bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nasal nitric oxide levels in healthy pre‐school children
Authors: Piacentini G. L. , Bodini A. , Peroni D. G. , Sandri M. , Brunelli M. , Pigozzi R. , Boner A. L. 
Published: November 2010

Piacentini GL, Bodini A, Peroni DG, Sandri M, Brunelli M, Pigozzi R, Boner AL. Nasal nitric oxide levels in healthy pre‐school children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1139–1145. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/SThe evaluation of nasal nitric oxide (nNO) has been proposed as a screening tool in children with clinically suspectable primary ciliary dyskinesia. Nevertheless, normal values have been reported for school‐aged children. This study was designed to identify normal nNO levels in pre‐school children. nNO was assessed in 300 healthy children aged between 1.5 and 7.2. Two hundred and fifty of them were unable to fulfill the guideline requirements for nNO measurement and were assessed by sampling the nasal air continuously with a constant trans‐nasal aspiration flow for 30 s during tidal breathing. For those children who were able to cooperate, the average nNO concentration was calculated according to guidelines. A statistically significant relationship between nNO level and age was demonstrated in this study group of pre‐school children (p < 0.001). An increase in nNO of about 100 ppb was observed in children older than 6 yr vs. those aged <3. This study presents a description of normal nNO values in pre‐school children. The effect of the age and the eventual presence of rhinitis and snoring need to be considered whenever nNO is evaluated in the clinical practice, in particular in non‐cooperative children.
Reduced iNOS expression in adenoids from children with otitis media with effusion
Authors: Granath Anna , Norrby‐Teglund Anna , Uddman Rolf , Cardell Lars‐Olaf 
Published: November 2010

Granath A, Norrby‐Teglund A, Uddman R, Cardell L‐O. Reduced iNOS expression in adenoids from children with otitis media with effusion. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: 1151–1156. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/SNitric oxide (NO) is a key mediator in the local immune response of human airways. Inducible NO‐synthases (iNOS), and endothelial NO‐synthases (eNOS) are two enzymes known to regulate its production. The role of NO in middle ear disease is not fully known. Previous studies suggest that NO might have a dual role, both promoting and suppressing middle ear inflammation. The aim of the present study was to compare the eNOS and iNOS expression in adenoids obtained from children with otitis media with effusion (OME) with the expression seen in adenoids derived from children without middle ear disease. In addition, the expression of IL‐1β and TNF‐α were analyzed, because of their role in the iNOS‐induction pathway. The iNOS and eNOS expression were analyzed with real‐time PCR in 8 OME and 11 control adenoids. The corresponding proteins were demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining of adenoid tissue. A Luminex® assay was performed to analyze IL‐1β and TNF‐α in nasopharyngeal secretion in 10 OME and 8 controls, and immunohistochemistry was performed on adenoid tissue and imprints from the adenoid surface. Children with OME exhibited lower levels of iNOS than controls without middle ear disease. No such difference was seen for eNOS. The corresponding proteins were found mainly in conjunction with surface epithelium. No significant changes were seen among the cytokines tested. The present results indicate that local induction of iNOS in adenoids might be of importance for preventing development of OME.
Root and aerial infections of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana by Phytophthora lateralis: a new threat for European countries
Authors: Robin C. , Piou D. , Feau N. , Douzon G. , Schenck N. , Hansen E. M. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryPhytophthora lateralis has been isolated from root and collar lesions in Port‐Orford Cedar (POC) trees (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) in north‐western France (Brittany). These trees, planted in hedgerows, displayed symptoms similar to the typical symptoms of POC root disease. Until now, the disease has been found outside of the nurseries only in western North America. Aerial symptoms, not associated with root or collar infections, were also observed, and P. lateralis was isolated from branch lesions. Similar symptoms were previously observed only in one POC root disease site, located in the Pacific coast of Oregon where climatic conditions are similar to those occurring in Brittany. The reported aetiology as well as the morphological characteristics (deciduous sporangia) of P. lateralis suggests that this species could be air‐dispersed, as described for P. ramorum, a closely related species. This outbreak of P. lateralis in Brittany in farming landscapes associated with the aerial spread of this pathogen represents a new threat for European countries.
Sources of Diplodia pinea endophytic infections in Pinus patula and P. radiata seedlings in South Africa
Authors: Bihon W. , Slippers B. , Burgess T. , Wingfield M. J. , Wingfield B. D. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryDiplodia pinea, an opportunistic and latent pathogen, can significantly affect Pinus productivity worldwide. Despite being studied in South Africa for almost 100 years, the source of D. pinea inoculum responsible for seedling infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the role of seed in vertical transmission of D. pinea and to investigate sources of inoculum leading to horizontal transmission to pine seedlings. Surface‐disinfected seeds were inoculated with spore and mycelium suspensions of D. pinea to determine its effect on germination. In addition, isolation of the fungus was performed from surface‐disinfected seeds, asymptomatic seedlings collected from nurseries, plantations where pines naturally regenerate and recently established fields, to assess transmission and incidence of endophytic D. pinea infections. Inoculation of seeds with D. pinea spore suspensions affected speed and rate of germination. The fungus was isolated from surface‐disinfected seeds in only a few instances (2–3%) and was not found in healthy seedlings collected from greenhouses and nurseries, suggesting that vertical transmission of the fungus does not occur or is rare. In contrast, D. pinea was isolated from 40% of seedlings obtained from the understory of mature P. patula trees showing that horizontal transmission from mature to young trees sustains the D. pinea inoculum in South African pine plantations.
The role of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) in the decline affecting oak agroforestry ecosystems
Authors: Serrano M. S. , Fernández‐Rebollo P. , De Vita P. , Carbonero M. D. , Sánchez M. E. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryPhytophthora cinnamomi is a soilborne pathogen causing root rot in Mediterranean Quercus species growing in ‘dehesa’ rangeland ecosystems. Recently, it has been reported causing wilting and death of Lupinus luteus (yellow lupin), a spontaneous plant in southern Spain rangelands, but also frequently sowed for livestock grazing. In soils artificially infested with P. cinnamomi chlamydospores and planted with different cultivars of yellow lupin, a significant increase in the density of propagules was detected in comparison with the initial levels of inoculum and with the infested but not planted soil (control). In oak‐rangelands in which yellow lupine was planted, isolation and counting of colonies of P. cinnamomi from soil samples have shown the ability of this plant to maintain or even increase the inoculum density and thus facilitate the infection of trees. Results suggested that cultivation of yellow lupin in oak‐rangeland ecosystems should be avoided whether oak trees are affected by root disease caused by P. cinnamomi or not. This leguminous plant can act as an inoculum reservoir or even enhance inoculum soil levels available for oak root infections, exacerbating the oak decline severity in the region.
Treatment of autoimmune hepatitis: A review of current and evolving therapies
Authors: Jothimani Dinesh , Cramp Matthew E , Mitchell Jonathon D , Cross Tim J S 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAutoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune‐mediated necroinflammatory condition of the liver. Presentation can vary from the asymptomatic individual with abnormal liver function test to fulminant liver failure. The diagnosis is based on the combination of biochemical, autoimmune, and histological parameters, and exclusion of other liver diseases. Standard therapy consists of a combination of corticosteroids and azathioprine, which is efficacious in 80% of patients. Alternative therapies are increasingly being explored in patients who do not respond to the standard treatment and/or have unacceptable adverse effects. This review examines the role of alternative drugs (second‐line agents) available for AIH treatment non‐responders. These agents include budesonide, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporin, tacrolimus, 6‐mercaptopurine, 6‐thioguanine, rituximab, ursodeoxycholic acid, rapamycin, and methotrexate. In addition, the risk of opportunistic infections and malignancies are discussed. A treatment algorithm is proposed for the management of patients with AIH treatment non‐responders.
New insights into the pathogenesis of perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury
Authors: Vasiljevic Brankica , Maglajlic‐Djukic Svjetlana , Gojnic Miroslava , Stankovic Sanja , Ignjatovic Svetlana , Lutovac Dragana 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground:  Pathogenesis of perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury (HIE) is complex. In this study, we examined the role of neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and growth factors in perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage.Methods:  Ninety neonates (>32 weeks' gestation) with perinatal HIE were enrolled prospectively. Perinatal HIE was categorized into three stages according to the Sarnat and Sarnat clinical scoring system and changes seen on amplitude integrated electroencephalography. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and glutathione peroxidase analysis was taken in the first 48 h of life and subsequent CSF for neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) analysis 72 h after birth. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at 12 months of corrected gestational age using the Denver Developmental Screening Test.Results:  Concentrations of NSE in CSF correlated with severity of HIE (P < 0.0001) and corresponded well with subsequent neurodevelopmental outcome. Concentrations of IL‐6 in CSF were markedly increased in neonates with severe HIE (P < 0.0001) and those with subsequent neurological sequels, but were normal in the majority of neonates with mild and moderate HIE. Glutathione peroxidase activity in CSF was significant with the stage of HIE (P < 0.0001) and gestational age (P < 0.0001) and corresponded well with subsequent neurodevelopmental outcome. Advanced stage of HIE was associated with increased concentrations of VEGF in CSF (P < 0.0001). Neurological outcomes at 12 months of age correlated best with CSF level of NSE (P < 0.001) and IL‐6 (P < 0.001).Conclusion:  Our results suggest that neuroinflammation plays a principal role in perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic brain damage and we postulate that oxidative stress and upregulation of VEGF might be important contributing factors in the pathogenesis of hypoxic‐ischemic brain injury, particularly in preterm neonates.
Venation networks and the origin of the leaf economics spectrum
Authors: Blonder Benjamin , Violle Cyrille , Bentley Lisa Patrick , Enquist Brian J. 
Published: November 2010

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 91–100AbstractThe leaf economics spectrum describes biome‐invariant scaling functions for leaf functional traits that relate to global primary productivity and nutrient cycling. Here, we develop a comprehensive framework for the origin of this leaf economics spectrum based on venation‐mediated economic strategies. We define a standardized set of traits – density, distance and loopiness – that provides a common language for the study of venation. We develop a novel quantitative model that uses these venation traits to model leaf‐level physiology, and show that selection to optimize the venation network predicts the mean global trait–trait scaling relationships across 2548 species. Furthermore, using empirical venation data for 25 plant species, we test our model by predicting four key leaf functional traits related to leaf economics: net carbon assimilation rate, life span, leaf mass per area ratio and nitrogen content. Together, these results indicate that selection on venation geometry is a fundamental basis for understanding the diversity of leaf form and function, and the carbon balance of leaves. The model and associated predictions have broad implications for integrating venation network geometry with pattern and process in ecophysiology, ecology and palaeobotany.
Epibacterial community patterns on marine macroalgae are host‐specific but temporally variable
Authors: Lachnit Tim , Meske Diana , Wahl Martin , Harder Tilmann , Schmitz Ruth 
Published: November 2010

SummaryMarine macroalgae are constantly exposed to epibacterial colonizers. The epiphytic bacterial patterns and their temporal and spatial variability on host algae are poorly understood. To investigate the interaction between marine macroalgae and epiphytic bacteria, this study tested if the composition of epibacterial communities on different macroalgae was specific and persisted under varying biotic and abiotic environmental conditions over a 2‐year observation time frame. Epibacterial communities on the co‐occurring macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus, Gracilaria vermiculophylla and Ulva intestinalis were repeatedly sampled in summer and winter of 2007 and 2008. The epibacterial community composition was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene libraries. Epibacterial community profiles did not only differ significantly at each sampling interval among algal species, but also showed consistent seasonal differences on each algal species at a bacterial phylum level. These compositional patterns re‐occurred at the same season of two consecutive years. Within replicates of the same algal species, the composition of bacterial phyla was subject to shifts at the bacterial species level, both within the same season but at different years and between different seasons. However, 7–16% of sequences were identified as species specific to the host alga. These findings demonstrate that marine macroalgae harbour species‐specific and temporally adapted epiphytic bacterial biofilms on their surfaces. Since several algal host‐specific bacteria were highly similar to other bacteria known to either avoid subsequent colonization by eukaryotic larvae or to exhibit potent antibacterial activities, algal host‐specific bacterial associations are expected to play an important role for marine macroalgae.
Evidence‐based medicine: comparative analysis of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues in combination with external beam radiation and surgery in the treatment of carcinoma of the prostate
Authors: González Santiago Vilar , Pijuan Xavier Maldonado 
Published: November 2010

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? Luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues are a cornerstone in the management of many clinical situations in prostate cancer patients. The multiplicity of drugs make it difficult to decide which is the best drug to prescribe to each patient. Whether or not the different luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues belong to the same drug class is only merely supposed.This study adds a systematic review of the literature in order to determine whether or not the luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone analogues available for prescription belong to the same drug class (same family, similar chemical structure, mechanism of action, and efficacy). The current evidence available is not enough to support a presumed drug class effect of the various analogues in the treatment of prostate carcinoma.OBJECTIVE• To study whether luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues are agents of the same pharmacological class, i.e. whether they have the same clinical effect, using an evidence‐based medicine approach.MATERIAL AND METHODS• We reviewed the evidence on the alleged ‘drug class effect’ among analogues and the existing bibliographic support for their use in various medical indications. We used PubMed as the main search source. Evidence level and degree of recommendation were assigned to each conclusion based on the ‘Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network’.RESULTS• There are no studies designed to answer the question of class effect between LHRH analogues or agonists. Reviews and meta‐analyses have been performed on many other issues related to therapeutic management either with analogues alone, or in combination with radiation therapy and surgery.• Direct comparisons do not allow definitive conclusions to be reached. Indirect evidence is obtained from randomized studies comparing the different LHRH analogues with other treatments used to obtain androgen deprivation. Other issues related to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that can support either the existence or non‐existence of class effect were evaluated.CONCLUSION• The current available evidence is not enough to support a presumed class effect of the drug among the different analogues in the treatment of prostate carcinoma in its various clinical situations.
To Change or Not To Change: How Regulatory Focus Affects Change in Dyadic Decision‐Making
Authors: Spanjol Jelena , Tam Leona 
Published: November 2010

Successful innovation requires teams to embrace and enact change. However, team members often differ in their preferences for change. We examine how regulatory focus affects dyadic teams’ tendencies to enact change across an array of repeated brand management decisions. Understanding such tendencies is important, since the innovation process is characterized by a series of investment decisions typically made by teams, yet prone to significant biases. Regulatory focus theory provides a framework for understanding the dominant motivations driving decision‐making during goal pursuit. It argues that individuals operate under either a promotion or prevention focus, influencing preferences for stability vs. change. We develop a set of hypotheses regarding regulatory focus match vs. mismatch in teams and their effects on the relative tendency to enact change in decision‐making. In the context of dyads involved in a complex management simulation consisting of multiple decision cycles, we empirically demonstrate that a promotion focus match is associated with greater levels of change in decisions than a prevention focus match, regardless of the type of goal pursuit strategy prescribed to dyads. Under regulatory focus mismatch, however, dyads are guided by the goal pursuit strategy (vigilant vs. eager) provided to them, which in turn informs their propensity to implement change.
Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement.
C. William Pollard (1996, p. 116)
Tolerance and Liberal Justice
Authors: AUGENSTEIN DANIEL 
Published: November 2010

AbstractTolerance, the mere “putting up” with disapproved behaviour and practices, is often considered a too negative and passive engagement with difference in the liberal constitutional state. In response, liberal thinkers have either discarded tolerance, or assimilated it to the moral and legal precepts of liberal justice. In contradistinction to these approaches I argue that there is something distinctive and valuable about tolerance that should not be undermined by more ambitious, rights‐based models of social cooperation. I develop a conception of tolerance as a complementary principle and an interim value that is neither incompatible with, nor reducible to, rights‐based liberalism. Tolerance represents a particular, non‐communitarian expression of the general dictum that the liberal state, having released its citizens into liberty, rests on social presuppositions it cannot itself guarantee.
The Purposes of Legal Punishment
Authors: ESCAMILLA‐CASTILLO MANUEL 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThere is a vast literature on the meanings of legal penalties. However, we lack a theory that explains them according to the formation of the modern state. Oakeshott's theory can help explain this phenomenon, leading to an attempt of the individual to take over as many powers of the state as possible. Thus, Kant's and Smith's retributivism is the most consistent of all those theories. Nevertheless, the preventive and resocializing theory of Bentham succeeded eventually. But is this a liberal theory? We contrast the explanations of H.L.A. Hart and Frederick Rosen in order to lay the groundwork for a liberal theory of the meaning of legal sanctions.
The Kelsen/Schmitt Controversy and the Evolving Relations between Constitutional and International Law
Authors: PINELLI CESARE 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe article examines Hans Kelsen's and Carl Schmitt's lines of thought concerning the relationship between constitutional and international law, with the aim of ascertaining their respective ability to capture developments affecting that relationship, even those of a contradictory nature. It is significant that, while the rise of wars of humanitarian intervention in the post‐Cold War era has evoked Schmitt's concept of the bellum iustum, the evolution in the direction of the “constitutionalisation of international law” has drawn attention to Kelsen's theoretical approach. However, these assumptions rely heavily on the opposing objectives that the two authors claimed to pursue, such as, respectively, the search for the ultimate seat of political power and a pure theory of law. Things are more complicated, both because these objectives by no means exhaust Kelsen's and Schmitt's lines of thought, and because the conception of sovereignty as omnipotence, at the core of the Weimar controversy, is now behind us.
Is Legal Positivism as Worthless as Many Italian Scholars of Public Law Depict It?
Authors: MATTEUCCI STEFANO CIVITARESE 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAn increasing number of Italian scholars are beginning to share the idea that the conceptual basis of legal positivism (LP) is wrong, particularly in the field of Public Law. According to a group of theories called “neoconstitutionalism,” constitutionalism is to be understood not only as a principle based on the need to impose legal limits to political power, but also as an aggregation of values capable of continually remodelling legal relationships, positioning itself as a “pervasive” point of reference for legal experience. A recent essay by Professor Antonio Baldassarre, President Emeritus of the Constitutional Italian Court, about the “misery of legal positivism” is a good expression of this view. In this article, the ideas outlined by Baldassarre are examined and criticized. The paper also tries to defend a version of legal positivism, which has both a conceptual and prescriptive meaning, relating to decisions made on the basis of rules. This view is based on the two correlated concepts of primary formalism and secondary formalism of “competence and procedure.”
Micro‐based Estimates of Heterogeneous Pricing Rules: The United States vs. the Euro Area*
Authors: Álvarez Luis J. , Burriel Pablo 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThis paper presents US and euro area estimates for a fully heterogeneous model, in which there is a continuum of firms setting prices with a constant probability of adjustment, which may differ from firm to firm. The estimated model accurately matches the empirical distribution function of individual price durations for the US and the euro area. Incorporating these micro‐based pricing rules into a DSGE model, we find that nominal shocks have a greater real impact in the fully heterogeneous economy than in the standard Calvo model. We also find that nominal and real shocks bring about a reallocation of resources among sectors. Monetary policy is found to have a greater real impact in the euro area than in the United States.