bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early experience with two‐dose daclizumab in the prevention of acute rejection in cardiac transplantation
Authors: Joyal Dominique , Cantarovich Marcelo , Cecere Renzo , Giannetti Nadia 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:  Background:  Daclizumab is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the interleukin‐2 receptor. It has been used as induction therapy in heart transplantation with repeated administrations over several weeks. At our institution, we use a two‐dose regimen of daclizumab based on its extended half‐life. We sought to determine the incidence of acute rejection with 2‐dose daclizumab in cardiac transplantation.Methods:  Eighteen consecutive heart transplants performed at a single center were analyzed retrospectively. Patients received daclizumab (2 mg/kg) within 8 h of cardiac transplantation and a second dose (1 mg/kg) 2 wk thereafter. Maintenance immunosupression included mycophenolate mofetil, prednisone and either cyclosporine or tacrolimus, based on side‐effect profile. The endpoint was the incidence of acute rejection as defined by a histologic grade >2 according to the classification of the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation.Results:  Four patients had acute rejections (all were 3A) during the first 3 months post‐transplantation. All four patients had rejection at the first biopsy and only two had rejection thereafter. None of the rejections were hemodynamically significant and no patients were hospitalized. All except one rejection was seen in the context of low 2‐h cyclosporine levels. The two‐dose regimen was easier to administer on an outpatient basis and resulted in lower cost.Conclusions:  This preliminary report suggests that induction therapy with a two‐dose regimen of daclizumab appears to be safe and well tolerated in patients undergoing cardiac transplantation.
The fate of glomerular mesangial IgA deposition in the donated kidney after allograft transplantation
Authors: Ji Shuming , Liu Min , Chen Jinsong , Yin Liping , Sha Guozhu , Chen Huiping , Liu Zhihong , Li Leishi 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:Objective:  To investigate the fate of the mesangial IgA deposits in the donor kidney after allograft transplantation.Methodology:  Routine pre‐transplant cadaveric donor kidney biopsy and repeated renal biopsies were performed at months 1, 3, and 6 after renal transplantation. The patients, 342 in number, were divided into IgA positive deposition kidney group (group A, n = 83) and non‐IgA deposition kidney group (group B, n = 259). There were no significant differences between the two groups’ sex, age, time of hemodialysis, warm ischemia time, cold ischemia time, complement‐dependent cytotoxicity, level of panel‐reactive assay, and the distribution of original disease.Results:  Recipients in group A received donor kidney with glomerular mesangial proliferation and marked diffuse granular IgA deposition. All of them showed edema, nephrotic range protienuria, microhematuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypertension, and delayed graft function. Borderline change was higher in group A than in group B, 37.3 and 16.2% (p < 0.001), respectively. Acute allograft rejection was higher in group A than in group B, 31.3 and 19.3% (p < 0.001), respectively. The glomerular mesangial IgA deposits gradually disappeared from the mesangial regions in grafts of acute rejection. Graft survival in both groups was not significant, being 93.8 and 95.6% in 1 yr, and 86.7 and 88.3% in 3 yr.Conclusion:  Clinical features of the recipients which received from donor kidney with glomerular mesangial proliferation and marked diffuse granular IgA deposition: edema, proteinuria, microhematuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypertension, and delayed graft function. The presence of IgA deposits on donated kidney, by a possible increase of the immunogenicity of these kidneys, might be a cause of increased rejection. There were no significant differences between the two groups on long‐term allograft survival.
Renal transplants from non‐heart beating paracetamol overdose donors
Authors: Gok Muhammed A , Gupta Ajay , Olschewski Peter , Bhatti Aftab , Shenton Brian K , Robertson Helen , Soomro Naeem , Talbot David 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:  Introduction:  Non‐heart beating donors (NHBD) are widely encouraged to avert the critical shortage in the kidney donor pool. Ischaemic injury at the time of cardiac arrest in the NHBD is more pronounced and therefore the kidneys resulting are considered marginal. This review describes our experience with four kidneys from two controlled NHBDs who were exposed to paracetamol intoxication and subsequently were treated with mannitol prior to organ donation.Materials and method:  Two patients with fulminant liver failure following paracetamol overdose were referred as ‘withdrawal of treatment’ NHBD. As the two patients had developed hepatic encephalopathy they were treated with mannitol to reduce intra‐cerebral oedema. The two donors were oligoanuric for at least 24 h prior to cardiac arrest. Following cardiac arrest, in situ perfusion was carried out and the kidneys were removed. One pair of kidneys were machine perfused while the second pair of kidneys were cold stored prior to transplantation.Results:  Pre‐transplant assessment of NHBD kidneys resulted in three of four kidneys being transplanted. The NHBD kidneys exhibited a period of delayed graft function (DGF). The early transplant biopsies showed evidence of diffuse cytoplasmic vacuolation. These histological features disappeared with time and the renal function improved until the time of discharge.Discussion:  Non‐heart beating donor kidneys are considered marginal and the effect of mannitol and paracetamol drug intoxication will induce reversible sub‐lethal injury. A period of dialysis is inevitable in clearing the reactive intermediates of mannitol and paracetamol. The kidneys behaved as traditional controlled NHBD at time of discharge.
Efficacy of etoposide, cyclophosphamide, and total body irradiation in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for adult patients with hematological malignancies
Authors: Toubai Tomomi , Tanaka Junji , Mori Akio , Hashino Satoshi , Kobayashi Sumiko , Ota Shuichi , Miura Yoko , Kato Naoko , Kahata Kaoru , Izumiyama Ko , Yonezumi Masakatu , Chiba Koji , Kondo Takeshi , Toyoshima Nobuyasu , Asaka Masahiro , Imamura Masahiro 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:  Introduction:  A combination of fractionated total body irradiation (TBI) with etoposide (VP‐16) and cyclophosphamide (CY) as a preconditioning regimen (VP/CY/TBI) has been reported to be safe and effective for both adults and children undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo‐BMT). However, the reported doses of VP‐16 were different. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a VP‐16 (at less than the usual dose)/CY/TBI regimen for adults with hematological malignancies who are required to receive allo‐BMT.Patients and methods:  Thirty‐eight patients received VP‐16, CY and TBI (VP/CY/TBI) as a preconditioning regimen for allo‐BMT. Twenty‐one patients were in first complete remission (1CR), six patients were in second remission (2CR) and 11 patients were in non‐remission status (non‐CR) before allo‐BMT. These patients received allo‐BMT from related donors (n = 14) and unrelated donors (n = 24). The preconditioning regimen consisted of VP‐16 (15 mg/kg/d for 2 d), CY (60 mg/kg/d for 2 d) and 12 Gy TBI in six fractions for 3 d.Results:  Two patients died on day 30 after transplantation. The median follow‐up period for all patients was 35.0 months (range 0.8–159.6 months). At the time of analysis, 10 patients had died. Seven of those 10 patients died because of relapse. The estimated 5‐yr disease‐free survival (DFS) rates for all cases and acute myelogenous leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases were 73.6, 66.7 and 100%, respectively. The estimated 5‐yr DFS rates for 1CR, 2CR and non‐CR cases were 90.5, 83.3 and 40.9%, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusion:  Based on these findings, we suggest that a VP/CY/TBI regimen is effective and safe for adult patients with hematological malignancies in 1CR and 2CR.
Heel ultrasonography is not a good screening tool for bone loss after kidney and pancreas transplantation
Authors: Mack‐Shipman Lynn R , O'Grady Donna M , Erickson Judi M , Walker Craig W , Moore Timothy E , Burkman Tab W , Lane James T , Larsen Jennifer L 
Published: September 2004

Abstract:  Background:  Solid organ transplant recipients, particularly simultaneous pancreas kidney recipients, are at high fracture risk. We tested whether quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) of the heel predicts bone mineral density (BMD) by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in solid organ transplant recipients.Methods:  Thirty‐eight transplant recipients (22 Female/16 Male) were studied. Spine and hip BMD was measured with a Hologic DXA scanner. ‘Stiffness’ of the heel was measured with a Lunar Ultrasound densitometer and compared with BMD by DXA. Contributing factors to bone loss were also assessed.Results:  Mean age was 43.1 ± 1.3 yr. Simultaneous pancreas‐kidney, kidney, and pancreas alone transplant recipients were assessed. Mean time post‐transplantation was 3.0 ± 0.6 yr. Mean DXA spine T‐score was −1.15 ± 0.22 (mean ± SEM) and hip T‐score was −1.22 ± 0.20. There was no difference in mean T‐score between women and men at the hip or spine. Mean right heel stiffness T‐score was −0.97 ± 0.25. There was no correlation between QUS and DXA at either the hip or spine in women or men. QUS had a false negative rate for identifying osteopenia or osteoporosis of 17% compared with DXA. The false positive rate for identifying osteopenia was 61%.Conclusions:  The QUS is an unacceptable tool for identifying those at risk for bone loss after kidney or pancreas transplantation.
The Process and Causes of Fledging in a Cavity‐Nesting Passerine Bird, the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon)
Authors: Johnson L. Scott , Rauch Robin L. , Dellone Sara N. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractLittle is known about the process or causes of fledging or nest‐leaving in passerine birds because researchers can rarely predict when fledging will occur in a given nest. We used continuous videotaping of nests to both document the process of fledging in the house wren, Troglodytes aedon, a small, cavity‐nesting songbird, and test hypotheses as to what might cause fledging to begin. Fledging began any time from 14 to 19 d after hatching commenced. Slower‐developing broods fledged later than faster‐developing broods. Fledging typically began within 5 h of sunrise and over 80% of all nestlings fledged before noon. All nestlings fledged on the same day at 65% of nests and over two consecutive days in most other nests. We found no evidence that fledging was triggered by changes in parental behaviour. Parental rate of food delivery to nestlings did not decline during a 3‐h period leading up to the first fledging, nor was the rate of feeding just prior to the first fledging lower than the rate at the same time the day before. Moreover, parents did not slow the rate of food delivery to nests after part of the brood had fledged. Hatching is asynchronous in our study population which creates a marked age/size hierarchy within broods. At most nests, the first nestling to fledge was the most well‐developed nestling in the brood or nearly so (as measured by feather length). This suggests that fledging typically begins when the most well‐developed nestlings in the brood reach some threshold size. However, at about one‐fifth of nests, the first nestling to fledge was only moderate in size. At these nests, severe competition for food may have caused smaller, less competitive nestlings to fledge first to increase their access to food. We found no strong support for the suggestion that the oldest nestlings delay fledging until their least‐developed nestmate reaches some minimum size, although further experimental work on this question is warranted.
Relationship between Serum Testosterone, Dominance and Mating Success in Père David's Deer Stags
Authors: Chunwang Li , Zhigang Jiang , Yan Zeng , Caie Yan 
Published: September 2004

AbstractWe conducted an experiment in the Beijing Milu Park to study the social behavior of male Père David's deer, and related social behavior to social position and serum testosterone level of the stags during rut. We classified the stags into three rank classes according to their rutting behavior: ‘harem master’, ‘challenger’ and ‘bachelor’. We monitored the behaviors of four ‘harem masters’, five ‘challengers’ and five ‘bachelors’, and analyzed serum testosterone levels in blood samples of those 14 stags using radioimmunoassay. We defined the effectiveness value, E = A/T, to assess the effectiveness of herding or mating attempts made by stags (‘T’ represents the frequency of herding or mating attempts made by a stag and ‘A’ represents the frequency of herding or mating attempts accepted by hinds). We found that: (1) the ‘harem masters’ and the ‘challengers’ displayed more frequent rut and locomotive behaviors but fewer ingestion behaviors than the ‘bachelors’; (2) serum testosterone levels in the ‘harem masters’ and the ‘challengers’ were higher than that in the ‘bachelors’; (3) effectiveness value of herding attempts differed significantly between the three types of stags, being highest in the ‘harem masters’ and the lowest in the ‘bachelors’; and (4) effectiveness value of mating attempts was significantly greater for the ‘harem masters’ than for the ‘challengers’. We conclude that: (1) reproductive behavior of the Père David's deer stags is strongly associated with social rank; (2) social roles of Père David's deer stags during the rut are related to the testosterone secretion; and (3) rank class affects the mating opportunity of the stags.
Queen Execution and Caste Conflict in the Stingless Bee Melipona beecheii
Authors: Wenseleers Tom , Hart Adam G. , Ratnieks Francis L. W. , Quezada‐Euán Javier J. G. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractCaste conflict theory predicts that worker‐destined individuals in insect colonies may try to develop as queens in order to gain greater direct reproduction. In situations where females can determine their own caste fate (‘self‐determination’), this is expected to lead to overproduction of queens. Theoretical predictions are supported by patterns of queen production in Melipona stingless bees. In Melipona, queens and workers are similar in size and develop in identical, mass‐provisioned, sealed cells, a situation which permits self‐determination. In line with predictions, many Melipona females, up to 16%, selfishly develop as queens. Although these observations fit the predictions of caste conflict theory, some of the underlying assumptions remain incompletely tested. In particular, whether immature females can actually determine their own caste fate and whether queen production is really excessive rather than just an insurance against accidental queen loss? Here we test these assumptions. Queens and workers in colonies of Melipona beecheii in Yucatan, Mexico, had the same dry mass, showing that queen development is not conditional on above‐average food provisioning. This supports the assumption that individuals can completely control their caste fate. Observations of 30 introduced virgin queens in three colonies showed that queens were killed rapidly and had a life expectancy of just 47 h. A second method, using the number of virgin queens in natural colonies, also indicated a short life span, estimated at 27 h. Rapid and efficient culling of virgin queens supports the hypothesis that queen production is excessive and results from caste fate conflict. In addition, we provide, for the first time, detailed behavioural descriptions of queen killing in this species.
Communal Spawning in the Common Frog Rana temporaria– Egg Temperature and Predation Consequences
Authors: Håkansson Pia , Loman Jon 
Published: September 2004

AbstractFemales of the common frog, Rana temporaria, spawn synchronously at communal breeding sites, forming a communal egg mass of individual spawn clumps. A total of four spawning sites were studied. In the centre of the communal egg mass, daily maximum temperature was higher and minimum temperature lower than further out. Spawn clumps in the centre of the communal egg mass developed faster than single spawn clumps. In the centre of the egg masses, some spawn clumps suffered almost total egg mortality. This was probably the consequence of a cold spell with sub‐zero temperatures in combination with a tendency for low minimum temperatures in the centre. In a laboratory study, worm leeches, Erpobdella spp., fed readily on eggs of common frog, while horse leeches, Haemopis sanguisuga, hardly ate any eggs. At the spawning sites, most worm leeches were found in single spawn clumps, far from the communal egg mass. Females which spawned late, when most of the spawning was over, preferred to spawn in the centre of the communal egg mass. This suggests that there is a net advantage for eggs in spawn clumps laid in the centre.
Dynamic changes of the anti‐ and pro‐apoptotic proteins Bcl‐w, Bcl‐2, and Bax with Smac/Diablo mitochondrial release after photothrombotic ring stroke in rats
Authors: Hu Xiao‐Lei , Olsson Tommy , Johansson Inga‐Maj , Brännström Thomas , Wester Per 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe anti‐apoptotic proteins Bcl‐w and Bcl‐2 and the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax may mediate cell death or survival via regulation of the mitochondria including second mitochondria‐derived activator of caspase (Smac)/direct inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP)‐binding protein with low pI (DIABLO) release. This study aimed to explore alterations in Bcl‐w, Bcl‐2, and Bax and the relationship between these proteins and Smac/DIABLO by means of in situ hybridization, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and Western blots after low‐ and high‐intensity photothrombotic ring stroke. At 4 h after low‐intensity irradiation, we found widespread bcl‐w overexpression on both the mRNA and protein levels in the bilateral cortex except the ring lesion region and in subcortical regions. A prolonged elevation of Bcl‐2 with relatively unchanged Bax in the mitochondrial fraction was demonstrated from 4 to 72 h. These upregulated anti‐apoptotic proteins combined with little Smac/DIABLO release might be associated with increased cell survival and thereby remarkable morphological recovery after low‐intensity irradiation. After high‐intensity irradiation, we observed decreased bcl‐w and bcl‐2 mRNA with increased Bcl‐2 protein in the cytosolic fraction, whereas the Bax protein remained in scattered ischaemic cells in the ring lesion and the region at risk that corresponded with release of Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria to the cytosol at 1–24 h. These changes might be related to the massive cell death observed after high‐intensity irradiation. Taken together, the balance and the location of anti‐apoptotic proteins vs. pro‐apoptotic proteins could be associated with the translocation of Smac/DIABLO from the mitochondria to the cytosol and therefore closely related to cell death or survival after focal cerebral ischaemia.
Long‐term changes in the molecular composition of the glial scar and progressive increase of serotoninergic fibre sprouting after hemisection of the mouse spinal cord
Authors: Camand Emeline , Morel Marie‐Pierre , Faissner Andréas , Sotelo Constantino , Dusart Isabelle 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe scarring process occurring after adult central nervous system injury and the subsequent increase in the expression of certain extracellular matrix molecules are known to contribute to the failure of axon regeneration. This study provides an immunohistochemical analysis of temporal changes (8 days to 1 year) in the cellular and molecular response of the Swiss mouse spinal cord to a dorsal hemisection and its correlation with the axonal growth properties of a descending pathway, the serotoninergic axons. In this lesion model, no cavity forms at the centre of the lesion. Instead, a dense fibronectin‐positive tissue matrix occupies the centre of the lesion, surrounded by a glial scar mainly constituted by reactive astrocytes. NG2 proteoglycan and tenascin‐C, potential axon growth inhibitors, are constantly associated with the central region. In the glial scar, tenascin‐C is never observed and the expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (revealed with CS‐56 and anti‐NG2 antibodies) highly increases in the week following injury to progressively return to their control level. In parallel, there is an increasing expression of the polysialilated neural cell adhesion molecule by reactive astrocytes. These molecular changes are correlated with a sprouting process of serotoninergic axons in the glial scar, except in a small area in contact with the central region. All these observations suggest that while a part of the glial scar progressively becomes permissive to axon regeneration after mouse spinal cord injury, the border of the glial scar, in contact with the fibronectin‐positive tissue matrix, is the real barrier to prevent axon regeneration.
Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor controls functional differentiation and microcircuit formation of selectively isolated fast‐spiking GABAergic interneurons
Authors: Berghuis Paul , Dobszay Marton B. , Sousa Kyle M. , Schulte Gunnar , Mager Peter P. , Härtig Wolfgang , Görcs Tamás J. , Zilberter Yuri , Ernfors Patrik , Harkany Tibor 
Published: September 2004

AbstractGABAergic interneurons with high‐frequency firing, fast‐spiking (FS) cells, form synapses on perisomatic regions of principal cells in the neocortex and hippocampus to control the excitability of cortical networks. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is essential for the differentiation of multiple interneuron subtypes and the formation of their synaptic contacts. Here, we examined whether BDNF, alone or in conjunction with sustained KCl‐induced depolarization, drives functional FS cell differentiation and the formation of inhibitory microcircuits. Homogeneous FS cell cultures were established by target‐specific isolation using the voltage‐gated potassium channel 3.1b subunit as the selection marker. Isolated FS cells expressed parvalbumin, were surrounded by perineuronal nets, formed immature inhibitory connections and generated slow action potentials at 12 days in vitro. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promoted FS cell differentiation by increasing the somatic diameter, dendritic branching and the frequency of action potential firing. In addition, BDNF treatment led to a significant up‐regulation of synaptophysin and vesicular GABA transporter expression, components of the synaptic machinery critical for GABA release, which was paralleled by an increase in synaptic strength. Long‐term membrane depolarization alone was detrimental to dendritic branching. However, we observed that BDNF and KCl exerted additive effects, as reflected by the significantly accelerated maturation of synaptic contacts and high discharge frequencies, and was required for the formation of reciprocal connections between FS cells. Our results show that BDNF, along with membrane depolarization, is critical for FS cells to establish inhibitory circuitries during corticogenesis.