bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of allergen‐induced bronchoconstriction on concentration of 5‐oxo‐ETE in exhaled breath condensate of house dust mite‐allergic patients
Authors: Kowal K. , Gielicz A. , Sanak M. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundArachidonic acid metabolites regulate several aspects of airway function including inflammation, muscle contraction and mucous secretion.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate concentration of selected 5‐lipoxygenase‐ and cyclooxygenase‐derived eicosanoids in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) during allergen‐induced bronchoconstriction.MethodsThe study was performed on 24 allergic rhinitis/asthma patients sensitized to a house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) and 13 healthy controls (HCs). Bronchial challenge with Dp extract was performed only in the allergic patients. EBC samples were collected before (T0) and during Dp‐induced bronchoconstriction (TEAR). Eicosanoid concentration was measured using HPLC‐tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsSignificant bronchoconstriction after Dp challenge was demonstrated in 15 patients (Rs), while in 9 patients (NRs) no asthmatic response could be detected. At T0 the most abundant eicosanoids in EBC of HDM‐allergic patients were LTB4 and 5‐oxo‐ETE, while in HCs EBC concentration of LTB4 was significantly greater than that of 5‐oxo‐ETE. Allergen challenge resulted in significant increase in EBC concentration of 5‐oxo‐ETE, LTD4 and 8‐iso‐PGE2 only in Rs. At TEAR, the relative change of 5‐oxo‐ETE concentration in EBC correlated with decrease of peripheral blood eosinophilia (R = −0.774; P = .0012). Moreover, the relative increase of 5‐oxo‐ETE in EBC at TEAR significantly correlated with the severity of the subsequent late asthmatic response (R = 0.683, P = .007).ConclusionOur study demonstrates significant up‐regulation of 5‐oxo‐ETE synthesis in HDM‐allergic patients and indicates possible involvement of that mediator in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.
Relevant genetic polymorphisms and kidney expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-5 and TLR-9 in lupus nephritis
Authors: Elloumi N , Fakhfakh R , Abida O , Ayadi L , Marzouk S , Hachicha H , Fourati M , Bahloul Z , Mhiri M N , Kammoun K , Masmoudi H 
Published: August 2017

Summary
Toll-like receptor (TLR) genetic polymorphisms may modify their expression causing inflammatory disorders and influencing both susceptibility and severity of lupus erythematosus. We aim to determine whether TLR-5 and TLR-9 gene polymorphisms are implicated in the susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) and to evaluate their expressions and distributions in renal LN patients' biopsies. The frequencies of two SNP in the TLR-9 gene and one in the TLR-5 gene was examined in 106 SLE patients (among them 37 LN patients) and in 200 matched controls by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment-length polymorphisms (PCR–RFLP) analysis. TLR-9 and TLR-5 expressions were assessed by reverse transcription (RT)–PCR and immunohistochemistry carried on LN renal biopsies compared to healthy renal tissue. A significant genotypic and allelic association was revealed between TLR-9-rs352140 and both SLE and LN (P &lt; 0·05). The TLR-9 transcript level was significantly higher in LN biopsies compared to control (P &lt; 0·05). This increase was observed histochemically in the tubulointerstitial compartment. TLR-9 was detectable in LN glomeruli patients but not in normal control glomeruli. No allelic nor genotype association was found with TLR-5-rs5744168 in SLE. but the T allele and the TT genotype were raised significantly in the LN group (P &lt; 0·05). A significant increase in TLR-5 gene expression in LN biopsies, which contrasted with normal kidneys (P &lt; 0·05), was confirmed by an intense and diffuse staining for TLR-5 only in LN tubules (P &lt; 0·05). Our data show that TLR-5 and TLR-9 are susceptible genes to LN and that their expression is dysregulated in LN patients' kidneys, supporting a role of these mediators in the pathogenesis of LN.
Forschung zu Genodermatosen durch neue Genom‐Editing‐Methoden
Authors: Lehmann Janin , Seebode Christina , Emmert Steffen 
Published: August 2017

ZusammenfassungGenodermatosen umfassen eine klinisch heterogene Krankheitsgruppe mit meist schwerwiegenden Auswirkungen auf die Haut. Bis heute beschränken sich die Behandlungsmöglichkeiten auf die Linderung der Symptome. Jüngste technische Fortschritte im Rahmen des Genome‐Editing leiten eine neue Ära in der Entwicklung kausaler Therapien seltener monogenetischer Erkrankungen wie Genodermatosen ein. Diese Übersichtsarbeit behandelt die Vor‐ und Nachteile der derzeit verfügbaren Nuklease‐basierten Methoden: Zinkfinger‐Nukleasen (ZFNs), transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs), Meganukleasen und das innovative clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‐associated (Cas) nuclease 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system. Ein mechanistischer Überblick über die verschiedenen Wirkmechanismen dieser programmierbaren Nukleasen, sowie deren Bedeutung für die Kausaltherapie von Genodermatosen wird vorgestellt. Fortbestehende Grenzen und Herausforderungen, wie das effiziente Eindringen und Off‐Target‐Aktivität, werden kritisch diskutiert, um die Vergangenheit und Zukunftsaussichten der Gentherapie in der Dermatologie deutlich zu machen.
Lepra – Ein Überblick über Klinik, Diagnose und Therapie
Authors: Fischer Marcellus 
Published: August 2017

ZusammenfassungLepra ist eine chronisch verlaufende, bakterielle Infektionskrankheit, die durch Mycobacterium (M.) leprae hervorgerufen wird. 2015 wurden weltweit 210 758 neue Leprafälle diagnostiziert. Die höchsten Inzidenzen wiesen Indien, Brasilien und Indonesien auf. Der genaue Übertragungsweg von M. leprae ist bis heute nicht hinreichend geklärt, eine Tröpfcheninfektion gilt als wahrscheinlich.Der Erreger befällt bevorzugt die Haut und das periphere Nervensystem. Der Krankheitsverlauf wird von der individuellen wirtsspezifischen Immunität bestimmt. Man unterscheidet klinisch die bakterienreichen lepromatösen Verlaufsformen von den bakterienarmen tuberkulösen Lepraformen. Neben den vielfältigen charakteristischen Hauterscheinungen wird das Krankheitsgeschehen durch die Schädigung des peripheren Nervensystems bestimmt. Entstellende Mutilationen kennzeichnen klinische fortgeschrittene Krankheitsverläufe. Die derzeitigen Therapieempfehlungen beruhen auf den Empfehlungen der WHO. Bei frühzeitigem Therapiebeginn heilt die Lepra in der Regel folgenlos aus. Bakterienarme Formen werden über mindestens sechs Monate mit Rifampicin und Dapson behandelt, die Therapiedauer bei den lepromatösen Verlaufsformen dauert mindestens ein Jahr, hier kommt zusätzlich Clofazimin zum Einsatz. Unter Therapie auftretende Leprareaktionen können den Krankheitsverlauf erheblich verschlechtern. Neben der Individualbehandlung nehmen WHO‐gestützte Präventivmaßnahmen und ‐strategien in den Endemiegebieten eine Schlüsselrolle ein.
Thermal tolerance and recovery behaviour of Thorectes lusitanicus (Coleoptera, Geotrupidae)
Authors: GALLEGO BELÉN , VERDÚ JOSÉ R. , CARRASCAL LUIS M. , LOBO JORGE M. 
Published: August 2017

1. Population differences in physiological responses are examined in Thorectes lusitanicus, an endemic Iberian dung beetle species, by submitting individuals of different populations to the same experimental and acclimation conditions.2. An infrared thermography protocol was used, consisting of three assays: start of activity, cold response, and heat response. Individuals of 12 populations were studied and the comparative explanatory capacities of several environmental factors in relation to the observed inter‐population differences were examined.3. The heating rate from chill coma to the beginning of activity was the variable with the highest discrimination power among the studied populations, accounting for 94% of the observed variance. Regarding the heat response, only six of the 16 thermal variables reached significance (inter‐population differences accounted for 52–74% in these six thermal parameters).4. From the three considered environmental factors (Mediterranean climate, land cover, and trophic characteristics) only land cover characteristics remain statistically significant, affecting the cold response of individuals.5. Thorectes lusitanicus is a species characterised by a high diversity of thermotolerance and recovery traits across populations with a low degree of association with broad environmental factors. Finally, it is suggested that the apterous character of this species could be a determinant factor explaining the high diversity of ecophysiological traits related to thermal stress tolerance and the recovery time.
Colonization and education: exploring the legacy of local elites in Korea
Authors: Hong Ji Yeon , Paik Christopher 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this article we examine the impact of pre‐colonial educated elites and colonization on modernization. Using the case of Joseon, as Korea was known before being colonized by Japan in 1910, we investigate how the civil exam system and scholarly traditions, as well as the provision of public schools under Japanese colonial rule, influenced levels of literacy in the colony. We introduce novel data from Joseon's historical court examination archives, colonial education records, and censuses dating back to 1930. Our findings suggest that the spread of Korean literacy during the early colonial period was strongly correlated with the historical presence of civil exam passers from the Joseon Dynasty. Regions with a greater presence of educated elites later had higher numbers of Korean teachers, as well as more private schools established as alternatives to the colonial public schools.
EAN consensus review on prevention, diagnosis and management of tick‐borne encephalitis
Authors: Taba P. , Schmutzhard E. , Forsberg P. , Lutsar I. , Ljøstad U. , Mygland Å. , Levchenko I. , Strle F. , Steiner I. 
Published: August 2017

Background and purposeTick‐borne encephalitis (TBE) is an infection of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and transmitted by ticks, with a variety of clinical manifestations. The incidence of TBE in Europe is increasing due to an extended season of the infection and the enlargement of endemic areas. Our objectives are to provide recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and management of TBE, based on evidence or consensus decisions.MethodsFor systematic evaluation, the literature was searched from 1970 to 2015 (including early online publications of 2016), and recommendations were based on evidence or consensus decisions of the Task Force when evidence‐based data were not available.RecommendationsVaccination against TBE is recommended for all age groups above 1 year in highly endemic areas (≥5 cases/100 000/year), but also for individuals at risk in areas with a lower incidence. Travellers to endemic areas should be vaccinated if their visits will include extensive outdoor activities. Post‐exposure prophylaxis after a tick bite is not recommended. A case of TBE is defined by the presence of clinical signs of meningitis, meningoencephalitis or meningoencephalomyelitis with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis (>5 × 106 cells/l) and the presence of specific TBEV serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies, CSF IgM antibodies or TBEV IgG seroconversion. TBEV‐specific polymerase chain reaction in blood is diagnostic in the first viremic phase but it is not sensitive in the second phase of TBE with clinical manifestations of CNS inflammation. Lumbar puncture should be performed in all patients with suspected CNS infection unless there are contraindications. Imaging of the brain and spinal cord has a low sensitivity and a low specificity, but it is useful for differential diagnosis. No effective antiviral or immunomodulating therapy is available for TBE; therefore the treatment is symptomatic. Patients with a potentially life threatening meningoencephalitis or meningoencephalomyelitis should be admitted to an intensive care unit. In the case of brain oedema, analgosedation should be deepened; osmotherapy and corticosteroids are not routinely recommended. If intracranial pressure is increased, therapeutic hypothermia or decompressive craniectomy might be considered. Seizures should be treated as any other symptomatic epileptic seizures.ConclusionsTick‐borne encephalitis is a viral CNS infection that may result in long‐term neurological sequelae. Since its incidence in Europe is increasing due to broadening of endemic areas and prolongation of the tick activity season, the health burden of TBE is enlarging. There is no effective antiviral treatment for TBE, but the disease may be effectively prevented by vaccination.
Fishpond dams affect leaf‐litter processing and associated detritivore communities along intermittent low‐order streams
Authors: Four Brian , Thomas Marielle , Arce Evelyne , Cébron Aurélie , Danger Michael , Banas Damien 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Intermittent streams are common and widespread freshwater ecosystems globally. While dams greatly affect the ecology of permanent streams, the extent of their effects on intermittent streams remains largely unknown. The physical and chemical alterations induced by dams could have particularly strong impacts on the functioning of intermittent low‐order streams, especially due to the limitations they place on colonisation of aquatic biota from downstream permanent waters.

Leaf‐litter breakdown (LLB) and associated communities (microbes and shredders) were studied to investigate the potential ecological continuum rupture caused by fishpond dams along the longitudinal gradient of intermittent streams. Three to four sites were investigated along three reference (no dam) and three impacted (with a fishpond dam) first‐order intermittent low‐order streams.

LLB increased along the longitudinal gradient in all six streams regardless of the presence of dams (from 1.5 to 8.4 fold over <1.5 km distance). This underscores the great variability of low‐order stream functioning even at fine scales. Such upstream to downstream gradients need to be taken into account before investigating the effect of any perturbation using LLB as a functional indicator.

Fishponds dams tended to increase LLB downstream, and altered the downstream microbial communities (increase in fungal densities) and shredder assemblages (increase in Gammaridae).

The effects of fishpond dams on intermittent stream functioning appeared to be most significant when they were associated with changes in hydrology, that is, when fishponds resulted in permanent flows downstream of dams. Our findings suggest that better management of fishpond dams in order to limit hydrological modifications downstream (for instance, by preventing leaks from the dam) could reduce their impact on ecosystem functioning in intermittent streams.
Contributions of insects and droughts to growth decline of trembling aspen mixed boreal forest of western Canada
Authors: Chen Lei , Huang Jian‐Guo , Dawson Andria , Zhai Lihong , Stadt Kenneth J. , Comeau Philip G. , Whitehouse Caroline 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInsects, diseases, fire and drought and other disturbances associated with global climate change contribute to forest decline and mortality in many parts of the world. Forest decline and mortality related to drought or insect outbreaks have been observed in North American aspen forests. However, little research has been done to partition and estimate their relative contributions to growth declines. In this study, we combined tree‐ring width and basal area increment series from 40 trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) sites along a latitudinal gradient (from 52° to 58°N) in western Canada and attempted to investigate the effect of drought and insect outbreaks on growth decline, and simultaneously partition and quantify their relative contributions. Results indicated that the influence of drought on forest decline was stronger than insect outbreaks, although both had significant effects. Furthermore, the influence of drought and insect outbreaks showed spatiotemporal variability. In addition, our data suggest that insect outbreaks could be triggered by warmer early spring temperature instead of drought, implicating that potentially increased insect outbreaks are expected with continued warming springs, which may further exacerbate growth decline and death in North America aspen mixed forests.
Natural acidification changes the timing and rate of succession, alters community structure, and increases homogeneity in marine biofouling communities
Authors: Brown Norah E. M. , Milazzo Marco , Rastrick Samuel P. S. , Hall‐Spencer Jason M. , Therriault Thomas W. , Harley Christopher D. G. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOcean acidification may have far‐reaching consequences for marine community and ecosystem dynamics, but its full impacts remain poorly understood due to the difficulty of manipulating pCO2 at the ecosystem level to mimic realistic fluctuations that occur on a number of different timescales. It is especially unclear how quickly communities at various stages of development respond to intermediate‐scale pCO2 change and, if high pCO2 is relieved mid‐succession, whether past acidification effects persist, are reversed by alleviation of pCO2 stress, or are worsened by departures from prior high pCO2 conditions to which organisms had acclimatized. Here, we used reciprocal transplant experiments along a shallow water volcanic pCO2 gradient to assess the importance of the timing and duration of high pCO2 exposure (i.e., discrete events at different stages of successional development vs. continuous exposure) on patterns of colonization and succession in a benthic fouling community. We show that succession at the acidified site was initially delayed (less community change by 8 weeks) but then caught up over the next 4 weeks. These changes in succession led to homogenization of communities maintained in or transplanted to acidified conditions, and altered community structure in ways that reflected both short‐ and longer‐term acidification history. These community shifts are likely a result of interspecific variability in response to increased pCO2 and changes in species interactions. High pCO2 altered biofilm development, allowing serpulids to do best at the acidified site by the end of the experiment, although early (pretransplant) negative effects of pCO2 on recruitment of these worms were still detectable. The ascidians Diplosoma sp. and Botryllus sp. settled later and were more tolerant to acidification. Overall, transient and persistent acidification‐driven changes in the biofouling community, via both past and more recent exposure, could have important implications for ecosystem function and food web dynamics.
Effectiveness of home‐based exercise in older patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A 3‐year cohort study
Authors: Wakabayashi Ritsuko , Kusunoki Yuji , Hattori Kumiko , Motegi Takashi , Furutate Ryuko , Itoh Aki , Jones Rupert CM , Hyland Michael E , Kida Kozui 
Published: August 2017

AimTo determine whether home‐based exercise can improve clinical outcomes in older patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using long‐term oxygen therapy.MethodsInformation was provided to improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease self‐management before the onset of the present prospective 3‐year cohort study. Patients selected either home‐based exercise using a lower‐limb cycle machine (ergo‐bicycle; group E), or usual exercise (group U). To assess self‐management, the Lung Information Needs Questionnaire was evaluated every 6 months. Clinical outcomes included the 6‐min walk test, pulmonary function tests, the body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea and exercise index, St. George's respiratory questionnaire, and the number of exacerbations and hospitalizations.ResultsA total of 136 patients (group E = 72; group U = 64), with a mean age of 74.2 years were enrolled. Total Lung Information Needs Questionnaire scores improved over 3 years for group E (P = 0.003). The distance of the 6‐min walk test was well maintained in group E, but significantly decreased in group U (P < 0.001). The percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s at baseline was lower in group E (P = 0.016), but was maintained over 3 years, whereas a significant reduction was seen in group U (P = 0.001). The body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea and exercise index significantly worsened in both groups over 3 years (group E: P = 0.011; group U: P < 0.001), whereas a significant decrease in the number of exacerbations was noted in group E (P = 0.009).ConclusionsPatients who undertook home‐based exercise using an ergo‐bicycle were able to maintain clinical outcomes including 6‐min walk test distance and percentage of forced expiratory volume in 1 s predicted, and recorded fewer exacerbations over 3 years. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 42–49.
Adjustment of target weight based on absolute blood volume reduces the frequency of intradialytic morbid events
Authors: Kron Susanne , Schneditz Daniel , Czerny Jutta , Leimbach Til , Budde Klemens , Kron Joachim 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIntroduction: Adequate volume management removing excess volume and at the same time avoiding intradialytic morbid events (IME) remains a core problem in current hemodialysis (HD) therapy. Recently, we developed a feasible method to determine absolute blood volume (Vs, in mL/kg) in patients on HD. The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of Vs measurements for volume management.Methods: Following a 4 week baseline phase to quantify the frequency of IME, volume status was determined in a single specified HD session during which Vs was measured using dialysate dilution, volume overload (Vo, L) was measured using bioimpedance spectroscopy, and the occurrence of IME was recorded. Target weight was then adjusted and the frequency of IME was recorded during 4 weeks of follow‐up.Findings: Forty‐five patients participated in this study. Twenty‐two (49%) patients experienced 66 IME in 12% of HD treatments during baseline. In 15 (33%) patients who experienced IME during volume assessment both Vs (60.7 ± 4.0 vs. 73.7 ± 11.3 mL/kg, P < 0.001) and Vo (1.1 ± 0.9 vs. 2.5 ± 1.8 L, P < 0.01) were significantly lower than in stable patients, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the ≤65 mL/kg Vs threshold to predict IME was 87%, 100%, and 91%, respectively. Target weight was increased (+1.5 kg) or decreased (−5 kg) in 32 patients. The frequency of IME fell to 0.9% of all HD sessions in the following 4 weeks (P < 0.001).Discussion: Adjustment of target weight based on information of Vs, Vo, and IME appears as a feasible approach to reduce the frequency of IME.
“Towards a connected history of bondage in the Mediterranean: Recent trends in the field”
Authors: Hershenzon Daniel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis review article examines recent scholarship on Christian captives in the early modern western Mediterranean. It points out how piracy, captivity, and ransom linked the lives of Christian and Muslim captives, and by extension connected Spain, France and the Italian Peninsula with Morocco and Ottoman Algiers and Tunis. It focuses on slavery, captivity, and redemption, namely, on issues of labor, on the importance of writing as a tool to facilitate ransom, and on the rescue mechanisms that enabled the ransom and return home of captives.