bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LKM512 yogurt consumption improves the intestinal environment and induces the T‐helper type 1 cytokine in adult patients with intractable atopic dermatitis
Authors: Matsumoto M. , Aranami A. , Ishige A. , Watanabe K. , Benno Y. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryBackground
In atopic dermatitis (AD) patients, the intestinal mucosal barrier function is weakened, permiting frequent invasion by antigens. Polyamines and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by intestinal bacteria are involved in the promotion of intestinal mucosal barrier functions.Aim
Our aim was to investigate the effect of pro‐biotic yogurt containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis LKM512 (LKM512 yogurt) on subjective symptoms, intestinal microbiota, intestinal bacterial metabolites (polyamines and SCFA), and T‐helper type 1 (Th1)/Th2 balance in intractable AD patients.Methods
In a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study, LKM512 yogurt was given for 4 weeks to 10 adult AD patients who were diagnosed with moderate AD (four males and six females; average age, 22.1 years). The subjective symptoms were recorded after each intervention. The dynamics of fecal microbiota were analysed by the terminal‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The effects of LKM512 yogurt on fecal polyamines, SCFA, and serum cytokines were evaluated.Results
Scores of itch and burning tended to improve to a greater extent by LKM512 yogurt consumption than by placebo consumption. LKM512 yogurt (P<0.005) and placebo consumption (P<0.05) significantly increased the serum IFN‐γ concentration by six‐ and threefold, respectively. Fecal microbiota was altered dynamically by LKM512 yogurt consumption, in particular, the bacterial species and phylotypes of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium cluster IV and subcluster XIVa were increased in number. In addition, fecal spermidine concentration was significantly (P<0.05) increased, while fecal butyrate also tended to be increased by LKM512 yogurt consumption.Conclusion
We conclude that LKM512 yogurt consumption may be effective against intractable adult‐type AD and this effect depends on the recovery of the intestinal mucosal barrier function and the induction of the Th1‐type cytokine by polyamines and SCFA, particularly, butyrate, produced by the altered intestinal microbiota.
Early‐onset atopy is associated with enhanced lymphocyte cytokine responses in 11‐year‐old children
Authors: Turner S. W. , Heaton T. , Rowe J. , Suriyaarachchi D. , Serralha M. , Holt B. J. , Franklin P. J. , Stick S. M. , Goldblatt J. , Sly P. D. , Le Souëf P. N. , Holt P. G. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryBackground
Early age at onset of atopy is associated with more severe asthma and increased airway responsiveness (AR); the underlying mechanism is unclear but may involve T cell responses.Objective
To test the hypothesis that enhanced T cell responses may be associated with early‐onset atopy.Methods
In a longitudinal study, atopy was determined in infancy and at 6 and 11 years of age. Individuals were categorized as persistent infant‐onset atopy (PIOA), early childhood‐onset atopy (ECOA) and later childhood‐onset atopy (LCOA). At 11 years of age, peripheral blood T cell cytokine responses, AR, exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were determined.Results
The age at onset of atopy was determined for 60 children, of whom 15 had PIOA, 24 had ECOA and 21 had LCOA. An additional 76 children who were never atopic were also included. T cell responses to house dust mite, including interleukin‐5, ‐9, ‐10 and tumour necrosis factor α, were higher among children with PIA and ECOA, and lower in children with LCOA, P<0.05. In contrast, those children with LCOA or who were not atopic had the highest IL‐10 response to PHA (P=0.014). Children with PIOA and ECOA, but not LCOA, had higher AR and FENO compared with non‐atopic children (P<0.05). The group with PIOA were more likely among the atopic children to be admitted to hospital for asthma (P<0.05) and also had lower %FEV1 compared with non‐atopic children (P=0.023).Conclusions
Early age at sensitization is associated with enhanced T cell cytokine responses and indices of adverse asthma outcome. T cell cytokine responses might be programmed at the time of initial atopic sensitization.
Generation of a low Immunoglobulin E‐binding mutant of the timothy grass pollen major allergen Phl p 5a
Authors: Wald M. , Kahlert H. , Weber B. , Jankovic M. , Keller W. , Cromwell O. , Nandy A. , Fiebig H. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryBackground
Immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy is currently based on the administration of pollen extracts containing natural allergens. Specifically designed recombinant allergens with reduced IgE reactivity could be used in safer and more efficacious future therapy concepts.Objectives
This study aimed to generate hypoallergenic variants of the timothy grass major allergen Phl p 5a as candidates for allergen‐specific immunotherapy.Methods
Three deletion mutants were produced in Escherichia coli and subsequently purified. The overall IgE‐binding capacity of the mutants was compared with the recombinant wild‐type allergen by membrane blot and IgE‐inhibition assays. The capacity for effector cell activation was determined in basophil activation assays. T cell proliferation assays with allergen‐specific T cell lines were performed to confirm the retention of T cell reactivity. Structural properties were characterized by circular dichroism analysis and homogeneity by native isoelectric focusing. The deletion sites were mapped on homology models comprising the N‐ and C‐terminal halves of Phl p 5a, respectively.Results
The double‐deletion mutant rPhl p 5a Δ(94–113, 175–198) showed strongly diminished IgE binding in membrane blot and IgE‐inhibition assays. Both deletions affect predominantly α‐helical regions located in the N‐ and C‐terminal halves of Phl p 5a, respectively. Whereas deletion of Δ175–198 alone was sufficient to cause a large reduction of the IgE reactivity in a subgroup of allergic sera, only the combination of both deletions was highly effective for all the sera tested. rPhl p 5a Δ(94–113, 175–198) consistently showed at least an 11.5‐fold reduced capacity to activate basophils compared with the recombinant wild‐type molecule, and the T cell proliferation assays demonstrated retention of T cell reactivity.Conclusion
The mutant rPhl p 5a Δ(94–113, 175–198) fulfils the basic requirements for a hypoallergenic molecule suitable for a future immunotherapy of grass pollen allergy; it offers substantially reduced IgE binding and maintained T cell reactivity.
Tyrosine phosphorylation of a 38‐kDa capacitation‐associated buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) sperm protein is induced by L‐arginine and regulated through a cAMP/PKA‐independent pathway
Authors: Roy S. C. , Atreja S. K. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to determine the effect of l‐arginine on nitric oxide (NO•) synthesis, capacitation and protein tyrosine phosphorylation in buffalo spermatozoa. Ejaculated buffalo spermatozoa were capacitated in the absence or presence of heparin, or l‐arginine or Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) for 6 h. Capacitating spermatozoa generated NO• both spontaneously and following stimulation with l‐arginine and l‐NAME quenched such l‐arginine‐induced NO• production. Immunolocalization of NOS suggested for existence of constitutive NOS in buffalo spermatozoa. l‐Arginine (10 mm) was found to be a potent capacitating agent and addition of l‐NAME to the incubation media attenuated both l‐arginine and heparin‐induced capacitation and suggested that NO• is involved in the capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa. Two sperm proteins of Mr 38 000 (p38) and 20 000 (p20) were tyrosine phosphorylated extensively by both heparin and l‐arginine. Of these, the tyrosine phosphorylation of p38 was insensitive to both induction by cAMP agonists as well as inhibition by a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. Further, most of these l‐arginine‐induced tyrosine phosphorylated proteins were localized to the midpiece and principal piece regions of flagellum of capacitated spermatozoa and suggested that sperm flagellum takes active part during capacitation. These results indicated that l‐arginine induces capacitation of buffalo spermatozoa through NO• synthesis and tyrosine phosphorylation of specific sperm proteins involving a pathway independent of cAMP/PKA.
The relationship between a primary maxillary incisor with a talon cusp and the permanent successor: a study of 57 cases
Authors: LEE CHUN‐KEI , KING NIGEL MARTYN , LO EDWARD CHIN‐MAN , CHO SHIU‐YIN 
Published: March 2007

Background.  Most reported cases of talon cusps in the primary dentition have been on the maxillary central incisors and the permanent successors have remained unaffected. Four of the five reported cases on a maxillary lateral incisor, however, have been associated with a supernumerary permanent successor.Aim.  This paper describes the relationship between the presence of talon cusps on a primary maxillary incisor, and the morphology and number of the permanent successors in a population of Chinese children.Design.  The dental records of children diagnosed with a talon cusp on a primary incisor were retrieved for review. The diagnoses took place in a regional school dental clinic in Hong Kong between April 2002 and August 2005.Results.  Fifty‐eight primary maxillary incisors with talon cusps were found. When the central incisors were involved, 32 of the 35 (91.4%) underlying permanent successors were not found to be associated with any odontogenic abnormalities. When the lateral incisors were involved, however, 18 of the 23 cases (78.3%) showed odontogenic abnormalities, 14 of which were associated with supernumerary teeth.Conclusions.  The present study shows that, when there is a talon cusp on a primary maxillary lateral incisor, a high proportion of the underlying permanent successors can be expected to exhibit odontogenic abnormalities.
Distinct expression of endogenous Petunia vein clearing virus and the DNA transposon dTph1 in two Petunia hybrida lines is correlated with differences in histone modification and siRNA production
Authors: Noreen Faiza , Akbergenov Rashid , Hohn Thomas , Richert‐Pöggeler Katja R. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryEndogenous viruses exist in all kingdoms. They usually have active mechanisms of integration, as in bacteriophage λ and animal retroviruses, and sophisticated mechanisms to maintain a proviral state over decades and generations. Plant para retroviruses, however, neither have an integrase, nor genes for maintaining the proviral state. How are those elements controlled, and under what conditions can they be activated? Here we study the proviral state of endogenous petunia vein clearing virus (ePVCV). Our results support the hypothesis that the proviral state is associated with a host silencing mechanism manifested by DNA methylation, chromatin modification and production of small interfering (si) RNAs. PVCV may be induced by applying abiotic stress, leading to the development of viral symptoms and increased transcript and siRNA levels. Similar levels of ePVCV DNA methylation were observed in two different lines of Petunia hybrida, RdC (rose du ciel) and W138, the latter known for its active version of transposon dTph1. In contrast, significant differences in histone modification were detected. The predominant association of ePVCV sequences with histone H3 methylated at lysine 9 (H3mK9) in RdC and with about equal amounts of H3mK9 and H3mK4 in W138 indicates a less repressive proviral state in the latter cultivar.
Increase in CPD photolyase activity functions effectively to prevent growth inhibition caused by UVB radiation
Authors: Hidema Jun , Taguchi Taku , Ono Taiichi , Teranishi Mika , Yamamoto Kazuo , Kumagai Tadashi 
Published: March 2007

SummaryRice cultivars vary widely in their sensitivity to ultraviolet B (UVB) and this has been correlated with cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) photolyase mutations that alter the structure/function of this photorepair enzyme. Here, we tested whether CPD photolyase function determines the UVB sensitivity of rice (Oryza sativa) by generating transgenic rice plants bearing the CPD photolyase gene of the UV‐resistant rice cultivar Sasanishiki in the sense orientation (S‐B and S‐C lines) or the antisense orientation (AS‐D line). The S‐B and S‐C plants had 5.1‐ and 45.7‐fold higher CPD photolyase activities than the wild‐type, respectively, were significantly more resistant to UVB‐induced growth damage, and maintained significantly lower CPD levels in their leaves during growth under elevated UVB radiation. Conversely, the AS‐D plant had little photolyase activity, was severely damaged by elevated UVB radiation, and maintained higher CPD levels in its leaves during growth under UVB radiation. Notably, the S‐C plant was not more resistant to UVB‐induced growth inhibition than the S‐B plant, even though it had much higher CPD photolyase activity. These results strongly indicate that UVB‐induced CPDs are one of principal causes of UVB‐induced growth inhibition in rice plants grown under supplementary UVB radiation, and that increasing CPD photolyase activity can significantly alleviate UVB‐caused growth inhibition in rice. However, further protection from UVB‐induced damage may require the genetic enhancement of other systems as well.
Direct benefits and costs for hybridizing Ficedula flycatchers
Authors: WILEY C. , FOGELBERG N. , SæTHER S. A. , VEEN T. , SVEDIN N. , KEHLENBECK J. VOGEL , QVARNSTRÖM A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIt is well understood that females may gain direct benefits from breeding with attractive males. However, the direct fitness effects of mate‐choice are rarely considered with respect to mating between different species (hybridization), a field dominated by discussion of indirect costs of producing unfit hybrid offspring. Hybridizing females may also gain by the types of direct benefits that are important for intraspecific mate choice, and in addition may have access to certain benefits that are restricted to mating with males of an ecologically diverged sister‐taxon. We investigate possible direct benefits and costs female Ficedula flycatchers gain from breeding with a heterospecific male, and demonstrate that hybridizing female collared flycatchers (F. albicollis) breed in territories that do not suffer the seasonal decline in habitat quality experienced by females breeding with conspecifics. We exclude the hypotheses that heterospecific males provide alternative food‐types or assume a greater amount of the parental workload. In fact, the diets of the two species (F. albicollis and F. hypoleuca) were highly similar, suggesting possible interspecific competition over food resources in sympatry. We discuss the implications of direct fitness effects of hybridization, and why there has been such a disparity in the attention paid to such benefits and costs with regard to intraspecific and interspecific mate‐choice.
Changes in environmental controls on the growth of Abies alba Mill. in the Vosges Mountains, north‐eastern France, during the 20th century
Authors: Pinto Paulina E. , Gégout Jean‐Claude , Hervé Jean‐Christophe , Dhôte Jean‐François 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTAim  To analyse the radial growth of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) in north‐eastern France in relation to soil, climate and interspecific competition factors and to check the temporal stability of their effects during the 20th century.Location  The Vosges Mountains, located in north‐eastern France.Methods  Data were collected from 143 plots regularly distributed over three altitude ranges (from 330 to 1100 m), three humus forms (moder to mull) and seven types of stands, including a pure stand of silver fir and six mixed stands containing this species. For each plot, an index of mean radial growth of silver fir was calculated, independent of tree age and calendar year of ring formation. Relationships between radial growth and ecological factors were analysed using linear mixed‐effects models.Results  Radial growth of silver fir is low in the presence of Picea abies or of a high density of other dominant trees. Low aluminium concentration and good nitrogen supply, measured by the soil C:N ratio, are correlated with high radial growth. Water reserves, related to available water storage capacity and to lateral run‐off, are also correlated with high radial growth. Analysis of environmental effects during the 20th century showed that growth was strongly correlated with nitrogen supply at the start of the century, and with aluminium toxicity and climate at the end of the century. The radial growth of trees located on sites with low nitrogen supply was lower before 1970 than that of trees located on nitrogen‐rich soils. At the end of the century, radial growth of silver fir was the same for all levels of nitrogen nutrition.Main conclusions  Our results indicate that nitrogen supply was a limiting factor for the mean radial growth of silver fir before the 1970s. Eutrophication during the 20th century may then have eliminated limitation by nitrogen.
The use of customised versus population‐based birthweight standards in predicting perinatal mortality
Authors: Zhang X , Platt RW , Cnattingius S , Joseph KS , Kramer MS 
Published: March 2007

Objective  The objective of this study was to critically examine potential artifacts and biases underlying the use of ‘customised’ standards of birthweight for gestational age (GA).Design  Population‐based cohort study.Setting  Sweden.Population  A total of 782 303 singletons ≥28 weeks of gestation born in 1992–2001 to Nordic mothers with complete data on birthweight; GA; and maternal age, parity, height, and pre‐pregnancy weight.Methods  We compared perinatal mortality in four groups of infants based on the following classification of small for gestational age (SGA): non‐SGA based on either population‐based or customised standards (the reference group), SGA based on the population‐based standard only, SGA based on the customised standard only, and SGA according to both standards. We used graphical methods to compare GA‐specific birthweight cutoffs for SGA using the two standards and also used logistic regression to control for differences in GA and maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) in the four groups.Main outcome measures  Perinatal mortality, including stillbirth and neonatal death.Results  Customisation led to a large artifactual increase in the proportion of SGA infants born preterm. Adjustment for differences in GA and maternal BMI markedly reduced the excess risk among infants classified as SGA by customised standards only.Conclusion  The large increase in perinatal mortality risk among infants classified as SGA based on customised standards is largely an artifact due to inclusion of more preterm births.
Differentiated pattern of sodium channel expression in dissociated Purkinje neurons maintained in long‐term culture
Authors: Fry Mark , Boegle Aimee K. , Maue Robert A. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractCerebellar Purkinje neurons in vivo exhibit high frequency and multi‐spike action potentials with transient (INaT), resurgent (INaR) and persistent (INaP) Na+ currents arising from voltage‐gated Na+ channels, which play important roles in shaping the action potentials and electrical activity of these cells. However, little is known about Na+ channel expression in cultured Purkinje neurons despite the use of in vitro approaches to study these cells. Therefore, GFP‐expressing Purkinje neurons isolated from transgenic mice were analysed after four weeks in culture, when, coincident with distinct axonal and dendritic morphologies, cultured Purkinje neurons exhibited dendrite‐specific MAP2 expression characteristic of polarized neurons. In cell‐attached patch clamp recordings, Na+ currents occurred at significantly higher frequencies and amplitudes in patches from the soma and axon than from dendrites, similar to the polarized distribution observed in vivo. INaT, INaR and INaP Na+ currents with properties similar to those observed in acutely isolated Purkinje neurons were detected in nucleated outside‐out patches from cultured Purkinje cells. RT‐PCR analysis detected Nav1.1, Nav1.2 and Nav1.6, but not Nav1.3, Nav1.4, Nav 1.5 or Nav1.8 Na+ channel α subunit gene expression in cultured Purkinje neurons, as observed in vivo. Together, the results indicate that key aspects of Na+ channel expression in mature Purkinje neurons in vivo occur in vitro.
Viral load 1 week after liver transplantation, donor age and rejections correlate with the outcome of recurrent hepatitis C
Authors: Ciccorossi Pietro , Maina Anna Maria , Oliveri Filippo , Petruccelli Stefania , Leandro Gioacchino , Colombatto Piero , Moriconi Francesco , Mosca Franco , Filipponi Franco , Bonino Ferruccio , Brunetto Maurizia Rossana 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground: Early identification of patients at a higher risk of rapidly progressive recurrent hepatitis post liver transplantation (LT) could help to tailor antiviral therapy.Methods: We studied the correlation between early post‐LT viral load and the histological and clinical outcomes of 49 consecutive patients (34 males, median age 55 years) in whom viraemia was monitored at days 0, 1, 7, 30, 180 and 365 after LT.Results: Hepatitis C recurred at histology in 38 of 42 (90.5%) patients. Early viral load after LT was higher in patients with rapidly progressive hepatitis C recurrence (day 7 median HCV‐RNA levels: 5.84 vs 4.93 Log10 IU/ml, P=0.003). Day 7 HCV‐RNA levels ≥2.5 × 105 IU/ml, donor age >60 years and rejection episodes were independently associated with progression to cirrhosis within one year post‐LT [P=0.018, odds ratio (OR) 27.59; P=0.043, OR 13.85 and P=0.048, OR 9.95, respectively]. Day 7 viraemia and rejection episodes were independently associated with 5‐years survival. Day 7 viraemia, in combination with acute hepatitis and/or donor age, showed 80% sensitivity, 94% specificity and 90.5% diagnostic accuracy to identify severe recurrence.Conclusions: Early post‐LT HCV‐RNA correlates with the severity of hepatitis C recurrence and in combination with donor age (>60 years) and rejections, identifies patients with a high risk of severe recurrence and candidates of cost‐effective pre‐emptive antiviral therapy.
Optimizing the use of traditional DMARD in RA: getting the most out of what we can afford!
Authors: ARSHAD Anwar , SULAIMAN Wahinudin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractMost of us would agree that biologic treatment offers efficacious and rapid onset of action in our rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and as a result this therapy changes our treatment paradigm. However, in some countries in our region, the availability and accessibility to biologics is still limited. Therefore, this review article will discuss the current status of disease‐modifying antirheumatid drug (DMARD) usage and will attempt to make most of what we have now. We now have strong evidence of how we can optimize DMARD usage in RA in terms of the administration, timing in initiating therapy and also the interval of assessment of disease activity.