bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allelic polymorphisms in the repeat and promoter regions of the interleukin-4 gene and malaria severity in Ghanaian children
Authors: GYAN B A , GOKA B , CVETKOVIC J T , KURTZHALS J L , ADABAYERI V , PERLMANN H , LEFVERT A-K , AKANMORI B D , TROYE-BLOMBERG M 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYImmunoglobulin E has been associated with severe malaria suggesting a regulatory role for interleukin (IL)-4 and/or IgE in the pathogenesis of severe malaria. We have investigated possible associations between  polymorphisms  in  the  IL-4  repeat  region  (intron  3)  and  promoter  regions  (IL-4 +33CT  and − 590CT) in Ghanaian children with severe malaria. There was a significantly higher frequency of IL-4 intron-3 B1B1 genotype in the cerebral malaria group [P &lt; 0.0001, odds ratio (OR) = 8.7]. The genotype and allele frequencies of the IL-4 –590 and +33 polymorphisms did not differ between the four study groups. Carriers of IL-4 +33T/−590T with cerebral malaria had elevated total IgE compared to non-carriers (P = 0.03). Our data suggest that IL-4 and/or IgE play a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of severe or complicated malaria.
Macrophages are a source of extracellular adenosine deaminase-2 during inflammatory responses
Authors: CONLON B A , LAW W R 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYSerum activity of the adenosine deaminase (ADA) isozyme, ADA2, has been reported to be elevated during various disease states. Macrophages have been suggested as the cellular source of extracellular ADA activity because they are one of the only cell types in which intracellular ADA2 activity has been measured, but extracellular secretion has never been demonstrated. Rat primary peritoneal macrophages (PPMs) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) were harvested and incubated for 18 h in RPMI supplemented with horse serum. PPM and PBM lysates were assayed for intracellular ADA activity (ammonia production). In vitro and in vivo extracellular ADA activities were measured in media and rat serum, respectively. Activity of ADA1 was confirmed by selective inhibition with erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA). ADA2 activity was inhibited by 2′-deoxycoformcin only, and was increased at a low pH (6.5). Activity of both ADA isozymes was found in PPMs and PBMs, and their media. In a separate group of rats, peritonitis was induced by ip insertion of 400 mg/kg caecal slurry. PPMs were harvested 24 h later and incubated for 18 h. In PPMs from rats with peritonitis both isozymes were elevated by a similar proportion. In contrast, media from these PPMs had a lower ADA1 and a higher ADA2 activity compared to PPMs from nonseptic rats. This resulted in a greater proportion of ADA2 in media. The isozyme proportions in serum from septic rats more closely resembled that of the PPM media. The response of PBM was small relative to that of PPM. These results suggest that macrophages are a significant source of extracellular ADA isozymes, the activity of which increases during an inflammatory response. Because extracellular isozymes profiles differ from cellular concentrations, the data also suggest differential release of each isozyme from PPMs.
A mycobacterial lipoarabinomannan specific monoclonal antibody and its F(ab′)2 fragment prolong survival of mice infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: HAMASUR B , HAILE M , PAWLOWSKI A , SCHRÖDER U , KÄLLENIUS G , SVENSON S B 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYLipoarabinomannan (LAM) is a major structural carbohydrate antigen of the outer surface of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. High antibody titres against LAM are often seen in active tuberculosis (TB). The role of such LAM-specific antibodies in the immune response against TB is unknown. Here we have investigated a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) SMITB14 of IgG1 subclass and its corresponding F(ab′)2 fragment directed against LAM from M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv. MoAb SMITB14 was shown by immunofluorescence to bind to whole cells of the clinical isolate M. tuberculosis strain Harlingen as well as to M. tuberculosis H37Rv. The binding of MoAb SMITB14 to LAM was inhibited by arabinomannan (AM) and oligosaccharides (5.2 kDa) derived from LAM, showing that the MoAb binds specifically to the AM carbohydrate portion of LAM. In passive protection experiments BALB/c mice were infected intravenously with M. tuberculosis Harlingen. MoAb SMITB14 was added intravenously either prior to, or together with, the bacteria. The antibody proved to be protective against the M. tuberculosis infection in terms of a dose-dependent reduction in bacterial load in spleens and lungs, reduced weight loss and, most importantly, increased long-term survival.
Stimulation of toll-like receptor 2 in mononuclear cells from HIV-infected patients induces chemokine responses: possible pathogenic consequences
Authors: HEGGELUND L , DAMÅS J K , YNDESTAD A , HOLM A M , MÜLLER F , LIEN E , ESPEVIK T , AUKRUST P , FRØLAND S S 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYToll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) stimulation in monocytes may contribute to enhanced inflammation and viral replication in HIV infection. In the present study we examined if TLR2 stimulation could modulate chemokine responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-infected patients and healthy controls. Our main findings were, with similar qualitative patterns in both healthy controls and HIV-infected patients: (1) TLR2 stimulation induced up-regulation of several chemokines at the mRNA level as well as increased protein levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, interleukin (IL)-8 and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES); (2) TLR2 stimulation induced enhanced protein expression of CCR5 (a receptor for MIP-1α and RANTES) on monocytes; (3) In vitro stimulation with RANTES induced release of MIP-1α, MCP-1, IL-8 and interferon-γ from PBMC. While increased levels of β-chemokines possibly have antiviral effects, TLR2 stimulation may also promote a chemokine-driven inflammatory loop, potentially contributing to the immunopathogenesis of HIV infection.
Effects ofChlamydia trachomatisinfection on the expression of natural killer (NK) cell ligands and susceptibility to NK cell lysis
Authors: HOOK C E , TELYATNIKOVA N , GOODALL J C , BRAUD V M , CARMICHAEL A J , WILLS M R , GASTON J S H 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYNatural killer (NK) cells are an important component of the immediate immune response to infections, including infection by intracellular bacteria. We have investigated recognition of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) by NK cells and show that these cells are activated to produce interferon (IFN)-γ when peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are stimulated with CT organisms. Furthermore, infection of epithelial cell lines with CT renders them susceptible to lysis by human NK cells. Susceptibility was observed 18–24 h following infection and required protein synthesis by the infecting chlamydiae, but not by the host cell; heat or UV inactivated chlamydiae did not induce susceptibility to NK cell lysis. CT infection was also shown to decrease the expression of classical and non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on infected cells, thus allowing recognition by NK cells when combined with an activating signal. A candidate activating signal is MICA/B, which was shown to be expressed constitutively on epithelial cells.
Serum IgE levels of tuberculosis patients in a tropical setup with high prevalence of HIV and intestinal parasitoses
Authors: KASSU A , MOHAMMAD A , FUJIMAKI Y , MOGES F , ELIAS D , MEKONNEN F , MENGISTU G , YAMATO M , WONDMIKUN Y , OTA F 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYTuberculosis remains a major health problem worldwide in the era of HIV/AIDS. Co-infection with intestinal parasites has been suggested to worsen the outcome of infection by polarizing the immune response towards Th2. This study investigated serum IgE levels of 241 tuberculosis patients and compared the IgE profiles in the tuberculosis patients either with or without intestinal helminthic infection and/or HIV infection. The serum levels of IgE in tuberculosis patients before initiation of antimycobacterial chemotherapy were found to be 1722 ± 1290 IU/ml (Mean ± SD) in HIV seronegatives and 2366 ± 1849 IU/ml in HIV seropositives. Further, the IgE level was significantly higher in patients coinfected with intestinal helminthes and HIV compared to those infected with helminthes or without coinfection (P &lt; 0.05). Anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy significantly reduced serum IgE levels in HIV seronegative tuberculosis patients (P &lt; 0.05). These findings might indicate an active role of therapy in shifting the immune response towards Th1 which is crucial for prognosis in tuberculosis patients.
In vitrocellular immune responses to complex and newly defined recombinant antigens ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: AL-ATTIYAH R , MUSTAFA A S , ABAL A T , EL-SHAMY A S M , DALEMANS W , SKEIKY Y A W 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARYThe immunological diagnosis and development of new antituberculosis vaccines require the characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens inducing cell-mediated immune responses. In this study, we have tested peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tuberculosis (TB) patients (n = 43) and Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated healthy subjects (n = 24) for in vitro cellular immune responses, as indicated by antigen-induced proliferation and interferon (IFN)-γ secretion, in response to a panel of complex (culture filtrate and cell wall preparations) and single recombinant antigens (Mtb8.4, Mtb9.8, Mtb9.9, Mtb32A, Mtb39A, Mtb40, Mtb41 and Ag85B) of M. tuberculosis. The results of cellular responses showed that the majority (ranging from 70 to 98%) of TB patients and healthy donors responded to the complex antigens in antigen-induced proliferation and IFN-γ secretion assays. However, when PBMC from the same groups of patients and healthy donors were tested with the recombinant antigens, TB patients showed strong recognition (&gt;50% responders) of Mtb9.8 and Mtb39A in proliferation assays (median SI = 6.2 and 6.4, respectively) and of Mtb9.8, Mtb39A, Mtb40 and Ag85B in IFN-γ assays (median delta IFN-γ= 15.5, 10.8, 7.8 and 8.1 U/ml, respectively). BCG-vaccinated healthy donors showed weak (&lt;30% responders) to moderate (31–50% responders) responses to all of the recombinant antigens in both assays. When PBMC of a subset of TB patients (n = 11) were tested for secretion of protective Th1 cytokines [IFN-γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-12] and the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, the complex CF and CW antigens as well as the recombinant Mtb9.8, Mtb9.9, Mtb40 and Ag85B induced the secretion of both types of cytokines. On the other hand, Mtb41 induced only IL-10, while Mtb8.4, Mtb32Aand Mtb39A induced the secretion of one or more of Th1 cytokines, but not IL-10. In conclusion, the recombinant antigens inducing the secretion of Th1 cytokines could be useful as subunit vaccine candidates against TB.
Squamous cell carcinoma in the renal pelvis of a horseshoe kidney
Authors: MIZUSAWA HIROYA , KOMIYAMA ITSUKI , UENO YOKO , MAEJIMA TOSHITAKA , KATO HARUAKI 
Published: September 2004

Abstract We report a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma in the renal pelvis of a horseshoe kidney. An 80‐year‐old woman was referred to the National Nagano Hospital for the examination of occult blood in her urine. Microscopic hematuria was found, but pyuria was not seen. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass in the left renal pelvis of the horseshoe kidney. No renal stone or hydronephrosis was found. Cytopathological examination in the voided urine specimen was positive. Left nephroureterectomy with the splitting of the isthmus of the horseshoe kidney was performed without renal pedicle clamping using a microwave tissue coagulator. No bleeding was encountered after separating the isthmus. A final pathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus was made. Lymph node metastasis had developed and rapidly progressed and the patient died of disseminated malignancy 4 months after the operation.We reviewed 24 cases of renal pelvic tumor in horseshoe kidneys previously reported in Japan. Seven cases (30%) included components of squamous cell carcinoma. The incidence is higher than that of renal pelvic tumors in the general population.
Increased expression of lung resistance‐related protein in lower grade urothelial carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter
Authors: KONG CHUI‐ZE , ZENG YU , WU XIU‐XIAN , LI JIA‐QING , ZHU YU‐YAN , CHEN YAN 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: Lung resistance‐related protein (LRP), like multidrug resistance gene 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance‐associated proteins (MRP), has been associated with intrinsic therapeutic resistance in various malignancies. To date, there has been no study on the expression of LRP in urothelial carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter. We investigated the protein and mRNA expression levels of LRP, MDR1 and MRP1 in this malignancy and the clinical significance of their expression was evaluated.Methods: Forty urothelial carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter and 31 normal upper urothelial samples were examined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to determine the protein and mRNA levels of the multidrug resistance‐related genes, respectively.Results: The positive staining rates and mRNA levels of LRP were the highest among these multidrug resistance‐related genes in both normal urothelium and carcinoma examinations. In contrast to the up‐regulated expression of MDR1, the expression of LRP tended to be down‐regulated in carcinomas. Moreover, the expression of LRP inversely correlated with tumor grades, but this correlation was not found for the other two genes. However, there was no correlation among the expression of the three genes observed.Conclusion: Lung resistance‐related protein was strongly expressed in urothelial carcinomas of the renal pelvis and ureter, particularly in well‐differentiated carcinomas.
Torsion of the hernia sac within a hydrocele of the scrotum in a child
Authors: MATSUMOTO AKIHIKO , NAGATOMI YUTAKA , SAKAI MASATO , OSHI MASAYA 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Torsion of the hernia sac is a rare disease that presents as acute scrotum in children. Including the present case, only six cases have been reported in the English literature.We report a 10‐year‐old boy who presented with pain and swelling of his right scrotum. Ultrasonography revealed a hypoechoic region adjacent to the normal right testis. The inflammatory changes of the right scrotum deteriorated. The patient underwent surgery and a necrotic cyst was recognized within a hydrocele of the scrotum. The cyst was not connected with the testis or epididymis and was twisted at an angle of 270°. The cause of the necrotic cyst observed was anatomical and pathological torsion of the hernia sac.
Lower pole ratio: A new and accurate predictor of lower pole stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy?
Authors: FONG YAN KIT , PEH SAM OON HUI , HO SIEW HONG , NG FOO CHEONG , QUEK PEARLLYN LENG CHOO , NG KOK KIT 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: Lower pole spatial anatomy is an important determinant of success after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. In the present study, we determine whether there is a significant relationship between lower pole ratio (infundibular length : infundibular width) on preoperative intravenous urograms and stone fragment clearances after shockwave lithotripsy.Methods: A total of 42 patients with isolated lower pole stones were retrospectively reviewed. Anatomical factors, such as infundibular length, width and infundibulopelvic angle were measured and the lower pole ratio was calculated on pretreatment intravenous urogram. Stone fragment clearance was assessed at three months with a plain abdominal X‐ray.Results: The overall three‐month stone‐free rate was 62%. Mean stone size ± SD was 10 ± 4.8 mm, mean infundibular length was 21.7 ± 6.9 mm, mean infundibular width was 6.1 ± 2.3 mm, mean infundibulopelvic angle was 62.1 ± 30.1 degrees and mean lower pole ratio was 4.3 ± 2.8. Stone‐free status after shockwave lithotripsy was significantly related to infundibular length and width as well as to lower pole ratio, but not to infundibulo‐pelvic angle. Infundibular length less than 30 mm, width greater than 5 mm and lower pole ratio less than 3.5 were noted to have an improved three‐month stone‐free rate (P = 0.049, 0.01 and <0.01, respectively).Conclusion: Caliceal anatomy is an important consideration for lower pole stone clearance after shockwave lithotripsy. The present study suggests that a lower pole ratio of less than 3.5, which considers both infundibular length and width, is a promising predictor for stone‐free status.
Long‐term consequence of renal function following nephrectomy for renal cell cancer
Authors: SHIRASAKI YOSHINORI , TSUSHIMA TOMOYASU , NASU YASUTOMO , KUMON HIROMI 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Aim: A retrospective analysis was performed involving patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy for renal cell cancer to determine the long‐term outcome of this surgery on renal status.Materials and Methods: Between 1977 and 2001, 172 patients having undergone radical nephrectomy for renal cell cancer were followed for a period of more than one year at the Department of Urology Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Okayama, Japan. The preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine values of these individuals were reviewed. Long‐term effects of radical nephrectomy on renal function and factors influencing postoperative renal dysfunction were analyzed.Results: Six (3.5%) of the 172 individuals progressed to hemodialysis. Eleven (6.4%) patients displayed serum creatinine values of ≥1.6 mg/dL. The remaining 155 patients (90.1%) demonstrated postoperative serum creatinine values of <1.6 mg/dL. The present study suggests that aging, a high degree of proteinuria, hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the predominant risk factors for renal deterioration following nephrectomy.Conclusions: We have primarily selected radical nephrectomy for cases exhibiting smaller renal tumors with a normal contralateral kidney. We encourage nephron‐sparing surgery where possible in patients displaying risk factors, including a high degree of proteinuria, hypertension, or diabetes mellitus.
Recovery of health related quality of life after radical prostatectomy in Japanese men: A longitudinal study
Authors: NAMIKI SHUNICHI , TOCHIGI TATSUO , KUWAHARA MASAAKI , IORITANI NAOMASA , YOSHIMURA KOJI , TERAI AKITO , NAKAGAWA HARUO , ISHIDOYA SHIGETO , SATOH MAKOTO , ITO AKIHIRO , SAITO SEIICHI , KOINUMA NOBUO , ARAI YOICHI 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: We performed a longitudinal survey of health related quality of life (HRQOL) after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RP) in Japanese men with localized prostate cancer.Methods: The present study started with self‐reported HRQOL assessments provided by 72 patients who received only RP. The RAND 36‐Item Health Survey and the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index were administered before and 3, 6 and 12 months after RP.Results: Patients who underwent RP showed problems in some domains of general HRQOL, but these problems diminished over time. Urinary function declined substantially at 3 months and continued to recover at 6 and 12 months, but scored lower than the baseline. Urinary bother at 3 months had a significant decrease, but at six months it turned out to be the same as the baseline. The data of sexual function and bother showed a substantially lower score after RP. The sexual bother score of the younger men was significantly worse than that of the older men. Those who underwent nerve sparing procedures experienced significantly better recovery of urinary and sexual functions than the non‐nerve sparing group.Conclusion: Despite reports of problems with sexuality and urinary continence, general HRQOL was mostly unaffected by RP after 6 months. Although there was a substantial decrease in urinary function, recovery from urinary bother was rapid. Deterioration of the sexual domain was remarkable throughout the postoperative period. Therefore, careful attention should be given to preoperative counseling, especially for younger patients.
Anatomical reconsideration to renal area: Lessons learned from radical nephrectomy or adrenalectomy through a minimal incision over the 12th rib
Authors: KATO HARUAKI , KIYOKAWA HIDEO , INOUE HIROO , KOBAYASHI SHINYA , NISHIZAWA OSAMU 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: To perform radical nephrectomy or adrenalectomy through a minimal incision over the 12th rib and to compare this with the traditional supracostal or transcostal approach. We review and clarify the related surgical anatomy through close observation.Methods: We performed radical nephrectomy in six patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma through a minimal incision over the 12th rib and in five patients with renal cell carcinoma through a medium‐sized incision, and adrenalectomy in five patients (bilaterally in one) again through a minimal incision over the 12th rib. During surgery, special points were noted to find out the differences between the new minimal‐incision approach and the conventional approach.Results: The procedures were accomplished smoothly with no complications through either a minimal or medium‐sized incision. From our observation, it is clear that most of the procedures involved in the minimal‐incision approach were and should be carried out within the space created in the retroperitoneum beneath the lateroconal fascia.Conclusion: Entering the correct anatomical planes posteriorly and anteriorly in the renal fasciae is a prerequisite for full mobilization of the kidney, together with the perinephric fat. To perform this, recognition of the lateroconal fascia and incising it along the correct lines are of the utmost importance for minimal‐incision radical nephrectomy and adrenalectomy. Furthermore, this anatomical approach is also important for the conventional open approach and laparoscopic approach.
Transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy for Japanese prostate cancer patients in Hawaii
Authors: MORITA MASASHI , LEDERER JOHN L , FUKAGAI TAKASHI , SHIMADA MAKOTO , YOSHIDA HIDEKI 
Published: September 2004

Abstract Background: Our aim was to report clinical and biochemical outcomes of transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy in the treatment of Japanese patients with clinically organ‐confined prostate cancer in Hawaii.Methods: Ninety‐five Japanese patients underwent transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy using either iodine‐125 or palladium‐103 for clinical T1c–T2b N0 M0 prostate cancer. These procedures were carried out between December 1998 and December 2002 at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Prostate‐specific antigen measurements were collected from all patients at follow up. Biochemical failure was defined by three consecutive rises in prostate‐specific antigen levels, based on the criteria of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Consensus panel.Results: The median patient age was 71 years (range, 46–87 years). Thirty‐six patients were implanted with either iodine‐125 or palladium‐103 as monotherapy; 59 patients received moderate‐dose external beam irradiation first, followed by a prostate brachytherapy boost. The median follow‐up length, calculated from the day of implantation, was 801 days (range, 237–1421 days). During this follow‐up period, The Kaplan–Meier estimate of freedom from biochemical failure in this series was 94%. No major complications were observed.Conclusions: Clinical and biochemical outcomes in the treatment of Japanese patients in Hawaii suffering from localized prostate cancer, using transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy, with or without external beam irradiation, compared favorably to results in similarly treated patients in the general US population.