bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of atopy through an expert system: description of the database
Authors: RAY P. , VERVOLET D. , CHARPIN D. , GAUTIER V. , PROUDHIN H. , REDIER H. , GODARD PH. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
In order to understand the medical decision taken during the intaial visit of a new asthmatic patient, a group experts designed an expert system which provides conclusions about severity, precipiting factors and treatment. Rules for atopy and the assesment of allergic factors have been discussed and implementedin the expert system. Conclusion about severity have been yet validated using an appropriate methodology.Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate a sample of 471 patients according to conclusions regarding atopy.Methods
A total of 471 cases report forms (CRf) was filled in for adult asthmatic outpatients, seen for the first time in our clinic without emergency situtations. Data of each CRF were used by the expert systemto draw conclusion. The expert systsm discerns threee patterns fir atopy, yes, possible or no. The variables known to reflect different features according to the classification of asthma as atopic or not have been studied. The Variables used in the rules for atopy, obviously linked to the conclusion, were not completed. For many medical problem no unique objectives solution esixts and this is why a group of patients with possible atomy was introduced.Results
Patients with atopy had less severe asthama (P=0.01), a better FEV1 value (P=0.0007)and showed their first symptoms of asthama erlier (P=0.00001)than patients without atopy.Conclusion
The Characteristics of the group studied here are consistent with the literature. This could be considered as an indirect validation of the expert system. Moreover, Patients with possible atopy show intermediate findings for these variables and it is possible to suggest a‘dose‐effect’relationship.
Skin‐prick test and RAST responses to cereals in children with atopic dermatitis. Characterization of IgE‐binding components in wheat and oats by an immunoblotting method
Authors: VARJONEN E. , VAINIO E. , KALIMO K. , JUNTUNEN‐BACKMAN K. , SAVOlAINEN J. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
Hypersensitiviiy to cereals may occur via inhalation or ingestion. Although cereals are essential in the daily nutrition, only little information is available of the allergens causing symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Objective
The purpose of the present study was to analyse the IgE immune‐response to various cereals and specific cereal fractions of wheat and oats in children with severe AD and correlate the results with challenge studies.Methods
Skin‐Prick tests (SPT) with a NaCL suspension of wheat. oats, rice, corn. millet and buckwheat and the ethenol soluble sliadin fraction of wheat were performed to 34 wheat/oats challange positive or negative children with AD Simultaneously serum total IgE and specific IgE antibody radioallergosorbent test (RAST), levels to wheat, oats and gluten were determined, In addition serum samples of these 34 AD patients and five age matched controls were analysed with IgE immunoblotting using neutral and acidic protien extracts of wheat and oats.Results
From the 34 AD children 33 were SPT positive with wheat and 18 with oats. Positive RAST to wheat and oats could be detected in 32 and 30 samples respectively. From the oral Wheat challange positive children 12/14 appeared positive with gliadin SPT and revealed positive RAST to gluten, but each of the wheat challenge negative were negtive in SPT with gliadin. In immunoblotting using neutral and acidic fractions of cereals the IgE binding with sera of challenge positive children showed the most intensive staining, but no correlation was found between differrent staining patterns and the clinical wheat sensitivity. The 26,38 and 69 KDa bands in wheat and the 46 and 66 KDa in oats could be classified as major IgE binding proteins of these cereals (>50% of the sera were positive). SPT with rice, corn, miller or buckwheat and oats was positive in 16/34 patients.Conclusion
Intensive IgE staining to natural acidic soluble proteins in wheat and oats was seen with major IgE binding to 26.38 and 69 KDa protiens in wheat and 46 and 66 KDa in oats, but no specific IgE staining patterns correlating with clinical cereal sensitivity were found. The strong association between the positive SPT with the ethnol soluble gliadin suggest that also gliadin is an important allergen in wheat‐allergic children with AD. The allergens in rice, corn, millet and buckwheat should be better studied before they can be recommended as alternatives for cereal allergic children.
Human eosinophils prefernentially surivive on tissue fibronectin compared with plasama fibronection
Authors: WALSH G.M , SYMON F. A. , WARDLAW A. J. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
Eosinphil‐derived inflamatory mediators including cytolines are considered to be important in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation. Fibronectin (Fn) has been shown to be a physiogical trigger of autocrine cytokihne production by human eosinophils. Fn is encoded by a single gene, but alternate splicing of the primary RNA transcript results in polypeptide diversity in a cell type‐specific fashion. Thus, tissue Fn contains approxmately 50% more of the CS‐1 cell binding region recognized by the integrin α4 β1 compared with lasma Fn.Objective
Since eosinophil;s are predominantly tissue‐dwelling cells we compared the effect of tissue and plasama Fn on eosinophil surivivial in culture.Methods
The viability and vytokine generation of eosinophils (>99.9%) pure) cultured for up to 4 days in 96 well plates coated with tissue Fn. Plasama Fn or BSA was compared.Results
There was a deingficant difference in the ablity if tissue Fn to support eosinophil survival com‐pared with plasma Fn (P <0.001). Optimal survivial with tissue Fin was seen at 25 μ. w4ell (70%‐+2.0%) viability at 3 days vs 7%‐+ 2.2 % viability on BSA). Significant (p <0.001) cell viability on tissue Fn was observed for up to 4 days in culture (54%‐+ compared with BSa coated wells. Addition of autologous mononuclear cells (final concentration 0.5%, 1% or 2%) resulted in plasama Fndependent eosinophil surivival comparable to that 99.9% pure eosinophils adhreent to tissue Fn. Tissue Fn‐dependent survival was significantly inhibited by anti‐interleukin‐3, anti‐granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (gm‐csf) and anti ‐Il‐5 monoclonal antibodies. Picogram quantities of these three cytokins were detected in supernatants from eosinophils cultured for 3 days on tissue Fn was significantly inhibited by anti‐31 and α4 β monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and also by MoAB specific for the Cs‐1 motif in the IIICS region of fn.Conclusion
These observations show preferential survival of eosinophils cultured on tissue Fn as a result of α4 β‐dependent interaction with the CS‐1 region of tissue Fn triggering autocrine cytokine synthesis and release,thereby promoting their survival and presistence within the tissues.
Total serum immunoglobulin E levels in a case–control study in asthmatic/allergic patients, their family members, and healthy subjects from India
Authors: Sharma S. , Kathuria P. C. , Gupta C. K. , Nordling K. , Ghosh B. , Singh A. B. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an important indicator of allergic disorders. However, its role in allergic patients in India has not been evaluated in relation to atopic status for a reference range as compared with healthy subjects.Objective
The aim of the study was to establish serum IgE levels in a diseased group, study its relationship with atopy, and to compare the same with healthy volunteers in Indian subjects.Methods
Four hundred and eighty asthmatics/allergic patients, 100 first‐degree relatives of asthmatics, and 120 unrelated normal healthy volunteers from Delhi region were recruited for the study. Atopy was established by family history and skin test to common indigenous allergens and, total and specific IgE measurements. Statistical analysis was performed with the help of SPSS software program.Results
The mean IgE levels were the highest in asthmatic patients and the lowest in the control healthy group. IgE was significantly high in the male than the female healthy volunteers (P<0.05), but not in the diseased group. Prosopis juliflora among pollen allergens and Alternaria alternata among fungal allergens were important sensitizers in allergic patients with 34.7% and 17.7% skin positivity, respectively. Atopic status and asthma were found to be the best predictor of IgE, which was highly significant (r2=0.239, P<0.00001). However, at 95% confidence interval as many as 50% of asthmatic patients had their IgE values in the normal range.Conclusion
The IgE levels in Indian allergic patients is significantly related to atopy, but due to wide overlap of IgE levels in patients and healthy subjects, its diagnostic significance in Indian population seems to be limited.
Prolonged exclusive breastfeeding is associated with increased atopic dermatitis: a prospective follow‐up study of unselected healthy newborns from birth to age 20 years
Authors: Pesonen M. , Kallio M. J. T. , Ranki A. , Siimes M. A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months is recommended by the World Health Organization and considered allergy preventive. However, it is not known whether prolonging exclusive breastfeeding for over 6 months provides further benefit in allergy prevention.Objective
The aim of this prospective 20‐year follow‐up study was to find out whether the allergy protective effect can be enhanced by prolonging strictly exclusive breastfeeding for 9 months of age.Methods
A total of 200 unselected healthy newborns were enrolled in the study. Their mothers were encouraged to maintain exclusive breastfeeding for as long as possible. The number of infants on strictly exclusive breastfeeding was 167 at 2, 116 at 6, 36 at 9 and 7 at 12 months of age. Of the 200 infants, 42% had a family history of allergy. The children were re‐assessed at ages 5 (n=163), 11 (n=150) and 20 years (n=164) with clinical examination, skin prick testing, and parental and personal structured interviews.Results
Exclusive breastfeeding prolonged for 9 months was associated with atopic dermatitis (P=0.002) and symptoms of food hypersensitivity (P=0.02) at age 5 years, and with symptoms of food hypersensitivity at age 11 years (P=0.01), in children with a family history of allergy.Conclusion
Prolonging strictly exclusive breastfeeding for 9 months was not helpful in atopy prevention, instead, it was associated with increased atopic dermatitis and food hypersensitivity symptoms in childhood.
Gene and protein expression of protease‐activated receptor 2 in structural and inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Dinh Q. T. , Cryer A. , Trevisani M. , Dinh S. , Wu S. , Cifuentes L. B. , Feleszko W. K. , Williams A. , Geppetti P. , Fan Chung K. , Heppt W. , Klapp B. F. , Fischer A. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryBackground
Protease‐activated receptor 2 (PAR 2) has been shown to be responsible for trypsin and mast cell tryptase‐induced airway inflammation. Here, the present study aimed to explore the expression of PAR 2 in the nasal mucosa of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR).Methods
Study subjects were recruited for the study by medical history, physical examination and laboratory screening tests. Using immunohistochemistry, laser‐assisted cell picking and subsequently real‐time PCR, nasal mucosa biopsies of SAR patients were investigated for PAR 2 gene and protein expression in complex tissues of the nasal mucosa.Results
Gene and protein expression of PAR 2 was firstly detected in nasal mucosa of SAR patients. The relative gene expression level of PAR 2 was significantly increased in complex tissues of the nasal mucosa of SAR (6.21±4.02 vs. controls: 1.38±0.86, P=0.004). Moreover, PAR 2 mRNA expression in epithelial cells (SAR: 4.78±4.64 vs. controls: 0.84±0.61, P=0.003) but not in mucus (SAR: 1.51±1.15 vs. controls: 1.35±1.02, P=0.78) and endothelial cells (SAR: 1.20±0.57 vs. controls: 1.73±1.30, P=0.5) was found to be significantly changed in the nasal mucosa in SAR. Using double immunohistochemistry the present study demonstrated that the total numbers of mast cells (P=0.0003) and eosinophils (P=0.03) and the numbers of eosinophils expressing PAR 2 (P=0.006) were significantly elevated in the nasal mucosa of SAR compared with the controls.Conclusion
The abundant presence and distribution of gene and protein expression of PAR 2 in different cell types in the nasal mucosa under normal situation, the increased expression of PAR 2 in epithelial cells and the increased number of eosinophils with PAR 2 suggest that PAR 2 may contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases such as SAR.
Ghrelin, motilin, insulin concentration in healthy infants in the first months of life: relation to fasting time and anthropometry
Authors: Savino F. , Grassino E. C. , Fissore M. F. , Guidi C. , Liguori S. A. , Silvestro L. , Oggero R. , Miniero R. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryAims  This study aimed to investigate: (i) the relation between fasting time and serum ghrelin, motilin and insulin concentrations and (ii) the correlations between these hormones and anthropometrical parameters of infants in the first 18 months of life.Patients and methods  A cross‐sectional study on 62 term infants was performed. Blood samples for hormonal assay were obtained at least 1 h after feeding. Weight, length and head circumference were recorded. Plasma ghrelin, motilin and insulin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay.Results  Ghrelin and motilin had a significant direct correlation with fasting time (r = 0·447; P < 0·001 and r = 0·36; P = 0·004, respectively). We observed a negative influence of insulin on ghrelin levels (β = −0·32; P = 0·036). Plasma ghrelin levels correlated significantly with age (r = 0·45, P < 0·001), weight (r = 0·31, P = 0·013), head circumference (r = 0·35, P = 0·006) and length (r = 0·39, P = 0·001). A significant correlation emerged between motilin and age (r = 0·45, P < 0·001), weight (r = 0·43, P = 0·001), head circumference (r = 0·47, P < 0·001) and length (r = 0·48, P < 0·001).Conclusions  Fasting influence on serum ghrelin concentration confirms the role of this hormone as a physiological meal initiator also in infancy. The correlation between ghrelin, anthropometrical parameters and age supports the hypothesis that this hormone could exert an important influence on growth in the first months of life. Considering motilin, age and weight might play a role in determining its secretion; motilin could be considered one of the numerous factors involved in long‐term regulation of energy balance.
Phaeochromocytomas presenting as acute crises after beta blockade therapy
Authors: Sibal L. , Jovanovic A. , Agarwal S. C. , Peaston R. T. , James R. A. , Lennard T. W. J. , Bliss R. , Batchelor A. , Perros P. 
Published: July 2006

SummaryObjective   Phaeochromocytoma crisis is a life‐threatening emergency that may be undiagnosed because of its numerous, nonspecific manifestations. We analysed, retrospectively, the presentation, management and outcome of patients who were admitted to our institution with phaeochromocytoma crises over a 5‐year period.Results   Five patients (two males, three females; mean age 34·6 years, range 19–51 years) who presented as emergencies requiring intensive care, with multiple non‐specific manifestations and previously undiagnosed pheochromocytoma, were identified. The initial presentation included features of cardiomyopathy (n = 3), atypical pneumonia with myocarditis (n = 1) and acute abdomen (n = 1). Only one of the five cases had a raised blood pressure at the time of the acute presentation. Initiation of beta blockers in four patients was associated with further deterioration in haemodynamic status, labile blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias, which led to the diagnosis of the underlying phaeochromocytoma. Following intensive supportive therapy and alpha blockade, all five patients recovered and underwent elective surgical removal of phaeochromocytoma, uneventfully.Conclusion   Unexplained cardiopulmonary dysfunction, particularly after the institution of beta blockers, should alert clinicians to the possibility of phaeochromocytoma. A high index of suspicion is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients through early diagnosis and aggressive management.
Resting and exercise energy use in Antarctica: effect of 50% restriction in temperate climate energy requirements
Authors: Case H. Samuel , Reed H. Lester , Palinkas Lawrence A. , Reedy Kathleen R. , Van Do Nhan , Finney Nancy S. , Seip Richard 
Published: July 2006

SummaryObjective  To determine the impact of energy restriction (ER) upon the previously reported increased resting and exercise‐related oxygen utilization, reduced body temperature, increased serum TSH, and reduced serum free T3 concentrations found during Antarctic residence (AR).Design  Prospective, intervention with both paired controls and a similar reference control group (RG).Patients and measurements  Seven subjects were assessed before and after a 50% ER period of 60 h. This ER was carried out within 30 days of arriving in Antarctica in October (OCT) and again after 10 months AR in August (AUG). During the periods of ER, mean energy consumption was 5662 ± 1344 kJ/day in OCT and 5529 ± 967 kJ/day in AUG. Resting metabolic rate (RMR), a calculated resting metabolic rate (RMRreg) using a submaximal work regression, serum TSH, FT3 and tympanic temperature (Tty) were measured. These values were compared with a similar RG of 12 subjects reported previously who were studied in California, USA before and then again during AR.Results  Weight declined by 1·1 ± 0·1 kg/day (OCT) and 0·92 ± 0·2 kg/day (AUG) with ER, resulting in a reduction of body weight by 3·1 ± 0·4% in OCT (P = 0·0001) and 2·5 ± 0·4% in AUG (P = 0·0015) during AR. The RMR before ER did not change with AR and it was not significantly different from the RG studied in California. With ER the RMR tended to decline in both OCT (132 ± 5 to 122 ± 4 mlO2/min/m2) and AUG (134 ± 5 to 126 ± 5 mlO2/min/m2), but these were not significant. By contrast, RMRreg obtained before ER was increased with AR by 22·5 ± 7·8% (P = 0·01) in OCT and by 28·1 ± 7·0% (P = 0·0008) in AUG over the RG values obtained in California. RMRreg did not decrease with ER in either OCT or AUG. The total energy expenditure derived from these measures of weight loss suggests that 24‐h energy requirements are 74·4%[95% confidence interval (CI) 2·6–146·3; P < 0·05] more than those expected in temperate climates. Tty declined by 0·6 ± 0·2 °C (P < 0·01) with AR compared with the RG measured in California, but was not affected by either period of ER. ER had no effect on FT3 but tended to decrease serum TSH in AUG (P = 0·06).Conclusions  Exercise‐related energy requirements are increased with AR. Moderate ER may reduce resting but not exercise‐related energy expenditure and it is associated with a weight loss exceeding expectations for 50% restriction of temperate climate energy predictions.
The androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism does not predict increased risk of heart disease: longitudinal results from the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study
Authors: Page Stephanie T. , Kupelian Varant , Bremner William J. , McKinlay John B. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractObjective  Sex steroids may contribute to the increased prevalence of heart disease (HD) in men compared to age‐matched women. Androgens bind their cognate receptor, and androgen action is inversely proportional to the number of CAG repeats in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene. Longer, less androgenic CAG repeats have been associated with higher high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which might protect against HD. Therefore, we hypothesized that CAG repeat length contributes to HD risk in men.Design  Longitudinal, population‐based cohort study.Population  One thousand thirty‐four participants from the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study, a cohort of 1709 men from the Boston area, aged 40–70, observed at three time points over 15 years.Methods  Poisson regression.Measurements  Heart disease was determined by self‐report, medical records or from the National Death Index. Lipids and hormones were measured from blood samples drawn at each time point. CAG repeat length was assessed from DNA collected at the second time point.Results  We found no increased risk of HD associated with CAG repeat length in our analyses. Moreover, CAG repeat length was not related to body mass index, HDL, low‐density lipoprotein or waist to hip ratio in this cohort; nor did CAG repeat length predict changes in these variables over 15 years of follow‐up.Conclusions  In contrast to previous smaller, cross‐sectional analyses, in this large cohort of community‐dwelling men followed over 15 years, CAG repeat length was not related to the incidence or prevalence of HD or alterations in HDL. If androgens impact HD risk, this effect is unlikely to be mediated via CAG repeat length.
Determinants of seston C : P‐ratio in lakes
Authors: HESSEN DAG O. 
Published: July 2006

Summary1. The ratio of carbon to phosphorus (C : P) in seston is a major determinant of energy transfer in aquatic food webs and may vary more than an order of magnitude owing to various extrinsic and intrinsic factors. In this study, the determinants of C : P‐ratios in lake particulate matter (seston) was assessed in 112 Norwegian lakes, covering a C : P (atomic ratio) from 24 to 1842 (mean 250).2. No overall effects of lake area, season or latitude on C : P was detected. Particulate P, but not particulate C, correlated with C : P. Multivariate analysis including a range of lake properties revealed total dissolved P, as the major determinant of sestonic C : P, with the fraction of detritus in total seston, chlorophyll or Secchi depth and lake colour as significant contributors. Together these parameters explained 30% of observed variance if using dissolved P and 81% if using total P as input variable to the multivariate model.3. Chlorophyll and Secchi depth were highly correlated and substitutable in the analysis. Phytoplankton community composition did not affect seston C : P, probably reflecting the fact that live phytoplankton generally contributed <25% of the seston pool.4. Total P correlated positively with C : P and is the key determinant of phytoplankton biomass and thus Secchi depth; the latter parameters contributed negatively to seston C : P, probably owing to increased light attenuation. These lake data thus support the light : nutrient ratio hypothesis, i.e. that high light and low P cause skewed uptake ratios of C to P.5. Zooplankton biomass in general and Daphnia biomass in particular, was negatively correlated with C : P, probably reflecting a negative impact of poor seston quality at high C : P. Zooplankton grazing and nutrient recycling may also have contributed to a negative correlation between zooplankton biomass and sestonic C : P.