bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy on autoantibody titres to BP Ag1 and BP Ag2 in patients with bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Sami N , Ali S , Bhol KC , Ahmed AR 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTBackground   Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is a subepidermal autoimmune blistering disease, which is characterized by blisters on the skin. Autoantibodies to components of the basement membrane zone are usually observed in the sera of patients with BP. Autoantibodies to the bullous pemphigoid antigens (BP Ag1, 230‐kDa desmoplakin protein, and BP Ag2, 180‐kDa hemidesmosomal protein) are present in the sera of BP patients.Objective   The objective of this study was to report the influence of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy on autoantibody titres to BP Ag1 and BP Ag2.Methods   In this prospective study, we measured autoantibody titres to both BP Ag1 and BP Ag2, in 10 patients with severe BP, over a period of 18 consecutive months on each patient, using an immunoblot assay.Results   Prior to the initiation of IVIg therapy, the sera of nine patients demonstrated the presence of high autoantibody titres to both BP Ag1 and BP Ag2. One patient had autoantibodies to BP Ag1 only. A statistically significant decline in the autoantibody titres to both BP Ag1 and BP Ag2 was observed after 3 months of receiving the first cycle of IVIg therapy. This gradual decline in autoantibody titres continued until patients were observed to have non‐detectable titres to BP Ag1 after 11 months and to BP Ag2 after 10 months of receiving IVIg therapy. Once patients achieved non‐detectable titres, these patients were considered to be in a serological remission. This serological remission was sustained for an additional 7 months of observation.Conclusion   Autoantibody titres to BP Ag1 and BP Ag2 can be used to monitor the serological response to treatment in patients with BP. Patients with severe BP who are treated with IVIg therapy, as described in our protocol, achieve a long‐term serological remission.
Antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation and skin diseases. What's new
Authors: Briganti S , Picardo M 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACTDue to its interface function between the body and the environment, the skin is chronically exposed to both endogenous and environmental pro‐oxidant agents, leading to the harmful generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). There is compelling evidence that oxidative stress is involved in the damage of cellular constituents, such as DNA, cell membrane lipids or proteins. To protect the skin against the over‐load of oxidant species, it contains a well‐organised system of both chemical and enzymatic antioxidant which are able to work in a synergistic manner. Skin antioxidant network protects cells against oxidative injury and prevent the production of oxidation products, such as 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal or malonaldehyde, which are able to induce protein damage, apoptosis or release of pro‐inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines. When oxidative stress overwhelms the skin antioxidant capacity the subsequent modification of cellular redox apparatus leads to an alteration of cell homeostasis and a generation of degenerative processes. Topical application or oral administration of antioxidants has been recently suggested as preventive therapy for skin photoaging and UV‐induced cancer. The recognition that ROS can act as second messengers in the induction of several biological responses, such as the activation of NF‐kB or AP‐1, the generation of cytokines, the modulation of signalling pathways, etc., has led many researchers to focus on the possible effects of antioxidants in many pathological processes. The recent demonstration that the peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptors, whose natural ligands are polyunsaturated fatty acids and theirs oxidation products, have a central role in the induction of some skin diseases, such as psoriasis or acne, has indicated new links between free radicals and skin inflammation. Based on these findings, the review summarises the possible correlations between antioxidant imbalance, lipid oxidative breakage and skin diseases, from both a pathological and therapeutic points of view.
The effects of herbivory and competition on the invasive alien plant Senecio inaequidens (Asteraceae)
Authors: Scherber Christoph , Crawley Michael J. , Porembski Stefan 
Published: October 2003

Abstract.  Senecio inaequidens DC. (Asteraceae) is an invasive alien plant introduced to Europe from South Africa in around 1896. It contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to livestock and humans. S. inaequidens would therefore be an economic and ecological problem if it became established and abundant in natural or farmed grassland ecosystems. We conducted field experiments using a split‐plot design to determine the effects of rabbit grazing, interspecific plant competition, mollusc and insect herbivory on growth, survival and reproduction of S. inaequidens. Plants were grown from seeds of three different ecotypes under standardized greenhouse conditions and transplanted into field plots. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) were excluded from experimental plots using rabbit fences. Competition was manipulated by either creating subplots with bare ground or leaving the vegetation cover intact. Data were recorded between June and August 2002. Ecotypes differed significantly in morphological parameters, and in their responses to invertebrate herbivory. Interspecific plant competition and rabbit grazing significantly reduced growth and reproduction of S. inaequidens. Regrowth shoots of S. inaequidens produced after rabbit grazing were not subsequently eaten by rabbits. Unpalatability of regrowth shoots may be attributable to changes in pyrrolizidine alkaloid composition with plant age. Mollusc herbivory significantly reduced the number of capitulae produced. We found adults of Longitarsus jacobaeae Waterhouse (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a specialist herbivore of European Senecio jacobaea L. (Asteraceae), feeding on 79% of S. inaequidens plants. 320 larvae of Tyria jacobaeae L. (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) did not feed on S. inaequidens under free‐choice field conditions. We conclude that S. inaequidens is able to survive and reproduce in disturbed grassland ecosystems. L. jacobaeae might be a suitable agent for biological control of S. inaequidens in European introduced populations in the future.
Prevalence and Severity of Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Mexican‐American Women
Authors: Espino David V. , Palmer Ray F. , Miles Toni P. , Mouton Charles P. , Lichtenstein Michael J. , Markides Kyriakos P. 
Published: October 2003

Objectives: To measure prevalence and characteristics of urinary incontinence in older Mexican‐American women.Design: Cross‐sectional analysis of a longitudinal survey of a representative sample of older Mexican Americans.Setting: Five southwestern states in the United States.Participants: A total of 1,589 Mexican‐American women, aged 65 and older who were part of the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly.Measurements: Self‐reported psychosocial, demographic, and health variables; self‐reported history of symptoms of urinary incontinence.Results: Two hundred thirty‐nine (15%) of the 1,589 Mexican‐American women reported having urinary incontinence. Almost 33% reported urge incontinence symptoms, 10% reported stress incontinence symptoms, and 42% had symptoms suggestive of mixed incontinence. Thirty‐five percent of subjects reported incontinence episodes with moderate to large amounts of urine loss, and 15% reported that their urinary symptoms kept them from engaging in social activities. Age and body mass index were risk factors for incontinence (P=.02 and P=.03, respectively).Conclusion: This is the first community‐based survey examining rates of urinary incontinence in Mexican‐American women. The prevalence of urinary incontinence may be lower in older Mexican‐American women than in the general population. They may also have a higher percentage of urge as opposed to stress incontinence symptoms and may suffer from moderate to large volumes of urine loss associated with their incontinence episodes.
Are Nursing Homes Appropriate for Older Adults with Severe Mental Illness? Conflicting Consumer and Clinician Views and Implications for the Olmstead Decision
Authors: Bartels Stephen J. , Miles Keith M. , Dums Aricca R. , Levine Kristin J. 
Published: October 2003

Objectives: In response to the recent Olmstead decision, to compare consumer and clinician perspectives on the appropriateness of nursing home settings for older adults with severe mental illness (SMI) in relation to clinical characteristics and care needs.Design: Cross‐sectional, descriptive, correlational study.Setting: Ten community mental health centers and two state‐funded nursing homes specializing in long‐term care for older persons with SMI.Participants: Consumers of mental health services in the community (n=115) and in nursing homes (n=106), aged 60 and older, with SMI. Sixty‐four clinicians (51% registered nurses, 29% masters‐level clinicians, and 20% certified social workers) conducted ratings.Measurements: Consumers and their clinicians were independently asked to determine the most appropriate care setting for each consumer based on care needs from three alternatives: nursing home, congregate (group) living setting, or individual apartment/home. Clinical characteristics of participants with SMI were rated using the Mini‐Mental State Examination, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Specific Level of Function Scale, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics, a modified memory and orientation subscale from the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, and an item from the Minimum Data Set related to reasoning.Results: Of nursing home residents with SMI who did not have severe cognitive impairment, 40% (n=42) and 51% (n=54) were considered by consumers or by their clinician, respectively, to be more appropriate for a community‐based setting, but there was a low level of agreement (only 27.6%; no better than chance) between consumers and clinicians on which nursing home residents were most appropriate for living in the community. Determinations by clinicians were associated with clinical need (diagnosis and less‐severe behavioral problems), whereas there was no association between clinical needs and level of care determinations by consumers. Finally, clinicians considered a group home necessary for 93.7% of nursing home residents judged to be more appropri‐ate for a community‐based setting, whereas 90.5% of con‐sumers stated that an apartment or individual home was indicated.Conclusion: State implementation of the Olmstead decision will need to consider major differences in perspectives between clinicians and consumers on the most appropriate long‐term care setting for older persons with SMI.
Factors influencing moderate to severe reactions to PLT transfusions: experience of the TRAP multicenter clinical trial
Authors: Enright Helen , Davis Kathryn , Gernsheimer Terry , McCullough Jeffrey J. , Woodson Robert , Slichter Sherrill J. 
Published: October 2003

BACKGROUND:  During the Trial to Reduce Alloimmunization to Platelets (TRAP Trial), data were prospectively collected for 8769 PLT transfusions regarding the frequency of moderate to severe PLT transfusion reactions.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  At seven centers, 598 patients were randomly assigned to receive unmodified pooled random‐donor PLT concentrates (PCs), UV‐B‐irradiated PCs, filtered PCs, or filtered random‐donor apheresis PLTs.RESULTS:  Moderate to severe transfusion reactions were an increase in temperature of at least 2°C, chills with rigors, extensive urticaria, dyspnea, cyanosis, or bronchospasm. These reactions occurred with 2.2 percent of the transfusions in 22 percent of the patients. Transfusion reactions were associated with WBC counts of more than 5 × 106 per transfusion (p = 0.002) and transfusions stored for more than 48 hours (p = 0.02). PLT counts before transfusion were significantly lower for transfusions associated with reactions (p = 0.005). Neither UV‐B irradiation nor apheresis PLTs independently influenced reaction rates. The PLT increment at 1 hour after transfusion was lower for transfusions associated with reactions (p = 0.004), and the frequency of reactions was higher in PLT refractory patients (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:  The provision of either fresh and/or WBC‐reduced PLTs may decrease the frequency of PLT transfusion reactions and improve PLT transfusion efficacy.
Immunoadsorption may provide a cost‐effective approach to management of patients with inhibitors to FVIII
Authors: Freedman John , Rand Margaret L. , Russell Olive , Davis Carole , Cheatley Patricia L. , Blanchette Victor , Bernadette Garvey M. 
Published: October 2003

BACKGROUND:  Immunoadsorption of plasma with Staphylococcal protein A removes immunoglobulins and immune complexes; hence, it should effectively remove inhibitors to FVIII in acquired or congenital hemophilia. The procedure may be cost effective, given the expense of therapies used to treat patients with inhibitors, particularly in an acute setting.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Three patients with inhibitors to FVIII were treated with the Excorim Immunosorba system (two columns used in tandem). Costs for immunoadsorption and for other therapeutic products administered to the patients were calculated.RESULTS:  Two patients had acquired hemophilia and severe bleeding associated with low levels of circulating FVIII and high levels of inhibitors to FVIII. They failed to achieve a satisfactory response to management with immunosuppression, pFVIII, recombinant FVIIa or IVIG but responded rapidly, with long‐term benefit, to immunoadsorption therapy. The third patient had congenital hemophilia and immunoadsorption was effective in reducing his inhibitor level, allowing him to undergo immune tolerance therapy. Costs of treatment before immunoadsorption were markedly higher than those associated with the immunoadsorption procedures (i.e., >Can$350,000 and >Can$1,000,000 vs. <$20,000).CONCLUSION:  Immunoadsorption appears to be an effective and cost‐effective alternative in the management of patients with inhibitors to FVIII.
Solving nesting problems with non‐convex polygons by constraint logic programming
Authors: Carravilla M. A. , Ribeiro C. , Oliveira J. F. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractIn this paper an application of constraint logic programming (CLP) to the resolution of nesting problems is presented. Nesting problems are a special case of the cutting and packing problems, in which the pieces generally have non‐convex shapes. Because of their combinatorial optimization nature, nesting problems have traditionally been tackled by heuristics and in the recent past by meta‐heuristics. When trying to formulate nesting problems as linear programming models, to achieve global optimal solutions, the difficulty of dealing with the disjunction of constraints arises. On the contrary, CLP deals easily with this type of relationships among constraints. A CLP implementation for the nesting problem is described for convex and non‐convex shapes. The concept of nofit polygon is used to deal with the geometric constraints inherent to all cutting and packing problems. Computational results are presented.
The Announcement Effects of U.S. versus non‐U.S. Bank Mergers: Do They Differ?
Authors: DeLong Gayle L. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractNon‐U.S. bank mergers are becoming an increasingly important part of the worldwide economic landscape. Are the market reactions to non‐U.S. bank mergers similar to the reaction in the United States? I address this question by examining abnormal returns of publicly traded partners on the announcement of forty‐one non‐U.S. bank mergers and comparing the returns with a U.S. control group. I find acquirers in non‐U.S. domestic bank mergers earn more and non‐U.S. targets earn less than their U.S. counterparts. However, for the subset of mergers in countries with relatively well‐developed stock markets, I find that partners earn similar returns.
Will Any q Do?
Authors: DaDalt Peter J. , Donaldson Jeffrey R. , Garner Jacqueline L. 
Published: October 2003

AbstractWe find that the relative levels of computationally costly q estimators and simple q estimators, when used as continuous variables, are affected by variations in many firm financial characteristics. In contrast, when the estimators are used as dichotomous variables, they classify the vast majority of firms identically with respect to the unit q breakpoint. Finally, we find that the computationally costly approach may induce sample‐selection bias as a result of data unavailability. Our results suggest that the simple approach is preferable except when extreme precision of the q estimate is of paramount importance and sample‐selection bias is not likely to be an issue.
In Vitro Analysis of the Ability of
Trichophyton rubrum
To Become Resistant to Terbinafine
Authors: Osborne Colin S. , Hofbauer Bettina , Favre Bertrand , Ryder Neil S. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

In this study, we have investigated in vitro the resistance frequency and development of resistance to terbinafine of
Trichophyton rubrum
. Results demonstrated that naturally occurring mutants are rare and that
T. rubrum
appears to have little capacity to develop resistance to terbinafine even after prolonged exposure.
Genetic Relatedness of Recently Collected Spanish Respiratory Tract
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Isolates with Reduced Susceptibility to Amoxicillin
Authors: Pérez-Trallero E. , Marimón J. M. , González A. , García-Rey C. , Aguilar L. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

Of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
isolates from 17 hospitals, 9.8% were amoxicillin nonsusceptible (MIC ≥ 4 μg/ml). The genetic relatedness of 138 isolates was studied by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Although 44 different clones were detected, more than 62% of these isolates were related to four clones (Spain
23F
-1, Spain
6B
-2, Spain
9V
-3, and Spain
14
-5).
Activity of Posaconazole in Treatment of Experimental Disseminated Zygomycosis
Authors: Dannaoui Eric , Meis Jacques F. G. M. , Loebenberg David , Verweij Paul E. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

Three isolates of zygomycetes were used to produce a disseminated infection in nonimmunocompromised mice. Against all zygomycete strains, amphotericin B significantly prolonged survival. Itraconazole was inactive against
Rhizopus microsporus
and
Rhizopus oryzae
but was partially active against
Absidia corymbifera
. Posaconazole had no beneficial effects against
R. oryzae
but showed partial activity against
A. corymbifera
. Posaconazole had a clear dose-response effect against
R. microsporus
.
Correlation between Pyrazinamide Activity and
pncA
Mutations in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Isolates in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Tsi-Shu , Lee Susan Shin-Jung , Tu Hui-Zin , Huang Wen-Kuei , Chen Yao-Shen , Huang Chung-Kai , Wann Shue-Ren , Lin Hsi-Hsun , Liu Yung-Ching 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

A total of 76 clinical
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates from Taiwan were tested for pyrazinamidase activity, pyrazinamide susceptibility, and
pncA
mutations. Frequency of resistance to PZA rose with increases in resistance to first-line drugs. Of 17 pyrazinamide-resistant strains, 7 (3 of which had not been previously described) possessed mutations in the
pncA
gene.
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhimurium Expressing Mutant Lipid A with Decreased Endotoxicity Causes Maturation of Murine Dendritic Cells
Authors: Kalupahana Ruwani , Emilianus A. Romina , Maskell Duncan , Blacklaws Barbara 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

A major
Salmonella
component involved in cellular activation is the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule which can act as a dendritic cell (DC) stimulator. The structure of the lipid A domain of the LPS molecule dictates its immunostimulatory capacity with various cell types. In this study, the role of lipid A as an integral component of
Salmonella
in stimulating murine DCs was studied by using a
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium
lpxM
mutant with defective lipid A. This study revealed that a mutation in
lpxM
did not significantly affect the ability of bacteria to activate DCs. Although the
lpxM
mutant less tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, and inducible nitric oxide synthase than the parental strain, this was only seen at lower multiplicities of infection (MOIs). Both strains upregulated surface molecule expression on DCs and augmented the T-cell-stimulating capacity of these cells in an MOI-independent manner. Thus, the
lpxM
mutation did not appear to affect the stimulatory capacity of the
Salmonella
mutant.
Phage Lytic Enzyme Cpl-1 as a Novel Antimicrobial for Pneumococcal Bacteremia
Authors: Loeffler Jutta M. , Djurkovic Svetolik , Fischetti Vincent A. 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant worldwide, and thus new antimicrobials are badly needed. We report the use of Cpl-1, the lytic enzyme of a pneumococcal bacteriophage, as an intravenous therapy for pneumococcal bacteremia in a mouse model. A 2,000-μg dose of Cpl-1 reduced pneumococcal titers from a median of log
10
4.70 CFU/ml to undetectable levels (<log
10
2.00 CFU/ml) within 15 min. This dose given 1 h after intravenous infection led to 100% survival at 48 h, compared to the 20% survival of buffer-treated controls. In advanced bacteremia, treatment with two doses at 5 and 10 h still resulted in significantly longer survival (
P
< 0.0001) and a hazard ratio of 0.29 (95% confidence interval, 0.04 to 0.35). The enzyme is immunogenic, but the treatment efficacy was not significantly diminished after previous intravenous exposure of mice and hyperimmune rabbit serum did not neutralize the activity. Cpl-1 is also very effective as a topical nasal treatment against colonization by
S. pneumoniae
. In vitro, the enzyme is active against many serotypes of
S. pneumoniae
, independent of their penicillin resistance, and it is very specific for this species. Bacteriophage enzymes are unusual but extremely effective antimicrobials and represent a new weapon against infections with resistant bacteria.
Low-Level Pilin Expression Allows for Substantial DNA Transformation Competence in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Long Cynthia D. , Tobiason Deborah M. , Lazio Matthew P. , Kline Kimberly A. , Seifert H. Steven 
Published: October 2003

ABSTRACT

The gonococcal pilus is a major virulence factor that has well-established roles in mediating epithelial cell adherence and DNA transformation. Gonococci expressing four gonococcal pilin variants with distinct piliation properties under control of the
lac
regulatory system were grown in different levels of the inducer isopropyl-β-
d
-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). These pilin variants expressed various levels of pilin message and pilin protein in response to the level of IPTG in the growth medium. Moreover, posttranslational modifications of the variant pilin proteins were detected, including S-pilin production and glycosylation. The ratio of the modified and unmodified pilin forms did not substantially change with different levels of pilin expression, showing that these modifications are not linked to pilin expression levels. DNA transformation competence was also influenced by IPTG levels in the growth medium. Substantial increases in transformation competence over an isogenic, nonpiliated mutant were observed when limited amounts of three of the pilin variants were expressed. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that when limited amounts of pilin are expressed, pili are rare and do not explain the pilin-dependent transformation competence. This pilin-dependent transformation competence required prepilin processing, the outer membrane secretin PilQ, and the twitching-motility-regulating protein PilT. These requirements show that a fully functional pilus assembly apparatus is required for DNA uptake when limited pilin is produced. We conclude that the pilus assembly apparatus functions to import DNA into the bacterial cell in a pilin-dependent manner but that extended pili are not required for transformation competence.