bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis
Authors: Walker S. M. , Durham S. R. , Till S. J. , Roberts G. , Corrigan C. J. , Leech S. C. , Krishna M. T. , Rajakulasingham R. K. , Williams A. , Chantrell J. , Dixon L. , Frew A. J. , Nasser S. M. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryAllergic rhinitis (AR) affects more than 20% of the population in the United Kingdom and western Europe and represents a major cause of morbidity that includes interference with usual daily activities and impairment of sleep quality. This guidance prepared by the Standards of Care Committee (SOCC) of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) is for the management of AR in patients that have failed to achieve adequate relief of symptoms despite treatment with intranasal corticosteroids and/or antihistamines. The guideline is based on evidence and is for use by both adult physicians and paediatricians practising allergy. During the development of these guidelines, all BSACI members were included in the consultation process using a web‐based system. Their comments and suggestions were carefully considered by the SOCC. Where evidence was lacking, consensus was reached by the experts on the committee. Included in this guideline are indications and contraindications for immunotherapy, criteria for patient selection, the evidence for short‐ and long‐term efficacy of subcutaneous and sublingual immunotherapy, and discussion on safety and the different modes of immunotherapy including, pre‐seasonal and co‐seasonal treatments. There are sections on children, allergen standardization, vaccines used in the United Kingdom, oral allergy syndrome, cost effectiveness of immunotherapy and practical considerations of undertaking immunotherapy including recommendations on who should undertake immunotherapy and dosing schedules. Finally, there is discussion on potential biomarkers of response to immunotherapy, the use of component‐resolved diagnostics, novel approaches, alternative routes and potential areas for future research. Cite this as: S. M. Walker, S. R. Durham, S. J. Till, G. Roberts, C. J. Corrigan, S. C. Leech, M. T. Krishna, R. K. Rajakulasingham, A. Williams, J. Chantrell, L. Dixon, A. J. Frew and S. M. Nasser, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1177–1200.
Sublingual immunotherapy for allergic conjunctivitis: Cochrane systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Calderon M. A. , Penagos M. , Sheikh A. , Canonica G. W. , Durham S. R. 
Published: August 2011

SummaryBackground. Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common manifestation and represents an important co‐morbidity of allergic rhinitis (AR). Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is an effective and safe treatment for nasal symptoms of AR; its effectiveness is however less well established for ocular symptoms.Objectives. To evaluate the effectiveness of SLIT in reducing ocular symptoms, the need for ocular treatments and the threshold exposure for conjunctival immediate allergen sensitivity (CIAS).Methods. We searched eight databases up to January 2010. We included only randomized controlled trials (RCT), double‐blind and placebo‐controlled evaluating the efficacy of SLIT in patients with symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) or AC. Primary outcome measures were total ocular symptom scores, individual ocular symptoms scores (itchy eyes, eye redness, watery eyes, swelling eyes), eye drops use and CIAS. Meta‐analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5 software.Results. From 811 abstracts that were screened, 109 studies were reviewed in their full text version. Forty two trials including 3958 participants (n=2011 SLIT and n=1947 placebo) had data suitable for inclusion in the meta‐analysis. SLIT induced a significant reduction on both total ocular symptom scores (SMD: −0.41; 95%CI: −0.53 to −0.28; I2: 59%) and individual ocular symptoms scores [red (−0.33; −0.45 to −0.22), itchy (−0.31; −0.42 to −0.20) and watery eyes (−0.23; −0.34 to −0.11)] compared with placebo. Participants in the SLIT group showed an increase in the threshold dose for the CIAS (SMD: 0.35; 0.00–0.69). No significant reduction was observed on eye drops use (SMD: −0.10; −0.22 to 0.03).Conclusions and Clinical Relevance. SLIT is effective in reducing total and individual ocular symptom scores in subjects with ARC or conjunctivitis. No significant reduction was observed in ocular eye drops use. Cite this as: M. A. Calderon, M. Penagos, A. Sheikh, G. W. Canonica and S. R. Durham, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 1263–1272.
Are serum TSH levels associated with oxidized low‐density lipoprotein? Results from the Study of Health in Pomerania
Authors: Ittermann Till , Baumeister Sebastian E. , Völzke Henry , Wasner Christina , Schminke Ulf , Wallaschofski Henri , Nauck Matthias , Lüdemann Jan 
Published: August 2011

SummaryObjective  Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thus, it is important to investigate putative risk factors for increased oxLDL. Evidence suggests that, compared to euthyroid individuals, LDL‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels are lower in individuals with overt hyperthyroidism. Whereas oxidization of LDL‐C into oxLDL is increased in overt hyper‐ and hypothyroidism, it has not been investigated whether subclinical thyroid dysfunction impacts on oxLDL levels in general. We have analysed the association between serum thyrotrophin (TSH) levels and oxLDL in a population‐based study.Design, Patients and Measurements  Of the 4308 individuals enrolled in the Study of Health in Pomerania, data from 3519 individuals were analysed (680 missing the oxLDL variable). oxLDL was measured by the oxLDL competitive ELISA on a BEP 2000. Multivariable linear regression models were performed to assess the association between serum TSH and oxLDL levels.Results  TSH was positively associated with oxLDL in a curvilinear fashion with increasing serum TSH levels. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant association only in the group of individuals >60 years. Additionally, serum TSH levels were not associated with the ratio of oxLDL to LDL (β = −0·04; 95% CI = −0·08, 0·01; P = 0·084).Conclusions  We demonstrate an association between serum TSH and oxLDL levels especially in the range of subclinical thyroid disease. Our study suggests that serum TSH levels affect LDL‐C production or clearance rather than the LDL‐C oxidation processes.
Out‐of‐office and central blood pressure for risk stratification: a cross‐sectional study in patients treated for hypertension
Authors: Schultz Martin G. , Gilroy Deborah , Wright Leah , Bishop Warrick L. J. , Abhayaratna Walter P. , Stowasser Michael , Sharman James E. 
Published: August 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (4): 393–401AbstractBackground  Central blood pressure (BP) predicts mortality independent of office brachial BP. Whether central BP may be useful to differentiate BP control requires examination and was the first aim of this study. Secondly, we sought to determine the variability in central BP among patients from different categories of BP control [controlled hypertension (CH), masked hypertension (MH), white coat (WCHT) and uncontrolled hypertension (UH)].Materials and methods  We assessed patients with uncomplicated hypertension using measurement of central BP (SphygmoCor 8.1), brachial BP and 24‐h ambulatory BP monitoring. BP control was defined according to guidelines using office BP and 24‐h BP.Results  Of the 201 patients (63 ± 8 years, 51% men), 67 (33%) were classified as CH; 59 (29%) with MH; 31 (15%) with WCHT; and 44 (22%) with UH. There were no differences in central BP parameters (augmentation pressure, augmentation index, pulse pressure) between patients with CH and MH or between patients with WCHT and UH (P > 0·05 for all). However, there was significant overlap in central systolic BP between BP control categories. For example, 27% of patients with normal brachial systolic BP had central systolic BP above age‐ and gender‐specific normal values, including patients from three classifications of BP control (CH: n = 27; MH: n = 22; and WCHT: n = 4).Conclusion  Office central BP alone cannot delineate categories of BP control. However, given the high degree of variability in central BP among patients from different categories of BP control, measurement of central BP may result in significant reclassification of risk related to BP.
Experience‐dependent induction of hypnagogic images during daytime naps: a combined behavioural and EEG study
Authors: KUSSE CAROLINE , SHAFFII‐LE BOURDIEC ANAHITA , SCHROUFF JESSICA , MATARAZZO LUCA , MAQUET PIERRE 
Published: August 2011

SummaryThis study characterizes hypnagogic hallucinations reported during a polygraphically recorded 90‐min daytime nap following or preceding practice of the computer game Tetris. In the experimental group (N = 16), participants played Tetris in the morning for 2 h during three consecutive days, while in a first control group (N = 13, controlling the effect of experience) participants did not play any game, and in a second control group (N = 14, controlling the effect of anticipation) participants played Tetris after the nap. During afternoon naps, participants were repetitively awakened 15, 45, 75, 120 or 180 s after the onset of S1, and were asked to report their mental content. Reports content was scored by three judges (inter‐rater reliability 85%). In the experimental group, 48 out of 485 (10%) sleep‐onset reports were Tetris‐related. They mostly consisted of images and sounds with very little emotional content. They exactly reproduced Tetris elements or mixed them with other mnemonic components. By contrast, in the first control group, only one report out of 107 was scored as Tetris‐related (1%), and in the second control group only three reports out of 112 were scored as Tetris‐related (3%; between‐groups comparison; P = 0.006). Hypnagogic hallucinations were more consistently induced by experience than by anticipation (P = 0.039), and they were predominantly observed during the transition of wakefulness to sleep. The observed attributes of experience‐related hypnagogic hallucinations are consistent with the particular organization of regional brain activity at sleep onset, characterized by high activity in sensory cortices and in the default‐mode network.
Severe fatigue in narcolepsy with cataplexy
Authors: DROOGLEEVER FORTUYN HAL A. , FRONCZEK ROLF , SMITSHOEK MIRJAN , OVEREEM SEBASTIAAN , LAPPENSCHAAR MARTIJN , KALKMAN JOKE , RENIER WILLY , BUITELAAR JAN , LAMMERS GERT JAN , BLEIJENBERG GIJS 
Published: August 2011

SummaryExcessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is the core symptom of narcolepsy. However, there have been indications that fatigue – which should be separated from EDS – is also a frequent complaint. We determined the prevalence of severe fatigue in a group of narcolepsy patients and its relation with excessive daytime sleepiness, psychological distress, functional impairment and quality of life. We included 80 patients fulfilling the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD)‐2 diagnostic criteria of narcolepsy with cataplexy. Fatigue was measured using the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS). In addition psychological distress, including symptoms of depression, functional impairment and quality of life, were assessed. Comparisons were made between patients with (CIS‐fatigue score ≥ 35) and without severe experienced fatigue. Fifty patients (62.5%) reported severe fatigue. There were no sex or age differences between patients with and without severe fatigue. Both fatigued and non‐fatigued patients had the same amount of daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Score 14.3 ± 4.2 versus 13.1 ± 4.4, P = 0.22), confirming the separation between sleepiness and fatigue. Interestingly, fatigued patients more often used stimulant medication (64% versus 40%, P = 0.02). Severe fatigue was associated with a significantly increased functional impairment, increased depressive symptoms and a lowered general quality of life. In conclusion, a majority of patients with narcolepsy suffer from severe fatigue, which can be distinguished from daytime sleepiness, and results in severe functional impairment.
Multi‐stage exhumation of the NE Tarim Precambrian bedrock, NW China: constraints from apatite fission track thermochronology in the Kuluketage area
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Zhu Wenbin , Shu Liangshu , Wan Jinglin , Yang Wei , Zheng Bihai , Su Jinbao 
Published: August 2011

Terra Nova, 23, 324–332, 2011AbstractFourteen samples of Precambrian bedrocks from the Kuluketage area, located in the north‐eastern Tarim Craton, yield apatite fission track ages ranging from 166 to 82 Ma. These ages are far younger than their Precambrian age of stratigraphy or metamorphism, indicating that the samples experienced total annealing before Mesozoic exhumation. The samples were subdivided into three groups based on locations and ages. Multi‐stage Mesozoic exhumation is linked to collisions of the Qiangtang, Lhasa and Kohistan terranes with the South Eurasian continental margin. The three cooling phases are also shown by stratigraphy and seismology. Considering modelling results with different constraint boxes, seismic profiles and the stratigraphic sequences of surrounding sedimentary basins, faint Cenozoic reheating and recooling were likely to take place in the Kuluketage area by northwards propagating deformation from India–Eurasia collision and continued convergence.
Functional HAK/KUP/KT‐like potassium transporter encoded by chlorella viruses
Authors: Greiner Timo , Ramos José , Alvarez Maria C. , Gurnon James R. , Kang Ming , Van Etten James L. , Moroni Anna , Thiel Gerhard 
Published: August 2011

SummaryChlorella viruses are a source of interesting membrane transport proteins. Here we examine a putative K+ transporter encoded by virus FR483 and related chlorella viruses. The protein shares sequence and structural features with HAK/KUP/KT‐like K+ transporters from plants, bacteria and fungi. Yeast complementation assays and Rb+ uptake experiments show that the viral protein, termed HAKCV (high‐affinity K+ transporter of chlorella virus), is functional, with transport characteristics that are similar to those of known K+ transporters. Expression studies revealed that the protein is expressed as an early gene during viral replication, and proteomics data indicate that it is not packaged in the virion. The function of HAKCV is unclear, but the data refute the hypothesis that the transporter acts as a substitute for viral‐encoded K+ channels during virus infection.
Pleural fluid nucleic acid testing enhances pneumococcal surveillance in children
Authors: STRACHAN ROXANNE. E. , CORNELIUS ANITA , GILBERT GWENDOLYN. L. , GULLIVER TANYA , MARTIN ANDREW , MCDONALD TIM , NIXON GILLIAN , ROSEBY ROB , RANGANATHAN SARATH , SELVADURAI HIRAN , SMITH GREG , SOTO‐MARTINEZ MANUEL , SURESH SADASIVAM , TEOH LAUREL , THAPA KIRAN , WAINWRIGHT CLAIRE E. , JAFFÉ ADAM 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  National surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) includes serotyping Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) isolates from sterile site cultures. PCR is more sensitive and can identify more SP serotypes (STs) in culture‐negative samples. The aim of this study was to determine whether enhanced surveillance of childhood empyema, using PCR, provides additional serotype information compared with conventional surveillance.Methods:  Pleural fluid (PF) from children with empyema were cultured and tested by PCR to identify SP, targeting the autolysin gene (lytA). Multiplex PCR‐based reverse line blot assay was used to identify SP STs. Corresponding IPD surveillance and serotype data were obtained from the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS).Results:  Eighty‐nine children with empyema, aged ≤16 years, were recruited between April 2008 and March 2009, inclusive. SP was isolated from 5/84 (5.9%) PF cultures and by PCR in 43/79 (54.4%) PF samples. Serotypes were unidentifiable in 15 samples. The frequency of six serotypes (or serotype pairs) identified in 28 samples, including one with two serotypes, were: ST1, n = 4/29 (13.8%); ST3, n = 9/29 (31.0%); ST19A, n = 12/29 (41.4%); ST7F/7A, n = 1/29 (3.4%); ST9V/9A, n = 1/29 (3.4%); ST22F/22A, n = 2/29 (6.9%). Over the same period, 361 IPD patients, aged 16 years or less, were notified to NNDSS. Among 331 serotypeable NNDSS isolates (71.5% from blood), the frequencies of ST1 and 3 were significantly lower than in PF samples: ST1, n = 8/331 (2.4%; P < 0.05); ST3, n = 13/331 (3.9%; P < 0.0001).Conclusions:  The use of PCR to identify and serotype SP in culture‐negative specimens provides additive information.
Increasing antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizing children attending day‐care centres in Singapore
Authors: VASOO SHAWN , SINGH KAMALJIT , HSU LI YANG , CHIEW YOKE FONG , CHOW CAROL , LIN RAYMOND T.P. , TAMBYAH PAUL A. 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in both the paediatric and adult population. This study aimed to define pneumococcal colonization rates, and antibiotic resistance patterns across two periods a decade apart, and also assess the serotypes of colonizing strains in children in the era of early pneumococcal conjugate vaccine uptake in Singapore.Methods:  Two cross‐sectional prevalence surveys were carried out in 1997 and 2007–2008 on children attending day‐care centres across Singapore. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained and cultured for S. pneumoniae, and antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed. Serotyping was also done in the 2007–2008 survey.Results:  Three hundred and ninety‐five children participated in the first survey in 1997, and 418 in the 2007–2008 survey. Pneumococcal colonization rates were 25.8 and 14.1%, respectively. There was a marked increase in antimicrobial non‐susceptibility (penicillin 27.4% vs 69.5%; erythromycin 33.4% vs 78%; clindamycin 24.5% vs 45.8%, tetracycline 48% vs 67.8%), and multi‐drug resistance (defined as non‐susceptibility to three or more classes of antibiotics) increased from 33.3 to 74.6%. In the 2007–2008 survey, serotypes 6B (16.9%), 23F (11.9%) and 19F (10.2%) were most commonly observed. The projected coverage of the 7 and 13‐valent conjugate pneumococcal vaccine for colonizing serotypes were 61.9 and 67%, respectively.Conclusions:  S. pneumoniae antibiotic resistance has risen dramatically over the last 10 years in Singapore. Wider conjugate vaccine uptake and improved antibiotic stewardship should be made priorities. Surveillance of sentinel sites like day‐care centres provides important data with respect to shifts in pneumococcal ecology.
Phenotypes of patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnoea as confirmed by cluster analysis
Authors: JOOSTEN SIMON A. , HAMZA KAIS , SANDS SCOTT , TURTON ANTHONY , BERGER PHILIP , HAMILTON GARUN 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTBackground and objective:  Patients with OSA manifest different patterns of disease. However, this heterogeneity is more evident in patients with mild‐moderate OSA than in those with severe disease and a high total AHI. We hypothesized that mild‐moderate OSA can be categorized into discreet disease phenotypes, and the aim of this study was to comprehensively describe the pattern of OSA phenotypes through the use of cluster analysis techniques.Methods:  The data for 1184 consecutive patients, collected over 24 months, was analysed. Patients with a total AHI of 5–30/h were categorized according to the sleep stage and position in which they were predominantly affected. This categorization was compared with one in which patients were grouped using a K‐means clustering technique with log linear modelling and cross‐tabulation.Results:  Patients with mild‐moderate OSA can be categorized according to polysomnographic parameters. This clinical categorization was validated by comparison with a categorization in which patients were grouped by unsupervised K‐means cluster analysis. The clinical groups identified were: (i) rapid eye movement (REM) predominant OSA, 44.6%; (ii) non‐REM predominant OSA, 18.9%; (iii) supine predominant OSA, 61.9%; and (iv) intermittent OSA, 12.4%. Patients categorized as having both REM and supine predominant OSA showed characteristics of both the REM predominant and supine predominant OSA groups.Conclusions:  Patients with mild‐moderate OSA show different polysomnographic phenotypes. This approach to categorization more appropriately reflects disease heterogeneity and the likely multiple pathophysiological processes involved in OSA.
Self‐management programme for cancer patients: a literature review
Authors: Gao W.J. , Yuan C.R. 
Published: August 2011

GAO W.J. & YUAN C.R. (2011) Self‐management programme for cancer patients: a literature review. International Nursing Review58, 288–295Background:  With increased cancer survivorship, cancer, in its chronic form, self‐management among cancer patients has become an international research focus. Self‐management programmes are used to guide the self‐care process. Over the past 10 years, six self‐management programmes for cancer patients (Taking CHARGE, Expert Patients Programme, Living with Cancer Education Program, Focus Program, PRO‐SELF Program and Oncologist‐referred exercise self‐management programme) were used in a variety of self‐management studies for cancer patients.Aim:  The aims of this paper are to describe, compare and critique these six self‐management programmes that are commonly used to guide self‐management for cancer patients, and propose directions for new self‐management programme development among cancer patients.Methods:  Medline, Pubmed and Embase, Springer, Elsevier, EBSCO and ProQuest were searched for literatures on self‐management programmes for cancer patients from 2000 to November 2010. Search terms such as ‘self‐management’ or ‘self‐care’ or ‘patient education’ or ‘self‐management’ or ‘self‐care’ or ‘self‐efficacy’, ‘intervention’ or ‘program*’‘cancer’ or ‘carcinoma’ or ‘neoplasms’ were used.Results:  Comparison and critique of these programmes revealed important limitations of cancer self‐management programmes including lack of the facilitators' training process, failure to assess the cultural differences and failure to cover all of the outcome measures.Conclusion:  Researchers and clinicians need to build more individualized and dynamic self‐management programmes that parallel advances in clinical research and practice for cancer patients.