bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macular Edema in Uveitis
Authors: Mitkova-Hristova Vesela T. , Konareva-Kostianeva Marieta Iv. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

In the present study we have made a review of the relevant literature on pathogenesis and
modern diagnostic methods for macular edema (ME) in uveitis.

Macular edema is a typical non-specific complication of uveitis, one of the common causes
of visual impairment. ME can be found in all types of uveitis. In 85% of cases of intermediate
uveitis, the visual impairment is due to the development of cystoid macular edema.
The macula is more rarely affected in panuveitis (35%), anterior (20-26%) and posterior
(20%) uveitis. The etiological agent is of great importance for the course and treatment of
inflammatory diseases.

Among the imaging diagnostic methods that are capable of detecting macular edema with
fluid accumulation in the retina (either diffuse or distributed in cysts) are the fl uorescein
angiography (FA) and the optical coherence tomography (ОСТ). OCT allows a quantitative
assessment of retinal thickening and how it changes throughout therapy. FA can be
used to determine very precisely the site of a vascular leakage and assess how badly the
vascular wall has been affected by the inflammatory process.

CONCLUSION: Macular edema occurring during an inflammatory process is one of the causes
for visual acuity loss in uveitis. OCT and FA are useful complementary imaging methods
for investigation of structural changes in retinal architecture in uveitis patients.
Study of individual plant responsiveness in anther cultures of selected pepper (Capsicum spp.) genotypes
Authors: Niklas-Nowak Aleksandra , Olszewska Dorota , Kisiała Anna , Nowaczyk Paweł 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
One of the key factors determining the effectiveness of pepper anther cultures is donor plant genotype. The stock material for androgenic embryos inductions is usually made up of hybrid forms, since the higher the degree of heterozygosity, the greater the chances of producing regenerates with unique genotypes. The aim of the presented research was to evaluate individual plant reaction in anther cultures for the C. annuum hybrid (‘ATZ1’ × ‘TG’)F2, interspecific hybrid (C. frutescens × C. chinense)F2 and androgenic DH line AT6. The effectiveness of androgenesis was determined individually for each plant as the percentage of the embryos produced compared to the total number of anthers cultured. In the hybrid (‘ATZ1’ × ‘TG’)F2, anthers of 19 out of 20 plants evaluated produced embryos at a rate of 0.5 to 16.5%. Anthers of the AT6 DH line formed embryos considerably less frequently. A positive reaction was recorded for 13 out of 20 plants and the effectiveness of androgenesis did not exceed 3% for this genotype. The lowest androgenic response was recorded for the hybrid (C. frutescens × C. chinense)F2, where embryo development was observed in only five out of 19 plants and the effectiveness of androgenesis did not exceed 2%. The ploidy level of the regenerates was defined cytometrically. The analysis revealed the presence of haploid and diploid plants among the regenerates of all the genotypes evaluated.
The effect of biodegradable nonwovens in butterhead lettuce cultivation for early harvest
Authors: Siwek Piotr , Libik Andrzej , Zawiska Izabela 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Field experiments using ‘melt-blown’ biodegradable nonwovens were carried out on the ‘Melodion’ butterhead lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata L.) cultivar for early harvest. All biodegradable nonwovens were manufactured in the Institute of Biopolymers and Chemical Fibres and POLMATEX CENARO in Łódź, Poland. Lettuce seeds were sown into boxes in a greenhouse at the beginning of March, and transplants were planted into the field at the beginning of April. Biodegradable nonwovens - aromatic polyester IBWCH 75 g m-2, polybutylene succinate Bionolle 100 g m-2 and standard polypropylene PP Agro 20 g m-2 - were stretched over the lettuce in the field. The covers were kept on until 4-5 days before harvest. Plots without covers were defined as the control. Ascorbic acid, soluble sugar, dry matter, nitrates, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid contents were recorded in the leaves. All biodegradable nonwovens showed a positive effect on yielding in comparison to the control in 2009. In the second year of the experiment, there were no significant differences between covers with regard to the yield. Dry matter and soluble sugar content in both years of the experiment was diversified. Nonwovens used as covers in 2009 significantly increased the content of nitrates in comparison to the control. In the second year, the highest level of nitrates was demonstrated in the control object. It is worth underlining that the maximum allowed limit of nitrate content in lettuce (4000 mg kg f.w.) was not exceed. The kind of cover had no significant effect on the level of chlorophyll a in 2009 or chlorophyll b and carotenoids in 2009 and 2010 in the lettuce
Effects of Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor on Extracellular Matrix Production in Human Nasal Polyp Organ Cultures
Authors: Cho Jung-Sun , Moon You-Mi , Park Il-Ho , Um Ji-Young , Kang Ju-Hyung , Kim Tae Hoon , Lee Sang Hag , Kang Hee Joon , Lee Heung-Man 
Published: February 2013

Background Nasal polyposis is associated with a chronic inflammatory condition of the sinonasal mucosa and involves myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Epigenetic modulation by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors including trichostatin A (TSA) has been reported to have inhibitory effects on myofibroblast differentiation in lung and renal fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of TSA on myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production in nasal polyp organ cultures. Methods Nasal polyp tissues from 18 patients were acquired during endoscopic sinus surgery. After organ culture, nasal polyps were stimulated with TGF-beta1 and then treated with TSA. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and collagen type I expression levels were examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescent staining. HDAC2, HDAC4, and acetylated H4 expression levels were assayed by Western blot. Cytotoxicity was analyzed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin–dUTP nick end labeling assay. Results The expression levels of α-SMA, fibronectin, and collagen type 1 were increased in nasal polyp after transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 treatment. TSA-inhibited TGF-beta1 induced these gene and protein expression levels. Furthermore, TSA suppressed protein expression levels of HDAC2 and HDAC4. However, TSA induced hyperacetylation of histones H4. Treatment with TGF-beta1 with or without TSA did not have cytotoxic effect. Conclusion These findings provide novel insights into the epigenetic regulation in myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production of nasal polyp. TSA could be a candidate of a therapeutic agent for reversing the TGF-beta1–induced ECM synthesis that leads to nasal polyp development.
The Clinical Outcomes of New Hyaluronan Nasal Dressing: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study
Authors: Shi Runjie , Zhou Jiaqing , Wang Bingshun , Wu Qingwei , Shen Yuling , Wang Peihua , Wang Jiadong , Wang Yunyun , Chen Ying , Shu Xiao Zheng 
Published: February 2013

Background Poor postoperative wound healing after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) remains a significant problem. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a new absorbable hyaluronan hydrogel. Methods A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted. Fifty-five patients with bilateral ESS were recruited and randomized to receive absorbable hyaluronan hydrogel in one side as treated and the opposite side without absorbable hyaluronan hydrogel as control. Clinical outcome measures were assessed at postoperative 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Results Fifty-four patients completed the study. Overall, absorbable hyaluronan hydrogel significantly promotes the reepithelization process and reduces the presence of obstructing synechia, nonobstructing synechia, edema, crust, and mild mucopurulent drainage (all p ≤ 0.0002). At all postoperative follow-up visits, the promotion in reepithelization is statistically significant at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and the reductions in the presence of nonobstructing synechia, edema, crust, and mild mucopurulent drainage are all statistically significant except for the presence of crust at 12 weeks and mild mucopurulent drainage at 1 and 12 weeks. Although the presence of obstructing synechia at each follow-up visit between groups does not reach statistical significance, the incidence ranges from 5.56 to 12.96% in the control group and from 0 to 3.70% in the treated group. No adverse event related to treatment was observed. Conclusion In this clinical study, data analyses suggest that this new absorbable hyaluronan hydrogel, as nasal dressing/packing after ESS is safe and promotes the postoperative reepithelization process and reduces the presence of synechia, edema, crust, and mild mucopurulent drainage.
Sinonasal Epithelial Cell Expression of Toll-Like Receptor 9 is Elevated in Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Melvin Thuy-Anh N. , Lane Andrew P. , Nguyen Mai-Tien , Lin Sandra Y. 
Published: February 2013

Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients frequently suffer from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). The extent to which alterations in sinonasal innate immunity contribute to this disease process is unknown. Activation of sinonasal epithelial cell (SNEC) Toll-like receptors (TLRs), an important component of the innate immune system, may be associated with the hyperinflammatory state observed in sinonasal mucosa of CF patients with CRS. This study compares expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), in SNRCs collected from CF subjects with CRS to that of normal control subjects. Methods This was a prospective study measuring TLR9 on SNECs collected via endoscopic-guided middle meatal brushings from 8 adult controls and 14 adult subjects with CF-associated CRS. Results TLR9 expression was significantly elevated in CF subjects at 91% ± 6% when compared with 76% ± 10% in normal controls (p = 0.001). Conclusion The significantly greater expression of sinonasal epithelial TLR9 in CF likely reflects increased antimicrobial innate immune activity in chronically colonized and frequently infected CF individuals. However, this finding contrasts with previously reported decreased epithelial TLR9 expression in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyposis and may indicate differential modulation of innate immunity in Th1-predominent F versus Th2-dominated CRS with nasal polyps, despite both being diseases of sinonasal mucosal inflammation.
Bacterial Pathogens in the Nasopharynx, Nasal Cavity, and Osteomeatal Complex during Wellness and Viral Infection
Authors: Rawlings Brad A. , Higgins Thomas S. , Han Joseph K. 
Published: February 2013

Background Viral sinusitis can precede acute bacterial sinusitis, but the influence of viral infection on bacterial colonization is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis in the osteomeatal complex (OMC), nasal cavity, and nasopharynx in adults during wellness and viral upper respiratory illness (URI). Methods Subjects were recruited for the study during wellness and at the time of acute viral rhinosinusitis. Swab cultures were obtained from the OMC, nasal cavity, and the nasopharynx. Swab eluates were inoculated on selective agars to detect S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis. Results The study included 237 subjects, 100 adults with URI and 137 well adults. Positive culture results were found for any site in 70% (n = 70) of ill subjects and 64% (n = 88) of well subjects (p = 0.393). Of the 91 OMC cultures, positive cultures were over five times more likely to be found in ill subjects than in well subjects (31% versus 8%; p = 0.010). The nasal cavity cultures were positively statistically significant more often in ill subjects versus well subjects (39% versus 25%; p = 0.022). The overall nasopharyngeal cultures did not show a statistically significant difference (65% versus 60%; odds ratio, 1.2; p = 0.461). S. pneumoniae was positively cultured in at least one site in 15% of ill subjects and 31% of well subjects (p = 0.006). H. influenzae was positively cultured in at least one site in 45% of ill subjects and 31% of well subjects (p = 0.027). M. catarrhalis was positively cultured in at least one site in 42% of ill subjects and 27% of well subjects (p = 0.018). Conclusion This study defines the carriage rates of the three most common bacterial pathogens for acute sinusitis in the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, and OMC during illness and in the healthy state.
Plasma Paraoxonase Activity and Oxidative Stress and Their Relationship to Disease Severity in Children with Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Ozkaya Emin , Akduman Hasan , Erenberk Ufuk , Demir Aysegul , Dundaroz M. Rusen 
Published: February 2013

Background Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of several diseases including allergic rhinitis (AR). In children with AR an antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase (PON1) has not been previously investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma PON1 activity and plasma total oxidant status (TOS), which are in the form of plasma reactive oxidants, and their association with severity of disease in house-mite–sensitive children with AR. Methods This study included 66 children with persistent AR and 40 healthy controls aged between 7 and 12 years old. Plasma PON1, TOS, and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) were measured. The nasal symptom scores and body mass index were evaluated at the time of blood collection. Results Mean serum PON1 levels were significantly lower and, TOS levels were higher in the patient group than in the control group (p ≤ 0.001 and p ≤ 0.002, respectively). A significant negative correlation was observed between serum levels of PON1 and nasal symptom scores. However, serum levels of TOS were correlated with nasal symptom scores positively. There were no correlations between levels of total IgE and levels of PON1 and TOS levels. Conclusion Plasma PON1 and TOS levels may serve as predictors of disease severity in children with AR and both of them appear to be attractive candidates for modulating inflammation in AR.
Morphological and Histological Changes of the Septal Cartilage after Unilateral versus Bilateral Mucoperichondrial Flap Elevation
Authors: Lee Doh Young , Kim Dae Woo , Mangoba Dennis Cristobal S. , Kim Dong-Young , Jin Hong Ryul 
Published: February 2013

Background Bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation is often needed to properly correct the septal deformity although it has been discouraged because of possible complications. This study investigated the effect of unilateral versus bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation on the morphological and histological changes of the septal cartilage in a rabbit model. Methods Eighteen mature New Zealand white rabbits were categorized into three groups (six animals for each) according to the procedures they received: unilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation versus bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation versus no flap elevation. In each group, one-half of the animals were killed 3 months after the procedure and the other half were killed 6 months after the procedure. Thickness of cartilage was measured and histological changes of chondrocyte and extracellular matrix were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue, and Verhoeff's elastic stains. Results There was no difference in changes of thickness of the cartilage among the three groups. Histological examination revealed that the chondrocyte numbers and dystrophic features as well as the ratio of chondroblast were not different among three groups. Masson's trichrome stain in the bilateral group showed lesser dense collagen fibers than the other groups. Alcian blue stain for proteoglycan documented that the peripheral zone showed lower expression in the bilateral group than the other groups. However, Verhoeff's elastic stain did not differ among the three groups. Conclusion Bilateral mucoperichondrial flap elevation of a rabbit model decreased deposition of collagen fibers and proteoglycan while maintaining the similar chondrocyte cellularity compared with the other groups.
Rhinitis has an Association with Asthma in School Children
Authors: Higuchi Osamu , Adachi Yuichi , Itazawa Toshiko , Ito Yasunori , Yoshida Koichi , Ohya Yukihiro , Odajima Hiroshi , Akasawa Akira , Miyawaki Toshio 
Published: February 2013

Background A relevant relationship exists between the upper and lower airway, indicating the concept of a unified airway. This study aimed to evaluate whether rhinitis has an association with asthma in children. Methods A cross-sectional nationwide survey was performed among children 6–7, 13–14, and 16–17 years old, using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) questionnaire in Japan. According to the responses to the ISAAC core questions, a child who had experienced nasal symptoms in the past 12 months in the absence of a cold was defined as having current rhinitis. Results After excluding 11,475 children because of incomplete data, 136,506 children were analyzed. Even after adjusting for demographics, sex, and obesity, children with current rhinitis were more likely to have asthma (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.10 [95% CI, 2.92–3.30] in children aged 6–7 years; OR, 3.76 [95% CI, 3.45–4.10] in children aged 13–14 years; and OR, 3.59 [95% CI, 3.33–3.88] in children aged 16–17 years). Children whose daily activities were more impaired by rhinitis symptoms had a significantly higher prevalence of severe asthma. The adjusted ORs for severe asthma among asthmatic children whose daily activities were severely impaired by rhinitis symptoms were 3.66 (95% CI, 2.29–5.85) in children aged 6–7 years, 2.55 (95% CI, 1.64–3.96) in children aged 13–14 years, and 1.87 (95% CI, 1.24–2.82) in children aged 16–17 years compared with asthmatic children whose daily activities were not impaired at all. Conclusion There was a close association between rhinitis and asthma in young children to adolescents. Asthma should be examined in children with rhinitis symptoms.
Adenoidal Hypertrophy and Allergic Rhinitis: Is There an Inverse Relationship?
Authors: Ameli Franco , Brocchetti Fabio , Tosca Maria Angela , Signori Alessio , Ciprandi Giorgio 
Published: February 2013

Background Nasal obstruction is a very common symptom in children. The main causes are allergic rhinitis (AR) and adenoidal hypertrophy (AH); the possible correlation between AR and AH has been investigated by few studies, mainly conducted using radiographic craniometry. This study aimed at investigating this topic by nasal endoscopy. Methods There were 205 children (134 boys; mean age, 6.7 years age range, 4–12 years) studied. Clinical visit, nasal endoscopy, and skin-prick test were performed in all patients. Anterior nasal obstruction was graded using the Friedmann's classification. Adenoid size was graded using the Parikh's classification. Perception of symptoms by children was also assessed using the visual analog scale. Results Ninety-two children (44.9%) had complete nasal obstruction and 28 children (13.7%) had choanae invasion. There was a negative significant correlation (r = –0.41; p < 0.001) between nose obstruction severity and volume of adenoids. Decreased probability of greater adenoid volume was associated with increased severity of nose obstruction (odds ratio [OR] = 0.13) and in patients with allergy compared with nonallergic patients (OR = 0.31). Conclusion This real-life study shows that large adenoids may be associated with absence of allergy, whereas large turbinates may be associated with small adenoids.
Improved follow-up of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Dießl S. , Verburg F. , Biko J. , Schryen B. , Reiners C. , Buck A. , Hänscheid H. 
Published: February 2013

SummaryAim: Physicians typically are unaware of the radioiodine uptake (RIU) detection limit (LoD) on scintigrams of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients. We evaluated a novel method to determine LoD as a quantitative upper limit for RIU in negative scans and as a value to contextualize faint visible uptake. Patients, methods: To test whether LoD is related to physicians’ ratings, RIU and LoD were calculated from scintigraphic count statistics for 120 static planar neck scans and were compared with the ratings of five nuclear medicine specialists blinded to patient/ scan characteristics regarding visible cervical uptake. Scans were acquired on days 1 (d1) and 2 (d2) post-administration of 298 ± 30 MBq iodine-131 in 60 consecutive DTC patients after recombinant human thyrotropin (rhTSH) or thyroid hormone withdrawal (THW) (n = 30 each). Results: Indicating good inter-observer agreement, ≥ 4 readers concurred regarding 56 (93.3%) [54 (90.0%)] d1[d2] scans. Seventeen scans from 12 patients received ≥ 3 positive votes; in 15 (88.2%), RIU exceeded LoD. RIU assessed from regions-of-interest over former thyroid beds in scans with ≤ 2 positive votes was typically below the LoD (99/103 scans, 96.1%). In 48 patients with ≤ 2 positive votes in both scans, LoD was a median 0.0094% (0.0050%) in d1(d2) images and was significantly lower (p < 0.01) on early or late scans in 22 euthyroid rhTSH patients versus 26 hypo thyroid THW patients. Conclusion: LoD data obtained by the proposed method closely reflect nuclear medicine specialists’ scan ratings and provide comparators in serial scintigrams, improving diagnostic 131I imaging accuracy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Potential molecular targets for Ewing′s sarcoma therapy
Authors: Jully Babu , Rajkumar Thangarajan 
Published: February 2013

AbstractEwing′s sarcoma (ES) is a highly malignant tumor of children and young adults. Modern therapy for Ewing′s sarcoma combines high-dose chemotherapy for systemic control of disease, with advanced surgical and/or radiation therapeutic approaches for local control. Despite optimal management, the cure rate for localized disease is only approximately 70%, whereas the cure rate for metastatic disease at presentation is less than 30%. Patients who experience long-term disease-free survival are at risk for significant side-effects of therapy, including infertility, limb dysfunction and an increased risk for second malignancies. The identification of new targets for innovative therapeutic approaches is, therefore, strongly needed for its treatment. Many new pharmaceutical agents have been tested in early phases of clinical trials in ES patients who have recurrent disease. While some agents led to partial response or stable disease, the percentages of drugs eliciting responses or causing an overall effect have been minimal. Furthermore, of the new pharmaceuticals being introduced to clinical practice, the most effective agents also have dose-limiting toxicities. Novel approaches are needed to minimize non-specific toxicity, both for patients with recurrence and at diagnosis. This report presents an overview of the potential molecular targets in ES and highlights the possibility that they may serve as therapeutic targets for the disease. Although additional investigations are required before most of these approaches can be assessed in the clinic, they provide a great deal of hope for patients with Ewing′s sarcoma.