bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of non‐selective, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 selective inhibitors on the PFA‐100 closure time
Authors: Blaicher A. M. , Landsteiner H. T. , Zwerina J. , Leitgeb U. , Volf I. , Hoerauf K. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryThe place of cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2 selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the peri‐operative period remains under discussion. Due to the absence of COX‐2 in platelets, the risk of bleeding in patients who use selective NSAIDs is thought to be decreased. We studied the influence of aspirin, diclofenac, lornoxicam and rofecoxib on the in vitro bleeding time using the platelet function analyser (PFA‐100). The PFA‐100 simulates the process of platelet adhesion and aggregation after vascular injury in vitro. Measurements in 43 volunteers were performed at three time points: before, 3 h, and 12 h after oral ingestion of one of the randomly assigned study medications. Aspirin, diclofenac and lornoxicam had a significant effect on the in vitro closure time, while rofecoxib did not show this effect. This supports the use of COX‐2 selective drugs in the peri‐operative period to minimise the risk of bleeding.
A BIS‐guided study of sevoflurane requirements for adequate depth of anaesthesia in Caesarean section
Authors: Chin K. J. , Yeo S. W. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryCaesarean section carries a high risk of awareness, especially in the period prior to neonatal delivery. We investigated the concentration of sevoflurane required to maintain bispectral index (BIS) < 60 until delivery occurred. We enrolled 23 parturients into an up–down sequential allocation study. The median effective end‐tidal concentration (EC50) of sevoflurane was defined as that which maintained BIS < 60 between skin incision and delivery in 50% of patients. This was calculated using Dixon and Massey's method. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to establish BIS response probability thresholds. The EC50 for sevoflurane was 1.22% (1.08–1.33, 95% CI). The probability of maintaining BIS < 60 was < 55% at a concentration of < 1.1%; this increased to 80% at concentrations of 1.2–1.3%. We conclude that sevoflurane concentrations of at least 1.2–1.3% should be administered in uncomplicated Caesarean section, so as to minimise the risk of awareness and recall.
A prospective audit of cost of sedation, analgesia and neuromuscular blockade in a large British ICU
Authors: Al‐Haddad M. , Hayward I. , Walsh T. S. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBottom‐up costs of sedative, analgesic and neuromuscular blocking drugs used in the intensive care unit have not been reported. We performed a prospective audit of the cost of these drugs using a bottom‐up approach by prospectively recording the daily amount of drugs administered to patients over a 3‐month period. Of 172 admissions, complete data were collected for 155 (92%). Propofol and alfentanil were the drugs most commonly used, being administered to 136 (88%) and 106 (68%) patients, respectively. The total cost was £14 070, which was 81% of the pharmacy figure (based on central purchasing). Ninety‐four per cent of the cost was for drugs administered to the 50% of patients who stayed in the intensive care unit longer than 48 h. The median (interquartile range [range]) cost per day was £9.30 (3.60–20.10 [0–61.20]). This represents less than 1% of reported total daily cost of intensive care per patient.
Extensive in vitro cross‐reactivity to seed storage proteins is present among walnut (Juglans) cultivars and species
Authors: Comstock S. S. , McGranahan G. , Peterson W. R. , Teuber S. S. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
Tree nuts, including English walnuts (Juglans regia), are sources of food allergens often associated with life‐threatening allergic reactions. It is unknown if seed storage proteins from other Juglans species have IgE epitopes similar to those of the important English walnut allergens, Jug r 1 (2S albumin) and Jug r 2 (vicilin‐like).Objective
To screen for potential germplasm sources of hypoallergenic seed storage proteins of relevance in walnut food allergy. We sought to identify English walnut cultivars (cvs) or other Juglans species that showed decreased IgE binding to major seed storage proteins or an inability to cross‐react with Jug r 1 or Jug r 2.Methods
We determined if IgE in sera of patients who have had life‐threatening systemic reactions to English walnut bound protein extracts from all tested walnut cvs (57 cvs total) or species (six) by Western immunoblot. Further, we used immunoblot inhibition to determine the in vitro cross‐reactivity of Jug r 1 and Jug r 2, native and recombinant, with several walnut species.Results
All walnut cvs and species contain allergenic proteins. Furthermore, as shown by in vitro immunoblot inhibition, the major walnut allergens in the species tested cross‐reacted with those in J. regia cv. Chandler and J. nigra cv. Thomas extracts.Conclusions
Based on our findings, it is unlikely that a composite hypoallergenic walnut could be bred from available germplasm. In addition, patients with severe allergy to English walnut are likely to be clinically allergic to all commercial English walnut cvs and other closely related Juglans species.
Ovalbumin‐specific immunoglobulin G and subclass responses through the first 5 years of life in relation to duration of egg sensitization and the development of asthma
Authors: Vance G. H. S. , Thornton C. A. , Bryant T. N. , Warner J. A. , Warner J. O. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
Egg sensitization, particularly persistent sensitization, is a risk factor for later asthma. However, little is known about accompanying IgG and subclass responses and how they might relate to asthmatic outcome.Objective
To characterize hen's egg ovalbumin (OVA) IgG and subclass responses through the first 5 years of life in relation to duration of egg sensitization and later asthma.Subjects and methods
The subjects (n=46) formed part of a larger cohort, born to atopic parents, who had been evaluated prospectively for the development of asthma. Egg sensitization was classified as transient (positive egg skin prick test at 1 year only) or persistent (positive skin test for at least 2 years). Plasma OVA IgG, IgG1 and IgG4 concentrations at birth (cord), 6 months, 1 and 5 years of age were measured by ELISA.Results
The kinetics of OVA IgG and IgG1 responses, but not IgG4, differed between egg sensitized and non‐egg sensitized (NES) children. Only persistently sensitized children had a rise in OVA IgG1 concentration through the first year of life, and at 1 year of age they had significantly higher OVA IgG and IgG1 than either transiently sensitized or NES children. High OVA IgG1 was associated with later asthma: at 1 year of age, OVA IgG1 greater than 14 500 U predicted asthma with a sensitivity 64% and specificity 74%.Conclusion
OVA IgG and subclass responses relate to the duration of egg sensitization. Measurement of OVA IgG1 concentration in infancy might offer a useful adjunct to identify those at an increased risk of asthma.
T‐helper 2 cytokines attenuate senescent eosinophil activation by the CXCR4 ligand stromal‐derived factor‐1α (CXCL12)
Authors: Dulkys Y. , Buschermöhle T. , Escher S. E. , Kapp A. , Elsner J. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
Different chemokine receptors have been suggested to play a pivotal role in allergic diseases and therefore to be relevant for the activation of effector cells and propagation of the inflammatory response. The CXC chemokine receptor CXCR4 has recently been found on the surface of eosinophils implicating a role in allergic diseases.Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the functional expression of CXCR4 on senescent eosinophils. Moreover, we questioned whether the cytokine profile – T‐helper (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines – affect the activation of eosinophils via the CXCR4 that could be important for the different phases of the allergic reaction.Methods
CXCR4 expression on human eosinophils was analysed by flow cytometry and RT‐PCR. Functional analyses of intracellular calcium fluxes, actin polymerization, release of reactive oxygen species and, chemotaxis were carried out using spectrofluorometry, flow cytometry, chemiluminescence and modified Boyden chamber technique.Results
Whole blood and freshly isolated eosinophils weakly express CXCR4 surface protein. Incubation in culture medium without addition of cytokines for 24 h always lead to strong CXCR4 surface expression that paralleled with stromal‐derived factor‐1α (CXCL12)‐induced eosinophil activation. Stimulation of eosinophils with CXCL12 leads to an internalization of CXCR4, which could be prevented by phenylarsine oxide. Co‐incubation of eosinophils with Th2 cytokines such as IL‐3, IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐13, and granulocyte macrophage‐colony stimulating factor prevented the expression of CXCR4 and affected eosinophil activation after stimulation with the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. From these cytokines, IL‐3 was the only cytokine completely inhibited intracellular calcium fluxes and chemotaxis of eosinophils in response to CXCL12.Conclusion
Senescent eosinophils express functional CXCR4 receptors, which are prevented by Th2 cytokines that are found in the early phase of allergic reaction. Therefore, CXCR4 activation of eosinophils seems to be important in the chronic phase of allergic reaction, which is dominated by a Th1 cytokine profile.
Assessment of recombinant dog allergens Can f 1 and Can f 2 for the diagnosis of dog allergy
Authors: Saarelainen S. , Taivainen A. , Rytkönen‐Nissinen M. , Auriola S. , Immonen A. , Mäntyjärvi R. , Rautiainen J. , Kinnunen T. , Virtanen T. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
The use of recombinant allergens for the diagnosis and immunotherapy of allergy may offer several advantages over allergen extracts.Objective
To produce recombinant dog allergens Can f 1 and Can f 2 in Pichia pastoris yeast and to assess their suitability for the diagnosis of dog allergy.Methods
Clinically diagnosed dog‐allergic patients' and healthy non‐atopic dog owners' reactivities against recombinant Can f 1 and Can f 2 and commercial dog epithelial extract were studied by a panel of methods including skin prick test (SPT), ELISA and IgE immunoblotting.Results
Recombinant Can f 1 and Can f 2 were found immunologically functional: they bound dog‐allergic patients' IgE in immunoblotting and inhibited specifically the binding of IgE to their natural counterparts in the dog allergen extract. Moreover, patients' IgE reactivity in immunoblotting to natural Can f 1 and their SPT with the recombinant allergen were perfectly concordant (φ coefficient 1.0, P<0.001). The concordance was slightly lower with recombinant Can f 2 (φ coefficient 0.92, P<0.001). A lower number of dog‐allergic patients, 52%, reacted against Can f 1 than previously reported. About one‐third of the patients reacted to Can f 2. In immunoblotting, the highest prevalence of reactivity, 60%, was directed to an 18 kDa component. Aminoterminal sequencing showed this to be a previously unidentified allergenic protein.Conclusions
The recombinant allergens can be used reliably to identify Can f 1 and Can f 2‐sensitized individuals. However, the two allergens are insufficient as reagents for diagnosing dog allergy.
Birch pollen rupture and the release of aerosols of respirable allergens
Authors: Taylor P. E. , Flagan R. C. , Miguel A. G. , Valenta R. , Glovsky M. M. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackgound
Birch pollen allergens have been implicated as asthma triggers; however, pollen grains are too large to reach the lower airways where asthmatic reactions occur. Respirable‐sized particles containing birch pollen allergens have been detected in air filters, especially after rainfall but the source of these particles has remained speculative.Objective
To determine the processes by which birch pollen allergens become airborne particles of respirable size with the potential to contribute to airways inflammation.Methods
Branches with attached male catkins were harvested and placed in a controlled emission chamber. Filtered dry air was passed through the chamber until the anthers opened, then they were humidified for 5 h and air‐dried again. Flowers were disturbed by wind generated from a small electric fan. Released particles were counted, measured and collected for immuno‐labelling and high‐resolution microscopy.Results
Birch pollen remains on the dehisced anther and can rupture in high humidity and moisture. Fresh pollen takes as long as 3 h to rupture in water. Drying winds released an aerosol of particles from catkins. These were fragments of pollen cytoplasm that ranged in size from 30 nm to 4 μm and contained Bet v 1 allergens.Conclusion
When highly allergenic birch trees are flowering and exposed to moisture followed by drying winds they can produce particulate aerosols containing pollen allergens. These particles are small enough to deposit in the peripheral airways and have the potential to induce an inflammatory response.
Food allergy and non‐allergic food hypersensitivity in children and adolescents
Authors: Roehr C. C. , Edenharter G. , Reimann S. , Ehlers I. , Worm M. , Zuberbier T. , Niggemann B. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
Previous studies have shown a 10‐fold discrepancy of self‐reported food‐induced symptoms and physician‐diagnosed food hypersensitivity. Little information is available on the prevalence of food hypersensitivity in unselected paediatric populations. No data were available for German children.Objective
To study the perception of food‐induced symptoms in the paediatric population, to investigate the allergens accused, to objectify patients' reports, and to identify subgroups at risk of having food‐induced allergy (FA) or non‐allergic food hypersensitivity (NAFH) reactions.Methods
This paper presents the data of the paediatric group (0–17 years) of a representative, randomly sampled, cross‐sectional population‐based survey studying 13 300 inhabitants of the German capital city Berlin regarding food‐related symptoms. Instruments included mailed questionnaires, structured telephone interviews, physical examination, skin‐prick tests, specific serum IgE and standardized, controlled and blinded oral food challenges.Results
Two thousand three hundred and fifty‐four individuals were contacted by mailed questionnaire, 739 (31.4%) responses could be fully evaluated. Four hundred and fifty‐five (61.5%) participants reported symptoms related to food ingestion, 284 (38.4%) affirmed reproducible symptoms in the standardized telephone interview. One hundred and eighty‐four (24.8%) individuals were fully examined. Reproducible symptoms to food were found in 31 (4.2%) children and adolescents: 26 (3.5%) showed symptoms of FA and five (0.7%) of NAFH. The oral allergy syndrome was most often observed. Foods most commonly identified by oral challenges were apple, hazelnut, soy, kiwi, carrot and wheat.Conclusion: The perception of food‐related symptoms is common among children and adolescents from the general population. Self‐reports could be confirmed in around one out of 10 individuals, still resulting in 4.2% of proven clinical symptoms. However, most reactions were mild and mainly because of pollen‐associated FA, while NAFH reactions were less common. Severe IgE‐mediated FA was observed in individuals with pre‐existing atopic disease, who should be fully investigated for clinically relevant FA.
Non‐anaphylactic surface‐exposed peptides of the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, for preventive vaccination
Authors: Focke M. , Linhart B. , Hartl A. , Wiedermann U. , Sperr W. R. , Valent P. , Thalhamer J. , Kraft D. , Valenta R. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
Almost 100 million allergic patients are sensitized to the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, a 17 kDa protein containing most of the IgE epitopes present in pollens of trees belonging to the Fagales order and plant‐derived food.Objective
Our aim was to develop an approach for the rational design of B cell epitope‐derived, non‐allergenic peptide allergy vaccines.Methods
According to the three‐dimensional (3‐D) structure of birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, six peptides comprising 25–32 preferably solvent‐exposed amino acids were synthesized.Results
Because of lack of secondary structure, the peptides showed no allergenic activity in allergic patients. In a mouse model of birch pollen allergy, peptide vaccination induced Bet v 1‐specific IgG and prevented IgE‐mediated allergic sensitization to Bet v 1. The protective role of peptide‐induced blocking antibodies is demonstrated by inhibition of allergic patients IgE binding to the allergen and by blocking of allergen‐induced basophil degranulation.Conclusion
Our results indicate the mechanistic importance of blocking antibodies for allergy vaccination and present a B cell epitope‐based approach for the rational design of safe peptide allergy vaccines whenever the structure of the disease‐eliciting allergen is known.
Dynamic changes in sensitization to specific aeroallergens in children raised in a desert environment
Authors: Stern D. A. , Lohman I. C. , Wright A. L. , Taussig L. M. , Martinez F. D. , Halonen M. 
Published: October 2004

SummaryBackground
Allergen skin test reactivity and total serum IgE are objective measures used to characterize and help diagnose allergic diseases. Cross‐sectional studies have shown that overall aeroallergen skin test reactivity increases throughout childhood. However, little attention has been paid to whether individual aeroallergen remittance occurs, which could distort or mask relationships to disease.Objective
To access the incidence and remittance of skin test reactions to individual allergens in children aged 6–11 years.Methods
Longitudinal sensitization to six aeroallergens and total IgE were assessed in 828 children raised in the semi‐arid US southwest at ages 6 and 11 years.Results
New sensitization (to any allergen) between 6 and 11 years occurred in 30.2% of children compared with 39.7% before age 6 years. The rate of complete remittance from positive to negative between ages 6 and 11 years was 8.2%, and total IgE at age 6 years was not predictive. Remittance rates for individual allergens were high and variable (19–49%). The perennial allergens Bermuda and Alternaria were early sensitizers and had low remittance rates. Early sensitization to the four seasonal allergens was less common and more subject to remittance with the bulk of sensitization occurring between 6 and 11 years.Conclusion
This study shows that sensitization to individual aeroallergens in childhood is dynamic and indicates the limitation of single point assessment of skin test reactivity.
Overcompensation and grazing optimisation in a swan–pondweed system?
Authors: Nolet Bart A. 
Published: October 2004

Summary1. The general notion is that negative effects of vertebrate herbivores on water plants, which play a key role in freshwaters, prevail, and that positive feedbacks of herbivores on plants are insignificant.2. The most likely systems to find such positive feedbacks are those in which herbivores exert strong feeding pressures on plants during part of the year. Previous theoretical work has suggested that compensatory production occurs when migratory Bewick's swans forage on tubers of fennel pondweed. As a corollary, the swans can exploit the tubers down to a level that maximises their tuber yield.3. In order to test these hypotheses, I measured pondweed tuber biomass on three occasions per year (just before and after foraging, and just before tuber sprouting) in three consecutive years. The 17 sampling sites in the Lauwersmeer (the Netherlands) were classified according to their silt content and water depth. Within four silt‐depth classes, I predicted for each year tuber biomass production and, from that, the optimum foraging threshold that would result in the maximum tuber biomass yield.4. Water depth did not affect tuber production, and silt content only did in one of the 3 years. In accordance with overcompensation predictions, tuber production was higher at plots with moderate foraging pressures than at plots with little or no grazing. However, the winter and summer conditions following the swan foraging had large unpredictable effects on tuber mortality and production.5. These results indicate that overcompensation by fennel pondweed occurs and that Bewick's swans are generally able to profit from it, albeit without fine‐tuning of the foraging threshold to the yield.
Seasonal and interannual variation of bacterial production in lowland rivers of the Orinoco basin
Authors: Castillo María M. , David Allan J. , Sinsabaugh Robert L. , Kling George W. 
Published: October 2004

Summary1. We examined the influence of hydrologic seasonality on temporal variation of planktonic bacterial production (BP) in relatively undisturbed lowland rivers of the middle Orinoco basin, Venezuela. We sampled two clearwater and two blackwater rivers over 2 years for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chlorophyll, phosphorus and bacterial abundance to determine their relationship to temporal variation in BP.2. Dissolved organic carbon concentration was greater in blackwater (543–664 μm) than in clearwater rivers (184–240 μm), and was generally higher during periods of rising and high water compared with low water. Chlorophyll concentration peaked (3 μg L−1) during the first year of study when discharge was lowest, particularly in blackwater rivers. Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) was very low in the study rivers (<3.8 μg L−1) and concentration increased during low water.3. Average BP was higher in clearwater (0.20–0.26 μg C L−1 h−1) than in blackwater rivers (0.14–0.17 μg C L−1 h−1), although mean bacterial abundance was similar among rivers (0.6–0.8 × 106 cells mL−1).4. Periods of higher chlorophyll a concentration (low water) or flushing of terrestrial organic material (rising water) were accompanied by higher BP, while low BP was observed during the period of high water.5. Interannual variation in BP was influenced by variations in discharge related to El Niño Southern Oscillation events.6. Seasonal variation in BP in the study rivers and other tropical systems was relatively small compared with seasonal variation in temperate rivers and lakes. In addition to the low seasonal variation of temperature in the tropics, low overall human disturbance could result in less variation in the inputs of nutrients and carbon to the study rivers compared with more disturbed temperate systems.
Seasonal variation in the thermal performance of juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Finstad Anders G. , Næsje Tor F. , Forseth Torbjørn 
Published: October 2004

Summary1. Experimental data on the maximum growth and food consumption of winter‐acclimatised Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) juveniles from three Norwegian rivers situated at 59 and 70°N were compared with predictions from published models of growth and food consumption of summer‐acclimatised fish from the same populations.2. All winter‐acclimatised fish maintained positive growth and a substantial energy intake over the whole range of experimental temperature (1–6 °C). This contrasted with predictions from growth models based on summer acclimatised Atlantic salmon, where growth and energy intake ceased at approximately 5 °C.3. Growth and food consumption varied significantly among populations. Winter‐acclimatised fish from a Northern population had a higher mass‐specific growth rate, higher energy intake and higher growth efficiency than southern populations, which is contrary to predictions from models developed using summer‐acclimatised salmon, where fish from the Northern population had the lowest growth efficiency.4. The experiment provides evidence that thermal performance varies seasonally and suggests adaptation to the annual thermal regime.