bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Method of bacterial killing differentially affects the human innate immune response to Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Strunk Tobias , Richmond Peter , Prosser Amy , Simmer Karen , Levy Ofer , Burgner David , Currie Andrew 
Published: September 2010

Background: In vitro investigations of human innate immune responses to extracellular bacteria commonly utilise killed preparations in preference to live organisms. The effects of the bacterial preparation method on the activation of innate signalling pathways by the common opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) are unknown. Materials and methods: Mononuclear cell cytokine expression patterns induced by live (LSE), heat-killed (HKSE) and ethanol-killed SE (EKSE) were characterized at the transcriptional and translational level. Toll-like receptor (TLR)-activating capacity of the preparations was analysed using TLR-transfected human embryonic kidney cells. Results: Live SE activated NF-κB, STAT1, type I interferon, and inflammasome pathways. Killed preparations engaged the NF-κB pathway, but had significantly lower capacity to activate other innate immune pathways. Conclusions: Killing of extracellular bacteria has significant qualitative and quantitative effects on key aspects of innate responses in vitro. Interpretation of in vitro data and extrapolation of findings should take into account the potential effects of bacterial preparation and should not assume that responses to killed bacteria are predictive of responses to live organisms.
Comorbidities of asthma during childhood: possibly important, yet poorly studied
Authors: de Groot E.P. , Duiverman E.J. , Brand P.L.P. 
Published: September 2010

Asthma in adults is associated with comorbidities such as obesity, gastro-oesophageal reflux, dysfunctional breathing and mental disorders. Herein, we provide an overview of the current state of evidence on these comorbidities in childhood asthma. The prevalence, known mechanisms and possible treatment options for each comorbid condition will be discussed.Obesity is an increasing health problem in children, but its relationship with asthma remains unclear. Allergic rhinitis is a very common comorbidity in asthma, both in children and in adults, but its effect on childhood asthma severity has not been studied. The prevalence and treatment options of dysfunctional breathing, a known comorbidity in adult asthma, have not yet been studied in paediatric asthma. Food allergies appear to cause more severe reactions in patients with asthma. Depressive disorders are more prevalent in childhood asthma than in healthy children, but seem to be poorly recognised and treated in children. Although gastro-oesophageal reflux is commonly thought to be a comorbid disease complicating asthma, it remains uncertain whether treatment improves asthma control.In conclusion, knowledge of asthma comorbidities in childhood is sparse. Further studies are urgently needed to identify the prevalence, and, more importantly, the effects of these comorbidities and their treatment on the degree of asthma control in children.
Lung volume reduction for severe emphysema: do we need a scalpel or a scope?
Authors: Van Raemdonck D. , Ninane V. 
Published: September 2010

Resectional lung volume reduction has proven to be superior to medical treatment in reducing dyspnoea and in increasing lung function, survival and quality of life in a very well selected, low risk group of hyperinflated patients with heterogeneous emphysema predominantly in the upper lobe. Nevertheless, this intervention is hampered by an important pulmonary (30%) and cardiovascular (20%) morbidity, mainly as a result of prolonged (>7 days) air leak, and a 5% risk of death as a result of the surgical intervention.Results from ongoing randomised trials are awaited in order to determine whether less invasive, non-resectional lung volume treatment of emphysemaviathe bronchoscope using endobronchial valves, airway bypass stents or biological adhesives/heated water vapour will yield similar improvement with less morbidity and reduced mortality, compared with surgical resection. Furthermore, it is hoped that endoscopic lung volume reduction techniques may help patients with homogeneous emphysema currently excluded by most teams for the resectional procedure.
Promoter methylation and large intragenic rearrangements of DPYD are not implicated in severe toxicity to 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer patients
Authors: Savva-Bordalo Joana , Ramalho-Carvalho João , Pinheiro Manuela , Costa Vera L , Rodrigues Ângelo , Dias Paula C , Veiga Isabel , Machado Manuela , Teixeira Manuel R , Henrique Rui , Jerónimo Carmen 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
Severe toxicity to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) based chemotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer has been associated with constitutional genetic alterations of the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD).

Methods
In this study, we evaluated DPYD promoter methylation through quantitative methylation-specific PCR and screened DPYD for large intragenic rearrangements in peripheral blood from 45 patients with gastrointestinal cancers who developed severe 5-FU toxicity. DPYD promoter methylation was also assessed in tumor tissue from 29 patients

Results
Two cases with the IVS14+1G > A exon 14 skipping mutation (c.1905+1G > A), and one case carrying the 1845 G > T missense mutation (c.1845G > T) in the DPYD gene were identified. However, DPYD promoter methylation and large DPYD intragenic rearrangements were absent in all cases analyzed.

Conclusions
Our results indicate that DPYD promoter methylation and large intragenic rearrangements do not contribute significantly to the development of 5-FU severe toxicity in gastrointestinal cancer patients, supporting the need for additional studies on the mechanisms underlying genetic susceptibility to severe 5-FU toxicity.
Effectiveness of BCG vaccination to aged mice
Authors: Ito Tsukasa , Takii Takemasa , Maruyama Mitsuo , Hayashi Daisuke , Wako Takeshi , Asai Azusa , Horita Yasuhiro , Taniguchi Keiichi , Yano Ikuya , Yamamoto Saburo , Onozaki Kikuo 
Published: September 2010

Abstract

Background
The tuberculosis (TB) still increases in the number of new cases, which is estimated to approach 10 million in 2010. The number of aged people has been growing all over the world. Ageing is one of risk factors in tuberculosis because of decreased immune responses in aged people. Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette Guérin (BCG) is a sole vaccine currently used for TB, however, the efficacy of BCG in adults is still a matter of debate. Emerging the multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) make us to see the importance of vaccination against TB in new light. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of BCG vaccination in aged mice.

Results
The Th1 responses, interferon-γ production and interleukin 2, in BCG inoculated aged mice (24-month-old) were comparable to those of young mice (4- to 6-week-old). The protection activity of BCG in aged mice against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv was also the same as young mice.

Conclusion
These findings suggest that vaccination in aged generation is still effective for protection against tuberculosis.
The regulatory role of nitric oxide in proinflammatory cytokine expression during the induction and resolution of inflammation
Authors: Kobayashi Yoshiro 
Published: September 2010

AbstractNitric oxide is produced in various settings, including encounters with apoptotic cells, for regulation of cytokine expression, thereby contributing to inflammation.Upon inflammation, neutrophils and subsequently monocytes infiltrate into the involved site. Neutrophils perform functions such as bacterial killing or tissue destruction and then undergo apoptosis, whereas monocytes differentiate into macrophages at the site. Macrophages and other phagocytes finally clear apoptotic neutrophils, leading to resolution of the inflammation. One of the key steps during inflammation is leukocyte infiltration, which is controlled chiefly by chemokines for neutrophils and monocytes. The production of these chemokines is regulated positively or negatively by iNOS-derived NO. Although the mechanisms underlying such dual effects of NO remain unknown, the level of NO and duration of NO exposure appear to be determining factors. The clearance of apoptotic neutrophils without causing further proinflammatory responses, on the other hand, is another key event during inflammation. The production of proinflammatory cytokines appears to be actively suppressed by TGF-β and NO, which are produced by phagocytes upon interaction with apoptotic cells. Overall, NO plays a critical role during inflammation and therefore, remains a potential target for developing therapeutics for inflammatory diseases.
The Effect of Topical Arnica on Muscle Pain
Authors: Adkison Julie D , Bauer David W , Chang Terence 
Published: September 2010

Background: The herb Arnica montana, in topical formulations, has been reputed to decrease bruising and muscle pain. This claim has been inadequately and incompletely addressed. Objective: To determine whether topical A. montana cream could decrease subjective leg pain following calf raises. Secondary outcomes were effects on ankle range of motion and muscle tenderness. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in 53 subjects. Active range of motion was measured in both ankles, and then a series of calf-raises were completed according to a standardized protocol. Each participant received 2 tubes of cream, 1 with active arnica and 1 with placebo. The creams were applied to the lower legs immediately after the exercise, and again at 24 and 48 hours postexercise according to the “RIGHT” or “LEFT” labels. At 48 hours postexercise, subjects had their ankle range of motion and muscle tenderness measured. Subjects used the analog scale to rate pain in each leg at baseline, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. Results: No significant differences in pain scores were seen before exercise (arnica: 0.07 vs placebo: 0.09, p = 0.32). Pain scores on legs treated with arnica were higher than scores on those receiving placebo 24 hours after exercise (3.04 vs 2.36, respectively; p < 0.005). Pain scores on day 3 (arnica: 3.44 vs placebo: 3.20, p = 0.66) and day 4 (arnica: 2.36 vs placebo: 2.31, p = 0.62) were not significantly different. There was no difference in muscle tenderness (arnica: 1.05 vs placebo: 1.05, p = 1.0). Ankle range of motion did not differ significantly on either day 1 (arnica: 64.70 degrees vs placebo: 66.15, p = 0.352 or day 3 (arnica: 63.32 degrees vs placebo: 65.94, p = 0.058). Conclusions: Rather than decreasing leg pain, arnica was found to increase leg pain 24 hours after eccentric calf exercises. This effect did not extend to the 48-hour measurement.
Influence of chemical treatments on moisture-induced dimensional change and elastic modulus of earlywood and latewood
Authors: Moon Robert J. , Wells Joseph , Kretschmann David E. , Evans James , Wiedenhoeft Alex C. , Frihart Charles R. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
To better understand the performance of bonded, coated, and modified wood, knowledge of how these processes alter the dimensional change and mechanical properties of wood at a given moisture content (MC) are important. These localized influences on earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) properties are not well understood. In the present study, the influence of chemical treatments by hydroxymethylated resorcinol (HMR) and acetylation on moisture-induced dimensional change and longitudinal modulus of elasticity (MOE) of isolated EW and LW specimens of Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) was evaluated. The dimensional change was not altered by the HMR treatment, whereas acetylation lowered it by ∼50% in EW and LW in both radial and tangential directions. The MOE was not influenced by the two chemical treatments tested. Based on results of swelling, shrinkage, and MOE it can be concluded that chemical treatment does not modify EW selectively compared with LW neither in radial nor in tangential orientation.
Psychiatric characterization of children with genetic causes of hyperandrogenism
Authors: Mueller Sven C , Ng Pamela , Sinaii Ninet , Leschek Ellen W , Green-Golan Liza , VanRyzin Carol , Ernst Monique , Merke Deborah P 
Published: September 2010

ObjectiveVery little is known about the mental health status in children with genetic causes of hyperandrogenism. This study sought to characterize psychiatric morbidity in this group.Design/methodsChildren (8–18 years) with the diagnosis of classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or familial male precocious puberty (FMPP) underwent a semi-structured psychiatric interview, the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version. According to sex and the literature, incidence of identified psychopathology was compared between the two endocrinological groups. We evaluated 72 patients: 54 CAH (21 females) and 18 FMPP.ResultsTwenty-four (44.4%) CAH patients and 10 (55.6%) FMPP patients met the criteria for at least one lifetime psychiatric diagnosis. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was present in 18.2% of CAH males, 44.4% of FMPP males, and one case (4.8%) in CAH females. A high rate of anxiety disorders was also found in all the three groups (17–21%). Relative to females with CAH, the FMPP patients exhibited higher rates of ADHD. Age at diagnosis and the treatment modalities were not associated with psychopathology. Rates of psychiatric disorder, specifically ADHD and anxiety disorders, were higher than in the general population.ConclusionAlthough anxiety disorders may occur at an increased rate in children with chronic illness, androgens may contribute to higher risk for psychopathology in pediatric patients with genetic cause of excess androgen. Early diagnosis and treatment of childhood hyperandrogenism is essential for optimal development. The results suggest that assessment for psychiatric disorders should be part of the routine evaluation of these patients.
Differences in Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Diabetic Subjects Discordantly Classified by Diagnostic Criteria Based on Glycated Hemoglobin and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Authors: Boronat Mauro , Saavedra Pedro , López-Ríos Laura , Riaño Marta , Wägner Ana M. , Nóvoa Francisco J. 
Published: September 2010

OBJECTIVE
To characterize the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects categorized differently by A1C- and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)-based diagnostic criteria for diabetes according to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
An OGTT, A1C, and several cardiovascular risk factors were assessed in 964 individuals without known diabetes participating in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey in Gran Canaria, Spain.

RESULTS
Taking the OGTT as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of an A1C value ≥6.5% were 38.7 and 99.6%, respectively. Subjects who fulfilled A1C-based criterion presented greater measures of BMI and waist circumference, lower values for HDL cholesterol, and higher values for fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fibrinogen than subjects with diabetic OGTT but A1C &lt;6.5%.

CONCLUSIONS
Newly diagnosed diabetic individuals who fulfill A1C-based diagnostic criterion for the disease display a more unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile than individuals who only meet the glucose-based criteria.
Effects of consuming diets containing various fats or citrus flavanones on plasma lipid and urinary F2-isoprostane concentrations in overweight cats
Authors: Jeusette Isabelle , Torre Celina , Salas Anna , Iraculis Neus , Compagnucci Marco , Romano Victor , Kirschvink Nathalie 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Objective—To compare in overweight cats the effects of feeding moderate-energy diets with moderate fat content but with saturated fat (beef tallow), saturated fat plus citrus flavanones, or monounsaturated fat (olive oil) on plasma lipids and urinary F2-isoprostane concentrations.
Animals—20 overweight cats with mean ± SD body weight of 5.2 ± 0.2 kg and mean body condition score of 7.8 ± 0.2 (9-point scale).
Procedures—Body weight, plasma total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations, and urinary F2-isoprostane concentration (as marker of oxidative stress) were measured at the beginning of the study, when the cats were fed a maintenance diet, and after 1, 3, and 5 months of consuming test diets.
Results—In overweight cats, citrus flavanones supplementation of the saturated fat diet was associated with lower energy intake and with lower plasma lipids and urinary F2-isoprostane concentrations than in cats fed the saturated fat alone. Monounsaturated fat feeding resulted in lower food intake than in cats fed saturated fat. However, plasma lipids concentrations remained within reference limits throughout the study.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although the clinical relevance of these findings is unknown, the significant differences detected indicated that lower energy intake with citrus flavanones supplementation or with substitution of saturated fat for monounsaturated fat could be good strategies for decreasing plasma lipids concentration and oxidative stress in overweight cats, even before considerable loss of body weight is observed. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1039–1044)
Risk factors for the incidence of calcium oxalate uroliths or magnesium ammonium phosphate uroliths for dogs in Ontario, Canada, from 1998 to 2006
Authors: Wisener Lee V. , Pearl David L. , Houston Doreen M. , Reid-Smith Richard J. , Moore Andrew E. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract
Objective—To investigate individual- and community-level contextual variables as risk factors for submission of calcium oxalate (CaOx) uroliths or magnesium ammonium phosphate (ie, struvite) uroliths for dogs to a national urolith center, as determined on the basis of urolith submission patterns.
Sample Population—Records of 7,297 dogs from Ontario, Canada, with CaOx or struvite uroliths submitted to the Canadian Veterinary Urolith Centre from 1998 through 2006.
Procedures—Data were analyzed via multilevel multivariable logistic regression.
Results—Individual-level main effects and interactions significantly associated with the risk of submission of CaOx uroliths rather than struvite uroliths included age, sex, breed group, neuter status, body condition, dietary moisture content, diet type, sex-neuter status interaction, sex-age interaction, body condition-age interaction, and breed group—dietary moisture content interaction. In addition, median community family income and being located within a major urban center (ie, Toronto) were significant risk factors for submission of CaOx uroliths, compared with submission of struvite uroliths.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Individual-level and dietary factors for dogs affected the risk of submission of CaOx uroliths, relative to that of struvite uroliths. Interactions among these variables need to be considered when assessing the impact of these risk factors. In addition, community-level or contextual factors (such as community family income and residing in a densely populated area of Ontario) also affected submission patterns, although most of the variance in the risk for submission of CaOx uroliths, compared with the risk for submission of struvite uroliths, was explained by individual-level factors. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1045–1054)
Giant posterior fossa cavernous malformations in 2 infants with familial cerebral cavernomatosis: the case for early screening
Authors: Lew Sean M. 
Published: September 2010

The author reports the details in 2 cases of infants with familial cerebral cavernomatosis who presented in dire condition from hemorrhagic posterior fossa cavernous malformations.
In Case 1, a 4-month-old boy presented with opisthotonos, gaze palsy, and lethargy. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a multilobulated cavernous malformation in the fourth ventricle with evidence of bleeding and obstructive hydrocephalus. In Case 2, a 7-month-old girl presented with lethargy, followed by rapid neurological decline. Imaging demonstrated a large lesion involving both the brainstem and cerebellum, with obstructive hydrocephalus. Both patients required immediate surgical intervention, and external ventricular drainage and posterior fossa craniotomies were performed. Both patients made excellent recoveries. These cases suggest that infants in families with suspected or confirmed familial cerebral cavernomatosis should be screened at an early age.
Surgical approaches to brainstem cavernous malformations
Authors: Abla Adib A. , Turner Jay D. , Mitha Alim P. , Lekovic Gregory , Spetzler Robert F. 
Published: September 2010

Brainstem cavernous malformations (CMs) are low-flow vascular lesions in eloquent locations. Their presentation is often marked with symptomatic hemorrhages that appear to occur more frequently than hemorrhage from supratentorial cavernomas. Brainstem CMs can be removed using 1 of the 5 standard skull-base approaches: retrosigmoid, suboccipital (with or without telovelar approach), supracerebellar infratentorial, orbitozygomatic, and far lateral.
Patients being referred to a tertiary institution often have lesions that are aggressive with respect to bleeding rates. Nonetheless, the indications for surgery, in the authors' opinion, are the same for all lesions: those that are symptomatic, those that cause mass effect, or those that abut a pial surface. Patients often have relapsing and remitting courses of symptoms, with each hemorrhage causing a progressive and stepwise decline. Many patients experience new postoperative deficits, most of which are transient and resolve fully. Despite the risks associated with operating in this highly eloquent tissue, most patients have had favorable outcomes in the authors' experience. Surgical treatment of brainstem CMs protects patients from the potentially devastating effects of rehemorrhage, and the authors believe that the benefits of intervention outweigh the risks in patients with the appropriate indications.
Positive and Negative Donor Impurity in an InAs/AlAs Quantum Wire
Authors: Arunachalam N. , Peter A. J. 
Published: September 2010

Binding energies of positive and negative charged donor impurities in an InAs/AlAs cylindrical quantum wire are investigated. Numerical calculations are performed using the variational procedure within the single band effective mass approximation. We assume that the impurity is located at the axis of the wire. The interband optical transition with and without the exciton is computed as a function of wire radius. The valence-band anisotropy is included in our theoretical model by using different hole masses in different spatial directions. Neutral shallow donors comprise a positively charged donor and a single bound electron. It is observed that (i) negative trions have a higher binding energy than positive trions, (ii) the binding energy of the heavy-hole exciton is much larger than that of the light-hole exciton due to different hole mass values (iii) the exciton binding energy and the interband emission energy are both increased when the radius of the cylindrical quantum wire is decreased and (iv) the effect of exciton influences the interband emission energy. Our results are in good agreement with the recent published results. Keywords: Quantum wire; Impurity level; Binding energy; Excitons. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i3.4715 J. Sci. Res. 2 (3), 433-441 (2010)