bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Infective endocarditis in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Bishara J. , Robenshtok E. , Weinberger M. , Yeshurun M. , Sagie A. , Pitlik S. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:Because of the increasing number of renal transplantations performed and the rarity of reported cases of infective endocarditis in these patients, we studied the clinical characteristics of this infection in this population. We report on two cases from our experience and review reported cases of infective endocarditis in renal transplant recipients retrieved from the MEDLINE system. In addition, we reviewed a large series of infective endocarditis looking for patients with renal transplants. In addition to our 2 cases, 12 previously reported cases were found. The mean time from transplantation to diagnosis of infective endocarditis was 3.5 years (range 2 months to 15 years). Causative organisms included fungi, Staphylococcus aureus (3 cases each), Corynebacterium sp. (2 cases), Streptococcus viridans, VRE, Brucella sp., Clostridium sp., Nocardia sp. and Erysipelothrix sp. (one case each). Skin manifestations of endocarditis and/or splenomegaly were not reported in these patients. Septic emboli and mycotic aneurysms were relatively common. The overall mortality rate was 50% (7 of 14 patients died). Infective endocarditis seems to be rare in renal transplant recipients. The few reported cases are characterized by unusual causative micro‐organisms and atypical clinical presentation. Further studies are needed to delineate the magnitude and scope of this association.
Infection in solid organ transplantation
Authors: Snydman D.R. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:Infection in the organ transplant recipient is a major determinant of the outcome of transplantation. The attributable mortality from invasive fungal disease and cytomegalovirus disease has been 50 and 30%, respectively. Determinants of infection include epidemiologic exposures to environmental pathogens or exposure to latent infection in the donated organ or recipient, and changes in the net state of immunosuppression. For the past two decades significant improvements have been made in the recognition, prevention and treatment of infections, such as cytomegalovirus and P. carinii. Future research will need to focus on treatment of invasive mold infections, and the management of hepatitis B and C in liver transplantation. In addition, improvement in the prevention of the post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease syndrome will be necessary (
Note).
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis in pancreas transplant recipients
Authors: Trofe J. , Reddy K.S. , Stratta R.J. , Flax S.D. , Somerville K.T. , Alloway R.R. , Egidi M.F. , Shokouh‐Amiri M.H. , Gaber A.O. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract: Human ehrlichioses are tick‐borne infections caused by bacteria in the genus Ehrlichia of the family Rickettsiaceae. To date there have been three cases of ehrlichiosis reported in the transplant population, a human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) infection in a liver transplant recipient and two cases of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) in kidney transplant recipients. We report three pancreas transplant patients who developed HGE in the last two years at a single southeastern center in the United States. All three patients had clinical, laboratory, and pathophysiologic findings on bone marrow biopsy and peripheral blood smears consistent with HGE, and responded to doxycycline therapy.In the setting of potent immunosuppression, ehrlichiosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of transplant patients presenting with persistent fever, pancytopenia, and abnormal liver function. Patients with ehrlichiosis infection may be at risk for developing other opportunistic infections or lymphoproliferative disease.
Pig xenogeneic antigen modification with green coffee bean α‐galactosidase
Authors: Luo Y. , Wen J. , Luo C. , Cummings R. D. , Cooper D. K. C. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractGreen coffee bean a‐galactosidase can cleave the terminal a‐galactose (αGal) on oligosaccharides that form the major antigen on pig endothelial cells recognized by primate‐specific antibodies. Studies have been made of the conditions under which it is functional (e.g. temperature, pH) and of its biochemical and immunologic effects. Pig‐to‐rhesus monkey vein transplants were studied to identify the efficiency of the enzyme in delaying hyperacute rejection. When a graft became occluded, biopsies were taken for light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunostaining with Griffonia simplicifolia IB4 lectin (GSIB4), and for IgM, IgG and C3. a‐Galactosidase was stable for 72–96 h and was effective at 4°C and pH 6.9 (conditions of human liver graft storage), although better function was obtained at 20°C and pH 6.5. Using the porcine PK15 cell assay, the cytotoxicity of human serum was reduced after treatment of the pig cells with the enzyme. In vitro studies demonstrated that porcine veins treated with a‐galactosidase lost endothelial expression of the Gal epitope within 30 min. SEM, however, demonstrated endothelial damage beginning within 2 h, probably caused by the a‐galactosidase, as no damage was found in phosphate‐buffered saline‐treated veins, where the Gal epitope was preserved for > 3 h. No change was found in either group on light microscopy. In vivo studies demonstrated that patency of the a‐galactosidase‐treated veins (mean 2.5 h) was longer than that of untreated veins (0.23 h) (P < 0.01). Biopsies showed no GSIB4 lectin staining for a‐Gal epitopes and much less IgM and C3 deposition in the treated group. Light microscopy and SEM demonstrated more severe endothelial damage, hemorrhage, and fibrin formation in the untreated group. Galactosidase is effective in removing the terminal αGal and delays the onset of hyperacute rejection of pig veins transplanted into monkeys. However, its effect is temporary and, on its own, its use is unlikely to prolong survival of pig organs transplanted into primates sufficiently to be of clinical value.
Upper molar distalization: a critical analysis
Authors: Sfondrini MF , Cacciafesta V , Sfondrini G 
Published: March 2003

AbstractTraditional upper molar distalization techniques require patient co‐operation with the headgear or elastics. Recently, several different intraoral procedures have been introduced to minimize the need for patient co‐operation. This article reviews the appliances currently available for maxillary molar distalization and critically analyses their dentoalveolar and skeletal effects.
Analysis of facial growth in subjects with syndromic ectodermal dysplasia: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Bondarets N , Jones RM , McDonald F 
Published: March 2003

Structured Abstract Authors– Bondarets N, Jones RM, McDonald F. Objective– To examine the craniofacial growth pattern of patients diagnosed with syndromic ectodermal dysplasia. >Design– Mixed longitudinal analysis of lateral cephalograms. Setting– The data were analysed using a multilevel modelling technique with the MLwiN application software and the results presented numerically and graphically. Sample Population– All 61 subjects had severe hypodontia with the number of absent teeth (excluding third molars) ranging from 6 to 28 (mean=15.4). At presentation the subjects had a mean age of 133 months and were followed longitudinally for between one and five subsequent occasions (mean 2.66 occasions; mean age at completion of observation 207 months). Outcome Measures– Lateral cephalograms taken at each visit. Experimental Variables– Analysis of four angular measurements and four linear measurements, together with one calculated ratio. Results– Growth curves are presented showing the trends of craniofacial growth. Conclusions– The most significant findings were for a universal tendency for the individuals to undergo a change in sagittal relationship of the jaws, becoming markedly more Class III with time. We have also demonstrated a significant difference in growth between the anterior and posterior face heights indicating that the subjects have a tendency to an anterior growth rotation.
Upper removable appliance or Jones Jig for distalizing first molars? A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Paul LD , O'Brien KD , Mandall NA 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:
Aim –
To compare the effectiveness of two intra‐oral methods of distalizing upper first permanent molars: an upper removable appliance (URA) and a Jones Jig.
Sample –
Twelve patients were randomly allocated to URA treatment and 11 patients to a Jones Jig.
Methods –
Upper study models were collected at the start of treatment and after 6 months of appliance wear. The amount of distal movement, tipping and rotation of the upper first permanent molars and mesial movement of the upper first permanent premolars was measured using a reflex metrograph.
Results – There were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment methods for any of the outcome measures (P < 0.05). Distal movement obtained by both appliances was approximately 1 mm.
Conclusions –
The amount of distal movement obtained with both appliances was small and no differences were shown in the amount of molar tooth movement. It is suggested that there is no advantage in using the Jones Jig as a non‐compliance appliance.
Physiologic functions of activating natural killer (NK) complex‐encoded receptors on NK cells
Authors: Ryan James C. , Naper Christian , Hayashi Shigenari , Daws Michael R. 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Natural killer (NK) cells express a superfamily of surface proteins that share common structural features: dimeric type II integral membrane proteins with extracellular domains resembling C‐type lectins. These receptors are encoded by a single genetic region called the NK complex (NKC). The NKC encompasses several families of genes including NKR‐P1, Ly‐49, CD94/NKG2, and NKG2D. Different NKC‐encoded receptors have been shown to activate or to inhibit NK‐cell function, and different receptors within the same family can have opposing functions. Within an individual NK cell, inhibitory receptors typically predominate over stimulatory receptors, calling into question the teleologic requirement or physiologic significance of lectin‐like activating receptors in NK cells. Despite the widespread expression of inhibitory receptors, however, subtle features of activating receptor biology enable them to stimulate effector functions in vivo and in vitro. Activating receptors and inhibitory receptors differ in their subset expression, in their structural constraints for binding to common ligands, in their ligand repertoires, and in that divergent families of activating receptors utilize different signaling pathways. These subset, binding, repertoire, and signaling diversities may allow activating receptors to manifest their effects in spite of inhibitory receptor functions during pathologic conditions in vivo. In this review, we will present a detailed analysis of the data supporting this hypothesis with particular relevance toward physiologic NK‐cell functions.This work was supported by the United States Veterans Administration, by grants from the National Institutes of Health RO1 AI44126 (J.C.R) and from the Norwegian Cancer Society (C.N).
Biology of T memory type 1 cells
Authors: Anfossi Nicolas , Pascal Véronique , Vivier Eric , Ugolini Sophie 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Engagement of inhibitory natural killer (NK) cell receptors for MHC class I molecules (NKR) can impair NK‐cell activation programs. Inhibitory NKR thus confer to NK cells the capacity to discriminate between MHC class I+ and MHC class I− target cells, and are therefore involved in the control of NK‐cell tolerance to self, as well as in the elimination of MHC class I− distressed cells by NK cells. In human and mouse, a subset of αβ T cells also express inhibitory NKR at their surface, but the biological function of inhibitory NKR on T cells remains to be precisely elucidated. We refer to these cells as T memory type 1 (Tm1) cells, and review here the phenotypic and functional features of this subset of memory‐phenotype CD8+αβ T cells. In vitro studies suggest that inhibitory NKR are involved in the peripheral control of T‐cell self‐tolerance. In vitro and in vivo analysis have revealed a novel biological function for inhibitory NKR when expressed on T cells. Indeed, engagement of inhibitory NKR on T cells provides them with survival signals against activation‐induced cell death. Thus, sensing of self‐MHC class I molecules by inhibitory NKR displayed on αβ T cells leads to the in vivo accumulation of Tm1 cells.The authors thank C. Arpin, J. Marvel (INSERM 503, CERVI, Lyon), C. Melief, R. Toes (Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands), D. Raulet (Berkeley, USA) and N. Glaichenhaus (IPMC, Nice) for helpful discussions and help, as well as F. Romagné (Immunotech) for the generous gift of MHC class I tetramers. This work was supported by institutional grants from INSERM, CNRS, Ministère de l’Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche, and specific grants from Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer (E. V., Equipe labellisée La Ligue; S. U.), from Association pour la Recherche contre le Cancer (E.V.), and from SIDACTION (S.U.).
Mast cell modulation of immune responses to bacteria
Authors: Malaviya Ravi , Abraham Soman N. 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Mast cells are key elements of the immune system. These cells release a wide variety of pro‐inflammatory mediators which are responsible for the pathophysiology of many allergic diseases. Recent studies, however, have shown that mast cells have the capacity to modulate the host's innate immune response to gram negative bacteria by their ability to phagocytose bacteria, process and present bacterial antigens to T cells and recruit phagocytic help through the release of physiological amounts of pro‐inflammatory mediators. Here, current knowledge of mast cell responses to gram negative bacteria and molecular mechanisms associated with mast cell bacteria interaction is reviewed.This work was supported in part by NIH research grant AI45013. We are grateful to Ms. Tamara Paul for critical review of the manuscript.
Regulation of human intestinal mast cells by stem cell factor and IL‐4
Authors: Lorentz Axel , Bischoff Stephan C. 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Mature human mast cells are tissue‐residing, key effector cells of immediate allergic reactions. Moreover, mast cells have been recognized as a potent cellular source of multiple cytokines, suggesting an important role in immunoregulation and host defense. Here, we report on the regulation of mature human mast cells isolated from intestinal tissues by stem cell factor (SCF) and interleukin (IL)‐4. SCF is substantially necessary for mast cell survival and induces marginal mast cell proliferation in vitro, whereas IL‐4 by itself has no effects on mast cell survival or proliferation. Most interestingly, in synergy with SCF, IL‐4 strongly enhances mast cell proliferation. In the presence of SCF, mast cells predominantly produce pro‐inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐16, and IL‐18. Addition of IL‐4 to the culture medium induces the expression of Th2‐type cytokines (IL‐3, IL‐5 and IL‐13), and a downregulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, namely IL‐6. Furthermore, SCF by itself supports the predominance of the tryptase/chymase double‐positive mast cell subtype MCTC, whereas the addition of IL‐4 supports the chymase negative MCT subtype. In conclusion, SCF may primarily regulate resident mast cell survival, whereas IL‐4 may promote local proliferation of mast cells and their expression of Th2‐type cytokines.This research was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (SFB280‐C8).
DNA‐based immunotherapeutics for the treatment of allergic disease
Authors: Horner Anthony A. , Van Uden John H. , Zubeldia Jose M. , Broide David , Raz Eyal 
Published: March 2003

Summary: Allergic diseases are a growing health concern in industrialized countries. Despite a number of effective therapeutic options for the prevention and treatment of the pathophysiologic responses which characterize allergic diseases, the induction of true allergen desensitization remains an elusive therapeutic goal. Only immunotherapy (IT) has been shown to have any effect on the underlying hypersensitivities which mediate allergic reactions, and traditional protein‐based allergen IT has a limited scope of efficacy. However, a number of reagents collectively termed DNA‐based immunotherapeutics have proven highly effective in both the prevention and reversal of Th2‐mediated hypersensitivity states in mouse models of allergic disease. Four basic DNA‐based immunotherapeutic modalities have been used for these studies. These include immunization with gene vaccines, allergen mixed with immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotide (ISS‐ODN), and physical allergen–ISS‐ODN conjugates (AIC), as well as immunomodulation with ISS‐ODN alone. Results from many laboratories have generated guarded optimism that DNA‐based immunotherapeutics may be effective for the reversal of allergic hypersensitivity states in humans, and several clinical trials have already been initiated. This review will focus on our present understanding of the biological activities of DNA‐based immunotherapeutics and their application to the treatment of allergic diseases.This work was supported by grants AI40682 and AI01490 from the NIH and by a grant from Dynavax Technologies Corporation. J.H.V. is also a Medical Scientist Training Program Trainee.
Transmembrane adapters: attractants for cytoplasmic effectors
Authors: Lindquist Jonathan A. , Simeoni Luca , Schraven Burkhart 
Published: March 2003

Summary:Transmembrane adapter proteins (TRAPs) are a relatively new and growing family of proteins that include linker for activation of T cells (LAT), phosphoprotein associated with glycosphingolipid‐enriched micro domains (PAG)/C‐terminal Src kinase (Csk) binding protein (Cbp), SHP2‐interacting transmembrane adapter protein (SIT), T cell receptor interacting molecule (TRIM), and the recently identified non‐T cell activation linker (NTAL) and pp30. TRAPs share several common structural features, but more importantly they possess multiple sites of tyrosine phosphorylation, by which they act as scaffolds for recruiting cytosolic adapter and/or effector proteins. The membrane association of TRAPs places them near to the immunoreceptors, a position from which they coordinate and modulate the signals they receive to produce an appropriate cellular response.
Expression of telomerase RNA in oesophageal and oral cancer
Authors: Downey M. G. , Going J. J. , Stuart R. C. , Keith W. N. 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:Background: Telomerase is detectable in 85% of cancers, but is largely repressed in normal tissues. Human telomerase RNA (hTR) inhibition is a promising anti‐cancer strategy, but requires differential expression between malignant and normal tissue.Method: Archival paraffin sections from 48 oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (23 floor of mouth, 25 tongue) and 56 oesophageal carcinomas (41 SCC, 15 adenocarcinomas) were evaluated for hTR expression using a radiolabelled riboprobe. Results were compared with expression in controls and adjacent histologically normal tissue. Statistical analysis was by the χ2 test.Results: hTR was detectable in 76% of oral SCC overall (floor of mouth 65%, tongue 88%, P=0.61), and in 54% of oesophageal cancers (SCC 51%, adenocarcinoma 60%, P=0.56). Detectable hTR expression was significantly more frequent in oral SCC than oesophageal SCC (P=0.01). hTR expression was only detected in normal tissue at low levels in basal squamous epithelium. There was agreement of hTR expression between 8/9 surgically excised carcinomas and their initial diagnostic biopsies.Conclusion: Tumour‐specific hTR expression confirms hTR inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy in some if not all oesophageal and oral cancers. Generally concordant hTR status between biopsy and resection suggest that biopsy may have a role in selecting candidates for telomerase inhibition therapy.
Immunohistochemical analysis of apoptosis‐related factors (Fas, Fas ligand, caspase‐3 and single‐stranded DNA) in ameloblastomas
Authors: Kumamoto Hiroyuki , Kimi Kenji , Ooya Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2003

Abstract:Background: To clarify the possible role of apoptotic cell death in oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of odontogenic epithelium, apoptosis‐related factors – Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), caspase‐3 and single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) – were analyzed in ameloblastomas as well as in tooth germs.Methods: Specimens of 5 tooth germs, 29 benign ameloblastomas and 5 malignant ameloblastomas were examined by immunohistochemistry using anti‐Fas, FasL, caspase‐3 and ssDNA polyclonal antibodies.Results: Immunoreactivity for Fas and FasL was detected in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells. Fas expression in ameloblastomas was slightly lower than that in tooth germs, whereas FasL expression was similar in tooth germs and ameloblastomas. Malignant ameloblastomas showed downregulation of Fas expression and upregulation of FasL expression, as compared with benign ameloblastomas, indicating escape from cell death attack by immune cells. Immunoreactivity for caspase‐3 was detected chiefly in cells neighboring the basement membrane in tooth germs and ameloblastomas. Expression of caspase‐3 and Fas tended to be low in basal cell ameloblastomas and high in desmoplastic ameloblastomas, as compared with other variants of ameloblastomas. Caspase‐3 expression was more intense in malignant ameloblastomas than in tooth germs and benign ameloblastomas. Apoptotic bodies reactive with anti‐ssDNA antibody were detected in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelial cells detached from the basement membrane. Keratinizing cells in acanthomatous ameloblastomas and granular cells in granular cell ameloblastomas showed increased numbers of apoptotic bodies and increased expression of Fas and caspase‐3, as compared with other neoplastic cells. Apoptotic reactions in malignant ameloblastomas were less frequent than in benign ameloblastomas, indicating abnormal regulation of cell turnover in odontogenic epithelial cells.Conclusion: These apoptosis‐related factors were detected in various patterns in normal and neoplastic odontogenic epithelium, suggesting that these factors might be associated with oncogenesis and cytodifferentiation of epithelial odontogenic tumors.
Nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) evaluation of lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholics
Authors: Severgnini M. , Ferraris M. E. , Carranza M. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackground:  Chronic alcoholism has been associated with structural and physiological changes in salivary glands. Studies on a variety of pathologies have suggested that variation in number of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) reveals conditions of cellular activity. The aim of this work was to examine, through the AgNOR technique, changes in number and size of NORs in lingual salivary glands of chronic alcoholics.Methods:  Samples of mucous and serous lingual salivary glands were obtained from tongues from autopsies of individuals whose cause of death was hepatic alcoholic cirrhosis. Lingual organs from individuals whose cause of death was accidental were used as controls. Number and size of the AgNORs and nuclear area, in ductal and acinar cells, were evaluated through a digital image analyzer.Results:  Statistical analysis revealed differences (P ≤ 0.05) in number of AgNORs in mucous acini and ductal cells. Also, we observed changes in the area of the NORs.Conclusion:  These results suggest that in alcoholics the activity of glandular cells, mainly in ductal epithelium, could be affected, modifying synthesis, transport and salivary secretions.