bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Indication for a role of regulatory T cells for the advent of influenza A (H1N1)-related pneumonia
Authors: Raftogiannis M , Antonopoulou A , Baziaka F , Spyridaki A , Koutoukas P , Tsaganos T , Savva A , Pistiki A , Georgitsi M , Giamarellos-Bourboulis E J 
Published: July 2010

Summary
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have an anti-inflammatory role. A former study in a limited number of patients found that absolute counts of Tregs increase when infection by the new influenza H1N1 virus is complicated with pneumonia. These results generate the question if H1N1-related pneumonia is associated with a state of hypo-inflammation. A total of 135 patients were enrolled with blood sampling within less than 24 h from diagnosis; 23 with flu-like syndrome; 69 with uncomplicated H1N1-infection; seven with bacterial pneumonia; and 36 with H1N1-related pneumonia. Tregs and CD14/HLA-DR co-expression were estimated by flow cytometry; concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), of interleukin (IL)-6 and of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) by an enzyme immunoassay; those of procalcitonin (PCT) by immuno-time-resolved amplified cryptate technology assay. Expression of human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) on monocytes was similar between groups; absolute Treg counts were greater among patients with H1N1-related pneumonia than flu-like syndrome or H1N1-uncomplicated infection. Serum TNF-α of patients with bacterial pneumonia was greater than those of other groups, but IL-10 was similar between groups. Serum PCT was greater among patients with H1N1-related pneumonia and sTREM-1 among those with H1N1-related pneumonia. Regression analysis revealed that the most important factors related with the advent of pneumonia were the existence of underlying illnesses (P = 0·006) and of Tregs equal to or above 16 mm3 (P = 0·013). It is concluded that the advent of H1N1-related pneumonia is related to an early increase of the absolute Treg counts. This increase is probably not part of a hypo-inflammatory state of the host.
Tracing thymic output in older individuals
Authors: Mitchell W A , Lang P O , Aspinall R 
Published: July 2010

SummaryAs a result of age-associated thymic atrophy, T cell production declines with age. Some studies suggest that production undergoes an exponential decline starting at birth, while others consider the decline to be in a biphasic manner with a rapid reduction in output occurring before middle age followed by a phase in which output declines at a regular, albeit much slower, rate. Both approaches provide estimations of the time of termination of thymic output, but on the basis of limited amounts of data. We have analysed blood from more than 200 individuals between the ages of 58 and 104 years to determine changes in thymic output using signal-joint T cell receptor excision circles (sjTREC)/T cells as our measure. To reduce any potential geographical or nutritional bias we have obtained samples from five different European countries. Our results reveal that while the absolute number of T cells per microlitre of blood does not change significantly across the age range we tested, the values of sjTREC per microlitre show wide variation and reveal an age-associated decline in thymic output. In addition we show gender differences, with notably higher thymic output in females than males at each decade. More importantly, we noted a significant decline in sjTREC/T cell levels in those more than 90 years of age in both males and females. Our results provide information about the potential end-point for thymic output and suggest that sjTREC analysis may be a biomarker of effective ageing.
Autoimmune response and target autoantigens in Sjogren’s syndrome
Authors: Routsias John G. , Tzioufas Athanasios G. 
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (11): 1026–1036AbstractBackground  Primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies targeting mainly the Ro/La ribonucleoprotein complex. It is now appreciated that the production of autoantibodies is an antigen‐driven immune response.Design  In this review, candidate mechanisms for autoantigen presentation and perpetuation of the autoimmune response within the autoimmune tissue lesion of pSS are discussed.Results  Several studies have shown that the epithelial cell in labial salivary glands of patients with Sjogren’s syndrome is activated, bearing characteristics of an antigen‐presenting cell, as suggested by inappropriate expression of class II HLA and co‐stimulatory molecules. Other studies have confirmed that in salivary glands, there is an increased autoantigen presentation via apoptotic blebs and bodies, exosomes and heat shock protein‐mediated cross‐priming. There is also an increased expression of interferon (IFN)‐induced genes, such as the autoantigen Ro52, which provide negative feedback regulation in inflammation. Ro60 and La autoantigens also appear to play a major role in the local autoimmune response in Sjogren’s syndrome. In this regard, La and Ro60 the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is upregulated in the affected salivary glands with different isoforms of La autoantigen mRNA to be expressed in patients with pSS. At the protein level, La/SSB in pSS salivary glands is found to be post‐translationally modified.Conclusions  Autoantigen alterations in a microenvironment of local inflammation with increased in situ apoptosis, Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signalling and antigen presentation may drive the autoimmune response and local autoantibody production in pSS.
C‐reactive protein evolution in obstructive sleep apnoea patients under CPAP therapy
Authors: Schiza Sophia E. , Mermigkis Charalampos , Panagiotis Panagou , Bouloukaki Izolde , Kallergis Eleftherios , Tzanakis Nikolaos , Tzortzaki Eleni , Vlachaki Eleni , Siafakas Nikolaos M. 
Published: July 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (11): 968–975AbstractBackground  C‐reactive protein (CRP) is recognized as a potential factor implicated in atherogenesis and associated cardiovascular morbidity. The aim of our study was to assess the CRP evolution during 1‐year follow‐up period in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients under CPAP treatment.Methods  Five hundred and twenty‐eight patients with newly diagnosed moderate to severe OSA were included. CRP was assessed before CPAP initiation and at the 3rd, 6th and 12th month of the follow‐up period. Patients were divided into good and poor CPAP compliance groups.Results  A significant reduction in CRP levels was observed after CPAP therapy (0·74 ± 0·62 mg dL−1 vs. 0·31 ± 0·29 mg dL−1, P < 0·001) in the whole patient group. The evolution of CRP values showed a gradual decrease at 3 months with a steep decline at 6 months, reaching a plateau after this time point. When the patients were divided into those with good and poor compliance with CPAP therapy, the above CRP evolution pattern was observed only in the former group.Conclusion  Good CPAP compliance results in a significant CRP reduction. To achieve the best positive impact on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, a time period of at least 6 months of CPAP use is required.
Multiscale topoedaphic heterogeneity increases resilience and resistance of a dominant grassland species to extreme drought and climate change
Authors: GODFREE ROBERT , LEPSCHI BRENDAN , RESIDE APRIL , BOLGER TERRY , ROBERTSON BRUCE , MARSHALL DAVID , CARNEGIE MALCOLM 
Published: July 2010

AbstractIt is argued that the inclusion of spatially heterogeneous environments in biodiversity reserves will be an effective means of encouraging ecosystem resilience and plant community conservation under climate change. However, the resilience and resistance of plant populations to global change, the specific life‐history traits involved and the spatial scale at which environmentally driven demographic variation is expressed remains largely unknown for most plant groups. Here we address these questions by reporting an empirical investigation into the impacts of an unprecedented 3‐year drought on the demography, population growth rates (λ) and biogeographical distribution of core populations of the perennial grassland species Austrostipa aristiglumis in semiarid Australia. We use life‐history analysis and periodic matrix population models to specifically test the hypothesis that patch‐ and habitat‐scale variation in vital life‐history parameters result in spatial differences in the resilience and resistance of A. aristiglumis populations to extreme drought. We show that the development of critical soil water deficits during drought resulted in collapse of adult A. aristiglumis populations (λ≪1), rapid interhabitat phytosociological change and overall contraction towards mesic refugia where populations were both more resistant and resilient to perturbation. Population models, combined with climatic niche analysis, suggest that, even in core areas, a significant reduction in size and habitat range of A. aristiglumis populations is likely under climate change expected this century. Remarkably, however, we show that even minor topographic variation (0.2–3 m) can generate significant variation in demographic parameters that confer population‐level resilience and resistance to drought. Our findings support the hypothesis that extreme climatic events have the capacity to induce rapid, landscape‐level shifts in core plant populations, but that the protection of topographically heterogeneous environments, even at small spatial scales, may play a key role in conserving biodiversity under climate change in the coming century.
Ecological and environmental footprint of 50 years of agricultural expansion in Argentina
Authors: VIGLIZZO ERNESTO F. , FRANK FEDERICO C. , CARREÑO LORENA V. , JOBBÁGY ESTEBAN G. , PEREYRA HERNÁN , CLATT JONATHAN , PINCÉN DANIEL , RICARD M. FLORENCIA 
Published: July 2010

AbstractAgriculture expanded during the last 50 years from the Pampas to NW Argentina at the expense of natural forests and rangelands. In parallel, productivity was boosted through the increasing application of external inputs, modern technology and management practices. This study evaluated the impact of agricultural expansion between 1960 and 2005 by assessing the implications of land use, technology and management changes on (i) carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) stocks in soil and biomass, (ii) energy, C, N, P and water fluxes and (iii) water pollution, soil erosion, habitat intervention and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (impacts). Based on different data sources, these issues were assessed over∼1.5 million km2(63% of Argentina), involving 399 political districts during three representative periods: 1956–1960, 1986–1990 and 2001–2005. The ecological and environmental performance of 1197 farming system types was evaluated through theAgroEcoIndexmodel, which quantified the stocks, fluxes and impacts mentioned above. Cultivation of natural ecosystems and farming intensification caused a noticeable increase of productivity, a strengthening of energy flux, an opening of matter cycles (C, N, P) and a negative impact on habitats and GHGs emission. However, due to the improved tillage practices and the application of less aggressive pesticides, erosion and pollution risk are today lower than those of the mid‐20th century. The consistency of some assumptions and results were checked through uncertainty analysis. Comparing our results with international figures, some impacts (e.g. soil erosion, nutrient balance, energy use) were less significant than those recorded in intensive‐farming countries like China, Japan, New Zealand, USA, or those of Western Europe, showing that farmers in Argentina developed the capacity to produce under relatively low‐input/low‐impact schemes during the last decades. [Correction added after online publication 4 October 2010: In the first sentence of the Abstract, NE was corrected to NW.]
Effect of plant spacing and nitrogen fertilizer levels on the growth, dry‐matter yield and nutritive quality of Columbus grass (Sorghum almum stapf) in southwest Nigeria
Authors: Olanite J. A. , Anele U. Y. , Arigbede O. M. , Jolaosho A. O. , Onifade O. S. 
Published: July 2010

AbstractA field experiment was conducted in 2006 and 2007 to determine the agronomic performance and nutritive value of Sorghum almum for introduction in the derived savannah area of Nigeria. The experiment was arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial design with 2 plant spacings (0·5 × 0·5 m and 1·0 × 1·0 m) and 4 nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha−1). Plant height, tiller number, leaf proportion, biomass yield and nutritive value of the herbage were evaluated as part of the search for alternatives (especially drought tolerant) to local forages for dry season feeding of ruminants. Herbage yield data were tested for linear, quadratic and cubic trends to identify the optimal fertilizer levels for both spacings. Spacing × N interactions (P < 0·05) were observed for plant height and tiller number in both years. Agronomic performance was marginally better in 2007 compared with 2006. The maximum dry‐matter (DM) yield of 3500 and 3740 kg ha−1 for the more dense row spacing (0·5 × 0·5 m) was achieved at N fertilizer levels of 144 and 149 kg N ha−1 for 2006 and 2007 respectively. For the less dense (1·0 × 1·0 m) row spacing, the maximum DM yield of 3020 and 3240 kg ha−1 was achieved at 51 and 97 kg N ha−1 for 2006 and 2007 respectively. The crude protein content of the grass ranged from 61 to 89 g kg−1 DM, while the neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content ranged from 700 to 734 g kg−1 DM. The ability of S. almum to persist into the second year in this region is seen as a promising index as persistence is one of the characteristics of a good forage plant. Considering the exorbitant price of N fertilizer, less dense row spacing with N fertilizer rate in the range of 50–100 kg N ha−1 is hereby recommended for this region.
Apexogenesis of a symptomatic molar with calcium enriched mixture
Authors: Nosrat A. , Asgary S. 
Published: July 2010

Nosrat A, Asgary S. Apexogenesis of a symptomatic molar with calcium enriched mixture. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 940–944, 2010.AbstractAim  This article describes the apexogenesis of a mandibular right second molar in a 12‐year‐old girl who was referred with a history of lingering pain and pain on chewing.Summary  Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed extensive coronal caries and immature roots. Treatment was performed under rubber dam isolation and included caries removal followed by pulp exposure and access cavity preparation. Pulpotomy was completed, and the remaining radicular pulp was capped with calcium enriched mixture (CEM) cement (BioniqueDent, Tehran, Iran). Clinical and radiographic examinations at 3, 6, and 12 months revealed the tooth was functional with no clinical signs or symptoms of pulpal disease. The final examination confirmed complete root development as well as formation of a calcified bridge beneath the CEM cement.Key learning point

Pulpotomy with a CEM cement allowed root development to continue.
Changes in pollinator fauna cause spatial variation in pollen limitation
Authors: Gómez José M. , Abdelaziz Mohamed , Lorite Juan , Jesús Muñoz‐Pajares A. , Perfectti Francisco 
Published: July 2010

Summary1. Pollen limitation may be a consequence of changes in pollinator abundance, diversity and identity. However, no empirical evidence exists concerning the consequences that the spatial variation in pollinator fauna has on pollen limitation intensity and plant reproduction. In this study, we test the effect that changes in flower‐visitor abundance, diversity and identity exert on the occurrence and strength of pollen limitation by experimentally quantifying pollen limitation in eight populations ofErysimum mediohispanicum, a pollination‐generalist plant native to the Iberian Peninsula.2. Pollen limitation was accounted for by using a comprehensive estimator, the net reproductive rate (R0). Nevertheless, we also determined which components of plant reproduction, from ovule fertilization to seedling survival, were more intensely pollen‐limited. Finally, we explored whether the spatial variation in pollen limitation intensity was related to among‐population changes in flower‐visitor abundance, diversity and identity.3. The whole reproductive cycle ofE. mediohispanicumwas pollen‐limited, although pollen limitation occurred more strongly during the ovule fertilization and seed‐production phases than during fruit ripening or seedling emergence and establishment.4. There was a significant among‐population difference in pollen limitation intensity. Pollen limitation strength was associated with variations in flower‐visitor diversity, and identity. Populations with lower flower‐visitor diversity and with many low‐efficiency pollinators (i.e. beetles) showed stronger pollen limitation.5. Synthesis. Our study shows that the intensity of pollen limitation at the population level may depend on several characteristics of the assemblage of flower‐visiting insects, such as their abundance, diversity and identity. Our results suggest that any impoverishment of pollinator diversity or any alteration in the specific composition of the pollinator assemblage may exacerbate pollen limitation.
Intraspecific aggregation does not increase species richness in dune grasslands
Authors: Damgaard Christian 
Published: July 2010

Summary 1. One of the possible mechanisms to maintain a high number of species in a plant community is that intraspecific aggregation due to limited dispersal reduces the importance of interspecific competition. 2. The hypothesis has been examined both theoretically and experimentally in the simplifying case of two species in a uniform abiotic environment, and there is a solid qualitative understanding that intraspecific aggregation reduces the importance of interspecific competition; however, there is considerable uncertainty as to the magnitude of this reduction in plant communities with many species in a heterogeneous environment and its effect on the number of coexisting species. 3. Here, the hypothesis was tested by comparing observed species richness at a site with a compound estimate of the intraspecific aggregation of all the species observed at the site, while taking the expected confounding effects of environmental spatial heterogeneity into account. 4. It is difficult to draw firm conclusions from the non‐significant statistical results found in this study, as a lack of significance does not necessarily rule out the presence of an effect. However, based on the observation that species richness was not correlated with the degree of intraspecific aggregation, it was concluded that there was no additional support for the hypothesis that reduced interspecific competition due to intraspecific aggregation is important for maintaining the relatively species‐rich flora in North‐European dune grassland. 5. Synthesis. It is important to test whether it is possible to generalize the expected effects of intraspecific aggregation from manipulated experiments using only a few plant species to natural plant communities with many species, and the approach taken in this paper is a practically manageable approach.
Evaluation of therapeutic control in a Pakistani population with hypertension
Authors: Saleheen Danish , Hashmi Saman K. , Zaidi Moazzam , Rasheed Asif , Murtaza Muhammed , Abbas Adil , Nasim Sana , Hameed Mustafa Qadir , Shuja Fahad , Sethi Muhammad Jawad , Hussain Imad , Shahid Kamran , Khalid Hamza , Ahmad Usman , Frossard Philippe M. , Ishaq Muhammad 
Published: July 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are increasing at an alarming rate in South Asia. High blood pressure is a modifiable risk factor for CVD. In this study, we evaluated the control of blood pressure and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with hypertension.Method  A cross‐sectional study was conducted in 50 primary health care centres throughout Pakistan. Individuals with a documented history of hypertension, receiving pharmacological therapy, were enrolled and evaluated for the control of their blood pressure.Results  The recommended therapeutic control of hypertension (systolic blood pressure <140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure <90 mmHg) was seen in only 6.4% of the study participants. Values of both the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all subjects were higher than the desired therapeutic levels (P < 0.001). There was a high prevalence in the study population of established but modifiable risk factors of CVD, such as smoking (30.5%), hypercholesterolemia (59.5%) and sedentary lifestyle (43.5%). Lack of therapeutic control of systolic blood pressure was found significantly associated with age, hypercholesterolemia and sedentary lifestyle (P < 0.05).Conclusions  Patients being treated at primary health care centres in Pakistan have inadequate control of high blood pressure. Evidence‐based continuous education of primary health care physicians is a necessary intervention for optimizing treatment strategies and achieving better therapeutic control of hypertension in our population.
Complexity and the health care professions
Authors: Doll Jr William E. , Trueit Donna 
Published: July 2010

AbstractThe concept of complexity is a popular and contentious topic. Just what is complexity? What does it mean to ‘think complexly’? This paper addresses both of these issues. Complexity thinking is impossible to define with any precision as it deals not only with change, dynamic change, evergoing, but with transformative change. Definitions require stability, the very element complexity neither has nor aspires to have. Instead complexity asks us to see, to deal with a world in continual flux; but a world that does have patterns to it, patterns that bind and structure through their interplay. In short, complexity seeing/thinking asks us to envision our world and events within that world in terms, not of ‘things’ but of process. In so doing, we are moving from a science that studies particles to the new sciences of chaos and complexity that study the interactive relations between and among particles, events, happenings. After distinguishing the similarities and contrasts between chaos and complexity, and showing the characteristics of each, along with looking at systems closed and open, frames modern and post‐modern, this paper enumerates practical aspects of thinking complexly: accepting ambiguity, allowing humility to permeate one's being, and seeking out and utilizing difference and diversity. The health care profession by its very nature of dealing with that which is dynamically living deals with the complex daily. Its routines and rules, though, are too often caught in a modernist trap. This paper challenges all health care professionals to break free from that trap, and suggests ways to do so.