bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells after allergen inhalation in asthmatic subjects
Authors: Farrell E. , O’Connor T. M. , Duong M. , Watson R. M. , Strinich T. , Gauvreau G. M. , O’Byrne P. M. 
Published: September 2007

Background: Dendritic cells are key contributors to initiation and maintenance of T‐cell immunity to inhaled allergen. The purpose of this study was to enumerate the changes in peripheral blood myeloid (mDCs) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), the DCs expressing chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) and chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), following diluent and allergen inhalation in asthmatic subjects.Methods: Peripheral blood was obtained from 16 allergic asthmatic subjects before and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 24, and 48 h after inhaled diluent and allergen challenges. Dendritic cells were enumerated using flow cytometry.Results: Allergen inhalation significantly reduced mDCs at 6 h (21.3 ± 2.0 vs 15.0 ± 1.8/μl blood; P < 0.05) and 24 h (21.5 ± 3.4 vs 16.4 ± 2.4/μl blood; P < 0.05) after challenge. Circulating pDCs were significantly lower than baseline up to 24 h after both allergen and diluent challenges. There was a significant efflux of CCR6+ mDCs from peripheral blood at 6 h and CCR6+ pDCs at 4 h after allergen challenge, when compared with diluent. There was no difference in the number of circulating CCR7+ mDCs or pDCs after diluent or allergen challenges.Conclusions: Peripheral blood mDCs and CCR6+ mDCs, but not pDCs, are reduced up to 24 h after allergen inhalation. Thus, allergen inhalation causes trafficking of immature CCR6+ DCs from blood into the airway, while that of the trafficking of the mature CCR7+ DCs from the airways into the regional lymph nodes probably occurs through the lymphatic system.
CD‐sens and clinical changes during withdrawal of Xolair after 6 years of treatment
Authors: Nopp A. , Johansson S. G. O. , Ankerst J. , Palmqvist M. , Öman H. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Many clinical trials with omalizumab, Xolair, have been reported but the treatment period has always been short, i.e. <12 months. After withdrawal, the clinical symptoms tend to return. A group of patients who stopped treatment after approx. 6 years allowed studies of the long‐term effects of Xolair.Methods:  The patient’s cat or mite allergen sensitivity was quantitated as basophil allergen threshold sensitivity, CD‐sens, and immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgE‐ and IgG4‐antibodies were determined before start and during treatment withdrawal. Asthma severity was evaluated from forced expiratory volume (FEV), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and a questionnaire.Results:  At 6–14 months without Xolair 13 of the 18 cat and mite allergic asthmatics had either improved or remained the same as on treatment. Most of the patients were in a stable clinical condition reporting high quality of life, no increased nightly asthma attacks, no emergency visits as well as little or no increase in medication. The CD‐sens to cat showed a peak 4 months after withdrawal but then decreased to levels below those of untreated patients with allergic asthma and at 12 months six of 14 had nonreactive basophils. Cat IgG4 antibody levels were higher than in cat allergics in general.Conclusion:  Most of the patients 12–14 months had, after closing of 6‐year Xolair treatment, a surprisingly mild asthma. Interestingly, and probably contributing to the clinical results, a downregulation of basophil, and presumably also mast cell, reactivity, was seen.
Quantification of atopy and the probability of rhinitis in preschool children: a population‐based birth cohort study
Authors: Marinho S. , Simpson A. , Söderström L. , Woodcock A. , Ahlstedt S. , Custovic A. 
Published: September 2007

Background:  Atopy quantification using IgE levels/skin test diameter (SPT‐MWD) may better predict the expression of rhinitis than using atopy as a dichotomous variable.Objective:  To investigate the association between the presence, temporal pattern and severity of rhinitis in preschool children and specific IgE levels/SPT‐MWDs.Methods:  Children were followed prospectively to age 5 years in a whole‐population birth cohort study. We administered questionnaires (n = 815), skin prick tested children (n = 717) and measured specific serum IgE (n = 478) to inhalant and food allergens. Main outcomes were current rhinitis (CR) and current rhinoconjunctivitis (CRC).Results:  The prevalence of CR and CRC was 26.1% and 12.1%, respectively. The risk of CR and CRC increased significantly with increasing IgE to grass, mite and cat; CRC was also associated with increasing IgE to dog and peanut. Similarly, increasing SPT‐MWDs to inhalant allergens were significantly associated with CR and CRC. This association was also shown for grass within the group of atopic children. Perennial and seasonal rhinitis were associated with increasing IgE/SPT‐MWD to mite and grass, respectively. Moderate/severe rhinitis was associated with increasing IgE/SPT‐MWD to grass. In a multivariate analysis, increasing levels of IgE/SPT‐MWD to grass were the strongest independent predictors of both CR (for IgE: OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.23–1.64, P < 0.001) and CRC (for IgE: 1.51, 1.30–1.76, P < 0.001).Conclusion:  The probability of CR/CRC increases with increasing specific IgE levels or SPT‐MWD. With respect to allergic rhinitis, the absolute levels of specific IgE antibody or the size of SPT wheal offer more information than just the presence/absence of sensitization.
The Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS): its development, validation and utility
Authors: Berk Michael , Malhi Gin S , Cahill Catherine , Carman A Catherine , Hadzi‐Pavlovic Dusan , Hawkins Mary T , Tohen Mauricio , Mitchell Philip B 
Published: September 2007

Objectives:  Unipolar and bipolar depression differ neurobiologically and in clinical presentation. Existing depression rating instruments, used in bipolar depression, fail to capture the necessary phenomenological nuances, as they are based on and skewed towards the characteristics of unipolar depression. Both clinically and in research there is a growing need for a new observer‐rated scale that is specifically designed to assess bipolar depression.Methods:  An instrument reflecting the characteristics of bipolar depression was drafted by the authors, and administered to 122 participants aged 18–65 (44 males and 78 females) with a diagnosis of DSM‐IV bipolar disorder, who were currently experiencing symptoms of depression. The Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) was administered together with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D), Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).Results:  The BDRS has strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.917), and robust correlation coefficients with the MADRS (r = 0.906) and HAM‐D (r = 0.744), and the mixed subscale correlated with the YMRS (r = 0.757). Exploratory factor analysis showed a three‐factor solution gave the best account of the data. These factors corresponded to depression (somatic), depression (psychological) and mixed symptom clusters.Conclusions:  This study provides evidence for the validity of the BDRS for the measurement of depression in bipolar disorder. These results suggest good internal validity, provisional evidence of inter‐rater reliability and strong correlations with other depression rating scales.
The joint evolution of mating system, floral traits and life history in Clarkia (Onagraceae): genetic constraints vs. independent evolution
Authors: DUDLEY L. S. , MAZER S. J. , GALUSKY P. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractGenetic correlations caused by pleiotropy or linkage disequilibrium may influence the joint evolution of multiple traits as populations or taxa diverge. The evolutionary transition from outcrossing to selfing has occurred numerous times and is often accompanied by phenotypic and genetic changes in multiple traits such as flower size, pollen–ovule ratio, stigma and anther maturity and the age of reproductive maturity. Determining whether the recurring patterns of multitrait change are because of selection on each trait independently and/or the result of genetic correlations among traits can shed light on the mechanism that accounts for such convergence. Here, we evaluate whether floral traits are genetically correlated with each other and/or with whole‐plant traits within‐ and between‐populations and taxa. We report results from a greenhouse study conducted on two pairs of sister taxa with contrasting mating systems: the autogamously selfing Clarkia exilis and its predominantly outcrossing progenitor C. unguiculata and the autogamous Clarkia xantiana ssp. parviflora and its outcrossing progenitor C. xantiana ssp. xantiana. We examined variation within and covariation among maternal families in three populations of each taxon with respect to the age at first flower, the rate of successive flower production and the number of days between bud break and anther dehiscence and stigma receptivity within individual flowers. Based on phenotypic divergence between sister taxa, bivariate regressions, correlations among maternal family means and analysis of covariance (ancova), we did not find unilateral support indicating that genetic constraints govern the joint distribution of floral and whole‐plant traits.
A possible link between parasite defence and residual reproduction
Authors: KARELL P. , PIETIÄINEN H. , SIITARI H. , BROMMER J. E. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractLife‐history theory centres around trade‐offs between current and future reproduction, but we have little understanding of how such trade‐offs are mediated. We supplementary fed Ural owls (Strix uralensis) during the nestling period and quantified parents’ current and future life‐history components as well as their physiological health by monitoring haematocrit, leucocyte profile, intra‐ and extracellular blood parasites. Feeding led to reduced parental effort but did not improve offspring viability, male parasite defence, or parental survival. Intracellular leucocytozoan infection was reduced in fed females which lasted to the following year's reproductive season (carry‐over effect), when fed females also laid larger and earlier clutches.Leucocytozooninfection therefore may mediate the life‐history trade‐off between current and residual reproduction in this species.
Nitrogen Rates and Water Stress Effects on Production, Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidative Enzyme Activities in Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes
Authors: Zhang L.‐X. , Li S.‐X. , Zhang H. , Liang Z.‐S. 
Published: September 2007

AbstractEffects of nitrogen rates and water stress (WS) on production, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative enzyme activities in two maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes were assessed at different stages under two levels of water supply conditions. WS caused a significant decline in dry matter, grain yield and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) whereas a marked rise in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was observed in leaves for the two genotypes. However, the responses of the two varieties to WS were different: significantly higher dry matter, grain yield and antioxidative enzyme activities and lower MDA content were observed for Shaandan 9 than Shaandan 911, therefore the former could be treated as a drought tolerance variety comparatively. A better correlation was obtained amongst dry matter, grain yield and physiological traits. The addition of nitrogen increased dry matter and grain yield as well as activities of SOD, POD and CAT to different levels and significantly decreased MDA content under WS. These effects were higher for Shaandan 911 than for Shaandan 9. Furthermore, a significant effect was found for Shaandan 911 between N rates for all traits unlike Shaandan 9. Hence, we suggest that nitrogen should be applied to a water‐sensitive variety to bring out its potential fully under drought.
Naildex: pilot evaluation of an onychodystrophy severity instrument
Authors: Warshaw Erin M. , Traywick Carmen A. , Hoffman Allison A. , Lilly Kia K. , Koshnick Rebecca L. , Robinson Janet W. , Suwattee Pitiporn , Foster Jovonne K. , Chen Suephy C. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA valid and reliable measure that captures onychodystrophy disease severity is important for both clinical and research applications. Three hundred and twenty‐two patients at two Veterans Affairs Medical Centers with clinical evidence of onychodystrophy suggesting onychomycosis (at least 25% in a distal subungual pattern) were examined using Naildex parameters. Naildex scores were calculated by a combination of: per cent of each nail infected, area of each nail and number of infected nails. Patients also completed a nail‐specific quality of life questionnaire (NailQoL) and nail samples were collected and examined mycologically. Data was analysed for all enrolled patients (n = 322) and patients with mycologically‐confirmed onychomycosis (n = 243). Inter‐rater reliability was calculated from two examiners who each evaluated 17 patients with mycologically‐confirmed onychomycosis. Significant correlations (P < 0.01) between Naildex and NailQoL as well as proxy measures (duration of infection) indicated construct validity of the instrument for all patients as well as mycologically‐confirmed cases. Strong correlation (r = 0.754, P < 0.01, n = 17) indicated high inter‐rate reliability. This pilot evaluation suggests that Naildex is a valid and reliable measure of onychomycosis severity.
An ex‐vivo oral mucosa infection model for the evaluation of the topical activity of antifungal agents
Authors: Ohnemus U. , Willers C. , Bubenheim M. , Horstkotte M. A. , Houdek P. , Fischer F. , Schmage P. , Moll I. , Brandner J. M. 
Published: September 2007

SummaryAlthough Nystatin has been used since 1950s as a non‐absorbable antifungal agent, there is still no reliable in‐vivo data available stating a dose–effect relationship of Nystatin‐suspension in the treatment of oropharyngeal infection with Candida albicans. Here, we studied the efficacy of a commercially available topical Nystatin suspension in a new ex‐vivo model of candidiasis using porcine oral mucosa. After 48 and 96 h of C. albicans infection, 230 IU Nystatin (standard dosage), 100 IU and 20 IU proved to be equally efficacious. Multiple applications of Nystatin were not superior compared with single application. In dosages of 10 and 0.1 IU the activity of Nystatin suspension against C. albicans was no longer confirmed. In an agar diffusion model, the minimal biocidal concentration of Nystatin proved to be 0.25 IU. Our results suggest that the proposed porcine ex‐vivo model is much closer to the in‐vivo situation compared with other established in‐vitro models of the treatment of muco‐cutaneous candidiasis and may provide a substitute for animal models in the investigation of antifungal agents. Additionally, it seems to be a valuable tool for further investigations of the pathogenesis of C. albicans infections.
Hodgkin’s disease of the oesophagus: A literature review
Authors: Jones K , Pacella J , Wasty F 
Published: September 2007

SummaryHodgkin’s disease rarely involves the gastrointestinal tract. Primary Hodgkin disease of the oesophagus seems to be extremely rare. We report a case of classical Hodgkin’s disease involving lower end of oesophagus.
Long‐term clinical remission following radiotherapy in tracheal adenocarcinoma: Review of the published work
Authors: Puri T , Gunabushanam G , Malik M , Kukreja M , Julka PK , Rath GK 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA 55‐year‐old man with tracheal adenocarcinoma presented with difficulty in breathing and cough with blood‐tinged expectoration. As the patient refused surgery, he was treated with definitive radiotherapy to the neck and superior mediastinum to a total dose of 50 Gy (initially 40 Gy by AP/PA portals followed by 10 Gy with a three‐field technique). He showed significant symptomatic relief to radiotherapy and defaulted from further treatment. He remained asymptomatic for 7 years, following which he developed sternal metastases and a local tumour recurrence. This case illustrates that long‐term clinical remission can be achieved by radiotherapy alone in this rare histological subtype of tracheal carcinoma.
Survey of the current practices for neonatal gastrointestinal contrast studies in Australia
Authors: Travadi J , Patole S , Thonell S , Simmer K 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA wide range of contrast agents with varying osmolality (290–849 mmol/kg) and iodine content (150–370 mg/mL) are currently available for neonatal gastrointestinal contrast studies. A nationwide survey was hence conducted to identify current practices. A questionnaire was mailed to the 22 Australian neonatal units registered with the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network. Seventeen (72%) of the 22 units responded to the questionnaire and 54% had some guidelines for term neonates. No unit had a specific policy for preterm neonates. Seventy‐seven per cent of the respondents used a contrast agent with a high osmolality. There was a wide variation in the volume and dilution of contrast used. Guidelines for gastrointestinal contrast studies in high‐risk neonates are suggested.
Multicentre quality assurance of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy plans: A precursor to clinical trials
Authors: Williams MJ , Bailey MJ , Forstner D , Metcalfe PE 
Published: September 2007

SummaryA multicentre planning study comparing intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans for the treatment of a head and neck cancer has been carried out. Three Australian radiotherapy centres, each with a different planning system, were supplied a fully contoured CT dataset and requested to generate an IMRT plan in accordance with the requirements of an IMRT‐based radiation therapy oncology group clinical trial. Plan analysis was carried out using software developed specifically for reviewing multicentre clinical trial data. Two out of the three plans failed to meet the prescription requirements with one misinterpreting the prescription and the third failed to meet one of the constraints. Only one plan achieved all of the dose objectives for the critical structures and normal tissues. Although each centre used very similar planning parameters and beam arrangements the resulting plans were quite different. The subjective interpretation and application of the prescription and planning objectives emphasize one of the many difficulties in carrying out multicentre IMRT planning studies. The treatment prescription protocol in a clinical trial must be both lucid and unequivocally stated to avoid misinterpretation. Australian radiotherapy centres must show that they can produce a quality IMRT plan and that they can adhere to protocols for IMRT planning before using it in a clinical trial.
HYPEROXIA CONFERS MYOCARDIAL PROTECTION IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED RATS THROUGH THE GENERATION OF FREE RADICALS AND OPENING OF MITOCHONDRIAL ATP‐SENSITIVE POTASSIUM CHANNELS
Authors: Colantuono Giuseppe , Tiravanti Edy Altea , Di Venosa Nicola , Cazzato Antonia , Rastaldo Raffaella , Cagiano Raffaele , D’Agostino Donato , Federici Antonio , Fiore Tommaso 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

One hour exposure to hyperoxia has been shown previously to limit a subsequent ischaemia–reperfusion injury in spontaneously breathing rats. We tested the cardioprotective effect of a shorter period of hyperoxia during mechanical ventilation and the possible contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial ATP‐sensitive potassium (mitoKATP) channels.
Mechanically ventilated rats were exposed to normoxia (Fio2 = 0.3) or hyperoxia (Fio2 = 1.0) for 30 min and pH, Pco2, Po2, heart rate, airway and blood pressure were measured at baseline and after 30 min mechanical ventilation. Isolated hearts were subsequently subjected to 30 min ischaemia and 120 min reperfusion. Infarct size and left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP), developed pressure (LVDP) and coronary flow (CF) were measured. In order to investigate the role of ROS and KATP channels within the mechanism leading to cardioprotection, the free radical scavenger N‐acetylcysteine (NAC; 150 mg/kg) was infused in mechanically ventilated rats and the KATP channel blockers glibenclamide (200 mmol/L) or 5‐hydroxydecanoate (10 mmol/L) were infused in isolated hearts immediately before ischaemia.
No differences were detected in Pco2, pH, heart rate, airway and blood pressure between the groups. However, the Po2 in hyperoxic groups was significantly higher compared with that in normoxic groups (P < 0.01). After 30 min ischaemia, we found that hyperoxic preconditioning significantly improved CF (P < 0.01), LVDP (P < 0.01) and LVEDP (P < 0.01) and reduced the extent of infarct size in the reperfused heart compared with the normoxic group (P < 0.01). When rats were pretreated either with NAC before hyperoxic ventilation or with KATP channel blockers before ischaemia, myocardial protection was abolished.
Hyperoxic mechanical ventilation, prior to ischaemia, reduces myocardial reperfusion injury. This is likely to occur through the induction of oxidative stress, which leads to myocyte mitoKATP channel opening.
CELLULAR DISTRIBUTION OF THE RENAL BUMETANIDE‐SENSITIVE Na–K–2Cl COTRANSPORTER BSC‐1 IN THE INNER STRIPE OF THE OUTER MEDULLA DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF HYPERTENSION IN THE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RAT
Authors: Sonalker Prajakta A , Tofovic Stevan P , Jackson Edwin K 
Published: September 2007

SUMMARY

The renal bumetanide‐sensitive Na–K–2Cl cotransporter (BSC‐1) is expressed only in the thick ascending limb and selectively traffics from intracellular vesicles (IVs) to apical plasma membranes (PMs), where BSC‐1 regulates sodium reabsorption. We showed previously that in kidneys from adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; model of essential hypertension) total protein expression of BSC‐1 was higher compared with kidneys from normotensive Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats. However, whether this change is associated with an increased trafficking of BSC‐1 from IVs to PMs is unknown. The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the increase in total renal BSC‐1 protein expression in SHR is accompanied by an augmented distribution of BSC‐1 from IVs to PMs.
To test the hypothesis, we obtained renal tissue from the inner stripe of the outer medulla (ISOM; enriched in thick ascending limbs) and isolated IVs and PMs from this tissue by differential centrifugation. Total BSC‐1 protein expression in ISOM and BSC‐1 protein expression in ISOM IVs and PMs were measured by semiquantitative western blotting in SHR and aged‐matched WKY rats at different ages and stages of hypertension.
At 5 weeks of age, SHR were prehypertensive (mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) 97 mmHg). At this age, both the total abundance and cellular distribution of BSC‐1 were similar in ISOM from SHR and WKY rats.
As SHR aged, their hypertension progressed (MABP 137 and 195 mmHg at 8 and 14 weeks of age, respectively). Associated with the increase in MABP was an increase in both steady state protein levels of ISOM BSC‐1 and the distribution of ISOM BSC‐1 to PMs (four‐ and sixfold increases at 8 and 14 weeks of age, respectively, compared with age‐matched WKY rats; P < 0.001).
Using semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, BSC‐1 mRNA was measured and was found not to differ between SHR and WKY rat ISOM at any age or level of MABP.
We conclude that as SHR transition from prehypertensive to established hypertension, there is a marked increase in the total expression of BSC‐1 in ISOM that is not related to increases in steady state levels of BSC‐1 mRNA and therefore unlikely to be due to changes in either the rate of BSC‐1 gene transcription or the stability of BSC‐1 mRNA. This suggests changes in either translational efficiency or BSC‐1 protein stability in SHR.
We also conclude that the age/hypertension‐related increase in BSC‐1 protein levels in ISOM is accompanied by an equally marked increased trafficking of BSC‐1 to PMs in SHR ISOM.