bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association study of 15 novel single‐nucleotide polymorphisms of the T‐bet locus among Finnish asthma families
Authors: Ylikoski E. , Kinos R. , Sirkkanen N. , Pykäläinen M. , Savolainen J. , Laitinen L. A. , Kere J. , Laitinen T. , Lahesmaa R. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryObjective
T‐box expressed in T cells (T‐bet) is a transcription factor regulating the commitment of T helper (Th) cells by driving the cells into the Th1 direction. Abnormal Th1/Th2 balance may lead to complex disorders like asthma or autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have suggested that T‐bet might be a candidate gene for asthma. This led us to screen 23 Finnish individuals for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the T‐bet locus and study the association between the SNPs and high serum IgE level and asthma.Methods
We screened all six exons, adjacent intronic areas and 2 kb of the 5′‐flanking region from 23 individuals utilizing WAVE™ technology. To explore whether T‐bet is associated in serum IgE regulation or asthma we genotyped the SNPs in a Finnish asthmatic founder population. The association analyses were made using haplotype pattern mining.Results
Fifteen novel SNPs were found in the T‐bet gene. Within the Finnish asthmatic founder population, there was no association between T‐bet SNPs and high serum IgE level or asthma.ConclusionsThe genetic variability in the T‐bet gene does not play a role in the pathogenesis of human asthma. Our results provide a novel panel of SNPs in T‐bet and will help determine whether the SNPs have a functional role in other T cell‐mediated diseases.
Nasal conditioning in perennial allergic rhinitis after nasal allergen challenge
Authors: Rozsasi A. , Leiacker R. , Keck T. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBackground
Antigen challenge in seasonal allergic rhinitis is considered to be associated with an increased ability of the nose to condition inspired air. In contrast, little is known about air conditioning after antigen challenge in perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).Objective
The aims of this study were to investigate whether antigen challenge in PAR changes nasal air conditioning and to assess the relationship between nasal conditioning and nasal patency and geometry.Methods
Nineteen subjects with PAR were enrolled into this study. Measurement of nasal conditioning, active anterior rhinomanometry (AAR), acoustic rhinometry (AR), and clinical symptom evaluation were performed before and after nasal allergen challenge with allergen extracts from house dust mites.Results
Ten and 20 min after nasal allergen challenge, the total water content of the air measured in the nasopharynx and the water gradient across the nose were significantly higher in the nasal cavity in which the allergen extract was sprayed. The temperature on both sides of the nose increased non‐significantly after nasal allergen challenge. No correlation to data obtained by AAR, AR, and clinical symptom evaluation after nasal allergen challenge was found.Conclusion
We suggest that an increase in mucosal humidity due to the allergic provocation might be responsible for the increase in nasal conditioning capacity because no correlation to changes in nasal perimeter and patency was found.
The allergy epidemic extends beyond the past few decades
Authors: Isolauri E. , Huurre A. , Salminen S. , Impivaara O. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBackground
Increased prevalence of allergic diseases in western societies has been described as an epidemic. The precise turning point for the epidemic and the antigens responsible for it remain obscure.Objective
To evaluate how the prevalence of atopic disease has changed in terms of detectable sensitization to aeroallergens and dietary allergens in a cross‐sectional comparison of subjects from birth cohorts more than 60 years apart.Methods
We studied four groups of 100 subjects each (at ages 7, 27, 47 and 67 years), representing those born in 1990, 1963–66, 1943–46 and in 1923–26, respectively. Serum total and specific IgE concentrations against aeroallergens and dietary allergens were determined. A questionnaire elicited information on symptoms, allergic diseases and medication.Results
The proportion of subjects with detectable IgE antibodies against aeroallergens increased consistently from the oldest to the youngest birth cohorts; χ2 trend=56.809, P<0.0001. Similar progression was not seen in sensitization to dietary allergens. The proportion of those with diagnosed asthma differed significantly (χ2=13.45, P=0.004) across the birth cohorts. The lowest prevalence of asthma and sensitization to dietary allergens was detected in those born in 1943–46, i.e. during or immediately after World War II.Conclusion
Prevalence of sensitization to airborne allergens, unlike that to dietary allergens, has increased over a long period of time. Our results support the concept of the immune function being programmed by external factors early in life. They also call for caution when interpretations of the pace and possible causes of the allergy epidemic are made on the basis of short‐term studies.
Polymorphism of the mast cell chymase gene (CMA1) promoter region: lack of association with asthma but association with serum total immunoglobulin E levels in adult atopic dermatitis
Authors: Iwanaga T. , McEuen A. , Walls A. F. , Clough J. B. , Keith T. P. , Rorke S. , Barton S. J. , Holgate S. T. , Holloway J. W. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBackground
Mast cell chymase has the potential to be an important mediator of inflammation and remodelling in the asthmatic lung. Previous studies have examined association between promoter polymorphism of the chymase gene (CMA1) and allergic phenotypes but the significance of this polymorphism is unclear. We have examined association of a CMA1 variant in relation to asthma in a large UK Caucasian family cohort.Methods
A polymorphism of the CMA1 gene promoter (−1903G/A) was genotyped in 341 asthmatic families and in 184 non‐asthmatic adults recruited from the UK PCR‐RFLP based genotyping. Association with asthma diagnosis, atopy, specific and total IgE, and atopy and asthma severity was examined.Results
Case–control studies did not reveal a significant difference in allele frequency between asthmatics and controls. A significant association was found between CMA1 genotypes and total IgE levels in subjects with self‐reported eczema that remained significant after correction for multiple testing (median total serum IgE GG 297 kU/L, GA 144 kU/L, AA 48.4 kU/L, Pc=0.0032).Conclusion
These data suggest that CMA1 promoter polymorphism does not contribute to asthma susceptibility or severity but may be involved in regulating IgE levels in patients with eczema.
Increased prevalence of asthma and allied diseases among active adolescent tobacco smokers after controlling for passive smoking exposure. A cause for concern?
Authors: Annesi‐Maesano I. , Oryszczyn M. P. , Raherison C. , Kopferschmitt C. , Pauli G. , Taytard A. , Tunon de Lara M. , Vervloet D. , Charpin D. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBackground
Whereas effects on allergic and respiratory health have been established for passive tobacco smoking, contradictory results still exist for active tobacco smoking.Objective
Whether adolescents with asthma and allied diseases have higher rates of active smoking compared with adolescents without asthma was assessed after controlling for environmental tobacco smoking exposure.Methods
A population‐based sample of 14 578 adolescents was enrolled in an epidemiological survey on allergies in France.Results
After controlling for age, sex, geographic region, familial allergy and passive smoking, current (in the past year) wheezing (12.4%), current asthma (5.6%), lifetime asthma (12.3%), current rhinoconjunctivitis (13.9%), lifetime hayfever (14.4%) and current eczema (9.3%) but not lifetime eczema (22.5%) were all significantly related to active smoking (>1 cigarette/day) (9.3%). A higher risk of current wheezing, current and lifetime asthma or current eczema was seen in smokers exposed to passive smoking compared with smokers not exposed to it using a polychotomous logistic regression model, in which the different modalities of exposure to active and passive smoking constituted the response variable. Passive smoking was significantly associated only with current diseases. Active smoking was also highly related to both severe asthma (OR=4.02; 95% confidence interval: 1.37, 11.79) and severe rhinoconjunctivitis (OR=2.95; 1.58, 5.49). The highest rate of adolescents suffering from the co‐morbidity of lifetime asthma and hayfever (3.6%) was also seen in active smokers compared with passive and non‐smokers (5.5% vs. 3.6% and 3.1%, respectively; P=0.001).Conclusions
Being asthmatic or allergic does not seem to act as a deterrent towards starting active smoking or continuing to smoke in adolescence. Results suggest the need for considering individual allergic status in programming health educational activities aimed at reducing smoking among adolescents.
Allergen activates peripheral blood eosinophil nuclear factor‐κB to generate granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐8
Authors: Coward W. R. , Sagara H. , Wilson S. J. , Holgate S. T. , Church M. K. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBackground
Allergic inflammation is characterized by the influx and activation of eosinophils. Cytokines generated by both resident and infiltrating cells are responsible for the initiation and maintenance of this pathogenesis. This study focuses on allergen‐induced activation of eosinophil NF‐κB and generation of granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), TNF‐α, and IL‐8.Methods
Peripheral blood eosinophils were enriched to >99.9% by Percoll gradient sedimentation and negative magnetic affinity chromatography. NF‐κB activation by 10 μg/mL house dust mite (HDM) extract was demonstrated immunocytochemically using a monoclonal antibody against the active form of NF‐κB (NF‐κBa). The authenticity of NF‐κB was confirmed by Western blot. Cytokine production was assessed both by immuno‐staining of eosinophils and by assay of cytokines in the cell supernatant.Results
Activation of peripheral blood eosinophils from atopic, but not non‐atopic, donors induced activation of NF‐κB, which peaked at 4 h and was accompanied by a decline in IκB‐α. The activation of authentic NF‐κB was confirmed in gel shift assays. Supershift assays showed p65 to be the major subunit of eosinophil NF‐κB. Immunofluorescent confocal microscopy demonstrated localization of NF‐κBa to the nucleus. Following activation, cytokine immunoreactivity was seen in a fraction of the eosinophils and cytokines were released into the supernatant. The NF‐κB inhibitors, calpain inhibitor 1 (10 μm), pentoxifylline (0.5 mm), pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, 10 μm) or gliotoxin (1 pg/mL) reduced the generation of GM‐CSF, TNF‐α and IL‐8 in parallel with their inhibition of NF‐κB.Conclusions
HDM allergen activates human eosinophil NF‐κB leading to the production of the cytokines GM‐CSF, TNF‐α and IL‐8. We speculate that a role for eosinophil NF‐κB‐dependent cytokines is to act as an autocrine loop augmenting the survival of eosinophils in vivo.
Nerve growth factor enhances cholinergic innervation and contractile response to electric field stimulation in a murine in vitro model of chronic asthma
Authors: Bachar O. , Adner M. , Uddman R. , Cardell L.‐O. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBackground
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyper‐responsiveness. Alterations in the neurogenic control are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis. Yet, the long‐term interaction between nerves and inflammatory mediators, such as the neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF), are not fully understood much due to the absence of appropriate experimental assays.Objective
To develop an ex vivo mouse organ culture assay and to investigate the effects of NGF on nerve‐mediated airway contractions.Method
Mouse tracheal segments were cultured in periods of up to 16 days. Their contractile responses to electric field stimulation (EFS) were investigated. In addition, the effect of 4 days of NGF treatment was analysed using EFS and immunohistochemistry.Results
EFS (0.2–25.6 Hz) induced reproducible and frequency‐dependent cholinergic contractions of both fresh and cultured tracheal segments. The main part of the EFS response was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. After 4 days in culture, regional differences appeared, with stronger EFS responses in distal than in proximal segments. More nerve fibres were seen in distal segments than in proximal segments. Treatment with NGF during 4 days of culture increased the innervation of the proximal segments, at the same time as the cholinergic contractile responses to EFS were enhanced dose‐dependently.Conclusion
Culture of tracheal segments appears to be a suitable assay for the examination of long‐term effects induced by inflammatory mediators on neurally mediated airway contractions. NGF treatment enhanced the cholinergic, nerve‐dependent contractions and increased the amount of nerve fibres seen in the murine tracheal segments, suggesting a role for NGF in the development of airway hyper‐responsiveness.
The effects of diet, breast‐feeding and weaning on caries risk for pre‐term and low birth weight children
Authors: DAVENPORT E. S. , LITENAS C. , BARBAYIANNIS P. , WILLIAMS C. E. S. 
Published: July 2004

Summary.Objectives. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of dental disease in 3–4‐year‐old children born pre‐term and low birth weight (PLBW) in East London, UK, to make comparisons with normal birth weight children (NBW), and to investigate the impact of dietary habits on the development of dental caries in primary teeth.Design. This was a cross‐sectional study.Subjects and methods. The subjects were 100 children (54 boys and 46 girls) with a mean age (± SD) of 41·70 ± 5·11 months. The children were resident within walking distance of the dental hospital and were invited to attend with their parents. Demographic data and information about feeding practices from infancy to the present were ascertained by structured questionnaire. Dental caries status was determined, and height, weight and head circumference were also measured.Results. Sixty children had experienced dental caries with a mean (± SD) dmft of 2·98 ± 3·93, 25 of whom had a dmft greater than 5. Normal birth weight children (3·00 ± 4·18) and boys (3·55 ± 4·48) had a significantly increased dmft over PLBW children (2·95 ± 3·35) and girls (2·29 ± 3·04). The PLBW children were more likely to have used a bottle from birth and one in four children were still using a bottle at the time of the dental examination. The PLBW children were significantly more likely to eat sugar than NBW children, scoring 5·53 ± 2·10 and 4·61 ± 1·94, respectively.Conclusions. A clear relationship exists between poor diet and PLBW in a group of children resident in the East End of London. Targeted infant feeding programmes, education and support for families with regard to dental care is of importance to avoid an unnecessary amount of dental disease in young children.
Fluid for thought: availability of drinks in primary and secondary schools in Cardiff, UK
Authors: HUNTER M. L. , CHESTNUTT I. G. , EVANS S. M. , WITHECOMBE A. C. 
Published: July 2004

Summary.Objective. While adequate hydration is undoubtedly essential for health, well‐being, performance and learning, it is important to recognize that drinks may also have significant detrimental effects on both general and dental health. Since, on weekdays, at least half of a child's recommended daily fluid intake must be imbibed at school, this study sought to examine the provision of drinks in that setting.Subjects and methods. A self‐administered postal questionnaire study was sent to the head teachers of all 107 state primary and all 20 state secondary schools in Cardiff, South Wales, UK.Results. A response rate of 81·9% was achieved. Children had access to fresh drinking water from at least one drinking fountain in 69 (66·4%) of the 104 schools who responded to the questionnaire. Milk was available in 69 (80·2%) of the 86 responding primary schools. Sixteen (88·9%) of the 18 responding secondary schools had drink vending machines selling a variety of drinks.Conclusions. While primary schools appear largely to restrict the availability of drinks to those conducive to the maintenance of good general and dental health, secondary schools appear to foster the use of vending machines. Guidelines should be developed on the use and content of vending machines in schools in order to both meet school objectives and promote healthy choices.
Defective enamel ultrastructure in diabetic rodents
Authors: ATAR M. , ATAR‐ZWILLENBERG D. R. , VERRY P. , SPORNITZ U. M. 
Published: July 2004

Summary.We investigated six different types of diabetic rodents. Four expressed a genetic obesity resulting in diabetes. One developed diabetes induced by a diet‐dependent obesity, and one with genetic diabetes received anti‐diabetic medication. The tooth samples were examined under a scanning electron microscope and with an energy dispersive microanalysis (EDX). The electron micrographs showed severe, varying degrees of damage within the six different diabetic animal types, such as irregular crystallite deposition and prism perforations in genetically obese animals compared to less‐disordered prism structures in diet‐dependent obesity. Anti‐diabetic medication resulted in normal enamel ultrastructure. The EDX analysis revealed a reduction in the amount of calcium and phosphorus in all regions affected by diabetes. Based on these animal studies, we suggest that both juvenile diabetes type I (in infants) and adult diabetes type II (in pregnant mothers, affecting the developing foetus) may affect the normal development of teeth in humans.
Fluoride content in bottled waters, juices and carbonated soft drinks in Mexico City, Mexico
Authors: JIMÉNEZ‐FARFÁN M. D. , HERNÁNDEZ‐GUERRERO J. C. , LOYOLA‐RODRÍGUEZ J. P. , LEDESMA‐MONTES C. 
Published: July 2004

Summary.Objective. The objective of this study was to analyse 283 samples of soft drinks available in the metropolitan market of Mexico City, Mexico: 105 juices, 101 nectars, 57 carbonated drinks and 20 bottled waters.Materials and methods. Samples of the beverages were analysed using an Orion 720A potentiometer and an Orion 9609BN F ion‐specific electrode.Results. Fluoride concentration in the above‐mentioned products ranged from 0·07 to 1·42 p.p.m. It was found that fluoride concentrations varied according to the brand, flavour and presentation of the product. The highest mean concentration of fluoride was found in the juices and cola drinks (0·67 ± 0·38 and 0·49 ± 0·41 p.p.m., respectively). The mean fluoride concentration for carbonated drinks was 0·43 ± 0·36 p.p.m. Bottled waters had a fluoride concentration of 0·21 ± 0·08 p.p.m.Conclusions. The findings suggest that fluoride ingested through bottled drinks represents an important part of the total fluoride ingested by the population. In view of the wide variation of fluoride concentration in the tested products, it is necessary to implement regulatory guidelines for controlling its concentration in order to prevent dental fluorosis.
Phylogeographical structure, distribution and genetic variation of the green algaeUlva intestinalisandU. compressa(Chlorophyta) in the Baltic Sea area
Authors: LESKINEN E. , ALSTRÖM‐RAPAPORT C. , PAMILO P. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe marine algaeUlva intestinalisandU. compressaare morphologically plastic with many overlapping characters and are therefore difficult to distinguish from each other. The present distribution ofU. intestinalisandU. compressais investigated along the salinity gradient in the Baltic Sea area through analyses of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. Also, the amount and distribution of intraspecific genetic polymorphism in the ITS region is studied allowing inferences on the phylogeographical pattern and postglacial recolonization of the Baltic Sea area. The data show that of the two species onlyU. intestinalisoccurs in the Baltic Sea. The distribution ofU. compressais more restricted than previously reported, and it was not found in salinities lower than 15 ppt. All of Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea were covered with ice during the last ice age and the organisms in the Baltic Sea must have colonized the area after the ice had started to melt. The genetic diversity ofU. intestinalisandU. compressain the Baltic Sea and the neighbouring area was found to be reduced compared to that in the British Isles. This reduction may be the result of either a historical reduction of diversity or an adaptation of specific clones to the northern environmental conditions.
Camouflaged invasion of Lake Malawi by an Oriental gastropod
Authors: GENNER MARTIN J. , MICHEL ELLINOR , ERPENBECK DIRK , DE VOOGD NICOLE , WITTE FRANS , POINTIER JEAN‐PIERRE 
Published: July 2004

AbstractIn this study we report the first animal invasion, to our knowledge, into Lake Malawi. The colonizer is a non‐native morph of the gastropod Melanoides tuberculata that differs substantially in external shell characters from co‐occurring indigenous forms. However, because the species possesses extensive within‐Africa geographical variation in shell morphology, it was unclear whether the invasion was range expansion of a native African morph, or a colonization from elsewhere. Mitochondrial DNA sequences indicate a southeast Asian origin for the invader, suggesting that shell variation found among indigenous allopatric populations camouflaged an intercontinental invasion.
Natural selection of the major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) in Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae)
Authors: JARVI SUSAN I. , TARR CHERYL L. , MCINTOSH CARL E. , ATKINSON CARTER T. , FLEISCHER ROBERT C. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe native Hawaiian honeycreepers represent a classic example of adaptive radiation and speciation, but currently face one the highest extinction rates in the world. Although multiple factors have likely influenced the fate of Hawaiian birds, the relatively recent introduction of avian malaria is thought to be a major factor limiting honeycreeper distribution and abundance. We have initiated genetic analyses of class II β chain Mhc genes in four species of honeycreepers using methods that eliminate the possibility of sequencing mosaic variants formed by cloning heteroduplexed polymerase chain reaction products. Phylogenetic analyses group the honeycreeper Mhc sequences into two distinct clusters. Variation within one cluster is high, with dN > dS and levels of diversity similar to other studies of Mhc (B system) genes in birds. The second cluster is nearly invariant and includes sequences from honeycreepers (Fringillidae), a sparrow (Emberizidae) and a blackbird (Emberizidae). This highly conserved cluster appears reminiscent of the independently segregating Rfp‐Y system of genes defined in chickens. The notion that balancing selection operates at the Mhc in the honeycreepers is supported by transpecies polymorphism and strikingly high dN/dS ratios at codons putatively involved in peptide interaction. Mitochondrial DNA control region sequences were invariant in the i’iwi, but were highly variable in the ‘amakihi. By contrast, levels of variability of class II β chain Mhc sequence codons that are hypothesized to be directly involved in peptide interactions appear comparable between i’iwi and ‘amakihi. In the i’iwi, natural selection may have maintained variation within the Mhc, even in the face of what appears to a genetic bottleneck.