bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Local atopy is more relevant than serum sIgE in reflecting allergy in childhood adenotonsillar hypertrophy
Authors: Zhang Xiaowen , Sun Baoqing , Li Shuai , Jin Hui , Zhong Nanshan , Zeng Guangqiao 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundThere was a lack of convincing evidence supporting the influence of allergy on the adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH). We investigated the presence of specific IgE (sIgE) in the serum and adenotonsillar tissues in children with ATH.MethodsA Pharmacia ImmunoCAP system was used to test sIgE against 31 allergens in the serum in 83 children with ATH before adenotonsillectomy. sIgE against 15 representative allergens were detected in adenotonsillar tissues from 20 of those children.ResultsA total of 51 (61.45%) children had positive serum sIgE. 20 children with ATH had positive sIgE to more than two allergens at both tonsils and adenoids, although half of them were serum sIgE negative. The percentage of subjects with positive sIgE expression in adenoids and tonsils was 50.0% and 42.9%, respectively, among the subjects with positive serum sIgE expression. Of subjects with negative serum sIgE expression, local sIgE was detected in 36.0% of adenoids and 43.8% of tonsils, respectively. The rate of sIgE presence in local tissue (adenoids or tonsils) was significantly higher than that seen in the serum.ConclusionThis study provided evidence that there was an important role for allergic inflammation in the ATH. The inconsistency in sIgE expression between adenotonsillar and serum suggests a role of local atopy in childhood ATH.
Mild hypothermia increases pulmonary anti‐inflammatory response during protective mechanical ventilation in a piglet model of acute lung injury
Authors: Cruces Pablo , Erranz Benjamín , Donoso Alejandro , Carvajal Cristóbal , Salomón Tatiana , Torres María Fernanda , Díaz Franco 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundThe effects of mild hypothermia (HT) on acute lung injury (ALI) are unknown in species with metabolic rate similar to that of humans, receiving protective mechanical ventilation (MV). We hypothesized that mild hypothermia would attenuate pulmonary and systemic inflammatory responses in piglets with ALI managed with a protective MV.MethodsAcute lung injury (ALI) was induced with surfactant deactivation in 38 piglets. The animals were then ventilated with low tidal volume, moderate positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP), and permissive hypercapnia throughout the experiment. Subjects were randomized to HT (33.5°C) or normothermia (37°C) groups over 4 h. Plasma and tissue cytokines, tissue apoptosis, lung mechanics, pulmonary vascular permeability, hemodynamic, and coagulation were evaluated.ResultsLung interleukin‐10 concentrations were higher in subjects that underwent HT after ALI induction than in those that maintained normothermia. No difference was found in other systemic and tissue cytokines. HT did not induce lung or kidney tissue apoptosis or influence lung mechanics or markers of pulmonary vascular permeability. Heart rate, cardiac output, oxygen uptake, and delivery were significantly lower in subjects that underwent HT, but no difference in arterial lactate, central venous oxygen saturation, and coagulation test was observed.ConclusionsMild hypothermia induced a local anti‐inflammatory response in the lungs, without affecting lung function or coagulation, in this piglet model of ALI. The HT group had lower cardiac output without signs of global dysoxia, suggesting an adaptation to the decrease in oxygen uptake and delivery. Studies are needed to determine the therapeutic role of HT in ALI.
Embedded Definite Descriptions: A Novel Solution to a Familiar Problem
Authors: Pupa Francesco 
Published: June 2013

AbstractPaul Elbourne claims that Russellians cannot accommodate the behavior of certain embedded definite descriptions. Since Fregeans can handle such descriptions, Elbourne urges theorists to reject Russell's theory in favor of Frege's. Here, I show that such descriptions pose no threat to Russellianism. These descriptions, I argue, are neutral between the two camps.
New candidates for mechano‐sensitive channels potentially involved in gravity sensing in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Iida H. , Furuichi T. , Nakano M. , Toyota M. , Sokabe M. , Tatsumi H. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe mechano‐sensitive channels of plants may sense increases in tension induced by mechanical stimuli, such as touch, wind and turgor pressure, and a gravitational stimulus. Recent studies have identified plant homologues of the bacterial mechano‐sensitive channel MscS, which is gated by membrane tension and reduces intracellular osmolality by releasing small osmolytes from bacterial cells. However, the physiological roles of these homologues have not yet been clearly elucidated, and only two of them have been shown to be involved in the protection of osmotically stressed plastids in Arabidopsis thaliana. We identified another group of candidates for mechano‐sensitive channels in Arabidopsis, named MCA1 and MCA2, whose homologues are exclusively found in plant genomes. MCA1 and MCA2 are composed of 421 and 416 amino acid residues, respectively, share 73% homology in their amino acid sequences, and are not homologous to any known ion channels or transporters. Our structural study revealed that the N‐terminal region (one to 173 amino acids) of both proteins was necessary and sufficient for Ca2+ influx activity. Interestingly, this region had one putative transmembrane segment containing an Asp residue whose substitution mutation abolished this activity. Our physiological study suggested that MCA1 expressed at the root tip was required for sensing the hardness of the agar medium or soil. In addition, MCA1 and MCA2 were shown to be responsible for hypo‐osmotic shock‐induced increases in [Ca2+]cyt. Thus, both proteins appear to be involved in the process of sensing mechanical stresses. We discussed the possible role of both proteins in sensing mechanical and gravitational stimuli.
Seasonal changes in temperature response of photosynthesis and its contribution to annual carbon gain in Daphniphyllum humile, an evergreen understorey shrub
Authors: Katahata S.‐I. , Han Q. , Naramoto M. , Kakubari Y. , Mukai Y. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe evaluated seasonal variation in photosynthetic temperature dependence and its contribution to annual carbon gain in an evergreen understorey shrub, Daphniphyllum humile Maxim, growing at the forest border and in the understorey of a deciduous forest. Plants at both sites exhibited similar optimal temperatures for photosynthesis (Topt). The activation energy for ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylation (HaV) at both sites tended to be higher in summer than in spring or autumn, suggesting that HaV may be the controlling factor in the Topt shift in D. humile. In contrast to the seasonal changes in Topt, the maximum photosynthetic rate at the optimal temperature (Popt) differed between the two sites: it was lower in autumn than in summer at the forest border, but was the same in summer and autumn in the understorey. In the understorey plants, nitrogen content (Narea) increased in autumn, but this was not the case for forest border plants. In addition, Rubisco content increased significantly in autumn in the understorey leaves but decreased distinctly in forest border leaves. Increased Narea and Rubisco in understorey leaves resulted in increased in photosynthesis in autumn. Annual carbon gain was 30.8 mol·m−2 in forest border leaves and 5.8 mol·m−2 in understorey leaves. Carbon gain in understorey leaves during the short period after overstorey leaf fall and before snow accumulation was approximately 49% of annual carbon gain. Furthermore, autumn carbon gain calculated using activation energy of summer with autumn photosynthetic parameters underestimated the autumn carbon gain by as much as 31%. In conclusion, photosynthetic temperature acclimation may be a key factor in increasing annual carbon gain in understorey D. humile.
The psychophysiology of mixed emotional states
Authors: Kreibig Sylvia D. , Samson Andrea C. , Gross James J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractHow to conceptualize mixed emotional states is a central issue in the field of affective science. Nondifferentiation, additive, and emergence accounts of mixed emotions make divergent predictions regarding physiological responses in mixed emotions. To test these predictions, 43 women watched film clips that elicited amusement, disgust, or mixed emotions while feeling self‐report, facial electromyography, cardiovascular, electrodermal, and respiratory measures were assessed. Simultaneous self‐reports of amusement and disgust confirmed elicitation of a mixed emotional state. Physiologically, mixed emotions differed from pure amusement and pure disgust both in intensity and pattern. This suggests a distinct physiological response of the mixed emotional state, as predicted by the emergence account of mixed emotions. Implications for emotion theory and research are discussed.
Technology, Trade Costs and Export Sophistication
Authors: Weldemicael Ermias 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis paper uses a disaggregated version of the Eaton and Kortum (Econometrica, 70, 2002, 1741) model to analyse the relative importance of technology and trade costs for export sophistication and welfare in a general equilibrium framework. It uses a structural estimation method to identify key parameters of the model that fit the observed trade pattern. The calibrated parameters vary across commodities consistent with their expected level of sophistication. The results are robust to alternative specifications of the calibration. Using fitted data, it also show that export sophistication is highly correlated with GDPper capita. Overall, the parameters are comparable with estimates from other studies. Finally, counterfactual experiments are conducted to quantify the effects of changes in technology and trade costs for the countries in the bottom quintile. The findings imply that these countries have a huge technological disadvantage, particularly in more sophisticated commodities.
Automorphisms of Drinfeld half-spaces over a finite field
Authors: Rémy Bertrand , Thuillier Amaury , Werner Annette 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe show that the automorphism group of Drinfeld’s half-space over a finite field is the projective linear group of the underlying vector space. The proof of this result uses analytic geometry in the sense of Berkovich over the finite field equipped with the trivial valuation. We also take into account extensions of the base field.
Rationality problems and conjectures of Milnor and Bloch–Kato
Authors: Asok Aravind 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe show how the techniques of Voevodsky’s proof of the Milnor conjecture and the Voevodsky–Rost proof of its generalization the Bloch–Kato conjecture can be used to study counterexamples to the classical Lüroth problem. By generalizing a method due to Peyre, we produce for any prime number $\ell $ and any integer $n\geq 2$, a rationally connected, non-rational variety for which non-rationality is detected by a non-trivial degree $n$ unramified étale cohomology class with $\ell $-torsion coefficients. When $\ell = 2$, the varieties that are constructed are furthermore unirational and non-rationality cannot be detected by a torsion unramified étale cohomology class of lower degree.
Persistence, Immune Response, and Antigenic Variation of Mycoplasma genitalium in an Experimentally Infected Pig-Tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina)
Authors: Wood Gwendolyn E. , Iverson-Cabral Stefanie L. , Patton Dorothy L. , Cummings Peter K. , Cosgrove Sweeney Yvonne T. , Totten Patricia A. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma genitalium
is a sexually transmitted pathogen associated with several acute and chronic reproductive tract disease syndromes in men and women. To evaluate the suitability of a pig-tailed macaque model of
M. genitalium
infection, we inoculated a pilot animal with
M. genitalium
strain G37 in the uterine cervix and in salpingeal pockets generated by transplanting autologous Fallopian tube tissue subcutaneously. Viable organisms were recovered throughout the 8-week experiment in cervicovaginal specimens and up to 2 weeks postinfection in salpingeal pockets. Humoral and cervicovaginal antibodies reacting to MgpB were induced postinoculation and persisted throughout the infection. The immunodominance of the MgpB adhesin and the accumulation of
mgpB
sequence diversity previously observed in persistent human infections prompted us to evaluate sequence variation in this animal model. We found that after 8 weeks of infection, sequences within
mgpB
variable region B were replaced by novel sequences generated by reciprocal recombination with an archived variant sequence located elsewhere on the chromosome. In contrast,
mgpB
region B of the same inoculum propagated for 8 weeks
in vitro
remained unchanged. Notably, serum IgG reacted strongly with a recombinant protein spanning MgpB region B of the inoculum, while reactivity to a recombinant protein representing the week 8 variant was reduced, suggesting that antibodies were involved in the clearance of bacteria expressing the original infecting sequence. Together these results suggest that the pig-tailed macaque is a suitable model to study
M. genitalium
pathogenesis, antibody-mediated selection of antigenic variants
in vivo
, and immune escape.
X-Band Polarimetric Weather Radar Observations of a Hailstorm
Authors: Figueras i Ventura Jordi , Honoré Françoise , Tabary Pierre 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of a hail event that occurred 27 May 2012 over Brignoles, located in southeastern France. The event was observed by an X-band polarimetric radar located in Mont Maurel, 75 km northeast of the hailstorm. Lightning data from the French national network (owned and operated by Météorage) are also used in the study. The analysis highlights that the lightning and radar data provide complementary information that may allow a better microphysical interpretation of the hailstorm and potentially increase the probability of its detection.
Measuring Workload in Collaborative Contexts
Authors: Helton William S. , Funke Gregory J. , Knott Benjamin A. 
Published: June 2013

Objective: In the present study, we explored the state versus trait aspects of measures of task and team workload in a disaster simulation. Background: There is often a need to assess workload in both individual and collaborative settings. Researchers in this field often use the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) as a global measure of workload by aggregating the NASA-TLX’s component items. Using this practice, one may overlook the distinction between traits and states. Method: Fifteen dyadic teams (11 inexperienced, 4 experienced) completed five sessions of a tsunami disaster simulator. After every session, individuals completed a modified version of the NASA-TLX that included team workload measures. We then examined the workload items by using a between-subjects and within-subjects perspective. Results: Between-subjects and within-subjects correlations among the items indicated the workload items are more independent within subjects (as states) than between subjects (as traits). Correlations between the workload items and simulation performance were also different at the trait and state levels. Conclusion: Workload may behave differently at trait (between-subjects) and state (within-subjects) levels. Application: Researchers interested in workload measurement as a state should take a within-subjects perspective in their analyses.
Impact of a smoking ban in hospitality venues on second hand smoke exposure: a comparison of exposure assessment methods
Authors: Rajkumar Sarah , Huynh Cong Khanh , Bauer Georg F , Hoffmann Susanne , Röösli Martin 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
In May 2010, Switzerland introduced a heterogeneous smoking ban in the hospitality sector. While the law leaves room for exceptions in some cantons, it is comprehensive in others. This longitudinal study uses different measurement methods to examine airborne nicotine levels in hospitality venues and the level of personal exposure of non-smoking hospitality workers before and after implementation of the law.

Methods
Personal exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) was measured by three different methods. We compared a passive sampler called MoNIC (Monitor of NICotine) badge, to salivary cotinine and nicotine concentration as well as questionnaire data. Badges allowed the number of passively smoked cigarettes to be estimated. They were placed at the venues as well as distributed to the participants for personal measurements. To assess personal exposure at work, a time-weighted average of the workplace badge measurements was calculated.

Results
Prior to the ban, smoke-exposed hospitality venues yielded a mean badge value of 4.48 (95%-CI: 3.7 to 5.25; n = 214) cigarette equivalents/day. At follow-up, measurements in venues that had implemented a smoking ban significantly declined to an average of 0.31 (0.17 to 0.45; n = 37) (p = 0.001). Personal badge measurements also significantly decreased from an average of 2.18 (1.31-3.05 n = 53) to 0.25 (0.13-0.36; n = 41) (p = 0.001). Spearman rank correlations between badge exposure measures and salivary measures were small to moderate (0.3 at maximum).

Conclusions
Nicotine levels significantly decreased in all types of hospitality venues after implementation of the smoking ban. In-depth analyses demonstrated that a time-weighted average of the workplace badge measurements represented typical personal SHS exposure at work more reliably than personal exposure measures such as salivary cotinine and nicotine.
High incidence of prostate cancer metastasis in Afro-Brazilian men with low educational levels: a retrospective observational study
Authors: de Souza Alexandre Barbosa Câmara , Guedes Hugo Gonçalo , Oliveira Victor Carbone Bernardes , de Araújo Fábio Aires , Ramos Carlos Cesar Oliveira , Medeiros Karina Carla Paula , Araújo Raimundo Fernandes 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
This study investigated factors related to ethnicity and educational level, their correlation with tumor stage at the time of diagnosis, and their influence on treatment outcomes in patients with prostate cancer.

Methods
In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the medical records of 1,349 male patients treated for prostatic adenocarcinoma. We collected information about sociodemographic variables, including educational level and self-reported skin color. We also classified the disease according whether it was to more likely to present with metastasis and measured the tumor response to treatment.

Results
Less-educated (<8 years of education) individuals were 4.8 times more likely to develop metastasis than those with more education (>11 years of education; p < 0.001). Similarly, patients with a self-reported black skin color had a 300% increased risk of metastasis at diagnosis (p = 0.001). Distant metastasis was independently correlated with worse outcomes, such that individuals with distant metastasis were 10 times more likely to die than were those without distant metastasis.

Conclusions
Patients with self-reported black skin color and <8 years of education were more likely to display advanced disease at the time of diagnosis compared with their counterparts. Only the presence of metastasis was independently associated with mortality or progressive disease.
Gastroesophageal reflux in Bronchiectasis and the effect of anti-reflux treatment
Authors: Hu Zhi-Wei , Wang Zhong-Gao , Zhang Yu , Wu Ji-Min , Liu Jian-Jun , Lu Fang-Fang , Zhu Guang-Chang , Liang Wei-Tao 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Bronchiectasis is a progressive and fatal disease despite the available treatment regimens. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) may play an important role in the progression of bronchiectasis. However, active anti-reflux intervention such as Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) and/or laparoscopic fundoplication (LF) have rarely been used to treat Bronchiectasis.

Case Presentation
Seven patients’ clinical outcomes for treating GER-related deteriorated bronchiectasis were retrospective reviewed. All patients were treated by SRF and/or LF, and had follow-up periods ranging from one to five years. Typical GER symptoms, respiratory symptoms, medication consumption and general health status were assessed during the follow-ups. At the latest follow-up all patients were alive. The typical GER symptoms disappeared in five people and were significantly improved in the other two. Two had complete remissions of both respiratory symptoms and bronchiectasis exacerbations; four had significantly improved respiratory symptoms to mild/moderate degrees as well as reduced or zero bronchiectasis exacerbations, which allowed them to resume the physical and social functions; one’s respiratory symptoms and bronchiectasis exacerbations were not much improved, yet she was in stable condition and satisfied with the results.

Conclusions
Potentially, GER plays an important role in some patients with bronchiectasis, and active anti-reflux treatments can be beneficial. Future clinical studies are suggested to clarify GER’s role in bronchiectasis and to further determine whether anti-reflux interventions for GER can improve the outcomes of patients with bronchiectasis.
A screening for antimicrobial activities of Caribbean herbal remedies
Authors: Luciano-Montalvo Claribel , Boulogne Isabelle , Gavillán-Suárez Jannette 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The TRAMIL program aims to understand, validate and expand health practices based on the use of medicinal plants in the Caribbean, which is a “biodiversity hotspot” due to high species endemism, intense development pressure and habitat loss. The antibacterial activity was examined for thirteen plant species from several genera that were identified as a result of TRAMIL ethnopharmacological surveys or were reported in ethnobotanical accounts from Puerto Rico. The aim of this study was to validate the traditional use of these plant species for the treatment of bacterial infections, such as conjunctivitis, fever, otitis media and furuncles.

Methods
An agar disc diffusion assay was used to examine five bacterial strains that are associated with the reported infections, including Staphylococcus saprophyticus (ATCC 15305), S. aureus (ATCC 6341), Escherichia coli (ATCC 4157), Haemophilus influenzae (ATCC 8142), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 7700) and Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 6896), as well as the fungus Candida albicans (ATCC 752). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined for each of the extracts that showed inhibitory activity.

Results
The decoctions of Pityrogramma calomelanos, Tapeinochilus ananassae, and Syzygium jambos, as well as the juice of Gossypium barbadense, showed > 20% growth inhibition against several bacteria relative to the positive control, which was the antibiotic Streptomycin. Extracts with the best antimicrobial activities were S. jambos that showed MIC = 31 μg/mL and MBC = 1.0 mg/mL against P. vulgaris and T. ananassae that showed MIC = 15 μg/mL against S. aureus.

Conclusion
This report confirms the traditional use of P. calomelanos for the treatment of kidney infections that are associated with stones, as well as the antimicrobial and bactericidal effects of T. ananassae against P. vulgaris and S. saprophyticus and the effects of S. jambos against S. aureus and S. saprophyticus.