bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A prostaglandin D2receptor antagonist modifies experimental asthma in sheep
Authors: Shichijo M. , Arimura A. , Hirano Y. , Yasui K. , Suzuki N. , Deguchi M. , Abraham W. M. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryBackgroundProstaglandin (PG) D2is the major cylooxygenase metabolite released by mast cells upon allergen stimulation, and elicits responses through either the prostanoid DP1 receptor and/or the chemoattractant receptor homologous molecule expressed on T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cells (CRTH2/DP2). Experimental evidence suggests that stimulation of one or both these receptors contributes to asthma pathophysiology.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the prostanoid DP1 receptor contributes to asthma pathophysiology by determining the efficacy of an orally active antagonist for this receptor, S‐5751, on allergen‐induced bronchoconstriction, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and cellular inflammation in the sheep model of asthma.MethodsPGD2‐induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production in platelet‐rich plasma was used to establish thein vitroefficacy of S‐5751.In vivo, sheep naturally allergic toAscaris suumwere challenged with an aerosolized antigen with and without S‐5751 treatment (given 4 days before and for 6 days after the challenge).ResultsS‐5751 inhibited PGD2‐induced cAMP production in platelet‐rich plasma with an IC50value of 0.12 μm. S‐5751 at 30 mg/kg, but not at 3 mg/kg, reduced the early bronchoconstriction and inhibited the late bronchoconstriction. AHR and inflammatory cell infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at days 1 and 7 were also inhibited with the 30 mg/kg dose. The responses observed with S‐5751 at 30 mg/kg were comparable with those with montelukast treatment (0.15 mg/kg, twice a day, intravenous); however, S‐5751 did not block inhaled leukotrieneD4‐induced broncoconstriction.ConclusionProstanoid DP1 receptor inhibition may represent an alternative target for asthma therapy.
The non‐proteolytic house dust mite allergen Der p 2 induce NF‐κB and MAPK dependent activation of bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Österlund C. , Grönlund H. , Polovic N. , Sundström S. , Gafvelin G. , Bucht A. 
Published: May 2009

SummaryBackground
House dust mites (HDM) are well‐known as a source of indoor aeroallergens and for causing allergic airway diseases. Some proteolytic HDM allergens are known to activate respiratory epithelial cells to produce pro‐inflammatory mediators, while there is limited knowledge regarding such activity among non‐proteolytic HDM allergens.Objective
To investigate whether Der p 2, a major non‐proteolytic allergen of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, activates respiratory epithelial cells to produce mediators involved in asthma pathogenesis and to elucidate the mechanism of such activation.Methods
The human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS‐2B, normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells and the alveolar epithelial cell line A549 were exposed to recombinant Der p 2. Following exposure, we analysed a panel of soluble mediators and cell adhesion receptors involved in asthma pathogenesis by promoting recruitment, survival and binding of inflammatory cells. The involvement of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was studied using specific inhibitors.Results
Der p 2 activated bronchial BEAS‐2B and NHBE cells, but not alveolar A549 cells. In BEAS‐2B cells Der p 2 induced dose‐dependent up‐regulation in both mRNA level and protein secretion of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, IL‐6, IL‐8, monocyte‐chemotactic protein‐1 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐3α. Secretion as well as surface expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 was also up‐regulated, which was associated with increased adhesion of monocytes to the epithelial cells. The release of cytokines and chemokines was regulated by NF‐κB and MAPK activation in different ways, while expression of ICAM‐1 was solely dependent on NF‐κB activation.Conclusion
These results show that Der p 2 activates respiratory epithelial cells, indicating that this non‐proteolytic allergen, in addition to its immunogenic properties, can aggravate respiratory airway disease by adjuvant‐like activation of the lung epithelium.
More is not necessarily better: the impact of limiting and excessive nutrients on herbivore population growth rates
Authors: ZEHNDER CARALYN B. , HUNTER MARK D. 
Published: May 2009

Abstract 1. The body tissues of insect herbivores contain higher concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus than do their host plants, leading to an elemental mismatch that can limit herbivore growth, fecundity and ultimately influence population dynamics. While low nutrient availability can limit herbivore growth and reproduction, nutrient levels that exceed an organism’s nutritional requirements, i.e. an organisms’ threshold elemental ratio, can also decrease performance.2. We conducted a laboratory experiment to examine the impacts of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on population growth rates of a phloem‐feeding insect herbivore.3. Herbivore per capita population growth rates were highest at intermediate foliar nitrogen concentrations, indicating a performance cost on the highest nitrogen foliage. While there was no direct effect of foliar phosphorus concentration on insect performance, there was a strong and unexpected indirect effect. High soil phosphorus availability increased both foliar nitrogen concentrations and aphid tissue nitrogen, resulting in low population growth rates when both soil nitrogen and phosphorus availabilities were high.4. In this study, experimental increases in foliar nitrogen levels led to a decrease in herbivore performance suggesting that excessive nutrient levels can limit herbivore population growth rates.
Impact of body fat mass extent on cardiac autonomic alterations in women
Authors: Sztajzel J. , Golay A. , Makoundou V. , Lehmann T. N. O. , Barthassat V. , Sievert K. , Pataky Z. , Assimacopoulos‐Jeannet F. , Bobbioni‐Harsch E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractBackground  Obesity has been associated with significant abnormalities of the cardiac autonomic regulation. However, the precise impact of increasing body weight on cardiac autonomic function and the metabolic and hormonal contributors to these changes are presently unclear. The aim of our study was to explore in subjects with increasing values of body mass index (BMI) the alterations of cardiac autonomic function and to establish the potential role of various metabolic and hormonal contributors to these alterations.Materials and methods  We investigated time and frequency domain heart rate variability (HRV) parameters taken from 24‐h Holter recordings, and several anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal parameters (plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acids, leptin and adiponectin) in 68 normoglycaemic and normotensive women (mean age of 40 ± 3 years), subdivided according to their BMI into 15 normal body weight (controls), 15 overweight, 18 obese and 20 morbidly obese.Results  Heart rate was increased and HRV was decreased in the morbidly obese group as compared with controls. In overall population, a negative association linked body fat mass (FM) to HRV indices. None of the metabolic and hormonal parameters were significantly related to the HRV indices, after they were adjusted for the body FM.Conclusions  Morbidly obese, normoglycaemic and normotensive young women have increased HR and low HRV, indicating an abnormal cardiac autonomic function and representing a risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. A decrease of HRV parameters is associated with a progressive increase of body FM. Other metabolic and hormonal factors, characterising obesity, do not show an independent influence on these HRV alterations.
Effect of guar gum on the rheological, thermal and textural properties of soybean β‐conglycinin gel
Authors: Zhu Jian‐Hua , Yang Xiao‐Quan , Ahmad Ijaz , Jiang Yueming , Wang Xiao‐Yuan , Wu Lei‐Yan 
Published: May 2009

SummaryThe effect of guar gum, a non‐gelling neutral polysaccharide, on the thermal gelation of soybean β‐conglycinin was analysed using the dynamic oscillatory rheological measurement, differential scanning calorimetry and texture profile analysis. The endothermic peak temperature of β‐conglycinin in the presence of 0.5% guar gum was about 89.1 °C. However, the endothermic peaks shifted to higher temperatures as the guar gum concentration increased from 0.05% to 0.5%, which could be attributed to the thermodynamic incompatibility with guar gum, resulting in a promoted aggregation of the thermally denatured β‐conglycinin. Furthermore, the elastic modulus increased with increasing concentration of guar gum, with a less frequency dependence. In addition, the springiness, cohesiveness and fracturability enhanced but the hardness decreased, as the guar gum concentration increased. The study demonstrated that incorporation of guar gum improved markedly the thermal and functional properties of soybean β‐conglycinin thermal‐induced gel, which can help better to design new food formulations.
Testing phylogenetic hypotheses for reconstructing the evolutionary history of Dolichopoda cave crickets in the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Allegrucci Giuliana , Rampini Mauro , Gratton Paolo , Todisco Valentina , Sbordoni Valerio 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAim  To investigate the molecular phylogenetic divergence and historical biogeography of cave crickets belonging to the genus Dolichopoda (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae).Location  Caves in continental and insular Greece.Methods  We sequenced 1967 bp of mitochondrial DNA, corresponding to three fragments of the small and large subunit of the ribosomal RNA (16S and 12S rRNA, respectively) and to the subunit I of cytochrome oxidase (COI), to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among all 30 known Greek species of Dolichopoda. Alternative hypotheses about the colonization of the Hellenic Peninsula by Dolichopoda species were tested by comparing the degree of discordance between species trees and gene trees under four plausible biogeographical scenarios.Results  The present study revealed a rather well resolved phylogeny at species level, identifying a number of clades that represent long‐separated lineages and diverse evolutionary histories within the genus Dolichopoda. Two main clades were revealed within Hellenic–Aegean species, identifying a north‐western and a south‐eastern species group. Based on Bayesian analysis, we applied a relaxed molecular clock to estimate the divergence times between the lineages. The results revealed that the origins of eastern Mediterranean lineages are much older than those of previously studied western Mediterranean Dolichopoda. Tests of alternative biogeographical hypotheses showed that a double colonization of the Hellenic Peninsula, following separate continental and trans‐Aegean routes during the Messinian stage, best accounts for the present distribution of Greek Dolichopoda species.Main conclusions  Reconstruction and biogeographical hypothesis testing indicated that the colonization of Greece by Dolichopoda species comprised two episodes and two different routes. The southern lineage probably arose from a trans‐Aegean colonization during the Messinian salinity crisis (5.96–5.33 Ma). The northern lineage could be the result of dispersal from the north through the Balkan Peninsula. The opening of the Mid‐Aegean Trench could have promoted an initial diversification within the uprising Anatolian Plateau, while the Messinian marine regression offered the conditions for a rapid dispersal through the whole Aegean–Hellenic region. In addition, climatic events during the Plio‐Pleistocene may have been responsible for the speciation within each of the two different phylogeographical units, principally attributable to vicariance events.
Are (the log‐odds of) hospital mortality rates normally distributed? Implications for studying variations in outcomes of medical care
Authors: Austin Peter C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractRationale Hierarchical regression models are increasingly being used to examine variations in outcomes following the provision of medical care across providers. These models frequently assume a normal distribution for the provider‐specific random effects. The appropriateness of this assumption for examining variations in health care outcomes has never been explicitly tested.Aims and Objectives To compare hierarchical logistic regression models in which the provider‐specific random effects were either a normal distribution or a mixture of three normal distributions.Methods We used data on 18 825 patients admitted to 109 hospitals in Ontario with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. We used the Deviance Information Criterion, Bayes factors and predictive distributions to compare the evidence between the two competing models.Results There was strong evidence that the distribution of hospital‐specific log‐odds of mortality was a mixture of three normal distributions compared to the evidence that it was normal. In some scenarios, the hospital‐specific posterior tail probabilities of unacceptably high mortality were lower when a logistic‐normal model was fit compared to when a logistic‐mixture of normal distributions model was fit. Additionally, in these same scenarios, fewer hospitals were classified as having higher than acceptable mortality when the logistic‐mixture of three normal distributions was used.Conclusions These findings have important consequences for those who use hierarchical models to examine variations in outcomes of medical care across providers since the mixture of three normal distributions model indicated that variations in outcomes across providers was greater than indicated by the logistic‐normal model.
Perceptions of the impact of a large‐scale collaborative improvement programme: experience in the UK Safer Patients Initiative
Authors: Benn Jonathan , Burnett Susan , Parand Anam , Pinto Anna , Iskander Sandra , Vincent Charles 
Published: May 2009

AbstractRationale and aims  In several countries, collaborative improvement programmes involving multiple health care organizations have been developed to address the issue of patient safety and reliability of care at an organization‐wide level. In the UK, the Health Foundation's Safer Patients Initiative (SPI) was developed to achieve breakthrough improvement in the quality and safety of care in 24 acute hospital Trusts between 2004 and 2008. Research evidence for the effectiveness of programmes of this type and the mechanisms by which positive outcomes are achieved remains limited. We report a multi‐method preliminary study based upon phase 1 of SPI to understand participant's perceptions of the local impact of the programme and to form the basis of future research in this area.Methods  Data were collected on the perceived local impact of SPI on a range of clinical, organizational and social dimensions relating to care quality and safety. Data were collected retrospectively from local SPI programme improvement teams using semi‐structured interviews and surveys. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed, and the results synthesized under common themes and frameworks.Results  Specific dimensions of care systems commonly considered to be affected by SPI, included culture, strategic priority, organizational capability and clinical care delivery. Survey data revealed the perceived importance for success of a range of programme components: quality improvement methodology, learning sessions and programme faculty support, along with predefined clinical practice changes. Safety climate and capability dimensions rated as most sensitive to the effects of the SPI programme related to multi‐professional engagement and communication, the degree of routine monitoring of care processes and the capacity to evaluate the impact of changes to clinical work systems.Conclusions  Study findings support the view that programmes such as SPI have considerable impact upon the cultural, inter‐professional, strategic and organizational aspects of care delivery, in addition to clinical working practices. The specific implications for understanding the effects of complex organization‐level interventions and future research design are discussed.
A preliminary study of insect fauna on pig carcasses located in sugarcane in winter in southeastern Brazil
Authors: GOMES L. , GOMES G. , DESUÓ I. C. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractMinimum post‐mortem intervals can be estimated based on analyses of the pattern of insect succession on a carcass. In order to successfully apply this approach, insect development rates must be considered with regard to local regional climatic conditions. This study is the first to analyse insect succession on carcasses decomposing in a sugarcane crop in Brazil. In all seasons,Chrysomya albiceps(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) andCochliomyia macellaria(Fabricius) were frequent visitors during the fresh and bloated stages of decomposition, whereasDermestes maculatus(De Geer) (Coleoptera: Dermistdae),Necrobia rufipes(De Geer) (Coleoptera: Cleridae) andOxelytrumsp. (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were characteristic at the most advanced decomposition stages. The fact that climatic variations influence the occurrence of insect species and vegetation in the tropics may help to solve crimes through sampling of the local insect fauna, as may the fact that only certain groups of insects occur in specific regions of large countries like Brazil.
Distribution and ecology of mosquitoes in a focus of dirofilariasis in northwestern Iran, with the first finding of filarial larvae in naturally infected local mosquitoes
Authors: AZARI ‐ HAMIDIAN S. , YAGHOOBI ‐ ERSHADI M. R. , JAVADIAN E. , ABAI M. R. , MOBEDI I. , LINTON Y.‐M. , HARBACH R. E. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractA study of the distribution and ecology of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Ardebil Province of northwestern Iran, with special reference to the known dirofilariasis focus in Meshkinshahr County, was carried out in July‐August 2005 and April‐October 2006. In total, 17 533 adult mosquitoes and 3090 third‐ and fourth‐instar larvae were collected on 14 occasions and identified using morphological characters and DNA sequence data. Twenty species belonging to seven genera were found: Anopheles claviger (Meigen), An. hyrcanus (Pallas), An. maculipennis Meigen, An. pseudopictus Grassi*, An. sacharovi Favre, An. superpictus Grassi, Aedes vexans (Meigen)*, Coquillettidia richiardii (Ficalbi)*, Culex hortensis Ficalbi, Cx. modestus Ficalbi, Cx. pipiens Linnaeus, Cx. theileri Theobald, Cx. torrentium Martini*, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Culiseta longiareolata (Macquart), Cs. annulata (Schrank)*, Cs. subochrea (Edwards), Ochlerotatus caspius (Pallas) s.l.* (= Aedes caspius sensu auctorum), Oc. geniculatus (Olivier)* (= Aedes geniculatus sensu auctorum) and Uranotaenia unguiculata Edwards (asterisks indicate new occurrence records for the province). The most prevalent species in adult catches were An. maculipennis (52%), Cx. theileri (45%) and Cx. hortensis (1%); the most prevalent species caught as larvae were Cx. theileri (27%), Cx. hortensis (21%) and An. maculipennis (19%). Anopheles maculipennis, Cx. pipiens and Cx. theileri were most widely distributed in the province. The occurrence of Cx. torrentium in Iran is verified based on differential characters of fourth‐instar larvae. Anopheles maculipennis and An. sacharovi of the Maculipennis Group were identified from their diagnostic ITS2 sequences. For the first time, cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences were obtained from Iranian specimens of An. hyrcanus, An. pseudopictus, Cx. theileri and Oc. caspiuss.l. Culex theileri and An. maculipennis were found naturally infected with third‐stage (infective) larvae of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) and Setaria labiatopapillosa (Alessandrini) (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), respectively, for the first time in Iran.
Aspects of the bionomics of Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies from an endemic area of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Aleppo Governorate, Syria
Authors: MAROLI M. , JALOUK L. , AL AHMED M. , BIANCHI R. , BONGIORNO G. , KHOURY C. , GRADONI L. 
Published: May 2009

AbstractAspects of the bionomics of phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) were studied from June to November 2005 in three foci of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, where the agent Leishmania tropica (Wright) (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is transmitted by Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot. Syria has been designated by the World Health Organization as one of four countries in the Old World where cutaneous leishmaniasis is hyperendemic, but little is known about the biology of local vector populations. Standard collections by sticky traps showed two peaks in density, in June and late August. In total, 1840 sandflies were caught, comprising five species: Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli) (68.0%); P. sergenti (25.4%); Sergentomyia minuta (Rondani) (6.4%); Phlebotomus tobbi Adler & Theodor (0.1%), and Phlebotomus mascittii canaaniticus Adler & Theodor (0.1%). Similar numbers of P. sergenti were caught indoors (246 specimens) and outdoors (222), whereas P. papatasi was significantly more abundant indoors (1096 specimens) than outdoors (156) (χ2 = 241, P < 0.01). In total, 212 blood‐fed females were tested for host blood determination, of which 176 (83.0%) reacted with anti‐species reagent. Results from 20 P. sergenti suggest that this species is an opportunistic feeder, imbibing human, ovine, avian, bovine and feline blood, although more bloodmeals were taken from humans and cattle than expected in relation to the relative proportions of potential hosts present (the forage ratio, FR). The bionomics of P. sergenti are discussed in relation to the inefficacy of control campaigns based on indoor spraying with residual insecticides that have been implemented by the Syrian Ministry of Health to control the epidemics of ACL in the Aleppo Governorate.
Translation regulation of integrons gene cassette expression by the attC sites
Authors: Jacquier Hervé , Zaoui Caroline , Sanson‐le Pors Marie‐Jose , Mazel Didier , Berçot Béatrice 
Published: May 2009

SummaryIntegron are genetic elements able to carry, capture and shuffle the genes embedded in gene cassettes. The attC recombination sites adopt a stable secondary structure when single‐stranded that is necessary for their recombination. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the structure of the attC site on expression of the 3′ gene in class 1 integrons. This was analysed by substituting the attC of the blaIMP‐8 gene cassette with various mutated attC sites spanning a wide range of sizes and secondary structures, and measuring the integron‐dependent translation of the 3′aac(6′)‐Ib7 gene. In the resulting constructs, the 5′‐attC site differentially affected the expression of the aac(6′)‐Ib7 gene. Contrary to what was expected from their proposed role as Rho‐independent transcription terminators, the transcription of the aac(6′)‐Ib7 gene was not affected by the various attC sites. Mutations of natural sites revealed that destabilization of the potential stem‐loop structure of the attC site in the transcript could enhance the expression of the 3′ gene. In particular, the presence of a translated open reading frame was shown to increase translation of the 3′ gene. These findings might be explained by the capacity of the stem‐loop structures to impede ribosome progression.