bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The bisphosphonate acute phase response: rapid and copious production of proinflammatory cytokines by peripheral blood gd T cells in response to aminobisphosphonates is inhibited by statins
Authors: Hewitt R E , Lissina A , Green A E , Slay E S , Price D A , Sewell A K 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe bisphosphonates are a novel class of drug that have been registered for various clinical applications worldwide. Bisphosphonates, and in particular the aminobisphosphonates (nBPs), are known to have a number of side-effects including a rise in body temperature and accompanying flu-like symptoms that resemble a typical acute phase response. The mechanism for this response has been partially elucidated and appears to be associated with the release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α and interleukin (IL)6, although the effector cells that release these cytokines and the mechanism of action remain enigmatic. Here, we show that the nBP-induced acute phase response differs from the typical acute phase response in that CD14+ cells such as monocytes and macrophages are not the primary cytokine producing cells. We show that by inhibiting the mevalonate pathway, nBPs induce rapid and copious production of TNFα and IL6 by peripheral blood γδ T cells. Prior treatment with statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase, blocks nBP-induced production of these proinflammatory cytokines by γδ T cells and may offer a means of avoiding the associated acute phase response. In addition, our findings provide a further mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effects attributed to inhibitors of HMG CoA reductase.
Intracellular cytokines in blood T cells in lung transplant patients – a more relevant indicator of immunosuppression than drug levels
Authors: Hodge G , Hodge S , Reynolds P , Holmes M 
Published: December 2004

SummaryAllograft rejection remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation and is associated with an increase in T-cell pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Systemic levels of immunosuppressive drugs used to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine expression are closely monitored to their ‘therapeutic range’. However, it is currently unknown if levels of these drugs correlate with pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in peripheral blood T cells. To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of currently used immunosuppressive regimes on peripheral blood T-cell cytokine production, whole blood from stable lung transplant patients and control volunteers  were  stimulated in vitro and cytokine production by CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell subsets determined using multiparameter flow cytometry. T-cell IL-2 and TNFα production was significantly reduced from lung transplant patients compared to controls. CD4+ T-cell production of IFNγ was also significantly reduced from lung transplant patients but production of IFNγ by CD8+ T cells remained unchanged. There was an excellent correlation between the percentage of CD8+ T cells and the percentage of CD8+ T cells producing IFNγ from transplant patients. T-cell IL-4 and CD8+ T-cell production of TGFβ was significantly increased from lung transplant patients. We now provide evidence that current immunosuppression protocols have limited effect on peripheral blood IFNγ production by CD8+ T-cells but do up-regulate T-cell anti-inflammatory cytokines. Drugs that effectively reduce IFNγ production by CD8+ T cells may improve current protocols for reducing graft rejection in these patients. Intracellular cytokine analysis using flow cytometry may be a more appropriate indicator of immunosuppression than drug levels in these patients. This technique may prove useful in optimizing therapy for individual patients.
Impaired functional capacities of liver dendritic cells from murine hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers: relevance to low HBV-specific immune responses
Authors: Hasebe A , Akbar S M F , Furukawa S , Horiike N , Onji M 
Published: December 2004

SummaryThe chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier exhibits ongoing replication of HBV and expresses abundant amounts of HBV-related antigens in the liver. However, HBV-specific immune responses are either absent or narrowly focused in these subjects. With the postulation that impaired functional abilities of liver dendritic cells (DCs) might be responsible for this, we assessed the functions of liver DCs in HBV transgenic mice (HBV-TM), an animal model of the HBV carrier state. Liver DCs were isolated from normal C57BL/6 mice and HBV-TM without the use of cytokines or growth factors. Lymphoproliferative assays were conducted to evaluate the ability of liver DCs to induce the proliferation of allogenic T lymphocytes and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-enriched T lymphocytes. Liver DCs were stimulated with viral and bacterial products to assess their cytokine-producing capacities. In comparison to liver DCs from normal C57BL/6 mice, liver DCs from HBV-TM exhibited significantly decreased T cell proliferation-inducing capacities in allogenic mixed leucocyte reaction (P &lt; 0·05) and HBsAg-enriched T lymphocytes proliferation assays (P &lt; 0·05). Liver DCs from HBV-TM produced significantly lower levels of interleukin-12p70, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon-gamma, and interleukin-6 (P &lt; 0·05) compared to liver DCs from normal C57BL/6 mice. This study provides evidence that liver DCs from HBV-TM had impaired ability to induce both innate and adaptive immune responses. This might account for a weak and almost undetectable HBV-specific immune response in chronic HBV carriers. This inspires hope that up-regulation of the functions of liver DCs in situ may have therapeutic implications in chronic HBV carriers.
Rust resistance in Salix to Melampsora larici‐epitea
Authors: Pei M. H. , Ruiz C. , Bayon C. , Hunter T. 
Published: December 2004

A total of 174 Salix (willow) clones belonging to 57 species and 14 interspecific hybrids were inoculated with seven pathotypes of Melampsora larici‐epitea using the leaf disc method. Infection types were scored based on the uredinial pustule area data and the inoculum density. A close correlation (R2 = 0·82) was found between the average pustule area and the average number of spores produced. Most of the willows were also assessed in the field for rust in 1999. Most willow clones belonging to the species native to western Europe were infected by the rust. In inoculation experiments, uredinia developed on 46 S. viminalis clones, out of a total of 47. In the field, all the S. viminalis clones were infected by rust. Within the subgenus Vetrix, eight out of the 17 willow species that originated from North and South America produced rust pustules in inoculation experiments. Of these, S. pellita was most susceptible. Salix irrorata and S. lasiolepsis var. bracelinae produced well developed pustules after inoculation but no rust infections were detected in the field. In both leaf disc tests and field assessments, no rust infections were found on S. candida, S. cordata, S. drummondiana, S. eriocephala, S. hookeriana, S. houghtonii, S. humilis, S. rigida var. mackenziana and S. syrticola. Of 12 species of subgenus Vetrix native to northeast Asia and Japan, only S. kochiana was susceptible both in inoculation tests and in the field. Salix rossica produced no symptoms in leaf disc tests but showed low levels of infection in the field. The maximum infection type scores in leaf disc tests were highly significantly correlated with field disease severity scores (Spearman rank correlation coefficient was 0·76, P < 1 × 10−10).
Characterization of chickpea differentials for pathogenicity assay of ascochyta blight and identification of chickpea accessions resistant to Didymella rabiei
Authors: Chen W. , Coyne C. J. , Peever T. L. , J. Muehlbauer F. 
Published: December 2004

Forty‐eight chickpea germplasm lines, including 22 differentials used in previous studies, were characterized for disease phenotypes following inoculation with six isolates of Didymella (anamorph Ascochyta) rabiei, representing a wide spectrum of pathogenic variation. Representative isolates were also directly compared with six previously identified races on eight chickpea genotypes. Many of the chickpea differentials reacted similarly to inoculation with each isolate of D. rabiei, and several previously identified races caused similar levels of disease on the differentials. This indicates that the number of differentials can be reduced significantly without sacrificing accuracy in describing pathogenic variation of D. rabiei on chickpea. Pathogenic variation among samples of US isolates allowed classification of the isolates into two pathotypes. The distribution of disease phenotypes of the 48 germplasm lines was bimodal after inoculation with pathotype I isolates, whereas the distribution of disease phenotypes was continuous after inoculation with pathotype II isolates. Such distinct distribution patterns suggest that chickpea plants employ different resistance mechanisms to each pathotype and that the two pathotypes may have different genetic mechanisms controlling pathogenicity. The advantages of using the two‐pathotype system in assaying pathogenicity of the pathogen and in studying resistance mechanisms of the host are discussed. Three chickpea accessions, PI 559361, PI 559363 and W6 22589, showed a high level of resistance to both pathotypes, and can be employed as resistance sources in chickpea breeding programmes for resistance to ascochyta blight.
Predicting light leaf spot (Pyrenopeziza brassicae) risk on winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in England and Wales, using survey, weather and crop information
Authors: Welham S. J. , Turner J. A. , Gladders P. , Fitt B. D. L. , Evans N. , Baierl A. 
Published: December 2004

Data from surveys of winter oilseed rape crops in England and Wales in growing seasons with harvests in 1987–99 were used to construct statistical models to predict, in autumn (October), the incidence of light leaf spot caused byPyrenopeziza brassicaeon winter oilseed rape crops the following spring (March/April), at both regional and individual crop scales. Regions (groups of counties) with similar seasonal patterns of incidence (percentage of plants affected) of light leaf spot were defined by using principal coordinates analysis on the survey data. At the regional scale, explanatory variables for the statistical models were regional weather (mean summer temperature and mean monthly winter rainfall) and survey data for regional light leaf spot incidence (percentage of plants with affected pods) in July of the previous season. At the crop scale, further explanatory variables were crop cultivar (light leaf spot resistance rating), sowing date (number of weeks before/after 1 September), autumn fungicide use and light leaf spot incidence in autumn. Risk of severe light leaf spot (> 25% plants affected) in a crop in spring was also predicted, and uncertainty in predictions was assessed. The models were validated using data from spring surveys of winter oilseed rape crops in England and Wales from 2000 to 2003, and reasons for uncertainty in predictions for individual crops are discussed.
The effects of an artificial wetland dominated by free‐floating plants on the restoration of a subtropical, hypertrophic lake
Authors: Rodríguez‐Gallego L. R. , Mazzeo N. , Gorga J. , Meerhoff M. , Clemente J. , Kruk C. , Scasso F. , Lacerot G. , García J. , Quintans F. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractLake Rodó (Montevideo, Uruguay) is a small, urban, hypertrophic lake undergoing restoration. In this study, we evaluated the nutrient removal efficiency and water quality improvement attributable to a water recirculation system, consisting of the lake and three connected pools converted to artificial wetlands dominated by free‐floating hydrophytes. Eichhornia crassipes and Spirodela intermedia dominated the hydrophyte community during summer and winter, respectively, with the biomass production being maintained throughout the year. The maximum production values of E. crassipes were 11.3 and 5.6 g DW m−2 d−1 in the summers of 1998 and 2000, respectively, while those of S. intermedia were 2.7 and 0.8 g DW m−2 d−1 in the summers of 1999 and 2000, respectively. The aquatic plant community reduced the concentration of nutrients in the water column but did not significantly affect the sediment concentrations. Harvesting the hydrophytes removed the equivalent of 58–88% and 39–78% of the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) load associated with the water column, respectively. In contrast, the harvests accounted for only 1–2% of the N and P load associated with the sediments. In the pools, the combination of water recirculation and hydrophytes generally diminished the algal biomass and the associated N and P, compared to that observed for the lake. The combined use of adequate aquatic plant harvests and hydraulic management increased the efficiency of the system and, therefore, seems to be a useful tool for restoring small, shallow lakes in tropical and subtropical regions.
Water management of Lake Yogo targeting internal phosphorus loading
Authors: Tsujimura Shigeo 
Published: December 2004

AbstractLake Yogo is a small, eutrophic lake located 1.3 km north of Lake Biwa, Japan. The lake, which was originally a natural, closed lake, has a unique water management system. It is replenished with water pumped from Lake Biwa and supplies irrigation water to ≈ 5 km2 of agricultural fields. As a result, Lake Yogo functions as a water storage dam and is artificially controlled. As seen in most stratified lakes in temperate regions, large amounts of phosphate (PO4) are released from the sediment in the hypolimnetic water layer during the summer stratification period. In order to reduce the impacts of internal phosphorus (P) loading, a destratification aeration system was installed in the lake. Although the stratification was weakened concomitant with a temperature increase in the hypolimnetic layers, anoxic conditions were still observed because of the small scale of the aeration system, with cyanobacterial blooms continuing to occur during the summer and autumn of every year. Although the internal P load at the autumn turnover is probably immediately scavenged by its incorporation into ferric oxyhydroxide colloids, the phytoplankton present at that time would doubtless benefit from the temporary, increased PO4 supply because of their rapid uptake rates. Although the PO4 transported continually from the hypolimnetic to the epilimnetic layers by the destratification aeration system should be scavenged as ferric oxyhydroxide colloids, a portion of the PO4 is probably incorporated into the phytoplankton biomass. As a result, an insufficient level of artificial destratification might support phytoplankton growth during the period of thermal stratification in the lake.
The use of the Deaver Retractor to visualize staple line haemorrhage following stapled anopexy
Authors: Forshaw M. J. , Mhandu P. C. , Parker M. C. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractPostoperative haemorrhage is a recognized complication of any haemorrhoidectomy procedure. It can be difficult to visualize a staple line haemorrhage in the presence of large circumferential haemorrhoids. We describe a technique to aid visualization of the staple line in this situation.
Comparison of rigid vs flexible sigmoidoscopy in detection of significant anorectal lesions
Authors: Rao V. S. R. , Ahmad N. , Al‐Mukhtar A. , Stojkovic S. , Moore P. J. , Ahmad S. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective  Sigmoidoscopy is an essential tool in colorectal clinics in the detection of anorectal lesions including rectosigmoid adenomas and carcinomas. However, rigid sigmoidoscope (RS) is still more widely used than flexible sigmoidoscope (FS) as the primary investigation, despite the fact that the latter is more comfortable to the patient and has greater diagnostic yield. Hence we wanted to compare the two modalities in terms of diagnostic use for picking up significant anorectal lesions.Methods  A retrospective review of all patients referred to the colorectal clinic who had undergone both rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy for investigation of colorectal symptoms in 2001 was done. Findings recorded during rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy including depth of insertion, site of lesion and complications were analysed.Results  152 patients underwent both rigid and flexible sigmoidoscopy as part of investigation of colorectal symptoms. Of the 115 (75.6%) declared normal by RS, 39 (33.9%) had significant lesions including 7 polyps and 4 malignant lesions within 20 cm of the anal verge during FS. Of the 31 patients (20.4%) in whom RS was not helpful due to faecal loading, 15 (48.4%) had significant lesions including 4 malignancies and 1 polp – all within 20 cm of the anal verge during FS. Only 2 polyps and 1 malignant lesion were picked up by both flexible and rigid sigmoidoscopy. There wre no complications in both procedures.Conclusion  Since flexible sigmoidoscopy is superior to rigid sigmoidoscopy in terms of patient comfort, diagnostic value and ease of doing procedures like biopsy and polypectomy; it can be used as a front line investigation to exclude colorectal pathology in out patient clinics. The utility of rigid sigmoidoscope is in question and in view of obvious shortcomings, may be replaced by flexible sigmoidoscopy, though obvious resource constraints need to be considered.
Evaluation of a pre‐operative staging protocol in the management of colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Griffiths E. A. , Browell D. A. , Cunliffe W. J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractObjective  The optimum strategy for pre‐operative staging of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) has yet to be defined. A protocol for staging CRC patients was set up in this hospital in 1998. The protocol included complete colonic visualization together with assessment of the liver and lung for potential metastatic disease. Pelvic imaging was required to assess the local spread of rectal tumours. Our aim was to evaluate prospectively this protocol.Patients and methods  Data from all patients diagnosed with primary CRC between January 1999 and December 2002 were prospectively collected and analysed.Results  There were 295 patients; 56 (19%) patients presented as an emergency and were excluded. The study group consisted of 239 patients (206 had elective surgery and 33 had no resectional surgery). In the patients who presented electively; 88% had complete colonic imaging; 87% chest imaging; 90% had liver imaging; 91% of rectal tumours had pelvic imaging. Overall 75% of the elective patients completed the staging protocol. Reasons for incomplete staging were numerous and most were justifiable. Findings which influenced clinical management included alteration in surgical approach (14), lung metastases (7), primary lung cancers (2), definite liver metastases (25), possible liver metastases (8), neo‐adjuvant radiotherapy required (27), advanced local disease (9) and other incidental findings (12).Conclusion  Our protocol influenced further management decisions in 39% of patients. Better stratification of patient care is possible, with the ultimate aim to avoid unnecessary surgery. However, complete staging is not always possible to perform.
Outcomes after placement of colorectal stents
Authors: Watson A. J. M. , Shanmugam V. , Mackay I. , Chaturvedi S. , Loudon M. A. , Duddalwar V. , Hussey J. K. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  Colonic stents are increasingly used to palliate or alleviate large bowel obstruction in patients with colon cancer and other obstructing lesions in whom a definitive surgical procedure is inappropriate. We report on the outcomes of a large group of patients who underwent deployment of a colon stent in a single institution by a single operator.Patients and methods  This was a retrospective observational cohort study of all patients undergoing colonic stenting between September 1995 and May 2002. Data collected included nature of pathology, type of stent used, procedure morbidity, patient survival and details of any definitive procedures performed after stenting.Results  One hundred and seven patients were evaluated (58 male) with a median age of 75 years (range 36–99 years). A total of 112 stents were successfully deployed (46 as an emergency). Twelve patients had double stents inserted coaxially and overlapping. In 7 patients the stent could not be safely deployed. Eighty‐seven patients had colorectal cancer, 13 patients had an extra‐luminal malignancy, 5 had diverticular strictures and in 2 patients the pathology was unknown. At last review (May 2002) 18 patients were alive, 82 patients had died and 7 patients had been lost to follow‐up. Of those patients who died, the median survival after stenting alone was 6 weeks (range 4 days – 36 weeks). Ten patients underwent subsequent definitive surgery. Stent complications included, 2 colonic perforations, 3 stent occlusions and 4 stent migrations.Conclusion  Colonic stenting can be used effectively, with acceptable morbidity, to manage patients presenting with large bowel obstruction. In a smaller number of patients colon stents may safely temporize symptoms while definitive surgery is planned.
Endoscopic laser ablation of advanced rectal carcinoma – a DGH experience
Authors: Rao V. S. R. , Al‐Mukhtar A. , Rayan F. , Stojkovic S. , Moore P. J. , Ahmad S. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBackground  Patients with inoperable advanced rectal carcinoma require palliation for local symptoms. Endoscopic Nd‐Yag laser ablation is a valid palliative treatment option in patients with advanced rectal carcinoma who are poor operative risks due to coexistent multiple comorbidities.Methods  All patients who cannot undergo radical surgery due to various factors such as tumour size, poor risk patients, distant metastasis and refusal to undergo surgery were offered palliation with endoscopic Nd‐YAG laser ablation. Indications included troublesome bleeding, local recurrence, mucous discharge and impending obstruction. Patients were admitted on the day of treatment, phosphate enema given for bowel preparation and endoscopic ablation done through a flexible sigmoidoscope under intravenous sedation with midazolam. All patients were discharged the next day after overnight observation. Patients were reviewed every 3 months and laser ablation repeated if deemed necessary.Results  Eleven patients (7 males, 4 females; mean age 83.6 years, range 77–90 years) underwent endoscopic laser ablation in a District General Hospital – 8 for rectal carcinoma, 2 for rectosigmoid tumour and 1 for recurrent tubulovillous adenoma. The number of treatment episodes varied from 1 to 12 with symptom free interval from 2 to 18 months between treatment episodes. There were 3 failures, one patient required defunctioning colostomy, one patient was referred for radiotherapy due to persistent symptoms and in one patient laser treatment had to be abandoned due to local extent. There were no immediate post‐treatment complications, but one patient developed incontinence after 5 episodes which might be attributable to tumour infiltration.Discussion  Endoscopic laser ablation is a practical and feasible alternative to other palliative treatment modalities in the management of this unfortunate category of patients due to low morbidity and mortality, short hospitalization and low complication rates.