bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Matrix metalloproteinase‐9: a novel biomarker for monitoring disease activity in patients with chronic urticaria patients?
Authors: Altrichter S. , Boodstein N. , Maurer M. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9, an enzyme that contributes to inflammatory responses and subsequent tissue remodelling, has recently been suggested to be a good biomarker for monitoring disease activity in patients with chronic urticaria (CU). Here, we assessed whether total MMP‐9 and/or active MMP‐9 plasma levels are increased and correlated to disease activity in patients with CU.Methods:  Total MMP‐9 and active MMP‐9 plasma levels were determined by ELISA in 70 CU patients and control subjects (patients with psoriasis and healthy controls). CU activity was measured using weekly and daily composite symptom scores (urticaria activity score) calculated from the number of wheals and the intensity of pruritus.Results:  Significantly increased levels of total and active MMP‐9 were detected in patients with CU as compared to healthy controls. Interestingly, patients with psoriasis also had clearly elevated plasma levels of total and active MMP‐9, indicating that MMP‐9 plasma levels do not specifically reflect CU activity. Most notably, total and active MMP‐9 levels were not correlated with disease activity in CU or psoriasis patients.Conclusion:  Plasma MMP‐9 is not a good CU biomarker and should not be used for assessing the efficacy of treatment in CU patients or their spontaneous changes in disease activity.
Rare TLR2 mutations reduce TLR2 receptor function and can increase atopy risk
Authors: Kormann M. S. D. , Ferstl R. , Depner M. , Klopp N. , Spiller S. , Illig T. , Vogelberg C. , Von Mutius E. , Kirschning C. J. , Kabesch M. 
Published: March 2009

Background:  Common genetic variations in toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2), an innate pathogen recognition receptor, may influence the development of atopic diseases. So far, very little is known about the role of rare TLR2 mutations in these diseases.Objective:  We investigated the functional properties of six rare amino acid changes in TLR2 (and one amino acid change in a TLR2 pseudogene) and studied their effect on atopic sensitization and disease.Methods:  We identified rare TLR2 mutations leading to amino acid changes from databases. Functional effects of TLR2 variants were analyzed by NF‐κB‐dependent luciferase reporter assay and interleukin‐8 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in vitro. The frequency of these mutations was determined in a random sample of the general population (n = 368). Association with atopic diseases were studied in a cross sectional German study population (n = 3099).Results:  Three out of six mutations in the TLR2 gene altered receptor activity in vitro. Out of these, only the minor allele of R753Q occurred reasonably frequent in the German population (minor allele frequency 3%). The risk to develop atopy increased by 50% in carriers of the 753Q allele (P = 0.021) and total (P = 0.040) as well as allergen specific serum IgE levels (P = 0.011) were significantly elevated.Conclusion:  The rare but functionally relevant mutation R753Q in TLR2 may significantly affect common conditions such as atopic sensitization in the general population.
Increase of blood donation speed by optimizing the needle‐ to‐tubing connection: an application of donation software
Authors: Van Der Meer P. F. , De Korte D. 
Published: March 2009

Background  The speed of blood donation is affected by the resistance induced by the needle and tubing during collection. To increase blood donation speed, the connection between the needle and the tubing was modified. The aim was to evaluate the effect of this modification on various donation parameters.Methods  Apart from the modified needle inset, the study systems were identical to reference bag systems routinely used in our centre, and only identifiable by their unique lot number. Blood collections were done at fixed sites under similar conditions using automated mixers. In total 8541 evaluable donations were performed in the reference group and 7430 in the study group. Electronically stored donation data were obtained from the mixers and used for analysis.Results  The average donation speed increased from 63 ± 12 in the reference group to 75 ± 15 ml/min in the study group (P < 0·001), resulting in donation times of 8·10 ± 1·52 and 6·95 ± 1·48 min, respectively (P < 0·001). The number of units with a donation time greater than 12 min (which cannot be used for platelet production) halved in the study group. The percentage of donations with one or more donation alarms reduced from 22·2% in the reference group to 15·3% in the study group (P < 0·001). The number of adverse events (not feeling well, fainting) during donation did not increase.Conclusions  The modification of the needle inset resulted in a 19% increase in donation speed, more units could be used for platelet production, and fewer flow alarms were encountered, while the number of adverse donor events remained unchanged.
Fast molecular detection of Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi in diseased horse chestnut trees
Authors: Schmidt O. , Moreth U. , Dujesiefken D. , Stobbe H. , Gaiser O. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryA molecular technique was used to detect the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi in horse chestnut trees (Aesculus hippocastanum), affected by the recently recognized European ‘Pseudomonas horse chestnut bark disease’. The technique helped identify the pathogen within 6 h of sample preparation including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis until gel documentation. PCR primer pairs derived from the gyrase B gene sequence were used. Because of the great similarity in the gyrase B gene sequences of the numerous closely related P. syringae pathovars, the primers were not only totally specific to the pathovar aesculi, but also detected a few other pathovars. The assumption that other bacteria should not occur at least near to a necrotic lesion of a horse chestnut tree was corroborated by sequence identity of the PCR products obtained with the gyrase B gene sequence of P. syringae pv. aesculi. Koch’s postulates were fulfilled for an isolate of P. syringae pv. aesculi obtained from a diseased horse chestnut tree sampled in Hamburg in 2007.
Damage evaluation of Rhynchites cribripennis (Col., Attelabidae) in olive fruits
Authors: Perdikis D. , Garantonakis N. , Giatropoulos A. , Paraskevopoulos A. , Lykouressis D. , Kitsis P. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract Rhynchites cribripennis is a pest of olives widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. The adults drill holes in the flesh of olives, resulting in fruit drop. Although earlier studies reported high damage levels, its damage potential has not been specifically investigated. In the current study, the damage potential of this weevil was evaluated with regard to its density. Olive shoots were enclosed in muslin cages, along with two or four adult weevils, during the initial phase of the olive fruit development. In each cage, the shoots bore 357 fruits, on average. The percentage of fruits dropped and the damage level on the fruits were recorded at about 1‐month intervals. At harvest, the fruits that remained on the shoots were individually weighed to evaluate the damage as regards fruit weight. The results showed that R. cribripennis can cause a significant damage because of fruit drop (54 ± 6%, 38 ± 4% and 16 ± 2% in the cages with 4, 2 and 0 adults, respectively). The damage was more severe in fruits within the first month after their formation. A single feeding hole was shown to cause the drop of small fruits. The high percentage of dropped fruits caused a significant decrease in the weight of the olives at harvest among treatments. These results show that R. cribripennis can cause serious damage to olive production and offer useful information for quantifying its damage potential and developing a more rationale control strategy for this pest.
RISK FACTORS FOR RECURRENT BILE DUCT STONES AFTER ENDOSCOPIC PAPILLARY BALLOON DILATION: LONG‐TERM FOLLOW‐UP STUDY
Authors: Ohashi Akira , Tamada Kiichi , Wada Shinichi , Hatanaka Hisashi , Tomiyama Takeshi , Tano Shigeo , Nakazawa Katsuyuki , Sugano Kentaro 
Published: March 2009

Background:  Little is known about the long‐term results of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) for bile duct stones.Methods:  Between 1995 and 2000, 204 patients with bile duct stones successfully underwent EPBD and stone removal. Complete stone clearance was confirmed using balloon cholangiography and intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS). Long‐term outcomes of EPBD were investigated retrospectively in the year 2007, and risk factors for stone recurrence were multivariately analyzed.Results:  Long‐term information was available in 182 cases (89.2%), with a mean overall follow‐up duration of 9.3 years. Late biliary complications occurred in 22 patients (12.1%), stone recurrence in 13 (7.1%), cholangitis in 10 (5.5%), cholecystitis in four, and gallstone pancreatitis in one. In 11 of 13 patients (84.6%), stone recurrence developed within 3 years after EPBD. All recurrent stones were bilirubinate. Multivariate analysis identified three risk factors for stone recurrence: dilated bile duct (>15 mm), previous cholecystectomy, and no confirmation of clean duct using IDUS.Conclusion:  Approximately 7% of patients develop stone recurrence after EPBD; however, retreatment with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is effective. Careful follow up is necessary in patients with dilated bile duct or previous cholecystectomy. IDUS is useful for reducing stone recurrence after EPBD.
LONG‐TERM RESULTS OF GASTRIC CANCER SCREENING USING THE SERUM PEPSINOGEN TEST METHOD AMONG AN ASYMPTOMATIC MIDDLE‐AGED JAPANESE POPULATION
Authors: Miki Kazumasa , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Kodashima Shinya , Yahagi Naohisa 
Published: March 2009

Background and Aim:  In order to reduce gastric cancer death, mass screening for gastric cancer has been established in Japan for several decades. Only photofluorography is considered to be an acceptable screening method so far, but recent evidence may show the usefulness of serum pepsinogen (PG) measurement for gastric cancer screening. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the feasibility of measuring serum PG levels for detection of gastric cancers.Methods:  Serum PG levels (PGI/PGII) were measured in asymptomatic middle‐aged Japanese between 1991 and 2005. Those with a PGI ≤ 70 ng/mL and PGI/PGII ≤ 3 were defined as having a positive PG test. According to the obtained results of serum PG levels and previous individual records, those with a positive PG test and those with a negative PG test took gastroendoscopy every 2 and 5 years, respectively.Results:  The total number of participating individuals was 101 892 (mean age of 48.7 years). In a total of 21 178 planned gastroendoscopies (20.8%), 13 789 (65.1%) underwent gastroendoscopy and 125 gastric cancers were detected, which corresponded to 0.12% of all participants and to 0.91% of those with gastroendoscopy. Early‐stage cancers and intestinal‐type intramucosal cancers accounted for 80% and 39% of all the detected cancers, respectively.Conclusions:  Serum PG measurement for mass screening of gastric cancer enabled us to achieve high recruitment for gastroendoscopy in intended individuals, a favorable detection rate of gastric cancer and, in particular, an extremely high proportion of early‐stage gastric cancer in all the detected cancers.
A comparison of Truview infant EVO2 laryngoscope with the Miller blade in neonates and infants
Authors: SINGH RANJU , SINGH PUSHPINDER , VAJIFDAR HOMAY 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBackground:  The Truview EVO2 laryngoscope is a recently introduced device with a unique blade that provides a wide and magnified laryngeal view at 46° anterior refracted angle. An infant blade of the laryngoscope has recently become available.Aims and objectives:  The aim of the study was to compare the Truview infant EVO2 laryngoscope with the Miller straight blade laryngoscope in order to determine whether the Truview EVO2 laryngoscope provided an improved laryngeal view at laryngoscopy and also to assess the time taken for intubation with the two devices.Materials and methods:  In this prospective randomized study, 60 neonates and infants of either sex undergoing surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled and divided into two groups: endotracheal intubation using a Truview infant blade (Group I) or with a Miller blade number 0 (Group II). The view of the glottis at laryngoscopy, time to intubation and the number of attempts required for intubation were recorded.Results:  The average time for laryngoscopy in Group I was 18.18 s and in Group II was 16.30 s, which though not significant clinically, is statistically significant (P = 0.002). While eight patients (26.6%) had Cormack and Lehane grade 2 view on laryngoscopy in Group II, only two patients (6.6%) had such a view in Group 1 (P = 0.039). The number of attempts at laryngoscopy was comparable in the two groups.Conclusion:  In this study, we found that in neonates and infants, the tracheal intubation using Truview infant EVO2 blade took almost as much time as miller blade and provided improved laryngoscopic view as compared to the Miller blade.
Survey of i.v. paracetamol (acetaminophen) use in neonates and infants under 1 year of age by UK anesthetists
Authors: WILSON‐SMITH ELAINE M. , MORTON NEIL S. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBackground:  The license for i.v. paracetamol has recently been extended to include term neonates and infants aged 1 year, at a uniform dose across this age range of 7.5 mg·kg−1, total daily dose 30 mg·kg−1·day−1. We were interested to survey current i.v. paracetamol prescribing practices of anesthetists in the UK, in neonates and infants under 1 year of age.Methods:  We conducted an online survey of 94 linkmen of the Association of Pediatric Anesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland Linkmen representing both general and specialist hospitals and 90 members of the British Pediatric Pain Travelling Club representing the pediatric acute pain teams throughout the UK and Ireland.Results:  A total of 105/184 (57%) responded to the survey on behalf of 78 regions and 27 pediatric acute pain teams. Over half (54%) of the respondents indicated i.v. paracetamol use in infants under 1 year of age. A wide range of loading and maintenance doses were used. Total daily doses exceeded the license for age 1–12 months in 70% of cases; for the 36 week postconceptional age (PCA)‐1 month age range the proportion was 50%. Over 80% of total daily dosing from age 36 weeks PCA to 1 year fell within dosing suggested by pharmacokinetic studies. Close to 40% of respondents who used i.v. paracetamol in infants, also indicated use in preterm age groups. The total daily dose used in preterm neonates was within the range suggested by pharmacokinetic studies, in over 90% of cases in the age range 32–36 weeks PCA, and for 60% in the under 32 weeks PCA age group.Conclusions:  This survey demonstrates i.v. paracetamol dosing in infants in the UK and Ireland is frequently above the licensed dose and outside the licensed age range but is in keeping with doses suggested by pharmacokinetic studies.
Latex allergy in children: modalities and prevention
Authors: DE QUEIROZ MATHILDE , COMBET SYLVIE , BÉRARD JÉRÔME , POUYAU AGNÈS , GENEST HÉLÈNE , MOURIQUAND PIERRE , CHASSARD DOMINIQUE 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAllergic or immediate hypersensitivity reactions to latex have been reported in children with increasing frequency in the past. The reported prevalence varies greatly depending upon the population studied and the methods used to detect sensitization. Children’s subpopulations at particular risk include: atopics, individuals with spina bifida, children undergoing surgical procedure during the neonatal period and individuals who required frequent surgical instrumentations. Latex allergy is also an important medical issue, particularly for healthcare personnel. Sensitization mainly occurs by wound or mucosal contact with latex devices during surgery or by inhalation of airborne allergens released from powdered latex gloves. Regarding diagnosis, the medical history, skin prick test and search for specific serum IgE are crucial but cost effective. The development of a guide listing latex‐containing drugs is essential for the primary prevention of allergic reactions. Immunotherapy or specific premedication seems not effective in preventing the risk of anaphylaxis during the perioperative course. The most effective strategy to decrease the incidence of latex sensitization is complete avoidance. This strategy is efficient in patients and also in health care workers and has been applied since 2002 in our pediatric surgical hospital. One of major problem with the latex‐free gloves was that surgeons find them considerably more difficult to work with. But today, manufacturers made considerable effort and free‐latex gloves with an equal tactile sensation than the latex‐gloves are now available. The extra cost of free latex gloves is well counterbalanced as allergen test, long stay hospital for allergic reaction, and worker’s compensation are no longer needed. Since the introduction of this program in our institution, no allergic reaction to latex has been reported in 25000 anesthetized children or with the health care workers.
Anesthetic management of patients with tracheal T‐tubes
Authors: WOOTTEN CHRISTOPHER T. , RUTTER MICHAEL J. , DICKSON JOHN M. , SAMUELS PAUL J. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryAims:  To better inform the preoperative anesthesia assessment, we review the rationale of tracheal T‐tubes and the maintenance they require. We then describe specific intraoperative techniques to administer inhalational agents and maintain respiration in patients with tracheal T‐tubes.Background:  Tracheal T‐tubes maintain airway patency in the healing phases of laryngotracheal reconstruction or in the setting of extrinsic or intrinsic airway collapse. The T‐tube comprises a superior limb, an inferior limb, and an anterior limb projecting from a tracheotomy site. Negotiating tracheal T‐tubes may present significant anesthetic challenges in both elective and emergent circumstances.Methods:  The intraoperative ventilation techniques in patients with tracheal T‐tubes are reviewed as well as pre and postoperative T‐tube maintenance strategies.Results:  Twelve techniques to connect anesthetic circuitry to tracheal T‐tubes in different perioperative clinical scenarios are detailed.Conclusions:  T‐tubes are a well‐established method for supporting the airway in both adults and children. However, the very design of the T‐tube poses unique anesthetic management issues before, during, and after the operation. Anesthetic administration and gas exchange may be effectively achieved through a variety of methods, which we describe in detail.
Beta diversity in relation to dispersal ability for vascular plants in North America
Authors: Qian Hong 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTAim  To test the hypothesis that plant species with a higher dispersal ability have a lower beta diversity.Location  North America north of Mexico.Method  Propagules of pteridophytes (ferns and their allies) are more vagile than propagules of spermatophytes (gymnosperms and angiosperms), and thus pteridophytes have a higher dispersal ability than do spermatophytes. The study area was divided into 71 geographical units distributed in five latitudinal zones. Species lists of pteridophytes and spermatophytes were compiled for each geographical unit. Three measures of beta diversity were used: βsim, which is one minus the Simpson index of similarity, βslope, which is the slope of the relationship between Simpson index and geographical distance, and β0.5‐distance, which is the distance that halves the similarity from its initial value.Results  Average βsim is higher for spermatophytes than for pteridophytes, regardless of whether the data are analysed for the whole continent or for latitudinal zones. Average βsim decreases with increasing latitude for both spermatophytes and pteridophytes. The difference in average βsim between the two plant groups increases with increasing latitude, indicating that beta diversity decreases with increasing latitude faster for pteridophytes than for spermatophytes. When the Simpson index is regressed against geographical distance, the regression slope (βslope) is steeper for spermatophytes than for pteridophytes, and the slope decreases with increasing latitude for both plant groups. Similarly, β0.5‐distance was shorter for spermatophytes than for pteridophytes in each latitudinal zone and increased with increasing latitude for both plant groups. The results of the analyses using the three different measures of beta diversity are consistent.Main conclusions  The fact that beta diversity is lower for pteridophytes with vagile propagules than for spermatophytes with less vagile propagules suggests that beta diversity is negatively related to dispersal ability.
Transgenic barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) expressing the wheat aluminium resistance gene (TaALMT1) shows enhanced phosphorus nutrition and grain production when grown on an acid soil
Authors: Delhaize Emmanuel , Taylor Phillip , Hocking Peter J. , Simpson Richard J. , Ryan Peter R. , Richardson Alan E. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBarley (Hordeum vulgare L.), genetically modified with the Al3+ resistance gene of wheat (TaALMT1), was compared with a non‐transformed sibling line when grown on an acidic and highly phosphate‐fixing ferrosol supplied with a range of phosphorus concentrations. In short‐term pot trials (26 days), transgenic barley expressing TaALMT1 (GP‐ALMT1) was more efficient than a non‐transformed sibling line (GP) at taking up phosphorus on acid soil, but the genotypes did not differ when the soil was limed. Differences in phosphorus uptake efficiency on acid soil could be attributed not only to the differential effects of aluminium toxicity on root growth between the genotypes, but also to differences in phosphorus uptake per unit root length. Although GP‐ALMT1 out‐performed GP on acid soil, it was still not as efficient at taking up phosphorus as plants grown on limed soil. GP‐ALMT1 plants grown in acid soil possessed substantially smaller rhizosheaths than those grown in limed soil, suggesting that root hairs were shorter. This is a probable reason for the lower phosphorus uptake efficiency. When grown to maturity in large pots, GP‐ALMT1 plants produced more than twice the grain as GP plants grown on acid soil and 80% of the grain produced by limed controls. Expression of TaALMT1 in barley was not associated with a penalty in either total shoot or grain production in the absence of Al3+, with both genotypes showing equivalent yields in limed soil. These findings demonstrate that an important crop species can be genetically engineered to successfully increase grain production on an acid soil.
Foreign Aid as Prize: Incentives for a Pro‐Poor Policy
Authors: Sayanak Tejashree , Lahiri Sajal 
Published: March 2009

AbstractThe authors develop a theoretical model of foreign aid to analyze a method of disbursement of aid which induces the recipient government to follow a more pro‐poor policy than it otherwise would do. In their two‐period model, aid is given in the second period and the volume of it depends on the level of well‐being of the target group in the first period. They find that this way of designing aid does increase the welfare of the poor. They also consider the situations where the donor and the recipient governments act simultaneously as well as sequentially, and they find that, by moving first in a sequential game, the donor country can, under certain conditions, increase the welfare of the poor and that of its own country compared to the case of simultaneous moves.