bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inadvertent exposures in children with peanut allergy
Authors: Nguyen‐Luu Nha Uyen , Ben‐Shoshan Moshe , Alizadehfar Reza , Joseph Lawrence , Harada Laurie , Allen Mary , St‐Pierre Yvan , Clarke Ann 
Published: December 2011

To cite this article: Nguyen‐Luu NU, Ben‐Shoshan M, Alizadehfar R, Joseph L, Harada L, Allen M, St‐Pierre Y, Clarke A. Inadvertent exposures in children with peanut allergy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011: Doi: 10.1111/j.1399‐3038.2011.01235.xAbstractObjectives:  To determine the annual incidence, characterize the severity and management, and identify predictors of accidental exposure among a cohort of children with peanut allergy.Methods:  From 2004 to November 2009, parents of Canadian children with a physician‐confirmed peanut allergy completed entry and follow‐up questionnaires about accidental exposures over the preceding year. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine potential predictors.Results:  A total of 1411 children [61.3% boys, mean age 7.1 yr (SD, 3.9)] participated. When all children were included, regardless of length of observation, 266 accidental exposures occurred over 2227 patient‐years, yielding an annual incidence rate of 11.9% (95% CI, 10.6–13.5). When all accidental exposures occurring after study entry and patients providing <1 yr of observation were excluded, 147 exposures occurred over a period of 1175 patient‐years, yielding a rate of 12.5% (95% CI, 10.7–14.5). Only 21% of moderate and severe reactions were treated with epinephrine. Age ≥13 yr at study entry (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.20–4.53) and a severe previous reaction to peanut (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.44–2.91) were associated with an increased risk of accidental exposure, and increasing disease duration (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83–0.92) with a decreased risk.Conclusion:  The annual incidence rate of accidental exposure for children with peanut allergy is 12.5%. Children with a recent diagnosis and adolescents are at higher risk. Hence, education of allergic children and their families is crucial immediately after diagnosis and during adolescence. As many reactions were treated inappropriately, healthcare professionals require better education on anaphylaxis management.
Analysis of BK viral infection after alemtuzumab induction for renal transplant
Authors: Cannon R.M. , Brock G. , Marvin M.R. , Eng M. , Buell J.F. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract:Induction immunosuppression has provided great advances in reducing the incidence of acute rejection (AR) following kidney transplantation. Despite this success, there has been recent concern over possible increased rates of viral complications when such powerful immunosuppressive therapy is used. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of BK viral infection following kidney transplantation under alemtuzumab induction therapy.MethodsWith institutional review board approval, a retrospective study was performed of all patients undergoing kidney transplantation under alemtuzumab induction at a single center. The incidence of BK viremia was determined, and univariate analysis was performed to determine factors associated with the development of BK viremia. Further analysis was undertaken, using standard statistical methods, to determine the rates of graft survival and hazard ratio (HR) for AR in patients with and without BK viremia.ResultsThere were 456 patients in the current study, with a mean age of 51 years. The majority of these (61.8%) were male, and 73.5% were Caucasian. The overall incidence of BK viremia identified on routine screening was 6.6%. Univariate analysis failed to identify any significant predictors of BK viremia. One‐, 3‐, and 5‐year graft survival for patients who developed BK viremia was 96.6%, 91.7%, and 91.7%, respectively, compared with 94.1%, 87.8%, and 80.2% for patients without BK viremia (P = 0.860). BK viremia was associated with a significantly increased risk for AR (HR 3.48, 95% confidence interval 1.24–9.76; P = 0.018).ConclusionThe incidence of BK viremia following alemtuzumab induction appears to be in concordance with the published literature, with satisfactory graft survival rates. BK viremia is, however, associated with an increased risk for AR.
Impact of laurel wilt, caused by Raffaelea lauricola, on xylem function in avocado, Persea americana
Authors: Inch S. A. , Ploetz R. C. 
Published: December 2011

SummaryLaurel wilt, caused by Raffaelea lauricola, is a lethal, vascular disease of avocado, Persea americana. Its impact on xylem function was examined in artificially inoculated plants of the ‘Simmonds’ cultivar. Three, 7, 14, 21 and 42 days after inoculation (dai), plants were rated externally and internally for disease severity on a subjective one (asymptomatic) to 10 (dead or 100% symptomatic) scale. Stems were then cut under water, 15 cm below the inoculation point, and placed in 0.1% aqueous solutions of acid fuschin in a greenhouse. After 48 h, the percentage of functional xylem was estimated 10 and 5 cm above and below the inoculation point by quantifying acid fuschin‐stained portions of digitized stem cross‐sections. Hydraulic conductivity was determined by placing the proximal end of 5‐cm‐long stem sections, harvested between 5 and 10 cm above the inoculation point, in water and quantifying the volume of water that was drawn over time through the distal end under partial pressure (350 mm Hg). Functional xylem decreased by 3 dai, well before the development of vascular discoloration (7 dai) and wilting of foliage (14 dai). By 14 dai, extensive vascular discoloration had developed and there was a dramatic reduction in functional xylem; plants with internal disease severities of 7 or greater had <20% functional xylem. Hydraulic conductivity decreased exponentially as non‐functional xylem and disease severity increased. In plants with internal severities >7, mean flow rates of water were 0.07 ml−1 min−1 cm−2vs. 42 ml−1 min−1 cm−2 in mock‐inoculated plants. The rapid development of these changes suggests that it may be difficult to manage laurel wilt in avocado once plants are infected by R. lauricola. Better understanding of the temporal and spatial development of infection and how the host responds to infection may assist efforts to select laurel wilt‐tolerant avocado cultivars.
Asthma phenotypes: Consistency of classification using induced sputum
Authors: HANCOX ROBERT J. , COWAN DOUGLAS C. , ALDRIDGE RUTH E. , COWAN JAN O. , PALMAY ROCHELLE , WILLIAMSON AVIS , TOWN G. IAN , TAYLOR D. ROBIN 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Asthma can be classified as eosinophilic or non‐eosinophilic based on the cell profile of induced sputum. This classification can help determine whether corticosteroid treatment is indicated. We assessed the stability of these phenotypes over time and with different treatment regimens.Methods:  Clinically stable, non‐smoking, asthmatic adults were enrolled in one of two studies. In study one, induced sputum cell counts from 28 subjects were analysed after 4 weeks without corticosteroid treatment and after 6 week treatments with placebo, regular inhaled beta‐agonist, inhaled corticosteroid, and combined beta‐agonist and corticosteroid. In study two, sputum from 26 subjects with non‐eosinophilic asthma was analysed after 12 weeks of placebo and after four 2‐week corticosteroid washouts. Sputum with <2% eosinophils was classified as non‐eosinophilic.Results:  Sputum classification changed frequently in both studies. In study one, only one of eight participants with non‐eosinophilic sputum after placebo treatment remained non‐eosinophilic throughout. In study two, all of participants had at least one eosinophilic sputum sample, despite the fact that all had been non‐eosinophilic at recruitment. Neutrophilic asthma was uncommon in both studies and was also inconsistent.Conclusions:  The phenotypic classification of asthma changes frequently. A diagnosis of non‐eosinophilic asthma should not be based on a single sputum sample.
Screening for lung cancer: Is this the way forward?
Authors: SPIRO STEPHEN G. , NAVANI NEAL 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTWhile low‐dose CT scans have been shown to detect greater numbers of early lung cancers than conventional CXR, the first randomized trial of CT versus CXR screening in more than 50 000 subjects has shown a 20% reduction in mortality with CT. There are several other randomized trials in progress. CT scanning may be a useful technique for identifying lung cancer at an earlier stage and may reduce mortality. However, before it can be used on a wider scale, issues such as overdiagnosis bias, cost‐effectiveness, false positive findings of multiple noncalcified nodules and the willingness of the relevant population to accept CT scanning need to be evaluated. There is still very little information on the cost per life‐year saved as a result of CT scanning, as the data to date is very imprecise. There is no evidence that screening programs influence smoking rates despite the inclusion of cessation programs in many trials. Furthermore, if CT screening is adopted, much work is needed to persuade individuals at high risk, mostly current or former heavy smokers with some airflow obstruction, to participate in a screening program.
Association between soft drink consumption and asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults in Australia
Authors: SHI ZUMIN , DAL GRANDE ELEONORA , TAYLOR ANNE W. , GILL TIFFANY K. , ADAMS ROBERT , WITTERT GARY A. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  The aim of this study was to examine the association between soft drink consumption and self‐reported doctor‐diagnosed asthma and COPD among adults living in South Australia.Methods:  Data were collected using a risk factor surveillance system. Each month a representative random sample of South Australians were selected from the electronic White Pages and interviews were conducted using computer‐assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).Results:  Among 16 907 participants aged 16 years and older, 11.4% reported daily soft drink consumption of more than half a litre. High levels of soft drink consumption were positively associated with asthma and COPD. Overall, 13.3% of participants with asthma and 15.6% of those with COPD reported consuming more than half a litre of soft drink per day. By multivariate analysis, after adjusting for socio‐demographic and lifestyle factors, the odds ratio (OR) for asthma was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.58) and the OR for COPD was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.32–2.43), comparing those who consumed more than half a litre of soft drink per day with those who did not consume soft drinks.Conclusions:  There was a positive association between consumption of soft drinks and asthma/COPD among adults living in South Australia.
Characteristics of insulin secretion patterns in Japanese women with overt diabetes and gestational diabetes defined according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria
Authors: Morikawa Mamoru , Yamada Takashi , Yamada Takahiro , Akaishi Rina , Koyama Takahiro , Takeda Masamitsu , Nishida Ryutaro , Cho Kazutoshi , Minakami Hisanori 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim:  To characterize patterns of insulin secretion in women with overt diabetes and gestational diabetes (GDM) defined by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria.Material and Methods:  A total of 228 Japanese women were examined retrospectively. All 228 women had a positive 50‐g glucose challenge test (GCT) result at 25.2 ± 1.2 weeks of gestation and underwent a 75‐g glucose tolerance test (GTT) at 27.4 ± 1.8 weeks of gestation. The immunoreactive insulin levels were determined during the GTT in four groups of pregnant women: five with overt diabetes, 20 with GDM according to both the previous Japan Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (JSOG) and current IADPSG criteria (traditional GDM group), 43 with GDM according to only the IADPSG criteria (new GDM group), and 160 with non‐ GDM, but with a positive GCT result.Results:  Attenuated and slow rise in plasma insulin in concert with prolonged hyperglycemia were characteristic in women with overt diabetes, compared with women with GDM in whom excessive insulin secretion in the presence of hyperglycemia was characteristic. The new GDM group did not differ significantly from the traditional GDM group with respect to scores of such indices as the insulinogenic index, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index.Conclusion:  Women with overt diabetes have both an impaired capacity for insulin secretion and elevated insulin resistance, while women with GDM exhibit a maintained insulin secretory capacity with an elevated insulin resistance.
Alteration of HGF and TSP‐1 expression in ovarian carcinoma associated with clinical features
Authors: Wei Wei , Kong Beihua , Qu Xun 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim:  The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) with the clinical pathological factors in ovarian cancer, and the correlation between HGF and TSP‐1 expression at the protein level.Material and Methods:  Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the location and expression of HGF and TSP‐1 protein in ovarian cancer and benign ovarian tumor tissue. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to detect HGF and TSP‐1 gene mRNA expression in ovarian cancer and benign ovarian tumor tissue.Results:  The level and positive expression rate of HGF mRNA in ovarian cancer tissue was significantly higher than in ovarian adenoma tissues. The positive expression of HGF protein in ovarian cancer was related with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and lymph node metastasis. The level and positive expression rate of TSP‐1 mRNA in ovarian cancer tissue was lower than in ovarian adenoma. The absence expression of TSP‐1 protein in ovarian cancer was significantly related with FIGO stage and histological grade. The intensity of these positive expressions in ovarian cancer tissues were significant negatively associated with each other.Conclusion:  Abnormal expression of HGF and TSP‐1 may be related to malignant progression of ovarian cancer and associated in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.
Recalcitrance of bacterial vaginosis among herpes‐simplex‐virus‐type‐2‐seropositive women
Authors: Stoner Kevin A. , Reighard Seth D. , Miguel Rodolfo D. Vicetti , Landsittel Douglas , Cosentino Lisa A. , Kant Jeffrey A. , Cherpes Thomas L. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractAim:  The multifactorial etiology of bacterial vaginosis (BV) impedes development of effective treatment and prevention strategies. Herein, we evaluated the effects of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2), a suspected BV risk factor, on vaginal flora composition.Materials and Methods:  Correlations between HSV‐2 infection and BV were prospectively explored among 12 HSV‐2‐seropositive women with asymptomatic BV who were asked to collect daily vaginal swab specimens for Gram stain analysis of vaginal flora and determination of HSV‐2 shedding frequencies during the 1 month before and after metronidazole therapy.Results:  Unlike prior longitudinal studies that reported rapid fluctuations in vaginal flora composition and frequent episodes of spontaneously resolving BV, we found that 99.4% (310/312) of vaginal smears collected before initiation of metronidazole were consistent with a diagnosis of BV. Effectiveness of metronidazole therapy was also much lower than previously reported in studies not restricting enrollment to HSV‐2‐seropositive women; we observed a BV recurrence rate of 89% in the first month after completion of therapy while the median time to this recurrence occurred only 14 days after treatment.Conclusions:  Our study demonstrates BV recalcitrance among HSV‐2‐infected women and provides additional evidence for a linkage between this chronic viral infection and abnormal vaginal flora. Additional work will be needed to define mechanisms responsible for this correlation and to determine if vaginal flora health of HSV‐2‐infected women is improved by medications that suppress HSV‐2 shedding.
Global assessment of experimental climate warming on tundra vegetation: heterogeneity over space and time
Authors: Elmendorf Sarah C. , Henry Gregory H. R. , Hollister Robert D. , Björk Robert G. , Bjorkman Anne D. , Callaghan Terry V. , Collier Laura Siegwart , Cooper Elisabeth J. , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Day Thomas A. , Fosaa Anna Maria , Gould William A. , Grétarsdóttir Járngerður , Harte John , Hermanutz Luise , Hik David S. , Hofgaard Annika , Jarrad Frith , Jónsdóttir Ingibjörg Svala , Keuper Frida , Klanderud Kari , Klein Julia A. , Koh Saewan , Kudo Gaku , Lang Simone I. , Loewen Val , May Jeremy L. , Mercado Joel , Michelsen Anders , Molau Ulf , Myers‐Smith Isla H. , Oberbauer Steven F. , Pieper Sara , Post Eric , Rixen Christian , Robinson Clare H. , Schmidt Niels Martin , Shaver Gaius R. , Stenström Anna , Tolvanen Anne , Totland Ørjan , Troxler Tiffany , Wahren Carl‐Henrik , Webber Patrick J. , Welker Jeffery M. , Wookey Philip A. 
Published: December 2011

Ecology Letters (2011)AbstractUnderstanding the sensitivity of tundra vegetation to climate warming is critical to forecasting future biodiversity and vegetation feedbacks to climate. In situ warming experiments accelerate climate change on a small scale to forecast responses of local plant communities. Limitations of this approach include the apparent site‐specificity of results and uncertainty about the power of short‐term studies to anticipate longer term change. We address these issues with a synthesis of 61 experimental warming studies, of up to 20 years duration, in tundra sites worldwide. The response of plant groups to warming often differed with ambient summer temperature, soil moisture and experimental duration. Shrubs increased with warming only where ambient temperature was high, whereas graminoids increased primarily in the coldest study sites. Linear increases in effect size over time were frequently observed. There was little indication of saturating or accelerating effects, as would be predicted if negative or positive vegetation feedbacks were common. These results indicate that tundra vegetation exhibits strong regional variation in response to warming, and that in vulnerable regions, cumulative effects of long‐term warming on tundra vegetation – and associated ecosystem consequences – have the potential to be much greater than we have observed to date.
Microbial methane cycling in a terrestrial mud volcano in eastern Taiwan
Authors: Chang Yung‐Hsin , Cheng Ting‐Wen , Lai Wen‐Jing , Tsai Wen‐Yu , Sun Chih‐Hsien , Lin Li‐Hung , Wang Pei‐Ling 
Published: December 2011

SummaryMicrobial communities responsible for methane cycling in mud volcanoes onshore are poorly characterized. This study analysed bubbling fluids and cored sediments retrieved from a mud volcano in eastern Taiwan. The pore water profiles revealed that methane concentrations generally increased with depth and changed dramatically at different depth intervals at different sites. The methane concentrations were inversely correlated with Fe2+/Mn2+ concentrations and δ13C values of methane, marking iron/manganese‐methane transition zones in the sediment cores. Archaeal communities were dominated by ANME‐2a members and methylotrophic methanogens, whereas bacterial communities consisted primarily of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. The 16S rRNA gene copy numbers of ANME‐2a and Desulfuromonas/Pelobacter populations varied by two to three orders of magnitude along the profile and exhibited a pattern comparable with those of Fe2+ and δ13C values of methane. These lines of evidence suggest a coupling between anaerobic methanotrophy and metal reduction in the metal‐methane transition zones under sulfate‐deficient conditions, a metabolic scheme contrasting with that observed in marine cold seeps. Anaerobic methanotrophs proliferate by removing methane produced from in situ methanogenesis and originating from the deep source. Methane finally emitted into the atmosphere is quantitatively and isotopically altered by various microbial processes compartmentalized at different depth intervals.
Metabolic control and risk of hypoglycaemia during the first year of intensive insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pontiroli A. E. , Miele L. , Morabito A. 
Published: December 2011

Aim: Aim of this study was to analyse clinical correlates of HbA1c, and of overall, nocturnal, and severe hypoglycaemia, through direct‐weighted regressions, as well as the effect of different insulin regimens and insulin analogues, through meta‐analysis.Methods: Appropriate methodology (PRISMA statement) was used. Sixty‐seven randomized studies, published as full papers were analysed to identify predictors of both HbA1c and hypoglycaemia; studies were included in a meta‐analysis to study the effect of different insulin regimens or insulin analogues on HbA1c and hypoglycaemia during the first year of insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes patients.Results: Final HbA1c, change of HbA1c, hypoglycaemia, nocturnal hypoglycaemia and severe hypoglycaemia were associated with intensity of treatment. Final HbA1c was higher with basal than with twice‐a‐day or prandial, and with twice‐a‐day than with prandial regimen, with opposite figures for hypoglycaemia. Within basal regimens, detemir and glargine were similar to NPH insulin on HbA1c, with less hypoglycaemia and nocturnal hypoglycaemia; within prandial regimens, new analogues were more effective than regular insulin on HbA1c, and induced less hypoglycaemia. The effect of glargine on HbA1c and on hypoglycaemia vanished with increasing number of insulin injections.Conclusion: Metabolic control and hypoglycaemia are associated with intensity of treatment. Basal regimens have a reduced effect on metabolic control, but are associated with lower frequency of hypoglycaemia. Newer analogues, short‐ and long‐acting, yield better control and less hypoglycaemia than older analogues.