bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LAPCs contribute to the pathogenesis of allergen‐induced allergic airway inflammation in mice
Authors: Hawkshaw C. , Scott J. A. , Chow C.‐W. , Fish E. N. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe inflammatory immune response associated with allergic airway inflammation in asthma involves T helper type 2 (Th2) immunity. Given the data that a newly described late activator antigen‐presenting cell (LAPC) population promotes Th2 immunity in viral infections, we undertook studies to investigate whether LAPCs have a pathogenic role in allergic airway inflammation.MethodsWe employed acute ovalbumin (OVA) and house dust mite (HDM) sensitization and challenge models to establish allergic airway inflammation in mice, followed by the analysis of lungs and draining lymph node (DLN) cell infiltrates, immunoglobulin E (IgE) production, and airway hyper‐responsiveness (AHR). We tested whether adoptive transfer of LAPCs isolated from mice with established allergic airway inflammation augments the development of sensitization in naïve mice.ResultsWe provide evidence that in both OVA and HDM mouse models of allergic inflammation, LAPCs accumulate in the lungs and draining lymph nodes (DLNs), concomitant with the onset of lung pathology, allergen‐specific IgE production, eosinophilia, and Th2 cytokine production. Adoptive transfer experiments using OVA‐activated LAPCs reveal exacerbation of disease pathology with an increase in lung inflammatory cells, eosinophilia, circulating IgE, Th2 cytokine production, and a worsening of AHR. OVA‐activated LAPCs preferentially increased GATA‐3 induction in naïve CD4+ T cells.ConclusionsTogether, these data suggest an important role for LAPCs in polarizing the Th2 response in mouse models of allergic airway inflammation.
Deprived neighborhoods and adverse perinatal outcome: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vos Amber A. , Posthumus Anke G. , Bonsel Gouke J. , Steegers Eric A.P. , Denktaş Semiha 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to summarize evidence on the relation between neighborhood deprivation and the risks for preterm birth, small‐for‐gestational age, and stillbirth.DesignThe design was a systematic review and meta‐analysis.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measures included studies that directly compared the risk of living in the most deprived neighborhood quintile with least deprived quintile for at least one perinatal outcome of interest (preterm delivery, small‐for‐gestational age and stillbirth).MethodsStudy selection was based on a search of Medline, Embase and Web of Science for articles published up to April 2012, reference list screening, and email contact with authors. Data on study characteristics, outcome measures, and quality were extracted by two independent investigators. Random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed to estimate unadjusted and adjusted summary odds ratios with the associated 95% confidence intervals.ResultsWe identified 2863 articles, of which 24 were included in a systematic review. A meta‐analysis (n = 7 studies, including 2 579 032 pregnancies) assessed the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes by comparing the most deprived neighborhood quintile with the least deprived quintile. Compared with the least deprived quintile, odds ratios for adverse perinatal outcomes in the most deprived neighborhood quintile were significantly increased for preterm delivery (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.18–1.28), small‐for‐gestational age (odds ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 1.28–1.34), and stillbirth (odds ratio 1.33, 95% confidence interval 1.21–1.45).ConclusionsLiving in a deprived neighborhood is associated with preterm birth, small‐for‐gestational age and stillbirth.
Safety of early endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis: an international multicenter study
Authors: Tsivgoulis G. , Krogias C. , Georgiadis G. S. , Mikulik R. , Safouris A. , Meves S. H. , Voumvourakis K. , Haršány M. , Staffa R. , Papageorgiou S. G. , Katsanos A. H. , Lazaris A. , Mumme A. , Lazarides M. , Vasdekis S. N. 
Published: May 2014

Background and purposeAlthough the latest recommendations suggest that carotid endarterectomy (CEA) should be performed in symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (sCAS) patients within 2 weeks of the index event, only a minority of patients undergo surgery within the recommended time‐frame. The aim of this international multicenter study was to prospectively evaluate the safety of early CEA in patients with sCAS in everyday clinical practice settings.MethodsConsecutive patients with non‐disabling acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) due to sCAS (≥70%) underwent early (≤14 days) CEA at five tertiary‐care stroke centers during a 2‐year period. Primary outcome events included stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) or death occurring during the 30‐day follow‐up period and were defined according to the International Carotid Stenting Study criteria.ResultsA total of 165 patients with sCAS [mean age 69 ± 10 years; 69% men; 70% AIS; 6% crescendo TIA; 8% with contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) occlusion] underwent early CEA (median elapsed time from symptom onset 8 days). Urgent CEA (≤2 days) was performed in 20 cases (12%). The primary outcomes of stroke and MI were 4.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5%–8.1%] and 0.6% (95% CI 0%–1.8%). The combined outcome event of non‐fatal stroke, non‐fatal MI or death was 5.5% (95% CI 2.0%–9.0%). Crescendo TIA, contralateral ICA occlusion and urgent CEA were not associated (P > 0.2) with a higher 30‐day stroke rate.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that the risk of early CEA in consecutive unselected patients with non‐disabling AIS or TIA due to sCAS is acceptable when the procedure is performed within 2 weeks (or even within 2 days) from symptom onset.
Risk of cancer in relatives of patients with myotonic dystrophy: a population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lund M. , Diaz L. J. , Gørtz S. , Feenstra B. , Duno M. , Juncker I. , Eiberg H. , Vissing J. , Wohlfahrt J. , Melbye M. 
Published: May 2014

Background and purposeMyotonic dystrophies (DM) are autosomal dominantly inherited neuromuscular disorders caused by unstable nucleotide repeat expansions. DM and cancer have been associated, but the pathogenesis behind the association remains unclear. It could relate to derived effects of the DM genotype in which case non‐DM relatives of DM patients would not be expected to be at increased risk of cancer. To elucidate this, a population‐based cohort study investigating risk of cancer in relatives of DM patients was conducted.MethodsDM was identified using the National Danish Patient Registry and results of genetic testing. Information on cancer was obtained from the Danish Cancer Registry. A population‐based cohort of 5 757 565 individuals with at least one relative was established using the Danish Family Relations Database based on kinship links in the Danish Civil Registration System. Familial aggregation of cancer was evaluated by (incidence) rate ratios (RRs) comparing the rate of cancer amongst relatives of patients with DM from 1977 to 2010 (exposed) with the rate of cancer amongst persons with a relative of the same type but without DM (non‐exposed).ResultsIn first‐degree relatives of individuals with DM the adjusted RR of cancer was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.71–1.12) overall, and in stratified analyses 0.68 (0.37–1.12) before age 50 and 0.96 (0.74–1.23) at age 50 or older.ConclusionsThe present study does not support an increased risk of cancer in non‐DM relatives of DM patients suggesting that cancer and DM are associated through derived effects of the DM genotype.
Association between migraine and irritable bowel syndrome: a population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lau C.‐I. , Lin C.‐C. , Chen W.‐H. , Wang H.‐C. , Kao C.‐H. 
Published: May 2014

Background and purposeMigraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share many similarities characterized by their epidemiology, periodic pain, lack of definable organic causes, trigger factors, comorbidities and proposed pathophysiology. In this retrospective case–control study, the association between migraine and IBS was investigated using a nationwide population‐based database in Taiwan.MethodsThe data were retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. In all, 14 117 newly diagnosed migraine cases were identified in a subset of the NHIRD and 56 468 migraine‐free individuals were randomly selected as the comparison cohort. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to explore the risk of IBS in migraine sufferers after adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities.ResultsAfter adjusting for the covariates, the incidence of IBS was 1.95‐fold higher in the migraine cohort than in the comparison cohort (73.87 vs. 30.14 per 10 000 person‐years). The adjusted cumulative incidence of IBS was also higher in the migraine group than in the control group in the follow‐up years (log‐rank test, P < 0.0001). In addition, the risk was most prominent in the youngest group (<30 years old), exhibiting a 3.36‐fold increased risk (95% confidence interval 2.44–4.63) of IBS compared with the migraine‐free cohort. Moreover, the incidence of IBS in migraine sufferers tended to increase with the frequency of migraine diagnoses.ConclusionThe current population‐based study demonstrated that migraine is associated with an increased risk of IBS after adjusting for comorbidities, particularly in the young population.
Next‐generation sequencing improves the diagnosis of thyroid FNA specimens with indeterminate cytology
Authors: Le Mercier Marie , D'Haene Nicky , De Nève Nancy , Blanchard Oriane , Degand Caroline , Rorive Sandrine , Salmon Isabelle 
Published: May 2014

AimsThe assessment of thyroid nodules is a common clinical challenge. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is the standard pre‐operative tool for thyroid nodule diagnosis. However, up to 30% of the samples are classified as indeterminate. This often leads to unnecessary surgery. In this study, we evaluated the added value of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) for helping in the diagnosis of FNA samples.Methods and resultsWe analysed retrospectively 34 indeterminate FNA samples for which surgical resection was performed. DNA was obtained from cell blocks or from stained smears and subjected to NGS to analyse mutations in 50 genes. Mutations in BRAF, NRAS, KRAS and PTEN, that are known to be involved in thyroid cancer biology, were detected in seven FNA samples. The presence of a mutation in these genes was a strong indicator of cancer because five (71%) of the mutation‐positive FNA samples had a malignant diagnosis after surgery. Moreover, there was only an 8% cancer risk in nodules with an indeterminate cytological diagnosis but with a negative molecular test.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that thyroid FNA can be analysed successfully by NGS. The detection of mutations known to be involved in thyroid cancer improves the sensitivity of thyroid FNA diagnosis.
Molecular characterization and differentiation of five horse breeds raised in Algeria using polymorphic microsatellite markers
Authors: Berber N. , Gaouar S. , Leroy G. , Kdidi S. , Tabet Aouel N. , Saïdi Mehtar N. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryIn this study, genetic analyses of diversity and differentiation were performed on five horse breeds raised in Algeria (Barb, Arab‐Barb, Arabian, Thoroughbred and French Trotter). All microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all the breeds. A total of 123 alleles from 14 microsatellite loci were detected in 201 horses. The average number of alleles per locus was the highest in the Arab‐Barb horses (7.86) and lowest in the thoroughbred breed (5.71), whereas the observed and expected heterozygosities per breed ranged from 0.71 (Thoroughbred) to 0.752 (Barb) and 0.71 (Thoroughbred) to 0.77 (Arab‐Barb), respectively. The genetic differentiation between the breeds was significant (p < 0.01) based on the infinitesimal model (FST). Three different approaches for evaluating the genetic relationships were applied. Genetic distances, the factorial correspondence analysis and structure analysis showed that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in the native horse populations and the other breeds. The Barb and Arab‐Barb breeds seem to be the most genetically related and support the decision to consider the breeds as same population.
Use of robust multivariate linear mixed models for estimation of genetic parameters for carcass traits in beef cattle
Authors: Peters S.O. , Kizilkaya K. , Garrick D.J. , Fernando R.L. , Pollak E.J. , Enns R.M. , De Donato M. , Ajayi O.O. , Imumorin I.G. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryAssumptions of normality of residuals for carcass evaluation may make inferences vulnerable to the presence of outliers, but heavy‐tail densities are viable alternatives to normal distributions and provide robustness against unusual or outlying observations when used to model the densities of residual effects. We compare estimates of genetic parameters by fitting multivariate Normal (MN) or heavy‐tail distributions (multivariate Student's t and multivariate Slash, MSt and MS) for residuals in data of hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle area (REA) and 12th to 13th rib fat (FAT) traits in beef cattle using 2475 records from 2007 to 2008 from a large commercial operation in Nebraska. Model comparisons using deviance information criteria (DIC) favoured MSt over MS and MN models, respectively. The posterior means (and 95% posterior probability intervals, PPI) of v for the MSt and MS models were 5.89 ± 0.90 (4.35, 7.86) and 2.04 ± 0.18 (1.70, 2.41), respectively. Smaller values of posterior densities of v for MSt and MS models confirm that the assumption of normally distributed residuals is not adequate for the analysis of the data set. Posterior mean (PM) and posterior median (PD) estimates of direct genetic variances were variable with MSt having the highest mean value followed by MS and MN, respectively. Posterior inferences on genetic variance were, however, comparable among the models for FAT. Posterior inference on additive heritabilities for HCW, REA and FAT using MN, MSt and MS models indicated similar and moderate heritability comparable with the literature. Posterior means of genetic correlations for carcass traits were variable but positive except for between REA and FAT, which showed an antagonistic relationship. We have demonstrated that genetic evaluation and selection strategies will be sensitive to the assumed model for residuals.
Characteristics of periodontal biotype, its dimensions, associations and prevalence: a systematic review
Authors: Zweers Jeroen , Thomas Renske Z. , Slot Dagmar E. , Weisgold Arnold S. , Van der Weijden Fridus G. A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimThe objectives of this review were as follows: What are characteristics used to define various forms of periodontal biotypes? What are their anatomic dimensions in relation to the definition? In addition, what is the association between these various characteristics in relation to the periodontal biotypes? Furthermore, what is the prevalence of various forms of periodontal biotypes in the population?Material and MethodsThe PubMed‐MEDLINE, the Cochrane‐CENTRAL and EMBASE databases were searched through up and till June 2013 to identify any appropriate studies regarding the aim. Appropriate studies were those reporting characteristics of various forms of periodontal biotype and its dimensions. These characteristics were gingival thickness (GT), gingival morphotype (GM), tooth dimensions (TD), keratinized tissue (KT) and bone morphotype (BM).Results and ConclusionsThe search yielded 2581 unique papers, after selection resulted in 12 publications that met the eligibility criteria. In general, the available definitions are found to be unclear and sometimes inconsistent. However, based on the available literature, the three biotypes thin scalloped, thick flat and thick scalloped seem a comprehensive categorization in defining periodontal biotypes in the population. The dental, gingival and osseous dimensions have a weak to moderate association. Only between gingival thickness, keratinized tissue and bone morphotype uniform positive associations are found.
Reading and language intervention for children at risk of dyslexia: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Duff Fiona J. , Hulme Charles , Grainger Katy , Hardwick Samantha J. , Miles Jeremy N.V. , Snowling Margaret J. 
Published: May 2014

BackgroundIntervention studies for children at risk of dyslexia have typically been delivered preschool, and show short‐term effects on letter knowledge and phoneme awareness, with little transfer to literacy.MethodsThis randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a reading and language intervention for 6‐year‐old children identified by research criteria as being at risk of dyslexia (n = 56), and their school‐identified peers (n = 89). An Experimental group received two 9‐week blocks of daily intervention delivered by trained teaching assistants; the Control group received 9 weeks of typical classroom instruction, followed by 9 weeks of intervention.ResultsFollowing mixed effects regression models and path analyses, small‐to‐moderate effects were shown on letter knowledge, phoneme awareness and taught vocabulary. However, these were fragile and short lived, and there was no reliable effect on the primary outcome of word‐level reading.ConclusionsThis new intervention was theoretically motivated and based on previous successful interventions, yet failed to show reliable effects on language and literacy measures following a rigorous evaluation. We suggest that the intervention may have been too short to yield improvements in oral language; and that literacy instruction in and beyond the classroom may have weakened training effects. We argue that reporting of null results makes an important contribution in terms of raising standards both of trial reporting and educational practice.
Evidence of genetic change in the flowering phenology of sea beets along a latitudinal cline within two decades
Authors: Van Dijk H. , Hautekèete N.‐C. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractSea beets grown from seeds collected in 1989 and 2009 along the coasts of France and adjacent regions were compared for flowering date under controlled conditions. Seeds from both collection years were sown simultaneously and cultivated under the same glasshouse conditions. Date of flowering onset and year of first flowering were recorded. There was an overall northward shift in flowering time of about 0.35° latitude (i.e. 39 km) over the 20‐year period. The southern portion of the latitudinal gradient – that is, from 44.7°N to 47.28°N – flowered significantly later by a mean of 1.78 days, equivalent to a 43.2‐km northward shift of phenotypes. In the northern latitudes between 48.6°N and 52°N, flowering date was significantly earlier by a mean of 4.04 days, corresponding to a mean northward shift of 104.9 km, and this shift was apparently due to a diminished requirement of exposure to cold temperatures (i.e. vernalization), for which we found direct and indirect evidence. As all plants were grown from seed under identical conditions, we conclude that genetic changes occurred in the sensitivity to environmental cues that mediate the onset of flowering in both the northern and the southern latitudes of the gradient. Microevolution and gene flow may have contributed to this change. There was no significant change in the frequency of plants that flowered without vernalization. The lack of vernalization requirement may be associated with environmental instability rather than with climate conditions.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate released from an intravaginal ring in pigtailed macaques after 6 months of continuous use
Authors: Srinivasan Priya , Dinh Chuong , Zhang Jining , Pau Chou‐Pong , McNicholl Janet M. , Lo Yungtai , Herold Betsy C. , Teller Ryan , Kiser Patrick , Smith James M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractBackground and MethodsA reservoir intravaginal ring (IVR) eluting tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) was evaluated for 6 months of continuous use in normally cycling female pigtailed macaques with monthly IVR exchanges to define pharmacokinetics and safety.Results and ConclusionsTenofovir levels in vaginal secretions and tissue remained consistent for 6 months with no adverse safety concerns.
Sinus of Valsalva: a converging nozzle that contributes to stable flow in the coronary arteries
Authors: Stein Paul D. , Blick Edward F. , Shields Sarah Kim , Matta Fadi 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe anatomy of the sinuses of Valsalva has not been considered from the viewpoint of a converging nozzle. Converging nozzles reduce turbulence. We reviewed computed tomographic images of the left and right sinuses of Valsalva in 20 consecutive patients. The sinuses of Valsalva were shown to have a shape in the axial projection that approximates a cubic equation nozzle, although the sinuses of Valsalva are not axisymmetric. The ratios of the cross‐sectional area of the inlet to cross‐sectional areas of the outlet, assuming the sinuses are axisymmetric, were 14 and 17 in the left and right sinuses, respectively. Calculations by others show that turbulent kinetic energy at the exit (at the coronary ostia) of such axisymmetric nozzles would be reduced by 97%. We conclude that the sinuses of Valsalva have the configuration of a converging nozzle and prevent or reduce turbulent flow in the proximal portions of the coronary arteries.
Recognition of patient‐reported impairment in oral aesthetics
Authors: Dannemand K. , Özhayat E. B. 
Published: May 2014

SummaryThe objectives of this study were to investigate the degree of effective recognition by professionals of patient‐estimated oral aesthetic impairment and the most reliable aspects in such recognition. Participants consisted of 95 patients with partial dentition in need of prosthodontic replacements. The oral aesthetics was professionally evaluated using the Prosthetic Esthetic Index (PEI), compiling 13 aesthetic aspects and an overall evaluation. The patient‐reported impairment was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile Aesthetic (OHIP‐Aes) and the Oral Esthetic Scale (OES). Background variables were as follows: gender, age, work situation, education level, marital status, number and location of teeth, wearing a removable dental prosthesis (RDP) and smile line. A significant correlation was found between the overall professional evaluation and the OHIP‐Aes score (R = 0·43, P < 0·05), the OES score (R = 0·46, P < 0·05) and the overall patient evaluation (0·35, P < 0·05). Correlations of the 13 specific aspects of the PEI with the patient‐reported evaluations were generally small to moderate: the aspect ‘discoloration of the teeth’ showed the highest correlation. The multivariate analyses showed that up to 57% of the patient‐reported impairment could be explained by the professionally evaluated oral aesthetic in combination with background variables. Discoloration of the teeth was the greatest explanatory variable, but also dental arch symmetry, and position and colour of the teeth were significant aspects. A high percentage of the patient‐reported aesthetic impairment can be recognised by the professionals. The most reliable aspect is discoloration of the teeth, but also dental arch symmetry, and the position and colour of the teeth are important for recognising the aesthetic impairment.