bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A multicentre retrospective study of 66 Italian children with food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome: different management for different phenotypes
Authors: Sopo S. Miceli , Giorgio V. , Iacono I. Dello , Novembre E. , Mori F. , Onesimo R. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackgroundFood Protein‐Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) is a non‐IgE‐mediated paediatric disorder triggered by the ingestion of specific food proteins. Many features of this syndrome are not yet well defined.ObjectiveThe aim of our study was to describe demographic features, causative agents, clinical features, treatments and outcomes of children suffering from acute FPIES at three Italian of Pediatric Allergology Centers.MethodsA retrospective study was performed over a 7‐year period (2004–2010). Hospital medical record databases and hospital outpatient electronic charts were screened for the diagnosis of FPIES. Information on the first and subsequent FPIES' episodes was collected.ResultsWe diagnosed 66 children with FPIES. The number of diagnoses significantly increased between 2008 and 2010 (P < 0.001). We collected a total of 165 FPIES episodes (median per child 2, range 1–10). Cow's milk was the most common trigger food (65%), followed by fish, egg, rice, soy, corn, poultry and goat's milk. Fifty‐six (85%) children reacted to a single food. Mean documented time from ingestion to symptom onset was 2.4 h (SD 0.7 h). Vomiting was the most common symptom (98%). Among patients diagnosed with OFC, 78% reacted after eating a whole serving size of the trigger food per age. Skin prick tests (SPT) for trigger foods were negative in 97% of cases. Thirty‐two/66 children (48%) achieved tolerance at a mean age of 29 months (SD 17 months). Age of achieved tolerance for cow's milk was significantly lower compared to that of other foods (24 ± 8 vs. 53 ± 17 months, P < 0.0006).Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceThis article provides new insights on FPIES in Italy by describing its largest series, and shows how a significant increase in the FPIES diagnosis has been observed in the last few years. We also discussed selected management aspects of this syndrome where different phenotypes can be found.
Highly conserved CDR3 region in circulating CD4+Vβ5+ T cells may be associated with cytotoxic activity in Chagas disease
Authors: Menezes C A S , Sullivan A K , Falta M T , Mack D G , Freed B M , Rocha M O C , Gollob K J , Fontenot A P , Dutra W O 
Published: May 2012

SummaryHuman infection with Trypanosoma cruzi leads to Chagas disease, which presents as several different clinical conditions ranging from an asymptomatic form to a severe dilated cardiomyopathy. Several studies have demonstrated that T cells play a critical role in the development of cardiac pathology, as well as in immunoregulation during chronic disease. However, the mechanisms that drive protective or pathogenic T cell response are not known. We have shown that CD4+ T cells from chagasic patients preferentially express T cell receptor (TCR) β-chain variable region (Vβ) 5. The aim of this work was to determine whether T cells expressing this particular Vβ region displayed variable or restricted CDR3 sequences, as an indicator of the nature of the stimulus leading to the activation of these T cells in vivo. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate phenotypic characteristics of these cells that might be associated with pathology. CDR3 junctional region sequencing of Vβ5·1 expressing CD4+ T cells revealed the occurrence of a highly homologous CDR3 region with conserved TCR Jβ region usage among patients with cardiac, but not indeterminate, Chagas disease. Moreover, correlation analysis indicated that the frequency of CD4+Vβ5·1+ cells is associated with granzyme A expression, suggesting that these cells might display cytotoxic function. Together these results provide new insight into T cell recognition of antigens involved in Chagas disease and suggest that these cells may be implicated in the pathogenesis of chagasic cardiomyopathy.
An economic comparison of systems of dairy production based on N‐fertilized grass and grass‐white clover grassland in a moist maritime environment
Authors: Humphreys J. , Mihailescu E. , Casey I. A. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis study compared the profitabilities of systems of dairy production based on N‐fertilized grass (FN) and grass‐white clover (WC) grassland and assessed sensitivity to changing fertilizer N and milk prices. Data were sourced from three system‐scale studies conducted in Ireland between 2001 and 2009. Ten FN stocked between 2·0 and 2·5 livestock units (LU) ha−1 with fertilizer N input between 173 and 353 kg ha−1 were compared with eight WC stocked between 1·75 and 2·2 LU ha−1 with fertilizer N input between 79 and 105 kg ha−1. Sensitivity was confined to nine combinations of high, intermediate and low fertilizer N and milk prices. Stocking density, milk and total sales from WC were approximately 0·90 of FN. In scenarios with high fertilizer N price combined with intermediate or low milk prices, WC was more (P < 0·05) profitable than FN. Based on milk and fertilizer N prices at the time, FN was clearly more profitable than WC between 1990 and 2005. However, with the steady increase in fertilizer N prices relative to milk price, the difference between FN and WC was less clear cut between 2006 and 2010. Projecting into the future and assuming similar trends in fertilizer N and milk prices to the last decade, this analysis indicates that WC will become an increasingly more profitable alternative to FN for pasture‐based dairy production.
Extracellular ATP‐stimulated macrophages produce macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 which is important for neutrophil migration
Authors: Kawamura Hiroki , Kawamura Toshihiko , Kanda Yasuhiro , Kobayashi Takahiro , Abo Toru 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMacrophages are the major source of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 (MIP‐2) and keratinocyte‐derived chemokine (KC), which play a major role in neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation. Although extracellular ATP from inflammatory tissues induces several immune responses in macrophages, it is unclear whether ATP‐stimulated macrophages affect neutrophil migration. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ATP‐induced MIP‐2 production by macrophages. When ATP was injected intraperitoneally into mice, the number of neutrophils within the peritoneal cavity markedly increased, along with the levels of MIP‐2 and KC in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Consistent with this, ATP induced MIP‐2 production, but not that of KC, by peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEMs) in vitro. This occurred via interactions with the P2X7 receptor and P2Y2 receptor. Furthermore, treatment of PEMs with ATP led to the production of reactive oxygen species. The ATP‐induced MIP‐2 production was inhibited by treatment with the antioxidant N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine. Also, MIP‐2 production was inhibited by pre‐incubating PEMs with inhibitors of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 or p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. The MIP‐2 neutralization reduced the increase in neutrophil numbers observed in ATP‐treated mice. Taken together, these results suggest that increased production of reactive oxygen species by ATP‐stimulated macrophages activates the signalling pathways that promote MIP‐2 production which, in turn, induces neutrophil migration.
The CD19/CD81 complex physically interacts with CD38 but is not required to induce proliferation in mouse B lymphocytes
Authors: Vences‐Catalán Felipe , Rajapaksa Ranjani , Levy Shoshana , Santos‐Argumedo Leopoldo 
Published: May 2012

SummaryIn B lymphocytes, the cell surface receptor CD38 is involved in apoptosis of immature B cells, proliferation and differentiation of mature B cells. Although CD38 has been establish as a receptor, its signaling has been only partially characterized. As a result of the lack of signaling motifs in the cytoplasmic domain, CD38 must use a co‐receptor to induce signaling within the cell. Accordingly, CD38 has been associated with different receptors such as the T‐cell receptor/CD3 complex on T cells, CD16 on natural killer cells and MHC class II molecules on monocytes. The CD19/CD81 complex has been proposed as a co‐receptor for CD38 in human B lymphocytes, but little or no characterization has been performed in mice. In this study the contribution of the CD19/CD81 complex in murine CD38 signaling was evaluated. Proliferation assays were performed using CD19−/− or CD81−/− deficient mice; CFSE‐labeled B lymphocytes from wild‐type mice and CD19−/−, CD81−/− and CD38−/− deficient mice were stimulated with agonistic antibodies against CD38. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were also performed to detect protein–protein interactions. Our results indicate that the CD19/CD81 complex interacts with CD38 but this interaction is not required to induce proliferation in mouse B lymphocytes, suggesting that other receptors may contribute to the proliferation induced by CD38 in B lymphocytes.
Modifying the ‘Positive Parenting Program’ for parents with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Glazemakers I. , Deboutte D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBackground  Many parents with intellectual disabilities (ID) want and/or need professional guidance and support to learn skills and strategies to prevent and manage child behaviour problems. However, the available support is rarely suitable, and suitable support is rarely available. The aim of this study was to determine whether a popular mainstream parenting training programme, known as ‘Group Triple P’ (Positive Parenting Program), could be successfully modified for this parent group.Method  A pilot study was undertaken to determine whether a modified version of Group Triple P would engage and retain parents with ID. A non‐experimental, pre‐test post‐test study, involving a total of 30 parents with ID, was then undertaken to obtain preliminary efficacy data.Results  Parent engagement and participation levels were high. No parent ‘dropped out’ of the programme. After completing the modified Group Triple P programme, parents reported a decrease in psychological distress, maladaptive parenting and child conduct problems. Parents reported high levels of satisfaction with the information and support they received.Conclusion  Research‐informed adaptation of mainstream behavioural family interventions, such as Group Triple P, could make ‘suitable support’ more readily available, and more engaging for parents with ID.
The conserved polarity factor PodJ1 impacts multiple cell envelope‐associated functions in Sinorhizobium meliloti
Authors: Fields Alexander T. , Navarrete Charlene S. , Zare Alaa Ziad , Huang Zhenzhong , Mostafavi Mina , Lewis Jainee C. , Rezaeihaghighi Yasha , Brezler Benjamin J. , Ray Shatarupa , Rizzacasa Anne L. , Barnett Melanie J. , Long Sharon R. , Chen Esther J. , Chen Joseph C. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryAlthough diminutive in size, bacteria possess highly diverse and spatially confined cellular structures. Two related alphaproteobacteria, Sinorhizobium meliloti and Caulobacter crescentus, serve as models for investigating the genetic basis of morphological variations. S. meliloti, a symbiont of leguminous plants, synthesizes multiple flagella and no prosthecae, whereas C. crescentus, a freshwater bacterium, has a single polar flagellum and stalk. The podJ gene, originally identified in C. crescentus for its role in polar organelle development, is split into two adjacent open reading frames, podJ1 and podJ2, in S. meliloti. Deletion of podJ1 interferes with flagellar motility, exopolysaccharide production, cell envelope integrity, cell division and normal morphology, but not symbiosis. As in C. crescentus, the S. meliloti PodJ1 protein appears to act as a polarity beacon and localizes to the newer cell pole. Microarray analysis indicates that podJ1 affects the expression of at least 129 genes, the majority of which correspond to observed mutant phenotypes. Together, phenotypic characterization, microarray analysis and suppressor identification suggest that PodJ1 controls a core set of conserved elements, including flagellar and pili genes, the signalling proteins PleC and DivK, and the transcriptional activator TacA, while alternative downstream targets have evolved to suit the distinct lifestyles of individual species.
Gene‐specific requirement of RNA polymerase II CTD phosphorylation
Authors: Drogat Julie , Hermand Damien 
Published: May 2012

SummaryThe largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, Rpb1, contains an unusual C‐terminal domain (CTD) composed of numerous repeats of the YSPTSPS consensus sequence. This sequence is the target of post‐translational modifications such as phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation and transitions between stereoisomeric states, resulting in a vast combinatorial potential referred to as the CTD code. In order to gain insight into the biological significance of this code, several studies recently reported the genome‐wide distribution of some of these modified polymerases and associated factors in either fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) or budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The resulting occupancy maps reveal that a general RNA polymerase II transcription complex exists and undergoes uniform transitions from initiation to elongation to termination. Nevertheless, CTD phosphorylation dynamics result in a gene‐specific effect on mRNA expression. In this review, we focus on the gene‐specific requirement of CTD phosphorylation and discuss in more detail the case of serine 2 phosphorylation (S2P) within the CTD, a modification that is dispensable for general transcription in fission yeast but strongly affects transcription reprogramming and cell differentiation in response to environmental cues. The recent discovery of Cdk12 as a genuine CTD S2 kinase and its requirement for gene‐specific expression are discussed in the wider context of metazoa.
A novel role for cyanide in the control of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) seedlings response to environmental stress
Authors: XU FEI , ZHANG DA‐WEI , ZHU FENG , TANG HE , LV XIN , CHENG JIAN , XIE HUANG‐FAN , LIN HONG‐HUI 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTThe effects of potassium cyanide (KCN) pretreatment on the response of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants to salt, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and cold stress were investigated in the present study. Here, we found that KCN pretreatment improved cucumber seedlings tolerance to stress conditions with maximum efficiency at a concentration of 20 µM. The results showed that pretreatment with 20 µM KCN alleviated stress‐induced oxidative damage in plant cells and clearly induced the activity of alternative oxidase (AOX) and the ethylene production. Furthermore, the structures of thylakoids and mitochondria in the KCN‐pretreated seedlings were less damaged by the stress conditions, which maintained higher total chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate and photosystem II (PSII) proteins levels than the control. Importantly, the addition of the AOX inhibitor salicylhydroxamic acid (1 mm; SHAM) decreased plant resistance to environmental stress and even compromised the cyanide (CN)‐enhanced stress tolerance. Therefore, our findings provide a novel role of CN in plant against environmental stress and indicate that the CN‐enhanced AOX might contribute to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and the protection of photosystem by maintaining energy charge homoeostasis from chloroplast to mitochondria.
Fish and shellfish allergy in children: Review of a persistent food allergy
Authors: Tsabouri Sophia , Triga Maria , Makris Michael , Kalogeromitros Dimitris , Church Martin K. , Priftis Kostas N. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe increased consumption of fish and shellfish has resulted in more frequent reports of adverse reactions to seafood, emphasizing the need for more specific diagnosis and treatment of this condition and exploring reasons for the persistence of this allergy. This review discusses interesting and new findings in the area of fish and shellfish allergy. New allergens and important potential cross‐reacting allergens have been identified within the fish family and between shellfish, arachnids, and insects. The diagnostic approach may require prick to‐prick tests using crude extracts of both raw and cooked forms of seafood for screening seafood sensitization before a food challenge or where food challenge is not feasible. Allergen‐specific immunotherapy can be important; mutated less allergenic seafood proteins have been developed for this purpose. The persistence of allergy because of seafood proteins’ resistance after rigorous treatment like cooking and extreme pH is well documented. Additionally, IgE antibodies from individuals with persistent allergy may be directed against different epitopes than those in patients with transient allergy. For a topic as important as this one, new areas of technological developments will likely have a significant impact, to provide more accurate methods of diagnosing useful information to patients about the likely course of their seafood allergy over the course of their childhood and beyond.
Current concepts in pediatric liver tumors
Authors: Emre Sukru , Umman Veysel , Rodriguez‐Davalos Manuel 
Published: May 2012

Emre S, Umman V, Rodriguez‐Davalos M. Current concepts in pediatric liver tumors.Abstract:  Liver tumors in children can be classified into benign or malignant; some of the benign lesions can have the potential of malignant transformation, and therefore the therapeutic approach may change. These neoplasms account for nearly 1–2% of all pediatric tumors and they have gained significant attention in the last decades due to data suggesting that the incidence may be increasing 5% annually. We know that with new and improved imaging modalities some of these lesions may be detected more often than before. Recent studies showed that liver cancer represented 2% of malignancies in infants by 1980s and this was doubled in incidence to 4% in the following 10 yr. In this review our aim is to discuss all primary liver tumors in children with attention to their clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features followed by the current standard of care.
Petrogenesis of anhydrous clinopyroxenite xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts in alkali basalts from the Ganseong area of South Korea
Authors: CHOI SUNG HI , KIM NAK KYU 
Published: May 2012

AbstractLate Cenozoic alkali basalts in the Ganseong area of South Korea contain abundant ultramafic xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts. Anhydrous clinopyroxene‐rich wehrlite–clinopyroxenites make up the majority of the xenolith population and range from wehrlite through olivine clinopyroxenite to clinopyroxenite. This study investigates the petrogenesis of wehrlite–clinopyroxenite xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts on the basis of petrography and mineral and whole‐rock chemistry. Observations such as an absence of carbonate or apatite, high Ti/Eu ratio, and clinopyroxene‐dominated mineralogy lead us to rule out peridotite–melt reactions as the origin of the Ganseong wehrlites– olivine clinopyroxenites. The whole‐rock compositions (e.g. high abundance of CaO at a given MgO content and low abundance of incompatible elements, such as U, K, P, and Ti compared with mafic melts) indicate that the pyroxenites do not represent crystallized magma itself, but are rather cumulates with a small amount of residual liquid. Anhydrous and orthopyroxene‐free mineral assemblages, crystallization sequence of olivine→clinopyroxene→plagioclase, and mineral chemistries (e.g. low Cr# and high TiO2 abundances in spinels and high TiO2 and Na2O abundances in clinopyroxenes at a given Mg#) suggest that relatively anhydrous intraplate alkaline basalt is the most likely candidate for the parent magma. Texture and compositions of the clinopyroxene megacrysts preclude a cognate origin via high‐pressure crystallization of the host magma. The clinopyroxene megacrysts occupy the Fe‐rich end of the compositional trends defined by wehrlite–pyroxenite clinopyroxenes. Progressive decreases in Mg# and an absence of significant compositional gaps between pyroxenite xenoliths and clinopyroxene megacrysts indicate fractionation and differentiation of a similar parental magma. We suggest that the clinopyroxene megacrysts represent fragments of pegmatitic clinopyroxenites crystallized from more advanced fractionation stages of the evolution of a series of magmatic liquids formed Ganseong wehrlite–clinopyroxenites.
Rebuilding the foundations: Major renovations to the mental health component of an undergraduate nursing curriculum
Authors: Spence Deborah , Garrick Helen , McKay Marie 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTConcerns relating to the adequacy of nurses' preparation for the care of people with mental illness prompted significant revision of the mental health component in a Bachelor of Health Science nursing programme in New Zealand that prepares approximately 200 students per year. Working collaboratively with clinical providers, university staff developed and introduced three courses (equivalent to 450 hours of learning) specifically focused on mental health science, inpatient practice, and primary community mental health practice. This paper provides an overview of the new courses and reports the findings of an appreciative inquiry evaluation of this curriculum innovation.
Ecological thresholds at the savanna‐forest boundary: how plant traits, resources and fire govern the distribution of tropical biomes
Authors: Hoffmann William A. , Geiger Erika L. , Gotsch Sybil G. , Rossatto Davi R. , Silva Lucas C. R. , Lau On Lee , Haridasan M. , Franco Augusto C. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFire shapes the distribution of savanna and forest through complex interactions involving climate, resources and species traits. Based on data from central Brazil, we propose that these interactions are governed by two critical thresholds. The fire‐resistance threshold is reached when individual trees have accumulated sufficient bark to avoid stem death, whereas the fire‐suppression threshold is reached when an ecosystem has sufficient canopy cover to suppress fire by excluding grasses. Surpassing either threshold is dependent upon long fire‐free intervals, which are rare in mesic savanna. On high‐resource sites, the thresholds are reached quickly, increasing the probability that savanna switches to forest, whereas low‐resource sites are likely to remain as savanna even if fire is infrequent. Species traits influence both thresholds; saplings of savanna trees accumulate bark thickness more quickly than forest trees, and are more likely to become fire resistant during fire‐free intervals. Forest trees accumulate leaf area more rapidly than savanna trees, thereby accelerating the transition to forest. Thus, multiple factors interact with fire to determine the distribution of savanna and forest by influencing the time needed to reach these thresholds. Future work should decipher multiple environmental controls over the rates of tree growth and canopy closure in savanna.