bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelluntersuchungen zur Impedanzwirksamkeit Lebensmittelhygienisch Relevanter Bakterienatten
Authors: Schulenburg J. , Bergann T.
Published: May 2010

Model Investigations of Impedance Effectiveness Concerning Bacteria with Relevance to Food Hygiene

The impedance technique mostly meets today's requirements of microbiological rapid methods. At relatively high prime cost for the equipment the advantages are marked by low personnel and material costs as well as swiftness combined with highly flexible usage. The method is applicable for both quantitative and qualitative examinations but can fail occasionally in total count determination, especially if the sample material contains heterogeneous microbes. In model investigations with 53 strains of 17 different genera Enterobacteriaceae strains, Aeromonads and Enterococcus strains proved to be highly impedance effective. Lactobacillus strains and Pseudomonads as well as Staphylococcus aureus strains showed a low impedance effectiveness. Several strains, for example of the genera Micrococcus, Acinetobacter and Brochothrix, did not show any changes of the medium impedance under the chosen conditions. Criterion for characterization of impedance effectiveness was the impedance detection time starting with identical initial counts (103 cfu/ml). Impedance effectiveness of microbes was determined at highly varying degree by the parameters of generation time, lag‐phase duration and relative activity. This can lead either to wrong negative (underestimations) or wrong positive (overestimations) results of bacterial count.

Die Impedanztechnik wird aktuellen Anforderungen an mikrobiologische Schnellmethoden weitgehend gerecht. Bei relativ hohen Anschaffungskosten für das Gerätesystem bestechen geringer Personal‐ und Materialaufwand sowie die Schnelligkeit der Untersuchung bei großer Variabilität in der Anwendung. Die Technik ist für qualitative und quantitative Fragestellungen gleichermaßen anwendbar, sie versagt aber zuweilen bei der Gesamtkeimzahlbestimmung, wenn Probenmaterial mikrobiell sehr heterogen beschaffen ist. In Modelluntersuchungen mit insgesamt 53 Bakterienstämmen 17 verschiedener Genera erwiesen sich Enterobacteriaceae‐Stämme, Aeromonaden und Enterokokken als stark impedanzwirksam. Laktobazillen, Pseudomonaden sowie Staphylococcus aureus‐Stämme waren dagegen von nur mäßiger Aktivität. Verschiedene Stämme zeigten unter den gewählten Versuchsbedingungen keine Veränderung der Medienimpedanz, etwa Stämme der Gattungen Micrococcus und Acinetobacter sowie Brochothrix thermosphacta. Kriterium für die Charakterisierung der Impedanzwirksamkeit war die Impedanz‐Detektionszeit bei einheitlichen Ausgangszahlen (103 KbE/ml). Die Parameter—Generationszeit, Dauer der lag‐Phase und Relative Aktivität—prägten die Impedanzwirksamkeit der Genera und Spezies in sehr unterschiedlichem Maße. Dies kann insgesamt bei Keimzahlbestimmungen zu falsch negativen (Unterschäzungen) oder auch falsch positiven (Überschätzungen) Ergebnissen führen.
Properties of Serological Group B Streptococci of Dog, Cat and Monkey Origin
Authors: Lämmler C. , Abdulmawjood A. , Weiß R.
Published: May 2010

This study was designed to identify and characterize furtherStreptococcus agalactiaeisolated during routine diagnostics from three diseased dogs and a cat, as well as from the inner organs of a monkey which died on a sepsis with β‐haemolytic streptococci. The cultures could be identified as streptococci of serological group B by cultural, biochemical and serological properties and by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified 16S ribosomal DNA. A further characterization of the isolates by serotyping and by determination of antibiotic resistances revealed a close relationship of these isolates to the human biotype of this species.
Haemonchus contortus: Characterization and Purification of Excretory/Secretory Protease(s)
Authors: Kocher D. K. , Ahuja S. P. , Sood M. L.
Published: May 2010

The activity of protease(s) has been examined separately in excretory/secretory (E/S) products from male and female Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae). The E/S proteolytic activity indicated the presence of preabsorptive digestion of host blood and/or tissues. Protease activity was optimum at 37 °C, pH 8.5 and 8.0 mg casein. These protease(s) were purified to 32.16‐ and 88.80‐folds from male and female E/S products, respectively, by sequential purification with saturated ammonium sulphate followed by ion‐exchange chromatography. The purification study revealed the presence of isomeric forms of protease(s) in the E/S products of H. contortus.
Erysipelothrix Septicaemia in Neonatal Lambs
Authors: Rad M. , Seifi H. A. , Movassaghi A. R.
Published: May 2010

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (insidiosa) is the well‐known causative agent of erysipelas septicaemia in swine (Radostits et al., 1994). Erysipelothrix infection also occurs in sheep. The most common manifestation in sheep is polyarthritis and lameness (Jubb et al., 1985; Giles, 1981). Other reported forms of the infection are valvular endocarditis (MacLachlan, 1978), abortion (Schmitz and Sonn, 1984), pneumonia in adult sheep, septicaemia with pulmonary abscessation in adult ewes (Griffiths et al., 1991), septicaemia with diarrhoea, and arthritis, meningitis (Nicolas et al., 1980) and cutaneous infections (Griffiths et al., 1991). An unusual form of erysipelas infection in sheep was reported as localized multiple abscesses in spleen (Afnan and Tadjbackche, 1974). This report describes the occurrence of erysipelas septicaemia in neonatal lambs.
Subtyping of Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis Isolated from Bovine Mammary Secretions by DNA Fingerprinting
Authors: Gillespie B. E. , Jayarao B. M. , Pankey J. W. , Oliver S. P.
Published: May 2010

Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis isolated from mammary secretions of cows from Tennessee and New Zealand were subtyped using polymerase chain reaction‐based DNA fingerprinting. Such DNA fingerprinting using primer 8.6d (5′‐GTAACGCC3′) resulted in categorizing 116 S. dysgalactiae isolates into 25 different subtypes, with 17 subtypes observed in isolates from Tennessee and eight in isolates from New Zealand. All S. dysgalactiae DNA fingerprint profiles, regardless of origin, contained 700‐ and 330‐base pair fragments. The majority of S. dysgalactiae isolates (73%) from Tennessee belonged to two subtypes. The remaining 23 isolates belonged to 15 different DNA fingerprint subtypes. Streptococcus dysgalactiae isolates from New Zealand (n = 32) were grouped into eight different subtypes; 66% belonged to two subtypes. A characteristic feature of S. dysgalactiae isolates from New Zealand was the presence of a 270‐base pair DNA fragment seen infrequently in S. dysgalactiae isolates from Tennessee. When primer OPE‐4 (5′‐GTGACATGCC‐3′) was used, DNA fingerprinting differentiated S. uberis from Tennessee (n = 28) and New Zealand (n = 30) into 20 subtypes; 14 subtypes were observed in isolates from Tennessee, and six in isolates from New Zealand. All S. uberis DNA fingerprint profiles, regardless of origin, contained 1100‐, 640‐, and 450‐base pair fragments. A characteristic feature of S. uberis isolates from New Zealand was the presence of a 300‐base pair DNA fragment seen infrequently in S. uberis isolates from Tennessee. The most common subtypes of S. dysgalactiae and S. uberis from Tennessee herds were isolated in milk from lactating cows during monthly herd surveys, in milk from cows with clinical mastitis, and in mammary secretions from cows during the periparturient period, and thus were not confined to one particular stage of lactation. These data suggest that S. dysgalactiae and S. uberis from New Zealand are distinct from those isolated from the USA, and that DNA fingerprinting can be used as an epidemiological tool to differentiate streptococci and identify important sources of these mastitis pathogens on dairy farms.
Age‐Related Plasma Chemistry Findings in the Buff‐Crested Bustard (Eupodotis ruficrista gindiana)
Authors: Bailey T. A. , Wernery H. , Howlett J. , Naldo J. , Samour J. H.
Published: May 2010

Blood samples were obtained from adult (> 1.5 years) and juvenile (2–8 weeks, 9–16 weeks and 17–24 weeks) captive buff‐crested bustards (Eupodotis ruficrista gindiana) to study age‐related changes. A total of twelve different tests were conducted using a Hitachi 90011 wet chemistry analyzer. A comparison of the values obtained was made between adult and juvenile buff‐crested bustards and from the literature with other bustard species. Significant differences between adult and juvenile buff‐crested bustards were found for glucose, uric acid, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate amino transferase and calcium. The results obtained from this study provide blood chemistry values for this species and demonstrate age‐related differences between adult and juvenile birds.
Late Mesozoic subduction‐induced hydrothermal gold deposits along the eastern Asian and northern Californian margins: Oceanic versus continental lithospheric underflow
Authors: Ernst Wallace Gary
Published: May 2010

During late Mesozoic subduction of paleo‐Pacific lithospheric plates, numerous gold vein deposits formed in the Dabie–Sulu Belt of east‐central China plus its east‐Asian extensions, and in the Klamath Mountains plus Sierran Foothills of northern California. In eastern Asia, earlier transpression and continental collision at about 305–210 Ma generated a high pressure–ultrahigh pressure orogen, but failed to produce widespread intermediate to felsic magmatism or abundant hydrothermal gold deposits. Similarly in northern California, strike‐slip ± minor transtension–transpression over the interval of about 380–160 Ma resulted in the episodic stranding of oceanic terranes, but generated few granitoid magmas or Au ore bodies. However, for both continental margin realms, nearly head‐on Cretaceous destruction of oceanic lithosphere involved sustained underflow; reaching magmagenic depths of about 100 km, the descending mafic‐ultramafic plates dewatered, producing voluminous calc‐alkaline arc magmas. Ascent of these plutons into the middle and upper crust released CO2 ± S‐bearing aqueous fluids and/or devolatilized the contact‐metamorphosed wall rocks. Such hydrothermal fluids transported gold along fractures and fault zones, precipitating it locally in response to cooling, fluid mixing, and/or reactions with wall rocks of contrasting compositions (e.g. serpentinite, marble). In contrast, where sialic crust was subducted to depths of about 100 km, only minor production of granitoid melts occurred, and few major coeval Au vein deposits formed. The mobilization of precious metal‐bearing fluids in continental margin and island arc environments apparently requires long‐continued, nearly orthogonal descent of oceanic, not continental, lithosphere.
Monitoring 6‐thioguanine nucleotide concentrations in Japanese children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Arai Katsuhiro , Aoyagi Yo , Fujii Tohru , Yamakawa Yoko , Ohtani Kiyotaka , Ikuse Tamaki , Baba Yosuke , Inage Eisuke , Kudo Takahiro , Suzuki Ryuyo , Nagata Satoru , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  6‐Mercaptopurine (6‐MP) and azathioprine (AZA) are widely used as maintenance therapy in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, proper 6‐thioguanine nucleotide (6‐TGN) concentrations in Japanese children with IBD have not been reported.

Methods:  This retrospective review examines 32 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 19 Crohn's disease (CD) patients (12.87 ± 3.56 years) who required 6‐MP or AZA to maintain disease remission. All patients were treated with 6‐MP or AZA for at least 3 weeks prior to this study in addition to previous treatment. 6‐MP dose, 6‐TGN levels, assayed by high‐performance liquid chromatography, as well as laboratory data were evaluated.

Results:  Thirty‐five children were successfully kept in remission with 6‐MP and AZA therapy after weaning off corticosteroids. Overall, 123 measurements (59 active disease, 64 in remission) were analyzed. The mean 6‐TGN concentration of the entire study population was 499.61 ± 249.35 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cell. The mean 6‐MP dose in patients with active disease (0.910 ± 0.326 mg/kg per day) was significantly higher than for patients in remission (0.749 ± 0.225) (P = 0.0016). A significant inverse correlation was found between white blood cell counts and 6‐TGN concentrations (r = 0.275, P < 0.002). Two patients experienced leukopenia with alopecia, and four transiently experienced increased serum levels of pancreatic enzymes, although no thiopurine S‐methyl transferase mutations were confirmed.

Conclusion:  The doses of 6‐MP or AZA needed to maintain remission in Japanese children with IBD are lower than those reported in Western countries. However, 6‐TGN concentrations in this population are higher than previously reported.
Parity, age at first birth, and risk of death from liver cancer: Evidence from a cohort in Taiwan
Authors: Wu Chen‐Hsuan , Chan Te‐Fu , ChangChien Chan‐Chao , Yang Chun‐Yuh
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  The present study was undertaken to examine whether there is an association between parity and age at first birth and risk of liver cancer.

Methods:  The study cohort consisted of 1 292 462 women who had a first and singleton childbirth between 1 January 1978 and 31 December 1987. We tracked each woman from the time of their first childbirth to 31 December 2007, and their vital status was ascertained by linking records with the computerized mortality database. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the relative risks (RR) of death from liver cancer associated with parity and age at first birth.

Results:  There were 826 liver cancer deaths during 32 464 186.58 person‐years of follow‐up. The mortality rate of liver cancer was 2.54 cases per 100 000 person‐years. The adjusted RR was 1.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.36–1.86) for women who gave birth between 26 and 30, 2.41 (95% CI = 1.81–3.20) for women who gave birth between 31 and 35, and 6.26 (95% CI = 4.27–9.19) for women who gave birth after 35 years of age, respectively, when compared with women who gave birth at less than 25 years of age. The adjusted RR was 0.72 (95% CI = 0.59–0.87) for women who had two to three children, and 0.63 (95% CI = 0.47–0.84) for women with four or more births, respectively, when compared with women who had given birth to only one child.

Conclusions:  The present study suggests that reproductive factors (parity and early age at first birth) may confer a protective effect on the risk of liver cancer.
No evidence of the unfolded protein response in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: McPherson Stuart , Powell Elizabeth E , Barrie Helen D. , Clouston Andrew D , McGuckin Michael , Jonsson Julie R
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) in experimental models. The role of the UPR in the pathogenesis of HCV‐induced liver injury has not been determined. Our aim was to investigate the role of the UPR in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV.

Methods:  Liver biopsy samples from 124 patients with chronic HCV and 24 HCV/HBV‐negative subjects with histologically normal liver (NDL) were assessed. The hepatic mRNA expression of components of the UPR was measured by semi‐quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Glucose regulated protein (GRP) 78 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Results:  The expression of GRP78 mRNA and growth arrest and damage inducible protein 34 (GADD34) mRNA was significantly lower in subjects with HCV than NDL (P = 0.007 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the expression of GRP94 mRNA, spliced X box binding protein 1 (sXBP1) mRNA, C/EBP homologous protein mRNA (CHOP) and ER degradation enhancing α‐mannosidase‐like protein (EDEM) mRNA and GRP78 protein between patients with HCV and NDL. There were no relationships between elements of the UPR and inflammation or fibrosis in patients with HCV.

Conclusion:  Downstream components of UPR were not activated in patients with chronic HCV. Therefore, the UPR may not play a prominent role in liver injury in patients with chronic HCV infection.
Large‐scale population analysis reveals an extremely low threshold for “non‐healthy” alanine aminotransferase that predicts diabetes mellitus
Authors: Shlomai Amir , Kariv Revital , Leshno Moshe , Beth‐or Anat , Sheinberg Bracha , Halpern Zamir
Published: May 2010

Background and Aims:  Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is commonly used to detect liver damage. Recent studies indicate that ALT levels at the upper range of normal limits are predictors of adverse outcomes, especially diabetes mellitus (DM) and the metabolic syndrome. The aim of our study was to define the ALT threshold for both men and women that may predict the onset of DM.

Methods:  We analyzed a large Health Maintenance Organization cohort of 157 308 healthy subjects with no evidence of liver disease and with baseline ALT levels ≤ 120 U/L, and identified those who developed DM within 6 years.

Results:  Overall, an elevated baseline serum ALT value was significantly associated with the development of DM, with an odds ratio of 3.3 when comparing the higher and the lower quartiles of the whole study population. A subgroup analysis revealed that baseline ALT values higher than 10 U/L among women and 22 U/L among men were already significantly associated with an increased risk for DM for any increment in ALT level. Notably, ALT values higher than ∼55 U/L were associated with increased risk for DM that was relatively constant for any increment in ALT. Higher baseline ALT levels were stronger predictors for DM as compared with age, triglycerides and cholesterol levels.

Conclusion:  Our study implies that ALT values higher than 10 U/L and 22 U/L for women and men, respectively, may predict DM. We suggest redefining ALT values as either ‘normal’ or ‘healthy’, with the later reflecting much lower values, above which an individual is at increased risk for DM.
Manipulation of dietary short chain carbohydrates alters the pattern of gas production and genesis of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Ong Derrick K , Mitchell Shaylyn B , Barrett Jacqueline S , Shepherd Sue J , Irving Peter M , Biesiekierski Jessica R , Smith Stuart , Gibson Peter R , Muir Jane G
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  Reduction of short‐chain poorly absorbed carbohydrates (FODMAPs) in the diet reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the present study, we aimed to compare the patterns of breath hydrogen and methane and symptoms produced in response to diets that differed only in FODMAP content.

Methods:  Fifteen healthy subjects and 15 with IBS (Rome III criteria) undertook a single‐blind, crossover intervention trial involving consuming provided diets that were either low (9 g/day) or high (50 g/day) in FODMAPs for 2 days. Food and gastrointestinal symptom diaries were kept and breath samples collected hourly over 14 h on day 2 of each diet.

Results:  Higher levels of breath hydrogen were produced over the entire day with the high FODMAP diet for healthy volunteers (181 ± 77 ppm.14 h vs 43 ± 18; mean ± SD P < 0.0001) and patients with IBS (242 ± 79 vs 62 ± 23; P < 0.0001), who had higher levels during each dietary period than the controls (P < 0.05). Breath methane, produced by 10 subjects within each group, was reduced with the high FODMAP intake in healthy subjects (47 ± 29 vs 109 ± 77; P = 0.043), but was not different in patients with IBS (126 ± 153 vs 86 ± 72). Gastrointestinal symptoms and lethargy were significantly induced by the high FODMAP diet in patients with IBS, while only increased flatus production was reported by healthy volunteers.

Conclusions:  Dietary FODMAPs induce prolonged hydrogen production in the intestine that is greater in IBS, influence the amount of methane produced, and induce gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms experienced by patients with IBS. The results offer mechanisms underlying the efficacy of the low FODMAP diet in IBS.
Comparison of transient elastography, serum markers and clinical signs for the diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis
Authors: Malik Raza , Lai Michelle , Sadiq Amama , Farnan Rory , Mehta Shruti , Nasser Imad , Challies Tracy , Schuppan Detlef , Afdhal Nezam
Published: May 2010

Background and Aims:  Non‐invasive diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis is important. We therefore compared liver stiffness by transient elastography, APRI score, AST/ALT ratio, hyaluronic acid and clinical signs to determine which modality performed best at identifying compensated cirrhosis.

Methods:  Patients undergoing evaluation at a single center were recruited and had clinical, serological, endoscopy, radiological imaging, liver stiffness measurement and liver biopsy. Patients were stratified into cirrhotic and non‐cirrhotic.

Results:  In 404 patients (124 cirrhosis), transient elastography was diagnostically superior to the other modalities yielding an AUC 0.9 ± 0.04 compared with hyaluronic acid (AUC 0.81 ± 0.04: P < 0.05), clinical signs (AUC 0.74 ± 0.04: P < 0.05), APRI score (AUC 0.71 ± 0.03: P < 0.05) and AST/ALT ratio (AUC 0.66 ± 0.03: P < 0.05). The optimum cut‐off for transient elastography was 12 kPa giving a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 87% for cirrhosis. In 238 hepatitis C patients (87 cirrhosis), transient elastography yielded an AUC 0.899 ± 0.02 for cirrhosis and in 166 non‐HCV patients (37 cirrhosis) the results were similar with an AUC 0.928 ± 0.03; with transient elastography being superior to HA, APRI, AST/ALT and clinical signs for all etiologies of cirrhosis (P < 0.05 for all). Importantly, transient elastography was statistically superior at identifying cirrhosis in 38 biopsy proven Childs Pugh A cirrhotics with no clinical, biochemical or radiological features of cirrhosis or portal hypertension (AUC 0.87 ± 0.04).

Conclusion:  Transient elastography accurately identified compensated cirrhosis; a liver stiffness of >12 kPa represents an important clinical measurement for the diagnosis of cirrhosis.
Prospective evaluation of a clinical guideline recommending early patients discharge in bleeding peptic ulcer
Authors: Chaparro María , Barbero Almudena , Martín Leticia , Esteban Carlos , Espinosa Laura , De La Morena Felipe , Sánchez Argeme , Martín Irene , Santander Cecilio , Moreno‐Otero Ricardo , Gisbert Javier P
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  To validate an early discharge policy in patients admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) due to ulcers.

Methods:  Patients with gastroduodenal ulcer or erosive gastritis/duodenitis were included in a previous study aiming to develop a practice guideline for early discharge of patients with UGIB. Variables associated with unfavorable evolution were analyzed in order to identify patients with low‐risk of re‐bleeding. After that, a one‐year prospective analysis of all UGIB episodes was carried out.

Results:  A total of 341 patients were identified in the retrospective study. Variables associated with unfavorable evolution were: systolic blood pressure ≤ 100 mmHg, heart rate ≥ 100 bpm, and a Forrest endoscopic classification of severe. 10% of patients were immediately discharged; however, if predictive variables obtained in the multivariate analysis had been used, hospitalization could have been prevented in 34% of patients. A total of 77 patients were included in the prospective analysis. Although only 19.5% of patients were immediately discharged without complications, 29 patients (37.7%) were theoretically suitable for early discharge.

Conclusions:  Patients with UGIB who have clean‐based ulcers and are stable on admission can be safely discharged immediately after endoscopy. Implementation of the clinical practice guideline safely reduced hospital admission for those patients.
Lafutidine prevents low‐dose aspirin and loxoprofen induced gastric injury: A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo controlled study
Authors: Kato Mototsugu , Kamada Go , Yamamoto Keiko , Nishida Urara , Imai Aki , Yoshida Takeshi , Ono Shouko , Nakagawa Manabu , Nakagawa Soichi , Shimizu Yuichi , Asaka Masahiro
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  The concomitant use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs is a risk factor for low‐dose aspirin (LDA)‐associated upper gastrointestinal toxicity. Lafutidine is an H2‐receptor antagonist with gastroprotective activity, produced by acting on capsaicin‐sensitive afferent neurons. To evaluate the preventive effect of lafutidine on gastric damage caused by LDA alone and by the combination of both LDA and loxoprofen, we conducted a clinical study using healthy volunteers.

Methods:  A randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, crossover study was carried out. Sixteen healthy volunteers without Helicobacter pylori infection were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups received 81 mg of aspirin once daily for 14 days (on days 1 to 14) and 60 mg of loxoprofen three times daily for the last 7 days (on days 8 to 14). Placebo or 10 mg of lafutidine was administered twice daily for 14 days in each group. After a 2‐week washout period, placebo and lafutidine were crossed over. Endoscopic findings of gastric mucosal damage were evaluated according to the modified Lanza score.

Results:  The mean modified Lanza score was 2.19 ± 1.06 (SD) for aspirin plus placebo as compared with 0.50 ± 0.77 for aspirin plus lafutidine (P < 0.001), and 3.00 ± 1.56 for aspirin plus loxoprofen and placebo as compared with 1.25 ± 1.37 for aspirin plus loxoprofen and lafutidine (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:  The addition of loxoprofen to LDA increases gastric mucosal damage. Standard‐dose lafutidine significantly prevents gastric mucosal damage induced by LDA alone or LDA plus loxoprofen in H. pylori‐negative volunteers. Larger controlled studies are needed to strengthen these findings.
Usefulness of magnifying endoscopy with narrow‐band imaging for determining gastric tumor margin
Authors: Kiyotoki Shu , Nishikawa Jun , Satake Masaaki , Fukagawa Yuki , Shirai Yasuyuki , Hamabe Kouichi , Saito Mari , Okamoto Takeshi , Sakaida Isao
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  Magnifying endoscopy with narrow‐band imaging (ME‐NBI) enhances images of the irregular mucosal structures and microvessels of gastric carcinoma, and could be useful for determining the margin between cancerous and non‐cancerous mucosa. We evaluated the usefulness of ME‐NBI for determining the tumor margin compared with indigocarmine chromoendoscopy (ICC).

Methods:  The subjects were 110 patients (with 118 lesions) who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric tumors. They were randomized into ME‐NBI and ICC groups. Marking was carried out by electrocautery with the tip of a high‐frequency snare at the tumor margins determined by each observation. The distance from the marking dots to the tumor margin was measured histopathologically in the resected specimens. Marking was diagnosed as accurate if the distance was less than 1 mm.

Results:  Of the 118 gastric lesions, 55 were allocated to the ME‐NBI group, and 63 to the ICC group. Seventeen lesions in the ME‐NBI group and 18 lesions in the ICC group were excluded because the distance from the marking dots to the tumor margin was immeasurable histopathologically. Thirty‐eight lesions in the ME‐NBI group and 45 lesions in the ICC group were evaluated. The rate of accurate marking of the ME‐NBI group was significantly higher than that of the ICC group (97.4% vs 77.8%, respectively; P‐value = 0.009).

Conclusion:  Magnifying endoscopy with narrow‐band imaging can identify gastric tumor margins more clearly than ICC.
Hydrogen sulfide attenuates intestinal ischemia‐reperfusion injury when delivered in the post‐ischemic period
Authors: Henderson Peter W , Weinstein Andrew L , Sohn Allie M , Jimenez Natalia , Krijgh David D , Spector Jason A
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  To investigate whether pharmacologic post‐conditioning of intestinal tissue with hydrogen sulfide (HS) protects against ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods:  In vitro, enterocytes were made hypoxic for 1, 2, or 3 h, treated with media containing between 0 and 100 µM HS 20 min prior to the end of the hypoxic period, then returned to normoxia for 3 h. An apoptotic index (AI) was determined for each time point and (HS). In vivo, jejunal ischemia was induced in male Sprague‐Dawley rats for 1, 2, or 3 h; 20 min prior to the end of the ischemic period animals were given an intravenous injection of NaHS sufficient to raise the bloodstream concentration to 0, 10 µM, or 100 µM HS. This was followed by jejunal reperfusion for 3 h, histologic processing, and measurement of villus height.

Results:  In vitro, there was a significant decrease in AI compared with non‐HS‐treated control at all time points after treatment with 10 µM HS, and at the 2 h time point with 100 µM HS (P < 0.017). In vivo, after 1 h ischemia, qualitative reduction of injury was noted with 10 µM and 100 µM; after 2 h ischemia, reduction was noted with 10 µM but not 100 µM; and after 3 h ischemia, there was no injury reduction. HS treatment resulted in significant quantitative preservation (P < 0.05) of villus height at all time points and doses, except for 3 h ischemia and delivery of 100 µM (P = 0.129).

Conclusions:  Hydrogen sulfide provides significant protection to intestinal tissues in vitro and in vivo when delivered after the onset of ischemia.
Expression and modulation of Na+/H+ exchanger 1 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma: A potential therapeutic target
Authors: Yang Xuekang , Wang Desheng , Dong Wei , Song Zhenshun , Dou Kefeng
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1), a regulator of intracellular pH (pHi), plays a significant role in regulating tumor cell growth and apoptosis. In the present study, we determined its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:  Immunohistochemistry was carried out to detect NHE1 expression in HCC tissue for the correlation of NHE1 with clinicopathological data from patients. NHE1‐siRNA and 5‐ (N‐ethyl‐N‐isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA, highly specific inhibitor of NHE1) were used to assess the function of NHE1 in HCC cells by using gene transfection, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), flow cytometry, and nude mouse xenograft assays as well as fluorescence spectroscopy.

Results:  We found that NHE1 expression was increased in HCC tissues and cells in which its expression was associated with the increased tumor size, venous invasion and advanced tumor stages. However, suppression of NHE1 expression by using NHE1‐siRNA and EIPA reduced growth, but induced apoptosis of HCC cells. EIPA also inhibited tumor growth in nude mouse xenografts of HCC cells.

Conclusions:  The data from our current study demonstrates that NHE1 was overexpressed in HCC and that inhibition of NHE1 could be a potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Simpler score of routine laboratory tests predicts liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Zhou Kun , Gao Chun‐Fang , Zhao Yun‐Peng , Liu Hai‐Lin , Zheng Rui‐Dan , Xian Jian‐Chun , Xu Hong‐Tao , Mao Yi‐Min , Zeng Min‐De , Lu Lun‐Gen
Published: May 2010

Background and Aim:  In recent years, a great interest has been dedicated to the development of noninvasive predictive models to substitute liver biopsy for fibrosis assessment and follow‐up. Our aim was to provide a simpler model consisting of routine laboratory markers for predicting liver fibrosis in patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in order to optimize their clinical management.

Methods:  Liver fibrosis was staged in 386 chronic HBV carriers who underwent liver biopsy and routine laboratory testing. Correlations between routine laboratory markers and fibrosis stage were statistically assessed. After logistic regression analysis, a novel predictive model was constructed. This S index was validated in an independent cohort of 146 chronic HBV carriers in comparison to the SLFG model, Fibrometer, Hepascore, Hui model, Forns score and APRI using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results:  The diagnostic values of each marker panels were better than single routine laboratory markers. The S index consisting of γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT), platelets (PLT) and albumin (ALB) (S‐index: 1000 × GGT/(PLT × ALB2)) had a higher diagnostic accuracy in predicting degree of fibrosis than any other mathematical model tested. The areas under the ROC curves (AUROC) were 0.812 and 0.890 for predicting significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in the validation cohort, respectively.

Conclusions:  The S index, a simpler mathematical model consisting of routine laboratory markers predicts significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic HBV infection with a high degree of accuracy, potentially decreasing the need for liver biopsy.
Therapeutic collaboration: a conversation analysis of constructionist therapy
Authors: Sutherland Olga , Strong Tom
Published: May 2010

Collaboration has been a frequently used construct to describe the practices of different therapeutic approaches for working with clients. Missing, however, is a sense of how collaboration is enacted in dialogues between therapists and clients. After defining ‘collaboration’, we analyse the actual conversational practices of Karl Tomm in his work with a couple, using conversation analysis. Our aim is to highlight the conversational accomplishment of collaboration in observable ways that we feel may be linked to enhancing one's conversational and collaborative practice of therapy.
Domain Specificity in Social Interactions, Social Thought, and Social Development
Authors: Turiel Elliot
Published: May 2010

J. E. Grusec and M. Davidov (this issue) have taken good steps in formulating a domain‐specific view of parent–child interactions. This commentary supports the introduction of domain specificity to analyses of parenting. Their formulation is an advance over formulations that characterized parental practices globally. This commentary calls for inclusion of definitions of the classification system of domain‐specific interactions and criteria for each domain. It is also maintained that Grusec and Davidov’s domains of social interaction imply that processes of development are involved, along with socialization; that bidirectionality in parent–child relations needs to be extended to include mutual influences and the construction of domains of social thought; and that conflicts and opposition within families coexist with compliance and social harmony.
Gender, Values, and Occupational Interests Among Children, Adolescents, and Adults
Authors: Weisgram Erica S. , Bigler Rebecca S. , Liben Lynn S.
Published: May 2010

Work fulfills personal values, perhaps differently for males and females. Explored here was the role values play in shaping occupational interests. Study 1 examined children’s, adolescents’, and adults’ (N = 313) occupational values (regarding money, power, family, altruism), occupational interests, and perceptions of values afforded by traditionally masculine and feminine occupations. Results revealed sex differences in occupational values and interests. Furthermore, participants’ values predicted their own interests in culturally masculine and feminine occupations. Study 2 used novel jobs and experimentally manipulated prototypical sex of worker and value affordances to disentangle their effects on occupational interests. At all ages, participants’ (N = 240) occupational interests were affected by the depicted sex of the workers and by the stated value affordances of the jobs.
The Head Bone’s Connected to the Neck Bone: When Do Toddlers Represent Their Own Body Topography?
Authors: Brownell Celia A. , Nichols Sara R. , Svetlova Margarita , Zerwas Stephanie , Ramani Geetha
Published: May 2010

Developments in very young children’s topographic representations of their own bodies were examined. Sixty‐one 20‐ and 30‐month‐old children were administered tasks that indexed the ability to locate specific body parts on oneself and knowledge of how one’s body parts are spatially organized, as well as body‐size knowledge and self‐awareness. Age differences in performance emerged for every task. Body‐part localization and body spatial configuration knowledge were associated; however, body topography knowledge was not associated with body‐size knowledge. Both were related to traditional measures of self‐awareness, mediated by their common associations with age. It is concluded that children possess an explicit, if rudimentary, topographic representation of their own body’s shape, structure, and size by 30 months of age.
Individual and Peer Group Normative Beliefs About Relational Aggression
Authors: Werner Nicole E. , Hill Laura G.
Published: May 2010

Studies show that children who use relational aggression process social information in unique ways; however, findings have been inconsistent and limited by methodological weaknesses. This short‐term longitudinal study examined developmental changes in 245 (49% female; ages 8–13) 3rd through 8th graders’ normative beliefs about relational aggression and tested the hypothesis that individual and classroom‐level norms predict relational aggression 1 year later. Results showed that the transition to middle school was marked by increased approval of relational aggression, and individual norms predicted future relational aggression. Importantly, a contextual model showed that students in peer groups highly supportive of relational aggression became increasingly aggressive. Findings extend social information processing theories of relational aggression to focus on the role of peer group cognitions.
Experience‐Based and On‐Line Categorization of Objects in Early Infancy
Authors: Bornstein Marc H. , Mash Clay
Published: May 2010

What processes do infants employ in categorizing? Infants might categorize on line as they encounter category‐related entities; alternatively, infants might depend on prior experience with entities in formulating categories. These alternatives were tested in forty‐four 5‐month‐olds. Infants who were familiarized in the laboratory with a category of never‐before‐seen objects subsequently treated novel objects of the same category as familiar—they categorized on line—just as did infants who were exposed to objects from the same category at home for 2 months leading to their laboratory assessment of object categorization. Infants with home experience also recognized novel category objects as familiar from the outset—that is, prior experience with category exemplars was brought to bear in laboratory tasks.
Children’s Understanding of Social‐Cognitive and Social‐Communicative Aspects of Discourse Irony
Authors: Filippova Eva , Astington Janet Wilde
Published: May 2010

To bridge the social‐reasoning focus of developmental research on irony understanding and the pragmatic focus of research with adult populations, this cross‐sectional study examines 5‐, 7‐, and 9‐year‐olds’ (n = 72) developing understanding of both social‐cognitive and social‐communicative aspects of discourse irony, when compared with adults (n = 24). Although 5‐year‐olds lag behind the other age groups in their reasoning about the speaker’s meaning, belief, intention, and motivation, adults are consistently superior to children of all ages on these social‐cognitive measures. In contrast, limited age‐related differences were found in participants’ judgment of the social‐communicative function of irony (how nice, mean, and funny irony is). The findings help to reconcile previous discrepant claims as to the age when children come to understand irony.
Inconsistency With Prior Knowledge Triggers Children’s Causal Explanatory Reasoning
Authors: Legare Cristine H. , Gelman Susan A. , Wellman Henry M.
Published: May 2010

What events trigger causal explanatory reasoning in young children? Children’s explanations could be triggered by either consistent events (suggesting that explanations serve a confirmatory function) or inconsistent events (suggesting that they promote discovery of new information). In 2 studies with preschool children (N = 80), events that were consistent with children’s prior knowledge were simultaneously contrasted with events that were inconsistent with prior knowledge, and children were invited to explain either outcome (or both). Results demonstrate that inconsistent outcomes are an especially powerful trigger for children’s explanations and that the explanations children provide for inconsistent outcomes refer to internal causal properties, overriding perceptual appearances. In sum, the data provide empirical evidence that inconsistent events motivate children to construct explanations, thereby suggesting that children’s explanations function in the service of discovery.
Children’s Tattling: The Reporting of Everyday Norm Violations in Preschool Settings
Authors: Ingram Gordon P. D. , Bering Jesse M.
Published: May 2010

Tattling, defined as the reporting to a second party of norm violations committed by a third party, is a frequent but little‐studied activity among young children. Participant observation and quantitative sampling are used to provide a detailed characterization of tattling in 2 preschools (initial mean age = 4.08 years, N = 40). In these populations, tattling represents the majority of talk about peers’ behavior to third parties. It is usually truthful, it rarely refers to transgressions committed against other individuals, it is not often ignored by adults, it is performed more frequently by dominant children, and it correlates with teacher reports of relational aggression. These exploratory results suggest several new avenues of research into children’s developing understanding of social norms.
Conversation, Development, and Gender: A Study of Changes in Children’s Concepts of Punishment
Authors: Leman Patrick J. , Björnberg Marina
Published: May 2010

One hundred thirty‐three children, average age 9.58 years, were read vignettes describing a moral transgression and then discussed what would constitute a fair punishment. Children’s gender influenced conversation dynamics (use of interruption and other simultaneous speech) but not conversation content (justifications for judgments). All children who engaged in conversation showed development in judgments after 8 weeks compared with a control (no interaction) group. However, there was no relation between conversation dynamics or content and development, or any effects of gender, on the developmental process. The benefits of peer collaboration were general rather than specific to the stimulus story.
Children’s Educational Progress: Partitioning Family, School and Area Effects
Authors: Rasbash Jon , Leckie George , Pillinger Rebecca , Jenkins Jennifer
Published: May 2010

School effectiveness analyses have largely ignored the role of the family as an important source of variation for children’s educational progress. Sibling analyses in developmental psychology and behavioural genetics have largely ignored sources of shared environmental variation beyond the immediate family. We formulate a multilevel cross-classified model that examines variation in children’s progress during secondary schooling and partitions this variability into pupil, family, primary school, secondary school, local education authority and residential area. Our results suggest that about 50% of what has been labelled as pupil variation in school effectiveness models is really between-family variation and that about 22% of the total variance is due to shared environments beyond the immediate family.
Darwin, Galton and the Statistical Enlightenment
Authors: Stigler Stephen M.
Published: May 2010

On September 10th, 1885, Francis Galton ushered in a new era of Statistical Enlightenment with an address to the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Aberdeen. In the process of solving a puzzle that had lain dormant in Darwin’s Origin of Species, Galton introduced multivariate analysis and paved the way towards modern Bayesian statistics. The background to this work is recounted, including the recognition of a failed attempt by Galton in 1877 as providing the first use of a rejection sampling algorithm for the simulation of a posterior distribution, and the first appearance of a proper Bayesian analysis for the normal distribution.
Fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease differently correlate with motor symptoms, depression and dopaminergic treatment
Authors: Valko P. O. , Waldvogel D. , Weller M. , Bassetti C. L. , Held U. , Baumann C. R.
Published: May 2010

Background and purpose:  A comprehensive study of both fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in association with Parkinson’s disease (PD)‐related symptoms and treatment has not been performed yet. To assess the frequency and severity of fatigue and EDS in patients with idiopathic PD and to study their relation to motor and non‐motor symptoms and dopaminergic treatment.

Methods:  We prospectively assessed Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores, severity (Unified PD Rating Scale, UPDRS, part III; Hoehn & Yahr staging) and duration of the disease, and the current dopaminergic treatment in 88 consecutive patients with idiopathic PD.

Results:  Fatigue was found in 52 (59%), EDS in 42 (48%), and both complaints in 31 (35%) patients. Fatigued patients had higher UPDRS III scores (23.5 ± 11.1 vs. 18.6 ± 7.6, P = 0.03), higher Hoehn & Yahr staging (2.4 ± 0.9 vs. 2.1 ± 0.7, P = 0.03), and higher BDI scores (13.4 ± 7.1 vs. 9.1 ± 5.8, P = 0.004) than non‐fatigued patients. In contrast, UPDRS III, Hoehn & Yahr, and BDI scores did not differ between patients with or without EDS. However, the type of dopaminergic treatment (levodopa monotherapy versus combination of levodopa/dopamine agonists) was associated with significant differences in ESS (8.5 ± 5.2 vs. 10.8 ± 4.3, P = 0.04), but not FSS scores (4.1 ± 1.5 vs. 4.3 ± 1.5, P = 0.55). Disease duration correlated with ESS scores (r = 0.32, P = 0.003), but not with FSS scores (r = −0.02, P = 0.82).

Conclusions:  In PD, there is a significant overlap of fatigue and EDS, but the two symptoms are differently correlated with the severity of motor symptoms, disease duration, depression, and dopaminergic treatment.
The age‐related white matter changes scale correlates with cognitive impairment
Authors: Xiong Y. , Mok V. , Wong A. , Chen X. , Chu W.C.W. , Fan Y. , Soo Y. , Wong K. S.
Published: May 2010

Background and purpose:  Age‐related white matter changes (ARWMC) are closely associated with cognitive impairment. Although the ARWMC scale has been widely used to grade white matter changes (WMC) severity, the correlation between this scale and cognitive impairment has not been studied. We aimed to validate the ARWMC scale against cognition in patients with stroke.

Methods:  We determined the severity of WMC for 172 patients with stroke on MRI by volumetric quantification and the ARWMC scale. Two scores (total score and global score) were derived from the ARWMC scale. We assessed executive function and global cognition using the Mattis dementia rating scale‐initiation/perseveration subset (MDRS I/P) and mini‐mental state examination (MMSE), respectively. We investigated the association between the three WMC measures (volume, total score, and global score) and clinical variables with cognitive impairment using multivariate regression analysis.

Results:  Even after adjusting for other clinical variables, total score and global score of ARWMC scale were independently associated with MDRS I/P (beta = −0.248, P = 0.001 and beta = −0.218, P = 0.005, respectively) and MMSE (adjusted odds ratio 1.181, 95%CI [1.038–1.343] and adjusted odds ratio 1.740, 95%CI [1.063–2.847], respectively).

Conclusion:  The ARWMC scale correlates well with cognitive impairment in patients with stroke.
Acer negundo invasion along a successional gradient: early direct facilitation by native pioneers and late indirect facilitation by conspecifics
Authors: Saccone Patrick , Pagès Jean‐Philippe , Girel Jacky , Brun Jean‐Jacques , Michalet Richard
Published: May 2010

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