bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allergy to cow’s milk proteins: what contribution does hypersensitivity in skin tests have to this diagnosis?
Authors: Costa Aldo José Fernandes , Sarinho Emanuel Sávio Cavalcanti , Motta Maria Eugênia Farias Almeida , Gomes Priscila Nogueira , de Oliveira de Melo Sabrina Maria , da Silva Giselia Alves Pontes 
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Costa AJF, Sarinho ESC, Motta MEFA, Gomes PN, de Oliveira de Melo SM, da Silva GAP. Allergy to cow’s milk proteins: what contribution does hypersensitivity in skin tests have to this diagnosis? Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e133–e138.Food allergy is an immunologically mediated adverse reaction to food protein. Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most frequent type and is the one that is most difficult to diagnose. This study had the objective of analyzing the accuracy of hypersensitivity and specific IgE skin tests among children with CMPA and predominantly gastrointestinal clinical manifestations. The participants in this study were 192 children aged one and five (median of 2 yr). Among these, 122 underwent open oral challenge to the suspected food. After evaluating the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values (respectively, PPV and NPV) of skin and specific IgE tests in relation to the gold standard (open oral challenge); all the children underwent the skin prick test (SPT), specific IgE test and atopy patch test (APT) for cow’s milk, eggs, wheat and peanuts and the open oral challenge for the food to which the child was sensitive or had suspected sensitivity. Presence of food allergy was confirmed for 50 children (40.9%). Among these cases, 44/50 (88%) were of allergy to cow’s milk protein. Children who presented a positive response to an oral challenge to cow’s milk protein were considered to be cases, while the controls were children with negative response. Twenty‐two of the 44 cases (50.0%) presented symptoms within the first 4 h after the challenge. The SPT presented 31.8% sensitivity, 90.3% specificity, 66.7% PPV and 68.4% NPV. The APT presented 25.0% sensitivity, 81.9% specificity, 45.8% PPV and 64.1% NPV. The specific IgE test presented, respectively, 20.5%, 88.9%, 52.9% and 64.6%. Despite the operational difficulty and the possible exposure risk, oral challenge is the best method for diagnosing CMPA, because of the low sensitivity and PPV of skin and specific IgE tests.
Methacholine and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP) responsiveness, and the presence and degree of atopy in children with asthma
Authors: Suh Dong I. , Lee Ju K. , Kim Chang K. , Koh Young Y. 
Published: February 2011

To cite this article: Suh DI, Lee JK, Kim CK, Koh YY. Methacholine and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP) responsiveness, and the presence and degree of atopy in children with asthma. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e101–e106.AbstractThe relationship between atopy and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), both key features of asthma, remains to be clarified. BHR is commonly evaluated by bronchial challenges using direct and indirect stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of BHR to methacholine (direct stimulus) and adenosine 5′‐monophosphate (AMP) (indirect stimulus) according to the presence and degree of atopy in children with asthma. We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 120 children presenting with a diagnosis of asthma. These children were characterized by skin‐prick tests (SPTs), spirometry and bronchial challenges with methacholine and AMP. Atopy was defined by at least one positive reaction to SPTs, and its degree was measured using serum total IgE levels, number of positive SPTs and atopic scores (sum of graded wheal size). A provocative concentration causing a 20% decline in FEV1 (PC20) was determined for each challenge. Patients with atopy(n = 94) had a significantly lower AMP PC20 than non‐atopic patients (n = 26), whereas methacholine PC20 was not different between the two groups. Among the patients with atopy, there was no association between methacholine PC20 and any atopy parameter. In contrast, a significant association was found between AMP PC20 and the degree of atopy reflected in serum total IgE, number of positive SPTs and atopic scores (anova trend test, p = 0.002, 0.001, 0.003, respectively). AMP responsiveness was associated with the presence and degree of atopy, whereas such a relationship was not observed for methacholine responsiveness. These findings suggest that atopic status may be better reflected by bronchial responsiveness assessed by AMP than by methacholine.
Hypercalcemia and altered biochemical bone markers in post‐bone marrow transplantation osteopetrosis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Kulpiya Alisa , Mahachoklertwattana Pat , Pakakasama Samart , Hongeng Suradej , Poomthavorn Preamrudee 
Published: February 2011

Kulpiya A, Mahachoklertwattana P, Pakakasama S, Hongeng S, Poomthavorn P. Hypercalcemia and altered biochemical bone markers in post‐bone marrow transplantation osteopetrosis: A case report and literature review.Abstract:  Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis is a rare disorder of bone resorption defect that results in generalized sclerotic bones and bone marrow failure. Allogeneic BMT is the only treatment for cure. One of the complications following a successful BMT is hypercalcemia that is a unique complication in this group of patients. We report a three‐yr‐old boy with osteopetrosis who developed hypercalcemia following the successful BMT. His maximal calcium level was 13.3 mg/dL. Markedly increased both bone formation and resorption markers were demonstrated along with hypercalcemia. These findings indicated an active donor‐derived osteoclastic function and thus bone resorption following the successful donor engraftment in the patient. Treatment with hyperhydration, furosemide and bone resorption inhibitors, calcitonin, and bisphosphonate led to normalization of the serum calcium level. Bone resorption but not bone formation marker was persistently elevated despite having normocalcemia during a 16.5‐month follow‐up period.
A mouse virus, XMRV, closely related to porcine endogenous retroviruses in the human population—a new risk for xenotransplantation?
Authors: Denner J. 
Published: February 2011

There is a need to carefully consider the potential infectious risks associated with xenotransplantation. Whereas known viruses can easily be eliminated from donor pigs by designated pathogen free breeding of the animals, this is not possible for porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) integrated into the genome of all pigs and unknown viruses. PERVs infect human cells in vitro and may theoretically like many retroviruses induce immunodeficiencies and/or tumours.Recently a xenotropic murine leukaemia virus‐related virus (XMRV), a gammaretrovirus that is closely related to murine leukaemia viruses as well as to PERV, has been detected in human patients with prostate carcinoma, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and also in a small percentage of clinically healthy individuals. Whereas several studies showed a broad distribution of XMRV in the USA, similar studies in Europe failed to detect this virus in the human population (for review see 1). These results clearly indicate that XMRV is not causally associated with prostate carcinoma and CFS. Either the virus is common in the USA (may be there are specific populations of rodents releasing this virus) and not in Europe, or it is a laboratory contamination.If XMRV is indeed circulating in the human population, it has important implications for xenotransplantation. A test should be developed to discriminate between PERV and XMRV and the potential for recombination between the two viruses should be investigated. Recombination between the human tropic PERV‐A and the ecotropic PERV‐C has been described and recombinant PERV‐A/C was characterized by increased replication titers. Whether XMRV and PERV recombine remains unclear, however co‐packaging and pseudotyping between PERV and murine retroviruses have been described. This raises new questions: Should the xenotransplant recipient be pre‐screened for XMRV to avoid recombination? What measures can be taken when XMRV infection is detected in such a screen?However, before dealing with these specific details, it is necessary to address the important broad questions concerning the distribution of XMRV and its impact on human health.Reference1. Denner J. Detection of a gammaretrovirus, XMRV, in the human population: Open questions and implications for xenotransplantation. Retrovirology 2010; 7: 16.
Porcine CTLA4‐Ig prolong islet xenografts in rats by downregulating the direct pathway of T‐cell activation
Authors: Zhai Chao , Yu Liang , Zhu Haitao , Tian Min , Xiaogang Zhang , Bo Wang 
Published: February 2011

Zhai C, Yu L, Zhu H, Tian M, Xiaogang Z, Bo W. Porcine CTLA4‐Ig prolong islet xenografts in rats by downregulating the direct pathway of T‐cell activation. Xenotransplantation 2011; 18: 40–45. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract:  Aim:  Porcine pancreatic islets fused with pCTLA4‐Ig were transplanted into diabetic rats. Xenografts survival was observed, and the underlying immunological rejection mechanisms were investigated.Methods:  Control porcine islets, empty vector (Adv‐GFP)–transfected, and gene‐modified porcine islets were transplanted into the renal capsule of diabetic rats. The survival rates of the xenografts were observed. Changes in serum levels of IL‐4 and γ‐IFN in the recipients were assessed.Results:  The survival time of xenografts in the gene‐modified porcine islets group was 34.50 ± 4.14 days, which was longer than those in the control group (34.50 ± 4.14 days vs. 7.43 ± 1.72 days and 7.22 ± 1.72 days; P < 0.01). Changes in the serum levels of IL‐4 and γ‐IFN between the groups of rats post‐transplantation indicated the differentiation bias of T helper cells.Conclusions:  The donor‐originated pCTLA‐IgG4 fusion protein inhibits the direct pathway of recipient T‐cell priming, which might prolong xenograft survival.
Oestradiol Enhances Plasma Growth Hormone and Insulin‐like Growth Factor‐I Concentrations and Increased the Expression of their Receptors mRNAs in the Liver of Ovariectomized Cows
Authors: Çolak M , Shimizu T , Matsunaga N , Murayama C , Nagashima S , Kataoka M , Kawashima C , Matsui M , Dorland HA van , Bruckmaier RM , Miyamoto A 
Published: February 2011

ContentsMany metabolic hormones, growth hormone (GH), insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) and insulin affect ovarian functions. However, whether ovarian steroid hormones affect metabolic hormones in cattle remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of sex steroids on the plasma profiles of GH, IGF‐I and insulin and their receptors in the liver and adipose tissues of dairy cows. Ovariectomized cows (n = 14) were randomly divided into four groups: control group (n = 3) was treated with saline on Day 0; oestradiol (E2) group (n = 3), with saline and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate (EB) on Day 0 and 5, respectively; progesterone (P4) group (n = 4) with two CIDRs (Pfizer Inc., Tokyo, Japan) from Day 0; and E2 + P4 group (n = 4) with two CIDRs on Day 0 that were removed on Day 6 and were immediately injected with 1 mg EB. The animals were euthanized after the experiment, and liver and adipose tissues samples were quantitatively analysed using real‐time PCR for the expression of mRNA for the GH (GHR), IGF‐I (IGFR‐I) and insulin (IR) receptor mRNAs. Oestradiol benzoate significantly increased the number of peaks (p < 0.05), pulse amplitude (p < 0.05) and area under the curve (AUC; p < 0.01) for plasma GH; moreover, it increased plasma IGF‐I concentration (p < 0.05), but it had no effect on the plasma insulin profile. P4 significantly decreased the AUC (p < 0.01), compared with the control group, whereas it did not affect the number of peaks and the amplitude of GH pulses. P4 + E2 did not affect the GH pulse profile. E2 increased the mRNA expression of GHR, IGFR‐I and IR in the liver (p < 0.05), whereas both P4 and E2 + P4 did not change their expressions. Our results provide evidence that the metabolic and reproductive endocrine axes may regulate each other to ensure optimal reproductive and metabolic function.
Exon‐skipping events in candidates for clinical trials of morpholino
Authors: Nakano Shiho , Ozasa Shiro , Yoshioka Kowashi , Fujii Isao , Mitsui Kouichi , Nomura Keiko , Kosuge Hirofumi , Endo Fumio , Matsukura Makoto , Kimura Shigemi 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground:  Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are caused by abnormalities in the DMD gene. The majority of DMD patients have out‐of‐frame deletion(s), which disrupt the reading frame; while some cases of DMD are caused by duplication or nonsense mutation(s). Most patients with BMD have in‐frame deletion(s), which preserve the reading frame. The phenotype of BMD is generally milder than that of DMD. Antisense morpholino‐mediated exon skipping, which changes out‐of‐frame deletions to in‐frame deletions, is a promising therapeutic approach for DMD. It is necessary, however, to confirm the exon‐skipping event in cells of DMD patients before the clinical trial.Methods:  Fibroblasts isolated from four DMD patients were induced to differentiate into the myogenic lineage by infection with Ad.CAGMyoD. The cells were then transfected with two types of morpholino. The exon‐skipping event was analyzed on reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.Results:  Morpholino B30, which is located at the splicing enhancer of exon 51 of the DMD gene, yielded the desired exon 51‐skipping event in all deletion patterns of cells tested. Morpholino I25, which is located at the exon donor, induced two different exon‐skipping patterns, which are total or partial exon 51‐skipping events. According to the sequence analysis, the unexpected unskipped regions were the 95 bp section and the 188 bp section of exon 51, showing that the cryptic splicing donor was newly produced with I25. Unfortunately, these cryptic splicing donors gave rise to out‐of‐frame patterns. Based on these in vitro results, B30 would presumably be an effective therapy. Interestingly, the cocktail of B30 and I25 appeared to yield a more efficient exon 51‐skipping event.Conclusion:  An in vitro system was developed that could easily screen the effectiveness of antisense sequences and identify good candidates for therapy with morpholino.
Pneumonia in the first 2 years of life, and asthma in preschool‐age children
Authors: Santos José C.H. , Zhang Linjie , Menegatti Paula K. , Guasselli Camila S. , Filho Celso C.M. , Maito Lina R.D.M. , Ferreira Marina F. , Mariani Monallisa C. , Wainwright Claire 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground:  The relationship between viral bronchiolitis in early infancy and subsequent wheezing and asthma has been well established. The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to test the hypothesis that pneumonia severe enough to require hospitalization during the first 2 years of life could also be associated with asthma or asthma‐like symptoms in pre‐school children.Methods:  Structured interviews were conducted with parents of children who were classified as exposed (n= 36) or non‐exposed (n= 84), based on whether they were hospitalized with radiologically confirmed pneumonia during the first 2 years of life. The main outcomes were ever physician‐diagnosed asthma, asthma‐like symptoms and use of anti‐asthmatic medications during the last 2 months and during the last 12 months.Results:  The prevalence of ever physician‐diagnosed asthma was higher in the exposed group compared with the non‐exposed group (41.6% vs 22.6%, P= 0.01), with an adjusted prevalence ratio of 2.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.10–3.62). The exposed group had a trend toward a higher prevalence of asthma‐like symptoms and use of anti‐asthmatic medications during the last 2 months and during the last 12 months.Conclusions:  Radiologically confirmed pneumonia in the first 2 years of life may be associated with asthma or asthma‐like symptoms in pre‐school children.
No effect of fluticasone propionate on linear growth in preschool children with asthma
Authors: Stefanovic Iva M. , Verona Eva , Cicak Biserka , Vrsalovic Renata 
Published: February 2011

AbstractBackground:  Eighty percent of asthmatic children develop asthma symptoms by the age of 5 years. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), depending on dosage, may cause linear growth reduction and adrenal gland suppression. There are few studies about linear growth of preschool children with asthma. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is any effect of fluticasone propionate (FP) on linear growth and adrenal gland function.Methods:  Twenty‐eight children aged 18–52 months with persistent asthma receiving ICS FP 100–200 µg daily were studied for 1 year. Patients were divided into two groups according to clinical parameters: well (group 1) and poorly controlled (group 2). Height was measured every 3 months and expressed as height standard deviation score (SDS). Cumulative dose of FP expressed in mg was calculated for every patient. Early morning levels of serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study.Results:  Patients took FP for an average of 11 months in group 1 and 16 months in group 2, which was not statistically significantly different. At the end of the study height SDS difference was −0.0143 in group 1 and −0.2000 in group 2, which was not statistically significantly different (t= 0.6072, P= 0.5489). There was also no statistically significant difference for average cortisol (P= 0.4381) or ACTH (P= 0.5845) concentration at the end of the study.Conclusion:  FP 100–200 µg daily had no effect on linear growth or on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal gland axis but further follow up is necessary.
Implementation of a major in mental health nursing in Australian universities
Authors: Happell Brenda , Moxham Lorna , Clarke Karen‐Ann 
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACTThe difficulty recruiting and retaining an adequate mental health nursing workforce is acknowledged. The major in mental health nursing has been identified as a strategy to promote this specialist area of practice as desirable for students' future careers. Measuring its success requires the collection of detailed data about the structure, content, and uptake of these programmes. A survey was specifically developed to elicit descriptive information about the structure and content of a major in mental health nursing programmes. Fourteen universities participated in this research. Eight had implemented a major, one intends to do so in 2011, and five had abandoned or suspended their plans for the major. The findings suggest considerable variation in both structure and content of the major in mental health nursing throughout Australia. Students are required to commit to and commence the programme at differing stages, and there is a substantial variation in the theoretical and clinical content in mental health undertaken as a requirement for the major. The numbers of students taking the major is relatively small in most universities; however, the retention rates are favourable. These findings provide important data for discussion about the ideal structure and content of a major in mental health nursing.
Urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio is an alternative to stimulated serum C‐peptide measurement in late‐onset, insulin‐treated diabetes
Authors: Jones A. G. , Besser R. E. J. , McDonald T. J. , Shields B. M. , Hope S. V. , Bowman P. , Oram R. A. , Knight B. A. , Hattersley A. T. 
Published: February 2011

Diabet. Med. 28, 1034–1038 (2011)AbstractAims  Serum C‐peptide measurement can assist clinical management of diabetes, but practicalities of collection limit widespread use. Urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio may be a non‐invasive practical alternative. The stability of C‐peptide in urine allows outpatient or community testing. We aimed to assess how urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio compared with serum C‐peptide measurement during a mixed‐meal tolerance test in individuals with late‐onset, insulin‐treated diabetes.Methods  We correlated the gold standard of a stimulated serum C‐peptide in a mixed‐meal tolerance test with fasting and stimulated (mixed‐meal tolerance test, standard home meal and largest home meal) urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio in 51 subjects with insulin‐treated diabetes (diagnosis after age 30 years, median age 66 years, median age at diagnosis 54, 42 with Type 2 diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate > 60 ml min−1 1.73 m−2).Results  Ninety‐minute mixed‐meal tolerance test serum C‐peptide is correlated with mixed‐meal tolerance test‐stimulated urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio (r = 0.82), urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio after a standard breakfast at home (r = 0.73) and urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio after largest home meal (r = 0.71). A stimulated (largest home meal) urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio cut‐off of 0.3 nmol/mmol had a 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity (area under receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.99) in identifying subjects without clinically significant endogenous insulin secretion (mixed‐meal tolerance test‐stimulated C‐peptide < 0.2 nmol/l). In detecting a proposed serum C‐peptide threshold for insulin requirement (stimulated serum C‐peptide < 0.6 nmol/l), a stimulated (largest home meal) urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio cut‐off of 0.6 nmol/mmol had a sensitivity and specificity of 92%.Conclusion  In patients with insulin‐treated diabetes diagnosed after age 30 years, urine C‐peptide creatinine ratio is well correlated with serum C‐peptide and may provide a practical alternative measure to detect insulin deficiency for use in routine clinical practice.
A, B or C? Experimental Tests of IPO Mechanisms
Authors: Bonini Stefano , Voloshyna Olena 
Published: February 2011

AbstractEmpirical research has provided extensive evidence on the inefficiency of bookbuilding in controlling underpricing. Both academics and practitioners have investigated this phenomenon proposing innovative offering methodologies. In this paper we explore the information revelation and underpricing properties of two baseline models, uniform auctions and bookbuilding, and two newly proposed mechanisms, Ausubel auction and Competitive IPO. Our findings confirm the empirical weaknesses of bookbuilding and provide hints that standard auctions may stimulate less bidding. However, (a) the Competitive IPO features increase competition both among banks and among investors resulting in more information revelation and less underpricing than standard bookbuilding; and (b) the Ausubel auction yields superior price discovery and underpricing outcomes than uniform clock auction and bookbuilding. Our experimental results provide novel insights into the ongoing debate on optimal equity offering mechanisms, suggesting that the solution to current issuing methodologies shortcomings may require the development of a ‘hybrid’ procedure blending properties of existing and new mechanisms.