bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trichilemmal carcinoma arising in seborrheic keratosis: A case report and published work review
Authors: OYAMA Noritaka , KANEKO Fumio 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTThe secondary skin malignancies arising in seborrheic keratosis (SK) are uncommon, and the causal association between the pre‐existing lesion and subsequent malignant transformation remains uncertain. Among these enigmatic conditions, trichilemmal differentiation and/or neoplasms in SK have rarely been reported thus far. Herein, we describe a case of invasive trichilemmal carcinoma arising in a long‐standing SK of the abdominal skin, and clinicopathologically review this rare complication with a computerized medical published work search (PubMed) and citations from earlier reports. To our knowledge, only four cases of trichilemmal tumors arising in SK have been observed, and, interestingly, all cases, including ours, were Japanese. Four of five cases (80%) developed the tumors in non‐sun‐exposed SK, and indeed had no apparent actinic damage in the histology. The pre‐existing SK itself is more likely to act as the primary pathogenic event for developing the secondary trichilemmal tumors than a coincidental phenomenon and a consequence of skin damage by cumulative sun exposure.
Identification of Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri host specificity genes in a heterologous expression host
Authors: RYBAK MYRIAN , MINSAVAGE GERALD V. , STALL ROBERT E. , JONES JEFFREY B. 
Published: December 2008

SUMMARYWe provide the first conclusive evidence that Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri Asiatic strain (Xac‐A) and, in particular, Xac‐Aw, a unique citrus canker A strain isolated from Key lime in Wellington, Florida, induces a hypersensitive reaction (HR) in grapefruit leaves. Using the heterologous tomato pathogen X. perforans, as a recipient of the Xac‐Aw genomic library, we identified a 1599‐bp open reading frame responsible for HR in grapefruit, but not Key lime, and designated it avrGf1. Xac‐AwΔavrGf1 produced typical, although visibly reduced, citrus canker symptoms (i.e. raised pustules) in grapefruit and typical canker symptoms in Key lime. We also determined that the X. perforans transconjugant carrying an Xac‐Aw hrpG elicited HR in grapefruit and Key lime leaves, and that xopA in X. perforans was partly responsible for HR. Xac‐A transconjugants carrying the X. perforans xopA were reduced in ability to grow in grapefruit leaves relative to wild‐type Xac‐A. The X. perforans xopA appears to be a host‐limiting factor. An avrBs3 homologue, which contained 18.5 repeats and induced HR in tomato, was designated avrTaw. This gene, when expressed in a pustule‐minus Xac‐Aw, did not complement pustule formation; however, pthAw, a functional pthA homologue, complemented the mutant strain to produce typical pustules in Key lime, but markedly reduced pustules in grapefruit. Both avrBs3 homologues, when expressed in a typical Xac‐A strain, resulted in typical citrus canker pustules in grapefruit, indicating that neither homologue suppressed pustule size in grapefruit. Xac‐Aw contains other unidentified factors that suppress development in grapefruit.
Mapping and expression analyses during porcine foetal muscle development of 12 genes involved in histone modifications
Authors: Peng Y. B. , Yerle M. , Liu B. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryHistone modifications (methylation and demethylation) regulate gene expression and play a role in cell proliferation and differentiation by their actions on chromatin structure. In this context, we studied the temporal expression profiles of genes acting on histone methylation and demethylation during skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used to quantify the mRNA levels of CARM1, JARID1A, JMJD2A, LSD1, PRMT2, PRMT5, SMYD1, SMYD2, SMYD3, SETDB1, Suv39h2 and SUZ12 in foetal skeletal muscle. Our results showed that CARM1, JARID1A, JMJD2A, SMYD1 and SMYD2 were differentially expressed in embryonic muscles of 33 days post‐conception (dpc), 65 dpc and 90 dpc. These 12 genes were mapped to porcine chromosomes (SSC) 2q21–24, 5q25, 6q35, 6q12–21, 6p15, 7q21, 3q21–27, 9q26, 10p16, 4q15–16, 10q14–16 and 12p12 respectively. Taking into account the reported QTL mapping results, gene expression analysis and radiation hybrid mapping results, these results suggest that five genes (CARM1, JARID1A, JMJD2A, SMYD1 and SMYD2) could be good candidate genes for growth and backfat thickness traits.
Expression and role of Notch signalling in the regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium
Authors: Ma X.‐B. , Jia X.‐S. , Liu Y.‐L. , Wang L.‐L. , Sun S.‐L. , Song N. , Wang E.‐H. , Li F. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjectives:  This study is to explore the role of Notch signalling during the regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium after injury induced by 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU).Materials and methods:  We developed an ex vivo model of rat tracheal epithelial regeneration using 5‐FU to induce injury. Expression levels of members of the Notch signalling pathway, ABCG2, CK19, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. One group of tracheas were cultured in the medium with a γ‐secretase inhibitor or Jag‐1 peptide after 5‐FU treatment and another group were pre‐treated with the γ‐secretase inhibitor or Jag‐1 peptide before 5‐FU treatment. The expression changes of ABCG2, CK19, and PCNA were examined by Western blot or immunofluorescence and the morphologic changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin stain during the recovery process.Results:  Expression levels of Notch3, Jagged1, and Hey1 were increased in rat tracheal epithelial cells after treatment with 5‐FU. During injury recovery, disruption of Notch signalling by treatment with the γ‐secretase inhibitor reduced expression of ABCG2 and PCNA, but promoted expression of CK19, while persistent activation of Notch signalling promoted expression of ABCG2 and PCNA, but reduced expression of CK19. Under both conditions, recovery from injury was reduced. However, blocking Notch signalling prior to 5‐FU treatment led to the complete blockage of recovery, while activating Notch signalling before 5‐FU treatment promoted recovery.Conclusions:  During tracheal epithelial regeneration, Notch signalling maintains an undifferentiated state and promotes proliferation among a population of tracheal epithelial cells.
Continuous hypoxic culturing maintains activation of Notch and allows long‐term propagation of human embryonic stem cells without spontaneous differentiation
Authors: Prasad S. M. , Czepiel M. , Cetinkaya C. , Smigielska K. , Weli S. C. , Lysdahl H. , Gabrielsen A. , Petersen K. , Ehlers N. , Fink T. , Minger S. L. , Zachar V. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractObjective:  The maintenance of pluripotency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) requires a high efficiency of self‐renewal. During in vitro propagation, however, hESCs have a propensity to differentiate spontaneously. In this study, we assessed the nature of hESC responses to hypoxic conditions.Materials and methods:  Human embryonic stem cells were grown in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, and the cells expressing Oct4 and stage‐specific embryonic antigen‐1 were identified by indirect immunofluorescence. The transcriptional expression of Nanog, Notch1, and Oct4 was determined by a real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction, and the inhibition of Notch‐mediated signalling was achieved with a γ‐secretase inhibitor.Results:  In contrast to culture at 21% oxygen, where the colonies displayed a marked degree of differentiation, we found that during exposure to 5% oxygen, the hESC colonies displayed a homogenous and flat morphology that was consistent with the presence of Oct4‐positive phenotype, indicating no spontaneous differentiation. When cultured at 5% oxygen for either 4 weeks or up to 18 months, high levels of Nanog and Notch1 transcriptional expression were detected, albeit the expression was significantly lower during longer exposure. The suppression of differentiation was rapidly reversed on transfer of the hypoxic cultures to normoxic conditions. Looking into the molecular mechanisms of the maintenance of self‐renewal at low oxygen tensions, we found that inhibition of Notch signalling fully abrogated the hypoxic induction of undifferentiated phenotype.Conclusion:  Our data, thus, indicate that hypoxic exposure has the capacity to sustain long‐term self‐renewal of hESCs and that this effect is mediated through activation of Notch.
Cluster randomized trial of a parent‐based intervention to support early development of children in a low‐income country
Authors: Rahman A. , Iqbal Z. , Roberts C. , Husain N. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractBackground  Programmes that promote early psychological development of children in the developed world have been found to be beneficial. However, such programmes are rare in underprivileged parts of the developing world. We adapted one such parent‐based programme (Learning Through Play) for a rural Pakistani population and aimed to study if: (1) it was acceptable to community health workers; (2) the programme led to an improvement, after a period of 6 months, in mothers' knowledge and attitudes about early infant development; (3) it led to a reduction in the levels of maternal mental distress in the post‐natal period.Methods  Using a cluster randomized design with villages as unit of randomization, 163 mothers from 24 villages in a rural sub‐district of Rawalpindi, Pakistan, received the ‘Learning Through Play’ programme, whereas 146 mothers from 24 villages acted as controls. Twenty‐four community health workers were trained to carry out the programme. Assessments were conducted using a specially developed 15‐item Infant Development Questionnaire and the 20‐item Self‐Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ).Results  Over 80% of the community health workers trained found the programme to be relevant and were able to integrate it into their routine work. There was a significant increase in mothers' knowledge and positive attitudes about infant development in the intervention group, compared with the control group. Women in the intervention group answered correctly 4.3 (95% CI 3.7–14.9, P < 0.001) more questions than the control group. There was no difference in levels of mental distress measured by the SRQ.Conclusions  The ‘Learning Through Play’ programme was successfully integrated into the existing health system and accepted by community health workers. The programme succeeded in improving the knowledge and attitudes of mothers about infant development.
Exploring synergies between human rights and public health ethics: A whole greater than the sum of its parts
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: December 2008

.

Nixon S. &
Forman L.
(
2008
)

,
8
,
2
.

DOI: 10.1186/1472‐698X‐8‐2
.
Background  The fields of human rights and public health ethics are each concerned with promoting health and elucidating norms for action. To date, however, little has been written about the contribution that these two justificatory frameworks can make together. This paper explores how a combined approach may make a more comprehensive contribution to resolving normative health issues and to advancing a normative framework for global health action than either approach made alone. We explore this synergy by first providing overviews of public health ethics and of international human rights law relevant to health and, second, by articulating complementarities between human rights and public health ethics.Discussion  We argue that public health ethics can contribute to human rights by: (i) reinforcing the normative claims of international human rights law; (ii) strengthening advocacy for human rights; and (iii) bridging the divide between public health practitioners and human rights advocates in certain contemporary health domains. We then discuss how human rights can contribute to public health ethics by contributing to discourses on the determinants of health through: (i) definitions of the right to health and the notion of the indivisibility of rights; (ii) emphasis on the duties of states to progressively realize the health of citizens; and (iii) recognition of the protection of human rights as itself a determinant of health. We also discuss the role that human rights can play for the emergent field of public health ethics by refocusing attention on the health and illness on marginalized individuals and populations.Summary  Actors within the fields of public health, ethics and human rights can gain analytic tools by embracing the untapped potential for collaboration inherent in such a combined approach.
Cohort differences in the progression of developmental pathways: evidence for period effects on secular trends of violence in males
Authors: Reading Richard 
Published: December 2008

.

Fabio A.,
Yuan Z.,
Wisniewski S. R.,
Henry D. B.,
Farrington D. P.,
Bridge J. A. &
Loeber R.
(
2008
)

,
14
,
311
–
318
.

DOI: 10.1136/ip.2007.017814
.
Background  Rates of violence in the USA have fluctuated widely over the past few decades. Theorists have examined period and cohort effects, but there appear to be no studies examining these effects on progression in developmental pathways towards violence.Objective  To assess whether differences in progression among individuals in the Pittsburgh Youth Study are consistent with period or cohort effects.Design  Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine differences between cohorts in the odds of progressing through the developmental pathway towards violence. Adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported.Setting  Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, from 1987 to 2000.Subjects  Two cohorts of male adolescents from the Pittsburgh Youth Study. The youngest cohort (n = 503) was followed from median ages 7 to 20, and the oldest cohort (n = 506) was followed up from median ages 13 to 25.Main outcome measure  The odds of progression along a developmental pathway towards violence.Results  There was no statistically significant difference between the cohorts in progression from minor aggression to physical fighting (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 0.77–1.65). However, after adjustment for major risk factors, the oldest cohort was significantly more likely to progress from physical fighting to violence (OR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.39–3.92).Conclusions  These results provide initial evidence that cohort effects, which would be present early in development, do not contribute significantly to later differences in reported violence and raise the possibility of whether period effects can explain these differences.
First evidence of a possible association between gastric acid suppression during pregnancy and childhood asthma: a population‐based register study
Authors: Dehlink E. , Yen E. , Leichtner A. M. , Hait E. J. , Fiebiger E. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground
Recent data in mice suggest that acid suppression during pregnancy yields offspring with type 2 T helper‐dominant immunity, suggesting a predisposition for allergy.Objective
To determine the association of in utero exposure to acid‐suppressive medications and the subsequent development of allergic diseases in children.Methods
We studied a population‐based observational cohort formed by linking data from three Swedish national healthcare registers: the Medical Birth Register, the Hospital Discharge Register, and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Main outcome measures included a hospital discharge diagnosis of an allergic disease or prescription for asthma medications, epinephrine auto‐injectors, antihistamines or steroid ointments in children. Data were analysed using the Mantel–Haenszel procedure.Results
Twenty‐nine thousand four hundred and ninety (5.03%) children had a discharge diagnosis of allergy or prescriptions for allergy medications. Five thousand six hundred and forty‐five (0.96%) children had been exposed to acid suppression therapy during pregnancy; of these, 405 (0.07%) were treated for allergic diseases. Exposure to acid‐suppressive medications in utero was associated with an increased odds ratio (OR) for developing allergy (OR 1.43, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.29–1.59). We observed this association irrespective of the type of drug, time of exposure during pregnancy, and maternal history of allergy. The use of maternal acid‐suppressive medication was associated with an increased OR for the development of childhood asthma (3.7% in the population at large vs. 5.6% in exposed children, OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.35–1.69), but not for other allergic diseases.Conclusion
These data provide first evidence of a significant association between in utero exposure to acid‐suppressive drugs and the risk of developing childhood asthma.
Detection of allergen composition and in vivo immunogenicity of depigmented allergoids of Betula alba
Authors: Carnés J. , Himly M. , Gallego M. , Iraola V. , Robinson D. S. , Fernández‐Caldas E. , Briza P. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground
Chemical modification of allergen vaccines to reduce IgE binding improves safety while maintaining clinical efficacy. However, this also complicates the characterization of allergoids using techniques as for native allergen extracts.Objectives
The objective of this study was to analyse the molecular size of Betula alba depigmented allergoids, conservation of major allergens in the allergoids and in vivo antibody response to immunization.Methods
The molecular size of depigmented allergoids was evaluated by high performance‐size exclusion chromatography and light scattering techniques. Protein composition was compared with native extracts by capillary liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry based peptide mapping. Rabbits were immunized with depigmented allergoid of Betula pollen adsorbed onto aluminium hydroxide (Depigoid®). IgG antibodies against individual allergens were determined by ELISA and immunoblot.Results
Depigmented allergoids contained a range of high molecular weight particles, approximately 60% of which had a molecular weight of 1–3 MDa. Peptide sequencing confirmed the preservation of five isoforms of Bet v 1, as well as Bet v 2, Bet v 6 and Bet v 7. Sera from immunized rabbits showed high levels of specific IgG to rBet v 1.0101 and rBet v 2.Conclusions
The mean protein content was 544±106 μg per mg of freeze‐dried material for depigmented allergoids and 434±71 for native extracts. They retain the capacity to induce specific IgG antibodies against individual allergens present in the native extract. These findings confirm the immunogenicity of depigmented allergoids and may explain why patients treated with these vaccines are protected against the native allergens. Analysis of molecular size and allergen content may be useful techniques for characterization and standardization of allergoid products.
Probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life in at risk Asian infants – effects on eczema and atopic sensitization at the age of 1 year
Authors: Soh S. E. , Aw M. , Gerez I. , Chong Y. S. , Rauff M. , Ng Y. P. M. , Wong H. B. , Pai N. , Lee B. W. , Shek L. P.‐C. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryBackground
The role of probiotics in allergy prevention remains uncertain but has been shown in some studies to have a possible protective effect on eczema.Objective
We aimed to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life on eczema and allergic sensitization at 1 year of age in Asian infants at risk of allergic disease.Methods
A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial involving 253 infants with a family history of allergic disease was carried out. Infants received at least 60 mL of commercially available cow's milk formula with or without probiotic supplementation [Bifidobacterium longum (BL999) 1 × 107 colony forming unit (CFU)/g and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LPR) 2 × 107 CFU/g] daily for the first 6 months. Clinical evaluation was performed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months of age, with serum total IgE measurement and skin prick tests conducted at the 12‐month visit. The primary and secondary end‐points were eczema and allergen sensitization, respectively.Results
The incidence of eczema in the probiotic (22%) group was similar to that in the placebo group (25%) (P=0.53). The median Scoring Atopic Dermatitis score at 12 months was 17.10 (9.74) in the probiotic group and 11.60 (8.40) in the placebo group (P=0.17). The prevalence of allergen sensitization showed no difference (probiotic=24% vs. placebo=19%, P=0.26). The total IgE geometric mean (95% confidence interval) was 18.76 (12.54–24.98) kU/L in the probiotic group and 23.13 (16.01–30.24) kU/L in the placebo group (P=0.15). Atopic eczema (with sensitization) in the probiotic (7.3%) group was comparable to the placebo group (5.8%) (P=0.86).Conclusion
Early life administration of a cow's milk formula supplemented with probiotics showed no effect on prevention of eczema or allergen sensitization in the first year of life in Asian infants at risk of allergic disease. Further work is needed to determine whether timing of supplementation, dose and probiotic strain are important considerations.
Do helminth parasites protect against atopy and allergic disease?
Authors: Flohr C. , Quinnell R. J. , Britton J. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryAllergic diseases are rare in areas with high helminth parasite exposure and common where helminth exposure is lacking or significantly reduced, such as urban areas of developing countries and industrialized nations. Studies suggest that helminths induce a systemic immuno‐modulatory network, including regulatory T cells and anti‐inflammatory IL‐10, which might play a key role in the protection against the allergic phenotype. Here, we review the current cross‐sectional, birth cohort, and intervention study evidence for a protective effect of helminth infection on allergy. There is increasing evidence for a causal relationship between helminth infection and reduced skin prick test responsiveness to allergens. Cross‐sectional studies have shown a consistent negative relationship, and these results have been confirmed in several, although not all, intervention studies. The immunological basis for this protective effect is less clear. Recent studies do not support the mast‐cell IgE saturation hypothesis, but suggest that protection is associated with IL‐10 production. As for allergic disease, cross‐sectional studies support a negative relationship between clinical asthma and infection with some helminth species, particularly hookworm, but more studies are required to draw conclusions for eczema and rhinitis. In addition, none of the few intervention studies to date have demonstrated an increase in clinical allergy after helminth treatment, and further studies are needed. Furthermore, we are only beginning to understand the host genetic factors that are potentially involved. A genetically predetermined T‐helper type 2 cell‐dominated cytokine milieu reduces parasite burden and may enhance host survival in an environment where helminth parasites are prevalent. Lack of parasite exposure in such hosts might lead to hypersensitivity to seemingly minor environmental allergen stimuli. Large birth cohort studies in helminth‐endemic areas that use epidemiological, genetic, and immunological tools are required to further examine how helminth parasites affect the development of atopy and allergic disease. Intervention studies with hookworm in parasite‐naïve allergic individuals are currently ongoing in the United Kingdom to test the above hypotheses further.