bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum vitamin D levels and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in children with asthma
Authors: Chinellato I. , Piazza M. , Sandri M. , Peroni D.G. , Cardinale F. , Piacentini G.L. , Boner A.L. 
Published: November 2010

Epidemiological studies have established a relationship between low levels of serum vitamin D and reduced lung function in healthy adults, and asthma onset and severity in children. However, no study has examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children.We evaluated the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and baseline forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and change in FEV1(ΔFEV1) after a standardised exercise challenge in 45 children with intermittent asthma.Only 11% of the children had desirable serum vitamin D levels (at least 30–40 ng·mL−1). A positive correlation was found between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and both FVC (r = 0.34; p = 0.037) and FEV1(r = 0.32; p = 0.037). Subjects with a positive response to the exercise challenge (ΔFEV1≥10%) presented lower serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D than children with a negative challenge (mean±sd16.2±5.2versus23.4±7.0 ng·mL−1, respectively; p = 0.001).Our results indicate that hypovitaminosis D is frequent in asthmatic children who live in a Mediterranean country. In those children, lower levels of vitamin D are associated with reduced lung function and increased reactivity to exercise.
Inhaled corticosteroids and lower lung function decline in young children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: De Boeck K. , Vermeulen F. , Wanyama S. , Thomas M. 
Published: November 2010

A recent American registry analysis in cystic fibrosis (CF) children showed less lung function decline after starting inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use. We therefore examined the influence of ICS treatment on lung function in Belgian CF patients.Data from patients ≥6 yrs of age were eligible, provided entries on lung function, height and ICS use were available in two consecutive years. Data after oral steroid use or transplant were excluded.852 subjects contributed data with 2,976 data pairs analysed, 44.9% concerning years of ICS use. Yearly % predicted decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 1.07% lower during ICS use (p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis for age revealed that the lower FEV1decline rate during ICS use was only statistically significant in children 6–12 yrs of age (2.56%; p = 0.0003). Baseline FEV1was lower by 5.89% (p<0.0001) in ICS users for all age groups combined, but there was no difference in baseline lung function in the children 6–12 yrs of age.In 6–12-yr-old children with CF, baseline lung function was similar in ICS users and nonusers, but annualised FEV1decline was 2.56% pred lower in ICS users. Our data therefore support recent American findings.
Tuberculosis screening of migrants to low-burden nations: insights from evaluation of UK practice
Authors: Pareek M. , Abubakar I. , White P.J. , Garnett G.P. , Lalvani A. 
Published: November 2010

Tuberculosis (TB) primarily occurs in the foreign-born in European countries, such as the UK, where increasing notifications and the high proportion of foreign-born cases has refocused attention on immigrant (new entrant) screening. We investigated how UK primary care organisations (PCOs) screen new entrants and whether this differs according to TB burden in the PCOs (incidence <20 or ≥20 cases per 100,000per annum).An anonymous, 20-point questionnaire was sent to all 192 UK PCOs asking which new entrants are screened, who is screened for active TB/latent TB infection (LTBI) and the methods used. Descriptive analyses were undertaken. Categorical responses were compared using the Chi-squared test.177 (92.2%) out of 192 PCOs responded; all undertook screening action in response to abnormal chest radiographs, but only 107 (60.4%) screened new entrants for LTBI. Few new entrants had active TB diagnosed (median 0.0%, interquartile range (IQR) 0.0–0.5%) but more were identified with LTBI (median 7.85%, IQR 4.30–13.50%). High-burden PCOs were significantly less likely to screen new entrants for LTBI (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.12–0.54; p<0.0001). Among PCOs screening for LTBI, there was substantial deviation from national guidance in selection of new entrant subgroups and screening method.Considerable heterogeneity and deviation from national guidance exist throughout the UK new entrant screening process, with high-burden regions undertaking the least screening. Forming an accurate picture of current front-line practice will help to inform future development of European new entrant screening policy.
Inflammatory responses predict long-term mortality risk in community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Guertler C. , Wirz B. , Christ-Crain M. , Zimmerli W. , Mueller B. , Schuetz P. 
Published: November 2010

Long-term outcomes in patients surviving community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) are still incompletely understood. This study investigates the association of clinical parameters and blood markers with long-term mortality.We prospectively followed 877 CAP patients from a previous multicentre trial for 18 months follow-up and investigated all-cause mortality following hospital discharge.Overall mortality was 17.3% (95% CI 14.8–19.8%) with a 12.8% (95% CI 10.9–15.0%) mortality incidence rate per year. Initial risk assignment using the Pneumonia Severity Index was accurate during the 18 month follow-up. Multivariable regression models (hazard ratio, 95% CI) designated the following as independent risk factors for long-term mortality: male sex (1.7, 1.2–2.5); chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.5, 1.1–2.1); neoplastic disease (2.5, 1.7–3.7); and highest quartile of peak pro-adrenomedullin level (3.3, 1.7–6.2). Initial presentation with temperature >38.7°C (0.4, 0.2–0.6), chills (0.6, 0.4–0.99) and highest quartile of the inflammatory marker C-reactive-protein (0.3, 0.2–0.5) were independent protective factors. A weighted risk score based on these variables showed good discrimination (area under receiver operating characteristic curve 0.78, 95% CI 0.74–0.82).Pronounced clinical and laboratory signs of systemic inflammatory host response upon initial hospital stay were associated with favourable long-term prognosis. Further studies should address whether closer monitoring of high-risk CAP patients after hospital discharge favourably impacts long-term mortality.
Modulating progenitor accumulation attenuates lung angiogenesis in a mouse model of asthma
Authors: Doyle T.M. , Ellis R. , Park H.J. , Inman M.D. , Sehmi R. 
Published: November 2010

Asthmatic responses are associated with the lung homing of bone marrow (BM)-derived progenitors implicated as effectors of disease pathology. Studies have shown that increases in lung extracted vascular endothelial progenitor cells (VEPCs) correlate with airway angiogenesis and declining lung function. We investigated the effect of modulating lung homing of VEPCs on tissue remodelling and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).BALB/c mice were sensitised to ovalbumin, subjected to a chronic exposure protocol and given early concurrent or delayed treatment with a modulator of progenitor traffic, AMD3100 (CXC chemokine receptor 4 antagonist; inhibits chemotactic activity of stromal-derived factor-1α on VEPCs). After ovalbumin challenge, early haemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and VEPCs were enumerated along with indices of airway inflammation, lung morphometry and AHR.Following ovalbumin challenge, there was a decrease in BM and an associated increase in the lung tissue-extracted HSCs and VEPCs, together with increases in airway eosinophilia, microvessel density and AHR. These outcomes were significantly inhibited by early concurrent treatment with AMD3100. Where lung disease was established, delayed treatment with AMD3100 significantly attenuated HSC numbers and lung angiogenesis but only partially reversed sustained AHR compared with untreated ovalbumin-exposed mice.Progenitor lung homing is associated with the development of asthma pathology, and early modulation of this accumulation can prevent airway remodelling and lung dysfunction.
Iron-sparing Response of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis is strain dependent
Authors: Janagama Harish K , Senthilkumar  , Bannantine John P , Kugadas Abirami , Jagtap Pratik , Higgins LeeAnn , Witthuhn Bruce A , Sreevatsan Srinand 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Two genotypically and microbiologically distinct strains of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) exist - S and C MAP strains that primarily infect sheep and cattle, respectively. Concentration of iron in the cultivation medium has been suggested as one contributing factor for the observed microbiologic differences. We recently demonstrated that S strains have defective iron storage systems, leading us to propose that these strains might experience iron toxicity when excess iron is provided in the medium. To test this hypothesis, we carried out transcriptional and proteomic profiling of these MAP strains under iron-replete or -deplete conditions.

Results
We first complemented M. smegmatis ΔideR with IdeR of C MAP or that derived from S MAP and compared their transcription profiles using M. smegmatis mc

2

155 microarrays. In the presence of iron, sIdeR repressed expression of bfrA and MAP2073c, a ferritin domain containing protein suggesting that transcriptional control of iron storage may be defective in S strain. We next performed transcriptional and proteomic profiling of the two strain types of MAP under iron-deplete and -replete conditions. Under iron-replete conditions, C strain upregulated iron storage (BfrA), virulence associated (Esx-5 and antigen85 complex), and ribosomal proteins. In striking contrast, S strain downregulated these proteins under iron-replete conditions. iTRAQ (isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation) based protein quantitation resulted in the identification of four unannotated proteins. Two of these were upregulated by a C MAP strain in response to iron supplementation. The iron-sparing response to iron limitation was unique to the C strain as evidenced by repression of non-essential iron utilization enzymes (aconitase and succinate dehydrogenase) and upregulation of proteins of essential function (iron transport, [Fe-S] cluster biogenesis and cell division).

Conclusions
Taken together, our study revealed that C and S strains of MAP utilize divergent metabolic pathways to accommodate in vitro iron stress. The knowledge of the metabolic pathways these divergent responses play a role in are important to 1) advance our ability to culture the two different strains of MAP efficiently, 2) aid in diagnosis and control of Johne's disease, and 3) advance our understanding of MAP virulence.
The development and evaluation of single cell suspension from wheat and barley as a model system; a first step towards functional genomics application
Authors: Dong Jing , Bowra Steve , Vincze Eva 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The overall research objective was to develop single cell plant cultures as a model system to facilitate functional genomics of monocots, in particular wheat and barley. The essential first step towards achieving the stated objective was the development of a robust, viable single cell suspension culture from both species.

Results
We established growth conditions to allow routine culturing of somatic cells in 24 well microtiter plate format. Evaluation of the wheat and barley cell suspension as model cell system is a multi step process. As an initial step in the evaluation procedure we chose to study the impact of selected abiotic stress elicitors at the physiological, biochemical and molecular level. We report the results of osmotic stress imposed by NaCl and PEG. As proline is an important osmoprotectant of the cereal cells, colorimetric assay for proline detection was developed for small volumes (200 μl). We performed RT-PCR experiments to study the change in the expression of the genes encoding Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (PC5R) in response to abiotic stress.

Conclusions
We found differences between the wheat and barley suspension cultures, barley being more tolerant to the applied osmotic stresses. We suggested a model to explain the obtained differences in stress tolerance between the two species. The suspension cell cultures have proven useful for determining changes in proline concentration and expression level of genes (P5CS, P5CR) under various treatments and we suggest that the cells can be used as a model host system to study gene expression and regulation in monocots.
High number of CD45RO+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes is an independent prognostic factor in non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Rauser Sandra , Langer Rupert , Tschernitz Sebastian , Gais Peter , Jütting Uta , Feith Marcus , Höfler Heinz , Walch Axel 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The validation of novel prognostic indicators is of greatest interest for the management of esophageal adenocarcinoma (Barrett's cancer), particularly for non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) disease. The prognostic role of tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes (TILs) in Barrett's cancer has not been reported so far. Here we evaluated the impact of TILs on survival, recurrence, and metastasis in Barrett's cancer, particularly in stage I-IIA patients.

Methods
The levels of the adaptive immune markers CD3, CD8, and CD45RO were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and image analysis in tissue microarrays consisting of tumor tissues of 118 patients with primary resected Barrett's cancer. The findings were correlated with clinicopathological parameters including patient outcome.

Results
In multivariate analysis, a low density of intratumoral CD45RO+ immune cells was an independent unfavorable factor for disease-free survival in stages I-IIA patients (P = 0.004, RR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.6-13.5) as well in the entire cohort (P = 0.048, RR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-4.0). High CD3+ and CD45RO+ levels were associated with prolonged disease-free survival and overall survival as well with low recurrence rates of disease (P = 0.005 and P = 0.018, respectively). In addition, low CD3+ levels were correlated with a higher frequency of lymph node metastasis (P = 0.025).

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that the density of CD45RO+ TILs is an independent prognostic factor in non-metastasized (stage I-IIA) Barrett's cancer patients and indicates an important role for the adaptive immunologic microenvironment. The inclusion of CD45RO+ density may help to improve the management of stage I-IIA Barrett's cancer.
Responsiveness and minimal important differences after revision total hip arthroplasty
Authors: Shi Hon-Yi , Chang Je-Ken , Wong Chi-Yin , Wang Jun-Wen , Tu Yuan-Kun , Chiu Herng-Chia , Lee King-Teh 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundThe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is currently weighted more heavily when evaluating health status, particularly regarding medical treatments and interventions. However, it is rarely used by physicians to compare responsiveness. Additionally, responsiveness estimates derived by the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) before and after revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) have not been clinically compared. This study compared responsiveness and minimal important differences (MID) between HHS and SF-36.MethodsAll revision THA patients completed the disease-specific HHS and the generic SF-36 before and 6 months after surgery. Scores using these instruments were interpreted by generalized estimating equation (GEE) before and after revision THA. The bootstrap estimation and modified Jacknife test were used to derive 95% confidence intervals for differences in the responsiveness estimates.ResultsComparisons of effect size (ES), standardized response means (SRM), relative efficiency (RE) (>1) and MID indicated that the responsiveness of HHS was superior to that of SF-36. The ES and SRM for pain and physical functions in the HHS were significantly larger than those of the SF-36 (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe data in this study indicated that clinicians and health researchers should weight disease-specific measures more heavily than generic measures when evaluating treatment outcomes.
Production of gamma-aminobutyric acid by Lactobacillus brevis NCL912 using fed-batch fermentation
Authors: Li Haixing , Qiu Ting , Huang Guidong , Cao Yusheng 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Gamma-aminobutyric acid is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in mammalian brains, and has several well-known physiological functions. Lactic acid bacteria possess special physiological activities and are generally regarded as safe. Therefore, using lactic acid bacteria as cell factories for gamma-aminobutyric acid production is a fascinating project and opens up a vast range of prospects for making use of GABA and LAB. We previously screened a high GABA-producer Lactobacillus brevis NCL912 and optimized its fermentation medium composition. The results indicated that the strain showed potential in large-scale fermentation for the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid. To increase the yielding of GABA, further study on the fermentation process is needed before the industrial application in the future. In this article we investigated the impacts of pyridoxal-5'-phosphate, pH, temperature and initial glutamate concentration on gamma-aminobutyric acid production by Lactobacillus brevis NCL912 in flask cultures. According to the data obtained in the above, a simple and effective fed-batch fermentation method was developed to highly efficiently convert glutamate to gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Results
Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate did not affect the cell growth and gamma-aminobutyric acid production of Lb. brevis NCL912. Temperature, pH and initial glutamate concentration had significant effects on the cell growth and gamma-aminobutyric acid production of Lb. brevis NCL912. The optimal temperature, pH and initial glutamate concentration were 30-35°C, 5.0 and 250-500 mM. In the following fed-batch fermentations, temperature, pH and initial glutamate concentration were fixed as 32°C, 5.0 and 400 mM. 280.70 g (1.5 mol) and 224.56 g (1.2 mol) glutamate were supplemented into the bioreactor at 12 h and 24 h, respectively. Under the selected fermentation conditions, gamma-aminobutyric acid was rapidly produced at the first 36 h and almost not produced after then. The gamma-aminobutyric acid concentration reached 1005.81 ± 47.88 mM, and the residual glucose and glutamate were 15.28 ± 0.51 g L-1 and 134.45 ± 24.22 mM at 48 h.

Conclusions
A simple and effective fed-batch fermentation method was developed for Lb. brevis NCL912 to produce gamma-aminobutyric acid. The results reveal that Lb. brevis NCL912 exhibits a great application potential in large-scale fermentation for the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Effect of 3D-scaffold formation on differentiation and survival in human neural progenitor cells
Authors: Ortinau Stefanie , Schmich Jürgen , Block Stephan , Liedmann Andrea , Jonas Ludwig , Weiss Dieter G , Helm Christiane A , Rolfs Arndt , Frech Moritz J 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackground3D-scaffolds have been shown to direct cell growth and differentiation in many different cell types, with the formation and functionalisation of the 3D-microenvironment being important in determining the fate of the embedded cells. Here we used a hydrogel-based scaffold to investigate the influences of matrix concentration and functionalisation with laminin on the formation of the scaffolds, and the effect of these scaffolds on human neural progenitor cells cultured within them.MethodsIn this study we used different concentrations of the hydrogel-based matrix PuraMatrix. In some experiments we functionalised the matrix with laminin I. The impact of concentration and treatment with laminin on the formation of the scaffold was examined with atomic force microscopy. Cells from a human fetal neural progenitor cell line were cultured in the different matrices, as well as in a 2D culture system, and were subsequently analysed with antibody stainings against neuronal markers. In parallel, the survival rate of the cells was determined by a live/dead assay.ResultsAtomic force microscopy measurements demonstrated that the matrices are formed by networks of isolated PuraMatrix fibres and aggregates of fibres. An increase of the hydrogel concentration led to a decrease in the mesh size of the scaffolds and functionalisation with laminin promoted aggregation of the fibres (bundle formation), which further reduces the density of isolated fibres. We showed that laminin-functionalisation is essential for human neural progenitor cells to build up 3D-growth patterns, and that proliferation of the cells is also affected by the concentration of matrix. In addition we found that 3D-cultures enhanced neuronal differentiation and the survival rate of the cells compared to 2D-cultures.ConclusionsTaken together, we have demonstrated a direct influence of the 3D-scaffold formation on the survival and neuronal differentiation of human neural progenitor cells. These findings emphasize the importance of optimizing 3D-scaffolds protocols prior toin vivoengraftment of stem and progenitor cells in the context of regenerative medicine.
APOE polymorphism is associated with lipid profile, but not with arterial stiffness in the general population
Authors: Alvim Rafael O , Freitas Silvia RS , Ferreira Noely E , Santos Paulo CJL , Cunha Roberto S , Mill José G , Krieger José E , Pereira Alexandre C 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death and disability in developed countries. In most cases, the progress of CVD is influenced by environmental factors and multifactorial inheritance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between APOE genotypes, cardiovascular risk factors, and a non-invasive measure of arterial stiffness in the Brazilian population.

Methods
A total of 1493 urban Brazilian individuals were randomly selected from the general population of the Vitoria City Metropolitan area. Genetic analysis of the APOE polymorphism was conducted by PCR-RFLP and pulse wave velocity analyzed with a noninvasive automatic device.

Results
Age, gender, body mass index, triglycerides, creatinine, uric acid, blood glucose, blood pressure phenotypes were no different between ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles. The ε4 allele was associated with higher total-cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL-C (p < 0.001), total-cholesterol/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.001), LDL/HDL-C ratio (p < 0.001), lower HDL-C values (p < 0.001) and higher risk to obesity (OR = 1.358, 95% CI = 1.019-1.811) and hyperuricemia (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.170-2.611). Nevertheless, pulse wave velocity (p = 0.66) measures were no different between genotypes. The significant association between APOE genotypes and lipid levels persisted after a 5-year follow-up interval, but no interaction between time and genotype was observed for lipids longitudinal behavior.

Conclusion
The ε4 allele of the APOE gene is associated with a worse lipid profile in the Brazilian urban population. In our relatively young sample, the observed effect of APOE genotype on lipid levels was not translated into significant effects in arterial wall stiffness.