bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Induction of IL‐10+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells with decreased NF‐κB expression during immunotherapy
Authors: Tsai Yi‐Giien , Chiou Ya‐Ling , Chien Jien‐Wen , Wu Han‐Ping , Lin Ching‐Yuang 
Published: August 2009

Tsai Y‐G, Chiou Y‐L, Chien J‐W, Wu H‐P, Lin C‐Y. Induction of IL‐10+ CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells with decreased NF‐κB expression during immunotherapy. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e166–e173. © 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell MunksgaardMyD88 is a major toll‐like receptor (TLR) adaptor to activate NF‐κB, which acts as a mater switch for allergic inflammation disease. Sterile hust dust extracts have been reported with TLR‐dependent immunostimulatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) immunotherapy may increase IL‐10+ CD4+ CD25+ T cells with modulating MyD88 signaling proteins, to decrease NF‐κB expression. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from patients before and after 1 yr of Der p immunotherapy, and also from matched control subjects. After 2 days of Der p‐2 stimulation, intracellular IL‐10 and Foxp3 expression of CD4+ CD25+ T cells were measured by flow‐cytometry. The expression of IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase (IRAK)‐1 in cytoplasm and IFN‐regulator factor‐3 (IRF‐3) with NF‐κB/p65 in nuclei was determined by Western‐blot analysis. Patients undergoing immunotherapy produced more soluble CD14, IL‐10, and TGF‐β that correlated with FEV1improvement (p < 0.05). In the immunotherapy group, the number of Foxp3+ CD4+ Treg cells increased more than the baseline status (25.06 ± 4.19 vs. 16.08 ± 3.54, p < 0.05). Additionally, increased IL‐10 production with decreased IRAK‐1 and NF‐κB/p65 nuclear translocation was observed in sorted‐purified Treg cells. IL‐10+ CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells may respond to Der p‐2 and down‐regulate NF‐κB/p65 expression to maintain immune tolerance during immunotherapy.
The recurrence risk of severe de novo pre‐eclampsia in singleton pregnancies: a population‐based cohort
Authors: McDonald SD , Best C , Lam K 
Published: August 2009

Objective  Previous studies have found recurrence risks of severe pre‐eclampsia as high as 40%. Our objective was to determine both the recurrence risk of severe de novo pre‐eclampsia and risk factors associated with it in a contemporaneous population.Study design  Population‐based retrospective cohort study.Population  Women who had two or more singleton liveborn or stillborn hospital deliveries in Ontario, Canada between April 1994 and March 2002 and without a history of chronic hypertensionMethods  International Classification of Disease codes were used to identify patients in the Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database.Main outcome measures  The absolute and adjusted risks of recurrent severe de novo pre‐eclampsia were determined.Results  Between 1 April 1994 and 30 March 2002, there were 185 098 women with two or more singleton deliveries >20 weeks in the province of Ontario, Canada. There were 1954 women who had severe de novo pre‐eclampsia in the index pregnancy, 133 of whom had recurrent severe pre‐eclampsia, for a risk of recurrent severe pre‐eclampsia of 6.8% (95% CI 5.7–7.9%). The risk of recurrent severe de novo pre‐eclampsia was increased in women with pre‐existing renal disease (adjusted OR 17.98, 95% CI 3.50–92.52) and those >35 years of age (adjusted OR 3.79, 95% CI 2.04–7.04, reference 20–25 years).Conclusions  The recurrence risk of severe de novo pre‐eclampsia in our population‐based cohort study (6.8%) is lower than previously published reports in selected populations.
Statins, fibrates, nicotinic acid, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, anion‐exchange resins, omega‐3 fatty acids: which drugs for which patients?
Authors: Drexel Heinz 
Published: August 2009

AbstractClasses of lipid lowering drugs differ strongly with respect to the types of lipids or lipoproteins they predominantly affect. Statins inhibit the de‐novo synthesis of cholesterol. Consequently, the liver produces less VLDL, and the serum concentration primarily of LDL cholesterol (but, to a lesser extent, also of triglycerides) is lowered. Further, statins somewhat increase HDL cholesterol. There is abundant evidence that statins lower the rate of cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular risk reduction is the better, the lower the LDL cholesterol values achieved with statin therapy are. Some evidence is available that anion exchange resins which also decrease LDL cholesterol decrease vascular risk, too. This is not the case for the ezetimibe, which strongly lowers LDL cholesterol: its potential to decrease vascular risk remains to be proven. In contrast evidence for cardiovascular risk reduction through the mainly triglyceride lowering fibrates as well as for niacin is available. Niacin is the most potent HDL increasing drug currently available and besides increasing HDL cholesterol efficaciously lowers triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. Large ongoing trials address the decisive question whether treatment with fibrates and niacin provides additional cardiovascular risk reduction when given in addition to statin treatment.
Efficacy of different dry eye treatments with artificial tears or ocular lubricants: a systematic review
Authors: Doughty Michael J. , Glavin Sara 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPurpose:  To objectively review the outcome of clinical studies where rose bengal stain (RB) has been used as an outcome measure to assess the efficacy of artificial tears (AT) in patients with dry eye.Methods:  From peer‐reviewed articles published between 1947 and 2008, information was sought on dry eye status, as reported using a grading scheme, after use of RB as a diagnostic test, before and after use of a specific regimen of artificial tears or ocular lubricants for approximately 30 days. Mean baseline scores and post‐treatment scores were calculated, along with the net change and the percentage change in the RB scores.Results:  From a total of 33 suitable data sets, published between 1985 and 2006, the group mean pre‐treatment RB score was 4.25 ± 1.55 (±S.D.), which decreased to 2.84 ± 1.24 after 30 days of treatment. This represented a net change of −1.43 (95% CI of −1.04 to −1.45). For use of traditional AT (saline, hypromellose, etc), the net change was −0.95, it was −1.33 for use of carbomer (polyacrylic acid) gels and −2.10 for hyaluronic acid (HA) products. These changes represented net improvements of 25.9 ± 18.4%, 38.0 ± 20.7% and 41.8 ± 16.3% respectively. The greater change with HA was not associated with a lower final outcome score, but with higher pre‐treatment scores.Conclusions:  Based on RB grading schemes used by numerous different clinicians over many years, treatment of dry eye with artificial tears or ocular lubricants can be expected to improve the condition of the exposed ocular surface. Assuming no improvement without treatment, a 30 days treatment period can be projected to produce an overall improvement of around 25%, but with no unambiguous statistical differences between product types.
Temporary host paralysis and avoidance of self‐superparasitism in the solitary endoparasitoid Meteorus pulchricornis
Authors: Chau Nguyen Ngoc Bao , Maeto Kaoru 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe suggest a new mechanism for the avoidance of self‐superparasitism by a solitary endoparasitoid of free‐living hosts. Meteorus pulchricornis (Wesmael) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is a solitary larval endoparasitoid of a wide range of Lepidoptera. First, we tested the tendency to avoid multiple oviposition on Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae, examining the distribution pattern of eggs deposited in 20 hosts in 24 h. The standardized Morisita index of dispersion (Ip) for the number of eggs in a host larva was almost always below zero, and the 95% confidence limits of the means were lower than zero for both experienced and inexperienced females, indicating that parasitoids tend to avoid multiple oviposition, although not completely. Second, we observed changes in host movements (head shaking and forward movement) after oviposition and the occurrence of additional ovipositions in pre‐oviposited hosts, because a recent study indicated the necessity of visual cues provided by host movements for oviposition by this species. The incidence of host movements decreased markedly after oviposition and remained at a low level for approximately 1 h, during which time additional ovipositions were rarely observed. Temporary host paralysis after oviposition would be a new mechanism for the avoidance of self‐superparasitism in a solitary endoparasitoid using visual cues from moving hosts for oviposition.
Topical application of a plant extract to different life stages of Trichoplusia ni fails to influence feeding or oviposition behaviour
Authors: Akhtar Yasmin , Shikano Ikkei , Isman Murray B. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe have previously determined that larval feeding experience with a feeding/oviposition deterrent modified the feeding responses of larvae and oviposition responses of subsequent moths. These behavioural changes were attributed to learning, but the possibility of chemical legacy could not be ruled out. In the present study, we have topically applied a feeding/oviposition deterrent plant extract from Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne (Asclepiadaceae) to larvae, pupae, and adults of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to determine whether the feeding response of larvae and oviposition response of subsequent female moths is similarly modified by chemicals applied to the external surface of the insect. Our results indicate that traces of the extract that may be present internally or externally on the larvae do not reduce the feeding deterrent response of larvae. Furthermore, traces of the extract in or on larvae, pupae, or adult moths did not alter oviposition choice of female moths, leading us to discount the role of experience through topical application in this study. The fact that feeding/oviposition choice was only influenced by prior feeding experience of the larvae and not by topical administration suggests that habituation via sensory stimulation through mouthpart chemosensilla is likely a central phenomenon. Continuous exposure of adult moths to the extract over a period of 7 days did not affect the oviposition response of the female moths, ruling out the role of adult experience on host‐plant selection in T. ni. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the role of experience via topical application of chemicals onto all life stages of the insect except the egg. Chemical legacy may not be playing a role in influencing the oviposition choices of female T. ni moths.
Mechanisms contributing to the competitive success of the invasive fruit fly Bactrocera invadens over the indigenous mango fruit fly, Ceratitis cosyra: the role of temperature and resource pre‐emption
Authors: Rwomushana Ivan , Ekesi Sunday , Ogol Callistus K.P.O. , Gordon Ian 
Published: August 2009

AbstractWe investigated the influence of temperature and infestation sequence on interspecific competition between two fruit flies: an invasive (Bactrocera invadens Drew, Tsuruta & White, (B) and a native (Ceratitis cosyra Walker, C) (both Diptera: Tephritidae) species. Mango fruits [Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae)] were co‐infested with larvae at different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30 °C) and relative humidity of 50 ± 8%, using different infestation sequences at each temperature (BC together; BC/CB 1, 2, and 3 days apart). There were significant effects of competition in most experimental treatments, resulting in reduced larval survival, pupal mass, and adult emergence for both species. At most of the infestation/temperature combinations, C. cosyra was clearly the inferior competitor. The only exception was at 20 °C when the outcome depended on the sequence of infestation: no C. cosyra survived when the sequence was BC, but more C. cosyra than B. invadens survived when it was CB. At 15 °C, all C. cosyra larvae died, while the development of B. invadens was prolonged and adult emergence reduced. We conclude that resource pre‐emption and fluctuations in temperature in mango agroecosystems help to explain observed shifts in dominance between B. invadens and C. cosyra on mango in many parts of Africa. The small window of competitive superiority for C. cosyra at 20 °C and CB infestation sequence, together with other factors such as fecundity and alternative hosts, may allow for co‐existence in some environments.
Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma metastatic to the skin
Authors: Sohsman Marie , Yang Hui‐Min , Cassarino David S. 
Published: August 2009

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is an aggressive malignancy of disputed histogenesis that arises in the sinonasal tract and has an extremely poor prognosis. Despite multimodality treatment with surgical resection, radiation, and chemotherapy, recurrence is common. The tumor spreads by direct local extension, but also metastasizes to lymph nodes, brain, lung and bone. To date, reports of metastasis to the skin have not been published. We report a case of a 58‐year‐old woman diagnosed with SNUC who underwent surgical resection of the tumor followed by chemoradiation. The tumor soon recurred, and she required wide re‐excision. Two months after this procedure, she developed multiple dermal nodules in the head and neck region, clinically suspicious for metastases. Biopsy of a nodule from the right neck revealed a poorly differentiated carcinoma, with morphological and immunohistochemical findings consistent with a metastasis of the patient's known SNUC. We conclude that the skin may be a rare site of metastasis of SNUC, and in some cases may be the presenting sign of tumor recurrence despite aggressive multimodality treatment.Sohsman M, Yang H‐M, Cassarino DS. Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma metastatic to the skin.
Patch area, substrate depth, and richness affect giving‐up densities: a test with mourning doves and cottontail rabbits
Authors: Abu Baker Mohammad A. , Brown Joel S. 
Published: August 2009

We compared the foraging behavior of mourning doves Zenaida macroura and cottontail rabbits Sylvilagus floridanus in patches that varied in initial food abundance, surface area and substrate depth. We measured giving‐up densities (GUD), food harvest and proportion of food harvested to investigate their ability to respond to characteristics of resource patches. GUDs have been analyzed in three ways: grams of per patch, grams per unit surface area (GUDAREA), and grams per unit volume of sand (GUDVOL).Mourning doves and cottontails exhibited similar responses to resource density and sand depth. Both foragers detected and responded to variation in initial food abundance. The proportion of food harvested from a patch increased from 40.7, 43.8 to 48.3% (for the doves) and 34.9, 35.8 to 38.4% (for the rabbits) in patches of low, medium and high initial food abundance, respectively. Deeper substrates reduced the foragers’ encounter probability with food, decreased patch quality and resulted in higher GUDs (60% higher in the deepest relative to shallowest substrate) and lower harvests. A significant interaction between initial food abundance and substrate depth showed that both species were willing to dig deeper in patches with higher resource density. Patch size (surface area) had no effect on food harvest or the proportion of food harvested. Consequently, GUDAREA and GUDVOL increased in patches with a smaller surface area. Smaller patches appeared to hamper the dove's and cottontail's movement across the surface.Our results revealed that mourning doves and cottontails forage under imperfect information. Both species were able to respond to patch properties by biasing their feeding efforts toward rich and easy opportunities, however, mourning doves were more efficient at food harvesting.The interaction of patch area, volume and food abundance directly influenced food harvest. Such resource characters occur under natural situations where food varies in abundance, area of distribution, and accessibility.
Using trophic hierarchy to understand food web structure
Authors: Scotti Marco , Bondavalli Cristina , Bodini Antonio , Allesina Stefano 
Published: August 2009

Link arrangement in food webs is determined by the species’ feeding habits. This work investigates whether food web topology is organized in a gradient of trophic positions from producers to consumers. To this end, we analyzed 26 food webs for which the consumption rate of each species was specified. We computed the trophic positions and the link densities of all species in the food webs. Link density measures how much each species contributes to the distribution of energy in the system. It is expressed as the number of links species establish with other nodes, weighted by their magnitude. We computed these two metrics using various formulations developed in the ecological network analysis framework. Results show a positive correlation between trophic position and link density across all the systems, regardless the specific formulas used to measure the two quantities. We performed the same analysis on the corresponding binary matrices (i.e. removing information about rates). In addition, we investigated the relation between trophic position and link density in: a) simulated binary webs with same connectance as the original ones; b) weighted webs with constant topology but randomized link strengths and c) weighted webs with constant connectance where both topology and link strengths are randomized. The correlation between the two indices attenuates, vanishes or becomes negative in the case of binary food webs and simulated data (weighted and unweighted).According to our analysis, link density in food webs decreases with trophic position so that it is greatly reduced toward the top of the trophic hierarchy. This outcome, that seems to challenge previous conclusions based on null models, strongly depends on link quantification. Including interaction strengths may improve substantially our understanding of food web organization, and possibly contradict results based on the analysis of binary webs.
Disentangling complex fine‐scale ecological patterns by path modelling using GLMM and GIS
Authors: Bakkestuen Vegar , Halvorsen Rune , Heegaard Einar 
Published: August 2009

AbstractQuestion: How can statistical modelling tools (GLMM) and GIS be used as an aid in understanding complex ecological patterns? This general question was approached by using bryophyte demography data as an example. More specifically, we asked what is the contribution of terrain shape to explaining the performance and fate of plant individuals, controlling for all other known relationships?Location: Norway.Methods: Information on demography was obtained for 140 populations of the perennial clonal bryophyte Hylocomium splendens in Norway spruce forests during an 11‐year period (1992‐2002). Performance (size and branching pattern) was recorded for mature segments and fate was recorded for growing points. Positions of each of the more than 30 000 recorded bryophyte ramets were coupled with (micro‐) topographic characteristics (slope and convexity) derived from fine‐scale digital elevation models in a GIS framework. Carefully planned sequences of generalised linear mixed models (GLMM) were performed to test predictions from a conceptual path model.Results: We demonstrate strong dependence of size on branching, fate and on vertical position in the bryophyte carpet, and an effect of vertical position on branching pattern. Micro‐topography contributed to explaining plant performance by four different mechanisms: (1) a direct effect of slope on the segment's vertical position in the carpet; (2‐3) direct effects of both slope and convexity on fates of individuals via controls on risk of burial; and (4) an indirect effect of convexity on branching pattern via a direct effect on size. No indication of a direct effect of terrain on branching was found.Conclusions: Our study exemplifies the usefulness of GLMM for disentangling complex ecological relationships. Specifically, we recognise micro‐topography as a potentially important factor for plant demography in general and for performance and fate of individuals in particular.
The structures of distant galaxies — IV. A new empirical measurement of the time-scale for galaxy mergers — implications for the merger history
Authors: Conselice Christopher J. 
Published: August 2009

Abstract
Understanding the role of mergers in galaxy formation is one of the most outstanding problems in extragalactic astronomy. While we now have an idea for how the merger fraction evolves at redshifts z &lt; 3, converting this merger fraction into merger rates, and therefore how many mergers an average galaxy undergoes during its history, is still uncertain. The main reason for this is that the inferred number of mergers depends highly upon the time-scale observational methods are sensitive for finding ongoing or past mergers. While there are several theoretical and model-based estimates of merger times, there is currently no empirical measure of this time-scale. We present the first observationally based measurement of merger times utilizing the observed decline in the galaxy major merger fraction at z &lt; 1.2 based on &gt;20 000 galaxies in the Extended Groth Strip Survey and Cosmic Evolution Survey. Using a new methodology described in this Letter, we are able to determine how long a galaxy remains identifiable as a merging system within the CAS system. We find a maximum CAS major merger time-scale of 1.1 ± 0.3 Gyr at z &lt; 1.2, and a most likely CAS merger time-scale of 0.6 ± 0.3 Gyr, in good agreement with results from N-body simulations. Utilizing this time-scale, we are able to measure the number of major mergers galaxies with masses M* &gt; 1010 M⊙ undergo at z &lt; 1.2, with a total number Nm= 0.90+0.44−0.23. We further show that this time-scale is inconsistent with a star formation origin for ultrahigh asymmetries, thereby providing further evidence that structural methods are able to locate mostly merging galaxies.
Glucocorticoid‐induced osteoporosis: unawareness or negligence in India?
Authors: GERA Chanchal , VIJ Amarjit Singh 
Published: August 2009

AbstractBackground: The burden of osteoporosis is on the rise and glucocorticoids are one of the leading causes of drug‐induced osteoporosis. According to available guidelines, patients on long‐term glucocorticoid therapy should receive adequate prophylaxis to prevent osteoporosis.Objectives: To compare prescription patterns in relation to Royal College of Physicians (RCP) Guidelines 2002. To identify prescribing trends for prophylaxis and management of steroid‐induced osteoporosis.Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit for patients in a tertiary care center to determine whether clinicians are evaluating and appropriately following prophylactic guidelines for corticoid‐induced osteoporosis. Information regarding risk assessment for osteoporosis, instructions regarding its prevention, bone mineral density measurements, and prophylactic therapy were recorded.Results: One hundred and five patients (38 men and 67 women), more then 18 years of age were included in this study. Of the 105 patients, 56% had at least one documented intervention for osteoporosis prevention (calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates or a bone mineral density study). Only three patients received bisphosphonates for osteoporosis prophylaxis.Conclusion: The study shows poor pre‐therapeutic risk assessment, absence of instructions regarding preventive measures, inappropriate investigation for presence of osteoporosis, and unacceptable absence of bone protective agents.