bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness and allergy risk factors for asthma? A longitudinal study
Authors: van den Nieuwenhof L. , Schermer T. , Heijdra Y. , Bottema B. , Akkermans R. , Folgering H. , van Weel C. 
Published: April 2008

Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is a characteristic feature of asthma, but it is unclear whether asymptomatic AHR is associated with a higher risk of asthma. The present study assessed whether there is an association between asymptomatic AHR in adolescence and asthma in adulthood. The association between allergy and development of asthma was also investigated.A follow-up study of a general population cohort of adolescents was performed 14 yrs after baseline. Respiratory status was assessed at baseline in 1989 and at follow-up in 2003–2004 by a respiratory symptoms questionnaire, spirometry and histamine challenge. Allergy status was also assessed.The respiratory status of 199 subjects was assessed twice. In total, 91 (46%) subjects had the same AHR status in combination with respiratory symptoms at follow-up as at baseline. Adjusted for age, sex, allergy, family history of asthma and smoking history, having asymptomatic AHR was not significantly related to having asthma 14 yrs later (odds ratio (OR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–6.83). For subjects with allergy at baseline, the OR for developing asthma was 4.45 (95% CI 1.46–13.54).Screening for asymptomatic airway hyperresponsiveness in adolescence does not identify subjects at risk of developing asthma. Conversely, the presence of allergy in adolescence does seem to be a risk factor for asthma development.
Asbestos induces doxorubicin resistance in MM98 mesothelioma cellsviaHIF-1α
Authors: Riganti C. , Doublier S. , Aldieri E. , Orecchia S. , Betta P. G. , Gazzano E. , Ghigo D. , Bosia A. 
Published: April 2008

Human malignant mesothelioma (HMM), which is strongly related to asbestos exposure, exhibits high resistance to many anticancer drugs. Asbestos fibre deposition in the lung may cause hypoxia and iron chelation at the fibre surface. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, which is upregulated by a decreased availability of oxygen and iron, controls the expression of membrane transporters, such as P-glycoprotein (Pgp), which actively extrude the anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to assess whether asbestos may play a role in the induction of doxorubicin resistance in HMM cells through the activation of HIF-1α and an increased expression of Pgp.After 24-h incubation with crocidolite asbestos or with the iron chelator dexrazoxane, or under hypoxia, HMM cells were tested for HIF-1α activation, Pgp expression, accumulation of doxorubicin and sensitivity to its toxic effect.Crocidolite, dexrazoxane and hypoxia caused HIF-1α activation, Pgp overexpression and increased resistance to doxorubicin accumulation and toxicity. These effects were prevented by the co-incubation with the cell-permeating iron salt ferric nitrilotriacetate, which caused an increase of intracellular iron bioavailability, measured as increased activity of the iron regulatory protein-1.Crocidolite, dexrazoxane and hypoxia induce doxorubicin resistance in human malignant mesothelioma cells by increasing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α activity, through an iron-sensitive mechanism.
Embolisation of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations: no consistent effect on pulmonary artery pressure
Authors: Shovlin C. L. , Tighe H. C. , Davies R. J. , Gibbs J. S. R. , Jackson J. E. 
Published: April 2008

Increasing evidence supports the use of embolisation to treat pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Most pulmonary AVM patients have hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a condition that may be associated with pulmonary hypertension.The current authors tested whether pulmonary AVM embolisation increases pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) in patients without baseline severe pulmonary hypertension.Ppawas measured at the time of pulmonary AVM embolisation in 143 individuals, 131 (92%) of whom had underlying HHT. Angiography/embolisation was not performed in four individuals with severe pulmonary hypertension, whose systemic arterial oxygen saturation exceeded levels usually associated with dyspnoea in pulmonary AVM patients.In 143 patients undergoing pulmonary AVM embolisation,Ppawas significantly correlated with age, with the most significant increase occurring in the upper quartile (aged >58 yrs). In 43 patients with repeated measurements, there was no significant increase inPpaas a result of embolisation. In half, embolisation led to a fall inPpa. The maximum rise in meanPpawas 8 mmHg: balloon test occlusion was performed in one of these individuals, and did not predict the subsequent rise inPpafollowing definitive embolisation of the pulmonary AVMs.In the present series of patients, which excluded those with severe pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery pressure was not increased significantly by pulmonary arteriovenous malformation embolisation.
Keratinocyte growth factor protects against Clara cell injury induced by naphthalene
Authors: Yildirim A. Ö. , Veith M. , Rausch T. , Müller B. , Kilb P. , Van Winkle L. S. , Fehrenbach H. 
Published: April 2008

Airway epithelial cells are exposed to environmental toxicants that result in airway injury. Naphthalene (NA) causes site-selective damage to Clara cells in mouse distal airways. N-terminally truncated recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (ΔN23-KGF) protects against acute lung injury. The present study investigated whether or not ΔN23-KGF protects against NA-induced acute Clara cell damage by measuring airway responses specifically and in order to identify underlying molecular mechanisms.Mice were treated with ΔN23-KGF or PBS 33 h prior to injection of 200 mg·kg body weight−1NA. Lung function was analysed by head-out body plethysmography. Distal airways isolated by microdissection were assessed for cell permeability using ethidium homodimer-1. Immunohistochemistry of Clara cell-specific protein in conjunction with a physical dissector was used to quantify Clara cell numbers. RNA was isolated from frozen airways in order to analyse gene expression using quantitative RT-PCR.ΔN23-KGF prevented NA-induced airflow limitation and Clara cell permeability, and resulted in twice as many Clara cells compared with PBS pre-treatment. ΔN23-KGF-pre-treated mice exhibited increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen mRNA. Cytochrome P450isoform 2F2, which converts NA into its toxic metabolite, was reduced by ∼50%.The present results demonstrate that pre-treatment with N-terminally truncated recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor protects against naphthalene-induced injury. This suggests that N-terminally truncated recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor exerts its beneficial effect through a decrease in the expression of cytochrome P450isoform 2F2.
Appropriateness of antibiotic treatment in intravenous drug users, a retrospective analysis
Authors: Mertz Dominik , Viktorin Nina , Wolbers Marcel , Laifer Gerd , Leimenstoll Bernd , Fluckiger Ursula , Battegay Manuel 
Published: April 2008

Abstract

Background
Infectious disease is often the reason for intravenous drug users being seen in a clinical setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness of treatment and outcomes for this patient population in a hospital setting.

Methods
Retrospective study of all intravenous drug users hospitalized for treatment of infectious diseases and seen by infectious diseases specialists 1/2001–12/2006 at a university hospital. Treatment was administered according to guidelines when possible or to alternative treatment program in case of patients for whom adherence to standard protocols was not possible. Outcomes were defined with respect to appropriateness of treatment, hospital readmission, relapse and mortality rates. For statistical analysis adjustment for multiple hospitalizations of individual patients was made by using a generalized estimating equation.

Results
The total number of hospitalizations for infectious diseases was 344 among 216 intravenous drug users. Skin and soft tissue infections (n = 129, 37.5% of hospitalizations), pneumonia (n = 75, 21.8%) and endocarditis (n = 54, 15.7%) were most prevalent. Multiple infections were present in 25%. Treatment was according to standard guidelines for 78.5%, according to an alternative recommended program for 11.3%, and not according to guidelines or by the infectious diseases specialist advice for 10.2% of hospitalizations. Psychiatric disorders had a significant negative impact on compliance (compliance problems in 19.8% of hospitalizations) in multiple logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.4, CI 1.1–5.1, p = 0.03). The overall readmission rate and relapse rate within 30 days was 13.7% and 3.8%, respectively. Both non-compliant patient behavior (OR = 3.7, CI 1.3–10.8, p = 0.02) and non-adherence to treatment guidelines (OR = 3.3, CI 1.1–9.7, p = 0.03) were associated with a significant increase in the relapse rate in univariate analysis. In 590 person-years of follow-up, 24.6% of the patients died: 6.4% died during hospitalization (1.2% infection-related) and 13.6% of patients died after discharge.

Conclusion
Appropriate antibiotic therapy according to standard guidelines in hospitalized intravenous drug users is generally practicable and successful. In a minority alternative treatments may be indicated, although associated with a higher risk of relapse.
Sex-specific incidence and temporal trends in solid tumours in young people from Northern England, 1968–2005
Authors: Magnanti Brooke L , Dorak M Tevfik , Parker Louise , Craft Alan W , James Peter W , McNally Richard JQ 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined sex-specific patterns and temporal trends in the incidence of solid tumours in the Northern Region of England from 1968 to 2005. This updates earlier analyses from the region where sex was not considered in depth. Sex-specific analyses were carried out to determine whether sex differences might provide clues to aetiology.MethodsDetails of 3576 cases, aged 0–24 years, were obtained from a specialist population-based cancer registry. There were 1843 males (886 aged 0–14 years and 957 aged 15–24 years) and 1733 females (791 aged 0–14 years and 942 aged 15–24 years). Age-standardized incidence rates (per million population) were calculated. Linear regression was used to analyze temporal trends in incidence and annual percentage changes were estimated. Analyses were stratified by sex and by age-group.ResultsThere were marked differences in incidence patterns and trends between males and females and also between age-groups. For males central nervous system (CNS) tumours formed the largest proportion of under-15 cases and germ cell tumours was the largest group in the 15–24's, whilst for females CNS tumours dominated in the under-15's and carcinomas in the older group. For 0–14 year olds there were male-specific increases in the incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma (2.4% per annum; 95% CI: 0.2%–4.5%) and non-melanotic skin cancer (9.6%; 95% CI: 0.0%–19.2%) and female-specific increases for sympathetic nervous system tumours (2.2%; 95% CI: 0.4%–3.9%), gonadal germ cell tumours (8.6%; 95% CI: 4.3%–12.9%) and non-gonadal germ cell tumours (5.4%; 95% CI: 2.8%–7.9%). For 15–24 year olds, there were male-specific increases in gonadal germ cell tumours (1.9%; 95% CI: 0.3%–3.4%), non-gonadal germ cell tumours (4.4%; 95% CI: 1.1%–7.7%) and non-melanotic skin cancer (4.7%; 95% CI: 0.5%–8.9%) and female-specific increases for osteosarcoma (3.5%; 95% CI: 0.5%–6.5%), thyroid cancer (2.8%; 95% CI: 0.1%–5.6%) and melanoma (4.6%; 95% CI: 2.2%–7.1%).ConclusionThis study has highlighted notable differences between the sexes in incidence patterns and trends for solid tumours. Some of these sex-specific differences could have been obscured if males and females had been analysed together. Furthermore, they suggest aetiological differences or differential susceptibility to environmental factors between males and females.
Nanopolymers improve delivery of exon skipping oligonucleotides and concomitant dystrophin expression in skeletal muscle of mdx mice
Authors: Williams Jason H , Schray Rebecca C , Sirsi Shashank R , Lutz Gordon J 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBackgroundExon skipping oligonucleotides (ESOs) of 2'O-Methyl (2'OMe) and morpholino chemistry have been shown to restore dystrophin expression in muscle fibers from themdxmouse, and are currently being tested in phase I clinical trials for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). However, ESOs remain limited in their effectiveness because of an inadequate delivery profile. Synthetic cationic copolymers of poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) are regarded as effective agents for enhanced delivery of nucleic acids in various applications.ResultsWe examined whether PEG-PEI copolymers can facilitate ESO-mediated dystrophin expression after intramuscular injections into tibialis anterior (TA) muscles ofmdxmice. We utilized a set of PEG-PEI copolymers containing 2 kDa PEI and either 550 Da or 5 kDa PEG, both of which bind 2'OMe ESOs with high affinity and form stable nanoparticulates with a relatively low surface charge. Three weekly intramuscular injections of 5 μg of ESO complexed with PEI2K-PEG550 copolymers resulted in about 500 dystrophin-positive fibers and about 12% of normal levels of dystrophin expression at 3 weeks after the initial injection, which is significantly greater than for injections of ESO alone, which are known to be almost completely ineffective. In an effort to enhance biocompatibility and cellular uptake, the PEI2K-PEG550 and PEI2K-PEG5K copolymers were functionalized by covalent conjugation with nanogold (NG) or adsorbtion of colloidal gold (CG), respectively. Surprisingly, using the same injection and dosing regimen, we found no significant difference in dystrophin expression by Western blot between the NG-PEI2K-PEG550, CG-PEI2K-PEG5K, and non-functionalized PEI2K-PEG550 copolymers. Dose-response experiments using the CG-PEI2K-PEG5K copolymer with total ESO ranging from 3–60 μg yielded a maximum of about 15% dystrophin expression. Further improvements in dystrophin expression up to 20% of normal levels were found at 6 weeks after 10 twice-weekly injections of the NG-PEI2K-PEG550 copolymer complexed with 5 μg of ESO per injection. This injection and dosing regimen showed over 1000 dystrophin-positive fibers. H&E staining of all treated muscle groups revealed no overt signs of cytotoxicity.ConclusionWe conclude that PEGylated PEI2K copolymers are efficient carriers for local delivery of 2'OMe ESOs and warrant further development as potential therapeutics for treatment of DMD.
Comparative hybridization reveals extensive genome variation in the AIDS-associated pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Hu Guanggan , Liu Iris , Sham Anita , Stajich Jason E , Dietrich Fred S , Kronstad James W 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Background
Genome variability can have a profound influence on the virulence of pathogenic microbes. The availability of genome sequences for two strains of the AIDS-associated fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans presented an opportunity to use comparative genome hybridization (CGH) to examine genome variability between strains of different mating type, molecular subtype, and ploidy.

Results
Initially, CGH was used to compare the approximately 100 kilobase MATa and MATα mating-type regions in serotype A and D strains to establish the relationship between the Log2 ratios of hybridization signals and sequence identity. Subsequently, we compared the genomes of the environmental isolate NIH433 (MATa) and the clinical isolate NIH12 (MATα) with a tiling array of the genome of the laboratory strain JEC21 derived from these strains. In this case, CGH identified putative recombination sites and the origins of specific segments of the JEC21 genome. Similarly, CGH analysis revealed marked variability in the genomes of strains representing the VNI, VNII, and VNB molecular subtypes of the A serotype, including disomy for chromosome 13 in two strains. Additionally, CGH identified differences in chromosome content between three strains with the hybrid AD serotype and revealed that chromosome 1 from the serotype A genome is preferentially retained in all three strains.

Conclusion
The genomes of serotypes A, D, and AD strains exhibit extensive variation that spans the range from small differences (such as regions of divergence, deletion, or amplification) to the unexpected disomy for chromosome 13 in haploid strains and preferential retention of specific chromosomes in naturally occurring diploids.
A pathway sensor for genome-wide screens of intracellular proteolytic cleavage
Authors: Ketteler Robin , Sun Zairen , Kovacs Karl F , He Wei-Wu , Seed Brian 
Published: April 2008

AbstractProtein cleavage is a central event in many regulated biological processes. We describe a system for detecting intracellular proteolysis based on non-conventional secretion of Gaussia luciferase (GLUC). GLUC exits the cell without benefit of a secretory leader peptide, but can be anchored in the cell by fusion to β-actin. By including protease cleavage sites between GLUC and β-actin, proteolytic cleavage can be detected. Using this assay, we have identified regulators of autophagy, apoptosis and β-actin cleavage.
Denture Cleansers, Soft Lining Materials and Water Temperature: What is the Effect?
Authors: Handa Rajesh K , Jagger Daryll C , Vowles Richard W 
Published: April 2008

Aim To investigate the effect of water temperature, in association with four denture cleansers, on the colour and surface roughness of five soft lining materials. Method Two silicone soft lining materials (Molloplast B and Sofreliner) represented the heat-cured, laboratory-based and chairside materials that are available. The wide range of chairside, acrylic resin-based, temporary soft lining materials was represented by Coe-Soft, Viscogel and Eversoft. An alkaline hypochlorite (Dentural) and three effervescent peroxide solutions with a range of active pH values (Steradent Active Plus, pH 6; Steradent Extra Strength, pH 3; Superdrug Fresh, pH 11) were selected as the cleansers. The denture cleansers were used at two temperatures: 55 °C (manufacturers’ recommended temperature) and 80 °C. The colour of the specimens was evaluated using a colorimeter and the surface roughness was assessed using a three-dimensional, non-contact surface profilometer. This study reported on the effect of using both the higher temperatures and the recommended temperature on the colour and roughness of permanent and temporary soft lining materials. Results and Conclusion The results of the study showed that the temperature of the water used with denture cleansers might have a detrimental effect on the colour and surface roughness of some permanent and temporary soft lining materials.
Distribution of Red Drum Spawning Sites Identified by a Towed Hydrophone Array
Authors: Holt Scott A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractKnowledge about fish spawning habits and habitats is an essential component of fisheries management. This paper reports on a survey of potential spawning sites for red drum Sciaenops ocellatus in the nearshore western Gulf of Mexico conducted using a towed hydrophone array. Two classes of red drum sounds could be distinguished. One was a low‐frequency rumble with a prominent energy peak at approximately 150 Hz. The other was a clearly distinguishable call made by individual or small groups of red drum. Calls of individual red drum were detected along most sections of all transects. There were extensive areas along each transect where no close drumming was heard and where drumming rates were primarily low (<16 calls/min). Calls were detected in both extensive clusters and isolated occurrences along the transects. The distribution of drumming fish suggests that some, if not most, spawning takes place among widely dispersed individuals as opposed to highly aggregated groups. Only 7% of the 1‐min summaries recorded high drumming rates (≥16 calls/min), and even these typically were produced by only a few individuals. Most low drumming rates were produced by a single fish. Based on the distribution of sound production, red drum apparently spawn all along the nearshore region of the central Texas coast. This survey was not spatially comprehensive enough to fully delineate the spawning area, but it made clear that spawning activity is widespread and not concentrated at inlets, as has been suggested by earlier authors. The use of towed hydrophone arrays offers promise of an efficient means to determine the full extent of red drum spawning areas and their reproductive strategies.
Soniferous Fishes in the Hudson River
Authors: Anderson Katie A. , Rountree Rodney A. , Juanes Francis 
Published: April 2008

AbstractAlthough soniferous fishes have been studied in many different parts of the world, very few studies have been conducted in North American freshwater systems. The purpose of this study was to catalog and identify types of underwater sounds in the Hudson River, New York. We recorded underwater sounds with an autonomous underwater listening system consisting of a hydrophone, digital sound recorder, and weatherproof housing. Approximately 164 h of recordings were made from two sites located along the Hudson River during 2003. One site was located near the mouth of the river on Manhattan Island. The second site was located 153 km upriver within Tivoli Bays at the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve. Additional manned recordings and sound auditioning of captured fishes were conducted in 2004 to identify biological and unknown sounds from Tivoli Bays. In all, we recorded 62 different sounds. Only four sounds could be identified to fish species: Oyster toadfish Opsanus tau, striped cusk‐eel Ophidion marginatum, brown bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus, and channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. An additional 21 sounds were categorized as biological, 5 as nonbiological, and 32 as unknown. We believe that many of the sounds classified as biological and unknown are in fact produced by fishes but could not be identified due to the scarcity of studies on the sound production of freshwater and estuarine fishes of the Hudson River. Future research focused on the identification of these unknown underwater sounds will provide new insights into the ecology of the Hudson River. The diversity of underwater sounds we recorded in the Hudson River strongly suggests that sound production is an important behavior in aquatic systems and that passive acoustics can be an important new tool for the study of the river's ecology.
The Problem of Logical Constants
Authors: Gómez-Torrente Mario 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere have been several different and even opposed conceptions of the problem of logical constants, i.e., of the requirements that a good theory of logical constants ought to satisfy. This paper is in the first place a survey of these conceptions and a critique of the theories they have given rise to. A second aim of the paper is to sketch some ideas about what a good theory would look like. A third aim is to draw from these ideas and from the preceding survey the conclusion that most conceptions of the problem of logical constants involve requirements of a philosophically demanding nature which are probably not satisfiable by any minimally adequate theory.
Resolution and the Origins of Structural Reasoning: Early Proof-Theoretic Ideas of Hertz and Gentzen
Authors: Schroeder-Heister Peter 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn the 1920s, Paul Hertz (1881–1940) developed certain calculi based on structural rules only and established normal form results for proofs. It is shown that he anticipated important techniques and results of general proof theory as well as of resolution theory, if the latter is regarded as a part of structural proof theory. Furthermore, it is shown that Gentzen, in his first paper of 1933, which heavily draws on Hertz, proves a normal form result which corresponds to the completeness of propositional SLD-resolution in logic programming.