bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic Urticaria can be Triggered by Eradication of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Magen Eli , Schlesinger Menachem , Hadari Israel 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundParticipation of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CU) is subject to dispute, although its eradication proved to be effective for some patients.AimsTo investigate the cases of CU following eradication of HP.MethodsThe cases of patients in whom CU was diagnosed following triple therapy for HP eradication were retrospectively reviewed. The identified patients underwent follow‐up examination to exclude drug hypersensitivity and repeated autologous serum skin test (ASST) was done.ResultsFrom 831 patients with CU, 9 (1.08%) cases of CU related to triple therapy for HP eradication have been detected. In 8 (88.9%) patients CU was associated with positive ASST.ConclusionsCU can be triggered by eradication of HP. The pathophysiological mechanisms of CU development following HP eradication are far from being clear, but it could be speculated that the systemic effects of HP eradication may involve some kind of immunomodulation, activating autoimmune mechanisms of CU.
Lay people's interpretation of ethical values related to mass vaccination; the case of A(H1N1) vaccination campaign in the province of Quebec (French Canada)
Authors: Massé Raymond , Désy Michel 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundPandemic influenza ethics frameworks are based on respect of values and principles such as regard for autonomy, responsibility, transparency, solidarity and social justice. However, very few studies have addressed the way in which the general population views these moral norms.Objectives(i) To analyse the receptiveness of the population of French‐speaking Quebecers to certain ethical principles promoted by public health authorities during the AH1N1 vaccination campaign. (ii) To add to the limited number of empirical studies that examine the population's perception of ethical values.DesignEight months after the end of the AH1N1 vaccination campaign in the Province of Quebec (Canada), 100 French‐speaking Quebecers were assembled in ten focus groups. Discussions focussed on the level of respect shown by public health authorities for individual autonomy, the limits of appeals for solidarity, the balance between vaccination efficiency and social justice towards non‐prioritized subpopulations, vaccination as a demonstration of civic duty and social responsibility.ResultsThe population acknowledged a high level of individual responsibility towards family members and agreed to vaccination to protect children and ageing parents. However, the concepts of civic duty and solidarity did not elucidate unanimous support, despite the fact that social justice stood out as a dominant value of public morals.ConclusionThe ethical principles promoted in influenza pandemic ethics frameworks are subject to reinterpretation by the population. An ethic of public health must consider their understanding of the fundamental values that legitimize mass vaccination.
New nanostructural biomaterials based on active silicate systems and hydroxyapatite: characterization and genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Opačić‐Galić V. , Petrović V. , Živković S. , Jokanović V. , Nikolić B. , Knežević‐Vukčević J. , Mitić‐Ćulafić D. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractAimTo characterize and investigate the genotoxic effect of a new endodontic cement based on dicalcium‐ and tricalcium‐silicate (CS) with hydroxyapatite (HA) on human lymphocytes.MethodologyHydrothermal treatment was applied for synthesis of CS and HA. The final mixture HA‐CS, with potential to be used in endodontic practice, is composed of CS (34%) and HA (66%). Human lymphocytes were incubated with HA, HA‐CS and CS for 1 h, at 37 °C and 5% CO2. Cell viability was determined using the trypan blue exclusion assay. To evaluate the level of DNA damage comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) was performed. For the statistical analysis anova and Duncan′s Post Hoc Test were used.ResultsThe SEM analysis indicated that CS consisted mostly of agglomerates of several micrometers in size, built up from smaller particles, with dimensions between 117 and 477 nm. This is promising because dimensions of agglomerates are not comparable with channels inside the cell membranes, whereas their nano‐elements provide evident activity, important for faster setting of these mixtures compared to MTA. Values of DNA damage obtained in the comet assay indicated low genotoxic risk of the new endodontic materials.ConclusionsThe significantly improved setting characteristics and low genotoxic risk of the new material support further research.
Characteristics of materialism and its measurement: assessing the Belk's materialism scale in Hungary
Authors: Hofmeister Agnes , Neulinger Agnes 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn terms of consumer values, the socialist system (altruism, acting for the good of the community, interest in culture, etc.) reflects a post‐materialist orientation. According to data from World Value Surveys, however, there was a strong shift towards materialist values in the former socialist countries after the political changes; this also holds true for Hungary. Most likely, this shift is due partly to the success of the market economy, competition and private enterprise and partly to the disappearance of the obligatory system of values of the socialist regime. The present research study uses the materialism scale developed by Belk to measure possessiveness, non‐generosity and envy in Hungary. The research study focused on the quantitative analysis of a national representative sample (n = 500) in 2002 and 2007 respectively. The results of the study indicate that in both periods surveyed, possessiveness was the most significant dimension within the three examined features of materialism. Changes in the nature of possessiveness, however, corresponded to the changes in consumer behaviour. Based on our findings, we can assume that possessions have a central place in people's life.
Allergic rhinitis as a possible risk factor for malocclusion: a case–control study in children
Authors: Luzzi Valeria , Ierardo Gaetano , Viscogliosi Annamaria , Fabbrizi Miriam , Consoli Giuliana , Vozza Iole , Vestri Annarita , Polimeni Antonella 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundProlonged oral respiration is known to cause postural alterations, which can lead to dental malocclusions. Allergic rhinitis, a common cause of upper airway obstruction in children, must therefore be seen as a possible risk factor in the development of malocclusions.AimAim of this study was to investigate the association between allergic rhinitis and malocclusions in primary and early‐mixed dentition.DesignA case–control study was carried out involving 275 Italian children aged 5–9. The case group and the control group were composed of 125 individuals affected by malocclusions and by 150 healthy patients, respectively. Through a questionnaire, we assessed the presence of professionally diagnosed allergic rhinitis. Data were analysed to identify associations between these variables and the presence of malocclusions.ResultsChildren with a history of allergic rhinitis had a threefold increased risk to develop one or more dento‐skeletal alterations [OR = 3.16; 95% CI (1.79–5.58), P < 0.001]. Statistically significant associations were found between allergic rhinitis and the development of posterior crossbite and increased overjet. No significant association was found for anterior openbite.ConclusionsAllergic rhinitis is a significant risk factor for the development of malocclusions in general and is associated with the development of posterior crossbite and increased overjet.
Chemical properties of plant litter in response to elevation: subarctic vegetation challenges phenolic allocation theories
Authors: Sundqvist Maja K. , Wardle David A. , Olofsson Elin , Giesler Reiner , Gundale Michael J. 
Published: September 2012

Summary

Several theories predict that increasing stress (e.g. decreasing nutrient availability or decreasing temperature) should result in higher amounts of plant phenolic compounds both at the interspecific and intraspecific levels. Further, several theories predict that plant phenolics are major drivers of plant–soil feedbacks whereby they influence litter decomposition rates and the return of nutrients to plants.

We investigated the potential influence of shifts in abiotic factors on litter phenolic properties using an elevational gradient in northern Sweden, for which temperature and soil fertility decline with increasing elevation. The system consists of two vegetation types: heath, (associated with low soil fertility) and meadow (associated with higher fertility), which occur across the entire gradient.

We hypothesized that total phenolics, tannins and protein complexation capacity (PCC) of leaf litter would increase with elevation within and among plant species. We further hypothesized that at the whole‐plot level (using community‐weighted averages), these properties would be higher in heath than meadow, and that phenolic properties for meadow vegetation would show stronger responses to elevation than for heath.

We measured phenolic properties in leaf litter for 13 species from both vegetation types across an established elevational gradient (500–1000 m) in Swedish subarctic tundra.

Contrary to our hypotheses, different species showed highly contrasting responses in their phenolic characteristics to elevation. At the across‐species level, total phenolic content in litter decreased with elevation. At the whole‐plot level, tannin concentrations were higher for the heath than for the meadow, whereas total phenolics and PCC did not differ. However, consistent with our hypothesis, our results showed that phenolic properties were more responsive to elevation for the meadow compared to the heath, as a consequence of greater species turnover for the meadow.

Our results are inconsistent with theories predicting higher plant phenolic concentrations with increasing environmental stress or decreasing nutrient availability. They also provide evidence that across abiotic gradients in the subarctic tundra, there are large shifts in litter phenolic properties (including those that are able to complex protein) and highlight that the direction and strength of such shifts may differ greatly among vegetation types.
DNA repair and replication proteins as prognostic markers in melanoma
Authors: Song Liang , Robson Tammy , Doig Tamasin , Brenn Thomas , Mathers Marie , Brown Ewan R , Doherty Val , Bartlett John M S , Anderson Niall , Melton David W 
Published: September 2012

Aims:  Elevated expression of DNA repair and replication genes has been reported in thick, non‐fixed primary melanomas that subsequently went on to metastasize, when compared to non‐recurrent primary tumours. This increased expression could contribute to the extreme resistance shown by melanoma to DNA‐damaging chemotherapeutics. We have investigated the hypothesis that levels of key DNA repair and replication proteins are prognostic biomarkers in melanoma.Methods and results:  We used a tissue microarray containing samples from all stages of melanomagenesis to investigate the hypothesis that levels of key DNA repair and replication proteins are prognostic biomarkers in a larger, more representative and readily available set of fixed primary melanomas. High expression of topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A), that relieves torsional stress during DNA replication, and XRCC5 (Ku80), required for DNA double‐strand break repair, were associated with significantly worse survival.Conclusions:  Two (XRCC5 and TOP2A) of seven DNA repair and replication proteins studied were prognostic for melanoma.
The history of blood transfusion prior to the 20th century–part 2
Authors: Learoyd P. 
Published: September 2012

SUMMARYAlthough there are a number of descriptions of ‘blood infusion’ in antiquity, it was the publication of the discovery of the circulation of blood in 1628 by William Harvey and the work of Christopher Wren and Robert Boyle in 1663 on the infusion of different materials into dogs that paved the way to the possible practical attempts at actual blood transfusion. Although these early experiments, principally by Richard Lower in England and Jean Denis in France provided valuable information regarding inter‐species incompatibility and the problems of blood coagulation, it was not until the work of James Blundell in the early part of the 19th century that blood transfusion was used as a means of blood replacement. However, blood transfusion was not to become an accepted therapeutic possibility until the discovery of practical anticoagulation and the ABO blood groups at the start of the 20th century.
Small RNAs of Sequoia sempervirens during rejuvenation and phase change
Authors: Chen Y.‐T. , Shen C.‐H. , Lin W.‐D. , Chu H.‐A. , Huang B.‐L. , Kuo C.‐I , Yeh K.‐W. , Huang L.‐C. , Chang I.‐F. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this work, the population of small RNAs (sRNAs) was studied in the gymnosperm Sequoia sempervirens during phase changes, specifically in the juvenile, adult and rejuvenated plants obtained in vitro. The potential target genes of Sequoia sRNAs were predicted through bioinformatics. Rejuvenation is a pivotal process in woody plants that enables them to regain their growth potential, which results in the recovery of physiologic and molecular characteristics that were lost when the juveniles mature into adult plants. The results from the five repeated graftings of juvenile, adult and rejuvenated plants in vitro showed that sRNAs could be classified into structural RNAs (Group I), small interfering RNAs (Group II), annotated microRNAs (Group III, and unannotated sRNAs (Group IV). The results indicate that only 573 among 15,485,415 sRNAs (Groups III and IV) had significantly different expression patterns associated with rejuvenation and phase change. A total of 215 sRNAs exhibited up‐regulated expression patterns in adult shoots, and 358 sRNAs were down‐regulated. Expression profiling and prediction of possible target genes of these unique small RNAs indicate possible functions in the control of photosynthetic efficiency and rooting competence abundance during plant rejuvenation. Moreover, the increase in SsmiR156 and decrease in SsmiR172 during plant rejuvenation suggested that these two microRNAs extensively affect phase transition.
Effects of salt stress and rhizobial inoculation on growth and nitrogen fixation of three peanut cultivars
Authors: El‐Akhal M. R. , Rincón A. , Coba de la Peña T. , Lucas M. M. , El Mourabit N. , Barrijal S. , Pueyo J. J. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIncreasing soil salinity represents a major constraint for agriculture in arid and semi‐arid lands, where mineral nitrogen (N) deficiency is also a frequent characteristic of soils. Biological N fixation by legumes may constitute a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisation in salinity‐affected areas, provided that adapted cultivars and inoculants are available. Here, the performance of three peanut cultivars nodulated with two different rhizobial strains that differ in their salt tolerance was evaluated under moderately saline water irrigation and compared with that of N‐fertilised plants. Shoot weight was used as an indicator of yield. Under non‐saline conditions, higher yields were obtained using N fertilisation rather than inoculation for all the varieties tested. However, under salt stress, the yield of inoculated plants became comparable to that of N‐fertilised plants, with minor differences depending on the peanut cultivar and rhizobial strain. Our results indicate that N fixation might represent an economical, competitive and environmentally friendly choice with respect to mineral N fertilisation for peanut cultivation under moderate saline conditions.
Modularity and emergence: biology’s challenge in understanding life
Authors: Lüttge U. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThis essay juxtaposes modularity and emergence in the consideration of biological systems at various scalar levels of spatio‐temporal organisation. It is noted that reductionism, specialisation and modularity are basic prerequisites for understanding life. It is realised that increased progress of scientific biology in elucidating mechanisms at the level of modular components supports the accusation that the more it advances in materialistic description of details, the more it diverts from understanding the innate properties of life. It is clear that modularity, by taking the whole as the sum of its parts, is insufficient for understanding living systems. At the same time, however, there is emergence, as advocated by Robert Laughlin. Emergence after the integration of modules leads to completely new properties of individual organisms as unique unitary entities, and also of systems of organisms with synergistic and antagonistic interactions of the integrated species. The discussion is predominantly based on examples from plant biology. At hierarchically higher scalar levels emergent biological systems are networks integrating species, biotopes, ecosystems and the entire biosphere of Earth, also named Gaia by James Lovelock, in a natural scientific respect. While investigating modules remains essential, biology as a nature science needs to merge and integrate such information to be able to unfold emergence. Through efforts towards visualising and understanding emergent diversity and complexity, the research discipline of biology will provide invaluable contributions to understanding life, and thus refute the accusation that it diverts from embracing the innate properties of life.
Polymorphisms in interleukin‐10 and interleukin‐28B genes in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 4 and their effect on the response to pegylated interferon/ribavirin‐therapy
Authors: Shaker Olfat G , Sadik Nermin A H 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground and AimRecently, it has been suggested that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in some cytokine genes may influence the production of the associated cytokines that affect the host immune response to pegylated interferon‐α (Peg‐IFN‐α) with ribavirin (RBV) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible role of the SNPs of IL‐10 and Il‐28B and their serum levels in predicting the response to treatment of HCV‐4.MethodsEgyptian patients were treated with Peg‐IFN‐α/RBV. A total of 100 HCV genotype 4‐infected patients and 80 healthy control subjects were included in the present study. SNPs in the IL‐10 (‐592 A/C and ‐819 T/C) and IL‐28B (rs8099917 T/G and rs12979860 C/T) genes and their serum levels were assessed. The IL‐10‐592‐CC, IL‐28‐rs8099917‐TT and IL‐28‐rs12979860‐CC genotypes were significantly higher in responders than in non‐responders.ResultsInterestingly, the serum levels of IL‐10 were significantly increased; in contrast, the serum levels of Il‐28B were significantly decreased in HCV patients compared with normal patients. Polymorphisms in IL‐28B are more sensitive (P < 0.001) than those in IL‐10‐592 (P = 0.03). However, the serum level of IL‐10 is higher than that of IL‐28, and this difference can serve as a prognostic marker using a receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that SNPs in IL‐28B and the serum levels of Il‐10 and IL‐28 may be promising predictors for HCV therapy.
Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma according to Child–Pugh classification
Authors: Miyaki Daisuke , Aikata Hiroshi , Honda Yohji , Naeshiro Noriaki , Nakahara Takashi , Tanaka Mio , Nagaoki Yuko , Kawaoka Tomokazu , Takaki Shintaro , Waki Koji , Hiramatsu Akira , Takahashi Shoichi , Ishikawa Masaki , Kakizawa Hideaki , Awai Kazuo , Chayama Kazuaki 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackground and AimWe compared the treatment response, survival, and safety to hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) according to Child–Pugh (CP) score.MethodsThe study subjects were 249 patients with advanced HCC and CP class A and B who had been treated with HAIC. Patients were grouped according to CP score (5/6, 7 and 8/9) and their tumor response, tolerance, and survival were assessed.ResultsThe median survival time (MST) was 8.2, 9.7, 6.3, and 3.9 months for the whole group, patients with CP 5/6, 7 and 8/9, respectively (P < 0.0001). Complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) were seen in 11 and 57 patients, respectively, with an overall response rate of 27.3%. The response rate was higher in patients with CP score 5/6 and 7, than CP 8/9 (30.5%, 28.2%, 13.8%). The dropout rate was significantly higher in patients with CP score 8/9 than the other two (8.0%, 12.8%, 33.3%, respectively). The survival rate was significantly better in patients who achieved CR/PR than the others with CP score 5/6, 7. CP score 8/9 was an independent negative factor for response and survival.ConclusionAdvanced HCC patients with CP score of 5/6 and 7 showed a better response to HAIC and better prognosis than those with CP score 8/9.
Properties of cell surface carbohydrates in sexual reproduction of the Closterium peracerosum–strigosum–littorale complex (Zygnematophyceae, Charophyta)
Authors: Hori Sachie , Sekimoto Hiroyuki , Abe Jun 
Published: September 2012

SummaryThe Closterium peracerosum–strigosum–littorale complex is a best characterized zygnematophycean green alga with respect to the process of sexual reproduction. Intercellular communication mediated by two sex pheromones has been well documented in this organism, but information concerning direct cell–cell recognition and fusion of cells involved in conjugation processes has not yet been clarified. In this study, we examined the properties of cell surface carbohydrates in vegetative and reproductive cells using a variety of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled lectins as probes. Among 20 lectins tested, 10 bound to the Closterium cell surface, and eight of these were specific for the cells involved in sexual reproduction. In addition, some of the lectins inhibited the progress of zygote formation. In particular, Lycopersicon esculentum lectin (LEL) and ConcanavalinA (ConA) considerably inhibited zygote formation (23.6% and 0% of zygotes formed, respectively, compared with the control). LEL mainly accumulated on conjugation papillae and on the surface and lumens of empty cell walls remaining after zygote formation. ConA bound to both vegetative and sexually reproductive cells and strongly accumulated on the conjugation papillae of the latter, indicating ConA binding material(s) are non‐specifically present in Closterium cells but some of the material(s) would be essential for zygote formation. These results suggest that different carbohydrates specifically recognized by these lectins are involved in cell recognition and/or fusion during conjugation processes in the C. psl. complex.