bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Foetal exposure to maternal stressful events increases the risk of having asthma and atopic diseases in childhood
Authors: de Marco Roberto , Pesce Giancarlo , Girardi Paolo , Marchetti Pierpaolo , Rava Marta , Ricci Paolo , Marcon Alessandro 
Published: September 2012

To cite this article: de Marco R, Pesce G, Girardi P, Marchetti P, Rava M, Ricci P, Marcon A. Foetal exposure to maternal stressful events increases the risk of having asthma and atopic diseases in childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 724–729.AbstractBackground:  The natural history of asthma and atopic diseases begins in utero. Studies investigating the influence of foetal exposure to maternal stressful life events during pregnancy (SLEP) on asthma and atopic diseases are lacking.Aim:  To test whether the children of mothers who had experienced SLEP are at an increased risk for asthma, atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis.Methods:  The association between maternal SLEP (at least one among: divorce, mourning or loss of the job) and the occurrence of asthma and atopic diseases in childhood was studied in a population (n = 3854) of children, aged 3–14 yrs, living in Northern Italy. The parents filled in a standardized questionnaire about the children’s health and the events occurred to their mothers during pregnancy.Results:  Three hundred and thirty‐three (9%) of the mothers experienced SLEP. Their children had a statistically significantly higher lifetime prevalence of wheezing (31.6% vs. 23.1%), asthma (8.9% vs. 5.6%), allergic rhinitis (10.9% vs. 7.3%) and atopic eczema (29.7% vs. 21.1%) than those of mothers without SLEP. After adjusting for potential confounders, the foetal exposure to SLEP was positively associated with wheezing (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.03–1.94), asthma (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.02–2.89), allergic rhinitis (OR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.08–2.84) and atopic eczema (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.11–2.10).Conclusion:  The children of mothers who had experienced SLEP were at a moderately increased risk of having wheezing, asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis during their childhood. Maternal stress during pregnancy might enhance the expression of asthma and atopic phenotypes in children.
Pollen limitation and Allee effect related to population size and sex ratio in the endangered Ottelia acuminata (Hydrocharitaceae): implications for conservation and reintroduction
Authors: Xia J. , Lu J. , Wang Z. X. , Hao B. B. , Wang H. B. , Liu G. H. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractSmall populations may suffer more severe pollen limitation and result in Allee effects. Sex ratio may also affect pollination and reproduction success in dioecious species, which is always overlooked when performing conservation and reintroduction tasks. In this study, we investigated whether and how population size and sex ratio affected pollen limitation and reproduction in the endangered Ottelia acuminata, a dioecious submerged species. We established experimental plots with increasing population size and male sex ratio. We observed insect visitation, estimated pollen limitation by hand‐pollinations and counted fruit set and seed production per fruit. Fruit set and seed production decreased significantly in small populations due to pollinator scarcity and thus suffered more severe pollen limitation. Although frequently visited, female‐biased larger populations also suffered severe pollen limitation due to few effective visits and insufficient pollen availability. Rising male ratio enhanced pollination service and hence reproduction. Unexpectedly, pollinator preferences did not cause reduced reproduction in male‐biased populations because of high pollen availability. However, reproductive outputs showed more variability in severe male‐biased populations. Our results revealed two component Allee effects in fruit set and seed production, mediated by pollen limitation in O. acuminata. Moreover, reproduction decreased significantly in larger female‐biased populations, increasing the risk of an Allee effect.
Relationships Between Fertility and Some Parameters in Male Broiler Breeders (Body and Testicular Weight, Histology and Immunohistochemistry of Testes, Spermatogenesis and Hormonal Levels)
Authors: Sarabia Fragoso J , Pizarro Díaz M , Abad Moreno JC , Casanovas Infesta P , Rodriguez‐Bertos A , Barger K 
Published: September 2012

ContentsIn a farm of grandparent broiler breeder chickens, we followed the development of 350 roosters from 6 to 55 weeks of age. Data collected and evaluated from these males included body weight, testicular weight, histologic and immunohistochemistry studies of the testes, hormone levels (testosterone, estradiol and corticosterone) and sperm production. The objective was to understand the factors that affect or influence hatch loss that is commonly observed after 45 weeks of age in breeder flocksare often correlated to broiler breeder male chickens. The results of this study showed that in conjunction with the weight of the rooster, the testicle weight increases quickly after the rooster receives light stimulation. At an older age, the study showed that there is a process of testicular shrinkage, and the same effect is seen in sperm production and testosterone levels in broiler breeder roosters. From the histology evaluation, we defined 5 histologic phases that illustrate the evolution of the testicular tissue: perinatal, infantile, puberty, adult and senile. We observed that the adult males with a body weight <3800 g were infertile or had subfertile levels and also had low levels of testosterone and high levels of corticosterone. In contrast, the heaviest males showed correct testicular vitality, high levels of testosterone and low levels of corticosterone. However, the roosters that had acquired this high body weight were also at risk of having less complete copulations because of their physical mass. The loss of uniformity of the males and the appearance of hierarchies within the flock accompany a decline in the percentages of hatches as a consequence of the poor confirmation of the males for copulation or the restriction to the access to the females. Results of this study show that the decrease in fertility from 45 weeks of age has been associated with a decline in testicular weight, sperm production and the testosterone levels in animals with a sub‐par weight. Likewise, decreasing hatch in older flocks may also result from a loss of conformation, and the lack of complete copulations is possible because of animals that are grossly overweight.
Low molecular weight heparin decreases the permeability of glomerular endothelial cells when exposed to pre‐eclampsia serum in vitro
Authors: Li Yuqi , Wu Yuanyuan , Gong Xun , Shi Xinwei , Qiao Fuyuan , Liu Haiyi 
Published: September 2012

Abstract:AimLow molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been used to treat certain kidney diseases such as pre‐eclampsia, in which extensive levels of proteinuria are associated with dysfunction of glomerular endothelium. In our study, we investigated whether LMWH could affect the permeability of and ET‐1 expression in human glomerular endothelial cells (GEnC) incubated with pre‐eclampsia serum.MethodsSerum from pre‐eclampsia patients was collected and incubated with GEnC in the absence or presence of LMWH. We assessed the permeability of glomerular endothelial monolayer by measuring the amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA) that crosses into the lower chamber of a trans‐well device. In addition, we measured ET‐1 mRNA expression levels in and proliferation and apoptotic rates of GEnC exposed to pre‐eclampsia serum with or without LMWH.ResultsThe permeability of ET‐1 mRNA expression in GEnC increased upon incubation with pre‐eclampsia serum, but decreased significantly when LMWH was added. The presence of LMWH did not alter the proliferation and apoptosis of GEnC incubated with pre‐eclampsia serum.ConclusionLow molecular weight heparin maintains the integrity of the kidney probably by strengthening the defence of glomerular endothelium.
Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Tonkic Ante , Tonkic Marija , Lehours Philippe , Mégraud Francis 
Published: September 2012

AbstractMedline, PubMed and the Cochrane databases were searched on epidemiology and diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori for the period of April 2011–March 2012. Several studies have shown that the prevalence of H. pylori infection is decreasing in adults and children in many countries. Various diagnostic tests are available, and most of them have high sensitivity and specificity. The Maastricht IV/Florence consensus report states that the urea breath test using 13C urea remains the best test to diagnose H. pylori infection. Among the stool antigen tests, the ELISA monoclonal antibody test is recommended. All these tests were used, either as a single diagnostic test or in combination, to investigate H. pylori infection among different populations throughout the world. Of particular interest, current improvements in high‐resolution endoscopic technologies enable increased diagnostic accuracy for the detection of H. pylori infection, but none of these techniques, at present, are specific enough for obtaining a real‐time diagnosis of H. pylori infection.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Hydrogenotrophic, Methanogenic Archaeon Methanoculleus bourgensis Strain MS2
T
, Isolated from a Sewage Sludge Digester
Authors: Maus Irena , Wibberg Daniel , Stantscheff Robbin , Eikmeyer Felix-Gregor , Seffner Anja , Boelter Jürgen , Szczepanowski Rafael , Blom Jochen , Jaenicke Sebastian , König Helmut , Pühler Alfred , Schlüter Andreas 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT

Methanoculleus bourgensis
, of the order
Methanomicrobiales
, is a dominant methanogenic archaeon in many biogas-producing reactor systems fed with renewable primary products. It is capable of synthesizing methane via the hydrogenotrophic pathway utilizing hydrogen and carbon dioxide or formate as the substrates. Here we report the complete and finished genome sequence of
M. bourgensis
strain MS2
T
, isolated from a sewage sludge digester.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Novel Field Strain of Rearranged Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in Southern China
Authors: Huang Zhen , Su Shuo , Wei Chun-ya , Xie Jie-xiong , Zhu Wan-jun , Chen Ji-dang , Wang Heng , Zhang Guihong 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT
We report here the complete genomic sequence of a novel porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strain, which is supposed to be the result of natural genetic recombination between the ORF1 gene of genotype PCV2b-1B and the ORF2 gene of PCV2b-1C. Further analyses revealed that this novel PCV2 strain arose from recombination between PCV2a and PCV2b strains within the ORF2 gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of both inter- and intragenotype PCV2 gene rearrangement in the field, and it will help in understanding the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of porcine circovirus type 2(PCV2) in southern China.
The Evolution of Chemokine Release Supports a Bimodal Mechanism of Spinal Cord Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Smith Phillip D. , Puskas Ferenc , Meng Xianzhong , Lee Joon H. , Cleveland Joseph C. , Weyant Michael J. , Fullerton David A. , Reece T. Brett 
Published: September 2012

Background—
Paraplegia remains a devastating complication of thoracic aortic surgery. The mechanism of the antecedent spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury (IR) remains poorly described. IR involves 2 injuries, an initial ischemic insult and subsequent inflammatory amplification of the injury. This mechanism is consistent with the clinical phenomenon of delayed onset paraplegia. This study sought to characterize the inflammatory response in the spinal cord after IR and hypothesized that this would support a bimodal mechanism of injury.

Methods and Results—
Male C57Bl/6 mice were subjected to 5 minutes of aortic arch and left subclavian occlusion with subsequent reperfusion to generate spinal cord ischemia. Functional outcomes were scored at 12-hour intervals. Spinal cords were harvested after 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hours of reperfusion. Cytokine levels were analyzed using a mouse magnetic bead–based multiplex immunoassay. Inflammatory chemokine concentrations (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, keratinocyte-derived cytokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, RANTES, and tumor necrosis factor-α) peaked at 6 hours and 36 to 48 hours after reperfusion. Functional scores reflected initial gain in function with subsequent decline, inversely proportional to cytokine levels. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated microglia activation at 12 and 48 hours.

Conclusions—
Spinal cord ischemia and reperfusion injury occurs in 2 phases, correlating to increases in inflammatory chemokines release and microglial activation. These observations chronologically parallel the too-common clinical syndrome of delayed-onset paraplegia. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of this injury may allow future intervention to prevent this devastating complication.
Impact of Controlled Pericardial Drainage on Critical Cardiac Tamponade With Acute Type A Aortic Dissection
Authors: Hayashi Taro , Tsukube Takuro , Yamashita Teruo , Haraguchi Tomonori , Matsukawa Ritsu , Kozawa Shuichi , Ogawa Kyoichi , Okita Yutaka 
Published: September 2012

Background—
Cardiac tamponade is associated with fatal outcomes for patients with acute type A aortic dissection, and the presence of cardiac tamponade should prompt urgent aortic repair. However, treatment of the patient with critical cardiac tamponade who cannot survive until surgery remains unclear. We analyzed our experience of controlled pericardial drainage (CPD) managing critical cardiac tamponade.

Methods and Results—
Between September 2003 and May 2011, 175 patients with acute type A aortic dissection were treated surgically, including 43 (24.6%) who presented with cardiac tamponade on arrival. Eighteen patients, who did not respond to intravenous volume resuscitation, underwent CPD in the emergency department. An 8F pigtail drainage catheter was inserted percutaneously, and drainage volume was controlled by means of several cycles of intermittent drainage to maintain blood pressure at ≈90 mm Hg. After CPD, all of the patients were transferred to the operating room, and immediate aortic repair was performed. Systolic blood pressure before CPD was 64.3±8.2 mm Hg and elevated significantly in all of the cases after CPD. Systolic blood pressure after CPD was 94.8±10.5 mm Hg, and increase in systolic pressure was 30.5±11.7 mm Hg. Total volume of aspirated pericardial effusion was 40.1±30.6 mL, and 10 patients required only ≤30-mL aspiration volume. All of the patients underwent aortic repair successfully. In-hospital mortality was 16.7%; however, there was no complications or mortality related to CPD.

Conclusions—
Preoperative pericardial drainage with control of volume is a safe and effective procedure for acute type A aortic dissection complicated by critical cardiac tamponade. In our patient population, timely controlled pericardial drainage is warranted.
Pre-Explant Stability of Unloading-Promoted Cardiac Improvement Predicts Outcome After Weaning From Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Dandel Michael , Weng Yuguo , Siniawski Henryk , Potapov Evgenij , Krabatsch Thomas , Lehmkuhl Hans B. , Drews Thorsten , Knosalla Christoph , Hetzer Roland 
Published: September 2012

Background—
Detection of cardiac recovery that allows long-term cardiac stability after ventricular assist device (VAD) explantation is a major goal. After normalization of ventricular diameters during unloading, the pre-explant left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) allows the detection of patients with the potential to remain stable after VAD explantation. However, some patients with LVEF >45 before VAD explantation show early recurrence of heart failure (HF). We aimed to find out if unstable improvement can be recognized before VAD explantation.

Methods and Results—

Among 96 patients weaned from VADs since 1995, a relatively homogenous group of 53 patients with nonischemic chronic cardiomyopathy (CCM) was selected for the study. The pre-explant stability of major parameters of LV function, size, and geometry that were measured by echocardiography during serial “off-pump” trials was tested for relationship with cardiac stability after VAD explantation. LVEF, systolic peak wall motion velocity (Sm), end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), end-diastolic relative wall thickness (RWT
ED
) and end-diastolic short/long-axis ratio (S/L
ED
) were selected for evaluation. In postweaning unstable patients, the selected parameters showed relevant instability already before VAD explantation during the time period between best cardiac improvement and VAD explantation and also during the final off-pump trial just before VAD explantation. For all parameters, there were significant differences (
P
<0.05) in pre-explant changes between patients with and without postweaning cardiac stability. Using the optimal cutoff values obtained from receiver-operating characteristic analysis, we found for our selected parameters predictive values for postexplant cardiac stability of ≥1 year, ≥3 years, and ≥5 years, ranging between 94 and 100, 92, and 100, and 78 and 100, respectively. Using for all parameter changes the cutoff value of 10, we found similar predictive values for cardiac stability of ≥1 year, ≥3 years, and ≥5 years, ranging between 93 and 97, 90 and 96, and 83 and 92, respectively.

Conclusions—
Our results strongly suggest the possibility to improve the prediction of postexplant transplant/VAD-free outcome in CCM patients with cardiac improvement during VAD support by analyzing the pre-explant stability of several LV off-pump echocardiographic parameters during serial off-pump trials.
Long-Term Clinical and Echocardiographic Follow-Up of the Freestyle Stentless Aortic Bioprosthesis
Authors: Mohammadi Siamak , Tchana-Sato Vincent , Kalavrouziotis Dimitri , Voisine Pierre , Doyle Daniel , Baillot Richard , Sponga Sandro , Metras Jacques , Perron Jean , Dagenais François 
Published: September 2012

Background—
Stentless aortic bioprostheses were designed to provide enhanced hemodynamic performance and potentially greater longevity. The present report describes the outcomes of patients with the Freestyle stentless bioprosthesis followed for ≤18 years.

Methods and Results—

Between 1993 and 2011, 430 patients underwent primary aortic valve replacement with a Freestyle bioprosthesis in the subcoronary position. Mean age was 68.2±8.2 years. All of the clinical and echocardiographic data were collected prospectively. Mean overall follow-up was 9.1±4.4 years and was complete in all of the patients. In-hospital mortality was 3.5% (n=15). Overall, 10- and 15-year survival were 60.7% and 35.0%, respectively. Fifty-one patients required reoperation during follow-up, including 27 for structural valve deterioration (SVD). Overall, freedom from reoperation was 91.0% and 75.0% at 10 and 15 years, whereas freedom from reoperation for SVD was 95.9% and 82.3%, respectively. At 10 and 15 years, freedom from reoperation for SVD was 94.0% and 62.6% for patients <60 years of age and 96.3% and 88.4% for patients ≥60 years of age (
P
=0.002). The median time to explant for SVD was 10.7 years. SVD presented mostly as acute, severe aortic insufficiency attributed to leaflet tear (77.8%). The independent risk factors for reoperation for SVD were age <60 years (
P
=0.001) and dyslipidemia (
P
=0.02).

Conclusions—
Aortic valve replacement with the Freestyle bioprosthesis in a subcoronary position provides good long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes for patients >60 years of age. Severe aortic insufficiency with leaflet tear is the major mode of SVD leading to reoperation in these patients.
Comparison between single and three portal laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs
Authors: Khalaj Alireza , Bakhtiari Jalal , Niasari-Naslaji Amir 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a newly growing technique to replace a more invasive conventional multiple portal laparoscopic surgery. The objective of this study was to compare single (SILS) with three portal (Conventional) laparoscopic splenectomy in dogs. Mongrel dogs (n = 18), weighting 15 ± 3 kg, were selected for this study (n = 12 SILS; n = 6 conventional). The area from xiphoid to pubis was prepared under aseptic conditions in dorsal recumbency with the head down and tilted 30 degree in the right lateral position. Pneumoperitoneum was established by CO2 using an automatic high flow pressure until achieving 12 mm Hg. Instrumentation used consisted of curved flexible-tip 5 mm Maryland forceps and ultracision harmonic scalpel for sealing and cutting of the vessels and splenic attachments.

Results
All dogs recovered uneventfully. The splenectomy procedure using SILS and conventional methods were significantly different in the respective operative time (29.1 ± 1.65 vs. 42.0 + 2.69 min) and the length of the surgical scar (51.6 ± 1.34 mm vs. 72.0 ± 1.63 mm; P < 0.001). There were no post-operative wound complication including inflammation, infection, hernia formation and dehiscence up to one month after surgery. Meanwhile, the conversion to open surgery or application of additional portals was not required in both approaches.

Conclusion
This study demonstrated that SILS is a safe and feasible operation and could be used as an alternative approach to three portal (Conventional) for splenectomy in dog.
Clinical validity of outcome pain measures in naturally occurring canine osteoarthritis
Authors: Rialland Pascale , Bichot Sylvain , Moreau Maxim , Guillot Martin , Lussier Bertrand , Gauvin Dominique , Martel-Pelletier Johanne , Pelletier Jean-Pierre , Troncy Eric 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe conceptual validity of kinetic gait analysis and disability outcome assessment methods has guided their use in the assessment of pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA). No consensus on the best clinical methods for pain evaluation in canine OA exists, particularly, when evaluating treatments where a smaller treatment effect is anticipated than with pharmacological pain killers. This study thus aimed at determining the technical validity of some clinical endpoints on OA pain in dogs using the green-lipped mussel (GLM)-enriched diet.Twenty-three adult dogs with clinical OA completed the prospective controlled study. All the dogs were fed a balanced diet over a 30-day control period followed by a GLM-enriched diet over a 60-day period. The kinetic gait analysis parameter (PVFBW, peak vertical force adjusted for body weight change), electrodermal activity (EDA), and a standardized multifactorial pain questionnaire (MFQ) were performed on day (D) 0 (inclusion), D30 (start) and D90 (end). The owners completed a client-specific outcome measures (CSOM) instrument twice a week. Motor activity (MA) was continuously recorded in seven dogs using telemetered accelerometric counts. We hypothesized that these methods would produce convergent results related to diet changes. A Type I error of 0.05 was adjusted to correct for the multiplicity of the primary clinical endpoints.ResultsNeither the EDA nor the MFQ were found reliable or could be validated. Changes in the PVFBW(Padj = 0.0004), the CSOM (Padj = 0.006) and the MA intensity (Padj = 0.02) from D0 to D90 suggested an effect of diet(s). Only the PVFBWclearly increased after the GLM-diet (Padj = 0.003). The CSOM exhibited a negative relationship with the PVFBW(P = 0.02) and MA duration (P = 0.02).ConclusionsThe PVFBWexhibited the best technical validity for the characterization of the beneficial effect of a GLM-enriched diet. The CSOM and MA appeared less responsive following a GLM-diet, but these measures appeared complementary to gait analysis. Apparently, the CSOM provides the capacity to rely on pain OA assessment influenced by both lameness quantification (PVFBW) and physical functioning (MA).