bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence of in vivo basophil activation in chronic idiopathic urticaria
Authors: Vasagar K. , Vonakis B. M. , Gober L. M. , Viksman A. , Gibbons S. P. , Saini S. S. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground
Approximately 40% of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) subjects have autoantibodies to either FcɛRIα or IgE. The effect of such autoantibodies on circulating basophil activation status is unknown.Objective
The expression of cell surface activation markers on basophils from CIU, non‐allergic, and allergic subjects were compared. Further, the relationship between marker expression and serum factors reported in CIU, such as histamine‐releasing activity (HRA) and immunoreactivity to FcɛRIα were examined.Methods
Peripheral blood was obtained from CIU, allergic, and non‐allergic donors and fractionated by density gradients. Enriched basophils (1–12%) were analysed by flow cytometry for expression of activation markers including CD63, CD69, and CD203c. Dilutions of serum (5–50%) were analysed for HRA on basophils from a normal donor. Serum was tested for immunoreactivity by western blotting to a standard cell lysate prepared from an RBL‐SX38 cell line transfected with human FcɛRIα.Results
CIU subjects (n=9) and allergic subjects (n=8) exhibited enhanced expression of CD63 and CD69, as compared with non‐allergic subjects (n=7); however, no difference was seen among groups for CD203c expression. Five CIU and two non‐allergic subjects had evidence of significant serum HRA (>20%), whereas two CIU, two allergic, and three non‐allergic subjects had evidence of serum immunoreactivity to FcɛRIα. Serum HRA and serum immunoreactivity to FcɛRIα were not associated with enhanced surface marker expression.Conclusion
Basophil activation marker expression is increased in CIU subjects and is not associated with serum factors. In addition, serum HRA and FcɛRIα immunoreactivity are not unique to CIU, or related to enhanced circulating basophil marker expression.
Phl p 3: Structural and immunological characterization of a major allergen of timothy grass pollen
Authors: Petersen Arnd , Suck Roland , Lindner Buko , Georgieva Dessi , Ernst Martin , Notbohm Holger , Wicklein Daniel , Cromwell Oliver , Becker Wolf‐Meinhard 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground
The relevant importance of individual allergens for allergic sensitization is only partially understood. More detailed information on allergen structure and how it influences immunological responses can lead to better diagnosis of disease and improved preparations for allergen‐specific immunotherapy. Grass pollen contains several different allergens, and although the group 3 allergens have been classified long ago, their structure and allergenicity have been poorly investigated.Objective
To characterize Phl p 3 from timothy grass pollen and compare it with Phl p 2 with respect to biochemical structure and allergenicity.Methods
Natural Phl p 2 and Phl p 3 were separated from a pollen extract by chromatography and characterized by 2D electrophoresis and protein sequencing. The complete sequences were determined by DNA cloning and detected in natural pollen extracts by mass spectrometry. Further comparisons of the allergens were made for IgE‐binding and cross‐reactivity, allergenicity was determined by basophil CD203c activation and skin prick test and 3D structures were compared by molecular modelling.Results
Phl p 3 reveals molecular masses of 10.958 and 10.973 kDa and pIs of 8.9 and 9.3, respectively, Phl p 2 a molecular mass of 10.816 kDa and a pI of 4.6. The sequence identity is 58%. In spite of these differences in the primary structures, both allergens reveal similar conformational structures, resulting in similar immunological and allergological moieties.Conclusions
The group 3 and group 2 allergens are major allergens with similar 3D structures. Although they differ considerably in their protein sequences and their pIs, they show only a slightly higher immunological reactivity for Phl p 3 on the B‐cell level (conformational epitopes). But distinct differences between the sequences may influence reactivity at the T cell level.
Association between alcohol consumption and aeroallergen sensitization in Danish adults
Authors: Linneberg A. , Hertzum I. , Husemoen L. L. N. , Johansen N. , Jørgensen T. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground
It has been proposed that alcohol consumption may be one of the lifestyle factors associated with a westernized, urban, and affluent lifestyle contributing to the rise in atopic disease.Objective
The aim was to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and atopy (aeroallergen sensitization).Methods
In 1982, a population‐based cross‐sectional study of 3608 Danes (79% of the invited), aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, was carried out. Information on alcohol consumption was obtained by a questionnaire. Aeroallergen sensitization was defined as a positive test for the detection of specific IgE against a panel of 19 common inhalant allergens in stored serum samples. A total of 3317 subjects with complete information on all variables were included in the analyses.Results
We found a statistically significant association between alcohol consumption and aeroallergen sensitization (independent of the type of alcoholic drink consumed). This association appeared to relate only to those who consumed more than 8 drinks/week. After adjustment for confounders this association was only statistically significant for those who consumed 15–21 drinks/week (adjusted odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2–2.8).Conclusion
In this adult general population, self‐reported alcohol consumption was positively associated with aeroallergen sensitization.
The cysteinyl‐leukotriene type 1 receptor polymorphism 927T/C is associated with atopy severity but not with asthma
Authors: Hao L. , Sayers I. , Cakebread J. A. , Barton S. J. , Beghé B. , Holgate S. T. , Sampson A. P. , Holloway J. W. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryBackground
The cysteinyl‐leukotriene receptor type 1 (CysLT1) mediates the bronchoconstrictor and pro‐inflammatory actions of cysteinyl‐leukotrienes (LTC4, LTD4, LTE4) in asthma and is the molecular target of the lukast class of oral anti‐leukotriene drugs. We screened the CYSLTR1 gene on chromosome Xq13‐21 for coding region polymorphisms, and investigated their associations with allergy and asthma.Methods
Solid‐phase chemical cleavage was used to screen polymorphisms in the coding region of CYSLTR1. A TaqMan allelic discrimination assay was used to genotype a 927T/C SNP and oligonucleotide ligation assays were used to genotype the previously reported 617T/C and 898G/A SNPs of CYSLTR1 in 341 asthmatic families from the UK. Associations with asthma diagnosis, atopic status, serum‐specific IgE and severity of allergy and asthma were examined.Results
Family‐based association tests showed that the 927 T allele was associated with atopy severity, especially in female subjects, but not with asthma diagnosis or severity, atopic status, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness to methacholine or forced expiratory volume in 1 s.Conclusion
Mutation screening identified only one polymorphism, 927T/C, in the coding region of the CysLT1 receptor. This polymorphsim is predictive of atopy severity, but not associated with asthma.
Technetium‐99m‐sestamibi subtraction scintigraphy vs. ultrasonography combined with a rapid parathyroid hormone assay in parathyroid aspirates in preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas and in directing surgical approach
Authors: Barczynski Marcin , Golkowski Filip , Konturek Aleksander , Buziak‐Bereza Monika , Cichon Stanislaw , Hubalewska‐Dydejczyk Alicja , Huszno Bohdan , Szybinski Zbigniew 
Published: June 2006

SummaryObjective  To determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of subtraction scintigraphy (SS) vs. ultrasonography (US) of the neck combined with rapid intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) assay in US‐guided fine‐needle parathyroid aspirates in preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas and in directing surgical approach.Design  The results of SS for localization of parathyroid adenoma were determined in 121 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) and compared with findings at surgery and with the results of US alone (in patients without nodular goitre) and US in combination with the iPTH assay in US‐guided fine‐needle aspirates (FNAs) of suspicious parathyroid lesions (in patients with concomitant nodular goitre).Patients  All 121 patients had biochemically documented pHPT; all were referred for first‐time surgery.Measurements  SS was performed with 99mTc‐sestamibi and 99mTc‐pertechnetate. High‐resolution US of the neck was performed by a single endocrine surgeon and combined with US‐guided FNAs of suspicious parathyroid lesions in all patients with nodular goitre (n = 43).Results  The sensitivity and PPV of SS were significantly higher in patients without vs. with goitre (89·3% and 95·7%vs. 74·3% and 76·5%, respectively; P < 0·001). The sensitivity and PPV of US were significantly higher in patients without vs. with goitre (96% and 97·3%vs. 67·7% and 71·9%, respectively; P < 0·001). The iPTH assay of US‐guided FNAs of suspicious parathyroid lesions in patients with nodular goitre significantly improved both the sensitivity and PPV of US imaging (90·7% and 100%, respectively), allowing for an accurate choice of surgical approach in 118 (97·5%) of 121 patients. SS was more accurate than US alone in detection of ectopic parathyroid adenomas. However, US alone was characterized by a higher sensitivity in detection of small parathyroid adenomas (< 500 mg) at typical sites (P < 0·01).Conclusions  Both the sensitivity and PPV of SS and US alone are comparable, with significantly less accurate results obtained in patients with goitre. In cases of equivocal results of US and/or in patients with concomitant goitre, an iPTH assay in US‐guided FNAs of suspicious parathyroid lesions may be used to establish the nature of the mass, distinguish between parathyroid and nonparathyroid tissue (goitre, lymph nodes) and improve the accuracy of US parathyroid imaging, allowing for successful directing of surgical approach in a majority of patients.
Signs and symptoms from ectodermal organs in young Swedish individuals with oligodontia
Authors: BERGENDAL B. , NORDERYD J. , BÅGESUND M. , HOLST A. 
Published: June 2006

Summary.  Objectives.  The aim was to assess signs and symptoms from other ectodermal organs in addition to teeth in young individuals with oligodontia and to establish the prevalence of oligodontia.Sample and methods.  Children born 1981–94 reported by dental teams in the Public Dental Service to have oligodontia were asked to participate in a clinical study. The examinations comprised a structured interview on symptoms from ectodermal organs, and testing of salivary secretion.Results.  One hundred and sixty‐two individuals met the inclusion criteria, and 123 individuals (75·9%) participated in the clinical study. Half of the individuals had one to four signs or symptoms from ectodermal organs beside oligodontia. The most common sign was low salivary secretion. Twelve individuals (9·6%) with isolated oligodontia reported impaired function of the sweat glands, hair, or nails. The prevalence of oligodontia was 0·090%.Conclusions.  An early identification of individuals with oligodontia can be made in a majority of cases by checking that all permanent incisors have erupted at the age of 8 years. The validity in asking individuals about normal and abnormal function of ectodermal organs was found to be low. This indicates that there is a strong need to establish routine clinical criteria for dysplasia of ectodermal organs.
Ecosystem alteration modifies the relative strengths of bottom‐up and top‐down forces in a herbivore population
Authors: MOREAU GAÉTAN , EVELEIGH ELDON S. , LUCAROTTI CHRISTOPHER J. , QUIRING DAN T. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryEcosystem alterations can affect the abundance, distribution and diversity of plants and animals, and thus potentially change the relative strength of bottom‐up (the plant resource) and top‐down (natural enemies) trophic forces acting on herbivore populations.The hypothesis that alterations of the forest ecosystem associated with precommercial thinning have contributed to the increased severity of outbreaks ofNeodiprion abietis(Harris), a sawfly defoliator, through the reduction of trophic forces acting onN. abietislarvae, was tested using exclusion techniques.The relative contributions toN. abietislarval mortality of bottom‐up and top‐down forces both increased with increasing levels of defoliation and were both reduced by thinning. The reduction of bottom‐up and top‐down forces caused a 58% mean increase inN. abietislarval survival in thinned compared with untreated stands, which is less than would be expected by the sum of the effects of thinning on each source of mortality. Evidence indicates that the partly compensatory, partly additive nature of the mortality associated with trophic forces in the system under study is responsible for this discrepancy.To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the impact of ecosystem alterations on the balance between bottom‐up and top‐down forces acting on an eruptive herbivore population along a gradient of host‐plant defoliation, and how this can lead to increased outbreak severity. It is stressed that accurate estimates of the relative contributions of bottom‐up and top‐down forces to mortality cannot be obtained if the additive or compensatory nature of the mortality associated with these trophic forces is overlooked.
Patterns of growth and body condition in sea otters from the Aleutian archipelago before and after the recent population decline
Authors: LAIDRE K. L. , ESTES J. A. , TINKER M. T. , BODKIN J. , MONSON D. , SCHNEIDER K. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryGrowth models for body mass and length were fitted to data collected from 1842 sea ottersEnhydra lutrisshot or live‐captured throughout south‐west Alaska between 1967 and 2004. Growth curves were constructed for each of two main year groups: 1967–71 when the population was at or near carrying capacity and 1992–97 when the population was in steep decline. Analyses of data collected from animals caught during 2004, when the population density was very low, were precluded by a small sample size and consequently only examined incidentally to the main growth curves.Growth curves demonstrated a significant increase in body mass and body length at age in the 1990s. Asymptotic values of body mass were 12–18% higher in the 1990s than in the 1960s/70s, and asymptotic values for body length were 10–11% higher between the same periods. Data collected in 2004 suggest a continued increase in body size, with nearly all data points for mass and length falling significantly above the 1990s growth curves.In addition to larger asymptotic values for mass and length, the rate of growth towards asymptotic values was more rapid in the 1990s than in the 1960s/70s: sea otters reached 95% of asymptotic body mass and body length 1–2 years earlier in the 1990s.Body condition (as measured by the log mass/log length ratio) was significantly greater in males than in females. There was also an increasing trend from the 1960s/70s through 2004 despite much year‐to‐year variation.Population age structures differed significantly between the 1960s/70s and the 1990s with the latter distribution skewed toward younger age classes (indicating an altered lxfunction) suggesting almost complete relaxation of age‐dependent mortality patterns (i.e. those typical of food‐limited populations).This study spanned a period of time over which the population status of sea otters in the Aleutian archipelago declined precipitously from levels at or near equilibrium densities at some islands in the 1960s/70s to < 5% of estimated carrying capacity by the late 1990s. The results of this study indicate an improved overall health of sea otters over the period of decline and suggest that limited nutritional resources were not the cause of the observed reduced population abundance. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the decline was caused by increased killer whale predation.
Lineage origin and expansion of a Neotropical migrant songbird after recent glaciation events
Authors: BOULET MARYLÈNE , GIBBS H. LISLE 
Published: June 2006

AbstractBirds of the Northern Hemisphere often harbour the genetic signature of postglaciation expansion but analyses identifying the location of refugia and the directionality of expansions are rare. Here we explore the evolutionary history of yellow warbler lineages, focusing on how these lineages recolonized their current range. We genotyped samples from 696 yellow warblers via direct sequencing of a 333‐bp control region I mitochondrial DNA fragment or lineage‐specific genotyping. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two monophyletic clades: a highly migratory group including previously identified eastern and western lineages and a less migratory group including a lineage consisting of tropical residents and a new ‘southern’ lineage localized in southwest United States. We then modelled the expansion of the eastern and western lineages, identified the location of potential refugia and assessed the importance of migration as a historical factor promoting gene flow. The expansion of the eastern lineage proceeded from a main refugia in the eastern United States, with possible contribution of an additional local refugia. In the western lineage, the expansion proceeded from a single refugia possibly located in western United States. Because two lineages overlapped to varying degrees in central North America, we suggest that the Canadian Prairies offered a bridge of riparian habitats where the lineages met after glacier retreat, while the US Central Great Plains acted as a barrier that limited secondary contact. Finally, gene flow was more important along the north–south axis of migration than away from it, suggesting spring migration played a role in the dispersal of lineages.
Premature targeting of cell division proteins to midcell reveals hierarchies of protein interactions involved in divisome assembly
Authors: Goehring Nathan W. , Gonzalez Mark D. , Beckwith Jon 
Published: June 2006

SummaryIn order to divide, the bacterium Escherichia coli must assemble a set of at least 10 essential proteins at the nascent division site. These proteins localize to midcell according to a linear hierarchy, suggesting that cell division proteins are added to the nascent divisome in strict sequence. We previously described a method, ‘premature targeting’, which allows us to target a protein directly to the division site independently of other cell division proteins normally required for its localization at midcell. By systematically applying this method to probe the recruitment of and associations among late cell division proteins, we show that this linear assembly model is likely incorrect. Rather, we find that the assembly of most of the late proteins can occur independently of ‘upstream’ proteins. Further, most late proteins, when prematurely targeted to midcell, can back‐recruit upstream proteins in the reverse of the predicted pathway. Together these observations indicate that the late proteins, with the notable exception of the last protein in the pathway, FtsN, are associated in a hierarchical set of protein complexes. Based on these observations we present a revised model for assembly of the E. coli division apparatus.
Regulation and expression of bba66 encoding an immunogenic infection‐associated lipoprotein in Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Clifton Dawn R. , Nolder Christi L. , Hughes Jessica L. , Nowalk Andrew J. , Carroll James A. 
Published: June 2006

SummaryWhen Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) is transmitted from a tick vector to a mammalian host the spirochaete alters gene expression, allowing for adaptation to the new host. We evaluated the regulation of paralogous gene family (pgf) 54 members in response to environmental cues and focused our efforts on determining the molecular mechanisms influencing bba66 expression. By qRT‐PCR, bba65, bba66, bba71 and bba73 displayed regulation similar to ospC under mammalian‐like conditions. Of the pgf 54 members, bba66 demonstrated the greatest and second greatest change in expression in response to pH or temperature shift respectively. Furthermore, Bb‐infected mice and patients with early disseminated Lyme disease produced detectable antibodies to BBA66. A protein(s) active in Bb at pH 7 was able to interact with the bba66 upstream region and was specific as bba64 and ospC promoters were unable to out‐compete for binding. bba66 promoter mapping revealed putative σ70 and σS consensus sequences, enabling us to narrow the protein binding site to a region within an imperfect inverted repeat upstream of the −35 region. Moreover, BBA66 production is associated with an infectious phenotype, and loss of either σN or σS resulted in loss of BBA66. Promoter‐GFP fusion analysis indicated that the σ70 and/or σS consensus sequences alone were not sufficient to initiate transcription and a portion of the upstream inverted repeat was required. These results suggest a primary role for BBA66 in Bb transmission and infection.
Type IV pili function upstream of the Dif chemotaxis pathway in Myxococcus xanthus EPS regulation
Authors: Black Wesley P. , Xu Qian , Yang Zhaomin 
Published: June 2006

SummaryThe developmental bacterium Myxococcus xanthus utilizes gliding motility to aggregate during the formation of multicellular fruiting bodies. The social (S) component of M. xanthus gliding motility requires at least two extracellular surface structures, type IV pili (Tfp) and the fibril polysaccharide or exopolysaccharide (EPS). Retraction of Tfp is proposed to power S motility and EPS from neighbouring cells is suggested to provide an anchor and trigger for Tfp retraction. The production of EPS in M. xanthus is regulated in part by the Dif chemosensory pathway; however, the input signal for the Dif pathway in EPS regulation remains to be uncovered. Using a genetic approach combined with quantitative and qualitative analysis, we demonstrate here that Tfp function upstream of the Dif proteins in regulating EPS production. The requirement of Tfp for the production of EPS was verified using various classes of Tfp mutants. Construction and examination of double and triple mutants indicated that mutations in dif are epistatic to those in pil. Furthermore, extracellular complementation between various Tfp and dif mutants suggests that Tfp, instead of being signals, may constitute the sensor or part of the sensor responsible for mediating signal input into the Dif pathway. We propose that S motility involves a regulatory loop in which EPS triggers Tfp retraction and Tfp provide proximity signals to the Dif pathway to modulate EPS production.
The order of the ring: assembly of Escherichia coli cell division components
Authors: Vicente Miguel , Rico Ana Isabel 
Published: June 2006

SummaryTopological cues appear to override temporal events in the assembly of the Escherichia coli cell division ring. When a procedure that allows the recruitment of ring components based on their topological properties is used, a concerted mode of assembly of several components of the divisome, rather than a strict linear mode, is revealed. Three multimolecular complexes, the proto‐ring, the periplasmic connector and the peptidoglycan factory, show some degree of concertation for their assembly. In addition, back‐recruitment of all late proteins except FtsN into the division ring occurs even in the absence of proteins incorporated at earlier stages, i.e. FtsA or FtsQ.