly increased the proportion of alder on the landscape. At low levels of herbivory, alder abundance peaked at intermediate levels of erosion/accretion.Main conclusions Neither erosion/accretion nor herbivory produced consistent landscape patterns that could be predicted independently of the other. These findings underscore the importance of the interactive effects of biotic and abiotic disturbances in shaping large‐scale landscape vegetation patterns in boreal floodplain ecosystems – systems traditionally thought to be driven primarily by abiotic disturbance alone.
Health professionals’ attitudes toward caring for people with hepatitis C
Authors: Richmond J. A. , Dunning T. L. , Desmond P. V. 
Published: May 2007

Summary.  An estimated 170 million people worldwide have hepatitis C, which is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, health professionals (HPs) are likely to care for people with hepatitis C at some stage in their careers. However, little is known about HPs’ attitudes towards treating people with hepatitis C. An analytical, cross‐sectional survey was conducted to explore the inter‐relationship among HPs’ hepatitis C knowledge and attitudes towards treating people with hepatitis C and their self‐reported clinical behaviour: Self‐administered questionnaires were distributed to 3675 complementary therapists, dentists, medical practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, undergraduate medical and nursing students and people with hepatitis C in Victoria, Australia. Forty‐six per cent responded (n = 1510). Only HP (complementary therapists, dentists, medical practitioners, nurses and pharmacists) data is presented (n = 1347).Most HPs demonstrated adequate hepatitis C knowledge, but some displayed intolerant attitudes toward people with hepatitis C. Their self‐reported compliance with infection control practices indicated that they frequently treated people with hepatitis C differently from other patients by using additional infection control precautions while treating patients with hepatitis C. In addition, fear of contagion and disapproval of injecting drug use emerged as barriers to their willingness to treat people with hepatitis C.The results suggest that focusing education strategies on changing HPs’ attitudes toward people with hepatitis C, injecting drug users, and infection control guidelines rather than concentrating solely on medical information might ultimately improve patient care.
Biochip Array‐based Analysis of Plasma Cytokines in HIV Patients with Immunological and Virological Discordance
Authors: Sachdeva N. , Yoon H. S. , Oshima K. , Garcia D. , Goodkin K. , Asthana D. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractAssessment of cytokines in body fluids or cells provides important information in understanding the disease process and designing treatment strategies. Recent introduction of antibody‐based protein arrays have provided investigators simultaneous and specific detection of multiple analytes in a single sample using minimum volumes. In this study, we used a biochip array system capable of measuring 12 cytokines and growth factors (IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)) in HIV patients with immunological and virological discordance (discordant) to find out differences if any, in their plasma cytokine profiles when compared with concordant HIV‐infected individuals. A sandwich chemiluminescent assay was performed with plasma specimens of 110 HIV patients (55 discordant, 55 concordant) and 22 normal healthy individuals followed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to the confirm levels of cytokines and growth factors that showed significant differences in the two groups. The discordant HIV patients showed significantly higher levels of plasma VEGF (P = 0.001) and EGF (P = 0.034) levels when compared with concordant patients. Overall, the patients showed significantly higher levels of TNF‐α, MCP‐1 and VEGF when compared with the normal healthy controls (P < 0.05). ELISA for VEGF (P < 0.001) and EGF (P = 0.004) confirmed the comparison obtained with biochip array, between the discordant and concordant patients. The results of cytokine quantitation by biochip array and ELISA confirmed that this technology is not only comparable but also has a good potential in the future applications involving measurement of multiple cytokines with limiting specimens.
Evidence of across‐shelf transport of fine‐grained sediments: turbidite‐filled shelf channels in the Campanian Aberdeen Member, Book Cliffs, Utah, USA
Authors: PATTISON SIMON A. J. , BRUCE AINSWORTH R. , HOFFMAN TREVOR A. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe shore‐normal transport of fine‐grained sediments by shelf turbidity currents has been the focus of intense debate over the last 20 years. Many have argued that turbidity currents are unlikely to be a major depositional agent on the shelf. However, sedimentological, architectural, stratigraphic and palaeogeographic data from the Campanian Aberdeen Member, Book Cliffs, eastern Utah suggests otherwise and clearly demonstrates that storm‐generated and river flood‐generated underflows can transport a significant volume of fine‐grained sediments across the shelf. These across‐shelf flowing turbidity currents cut large subaqueous channel complexes up to 7 m deep, tens of kilometres basinward of their time‐equivalent shoreface. The shelf channels were filled with organic‐rich siltstones, mudstones and very fine‐ to fine‐grained Bouma‐like sandstone beds, including wave‐modified turbidites, hyperpycnites and classical turbidites. Deposition was above storm wave base. Palaeocurrent data reveal an overwhelmingly dominant across‐shelf (east–south‐east), offshore‐directed transport trend. Tectonic activity and/or concomitant palaeogeographic reorganization of the basin may favour the generation of these turbidite‐rich shelf deposits by altering the relative balance of wave versus fluvial energy. Increased erosion and sediment supply rates, because of tectonic uplift of the hinterland, may have increased the probability of fluvial dominance along the coastline and, hence, the possibility of submarine channelization in front of the river mouths. Additionally, the coastline may have become more sheltered from direct wave energy, thus allowing the fluvial processes to dominate. Seasonal increases in rainfall and storm activity may also favour the generation of across‐shelf underflows. On wave‐dominated shorelines, isolated shelf channels and lobes are most likely to be found down‐dip of fluvial‐feeder systems in relatively high sediment supply settings. These features are also most likely to occur in systems tracts that straddle a sequence boundary, especially those which are tectonically generated, as these would enhance the potential for altering basin morphology and, hence, the balance of fluvial and wave energy. Isolated shelf channels are recognized in older and younger strata in the Book Cliffs region, implying that wave‐supported gravity flows were a recurrent phenomena in the Campanian of Utah. It is probable that isolated shelf bodies are preserved in other stratigraphic intervals in the Cretaceous Western Interior of North America, and other basins worldwide, and are currently being overlooked or misidentified. Shoreface‐to‐shelf facies models should be revised to incorporate turbidite‐rich shelf deposits in some shelf settings.
Pradofloxacin in the treatment of canine deep pyoderma: a multicentred, blinded, randomized parallel trial
Authors: Mueller Ralf S. , Stephan Bernd 
Published: May 2007

AbstractA multicentre, randomized, blinded study compared the efficacy of pradofloxacin with that of a combination of amoxycillin/clavulanic acid in the treatment of deep pyoderma in dogs. Dogs with clinical lesions of deep pyoderma and a positive bacterial culture were included in the study. At each visit, they were evaluated with lesion, pruritus and general condition scores. Dogs were treated either with pradofloxacin at 3 mg kg−1once daily or with amoxycillin at 10 mg kg−1and clavulanic acid at 2.5 mg kg−1twice daily and evaluated weekly for 3 weeks and every 2 weeks thereafter until 2 weeks past clinical remission. Maximal treatment duration was 9 weeks, and maximal evaluation period was 11 weeks. Of the 56 dogs treated with pradofloxacin (group 1), 48 dogs (86%) achieved clinical remission, four dogs improved, four dogs did not respond and a recurrence of clinical signs was not seen in any patient after 11 weeks. Of the 51 dogs treated with amoxycillin/clavulanic acid (group 2), 37 dogs achieved clinical remission (73%), three dogs showed improvement, five dogs showed no response and in six dogs, clinical signs recurred within 2 weeks of cessation of therapy. These results indicate that pradofloxacin is an efficacious therapy comparable to amoxycillin/clavulanic acid for deep bacterial pyoderma in dogs.
A preliminary study of the short circuit current (Isc) responses of sweat gland cells from normal and anhidrotic horses to purinergic and adrenergic agonists
Authors: Wilson Darius C. S. , Corbett Alistair D. , Steel Cate , Pannirselvam Roshni , Bovell Douglas L. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe causal factors of equine anhidrosis have not yet been elucidated but defective electrolyte transport mechanisms in the gland are likely to be involved. To investigate this possibility, experiments were performed on cultured equine sweat gland epithelia from five free‐sweating UK horses (3 intact males, 2 mares, aged 2–4 years) and from three free‐sweating Singapore horses (1 intact male, 2 mares, aged 3–5 years) and three anhidrotic (Singapore) horses (1 intact male, 1 gelding, 1 mare, aged 3–6 years). Cultured cells from each animal were grown on permeable supports and loaded into Ussing chambers to quantify transepithelial resistance and agonist‐induced electrolyte transport by the short circuit current (Isc) technique. Transepithelial resistances across the layers of cultured cells were not significantly different between cells from UK and Singapore free‐sweating horses, but were significantly reduced in anhidrotic animals. Purinergic agonists added to the apical and basolateral aspects of the cultured cells caused similar increases in Isc between the two populations of unaffected cells, but Isc increases were significantly reduced in anhidrotic animals. Beta‐adrenergic agonist stimulation of the anhidrotic cell layers failed to elicit any change in Isc. These pilot results not only confirm earlier conclusions from anatomical findings that failure in the secretory process occurs in anhidrosis but also indicate that both of the known ion transport mechanisms are involved. The trigger for these failures warrants further investigation.
Treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis‐associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in Devon Rex cats with itraconazole – a pilot study
Authors: Åhman S. , Perrins N. , Bond R. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTreatment of Malassezia pachydermatis‐associated seborrhoeic dermatitis with oral itraconazole was investigated in six Devon Rex cats (DRC). The cutaneous populations of Malassezia were determined using contact plates and a swab‐wash method before and after 21 days of pulse treatment with itraconazole (5 mg kg−1 once daily, 7 days on, 7 days off, 7 days on). Before treatment, all cats had greasy seborrhoeic dermatitis involving the axillae, groin, claw folds and palmar and plantar interdigital skin, and two had similar lesions on the ventral neck. After treatment, there was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in overall clinical scores and in scores at all individual sites assessed, except for the interdigital skin (P = 0.068). Population sizes of M. pachydermatis in the left and right axillae, left and right groin and palmar interdigital skin were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced, whereas the reduction in claw fold counts did not reach significance (P = 0.068). The dramatic reduction in yeast counts and an associated marked clinical improvement of the seborrhoeic dermatitis provide important pilot data on the potential value of oral itraconazole in the management of seborrhoeic dermatitis associated with M. pachydermatis in DRC.
Localized linear IgA dermatosis induced by UV light‐treatment for herpes zoster
Authors: He Chundi , Xu Honghui , Xiao Ting , Geng Long , Chen Hong‐Duo 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe report a case of localized linear IgA dermatosis (LID). The patient suffered from herpes zoster on the right waist and received three localized ultraviolet (UV) light treatments. One month later he presented with bullae on the same site. Direct immunofluorescence showed deposition of linear IgA and weak C3 along the basement membrane zone. Indirect immunofluorescence on the salt‐split human skin demonstrated that IgA antibodies were bound to the epidermal side. To our knowledge, this is the first case of localized LID induced by UV light treatment for herpes zoster. It is also the third case of LID induced by UV light.