bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short communication: Analysis of CD4+ T‐cell gene expression in allergic subjects using two different microarray platforms
Authors: Hansel N. N. , Cheadle C. , Diette G. B. , Wright J. , Thompson K. M. , Barnes K. C. , Georas S. N. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  Allergic diseases are thought to involve dysregulated activation of T cells including CD4+ lymphocytes. T‐cell activation results in changes in gene expression, but the optimal method to study gene expression profiles in T cells, and how this changes over time, are not known.Methods:  Circulating CD4+ T cells were obtained from subjects with atopic asthma, nonatopic asthma or nonallergic controls, and total mRNA was rapidly isolated. Atopy was defined as positive skin prick test to one of nine allergens. Gene expression was analyzed using hybridization and Affymetrix® oligonucleotide arrays (Hu133A and Hu133B chips, n = 84), or by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) with a pathway‐targeted array (Human Th1–Th2–Th3 RT2 ProfilerTM PCR Array, Superarray, n = 16).Results:  Using Affymetrix arrays, it was difficult to discern a dominant allergy‐associated profile because of heterogeneity in gene expression profiles. In contrast, a Th2‐like signature was evident using RT‐PCR arrays with increased expression of expected genes (e.g. IL‐4, 5, 9, and 13, all P < 0.05) as well as unexpected gene transcripts (e.g. osteopontin). Gene expression profiles were relatively stable over time in circulating CD4+ T cells from two subjects using both platforms.Conclusions:  Unstimulated CD4+ T cells isolated from allergic subjects express a characteristic profile of genes when analyzed using RT‐PCR based microarrays.
Original article: Effect of short‐term exposure to air pollution and pollen on medical emergency calls: a case‐crossover study in Spain
Authors: Carracedo‐Martinez E. , Sanchez C. , Taracido M. , Saez M. , Jato V. , Figueiras A. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  A symmetric case‐crossover design was used to analyse the short‐term relationship between air pollution, pollen and emergency calls to medical services.Methods:  This study covered patients who made medical emergency calls in the City of Vigo (Spain) during the period 1996–1999. Morbidity data were obtained from the records of the 061 Medical Emergency Control Center, in its capacity as the body officially coordinating all medical emergencies by telephone. Air pollution data were furnished by the Vigo Municipal Air Pollution Surveillance Grid. Pollen levels were provided by the staff of the Spanish Aerobiology Network in Vigo.Results:  A rise of 10μg/m3 in ambient particulate levels led to the risk of medical emergency calls requesting attention increasing by: (i) 1.97% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.83–2.11%] for circulatory causes on the same day; (ii) 1.95% (95% CI: 1.76–2.14%) for respiratory causes at 2 days and (iii) 1.34% (95% CI: 1.23–1.45%) for combined circulatory and respiratory causes on the same day. A number of pollens displayed a statistically significant relationship with emergency calls. No interaction was in evidence between pollens and air pollutants.Conclusions:  While elevations in particulate air pollution increase medical emergency calls because of cardiac or respiratory causes or both combined, elevations in pollen levels increase medical emergency calls because of respiratory causes.
Original article: Assessing skin prick tests reliability in ECRHS‐I
Authors: Bousquet P.‐J. , Chatzi L. , Jarvis D. , Burney P. 
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Atopy, the clinical definition of an immunoglobulin E (IgE) high‐responder, can be documented either by the detection of IgE antibodies in serum or by a positive skin prick test. Epidemiological studies use different reaction sizes to define a skin test reaction as positive or negative. The aim of the study was to identify the best cut‐off level for skin prick tests.Method:  Using the data collected during the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECHRS I) the association of serum allergen‐specific IgE and skin prick tests [Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p), cat, timothy grass and Cladosporium] were assessed.Results:  The proportion of the 11 355 subjects (49.9% men), with positive skin tests ranged from 10.4% (cut‐off >5 mm) to 20.9% (cut‐off >0 mm) for Der p, 3.5–10.2% for cat, 9.3–16.6% for timothy grass and 0.2 and 2.3% for Cladosporium. For identifying subjects with detectable specific IgE (>0.35 kU/l) the most appropriate cut‐off appeared to be over 0 mm for Der p, cat and timothy grass (Youden Index over 0.81). However, the relationship between serum IgE and skin prick test for Cladosporium was weak (Youden index under 0.56).Conclusion:  In epidemiological studies, a single method may be chosen to assess allergenic sensitivity. A cut‐off level of over 0 mm for skin prick tests was best at identifying those with allergen‐specific IgE.
Original article: Infections presenting for clinical care in early life and later risk of hay fever in two UK birth cohorts
Authors: Bremner S. A. , Carey I. M. , DeWilde S. , Richards N. , Maier W. C. , Hilton S. R. , Strachan D. P. , Cook D. G. 
Published: February 2008

Background:  The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ proposes that infections in infancy protect against hay fever (HF). We investigated infections during infancy in relation to HF, including rarer ones not previously researched in this context, while examining the role of potential confounding variables.Methods:  From birth cohorts derived within the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) and Doctors Independent Network (DIN) database of computerized patient records from UK general practice, we selected 3549 case–control pairs, matched for practice, age, sex and control follow‐up to case diagnosis. Conditional logistic regressions were fitted for each of 30 infections; behavioural problems (BP) acted as a control condition unrelated to HF. Odds ratios (OR), adjusted for consultation frequency were pooled across the databases using fixed effect models. We also adjusted for sibship size in GPRD and a socioeconomic marker in DIN.Results:  Upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhoea and vomiting and acute otitis media in infancy were each related with a moderately increased risk of HF in both databases, as were BP. These associations were lost on adjustment for consultation frequency. Only bronchiolitis was significantly associated with a reduced pooled risk of HF after adjustment for consultations (OR = 0.8). Adjustment for sibship size in GPRD and a socioeconomic marker in DIN had little impact on the OR.Conclusions:  Of 30 infectious illnesses investigated, none had strong or consistent associations with HF after adjustment for consultation frequency. Except for bronchiolitis, possibly a chance finding, none of the clinically apparent infections considered appear to have an important role in allergy prevention.
DNA typing by microbead arrays and PCR‐SSP: apparent false‐negative or ‐positive hybridization or amplification signals disclose new HLA‐B and ‐DRB1 alleles
Authors: Rahal M. , Kervaire B. , Villard J. , Tiercy J.‐M. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractHuman leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing by polymerase chain reaction–sequence‐specific oligonucleotide (PCR‐SSO) hybridization on solid phase (microbead assay) or polymerase chain reaction‐sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP) requires interpretation softwares to detect all possible allele combinations. These programs propose allele calls by taking into account false‐positive or false‐negative signal(s). The laboratory has the option to validate typing results in the presence of strongly cross‐reacting or apparent false‐negative signals. Alternatively, these seemingly aberrant signals may disclose novel variants. We report here four new HLA‐B (B*5620 and B*5716) and HLA‐DRB1 alleles (DRB1*110107 and DRB1*1474) that were detected by apparent false‐negative or ‐positive hybridization or amplification patterns, and ultimately resolved by sequencing. To avoid allele misassignments, a comprehensive evaluation of acquired data as documented in a quality assurance system is therefore required to confirm unambiguous typing interpretation.
The functional R620W variant of the PTPN22 gene is associated with celiac disease
Authors: Santin I. , Castellanos‐Rubio A. , Aransay A. M. , Castaño L. , Vitoria J. C. , Bilbao J. R. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe functional (R620W) variant of human PTPN22 (protein tyrosine phosphatase non‐receptor 22) gene has been implicated in the risk to several autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes, Graves’ disease, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In an association study of this single nucleotide polymorphism with celiac disease (CD), comparison of 262 young diagnosis patients and 214 adult controls from Spain showed a higher frequency of the minor allele in the CD group (9.7% vs 5.6% in controls; P = 0.018), suggestive of an increased genetic risk to the disease (odds ratio = 1.82; 95% confidence interval 1.1–3.0). These results support the role of PTPN22 as a general autoimmunity locus involved in tolerance induction in the thymus.
Modifying effect of HLA haplotypes located trans to DQB1*02‐DRB1*03 in celiac patients of Southern Europe
Authors: Hernández‐Charro B. , Donat E. , Miner I. , Aranburu E. , Sánchez‐Valverde F. , Ramos‐Arroyo M. A 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe DQ2 heterodimer, encoded by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQA1*05‐DQB1*02 alleles, is the major genetic susceptibility factor for celiac disease (CD). However, the risk associated to HLA alleles varies among populations. While DRB1*03 is almost the only CD susceptibility allele in Northern Europe with a homozygote frequency of around 30%, CD in south European countries is also associated with the DRB1*07, and DRB1*03 homozygotes patients are rare. Some authors have suggested that DQB1*02‐DRB1*03/DQB1*02‐DRB1*03 and DQB1*02‐DRB1*03/DQB1*02‐DRB1*07 may confer different risk susceptibility to CD. This hypothesis, however, has not been demonstrated in a recent family‐based study carried out in Finland, suggesting that the proposed differences in risk may be secondary to stratification burdens of case–control studies. To assess this issue, we have investigated the effect of different haplotypes carried trans to DQB1*02‐DRB1*03 as additional factors for CD in Spain, using two statistical approaches, a case–control study and a family‐based study. We found that DQB1*02‐DRB1*03/DQB1*02‐DRB1*03 and DQB1*02‐DRB1*03/DQB1*02‐DRB1*07 were the only combinations that showed a strong and independent association to CD. We did not observe any difference in susceptibility risk conferred by DQB1*02‐DRB1*03 and DQB1*02‐DRB1*07 when carried trans to DQB1*02‐DRB1*03, suggesting that variation in HLA haplotype frequencies among populations may not represent real differences in risk to CD development. We also confirmed a gene dosage effect of the DQB1*02‐DRB1*03 haplotype estimating that DQB1*02 homozygotes are at fivefold increased risk for CD compared with DQB1*02 heterozygotes. This risk is conferred by the second copy of the DQB1*02 allele and it seems to be independent of the DQA1.
Ribavirin for respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis reduced the risk of asthma and allergen sensitization
Authors: Chen Chien‐Han , Lin Yu‐Tsan , Yang Yao‐Hsu , Wang Li‐Chieh , Lee Jyh‐Hong , Kao Chuan‐Liang , Chiang Bor‐Luen 
Published: February 2008

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in early life is a risk factor for later development of asthma and atopy. Ribavirin is the only effective drug currently available against acute RSV bronchiolitis. However, the long‐term effects of ribavirin remain unclear. We investigated a cohort of children hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis from when they were under 2 yr old until they reached a mean age of 6.2 yr. In total, we enrolled 175 children in this study. Both the group treated with ribavirin and the group not treated with ribavirin included high‐risk young children with congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease. Their respective age‐matched controls, that we labeled groups A and B, both without ribavirin treatment, consisted of previously healthy subjects. Wheezing was either verified by physicians or estimated by a questionnaire. Allergen sensitization was judged by serum allergen‐specific IgE levels. The cumulative incidence of physician‐diagnosed asthma or recurrent wheezing in the ribavirin group (15%) was significantly lower than its incidence in the non‐ribavirin‐treated group (34%, p = 0.049), and in the control A group (43%, p = 0.005). Allergen sensitization was also least frequent in the ribavirin group. Ribavirin therapy was an independent factor in reducing the risk of developing asthma, asthma/recurrent wheezing, and sensitization to D. pteronyssinus/D. farinae. The long‐term value of ribavirin for acute RSV bronchiolitis and its underlying mechanisms deserves further research.
Effects of Salt Stress on Some Physiological and Photosynthetic Parameters at Three Different Temperatures in Six Soya Bean (Glycine max L. Merr.) Cultivars
Authors: Çiçek N. , Çakırlar H. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractThe effect of NaCl (−0.1, −0.4 and −0.7 MPa) on some physiological parameters in six 23‐day‐old soya bean cultivars (Glycine max L. Merr. namely A 3935, CX‐415, Mitchell, Nazlıcan, SA 88 and Türksoy) at 25, 30 and 35 °C was investigated. Salt stress treatments caused a decline in the K+/Na+ ratio, plant height, fresh and dry biomass of the shoot and an increase in the relative leakage ratio and the contents of proline and Na+ at all temperatures. Effects of salt stress and temperature on Chl content, Chl a/b ratio (antenna size) and qN (heat dissipation in the antenna) varied greatly between cultivars and treatments; however, in all cases approximately the same qP value was observed. It indicates that the plants were able to maintain the balance between excitation pressure and electron transport activity. Pigment content and the quantum efficiency of photosystem II exhibited significant differences that depended on the cultivar, the salt concentration and temperature. The cultivars were relatively insensitive to salt stress at 30 °C however they were very sensitive both at 25 and 35 °C. Of the cultivars tested CX‐415 and SA 88 were the best performers at 25 °C compared with SA 88 and Türksoy at 35 °C.
Interveinal Yellowing Caused by Tomato infectious chlorosis virus in Lettuce and Escarole in Southern Italy
Authors: Parrella G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractIn 2005 and 2006, a severe disease of lettuce and escarole, characterized by interveinal yellowing of the leaves, was observed in the Calabria region (Southern Italy). Samples collected were positive in RT‐PCR assay when specific primers for Crinivirus were used. The identity of the virus was determined by using Tomato infectious chlorosis virus (TICV)‐specific primers and probe. An amplicon of the same size (501 bp) as that from TICV‐infected tomato controls, corresponding to the partial Hsp70 viral gene, was obtained from 36 of 40 lettuce samples and from 19 of 24 escarole samples tested in 2005. The sequences obtained had 99–100% nucleotide sequence identity with other TICV sequences. In an extensive survey carried out in 2006 with TICV‐specific probe, 92% of symptomatic lettuce and 89% of escarole samples were infected with TICV. Adults of Trialeurodes vaporariorum, harvested from symptomatic lettuce and escarole plants, transmitted the virus to healthy plants of the same species. This is the first evidence of a disease caused by TICV in lettuce in Italy and the first record of TICV infection in escarole.
Successful treatment of disseminated Geotrichum capitatum infection with a combination of caspofungin and voriconazole in an immunocompromised patient
Authors: Etienne A. , Datry A. , Gaspar N. , Morel V. , Delabesse E. , Lmimouni B. , Vernant J. P. , Dhédin N. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryDisseminated Geotrichum capitatum infection is uncommon, and has been reported exclusively in immunocompromised patients. The prognosis is poor with a mortality rate of approximately 50–75%. We report a case of disseminated G. capitatum infection in a severely neutropenic patient who was receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloblastic leukaemia. G. capitatum was isolated from blood cultures, skin lesions, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, throat swabs and stools. The infection was successfully cured with a combination of voriconazole and caspofungin.
Antimicrobial activity of a protein purified from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis on oral microorganisms
Authors: Kanokwiroon Kanyanatt , Teanpaisan Rawee , Wititsuwannakul Dhirayos , Hooper Alan B. , Wititsuwannakul Rapepun 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThis study aimed at screen for antimicrobial activity present in the non‐rubber constituents of rubber latex of Hevea brasiliensis against various microbial strains. An antimicrobial protein, hevein was extracted from the bottom fraction after centrifugation and purified by acetone fractionation and anion exchange chromatography on a DEAE‐Sepharose Fast Flow column. This procedure was more efficient and rapid than the previously described procedures. The antimicrobial activity was investigated and revealed that hevein, a small (4.7 kDa) cysteine‐rich protein, had strong antimicrobial activity, especially against Candida spp. including Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. The MIC80 value for hevein was as low as 12 μg ml−1 with C. tropicalis ATCC 750. Higher MIC80 values were obtained for C. albicans ATCC 10231 (95 μg ml−1) and C. krusei ATCC 6258 (190 μg ml−1). To confirm the antifungal activity, hevein also inhibited the growth of those fungi in a disk diffusion assay and its inhibition was enhanced when a Hevea latex protease inhibitor was also included. Hevein at a concentration of 30 μg ml−1 also caused a Ca2+‐dependent aggregation of C. tropicalis yeast cells. These data indicate that hevein can inhibit the growth of certain potential oral fungal pathogens.
Magnetic resonance findings in women at high risk for developing breast cancer: An Australian feasibility study
Authors: Peters G , Anderson J , Longman G , Thomson J , Taylor D , Bennett M , Wylie E , Goldblatt J , Chan A , Saunders C 
Published: February 2008

SummaryIn younger women at high risk for developing breast cancer the value of mammography is limited by a higher prevalence of breast tissue density, low rate of DCIS in gene carriers, faster growing tumours and concerns over radiation exposure. We report on our experience of MR screening in high risk patients over a three year period. Women at high risk of developing breast cancer were offered an MRI scan and an Ultrasound in addition to their annual mammogram for two years. The following MR‐protocol was used: pre‐contrast T2 STIR sequence and pre contrast 3D FLASH sequence, post contrast axial dynamic 3D FLASH sequence. Seventy two women consented to participate in this study. One hundred thirty nine breast MRI examinations were performed. Two pre‐cancerous lesions and an axillary lymph node metastasis were found, but the majority of the lesions were benign. Difficulties in screening young women at high risk are discussed in this paper. In our study three lesions of significance were detected. Two lesions were precancerous thus curable. The recall rates show the difficult nature of screening younger breasts. MRI generated more findings judged as uncertain, so short term‐term follow up studies or MR‐guided biopsy techniques are required.
Evaluation of chest wall invasion by lung cancer using respiratory dynamic MRI
Authors: Akata S , Kajiwara N , Park J , Yoshimura M , Kakizaki D , Abe K , Hirano T , Ohira T , Tsuboi M , Kato H 
Published: February 2008

SummaryConventional CT or MRI has low accuracy in assessing chest wall invasion in patients with peripheral lung cancer. For preoperative evaluation of chest wall invasion by peripheral lung cancer, respiratory dynamic (RD) MRI was carried out in 98 patients in whom conventional CT scan showed that the tumour was abutting the pleural surface, but there was no evidence of definite tumour invasion. We used 1.5‐T MR equipment. RD MR images were acquired by snapshot fast field echo sequence (repetition time = 8, echo time = 3, flip angle = 100) and 25 consecutive images were taken while the patient took deep breaths. These images were evaluated in cine mode to assess tumour movement along the chest wall. Sixty‐one patients underwent surgical resection of the tumour and RD MR findings were compared with those in pathological specimens. RD MR showed free tumour movement along the chest wall in 34 patients. At pathological examination, the RD MR findings were proved correct in all patients. Pathologically, 20 patients had chest wall invasion and their RD MR was positive (sensitivity 100%). There were seven false‐positive results among the 41 patients without chest wall invasion (specificity 82.9%). RD MR may improve the accuracy of conventional CT scan or MRI in the prediction of chest wall invasion of lung cancer, especially in patients in whom the results of conventional CT scan or MRI appear equivocal in the presence of a peripheral mass abutting the chest wall surface without obvious chest wall invasion.
Abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst: a complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts in adults
Authors: Aparici‐Robles F , Molina‐Fabrega R 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAbdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst is an uncommon complication of using ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS). Although many cases have been reported in children, abdominal pseudocysts are rare in adult patients. The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate the findings for this condition on commonly used abdominal diagnostic imaging modalities. This is a retrospective review of the six adult patients diagnosed with abdominal pseudocyst as a consequence of VPS at our centre from 1995 to 2006. We reviewed patients’ prior history, cerebral and abdominal clinical manifestations, imaging findings, treatment and evolution. All patients presented with pain and abdominal distension associated with the presence of a palpable mass. Plain‐film radiography was carried out in one patient, ultrasound in three and CT in all six. A fluid collection close to or associated to the VPS catheter was observed in all cases. Visualization of the distal tip of the VPS within a homogeneous intraperitoneal collection is the principal diagnostic sign of an abdominal cerebrospinal fluid pseudocyst at ultrasound and CT.
Magnetic resonance imaging of lipoma and atypical lipomatous tumour/well‐differentiated liposarcoma: observer performance using T1‐weighted and fluid‐sensitive MRI
Authors: Doyle AJ , Pang AK , Miller MV , French JG 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate observer performance using T1‐weighted spin‐echo and fluid‐sensitive MRI sequences in distinguishing between lipoma and atypical lipomatous tumour/well‐differentiated liposarcoma (ALT/WDL). Magnetic resonance images of 51 patients with benign lipoma and ALT/WDL of the musculoskeletal system were reviewed. There were 33 benign lipomas and 18 ALT/WDL. The character of septa and nodularity of the fatty tumours on T1‐weighted spin‐echo sequences and the presence of high signal on fluid‐sensitive sequences were assessed. Two independent observers took part. Observer agreement was measured. The two observers achieved sensitivities of 100 and 94% for T1‐weighted images and 100% each for fluid‐sensitive sequences. Specificities were 76 and 64% for T1‐weighted and 70 and 73% for fluid‐sensitive images. Observer agreement was very good (kappa 0.87 for T1‐weighted and 0.88 for fluid‐sensitive images). In distinguishing lipoma from ALT/WDL, observer performance was comparable using T1‐weighted and fluid‐sensitive MR sequences. High sensitivity and moderately high specificity were attained.