bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological Hyperprolactinemia Attenuates Hydrocortisone-Induced Expression of CD11b on Human CD8+ Cells in vivo
Authors: Imrich Richard , Tibenska Elena , Koska Juraj , Rovensky Jozef , Vigas Milan 
Published: April 2004

<i>Objective:</i> To study the short-term influences of pharmacologic hyperprolactinemia on hydrocortisone (HC)-induced effects on selected immune parameters. <i>Methods:</i> A single dose of HC (40 mg per os) was administered to eleven healthy female volunteers 1 h after domperidone (10 mg per os) or placebo administration. Immune cell subsets and expression of adhesion molecules was assessed by flow cytometry at baseline and 4 and 6 h after HC administration. Intracellular staining of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in CD4+ lymphocytes after phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin stimulation was performed at the same time points. <i>Results:</i> HC administration was followed by a significant increase in cortisol levels, numbers of leukocytes and granulocytes and the percentage of CD16+, CD19+, CD11a+, CD11a+CD8+, CD11b+ and CD11b+CD8+ cells. The number of lymphocytes and monocytes and the percentage of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+ ratio, CD62L+, CD54+ and CD54+CD16+ cells decreased, while the percentage of CD8+ cells was unaffected. Domperidone administration resulted in a significant increase in prolactin (PRL) concentrations. During hyperprolactinemia, the HC-induced increase in CD11b+CD8+ cells was significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated at 4 h. HC-induced changes in other immune parameters remained unaffected. No significant changes in the intracellular production of IL-4 and IFN-γ in CD4+ lymphocytes were observed after a single dose of HC alone or during hyperprolactinemia. <i>Conclusions:</i> This study shows an attenuated HC-induced increase in CD11b+CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood of healthy females during hyperprolactinemia. Our in vivo observations suggest that short-term interactions occur between PRL and glucocorticoids, affecting selected immune functions. Further studies are needed for confirmation of these results.
The Clinical Usefulness of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Level and Age-Specific PSA Reference Ranges for Detecting Prostate Cancer in Chinese
Authors: Wu Tony T. , Huang Jong-Khing 
Published: April 2004

<i>Introduction:</i> To determine the role of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and age-specific PSA reference ranges for detecting prostate cancer in Chinese. <i>Material and Methods:</i> We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all 50- to 79-year-old men who had their first-time prostatic biopsy done at our institute between January 1998 and December 2000. We evaluated the effect on biopsy rate and cancer detection if the PSA cutoff was shifted from 4.0 ng/ml to the age-specific reference ranges. Also, we tried to develop age-adjusted PSA cutoffs for Chinese. <i>Results:</i> Among 1,236 men enrolled, 252 (20.4%) were diagnosed as prostate cancers. The positive predictive value was 22.2% for PSA >4.0 ng/ml. Using the traditional age-specific PSA reference ranges 134 (10.8%) biopsies could be avoided but five (1.98%) cancers would be missed. We proposed age-specific PSA reference ranges for Chinese as: 0–4.0 ng/ml for men in their 50s and 0–6.0 ng/ml for men between 60 and 79 years. Had we used these alternative cutoffs, 150 (12.1%) biopsies could be saved, of them 3 were cancers. <i>Conclusions:</i> The age-specific PSA reference ranges may help to avoid 12% of biopsies but 1.2% of prostate cancers would have gone undetected. Among population with low incidence of prostate cancer as Chinese, minimizing unnecessary biopsies might be more important issue than maximizing cancer detection rate.
Cardiac toxicity of alemtuzumab in patients with mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome
Authors: Lenihan Daniel J. , Alencar Alvaro J. , Yang Deborah , Kurzrock Razelle , Keating Michael J. , Duvic Madeleine 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAlemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody to CD52 that has activity in T-cell leukemia and lymphoma. This study aims to describe the complications and outcomes of a subset of patients with mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome who were treated with alemtuzumab. Four of 8 patients, with no prior history of cardiac problems, developed significant cardiac toxicity (congestive heart failure or arrhythmia) that mostly improved after alemtuzumab discontinuation. The role of this agent in potentially inducing important cardiac side effects is suggested and argues for further investigation.
Cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy: the international hematopoietic cell transplantation experience from 1982 to 1999
Authors: Peters Charles , Charnas Lawrence R. , Tan Ye , Ziegler Richard S. , Shapiro Elsa G. , DeFor Todd , Grewal Satkiran S. , Orchard Paul J. , Abel Susan L. , Goldman Anne I. , Ramsay Norma K. C. , Dusenbery Kathryn E. , Loes Daniel J. , Lockman Lawrence A. , Kato Shunichi , Aubourg Patrick R. , Moser Hugo W. , Krivit William 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a disorder of very-long-chain fatty acid metabolism, adrenal insufficiency, and cerebral demyelination. Death occurs within 2 to 5 years of clinical onset without hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). One hundred twenty-six boys with X-ALD received HCT from 1982 to 1999. Survival, engraftment, and acute graft-versus-host disease were studied. Degree of disability associated with neurologic and neuropsychological function and cerebral demyelination were evaluated before and after HCT. Complete data were available and analyzed for 94 boys with cerebral X-ALD. The estimated 5- and 8-year survival was 56%. The leading cause of death was disease progression. Donor-derived engraftment occurred in 86% of patients. Demyelination involved parietal-occipital lobes in 90%, leading to visual and auditory processing deficits in many boys. Overall 5-year survival of 92% in patients with 0 or 1 neurologic deficits and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) severity score less than 9 before HCT was superior to survival for all others (45%; P &lt; .01). Baseline neurologic and neuropsychological function, degree of disability, and neuroradiologic status predicted outcomes following HCT. In this first comprehensive report of the international HCT experience for X-ALD, we conclude that boys with early-stage disease benefit from HCT, whereas boys with advanced disease may be candidates for experimental therapies.
Human alloantibody anti-Mart interferes with Mac-1–dependent leukocyte adhesion
Authors: Sachs Ulrich J. H. , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Fung Lin , Lohrenz Alexander , Bux Jürgen , Reil Angelika , Ruf Andreas , Santoso Sentot 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe CD11b/CD18 integrin plays a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion processes. Recently, we described a case of severe neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN) caused by an alloantibody against a variant of the CD11b subunit (Mart alloantigen). Allele-specific transfected cells allowed us to demonstrate that an H61R point mutation is directly responsible for the formation of Mart epitopes. No difference in the adhesion capability between H61 and R61 homozygous neutrophils was observed. Functional analysis showed that anti-Mart inhibited Mac-1–dependent adhesion of neutrophils and monocytic U937 cells to fibrinogen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), receptor for advanced glycation end product (RAGE), and glycoprotein Ibα but not to junctional adhesion molecule-C or urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Accordingly, anti-Mart blocked neutrophil and U937 cell adhesion to endothelial cells and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation in whole blood under high shear. Other sera of anti-Mart from mothers of infants without NAIN did not show inhibitory properties. We conclude that anti-Mart antibodies with different functional properties exist. This is supported by our findings that anti-Mart antibodies have different abilities to inhibit cell-cell adhesion, to enhance the respiratory burst of neutrophils, and to recognize different epitopes at the N-terminal region of CD11b. In conclusion, some anti-Mart alloantibodies interfere with Mac-1–dependent cellular functions of neutrophils, cause NAIN, and may be used as tools for studying Mac-1–dependent functions.
C/EBPα deficiency results in hyperproliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and disrupts macrophage development in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Heath Victoria , Suh Hyung Chan , Holman Matthew , Renn Katie , Gooya John M. , Parkin Sarah , Klarmann Kimberly D. , Ortiz Mariaestela , Johnson Peter , Keller Jonathan 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) inhibits proliferation in multiple cell types; therefore, we evaluated whether C/EBPα-deficient hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) have an increased proliferative potential in vitro and in vivo. In this study we demonstrate that C/EBPα-/- fetal liver (FL) progenitors are hyperproliferative, show decreased differentiation potential, and show increased self-renewal capacity in response to hematopoietic growth factors (HGFs). There are fewer committed bipotential progenitors in C/EBPα-/- FL, whereas multipotential progenitors are unaffected. HGF-dependent progenitor cell lines can be derived by directly culturing C/EBPα-/- FL cells in vitro Hyperproliferative spleen colonies and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) are observed in mice reconstituted with C/EBPα-/- FL cells, indicating progenitor hyperproliferation in vitro and in vivo. C/EBPα-/- FL lacked macrophage progenitors in vitro and had impaired ability to generate macrophages in vivo. These findings show that C/EBPα deficiency results in hyperproliferation of HPCs and a block in the ability of multipotential progenitors to differentiate into bipotential granulocyte/macrophage progenitors and their progeny. (Blood. 2004; 104:1639-1647)
Tumor necrosis factor-α blockade for the treatment of acute GVHD
Authors: Couriel Daniel , Saliba Rima , Hicks Krystal , Ippoliti Cindy , de Lima Marcos , Hosing Chitra , Khouri Issa , Andersson Borje , Gajewski James , Donato Michele , Anderlini Paolo , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P. , Cohen Agueda , Martin Thomas , Giralt Sergio , Champlin Richard 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDespite posttransplantation immunosuppressive therapy, acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major cause of sickness and death. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is implicated in the pathophysiology of GVHD at several steps in the process. Infliximab is a genetically constructed immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) murine–human chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds the soluble subunit and the membrane-bound precursor of TNF-α, blocking its interaction with receptors and causing lysis of cells that produce TNF-α. In this study we retrospectively evaluated 134 patients who had steroid-refractory acute GVHD. Of these, 21 who received infliximab as a single agent were analyzed. The overall response rate was 67% (n = 14), and 13 patients (62%) experienced complete response (CR). Five patients (24%) did not respond, and 2 (10%) had progressive GVHD. None had a toxic reaction to infliximab. Ten patients (48%) had 18 fungal infections, including Aspergillus species in 7 and Candida species in 10. Seventeen patients (81%) had bacterial infections, including 32 gram-positive and 8 gram-negative infections. Viral infections, primarily cytomegalovirus reactivation, occurred in 14 patients (67%). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall survival was 38%. In conclusion, infliximab was well tolerated and active for the treatment of steroid-resistant acute GVHD, particularly with gastrointestinal tract involvement. Survival after steroid-resistant acute GVHD continues to be problematic. The possibility of excessive fungal and other infections must be explored further.
Cross-linking of FcγR triggers shedding of the hemoglobin-haptoglobin scavenger receptor CD163
Authors: Sulahian Timothy H , Pioli Patricia A , Wardwell Kathleen , Guyre Paul M 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCD163, the hemoglobin (Hb)-haptoglobin scavenger receptor, is a monocyte/macrophage-restricted member of the scavenger receptor, cysteine-rich family of proteins. In addition to being expressed on the cell surface, a soluble form of CD163 has also been reported. Like tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), surface CD163 is proteolytically cleaved from the plasma membrane in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. As cross-linking of the Fcγ receptor (FcγR) is similarly known to induce TNF-α shedding, the effect of FcγR stimulation on CD163 shedding was investigated. We found that FcγR stimulation resulted in a rapid release of surface CD163 into the supernatant that was blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C and tyrosine kinases. Although LPS and FcγR stimulation in short-term cultures suppressed CD163 mRNA expression, long-term cultures of monocytes treated with LPS—but not with a FcγR cross-linking reagent—resulted in an interleukin-10-dependent recovery of surface CD163 expression. These studies suggest that the presence of immune complexes in infection or autoimmunity may radically alter the nature of CD163-dependent monocyte/macrophage processes. This may be particularly important in disease states in which immune complexes and high levels of free Hb are present, such as in autoimmune hemolytic anemia, transfusion reactions, or infections by hemolytic bacteria.
Short-term Flt3L treatment effectively mobilizes functional macaque dendritic cells
Authors: Teleshova Natalia , Jones Jennifer , Kenney Jessica , Purcell Jeanette , Bohm Rudolf , Gettie Agegnehu , Pope Melissa 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn vivo administration of soluble Flt3L increases dendritic cell (DC) numbers to favor improved DC targeting of vaccine antigens, augmenting vaccine efficiency. In addition to confirming the effectiveness of human Flt3L in macaques, we strove to determine the optimal regimen to elevate numbers of functional DCs. Circulating DCs were identified within lineage−human leukocyte antigen-DR+ cells, which comprised CD11c−CD123+ plasmacytoid DCs (PDCs) and CD123− cells including CD11c+CD123− myeloid DCs as well as CD11c−CD123− cells. Traditionally, DCs have been monitored 1–2 days after 10- to 14-day treatments with Flt3L (100 μg/kg/day). We demonstrate that although standard treatment increased macaque DC percentages, as little as 5–7 days of treatment was sufficient, if not more effective at mobilizing DCs. Moreover, DC frequency continued to escalate over the ensuing days, peaking at ∼4 days post 7 days of treatment and ultimately decreasing thereafter. As expected, there was a more pronounced increase in the percentages and actual numbers of CD123− cells (CD11c+ and CD11c− subsets) compared with PDCs. Flt3L-mobilized DCs exhibited slightly increased CD80/CD86 expression but typically still that of immature DCs and were resilient to freeze-thawing. Overnight culture activated the cells, up-regulating CD80/CD86 expression as well as interleukin-12 release, typically being boosted by CD40L. This was even more apparent for enriched DC cultures. These data verify that peak mobilization of large numbers of functional macaque DCs occurs a few days, not immediately, after short-term Flt3L dosing. This has important implications for improved DC-targeting vaccine strategies to prevent infection with human immunodeficiency virus and other pathogens.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-Binding Protein-1 Is Highly Induced during Acute Carbon Tetrachloride Liver Injury and Potentiates the IGF-I-Stimulated Activation of Rat Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Scharf Jens-Gerd , Dombrowski Frank , Novosyadlyy Ruslan , Eisenbach Christoph , Demori Ilaria , Kübler Bernd , Braulke Thomas 
Published: April 2004

AbstractHepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a pivotal role in hepatic tissue repair and fibrogenesis. IGF-I has been considered a mitogenic signal for activation and proliferation of HSC in vitro. In the present study IGF-I and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) gene expression was studied in a model of acute liver injury induced by a single intragastric dose of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in adult rats. Northern blot analysis revealed a marked increase in IGFBP-1 mRNA levels, with a maximum between 3 and 9 h after CCl4 application, whereas steady state mRNA levels of IGF-I were only moderately altered. In situ hybridization experiments demonstrated that this increase in IGFBP-1 mRNA was due to a strong expression of IGFBP-1 in the perivenous region 6–12 h after CCl4 application, extending to the midzonal region of the acinus within 24–48 h. Consequently, a prominent immunostaining for IGFBP-1 was observed in perivenous areas, with a maximum 24–48 h after intoxication. Preincubation of early cultured HSC with a nonphosphorylated IGFBP-1 from human amniotic fluid resulted in a 3.4-fold increase in IGF-I-induced DNA synthesis. The mitogenic effect of IGF-I was also potentiated when HSC were cocultivated with IGFBP-1-overexpressing BHK-21 cells compared with nontransfected cells. These data suggest that IGFBP-1 released during the early steps of liver tissue damage and repair may interact with HSC and potentiate the sensitivity of IGF-I to mitogenic signals.
Valuing the benefits of a health intervention using three different approaches to contingent valuation: re-treatment of mosquito bed-nets in Nigeria
Authors: Onwujekwe Obinna , Fox-Rushby Julia , Hanson Kara 
Published: April 2004

Objectives: To determine the level of willingness to pay (WTP) for re-treatment of mosquito nets and to compare the theoretical validity of WTP estimates from three contingent valuation question formats: the bidding game, binary with follow-up technique, and a novel structured haggling technique that mimicked price-taking behaviour in the study area. Methods: WTP was elicited from randomly selected respondents from three villages in Southeast Nigeria, using pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Respondents' WTP for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) was first elicited before their WTP for re-treatment of ITNs. Ordinary least-squares regression was used to assess theoretical validity. Results: More than 95% of the respondents were willing to pay for re-treatment. The mean WTP was 37.1 Naira, 43.4 Naira and 49.2 Naira in the bidding game, binary with follow-up and structured haggling groups, respectively (US$1.00 = 120 Naira). The WTP estimates elicited across the three question formats were statistically different ( P < 0.01). Ordinary least-squares estimation showed that WTP was positively related to many variables, especially stated WTP for ITNs ( P < 0.05). Structured haggling generated the highest number of statistically significant variables to explain WTP. Conclusions: The three contingent valuation approaches generated different distributions of WTP for net retreatment, possibly due to their inherent differences. Structured haggling generated the most theoretically valid estimates of WTP. The levels of WTP identified suggest that user fees exceeding 50 Naira per net re-treatment may discourage demand for the service. This is an important challenge for ITN programmes.
Rhabdomyolysis in Association with Simvastatin and Amiodarone
Authors: Roten Laurent , Schoenenberger Ronald A , Krähenbühl Stephan , Schlienger Raymond G 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of severe myopathy associated with concomitant simvastatin and amiodarone therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old white man with underlying insulin-dependent diabetes, recent coronary artery bypass surgery, and postoperative hemiplegia was treated with aspirin, metoprolol, furosemide, nitroglycerin, and simvastatin. Due to recurrent atrial fibrillation, oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon and antiarrhythmic treatment with amiodarone were initiated. Four weeks after starting simvastatin 40 mg/day and 2 weeks after initiating amiodarone 1 g/day for 10 days, then 200 mg/day, he developed diffuse muscle pain with generalized muscular weakness. Laboratory investigations revealed a significant increase of creatine kinase (CK) peaking at 40 392 U/L. Due to a suspected drug interaction of simvastatin with amiodarone, both drugs were stopped. CK normalized over the following 8 days, and the patient made an uneventful recovery. An objective causality assessment revealed that the myopathy was probably related to simvastatin. DISCUSSION: Myopathy is a rare but potentially severe adverse reaction associated with statins. Besides high statin doses, concomitant use of fibrates, defined comorbidities, and concurrent use of inhibitors of cytochrome P450 are important additional risk factors. This is especially relevant if statins predominantly metabolized by CYP3A4 are combined with inhibitors of this isoenzyme. Amiodarone is a potent inhibitor of several different CYP isoenzymes, including CYP3A4. CONCLUSIONS: Avoiding the concomitant use of drugs with the potential to inhibit CYP-dependent metabolism (eg, amiodarone) or elimination of statins may decrease the risk of statin-associated myopathy. Alternatively, if drug therapy with a potent CYP inhibitor is inevitable, choosing a statin without relevant CYP metabolism (eg, pravastatin) should be considered.
Disputed memories of twins: how ordinary are they?
Authors: Küntay Ayli̇n C. , Gülgöz Sami̇ , Tekcan Ali̇ İ. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTwo studies reported that twins may dispute ownership of autobiographical experiences. One observation made in both studies was that the events that were disputed by the twins were rather ordinary events. In the present study, we tested the idea that the disputed memories are such ordinary and mundane events. A brief narrative description of disputed and nondisputed events that were provided by participants in the Ikier, Tekcan, Gülgöz, and Küntay (2003) study was given to an independent sample of participants who were asked to rate (a) the ordinariness of the event, given the age and sex of the protagonist of the event and (b) the likelihood that the event would have happened to them. Results showed that disputed memories were rated as more mundane than nondisputed personal memories. Moreover, a substantial portion of the disputed memories from the Ikier et al. study were for events that our subjects reported to have also experienced. These findings are discussed in the context of cognitive processes contributing to formation of false memories. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of verbalization on lineup face recognition in an interpolated inspection paradigm
Authors: Lyle Keith B. , Johnson Marcia K. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe examined the effects of describing a target face on face memory in a procedure in which subjects either did or did not inspect a single distractor face to determine if it matched the target face before attempting lineup identification of both the target and the distractor. Verbalization did not affect accuracy of identification of the target face; however, it increased accuracy during inspection of the distractor face and improved subsequent lineup identification of the distractor face. The absence of description‐related impairment of memory for the target face (i.e. the failure to find verbal overshadowing), and the fact that verbalization has the potential positive effect of reducing false alarms to the distractor, points to the complex relation between verbalization and memory for faces. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.