bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Home air‐conditioning, traffic exposure, and asthma and allergic symptoms among preschool children
Authors: Zuraimi Mohamed Sultan , Tham Kwok‐Wai , Chew Fook‐Tim , Ooi Peng‐Lim , Koh David 
Published: June 2010

To cite this article: Zuraimi MS, Tham K‐W, Chew F‐T, Ooi P‐L, Koh D. Home airconditioning, traffic exposure, and asthma and allergic symptoms among preschool children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: e112–e118.AbstractEpidemiological data suggest that traffic exposures can influence asthma and allergic symptoms among preschool children; however, there is no information on risk reduction via home air‐conditioning (AC). The aim of this study is to evaluate the associations of self‐reported traffic densities with asthma and allergic symptoms among preschool children and determine whether AC is an effect modifier. A cross‐sectional study adopting an expanded and modified ISAAC – International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood conducted on randomly selected 2994 children living in homes without any indoor risk factors. Specific information on demographics, indoor home risk factors, and traffic variables were obtained. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined by Cox proportional hazard regression model with assumption of a constant risk period controlled for covariates. We found dose–response significant relationships between validated self‐reported traffic densities and asthma and rhinitis symptoms. Among children sleeping in non‐air‐conditioned homes, there were stronger associations between asthma and rhinitis symptoms studied. PRs for heavy traffic density were 2.06 for wheeze (95% CI 0.97–4.38), 2.89 for asthma (1.14–7.32), 1.73 for rhinitis (1.00–2.99), and 3.39 for rhinoconjunctivitis (1.24–9.27). There were no associations found for children sleeping in air‐conditioned homes. Our results suggest that AC in the bedroom modifies the health effects of traffic among preschool children. This finding suggests that attention should also be paid to ventilation characteristics of the homes to remediate health‐related traffic pollution problems.
Mitigation of the allergenic activity of beta‐lactoglobulin by electrolysis
Authors: Matsumoto Tomoaki 
Published: June 2010

To cite this article: Matsumoto T. Mitigation of the allergenic activity of beta‐lactoglobulin by electrolysis. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011; 22: 235–242.AbstractBeta‐lactoglobulin (BLG) is the most prominent allergen causing milk allergy and contains disulfide (S‐S) bonds that may be responsible for its allergic action. As S‐S bonds may be reduced during electrolysis, this study was undertaken to evaluate modulation of the allergic action of BLG after electrolysis. A current of 85 mA/cm2 was applied, and the allergic action was evaluated by means of competitive CAP‐FEIA inhibition tests and skin prick tests (SPT). Modification of BLG was examined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐ToF‐MS). Although the number of total free sulfhydryl (SH) groups of BLG did not differ between the cathode and anode sides, BLG on the cathode side showed 54% lower inhibition than untreated BLG in the competitive CAP‐FEIA inhibition tests, and reduced wheal reactions, by 71%, in the SPT compared with those with untreated BLG. The SPT results with BLG on the anode side did not differ significantly from those with untreated BLG. The MALDI‐ToF‐MS results for the dimer of untreated BLG or BLG on the anode side showed two distinct peptide fragments (residues 41V‐60K and 149L‐162I) but, on the contrary, the dimer of BLG on the cathode side did not give these fragments, this being similar to in the case of the monomer of BLG. The allergic action of BLG was markedly mitigated during electrolysis on the cathode side, a dimer of BLG with a different mass spectrometric pattern from that of the dimer of untreated BLG being simultaneously formed.
Cuffed endotracheal tubes in children reduce sevoflurane and medical gas consumption and related costs
Authors: ESCHERTZHUBER S. , SALGO B. , SCHMITZ A. , ROTH W. , FROTZLER A. , KELLER C. H. , GERBER A. C. , WEISS M. 
Published: June 2010

Background: This study aims to evaluate sevoflurane and anaesthetic gas consumption using uncuffed vs. cuffed endotracheal tubes (ETT) in paediatric surgical patients.Methods: Uncuffed or cuffed ETT were used in paediatric patients (newborn to 5 years) undergoing elective surgery in a randomized order. Duration of assessment, lowest possible fresh gas flow (minimal allowed FGF: 0.5 l/min) and sevoflurane concentrations used were recorded. Consumption and costs for sevoflurane and medical gases were calculated.Results: Seventy children (35 uncuffed ETT/35 cuffed ETT), aged 1.73 (0.01–4.80) years, were enrolled. No significant differences in patient characteristics, study period and sevoflurane concentrations used were found between the two groups. Lowest possible FGF was significantly lower in the cuffed ETT group [1.0 (0.5–1.0) l/min] than in the uncuffed ETT group [2.0 (0.5–4.3) l/min], P<0.001. Sevoflurane consumption per patient was 16.1 (6.4–82.8) ml in the uncuffed ETT group and 6.2 (1.1–14.9) ml in the cuffed ETT group, P=0.003. Medical gas consumption was 129 (53–552) l in the uncuffed ETT group vs. 46 (9–149) l in the cuffed ETT group, P<0.001. The total costs for sevoflurane and medical gases were 13.4 (6.0–67.3)€/patient in the uncuffed ETT group and 5.2 (1.0–12.5)€/patient in the cuffed ETT group, P<0.001.Conclusions: The use of cuffed ETT in children significantly reduced the costs of sevoflurane and medical gas consumption during anaesthesia. Increased costs for cuffed compared with uncuffed ETT were completely compensated by a reduction in sevoflurane and medical gas consumption.
Root Growth Inhibition and Lignification Induced by Salt Stress in Soybean
Authors: Neves G. Y. S. , Marchiosi R. , Ferrarese M. L. L. , Siqueira‐Soares R. C. , Ferrarese‐Filho O. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractSalt stress was evaluated on root growth, enzyme activities (phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase or PAL and soluble plus cell wall‐bound peroxidase or POD), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, total phenolic content and lignin content and composition in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) roots. Three‐day‐old seedlings were cultivated in half‐strength Hoagland’s solution (pH 6.0), with or without addition of 50–200 mm of NaCl, into a growth chamber (25 °C, 12/12 h light/dark photoperiod, irradiance of 280 μmol m−2 s−1) for 24 h. In general, root length and fresh and dry weights decreased after NaCl treatment. PAL activity decreased, soluble and cell wall‐bound POD activities increased, and H2O2 content significantly decreased after NaCl exposure. Consequently, total phenolic and lignin contents and p‐hydroxyphenyl (H) and syringyl (S) monomers of lignin increased in NaCl‐treated roots. Altogether, these results suggest that the effects caused by NaCl may be owing to the enhanced lignin production that solidifies the cell wall and restricts root growth.
Initial evaluation of the forward‐viewing echoendoscope prototype for performing fine‐needle aspiration, Tru‐cut biopsy, and celiac plexus neurolysis
Authors: Eloubeidi Mohamad A 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims:  A forward‐viewing echoendoscope (FV‐CLA) has been recently developed for performing interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The role of FV‐CLA in performing standard EUS‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA), Tru‐cut biopsy (TCB), and celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) is unknown. Our aims were to evaluate the feasibility of the FV‐CLA for performing EUS‐guided FNA/TCB and CPN.Methods:  In this prospective study conducted over a 3‐month period, 30 patients were evaluated with the FV‐CLA. Procedures performed were FNA in 28 lesions, TCB in one, and CPN in five patients.Results:  EUS‐guided FNA was undertaken at the following sites: mediastinum (n = 3), liver (n = 2), retroperitoneal mass (n = 2), pancreas head/uncinate (n = 9), pancreas body (n = 6), pancreas tail (n = 4), and perigastric lymph node (n = 2). The median size of the lesions was 37 × 34 mm. A median of two passes was performed (range: 1–7). Final cytopathology diagnosed malignancies in 21 patients, with adenocarcinoma suspected for one.TCB of a mediastinal lymph node revealed lymphoma. FNA was benign in six patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for a malignancy diagnosis was 96% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87–96%), 100% (95% CI, 70–100%), 100% (92–100), and 86% (60–86%), respectively. CPN was successful in all five patients. It was easier to deploy the needle from the echoendoscope at all locations, including the duodenum, and irrespective of the site of the lesion.Conclusions:  The initial evaluation and safety profile of the FV‐CLA echoendoscope for performing standard FNA/TCB and CPN appear to be favorable. The narrow image does not preclude basic therapeutic maneuvers. A major advantage appears to be easy needle deployment at any site within reach of the echoendoscope.
Clinical clues to suspicion of IgG4‐associated sclerosing cholangitis disguised as primary sclerosing cholangitis or hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Oh Hyoung‐Chul , Kim Myung‐Hwan , Lee Kyu Taek , Lee Jong Kyun , Moon Sung‐Hoon , Song Tae Jun , Eum Junbum , Park Do Hyun , Lee Sang Soo , Seo Dong‐Wan , Lee Sung Koo 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  This study aimed to determine the clinical characteristics of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)‐associated sclerosing cholangitis (ISC) and provide clinical clues differentiating ISC from primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) or hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCC).Methods:  Sixteen patients with ISC manifesting as hilar/intrahepatic strictures were analyzed for clinical characteristics and compared with patients with PSC and hilar CCC as disease controls for histology and serum IgG4 levels.Results:  Distinguished biliary imaging findings of ISC included multifocal biliary tree involvement (n = 14), concentric bile duct thickening with preserved luminal patency (n = 13), and relatively mild proximal dilatation, despite prominent bile duct thickening (n = 11). Serum IgG4 levels were elevated in 12 patients (75%), but not in any of the 25 patients with hilar CCC. Ten patients (63%) had a past or concurrent history of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). The significant infiltration of IgG4‐positive cells was observed with endobiliary or liver biopsy in 11 of 16 patients (69%) with ISC, but not in any patients with PSC or hilar CCC. Extrabiliary organ involvement, including sialadenitis, inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver and kidney, and retroperitoneal fibrosis, was present in seven patients. Marked improvement of biliary strictures and/or extrabiliary involvement was observed in all ISC patients after steroid therapy.Conclusions:  ISC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hilar/intrahepatic biliary strictures. Past or concurrent AIP or extrabiliary organ involvement strongly suggests the possibility of ISC. Significant infiltration of IgG4‐positive cells on endobiliary or liver biopsy specimens, and/or elevated serum IgG4 levels, highly support the diagnosis of ISC and provide the rationale for steroid therapy.
Pathological bolus exposure plays a significant role in eliciting non‐cardiac chest pain
Authors: Kim Beom Jin , Choi Sung Chul , Kim Jae J , Rhee Jong Chul , Rhee Poong‐Lyul 
Published: June 2010

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Pathological bolus exposure is defined in the present study as cases in which all reflux percentage times are above 1.4% of the total reflux number, as revealed by impedance–pH monitoring. The role of pathological bolus exposure in the pathogenesis of non‐cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is poorly known. We aimed to classify and characterize NCCP using combined impedance–pH monitoring.Methods:  Seventy‐five consecutive patients with NCCP were prospectively enrolled from January 2006 to October 2008. All the patients underwent upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and 24‐h multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)–pH metering.Results:  Sixteen patients (21.3%) had esophageal erosion upon endoscopy. Upon esophageal manometry, 37 patients (49.3%) had esophageal dysmotility. When the patients were classified based on MII–pH metering, 16 (21.3%) showed pathological acid exposure, and 40 (53.3%) showed pathological bolus exposure. The DeMeester score of patients with pathological acid exposure was higher than that of patients with pathological bolus exposure (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in age, sex, typical esophageal symptoms, presence of esophageal erosion, esophageal dysmotility, improvement with proton pump inhibitor medication, symptom index ≥50%, percentage of time clearance pH below 4 ≥4%, and all reflux time ≥1.4% in the fasting period between the two groups. When the patients were divided into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)‐related NCCP and non‐GERD‐related NCCP groups based on MII–pH metering and upper endoscopy, there was no difference between the two groups.Conclusions:  Combined impedance–pH monitoring improves the detection and characterization of NCCP. This study suggests that pathological bolus exposure plays a major role in eliciting NCCP.
Anti‐platelets in diabetes management
Authors: Grantham N. M. , Magliano D. J. , Tai G. , Cohen N. , Shaw J. E. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti‐platelet use, and the extent to which contraindications to anti‐platelet therapy prevent its use, in 726 diabetic patients attending a private clinic. Among those who reported a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD), 87.1% were on anti‐platelet therapy. Of those without prior CVD but with at least one CVD risk factor, 59.8% were not on anti‐platelet therapy, but only 7.1% of these had a contraindication to anti‐platelet therapy. This study showed that high usage of anti‐platelet therapy in diabetic patients with prior CVD is achievable, and that contraindications did not explain low use in those without prior CVD.
Objective radiological disease control with Sandostatin monotherapy in metastatic neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Khasraw M. , Townsend A. , Price T. , Hart J. , Bell D. , Pavlakis N. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractConventional cytotoxic chemotherapy is not usually effective in neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Somatostatin analogues (SSA) such as octreotide (Sandostatin; octreotide LAR and lanreotide) are typically used to treat symptoms caused by NET, but not as the primary treatment aiming for an objective response. Recently, results from the PROMID (Placebo‐controlled prospective Randomized study on the antiproliferative efficacy of Octreotide LAR in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine MIDgut tumours) trial were published showing that octreotide LAR significantly lengthens the time to tumour progression compared with a placebo in patients with functionally active and inactive metastatic midgut NET. We report a retrospective descriptive analysis of six patients, treated at two Australian institutions, who obtained an objective radiological tumour response on long acting SSA. In this retrospective series of NET, radiological responses were observed using single agent SSA, which was administered mainly for symptom management. This could be due to an antiproliferative and/or antiangiogenic activity of this agent in NET. A response can occur beyond 12 months, which might explain why the response rate is under reported in NET trials. Further investigation in prospective trials is warranted and the possibility for late responses might have implications for trial design.
Comparative analysis between protist communities from the deep‐sea pelagic ecosystem and specific deep hydrothermal habitats
Authors: Sauvadet Anne‐Laure , Gobet Angélique , Guillou Laure 
Published: June 2010

SummaryProtist communities associated with deep seawater and bivalves from six hydrothermal sites in the Pacific Ocean were characterized by microscopy and molecular rRNA gene surveys (18S rRNA) and compared with planktonic communities from Pacific deep‐pelagic seawater (from 500 to 3000 m in depth). Genetic libraries from larger size fractions (> 3 µm) of deep‐pelagic water were mainly dominated by Dinophyceae, whereas small size fractions (< 3 µm) mainly revealed radiolarians and Syndiniales. In contrast, more specific opportunistic detritivores and grazers, mostly belonging to Stramenopiles and Cercozoa, were detected from water surrounding vent chimneys. Protist communities were different in the pallial cavity of the giant hydrothermal bivalves Bathymodiolus thermophilus and Calyptogena magnifica, dominated by Ciliophora (primarily belonging to Phyllopharyngea, Oligohymenophorea and Oligotrichea) and Cercozoa. Interestingly, protist communities retrieved from the pallial cavity liquid of hydrothermal bivalves were remarkably homogeneous along the Southern East Pacific Rise, in contrast to bivalves collected on the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents and cold seeps from the Gulf of Mexico. Hence, complex protist communities seem to occur inside hydrothermal bivalves, and these metazoa may constitute a stable micro‐niche for micro‐eukaryotes, including grazers, detritivores, symbionts and potential parasites. From these communities, new lineages within the ciliates may emerge.
Leucine‐to‐carbon empirical conversion factor experiments: does bacterial community structure have an influence?
Authors: Alonso‐Sáez Laura , Pinhassi Jarone , Pernthaler Jakob , Gasol Josep M. 
Published: June 2010

SummaryThe suitability of applying empirical conversion factors (eCFs) to determine bacterial biomass production remains unclear because seawater cultures are usually overtaken by phylotypes that are not abundant in situ. While eCFs vary across environments, it has not been tested whether differences in eCFs are driven by changes in bacterial community composition or by in situ environmental conditions. We carried out seawater cultures throughout a year to analyse the correlation between eCFs and bacterial community structure, analysed by catalysed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization. Gammaproteobacteria usually dominated seawater cultures, but their abundance exhibited a wide range (25–73% of cell counts) and significantly increased with inorganic nutrient enrichment. Flavobacteria were less abundant but increased up to 40% of cells counts in winter seawater cultures, when in situ chlorophyll a was high. The correlations between eCFs and the abundance of the main broad phylogenetic groups (Gamma‐, Alphaproteobacteria and Flavobacteria) were significant, albeit weak, while more specific groups (Alteromonadaceae and Rhodobacteraceae) were not significantly correlated. Our results show that the frequent development of the fast‐growing group Alteromonadaceae in seawater cultures does not strongly drive the observed variations in eCFs. Rather, the results imply that environmental conditions and the growth of specific phylotypes interact to determine eCFs.
Disease protection and interleukin‐10 induction by endogenous interferon‐β in multiple sclerosis?
Authors: Hesse D. , Krakauer M. , Lund H. , Søndergaard H. B. , Limborg S. J. W. , Soelberg Sørensen P. , Sellebjerg F. 
Published: June 2010

Objective:  An immune activation response resembling virus or type I interferon responses has been observed in untreated multiple sclerosis (MS), but its pathogenic significance is uncertain. We studied the relationship between a type I interferon‐like response in untreated patients with MS and disease activity.Methods:  Gene expression was analyzed by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in whole blood samples and by microarray analysis of mononuclear cells from untreated patients with MS, patients with MS treated with IFN‐β, and patients with MS with anti‐IFN‐β neutralizing antibodies (NAb). Disease activity was assessed by gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.Results:  Eight of 36 untreated patients with MS had spontaneously increased expression of the type I IFN‐induced gene MX1. Microarray gene expression analysis demonstrated that patients with increased spontaneous MX1 expression also had increased expression of other genes induced by regular IFN‐β treatment of MS. MX1 expression correlated with FOXP3 and IL10 expression, and IL10 expression correlated negatively with disease activity on magnetic resonance imaging. Further, in vivo IL10 expression was lower in NAb‐positive patients than in untreated patients with MS and healthy controls. Finally, ex vivo treatment of mononuclear blood cells with IFN‐β induced the expression of IL10, and this was blocked by the addition of serum from NAb‐positive patients with MS.Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that endogenous IFN‐β may induce the expression of immunoregulatory IL10 in MS and that this might be associated with dampening of inflammatory disease activity.
The effects of selective breeding on the architectural properties of the pelvic limb in broiler chickens: a comparative study across modern and ancestral populations
Authors: Paxton Heather , Anthony Nicolas B. , Corr Sandra A. , Hutchinson John R. 
Published: June 2010

AbstractIntensive artificial selection has led to the production of the modern broiler chicken, which over the last few decades has undergone a dramatic increase in growth rate and noticeable changes in body conformation. Unfortunately, this has been associated with musculoskeletal abnormalities which have altered the walking ability of these birds, raising obvious welfare concerns, as well as causing economic losses. Here we present a comparative study of ancestral and derived muscle anatomy in chickens to begin to tease apart how evolutionary alterations of muscle form in chickens have influenced their locomotor function and perhaps contributed to lameness. We measured the muscle architectural properties of the right pelvic limb in 50 birds, including the Giant Junglefowl, a commercial strain broiler and four pureline commercial broiler breeder lines (from which the broiler populations are derived) to identify which features of the broiler’s architectural design have diverged the most from the ancestral condition. We report a decline in pelvic limb muscle mass in the commercial line birds that may compromise their locomotor abilities because they carry a larger body mass. This greater demand on the pelvic limb muscles has mostly led to changes in support at the hip joint, revealing significantly larger abductors and additionally much larger medial rotators in the broiler population. Differences were seen within the commercial line bird populations, which are likely attributed to different selection pressures and may reflect differences in the walking ability of these birds. In addition, Junglefowl seem to have both greater force‐generating capabilities and longer, presumably faster contracting muscles, indicative of superior musculoskeletal/locomotor function. We have provided baseline data for generating hypotheses to investigate in greater depth the specific biomechanical constraints that compromise the modern broiler’s walking ability and propose that these factors should be considered in the selection for musculoskeletal health in the chickens of the future. Our new anatomical data for a wide range of domestic and wild‐type chickens is useful in a comparative context and for deeper functional analysis including computer modelling/simulation of limb mechanics.