bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Probiotic effects in allergic disease
Authors: Ismail Intan H , Licciardi Paul V , Tang Mimi LK 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of allergic disease has been linked to reduced microbial exposure in early life. Probiotics have recently been advocated for the prevention and treatment of allergic disease. This article summarises recent publications on probiotics in allergic disease, focusing on clinical studies of prevention or treatment of allergic disease. Studies employing the combined administration of pre‐natal and post‐natal probiotics suggest a role for certain probiotics (alone or with prebiotics) in the prevention of eczema in early childhood, with the pre‐natal component of treatment appearing to be important for beneficial effects. On the other hand, current data are insufficient to support the use of probiotics for the treatment of established allergic disease, although recent studies have highlighted new hope in this area. Probiotic bacteria continue to represent the most promising intervention for primary prevention of allergic disease, and well‐designed definitive intervention studies should now be a research priority.
Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia: Hacettepe experıence
Authors: Çelik H Tolga , Günbey Ceren , Ünal Şule , Gümrük Fatma , Yurdakök Murat 
Published: April 2013

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of glucose‐6‐phospate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in newborn infants with neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and to compare the clinical features of G6PD‐deficient and G6PD‐normal newborn infants.MethodsA total of 4906 term and preterm neonates with indirect hyperbilirubinaemia were retrospectively evaluated according to demographic, neonatal features, bilirubin levels, erythrocyte G6PD levels, other risk factors and treatments.ResultsAmong 4906 newborn infants with indirect hyperbilirubinaemia, 55 (1.12%) neonates were G6PD‐deficient. In our study, no statistically significant difference was detected between G6PD‐deficient and G6PD‐normal infants in relation to the time of onset of jaundice, bilirubin levels and duration of phototherapy. However, the incidence of exchange transfusion in G6PD‐deficient infants was 16.4% while it was only 3.3% in G6PD normal infants (P < 0.05).ConclusionTesting for G6PD must be ordered to all newborns who are receiving phototherapy and especially to those who are coming from the high incident geographical regions and less responsive to phototherapy.
Geographic Disparities in Patient Travel for Dialysis in the United States
Authors: Stephens J. Mark , Brotherton Samuel , Dunning Stephan C. , Emerson Larry C. , Gilbertson David T. , Harrison David J. , Kochevar John J. , McClellan Ann C. , McClellan William M. , Wan Shaowei , Gitlin Matthew 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPurposeTo estimate travel distance and time for US hemodialysis patients and to compare travel of rural versus urban patients.MethodsDialysis patient residences were estimated from ZIP code‐level patient counts as of February 2011 allocated within the ZIP code proportional to census tract‐level population, obtained from the 2010 US Census. Dialysis facility addresses were obtained from Medicare public‐use files. Patients were assigned to an “original” and “replacement” facility, assuming patients used the facility closest to home and would select the next closest facility as a replacement, if a replacement facility was required. Driving distances and times were calculated between patient residences and facility locations using GIS software.FindingsThe mean one‐way driving distance to the original facility was 7.9 miles; for rural patients average distances were 2.5 times farther than for urban patients (15.9 vs 6.2 miles). Mean driving distance to a replacement facility was 10.6 miles, with rural patients traveling on average 4 times farther than urban patients to a replacement facility (28.8 vs 6.8 miles).ConclusionRural patients travel much longer distances for dialysis than urban patients. Accessing alternative facilities, if required, would greatly increase rural patient travel, while having little impact on urban patients. Increased travel could have clinical implications as longer travel is associated with increased mortality and decreased quality of life.
Floral ontogeny ofPedicularis(Orobanchaceae), with an emphasis on the corolla upper lip
Authors: Yu Wen‐Bin , Cai Jie , Li De‐Zhu , Mill Robert R. , Wang Hong 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPedicularisshows high diversity in its corolla form, however, its floral ontogeny has been rarely investigated. In particular, the development of the highly variable upper lip (galea), three broad morphological types of which (beakless and toothless, beakless and toothed, beaked) can be discriminated, remains unknown. We used scanning electron microscopy to investigate the early stages of floral ontogeny in two beaked species,Pedicularis gruinaandP. siphonantha. To compare the developmental processes of the three galea types, three species for each type were investigated. Initiations of floral organs inPedicularisare consistent. Sepal initiations are successive from the lateral‐adaxial primordia, followed by the lateral‐abaxial ones (these sometimes missing), then the mid‐adaxial one (again sometimes missing). The stamens are initiated prior to the petals, or development of petal primordia may be retarded at the early stages in comparison with that of stamen primordia. Four stamen primordia are initiated simultaneously. The five petal primordia are initiated almost simultaneously. Development processes of the upper lip among the three galea types differ in the expansion rates and directions of the cells of the two lobes and these differences govern whether or not a beak and/or teeth are formed on the upper lip. The floral ontogeny ofPedicularisis close to that ofAgalinis, which supports the molecular assignment. Floral monosymmetry ofPedicularisis established at the beginning of sepal initiation and is maintained until flowering. The development of the upper lip provides some clues to the evolution of beaked and/or toothed galeas inPedicularis.
Expression of the Apelin–APJ Pathway and Effects on Erectile Function in a Mouse Model of Vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Kwon Mi-Hye , Tuvshintur Buyankhuu , Kim Woo Jean , Jin Hai-Rong , Yin Guo Nan , Song Kang-Moon , Choi Min Ji , Kwon Ki-Dong , Batbold Dulguun , Ryu Ji-Kan , Suh Jun-Kyu 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Much attention has recently been focused on therapeutic angiogenesis as a treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). The apelin and apelin receptor (APJ) system is known to cause endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and to be involved in angiogenesis.

Aim
To examine the differential expression of apelin and APJ in animal models of vasculogenic ED and to determine whether and how enhancement of apelin–APJ signaling restores erectile function in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Methods
Acute cavernous ischemia was induced in C57BL/6J mice by bilateral occlusion of internal iliac arteries, and chronic vasculogenic ED was induced by feeding a high-cholesterol diet or by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.

Main Outcome Measures
Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of apelin and APJ were determined in cavernous tissue of each vasculogenic ED model by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We evaluated erectile function by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve in hypercholesterolemic mice 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after a single intracavernous injection of apelin protein (5 μg/20 μL). The penis was harvested for histologic examinations and Western blot analysis.

Results
The cavernous mRNA expression of apelin and APJ was up-regulated in acute ischemia model and down-regulated in chronic vasculogenic ED models. A significant restoration of erectile function was noted 1 day after injection of apelin protein into the penis of hypercholesterolemic mice; however, erectile function returned to baseline values thereafter. The beneficial effects of apelin on erectile function resulted mainly from an activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and increase in nitric oxide bioavailability through reduction in reactive oxygen species-mediated endothelial apoptosis rather than through direct endothelial cell proliferation.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that apelin–APJ signaling is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of vasculogenic ED. Further studies are needed to develop a potent agonist for APJ and to determine the role of repeated dosing of apelin on long-term recovery of erectile function.
The Global Online Sexuality Survey: Public Perception of Female Genital Cutting among Internet Users in the Middle East
Authors: Shaeer Osama , Shaeer Eman 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Female genital cutting (FGC) is a ritual involving cutting part or all of the female external genitalia, performed primarily in Africa. Understanding the motivation behind FGC whether religious or otherwise is important for formulating the anti-FGC messages in prevention and awareness campaigns.

Aim
The study aims to provide an investigation of opinion over FGC, the root motive/s behind it, in addition to the current prevalence of FGC among Internet users in the Middle East.

Methods
The Global Online Sexuality Survey was undertaken in the Middle East via paid advertising on Facebook®, comprising 146 questions.

Main Outcome Measures
The main outcomes are the prevalence of and public opinion on FGC among Internet users.

Results
31.6% of 992 participants experienced FGC at an average age of 9.6 ± 3.5 years, mostly in Egypt (50.2%). FGC was performed among both Muslims (36.9%) and Christians (18.8%), more in rural areas (78.7%) than urban (47.4%), and was performed primarily by doctors (54.7%) and nurses (9.5%). Whether or not it is necessary for female chastity, FGC was reported as highly necessary (22.5%), and necessary (21.6%). This was more among males, particularly among those with rural origin, with no difference as per educational level. This is in contrast to only 3.7% regarding FGC as a mandate of Islam. Religious opinion among Muslims was: 55.4% anti-FGC and 44.6% pro-FGC.

Conclusion
An important motivation driving FGC seems to be males seeking female chastity rather than religion, especially with FGC not being an Islamic mandate, not to undermine the importance of religion among other motives. School and university education were void of an effective anti-FGC message, which should be addressed. There is a shift toward doctors and nurses for performing FGC, which is both a threat and an opportunity. We propose that the primary message against FGC should be delivered by medical and paramedical personnel who can deliver a balanced and confidential message.
Vertical distribution patterns of macrofauna in a subtropical near‐shore coastal area affected by urban sewage
Authors: Muniz Pablo , Pires‐Vanin Ana M. S. , Venturini Natalia 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe vertical distribution of macrobenthic fauna, heavy metals, and other physico‐chemical and biological characteristics of the sediments were studied in three sediment layers (0–7, 8–14, 15–21 cm) at seven stations in the Ubatuba region, north coast of São Paulo State, Brazil at several temporal and spatial scales. Six stations were located in the inner bay near the riverine run‐off, and one was outside the bay, distant from the riverine influence. The samples were collected four times in 1 year, on a seasonal basis. Sediments were basis comprised predominantly of very fine sand and the vertical distribution of grain size was uniform to a depth of 21 cm in all stations. Higher values of total organic matter, organic carbon, sulphur, heavy metals and phaeopigments were recorded at the inner Ubatuba Bay stations, probably due to the riverine influence. C/N ratios indicated a mixed origin of organic matter with a major contribution of terrestrial material in the inner stations. The vertical distribution of heavy metals showed a slight decline with sediment depth in the inner stations, indicating the present contribution. Most of the macrofauna was found at the surface sediment layer. Biological data showed that in the inner stations of Ubatuba Bay, which are under the influence of urban sewage and are moderately polluted, the fauna was distributed more superficially within the substrate than in St. 7, which is located in the external portion of the bay distant from sewage inputs. The environmental quality of the sites studied varied little throughout the year, at least in relation to the variables considered here. Temporal variation in the vertical distribution of benthic fauna was not evident in the four sampling surveys analysed. Only minor changes in the vertical distribution of the total fauna were detected in the seasonal scale, with the organisms located less deep within the sediment column in summer, indicating some influence of the tourism impact and/or rainy season.
Infaunal macrobenthos of the oxygen minimum zone on the Indian western continental shelf
Authors: Joydas Thadickal V. , Damodaran Rayaroth 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe Arabian Sea is characterized by a mid‐depth layer of reduced dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration or oxygen minimum zone (OMZ ‐DO concentration <0.5 ml·l−1) at ~150–1000 m depth. This OMZ results from the flux of labile organic matter coupled with limited intermediate depth water ventilation. Generally, benthic animals in the OMZ have morphological and physiological adaptations that maximize oxygen uptake in the limited oxygen availability. Characteristics of OMZ benthos have been described from only a few localities in the Arabian Sea. We measured the bottom water DO and studied the characteristics of infaunal macrobenthos of the Indian western continental shelf by collecting samples at 50, 100 and 200 m in depth from 7° to 22° N. The DO values observed at 200 m (0.0005–0.24 ml·l−1) indicated that this area is lying within an OMZ. Five major taxa, namely Platyhelminthes, Sipunculoidea, Echiuroidea, Echinodermata and Cephalochordata were absent from the samples collected from this OMZ. In general, declines in total macrobenthic density and biomass and polychaete species richness and diversity were observed in this OMZ compared with the shallower depths above it. Community analyses of polychaetes revealed the dominance of species belonging to families Spionidae, Cirratulidae and Paraonidae in this OMZ. Low oxygen condition was more pronounced in the northern continental shelf edge (≤0.03 ml·l−1), where the majority of spionids including Prionospio pinnata and cirratulids were absent; whereas amphipod, isopod and bivalve communities were not impacted.
Multilocus estimation of divergence times and ancestral effective population sizes of Oryza species and implications for the rapid diversification of the genus
Authors: Zou Xin‐Hui , Yang Ziheng , Doyle Jeff J. , Ge Song 
Published: April 2013

Summary

Despite substantial investigations into Oryza phylogeny and evolution, reliable estimates of the divergence times and ancestral effective population sizes of major lineages in Oryza are challenging.

We sampled sequences of 106 single‐copy nuclear genes from all six diploid genomes of Oryza to investigate the divergence times through extensive relaxed molecular clock analyses and estimated the ancestral effective population sizes using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods.

We estimated that Oryza originated in the middle Miocene (c. 13–15 million years ago; Ma) and obtained an explicit time frame for two rapid diversifications in this genus. The first diversification involving the extant F‐/G‐genomes and possibly the extinct H‐/J‐/K‐genomes occurred in the middle Miocene immediately after (within < 1 Myr) the origin of Oryza. The second giving rise to the A‐/B‐/C‐genomes happened c. 5–6 Ma. We found that ancestral effective population sizes were much larger than those of extant species in Oryza.

We suggest that the climate fluctuations during the period from the middle Miocene to Pliocene may have contributed to the two rapid diversifications of Oryza species. Such information helps better understand the evolutionary history of Oryza and provides further insights into the pattern and mechanism of diversification in plants in general.
Inflammatory response and IgE sensitization at early age
Authors: Mustonen Kirsi , Orivuori Laura , Keski‐Nisula Leea , Hyvärinen Anne , Pfefferle Petra Ina , Riedler Josef , Dalphin Jean‐Charles , Genuneit Jon , Lauener Roger , Roduit Caroline , Braun‐Fahrländer Charlotte , Weber Juliane , Schaub Bianca , von Mutius Erika , Pekkanen Juha , Vaarala Outi ,   and the PASTURE Study Group
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundMicrobial exposure may induce low‐grade inflammation at an early age and decrease the risk of allergic diseases, as suggested by the hygiene hypothesis. We examined the associations between low‐grade inflammation and the development of allergic sensitization, atopic dermatitis (AD), and asthma at the age of 4.5 yr.MethodsWe studied 636 children participating in the PASTURE study in Finland, Germany, Austria, France, and Switzerland. Data of environmental factors, doctor‐diagnosed AD, and asthma were collected by questionnaire. The serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (CRP) values were measured at the age of 1 yr, and serum‐specific IgE concentrations (sIgE) at the age of one and 4.5 yr. Analyses were made by logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe risk of allergic sensitization at the age of 4.5 yr was decreased in children who had increased CRP levels at the age of 1 yr (level in the highest vs. lowest quartile: aOR 0.48, 95% CI 0.24–0.95; p = 0.014). The risk of AD and asthma was not significantly related to CRP.ConclusionThe findings confirm that elevated levels of CRP at early age showed association with decreased allergic sensitization later in life. Our results suggest that poor inflammatory response could predispose for IgE sensitization.
Learned and unlearned concepts in periodontal diagnostics: a 50‐year perspective
Authors: Armitage Gary C. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractIn the past 50 years, conceptual changes in the field of periodontal diagnostics have paralleled those associated with a better scientific understanding of the full spectrum of processes that affect periodontal health and disease. Fifty years ago, concepts regarding the diagnosis of periodontal diseases followed the classical pathology paradigm. It was believed that the two basic forms of destructive periodontal disease were chronic inflammatory periodontitis and ‘periodontosis’– a degenerative condition. In the subsequent 25 years it was shown that periodontosis was an infection. By 1987, major new concepts regarding the diagnosis and pathogenesis of periodontitis included: (i) all cases of untreated gingivitis do not inevitably progress to periodontitis; (ii) progression of untreated periodontitis is often episodic; (iii) some sites with untreated periodontitis do not progress; (iv) a rather small population of specific bacteria (‘periodontal pathogens’) appear to be the main etiologic agents of chronic inflammatory periodontitis; and (v) tissue damage in periodontitis is primarily caused by inflammatory and immunologic host responses to infecting agents. The concepts that were in place by 1987 are still largely intact in 2012. However, in the decades to come, it is likely that new information on the human microbiome will change our current concepts concerning the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases.
Economics of periodontal care: market trends, competitive forces and incentives
Authors: Flemmig Thomas F. , Beikler Thomas 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe adoption of new technologies for the treatment of periodontitis and the replacement of teeth has changed the delivery of periodontal care. The objective of this review was to conduct an economic analysis of a mature periodontal service market with a well‐developed workforce, including general dentists, dental hygienists and periodontists. Publicly available information about the delivery of periodontal care in the USA was used. A strong trend toward increased utilization of nonsurgical therapy and decreased utilization of surgical periodontal therapy was observed. Although periodontal surgery remained the domain of periodontists, general dentists had taken over most of the nonsurgical periodontal care. The decline in surgical periodontal therapy was associated with an increased utilization of implant‐supported prosthesis. Approximately equal numbers of implants were surgically placed by periodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and general dentists. Porter’s framework of the forces driving industry competition was used to analyze the role of patients, dental insurances, general dentists, competitors, entrants, substitutes and suppliers in the periodontal service market. Estimates of out‐of‐pocket payments of self‐pay and insured patients, reimbursement by dental insurances and providers’ earnings for various periodontal procedures and alternative treatments were calculated. Economic incentives for providers may explain some of the observed shifts in the periodontal service market. Given the inherent uncertainty about treatment outcomes in dentistry, which makes clinical judgment critical, providers may yield to economic incentives without jeopardizing their ethical standards and professional norms. Although the economic analysis pertains to the USA, some considerations may also apply to other periodontal service markets.
Lessons learned and unlearned in periodontal microbiology
Authors: Teles Ricardo , Teles Flavia , Frias‐Lopez Jorge , Paster Bruce , Haffajee Anne 
Published: April 2013

AbstractPeriodontal diseases are initiated by bacterial species living in polymicrobial biofilms at or below the gingival margin and progress largely as a result of the inflammation elicited by specific subgingival species. In the past few decades, efforts to understand the periodontal microbiota have led to an exponential increase in information about biofilms associated with periodontal health and disease. In fact, the oral microbiota is one of the best‐characterized microbiomes that colonize the human body. Despite this increased knowledge, one has to ask if our fundamental concepts of the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal diseases have really changed. In this article we will review how our comprehension of the structure and function of the subgingival microbiota has evolved over the years in search of lessons learned and unlearned in periodontal microbiology. More specifically, this review focuses on: (i) how the data obtained through molecular techniques have impacted our knowledge of the etiology of periodontal infections; (ii) the potential role of viruses in the etiopathogenesis of periodontal diseases; (iii) how concepts of microbial ecology have expanded our understanding of host–microbe interactions that might lead to periodontal diseases; (iv) the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases; and (v) the impact of these evolving concepts on therapeutic and preventive strategies to periodontal infections. We will conclude by reviewing how novel systems‐biology approaches promise to unravel new details of the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases and hopefully lead to a better understanding of their mechanisms.