bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the concentration‐dependent effect of sevoflurane on the spinal H‐reflex and the EEG in humans
Authors: Rehberg B. , Bouillon T. , Gruenewald M. , Schneider J. , Baars J. , Urban B. W. , Kox W. J. 
Published: April 2004

Background:  It has been shown that spinal reflexes such as the H‐reflex predict motor responses to painful stimuli better than cortical parameters derived from the EEG. The precise concentration‐dependence of H‐reflex suppression by anaesthetics, however, is not known. Here we investigated this concentration‐response relationship and the equilibration between the alveolar and the effect compartment for sevoflurane.Methods:  In 26 patients, the H‐reflex was recorded at a frequency of 0.1 Hz while anaesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane at increasing and decreasing concentrations. Population pharmacodynamic modelling was performed using the NONMEM software package, yielding population mean parameters as well as indicators of interindividual variability.Results:  Suppression of H‐reflex amplitude occurred at lower concentrations (mean EC50 1.04 ± 0.10 vol%, SE of NONMEM estimate) than the effect on either BIS or SEF95 of the EEG (mean EC50 1.55 ± 0.08 and 1.72 ± 0.18 vol%, respectively), and exhibited a higher interindividual variability. The concentration‐response function for the H‐reflex was also steeper (mean ë 2.83 ± 0.25). In addition, the equilibration between alveolar and effect compartment was slower for the H‐reflex (mean ke0 0.15 ± 0.01 min−1) than for BIS or SEF95 (mean ke0 0.22 ± 0.02 and 0.41 ± 0.05 min−1).Conclusion:  The differences in EC50 and slope of the concentration‐response relationships for H‐reflex suppression and the EEG parameters point to different underlying mechanisms. In addition, the differences in time constant for equilibration between alveolar and effect compartment confirm the notion that immobility is caused at a different anatomic site than suppression of the EEG.
Comparison of the neuromuscular blocking effect of cisatracurium and atracurium on the larynx and the adductor pollicis
Authors: Kirov K. , Motamed C. , Decailliot F. , Behforouz N. , Duvaldestin P. 
Published: April 2004

Background:  Cisatracurium unlike atracurium is devoid of histamine‐induced cardiovascular effects and this alone would be the greatest advantage in replacing atracurium for the facilitation of tracheal intubation. On the other hand, 2 ED95 doses of cisatracurium (100 µg/kg) do not yield satisfactory intubating conditions such as those seen with equipotent doses of atracurium and therefore the recommended intubating dose of cisatracurium is 3 ED95. To understand this discrepancy better, we evaluated the potency and onset of atracurium and cisatracurium directly at the larynx adductors in humans.Methods:  The study was conducted in 54 patients (ASA class I or II) undergoing peripheral surgery requiring general anesthesia. Cisatracurium 25–150 µg/kg or atracurium 120–500 µg/kg intravenous (i.v.) boluses doses were administered during anesthesia with propofol, nitrous oxide, oxygen and fentanyl. Neuromuscular block was measured by electromyography (single twitch stimulation every 10 s) at the larynx and the adductor pollicis. The dose–response effect measured at both muscles included maximum neuromuscular blockade achieved (Emax), the time to maximum depression of twitch height (onset) and time to spontaneous recovery of the twitch height to 25%, 75% and 90% (T25, T75, T90) of control value.Result:  The onset at the larynx was of 196 ± 28 s after the 100 µg/kg cisatracurium dose compared with 140 ± 14 s after the 500 µg/kg atracurium dose (P < 0.05). Emax at the larynx was 92 ± 1% and 98 ± 1% after 100 µg/kg cisatracurium and 500 µg/kg atracurium, respectively (P < 0.05). The time to onset of maximum suppression Emax = 100 ± 0% after a 150 µg/kg cisatracurium dose was 148 ± 29 s. At the larynx, the ED50 was 25 µg/kg for cisatracurium and 180 µg/kg for atracurium and the ED95 was 87 µg/kg for cisatracurium compared with 400 µg/kg for atracurium.Conclusion:  The slow onset time at the laryngeal muscles after cisatracurium can be explained by the higher potency as compared with atracurium.
Vocal Repertoire of Sooty Mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus atys) in the Taï National Park
Authors: Range Friederike , Fischer Julia 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThree factors, environment, quality and type of interaction, and phylogeny have been hypothesized to influence the structure of signal repertoires in primates. Much is known about vocal repertoires of terrestrial, savannah‐dwelling species and arboreal, rainforest‐dwelling species, but very little is known about terrestrial rainforest species. To fill this knowledge gap and to further elucidate how the three factors influence vocal repertoires of primates, we designed a study on sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus atys), a terrestrial Old World primate that lives in dense rainforests. Recordings of sooty mangabeys in their natural environment were used to compile the vocal repertoire of this species. All calls are described according to the basic acoustical structure and the behavioral context in which they occurred. Descriptions are supplemented by quantitative measurements of call occurrence in all age–sex classes. For the most frequently produced vocalizations, a preliminary acoustical analysis was conducted to test for individual and contextual differences. Finally, we compare vocalizations of sooty mangabeys with vocalizations of several other primate species and discuss how the factors mentioned above might influence the vocal repertoire of sooty mangabeys.
Strategies for teaching nursing research online
Authors: Moore P. , Hart L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackground:  Nursing, like many disciplines in university settings, is experiencing increasing demand for online courses. Development and implementation of online courses with the quality of education nursing students experience in traditional classroom settings, is essential to maintaining integrity of the educational process. Nursing research has been offered in the online format in the RN‐BSN programme for 2 years. This course has an average enrolment of 80 to 90 students each semester.Purpose:  This article presents strategies used in teaching an RN‐BSN nursing research course online.Conclusions:  Feedback from faculty and students indicates that these strategies have been successful in facilitating this writing intensive course through distance learning.
Synthesis of Research Findings Regarding Alzheimer's Disease: Part IV, Education of Family and Staff Caregivers
Authors: Bower Fay L. , McCullough Cyndi S. , Pille Barbara L. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract(1) The purpose of this synthesis of research findings regarding education of family and staff caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is to provide knowledge about what has been tried and what has been successful in terms of education for both family and staff caregivers. This article provides research findings concerning family and staff education, content of these educational programs, and impact of education on staff and family. The implications of research for practice of nurses are also presented. The article concludes with comments about the nature of research so far and what needs to be accomplished in the future.
Association of Tuberculin-Boosted Antibody Responses with Pathology and Cell-Mediated Immunity in Cattle Vaccinated with
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG and Infected with
M. bovis
Authors: Lyashchenko Konstantin , Whelan Adam O. , Greenwald Rena , Pollock John M. , Andersen Peter , Hewinson R. Glyn , Vordermeier H. Martin 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT

Vaccine development and our understanding of the pathology of bovine tuberculosis in cattle would be greatly facilitated by definition of the immunological correlates of protection and/or pathology. In this study we analyzed humoral immune responses in
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG-vaccinated and control cattle (in particular, the relationship between the intradermal comparative tuberculin skin test and serum immunoglobulin G [IgG] responses) against a range of mycobacterial antigens (MPB59, MPB64, MPB70, MPB83, ESAT-6, CFP-10, Acr1, and PstS-1) by multiantigen print immunoassay and conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Following
M. bovis
infection, the comparative tuberculin skin test strongly boosted IgG, IgG1, and IgG2 antibody responses, particularly against MPB83 and MPB70, in unvaccinated cattle but failed to boost these responses, or did so only weakly, in BCG-vaccinated calves. In addition, the skin test-induced increases in MPB83-specific IgG responses correlated positively with bacterial loads and ESAT-6-induced in vitro gamma interferon responses. In conclusion, both the negative correlation of skin test-enhanced MPB83-specific antibody responses with BCG-induced protection and their positive correlation with bacterial loads can serve as useful markers for vaccine efficacy after challenge.
Intranasal Immunization with Multivalent Group A Streptococcal Vaccines Protects Mice against Intranasal Challenge Infections
Authors: Hall Mary A. , Stroop Steven D. , Hu Mary C. , Walls Michael A. , Reddish Mark A. , Burt David S. , Lowell George H. , Dale James B. 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTWe have previously shown that a hexavalent group A streptococcal M protein-based vaccine evoked bactericidal antibodies after intramuscular injection. In the present study, we show that the hexavalent vaccine formulated with several different mucosal adjuvants and delivered intranasally induced serum and salivary antibodies that protected mice from intranasal challenge infections with virulent group A streptococci. The hexavalent vaccine was formulated with liposomes with or without monophosphorylated lipid A (MPL), cholera toxin B subunit with or without holotoxin, or proteosomes fromNeisseria meningitidisouter membrane proteins complexed with lipopolysaccharide fromShigella flexneri. Intranasal immunization with the hexavalent vaccine mixed with these adjuvants resulted in significant levels of antibodies in serum 2 weeks after the final dose. Mean serum antibody titers were equivalent in all groups of mice except those that were immunized with hexavalent protein plus liposomes without MPL, which were significantly lower. Salivary antibodies were also detected in mice that received the vaccine formulated with the four strongest adjuvants. T-cell proliferative assays and cytokine assays using lymphocytes from cervical lymph nodes and spleens from mice immunized with the hexavalent vaccine formulated with proteosomes indicated the presence of hexavalent protein-specific T cells and a Th1-weighted mixed Th1-Th2 cytokine profile. Intranasal immunization with adjuvanted formulations of the hexavalent vaccine resulted in significant levels of protection (80 to 100%) following intranasal challenge infections with type 24 group A streptococci. Our results indicate that intranasal delivery of adjuvanted multivalent M protein vaccines induces protective antibody responses and may provide an alternative to parenteral vaccine formulations.
Evaluation of T-Cell Responses to Novel RD1- and RD2-EncodedMycobacterium tuberculosisGene Products for Specific Detection of Human Tuberculosis Infection
Authors: Liu Xiao-Qing , Dosanjh Davinder , Varia Hansa , Ewer Katie , Cockle Paul , Pasvol Geoffrey , Lalvani Ajit 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTThe tuberculin skin test for diagnosingMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection suffers from antigenic cross-reactivity of purified protein derivative with BCG, resulting in poor specificity in BCG-vaccinated populations. Comparative genomics has identified several genetic regions inM. tuberculosisandM. bovisthat are deleted inM. bovisBCG. Proteins encoded in these regions will form the basis of new specific T-cell-based blood tests that do not cross-react with BCG, but only two, early secretory antigen target 6 and culture filtrate protein 10, have been studied in detail in humans. We investigated four novel gene products, encoded by RD2 (Rv1989c) and RD1 (Rv3873, Rv3878, and Rv3879c), that are absent from most or all of the vaccine strains of BCG, respectively. Sixty-seven overlapping peptides were tested in ex vivo gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assays in 49 patients with culture-confirmed tuberculosis and 38 healthy BCG-vaccinated donors. Forty-five percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 31 to 57%) and 53% (95% CI, 39 to 67%) of the tuberculosis patients responded to Rv3879c and Rv3873, respectively, identifying these proteins as majorM. tuberculosisT-cell antigens in humans, while 35 and 25% of the patients responded to Rv3878 and Rv1989c, respectively. Of the 38 BCG-vaccinated donors, 1 (2.6%) responded to peptides from Rv3878 and Rv3879c, 3 (7.9%) responded to Rv3873, and none responded to Rv1989c. Exclusion of cross-reactive peptides encoded in conserved motifs of Rv3873, a PPE family member, increased its specificity to 97.4%. The high specificity of Rv3879c peptides and nonconserved Rv3873 sequences, together with their moderate sensitivity in tuberculosis patients, identifies these peptides as candidates for inclusion in new T-cell-based tests forM. tuberculosisinfection.
CD4-T-Lymphocyte Interactions with Pneumolysin and Pneumococci Suggest a Crucial Protective Role in the Host Response to Pneumococcal Infection
Authors: Kadioglu Aras , Coward William , Colston M. Joseph , Hewitt Colin R. A. , Andrew Peter W. 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT

Previously, we had shown that T cells accumulated in peribronchiolar and perivascular areas of lungs soon after intranasal infection with
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. We have now presented new evidence, using major histocompatibility class II-deficient mice, that CD4 cells are important for early protective immunity. In addition, we have also shown that a population of human CD4 cells migrates towards pneumococci and that in vivo-passaged pneumococci are substantially more potent at inducing migration than in vitro-grown bacteria. This migratory process is unique to a specific population of CD4 cells, is highly reproducible, and is independent of prior CD4 cell activation, and yet the migratory process results in a significant proportion of CD4 cells becoming activated. The production of pneumolysin is a key facet in the induction of migration of CD4 cells by in vivo bacteria, as pneumolysin-deficient bacteria do not induce migration, but the data also show that pneumolysin alone is not sufficient to explain the enhanced migration. Increased CD25 expression occurs during migration, and a higher percentage of cells in the migrated population express gamma interferon or interleukin 4 (IL-4) than in the population that did not migrate. There is evidence that the activation of IL-4 expression occurs during migration.
Nitric Oxide-Mediated Regulation of Gamma Interferon-Induced Bacteriostasis: Inhibition and Degradation of Human Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase
Authors: Hucke Christian , MacKenzie Colin R. , Adjogble Koku D. Z. , Takikawa Osamu , Däubener Walter 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACTTryptophan depletion resulting from indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity within the kynurenine pathway is one of the most prominent gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-inducible antimicrobial effector mechanisms in human cells. On the other hand, nitric oxide (NO) produced by the inducible isoform of NO synthase (iNOS) serves a more immunoregulatory role in human cells and thereby interacts with tryptophan depletion in a number of ways. We investigated the effects of NO on IDO gene transcription, protein synthesis, and enzyme activity as well as on IDO-mediated bacteriostasis in the human epithelial cell line RT4. IFN-γ-stimulated RT4 cells were able to inhibit the growth ofStaphylococcus aureusin an IDO-mediated fashion, and this bacteriostatic effect was abolished by endogenously produced NO. These findings were supported by experiments which showed that IDO activity in extracts of IFN-γ-stimulated cells is inhibited by the chemical NO donors diethylenetriamine diazeniumdiolate, S-nitroso-l-cysteine, and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine. Furthermore, we found that both endogenous and exogenous NO strongly reduced the level of IDO protein content in RT4 cells. This effect was not due to a decrease in IDO gene transcription or mRNA stability. By using inhibitors of proteasomal proteolytic activity, we showed that NO production led to an accelerated degradation of IDO protein in the proteasome. This is the first report, to our knowledge, that demonstrates that the IDO is degraded by the proteasome and that NO has an effect on IDO protein stability.
Flagellin Fusion Proteins as Adjuvants or Vaccines Induce Specific Immune Responses
Authors: Cuadros Camilo , Lopez-Hernandez Francisco J. , Dominguez Ana Lucia , McClelland Michael , Lustgarten Joseph 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT
Vaccination is the most efficient prophylaxis against a variety of infectious diseases. New vaccination strategies rely on the incorporation of effective adjuvants, which stimulate the innate immune response and, in turn, activate the adaptive immune response. It is well established that flagellin induces inflammatory responses through the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In order to evaluate whether flagellin can serve as a carrier for the development of adjuvants or vaccines, we prepared a flagellin-enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion protein. Our results demonstrate that a flagellin-EGFP fusion protein is capable of stimulating APCs, resulting in the maturation of these cells and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, APCs pulsed with the flagellin-EGFP fusion protein effectively process and present EGFP antigens. More importantly, animals immunized with the flagellin-EGFP fusion protein developed specific anti-EGFP T-cell responses. In contrast, recombinant EGFP was not able to stimulate APCs, nor did it induce a T-cell response. Thus, recombinant-flagellin fusion proteins may be suitable carriers as adjuvants or vaccines for the development of new vaccination strategies to induce and boost immune responses against infectious diseases and cancer.
Proteus mirabilis
Genes That Contribute to Pathogenesis of Urinary Tract Infection: Identification of 25 Signature-Tagged Mutants Attenuated at Least 100-Fold
Authors: Burall Laurel S. , Harro Janette M. , Li Xin , Lockatell C.Virginia , Himpsl Stephanie D. , Hebel J. Richard , Johnson David E. , Mobley Harry L. T. 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT

Proteus mirabilis
, a common cause of urinary tract infections (UTI) in individuals with functional or structural abnormalities or with long-term catheterization, forms bladder and kidney stones as a consequence of urease-mediated urea hydrolysis. Known virulence factors, besides urease, are hemolysin, fimbriae, metalloproteases, and flagella. In this study we utilized the CBA mouse model of ascending UTI to evaluate the colonization of mutants of
P. mirabilis
HI4320 that were generated by signature-tagged mutagenesis. By performing primary screening of 2,088
P. mirabilis
transposon mutants, we identified 502 mutants that ranged from slightly attenuated to unrecoverable. Secondary screening of these mutants revealed that 114 transposon mutants were reproducibly attenuated. Cochallenge of 84 of these single mutants with the parent strain in the mouse model resulted in identification of 37 consistently out-competed
P. mirabilis
transposon mutants, 25 of which were out-competed >100-fold for colonization of the bladder and/or kidneys by the parent strain. We determined the sequence flanking the site of transposon insertion in 29 attenuated mutants and identified genes affecting motility, iron acquisition, transcriptional regulation, phosphate transport, urease activity, cell surface structure, and key metabolic pathways as requirements for
P. mirabilis
infection of the urinary tract. Two mutations localized to a ∼42-kb plasmid present in the parent strain, suggesting that the plasmid is important for colonization. Isolation of disrupted genes encoding proteins with homologies to known bacterial virulence factors, especially the urease accessory protein UreF and the disulfide formation protein DsbA, showed that the CBA mouse model and mutant pools are a reliable source of attenuated mutants with mutations in virulence genes.
The Host Cell Chaperone Hsp90 Is Necessary for Cytotoxic Action of the Binary Iota-Like Toxins
Authors: Haug Gerd , Aktories Klaus , Barth Holger 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT

The heat shock protein Hsp90 is essential for uptake of the binary actin ADP-ribosylating toxins
Clostridium perfringens
iota-toxin and
Clostridium difficile
transferase into eukaryotic cells. Inhibition of Hsp90 by its specific inhibitor radicicol delayed intoxication of Vero cells by these toxins. A common Hsp90-dependent mechanism for their translocation is discussed.
The Fibrinogen Binding Protein of
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Is a Target for Opsonic Antibodies
Authors: Rennermalm Anna , Nilsson Martin , Flock Jan-Ingmar 
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT

Antibodies against the fibrinogen binding protein (Fbe) of
Staphylococcus epidermidis
significantly increased macrophage phagocytosis. Antibodies against autolysin E were opsonic but to a lesser extent. Antibodies against a novel, putatively surface-located antigen were unable to enhance phagocytosis. The severity of systemic infection of mice with
S. epidermidis
was reduced if the bacteria were preopsonized with anti-Fbe prior to administration. Fbe is thus a strong candidate for protein vaccination against
S. epidermidis
infection, and antibodies against Fbe can be used to prevent or treat infections caused by
S. epidermidis
.
Termitivore or detritivore? A quantitative investigation into the diet of the East African caecilian Boulengerula taitanus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae)
Authors: Gaborieau Olivier , Measey G. John 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
Most caecilians are thought to be generalist predators of soil ecosystem engineers (earthworms, termites and ants), but it has been suggested that members of the East African genus Boulengerula are specialist predators. Surprisingly, in the only detailed study of diet of any Boulengerula, the authors speculated that B. taitanus is partly detritivorous, based on the large amount of organic matter found in the alimentary canal. Here we test the conflicting hypotheses that B.taitanus is a termitivore or detritivore, using the stomach and gut contents of 47 specimens collected in the Taita Hills, Kenya. Termites and earthworms contribute most significantly to diet by number and mass, respectively. These constitute the major dietary items, together with dipteran larvae and other soil macrofauna. Contents of the intestine are mostly soil and organic matter originating from prey items. The mass content of the intestines averages 69% of total gut contents, and is significantly greater than identifiable stomach contents. The null hypotheses that B. taitanus is a generalist and a predator are not rejected.