bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus Vary in Ability to Stimulate Cytokine Expression in Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Strindhall J. , Lindgren P.‐E. , Löfgren S. , Kihlström E. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were infected for 24 h with 18 well‐characterized Staphylococcus aureus isolates, and the supernatants from infected HUVEC were analysed for interleukin (IL)‐1β, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, growth‐related oncogene (GRO)‐α, granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) by immunoassay. All staphylococcal isolates induced the expression of IL‐6, IL‐8, GRO‐α, GM‐CSF and RANTES. The magnitude of cytokine expression varied between isolates. Staphylococcus aureus inducing high expression of one of these cytokines also showed simultaneous high expression of the other four, indicating a common mechanism for the ability of individual S. aureus to induce expression of these cytokines. No direct correlation between cytokine expression and adhesion of S. aureus to HUVEC was observed, indicating that bacterial properties besides adhesion contribute to the activation of HUVEC.
Accumulation of Catalytically Active Proteases in Lacrimal Gland Acinar Cell Endosomes During Chronic Ex Vivo Muscarinic Receptor Stimulation
Authors: Rose C. M. , Qian L. , Hakim L. , Wang Y. , Jerdeva G. Y. , Marchelletta R. , Nakamura T. , Hamm‐Alvarez S. F. , Mircheff A. K. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractChronic muscarinic stimulation induces functional quiescence (Scand J Immunol 2003;58:550–65) and alters the traffic of immature cathepsin B (Exp Eye Res 2004;79:665–75) in lacrimal acinar cells. To test whether active proteases aberrantly accumulate in the endosomes, cell samples were cultured 20 h with and without 10‐µm carbachol (CCh), incubated with [125I]‐bovine serum albumin and then lysed and analysed by subcellular fractionation. CCh decreased total cysteine protease and cathepsin S activities in the isolated lysosome, redistributing them to early endocytic and biosynthetic compartments. CCh decreased [125I] accumulation in all compartments of cells loaded in the absence of protease inhibitors; the cysteine protease inhibitor, leupeptin, prevented the endosomal decrease but not the lysosomal decrease. Sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography demonstrated [125I]‐labelled proteolytic products in endomembrane compartments of both control and CCh‐stimulated cells, even in the presence of leupeptin, but analysis indicated that CCh increased the amount in endosomes. Two‐dimensional fractionation analyses suggest that the CCh‐induced redistributions result from blocks in traffic to the late endosome from both the early endosome and the trans‐Golgi network. Therefore, we conjecture that chronic muscarinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation leads to aberrant proteolytic processing of autoantigens in endosomes, from whence previously cryptic epitopes may be secreted to the underlying interstitial space.
Reconstitution of the Ig Heavy Chain CDR3 Repertoire after Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation with Myeloablative or Reduced‐Intensity Conditioning Regimens
Authors: Omazic B. , Hentschke P. , Näsman‐Björk I. , Mattsson J. , Oxelius V.‐A. , Ringdén O. , Barkholt L. , Permert J. , Lundkvist I. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate B‐lymphocyte reconstitution in patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after myeloablative conditioning (MAC) or reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens. B‐lymphocyte reconstitution was studied by monitoring the CDR3 repertoire with spectratyping. We demonstrate a delay in the recovery of the B‐lymphocyte repertoire, measured by variation in size distribution of the immunoglobulin H CDR3 in patients conditioned with RIC compared to MAC. We found no general explanation for this finding, but when clinical data for each patient were studied in detail, we could identify a cause for the oligoclonality of the B‐lymphocyte repertoire after HSCT with RIC for each of the patients. Older patients and donors, low cell dose at transplantation, relapse, graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) and its treatment as well as cytomegalovirus infection and its treatment are all possible causes for the restriction of the B‐lymphocyte repertoire observed in this study. Taken together, reconstitution of the B‐lymphocyte repertoire after HSCT is a process dependent on multiple factors and differs between patients. The conditioning regimen may be of importance, but data from this study suggest that individual factors and the various complications occurring after HSCT are more likely to determine the development of the B‐lymphocyte repertoire.
Interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10, IL‐18 and IFN‐γ Cytokines Pattern in Patients with Combined Hepatitis C Virus and Schistosoma mansoni Infections‡
Authors: M. El‐Kady I. , Lotfy M. , Badra G. , El‐Masry S. , Waked I. 
Published: January 2005

Abstract Schistosoma mansoni infection is characterized by a strong T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cell‐associated immune response, but in the case of viral infection, it is associated with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) increase and induction of Th1 immune response. Few data are available about the immune response of cases infected with combined hepatitis C virus (HCV) and schistosomiasis. Thus, the investigation of the cytokine pattern in patients coinfected with both HCV and Schistosoma mansoni was our rationale. This study included four patient groups: Group 1 included 20 patients infected with chronic HCV, Group 2 included 15 patients infected with schistosomiasis alone, Group 3 included 20 patients with chronic HCV and schistosomiasis and Group 4 included 15 healthy control individuals with matched age and sex. Serum levels of IFN‐γ, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐18 were measured in all groups by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that the patients infected with HCV had significantly higher serum levels of IFN‐γ and IL‐18 compared with the controls and with the patients with schistosomiasis and coinfection (P < 0.001). On the other hand, serum levels of IL‐4 and IL‐10 were significantly higher in patients with schistosomiasis and coinfection compared with the control group (P < 0.001 and 0.0001, respectively) and with the HCV patients (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). A significant increase in serum levels of IL‐4 and IL‐10 was also found in HCV patients compared with the control (P < 0.05). Schistosomiasis appears to induce a Th2 cytokine profile, with increase in serum levels of IL‐4 and IL‐10, even in the presence of HCV coinfection. In conclusion, schistosomiasis may downregulate the stimulatory effect of HCV on Th1 cytokines and this may lead to the chronicity of HCV infection in coinfected patients.
Dietary Antigen‐Specific T‐Cell Responses: Switch from an Interleukin‐10‐Dominated Response in Normal Mice to a T‐Helper 1 Cytokine Profile in Gαi2‐Deficient Mice prior to Colitis
Authors: Bjursten M. , Hultgren Hörnquist E. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractWe investigated dietary antigen‐specific T‐cell responses in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and Peyer's patches (PP) in noncolitic control mice as well as in colitis‐prone mice prior to onset of histological active colitis. T cells were restimulated in vitro with constituents isolated from the mouse diet. Interestingly, MLN T cells of littermate Gαi2+/– control mice responded to soya with high production of interleukin (IL)‐10, but did not produce proinflammatory T‐helper 1 (Th1) cytokines. Recall dietary antigen stimulation of Gαi2+/– PP T cells did not result in increased IL‐10 production above the spontaneous production in the absence of antigenic stimulation. In strong contrast, MLN T cells from precolitic Gαi2–/– mice produced high levels of interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) upon restimulation with soya, which could be abolished using a major histocompatibility complex class II‐blocking antibody. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that MLN T lymphocytes in normal healthy mice respond with a significantly increased production of the regulatory cytokine IL‐10 on re‐encounter with dietary proteins in vitro. In marked contrast precolitic Gαi2–/– mice respond to dietary antigens with a Th1‐dominated cytokine response in the mucosa, prior to onset of colitis, with excessive IFN‐γ production. These results suggest that aberrant immune responses to dietary antigens could contribute as a potential pathogenic mechanism in the onset of colitis in Gαi2‐deficient mice.
A Novel Model of Fibroblast‐Mediated Cartilage Destruction
Authors: Sack U. , Hirth A. , Funke B. , Wiedemeyer K. , Lange F. , Tröltzsch M. , Tannapfel A. , Gebhardt R. , Emmrich F. , Lehmann J. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA), fibroblasts have been shown to be crucial for disease progression as well as joint destruction. In the model of human/murine SCID arthritis, synovial explants as well as fibroblasts from human rheumatoid synovial membrane induce destructive arthritis in immunodeficient mice. Hereby, the underlying cartilage destruction is accomplished by murine fibroblasts. Therefore, murine destructive fibroblasts represent a promising tool to investigate destruction of articular cartilage and bone. In this context, a novel destructive murine fibroblast line (LS48) was examined for morphological, ultrastructural, immunological and functional cellular parameters. These cells were injected into knees of SCID mice. Subsequently, the animals were monitored for joint swelling and serological parameters of arthritis by radiological methods. Finally, cartilage destruction was assessed morphologically. Cultured LS48 cells exhibit characteristic features that resemble those of activated synovial fibroblasts in human RA. Expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α and matrix metalloproteinases were comparable to those detected in invasive human fibroblasts. The instillation of 5 × 105 LS48 cells into the knee joints of SCID mice initiated a rapid progressive process, that caused cartilage destruction within 10 days, and morphological examinations revealed that articular cartilage was infiltrated by the fibroblasts injected previously. In summary, the intra‐articular application of LS48 cells represents a rapid and highly reproducible model to investigate the initiation and progression of cartilage destruction in connection with RA therapy and represents an easy‐to‐handle animal model.
Increased Frequency of Antral CD4+ T and CD19+ B Cells in Patients with Helicobacter pylori‐Related Peptic Ulcer Disease
Authors: Goll R. , Husebekk A. , Isaksen V. , Kauric G. , Hansen T. , Florholmen J. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractOnly a fraction of Helicobacter pylori (HP)‐infected individuals develop clinical disease. Recent research indicates that immunological mechanisms may be important for understanding the pathophysiology of HP infection. Differences in the individual cellular immune response may reflect the clinical diversity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cellular immune response against HP in three clinically well‐defined patient groups: HP‐positive peptic ulcer, HP‐positive and HP‐negative gastritis. Biopsies from gastric mucosa were processed for analysis by flow cytometry and histology. The number of T lymphocytes (CD3+) was significantly higher in HP‐positive peptic ulcer (13.8%) than in HP‐positive nonulcer gastritis (6.3%). A nonsignificant increase for B lymphocytes (CD19+) was noted as well. Furthermore, a significant difference was seen in mucosal CD4/CD8 ratio between HP ulcer (2.4) and nonulcer HP gastritis (1.0) patients. Thus, B cells (CD19+) and T‐helper cells (CD4+) were dominant in gastric mucosa from peptic ulcer patients, and cytotoxic T cells (CD8+) were relatively dominant in gastric mucosa from nonulcer patients. In conclusion, distinct differences in the T‐cell subset distribution of mucosal lymphocytes were detected in patients with HP infection, strongly correlated with the presence or absence of peptic ulcer.
Immunohistochemistry of the B‐Cell Component in Lower Lip Salivary Glands of Sjögren's Syndrome and Healthy Subjects
Authors: Larsson Å. , Bredberg A. , Henriksson G. , Manthorpe R. , Sallmyr A. 
Published: January 2005

AbstractSerial sections of lower lip salivary gland (LSG) biopsies were examined by immunohistochemistry, using a battery of B‐ and partly T‐related antibodies (CD5, CD20, CD21, CD27, CD38, CD45RO, CD79a, Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐6) in different groups of subjects: healthy controls and clinically verified smoking or nonsmoking cases of primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS). The purpose was to characterize the B‐cell pattern of the lymphocytic foci and of the tiny perivascular infiltrates preceding the development of foci. Hyperplastic tonsil was used as stain control. In normal LSG, widely dispersed CD38+ and CD79a+ as well as some CD5+ cells are a normal constituent, with lack of staining with the other antibodies. In SS/LSG, the lymphocytic foci showed staining with all the antibodies, with variable degrees of overlapping or nonoverlapping. In SS/LSG of nonsmokers, CD20+ B cells make up a prominent part of the fully developed periductal lymphocytic foci, not overlapping with CD45RO. Also, CD20+ B cells did not overlap in the infiltrates with colocalized CD27+/CD38+ cells. CD20+ B cells and CD45RO+ T cells also occur as minute infiltrates perivascularly in areas of no foci in SS/LSG as well as in SS smokers lacking the typical foci. Smokers lack foci, but tiny infiltrates express CD20 as well CD45R0. Our findings suggest that CD20+ B cells and CD45RO+ T cells are early immigrants in the LSG of SS of smokers as well as nonsmokers and that another subgroup of CD27+/CD38+ B cells gradually mix with the first two to form the characteristic foci in SS/LSG. The simultaneous demonstration of CD20+ and CD27+ B cells in SS/LSG may constitute a significant diagnostic tool. Further, the findings suggest that the early immigrating lymphocytes may have been primed at a site remote from the glands before arriving via the blood to the gland tissue.
Rifabutin‐ and furazolidone‐based Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies after failure of standard first‐ and second‐line eradication attempts in dyspepsia patients
Authors: Qasim Asghar , Sebastian Shaji , Thornton Orla , Dobson Mark , McLoughlin Ramona , Buckley Martin , O'Connor Humphrey , O'Morain Colm 
Published: January 2005

SummaryBackground : Optimal management approach is not well defined for subjects who fail initial first‐ and second‐line Helicobacter pylori eradication attempts and are dealt on a case‐by‐case basis by the specialists.Aim:  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of standard and ‘rescue’ eradication therapies at primary and secondary care levels.Methods : H. pylori infected dyspepsia patients referred to our C13 urea breath testing laboratory between January 1999 to February 2002 were included. Eradication failure at secondary care level was treated using strategies including antibiotic sensitivity testing and the use of rifabutin‐ and furazolidone‐based therapies.Results : 3280 patients received standard first‐line eradication therapy, which was successful in 2530 (77%) patients. Second‐line therapy (bismuth‐based ‘quadruple’) or triple therapy (altering constituent antibiotics) was successful in 56% of 270 treated patients. Subsequent eradication attempts using rifabutin‐based (n = 34) and furazolidone‐based (n = 10) regimens were successful in 38% and 60% patients respectively. H. pylori eradication rates were significantly different for guidelines compliant (94.8%) and non‐compliant (82%) groups (P = 0.0001). H. pylori eradication rates for non‐ulcer dyspepsia (40%) and peptic ulcer disease (36%) were not significantly different.Conclusions : Available H. pylori eradication therapies remain very effective and compliance to guidelines achieves high success rates. Furazolidone‐based ‘rescue’ regimen achieved high eradication rates after failure of the standard first‐line, second‐line and rifabutin‐based therapies.
Standard treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection is suboptimal in non‐ulcer dyspepsia compared with duodenal ulcer in Chinese
Authors: Wong W. M. , Xiao S. D. , Hu P. J. , Wang W. H. , Gu Q. , Huang J. Q. , Xia H. H.‐X. , Wu S. M. , Li C. J. , Chen M. H. , Cui Y. , Lai K. C. , Hu W. H. C. , Chan C. K. , Lam S. K. , Wong B. C.‐Y. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryBackground : Recent studies suggest that the Helicobacter pylori eradication rate in patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia is lower when compared to patients with peptic ulcer diseases.Aim : The aim of this study was to study the efficacy of triple therapy for H. pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer vs. patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia.Methods : A total of 582 Chinese patients with proven H. pylori infection were recruited to receive: omeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg all given twice daily for 7 days (OCA regime). Endoscopy with rapid urease test, histology and culture were performed before treatment. Post‐treatment H. pylori status was determined by 13C‐urea breath test. Metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin resistance was defined as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of >8 μg/mL, >1 μg/mL and >1 μg/mL, respectively.Results : A significantly higher (intention‐to‐treat/per‐protocol) eradication rate was found in patients with duodenal ulcer than those with non‐ulcer dyspepsia (91/94% vs. 84/88% respectively, P = 0.011 and P = 0.016). Clarithromycin resistance rate was higher in patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia than those with duodenal ulcer (14% vs. 6%, P = 0.015). Clarithromycin resistance (40% vs. 5%, P < 0.001, OR 12, 95% CI: 5.7–24.3) and the diagnosis of non‐ulcer dyspepsia (91% vs. 84%, P = 0.011, OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2–3.3) significantly affected the success of H. pylori eradication.Conclusion : Clarithromycin resistance accounts for the significantly lower and suboptimal H. pylori eradication rate of OCA regimen in Chinese patients with non‐ulcer dyspepsia compared to those with duodenal ulcer.
Increased use of low anterior resection for veterans with rectal cancer
Authors: Abraham N. S. , Davila J. A. , Rabeneck L. , Berger D. H. , El‐Serag H. B. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryBackground : Two surgical procedures with curative intent are available to patients with rectal cancer: lower anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection; however, lower anterior resection may improve quality of life and functional status.Aim : To examine temporal changes in after lower anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection between 1989 and 2000. Potential factors associated with the use of lower anterior resection were evaluated.Methods : Using national administrative data, we identified patients who received lower anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection. Logistic regression models examined the association between use of lower anterior resection and time period of surgical resection.Results : A total of 5201 rectal cancer patients underwent resection. The use of lower anterior resection increased from 40.0% (1989–91) to 50.1% (1998–2000) paralleled by a corresponding decline in abdominoperineal resection (60.1 to 49.9%; P < 0.001). Patients who received surgery during 1992–94, 1995–97 and 1998–2000 were 6, 7 and 28% more likely to receive lower anterior resection, when compared with 1989–1991 after adjusting for demographic characteristics, co‐morbidity and hospital surgical volume. Older age, lower co‐morbidity score and lower hospital surgical volume were predictive of lower anterior resection.Conclusions : An increase in the use of lower anterior resection for rectal cancer was observed over time. This observed increase in use is not confined to high‐volume hospitals.
Clinical trends in ulcer diagnosis in a population with high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Pérez‐Aisa M. A. , Del Pino D. , Siles M. , Lanas A. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryBackground : It is unknown whether the incidence of peptic ulcer changes in areas with a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection.Aim : To determine trends in peptic ulcer complications in a community with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection.Methods : New endoscopic diagnoses of peptic ulcers and their complications from 1985 to 2000 were obtained. H. pylori infection in the adult population, the number of prescriptions for anti‐secretory drugs and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were also evaluated.Results : Although the global prevalence of H. pylori infection remains high in this population (>60%), a 41.4 to 25.4% decrease in the incidence of peptic ulcers and ulcer complications was observed. This was associated with a decrease in the prevalence of H. pylori infection in people under 65 years of age, a 3.5‐fold increase in the number of prescriptions of proton‐pump inhibitors and an increase in the number of prescriptions of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, especially coxibs.Conclusions : In an area with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection, the incidence of peptic ulcer and associated complications is declining rapidly. This was associated with a reduction of the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the young and a widespread use of proton‐pump inhibitors. The increase in the use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, especially coxibs, has not changed the tendency.
An evaluation of the antireflux properties of sodium alginate by means of combined multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH‐metry
Authors: Zentilin P. , Dulbecco P. , Savarino E. , Parodi A. , Iiritano E. , Bilardi C. , Reglioni S. , Vigneri S. , Savarino V. 
Published: January 2005

SummaryBackground : Alginate‐based preparations act as mechanical antireflux barrier, which can reduce both acid and non‐acid reflux events and limit the proximal migration of oesophageal refluxate.Aim : To evaluate all the above features with a novel technique, multichannel electrical impedance and pH‐metry.Methods : Ten reflux patients underwent stationary impedancemetry and pH‐metry after eating a refluxogenic meal. They were studied 1 h in basal conditions and 1 h after taking 10 mL of Gaviscon Advance. In both sessions, measurements were obtained in right lateral and supine decubitus.Results : Alginate preparation was able to decrease significantly (P < 0.05) the number of acid reflux events and the percentage time pH < 4.0 compared with baseline. There was no effect of the drug on non‐acid refluxes. Gaviscon Advance was also significantly effective (P < 0.05) in reducing the height of proximal migration of reflux events compared with baseline in both decubitus positions.Conclusions : Our findings explain how Gaviscon Advance controls acid reflux episodes, limits the proximal migration of refluxed material and thereby decreases symptoms in clinical practice.