bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Delayed‐type hypersensitivity to subcutaneous enoxaparin
Authors: Méndez J. , Sanchis M. E. , de la Fuente R. , Stolle R. , Vega J. M. , Martinez C. , Armentia A. , Sánchez P. , Fernández A. 
Published: May 2007

Background Enoxaparin and other low‐molecular‐weight heparins are widely used to prevent and treat thromboembolic disorders. Cutaneous reactions secondary to enoxaparin injections include delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions described as erythematous, infiltrated plaques at injection sites. We studied three cases of erythematous infiltrated plaques after enoxaparin injection in order to establish the allergenic importance of this low‐molecular‐weight heparin. Methods Patch tests were performed with sodium heparin, calcium heparin, calcium enoxaparin, and calcium nadroparin, A subcutaneous test with calcium heparin and an intravenous challenge test with sodium heparin were done, A punch biopsy was obtained from an erythematous plaque in one patient. Results Patch tests were negative to calcium heparin in all patients, positive t o enoxaparin and nadroparin in two patients, and positive to sodium heparin i n one patient. In two patients, the subcutaneous challenge test was positive, the intravenous challenge test was negative, and the histopathologic appearance of the biopsy resembled a delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction. Conclusions TTiese cases provide evidence of type IV hypersensitivity and the possibility of crossed‐allergenicity among unfractionated heparin and low‐molecular‐weight heparins. We show that the subcutaneous challenge test is the most reliable diagnostic measure.
Occupational asthma caused by exposure to asparagus: detection of allergens by immunoblotting
Authors: Lopez‐Rubio A. , Rodriguez J. , Crespo J. F. , Vives R. , Daroca P. , Reaño M. 
Published: May 2007

Background Vegetables of the Liliaceae family, such as garlic or onion, have been reported to cause occupational asthma. However, there are few data on adverse reactions to asparagus. We evaluated the role of asparagus as a cause of asthma in a patient with respiratory symptoms occurring at work (horticulture) and studied relevant allergens. Methods A 28‐year‐oId man complained of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma when harvesting asparagus at work. Eating cooked asparagus did not provoke symptoms. A positive skin test reaction was observed with raw asparagus, Aiternaria atternata. and grass‐pollen extracts. The methacholine test demonstrated mild bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The patient had an immediate asthmatic response after challenge with raw asparagus extract. Bronchial provocation tests with boiled asparagus, A. aiternata. and control extracts were negative. Two unexposed subjects with seasonal allergic asthma did not react to the raw asparagus extract. Results The double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge with raw asparagus was negative. Serum asparagus‐specific IgE was 13.9 kUA/1. By SDS‐PAGE immunoblot, at least six IgE‐binding components, ranging from 22 to 73 kDa, were detected only in raw asparagus. Concltisions We report a case of occupational asthma caused by asparagus inhalation, confirmed by specific bronchoprovocation. Immunoblot analysis showed that asparagus allergens are very labile and quite sensitive to heat denaturation.
Alternative splicing of cyclooxygenase‐1 gene: altered expression in leucocytes from patients with bronchial asthma and association with aspirin‐induced 15‐HETE release
Authors: Kowalski M. L. , Borowiec M. , Kurowski M. , Pawliczak R. 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) is a key enzyme involved in generation of prostanoids, important mediators and modulators of asthmatic inflammation. In a subpopulation of aspirin‐sensitive asthmatics (ASA) inhibition of COX‐1 by nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs results in activation of inflammatory cells and development of symptoms. Alternatively spliced variants of COX‐1 lacking 111 bp from exon 9 were described previously but have never been identified in human leucocytes peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) or upper airway epithelial cells. We aimed to assess the expression of spliced variants of COX‐1 mRNA in PBLs from patients with asthma and in healthy subjects (HS) referring the expression to patients characteristics (including ASA‐sensitivity) and to aspirin‐triggered 15‐hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15‐HETE) generation.Methods:  The study included 30 patients with ASA, 30 patients with aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA) and 30 HS serving as controls. Nasal polyps for epithelial cell cultures were obtained from 10 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Expression of full length and spliced variants of COX‐1 enzyme was detected by RT‐PCR and presented as the ratio of full‐length COX‐1 to alternatively spliced COX‐1 mRNA [COX‐1 alternative splicing index (COX‐1 AS index)]. Release of eicosanoids (PGE2 and 15‐HETE) by PBLs was measured with enzyme immunoassay.Results:  In both PBLs and airway epithelial cells the expression of full‐length product prevailed over spliced variants of COX‐1 enzyme. Cyclooxygenase‐1 AS index was significantly lower in asthmatics as compared to HS (1.96 ± 0.71 vs 2.41 ± 0.99, P < 0.05) indicating the relatively higher expression of the alternative transcript in asthmatic patients. Cyclooxygenase‐1 AS index was not different between ASA and ATA groups (mean 1.90 ± 0.66 vs 2.02 ± 0.76, respectively, P = 0.39). There was no significant association between COX‐1 AS index and mean daily dose of inhaled glucocorticosteroids or pulmonary function tests (FEV1, FVC) but in ASA group a weak correlation with daily dose of oral glucocorticosteroids was found (r = 0.39; P = 0.03). In ASA patients there was a significant positive correlation between the COX‐1 AS index and the percentage of aspirin‐triggered increase in 15‐HETE generation (r = 0.51; P < 0.03).Conclusions:  Alternatively spliced variants of COX‐1 mRNA are differently expressed in patients with bronchial asthma and may be associated with aspirin‐triggered 15‐HETE generation.
Differential anti‐inflammatory effects of large and small particle size inhaled corticosteroids in asthma
Authors: Menzies D. , Nair A. , Hopkinson P. , McFarlane L. , Lipworth B. J. 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Extra‐fine particle formulations of hydrofluoroalkane‐134a beclometasone dipropionate (HFA‐BDP) exhibit clinical effects comparable with conventional particle formulations of chlorofluorocarbon beclometasone dipropionate (CFC‐BDP) at half the dose. There is little data comparing their effects on inflammation. We have evaluated the effects of HFA‐BDP and CFC‐BDP on pulmonary and systemic markers of asthmatic inflammation.Methods:  A double‐blind randomized crossover trial was undertaken comparing the anti‐inflammatory effects of HFA‐BDP (100 and 400 μg/day) and CFC‐BDP (200 and 800 μg/day). Treatment with montelukast was evaluated as add‐on to the higher dose of BDP.Results:  Compared with baseline after withdrawal of usual asthma therapy, 100 μg of HFA‐BDP significantly attenuated serum eosinophilic cationic protein levels (0.61‐fold change, 95% CI 0.49–0.77; a 39% reduction, P < 0.001), but 200 μg of CFC‐BDP did not (0.87‐fold change, 95% CI 0.63–1.23; P = 1). A dose of 800 μg of CFC‐BDP and 400 μg of HFA‐BDP led to reductions in exhaled nitric oxide (0.57‐fold change, 95% CI 0.44–0.73; a 43% reduction, P < 0.001 and 0.65‐fold change, 95% CI 0.47–0.91; a 35% reduction, P = 0.008, respectively); and peripheral eosinophils (−74 cells/μl, 95% CI −146 to −2; P = 0.020 and −77 cells/μl, 95% CI −140 to −14; P = 0.012, respectively). Montelukast further reduced exhaled nitric oxide (0.81‐fold change, 95% CI 0.66–0.98; P = 0.028) with 400 μg HFA‐BDP and eosinophils (−44 cells/μl, 95% CI −80 to −8; P = 0.012) with 800 μg CFC‐BDP, but not vice versa.Conclusion:  Chlorofluorocarbon beclometasone dipropionate and HFA‐BDP have differential effects on pulmonary and systemic inflammation, which dictate the additive effects of montelukast.
Novel cytokine peptide‐based vaccines: an interleukin‐4 vaccine suppresses airway allergic responses in mice
Authors: Ma Y. , Hayglass K. T. , Becker A. B. , Halayko A. J. , Basu S. , Simons F. E. R. , Peng Z. 
Published: May 2007

Background:  Monoclonal antibodies or soluble receptors have been used to block over‐produced endogenous cytokines. However, they have disadvantages of short half‐lives, high costs, and possible adverse effects. Using interleukin (IL)‐4 as a model target, we sought to develop a novel therapeutic strategy by constructing an IL‐4 peptide‐based vaccine for blocking IL‐4 on a persistent basis, and to evaluate its efficacy in a mouse model of asthma.Methods:  A peptide was selected by antigenic prediction and structure analysis of IL‐4/receptor complex. The vaccine was constructed by employing truncated hepatitis B core antigen as carrier with the peptide inserted using gene engineering methods. It was then expressed, purified and identified. Prior to intraperitoneal sensitization and intranasal challenge with ovalbumin, mice were subcutaneously immunized three times with the vaccine, or the carrier or saline as controls. Serum antibodies, inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), lung histology, and responsiveness to inhaled methacholine were analyzed.Results:  The vaccine presented as virus‐like particles and reacted to polyclonal anti‐IL‐4 in Western blotting. Vaccinated mice produced high titers of IgG to IL‐4. Serum ovalbumin‐specific IgE, eosinophil accumulation in BALF, goblet cell hyperplasia, tissue inflammation and methacoline‐induced respiratory responses were markedly suppressed in vaccinated mice with statistical significance, as compared with those in the control groups.Conclusions:  Administration of this novel IL‐4 vaccine led to an overall decrease in the development of airway allergic inflammatory responses. The results indicate that cytokine peptide‐based vaccines hold potential for treatment of asthma and, by extension, other diseases where over‐expressed cytokines play a pivotal role in pathogenesis.
Assessment of asthma control and its impact on optimal treatment strategy
Authors: Lundback B. , Dahl R. 
Published: May 2007

Achieving and maintaining optimal asthma control is a major asthma management goal advocated by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). Recent evidence suggests that while asthma control is clearly achievable in most asthmatics, not all asthmatics attain optimal asthma control. The difficulty is compounded further because patients, physicians and regulatory bodies have different perceptions of what is meant by asthma control. The challenge therefore remains as to how best to assess asthma control and define management strategies to ensure that this control is achieved and maintained. Despite the availability of several patient‐based tools for assessing asthma control, these are mostly employed in a research setting or in selected specialist clinics. A symptom‐based treatment approach also may have its limitations because patients can be poor judges of disease symptoms and severity and under‐estimation may lead to inadequate treatment of airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) when treatment is administered as on‐demand reliever therapy, since the effect of treatment on these underlying features occurs over a longer time course. The clinical benefits of sustained maintenance treatment for at least 3 months has been documented in recent studies of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate combination, which have demonstrated correlations between reduction in airway inflammation/AHR and reduction in exacerbation rates.In view of the putative limitations of a purely symptom‐based asthma management plan, we suggest that treatment should be focussed on management of all aspects of the disease rather than management of symptoms alone, with a practical approach being treatment for a minimum of 3 months with an optimal dose to ensure maximal effects are seen on asthma control, airway inflammation, lung function, and remodelling.
Molecular Characterization of the 3′‐Terminal Region ofTurnip mosaic virusIsolates from Eastern China
Authors: Tian Y.‐P. , Zhu X.‐P. , Liu J.‐L. , Yu X.‐Q. , Du J. , Kreuze J. , Li X.‐D. 
Published: May 2007

AbstractTurnip mosaic virus(TuMV; genusPotyvirus, family Potyviridae) causes great losses to cruciferous crop production worldwide. The 3′‐terminal genomic sequences of eight TuMV isolates from eastern China were compared with those of 74 other Chinese TuMV isolates of known host origin in the GenBank and isolated during the past 25 years. The reported sequences of the eight TuMV isolates are 1125 or 1126‐nucleotides (nt) long excluding the poly(A) tail. They all contain one partial open reading frame of 912 nt, encoding 304 amino acids, followed by a stop codon and a non‐translated region of 209–210 nt. Results of phylogenetic analyses showed that Chinese TuMV isolates clustered into three groups: basal‐BR, Asian‐BR and world‐B. The ratios of non‐synonymous and synonymous substitutions and results of amino acid alignment provided evidence for purifying or negative selection in TuMV populations of China.
Circulating Metabolic Hormones During the Peripubertal Period and Their Association with Testicular Development in Bulls
Authors: Brito LFC , Barth AD , Rawlings NC , Wilde RE , Crews DH , Mir PS , Kastelic JP 
Published: May 2007

ContentsThe objective of the present study was to characterize changes in serum metabolic hormones concentrations from 20 weeks before to 20 weeks post‐puberty in bulls and to investigate the associations of metabolic hormones concentrations with testicular development. Leptin concentrations increased from 16 weeks before puberty to 8 weeks post‐puberty and insulin concentrations increased from puberty to 8 weeks post‐puberty. Growth hormone concentrations decreased after 4 weeks post‐puberty, whereas IGF‐I concentrations increased from 8 weeks before puberty to 8 weeks post‐puberty. During this period, testicular growth was accelerated and testosterone secretion increased substantially, without any significant changes in gonadotropin secretion. Monthly circulating concentrations of leptin, IGF‐I and insulin accounted for 63% of the variation in scrotal circumference and 59% of the variation in paired testes volume. In conclusion, the secretion of metabolic hormones was not associated with changes in gonadotropins concentrations. Furthermore, the associations of leptin, IGF‐I and insulin concentrations with testes size indicated that these hormones might be involved in a gonadotropin‐independent mechanism regulating the testicular development in peripubertal bulls.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and its Two Receptors (Flt‐I and KDR) in the Endometrium and Placenta of the Mare During the Oestrous Cycle and Pregnancy
Authors: Allen WR , Gower S , Wilsher S 
Published: May 2007

ContentsPolyclonal antisera for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its two main receptor molecules, VEGF‐I (Flt) and VEGF‐II (KDR), were used in a conventional immunocytochemical staining method to localize these angiogenic ligand molecules in the endometrium and placenta of the mare during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy. The anti‐VEGF and anti‐Flt sera both labelled the lumenal and glandular epithelia of the endometrium throughout the oestrous cycle and both the invasive trophoblast cells of the endometrial cups and the non‐invasive trophoblast of the allantochorion in pregnancy. The anti‐KDR serum likewise stained the maternal and foetal epithelial layers during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy and it also labelled fibroblast‐like cells in the endometrial and allantoic stromas and the endothelium of foetal and maternal capillaries. The results demonstrated that constant supplies of the principal vasculogenic and angiogenic factor, VEGF, and its two major receptors, Flt and KDR, are available on both the maternal and foetal sides of the placental barrier throughout gestation in the mare. They are presumed to facilitate the continuing development of the extensive foetal and maternal capillary networks that are such prominent features within the microplacentomes of the diffuse, epitheliochorial equine placenta.
Do young hepatocellular carcinoma patients with relatively good liver function have poorer outcomes than elderly patients?
Authors: Cho Soo‐Jeong , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Hwang Seung‐Sik , Lee Hyo‐Suk 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known to be age dependent; the influence of age on prognosis is, however, controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the tumor characteristics and survival rates of young and old HCC patients, with respect to tumor stage.Methods:  We reviewed the clinical data and survival times of 71 young HCC patients from 1987 to 2003 and compared these with those of their older counterparts (n = 239). Patients were categorized into three age groups: group A, age <30 years (n = 71); group B, age ≥30 to <61 years (n = 168); and group C, age ≥61 years (n = 81). Kaplan–Meier methods and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze survival.Results:  The overall survival time of group A was shorter than groups B or C (P = 0.0071). Survival was not different in the three groups in subgroup analysis according to several tumor staging systems (e.g. Japan Integrated Staging score, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program scoring system and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging classification). The multivariate hazard ratio of group B was 0.840 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.490–1.440) and that of group C was 0.770 (95% CI 0.410–1.446) in reference to group A.Conclusions:  Young HCC patients showed a poorer prognosis than older HCC patients because they have a more advanced tumor stage at diagnosis. However, age was not an independent prognostic factor when stages were matched. Therefore, we suggest that periodic surveillance in young chronic hepatitis B virus carriers would improve outcomes.
Decreased intrahepatic response to α1‐adrenergic agonists in lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats is located in the sinusoidal area and depends on Kupffer cell function
Authors: Lee Chang‐Hyeong , Loureiro‐Silva Mauricio R , Abraldes Juan G , Iwakiri Yasuko , Haq Omar , Groszmann Roberto J 
Published: May 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Livers from lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats have a decreased vascular response to α1‐adrenergic agonists due to an increased production of nitric oxide. Kupffer cells play a central role in the development of intrahepatic microvascular abnormalities during endotoxemia. We investigated the role of Kupffer cells in the intrahepatic vascular tone control in normal and endotoxemic rats.Method:  Twenty‐four hours after pretreatment with gadolinium chloride (to eliminate/inactivate Kupffer cells) or saline, rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide or a second dose of saline. Six hours later, rats (under deep anesthesia) were submitted to liver perfusion with Krebs‐Henseleit solution using a system that allowed the measurement of both perfusion and sinusoidal pressures. Dose–response curves to methoxamine (α1‐adrenergic agonist) were obtained in the absence or the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine.Results:  Pretreatment with gadolinium did not change the intrahepatic vascular response to methoxamine in normal livers. Livers from lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats showed a decreased sinusoidal vascular response to methoxamine and a 10‐fold increase in nitric oxide production during liver perfusion. Either pretreatment with gadolinium or the presence of N‐monomethyl‐L‐arginine in the perfusate restored the response to methoxamine and decreased the nitric oxide overproduction by more than 50%.Conclusions:  Kupffer cells neither mediate nor modulate the intrahepatic vascular response to α1‐adrenergic agonists in normal livers. Reduction in intrahepatic vascular response to α1‐adrenergic agonists in livers from lipopolysaccharide‐treated rats is located in the sinusoidal area and depends on Kupffer cell function.
What are the risk factors and settings for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Asia–Pacific?
Authors: Fan Jian‐Gao , Saibara Toshiji , Chitturi Shivakumar , Kim Byong Ik , Sung Joseph J Y , Chutaputti A ,   the Asia–Pacific Working Party for NAFLD
Published: May 2007

AbstractThe risk factors and settings for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Asians are reviewed comprehensively. Based particularly on large community‐based studies using ultrasonography, case–control series and prospective longitudinal studies, the prevalence of NAFLD in Asia is between 12% and 24%, depending on age, gender, locality and ethnicity. Further, the prevalence in China and Japan has nearly doubled in the last 10–15 years. A detailed analysis of these data shows that NAFLD risk factors for Asians resemble those in the West for age at presentation, prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hyperlipidemia. The apparent differences in prevalence of central obesity and overall obesity are related to criteria used to define waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), respectively. The strongest associations are with components of the metabolic syndrome, particularly the combined presence of central obesity and obesity. Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease appears to be associated with long‐standing insulin resistance and likely represents the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Not surprisingly therefore, Asians with NAFLD are at high risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Conversely, metabolic syndrome may precede the diagnosis of NAFLD. The increasing prevalence of obesity, coupled with T2DM, dyslipidemia, hypertension and ultimately metabolic syndrome puts more than half the world's population at risk of developing NAFLD/non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis/cirrhosis in the coming decades. Public health initiatives are clearly imperative to halt or reverse the global ‘diabesity’ pandemic, the underlying basis of NAFLD and metabolic syndrome. In addition, a perspective of NAFLD beyond its hepatic consequences is now warranted; this needs to be considered in relation to management guidelines for affected individuals.
Data cloning: easy maximum likelihood estimation for complex ecological models using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods
Authors: Lele Subhash R. , Dennis Brian , Lutscher Frithjof 
Published: May 2007

AbstractWe introduce a new statistical computing method, called data cloning, to calculate maximum likelihood estimates and their standard errors for complex ecological models. Although the method uses the Bayesian framework and exploits the computational simplicity of the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms, it provides valid frequentist inferences such as the maximum likelihood estimates and their standard errors. The inferences are completely invariant to the choice of the prior distributions and therefore avoid the inherent subjectivity of the Bayesian approach. The data cloning method is easily implemented using standard MCMC software. Data cloning is particularly useful for analysing ecological situations in which hierarchical statistical models, such as state‐space models and mixed effects models, are appropriate. We illustrate the method by fitting two nonlinear population dynamics models to data in the presence of process and observation noise.