bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on Antiphospholipid Antibody‐Induced Changes in First Trimester Trophoblast Function
Authors: Albert Caroline R. , Schlesinger William J. , Viall Chez A. , Mulla Melissa J. , Brosens Jan J. , Chamley Lawrence W. , Abrahams Vikki M. 
Published: December 2013

ProblemWomen with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) are at risk for pregnancy complications. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) alter trophoblast function by triggering an inflammatory cytokine response; modulating angiogenic factor secretion; and inhibiting migration. While patients with APS are often treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), its effect on trophoblast function is poorly understood.Method of studyA human first trimester trophoblast cell line was treated with or without antihuman β2GPI mAbs in the presence or absence of HCQ. Supernatants were analyzed by ELISA. Cell migration was measured using a colormetric assay.ResultsAntiphospholipid antibodies‐induced trophoblast IL‐8, IL‐1 β, PlGF, and sEndoglin secretion were not altered by HCQ. aPL‐induced inhibition of trophoblast migration was partially reversed by HCQ, even though HCQ significantly increased secretion of pro‐migratory IL‐6 to greater than baseline. aPL‐induced upregulation of TIMP2 appears to inhibit trophoblast migration; the inability of HCQ to prevent aPL‐induced TIMP2 may explain why migration was only partially restored.ConclusionHydroxychloroquine reversed the aPL‐inhibition of trophoblast IL‐6 secretion and partially limited aPL‐inhibition of cell migration. Thus, some form of combination therapy that includes HCQ may be beneficial to pregnant APS patients.
Low gut microbiota diversity in early infancy precedes asthma at school age
Authors: Abrahamsson T. R. , Jakobsson H. E. , Andersson A. F. , Björkstén B. , Engstrand L. , Jenmalm M. C. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundLow total diversity of the gut microbiota during the first year of life is associated with allergic diseases in infancy, but little is known how early microbial diversity is related to allergic disease later in school age.ObjectiveTo assess microbial diversity and characterize the dominant bacteria in stool during the first year of life in relation to the prevalence of different allergic diseases in school age, such as asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) and eczema.MethodsThe microbial diversity and composition was analysed with barcoded 16S rDNA 454 pyrosequencing in stool samples at 1 week, 1 month and 12 months of age in 47 infants which were subsequently assessed for allergic disease and skin prick test reactivity at 7 years of age (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT01285830).ResultsChildren developing asthma (n = 8) had a lower diversity of the total microbiota than non‐asthmatic children at 1 week (P = 0.04) and 1 month (P = 0.003) of age, whereas allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (n = 13), eczema (n = 12) and positive skin prick reactivity (n = 14) at 7 years of age did not associate with the gut microbiota diversity. Neither was asthma associated with the microbiota composition later in infancy (at 12 months). Children having IgE‐associated eczema in infancy and subsequently developing asthma had lower microbial diversity than those that did not. There were no significant differences, however, in relative abundance of bacterial phyla and genera between children with or without allergic disease.Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceLow total diversity of the gut microbiota during the first month of life was associated with asthma but not ARC in children at 7 years of age. Measures affecting microbial colonization of the infant during the first month of life may impact asthma development in childhood.
High-titre circulating tissue transglutaminase-2 antibodies predict small bowel villous atrophy, but decision cut-off limits must be locally validated
Authors: Beltran L , Koenig M , Egner W , Howard M , Butt A , Austin M R , Patel D , Sanderson R R , Goubet S , Saleh F , Lavender J , Stainer E , Tarzi M D 
Published: December 2013

Summary
Numerous studies suggest that high levels of circulating immunoglobulin (Ig)A tissue transglutaminase (TTG2) antibodies predict coeliac disease with high specificity. Accordingly, it has been suggested that duodenal biopsy may not be required routinely for diagnostic confirmation where quantitative serology identifies the presence of high antibody titres. However, defining a cut-off TTG2 threshold is problematic, as the multiple available assay methods are not harmonized and most studies have been focused on the paediatric population. Recent paediatric guidelines proposed a TTG2 antibody diagnostic cut-off at 10 × the upper limit of normal (ULN) for the method; however, concerns remain about errors of generalization, between both methods and laboratories. In this study, we used retrospective laboratory data to investigate the relationship between TTG2 antibody levels and Marsh 3 histology in the seropositive population of adults and children at a single centre. Among 202 seropositive patients with corresponding biopsies, it was possible to define a TTG2 antibody cut-off with 100% specificity for Marsh 3 histology, at just over 10 × ULN for the method. However, UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme returns during the study period showed a wide dispersion of results and poor consensus, both between methods and between laboratories using the same method. Our results support the view that high-titre TTG2 antibody levels have strong predictive value for villous atrophy in adults and children, but suggest that decision cut-offs to guide biopsy requirement will require local validation. TTG2 antibody assay harmonization is a priority, in order to meet the evolving requirements of laboratory users in this field.
Different levels of thyroid hormones between impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance: free T3 affects the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance in opposite ways
Authors: Jing Su , Xiaoying Ding , Ying Xu , Rui Liu , Mingyu Gu , Yuting Chen , Yanhua Yin , Yufan Wang , Haiyan Sun , Yongde Peng 
Published: December 2013

AbstractContextThere is an association between thyroid disorders and diabetes mellitus.ObjectiveTo investigate thyroid hormone levels in different glucose metabolic statuses, analyse relationships between thyroid hormone levels and different categories of prediabetes and metabolic parameters within a large euthyroid nondiabetic population.MethodsA total of 3328 subjects without diabetes or thyroid dysfunction were included in this cross‐sectional study. Subjects were divided in to four groups [normal glucose tolerance (NGR), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and combined glucose intolerance (CGI)] according to the results of oral glucose tolerance test. Participants were then divided into four groups according to the quartile of free T3 (FT3) in their blood.ResultsSubjects with IFG had higher levels of FT3 and ratio of FT3 to FT4 (FT3/FT4), but lower level of free T4 (FT4) than subjects with IGT. FT3/FT4 was negatively associated with postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) [standardized β (β) = −0·087; P < 0·001]. The prevalence of IFG and CGI was increased with the level of FT3, while the prevalence of IGT was decreased with the level of FT3 (P for trend: <0·001, 0·003 and <0·001, respectively). FT3 was negatively associated with the risk of IGT (OR = 0·409, 95% CI 0·179–0·935), whereas FT4 was positively associated with the risk of IGT (OR = 1·296, 95% CI 1·004–1·673).ConclusionsFree thyroid hormone levels were different between subjects with IFG and IGT. FT3 affects the prevalence of IFG and IGT in opposite ways. The difference in thyroid hormone levels may play an important role in the different pathological mechanisms of IFG and IGT.
Bone quality evaluation at dental implant site using multislice CT, micro‐CT, and cone beam CT
Authors: Parsa Azin , Ibrahim Norliza , Hassan Bassam , van der Stelt Paul , Wismeijer Daniel 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe first purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and calibrated radiographic bone density Hounsfield units (HU) in human jaws, derived from micro‐CT and multislice computed tomography (MSCT), respectively. The second aim was to assess the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in evaluating trabecular bone density and microstructure using MSCT and micro‐CT, respectively, as reference gold standards.Material and methodsTwenty partially edentulous human mandibular cadavers were scanned by three types of CT modalities: MSCT (Philips, Best, the Netherlands), CBCT (3D Accuitomo 170, J Morita, Kyoto, Japan), and micro‐CT (SkyScan 1173, Kontich, Belgium). Image analysis was performed using Amira (v4.1, Visage Imaging Inc., Carlsbad, CA, USA), 3Diagnosis (v5.3.1, 3diemme, Cantu, Italy), Geomagic (studio® 2012, Morrisville, NC, USA), and CTAn (v1.11, SkyScan). MSCT, CBCT, and micro‐CT scans of each mandible were matched to select the exact region of interest (ROI). MSCT HU, micro‐CT BV/TV, and CBCT gray value and bone volume fraction of each ROI were derived. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlations between corresponding measurement parameters.ResultsStrong correlations were observed between CBCT and MSCT density (r = 0.89) and between CBCT and micro‐CT BV/TV measurements (r = 0.82). Excellent correlation was observed between MSCT HU and micro‐CT BV/TV (r = 0.91). However, significant differences were found between all comparisons pairs (P < 0.001) except for mean measurement between CBCT BV/TV and micro‐CT BV/TV (P = 0.147).ConclusionsAn excellent correlation exists between bone volume fraction and bone density as assessed on micro‐CT and MSCT, respectively. This suggests that bone density measurements could be used to estimate bone microstructural parameters. A strong correlation also was found between CBCT gray values and BV/TV and their gold standards, suggesting the potential of this modality in bone quality assessment at implant site.
Fragrance allergy and quality of life – development and validation of a disease‐specific quality of life instrument
Authors: Heisterberg Maria V. , Menné Torkil , Johansen Jeanne D. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundFragrance allergy is a lifelong condition that may give rise to permanent or recurrent contact dermatitis and may affect quality of life (QoL). The effect on QoL has not yet been investigated, and no disease‐specific QoL instrument for fragrance allergy exists.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a disease‐specific instrument to investigate QoL among fragrance‐allergic subjects.MethodA fragrance QoL instrument (FQL index) was developed on the basis of narratives from 68 fragrance‐allergic subjects, and consisted of 13 items. It was tested in a postal survey among 1650 participants patch tested at Gentofte University Hospital (2000–2010). The survey included other QoL instruments [Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Short Form 36 (SF36) version 2] and questions on eczema severity (response rate of 66%). A retest was conducted after 3–6 months (response rate of 72.5%).ResultsThe FQL index showed a significant and strong correlation with the DLQI (rS = 0.70), and disease severity, but a weak correlation with SF36 [mental component summary score, rS = − 0.22; physical component summary score, rS = − 0.31]. Good reliability and responsiveness to changes in disease severity were seen.ConclusionThe FQL index is a good instrument with which to investigate QoL in subjects with fragrance allergy. Good correlations with the DLQI and self‐estimated disease severity were seen, and it showed good reliability, reproducibility and ability to distinguish changes in disease severity.
Antithrombotic drug does not affect the positive predictive value of an immunochemical fecal occult blood test
Authors: Tsuji Yosuke , Gunji Toshiaki , Sato Hajime , Ono Akiko , Ito Takafumi , Ohata Ken , Yamamichi Nobutake , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Matsuhashi Nobuyuki , Koike Kazuhiko 
Published: December 2013

Background and AimAntithrombotic drugs may affect the diagnostic performance of immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of antithrombotic drugs on the diagnostic performance of iFOBT.MethodsWe analyzed 1016 patients who underwent colonoscopy for positive iFOBT. Patients were classified as follows: patients who had advanced neoplasms detected and those who did not; patients who had cancers detected and those who did not; patients who had any neoplasms detected and those who did not. We compared the following factors between two paired groups: sex, age, endoscopists' experience, and antithrombotic drug usage.ResultsA total of 139 patients were taking antithrombotic drugs (13.7%). Advanced neoplasms, cancers, and any neoplasms were detected in 196 (19.3%), 59 (5.8%), and 490 (48.2%)patients, respectively. There were no higher detection rates in the antithrombotic drug (–) group than in the (+) group (advanced neoplasms: 19.3% vs 19.4%, P = 1.000; cancers: 5.8% vs 5.8%, P = 1.000; any neoplasms: 48.4% vs 47.5%, P = 0.856). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that none of aspirin, warfarin, or other antithrombotic drugs was a significant factor for advanced neoplasms (95% CI 0.350–1.216, P = 0.179; 95% CI 0.421–1.899, P = 0.772; 95% CI 0.323–1.810, P = 0.764, respectively). As to cancers and any neoplasms, no antithrombotic drug also proved to be a significant factor.ConclusionThe present study demonstrated that the positive predictive value of iFOBT was not affected by ongoing antithrombotic therapy.
Advanced Producer Service Firms as Strategic Networks, Global Cities as Strategic Places
Authors: Taylor Peter J. , Derudder Ben , Faulconbridge James , Hoyler Michael , Ni Pengfei 
Published: December 2013

AbstractSassen's identification of global cities as “strategic places” is explored through world city network analysis. This involves searching out advanced producer service (APS) firms that constitute “strategic networks,” from whose activities strategic places can be defined. Twenty‐five out of 175 APS firms are found to be strategic, and from their office networks, 45 cities out of 526 are designated as strategic places. A measure of “strategicness” of cities is devised, and individual findings from this are discussed by drawing on existing literature about how APS firms use specific cities. A key finding shows that New York and London have different levels of strategicness, and this is related to the former's innovation prowess and the latter's role in global consumption of services. Other cases of strategicness discussed in terms of the balance between production and consumption of APSs are Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai; Palo Alto; Mexico City; Johannesburg; and Dubai and Frankfurt.
Effects of chronic cochlear electrical stimulation after an extended period of profound deafness on primary auditory cortex organization in cats
Authors: Fallon James B. , Shepherd Robert K. , Irvine Dexter R. F. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractExtended periods of deafness have profound effects on central auditory system function and organization. Neonatal deafening results in loss of the normal cochleotopic organization of the primary auditory cortex (AI), but environmentally‐derived intracochlear electrical stimulation, via a cochlear implant, initiated shortly after deafening, can prevent this loss. We investigated whether such stimulation initiated after an extended period of deafness can restore cochleotopy. In two groups of neonatally‐deafened cats, a multi‐channel intracochlear electrode array was implanted at 8 weeks of age. One group received only minimal stimulation, associated with brief recordings at 4–6‐week intervals, over the following 6 months to check the efficacy of the implant. In the other group, this 6‐month period was followed by 6 months of near‐continuous intracochlear electrical stimulation from a modified clinical cochlear implant system. We recorded multi‐unit clusters in the auditory cortex and used two different methods to define the region of interest in the putative AI. There was no evidence of cochleotopy in any of the minimally stimulated animals, confirming our earlier finding. In three of six chronically stimulated cats there was clear evidence of AI cochleotopy, and in a fourth cat in which the majority of penetrations were in the anterior auditory field there was clear evidence of cochleotopy in that field. The finding that chronic intracochlear electrical stimulation after an extended period of deafness is able to restore cochleotopy in some (but not all) cases has implications for the performance of patients implanted after an extended period of deafness.
A protocol for concurrent high‐quality immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses in adult mouse central nervous system
Authors: Notter Tina , Panzanelli Patrizia , Pfister Sandra , Mircsof Dennis , Fritschy Jean‐Marc 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBiochemical analysis of central nervous system proteins and nucleic acids requires fresh‐tissue homogenates, whereas immunohistochemistry usually is performed in sections prepared from perfusion‐fixed tissue. Post‐mortem immersion‐fixation is possible, but largely impairs morphological preservation and protein antigenicity. Here, we present a simple, fast and versatile protocol allowing concurrent biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis, including pre‐embedding immunoelectron microscopy, using tissue from the same animal. The protocol includes a brief transcardiac perfusion with ice‐cold, oxygenated and glucose‐supplemented artificial cerebrospinal fluid to maintain brain tissue alive, prior to isolation of regions of interest, followed by homogenisation for biochemistry or immersion‐fixation for immunohistochemistry. We provide several examples demonstrating that this protocol allows optimal biochemical and morphological analysis, characterised with optimal sensitivity and preservation of tissue structure, along with a reduction of artefacts typically seen in perfusion‐fixed tissue. This protocol should find widespread applications for combining analytical methods in tissue from the same animal, thereby reducing the number of mice required for a given experiment.
Sex‐Biased Senescence in a Polygynous Bat Species
Authors: Greiner Sabine , Nagy Martina , Mayer Frieder , Knörnschild Mirjam , Hofer Heribert , Voigt Christian C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBats live substantially longer than any other similar‐sized mammal despite high metabolic rates during flight. The underlying causes for the longevity of bats and the question whether bats exhibit signs of senescence – a progressive deterioration in performance – are still unclear. Here, we describe rates of senescence in individual annual fitness, survival and reproduction using survival and recruitment data collected over an 18‐yr period from 77 males and 81 females in a wild population ofSaccopteryx bilineata(greater sac‐winged bat), a polygynous species inhabiting colonies where female groups are defended each by a territorial male. In individuals older than 4 yr of age, individual fitness contribution, survival and recruitment declined with increasing age in males but not in females. Rates of senescence in annual individual fitness and in reproduction of males were at least an order of magnitude higher than those of females. This finding might be explained by the ‘disposable soma theory’ that attributes senescence to an optimal allocation of resources to somatic maintenance and competing traits such as reproduction. The rate of senescence in the survival of males was also significant but of the same order of magnitude as the (non‐significant) rate of females. Unlike many other polygynous mammals, greater sac‐winged bats show little overt male–male competition. As senescence in survival was only weak in males, our results are consistent with the theories for polygynous mammals, which view the trade‐off between male investment in physical traits for intense male–male competition against survival as a major source of the decline of male survival with age. This is the first study to demonstrate sex‐specific senescence rates in a wild population of a small, long‐lived mammalian species.
Pigmentation and melanocyte supply to the epidermis depend on type XVII collagen
Authors: Gostyński Antoni , Pasmooij Anna M.G. , Del Rio Marcela , Diercks Gilles F. , Pas Hendri H. , Jonkman Marcel F. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractGenetic deficiency of type XVII collagen (C17), laminin‐332 or type VII collagen causes epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Spontaneous correction of the deficiency, also known as revertant mosaicism, is caused by a second somatic mutation that restores protein expression resulting in clinically healthy (revertant) patches surrounded by fragile (mutant) skin. Interestingly, in some patients, patches of revertant skin show hyperpigmentation. To study the possible role of affected proteins in pigmentation and melanocyte distribution, we investigated clinical documentation and skin biopsy specimens of 13 revertant EB patients having correcting mutations in the COL17A1, LAMB3 or COL7A1 genes. Analysis revealed that lack of C17 led to decreased melanin intensity and melanocyte density in the epidermis when compared with the revertant patches. Reversions of LAMB3 and COL7A1 in keratinocytes did not influence clinical pigmentation or density of melanocytes. We conclude that in human skin, melanocyte supply to the epidermis depends on C17 expression in keratinocytes.
Impact of invasive Asian clams, Corbicula spp., on a large river ecosystem
Authors: Pigneur Lise‐Marie , Falisse Elodie , Roland Kathleen , Everbecq Etienne , Deliège Jean‐François , Smitz Joseph S. , Van Doninck Karine , Descy Jean‐Pierre 
Published: December 2013

Summary

Over the past few decades, Asiatic clams (Corbicula spp.) have spread spectacularly in several large European rivers. In the River Meuse, a transnational lowland river, a substantial chlorophyll a decline has been recorded since the mid‐2000s, which seems to be related to the invasion by these exotic bivalves. This study aimed at verifying this hypothesis, using data on clam density from field surveys, water quality monitoring data and a simulation model.

Corbicula density was estimated at between 50 and 900 m−2, depending on the site. Assuming a maximum filtration rate per clam body mass of 0.086 m3 g C−1 day−1 at 20 °C, derived from the literature, we ran simulations with a non‐stationary model to estimate the impact of the bivalve on the river plankton and water quality.

In the stretches where the invasive clams were most abundant, we estimated a 70% loss of phytoplankton biomass, due to their filtration, and a 61% decline in annual primary production compared with a situation without clams. Model simulations also showed that zooplankton may have suffered as much as a 75% loss of biomass.

The simulations also point to substantial effects of Corbicula on the river oxygen budget and on nutrient cycling. We suggest that, in the heavily regulated sectors of the river, the loss of planktonic production due to these invasive filter‐feeders negatively affects other suspension feeders and alters ecosystem processes and productivity.