bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Universal leukoreduction decreases the incidence of febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions to RBCs
Authors: King Karen E. , Shirey R. Sue , Thoman Sandra K. , Bensen‐Kennedy Debra , Tanz Warren S. , Ness Paul M. 
Published: December 2004

BACKGROUND:  Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTR) is a relatively common complication associated with allogeneic transfusion. Because WBCs have been implicated in the mechanism of FNHTRs, it has been proposed that the transfusion of leukoreduced RBCs should be associated with a decreased incidence of FNHTRs. These reactions are generally not life threatening, but they are expensive in their management, evaluation, and associated blood‐product wastage. Over the past several years, the proportion of leukoreduced RBCs has increased at Johns Hopkins Hospital in an effort to move toward complete leuko‐reduction. A retrospective analysis is reported here of FNHTRs in RBC recipients as the inventory increased in percentage of leukoreduced RBC units.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:  Between July 1994 and December 2001, all transfusion reactions (TRs) associated with the transfusion of allogeneic RBCs were retrospectively analyzed. Both computerized data and individual TR reports were reviewed. Patients who had both allergic and febrile features were included as part of both categories. TRs were reported as a percentage of total units transfused. Two time periods were selected for direct comparison. July to December 1994 represents the time period before the initiation of an increase in leuko‐reduction. July to December 2001 represents a time period when almost complete leukoreduction (99.5%) had been achieved. The TR data were compared between these two time periods, comparing a time before leuko‐reduction to a time period after leukoreduction had been achieved. The trends in TRs over the entire 7.5‐year period of July 1994 to December 2001 were also assessed.RESULTS:  In the initial period before the initiative to move toward leukoreduction, 96 percent of our RBC inventory was non‐leukoreduced. In the study period after leukoreduction, 99.5 percent of our RBC inventory was leukoreduced. When comparing these two time periods, the incidence of FNHTRs decreased from 0.37 percent to 0.19 percent (p = 0.0008). The trend over the entire 7.5‐year study period confirms the decrease in FNHTRs as the percentage of leukoreduced RBCs increased. The incidence of allergic TRs has remained unchanged over this time period.CONCLUSIONS:  As our institution has increased its inventory of leukoreduced RBCs to approximately 100 percent, selective leukoreduced protocols have been discontinued. The incidence of FNHTRs has decreased significantly and the rate of allergic reactions has essentially remained unchanged. Leukoreduction is effective in decreasing FNHTRs associated with the transfusion of allogeneic RBCs.
A Correlation Between Migraine, Histamine and Immunoglobulin E
Authors: Gazerani P. , Pourpak Z. , Ahmadiani A. , Hemmati A. , Kazemnejad A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAlthough migraine affects about 15% of population and many studies have been performed to find the mechanism and a successful management, the physiopathology of migraine is still largely unknown. The possibility of an immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐mediated allergic mechanism and the role of histamine remain controversial.The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum total IgE and histamine levels in migraine patients and the influence of allergy on them.Seventy patients (18–58 years) with migraine without aura were divided into two groups according to their history of allergy (60% with and 40% without allergy). Serum samples were collected during fasting without allowing any premedication during the two periods of attack and remission. There was a control group containing 45 healthy volunteers. Serum total IgE and histamine levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and fluorimetric methods, respectively.Mean and standard errors of serum histamine (ng/ml) and total IgE (IU/ml) levels were found in the control group to be 48.16 ± 2.70 and 38.31 ± 3.20, in the migraine with allergy group 159.11 ± 4.60 and 303.30 ± 42.50 and in the migraine without allergy group 105.01 ± 8.50 and 79.07 ± 2.70, respectively.Total IgE levels in migraine with allergy group were found to be significantly (P < 0.0001) above that in the control and another group, suggesting an influence of an IgE‐mediated mechanism on migraine. Although the plasma histamine levels, which were significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) in patients with migraine, both during headache and symptom‐free periods, when compared with the control group, indicate that there is an increased susceptibility to histamine in allergic conditions, this molecule has also an unrelated role in migraine.The relationship between allergy and migraine can be based, in part, on an IgE‐mediated mechanism, and histamine release plays an important role.Thus, the avoidance of allergic conditions in migraine patients may be a simple, helpful way for prophylaxis or their treatment.
Infection of Human Mononuclear Phagocytes and Macrophage‐Like THP1 Cells with Leishmania donovani Results in Modulation of Expression of a Subset of Chemokines and a Chemokine Receptor
Authors: Dasgupta B. , Roychoudhury K. , Ganguly S. , Akbar M. A. , Das P. , Roy S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors was studied in Leishmania donovani (LD)‐infected human mononuclear phagocytes and the human monocytic cell line THP1. Our studies showed that LD infection caused the upregulation of three β chemokines (macrophage inflammatory protein‐1 alpha (MIP‐1α), MIP‐1β and RANTES (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted)), one α chemokine (interleukin‐8 (IL‐8)) and the CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) but not CCR1, as evident from reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis. The CCR5 upregulation in human mononuclear phagocytes and THP1 cells was also evident by confocal microscopy. The possible association of such upregulation in relation to Leishmania and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection was discussed.
A Novel Function for Chemokines: Downregulation of Neutrophil Migration
Authors: Lang K. , Hatt H. , Niggemann B. , Zaenker K. S. , Entschladen F. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMigration is a key function of stem cells during ontogenesis, of fibroblasts in wound healing and of immune cells in host defence. The signals that initiate migration are as important as signals that terminate migration, once the destination has been reached. We now show that formyl‐methionyl‐leucyl‐phenylalanine (fMLP)‐induced migration of neutrophils was inhibited by increasing concentrations of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8). IL‐8 dose dependently increased the frequency and the duration of stop‐periods, whereas the percentage of cells of a population that was locomotory active remained constant. The stop‐signal delivered by IL‐8 was intracellularly transduced by a dichotomic pathway: (i) the activation of the adenylyl cyclase leads to an increase of cytosolic cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which results in an activation of the sarcoplasmatic/endoplasmatic reticulum calcium ATPase pump and a calcium sequestration; (ii) the activation of the phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) generates inositol‐1,4,5‐phosphate (IP3) and diacylglycerol (DAG), which results in IP3‐mediated release of intracellularly stored calcium in the endoplasmatic reticulum and DAG‐mediated activation of protein kinase C. Thus, we show for the first time that a chemokine, IL‐8, in concert with fMLP, downregulates the neutrophil migration through the regulation of the intracellular calcium concentration via the adenylyl cyclase and the PLCβ2.
Susceptibility of Mice Deficient in the MHC Class II Transactivator to Infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Repique C. J. , Li A. , Brickey W. J. , Ting J. P. Y. , Collins F. M. , Morris S. L. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMajor histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen presentation and subsequent CD4+ T‐cell activation are critical for acquired immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. MHC class II gene expression is primarily controlled by the master transactivator CIITA protein. Without functional CIITA protein, MHC class II expression is lost, impairing immune responses and increasing susceptibility to infection. In this study, we compared protective immune responses of CIITA‐deficient mice and wild‐type C57BL/6 controls with low dose aerosol M. tuberculosis infection. After aerogenic challenge, CIITA–/– mice failed to limit mycobacterial growth (2.5 and 2.0 log10 > WT lung and spleen CFUs, respectively, at day 58). Lung histopathology involved extensive necrosis, severe pneumonitis and overwhelming inflammation in the gene knockout mice. Mean survival time for CIITA–/– mice was significantly reduced (57 versus >300 days for WT). This extreme sensitivity to tuberculous infection was largely attributed to the absence of CD4+ cells. Flow cytometric studies detected virtually no CD4+ cells in CIITA–/– mouse spleens after infection versus elevated numbers in WT spleens. Failed CD4+ T‐cell expansion markedly reduced interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ production in CIITA–/– mice versus WT controls. These results suggest the necessity of a functional CIITA pathway for controlling tuberculous infections and that interventions targeting CIITA expression may be useful antimycobacterial therapeutics.
Suppression of Interleukin‐12 Production through Endogenously Secreted Interleukin‐10 in Activated Dendritic Cells: Involvement of Activation of Extracellular Signal‐Regulated Protein Kinase
Authors: Xia C.‐Q. , Kao K. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractOur recent study suggested the reverse relationship between the production of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and IL‐12 in dendritic cells (DCs) activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or LPS plus interferon (IFN)‐γ. In the present study, a series of experiments were performed to investigate the mechanisms responsible for this reverse relationship. Our results showed that neutralization of the secreted IL‐10 by antibody could enhance the production of IL‐12. Neutralization of IL‐12 by antibody did not affect the IL‐10 production. Addition of exogenous IL‐10 suppressed the production of IL‐12 by activated DCs, and addition of exogenous IL‐12 did not affect IL‐10 production. TaqMan real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction supported the fact that the observed effects occurred at mRNA transcription level. We also found that LPS or LPS plus IFN‐γ significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. In addition, inhibition of ERK by PD98059 significantly suppressed IL‐10 and increased the IL‐12 production. Exogenous IL‐10 reversed the upregulated production of IL‐12 induced by PD98059. The above findings suggest a unidirectional negative autocrine regulation of IL‐12 by IL‐10 in activated DCs and that activation of ERK involves the differential production of IL‐10 and IL‐12 by activated DCs. Thus, the regulation of differential production of IL‐10 and IL‐12 may play an important role for DCs in priming T helper 1 (Th1) or Th2 in the immune responses.
Temperature Alters Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Cytokine Secretion by RAW 264.7 Cells
Authors: Kirkley J. E. , Thompson B. J. , Coon J. S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractLocal and systemic temperature change is associated with the immune response to infection, but the role of temperature remains poorly understood. To study the effect of temperature on macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with LPS at different temperatures and secretion of three cytokines was measured. Incubation at 31 °C increased tumour necrosis factor (TNF) secretion when compared with 37 °C, while cells exposed at 39 °C secreted less TNF. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) secretion was less at 31 °C than at 37 °C and remained unchanged at 39 °C. Interleukin‐10 secretion was depressed on either side of 37 °C. Only IL‐6 secretion was sensitive to preincubation temperature effects. The kinetics of cytokine secretion and steady‐state mRNA analysis indicated potentially different mechanisms of temperature regulation for TNF and IL‐6.
Retroviral Transfer of T‐Cell Receptor Genes Produces Cells with a Broad Range of Lytic Activity
Authors: Orentas R. J. , Bircher L. A. , Roskopf S. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe ability to transfer the T‐cell receptor (TCR) for antigen using a retroviral vector has opened the door to a new paradigm for T‐cell‐based immunotherapy. Using recombinant TCRs, a population of activated T cells can now be redirected to recognize and lyse cellular targets according to the specificity afforded by the transduced TCR genes. To examine the range of lytic activity displayed by the transduced TCRs, transduced T cells were re‐cloned by limiting dilution and quantitatively analysed for lytic activity. The lytic activity of the transduced TCRs varied considerably, as determined by the Km and Vmax of lysis. The lytic activity seen in the secondary clones generated from vector‐transduced peripheral blood mononuclear cell demonstrated that one of the clones approached the lytic activity of the parental ‘TCR donor’ cytotoxic T‐cell lymphocyte (CTL) clone, whereas the remainder demonstrated either reduced Vmax or reduced Vmax and Km. Thus, the lytic activity of a transduced TCR depends not only on its genetic sequence but also on the cellular context within which it is expressed. Analysis of TCR Vβ transcript levels by real time polymerase chain reaction revealed that while total Vβ gene expression was fairly constant, expression of the retrovirally transduced Vβ chain varied greatly in transduced CD8+ CTL clones.
Provenance analysis and tectonic setting of the Ordovician clastic deposits in the southern Puna Basin, NW Argentina
Authors: Zimmermann Udo , Bahlburg Heinrich 
Published: December 2004

AbstractProvenance studies on Early to Middle Ordovician clastic formations of the southern Puna basin in north‐western Argentina indicate that the sedimentary detritus is generally composed of reworked crustal material. Tremadoc quartz‐rich turbidites (Tolar Chico Formation, mean composition Qt89 F7 L4) are followed by volcaniclastic rocks and greywackes (Tolillar Formation, mean Qt33 F42 L25). These are in turn overlain by volcaniclastic deposits (mean Qt24 F30 L46) of the Diablo Formation (late Arenig–early Llanvirn) that are intercalated by lava flows. All units were deformed in the Oclóyic Orogeny during the Middle and Late Ordovician. Sandstones of the Tolar Chico Formation are characterized by Th/Sc ratios > 1, La/Sc ratios ≈ 10, whereas associated fine‐grained wackes show slightly lower values for both ratios. LREE (light rare earth elements) enrichment of the arenites is ≈ 50× chondrite, Eu/Eu* values are between 0·72 and 0·92, and flat HREE (heavy rare earth elements) patterns indicate a derivation from mostly felsic rocks of typical upper crustal composition. The εNd(t = sed) values scatter around −11 to −9. The calculated Nd‐TDM residence ages vary between 1·8 and 2·0 Ga indicating contribution by a Palaeoproterozoic crustal component. The Th/Sc and La/Sc ratios of the Tolillar Formation are lower than those of the Tolar Chico Formation. Normalized REE (rare earth elements) patterns display a similar shape to PAAS (post‐Archaean average Australian shale) but with higher abundances of HREEs. Eu/Eu* values range between 0·44 and 1·17, where the higher values reflect the abundance of plagioclase and feldspar‐bearing volcanic lithoclasts. Average εNd(t = sed) values are less negative at −5·1, and Nd‐TDM are lower at 1·6 Ga. This is consistent with characteristics of regional rocks of upper continental crust composition, which most probably represent the sources of the studied detritus. The rocks of the Diablo Formation have the lowest Th/Sc and La/Sc ratios, lower LREE abundances than the average continental crust and are slightly enriched in HREEs. Eu/Eu* values are between 0·63 and 1·17. The Nd isotopes (εNd(t = sed) = −3 to −1; TDM = 1·2 Ga) indicate that one source component was less fractionated than both the underlying Early Ordovician and the overlying Middle Ordovician units. Synsedimentary vulcanites in the Diablo Formation show the same isotopic composition. Our data indicate that the sedimentary detritus is generally composed of reworked crustal material, but that the Diablo Formation appears to contain ≈ 80% of a less fractionated component, derived from a contemporaneous continental volcanic arc. There are no data indicating an exotic detrital source or the accretion of an exotic block at this part of the Gondwana margin during the Ordovician.
‘Pseudobreccias’ revealed as calcrete mottling and bioturbation in the Late Dinantian of the southern Lake District, UK
Authors: Horbury Andrew D. , Qing Hairuo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTwo types of ‘pseudobreccia’, one with grey and the other with brown mottle fabrics, occur in shoaling‐upward cycles of the Urswick Limestone Formation of Asbian (Late Dinantian, Carboniferous) age in the southern Lake District, UK. The grey mottle pseudobreccia occurs in cycle‐base packstones and developed after backfilling and abandonment of Thalassinoides burrow systems. Burrow infills consist of a fine to coarse crystalline microspar that has dull brown to moderate orange colours under cathodoluminescence. Mottling formed when an early diagenetic ‘aerobic decay clock’ operating on buried organic material was stopped, and sediment entered the sulphate reduction zone. This probably occurred during progradation of grainstone shoal facies, after which there was initial exposure to meteoric water. Microspar calcites then formed rapidly as a result of aragonite stabilization. The precipitation of the main meteoric cements and aragonite bioclast dissolution post‐date this stabilisation event. The brown mottle pseudobreccia fabrics are intimately associated with rhizocretions and calcrete, which developed beneath palaeokarstic surfaces capping cycle‐top grainstones and post‐date all depositional fabrics, although they may also follow primary depositional heterogeneities such as burrows. They consist of coarse, inclusion‐rich, microspar calcites that are always very dull to non‐luminescent under cathodoluminescence, sometimes with some thin bright zones. These are interpreted as capillary rise and pedogenic calcrete precipitates. The δ18O values (−5‰ to −8‰, PDB) and the δ13C values (+2‰ to −3‰, PDB) of the ‘pseudobreccias’ are lower than the estimated δ18O values (−3‰ to −1‰ PDB) and δ13C values of (+2‰ to +4‰ PDB) of normal marine calcite precipitated from Late Dinantian sea water, reflecting the influence of meteoric waters and the input of organic carbon.
Thresholds of aeolian sand transport: establishing suitable values
Authors: Wiggs G.f.S. , Atherton R.J. , Baird A.J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThis paper assesses the practical use and applicability of the time fraction equivalence method (TFEM; Stout & Zobeck, 1996) of calculating a wind speed threshold for sand grain entrainment in field situations. A modification of the original method is used and is applied to 1 Hz measurements of wind speed and sand transport on a beach surface. Calculated grain entrainment thresholds are tested in terms of the percentage of sand transport events that they explain. It was found that the calculated thresholds offered a poor representation of the occurrence of saltation activity, explaining only about 50% of the measured transport events. Results are discussed in terms of system response time, wind speed measurement height, undetected events and sampling period. A shear velocity threshold for grain entrainment was also calculated, but this also failed to explain a high proportion of the sand transport events. The best results (67–91% of transport events explained) were found by calculating a threshold based on time‐averaged (≈ 40 s) wind velocity measurements. The applicability of a single threshold to a natural grain population is discussed. A natural surface is likely to possess a range of thresholds varying over short time scales in response to parameters such as grain rearrangement and changes in moisture conditions. The results show that calculated thresholds based on 40 s time‐averaged data consistently explain a high proportion of the recorded sand transport events. This is because such a time‐averaged approach accounts for higher frequency variability inherent in the sand transport system.
Molecular characterization and expression of an alfalfa protein with sequence similarity to mammalian ERp72, a glucose‐regulated endoplasmic reticulum protein containing active site sequences of protein disulphide isomerase
Authors: Shorrosh Basil S. , Dixon Richard A. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryA complementary DMA clone (G1) containing sequence similarity to the mammalian lumenal endoplasmic reticulum protein ERp72 was isolated from an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cDNA library by screening with a cDNA encoding human protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), which contains two thioredoxin‐like active site regions which are highly conserved in ERp72. The poly‐peptide encoded by G1 consists of 364 amino acids, possesses a putative N‐terminal secretory signal sequence and two regions, 113 amino acids apart, identical to the active sites of PDI and ERp72. G1 appears to be encoded by a small gene family in alfalfa, whose transcripts are constitutively expressed in all major organs of the plant. In alfalfa cell suspension cultures, G1 transcripts were markedly induced by treatment with tunicamycin, but not in response to calcium ionophore, heat shock or fungal elicitor. A similar expression pattern was observed for transcripts encoded by B2, a recently cloned alfalfa cDNA with strong sequence similarity to PDI. We discuss potential roles of plant proteins resembling vertebrate PDI and ERp72.
The early nodulin gene SrEnod2 from Sesbania rostrata is inducible by cytokinin
Authors: Dehio Christoph , de Bruijn Frans J. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe structure and expression of the early nodulin gene Enod2 from the stem‐nodulated tropical legume Sesbania rostrata (SrEnod2) was examined. Genomic clones carrying the single SrEnod2locus were isolated and the DMA sequence of the gene was determined. The SrEnod2 gene was found to lack introns and to encode a protein consisting primarily of a 55‐fold repeat of short proline‐rich oligopeptides. A putative signal sequence, which may be responsible for targeting of the Enod2 protein to the cell wall, was found to precede this repeat. The temporal expression of the SrEnod2 gene was found to be different in S. rostrata stem versus root nodules induced by Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571. SrEnod2 gene expression was shown to be induced specifically and rapidly by physiologically significant concentrations of exogenously supplied cytokinins. The SrEnod2gene was also found to be highly expressed in S. rostrata crown gall tumors induced by wild‐type Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains, but not in tumors induced by an A. tumefaciens strain carrying a mutation in the cytokinin biosynthesis gene 4. Implications of these observations with regard to cytokinin‐induced plant gene expression and a possible role for cytokinin as a symbiotic signal are discussed.