bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Humanized anti‐CD20 monoclonal antibody (Rituximab) treatment for post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder*
Authors: Ganne Vasundhara , Siddiqi Nauman , Kamaplath Bal , Chang Chung‐Che , Cohen Eric P , Bresnahan Barbara A , Hariharan Sundaram 
Published: September 2003

Abstract: Introduction: Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) is a consequence of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and is a B‐cell hyperplasia with CD‐20 positive lymphocytes. The treatment of PTLD includes reduction/withdrawal of immunosuppression and chemotherapy. This study reports our center experience with humanized monoclonal antibody against CD‐20 (Rituximab) for the treatment of PTLD.Material and methods: Eight cases of PTLD after solid organ transplantation [six kidney, one kidney/pancreas (KP) and one liver] occurred between September 1998 and October 2001. The mean time between transplant and the diagnosis of PTLD was 57.3 months (range 3 months to 10 yr). Five patients underwent cadaveric transplant, five males and six were Caucasians with mean age of 48 yr (range 20–67 yr).Results: The clinical presentation was as follows: lymphadenopathy‐5, gastrointestinal bleeding‐2 and tonsillar enlargement‐1. The diagnosis was made by a lymph node biopsy in five, a gastric ulcer biopsy in two and a tonsillar biopsy in one case. Six of them had polymorphous, two had monoclonal B‐cell lymphoma, and all were positive for CD‐20. Six were related to EBV, documented by latent membrane protein (LMP) or Epstein–Barr encoded RNA (EBER) staining. Immunosuppression at the time of PTLD diagnosis consisted of tacrolimus in six cases and cyclosporine A (CsA) in two with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and azathioprine‐3 each and sirolimus‐1. Rituximab was administered at a dose of 375 mg/m2 once a week for 4 wk. There were no side effects seen with this therapy. Immunosuppression was reduced in all patients. Complete remission was observed in seven cases (one required two courses). One patient who did not respond received chemotherapy. Patients were followed for a mean period of 22.5 months (range 10–45 months post‐PTLD diagnosis. At the last follow‐up all eight patients were alive, seven with a functioning graft and one on maintenance dialysis. Three of these patients had been in remission for more than 2.5 yr.Conclusion: Rituximab is an effective agent in the treatment of PTLD without the morbidity characteristic of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy should be reserved only for those refractory to Rituximab therapy.
Use of kidneys from hepatitis C seropositive donors shortens waitlist time but does not alter one‐yr outcome*
Authors: Woodside Kenneth J , Ishihara Kanae , Theisen James E , Early Marilyn G , Covert Lesa G , Hunter Glenn C , Gugliuzza Kristene K , Daller John A 
Published: September 2003

Abstract:Utilization of hepatitis C seropositive kidney donors remains controversial. We examined the use of hepatitis C seropositive donors for renal transplantation. Data for creatinine, liver function tests, cold ischemia time, and graft and patient survival were analyzed from 20 hepatitis C seropositive recipients receiving cadaveric renal allografts from seropositive donors and were compared with 20 hepatitis C seropositive recipients receiving allografts from seronegative donors. Recipients receiving a kidney from a hepatitis C seropositive donor were on the waitlist for 9.9 ± 1.8 months, compared with 17.8 ± 3.3 months for those receiving a kidney from a seronegative donor (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in graft or patient survival. Incidences of acute cellular rejection and acute tubular necrosis were similar. There were no significant differences in creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, or bilirubin values. While there was a significant difference in aspartate aminotransferase at 2 wk and 6 months, these differences were of questionable clinical importance. In conclusion, donor seropositivity for hepatitis C should not preclude renal transplantation into a hepatitis C seropositive recipient and utilization of these organs decreases waitlist time for hepatitis C seropositive recipients.
Hepatitis B virus vaccination of recipients and donors of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Idilman Ramazan , Üstün Celalettin , Karayalçın Selim , Aktemel Aslihan , Turkyilmaz Ahmet R , Özcan Muhit , Arslan Onder , Bozdayi A Mithat , Van Thiel David H , Akan Hamdi 
Published: September 2003

Abstract: Background: The aim of this study was to determine the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination as defined by the seroconversion to hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs) positivity in peripheral blood stem cell transplants.Methods: A total of 65 recipients and their donors were enrolled in this study. Recipients were divided into four distinct groups. Group 1 consisted of individuals who were vaccinated, group 2 consisted of individuals who were naturally immunized, group 3 consisted of individuals who were HBs‐Ag positive, and group 4 consisted of individuals who were HBV naïve and not vaccinated.Results: Eighty‐eight percent of the HBV‐vaccinated recipients (14 of 16), who had vaccinated‐donors, seroconverted to anti‐HBs positivity. Eighty‐three percent of HBV‐naïve recipients (five of six), who received stem cells from HBV‐immune donors, seroconverted to anti‐HBs positivity. Two of the four HBs‐Ag positive recipients with HBV‐immune donors seroconverted to anti‐HBs positivity after transplantation. Fifty‐seven percent of previously vaccinated‐recipients (eight of 14) lost detectable anti‐HBs antibody following transplantation. Finally, 31% of HBV‐naïve recipients with HBV‐naïve donors acquired a de novo HBV infection.Conclusions: (i) Hepatitis B virus immunization of recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation results in an effective antibody response. (ii) The HBV‐immune status of the donor plays an important role in post‐transplantation HBs‐Ab on seroconversion. (iii) Systematic re‐immunization of recipients will be necessary to maintain HBV immunity in long‐term serving recipients.
Estrogen replacement therapy mitigates the loss of joint cartilage proteoglycans and bone mineral density induced by ovariectomy and osteoarthritis
Authors: Parker D. , Hwa S.‐Y. , Sambrook P. , Ghosh P. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractAims: To investigate the effects of ovariectomy and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on the structural integrity and proteoglycan (PG) content of articular cartilage (AC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in an ovine model of osteoarthritis (OA) induced by meniscectomy.Method:  Thirty aged ewes were used for the study. Six had ovariectomy alone (OVX), 6 meniscectomy alone (OA) and 12 ovariectomy and meniscectomy (OVX + OA). Six of the (OVX + OA) sheep received Femtran‐50 (3M) estrogen (50 µg/day) patches (OVX + OA + ERT). Six animals were used as non‐operated controls (NOC). Three months post‐surgery all animals were sacrificed, the stifle joints dissected through the site of lesions, and coronal sections of the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and lateral tibial plateau (LTP) were cut which were each subdivided into inner (I), middle (M) and outer (O) zones. Toluidine blue stained sections were examined using a modified Mankin scoring system, and AC–PG content determined via computer image analysis.Results:  There were no significant differences between lesion scores among the OA, OVX + OA and OVX + OA + ERT groups, yet all had significantly higher scores than NOC and OVX in each region (P < 0.005). Computer image analysis of PG content in stained sections showed no difference between OVX and NOC. However, in LFC‐AC the loss of PG was highest in the OVX + OA group (P < 0.005) compared to the NOC or OVX groups. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the LFC averaged for all zones was higher in the OVX + OA + ERT group than the OVX + OA group (P < 0.02) with the most significant rise being in the I‐zone (P < 0.002). Significantly in this same zone of the OVX + OA + ERT group the AC‐PG content was higher than in the corresponding zone of the OVX + OA group (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  While ERT did not reduce the focal AC lesions scores in the lateral compartment of this OA model it did mitigate the loss of PG from adjacent joint cartilage and increase the bone mineral density (BMD), especially in the I‐zone. These findings are consistent with epidemiological studies which suggest that ERT may slow the progression of OA in postmenopausal women.
Rheumatological presentations of anticoagulation related hemorrhages
Authors: Cox S. R. , Ahern M. J. , Smith M. D. , Slavotinek J. P. , Walker J. G. , Smith A. J. , Roberts‐Thomson P. J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractBackground: Joint, back and muscle pain are common in patients referred to a rheumatology unit. Acute pain due to hemorrhage may be difficult to distinguish from more common causes of pain in these patients. This article describes a small case‐series of patients who presented acutely with hemarthroses, spinal hemorrhage or muscle hematomas while receiving anticoagulant treatment.Methods: Case notes of nine patients were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic characteristics, indication for anticoagulation, international normalized ratio, and management were evaluated.Results: The majority of hemorrhages occurred when the INR was within the therapeutic range. Anticoagulation was held in all cases. Joint aspiration was performed in all cases of hemarthrosis. Surgical intervention was required in management of the spinal epidural bleed and also in one case of muscle hematoma.Conclusion: Cases described represent major hemorrhages in anticoagulated patients. There is little literature on specific treatment and prognosis, particularly with respect to hemarthrosis, and further studies are needed.
Measuring functional status in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Thumboo Julian 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWith improvements in mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the functional status of these patients, assessed using health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) measures, is increasingly being recognized as an important outcome measure in clinical research. Domains of HRQoL of particular importance to SLE patients include fatigue, ability to work, good health, independence and social and family life. The SF‐36 currently appears to be the best available measure for assessment of HRQoL in SLE. It measures some of the domains of importance to SLE patients, has good psychometric properties, patient acceptability, construct validity and has been validated for use in many languages. Using HRQoL measures, it has been shown that SLE patients have poorer functional status than the general population, and that specific manifestations of SLE (e.g. fibromyalgia and renal failure) may influence HRQoL in these patients. Prospective and cross‐sectional studies have identified a variety of factors – some potentially modifiable – which influence HRQoL in SLE. Additional research is needed to identify strategies which can improve HRQoL in SLE patients.
Optimal length of leys in an area with winter damage problems
Authors: Lien G. , Kristensen A. R. , Hegrenes A. , Hardaker J. B. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA model is presented to investigate the optimal economic life cycle of grass leys with winter damage problems in northern Norway and to determine the threshold of winter damage before it is profitable to reseed. A two‐level hierarchic Markov process has been constructed using the MLHMP software (the MLHMP software and the plug‐in constructed for this model are available for download at http://www.prodstyr.ihh.kvl.dk/software/mlhmp.html). The model takes uncertainty concerning yield potential, damage estimation and weather‐dependent random fluctuations into account. A Kalman filter technique is used for updating the knowledge of yield potential and damage level.The application of the model is demonstrated using data from two commercial Norwegian farms. As parameter estimates vary considerably among farms, it is concluded that decision support concerning optimal economic life cycle of grass leys should be done at farm level. The results also show the importance of using a flexible dynamic replacement strategy. Use of the model for specific farm situations is illustrated.
Nutritive value of barley/kale bi‐crop silage for lactating dairy cows
Authors: Moorby J. M. , Evans P. R. , Young N. E. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSix mid‐lactation multiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were used to examine the potential of a fermented whole‐crop barley (Hordeum vulgare)/kale (Brassica oleracea) bi‐crop as a feed compared with a first‐cut perennial ryegrass silage. The barley/kale bi‐crop was grown as a strip intercrop, and was harvested and ensiled as an intimate mixture [0·80 barley and 0·20 kale on a dry‐matter (DM) basis]. Animals were offered ad libitum access to one of three experimental diets in a duplicated Latin Square design experiment: (i) Bi‐crop (the barley/kale bi‐crop); (ii) Grass (the grass silage); and (iii) Mix (a 1:1 fresh mixture of Bi‐crop and Grass). All animals also received a standard dairy concentrate at a rate of 4 kg d−1 in equal portions at each of two milkings. The Bi‐crop and Grass silages contained 346 and 293 g DM kg−1, 108 and 168 g crude protein kg−1 DM, 268 and 36 g starch kg−1 DM, and had pH values of 3·87 and 3·80 respectively. Animals offered the two bi‐crop silage‐containing diets consumed more forage DM than those offered grass silage (14·6, 14·9 and 12·6 kg DM d−1 for Bi‐crop, Mix and Grass respectively; s.e.d. 0·45, P < 0·01) and yielded more milk (24·0, 23·9, 22·6 kg d−1 for Bi‐crop, Mix and Grass respectively; s.e.d. 0·26, P < 0·01). However, differences in the partitioning of dietary nitrogen towards milk protein and away from excretion in urine suggest a more efficient (rumen) utilization of feed protein by animals offered diets containing the bi‐crop silage. It is concluded that, despite having a low crude protein concentration, barley/kale bi‐crop silage offers excellent potential as a feed for lactating dairy cows.
A short‐term comparison of the performance of four grassland‐based systems of milk production for autumn‐calving dairy cows
Authors: Ferris C. P. , Gordon F. J. , Patterson D. C. , Mayne C. S. , McCoy M. A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractEighty winter‐calving dairy cows of mixed parity were managed in four grassland‐based systems of milk production (F‐F, F‐C, C‐F and C‐C) over a full lactation (year 1) and during the winter period of the subsequent lactation (year 2). During the winter periods cows on systems F‐F and F‐C were offered silages of high feeding value, supplemented with 6·0 kg d−1 of concentrate [crude protein (CP), 307 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)] through an out‐of‐parlour feeding system, while cows on systems C‐F and C‐C were offered silages of medium feeding value, supplemented with c. 12·8 kg d−1 of concentrate (CP, 204 g kg−1 DM), in the form of a complete diet. After 25 February in year 1, cows on systems F‐F and C‐F were given access to grazing for periods of increasing duration, achieving full turnout on 17 April. Thereafter, until 21 October, these cows were offered a high daily allowance of herbage within a flexible grazing system (23·0 kg DM per cow, measured above a height of 4·0 cm), supplemented with 0·5 kg d−1 of a ‘high magnesium’ concentrate. Cows on systems F‐C and C‐C (year 1) commenced grazing on 1 April, achieving full turnout on 17 April. Thereafter, until 20 October, these cows were managed on a restricted allowance of herbage in a rotational paddock grazing system, with concentrates (average allocation, 3·9 kg d−1) being offered according to yield. In year 2, cows on systems F‐F and C‐F were given access to grazing for periods of increasing duration, from 11 March to 8 April, at which point the study was terminated.With systems F‐F, F‐C, C‐F and C‐C, mean feed inputs and milk outputs (per animal) during year 1 of the study were as follows: total concentrate DM intakes [881, 1272, 1729 and 2171 kg (s.e.m. 96·1)]; total silage DM intakes [1722, 1713, 1047 and 1154 kg (s.e.m. 70·7)], total grass DM intakes (3245, 2479, 3057 and 2481 kg) and total milk outputs [7541, 7527, 7459 and 7825 kg (s.e.m. 305·8)] respectively. Stocking rates associated with each of the four systems were 2·2, 2·5, 2·6 and 2·9 cows per hectare respectively. Performance of dairy cows on the systems during the winter of year 2 was similar to that recorded during year 1. The results of this study indicate that similar levels of milk output, DM intakes, tissue changes and plasma metabolite profiles can be achieved from grassland‐based systems involving very different combinations of grass silage, grazed grass and concentrate feeds.
Changes in the expression of claudins and transepithelial electrical resistance of mouse Sertoli cells by Leydig cell coculture
Authors: Gye M. C. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryIn the testis, tight junctions (TJs) between adjacent Sertoli cells are important for the formation of blood–testis barrier (BTB). To verify the role of paracrine interactions between the Sertoli and Leydig cells in the structure and function of BTB in testis, the expression of claudin‐1 and ‐11, and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of the mouse Sertoli cells were examined under the Leydig cell coculture. TER of Sertoli cell monolayer was significantly larger under the Leydig cell coculture in comparison with the control culture. Meanwhile, the expression of claudin‐1 slightly decreased and claudin‐11 significantly increased in the Sertoli cells in the Leydig cell coculture compared with control. Testosterone significantly increased claudin‐11 expression in cultured Sertoli cells. Taken together, it suggested that Leydig cell coculture changed the structure and functions of inter‐Sertoli TJs in vitro. Interactions between Leydig and Sertoli cells might be involved in the development of functional blood testis barrier in mouse testis.
Linear methods to estimate kinships from genetic marker data for the construction of core sets in genetic conservation schemes
Authors: Eding H. , Meuwissen T. H. E. 
Published: September 2003

SummaryThree log‐linear models were developed to improve the estimates of kinships between breeds (MEK) and of alike in state probabilities (AIS) using all marker data and all pairs of animals simultaneously. These models were developed to (i) increase accuracy of MEK, (ii) improve AIS estimates (especially compared to methods that simply take average allele frequencies) and (iii) to reduce the number of zero contributions of breeds to the core set where actual contributions are larger than zero. The models are: unweighted log‐linear model (ULM), weighted log‐linear model (WLM), where marker data is weighted to account for the amount of information per locus and weighted log‐linear mixed model (WLMM), where the solution is restricted such that a maximum of one zero‐contribution remains. These models were tested using simulated data from a tree‐like phylogeny and compared with the results from the weighted least similarity, where the per locus probabilities of alleles AIS are taken from the similarities between the pair of populations with the minimum average similarity. An example using field data on 10 cattle populations in the Netherlands is discussed. Differences in accuracy between the four methods were small, although substantial differences in contribution of breeds to the core set were found. In terms of conserved variation WLM tended to be the most efficient, followed by WLMM. WLMM yielded the smallest number of zero contributions of breeds and provides a more conservative solution (i.e. fewer breeds will be erroneously excluded). It is argued that the small differences between the methods in accuracy of the MEKs may be due to the relatively well‐behaving simulated data, and that the methods that use all information simultaneously (WLM and WLMM) may prove more robust when complications occur in field data.
Relationships between performance traits and the expression of growth hormone, insulin‐like growth factor‐I, and insulin in pigs selected for growth or leanness
Authors: Te Pas M. F. W. , Gerritsen C. L. M. , Visscher A. H. , de Greef K. H. 
Published: September 2003

SummarySelection for growth rate or backfat thickness (BFT) in pigs is related with changes in the blood plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I). Two experimental pig selection lines based upon a common commercial Large White (LW) selection line were selected for increased growth rate (F‐line), or decreased BFT (L‐line), respectively. We report here on the statistical evaluation of the phenotypic relationships between growth rate and BFT on the one hand, and (1) mRNA expression levels of GH and its transcription factor pituitary‐specific transcription factor‐1 (Pit‐1), (2) GH protein plasma pulse pattern components and (3) IGF‐I and insulin plasma concentrations on the other hand. Residual regression coefficients (RRC) and residual correlation coefficients (RCC) were used to evaluate the phenotypic residual relations between the traits and the hormone levels. Growth hormone mRNA levels, and to a lesser extent Pit‐1 mRNA levels, were inversely related with BFT and growth rate when these traits were fitted separately in the model suggesting that GH is more closely related to the traits than Pit‐1. Within line evaluation showed that GH mRNA levels had significant RRC with the performance traits in both lines, while Pit‐1 mRNA levels were only significantly related to BFT in the L‐line in both analyses. When growth rate and BFT were fitted together in the model GH mRNA levels had also significantly RRC with growth rate and BFT. Growth hormone mRNA levels seem to be more closely related with BFT than with growth rate. Growth rate was inversely related with the GH plasma baseline value in both lines. Growth hormone baseline concentration, and to a lesser extent GH area under the curve, were inversely related to BFT. However, GH level‐line‐specific effects were only found for the baseline concentration in the F‐line. A positive relationship between growth rate and plasma IGF‐I concentrations was found in the L‐line. These results suggest a relationship between GH mRNA expression and performance traits in pig lines selected for growth rate or against BFT. No such relationship could be found for its pituitary‐specific transcription factor. Furthermore, specific components of the GH blood plasma pulse pattern were related to specific performance traits in these selection lines. The IGF‐I blood plasma concentrations were related to growth rate in these selection lines.