bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of Thromboxane A2in the Induction of Apoptosis of Immature Thymocytes by Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Rocha Paulo N. , Plumb Troy J. , Robinson Lisa A. , Spurney Robert , Pisetsky David , Koller Beverly H. , Coffman Thomas M. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTLipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes apoptotic deletion of CD4+CD8+thymocytes, a phenomenon that has been linked to immune dysfunction and poor survival during sepsis. Given the abundance of thromboxane-prostanoid (TP) receptors in CD4+CD8+thymocytes and in vitro evidence that thromboxane A2(TXA2) causes apoptosis of these cells, we tested whether enhanced generation of TXA2plays a role in LPS-induced thymocyte apoptosis. Mice injected with 50 μg of LPS intraperitoneally displayed a marked increase in generation of TXA2and prostaglandin E2in the thymus as well as apoptotic deletion of CD4+CD8+thymocytes. Administration of indomethacin or rofecoxib inhibited prostanoid synthesis but did not affect thymocyte death. In contrast, thymocyte apoptosis in response to LPS was significantly attenuated in TP-deficient mice. These studies indicate that TXA2mediates a portion of apoptotic thymocyte death caused by LPS. The absence of an effect of global inhibition of prostanoid synthesis suggests a complex role for prostanoids in this model.
Lipoprotein-Dependent and -Independent Immune Responses to Spirochetal Infection
Authors: Salazar Juan C. , Pope Constance D. , Moore Meagan W. , Pope Jonathan , Kiely Thomas G. , Radolf Justin D. 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTIn this study, we used the epidermal suction blister technique, in conjunction with multiparameter flow cytometry, to analyze the cellular and cytokine responses elicited by intradermal injection of human volunteers with synthetic analogs for spirochetal lipoproteins and compared the responses to findings previously reported from patients with erythema migrans (EM). Compared with peripheral blood (PB), lipopeptides derived from the N termini of theBorrelia burgdorferiouter surface protein C and the 17-kDa lipoprotein ofTreponema pallidum(OspC-L and 17-L, respectively) elicited infiltrates enriched in monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) but also containing substantial percentages of neutrophils and T cells. Monocytoid (CD11c+) and plasmacytoid (CD11c−) DCs were selectively recruited to the skin in ratios similar to those in PB, but only the former expressed the activation/maturation surface markers CD80, CD83, and DC-SIGN. Monocytes/macrophages and monocytoid DCs, but not plasmacytoid DCs, displayed significant increases in surface expression of Toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1), TLR2, and TLR4. Staining for CD45RO and CD27 revealed that lipopeptides preferentially recruited antigen-experienced T-cell subsets; despite their lack of antigenicity, these agonists induced marked T-cell activation, as evidenced by surface expression of CD69, CD25, and CD71. Lipopeptides also induced significant increases in interleukin 12 (IL-12), IL-10, gamma interferon, and most notably IL-6 without corresponding increases in serum levels of these cytokines. Although lipopeptides and EM lesional infiltrates shared many similarities, differences were noted in a number of immunologic parameters. These studies have provided in situ evidence for a prominent “lipoprotein effect” during human infection while at the same time helping to pinpoint aspects of the cutaneous response that are uniquely driven by spirochetal pathogens.
Interlaboratory Standardization of the Measurement of Serum Bactericidal Activity by Using Human Complement against Meningococcal Serogroup B, Strain 44/76-SL, before and after Vaccination with the Norwegian MenBvac Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccine
Authors: Borrow Ray , Aaberge Ingeborg S. , Santos George F. , Eudey T. Lynn , Oster Philipp , Glennie Anne , Findlow Jamie , Høiby E. Arne , Rosenqvist Einar , Balmer Paul , Martin Diana 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACT

There is currently no standardized serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assay for evaluating immune responses to meningococcal outer membrane vesicle or protein vaccines. Four laboratories, Manchester Health Protection Agency (MC HPA), New Zealand Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited (NZ ESR), Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), and Chiron Vaccines (Chiron), measured SBA titers in the same panel of human sera (
n
= 76) from laboratory staff (
n
= 21) vaccinated with MenBvac. Blood samples were collected prevaccination, prior to each of the three doses of MenBvac given at 6-week intervals, and 6 weeks following the third dose. Initial results showed a number of discrepancies in results between the four participating laboratories. The greatest effect on titers appeared to be due to differences among laboratories in the maintenance of the meningococcal serogroup B test strain, 44/76-SL. A repeat study was conducted using the same frozen isolate (meningococcal serogroup B test strain 44/76-SL), freshly distributed to all four laboratories. Using SBA titers from the tilt method for all samples, and using MC HPA as the comparator, the results were as follows for NZ ESR, NIPH, and Chiron, respectively, using log
10
titers: correlation coefficients (
r
) were 0.966, 0.967, and 0.936; intercepts were 0.08, 0.15, and 0.17; and slopes were 0.930, 0.851, and 0.891. In both prevaccination and postvaccination samples from 15 subjects assayed by all four laboratories, similar increases in SBA (fourfold or greater) were observed (for 11, 11, 9, and 9 subjects for MC HPA, NZ ESR, NIPH, and Chiron, respectively), and similar percentages of subjects with SBA titers of ≥4 prevaccination and 6 weeks following each dose were found. The SBA assay has been harmonized between the four different laboratories with good agreement on seroconversion rates,
n
-fold changes in titers, and percentages of subjects with SBA titers of ≥4.
Cytokine Expression in PediatricHelicobacter pyloriInfection
Authors: Lopes Ana I. , Quiding-Jarbrink Marianne , Palha Ana , Ruivo José , Monteiro Lurdes , Oleastro Mónica , Santos Andrea , Fernandes Afonso 
Published: August 2005

ABSTRACTHelicobacter pyloriinfection is one of the most common gastrointestinal infections worldwide and almost invariably causes chronic gastritis in the infected host. A predominant Th1 profile has been demonstrated inH. pylori-infected mucosa from adults, but no previous study has evaluated in situ cytokine expression in children. We therefore examined expression of proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and regulatory cytokines by immunohistochemistry in cryopreserved antral biopsy specimens from 10H. pylori-infected and 10 uninfected children and correlated expression of cytokines with histology scores. Concomitant expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-4, transforming growth factor β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha was seen in 8/10H. pylori-infected cases and in 5/10 noninfected cases; allH. pylori-infected subjects showed staining for at least two of the cytokines. The proportion of epithelial cytokine-specific staining did not differ significantly between the groups, either in surface or glandular epithelium. Furthermore, no significant differences were noticed between intraepithelial or lamina propria lymphocyte staining in the groups. There was, however, a tendency of higher numbers of IFN-γ- and IL-8-positive cells in theH. pylori-infected group. IFN-γ and IL-8 lamina propria lymphocyte expression correlated significantly with antrum chronic inflammation, but there was no correlation between histology scores and epithelial cytokine expression. When the same techniques were used, the cytokine response appeared to be smaller inH. pylori-infected children than in adults, and there was no clear Th1 dominance. These results therefore suggest a different mucosal immunopathology in children. It remains to be determined whether the gastric immune response is downregulated in children withH. pyloriinfection and whether this is relevant to the outcome of infection.
Gastric epithelioid haemangioendothelioma: a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Sanjay P , Raman S , Shannon J , Williams G T , Woodward A 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Vascular tumours of the stomach are rare, representing 0.9%–3.3% of all gastric neoplasms. A 58 year old man was admitted as an emergency with a one day history of haematemesis and melaena. He underwent an emergency laparotomy for a tumour in the lesser curve of the stomach. The tumour showed the characteristic histological and immunohistochemical features of epithelioid haemangioendothelioma. Surgery in the form of wide excision seems to be the treatment of choice for this rare neoplasm. This case highlights the difficulty in diagnosing this rare tumour preoperatively and emphasises the need for long term follow up in view of its uncertain metastatic potential.
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: learning curve and training implications
Authors: Shah P R , Joseph A , Haray P N 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Aims
This paper is a review of experience of laparoscopic colorectal surgery at a district general hospital with particular emphasis on the learning curve and training implications.

Methods
All patients undergoing colorectal surgery where laparoscopy was attempted between March 1998 and October 2003 were included in this study.

Results
There were 80 patients of which 49 had malignancy. Twenty eight stomas and 52 bowel resections were performed laparoscopically. The conversion rate for bowel resection was 32% (decreasing from 38% to 44% to 22%). This was significant (p = 0.001) when compared with stoma formation (7%). The firm has support from a specialist registrar and staff grade surgeon. In 22% of cases, one of the middle grades was the principal operating surgeon, mainly laparoscopic mobilisation and stoma formation. Only 6% of resections were performed by the middle grades. Conversely, a middle grade was the main operating surgeon in 66% of open resections and 61% of stoma formations during the same period. There were in all two deaths and 14 postoperative complications. All patients who had laparoscopic resections for malignancy had clear resection margins.

Conclusion
This audit highlights that there is a long learning curve in laparoscopic colorectal surgery with decrease in conversion rates with increasing experience. There is also a reduction in training opportunities in open surgery during the learning phase of the consultant, although this may be counterbalanced by the exposure to laparoscopic techniques. Laparoscopic colonic mobilisation, as a part of stoma formation, is a good starting point for specialist registrar training.
Meeting the non-clinical education and training needs of new consultants
Authors: Higgins R , Gallen D , Whiteman S 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
This review highlights the non-clinical training needs of new consultants, identifying strategies for meeting these needs. Non-clinical activities are integral to the consultant’s role and senior clinicians need training in these areas. Concerns over the quantity and quality of current provision are compounded by changes the European Working Time Directive and Modernising Medical Careers initiative will bring. Accelerated progression to senior level and reduction in time for training suggest a pressing need to respond to the needs of new consultants. Ad hoc initiatives in a range of healthcare contexts offer examples of how training needs may be met, including mentoring and continuing professional development schemes. A multi-professional strategy, incorporating elements of higher professional education in general practice and other NHS initiatives (particularly management/leadership training), may offer an appropriate framework within which to capitalise on existing opportunities. There are, however, resource implications that need to be addressed.
Do weekend plan standard forms improve communication and influence quality of patient care?
Authors: Grainge C , Traer E , Fulton J 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Weekends are critical times in an inpatient stay, when daily review of patients is not routine and the usual team of doctors responsible for a patient’s care is often not available. Communication between the patient’s own doctors and the on call team is vital for continuity of care and to maintain patient safety. The provision and completeness of weekend plans was assessed before and after the introduction of a standard form. The introduction of the form led to a significant improvement in the proportion of notes containing a weekend plan and the proportion of notes containing a resuscitation decision (p&lt;0.05), which will have a significant impact on patient care.
Tidal Resonance in Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia
Authors: Sutherland Graig , Garrett Chris , Foreman Mike 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
The resonant period and quality factor Q are determined for the semienclosed sea comprising Juan de Fuca Strait, Puget Sound, and the Strait of Georgia. The observed tidal elevation gain and phase change, from the Pacific Ocean to this inland sea, are fitted to the predictions of simple analytic models, which give a resonant period of 17–21 h and a Q of about 2. The low Q value, indicative of a highly dissipative system, is consistent with the need for numerical models for the area to employ large bottom friction coefficients. These include the effects of form drag.
Reevaluating the Roles of Eddies in Multiple Barotropic Wind-Driven Gyres
Authors: Fox-Kemper Baylor 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Multiple-gyre ocean models have a weaker mean subtropical circulation than single-gyre calculations with the same viscosity and subtropical forcing. Traditionally, this reduction in circulation is attributed to an intergyre eddy vorticity flux that cancels some of the wind input, part of which does not require a Lagrangian mass exchange (theory of dissipative meandering). Herein the intergyre eddy vorticity flux is shown to be a controlling factor in barotropic models at high Reynolds number only with exactly antisymmetric gyres and slip boundary conditions. Almost no intergyre flux occurs when no-slip boundary conditions are used, yet the subtropical gyre is still significantly weaker in multiple-gyre calculations. Sinuous modes of instability present only in multiple gyres are shown here to vastly increase the eddy vorticity transport efficiency. This increase in efficiency reduces the mean circulation necessary for equilibrium. With slip boundary conditions, the intergyre eddy transport is possibly much larger. However, with wind forcing relevant for the ocean—two unequal gyres—a mean flow flux of vorticity rather than an eddy flux between the regions of opposing wind forcing is increasingly important with increasing Reynolds number. A physical rationalization of the differing results is provided by diagnosis of the equilibrium vorticity budget and eddy transport efficiency. Calculations varying 1) boundary conditions, 2) sources and sinks of vorticity, 3) eddy transport efficiency, and 4) the degree of symmetry of the gyres are discussed.
New insights into the tonoplast architecture of plant vacuoles and vacuolar dynamics during osmotic stress
Authors: Reisen Daniel , Marty Francis , Leborgne-Castel Nathalie 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
The vegetative plant vacuole occupies >90% of the volume in mature plant cells. Vacuoles play fundamental roles in adjusting cellular homeostasis and allowing cell growth. The composition of the vacuole and the regulation of its volume depend on the coordinated activities of the transporters and channels localized in the membrane (named tonoplast) surrounding the vacuole. While the tonoplast protein complexes are well studied, the tonoplast itself is less well described. To extend our knowledge of how the vacuole folds inside the plant cell, we present three-dimensional reconstructions of vacuoles from tobacco suspension cells expressing the tonoplast aquaporin fusion gene BobTIP26-1::gfp.

Results
3-D reconstruction of the cell vacuole made possible an accurate analysis of large spanning folds of the vacuolar membrane under both normal and stressed conditions, and suggested interactions between surrounding plastids. Dynamic, high resolution 3-D pictures of the vacuole in tobacco suspension cells monitored under different growth conditions provide additional details about vacuolar architecture. The GFP-decorated vacuole is a single continuous compartment transected by tubular-like transvacuolar strands and large membrane surfaces. Cell culture under osmotic stress led to a complex vacuolar network with an increased tonoplast surface area. In-depth 3-D realistic inspections showed that the unity of the vacuole is maintained during acclimation to osmotic stress. Vacuolar unity exhibited during stress adaptation, coupled with the intimate associations of vacuoles with other organelles, suggests a physiological role for the vacuole in metabolism, and communication between the vacuole and organelles, respectively, in plant cells. Desiccation stress ensuing from PEG treatment generates "double" membrane structures closely linked to the tonoplast within the vacuole. These membrane structures may serve as membrane reservoirs for membrane reversion when cells are reintroduced to normal growth conditions.

Conclusion
3-D processing of a GFP-labeled tonoplast provides compelling visual constructions of the plant cell vacuole and elaborates on the nature of tonoplast folding and architecture. Furthermore, these methods allow real-time determination of membrane rearrangements during stresses.
Trauma-associated growth of suspected dormant micrometastasis
Authors: El Saghir Nagi S , Elhajj Ihab I , Geara Fady B , Hourani Mukbil H 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Cancer patients may harbor micrometastases that remain dormant, clinically undetectable during a variable period of time. A traumatic event or surgery may trigger the balance towards tumor growth as a result of associated angiogenesis, cytokine and growth factors release.

Case presentation
We describe a patient with non-small lung cancer who had a rapid tumor growth and recurrence at a minor trauma site of his skull bone.

Conclusion
This case is an illustration of the phenomenon of tumor growth after trauma or surgery and its associated cellular mechanisms. This phenomenon deserves further investigation and study.
Effects of alpha fetoprotein on escape of Bel 7402 cells from attack of lymphocytes
Authors: Li Mengsen , Liu Xinhua , Zhou Sheng , Li Pingfeng , Li Gang 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Involvement of AFP against apoptosis of tumor cell has been implicated in its evasion of immune surveillance. However, the molecular events of immune escape mechanisms are still unknown. The major observations reported here relate to a possible mechanism by which heptoloma Bel 7402 cells escape immune surveillance in vitro.

Methods
Western blotting and a well-characterized cofocal scanning image were performed to analyze the expression of Fas/FasL and caspase-3 in co-cultured Bel 7402 and Jurkat cells.

Results
After co-culture with Jurkat cells, up-regulated Fas and reduced FasL expression could be observed. Treatment with AFP could remarkably inhibit the elevated Fas and, whereas, induce the FasL expression in co-cultured Bel 7402 cells. Cells co-culture could induce the expression of caspase-3 in both cells line. The elevated caspase-3 in Bel 7402 cells was abolished following the treatment of AFP. The expression of caspase-3 was elevated in co-cultured Jurkat cells treated with AFP. No detectable change on the expression of survivin was examined in both cells line. Monoclonal antibody against AFP treatment alone did not obviously influence the growth of cells, as well as the expression of Fas/FasL and caspase-3. However, the effect of AFP could be blocked by antibody.

Conclusions
our results provide evidence that AFP could promote the escape of liver cancer cells from immune surveillance through blocking the caspase signal pathway of tumor cells and triggering the Fas/FasL interaction between tumor cells and lymphocytes.
Iron absorption and oxidant stress during erythropoietin therapy in very low birth weight premature infants: a cohort study
Authors: Friel James K , Aziz Khalid , Andrews Wayne L , Serfass Robert E 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

Background
Iron supplementation may be associated with oxidative stress particularly in premature infants. Our purpose was to examine 1) early supplemental iron during treatment with erythropoietin (EPO) and oxidative stress; 2) enhanced iron absorption during EPO in those infants receiving human milk. Therefore, we determined the effect of erythropoietin plus supplemental iron intakes (4 mg/kg/d) on antioxidant status and iron incorporation.

Methods
Ten very-low-birth-weight infants who were enterally fed and receiving either human milk or formula were followed for 4 weeks during erythropoietin therapy; blood and urine were collected at 3 times; baseline, 2 and 4 weeks later. Once oral feeds commenced the study protocol was initiated. After baseline blood collection, a dose of Fe57 was administered. Two weeks later, a dose of Fe58 was administered as ferrous chloride to determine the effect of human-milk or formula on iron incorporation into RBCs.

Results
Infants started the study at 35 ± 13 days. Incorporation of isotope into RBCs did not differ between formula fed for Fe57 (mean incorporation 8 ± 2.9 n = 3) compared to human-milk fed infants (8.7 ± 5 n = 7) nor for Fe58 (6 ± 2.7 n = 3 vs. 8.6 ± 5 n = 7). Tissue damage measured by malondialdehyde in plasma and F-2 – isoprostanes in urine, did not differ by feed or over time. Neither ability to resist oxidative stress/nor RBC superoxide dismutase differed according to feed or over time.

Conclusion
Data suggest that during erythropoietin therapy antioxidant defence in VLBW infants are capable of dealing with early supplemental iron during treatment with EPO.