bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunogenetics of factor VIII inhibitor development
Authors: LOZIER JAY , MENASHE IDAN , KRONER BARBARA , GOEDERT JAMES , ROSENBERG PHILIP 
Published: March 2009

Objective:  The purpose of our study is to investigate the hypothesis that polymorphisms in immunoregulatory genes and/or the factor VIII gene are partly responsible for recognition of therapeutic factor VIII as ‘foreign’, thereby provoking inhibitor antibodies. As a critical first step in our study we have set out to determine the minimal number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immunoregulatory genes and the factor VIII gene that define the relevant DNA haplotypes seen in the Caucasian population (CEU) as shown in the HapMap project.Methods:  We searched the CEU dataset in the HapMap genetic database (release 23a, March 8, 2008) as a source for SNPs with potential to define haplotypes ‘tag SNPs’ in the genes for IL1‐beta, IL4, IL10, IL13, interferon gamma, TNF‐alpha, TGF‐beta, zinc alpha‐2 glycoprotein I, and the coagulation factor VIII gene. These genes were selected based on their central role in regulation of the immune response, previously published correlations with factor VIII inhibitor risk, or results of studies of factor VIII immunogenicity in animals. Using the Haploview programme we surveyed SNPs in each gene, plus approximately 20 kb of DNA 5′ and 3′ to each gene to assess potential regulatory elements that might influence gene expression. Tag SNPs were picked for each gene at various levels of coverage, based on correlation coefficients (r2) of >0.8, >0.9, and =1.0.Summary:  Our analysis indicates that the total number of tag SNPs required to study the nine genes of interest, with r2 values of > 0.8, > 0.9, or = 1.0, is on the order of 96, 138 and 146, respectively. Thus, a study of these proposed candidate genes is feasible with currently available SNP ascertainment based on multiplex PCR amplification/extension and MALDI‐TOF analysis.Conclusions:  With approximately 150 SNPs (at r2 = 1.0) we will be able to determine association between factor VIII inhibitor development and any of seven immunoregulatory genes and two plasma proteins, including the coagulation factor VIII gene. We have extracted genomic DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes obtained from >900 caucasian haemophilia A patients who participated in the Multicenter Haemophilia Cohort Studies I & II, and are beginning to ascertain these SNPs for their association with risk for development of inhibitors to factor VIII in haemophilia A patients.
Regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 expression on mouse inflammatory monocytes
Authors: Zanzinger Kai , Schellack Carola , Nausch Norman , Cerwenka Adelheid 
Published: March 2009

SummaryTriggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM‐1) is an activating receptor involved in inflammatory diseases and septic shock. The TREM‐1 ligand(s) (TREM‐1L) have not yet been identified. In this study, we performed a detailed analysis of the expression of mouse TREM‐1 and its ligand(s). Our results demonstrate that TREM‐1 is expressed on bone‐marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDC). On bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages (BMM) its expression is induced in vitro after stimulation by granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interleukin‐3 or by myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88)‐dependent Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands. Under steady‐state conditions mouse TREM‐1 is detectable on a Gr‐1− F4/80+ monocyte subpopulation bearing markers of resident monocytes, but not on Gr‐1+ F4/80+ inflammatory monocytes. During lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxaemia TREM‐1 was also up‐regulated on inflammatory Gr‐1+ F4/80+ cells in vivo. In tumour‐bearing mice, TREM‐1 was up‐regulated on Gr‐1+ F4/80+ monocytes, which phenotypically and functionally resembled mononuclear myeloid‐derived suppressor cells. Using a soluble TREM‐1 fusion protein, we demonstrate that after intravenous injection of LPS TREM‐1L was induced on Gr‐1+ granulocytes and monocytes but not on other cell populations in peripheral blood. This up‐regulation on granulocytes was directly mediated by TLR ligands and required the adapter protein MyD88. In contrast to human, mouse platelets expressed TREM‐1L neither under steady‐state conditions nor after LPS injection in vivo. Our study reveals differential regulation of TREM‐1 expression on mouse monocyte subpopulations and improves our understanding of the biological role of TREM‐1 during disease.
School‐based education to improve oral cleanliness and gingival health in adolescents in Tehran, Iran
Authors: YAZDANI REZA , VEHKALAHTI MIIRA M. , NOURI MAHTAB , MURTOMAA HEIKKI 
Published: March 2009

Background. Schools can be an important setting for health education programmes, controlling the growing burden of oral diseases and promoting oral health.Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term effect of school‐based educational intervention on oral cleanliness and gingival health of 15‐year‐olds in Tehran, Iran.Design. The present cluster randomized trial was based on exposing students (n = 287; control,n = 130) at public schools to oral health knowledge through a leaflet or a videotape. The outcome was evaluated after 12 weeks. A positive outcome was defined as at minimum a 50% reduction in numbers of teeth with dental plaque or gingival bleeding compared to baseline. Evaluation included percentage changes, number needed to treat (NNT), and students’ self‐assessment.Results. At baseline, all students had dental plaque, and 93% had gingival bleeding on at least one index tooth. Positive outcome for oral cleanliness was 58% (P < 0.001) of the students in the leaflet group, 37% (P < 0.001) in the videotape group, and 10% of controls. Corresponding figures for gingival health were 72% (P < 0.001), 64% (P < 0.001), and 30%. For oral cleanliness, NNT was 2 in the leaflet and 3 in the videotape group; for gingival bleeding, NNT in both groups was 3. More than two‐thirds of the students assessed their oral health behaviours as having improved moderately.Conclusion. An easy‐to‐organize and inexpensive school‐based intervention can in the short term be effective in improving oral cleanliness and gingival health among adolescents; in particular, in countries with a developing oral health system.
Recovery from bark harvesting of 12 medicinal tree species in Benin, West Africa
Authors: Delvaux Claire , Sinsin Brice , Darchambeau François , Van Damme Patrick 
Published: March 2009

Summary

The growing interest in medicinal plants from both international industry and local markets requires management of tree bark harvesting from natural forests in order to prevent inappropriate exploitation of target species. This study was designed to determine the bark re‐growth response of a selected number of medicinal tree species as a basis for the development of an optimal bark harvesting method.
In 2004, bark was harvested from 925 trees belonging to 12 species in 38 sites in a dry forest in Benin, West Africa. Two years later, the response of trees to bark harvesting was examined with respect to re‐growth (edge or sheet), development of vegetative growth around the wound, and the sensitivity of the wound to insect attack.
Two species, Khaya senegalensis and Lannea kerstingii, showed complete wound recovery by edge growth. At the other extreme, Afzelia africana, Burkea africana and Maranthes polyandra had very poor edge growth. M. polyandra showed good sheet growth, whereas the other 11 species had none or poor sheet growth after total bark harvesting. In contrast, partial bark removal allowed better sheet growth in all 12 species studied.
Insect sensitivity was species‐specific. Insect attacks were negatively correlated with non‐recovered wound area, but there was a marked species effect for the same rate of regeneration. L. kerstingii and K. senegalensis had very good and similar re‐growth, but L. kerstingii was very susceptible to insect attack, whereas K. senegalensis appeared to be very resistant. Only a few individuals developed vegetative growth, and each tree usually developed only one or two agony shoots, but there was no significant difference between species.
Synthesis and applications. This is the first study to provide data on the ability of trees to close wounds after bark harvesting in West Africa. We report large variability in the response of different species to our bark harvesting technique, and identify just two out of the 12 study species as suitable for sustainable bark harvesting. Based on our results, we developed a decisional step method to help forest managers select the best techniques for managing medicinal tree species as an alternative to bark harvesting, for example, coppice management, harvesting leaves instead of bark, stand establishment, and collaboration with timber companies.
Species abundance distributions reveal environmental heterogeneity in modified landscapes
Authors: Dornelas Maria , Moonen Anna Camilla , Magurran Anne E. , Bàrberi Paolo 
Published: March 2009

Summary

Environmental heterogeneity influences biodiversity patterns such as species richness and community composition, but we do not know how it shapes community structure in terms of the number of rare and abundant species. This question is particularly relevant to modified landscapes such as agro‐ecosystems, where intensive management creates highly homogeneous landscapes, which often lead to loss of rare taxa and dominance by a few aggressive species.
It can be difficult to evaluate the effects of management on communities in different localities due to regional differences in species richness and composition. Because species abundance distributions (SADs) express assemblage structure in comparable units, they can be used to characterize communities irrespective of species composition, and for this reason provide a novel means of assessing the effects of management.
We analysed the SADs of weed communities across a gradient of environmental heterogeneity generated by different management treatments. We tested the hypothesis that environmental heterogeneity promotes multimodality in SADs by comparing observed patterns with those predicted for simulated random samples from homogeneous communities.
Observed SADs from a homogeneous environment did not deviate from predictions. By contrast, SADs from increasingly heterogeneous environments were progressively and consistently multimodal.
These results demonstrate that environmental heterogeneity, resulting from variation in management treatments, leaves a signature on the SAD.
Synthesis and applications. Our study shows that Species Abundance Distributions are informative indicators of environmental heterogeneity in modified landscapes. Weed communities include both rare species, which are often of conservation interest and pose little threat to crops, and abundant species, which can be problematic. Our analysis suggests that creating environmental heterogeneity by varying management treatments across the landscape can be an effective way of promoting biodiversity and decreasing the abundance of problematic species.
Standing genetic variation in FRIGIDA mediates experimental evolution of flowering time in Arabidopsis
Authors: SCARCELLI NORA , KOVER PAULA X. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe role of standing genetic variation in adaptive evolution remains unclear. Although there has been much progress in identifying candidate genes that underlie adaptive traits, we still lack direct evidence that natural allelic variation in these genes can actually mediate adaptive evolution. In this study, we investigate the role of natural allelic variation in two candidate flowering time genes, in response to selection for early flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana: FRIGIDA (FRI) and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC). We performed artificial selection for early flowering under ‘spring‐’ and ‘winter‐annual’ growth conditions using an outbred population of A. thaliana produced by intermating 19 natural accessions. FRI and FLC are involved in A. thaliana's response to winter conditions, and nonfunctional and weak alleles at these loci are know to reduce flowering time, particularly under spring‐annual conditions. Our results provide direct evidence that natural allelic variation in FRI can provide rapid and predictable adaptive evolution in flowering time under spring‐annual conditions. We observed a strong response to selection, in terms of reducing flowering time, in both growth conditions (~2 standard deviation reduction). Concomitantly, the frequency of functional FRI alleles under spring‐annual conditions was reduced by 68%, in agreement with predicted changes. No significant changes in allele frequencies were observed in FRI in the winter‐annual growth condition or in FLC for either growth conditions. These results indicate that changes in flowering time are mediated by different genetic factors under spring‐ and winter‐annual growth conditions, and that other loci must also be contributing to the response to selection.
The host transcriptome remains unaltered during the establishment of coral–algal symbioses
Authors: VOOLSTRA CHRISTIAN R. , SCHWARZ JODI A. , SCHNETZER JULIA , SUNAGAWA SHINICHI , DESALVO MICHAEL K. , SZMANT ALINA M. , COFFROTH MARY ALICE , MEDINA MÓNICA 
Published: March 2009

AbstractCoral reefs are based on the symbiotic relationship between corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium. We followed gene expression of coral larvae of Acropora palmata and Montastraea faveolata after exposure to Symbiodinium strains that differed in their ability to establish symbioses. We show that the coral host transcriptome remains almost unchanged during infection by competent symbionts, but is massively altered by symbionts that fail to establish symbioses. Our data suggest that successful coral–algal symbioses depend mainly on the symbionts' ability to enter the host in a stealth manner rather than a more active response from the coral host.
Antibiotics and paediatric acute respiratory infections in rural Vietnam: health‐care providers’ knowledge, practical competence and reported practice
Authors: Hoa Nguyen Quynh , Larson Mattias , Chuc Nguyen Thi Kim , Eriksson Bo , Trung Nguyen Vu , Stålsby Cecilia Lundborg 
Published: March 2009

SummaryObjective  To assess knowledge, practical competence and reported practices among health‐care providers about antibiotics to treat acute respiratory infections in children under five in rural Vietnam.Method  Health‐care providers prescribing or dispensing western drugs for children self‐completed a structured questionnaire. Recommendations concerning antibiotic use from WHO and national guidelines were used to assess the appropriateness of reported treatment of acute respiratory infections.Results  Ninety‐six per cent of 409 eligible health care providers participated. Only 27% demonstrated correct knowledge regarding the consequences of resistance. Seventy‐nine per cent would use antibiotics for common colds with fever, and 21% in cases with no fever. Nineteen per cent had overall knowledge compliant with recommended guidelines. Stated antibiotic use in written scenarios for common colds (81%) was not significantly different from that for non‐referral cases of pneumonia (87%). The proportion of antibiotic use in the common cold scenario was significantly lower among health‐care providers who had the correct overall knowledge. According to reported symptoms from the most recent encounter with a sick child, the diseases seen were 62% mild acute respiratory infections, 19% severe, and 19% non‐respiratory infections. Among those, antibiotics, most commonly beta‐lactams, were used in 90%, 87% and 78% of cases, respectively.Conclusions  Antibiotics are often prescribed or dispensed to treat common colds. Interventions to change prescribing and dispensing practices should be developed and implemented in collaboration with local and national paediatricians. Continuous training of health‐care providers, particularly drug sellers, is important.
Open label randomized comparison of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine and artesunate–amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in central Vietnam
Authors: Thanh Nguyen Xuan , Trung Trieu Nguyen , Phong Nguyen Chinh , Thien Nguyen Xuan , Dai Bui , Dennis Shanks G. , Chavchich Marina , Edstein Michael D. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryObjective  Artesunate–amodiaquine (AAQ) is efficacious for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Africa, but little is known about its efficacy in Southeast Asia. We compared the efficacy of dihydroartemisinin–piperaquine (DHP) and AAQ against falciparum malaria in central Vietnam.Methods  Open, randomized clinical trial of 116 patients (36 children aged 6–14 years, 80 adults aged 15–60 years) were randomly allocated a 3‐day course of either DHP (∼2.3 mg/kg dihydroartemisinin plus ∼18.5 mg/kg of piperaquine per day) or AAQ (∼4.4 mg/kg of artesunate plus ∼10.6 mg/kg of amodiaquine per day). The follow‐up period was 42 days.Results  The two drug combinations were well tolerated by all age groups with no obvious drug associated adverse events. Of the patients who completed 42 days of follow‐up, 49 were on DHP (15 children, 34 adults) and 49 were on AAQ (14 children, 35 adults). The 42 day cure rates adjusted for reinfection identified by PCR genotyping for the two groups were similar [100% (49/49) and 98% (48/49) for DHP and AAQ, respectively]. With fewer reinfections, DHP appears to possess greater post‐treatment prophylactic activity than AAQ.Conclusion  AAQ, an inexpensive artemisinin‐based combination, could be an additional option to DHP for the treatment of multidrug‐resistant falciparum malaria in Vietnam.
Chromoblastomycosis: combined treatment with pulsed itraconazole therapy and liquid nitrogen cryotherapy
Authors: Ranawaka Ranthilaka R. , Amarasinghe Nishan , Hewage Dantha 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Three patients with histology‐ and culture‐proven chromoblastomycosis reported to the Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka, in 2005. All three were men (age range, 48–53 years). The duration of symptoms varied from 1 to 8 years and the lesions were on the lower limbs.Methods  The patients were treated simultaneously with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and itraconazole pulses, i.e. 200 mg twice daily for 7 days per month, 1 week on and 3 weeks off. Cryotherapy was given every fortnight using large cotton swabs attached to ekels or the cryogun.Results  Two patients showed a good clinical response within 4 months, with negative histopathology and culture in 4–6 months. The third patient was very resistant to treatment and needed a step‐up of the itraconazole dose.Conclusion  A combination of fortnightly liquid nitrogen cryotherapy and pulsed monthly itraconazole is cost‐effective and shortens the duration of therapy compared with the use of itraconazole or cryotherapy alone.
Phakomatosis cesioflammea with late‐onset glaucoma and acquired nevus spilus‐like lesion – 15 years of follow‐up
Authors: Chiu Hsiu‐Hui , Chen Gwo‐Shing , Wu Chieh‐Shan , Ke Chiao‐li Khale , Cheng Shih‐Tsung 
Published: March 2009

AbstractPhakomatosis pigmentovascularis is a very rare disease characterized by coexistence of a capillary malformation with various melanocytic lesions, including dermal melanocytosis (Mongolian spots), nevus spilus, and nevus of Ota. As of now about 200 cases have been reported, most are of Japanese origin and about half of reported cases are associated with various systemic involvement. We present a 15‐year‐old Taiwanese male with phakomatosis cesioflammea who developed, during adolescence, a nevus spilus‐like lesion and late‐onset open angle glaucoma, suggesting that long‐term ophthalmic follow‐up is necessary in this type of patient.
Skin cancer mortality in Germany before and after the post‐communist transition
Authors: Stang Andreas , Lampert Thomas , Uhlemann Thomas , Trocchi Pietro 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground and Objectives  Until now mortality trends of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in Germany have been studied only in West Germany. We were interested in comparing mortality trends of melanoma and NMSC in West and East Germany before and after the post‐communist transition. By analyses of health care utilization data in West and East Germany, we explored potential reasons for mortality differences between these regions.Methods  We analyzed mortality data of skin melanoma and NMSC of West and East Germany (1980–2005). We calculated sex‐specific age‐standardized mortality rates using the World Standard Population. We calculated age‐specific mortality rates (20–39, 40–59, 60–79, 80+ years).Results  Age‐standardized skin melanoma mortality rates tended to be lower in East Germany than West Germany before reunification. After reunification rates became very similar. Age‐standardized mortality rates of NMSC were continuously higher in East than West Germany. The mortality rate differences among East and West Germans in 1996–2005 are mainly due to 2.34‐ and 2.24‐fold higher mortality rates among men and women aged 80 years, respectively, who live in East Germany.Conclusions  Even 15 years after reunification, mortality of NMSC is still higher in East than West Germany, although incidence rates of squamous cell cancers of the skin are not higher in East Germany. Differences in the participation in early cancer detection and health care utilization in West and East Germany do not sufficiently explain our findings.
Severity of disease, rather than xerosis, correlates with pruritus in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Hachisuka Junichi , Takeuchi Satoshi , Kido Makiko , Fukiwake Noriko , Furue Masutaka 
Published: March 2009

AbstractBackground  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing skin disease characterized by xerosis and pruritus. As pruritus is an unpleasant sensation and the associated scratching aggravates the skin eruption considerably, it is important to control this symptom when treating AD. Dry skin is generally considered to be a potential cause of pruritus in xerotic skin diseases, but a clear correlation between pruritus and atopic xerosis has not been demonstrated.Aim  To examine the contribution of atopic xerosis to the development of pruritus in AD.Methods  Twenty‐two patients with AD (12 males and 10 females; mean age, 27.5 years) were examined. Xerosis and the severity of disease were evaluated using the Objective Severity Assessment of Atopic Dermatitis (OSAAD) and the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, respectively. A modified SCORAD index was calculated by removing the symptoms potentially associated with pruritus (intensity of itching and insomnia) from the standard SCORAD index. Pruritus was evaluated using both a visual analog scale and the Verbal Itch Score.Results  The severity of AD (modified SCORAD index) correlated better than atopic xerosis (OSAAD score) with both pruritus scores, possibly indicating that the use of appropriate anti‐inflammatory agents may be helpful in controlling pruritus as well as skin eruption in AD.Conclusion  Our data suggest that the severity of disease (or skin inflammation) provides a greater contribution than xerosis to the development of pruritus in AD.