bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between levels of secreted phospholipase A2 groups IIA and X in the airways and asthma severity
Authors: Hallstrand T. S. , Lai Y. , Ni Z. , Oslund R. C. , Henderson W. R. , Gelb M. H. , Wenzel S. E. 
Published: January 2011

Cite this as: T. S. Hallstrand, Y. Lai, Z. Ni, R. C. Oslund, W. R. Henderson Jr, M. H. Gelb and S. E. Wenzel, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 801–810.SummaryBackground
Secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) may be important mediators of asthma, but the specific sPLA2s involved in asthma are not known.Objective
To evaluate sPLA2 group IIA, V, and X proteins (sPLA2‐IIA, sPLA2‐V, and sPLA2‐X) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, BAL cells, and airway epithelial cells of subjects with and without asthma, and examine the relationship between the levels of specific sPLA2 enzymes and airway inflammation, asthma severity, and lung function.Methods
The expression of sPLA2‐IIA, sPLA2‐V, and sPLA2‐X in BAL cells and epithelial brushings was assessed by qPCR. The levels of these sPLA2 proteins and sPLA2 activity with and without group II and group X‐specific inhibitors were measured in BAL fluid from 18 controls and 39 asthmatics.Results
The airway epithelium expressed sPLA2‐X at higher levels than either sPLA2‐IIA or sPLA2‐V, whereas BAL cells expressed sPLA2‐IIA and sPLA2‐X at similar levels. The majority of sPLA2 activity in BAL fluid was attributed to either sPLA2‐IIA or sPLA2‐X. After 10‐fold concentration of BAL fluid, the levels of sPLA2‐X normalized to total protein were increased in asthma and were associated with lung function, the concentration of induced sputum neutrophils, and prostaglandin E2. The levels of sPLA2‐IIA were elevated in asthma when normalized to total protein, but were not related to lung function, markers of airway inflammation or eicosanoid formation.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
These data indicate that sPLA2‐IIA and sPLA2‐X are the major sPLA2s in human airways, and suggest a link between the levels of sPLA2‐X in the airways and several features of asthma.
Effects of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor R‐roscovitine on eosinophil survival and clearance
Authors: Farahi N. , Uller L. , Juss J. K. , Langton A. J. , Cowburn A. S. , Gibson A. , Foster M. R. , Farrow S. N. , Marco‐Casanova P. , Sobolewski A. , Condliffe A. M. , Chilvers E. R. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryBackground
Eosinophils are pro‐inflammatory cells implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma and atopy. Apoptosis has been proposed as a potential mechanism underlying the resolution of eosinophilic inflammation and studies have indicated the ability of interventions that induce human eosinophil apoptosis to promote the resolution of eosinophilic inflammation. Recently, the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor R‐roscovitine was shown to enhance neutrophil apoptosis and promote the resolution of neutrophilic inflammation.Objective
The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of CDKs in human blood eosinophils, the effects of R‐roscovitine on eosinophil survival in vitro and whether R‐roscovitine could influence eosinophilic lung inflammation in vivo.Methods
Eosinophils were isolated from human peripheral blood and the effects of R‐roscovitine on apoptosis, degranulation and phagocytic uptake examined in vitro. The effects of R‐roscovitine on eosinophilic lung inflammation in vivo were also assessed using an ovalbumin mouse model.Results
Our data demonstrate that human eosinophils express five known targets for R‐roscovitine: CDK1, ‐2, ‐5, ‐7 and ‐9. R‐roscovitine induced eosinophil apoptosis in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner but also accelerated transition to secondary necrosis as assessed by microscopy, flow cytometry and caspase activation. In addition, we show that R‐roscovitine can override the anti‐apoptotic signals of GM‐CSF and IL‐5. We report that the pro‐apoptotic effect of R‐roscovitine is associated with suppression of Mcl‐1L expression and that this compound enhanced phagocytic clearance of eosinophils by macrophages. Finally, we show that R‐roscovitine induces apoptosis in murine peripheral blood and spleen‐derived eosinophils; despite this, R‐roscovitine did not modulate the tissue and lumen eosinophilia characteristic of the ovalbumin mouse model of airway eosinophilia.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance
These data demonstrate that R‐roscovitine is capable of inducing rapid apoptosis and secondary necrosis in eosinophils but does not affect the onset or improve the resolution of eosinophilic airway inflammation in vivo. Cite this as: N. Farahi, L. Uller, J. K. Juss, A. J. Langton, A. S. Cowburn, A. Gibson, M. R. Foster, S. N. Farrow, P. Marco‐ Casanova, A. Sobolewski, A. M. Condliffe and E. R. Chilvers, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 673–687.
Skin‐homing CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells exert Th2‐like function after staphylococcal superantigen stimulation in atopic dermatitis patients
Authors: Lin Y.‐T. , Wang C.‐T. , Chao P.‐S. , Lee J.‐H. , Wang L.‐C. , Yu H.‐H. , Yang Y.‐H. , Chiang B.‐L. 
Published: January 2011

Cite this as: Y.‐T. Lin, C.‐T. Wang, P.‐S. Chao, J.‐H. Lee, L.‐C. Wang, H.‐H. Yu, Y.‐H. Yang and B.‐L. Chiang, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 516–525.SummaryBackground
The effect of staphylococcal superantigens (SsAgs) on cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA)+ CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients is unknown.Objective
To compare the effects of SsAgs on the ratio, function, and apoptosis of CCR6+ subtype and CCR6− subtype of CLA+ CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells among AD patients, asthma/allergic rhinitis (AR) patients without AD, and healthy subjects.Methods
Using immunofluorescence staining followed by flow cytometric analysis, we analysed peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with or without staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) stimulation in 20 AD patients, 20 asthma/AR patients without AD, and 20 healthy subjects.Results
SEB decreased CCR6+/CCR6− ratio in CLA+ CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells from AD patients and increased CCR6+/CCR6− ratio in those from healthy subjects. SEB induced the production of type 2 T helper cell (Th2) cytokine interleukin (IL)‐5 in CCR6− subtype and anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in CCR6+ subtype of CLA+ CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells. CLA+ CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells from AD patients produced more IL‐5 and less IL‐10 after SEB stimulation than those from healthy subjects. CCR6− subtype of CLA+ CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells from AD patients and CCR6+ subtype of those cells from healthy subjects were more resistant to SEB‐induced caspase‐3 activation than the other subtype and those from other subjects.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
Despite a phenotype of regulatory T cells, skin‐homing CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells of AD patients exert effector Th2‐like function after SsAgs stimulation, which may aggravate allergic skin inflammation.
Large performance variation does not affect outcome in the Finnish cervical cancer screening programme
Authors: Lönnberg S. , Nieminen P. , Kotaniemi‐Talonen L. , Kujari H. , Melkko J. , Granroth G. , Vornanen M. , Pietiläinen T. , Arola J. , Tarkkanen J. , Luostarinen T. , Anttila A. 
Published: January 2011

S. Lönnberg, P. Nieminen, L. Kotaniemi‐Talonen, H. Kujari, J. Melkko, G. Granroth, M. Vornanen, T. Pietiläinen, J. Arola, J. Tarkkanen, T. Luostarinen and A. AnttilaLarge performance variation does not affect outcome in the Finnish cervical cancer screening programmeObjective:  Cytology screening for prevention of cervical cancer can reduce incidence and mortality by more than 80% in settings with good organization and rigorous quality control. Audit studies are essential for reaching and maintaining a high quality of screening. The aim of this study was to evaluate variation in performance indicators by screening laboratory and assess the impact on the effectiveness of screening as indicated by cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 and above (CIN3+) rates after a negative screen.Methods:  Seven cytology screening laboratories operating during 1990–1999 with a total of 953 610 screening tests performed were included in the study. By linking screening and cancer register files, all cases of CIN3+ diagnosed in the screened population were identified. For 395 CIN3+ cases with a preceding negative screen and 787 controls, a re‐evaluation of smears was undertaken to uncover false negative screening tests. Performance parameters and rates of CIN3+ after a negative screen were analysed for interlaboratory heterogeneity.Results:  The rates of follow‐up recommendations and referrals varied by up to 3.6‐ (2.8–10.2%) and 4.0‐fold (0.03–0.12%), respectively. CIN1, CIN2 and CIN3+ screen detection rates differed by up to 8.5‐ (0.02–0.17%), 5.4‐ (0.05–0.25%) and 3.3‐fold (0.05–0.18%). False negative rates determined by re‐evaluation showed up to 2.1‐fold differences (29–62%). Rates of CIN3+ after a negative screen (0.023–0.048%) and as a proportion of total CIN3+ (15–31%) in the screened population were low and did not vary significantly.Conclusions:  There were large variations in the sensitivity–specificity trade‐off between laboratories, reflected in all performance indicators as well as in the test validity estimates of the re‐evaluation phase, but not in screening effectiveness. Even though performance variations do not always have an impact on the effectiveness of screening, they lead to variations in cost, treatment and psychological burden, and should be addressed.
Increased expression of hepatoma‐derived growth factor correlates with poor prognosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wang Shuang , Fang Weiyi 
Published: January 2011

Wang S & Fang W (2011) Histopathology58, 217–224 Increased expression of hepatoma‐derived growth factor correlates with poor prognosis in human nasopharyngeal carcinomaAims:  To examine the correlation between hepatoma‐derived growth factor (HDGF) expression and clinicopathological data in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), including patient survival.Methods and results:  Using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot, mRNA and protein expression of HDGF was detected in normal nasopharyngeal tissues, NPC tissues and cell lines. HDGF levels were determined further by an immunohistochemical analysis in a retrospective series consisting of 160 primary NPC tissues and 71 non‐cancerous nasopharynx tissues. Overexpressed mRNA and HDGF protein was present in NPC. By immunohistochemical analysis, we found that 53.8% (86 of 160) and 19.4% (32 of 160) of NPC biopsy specimens showed higher HDGF expression of the nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that the higher expression of nuclear HDGF was associated significantly with T stage (P = 0.005) and clinical stage (P = 0.038), but there was no association with lymph node (P = 0.059) or distant metastasis (P = 0.563). Patients with increased HDGF expression levels had poorer overall survival rates than those with low expression of HDGF levels (P = 0.006). Multivariate analysis revealed that high expression of nuclear HDGF was an independent prognostic indicator of patient survival.Conclusions:  Increased nuclear expression of HDGF is a potential unfavourable prognostic factor for patients with NPC.
Cancerization of cutaneous flap reconstruction for oral squamous cell carcinoma: report of three cases studied with the mtDNA D‐loop sequence analysis
Authors: Foschini Maria P , Morandi Luca , Marchetti Claudio , Cocchi Roberto , Eusebi Leonardo H , Farnedi Anna , Badiali Giovanni , Gissi Davide B , Pennesi Maria G , Montebugnoli Lucio 
Published: January 2011

Foschini M P, Morandi L, Marchetti C, Cocchi R, Eusebi L H, Farnedi A, Badiali G, Gissi D B, Pennesi M G & Montebugnoli L (2011) Histopathology58, 361–367 Cancerization of cutaneous flap reconstruction for oral squamous cell carcinoma: report of three cases studied with the mtDNA D‐loop sequence analysisAims:  Tissue defects, resulting from surgical resection of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), are reconstructed routinely with skin grafts. OSCC arising from the grafted skin has been described; however, it is still unclear whether primary and second tumours have a common clonal origin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clonal relationship between the primary OSCC and secondary neoplastic changes appearing in the skin graft in three patients, by screening the mitochondrial DNA D‐loop region (mtDNA).Methods and results:  In all three cases, the neoplastic lesions arising in the skin graft showed a clonal relationship with the previous OSCC and, on the basis of the results obtained by mtDNA analysis, could be considered to be a recurrence of the primary OSCC rather than a second primary OSCC.Conclusions:  Starting from a field of genetically altered cells in the oral mucosa, the spread of the clonal cell population to the cutaneous flap might be stimulated by cytokines produced by the grafted skin. More studies are needed to evaluate the molecular relationship between primary and second OSCC to identify patients at higher risk of developing a second tumour in the skin graft.
Quality of thermoplasticized and single point root fillings assessed by micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Somma F. , Cretella G. , Carotenuto M. , Pecci R. , Bedini R. , De Biasi M. , Angerame D. 
Published: January 2011

Somma F, Cretella G, Carotenuto M, Pecci R, Bedini R, De Biasi M, Angerame D. Quality of thermoplasticized and single point root fillings assessed by micro‐computed tomography. International Endodontic JournalAbstractAim  To evaluate ex vivo the quality of root fillings completed by two thermoplasticized gutta‐percha techniques (Thermafil and System B) and a cold gutta‐percha technique (single point) by μCT analysis.Methodology  A total of 30 freshly extracted human single‐rooted permanent teeth were selected. Root canals were prepared with ProTaper Universal instruments and then randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) depending on the filling technique. In group 1, canals were filled with a single‐point technique; group 2 was filled with Thermafil; in group 3 System B was used. In group 1 and group 3, the root filling was performed using ProTaper Universal gutta‐percha points, in group 2 Thermafil obturators were used; AH‐Plus sealer was used in all groups. Assessment of the root filling was carried out by μCT, using a desktop X‐ray micro focus CT scanner. Percentage of root canal filling materials and voids was calculated for each specimen. Data were statistically analysed using Kruskal–Wallis test (P < 0.05).Results  Mean percentages of filling materials were 98.379 ± 1.204 in the single‐point group, 99.023 ± 1.457 in Thermafil group, and 98.167 ± 3.432 in System B group. No statistically significant difference was found amongst the groups.Conclusion  All techniques produced comparable results in terms of percentage of filling and void distribution.
Impact of adhesive surface and volume of luting resin on fracture resistance of root filled teeth
Authors: Krastl G. , Gugger J. , Deyhle H. , Zitzmann N. U. , Weiger R. , Müller B. 
Published: January 2011

Krastl G, Gugger J, Deyhle H, Zitzmann NU, Weiger R, Müller B. Impact of adhesive surface and volume of luting resin on fracture resistance of root filled teeth. International Endodontic Journal, 44, 432–439, 2011.AbstractAim  To investigate the correlation between geometric parameters of severely compromised root filled (RCT) pre‐molar teeth with irregular root canals and their fracture resistance. The null hypothesis tested was that the fracture resistance of root filled teeth is not influenced by: (i) the adhesive surface of the post‐space preparation (APS), (ii) the coronal tooth surface (AA), (iii) the amount of resin cement (VC) and (iv) the Young’s modulus of the specimens.Methodology  A total of 48 noncarious human pre‐molar teeth with irregular root canals were decoronated, root filled and adhesively restored with post‐retained direct composite crowns. After thermomechanical loading (1 200 000×, 5–50° C), static load was applied until failure. The geometric parameters of the tooth were evaluated by microcomputed tomography (μCT) using impressions taken after post‐space preparation. Linear regression analyses were performed to correlate the geometric parameters of the specimens with their fracture resistance.Results  The amount of resin cement (VC) comprised up to 88% of the entire post‐space (mean 67%) and had no impact on the maximal load (P = 0.88). The latter was significantly influenced by post‐space preparation (P = 0.003).Conclusions  Amongst the geometric parameters tested, the surface area in the root canal had the greatest impact on fracture resistance of root filled pre‐molars restored with posts and composite crowns, whilst the fit of the post was less important.
Patient safety culture: an Italian experience
Authors: Bagnasco Annamaria , Tibaldi Laura , Chirone Paola , Chiaranda Clara , Panzone Maria Stella , Tangolo Domenico , Aleo Giuseppe , Lazzarino Luciana , Sasso Loredana 
Published: January 2011

Aims.  To understand what level of awareness health professionals working in a hospital of Northern Italy had of the patient safety culture by using the Italian version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire and also validate its use in this setting.Background.  The Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire was developed by the Agency for Health Research and Quality in 2008 and validated by several studies. Therefore, we decided to test the Italian version of this tool to see if it could be used effectively to measure and appraise patient safety culture also in Italy.Design.  Survey.Methods.  To check the validity of the questionnaire, we applied the continued comparison and the global data treatment methods.Results.  Of the 1008 questionnaires we administered, 724 (71%) were returned. The majority of the questions were answered (mean 98, SD 3·4%). From a Chi‐square test on the consistency of the answers, we found that six of the 12 perspectives we explored had a high level of significance, whereas in the other six, the differences in the answers were just casual.Conclusions.  The Italian version of the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture questionnaire allowed us to assess health professionals’ awareness of patient safety culture and thus validate the effectiveness of this tool.Relevance to clinical practice.  The findings of our survey could be useful to design an objective tool that would allow the five health professional groups involved in the study (directors/coordinators, physicians, nurses/midwives, physiotherapists and technicians) gain a better knowledge of the patient safety culture and thus improve the quality of clinical practice.
Knowledge of and attitude to contraception among migrant woman workers in mainland China
Authors: Ip Wan‐Yim , Chan Man‐Yu , Chan Dominic SK , Chan Carmen WH 
Published: January 2011

Aims.  The aims of this paper were to determine the level of knowledge and attitude of contraception and their relationships among Chinese migrant woman workers.Background.  Studies on psychosocial variables that lead to reproductive health behaviours among Chinese migrant woman workers in China remain limited.Design.  A cross‐sectional, descriptive and correlational design.Participants.  One hundred and ninety young woman workers of a factory in Guangdong, a representative city of factory base in mainland China, voluntarily participated in the study with a response rate of 63%.Methods.  Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires consisting of a socio‐demographic sheet, the Contraceptive Knowledge Scale and the Contraceptive Attitude Scale. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient test was employed to examine the relationships between the contraceptive knowledge and attitude, with level of significance set at p < 0·05.Results.  The Chinese migrant woman workers demonstrated lower contraceptive knowledge and less favourable contraceptive attitude compared with previous studies of adolescents in Taiwan and women seeking abortion in Hong Kong. Although it was a weak correlation, contraceptive knowledge was statistically associated with contraceptive attitudes among the respondents (r = 0·276, p < 0·001). Respondents’ age, education level and working experience were significantly positively correlated with the contraceptive knowledge.Conclusions.  Young Chinese migrant workers reported in the current study are found to be at higher sexual risk, when compared to the adolescents in Taiwan and Hong Kong women seeking abortion. Early educational intervention for reproductive health in particular contraception and its usage to these young women is indicated.Relevance to clinical practice.  Migrant woman workers in mainland demonstrated poor knowledge and unfavourable attitudes towards contraception, especially for the younger, single and less educated group. Greater effort is necessary to promote young migrant women’s knowledge and attitude towards contraception and sexual health.
What defines mast seeding? Spatio‐temporal patterns of cone production by whitebark pine
Authors: Crone Elizabeth E. , McIntire Eliot J. B. , Brodie Jedediah 
Published: January 2011

Summary 1. Synchronous, episodic mast seeding is common in plant populations, and is thought to increase plant fitness through economies of scale, such as satiating seed predators, attracting seed dispersers and enhancing pollination success. Although mast seeding is easy to conceptualize, it has been quantified using a number of different metrics that reflect different features of pulsed reproduction. 2. We quantified spatio‐temporal patterns of mast seeding across 36 populations of a high‐elevation tree, Pinus albicaulis, for which perceived declines in cone production are a conservation concern. We tested for trends in mean cone production through space and time, and documented patterns of mast seeding using six different metrics: coefficient of variation, lag‐1 autocorrelation, synchrony, average cone production by individual trees, and the frequency of high cone crops on absolute and relative scales. 3. Overall, we did not detect increasing or decreasing trends in cone production during our study period. Average cone production tended to increase from north‐east to south‐west. Population‐level cone production tended to alternate between high and low years, but overall the coefficient of variation was low for a mast seeding species. 4. Metrics of mast seeding were not concordant across populations. The first principal component describing mast metrics separated populations with frequent high cone crops from those with high coefficients of variation. However, the second principle component was at least somewhat correlated with all metrics of masting, suggesting some ability to separate ‘masting’ from ‘non‐masting’ populations. 5. In P. albicaulis, spatial variation in mast seeding could reflect differences in site productivity, differences in the importance of satiating generalist seed consumers versus attracting specialist seed dispersers, or recent invasion by an introduced pathogen. 6. Synthesis. Our research reinforces the conclusion that populations form a continuum of strategies between ‘masting’ versus ‘non‐masting’ extremes. However, because different features of masting do not covary in space, understanding where populations fall along this continuum will depend on the features that are most important for mast seeding in a particular context.