bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circadian rhythms, diet, and neuronal excitability
Authors: Allen Charles N. 
Published: November 2008

Summary Many aspects of normal biological function are governed by circadian rhythms, including metabolism, ingestive behaviors, and sleep–wake cycles. Certain pathological processes as well are also affected by the circadian rhythms. For example, it is well known that seizure occurrence can be influenced by the sleep–wake cycle. The ketogenic diet (KD) is a high‐fat, low‐carbohydrate diet with proven efficacy in the treatment of intractable epilepsies. While the mechanisms underlying the clinical effects of the KD remain unclear, there are emerging links between circadian rhythms and KD action. Such factors should be considered when planning and administering the KD to patients.
Use of Pregabalin in Patients with Painful Neuropathic Disorders under the Care of General Practitioners in the U.K.
Authors: Berger Ariel , Sadosky Alesia , Dukes Ellen , Edelsberg John , Oster Gerry 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPurpose:  To examine the use of pregabalin in patients with painful neuropathic disorders under the care of general practitioners (GPs) in the U.K.Materials and Methods:  Using a large U.K. database of GP encounters, we identified all persons aged ≥ 18 years with at least one GP encounter with a diagnosis of a painful neuropathic disorder (eg, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic peripheral neuropathy) between January 1, 2004 and July 31, 2006. Among these patients, we then identified those who initiated therapy with pregabalin; the date of initial receipt of pregabalin was designated the “index date.” We then examined use of pregabalin over the 6‐month period following this date (“follow‐up”), as well as changes in the use of other pain‐related medications (eg, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs], other antiepileptics [AEDs]) between the 6‐month period preceding the index date (“pretreatment”) and follow‐up. Patients with less than 6 months of pretreatment and follow‐up data were excluded, as were those without any encounters during pretreatment for a painful neuropathic disorder.Results:  A total of 1,400 patients (1.4% of all identified patients with painful neuropathic disorders) initiated therapy with pregabalin and met all other entry criteria; mean age was 62 years, and 58% were women. During pretreatment, most (54%) patients received three or more different types of pain‐related medications. During follow‐up, patients averaged four prescriptions for pregabalin, totaling 93 therapy days. Compared with pretreatment, fewer patients received other pain‐related medications during follow‐up, including TCAs (37% during pretreatment vs. 27% during follow‐up), opioids (64% vs. 55%), and AEDs other than pregabalin (36% vs. 16%) (all P < 0.01).Conclusions:  In the U.K., many patients prescribed pregabalin by their GPs may have been refractory to other pain‐related medications. Use of these medications declined following initiation of pregabalin therapy.
Comparison of the analytical and operational performance of two viral nucleic acid test blood screening systems: Procleix Tigris and cobas s 201
Authors: Assal Azzedine , Barlet Valérie , Deschaseaux Marie , Dupont Isabelle , Gallian Pierre , Guitton Cathy , Morel P. , David Bernard , De Micco Philippe 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: The operational and analytical performance of two automated triplex hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleic acid test (NAT) systems were compared in four screening laboratories of the French Blood Service.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Two laboratories evaluated the Procleix Tigris system (Chiron/Gen‐Probe) in individual donation (ID) format and two sites used the cobas s 201 system (Roche Molecular Systems) on minipools (MPs) of six donations. The analytical sensitivity, the specificity, and operational performance were compared.RESULTS: The ID to MP‐NAT relative sensitivity factors in standard dilution panels of different genotypes varied between 8.7 and 21.9 for HCV RNA, 6.7 and 14.8 for HIV RNA, and 0.71 and 11.6 for HBV DNA. Tigris was 800‐fold more sensitive than cobas s 201 (1:6) for a HIV group O sample, but did not detect the HIV‐2 sample picked up by cobas s 201 with equal sensitivity as the HIV‐1 group M samples. The specificity of both NAT systems after initial screening of 10,520 donations with Tigris and 1444 test pools on s 201 was 99.9 percent for both systems, but reached 100 percent after the repeat and pool resolution test algorithms. A higher throughput of the pool test protocol on cobas s 201 became apparent when the daily workload was more than 400 donations.CONCLUSIONS: Tigris ID‐NAT format was significantly more sensitive than cobas s 201 MP‐NAT in detecting HCV RNA and HIV RNA dilution panels, but despite the 1:6 dilution factor in s 201 the difference in sensitivity was not significant for some of the HBV genotype panels. Both NAT systems demonstrated acceptable operational performance, but for routine use further improvement in system reliability is desirable.
Blockade of maternal anti‐HPA‐1a–mediated platelet clearance by an HPA‐1a epitope–specific F(ab′)2 in an in vivo mouse model of alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Authors: Bakchoul Tamam , Boylan Brian , Sachs Ulrich J. H. , Bein Gregor , Ruan Changgeng , Santoso Sentot , Newman Peter J. 
Published: November 2008

BACKGROUND: Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) is most commonly caused by transplacental passage of maternal human platelet‐specific alloantigen (HPA)‐1a antibodies that bind to fetal platelets (PLTs) and mediate their clearance. SZ21, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) directed against PLT glycoprotein IIIa, competitively inhibits the binding of anti‐HPA‐1a alloantibodies to PLTs in vitro. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether SZ21 F(ab′)2 fragments might be therapeutically effective in inhibiting or displacing maternal HPA‐1a antibodies from the fetal PLT surface and preventing their clearance from circulation.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Resting human PLTs from HPA‐1ab heterozygous donors were injected into nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice. Purified F(ab′)2 fragments of SZ21 or control immunoglobulin G (IgG) were injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before introduction of HPA‐1a antibodies. Blood samples were taken periodically and analyzed by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of circulating human PLTs.RESULTS: Anti‐HPA‐1a IgG from NAIT cases were able to efficiently clear HPA‐1a–positive PLTs from murine circulation. Administration of SZ21 F(ab′)2 fragments not only inhibited binding of HPA‐1a antibodies to circulating human PLTs, preventing their clearance, but also displaced bound HPA‐1a antibodies from the PLT surface.CONCLUSION: F(ab′)2 fragments of HPA‐1a–selective MoAb SZ21 effectively inhibit anti‐HPA‐1a–mediated clearance of human PLT circulating in an in vivo NOD/SCID mouse model. These results suggest that agents that inhibit binding of anti‐HPA‐1a to PLTs may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of NAIT.
Trpv4 induces collateral vessel growth during regeneration of the arterial circulation
Authors: Troidl Christian , Troidl Kerstin , Schierling Wilma , Cai Wei‐Jun , Nef Holger , Möllmann Helge , Kostin Sava , Schimanski Sylvia , Hammer Linda , Elsässer Albrecht , Schmitz‐Rixen Thomas , Schaper Wolfgang 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe development of a collateral circulation (arteriogenesis), bypassing an arterial occlusion, is important for tissue survival, but it remains functionally defective. Micro array data of growing collateral vessels, exposed to chronically elevated fluid shear stress (FSS), showed increased transcription of the transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (Trpv4). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of the shear stress sensitive Trpv4 in transmitting this physical stimulus into an active growth response. qRT‐PCR at different time points during the growth of collateral vessels after femoral artery ligature (FAL) in rats showed a strong positive correlation of Trpv4 transcription and the intensity of FSS. An increased protein expression of Trpv4 was localized in the FSS‐sensing endothelium by means of confocal immunohistochemistry. Cultured porcine endothelial cells showed a dose‐dependent expression of Trpv4 and an increased level of Ki67‐positive cells upon treatment with 4α‐Phorbol 12,13‐didecanoate (4αPDD), a specific Trpv4 activator. This was also demonstrated by flow culture experiments. These results were confirmed by in vivo application of 4αPDD in rabbit hind limb circulation via an osmotic mini‐pump after FAL. Trpv4 expression as well as Ki67‐positive staining was significantly increased in collateral vessels. Finally, 4αPDD treatment after FAL led to a 61% (215.5 ml/min/mmHg versus 350 ml/min/mmHg) recovery of conductance when compared with the non‐occluded artery. Cell culture and in vivo studies demonstrate that an FSS‐ or a 4αPDD‐induced activation of Trpv4 leads to an active proliferation of vascular cells and finally triggers collateral growth. Trpv4, a well‐known FSS‐sensitive vasodilator, has hitherto not been implicated in active growth processes of collateral arteries. This new function may lead to new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of arterial occlusive diseases.
A case of severe aplastic anemia secondary to treatment with lenalidomide for multiple myeloma
Authors: Dasanu Constantin A. , Alexandrescu Doru T. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractLenalidomide is an important contemporary treatment option for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Rare instances of autoimmune conditions have been observed in association with its use. Although moderate myelosuppression is not uncommonly seen in patients treated with lenalidomide, aplastic anemia has not previously been reported to be associated with this agent. We describe a case of severe aplastic anemia (AA) that was probably induced by lenalidomide. A 64‐year‐old male patient developed progressive pancytopenia three weeks into therapy with lenalidomide for his relapsed MM. A bone marrow aspirate and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of AA and suggested the existence of an immunological reaction at the level of marrow. A gradual spontaneous recovery of normal hematopoiesis followed after the lenalidomide discontinuation.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Glycodelin A Induces a Tolerogenic Phenotype in Monocyte‐Derived Dendritic Cells In vitro
Authors: Scholz Christoph , Toth Bettina , Brunnhuber Regina , Rampf Elisabeth , Weissenbacher Tobias , Santoso Laura , Friese Klaus , Jeschke Udo 
Published: November 2008

Problem  Successful mammalian pregnancy requires a delicate immunological balance at the feto‐maternal interface that allows the semi‐allogeneic fetus to grow, while protecting mother and child from environmental pathogens. As in other mucosal tissues, antigen‐recognition and ‐handling by professional antigen‐presenting cells such as dendritic cells (DC) determine the course of the subsequent immune response. DC at the feto‐maternal interface help shape this immunological equilibrium. Endometrial tissue secretes high quantities of glycodelin A (GdA) during the so‐called fertile window (i.e. the time of implantation of the blastocyst).Method of study  We investigated the effect of GdA on monocyte‐derived DC (moDC) regarding surface marker expression, endopinocytotic activity, cytokine profile as well as lymphoproliferative activity.Results  Upon pretreatment with GdA and subsequent maturation with tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1β, moDC displayed a reduced expression of costimulatory molecules, an unchanged major histocompatibility complex‐II expression and persistence of DC‐SIGN positive cells. GdA‐pretreated moDC had a higher endopinocytotic activity, an increased IL‐10 production and a dose‐dependent reduction in lymphoproliferative activity. GdA incubation alone did not alter the immature phenotype.Conclusion  Our results suggest a model in which the human endometrium secretes high quantities of GdA during implantation and thereby helps to shape the unique immunological interaction between mother and fetus via decidual DC.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Ecology of Danger‐Dependent Cytokine‐Boosted Spontaneous Abortion in the CBA × DBA/2 Mouse Model: II Fecal LPS Levels in Colonies with Different Basal Abortion Rates
Authors: Clark David A. , Chaouat Gerard , Banwatt Daljeet , Friebe Asreid , Arck Petra C. 
Published: November 2008

Problem  Previous data have shown that ‘danger’ signals, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) acting via toll‐like receptors (TLR), are conditions antecedent to early pregnancy failure in several murine abortion models. Indeed, the abortion rate increased in the CBA × DBA/2 model after injection of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) + interferon (IFN‐γ) on gestation day (GD) 7.5 only if the LPS–TLR signaling pathway was intact. High rates of cytokine‐boosted abortion >80% loss can be demonstrable in certain animal colonies that have a high endogenous (spontaneous) rate of resorption (30–50%). A specific role for LPS on GD 0.5 determines the endogenous loss rate and on GD 6.5 the responsiveness to cytokine boosting of losses. Th1 cytokines (or the stress that induces these cytokines) increase intestinal permeability and absorption of luminal contents. It was predicted that intestinal availability of LPS was a major factor in the endogenous and cytokine‐boosted resorption rates.Method of study  A fixed weight of fresh mouse droppings from CBA/J female mice house in a high‐abortion‐rate (30–40%) colony at Clamart, France was homogenized and filtered. Fresh mouse droppings from a low‐abortion‐rate (10–15%) colony in Berlin, Germany were similarly processed. LPS was assayed using the Limulus amoebocyte lysate bioassay.Results  To our surprise, there was no significant difference in LPS content of fecal samples from the two colonies.Conclusion  A high endogenous rate of abortion and cytokine (or stress) boosted abortion in the CBA × DBA/2 model is not explained by the LPS content of feces. Possible explanations include: fecal LPS does not reflect small intestinal LPS, there are additional TLR signals besides LPS that are important and endogenous stress levels may be higher in high‐abortion‐rate colonies, so permeability of the intestine (and Th1 cytokine levels) may be already higher. These data have implications for studies on the role of flora in human pregnancy problems.
Human Rights and Pluralism in Catholic Social Thought
Authors: McCarthy David Matzko 
Published: November 2008

AbstractThe essay argues that a Catholic tradition of natural law and its conception of human rights depend on the continuing life of institutions that stand apart from and sustain standards of justice independent from the modern state and its corresponding economy. Christians contribute to a defense of human rights precisely as members of their Churches, through their social and institutional presence across the globe. Catholic social thought deals with matters of human rights from within a tradition of natural law that assumes a common human end, a common good. This ecclesiological tradition of the human good is precisely what Catholics have to offer in a context of pluralism. The Church has a task of sustaining institutions where its practical rationality about human goods offers a practical alternative in a world where the self-interest of states and purely economic interests win the day.
Shakespeare Now: The Function of Presentism at the Critical Time
Authors: Holbo John 
Published: November 2008

AbstractPresentism styles itself a distinctive critical approach to literary texts, characterized by heightened self‐critical awareness. It sees itself as complementing (rather than competing with) historicism. Its main proponents – Hugh Grady and Terence Hawkes – are Shakespearean scholars, and in several recent works, including a recent anthology (Presentist Shakespeares), they elaborate and showcase their approach. This essay argues that the likes of Grady and Hawkes have failed to face up to the simple consideration that ‘presentism’ means a species of error, or it means nothing. They have also failed to square up, satisfactorily, against what is evidently their real target: namely, post‐Theory approaches to Shakespeare. (David Kastan is a target, but his name is really more a convenient marker for the target zone, due to the title of his book: Shakespeare after Theory.) Presentism is, in effect, oblique apologetics for Theory, but fails to say anything in its defense.
Medieval Things: Materiality, Historicism, and the Premodern Object
Authors: Robertson Kellie 
Published: November 2008

AbstractHow do we read the premodern representation of objects? This essay surveys recent approaches to medieval literature and culture that focus attention on ‘objecthood’ and the debates that it inspired in the premodern period. This work eschews the exclusive focus on ‘subjectivity’ that was the hallmark of late twentieth‐century poststructuralist accounts of medieval literature in Britain. Subjects do not disappear in these readings, however; they are instead shown to be dialogically produced, always in conversation with things. In offering a genealogy of what has come to be known as ‘thing theory,’ this survey interrogates a number of related (but not necessarily compatible) strains of materialism, including those influenced by Marxism, phenomenology, sociology, and New Historicism. Neither a return to old positivist historical models seeking ‘the thing itself’ nor a retreat from the significant questions posed by poststructuralist theory, these object‐oriented studies all seek ways of approaching narrated things that do not render them merely ‘mirrors’ of human desires or just signs pointing us toward the ‘inner lives’ of literary personas. Instead, this work takes seriously the idea that premodern objects were endowed with an autonomy and agency that was largely misrecognized in the wake of Enlightenment empiricism. Taking Geoffrey Chaucer'sCanterbury Talesas a point of departure, this essay argues that where and how the line between human and nonhuman, subject and object, society and nature gets drawn is always an ideological process. The work surveyed here attempts to make available some of the manifold cultural pressures that influenced this permeable boundary across the Middle Ages.
Methamphetamine Use Is Independently Associated With Recent Risky Sexual Behaviors and Adolescent Pregnancy
Authors: Zapata Lauren B. , Hillis Susan D. , Marchbanks Polly A. , Curtis Kathryn M. , Lowry Richard 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND:  Lifetime methamphetamine use among adolescents is estimated to be between 5% and 10%. Youth substance use in general is known to be associated with risky sexual behaviors, but the effect of methamphetamine use on recent risky sexual behaviors and adolescent pregnancy has received little attention. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the association between lifetime methamphetamine use and recent (past 3 months) risky sexual behaviors and lifetime adolescent pregnancy, adjusting for other substance use.METHODS:  We analyzed data from the 2003 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a school‐based paper‐and‐pencil survey that assesses risky health behaviors among a nationally representative sample of 9th‐ to 12th‐grade students. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) to examine the association between methamphetamine use and being recently sexually active, having 2 or more recent sex partners, and ever being pregnant or getting someone pregnant.RESULTS:  Lifetime methamphetamine use was reported by 7.6% of students. After adjustment for demographic covariates and lifetime use of cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, and other illicit drugs, lifetime methamphetamine use was associated with recent sexual intercourse (AOR = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5‐2.3), having 2 or more recent sex partners (AOR = 3.0, 95% CI = 2.2‐4.2), and ever being pregnant or getting someone pregnant (AOR = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.1‐3.9).CONCLUSIONS:  Adolescent methamphetamine use is common and is associated with recent risky sexual behaviors and adolescent pregnancy. Prevention strategies for high school students should integrate education on substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and human immunodeficiency virus.
Prevalence of Tobacco Use Among Junior High and Senior High School Students in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Ping‐Ling , Huang Weigang , Chuang Yi‐Li , Warren Charles W. , Jones Nathan R. , Asma Samira 
Published: November 2008

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Tobacco use is a major preventable cause of death in the world. This article describes and compares tobacco use prevalence for students attending junior high schools and senior high schools in Taiwan.METHODS: This report uses data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) completed among 4689 junior high school students and 4426 senior high school students in Taiwan in 2004‐2005. The GYTS uses a 2‐stage sampling design to produce nationally representative data for junior and senior high students in general and vocational schools.RESULTS: Higher smoking prevalence was observed among senior high (10.1% general schools and 15.9% vocational schools) than junior high (5.5%) school students. Smoking prevalence of girls in junior high (3.2%) and senior high schools (4.6% general and 11.1% vocational) was almost as high or higher than adult females’ (4.3%) smoking rates. The pattern of smoking intensity across school years and type of school shows that the percentage of smokers who were experimenters (47.1%) was higher in junior high school and the percentage of smokers who were regular/established smokers (over 50%) was higher in senior high school.CONCLUSIONS: Smoking prevalence described in this report shows that there are challenges facing the tobacco prevention and control program in Taiwan. The findings suggest that schools should increase their smoking initiation prevention efforts and make available cessation programs and counseling to help students quit smoking. If effective youth tobacco control programs are not developed and implemented in Taiwan, future morbidity and mortality attributed to tobacco will surely increase, especially among women.
The calcium‐conducting ion channel transient receptor potential canonical 6 is involved in macrophage inflammatory protein‐2‐induced migration of mouse neutrophils*
Authors: Damann N. , Owsianik G. , Li S. , Poll C. , Nilius B. 
Published: November 2008

AbstractAim:  The role of the calcium‐conducting ion channel transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) in macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 (MIP‐2) induced migration of mouse neutrophils was investigated.Methods:  Neutrophil granulocytes isolated from murine bone marrow of wild‐type (TRPC6+/+) and TRPC6 knockout (TRPC6−/−) mice were tested for the presence of TRPC6 channel expression using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reactions and immunocytochemistry. The effect of different stimuli (e.g. MIP‐2, 1‐oleoyl‐2‐acetyl‐sn‐glycerol, formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanin) on migration of isolated neutrophils was tested by two‐dimensional (2D) migration assays, phalloidin staining and intracellular calcium imaging.Results:  We found that neutrophil granulocytes express TRPC6 channels. MIP‐2 induced fast cell migration of isolated neutrophils in a 2D cell‐tracking system. Strikingly, MIP‐2 was less potent in neutrophils derived from TRPC6−/− mice. These cells showed less phalloidin‐coupled fluorescence and the pattern of cytosolic calcium transients was altered.Conclusions:  We describe in this paper for the first time a role for transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in migration of native lymphocytes as a new paradigm for the universal functional role of TRPs. Our data give strong evidence that TRPC6 operates downstream to CXC‐type Gq‐protein‐coupled chemokine receptors upon stimulation with MIP‐2 and is crucial for the arrangement of filamentous actin in migrating neutrophils. This is a novel cell function of TRP channel beyond their well‐recognized role as universal cell sensors.