bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outdoor pollen is a trigger of child and adolescent asthma emergency department presentations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Erbas B. , Jazayeri M. , Lambert K. A. , Katelaris C. H. , Prendergast L. A. , Tham R. , Parrodi M. J. , Davies J. , Newbigin E. , Abramson M. J. , Dharmage S. C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn the context of increased asthma exacerbations associated with climatic changes such as thunderstorm asthma, interest in establishing the link between pollen exposure and asthma hospital admissions has intensified. Here, we systematically reviewed and performed a meta‐analysis of studies on pollen and emergency department (ED) attendance.MethodsA search for studies with appropriate search strategy in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and CINAHL was conducted. Each study was assessed for quality and risk of bias. The available evidence was summarized both qualitatively and meta‐analysed using random‐effects models when moderate heterogeneity was observed.ResultsFourteen studies were included. The pollen taxa investigated differed between studies, allowing meta‐analysis only of the effect of grass pollen. A statistically significant increase in the percentage change in the mean number of asthma ED presentations (MPC) (pooled results from 3 studies) was observed for an increase in 10 grass pollen grains per cubic metre of exposure 1.88% (95% CI = 0.94%, 2.82%). Time series studies showed positive correlations between pollen concentrations and ED presentations. Age‐stratified studies found strongest associations in children aged 5‐17 years old.ConclusionExposure to ambient grass pollen is an important trigger for childhood asthma exacerbations requiring ED attendance. As pollen exposure is increasingly a problem especially in relation to thunderstorm asthma, studies with uniform measures of pollen and similar analytical methods are necessary to fully understand its impact on human health.
Prevalence, severity, and risk factors for acute exacerbations of nasal and sinus symptoms by chronic rhinosinusitis status
Authors: Kuiper J. R. , Hirsch A. G. , Bandeen‐Roche K. , Sundaresan A. S. , Tan B. K. , Schleimer R. P. , Kern R. C. , Stewart W. F. , Schwartz B. S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundNasal and sinus symptoms (NSS) are common to many health conditions, including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Few studies have investigated the occurrence and severity of, and risk factors for, acute exacerbations of NSS (AENSS) by CRS status (current, past, or never met European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis [EPOS] criteria for CRS).MethodsFour seasonal questionnaires were mailed to a stratified random sample of Geisinger primary care patients. Logistic regression was used to identify individual characteristics associated with AENSS occurrence and severity by CRS status (current long‐term, current recent, past, never) using EPOS subjective symptoms‐only (EPOSS) CRS criteria. We operationalized 3 AENSS definitions based on prescribed antibiotics or oral corticosteroids, symptoms, and symptoms with purulence.ResultsBaseline and at least 1 follow‐up questionnaires were available from 4736 subjects. Self‐reported NSS severity with exacerbation was worst in the current long‐term CRS group. AENSS was common in all subgroups examined and generally more common among those with current EPOSS CRS. Seasonal prevalence of AENSS differed by AENSS definition and CRS status. Associations of risk factors with AENSS differed by definition, but CRS status, body mass index, asthma, hay fever, sinus surgery history, and winter season consistently predicted AENSS.ConclusionsIn this first longitudinal, population‐based study of 3 AENSS definitions, NSS and AENSS were both common, sometimes severe, and differed by EPOSS CRS status. Contrasting associations of risk factors for AENSS by the different definitions suggest a need for a standardized approach to definition of AENSS.
Mitochondrial respiratory capacity remains stable despite a comprehensive and sustained increase in insulin sensitivity in obese patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery
Authors: Lund M. T. , Larsen S. , Hansen M. , Courraud J. , Floyd A. K. , Støckel M. , Helge J. W. , Dela F. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimIt has been proposed, but not yet demonstrated by convincing evidence in published articles, that insulin resistance and mitochondrial respiratory function are causally related physiological phenomena. Here, we tested the prediction that weight loss–induced increase in insulin sensitivity will correlate with a corresponding change in mitochondrial respiratory capacity over the same time period.MethodsInsulin sensitivity was evaluated using the hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamp technique, and skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity was evaluated by high‐resolution respirometry in 26 patients with obesity. Each experiment was performed ~2 months and 1‐2 weeks before, and ~4 and ~19 months after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery.ResultsA substantial weight loss was observed in all patients, and insulin sensitivity increased in all patients over the 21‐months time period of the study. In contrast, skeletal muscle mitochondrial respiratory capacity, intrinsic mitochondrial respiratory capacity and mitochondrial content remained unchanged over the same time period.ConclusionAmong obese patients with and without type 2 diabetes undergoing RYGB surgery, intrinsic mitochondrial respiratory capacity in skeletal muscle is not correlated with insulin sensitivity before or after the surgical intervention. Mitochondrial respiratory function may not be germane to the pathophysiology and/or aetiology of obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.
Unique anti‐myeloma activity by thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione compounds with Pim inhibiting activity
Authors: Fujii Shiro , Nakamura Shingen , Oda Asuka , Miki Hirokazu , Tenshin Hirofumi , Teramachi Jumpei , Hiasa Masahiro , Bat‐Erdene Ariunzaya , Maeda Yusaku , Oura Masahiro , Takahashi Mamiko , Iwasa Masami , Endo Itsuro , Yoshida Sumiko , Aihara Ken‐ichi , Kurahashi Kiyoe , Harada Takeshi , Kagawa Kumiko , Nakao Michiyasu , Sano Shigeki , Abe Masahiro 
Published: January 2018

SummaryProviral Integrations of Moloney virus 2 (PIM2) is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) cells, and regarded as an important therapeutic target. Here, we aimed to validate the therapeutic efficacy of different types of PIM inhibitors against MM cells for their possible clinical application. Intriguingly, the thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione‐family compounds SMI‐16a and SMI‐4a reduced PIM2 protein levels and impaired MM cell survival preferentially in acidic conditions, in contrast to other types of PIM inhibitors, including AZD1208, CX‐6258 and PIM447. SMI‐16a also suppressed the drug efflux function of breast cancer resistance protein, minimized the sizes of side populations and reduced in vitro colony‐forming capacity and in vivo tumourigenic activity in MM cells, suggesting impairment of their clonogenic capacity. PIM2 is known to be subject to ubiquitination‐independent proteasomal degradation. Consistent with this, the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and carfilzomib increased PIM2 protein levels in MM cells without affecting its mRNA levels. However, SMI‐16a mitigated the PIM2 protein increase and cooperatively enhanced anti‐MM effects in combination with carfilzomib. Collectively, the thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione‐family compounds SMI‐16a and SMI‐4a uniquely reduce PIM2 protein in MM cells, which may contribute to their profound efficacy in addition to their immediate kinase inhibition. Their combination with proteasome inhibitors is envisioned.
Component‐resolved diagnostics to direct in venom immunotherapy: Important steps towards precision medicine
Authors: Blank S. , Bilò M. B. , Ollert M. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryStings of Hymenoptera can induce IgE‐mediated systemic and even fatal allergic reactions. Venom‐specific immunotherapy (VIT) is the only disease‐modifying and curative treatment of venom allergy. However, choosing the correct venom for VIT represents a necessary prerequisite for efficient protection against further anaphylactic sting reactions after VIT. In the past, therapeutic decisions based on the measurement of specific IgE (sIgE) levels to whole venom extracts were not always straightforward, especially when the patient was not able to identify the culprit insect. In the last years, the increasing knowledge about the molecular structure and relevance of important venom allergens and their availability as recombinant allergens, devoid of cross‐reactive carbohydrate determinants, resulted in the development of an advanced component‐resolved diagnostics (CRD) approach in venom allergy. Already to date, CRD has increased the sensitivity of sIgE detection and enabled the discrimination between primary sensitization and cross‐reactivity, particularly in patients with sensitization to both honeybee and vespid venom. Hence, CRD in many patients improves the selection of the appropriate immunotherapeutic intervention. Moreover, the detailed knowledge about sensitization profiles on a molecular level might open new options to identify patients who are at increased risk of side‐effects or not to respond to immunotherapy. Therefore, increasing potential of CRD becomes evident, to direct therapeutic decisions in a personalized and patient‐tailored manner. Reviewed here are the state of the art options, recent developments and future perspectives of CRD of Hymenoptera venom allergy.
Prenatal maternal psychosocial stress and offspring's asthma and allergic disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Flanigan C. , Sheikh A. , DunnGalvin A. , Brew B. K. , Almqvist C. , Nwaru B. I. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundPrenatal maternal stress may influence offspring's atopic risk through sustained cortisol secretion resulting from activation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary axis (HPA), leading to Th2‐biased cell differentiation in the foetus. We undertook a systematic review and meta‐analysis investigating the relationship between prenatal maternal psychosocial stress and risk of asthma and allergy in the offspring.MethodsWe searched 11 electronic databases from 1960 to 2016, searched the grey literature and contacted experts in the field. Type of stress indicator included mood disorders, anxiety, exposure to violence, bereavement and socio‐economic problems occurring during pregnancy, both objectively and subjectively measured. We included all possible asthma and IgE‐mediated allergy outcomes. We conducted random‐effects meta‐analyses to synthesize the data.ResultsWe identified 9779 papers of which 30 studies (enrolling >6 million participants) satisfied inclusion criteria. The quality of 25 studies was moderate, 4 were strong, and one was weak. Maternal exposure to any type of stressors was associated with an increased risk of offspring atopic eczema/dermatitis (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22‐1.47), allergic rhinitis (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.04‐1.62), wheeze (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.16‐1.54) and asthma (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04‐1.27). Exposure to anxiety and depression had strongest effect compared to other stressors. Exposure during the third trimester had the greatest impact compared to first and second trimesters. The increased risk was stronger for early‐onset and persistent than for late‐onset wheeze. Bereavement of a child (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.10‐1.48) or a spouse (HR 1.40, 95% CI 1.03‐1.90) increased the risk of offspring asthma.ConclusionsExposure to prenatal maternal psychosocial stress was associated with increased risk, albeit modestly, of asthma and allergy in the offspring. The pronounced risk during the third trimester may represent cumulative stress exposure throughout pregnancy rather than trimester‐specific effect. Our findings may represent a causal effect or a result of inherent biases in studies, particularly residual confounding.
Current management of small bowel obstruction in the UK: results from the National Audit of Small Bowel Obstruction clinical practice survey
Authors: Lee M. J. , Sayers A. E. , Wilson T. R. , Acheson A. G. , Anderson I. D. , Fearnhead N. S. ,   the NASBO Steering Group
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimSmall bowel obstruction (SBO) is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The National Audit of Small Bowel Obstruction (NASBO) is a collaboration between trainees and specialty associations to improve the care of patients with SBO through national clinical audit. The aim of this study was to define current consultant practice preferences in the management of SBO in the UK.MethodA survey was designed to assess practice preferences of consultant surgeons. The anonymous survey captured demographics, indications for surgery or conservative management, use of investigations including water‐soluble contrast agents (WSCA), use of laparoscopy and nutritional support strategies. The questionnaire underwent two pilot rounds prior to dissemination via the NASBO network.ResultsA total of 384 responses were received from 131 NASBO participating units (overall response rate 29.2%). Abdominal CT and serum urea and electrolytes were considered essential initial investigations by more than 80% of consultants. Consensus was demonstrated on indications for early surgery and conservative management. Three hundred and thirty‐eight (88%) respondents would consider use of WSCA; of these, 328 (97.1%) would use it in adhesive SBO. Two hundred (52.1%) consultants considered a laparoscopic approach when operating for SBO. Oral nutritional supplements were favoured in operatively managed patients by 259 (67.4%) respondents compared with conservatively managed patients (186 respondents, 48.4%).ConclusionThis survey demonstrates consensus on imaging requirements and indications for early surgery in the management of SBO. Significant variation exists around awareness of the need for nutritional support in patients with SBO, and on strategies to achieve this support.
Medizinische Anwendungen von nicht‐thermischem Atmosphärendruckplasma in der Dermatologie
Authors: Gan Lu , Zhang Song , Poorun Devesh , Liu Dawei , Lu Xinpei , He Mengwen , Duan Xiaoru , Chen Hongxiang 
Published: January 2018

ZusammenfassungPlasma ist ein ionisiertes Gas, das aus positiv und negativ geladenen Teilchen, neutralen Atomen und Photonen zusammengesetzt ist. Neueste Entwicklungen bei Plasmaquellen haben es möglich gemacht, Plasma in Raumtemperatur „open air“ zu erzeugen und so die Anwendung von Plasma in vivo zu ermöglichen. Bei der Verwendung von nicht‐thermischem Plasma können die Wirkstoffe effektiv an die Zielzellen verbracht werden, ohne thermischen Schaden zu verursachen. Nicht‐thermisches Atmosphärendruck‐Plasma, auch bekannt als kaltes Atmosphärendruck‐Plasma (cold atmospheric pressure plasma, CAP), ermöglicht innovative medizinische Anwendungen und hat diesbezüglich auch in der Dermatologie große Aufmerksamkeit erlangt. Die komplexe und variable Mischung der Wirkstoffe im Plasma – überwiegend reaktive Sauerstoff‐ und Stickstoffspezies (ROS, RNS) – können komplexe biologische Reaktionen steuern oder auslösen und so die gewünschten Wirkungen dosisabhängig erzielen. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, potenzielle dermatologische Anwendungen von Plasma darzustellen und seine möglichen Wirkmechanismen zu analysieren.
Molekulare Epidemiologie von Trichophyton quinckeanum – ein zoophiler Dermatophyt im Aufwind
Authors: Uhrlaß Silke , Schroedl Wieland , Mehlhorn Carolin , Krüger Constanze , Hubka Vit , Maier Thomas , Gräser Yvonne , Paasch Uwe , Nenoff Pietro 
Published: January 2018

ZusammenfassungHintergrundEntsprechend der aktualisierten Taxonomie der Dermatophyten ist Trichophyton (T.) quinckeanum – früher lediglich als Subspezies T. mentagrophytes var. quinckeanum bekannt ‐ wieder eine eigenständige Spezies.Patienten und MethodikVon 11/2013 bis 1/2017 (3 Jahre und 3 Monate) wurde in der Routinediagnostik des Labors Mölbis nach Stämmen von T. quinckeanum gesucht. Alle Stämme wurden molekularbiologisch mit (1.) Sondenhybridisierung (PCR‐ELISA), (2.) Sequenzierung der ITS‐ und TEF1α ‐Genregionen sowie (3.) teilweise mittels MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysiert.ErgebnisseEs fanden sich 62 Stämme von T. quinckeanum. Von den Patienten waren 68 % Mädchen und Frauen, 43 % waren Kinder und Jugendliche (bis zum 19. Lebensjahr). Als Infektionsquelle wurden häufig Katzen angegeben. Die Sequenzierung erbrachte für alle 62 Stämme eine 100%ige Übereinstimmung mit in der Datenbank des NCBI hinterlegten Typstämmen von T. quinckeanum. Die mittels MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysierten Isolate wiesen spezifische Spektren auf.SchlussfolgerungenDer zoophile Dermatophyt T. quinckeanum kommt offenbar häufiger vor, als bislang vermutet. T. quinckeanum wurde von Kindern und Erwachsenen mit Dermatomykosen und Tinea capitis isoliert. Infektionsquellen für T. quinckeanum sind kleine Nagetiere (Mäuse), Pferde, jedoch auffällig häufig auch Katzen. Die morphologische Identifizierung des Dermatophyten ist nicht immer eindeutig möglich, so dass auf molekulare Methoden zurückgegriffen werden muss.
Mastozytose – Pathogenese, Klinik und Therapie
Authors: Wagner Nicola , Staubach Petra 
Published: January 2018

ZusammenfassungMastozytosen sind seltene Erkrankungen. Aufgrund der charakteristischen Hautveränderungen, der teils assoziiert auftretenden Anaphylaxien sowie der Mediatorsymptomatik werden sie oft im dermatologisch‐allergologischen Tätigkeitsbereich primär diagnostiziert. Zugrunde liegt eine klonale Mastzellvermehrung, meist in der Haut oder dem Knochenmark, seltener im Gastrointestinaltrakt oder anderen Organen. In der Regel haben Mastozytosen eine gute Prognose quoad vitam. Seltene Formen, wie die Mastzellleukämie, die aggressive Mastozytose und das extrem rare Mastzellsarkom erfordern eine zytoreduktive Therapie. Bei Mastozytosen mit assoziierter hämatologischer Neoplasie ist die Prognose abhängig von der begleitenden hämatologischen Grunderkrankung.
Associative learning of host presence in non‐host environments influences parasitoid foraging
Authors: DE RIJK MARJOLEIN , CEGARRA SÁNCHEZ VICTOR , SMID HANS M. , ENGEL BAS , VET LOUISE E.M. , POELMAN ERIK H. 
Published: January 2018

1. Parasitoids are known to utilise learning of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) when foraging for their herbivorous host. In natural situations these hosts share food plants with other, non‐suitable herbivores (non‐hosts). Simultaneous infestation of plants by hosts and non‐hosts has been found to result in induction of HIPVs that differ from host‐infested plants. Each non‐host herbivore may have different effects on HIPVs when sharing the food plant with hosts, and thus parasitoids may learn that plants with a specific non‐host herbivore also contain the host.2. This study investigated the adaptive nature of learning by a foraging parasitoid that had acquired oviposition experience on a plant infested with both hosts and different non‐hosts in the laboratory and in semi‐field experiments.3. In two‐choice preference tests, the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata shifted its preference towards HIPVs of a plant–host–non‐host complex previously associated with an oviposition experience. It could, indeed, learn that the presence of its host is associated with HIPVs induced by simultaneous feeding of its host Pieris brassicae and either the non‐host caterpillar Mamestra brassicae or the non‐host aphid Myzus persicae. However, the learned preference found in the laboratory did not translate into parasitisation preferences for hosts accompanying non‐host caterpillars or aphids in a semi‐field situation.4. This paper discusses the importance of learning in parasitoid foraging, and debates why observed learned preferences for HIPVs in the laboratory may cancel out under some field experimental conditions.
Securitization and credit quality in the European market
Authors: Kara Alper , Marques‐Ibanez David , Ongena Steven 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe assess the effect of securitization activity on relative credit quality employing a uniquely detailed dataset from the euro‐denominated syndicated loan market. We find that at issuance, based on observable characteristics, banks do not seem to select and securitize loans of lower credit quality. Following securitization, the credit quality of borrowers whose loans are securitized deteriorates more than those in the control group. We find that poorer performance by borrowers of securitized loans seems to be connected to banks’ reduced monitoring incentives. Our results are supported by two additional methodologies and robust to controlling for predetermined borrower–lender matching.
Benefits of increasing transpiration efficiency in wheat under elevated CO2 for rainfed regions
Authors: Christy Brendan , Tausz‐Posch Sabine , Tausz Michael , Richards Richard , Rebetzke Greg , Condon Anthony , McLean Terry , Fitzgerald Glenn , Bourgault Maryse , O'Leary Garry 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHigher transpiration efficiency (TE) has been proposed as a mechanism to increase crop yields in dry environments where water availability usually limits yield. The application of a coupled radiation and TE simulation model shows wheat yield advantage of a high‐TE cultivar (cv. Drysdale) over its almost identical low‐TE parent line (Hartog), from about −7 to 558 kg/ha (mean 187 kg/ha) over the rainfed cropping region in Australia (221–1,351 mm annual rainfall), under the present‐day climate. The smallest absolute yield response occurred in the more extreme drier and wetter areas of the wheat belt. However, under elevated CO2 conditions, the response of Drysdale was much greater overall, ranging from 51 to 886 kg/ha (mean 284 kg/ha) with the greatest response in the higher rainfall areas. Changes in simulated TE under elevated CO2 conditions are seen across Australia with notable increased areas of higher TE under a drier climate in Western Australia, Queensland and parts of New South Wales and Victoria. This improved efficiency is subtly deceptive, with highest yields not necessarily directly correlated with highest TE. Nevertheless, the advantage of Drysdale over Hartog is clear with the benefit of the trait advantage attributed to TE ranging from 102% to 118% (mean 109%). The potential annual cost‐benefits of this increased genetic TE trait across the wheat growing areas of Australia (5 year average of area planted to wheat) totaled AUD 631 MIL (5‐year average wheat price of AUD/260 t) with an average of 187 kg/ha under the present climate. The benefit to an individual farmer will depend on location but elevated CO2 raises this nation‐wide benefit to AUD 796 MIL in a 2°C warmer climate, slightly lower (AUD 715 MIL) if rainfall is also reduced by 20%.