bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibiotics in the first week of life is a risk factor for allergic rhinitis at school age
Authors: Alm Bernt , Goksör Emma , Pettersson Rolf , Möllborg Per , Erdes Laslo , Loid Petra , Åberg Nils , Wennergren Göran 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackgroundHeredity as well as external factors influences the development of allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to analyse early risk factors and protective factors for allergic rhinitis at school age.MethodsThis is a prospective, longitudinal study of children born in western Sweden in 2003 where 50% of the birth cohort was randomly selected. The parents answered questionnaires at 6 months, 12 months, 4.5 yr and 8 yr. At 8 yr, 5044 questionnaires were distributed. Of these, 4051 responded, that is, 80.3%. Current allergic rhinitis was defined as symptoms and use of medication during the past 12 months.ResultsCurrent allergic rhinitis at 8 yr was reported by 10.9%. Mean onset age was 5.7 yr, and 61.9% were boys. In a multivariate analysis, antibiotics in the first week of life increased the risk of allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval (1.03, 2.97)). Increased risk was also seen with parental allergic rhinitis (aOR 2.73 (2.12, 3.52)), food allergy first year (aOR 2.45 (1.61, 3.73)), eczema first year (aOR 1.97 (1.50, 2.59)) and male gender (aOR 1.35 (1.05, 1.74)). Living on a farm at 4.5 yr reduced the risk (aOR 0.31 (0.13, 0.78)).ConclusionAntibiotics in the first week of life increased the risk of allergic rhinitis at school age, while living on a farm at preschool age reduced the risk. Both findings are compatible with the hygiene hypothesis.
The potential for the Farman entrainer to be used with a pediatric t‐piece: a bench study
Authors: Bell Graham T. , Baker Angela , Jamieson Patrick , Kapatuka Kenneth 
Published: June 2014

SummaryObjectivesTo determine the limits of performance of the Farman Entrainer used with the t‐piece for pediatric anesthesia in areas with limited oxygen supplies.MethodsBench tests were conducted with different system configurations, normal and ‘emergency situation’ ventilation patterns were replicated to reproduce a range of circumstances the anesthetist may encounter.ResultsWe found that Fi02 rises and flow decreases with increasing CPAP, but probably within safe limits. A one way valve is essential to avoid high concentration of volatile agent. Very high ventilation rates reduce flow significantly. Increasing oxygen input from an oxygen concentrator increases the flow output but does not increase Fi02.ConclusionThe basic characteristics of the system are within normally accepted parameters for t‐piece anesthesia, safety in practice requires to be demonstrated by a clinical study.
Neonatal intubation with direct laryngoscopy vs videolaryngoscopy: an extremely premature baboon model
Authors: Moreira Alvaro , Koele‐Schmidt Lindsey , Leland Michelle , Seidner Steven , Blanco Cynthia 
Published: June 2014

SummaryObjectiveTo compare the ability to successfully intubate extremely preterm baboons using conventional direct laryngoscopy (DL) vs videolaryngoscopy.MethodsA prospective randomized crossover study using experienced and inexperienced neonatal intubators. All participants were shown an educational video on intubation with each device, followed by attempt of the procedure. The time for successful intubation was the primary outcome.ResultsSeven subjects comprised the experienced group, while 10 individuals were in the inexperienced group. The overall intubation success rate was comparable between both devices (53% vs 26%, P = 0.09); however, mean time to intubate with the conventional laryngoscope was faster (25.5 vs 39.4 s, P = 0.02). Although both groups intubated faster with DL, it only reached statistical significance in the inexperienced group (27.0 vs 48.7 s, P < 0.05).ConclusionConventional DL and videolaryngoscopy are suitable modes for intubating extremely preterm baboons. Although experienced intubators prefer DL, intubation success rate and time to intubate with both devices were comparable. In inexperienced intubators, participants preferred and intubated faster with DL.
EZH2: an emerging role in melanoma biology and strategies for targeted therapy
Authors: Tiffen Jessamy , Gallagher Stuart J. , Hersey Peter 
Published: June 2014

SummaryHistone modifications are increasingly being recognized as important epigenetic mechanisms that govern chromatin structure and gene expression. EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), responsible for tri‐methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) that leads to gene silencing. This highly conserved histone methyltransferase is found to be overexpressed in many different types of cancers including melanoma, where it is postulated to abnormally repress tumor suppressor genes. Somatic mutations have been identified in approximately 3% of melanomas, and activating mutations described within the catalytic SET domain of EZH2 confer its oncogenic activity. In the following review, we discuss the evidence that EZH2 is an important driver of melanoma progression and we summarize the progress of EZH2 inhibitors against this promising therapeutic target.
5‐Aminolevulinic acid‐Loaded Fullerene Nanoparticles for In Vitro and In Vivo Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Li Zhi , Pan Li‐Li , Zhang Fei‐Long , Zhu Xia‐Li , Liu Yang , Zhang Zhen‐Zhong 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis report explores some properties of 80–200 nm nanoparticles containing 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and fullerene (C60) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Compared with ALA, the nanoparticles yielded more protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) formation in cells and tissues and to a significant improvement in antitumor efficacy in tumor‐bearing mice. Maximum levels of PpIX were obtained 4 h after administration and selective PpIX formation in tumor was observed. These nanoparticles appear to be a useful vehicle for drug delivery purposes. In this study, a procedure for preparing fullerene nanoparticles containing ALA was developed. The product alone exhibited no detectable toxicity in the dark and was superior to ALA alone in promoting PpIX biosynthesis and PDT efficacy both in culture and in a murine tumor model. These results suggest that this procedure could be the basis for an improved PDT protocol for cancer control.
Short‐term UV‐B Dose Stimulates Production of Protective Metabolites in Matricaria chamomilla Leaves
Authors: Petruľová Veronika , Dučaiová Zuzana , Repčák Miroslav 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPhysiological response of two cultivars of Matricaria chamomilla plants on UV irradiation was studied. The impact of used short‐time UV dose was evaluated in three time points; 2, 24 and 48 h after irradiation. Used UV irradiation immediately resulted in changes in plant oxidative status monitored as increased concentration of H2O2. Decrease in chlorophyll a and b indicated the impact on photosynthetic apparatus. For phenolic secondary metabolites, an increase in total soluble phenols and AlCl3‐reactive flavonols was observed. The activity of main phenolic enzyme, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, increased with time after irradiation. Significant changes, mainly decreasing trends, in the content of free coumarins and their glycosidic precursors were observed. Enhanced accumulation in chlorogenic and 1,5‐dicaffeoylquinic acid and in (Z)‐isoform of dicycloethers was detected. From these results, the redirecting precursors of coumarin biosynthesis to biosynthesis of substances with higher antioxidative potential can be assumed. Different reactions in diploid and tetraploid plants were recorded, too.
A Multilevel Modelling Approach to Measuring Changing Patterns of Ethnic Composition and Segregation Among London Secondary Schools, 2001–2010
Authors: Leckie George , Goldstein Harvey 
Published: June 2014

SummaryMultilevel binomial logistic regression has recently been proposed for the special case of statistically modelling changing composition and segregation of two groups of individuals over two occasions among organizational units, enabling inferences to be made about the underlying social processes which generate these patterns. A simulation method can then be used to re-express the model parameters in the metric of any desired two-group segregation index. We generalize this combined modelling and simulation approach by proposing multilevel random-coefficient multinomial logistic regression for the general case of statistically modelling multiple groups of individuals over multiple occasions and multiple organizational scales. We illustrate this combined approach with an application to modelling changing three-group white–black–Asian ethnic composition and segregation among London secondary schools and local authorities during the first decade of the 21st century.
Outdoor pedestrian fall‐related injuries among Swedish senior citizens – injuries and preventive strategies
Authors: Gyllencreutz Lina , Björnstig Johanna , Rolfsman Ewa , Saveman Britt‐Inger 
Published: June 2014

Senior citizens get around, to a large extent, as pedestrians, and safe walking is desirable for senior citizens allowing them to stay mobile, independent and healthy in old age. Senior citizens are over‐represented in injury statistics, and fall‐related injuries are common. The aim of this study was to investigate fall‐related injuries including healthcare costs among senior citizen pedestrians injured when walking in public outdoor environments and to describe their self‐reported causes and suggested preventive strategies. The data were based on a combination of information from injury data and a questionnaire. Three hundred senior citizens attended one emergency department after sustaining injuries from pedestrian falls; 60% suffered nonminor injuries, mostly fractures. One‐fifth of the pedestrians were hospitalised for an average of 8 days with an indirect hospital cost of 6.2 million EUR (55 million SEK). Environmental factors such as ice were the most commonly described cause of the injury incident. Forty per cent of the respondents indicated that the municipality was responsible for the cause of the injury incident. Fewer respondents mentioned their own responsibility as a preventive strategy. Thirty per cent described a combination of improvements such as better road maintenance, changes in human behaviour and use of safety products as preventive strategies. It is of great importance to highlight general safety, products and preventive strategies to minimise injury risks, so that pedestrians can safely realise the known health benefits of walking and thereby limit healthcare costs.
The Learning Rural Area Framework: A Heuristic Tool to Investigate Institutional Arrangements which Support Collaboration in Rural Areas
Authors: Wellbrock Wiebke , Roep Dirk 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPlace‐based approaches to rural development require the collaboration of public and private actors. Such collaboration may be stimulated through joint learning and innovation processes which are supported by various institutional arrangements. There is, however, reason to question the effectiveness of existing institutional arrangements. The learning rural area framework is introduced as a tool to map, analyse and evaluate the operational features of (institutional) arrangements supporting joint learning and innovation in rural areas. Its application is discussed with reference to the Westerkwartier in the Netherlands and other rural areas. It will be shown how the framework can serve as an interactive tool to enhance joint reflexivity, facilitate wider collaboration and help build collective agency. Its potential as a tool for designing and implementing more effective institutional arrangements, catalysing institutional reform and bringing about more collaborative modes of governance should be further explored.
High‐density lipoprotein 3 and apolipoprotein A‐I alleviate platelet storage lesion and release of platelet extracellular vesicles
Authors: Pienimaeki‐Roemer Annika , Fischer Astrid , Tafelmeier Maria , Orsó Evelyn , Konovalova Tatiana , Böttcher Alfred , Liebisch Gerhard , Reidel Armin , Schmitz Gerd 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundStored platelet (PLT) concentrates (PLCs) for transfusion develop a PLT storage lesion (PSL), decreasing PLT viability and function with profound lipidomic changes and PLT extracellular vesicle (PL‐EV) release. High‐density lipoprotein 3 (HDL3) improves PLT homeostasis through silencing effects on PLT activation in vivo. This prompted us to investigate HDL3 and apolipoprotein A‐I (apoA‐I) as PSL‐antagonizing agents.Study Design and MethodsHealthy donor PLCs were split into low‐volume standard PLC storage bags and incubated with native (n)HDL3 or apoA‐I from plasma ethanol fractionation (precipitate IV) for 5 days under standard blood banking conditions. Flow cytometry, Born aggregometry, and lipid mass spectrometry were carried out to analyze PL‐EV release, PLT aggregation, agonist‐induced PLT surface marker expression, and PLT and plasma lipid compositions.ResultsCompared to control, added nHDL3 and apoA‐I significantly reduced PL‐EV release by up to −62% during 5 days, correlating with the added apoA‐I concentration. At the lipid level, nHDL3 and apoA‐I antagonized PLT lipid loss (+12%) and decreased cholesteryl ester (CE)/free cholesterol (FC) ratios (−69%), whereas in plasma polyunsaturated/saturated CE ratios increased (+3%) and CE 16:0/20:4 ratios decreased (−5%). Administration of nHDL3 increased PLT bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate/phosphatidylglycerol (+102%) and phosphatidic acid/lysophosphatidic acid (+255%) ratios and improved thrombin receptor–activating peptide 6–induced PLT aggregation (+5%).ConclusionnHDL3 and apoA‐I improve PLT membrane homeostasis and intracellular lipid processing and increase CE efflux, antagonizing PSL‐related reduction in PLT viability and function and PL‐EV release. We suggest uptake and catabolism of nHDL3 into the PLT open canalicular system. As supplement in PLCs, nHDL3 or apoA‐I from Fraction IV of plasma ethanol fractionation have the potential to improve PLC quality to prolong storage.
Improving cord blood unit quantity and quality at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center Cord Blood Bank
Authors: Jawdat Dunia , Arab Suha , Thahery Hadeel , Almashaqbeh Walid , Alaskar Ahmed , Hajeer Ali H. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundPublic cord blood banks (CBBs) store cord blood unit (CBU) donations for anyone in need. However, strict regulations need to be followed to build up high‐quality bank products that can be used worldwide. We established a public CBB at a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Here, we investigated the reasons behind rejecting or not collecting CBUs over 2 years (2011‐2012) and which steps were implemented to improve the number and quality of storable units.Study Design and MethodsA total of 2891 mothers were evaluated. Reasons for rejecting donors, not collecting, and rejecting units before or after collection were analyzed and compared for the years 2011 and 2012.ResultsA total of 1157 (40%) CBUs were not collected, mainly due to staff availability, and 564 (20%) CBUs were rejected. The main reason for rejecting donations was the mother's or neonate's health. Rejecting CBUs after collection was due to low volume. A total of 1170 (40%) CBUs were successfully collected for potential banking and sent for processing; however, 58% were rejected in the laboratory due to low total nucleated cell counts. Several changes were implemented during the 2 years including physician education and awareness, in utero collection, cesarean collection, and staff recruitment. These changes positively affected the numbers of our collected units. Out of the initially eligible mothers in 2011, only 17% were banked; this was increased to 33% in 2012.ConclusionsWe identified the problems with collecting CBUs for banking and will keep improving our selection process of recruiting more CBUs of high quality.
The -cyclic McKay correspondence via motivic integration
Authors: Yasuda Takehiko 
Published: June 2014

AbstractWe study the McKay correspondence for representations of the cyclic group of order $p$ in characteristic $p$. The main tool is the motivic integration generalized to quotient stacks associated to representations. Our version of the change of variables formula leads to an explicit computation of the stringy invariant of the quotient variety. A consequence is that a crepant resolution of the quotient variety (if any) has topological Euler characteristic $p$ as in the tame case. Also, we link a crepant resolution with a count of Artin–Schreier extensions of the power series field with respect to weights determined by ramification jumps and the representation.
SUMO1 enhances cAMP‐dependent exocytosis and glucagon secretion from pancreatic α‐cells
Authors: Dai Xiao‐Qing , Spigelman Aliya F. , Khan Shara , Braun Matthias , Manning Fox Jocelyn E. , MacDonald Patrick E. 
Published: June 2014

Key points
SUMOylation is the reversible modification of proteins by the attachment of small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) peptides, which in pancreatic β‐cells inhibits insulin exocytosis and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor signalling.
We find in glucagon‐secreting pancreatic α‐cells that SUMOylation increases excitability and enhances exocytosis by increasing L‐type Ca2+ currents.
The ability of SUMOylation to facilitate α‐cell exocytosis is cAMP‐dependent, leading to enhanced adrenaline‐stimulated glucagon secretion.
SUMO1 prevents inhibition of α‐cell Na+ current and exocytosis by a GLP‐1 receptor agonist, but does not prevent GLP‐1 receptor‐dependent inhibition of glucagon secretion.
SUMOylation modifies α‐cell responses to cAMP‐dependent signalling and, by contrast with its inhibitory effects in β‐cells, enhances α‐cell exocytosis and glucagon secretion.
AbstractPost‐translational modification by the small ubiquitin‐like modifier‐1 (SUMO1) limits insulin secretion from β‐cells by inhibiting insulin exocytosis and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor signalling. The secretion of glucagon from α‐cells is regulated in a manner opposite to that of insulin; it is inhibited by elevated glucose and GLP‐1, and increased by adrenergic signalling. We therefore sought to determine whether SUMO1 modulates mouse and human α‐cell function. Action potentials (APs), ion channel function and exocytosis in single α‐cells from mice and humans, identified by glucagon immunostaining, and glucagon secretion from intact islets were measured. The effects of SUMO1 on α‐cell function and the respective inhibitory and stimulatory effects of exendin 4 and adrenaline were examined. Upregulation of SUMO1 increased α‐cell AP duration, frequency and amplitude, in part as a result of increased Ca2+ channel activity that led to elevated exocytosis. The ability of SUMO1 to enhance α‐cell exocytosis was cAMP‐dependent and resulted from an increased L‐type Ca2+ current and a shift away from exocytosis dependent on non‐L‐type channels, an effect that was mimicked by knockdown of the deSUMOylating enzyme sentrin/SUMO‐specific protease‐1 (SENP1). Finally, although SUMO1 prevented GLP‐1 receptor‐mediated inhibition of α‐cell Na+ channels and single‐cell exocytosis, it failed to prevent the exendin 4‐mediated inhibition of glucagon secretion. Consistent with its cAMP dependence, however, SUMO1 enhanced α‐cell exocytosis and glucagon secretion stimulated by adrenaline. Thus, by contrast with its inhibitory role in β‐cell exocytosis, SUMO1 is a positive regulator of α‐cell exocytosis and glucagon secretion under conditions of elevated cAMP.
Hearing in noisy environments: noise invariance and contrast gain control
Authors: Willmore Ben D. B. , Cooke James E. , King Andrew J. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractContrast gain control has recently been identified as a fundamental property of the auditory system. Electrophysiological recordings in ferrets have shown that neurons continuously adjust their gain (their sensitivity to change in sound level) in response to the contrast of sounds that are heard. At the level of the auditory cortex, these gain changes partly compensate for changes in sound contrast. This means that sounds which are structurally similar, but have different contrasts, have similar neuronal representations in the auditory cortex. As a result, the cortical representation is relatively invariant to stimulus contrast and robust to the presence of noise in the stimulus. In the inferior colliculus (an important subcortical auditory structure), gain changes are less reliably compensatory, suggesting that contrast‐ and noise‐invariant representations are constructed gradually as one ascends the auditory pathway. In addition to noise invariance, contrast gain control provides a variety of computational advantages over static neuronal representations; it makes efficient use of neuronal dynamic range, may contribute to redundancy‐reducing, sparse codes for sound and allows for simpler decoding of population responses. The circuits underlying auditory contrast gain control are still under investigation. As in the visual system, these circuits may be modulated by factors other than stimulus contrast, forming a potential neural substrate for mediating the effects of attention as well as interactions between the senses.
Leishmanicidal Activities of Novel Synthetic Furoxan and Benzofuroxan Derivatives
Authors: Dutra Luiz Antônio , de Almeida Letícia , Passalacqua Thais G. , Reis Juliana Santana , Torres Fabio A. E. , Martinez Isabel , Peccinini Rosangela Gonçalves , Chin Chung Man , Chegaev Konstantin , Guglielmo Stefano , Fruttero Roberta , Graminha Marcia A. S. , dos Santos Jean Leandro 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

A novel series of furoxan (1,2,5-oxadiazole 2-oxide) (compounds 3, 4a and -b, 13a and -b, and 14a to -f) and benzofuroxan (benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazole 1-oxide) (compounds 7 and 8a to -c) derivatives were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for
in vitro
activity against promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms of
Leishmania amazonensis
. The furoxan derivatives exhibited the ability to generate nitric oxide at different levels (7.8% to 27.4%). The benzofuroxan derivative 8a was able to increase nitrite production in medium supernatant from murine macrophages infected with
L. amazonensis
at 0.75 mM after 48 h. Furoxan and benzofuroxan derivatives showed remarkable leishmanicidal activity against both promastigote and intracellular amastigote forms. Compounds 8a, 14a and -b, and 14d exerted selective leishmanicidal activities superior to those of amphotericin B and pentamidine.
In vitro
studies at pH 5.4 reveal that compound 8a is stable until 8 h and that compound 14a behaves as a prodrug, releasing the active aldehyde 13a. These compounds have emerged as promising novel drug candidates for the treatment of leishmaniasis.