bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro Studies of a Distillate of Rectified Essential Oils on Sinonasal Components of Mucociliary Clearance
Authors: Lai Yinyan , Dilidaer D. , Chen Bei , Xu Geng , Shi Jianbo , Lee Robert J. , Cohen Noam A. 
Published: May 2014

Background Herbal remedies predate written history and continue to be used frequently for many common ailments. The essential oil mixture standardized is a phytopharmaceutical with a distillate of a mixture of rectified essential oils of eucalyptus, sweet orange, myrtle, and lemon as active ingredients used to treat respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and rhinosinusitis. We evaluated the pharmacologic effects of a distillate of rectified essential oils standardized on primary human upper respiratory epithelial cultures specifically addressing electrolyte transport, cilia beat frequency (CBF), airway surface liquid (ASL) hydration, and mucus transport velocity. Methods Well-differentiated primary human sinonasal epithelial cultures grown at an air–liquid interface were treated on the apical or basolateral surface with varying concentrations of a distillate of rectified essential oils standardized. Changes in CBF were determined using the Sissons-Ammons Video Analysis system while changes in chloride flux were determined using the fluorescent dye 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl)quinolinium. ASL hydration was quantified using Texas red dextran and mucociliary transport velocity was measured using fluorescent microspheres and time lapse photography. Results When applied to the basolateral surface, a distillate of rectified essential oils standardized activated chloride efflux and ciliary beat in a dose-dependent fashion, increasing ASL height and accelerating mucociliary transport velocity. The ancillary apical application of a distillate of rectified essential oils standardized had minimal effects on the CBF. Conclusion Basolateral application of a distillate of rectified essential oils standardized stimulates both chloride efflux and cilia beat frequency resulting in a synergistic effect dramatically augmenting mucociliary transport velocity. These in vitro data support the clinical efficacy of this phytopharmaceutical in respiratory inflammatory disorders.
Histamine Type 2 Receptor Expression on Peripheral Blood Regulatory Lymphocytes in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Specific Immunotherapy
Authors: Ciebiada Maciej , Kasztalska Karolina , Gorska-Ciebiada Malgorzata , Górski Paweł 
Published: May 2014

Background Both histamine H1- and H2-receptors (H2R) were found on regulatory T (Treg) cells; however, there is a paucity of information regarding the role of H2R in Treg function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of natural allergen stimulation and specific immunotherapy (SIT) on H2R expression in Treg cells in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods In this prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study 41 patients with AR were screened for 1 year and treated with SIT (n = 21) or placebo (n = 20) for the next 2 years. Fifteen healthy subjects were included as a control. Subsets of Treg cells that expressed H2R we assessed annually in the blood by flow cytometry: before, at the height of the pollen season, and after, at the end of the pollen season. In addition, total nasal symptom score, the use of rescue medication, and nasal eosinophilia were evaluated. Results Treg cells of AR patients slightly up-regulate H2R out of the pollen season. Natural allergen stimulation results in prompt up-regulation of H2R within these cells. SIT significantly decreased the number of Treg cells with increased expression of H2R in the blood exclusively at the height of pollen season, which, however, had no impact on the expression of H2R in Treg cells. SIT improved significantly the symptom score, rescue medication use, and decreased nasal eosinophilia. Conclusion Natural pollen exposure results in up-regulation of H2R in Treg cells. Immunotherapy might transiently decrease the number of Treg-H2R+ cells in the blood, which may be associated with their migration to the peripheral tissues. This study was part of the clinical trial registered in www.clinicaltrials.gov Number NCT01475188.
Cigarette Smoke Promotes Eosinophilic Inflammation, Airway Remodeling, and Nasal Polyps in a Murine Polyp Model
Authors: Lee Ki-Il , Kim Dae Woo , Kim Eun Hee , Kim Jie Hye , Samivel Ramachandran , Kwon Ji Eun , Ahn Jin-Chul , Chung Young-Jun , Mo Ji-Hun 
Published: May 2014

Background Exposure to cigarette smoking (CS) is a major risk factor for airway inflammation. However, little is known about the effects of CS exposure on eosinophilic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (ERSwNPs). Histopathological and molecular studies were performed to investigate its effects using a murine model of ERSwNPs. Methods Mice were assigned to one of the following four groups (n = 8 for each group): control group, CS exposure (CS group), ERSwNP (ERS group), and ERSwNPs exposed to CS (ERS + CS group). Histopathological changes were investigated using various stains, including hematoxylin and eosin for inflammation and polyp-like lesions, Sirius red for eosinophils, toluidine blue for mast cells, Alcian blue for goblet cells, and Masson's trichrome stain for collagen fibers. mRNA expression of cytokines from nasal mucosae was measured. Serum I and systemic cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1-alpha was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. Results The ERS + CS group showed more severe symptoms, increased the number of polyp-like lesions filtration of eosinophils, goblet cell hyperplasia, and subepithelial fibrosis, compared with the ERS group. Additionally, mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-17A were up-regulated in ERS + CS group and higher levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, and interferon gamma from splenocytes were observed significantly in the ERS + CS group compared with the ERS group. In the ERSwNP murine model, exposure to CS enhanced the expression of VEGF and HIF-1-alpha in nasal epithelial cells. Conclusion Chronic exposure to CS aggravated eosinophilic inflammation and promoted airway remodeling and nasal polyp formation in a murine model of ERSwNPs. The underlying mechanism might involve up-regulated expression of VEGF and HIF-1-alpha.
Mechanical characterization of outer epidermal middle lamella of onion under tensile loading
Authors: Zamil M. Shafayet , Yi Hojae , Puri Virendra M. 
Published: May 2014

•Premise of the study:The cells in plant tissue are joined together by a distinct layer called the middle lamella (ML). Understanding the mechanical properties of the ML is crucial in studying how tissue‐level mechanical properties emerge from the subcellular‐level mechanical properties. However, the nanoscale size of the ML presents formidable challenges to its characterization as a separate layer. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the ML under tensile loading are as yet unknown.•Methods:Here, we characterize the ML from a subcellular sample excised from two adjacent cells and composed of two wall fragments and a single line of ML in between. Two techniques, cryotome sectioning and milling with a focused ion beam, were used to prepare ML samples, and tensile experiments were performed using microelectromechanical system (MEMS) tensile testing devices.•Key results:Our test results showed that even at a subcellular scale, the ML appears to be stronger than the wall fragments. There was also evidence that the ML attached at the corner of cells more strongly than at the rest of the contact area. The contribution of the additional ML contact area was estimated to be 40.6 MPa. Wall fragment samples containing an ML layer were also significantly stronger (p< 0.05) than the wall fragments without an ML layer.•Conclusions:The tensile properties of the ML might not have a major impact on the tissue‐scale mechanical properties. This conclusion calls for further study of the ML, including characterization under shear loading conditions and elucidation of the contributions of other extracellular parameters, such as cell size and shape, to the overall tissue‐level mechanical response.
The effects of achene type and germination time on plant performance in the heterocarpic Anacyclus clavatus (Asteraceae)
Authors: Afonso Ana , Castro Sílvia , Loureiro João , Mota Lucie , Cerca de Oliveira José , Torices Rubén 
Published: May 2014

• Premise of the study: In heterocarpy, fruits with different morphologies have been associated with alternative strategies of dispersal, germination, dormancy, and seedling competitive ability. In heterocarpic species, it is common to find fruits with competitive or dispersal syndromes. The competitive advantage of nondispersing fruits has been frequently attributed to their larger size, but recent studies have suggested that this could also be mediated by germination time. The main objective of our study was to investigate which factor, fruit type or germination time, most affects plant performance and, consequently, competitive ability, using the heterocarpic species Anacyclus clavatus.• Methods: To explore the effects of achene type and germination time on plant performance, we followed an innovative experimental approach including two experiments: one allowing for differences in germination time, and the other evaluating the effect of achene type alone by synchronizing germination time.• Key results: A significant effect of germination time on several postdispersal life‐history traits was observed: Achenes that germinated earlier produced plants with higher biomass and reproductive effort. When germination time was controlled, no significant differences were observed in any of the traits.• Conclusions: The competitive advantage of achenes with different morphologies was mainly mediated by germination time and not by differences in size or other intrinsic traits. The consequences of these results are discussed in light of the dispersal–competition trade‐off. Our experimental approach (i.e., the synchronization of germination time) revealed the importance of manipulative experiments for testing the effects of germination time on plant survival and performance.
TLR-Induced Cytokines Promote Effective Proinflammatory Natural Th17 Cell Responses
Authors: Massot Bérangère , Michel Marie-Laure , Diem Séverine , Ohnmacht Caspar , Latour Sylvain , Dy Michel , Eberl Gérard , Leite-de-Moraes Maria C. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Naive CD4 lymphocytes undergo a polarization process in the periphery to become induced Th17 (iTh17) cells. Using retinoic acid–related orphan receptor γt (RORγt)-gfp mice, we found that RORγt and the transcription factor promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) are valuable new markers to identify the recently described natural Th17 (nTh17) cell population. nTh17 cells are thymically committed to promptly produce large amounts of IL-17 and IL-22. In this study, we show that, in addition to responding to TCR cross-linking, nTh17 cells secrete IL-17 and IL-22 when stimulated with IL-23 plus IL-1β, either in recombinant form or in supernatants from TLR4-activated dendritic cells. This innate-like ability of RORγt+ nTh17 cells to respond to TLR4-induced cytokines was not shared by iTh17 cells. The other distinct properties of RORγt+ nTh17 cells are their high expression of PLZF and their absence from lamina propria; iTh17 cells are found therein. RORγt+ nTh17 cells are present in the thymus of germ-free RORγt-gfp and IL-6−/− RORγt-gfp mice, indicating that these cells do not require symbiotic microbiota or IL-6 for their generation. Finally, we found that PLZF+RORγt+ nTh17 cells represent one of the primary IL-17–producing innate-like T cell populations in a TLR7 imiquimod model of psoriasis-like disorder, indicating their involvement in this kind of lesion. Collectively, our results reveal RORγt and PLZF as characteristic markers for identifying nTh17 cells and demonstrate one of their novel properties: the ability to respond promptly to TLR-dependent proinflammatory stimuli without TCR engagement, placing them as members of the innate-like T cell family.
GANP Regulates the Choice of DNA Repair Pathway by DNA-PKcs Interaction in AID-Dependent IgV Region Diversification
Authors: Eid Mohammed Mansour Abbas , Maeda Kazuhiko , Almofty Sarah Ameen , Singh Shailendra Kumar , Shimoda Mayuko , Sakaguchi Nobuo 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
RNA export factor germinal center–associated nuclear protein (GANP) interacts with activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and shepherds it from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and toward the IgV region loci in B cells. In this study, we demonstrate a role for GANP in the repair of AID-initiated DNA damage in chicken DT40 B cells to generate IgV region diversity by gene conversion and somatic hypermutation. GANP plays a positive role in IgV region diversification of DT40 B cells in a nonhomologous end joining–proficient state. DNA-PKcs physically interacts with GANP, and this interaction is dissociated by dsDNA breaks induced by a topoisomerase II inhibitor, etoposide, or AID overexpression. GANP affects the choice of DNA repair mechanism in B cells toward homologous recombination rather than nonhomologous end joining repair. Thus, GANP presumably plays a critical role in protection of the rearranged IgV loci by favoring homologous recombination of the DNA breaks under accelerated AID recruitment.
Experiences of using a single post-contrast CT scan of the urinary tract after triphasic contrast injection
Authors: Pretorius Phillip Carl 
Published: May 2014

I was alerted to an article in Radiology Vol. 255 No. 2 (May 2010)1 by a colleague. The article, entitled ‘Kidney and urinary tract imaging: Triple-bolus multidetector CT urography as a one-stop shop – Protocol design, opacification, and image quality analysis’, clearly describes the technique, while the quotation below, from the article, summarises the findings:
‘We have shown that triple-bolus multidetector CT urography allowed visualization of renal parenchymal, excretory, and vascular contrast-enhancement phases in a single dose-efficient acquisition and provided sufficient opacification of the UUT, with simultaneous and adequate image quality of renal parenchyma and vascular anatomy.’ The main emphasis on this technique is to reduce the number of unnecessary CT scans when assessing the urinary tract. Our previous protocol for scanning the urinary tract for pathology included four phases: a pre-contrast, corticomedullary, nephrographic and delay excretory phase.
A Comprehensive Clinical Study about Patching after Strabismus Surgery
Authors: Zhang Wenqiu , Zeng Jihong , Liao Jinying , Yang Tao , Ren Jie , Zhou Xiaozhou , Liu Longqian 
Published: May 2014

Purpose Patching of the operative eye is occasionally used in pediatric strabismus surgery. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological and physiologic effects of patching after operation by multifactorial methods. Methods We analyzed the perioperative behaviors of 61 children with strabismus conducted from June 2012 to July 2013 in this prospective longitudinal study. The children were randomized into 2 groups. Patients in the patching group underwent postoperative patching and others received no patching. Main outcome measures included The Faces Pain Scale–Revised score or numerical rating scales score, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) score, crying time, and pre-operative and postoperative physiologic parameters. Results Crying time was significantly longer in the patching group than in the no patching group, but self-report scores showed no difference in the groups. Repeated-measures analysis of variance on ranks revealed that postoperative CHEOPS score was lower in the no patching group than in the patching group, whereas no physiologic parameters were significantly different in the 2 groups. Conclusions Patching is not necessary for reducing postoperative pain or the risk of infection in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
The Ocular Biometric Differences of Diabetic Patients
Authors: Kocatürk Tolga , Zengin Mehmet Özgür , Çakmak Harun , Evliçoğlu Gökhan Evren , Dündar Sema Oruç , Ömürlü İmran Kurt , Ünübol Mustafa , Güney Engin 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To investigate the differences in ocular biometric and keratometric characteristics in comparison with biometric measurements using the noncontact optical low coherence reflectometer (OLCR) (Lenstar LS 900, Haag-Streit) on diabetic patients. Methods The eyes of 170 patients were included in this study, including 81 diabetic and 89 nondiabetic subjects. Optical biometric measurements of diabetic and nondiabetic patients (between the ages of 25 and 85 years) who applied to the ophthalmology clinic were noted from March to June 2013. Detailed ophthalmologic examinations were done for every subject. Biometric measurements were done using the noncontact OLCR device. Results Patient age ranged from 29 to 83 years. Subgroup analyses were done in diabetic patients according to their Hba1C levels. The minimum Hba1C value was 5.3, maximum was 12.4, and mean was 7.56 ± 1.48. The median duration of diabetes was 5 years (25th-75th percentile 3.00-11.75). Diabetic patients were found to have thicker lens and shallower anterior chamber in both eyes compared to nondiabetic control subjects. There were no statistical differences between the groups according to central corneal thickness, axial length, or keratometric values in both eyes. However, lens thicknesses were found to be thicker and anterior chamber depth values were found to be shallower in the diabetic group in both eyes. Conclusions It may useful to determine eyeglasses prescription, refractive surgery calculation, lens selection, and previous cataract surgery according to biometric measurements after the regulation of blood glucose.
Discordant Retinoblastoma in Monozygotic Twins Due to Deletion of 13Q14
Authors: Messina-Baas Olga M. , Arroyo-Yllanes María Estela , Pérez-Pérez J. Fernando , González-Huerta Luz María , Cuevas-Covarrubias Sergio Alberto 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To report discordant retinoblastoma in monozygotic twins, confirmed by GeneScan. Methods One twin presented unilateral retinoblastoma that was treated with enucleation; the other twin had no retinoblastoma. To confirm monozygosity, DNA from leukocytes was analyzed through GeneScan with highly polymorphic markers; to exclude 13q14 deletion, FISH analysis was performed in leukocytes and oral cells of both twins and their parents and in retinal tissue of the affected twin with the cDNA LSI RB1 probe. Results GeneScan analysis confirmed monozygosity. 13q14 deletion was observed in homozygous state in retinal tissue and in heterozygous state in oral cells and leukocytes of the affected twin. The nonaffected twin and parents showed no deletion of 13q14. Conclusions These data show unexpected differences in monozygotic twins that could be explained by postzygotic events in embryonic development.
Intra- and Postoperative Risks and Complications of Small-Gauge (23-G) versus Conventional (20-G) Vitrectomy for Macular Surgery
Authors: Pielen Amelie , Guerra Nuria I. Pérez , Böhringer Daniel , Junker Bernd , Bühler Anima D. , Stahl Andreas , Agostini Hansjürgen T. , Ehlken Christoph 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To compare the complication spectrum and rate of 23-G and 20-G vitrectomy for macular surgery. Methods This was a retrospective comparative analysis of 20-G and 23-G vitrectomy (introduced in 2007) for macular surgery due to macular pucker or macular hole performed between 2006 and 2010 in 61 and 59 eyes, respectively, by 2 experienced surgeons and 2 trainees. We assessed the adjusted hazard ratio for vitrectomy 23-G vs 20-G with a Cox proportional hazard model. We counted retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, endophthalmitis (as early postoperative complications), or cataract progression (as late postoperative complication) as endpoint. We adjusted for indication, surgeon, retinopexy method, and the endotamponade. Results Follow-up averaged 712 days. Median time to first event was 385 days in the 23-G group and 342 days in the 20-G group. Cox proportional hazard analysis showed no significant difference between vitrectomy 23-G vs 20-G with regard to postoperative complications (hazard ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.41-1.52). The other covariates did not exert a statistically significant effect on the risk of adverse events. Looking at individual complications, retinal detachment was exclusively found after 20-G. Conclusions In this homogenous large cohort, we did not find a statistically significant difference in rates of complications between 23-G and 20-G vitrectomy techniques for macular surgery. Trainees performed equally well as experienced surgeons.
Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept by Personnel in Spanish and Latin-American Healthcare Centers
Authors: Ríos Antonio , López-Navas Ana Isabel , Ayala-García Marcos A. , Sebastián Maria José , Abdo-Cuza Anselmo , Alán Jeannina , Martínez-Alarcón Laura , Ramírez Ector Jaime , Muñoz Gerardo , Palacios Gerardo , Suárez-López Juliette , Castellanos Ricardo , González Beatriz , Martínez Miguel Angel , Díaz Ernesto , Nieto Adrián , Ramírez Pablo , Parrilla Pascual 
Published: May 2014

Background The knowledge and acceptance of the concept of brain death (BD) among health care personnel is fundamental. Objective To analyze the level of understanding of the BD concept among personnel in Spanish and Latin American healthcare centers and to determine the factors affecting this attitude. Material and methods Data from 12 hospitals and 32 primary care centers in 4 countries within the International Collaborative Donor Project were selected (Spain, Mexico, Cuba and Costa Rica (n = 4378)). Results 62% of the personnel (n = 2714) understood BD and believed that this was the death of an individual. Of the rest, 30% (n = 1 333) did not understand it and the remaining 8% (n = 331) believed it did not mean the death of a patient. 83% (n = 931) of physicians understood BD, compared to 75% (n = 895) of nurses, 55% (n = 299) of healthcare assistants, 53% (n = 108) of non-healthcare university-educated personnel and 36% (n = 481) of those without a university education (p<0.001). 68% (n = 1084) of Mexicans understood BD compared to 66% (n = 134) of Cubans, 58% (n = 1411) of Spaniards, and 52% (n = 85) (p<0.001) of Costa Ricans. There were significant relationships between knowledge of the concept and the following: type of healthcare center (p<0.001), clinical service (p<0.001), having spoken about organ donation within the family (p<0.001) and one's partner's attitude to the subject (p<0.001). A direct relationship has been found between understanding the concept and attitude toward deceased donation (p<0.001). Conclusions The understanding of BD by personnel from healthcare centers was not as good as expected. There were marked differences depending on job category.