bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the costs and benefits of protective egg coating in a Chrysomelid beetle
Authors: ANG TZO ZEN , O’LUANAIGH CIAN , RANDS SEAN A. , BALMFORD ANDREW , MANICA ANDREA
Published: April 2008

Abstract 1. The costs and benefits of behavioural care of offspring can often be easily quantified through observations and experiments. Other forms of parental investment, on the other hand, are usually less amenable to cost–benefit analysis.

2. Here, the costs and benefits are estimated for protective egg coating by a chrysomelid beetle, Cryptocephalus hypochaeridis, where the female spends a considerable amount of time adding extra structural components to each of the eggs after laying them.

3. Adding this protective coating was very costly, both in terms of material and energy used: the mass of the extrachorion is equivalent to half the mass of the egg, and water loss and energy expenditure while coating the egg is equivalent to half what would be lost while laying a further egg.

4. Choice tests with egg predators demonstrated that these high costs are offset by benefits in terms of protection against predation: whereas uncoated eggs are readily eaten by predators, coated eggs are always rejected.
Mobility of organic pollutants in soil components. What role can magic angle spinning NMR play?
Authors: Chamignon C. , Haroune N. , Forano C. , Delort A.‐M. , Besse‐Hoggan P. , Combourieu B.
Published: April 2008

The adsorption‐desorption mechanisms at the interface between organic and inorganic soil colloids influence the movement of pesticides and hence their bioavailability and biotransformation processes. Direct analyses of soils have been reported in the literature with the use of solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on dry samples. We recently demonstrated the potential of the 1H high resolution magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR technique to study such mechanisms in situ on highly hydrated samples. By using a well‐characterized soil model, it was possible to distinguish the mobile and immobile pesticide unambiguously. In the present communication, a short review of MAS NMR techniques that allow covalent and non‐covalent bond analysis is provided. The results obtained in our group on the adsorption of some pollutants such as phosphonomethylglycine (glyphosate), MCPA and 2‐benzothiazole sulphonate are also presented. Specifically, we focus on the potential of MAS NMR spectroscopy for probing the behaviour (mobility) of these organic pollutants loaded onto the surface of different clays. The influence of clay hydration on NMR spectra has also been evaluated.
Modelling the occurrence of threatened plant species in taiga landscapes: methodological and ecological perspectives
Authors: Parviainen Miia , Luoto Miska , Ryttäri Terhi , Heikkinen Risto K.
Published: April 2008

Aim Understanding the spatial patterns of species distribution and predicting the occurrence of high biological diversity and rare species are central themes in biogeography and environmental conservation. The aim of this study was to model and scrutinize the relative contributions of climate, topography, geology and land‐cover factors to the distributions of threatened vascular plant species in taiga landscapes in northern Finland.

Location North‐east Finland, northern Europe.

Methods The study was performed using a data set of 28 plant species and environmental variables at a 25‐ha resolution. Four different stepwise selection algorithms [Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), adaptive backfitting, cross selection] with generalized additive models (GAMs) were fitted to identify the main environmental correlates for species occurrences. The accuracies of the distribution models were evaluated using fourfold cross‐validation based on the area under the curve (AUC) derived from receiver operating characteristic plots. The GAMs were tentatively extrapolated to the whole study area and species occurrence probability maps were produced using GIS techniques. The effect of spatial autocorrelation on the modelling results was also tested by including autocovariate terms in the GAMs.

Results According to the AUC values, the model performance varied from fair to excellent. The AIC algorithm provided the highest mean performance (mean AUC = 0.889), whereas the lowest mean AUC (0.851) was obtained from BIC. Most of the variation in the distribution of threatened plant species was related to growing degree days, temperature of the coldest month, water balance, cover of mire and mean elevation. In general, climate was the most powerful explanatory variable group, followed by land cover, topography and geology. Inclusion of the autocovariate only slightly improved the performance of the models and had a minor effect on the importance of the environmental variables.

Main conclusions The results confirm that the landscape‐scale distribution patterns of plant species can be modelled well on the basis of environmental parameters. A spatial grid system with several environmental variables derived from remote sensing and GIS data was found to produce useful data sets, which can be employed when predicting species distribution patterns over extensive areas. Landscape‐scale maps showing the predicted occurrences of individual or multiple threatened plant species may provide a useful basis for focusing field surveys and allocating conservation efforts.
Development and evaluation of an index of eating difficulty for older southern Chinese people
Authors: ZENG X. , SHEIHAM A. , TSAKOS G.
Published: April 2008

Summary  The objectives of this study were to develop and evaluate the validity and reliability of a new index to assess difficulty in eating certain foods among older southern Chinese people. The Index of Eating Difficulty (IED) was developed using a Guttman scaling analysis. After two pilot studies in which subjects were asked to grade 39 typical, frequently eaten Chinese foods, 10 of the 39 foods were selected and divided into five groups based on their texture and frequency of being eaten by older people. In the main study, 1229 Chinese generally healthy subjects aged 55 years and above, attending routine health checks in the Check‐up Centre of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning of Guangxi province, China were interviewed to psychometrically test the index. Content, face and criterion validity, coefficients of reproducibility and scalability and test‐retest reliability were tested. For criterion validity, the index was significantly associated with three other established eating difficulty measures, namely, general eating difficulty, dissatisfaction with chewing ability and oral impact on daily performances eating scores (P < 0·001 for all tests). The coefficients of reproducibility and scalability were 0·99 and 0·89, respectively. Weighted kappa for test‐retest reliability was 0·89. The present results indicate that the IED is a valid and reliable measure to be used among older southern Chinese people.
Wounding of Arabidopsis leaves causes a powerful but transient protection against Botrytis infection
Authors: Chassot Céline , Buchala Antony , Schoonbeek Henk‐jan , Métraux Jean‐Pierre , Lamotte Olivier
Published: April 2008

Physical injury inflicted on living tissue makes it vulnerable to invasion by pathogens. Wounding of Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, however, does not conform to this concept and leads to immunity to Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of grey mould. In wounded leaves, hyphal growth was strongly inhibited compared to unwounded controls. Wound‐induced resistance was not associated with salicylic acid‐, jasmonic acid‐ or ethylene‐dependent defence responses. The phytoalexin camalexin was found to be involved in this defence response as camalexin‐deficient mutants were not protected after wounding and the B. cinerea strains used here were sensitive to this compound. Wounding alone did not lead to camalexin production but primed its accumulation after inoculation with B. cinerea, further supporting the role of camalexin in wound‐induced resistance. In parallel with increased camalexin production, genes involved in the biosynthesis of camalexin were induced faster in wounded and infected plants in comparison with unwounded and infected plants. Glutathione was also found to be required for resistance, as mutants deficient in γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase showed susceptibility to B. cinerea after wounding, indicating that wild‐type basal levels of glutathione are required for the wound‐induced resistance. Furthermore, expression of the gene encoding glutathione‐S‐transferase 1 was primed by wounding in leaves inoculated with B. cinerea. In addition, the priming of MAP kinase activity was observed after inoculation of wounded leaves with B. cinerea compared to unwounded inoculated controls. Our results demonstrate how abiotic stress can induce immunity to virulent strains of B. cinerea, a process that involves camalexin and glutathione.
Silencing of NtMPK4 impairs CO2‐induced stomatal closure, activation of anion channels and cytosolic Ca2+signals in Nicotiana tabacum guard cells
Authors: Marten Holger , Hyun Taekyung , Gomi Kenji , Seo Shigemi , Hedrich Rainer , Roelfsema M. Rob G.
Published: April 2008

Light‐induced stomatal opening in C3 and C4 plants is mediated by two signalling pathways. One pathway is specific for blue light and involves phototropins, while the second pathway depends on photosyntheticaly active radiation (PAR). Here, the role of NtMPK4 in light‐induced stomatal opening was studied, as silencing of this MAP kinase stimulates stomatal opening. Stomata of NtMPK4‐silenced plants do not close in elevated atmospheric CO2, and show a reduced response to PAR. However, stomatal closure can still be induced by abscisic acid. Measurements using multi‐barrelled intracellular micro‐electrodes showed that CO2 activates plasma membrane anion channels in wild‐type Nicotiana tabacum guard cells, but not in NtMPK4‐silenced cells. Anion channels were also activated in wild‐type guard cells after switching off PAR. In approximately half of these cells, activation of anion channels was accompanied by an increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration. The activity of anion channels was higher in cells showing a parallel increase in cytosolic Ca2+ than in those with steady Ca2+ levels. Both the darkness‐induced anion channel activation and Ca2+ signals were repressed in NtMPK4‐silenced guard cells. These data show that CO2 and darkness can activate anion channels in a Ca2+‐independent manner, but the anion channel activity is enhanced by parallel increases in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. NtMPK4 plays an essential role in CO2‐ and darkness‐induced activation of guard‐cell anion channels, through Ca2+‐independent as well as Ca2+‐dependent signalling pathways.
Occupational rhinitis and bronchial asthma due to morphine: evidence from inhalational and nasal challenges
Authors: Uliński S. , Pańczyóski C. , Górski P.
Published: April 2008

A case of occupational bronchial asthma due to morphine in a nonatopic 46‐year‐old woman is presented. The following diagnostic tests were used: a workplace trial with bronchodilator and placebo, and single‐blind, placebo‐controlled nasal and bronchial challenge with 0.5% morphine HCl. For the nasal challenge, four asthmatic patients were selected as a control group. The nasal washings were done before and 30 min, 3 h, 24 h, and 48 h after all challenges. In the nasal lavage fluid, the total numbers of eosinophils, neutrophils, basophils, and mast cells were counted, and, after the nasal challenge, total protein and albumin levels were measured. During the workplace trial, the PEF variability ratio increased from 5% to 38%. After the challenges, a decrease in the spirometric parameters (VC and FEV1) of about 30–40% was observed, with minimums at 24 and 48 h. An influx of granulocytes with an increase in the relative number of eosinophils and basophils from 3 h until 48 h after the challenge was observed in the nasal lavage fluid. The protein level in the nasal lavage fluid increased from 190 to 1275 μg/ml 24 h after the challenge with an increase of relative albumin level from 24% to 40% at 24 h. In the control group, no changes in relative number of basophils and eosinophils and albumin/total protein ratio in the nasal lavage fluid or in the spirometric parameters were observed after the challenge.
Allergy to foods in patients monosensitized to Artemisia pollen
Authors: Ortiz J. C. García , Martin P. Cosmes , Lopez‐Asunsolo A.
Published: April 2008

It is known that patients with pollinosis may display clinical characteristics caused by allergy to certain fruits and vegetables, but subjects allergic to Artemisias seem to show particularly peculiar characteristics. The clinical features of 84 patients with rhinitis, asthma, urticaria, and/or anaphylaxis whose inhalant allergy was exclusively to Artemisia vulgaris were studied and compared with a control group of 50 patients monosensitized to grass pollen. The mean age for the beginning of symptoms was 30.2 years, and this was higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). We found the main incidence to be in women (70.2%). Some 42.3% had family history of atopia, lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), while the prevalence of asthma and urticaria was significantly higher (P < 0.05). Food hypersensitivity was reported by 23 patients (27.3%) allergic to Artemisia. The foods responsible (with respective numbers of cases) were honey (14), sunflower seeds (11), camomile (four), pistachio (three), hazelnut (two), lettuce (two), pollen (two), beer (two), almond (one), peanut (one), other nuts (one), carrot (one), and apple (one). None of the patients monosensitized to grass had food allergy. CAP inhibition experiments were carried out on a single patient. Results showed the existence of common antigenic epitopes in pistachio and Artemisia pollen for this patient. We concluded that mugwort hay fever can be associated with the Compositae family of foods, but that it is not normally associated with other foods.
Nasal cytology in rhinitis children: comparison between brushing and blowing the nose
Authors: Jean R. , Delacourt C. , Rufin P. , Pfister A. , Waernessyckle S. , de Blic J. , Scheinmann P.
Published: April 2008

Allergic rhinitis is a common disease in childhood, but nasal cytology is rarely used by pediatricians. We compared two techniques of cell sampling, brushing and blowing the nose, among 77 children suffering from chronic rhinitis, of whom 59 were allergic. Staining by the May‐Griinwald‐Giemsa method enabled the evaluation of the density of cells and especially differential counting of the inflammatory cells. Staining by the Luna method was used as a control for the eosinophils. For the eosinophil count, we found a strong correlation between the two methods of collecting the nasal secretions (r= 0.96). Because blowing the nose is painless and easy to perform, it is more appropriate than brushing in routine use for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis in children and in nasal challenge with allergens.
Effect of ethanol on airway caliber and nonspecific bronchial responsiveness in patients with alcohol‐induced asthma
Authors: Myou S. , Fujimura M. , Nishi K. , Watanabe K. , Matsuda M. , Ohka T. , Matsuda T.
Published: April 2008

No study has investigated the effects of ethanol on bronchial responsiveness in patients with alcohol‐induced asthma, although acetaldehyde, which is a metabolite of ethanol and is thought to be a main factor in alcohol‐induced asthma, causes both bronchoconstriction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the direct action of ethanol on the airway in patients with alcohol‐induced asthma. First, we investigated the bronchial response to inhalation of ascending doses (5, 10, and 20%) of ethanol in nine patients with alcohol‐induced asthma. Then, the bronchial responsiveness to methacholine was measured in 14 patients who were pretreated with saline or 20% ethanol in a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, crossover fashion. Ascending doses of inhaled ethanol caused no significant changes in FEV1. The methacholine concentrations producing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PC20‐MCh) after 20%) ethanol (0.769 mg/ml, GSEM 1.514) were significantly (P= 0.0357) higher than those after saline (0.493 mg/ml, GSEM 1.368). This indicates that ethanol has a reducing effect on nonspecific bronchial responsiveness in patients with alcohol‐induced asthma; this paper is the first report on the effects of ethanol on bronchial responsiveness.
Occupational IgE‐mediated rhinitis caused by ninhydrin
Authors: Hytönen M. , Martimo K. P. , Estlander T. , Tupasela O.
Published: April 2008

Ninhydrin is a laboratory chemical used as a reagent in the detection of free amino and carboxyl groups in proteins and peptides. We present the case of a laboratory technician who developed symptoms of rhinitis when handling papers immersed in a solution containing ninhydrin. Prick tests for ninhydrin and ninhydrin RAST were positive. The inhalation provocation test in an exposure chamber gave an immediate nasal response. A positive prick test to ninhydrin, an elevated level of specific IgE antibodies to ninhydrin, and the RAST inhibition test confirmed an IgE‐mediated type I allergic reaction. We are not aware of any other report of ninhydrin as a cause of IgE‐mediated allergy.
Inhaled lysine acetylsalicylate (L‐ASA) attenuates histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction in asthma
Authors: Crimi N. , Polosa R. , Magrì S. , Prosperini G. , Paolino G. , Mastruzzo C. , Mistretta A.
Published: April 2008

When administered by inhalation, histamine provokes dose‐related bronchoconstriction in asthmatic subjects mainly by a direct activation of histamine H1‐receptors on airway smooth muscle. However, little is known of the change in airway responsiveness to histamine after cyclooxygenase blockade. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the potent cyclooxygenase inhibitor, lysine acetylsalicylate (L‐ASA), administered by inhalation on histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction in a group of 16 asthmatic subjects. The subjects studied attended the laboratory on four separate occasions to receive nebulized L‐ASA (solution of 90mg/ml) or matched placebo (glycine solution of 30 mg/ml) 15 min before bronchoprovocation tests with histamine and methacholine in a randomized, double‐blind order. Changes in airway caliber were followed as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and agonist responsiveness was expressed as the provocative concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 from baseline (PC20).

Administration of both L‐ASA and glycine solution caused a small but significant acute fall in FEV1 from baseline, which returned to normal within 15 min. When compared to placebo, inhaled L‐ASA reduced the airway responsiveness to histamine in 13 of the 16 subjects studied, the geometric mean (range) values for PC20 histamine increasing significantly (P<0.001) from 1.72 (0.13–5.49) mg/ml to 3.31 (0.36–12.00) mg/ml after placebo and L‐ASA, respectively. No significant change in airway responsiveness to methacholine was recorded after L‐ASA. Acute administration of L‐ASA by inhalation protects the asthmatic airways against histamine‐induced bronchoconstriction, thus suggesting that endogenous prostaglandins may play a contributory role in the airways response to histamine in human asthma
Economic analysis of two structured treatment and teaching programs on asthma
Authors: Neri M. , Migliori G. B. , Spanevello A. , Berra D. , Nicolin E. , Landoni C. V. , Ballardini I. , Sommaruga M. , Zanon P.
Published: April 2008

The aims of the present study were as follows:

to evaluate the medical outcomes of two treatment and educational asthma programs

to determine by cost‐analysis both cost and economic outcome of the programs

to perform a cost‐benefit analysis (determining the net cost‐benefit) and a cost‐effectiveness analysis (determining the cost per unit of effect and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio) from the perspective of health program policy makers (HPP; indirect costs, i.e., loss of productivity, excluded) and of society as a whole (Saw; all costs included).

Patients were randomly assigned to a complete (CP; n = 32) or reduced (RP; n = 33) program: the RP group received a reduced education (self‐reading of an educational booklet on asthma), while the CP group attended an “asthma school”, consisting of six lessons based on the same booklet and including educational videotapes. Both programs included peak‐flow monitoring and treatment according to international guidelines, and follow‐up. The outcome variables (asthma attacks, urgent medical examinations, admission days, working days lost) did not differ significantly between CP and RP. Morbidity savings were $1894.70 (CP) and $1697.80 (RP) according to Saw, and $1349.50 and $1301.80, respectively, according to HPP. The net cost‐benefit was $1181.50 for CP and $1028.00 for RP, and the cost‐benefit ratio per dollar spent was 1:2.6 for CP and 1:2.5 for RP, according to Saw. One day of admission prevented had a cost of $110.20 (CP) and $94.10 (RP). CP gave slightly better results and was slightly more cost‐effective than RP in improving patients' welfare. It cannot be excluded that the retrospective analysis used to determine baseline costs might have inflated differences for both groups. Sensitivity analysis was slightly in favor of RP when the outcome variables were tested at their upper and lower 95% CI.
The prevalence of asthmatic respiratory symptoms among adults in Estonian and Swedish university cities
Authors: JõTgi R. , Janson C. , Björnsson E. , Bornan G. , Björkstén B.
Published: April 2008

The prevalence of atopy and related diseases is lower among children in Eastern European countries than in countries with a market economy. Such comparisons have not been made in adults. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) postal questionnaire was mailed to random samples of 3000 inhabitants in Tartu, Estonia, and 3600 in Uppsala, Sweden, between the ages of 20 and 44 years. Asthmatic symptoms (wheeze with breathlessness occurring in the absence of colds) were less prevalent in Tartu (4.6% vs 6.8%, P<0.001), as were attacks of asthma (1.9% vs 3.3%, P<0.01), current asthma medication (0.7% vs 4.9%), and allergic rhinitis (17.8% vs 22.2%, P<0.001). Age was inversely related to allergic rhinitis in Uppsala (P<0.05), but not in Tartu. Nocturnal respiratory symptoms (wakening with chest tightness or being woken by an attack of breathlessness or an attack of cough) were more prevalent in Tartu (P< 0.001), and their prevalence increased with age (P<0.05) in Tartu, but not in Uppsala. Symptoms of asthma and hay fever were less common but other respiratory problems more common in Tartu than in Uppsala. The difference in the prevalence of hay fever diminished with age, supporting the notion that the increasing prevalence of allergy among children and young adults in Western Europe is caused by a cohort effect.
Anaphylaxis from cow's milk casein
Authors: Tabar A. I. , Alvarez M. J. , Echechipía S. , Acero S. , Garcia B. E. , Olaguíbel J. M.
Published: April 2008

The case of a 35‐ear‐old woman who suffered anaphylaxis after the ingestion of milk or milk‐containing products is presented. Symptoms also appeared after the patient used a cosmetic which contained casein. Skin prick tests, specific IgE measurement, and immunoblotting were carried out with cow's milk extract, and its purified proteins: casein, β‐lactoglobulin, and α‐lactalbumin. Specific IgE to cow's milk casein was detected with the three tests. Immunoblotting revealed one band of 24 kDa approximately corresponding to the β‐fraction of casein. Negative results to β‐lactoglobulin and α‐lactalbumin were obtained with the three methods. Symptoms were controlled by rigorous dietary and behavior measures.
Inhibition of mediator and cytokine release from dispersed nasal polyp cells by terfenadine
Authors: Crampette I. , Mainprice B. , Bloom M. , Bousauet J. , Campbell A. M.
Published: April 2008

The mechanism of action of H1‐lockers requires elucidation because they may possess properties unrelated to the blockage of histamine at its receptor level. A study was performed with enzymatically dispersed cells obtained from nasal polyps to examine the effect of terfenadine (0.1–10 μmol) on the release of leukotrienes (LT) (LTC4/D4 and LTB4) after stimulation by anti‐IgE, and on the spontaneous release of cytokines (granulocyte/macrophage‐colony stimulating factor [GM‐CSF] and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha [TNF‐α]) released from cells cultured for 6 h. Terfenadine inhibited significantly, and in a dose‐dependent manner, the release of LTC4/D4, LTB4, TNF‐α, and GM‐CSF. IC50 values were determined for LTC4/D, (8 μmol), LTB4 (9.9 μmol), TNF‐α (6.1 μmol), and GM‐CSF (4 μmol). Terfenadine was found to possess new antiallergic properties with a novel in vitro model which mimics more closely inflammatory cells of allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Allergen‐induced changes in airway responsiveness are related to baseline airway responsiveness
Authors: de Bruin‐Weller M. S. , Weller F. R. , Rijssenbeek‐Nouwens I. H. M. , Jansen H. M. , de Monchy J. G. R.
Published: April 2008

In the literature, bronchial allergen challenge is usually reported to result in an increase in histamine‐induced airway responsiveness (AR). The present study investigated the relation between baseline AR and allergen‐induced changes in AR. The effect of allergen challenge on AR was investigated in 21 atopic asthmatic patients. Allergen challenge resulted in a significant decrease in PC20 histamine after 24 h. When the group was divided into three subgroups according to baseline PC20 histamine, a significant decrease in PC20 histamine was found only in patients with relatively high baseline PC20 histamine (groups 1 and 2). A significant inverse correlation was found between baseline PC20 and allergen‐induced PC20 histamine. The effect of repeated allergen challenge on AR was studied in eight patients. The first allergen challenge resulted in a significant decrease in PC20 histamine; no further decrease in mean PC20 histamine was seen after the second allergen challenge. These results suggest that allergen‐induced changes in AR occur mainly in patients with relatively high baseline PC20 values. Once an increase in AR is induced, further allergen challenge does not always result in further increase in AR.
Adult onset of cow's milk protein allergy with small‐intestinal mucosal IgE mast cells
Authors: Levy F. S. , Bircher A. J. , Gebbers J.‐O.
Published: April 2008

We report a female patient with adult onset of cow's milk protein allergy. For 1 year, she experienced repeated gastrointestinal symptoms and had a single exercise‐induced anaphylactic reaction. In addition to positive skin tests and specific IgE to milk proteins and a positive challenge test, immunohistochemistry of the small intestine showed a marked increase of IgE‐positive mast cells. This finding is highly specific and could provide an additional tool for diagnosing cow's milk protein allergy and possibly also other food allergies.
Ananhvlaxis to subcutaneous neutral motarnine Hagedorn insulin with simultaneous knsitization to protamine and insulin
Authors: Blanco C. , Castillo R. , Quiralte J. , Delgado J. , García I. , de Pablos P. , Carrillo T.
Published: April 2008

Blanco C, Castillo R, Quiralte J, Delgado J, García I, de Pablos P, Carrillo T. Anaphylaxis to subcutaneous neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin with simultaneous sensitization to protamine and insulin. We report an insulin‐treated diabetic patient who suffered, in a 2‐month period, three severe anaphylactic reactions immediately after self‐administered subcutaneous injections of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) human recombinant‐DNA insulin. These reactions consisted of local and systemic symptoms, including dyspnea and hypotension. A simultaneous sensitization to human insulin and to protamine was demonstrated, both by skin tests and by the determination of serum specific IgE. Suspecting protamine allergy, we performed a test dose to human lente insulin with perfect tolerance. After a 1 ‐year follow‐up with lente‐insulin treatment, no reactions have occurred, despite treatment interruptions. Therefore, protamine IgE‐mediated allergy probably caused our patient's reactions. In conclusion, protamine sensitization should be ruled out in any patient with a history of reactions to subcutaneous protamine‐containing insulins, even if insulin sensitization is present.
Immunotherapy with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract.
Authors: Roches A. Des , Paradis L. , Knani J. , Hejjaoui A. , Dhivert H. , Chanez P. , Bousquet J.
Published: April 2008

Specific immunotherapy (SIT) using a standardized mite extract is effective and safe when administered under optimal conditions. However, the duration of its effectiveness after cessation of treatment remains unknown. Forty asthmatic subjects who had received SIT with a standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) extract under the same protocol were studied. All had received SIT for a period of 12–96 months and were not receiving pharmacologic treatment. The FEV1 was within normal range in all patients. After cessation of treatment, patients were followed for up to 3 years at 6‐month intervals. The patient was considered to have relapsed when symptoms of asthma and/or rhinitis occurred and/or when pulmonary function tests were impaired. Skin tests with increasing concentrations of Der p were carried out before and at the end of SIT. Forty‐five percent of the patients did not relapse. The duration of efficacy of SIT was related to the duration of SIT itself (P < 0.04). Most patients who did not relapse had a decrease in skin test reactivity at the end of SIT, whereas most patients who relapsed did not show any change (P < 0.003). The duration of efficacy of SIT after its cessation depends upon the duration of SIT and may be predicted by the effect of SIT on skin tests.
Sensitization to Dermatophagoides siboney, Blomia tropicalis, and other domestic mites in asthmatic patients
Authors: Ferrandiz R. , Casas R. , Dreborg S.
Published: April 2008

Mite species adapted to warm, humid climates are commonly found in house dust in the tropics. In Cuba, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. siboney, and Blomiu tropicalis are the most common and abundant mite species in house dust. To investigate the pattern of sensitization of Cuban asthmatic patients to common mite species, we skin‐prick‐tested (SPT) 148 patients with a clinical history of asthma and possible mite allergy, and determined specific IgE antibodies against mite allergens (D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae, D. siboney, B. tropicalis, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Glycyphagus domesticus). The prevalence of positive SPT was high to D. siboney (88%), D. pteronyssinus (87%), A. siro (85%). B. tropicalis (85%), and D. farinae (83%). The largest skin reactions were obtained with D. siboney and B. tropicalis extracts. The skin test response to the D. siborzey extract correlated to those of D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus, B. tropicalis. and A. siro. The highest IgE levels were found to Dermatophagoides species and B. tropicalis. IgE to D. siboney and B. tropicalis were found in 97% and 96% of the patients, respectively. The prevalence of specific IgE to the other mites studied varied lrom 46 to 65%. D. siboney and B. tropicalis are important sensitizers among asthmatic patients in Cuba.
Fixation with Carnov's fluid reduces the number of chymase‐positive mast cells: not all chvmase‐Dositive mast cells are also posithe for iryptase
Authors: KleinJan A. , Godthelp T. , Blom H. M. , Fokkens W. J.
Published: April 2008

Mast cells in the nasal mucosa can be studied by means of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against tryptase (T+MC) and chymase (C+MC). Fixation with acetone gives more positive cells than does fixation with Carnoy's fluid. In frozen biopsy specimens of allergic nasal mucosa fixed with acetone, the number of T+MC equals that of C+MC. When fixed with Carnoy's fluid, however, the number of T+MC is larger than the number of C+MC. The decrease in both T+MC and C+MC resulting from fixation with Carnoy's fluid is time‐related and depends on the type of mAb used. Carnoy fixation time gives a decrease in the number of C+MC within 1 min, whereas the number of T+MC decreases only after 10 min. Within 1 min, the number of C+MC decreases to a level where continued fixation no longer gives further decreases in the number of cells. Two populations of mast cells can be distinguished here: one sensitive and the other insensitive to Carnoy's fluid. When double‐staining is used, fixation with acetone gives three populations of mast cells: one positive for tryptase (T+C‐MC), another positive for tryptase and chymase (T+C+MC), and a third one positive for chymase (T‐C+MC). These three populations were found in lymph node, spleen, thymus, dermis, lung parenchyma, small intestinal submucosa, and nasal mucosa.
Immunodominance of seven regions of a major allergen, Cry j 2, of Japanese cedar pollen for T‐cell immunity
Authors: Hashiguchi S. , Hino K. , Taniguchi Y. , Kurimoto M. , Fukuda K. , Ohyama M. , Fujiyoshi T. , Sonoda S. , Nishimura Y. , Yamada G. , Sugimura K.
Published: April 2008

The immunodominant regions of the Japanese cedar pollen allergen Cry j 2 for T‐cell immunity were determined with whole peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) derived from seven allergic patients and three nonallergic subjects. Cry j 2‐stimulated T‐cell proliferation was inhibited by anti‐HLA‐DR. but not by anti‐HLA‐DQ antibody, indicating that the responding T cells recognized the allergen peptides associated with HLA‐DR molecules. It was found that seven regions of Cry j 2, i.e., regions corresponding to amino acid numbers 1–26, 70–84, 151–167. 187–203, 252–279, 283–314, and 345–362, were immunodominant for T‐cell proliferation. Thus, Cry j 2 bears a limited number of immunodominant regions despite polymorphic features of HLA‐DR in the immune system. This suggests the possibility of molecularly designing Cry j 2 antagonists that could downregulate allergic reactions to Japanese cedar pollen.
Integrin VLA‐6 (α6β1) mediates adhesion of mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells to laminin
Authors: Fehlner‐Gardiner C. , Uniyal S. , van Ballestrem C. , Dougherty G. J. , Chan B. M. C.
Published: April 2008

The development of mast cells from bone marrow precursors and their function as the mucosal‐ or connective‐tissue‐type mast cell are critically dependent on microenvironmental factors. Extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagen, fibronectin, and laminin, may represent insoluble components of the microcnvironment. Recent studies have describcd multiple isoforms of laminin isolated from different tissues. In the present study, adhesion of mouse bone marrow‐derived mast cells (BMMC) and long‐term mast cell lines to Engclbreth‐Holm‐Swarm (EHS) tumor laminin, rat laminin. human merosin, and human placental laminin was compared. The greatest level of adhesion was found with human laminin as the substrate. By use of a newly prepared mouse VLA‐α6 integrin‐specific mAb (MA6) together with the previously described mAb GoH3, VLA‐6 (α6β1) integrin was found to be expressed and utilized by BMMC and long‐term mast cell lines. VLA‐6 has been described as a major laminin receptor with roles in diverse cell functions including cell growth and differentiation. BMMC have been shown to express a 32/67‐kDa laminin receptor.

Therefore, in addition to the 32/67‐kDa laminin receptor described in early studies, BMMC also express VLA‐6 integrin, which may have roles in the regulation of their development.
Successful treatment of a child having generalized Kaposi's sarcoma after living donor liver transplantation with conversion to sirolimus
Authors: Yuksekkaya Hasan A. , Arikan Cigdem , Yazici Ayse , Baran Masallah , Aydogdu Sema , Kilic Murat
Published: April 2008

Abstract: SRL is a new and potent immunosuppressive agent that has been successfully introduced in organ transplantation. In contrast to other immunosuppressive agents, SRL has a potent antitumor activity bothin vitroandin vivo. Herein, we report a child with Kaposi’s sarcoma that was diagnosed 30 months after LDLT and treated successfully with only conversion to SRL monotherapy. KS regressed completely at the end of the first month and remained in remission during 28 months follow‐up.
Social rhythm regularity and the onset of affective episodes in bipolar spectrum individuals
Authors: Shen Gail HC , Alloy Lauren B , Abramson Lyn Y , Sylvia Louisa G
Published: April 2008

Objectives:  Research suggests that bipolar disorder individuals may have less social rhythm regularity than normal controls and that this may contribute to their affective symptoms and episodes. This study examined whether regularity prospectively predicted time to onset of major depressive, hypomanic and manic episodes in a sample with bipolar spectrum disorders.

Methods:  We recruited 414 undergraduate students from Temple University and University of Wisconsin diagnosed with cyclothymia, bipolar II disorder, or with no affective disorder (normal controls). Participants completed the Social Rhythm Metric at Time 1 and structured interviews approximately every four months for an average follow‐up period of 33 months.

Results:  Participants diagnosed with cyclothymia and bipolar II disorder reported significantly fewer regular activities than normal controls, and approximately half of these participants experienced a worsening course of their illness over the study duration. Survival analyses indicated that both diagnosis and social rhythm regularity significantly predicted the time to participants’ first prospective onset of major depressive, hypomanic and manic episodes.

Conclusion:  Consistent with the social zeitgeber theory, bipolar spectrum participants reported less social rhythm regularity than normal controls, which prospectively predicted the survival time to affective episodes.
Rapid cycling bipolar disorders in primary and tertiary care treated patients
Authors: Hajek Tomas , Hahn Margaret , Slaney Claire , Garnham Julie , Green Joshua , Růžičková Martina , Zvolský Peter , Alda Martin
Published: April 2008

Objective:  Rapid cycling (RC) affects 13–30% of bipolar patients. Most of the data regarding RC have been obtained in tertiary care research centers. Generalizability of these findings to primary care populations is thus questionable. We examined clinical and demographic factors associated with RC in both primary and tertiary care treated populations.

Method:  Clinical data were obtained by interview from 240 bipolar I disorder (BDI) or bipolar II disorder (BDII) community‐treated patients and by chart reviews from 119 bipolar patients treated at an outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital.

Results:  Lifetime history of rapid cycling was present in 33.3% and 26.9% of patients from the primary and tertiary care samples, respectively. Among community‐treated patients, lifetime history of RC was significantly associated with history of suicidal behavior and higher body mass index. There was a trend for association between RC and BDII, psychiatric comorbidity, diabetes mellitus, as well as lower age of onset of mania/hypomania. In the tertiary care treated sample there was a trend for association between lifetime history of RC and suicidal behavior. Tertiary versus primary care treated subjects with lifetime history of RC demonstrated markedly lower response to mood stabilizers.

Conclusions:  Lifetime history of RC is highly prevalent in both primary and tertiary settings. Even primary care treated subjects with lifetime history of RC seem to suffer from a more complicated and less treatment‐responsive variant of bipolar disorder. Our findings further suggest relatively good generalizability of data from tertiary to primary care settings.
Are C‐reactive protein and homocysteine cardiovascular risk factors in obese children and adolescents?
Authors: Semiz Serap , Rota Simin , Özdemir Özmert , Özdemir Ayşegül , Kaptanoğlu Bünyamin
Published: April 2008

Background:Several prospective epidemiological studies have demonstrated that high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) and plasma homocysteine (hcy) are predictors of future coronary events among healthy men and women. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate a possible relationship between hsCRP, hcy levels and body mass index (BMI), relative weight (RW), serum leptin levels, and cardiovascular risk factors in obese children and adolescents.

Methods:The study involved 28 obese children and adolescents (13 girls, 15 boys; BMI>95‰ for age and sex), 4.5–15 years of age (mean 10.7 ± 0.6 years), who attended hospital for a basic obesity check‐up. The association between hsCRP, hcy levels and BMI, RW, serum leptin levels, and cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, serum fasting insulin levels, and insulin resistance indexes, was investigated.

Results:Serum hsCRP level was positively correlated with BMI (r= 0.512,P < 0.01), RW (r= 0.438,P < 0.05), systolic and diastolic BP (r= 0.498,P < 0.01), serum leptin levels (r= 0.457,P < 0.05), but not with serum lipid, glucose, fasting insulin, plasma hcy levels or insulin resistance indexes. For hcy level, in contrast, no correlation was found with BMI, RW, systolic and diastolic BP, serum lipid levels, leptin, hsCRP, glucose, fasting insulin levels, or insulin resistance indexes.

Conclusions:hsCRP is correlated with BMI, RW, BP and leptin, which are risk factors for coronary heart disease, which supports the relationship between obesity, inflammation and atherosclerosis. hsCRP in childhood obesity might be a useful index to predict possible atherosclerotic events.
Withdrawal of neonatal continuous positive airway pressure: Current practice in Australia
Authors: Jardine Luke , Davies Mark W.
Published: April 2008

Background: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a widely accepted method of respiratory support used in the care of preterm infants. It remains unknown as to what is the best strategy for the withdrawal of CPAP once it has been commenced. The aim of the present survey was to establish the current practices for withdrawal of nasal CPAP used by Australian neonatologists. A secondary aim was to establish what criteria clinicians use as an indicator for failure off CPAP.

Methods: Surveys were sent to all 124 Australian neonatologists identified by the list of centers in the Australia and New Zealand Neonatal Network.

Results: A total of 124 surveys were sent; 86 (69%) replies were received, of which 84 (68%) of the respondents had completed the questionnaire. Seventy‐one percent of respondents used a graded‐time‐off CPAP. The majority of babies for whom they used graded‐time‐off CPAP were deemed to be chronic (79%) or had chronic neonatal lung disease (73%). A total of 74% of respondents had the level of CPAP gradually reduced.

Conclusions: At least 48% of Australian neonatologists use graded‐time‐off CPAP. At least 50% of Australian neonatologists wean the level of CPAP prior to cessation. Neonatologists have similar criteria for recommencing CPAP, with the majority considering increased oxygen requirement, increased work of breathing, increased frequency of apnea and increased severity of apnea important indicators.
COMPETITIVE LONG RUN INDUSTRY EQUILIBRIUM AND FACTOR‐PRICE UNCERTAINTY*
Authors: HARUNA SHOJI
Published: April 2008

In this paper we have considered competitive long run industry equilibrium with factor‐price uncertainty. We discussed the long run equilibrium output of firms with risk neutrality, output price and their responses to changes in uncertainty, factor price and industry demand. In the first part of this paper we have derived a result that, given risk neutrality, the firms operate at proper capacity, i.e. where expected long run marginal cost is equal to expected long run average cost, as shown in the case of output‐price uncertainty. This result is, however, different from that obtained from Sheshinski and Dréze (1976).

From the comparative static analysis we first discovered that even under risk neutrality factor‐price uncertainty affects the long run industry equilibrium: that is, a mean preserving increase in uncertainty leads firm's to enter the industry, because they can decrease expected long run costs as the variability of factor price increases. Consequently, output price goes down. In contrast, firm size is kept invariable in response to its increase as long as the cost function is separable, i.e. the separability of the cost function holds when production functions are the Cobb‐Douglas and CES types used commonly in empirical work, although firm size might, generally, be affected by the increase. It is an interesting fact that firm size and industry size will express different responses to a change in risk. The result that the long run industry equilibrium with cost uncertainty is explicitly affected is a sharp contrast to the result under output‐price uncertainty and provides a new aspect for understanding about the behaviour of the industry with uncertainty. Secondly, increased factor‐price causes the number of firms in the industry to decline and output price to rise. In addition, firm's size will expand with its increase if that factor is inferior, while the effect on firm size is ambiguous if it is normal. The firm's output, i.e. firm size, is, however, kept constant if the cost function is separable. Thirdly, the long run equilibrium output of the firm remains intact but the number of firms increases as industry demand rises. This result holds, regardless of the firm's attitude towards risk. Finally, we find throughout the paper that the functional form of the cost function plays a significant role in determining the behaviour of the industry with factor‐price uncertainty.
The Tale of Three Amigos: Remittances, Exchange Rates, and Money Demand in Mexico
Authors: Vargas‐Silva Carlos
Published: April 2008

The author analyzes the relationship between remittances, exchange rates, and money demand in Mexico. He finds that shocks to remittances have a positive impact on domestic money demand. The results also suggest the existence of a bi‐directional relationship between remittances and the exchange rate. Furthermore, positive shocks to remittances are found to have a negative impact on Mexico's real exchange rate. This indicates that remittances appreciate the Mexican peso and therefore may impact on the competitiveness of the tradable sector negatively.
THE QUESTION OF BLACK PHILOSOPHY
Authors: Jefferson Paul
Published: April 2008

Philosophy Born of Struggleis an ambitious undertaking. It is explicitly conceived, the editor explains, as “a guide to the ideas of modern Afro‐American philosophers,” and “a historical resource directory for their works.”1An anthology of texts with bibliographical apparatus, the volume has an implicit hortatory purpose as well. In representing Afro‐American philosophy as a “unidimensional text of divergent components”—concerned with the meaning of democracy and the human costs of “capitalism, colonial domination, and ontological designation by race”—the editor dignifies Afro‐American philosophy conceptually, as a subject in its own right, calling in effect for its sustained historical treatment as such.2
ANARCHISM AND FEMINISM
Authors: Moody Thomas E.
Published: April 2008

[anarchism] desires above all…the political, economic, and social equalization of the two sexes…we demand…that every individual, man or woman, coming into life, shall find as nearly as possible equal means for the development of his or her different faculties and for their utilization by his or her labor; to organize a society which, renders for every individual…the exploitation of anybody else, impossible.