bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic kidney disease and cardiac remodelling in patients with mild heart failure: results from the REsynchronization reVErses Remodeling in Systolic Left vEntricular Dysfunction (REVERSE) study
Authors: Mathew Jehu , Katz Ronit , St. Sutton Martin John , Dixit Sanjay , Gerstenfeld Edward P. , Ghio Stefano , Gold Michael R. , Linde Cecilia , Shlipak Michael G. , Deo Rajat
Published: September 2012

Aims

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and heart failure. We evaluated the effect of CKD on left ventricular (LV) remodelling among patients with mild heart failure.

Methods and results

REVERSE was a randomized, controlled trial evaluating cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I/II heart failure. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. We compared changes in LV function and size over the course of 12 months by CKD status using linear mixed models adjusted for demographics, co‐morbidities, medications, cardiomyopathy aetiology, and CRT status. Finally, we evaluated the effect of CKD on cardiac remodelling among patients randomized to CRT on or off. CKD was associated with worsening LV function and dilation compared with the non‐CKD group {adjusted, 12‐month β coefficients for the CKD group compared with the non‐CKD referent group: LV ejection fraction (%) [–1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) –3.36 to –0.24], LV end‐systolic volume (mL) (14.16, 95% CI 3.96–24.36), LV end‐diastolic volume (mL) (14.88, 95% CI 2.88–26.76), LV end‐systolic diameter (cm) (0.36, 95% CI 0.12–0.48), LV end‐diastolic diameter (cm) (0.24, 95% CI 0.012–0.36), mitral regurgitation (%) (3.12, 95% CI 0.48–5.76), and LV shape (0.036, 95% CI 0.012–0.060)}. In participants assigned to CRT, those without CKD had significantly greater improvements in LV structural parameters compared with the CKD group.

Conclusions

In comparison with participants with normal kidney function, CKD is an independent risk factor for ventricular dysfunction and dilation. CRT improves LV function and structure to a lesser extent in patients with CKD than in those with normal kidney function.
Fenhexamid Resistance in Botrytis cinerea from Strawberry Fields in the Carolinas Is Associated with Four Target Gene Mutations
Authors: Grabke Anja , Fernández-Ortuño Dolores , Schnabel Guido
Published: September 2012

Botrytis cinerea, the causal agent of gray mold disease, is one of the most important pathogens of strawberry. Its control in commercial strawberry fields is largely dependent on the application of fungicides during bloom and fruit maturation. The hydroxyanilide fenhexamid is one of the most frequently used fungicides in the southeast of the United States for gray mold control. It inhibits the 3-ketoreductase (Erg27) of the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway and, due to this site-specific mode of action, is at risk for resistance development. Single-spore isolates were collected from 11 commercial strawberry fields in North and South Carolina and subjected to a conidial germination assay that distinguished sensitive from resistant phenotypes. Of the 214 isolates collected, 16.8% were resistant to fenhexamid. Resistance was found in three of four locations from North Carolina and in four of seven locations from South Carolina, indicating that resistance was widespread. Mutations in Erg27 (T63I, F412S, F412C, and F412I) were associated with resistance, with F412S the predominant and most widespread mutation. In this study, mutations T63I and F412C in field isolates of B. cinerea are described for the first time. Detached fruit studies showed that field rates of Elevate 50 WDG (fenhexamid) controlled sensitive but not resistant isolates carrying any of the four mutations. Resistant isolates produced the same lesion size and number of sporulating lesions on fruit sprayed with Elevate 50 WDG as on untreated controls, showing the fungicide's loss of efficacy against those isolates. A rapid polymerase chain reaction method was developed to quickly and reliably distinguish isolates sensitive or resistant to fenhexamid in the Carolinas and to determine the mutation associated with resistance. The presence of fenhexamid-resistant strains in B. cinerea from strawberry fields in the Carolinas must be considered in future resistance management practices for sustained gray mold control.
Development of a Variable Number of Tandem Repeats Typing Scheme for the Bacterial Rice Pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola
Authors: Zhao Shuai , Poulin Lucie , Rodriguez-R Luis M. , Serna Natalia Forero , Liu Shu-Yan , Wonni Issa , Szurek Boris , Verdier Valérie , Leach Jan E. , He Yong-Qiang , Feng Jia-Xun , Koebnik Ralf
Published: September 2012

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola is an important bacterial pathogen responsible for outbreaks of bacterial leaf streak (BLS) on rice, mostly occurring in Asia and parts of Africa. To better monitor epidemics and assess population structures, efficient tools that allow the precise identification and diagnosis of pathogenic populations are needed. In this study, we explored variable numbers of tandem repeats (VNTR) as a fast, reliable, and cost-effective molecular typing tool. Screening of three X. oryzae pv. oryzicola genome sequences (Philippine strain BLS256, Chinese strain GX01, and Malian strain MAI10) predicted 28 candidate VNTR loci. Primer pairs for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of all 28 loci were designed and applied to a panel of 20 X. oryzae pv. oryzicola strains originating from Asia and Africa. Sequencing of PCR amplicons revealed 25 robust and polymorphic VNTR loci that are shared among Asian and African X. oryzae pv. oryzicola strains. A dendrogram constructed from 25 VNTR loci indicated that most Asian strains are clearly discriminated from African strains. However, in agreement with previous reports, one strain from Mali is related to Asian strains, pointing to a possible introduction of Asian strains to the African continent. The new VNTR-based tool described here is useful for studies of population structures and epidemiological monitoring of X. oryzae pv. oryzicola.
Mummified Fruit as a Source of Inoculum and Disease Dynamics of Olive Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum spp.
Authors: Moral Juan , Trapero Antonio
Published: September 2012

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a destructive disease of olive fruit worldwide. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of agronomical and weather factors on inoculum production using detached olive fruit and on the development of epidemics in the field. The pathogen produced very large numbers of conidia on rotted (>1.87 × 108 conidia/fruit) or mummified (>2.16 × 104 conidia/fruit) fruit under optimal conditions. On mummified fruit, conidial production was highest on mummies incubated at 20 to 25°C and 96 h of wetness. Repeated washings of mummies reduced conidial production until it was very low after five washings. When mummies were placed in the tree canopy, conidial production was not reduced after 6 months (May to October); but, when they were held on the soil or buried in the soil, conidial production comparatively decreased up to 10,000 times. Anthracnose epidemics on susceptible ‘Hojiblanca’ and ‘Picudo’ during three seasons (2005–08) were influenced by rainfall, temperature, and fruit ripening, and had three main phases: the latent period (May to October); the onset of the epidemic, which coincided with the beginning of fruit ripening (early November); and disease development, which was predicted by the Weibull model (November to March). No epidemics developed on the susceptible cultivars during the driest season (2007–08) or on the resistant ‘Picual’ olive during any of the three seasons. These results provide the basis for a forecasting system of olive anthracnose which could greatly improve the management of this disease.
Evolution of gliding in Southeast Asian geckos and other vertebrates is temporally congruent with dipterocarp forest development
Authors: Heinicke Matthew P. , Greenbaum Eli , Jackman Todd R. , Bauer Aaron M.
Published: September 2012

Gliding morphologies occur in diverse vertebrate lineages in Southeast Asian rainforests, including three gecko genera, plus frogs, snakes, agamid lizards and squirrels. It has been hypothesized that repeated evolution of gliding is related to the dominance of Asian rainforest tree floras by dipterocarps. For dipterocarps to have influenced the evolution of gliding in Southeast Asian vertebrates, gliding lineages must have Eocene or later origins. However, divergence times are not known for most lineages. To investigate the temporal pattern of Asian gliding vertebrate evolution, we performed phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses. New sequence data for geckos incorporate exemplars of each gliding genus (
Cosymbotus
,
Luperosaurus
and
Ptychozoon
), whereas analyses of other vertebrate lineages use existing sequence data. Stem ages of most gliding vertebrates, including all geckos, cluster in the time period when dipterocarps came to dominate Asian tropical forests. These results demonstrate that a gliding/dipterocarp correlation is temporally viable, and caution against the assumption of early origins for apomorphic taxa.
Antigenic diversity and cross-reactivity of avian influenza H5N1 viruses in Egypt between 2006 and 2011
Authors: El-Shesheny Rabeh , Kayali Ghazi , Kandeil Ahmed , Cai Zhipeng , Barakat Ahmed B. , Ghanim Hossam , Ali Mohamed A.
Published: September 2012

Influenza epidemics are a major health concern worldwide. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses in Egypt have been subject to rapid genetic and antigenic changes since the first outbreak in February 2006 and have been endemic in poultry in Egypt since 2008. In this study, 33 H5N1 viruses isolated from avian hosts were antigenically analysed by using a panel of eight mAbs raised against the A/Viet Nam/1203/04 (H5N1; clade 1) and A/bar-headed goose/Qinghai-lake/1A/05 (H5N1; clade 2.2) influenza viruses. Rats were immunized with inactivated whole-virus vaccine produced by reverse genetics with the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of eight antigenically different HPAI H5N1 virus isolates and six internal genes from A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) to produce polyclonal antibodies. Cross-reactivity between the obtained polyclonal antibodies and the isolated viruses was assayed. Antigenic cartography of the isolated viruses showed that three antigenic clusters were defined based on haemagglutination inhibition (HI) analysis using mAbs and the majority of viruses isolated in 2010 and 2011 fell into two of these clusters. An antigenic map based on polyclonal rat antisera showed that all virus isolates fell within one extended cluster. Accordingly, continuous surveillance and antigenic characterization will help us determine which virus isolate(s) should be used in poultry vaccine preparation.
Incorporation of GP64 into Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus enhances virus infectivity in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Shen Shu , Gan Yinyin , Wang Manli , Hu Zhihong , Wang Hualin , Deng Fei
Published: September 2012

The envelope fusion proteins of baculoviruses, glycoprotein GP64 from group I nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) or the F protein from group II NPV and granulovirus, are essential for baculovirus morphogenesis and infectivity. The F protein is considered the ancestral baculovirus envelope fusion protein, while GP64 is a more recent evolutionary introduction into baculoviruses and exhibits higher fusogenic activity than the F protein. Each of the fusion proteins is required by the respective virus to spread infection within larval tissues. A recombinant Helicoverpa armigera NPV (HearNPV) expressing GP64 from Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus, vHaBac-gp64-egfp, was constructed, which still retained the native F protein, and its infectivity was assayed in vivo and in vitro. Analyses by one-step growth curve to determine viral titre and by quantitative PCR to determine viral DNA copy number showed that vHaBac-gp64-egfp was more infectious in vitro than the control, vHaBac-egfp. The polyhedrin gene (polh) was reintroduced into the recombinant viruses and bioassays showed that vHaBac-gp64-polh accelerated the mortality of infected larvae compared with the vHaBac-egfp-polh control, and the LC50 (median lethal concentration) of vHaBac-gp64-polh was reduced to approximately 20 % of that of vHaBac-egfp-polh. Therefore, incorporation of GP64 into HearNPV budded virions improved virus infectivity both in vivo and in vitro. The construction of this bivalent virus with a more efficient fusion protein could improve the use of baculoviruses in different areas such as gene therapy and biocontrol.
How selective are elephants as agents of forest tree damage in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda?
Authors: Ssali Fredrick , Sheil Douglas , Nkurunungi John B.
Published: September 2012

Elephants are locally concentrated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Vegetation damage attributable to elephants appears to be increasing and may result in the modification of the forest. We examined the implied selectivity of stem damage due to elephants. We followed 26.84 km of recent elephant trails and used 122 plots to document tree damage in relation to species, stem sizes and locations. Of 897 trees (DBH ≥2 cm), 542 (60.4%) were intact, 22 (2.5%) debarked, 274 (30.5%) toppled and 172 (19.2%) had broken branches. Small trees were more likely to be pushed over or have their branches broken, whereas large trees were more commonly debarked. The species most frequently selected for damage included mid‐successional species such as Newtonia buchananii, Myrianthus holstii and Chrysophyllum albidum. These species may be vulnerable to increasing elephant numbers. Our analyses using general linear models indicate that elephants are selective concerning where, how and what tree stems they damage. We found a higher incidence of elephant damage per‐tree stem in open areas than in more closed areas, suggesting feedback in which elephants maintain open habitats that may be conducive for other species such as mountain gorillas. More work is needed to better determine how changing elephant numbers may influence Bwindi's conservation values.
Feeding habits of the mochokid Synodontis punctifer Daget, 1964, in the Bandama River, Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Kouamélan Essetchi Paul , Berté Siaka , Aboua Benié Rose Danielle
Published: September 2012

The feeding habits of Synodontis punctifer were investigated in the basin of the Bandama River. Fish specimens were collected using gill nets in the rainy season (May–July 2009) and in the dry season (November 2008 to March 2009 and August 2009). In this article, the importance of the different prey types was assessed using the corrected occurrence and weight percentage. These values were used to calculate the index of preponderance for each taxonomic category. One hundred and ten specimens of S. punctifer were examined, nine stomachs were found empty (8.18%). A total of 39 different prey species belonging to seven major groups Insects, Crustacea, Rotifera, Molluscs, Other invertebrates, Other organisms and Macrophytes were identified in the stomach contents. The results showed that Macrophytes were the primary food item and Insects the secondary prey item. Other preys were recorded occasionally. At the rainy season, the main foods of S. punctifer were Macrophytes and during the dry season this species ate Insects and Macrophytes. The food composition varied between localities. In the riverine localities, specimen fed on 38 prey types. Twenty‐seven prey categories were consumed in the lacustrine. In terms of diet overlap, Schoener coefficient values were above the 0.6 limit (α = 0.99), indicating some high overlap.
Atrial arrhythmia, triggering events and conduction abnormalities in isolated murine RyR2‐P2328S hearts
Authors: King J. H. , Zhang Y. , Lei M. , Grace A. A. , Huang C. L.‐H. , Fraser J. A.
Published: September 2012

Aim

RyR2 mutations are associated with catecholaminergic polymorphic tachycardia, a condition characterized by ventricular and atrial arrhythmias. The present experiments investigate the atrial electrophysiology of homozygotic murine RyR2‐P2328S (RyR2S/S) hearts for ectopic triggering events and for conduction abnormalities that might provide a re‐entrant substrate.

Methods

Electrocardiograph recordings were made from regularly stimulated RyR2S/S and wild type (WT) hearts, perfused using a novel modified Langendorff preparation. This permitted the simultaneous use of either floating intracellular microelectrodes to measure action potential (AP) parameters, or a multielectrode array to measure epicardial conduction velocity (CV).

Results

RyR2S/S showed frequent sustained tachyarrhythmias, delayed afterdepolarizations and ectopic APs, increased interatrial conduction delays, reduced epicardial CVs and reduced maximum rates of AP depolarization ((dV/dt)max), despite similar effective refractory periods, AP durations and AP amplitudes. Effective interatrial CVs and (dV/dt)max values of APs following ectopic (S2) stimulation were lower than those of APs following regular stimulation and decreased with shortening S1S2 intervals. However, although RyR2S/S atria showed arrhythmias over a wider range of S1S2 intervals, the interatrial CV and (dV/dt)max of S2 APs provoking such arrhythmias were similar in RyR2S/S and WT.

Conclusions

These results suggest that abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homoeostasis produces both arrhythmic triggers and a slow‐conducting arrhythmic substrate in RyR2S/S atria. A similar mechanism might also contribute to arrhythmogenesis in other conditions, associated with diastolic Ca2+release, such as atrial fibrillation.
Predictive factors of response to intravenous ciclosporin in severe ulcerative colitis: the development of a novel prediction formula
Authors: Saito K. , Katsuno T. , Nakagawa T. , Saito M. , Sazuka S. , Sato T. , Matsumura T. , Arai M. , Miyauchi H. , Matsubara H. , Yokosuka O.
Published: September 2012

Background

When treating patients with severe ulcerative colitis (UC), accurate prediction of drug efficacy contributes to early clinical decision‐making.

Aim

To identify predictive factors and to develop a reliable prediction formula and a decision tree of response to intravenous ciclosporin treatment for severe UC.

Methods

Patients included in this study were those diagnosed with refractory severe UC who had undergone ciclosporin treatment between December 2004 and March 2011 at a tertiary referral centre in Japan. Demographic and clinical parameters from all patients were analysed by multivariate statistics.

Results

Fifty‐two patients were included in this study (36.5% men with an average age of ciclosporin initiation of 40.2 ± 15.6 years). Thirty‐four patients (65.4%) were responders to the treatment with ciclosporin and avoided colectomy, 18 patients (34.6%) were nonresponders and underwent colectomy. Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis identified four independent predictive factors of response to intravenous ciclosporin: age at hospitalisation (AGE), platelet count (×104/μL) on the first day (PLA), Lichtiger score on the third day (LIC) and total protein (g/dL) on the third day minus total protein on the first day (ΔTP). The calculation formula (8.5 − 0.16 × AGE + 0.21 × PLA − 0.61 × LIC + 2.3 × ΔTP < 0) predicted colectomy with an accuracy of 88.5% and the decision tree predicted colectomy with an accuracy of 90.4%.

Conclusion

The novel calculation formula and the decision tree effectively predict the clinical outcome of ciclosporin treatment for severe ulcerative colitis as early as on day 3 after starting ciclosporin treatment.
High one year mortality in adults with sickle cell disease and end‐stage renal disease
Authors: McClellan Ann C. , Luthi Jean‐Christophe , Lynch Janet R. , Soucie J. Michael , Kulkarni Roshni , Guasch Antonio , Huff Edwin D. , Gilbertson David , McClellan William M. , DeBaun Michael R.
Published: September 2012

Adequate pre‐dialysis care reduces mortality among end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. We tested the hypothesis that individuals with ESRD due to sickle cell disease (SCD–ESRD) receiving pre‐ESRD care have lower mortality compared to individuals without pre‐ESRD care. We examined the association between mortality and pre‐ESRD care in incident SCD–ESRD patients who started haemodialysis between 1 June, 2005 and 31 May, 2009 using data provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). SCD–ESRD was reported for 410 (0·1%) of 442 017 patients. One year after starting dialysis, 108 (26·3%) patients with incident ESRD attributed to SCD died; the hazard ratio (HR) for mortality among patients with SCD–ESRD compared to those without SCD as the primary cause of renal failure was 2·80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2·31–3·38). Patients with SCD–ESRD receiving pre‐dialysis nephrology care had a lower death rate than those with SCD–ESRD who did not receive pre‐dialysis nephrology care (HR = 0·67, 95% CI 0·45–0·99). The one‐year mortality rate following an ESRD diagnosis was almost three times higher in individuals with SCD when compared to those without SCD but with ESRD and could be attenuated by pre‐dialysis nephrology care.
Prognostic value of trisomy 8 as a single anomaly and the influence of additional cytogenetic aberrations in primary myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Saumell Sílvia , Florensa Lourdes , Luño Elisa , Sanzo Carmen , Cañizo Consuelo , Hernández Jesus M. , Cervera José , Gallart Miguel A. , Carbonell Félix , Collado Rosa , Arenillas Leonor , Pedro Carme , Bargay Joan , Nomdedeu Benet , Xicoy Blanca , Vallespí Teresa , Raya José M. , Belloch Luis , Sanz Guillermo F. , Solé Francesc
Published: September 2012

Trisomy 8 is the most common chromosomal gain in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), however, little is known about the features of MDS with isolated trisomy 8 and the influence of additional cytogenetic aberrations. We determined the characteristics and prognostic factors of 72 patients with trisomy 8 as a single anomaly and analysed also the impact of other aberrations added to trisomy 8 in another 62 patients. According to our study, MDS with isolated trisomy 8 was more frequent in men, with more than one cytopenia in most patients (62%) and having about 4% bone marrow blasts. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that platelet count and percentage bone marrow blasts had the strongest impact on overall survival (OS). The median OS for isolated trisomy 8, trisomy 8 plus one aberration (tr8 + 1), plus two (tr8 + 2) and plus three or more aberrations (tr8 + ≥3) was 34·3, 40, 23·4 and 5·8 months, respectively (P < 0·001). Trisomy 8 confers a poorer prognosis than a normal karyotype in MDS patients with ≥5% bone marrow blasts. This study supports the view that MDS with isolated trisomy 8 should be included in the intermediate cytogenetic risk group.
Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes hepatoma cell invasion and metastasis by stabilizing Snail protein
Authors: Liu Haiou , Xu Le , He Hongyong , Zhu Yu , Liu Jing , Wang Shanshan , Chen Lin , Wu Qian , Xu Jiejie , Gu Jianxin
Published: September 2012

A high incidence of tumor recurrence and metastasis has been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Although the pathological relevance and significance of hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) in HBV‐associated hepatocarcinogenesis attracted much attention in recent years, the role and molecular mechanism for HBx in hepatoma invasion and metastasis remains poorly understood. In the present study, we found that HBx expression could induce epithelial–mesenchymal transition in hepatoma and hepatic cells. This effect was shown due to stabilized Snail protein through activating the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (PI3K/AKT/GSK‐3β) signal pathway by HBx expression. Functional studies revealed that HBx expression could enhance hepatoma cell migration and invasion in vitro. Moreover, stable HBx expression could also facilitate intrahepatic and distant lung metastasis of HCC in a nude mice tumor metastasis model in vivo. The correlation between increased PI3K/AKT/GSK‐3β signaling with elevated Snail protein level was also observed in HCC tumor tissues with intrahepatic metastasis or chronic HBV infection. These results revealed a novel function of HBx in promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition through Snail protein stabilization by activating PI3K/AKT/GSK‐3β signaling, thus facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis during HCC progression. This could provide a putative molecular mechanism for tumor recurrence and metastasis in HBV‐associated HCC patients.
Preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio >5 is a prognostic factor for recurrent colorectal cancer
Authors: Mallappa S. , Sinha A. , Gupta S. , Chadwick S. J. D.
Published: September 2012

Aim  Previous studies have demonstrated that raised preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). The aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative NLR could predict patients at risk of recurrence of CRC.

Method  All consecutive patients who underwent surgical resection for CRC over a 2‐year period at our institution were analysed. Demographic data including CRC recurrence were prospectively collected from our institutional cancer database. CRC recurrence was diagnosed on radiological and endoscopic histopathological data. Preoperative NLR was calculated on baseline blood results, with a value >5 being a poor prognostic factor. Parametric survival analysis was used to identify risk factors for CRC recurrence. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated for gender, CRC stage using Jass score, preoperative NLR and CRC site. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results  In all, 297 patients (157 men) underwent CRC resection at a median age of 70 years (range 23–93); 164 patients had colon cancer, 111 rectal cancer and 22 recto‐sigmoid cancer. The distribution by stage of CRC was 30.2% for stage 1, 23.8% for stage 2, 19.5% for stage 3 and 26.5% for stage 4. Over a median follow‐up period of 3.35 (0.1–8) years, 59 (19.8%) patients had recurrent CRC. Multivariate analysis revealed CRC stage (HR 8.69, 95% CI 3.85–19.6, P < 0.0001) and NLR >5 (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07–3.07, P = 0.028) to be significant and independent risk factors predictive of recurrent CRC.

Conclusion  These data suggest that preoperative NLR >5 is predictive of CRC recurrence.
Carcinoma cuniculatum: not a verrucous carcinoma
Authors: Kubik MJ , Rhatigan RM
Published: September 2012

Background

Carcinoma cuniculatum and verrucous carcinoma are both very well differentiated forms of squamous carcinoma and thus difficult to separate histologically from pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia. The diagnosis of each often requires clinical‐pathologic correlation.

Methods

We reviewed the literature on cases reported as carcinoma cuniculatum and compared these to the cases originally reported by Aird et al. In addition, we report an additional case of this entity that we encountered in our practice.

Results

In reviewing the literature it is evident that most authors consider carcinoma cuniculatum and verrucous carcinoma to be synonymous even though Aird's original two cases had no verrucous features. The lack of a clear conceptual distinction between these two entities may cause diagnostic confusion.

Conclusion

The purpose of this report is to record a case of carcinoma cuniculatum which the authors believe to be similar to those reported by Aird et al., to emphasize the differences between carcinoma cuniculatum and verrucous carcinoma, and to explain how the lack of a clear conceptual distinction between these two tumors can lead to further delay in an already difficult diagnosis.
A network meta‐analysis to compare glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide once weekly or liraglutide once daily in comparison with insulin glargine, exenatide twice daily or placebo
Authors: Scott D. A. , Boye K. S. , Timlin L. , Clark J. F. , Best J. H.
Published: September 2012

Aims

The glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) exenatide once weekly (ExQW) and liraglutide once daily (QD) are indicated to improve glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Although glycaemic control with ExQW versus liraglutide QD 1.8 mg has been directly compared, no studies have compared ExQW with liraglutide QD 1.2 mg or determined the probable relative efficacies of various injectable therapies for glycaemic control; therefore, a network meta‐analysis was performed to address these questions.

Methods

A systematic review identified randomized controlled trials of ≥24 weeks that compared ExQW, liraglutide QD (1.2 mg, 1.8 mg), insulin glargine, exenatide twice daily (ExBID), or placebo. Twenty‐two studies evaluating 11 049 patients were included in the network meta‐analysis. Mean differences in HbA1c relative to placebo or each other and probability rankings were estimated.

Results

Estimated mean differences in HbA1c versus placebo were −1.15% (95% CrI: −1.31 to −1.00) for ExQW, −1.01% (95% CrI: −1.18 to −0.85) for liraglutide 1.2 mg, and −1.18% (95% CrI: −1.32 to −1.04) for liraglutide 1.8 mg. HbA1c differences for ExQW versus liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg were −0.14% (95% CrI: −0.34 to 0.06) and 0.03% (95% CrI: −0.14 to 0.18), respectively. The estimated mean difference in HbA1c between liraglutide 1.2 mg and 1.8 mg was 0.17% (95% CrI: 0.02–0.30). Results were consistent when adjusted for background antihyperglycaemic medications and diabetes duration.

Conclusions

This network meta‐analysis did not identify meaningful differences in HbA1c lowering between ExQW and both liraglutide doses, suggesting that these GLP‐1 RAs have similar glycaemic effects.
Directed seed dispersal towards areas with low conspecific tree density by a scatter‐hoarding rodent
Authors: Hirsch Ben T. , Kays Roland , Pereira Verónica E. , Jansen Patrick A.
Published: September 2012

Scatter‐hoarding animals spread out cached seeds to reduce density‐dependent theft of their food reserves. This behaviour could lead to directed dispersal into areas with lower densities of conspecific trees, where seed and seedling survival are higher, and could profoundly affect the spatial structure of plant communities. We tested this hypothesis with Central American agoutis andAstrocaryum standleyanumpalm seeds on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We radio‐tracked seeds as they were cached and re‐cached by agoutis, calculated the density of adultAstrocaryumtrees surrounding each cache, and tested whether the observed number of trees around seed caches declined more than expected under random dispersal. Seedling establishment success was negatively dependent on seed density, and agoutis carried seeds towards locations with lower conspecific tree densities, thus facilitating the escape of seeds from natural enemies. This behaviour may be a widespread mechanism leading to highly effective seed dispersal by scatter‐hoarding animals.
Behavioral Plasticity and Variation in Pit Construction of Antlion Larvae in Substrates with Different Particle Sizes
Authors: Klokočovnik Vesna , Devetak Dušan , Orlačnik Marina
Published: September 2012

Behavioral plasticity allows animals to maximize their fitness in a variety of environmental conditions. Trap‐building predators represent case studies in such plasticity as the characteristics of their traps are dependent upon the substrate available. We investigated the effect of sand particle size on pit construction in antlions (Euroleon nostras), sand‐dwelling insect larvae that build pitfall traps to capture prey. The pit construction behavior of the species comprises six stages. When antlions were exposed to different sand particle sizes, their behavior differed in terms of the occurrence and duration of particular stages and in the frequency of jerks produced during sand tossing. Jerk frequency was negatively correlated with sand particle size and also changed during pit construction. Furthermore, at larger particle sizes, individuals occasionally constructed irregular traps with a figure of eight shape, and they crossed the center of the truncated cone during deepening. In the largest substrate, particle size of antlions did not construct pits. Our results demonstrate that variation in traps under differing environmental conditions stems directly from behavioral plasticity in this species.
Stress for invasion success? Temperature stress of preceding generations modifies the response to insecticide stress in an invasive pest insect
Authors: Piiroinen Saija , Lyytinen Anne , Lindström Leena
Published: September 2012

Adaptation to stressful environments is one important factor influencing species invasion success. Tolerance to one stress may be complicated by exposure to other stressors experienced by the preceding generations. We studied whether parental temperature stress affects tolerance to insecticide in the invasive Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata. Field‐collected pyrethroid‐resistant beetles were reared under either stressful (17°C) or favourable (23°C) insecticide‐free environments for three generations. Then, larvae were exposed to pyrethroid insecticides in common garden conditions (23°C). Beetles were in general tolerant to stress. The parental temperature stress alone affected beetles positively (increased adult weight) but it impaired their tolerance to insecticide exposure. In contrast, offspring from the favourable temperature regime showed compensatory weight gain in response to insecticide exposure. Our study emphasizes the potential of cross‐generational effects modifying species stress tolerance. When resistant pest populations invade benign environments, a re‐application of insecticides may enhance their performance via hormetic effects. In turn, opposite effects may arise if parental generations have been exposed to temperature stress. Thus, the outcome of management practices of invasive pest species is difficult to predict unless we also incorporate knowledge of the evolutionary and recent (preceding generations) stress history of the given populations into pest management.
How do keratinizing disorders and blistering disorders overlap?
Authors: Hamada Takahiro , Tsuruta Daisuke , Fukuda Shunpei , Ishii Norito , Teye Kwesi , Numata Sanae , Dainichi Teruki , Karashima Tadashi , Ohata Chika , Furumura Minao , Hashimoto Takashi
Published: September 2012

Inherited keratinizing disorders are caused by mutations in the genes encoding cornified cell envelope proteins, enzymes and their inhibitors, adhesion molecules, cytoskeletal proteins and others in the epidermis. These molecules are known to regulate differentiation, proliferation and cell adhesions. Intriguingly, some keratinizing disorders show blistering skin lesions, while some inherited blistering disorders show abnormal keratinization. Therefore, hereditary keratinizing and blistering diseases are closely related and show overlapping genetic backgrounds. In this review, we overviewed keratinizing and blistering disorders in terms of overlapping of the two disease groups. Gene mutations in desmosomal components cause striate keratoderma, Naxos disease, epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma and plakophilin deficiency, which first show skin fragility and blisters and later hyperkeratosis. Gene mutations in hemidesmosomal components cause various forms of epidermolysis bullosa, some of which show hyperkeratosis on the nails, palms and soles, in addition to blister formation. Diseases with gene mutations in calcium pump proteins are Darier disease and Hailey–Hailey disease, which show clinicopathological overlaps and develop both keratinizing and blistering skin lesions. Finally, gene mutations in epidermal keratins cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex, epidermolytic ichthyosis, superficial epidermolytic ichthyosis, epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma and pachyonychia congenita/focal palmoplantar keratoderma, which show thickening of the palms and soles with underlying blister formation. In general, responsible proteins for diseases developing both keratinizing and blistering conditions are adhesion molecules, calcium pump proteins and keratins, but not connexins, cornified cell envelop proteins, enzymes or inhibitors. It is still unknown how particular keratinizing diseases develop blisters and vice versa.
Characterizing the biological traits and life history of Acanthopagrus (Sparidae) hybrid complexes: implications for conservation and management
Authors: Ochwada‐Doyle F. , Roberts D. , Gray C. , Barnes L. , Haddy J. , Fearman J.
Published: September 2012

This study examined the spatio‐temporal reproductive patterns, population structure, maturity and growth of Acanthopagrus hybrid complexes, which comprise mainly black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri and the hybrids they form with yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis, in two Australian estuaries (Coila and Brou Lakes, NSW). There were no differences between pure A. butcheri and hybrids in terms of their population structure, growth and maturity, suggesting that these two breeds have similar life histories and may therefore be managed as single, naturally cohesive units. Sexual variation in size structure was only observed for the complex in Coila Lake. Although there was significant variation in age structure between estuaries, both complexes exhibited dominance of only a few year classes indicating episodic recruitment and high fishing mortality. Acanthopagrus eggs occurred in higher numbers within upstream creek habitats compared to lake habitats, thereby highlighting the need to protect these spawning habitats. Although maturity in the complexes was not influenced by gender or estuary, differences in growth were detected between the genders and estuaries.
Immersion anaesthesia with tricaine methanesulphonate or propofol on different sizes and strains of silver catfish Rhamdia quelen
Authors: Gressler L. T. , Parodi T. V. , Riffel A. P. K. , DaCosta S. T. , Baldisserotto B.
Published: September 2012

The efficacy of immersion anaesthesia with tricaine methanesulphonate (MS222) or propofol on albino and grey silver catfish Rhamdia quelen was assessed through induction and recovery times and observation of mortality. Besides reporting a novel, efficient and practical use of propofol as an immersion anaesthetic, the study shows that it is essential to consider size and strain when anaesthetizing R. quelen with MS222 or propofol bath solution in order to minimize physiological impact.
Reproductive biology of cuckoo ray Leucoraja naevus
Authors: Maia C. , Erzini K. , Serra‐Pereira B. , Figueiredo I.
Published: September 2012

The present study is the first to provide data on the reproductive biology of cuckoo ray Leucoraja naevus in Portuguese continental waters. No difference in size at maturity was detected between sexes, which was estimated as 56 cm total length. Spawning occurs all year round, but maximum activity was during winter months. Maximum fecundity is c. 63 eggs female−1 year−1. Encapsulated eggs are released in batches, nine in total with a mean number of seven extruded eggs in each batch.
An experimental study of the multiple effects of brown troutSalmo truttaon the bioenergetics of two Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinusmorphs
Authors: Guénard G. , Boisclair D. , Ugedal O. , Forseth T. , Jonsson B. , Fleming I. A.
Published: September 2012

This study investigated the importance of competition with brown troutSalmo truttaas a driver of the morphological and behavioural divergence of two morphs of Arctic charrSalvelinus alpinus. The morphs originated from two lakes differing in absence or presence of the competitor. The bioenergetics and behaviour ofS. alpinuswere quantified in replicate experimental enclosures (mean volume: 150 m3) stocked with 15S. alpinusof one morph or the other and in the absence or presence of nineS. trutta. The presence ofS. truttadecreased growth rate, affected food consumption and increased activity costs inS. alpinus, but provided little support for the hypothesis that competition withS. truttais a major driver of the divergence of the twoS. alpinusmorphs. Both morphs responded similarly in terms of mean growth and consumption rates per enclosure, but the association between individual morphology and growth rate reversed between allopatric and sympatric enclosures. While the activity patterns of the two morphs were unaffected by the presence ofS. trutta, their swimming speed and activity rate differed. Since the profound differences in the structure of the physical habitat of the source lakes provided a more likely explanation for the difference observed among these two morphs than interspecific competition, it is hypothesized that physical habitat may sometimes be a significant driving force of the phenotypic divergence.
The effect of dietary lipid content and stress on egg quality in farmed Atlantic cod Gadus morhua
Authors: Bogevik A. S. , Natário S. , Karlsen Ø. , Thorsen A. , Hamre K. , Rosenlund G. , Norberg B.
Published: September 2012

The present study assessed differences in fecundity and egg quality from Atlantic cod Gadus morhua fed isoproteic diets containing 13% fat (low fat, LF) or 20% fat (high fat, HF) and either stressed or left unstressed as a control over the spawning season. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of G. morhua from June 2009, through to first maturation and spawning. In January 2010 sub‐groups of G. morhua were moved to land‐based spawning tanks where the experimental trial was carried out. At the start of the experiment, G. morhua fed the high‐fat diet were significantly larger than G. morhua fed low‐fat diet. These differences were maintained through the spawning season, although with a loss of mass in both dietary groups. Relative fecundity through the season was significantly lower in stressed G. morhua fed LF compared to unstressed G. morhua fed the same diet. Stressed G. morhua had a higher variability in weekly amount of eggs spawned, spawning occurred more irregularly, and the spawning period lasted longer than in unstressed G. morhua. Several egg quality variables were also affected: eggs from G. morhua fed LF and exposed to stress had lower fertilization and hatching rates compared to the unstressed G. morhua fed the same diet as well as all G. morhua fed HF. Gadus morhua fed a low‐fat diet appeared less tolerant to stress than fish fed a high‐fat diet.
Immunomodulatory effects of Bacillus subtilis (natto) B4 spores on murine macrophages
Authors: Xu Xin , Huang Qin , Mao Yulong , Cui Zhiwen , Li Yali , Huang Yi , Rajput Imran Rashid , Yu Dongyou , Li Weifen
Published: September 2012

To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) (natto) B4 spores on murine macrophage, RAW 264.7 cells were cultured alone or with B subtilis (natto) B4 spores at 37°C for 12 hrs, then both cells and culture supernatants were collected for analyses. Exposure of RAW 264.7 cells to B. subtilis (natto) B4 spores had no significant effects on macrophage viability and amounts of extracellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). However, it remarkably increased the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cells and the amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interferon‐gamma, interleukin [IL]‐1 beta, IL‐6, IL‐12, IL‐10 and macrophage inflammatory protein‐2) in culture supernatants. These results demonstrate that B. subtilis (natto) B4 spores are harmless to murine macrophages and can stimulate their activation through up‐regulation of ACP and LDH activities and enhance their immune function by increasing iNOS activity and stimulating NO and cytokine production. The above findings suggest that B. subtilis (natto) B4 spores have immunomodulatory effects on macrophages.
Effects of sequential infections of Caenorhabditis elegans with Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis
Authors: JebaMercy Gnanasekaran , Balamurugan Krishnaswamy
Published: September 2012

Caenorhabditis elegans can be used to study the dynamics of polymicrobial infections, specifically those between Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. With C. elegans, Proteus mirabilis acts as an opportunistic pathogen and does not kill this host. Hence, in the present study, C. elegans was immunochallenged by pre‐infecting it with the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus in order to study the subsequent effect of P. mirabilis on the host. It was found that 12 hrs of S. aureus and 80 hrs of subsequent P. mirabilis infection significantly reduced the life span of exposed C. elegans by 80%. However, preinfection with S. aureus for 8 and 4 hrs reduced the life span of C. elegans by only 60 and 30%, respectively. Further, there was greater production of reactive oxygen species in the sequentially infected samples than in the S. aureus and P. mirabilis controls. Real time PCR analysis indicated regulation of candidate immune regulatory genes, lysozyme (lys‐7), CUB‐like proteins (F08G5.6), neuropeptide‐like factors (nlp‐29), transcription factors of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (ATF‐7) and daf‐2–daf‐16 (daf‐16), insulin‐like signaling pathways and C‐type lectin (clec‐60 and clec‐87) family members during S. aureus and subsequent P. mirabilis‐mediated infections, indicating possible roles of, and contributions by, the above factors during host immune responses against these sequential infections. The present findings demonstrate that S. aureus infections increase the vulnerability of the C. elegans host by subverting its immune system, which then permits the opportunistic pathogen P. mirabilis to be pathogenic to this host
The influence of drug use in university hospitals on the pharmaceutical consumption in their surrounding communities
Authors: Gallini Adeline , Legal Renaud , Taboulet Florence
Published: September 2012

Aim

To investigate the influence of hospital drug choices on pharmaceutical consumption for nine competitive classes in the surrounding community.

Methods

Ecological study. Data from the national survey on drugs in hospitals were used to extract quantities purchased by 25 French university hospitals for three ‘hospital classes’ (EPOs, LMWHs and setrons) and six ‘ambulatory classes’ (PPIs, ACEIs and ARBs, statins, α‐adrenoreceptor antagonists (AAAs) and selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors SSRIs). Re‐imbursed quantities for patients living in the hospital's catchment area were extracted from the national health insurance database. The relationship between the use of a brand in hospitals and their catchment areas was assessed using multivariate linear regressions with instrumental variables.

Results

An increase of 1 day of treatment with one brand in the hospital was associated with a significant increase of 2.8 days of treatment with the same brand in the catchment area. However, results strongly varied according to classes. An increase of 1 day of treatment in the hospital was significantly associated with an increase of 0.21 day for ‘hospital classes’ and 21.8 days for ‘ambulatory classes’ in the catchment area. Strong variations were seen across ‘ambulatory classes’. The effect was maximal for cardiovascular classes and not significant for AAAs and SSRIs. The size of the effect also varied with hospital characteristics: small and proximity university hospitals exerted the greatest influence.

Conclusions

Hospital consumption influences the use of drugs in the community. A significant effect was found, especially for competitive classes used on a long‐term basis. The economic consequences of these findings need to be addressed.