bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aetiology of canine otitis externa: a retrospective study of 100 cases
Authors: Saridomichelakis Manolis N. , Farmaki Rania , Leontides Leonidas S. , Koutinas Alexander F. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractThe objective of this retrospective study was to investigate in 100 dogs with otitis externa (OE) the possible associations between signalment, history, clinical and laboratory findings and the various primary, secondary and perpetuating causative factors of ear canal inflammation. The age of the dogs ranged from 3 months to 14 years (median: 4.75 years) and they included 45 males and 55 females. Cocker spaniels, Jura des Alpes and Brittany spaniels were significantly overrepresented among dogs with OE when compared to the hospital canine population. In the majority of the cases, OE was chronic–recurrent (63%) or bilateral (93%). Allergic dermatitis (43/100 dogs), grass awns (12/100) and otoacariasis (7/100) were the most common primary causative factors; no primary factor could be incriminated in 32 cases and more than one was found in three dogs.Malasseziaspp. (66/100 dogs), cocci (38/100) and rods (22/100) were the secondary causative factors, while ear canal stenosis (38/100) and tympanic membrane perforation‐otitis media (25/100) were the most important perpetuating factors. Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions‐associated OE was more common in females and dogs with a history of pruritic skin disease, while grass awn‐induced OE occurred in cocker spaniels and acute cases. Tympanic membrane perforation was less frequent in atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions‐associated OE, but more common when otoscopic and ear canal cytological examination revealed the presence of grass awns and rods, respectively. Finally, cocci overgrowth was positively associated with ear canal stenosis.
Reliability of a new hand‐held device for the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide
Authors: Khalili B. , Boggs P. B. , Bahna S. L. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Given the importance of airway inflammation in asthma, there has been an effort to incorporate inflammatory markers into its management. Measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation; however, the use of the available FeNO analyzer is limited by several factors including its cost and lack of transportability. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a new hand‐held FeNO measuring device (NIOX MINO) to the current clinical standard – the chemiluminescence FeNO analyzer (NIOX).Methods:  Subjects 6 years and older presenting to an allergy and asthma clinic underwent FeNO evaluation by NIOX and each of three NIOX MINOs. The mean of two acceptable measurements from the NIOX and the first approved measurement from each NIOX MINO were used for analysis.Results:  One hundred ten patients aged 6–86 years completed the study. Intrasubject FeNO levels obtained by each of the three NIOX MINOs revealed no significant difference between the measurements (P = 0.59). There was a very strong correlation between FeNO measurements by NIOX and by NIOX MINO (r = 0.98, P < 0.0001). The mean intrasubject FeNO difference between NIOX and NIOX MINO was −0.5 p.p.b. which was not statistically significantly different from zero (P = 0.21).Conclusions:  Fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements by the NIOX MINO showed a strong correlation and a high degree of agreement with the current standard stationary device. The NIOX MINO may be reliably used in clinical practice.
Lifelong farm exposure may strongly reduce the risk of asthma in adults
Authors: Douwes J. , Travier N. , Huang K. , Cheng S. , McKenzie J. , Le Gros G. , Von Mutius E. , Pearce N. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Farm exposures may protect against childhood asthma, hay fever and eczema. Whether farm exposures also confer protection in adult farmers remains unclear. Moreover, little is known about the role of timing of exposure. We assessed the effects of current and childhood farm exposures on asthma, hay fever and eczema in farmers and a rural nonfarming control population.Methods:  We conducted a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey in 2509 farming families (response rate 78%) and 1001 nonfarming families (response rate 67%), which included 4288 farmers and 1328 nonfarmers.Results:  Farmers were less likely to have asthma symptoms, hay fever and eczema; no significant differences were observed among dairy, sheep and beef, and horticulture farmers. A combination of current and childhood exposure was more strongly associated with shortness of breath (OR 0.50, CL 0.39–0.66), wheeze (OR 0.60, CL 0.49–0.73), asthma medication (OR 0.48, CL 0.37–0.63); and asthma ever (OR 0.56, CL 0.46–0.68) than current exposure alone (OR 0.63, CL 0.47–0.84; OR 0.80, CL 0.65–0.99; OR 0.68, CL 0.51–0.9; OR 0.69, CL 0.56–0.85 respectively) or childhood exposure alone (OR 0.97, CL0.65–1.44; OR 1.01, CL 0.75–1.34; OR 0.78, CL 0.51–1.19; OR 0.87, CL 0.63–1.19 respectively). Moreover, the combined number of years of farm exposure in childhood and adulthood showed a dose‐dependent inverse association with symptom prevalence.Conclusions:  Although both current and childhood farm exposures may play a role in the observed low prevalence of asthma symptoms in adult farmers, continued long‐term exposure may be required to maintain optimal protection.
Beclomethasone/formoterol vs fluticasone/salmeterol inhaled combination in moderate to severe asthma
Authors: Papi A. , Paggiaro P. , Nicolini G. , Vignola A. M. , Fabbri L. M. ,   ICAT SE study group
Published: September 2007

Background:  Recommended treatment for moderate to severe asthma is the combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long‐acting beta2‐agonist. The present study was designed to compare a new fixed combination of extrafine beclomethasone and formoterol, with the fixed combination fluticasone and salmeterol.Methods:  This was a phase III, multinational, multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, two‐arm parallel groups, controlled study. After a 2‐week run‐in period, 228 patients with moderate to severe asthma were randomized to a 12‐week treatment with either beclomethasone 100 μg plus formoterol 6 μg or fluticasone 125 μg plus salmeterol 25 μg, both delivered two inhalations b.i.d. via a pressurized metered dose inhaler.Results:  The analysis of noninferiority on the primary outcome, morning peak expiratory flow in the last 2 weeks of treatment, showed no difference between groups (difference −3.32 l/min; 95% CI −17.92 to 11.28). A significant improvement from baseline in lung function, symptom score and rescue medication use was observed in both groups at all time points. Beclomethasone plus formoterol combination showed a significantly faster onset of bronchodilation when compared with fluticasone plus salmeterol with the difference maintained for up to 1 h postdosing. No differences were observed between treatments in the rate of asthma exacerbations, frequency of adverse events and overnight urinary cortisol/creatinine ratio.Conclusions:  The new combination of extrafine beclomethasone plus formoterol is not inferior to the marketed combination of fluticasone and salmeterol in terms of efficacy and tolerability, with the advantage of a faster onset of bronchodilation. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00394368).
Predictive value of allergy and pulmonary function tests for the diagnosis of asthma in elite athletes
Authors: Bonini M. , Lapucci G. , Petrelli G. , Todaro A. , Pamich T. , Rasi G. , Bonini S. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Asthma is frequently found in athletes, often associated with rhinitis and allergy.Aim:  To study the predictive value of allergy and pulmonary function tests for the diagnosis of asthma in athletes.Subjects and methods:  Ninety‐eight national preOlympic athletes underwent an accurate medical examination including a validated questionnaire for asthma and rhinitis, spirometric recordings and skin prick testing with a panel of the most frequent inhalant allergens. Bronchodilator and/or exercise challenge were also performed in asthmatic subjects.Results:  Clinical asthma was present in 20.4% of athletes, rhinitis in 35.3% (in 21.4% of cases alone and in 13.9% associated with asthma). Positive prick tests were recorded in 44.4% of athletes (in 60.5% of asthmatics, in 95.2% of rhinitics and in 21.0% of nonasthmatic – nonrhinitic subjects). Mean spirometric values and distribution of abnormal values were not different among asthmatics, rhinitics and nonasthmatics – nonrhinitic patients. Skin‐tests positivity was not related to the abnormal spirometric data found in individual cases. Provocation tests with bronchodilators or exercise did not appear sensitive enough to diagnose mild forms of asthma in subjects with normal basal spirometric values.Conclusions:  Allergy testing and spirometry should be performed routinely in athletes because of the high prevalence of allergy, rhinitis and asthma in this population. However, the predictive value of these tests and of the bronchial provocation tests performed in this study seems too low to document mild or subclinical asthma in athletes.
Eosinophilic inflammation: mechanisms regulating IL‐5 transcription in human T lymphocytes
Authors: Wang J. , Young I. G. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Interleukin (IL)‐5 is a key regulator of eosinophilia in allergic inflammation and parasite infections but the mechanisms regulating IL‐5 expression in activated human T lymphocytes are poorly understood. From studies on mouse cells, the activation protein (AP)‐1 and GATA‐3 sites in the proximal promoter region appear to be important in IL‐5 regulation but the significance of an adjacent Ets/nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) site has been less clear.Methods:  Interleukin‐5 transcriptional activity was measured by transfection of reporter genes into the human HSB‐2 cells and normal T lymphocytes. Expression vectors encoding transcription factors were used for transactivation studies and IL‐5 expression measured using reporter genes and mRNA levels. Transcription factor binding was shown with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP).Results:  HSB‐2 cells showed high inducible expression of IL‐5 mRNA. Mutation of reporter gene plasmids showed the Ets/NFAT site was of equal importance to the AP‐1 and GATA‐3 sites in regulating IL‐5 transcription. Transactivation by Ets1 increased luciferase expression 15‐fold, in the absence of stimulation, and AP‐1 (c‐Fos/c‐Jun) and GATA‐3 gave transactivations of 85‐fold, and 100‐fold, respectively. Synergistic interactions were demonstrated between Ets1, GATA‐3 and AP‐1. Dominant‐negative AP‐1 inhibited IL‐5 transcription. Transactivation by GATA‐3 and synergy between GATA‐3, Ets1 and AP‐1 were verified measuring IL‐5 mRNA levels. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed increased binding of Ets1 and GATA‐3 to the IL‐5 promoter after stimulation. The importance of the Ets1 site and of synergistic interactions between the three transcription factors were verified with primary human T cells.Conclusion:  Ets1, GATA‐3 and AP‐1 synergize to regulate IL‐5 transcription in human T cells.
Medication adherence skills training for middle‐aged and elderly adults with bipolar disorder: development and pilot study
Authors: Depp Colin A , Lebowitz Barry D , Patterson Thomas L , Lacro Jonathan P , Jeste Dilip V 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  To present the rationale, development, and pilot study of a medication adherence skills training (MAST‐BD) intervention for older adults with bipolar disorder (BPD). We developed a 12‐week manualized group intervention that combined educational, motivational, medication management skills and symptom management training adapted for older adults.Methods:  Among 21 older outpatients with BPD (mean age = 60 years; SD = 6), the feasibility and acceptability of MAST‐BD were assessed in a quasi‐experimental clinical trial. We also obtained preliminary effect sizes associated with pre–post change on measures of self‐reported adherence to psychiatric medications, performance‐based medication management ability, attitudes toward medication, depressive and manic symptoms, and health‐related quality of life.Results:  At baseline, 55% of participants reported recent non‐adherence to psychiatric medications and were, on average, suffering from moderately severe depressive symptoms and minimal symptoms of mania. A total of 76% of participants completed the intervention, and 86% of sessions were attended by completers. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the intervention and manual. Pre–post improvement by small to medium effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.30–0.57) was seen in medication adherence, medication management ability, depressive symptoms, and selected indices of health‐related quality of life.Conclusions:  Notwithstanding the limitations of this small preliminary study, the results are encouraging in that the MAST‐BD intervention was feasible, acceptable to patients, and associated with improvement in key outcomes. Suggestions for further development of medication adherence interventions for this neglected group of patients are discussed.
Genome‐wide scan of bipolar II disorder
Authors: Nwulia Evaristus A , Miao Kuangyi , Zandi Peter P , MacKinnon Dean F , Raymond DePaulo Jr J , McInnis Melvin G 
Published: September 2007

Objective:  Bipolar disorder (BD) II is characterized by recurrent hypomanic and depressive episodes and has been somewhat of a controversial diagnosis since its description in the 1970s. Clinical opinions notwithstanding, the biological validity of BD II was supported in a genetic study of 58 multiplex bipolar families wherein the statistical evidence for linkage derived from BD II sibling‐pairs sharing marker alleles on chromosome 18q. The BD II phenotype alone has never been studied in a genome‐wide scan analysis in the current or other bipolar family samples. We have performed genome‐wide non‐parametric analysis on 74 bipolar pedigrees using only the BD II phenotype as affection model.Methods:  This sample consists of the 65 pedigrees previously reported and 9 additional novel pedigrees that had BD II exclusively, as the affected phenotype. In the entire sample, there were 146 all possible relative‐pairs. Analysis was performed using the non‐parametric method in GENEHUNTER, with the ‘ALL’ option that computes linkage scores in all individuals in a pedigree simultaneously.Results:  The current analyses supported the previous finding on chromosome 18q21. In addition a peak with a non‐parametric LOD (NPL) of 2.07 occurred between D9S915 and D9S2157, located on 9q34. Analysis of the nine BD II families alone identified peaks on 9p13 and 9q33, with NPL scores of 3.20 and 2.09, respectively. There was no evidence at 18q21 in these nine families.Conclusions:  This suggests that there may be substantial differences in the etiology of BD in families that have BD II exclusively as the diagnosis.
Coping styles in prodromes of bipolar mania
Authors: Parikh Sagar V , Velyvis Vytas , Yatham Lakshmi , Beaulieu Serge , Cervantes Pablo , MacQueen Glenda , Siotis Irene , Streiner David , Zaretsky Ari 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  Psychological studies have identified that different coping strategies affect outcome in bipolar disorder (BD), with the possibility of preventing mania by effective coping with prodromes. This study seeks to examine coping mechanisms using a recently developed scale to clarify the relationship of coping styles to clinical and demographic characteristics, and to identify coping differences between bipolar I and II subjects.Methods:  The Coping Inventory for Prodromes of Mania (CIPM) was completed by 203 bipolar patients, along with other diagnostic and clinical measures. The CIPM is organized into four factors of coping including: stimulation reduction (SR), problem‐oriented coping (PR), seeking professional help (SPH), denial and blame (DB). CIPM psychometric properties and its relationship to demographic and clinical factors, dysfunctional attitudes, and mood symptoms were examined. Coping profiles were generated by BD subtype (I versus II).Results:  The CIPM displayed psychometric properties consistent with the single previous study with this instrument. Neither demographic/clinical characteristics nor mood symptoms showed any particular relationship with the CIPM. Clear differences in coping also emerged between BD I and BD II subjects. BD I tended to use a wider range of coping strategies and scored highly on the SPH factor as compared to BD II subjects. BD II participants preferred to use DB and PR, but were less likely to use SPH and SR.Conclusions:  The CIPM appears to be a valid measure of coping. Coping style preferences appear to differ according to bipolar subtype.
Pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania: a systematic review of randomized placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Smith Lesley A , Cornelius Victoria , Warnock Adrian , Tacchi Mary Jane , Taylor David 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized, placebo‐controlled trials in acute bipolar mania to summarize available data on drug treatment of mania.Methods:  We included trials of medications licensed in the USA or UK for the treatment of any phase of bipolar disorder. Outcomes investigated were changes in mania scores, attrition, extrapyramidal effects and weight change. Data were combined through meta‐analyses.Results:  We included 13 studies (involving 3,089 subjects) and identified 2 studies for each of the following medications: carbamazepine, haloperidol, lithium, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, valproate semisodium and aripiprazole. All drugs showed significant benefit compared with placebo for reduction in mania scores. Compared with placebo, for all antipsychotics pooled, response to treatment (≥50% reduction in Young Mania Rating Scale scores) was increased more than 1.7 times [relative risk (RR) = 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54, 1.96]; for all mood stabilizers pooled, response to treatment was doubled (RR 2.01, 95% CI = 1.66, 2.43). Overall withdrawals were 34% fewer (24–43%) with antipsychotics, and 26% fewer (10–39%) with mood stabilizers. However, for carbamazepine, aripiprazole and lithium an increase in risk of withdrawal could not be excluded. Small but significant increases in extrapyramidal side effects occurred with risperidone and aripiprazole.Conclusions:  Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers are significantly more effective than placebo for the treatment of acute mania. Their effect sizes are similar. Small differences between effect sizes may be due to differences in the patients included in the studies or to chance. Carbamazepine and lithium may be more poorly tolerated, and antipsychotics cause more extrapyramidal side effects.
Onset of antidepressant effect of olanzapine and olanzapine/fluoxetine combination in bipolar depression
Authors: Dubé Sanjay , Tollefson Gary D , Thase Michael E , Briggs Susan D , Van Campen Luann E , Case Michael , Tohen Mauricio 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  The current analysis investigated the onset of antidepressant effect of olanzapine/fluoxetine combination.Methods:  Data for these post hoc analyses were obtained from a clinical trial comparing olanzapine, placebo, and olanzapine/fluoxetine combination in bipolar depression (BD). Subjects were 833 patients with a DSM‐IV diagnosis of bipolar I disorder, depressed. The Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale measured depressive symptoms. Multiple analytic methods were applied, including traditional (mean differences) analysis, pattern analysis, survival analysis of sustained response, mixed‐effects regression, and area‐under‐the‐curve analysis.Results:  Traditional analysis showed significantly greater improvement in depression scores at week 1 for olanzapine/fluoxetine combination versus placebo (−9.55 versus −5.08, p < 0.001) and for olanzapine versus placebo (−8.31 versus −5.08, p < 0.001). Pattern analysis revealed olanzapine/fluoxetine combination had a significantly greater percentage of early persistent responders than placebo or olanzapine (32.4% versus 12.7%, p < 0.001; and 18.3%, p < 0.05, respectively). Survival analysis showed a significantly shorter time to sustained response for the combination versus placebo (p < 0.001), for olanzapine versus placebo (p = 0.04), and for the combination versus olanzapine (p = 0.03). Mixed‐effects regression analysis revealed a significant therapy‐by‐time interaction (p < 0.001). Early area‐under‐the‐curve analysis revealed a significantly greater percentage of improvement for the combination versus placebo (26.7% versus 13.9%, p < 0.001) and for olanzapine versus placebo (22.0% versus 13.9%, p < 0.001).Conclusions:  Based on consistent results from related methods of measuring onset, olanzapine/fluoxetine combination demonstrated rapid onset of antidepressant effect (within 7 days) compared to placebo that was sustained over 8 weeks of treatment in a sample of BD patients. Using multiple statistical techniques may help profile a drug's onset of effect.
Parental investment with a superior alien in the brood
Authors: HOLEN Ø. H. , JOHNSTONE R. A. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractWhen a parent's parentage differs across breeding attempts, established theory predicts that the parent should invest more in a brood when perceived parentage is high. We present a model of parental investment in which offspring unrelated to the parent have a competitive advantage over the parent's own offspring and take a larger share of investment. We show that this can weaken or, if the competitive advantage is great, reverse the predicted relationship between perceived parentage and parental investment. A moderate competitive advantage of extra‐pair young over within‐pair young could partly explain the lack of any clear relationship between paternal care and paternity in many studies, and could easily arise if females choose extra‐pair partners for good genes. Our results are also relevant to interspecific avian brood parasitism. As parasites reared together with host offspring are often superior competitors, their hosts could benefit from increasing investment in response to suspected parasitism.
Successful multimodal therapy of invasive pulmonary and central nervous system aspergillosis in a neutropenic surgical patient: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Kaffarnik M. , Utzolino S. , Blaich A. , Hopt U. T. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryInvasive aspergillosis predominantly occurs in patients with impaired host defence and is often resistant to different therapeutically strategies. However, mortality significantly increases if the central nervous system is affected. In this report, we describe a case of successful treatment of invasive aspergillosis with cerebral involvement. The treatment consists of a medication of voriconazole and lipid‐associated amphotericin B as well as a stereotactic neurosurgical procedure to drain an intracranial abscess.