bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oligogenic transmission of abnormal teat patterning phenotype (ATPP) in cattle
Authors: Ihara N. , Watanabe T. , Sato Y. , Itoh T. , Suzuki T. , Sugimoto Y. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryAbnormal teat patterning phenotype (ATPP) is characterized by one (moderate form) or two (severe form) absent teats in cattle. Using an allele‐sharing non‐parametric linkage strategy, significant associations with severe ATPP animals were detected on BTA17 (Zmax = 7.3 at 21 cM), centromeric BTA1 (Zmax = 3.7 at 8 cM) and telomeric BTA1 (Zmax = 4.8 at 142 cM). The BTA17 region was also significantly associated in the analysis of the moderate ATPP animals (Zmax = 5.3 at 0 cM). The transmission disequilibrium test in severe ATPP animals demonstrated significant over‐transmission of paternal alleles in the BTA17 region (P = 2.2 × 10−9), the centromeric BTA1 region (P = 0.035) and the telomeric BTA1 region (P = 0.005). Significant over‐transmission of the BTA17 region was also observed among the moderate ATPP animals (P = 2.3 × 10−4). These findings indicate that the BTA17 locus plays a key role in risk of the disease, and that the BTA17 locus contributes temporally in combination with the two other loci on BTA1 and/or possibly unknown modifier(s) in a probabilistic oligo‐ or polygenic manner of transmission. Haplotypes of these three loci can be used for marker‐assisted animal breeding to control the recurrence of affected progeny with ATPP.
A randomised comparison of deferasiroxversusdeferoxamine for the treatment of transfusional iron overload in sickle cell disease
Authors: Vichinsky Elliott , Onyekwere Onyinye , Porter John , Swerdlow Paul , Eckman James , Lane Peter , Files Beatrice , Hassell Kathryn , Kelly Patrick , Wilson Felicia , Bernaudin Françoise , Forni Gian Luca , Okpala Iheanyi , Ressayre‐Djaffer Catherine , Alberti Daniele , Holland Jaymes , Marks Peter , Fung Ellen , Fischer Roland , Mueller Brigitta U. , Coates Thomas ,   the Deferasirox in Sickle Cell Investigators
Published: December 2006

SummaryDeferasirox is a once‐daily, oral iron chelator developed for treating transfusional iron overload. Preclinical studies indicated that the kidney was a potential target organ of toxicity. As patients with sickle cell disease often have abnormal baseline renal function, the primary objective of this randomised, open‐label, phase II trial was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of deferasirox in comparison with deferoxamine in this population. Assessment of efficacy, as measured by change in liver iron concentration (LIC) using biosusceptometry, was a secondary objective. A total of 195 adult and paediatric patients received deferasirox (n = 132) or deferoxamine (n = 63). Adverse events most commonly associated with deferasirox were mild, including transient nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and skin rash. Abnormal laboratory studies with deferasirox were occasionally associated with mild non‐progressive increases in serum creatinine and reversible elevations in liver function tests. Discontinuation rates from deferasirox (11·4%) and deferoxamine (11·1%) were similar. Over 1 year, similar dose‐dependent LIC reductions were observed with deferasirox and deferoxamine. Once‐daily oral deferasirox has acceptable tolerability and appears to have similar efficacy to deferoxamine in reducing iron burden in transfused patients with sickle cell disease.
See also editorial comment by Anne O'Hare. Acquiring literacy in the face of severe speech and physical impairments
Authors: Pennington Lindsay 
Published: December 2006

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O'Hare A.
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2006
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48
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628
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DOI: 10.1017/S0012162206001332, published online by Cambridge University Press, 12 July 2006.
Effect of breast feeding on intelligence in children: prospective study, sibling pairs analysis, and meta‐analysis
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: December 2006

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Der G.,
Batty G.D. &
Deary I.D.
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2006
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333
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945
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DOI: 10.1136/bmj.38978.699583.55 (published 4 October 2006).
Objective  To assess the importance of maternal intelligence, and the effect of controlling for it and other important confounders, in the link between breastfeeding and children's intelligence.Design  Examination of the effect of breastfeeding on cognitive ability and the impact of a range of potential confounders, in particular maternal IQ, within a national database. Additional analyses compared pairs of siblings from the sample who were and were not breastfed. The results are considered in the context of other studies that have also controlled for parental intelligence via meta‐analysis.Setting  1979 US national longitudinal survey of youth.Subjects  Data on 5475 children, the offspring of 3161 mothers in the longitudinal survey.Main outcome measure  IQ in children measured by Peabody individual achievement test.Results  The mother's IQ was more highly predictive of breastfeeding status than were her race, education, age, poverty status, smoking, the home environment, or the child's birthweight or birth order. One standard deviation advantage in maternal IQ more than doubled the odds of breastfeeding. Before adjustment, breastfeeding was associated with an increase of around 4 points in mental ability. Adjustment for maternal intelligence accounted for most of this effect. When fully adjusted for a range of relevant confounders, the effect was small (0.52) and non‐significant (95% confidence interval −0.19 to 1.23). The results of the sibling comparisons and meta‐analysis corroborated these findings.Conclusions  Breastfeeding has little or no effect on intelligence in children. While breastfeeding has many advantages for the child and mother, enhancement of the child's intelligence is unlikely to be among them.
Chromosome 7p linkage and GPR154 gene association in Italian families with allergic asthma
Authors: Malerba G. , Lindgren C. M. , Xumerle L. , Kiviluoma P. , Trabetti E. , Laitinen T. , Galavotti R. , Pescollderungg L. , Boner A. L. , Kere J. , Pignatti P. F. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Several genome scans have reported linkage of markers on chromosome 7p with asthma and related phenotypes in different populations. A fine mapping in Finnish and French‐Canadian populations has associated the GPR154 gene (also known as G‐protein‐coupled receptor for asthma susceptibility, GPRA) with elevated IgE or asthma.Objective
To confirm chromosome 7p linkage and candidate gene association in Italian families with atopic asthma.Methods
In a two‐phase approach, we first performed a linkage analysis of chromosome 7, and then a family‐based association study on the GPR154 gene for allergic asthma phenotypes in the Italian population.Results
The screening of 117 families with 19 microsatellite markers showed potential linkage for elevated IgE (P<0.002 at 22 cM from p‐ter), asthma (P<0.005 at 44 cM), or atopy (P<0.005 at 54 cM). In the second phase of the present study, candidate gene GPR154, which is located in the phase one‐linked region, was investigated in 211 families with seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that tag most haplotype variability, by the pedigree disequilibrium test. Elevated IgE levels were associated with two GPR154 gene SNPs (SNP 546333, P=0.0046; rs740 347, P=0.006), and with haplotypes in the global test (P=0.013). Haplotype analysis performed in nuclear families having at least 1 asthmatic parent showed a significant association with asthma (P=0.0173), atopy (P=0.0058), SPT (P=0.0025), and bronchial hyper reactivity (P=0.0163).Conclusion
These results support a susceptibility locus for asthma and related phenotypes on chromosome 7, and are in agreement with recent reports suggesting that a common susceptibility factor for atopic manifestations in asthma is likely conferred by the locus containing the GPR154 gene.
Validated safety predictions of airway responses to house dust mite in asthma
Authors: Ravensberg A. J. , Van Rensen E. L. J. , Grootendorst D. C. , De Kluijver J. , Diamant Z. , Ricciardolo F. L. M. , Sterk P. J. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
House dust mite (HDM) is the most common aeroallergen causing sensitization in many Western countries and is often used in allergen inhalation challenges. The concentration of inhaled allergen causing an early asthmatic reaction [provocative concentration of inhaled allergen causing a 20% fall of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)(PC20 allergen)] needs to be predicted for safety reasons to estimate accurately the severity of allergen‐induced airway responsiveness. This can be accomplished by using the degree of non‐specific airway responsiveness and skin sensitivity to allergen.Objective
We derived prediction equations for HDM challenges using PC20 histamine or PC20 methacholine and skin sensitivity data obtained from patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma and validated these equations in an independent asthma population.Methods
PC20 histamine or PC20 methacholine, skin sensitivity, and PC20 allergen were collected retrospectively from 159 asthmatic patients participating in allergen challenge trials. Both the histamine and methacholine groups (n=75 and n=84, respectively), were divided randomly into a reference group to derive new equations to predict PC20 allergen, and a validation group to test the new equations.Results
Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that PC20 allergen could be predicted either from PC20 methacholine only (10log PC20 allergen=−0.902+0.741·10log PC20 methacholine) or from PC20 histamine and skin sensitivity (SS) (10log PC20 allergen=−0.494+0.231·10log SS+0.546·10log PC20 histamine). In the validation study, these new equations accurately predicted PC20 allergen following inhalation of HDM allergen allowing a safe starting concentration of allergen of three doubling concentrations below predicted PC20 allergen in all cases.Conclusion
The early asthmatic response to inhaled HDM extract is predominantly determined by non‐specific airway responsiveness to methacholine or histamine, whereas the influence of the cutaneous sensitivity to HDM appears to be rather limited. Our new equations accurately predict PC20 allergen and hence are suitable for implementation in HDM inhalation studies.
Detection of airborne allergen (Ole e 1) in relation to Olea europaea pollen in S Spain
Authors: De Linares C. , Nieto‐Lugilde D. , Alba F. , Díaz de la Guardia C. , Galán C. , Trigo M. M. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
In recent years, it has been demonstrated that the air carries not only airborne pollen but also plant particles of smaller size that have allergenic activity, and, being within the respirable range, these particles can trigger rapid attacks in the lower respiratory tract. The study of particles according to size (0.7–40 μm) could provide valuable information on the real allergenic activity in the atmosphere.Objective
The purpose of this study was to analyse the dynamics of airborne Olea europaea pollen in contrast to the allergenic activity of Ole e 1 in the atmosphere.Methods
The analyses were carried out with a Hirst‐type volumetric collector and a cascade impactor simultaneously during the MPS of the olive. The indirect ELISA was used to detect the allergenic activity. The sampling was performed in Granada city centre (S Spain), in the Science Faculty building on the University of Granada from 30 April to 26 June 2005.Results and conclusions
This research demonstrates that both the allergenic activity as well as the pollen particles follow in a similar curve, except in periods before or succeeding the main Olea pollen season. The study of the distribution of the allergenic particles according to their sizes reveals that the highest concentrations are between 3.3 and <0.7 μm, thus indicating that allergenic activity primarily involves paucimicronic particles.
Increased levels of circulating soluble CD14 but not CD83 in infants are associated with early intestinal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Lundell A‐C. , Adlerberth I. , Lindberg E. , Karlsson H. , Ekberg S. , Åberg N. , Saalman R. , Hock B. , Steinkasserer A. , Hesselmar B. , Wold A. E. , Rudin A. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Soluble forms of the monocyte marker CD14 and the mature dendritic cell marker CD83 are plasma proteins with immunoregulatory functions. The physiological stimulus for their production is unclear and their possible role in allergy development is unknown.Methods
We measured the plasma levels of soluble CD14 (sCD14) and soluble CD83 (sCD83) in 64 Swedish children in relation to intestinal bacterial colonization pattern in a prospective birth cohort. Soluble CD14 and sCD83 levels were quantified by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in plasma obtained at birth and at 4, 18 and 36 months of age. All major aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were quantified in faecal samples obtained regularly over the first 8 weeks of life. Clinical allergy and IgE levels were evaluated at 18 months of age.Results
Soluble CD14 in plasma increased during the first 18 months of life while sCD83 peaked at 4 months of age. Children who were perinatally colonized with Staphylococcus aureus had significantly higher levels of sCD14 in plasma at 4 months of age relative to non‐colonized children. The levels of sCD14 were unrelated to colonization with Escherichia coli, other enterobacteria, enterococci, clostridia, Bacteroides, bifidobacteria or lactobacilli. Further, children with food allergy by 18 months tended to have lower levels of sCD14 than healthy children. Plasma levels of sCD83 were not related to either bacterial colonization pattern or allergy development.Conclusions
Perinatal colonization with S. aureus may trigger the occurrence of sCD14 in plasma, which may influence development of the infantile immune system and risk of allergy development.
Lysophosphatidic acid is detectable in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluids at baseline and increased after segmental allergen challenge
Authors: Georas S. N. , Berdyshev E. , Hubbard W. , Gorshkova I. A. , Usatyuk P. V. , Saatian B. , Myers A. C. , Williams M. A. , Xiao H. Q. , Liu M. , Natarajan V. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a biologically active lysophospholipid and a component of normal plasma. LPA binds to receptors expressed on circulating and structural lung cells and affects cell growth and activation. Whether LPA is present in the lung has not been previously reported.Objective
To develop an assay to measure LPA in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, and to study the association between LPA and allergic airway inflammation.Methods
Seventeen allergic subjects underwent bronchoscopy and segmental allergen challenge, followed 18 h later by BAL. Supernatants were analysed for LPA content using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Expression of LPA receptors on primary bronchial epithelial cells was analysed by immunolabelling, and the effects of LPA on epithelial cell barrier function was investigated by measuring transepithelial resistance.Results
LPA was detectable in BAL from control lung segments, and significantly increased 18 h after allergen challenge. Polyunsaturated species of LPA were especially increased following segmental allergen challenge. LPA levels did not strongly correlate with the number or percentages of eosinophils, neutrophils of lymphocytes, whereas MIP‐3α (CCL20) levels correlated significantly with the allergen‐driven influx of lymphocytes. The levels of LPA from control sites correlated inversely with BAL protein content, suggesting that LPA promoted epithelial barrier integrity at baseline. Experiments using primary human bronchial epithelial cells confirmed that LPA tightened the epithelial cell barrier.Conclusion
Lysophosphatidic acid is detectable in human BAL fluids at baseline and its expression increases during allergic inflammation. LPA does not appear to be a dominant chemoattractant for eosinophils or lymphocytes during allergic airway inflammation. In the absence of ongoing inflammation, LPA may promote epithelial barrier integrity.
Does skin prick test reactivity to purified allergens correlate with clinical severity of peanut allergy?
Authors: Peeters K. A. B. M. , Koppelman S. J. , Van Hoffen E. , Van Der Tas C. W. H. , Den Hartog Jager C. F. , Penninks A. H. , Hefle S. L. , Bruijnzeel‐Koomen C. A. F. M. , Knol E. F. , Knulst A. C. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Recognition of specific peanut allergens or the diversity of IgE binding to peanut allergens may play a role in the elicitation of severe allergic reactions.Objective
To investigate whether sensitization to individual allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3 and Ara h 6 is correlated with clinical severity.Methods
The reactivity of purified peanut allergens was measured by skin prick test (SPT) and by IgE immunoblot in 30 patients. The results were related to the clinical reactivity by history, and in 25 of them to the eliciting dose (ED).Results
The majority of patients recognized Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Patients with severe symptoms had a higher SPT response to Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 at low concentrations (0.1 μg/mL) and to Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 at higher concentrations (100 μg/mL), compared with patients with mild symptoms. They also recognized a greater number of allergens and showed a higher cumulative SPT response compared with patients with mild symptoms. No significant differences were observed between patients with a low or high ED.Conclusions
Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 appeared to be more potent than Ara h 1 and Ara h 3. Both SPT reactivity to low concentrations of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 and to higher concentrations of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 were shown to be indicative of severe symptoms.
Probiotic‐induced suppression of allergic sensitization and airway inflammation is associated with an increase of T regulatory‐dependent mechanisms in a murine model of asthma
Authors: Feleszko W. , Jaworska J. , Rha R‐D. , Steinhausen S. , Avagyan A. , Jaudszus A. , Ahrens B. , Groneberg D. A. , Wahn U. , Hamelmann E. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Microbial intestinal colonization in early in life is regarded to play a major role for the maturation of the immune system. Application of non‐pathogenic probiotic bacteria during early infancy might protect from allergic disorders but underlying mechanisms have not been analysed so far.Objective
The aim of the current study was to investigate the immune effects of oral application of probiotic bacteria on allergen‐induced sensitization and development of airway inflammation and airway hyper‐reactivity, cardinal features of bronchial asthma.Methods
Newborn Balb/c mice received orally 109 CFU every second day either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb‐12) starting from birth for consecutive 8 weeks, during systemic sensitization (six intraperitoneal injections, days 29–40) and airway challenge (days 54–56) with ovalbumin.Results
The administration of either Bb‐12 or LGG suppressed all aspects of the asthmatic phenotype: airway reactivity, antigen‐specific immunoglobulin E production and pulmonary eosinophilia (mean: 137 vs. 17 and 13 cells × 103/mL, respectively). Antigen‐specific recall proliferation by spleen cells and T‐helper type 2 cytokine production (IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐10) by mesenteric lymph node cells also showed significant reduction, while TGF production remained unchanged. Oral LGG administration particularly suppressed allergen‐induced proliferative responses and was associated with an increase in numbers of TGF‐β‐secreting CD4+/CD3+ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (6.5, 16.7%) as well as nearly 2‐fold up‐regulation of Foxp3‐expressing cells in peribronchial lymph nodes.Conclusions
Neonatal application of probiotic bacteria inhibits subsequent allergic sensitization and airway disease in a murine model of asthma by induction of T regulatory cells associated with increased TGF‐β production.
Retinol concentrations after birth are inversely associated with atopic manifestations in children and young adults
Authors: Pesonen M. , Kallio M. J. T. , Siimes M. A. , Ranki A. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Vitamin A has anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and its deficiency results in impaired specific and innate immunity. Vitamin A is essential for inducing the gut‐homing specificity on T cells.Objective
As an impaired gut immune response in early infancy may contribute to the development of atopic sensitization, we looked for an association of plasma retinol concentrations and the subsequent development of allergic symptoms in healthy infants.Methods
A cohort of 200 unselected, full‐term newborns were followed up from birth to age 20 years. The plasma retinol concentration was determined in cord blood (n=97), at ages of 2, 4 and 12 months (n=95), and at ages 5 years (n=155) and 11 years (n=151). The subjects were re‐examined at the ages of 5, 11 and 20 years with assessment of the occurrence of allergic symptoms during the preceding year, skin prick testing and measurement of serum total IgE.Results
Subjects with allergic symptoms or a positive skin prick test (SPT) in childhood or adolescence had lower retinol concentrations in infancy and childhood than symptom‐free subjects. The difference was most pronounced at age 2 months. Retinol concentration at 2 months correlated inversely with positive SPT at ages of 5 and 20 years, and with allergic symptoms at age 20 years.Conclusion
Retinol concentration in young infants is inversely associated with the subsequent development of allergic symptoms. We propose that an inborn regulation of retinol may play a role in atopic sensitization, possibly through regulating the intestinal T cell responses.
Lipopolysaccharide inhalation exacerbates allergic airway inflammation by activating mast cells and promoting Th2 responses
Authors: Murakami D. , Yamada H. , Yajima T. , Masuda A. , Komune S. , Yoshikai Y. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryBackground
Bacterial infection occasionally exacerbates asthma, although the cellular and molecular mechanisms have not been well defined. An involvement of mast cells has been suggested, as lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐induced cytokine production from mast cells in vitro.Objective
This study was undertaken to examine the effects of LPS inhalation on mast cell functions and allergen‐specific immune responses in a murine model of asthma.Methods
Female BALB/c mice or mast cell‐deficient W/Wv mice were immunized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were challenged with aerosolized OVA or OVA with LPS daily from day 21 to day 24. Twenty‐four hours after the last challenge, airway inflammation and OVA‐specific immune responses were examined. Allergen‐specific T cell responses were further analysed by adoptively transferring OVA‐specific CD4+ T cells. Expression of chemokines in the lung was also examined.Results
LPS inhalation with OVA resulted in exacerbated airway infiltration, which was not evident in mast cell‐deficient mice. IL‐5 production by mast cells in the lung was enhanced by LPS inhalation. OVA‐specific IgE production as well as proliferation, cytokine production and local infiltration of OVA specific T‐helper lymphocytes type 2 (Th2) were also enhanced. Up‐regulated expression of Th2‐ and/or eosinophil‐attracting chemokines was observed in the lung of mice inhalated with LPS.Conclusions
LPS inhalation exacerbates airway inflammation, which is accompanied by mast cell activation and enhanced Th2 responses. These observations provide clues towards understanding the mechanisms of bacterial infection‐induced exacerbation of the clinical features of asthma.