bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visceral sensation and irritable bowel syndrome; with special reference to comparison with functional abdominal pain syndrome
Authors: Nozu Tsukasa , Okumura Toshikatsu
Published: March 2011

Objective and Background:  Stress‐induced visceral hypersensitivity may play an important role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but not in functional abdominal pain syndrome (FAPS). We examined rectal sensation in those patients.

Methodology:  Experiment 1: Rectal thresholds of pain (PT) and maximum tolerance were assessed by barostat with ramp distention before and after repetitive rectal painful distention (RRD). Experiment 2, PT was measured in basal state and after intravenous CRF (100 µg) or vehicle, together with or without RRD. Experiment 3: Three phasic distentions at physiological range were randomly loaded. The subjects were asked to mark the visual analogue scale (VAS) in reference to subjective intensity of sensation.

Results:  Experiment 1: Majority of IBS patients showed rectal hypersensitivity before RRD in contrast to FAPS. All IBS patients developed hypersensitivity after RRD, however, none of the FAPS patients did. RRD significantly reduced both thresholds in IBS (n = 7) but did not change in controls (n = 14) and FAPS (n = 6). Experiment 2: PT was not modified by RRD in placebo group (n = 6), while it was significantly reduced in CRF‐treated group (n = 5). On the other hand, CRF (n = 5) or vehicle (n = 5) without RRD did not alter PT. Experiment 3: The VAS ratings were increased in IBS (n = 7) but significantly decreased in FAPS (n = 6) as compared to controls (n = 14).

Conclusions:  RRD‐induced rectal hypersensitivity seems to be reliable marker for IBS, and CRF may contribute to this response. FAPS patients may have hyposensitivity to non‐noxious physiological distention, suggesting FAPS has different pathogenesis from IBS.
Ghrelin family of peptides and gut motility
Authors: Asakawa Akihiro , Ataka Koji , Fujino Kazunori , Chen Chih‐Yen , Kato Ikuo , Fujimiya Mineko , Inui Akio
Published: March 2011

Acyl ghrelin, des‐acyl ghrelin, and obestatin are three peptides isolated from the gastrointestinal tract and encoded by the same preproghrelin gene. Three ghrelin gene products participate in modulating appetite, adipogenesis, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, immune, sleep, memory, anxiety, cognition, and stress. We have investigated the effects of ghrelin family of peptides on fed and fasted motor activities in the stomach and duodenum of freely moving conscious rats by manometric method. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intravenous (IV) administration of acyl ghrelin induced fasted motor activity in the duodenum in fed rats. ICV and IV administration of des‐acyl ghrelin disrupted fasted motor activity in the antrum. Changes in gastric motility induced by IV administration of des‐acyl ghrelin were antagonized by ICV administration of a corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) 2 receptor antagonist. IV administration of obestatin decreased the percentage motor index in the antrum and prolonged the time taken to return to fasted motility in the duodenum in fed rats. ICV administration of CRF 1 and 2 receptor antagonists prevented the effects of obestatin on gastroduodenal motility. Ghrelin gene products regulate feeding‐associated gastroduodenal motility. Stomach may regulate various functions including gastrointestinal motility via acyl ghrelin, des‐acyl ghrelin and obestatin as an endocrine organ. Increasing knowledge of the effects of ghrelin family of peptides on gastrointestinal motility could lead to innovative new therapies for functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Genetic factors for functional dyspepsia
Authors: Oshima Tadayuki , Toyoshima Fumihiko , Nakajima Shigemi , Fukui Hirokazu , Watari Jiro , Miwa Hiroto
Published: March 2011

Background:  Although familial clustering of functional dyspepsia (FD) has been reported, the role of genetics in the susceptibility to FD is still not well established. Several reports indicate the associations between FD and gene polymorphisms, however the data are inconsistent. This review summarized the evidence of genetics in FD based on genetic epidemiology.

Results:  Genetic association studies with FD symptom phenotype have limited for several candidate genes investigated. There have been no genome wide association studies in FD. G‐protein beta3 (GNB3) subunit C825T was first reported as a candidate gene for FD susceptibility. However, the data are inconsistent in countries. Significant link between homozygous 825C allele of GNB3 protein and dyspepsia was reported from Germany and the USA. On the other hand, the association between T allele of GNB3 C825T polymorphism and dyspepsia was reported from Japan and Netherland. Association of serotonin transporter promoter (SERT‐P) gene polymorphism and FD was reported negatively from a USA community and Netherland. However we found that SERT SL genotype was significantly associated with PDS. Involvement of IL‐17F, migration inhibitory factor (MIF), catechol‐o‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene val158met, 779 TC of CCK‐1 intron 1, cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1), transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1 (TRPV1) 315C and regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) polymorphisms was reported in Japanese studies.

Conclusions:  Genetic factors are associated with the development of dyspeptic symptoms. Further studies are needed to confirm these data and to determine how genetic factors influence the clinical manifestation of FD patients.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders in New Zealand
Authors: Wyeth John W
Published: March 2011

Background:  Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common worldwide.

Aim:  To review functional gastrointestinal disorder prevalence, diagnosis and treatment in New Zealand.

Methods:  A Medline search was performed to identify all published studies relating to prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders in New Zealand.

Results:  Reflux prevalence is 30% and non‐reflux dyspepsia is 34.2%. Helicobacter pylori prevalence varies considerably in NZ by geographical area and ethnicity and overall prevalence of infection is 24% in adults. 50% of patients with dyspepsia presenting for endoscopy in NZ will have no mucosal abnormality identified. National Dyspepsia Guidelines assist in management of patients. Guidelines exist for undifferentiated dyspepsia, Gastro‐oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD), H. pylori, peptic ulcer, NSAID's and gastrointestinal complications. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is reported by 21% of adults. Symptoms were more than twice as frequent and severe in females than males. Access to colonoscopy for investigation of bowel symptoms is limited in NZ and priority is given to patients with “alarm features”. Non‐invasive markers of inflammation, such as faecal calprotectin, are being used to differentiate the patient with functional diarrhoea from inflammatory bowel disease. Treatment for irritable bowel symptoms is targeted to the predominant symptom.

Conclusions:  Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common in New Zealand. There is increasing awareness of dietary management for functional bowel symptoms.
The clinical significances of irritable bowel syndrome in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Full‐Young , Lu Ching‐Liang
Published: March 2011

Background and Aim:  According to the Rome III definition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been a biopsychosocial dysfunction. We tried to know whether the IBS clinical manifestations were comparable to other countries.

Method:  We have reviewed the IBS publications in Taiwan, thus its clinical significances are summarized and compared to others.

Results:  Among a selected population of paid physical checkup, the Rome I & II criteria defined prevalences were 17.5% and 22.1%, respectively without an observed female predominance. However, female was a factor leading to constipation predominant IBS (C‐IBS). Taiwan IBS patients did excessively consume society resource in terms of physician visits and absenteeism. They also had more chance of cholecystectomy, whereas normal appendix was often found in case of appendectomy. Overlapping extra‐colonic manifestations, e.g. dyspepsia and lower urinary tract symptoms were common. Helicobacter pylori infection and female gender were closely related to the coexisted dyspepsia. Various psychiatric disturbances were also confirmed here. Intestinal transit correlated well with bowel symptoms, e.g. slow in constipation but fast in diarrhea. Diminished cholinergic activity was observed among the C‐IBS patients. Various agents including mebeverine, pinaverium, peppermint oil, smectitie and tegarserod did somewhat improve IBS symptoms. Unfortunately, the IBS knowledge was not well understood among the medical professionals.

Conclusions:  IBS is common in Taiwan, its impacts on the society are similarly observed while female gender often results in severe impacts. Disordered motility and cholinergic nervous system are likely some of its pathogeneses. Current recommended treatments are effectively demonstrated.
Epidemiology, approach and management of functional dyspepsia in Thailand
Authors: Kachintorn Udom
Published: March 2011

Background and aim:  Functional dyspepsia (FD) represents one of the important GI disorders confronting clinicians worldwide including Thailand. FD is a clinical syndrome with various underlying pathophysiologies, and their treatment remains a major challenge. This article aims at the approach of FD and its management.

Method:  For current situation, optimal therapy includes non‐drug therapy namely reassurance by ruling out relevant differential diagnoses, general advice with regard to the underlying causes, dietary measures, lifestyle modification, and good doctor‐patient relationship. Removing precipitating causes, such as medications, food or psychological factors/stress contributing to symptoms, is mandatory. A wide variety of drug treatments have been used to manage FD including antisecretory agents, prokinetics and H.pylori eradication.

Results:  It is understandable that there is no ideal drug available. The overall gain over placebo ranges from less than 5% for H.pylori eradication to 15%‐20% for antisecretory agents and prokinetics.

Conclusion:  Drug therapy includes acid inhibitory agents, prokinetics and H.pylori eradication are still the mainstay and should be adjusted accordingly on a case‐by‐case basis. In the future, it would be logical to develop multi‐target therapies that simultaneously address various underlying mechanisms.
Clinical and epidemiological perspectives of dyspepsia in a multiracial Malaysian population
Authors: Goh Khean‐Lee
Published: March 2011

Dyspepsia is perhaps the most common gastrointestinal disease universally. The prevalence of dyspepsia ranges from 7–40% in population based studies worldwide. These figures vary with definition of dyspepsia used and also with the survey methodology.

As with Western studies, functional dyspepsia (FD) predominates in Asia. With a decline in peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, the proportion of FD is set to increase further. Studies have shown FD to account for 50–70% of cases of uninvestigated dyspepsia.

In Malaysia dyspepsia has been reported in up to 15% of a rural and 25% of an urban population. No racial differences were seen in the rural survey. In the urban survey, Malays and Indians were found to have significantly more dyspepsia than Chinese. No clear explanation can be found for these racial differences. In clinical practice, Malays seem to complain a lot of wind and bloating in the “stomach.” This is interesting to note when you compare it with the prevalence of H. pylori which is distinctly less common amongst Malays compared to the Indians and Chinese.

As with many Asian populations, many Malaysians do not consult for complains of dyspepsia. Many will self medicate and others may even bear with their complains. This is probably true in the rural population. Traditional medications are often used and these are often ethnic based. Different types of lotions for example are used for massaging the putative area in the abdomen by Malay, Chinese and Indian patients. Moxibustion and acupuncture is still practiced by Chinese traditional physicians for treatment of dyspepsia. The notion that mood disorders may underlies dyspepsia is still poorly accepted by a less educated or rural population who consider a psychiatric consultation a taboo.

Amongst urban dwellers where Westernized medical care is readily available and the awareness of potential serious disease like cancer is higher, consultation for dyspepsia is certainly higher. Indeed a higher education level has been identified as independent risk factors for dyspepsia in both an urban and rural population survey in Malaysia. With greater consultation for dyspepsia, there has also been a higher demand and utilization of endoscopy services for investigation of gastrointestinal diseases in the country.
Does gluten cause gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without coeliac disease?
Authors: Newnham Evan D.
Published: March 2011

Aim:  To determine the evidence for the effect of gluten ingestion on gastrointestinal symptoms, intestinal permeability and other indices of small intestinal injury in non‐coeliac, gluten intolerant individuals.

Methods:  A literature review was performed searching for interventional studies that addressed the issue.

Results:  One unblinded study that identified symptomatic response to gluten did not effectively exclude patients with coeliac disease, since many had intraepithelial lymphocytosis. A double‐blinded, randomised, placebo‐controlled rechallenge trial was recently reported in patients in whom coeliac disease had been excluded by either normal duodenal histology on a gluten containing diet, or absence of the HLA DQ2 or DQ8 haplotype (56%). Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 16 g/day carbohydrate‐free gluten or placebo for six weeks. Participants were enrolled if they had gastrointestinal symptoms that had improved on a GFD and had been on a gluten free diet for at least 6 weeks prior to enrolment. 19 received gluten and 15 received placebo. Change between baseline and final weeks were greater for patients receiving gluten in overall symptom severity compared with those receiving placebo (p = 0.047). and were worse with gluten within one week for pain (p = 0.016), bloating (p = 0.031), satisfaction with stool consistency (p = 0.024), and tiredness (p = 0.001). Mechanisms for symptom induction were not identified.

Conclusions:  Non‐coeliac gluten intolerance does exist. Future studies need to identify issues of the dose of gluten needed and mechanisms of action.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in irritable bowel syndrome: Frequency and predictors
Authors: Sachdeva Sanjeev , Rawat Ajit Kumar , Reddy Ravi Sankar , Puri Amarender Singh
Published: March 2011

Objective and Background:  Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been implicated in pathogenesis of IBS. We aimed to study frequency and predictors of SIBO in patients with IBS.

Methodology:  We included 59 consecutive patients of IBS & 37 healthy controls (HC). Evaluation for SIBO was done by glucose breath test (GBT) using 100 gm of glucose after an overnight fast. Breath hydrogen & methane concentration were noted at baseline & every 15 min after administration of glucose for a total of 3 h. Persistent rise in breath hydrogen or methane > 12 ppm above basal was considered diagnostic of SIBO.

Results:  Of 59 patients, 27 were diarrhoea predominant (D‐IBS), 11 were constipation predominant (C‐IBS) and 21 were mixed type (M‐IBS). Median age of patients (34 [18–47] years) were comparable to controls (35 [20–48] years) (P = 0.21). Patient group was similar to HC in gender distribution (male 41/59 [69.5%]vs 25/37 [67.6%], P = 0.36). SIBO was more frequent in patients with IBS than HC (14/59 [23.7%]vs 1/37 [2.7%], P = 0.008). Patients with D‐IBS more often had SIBO as compared to non‐D‐IBS (10/27 [37%]vs 4/32 [12.5%], P = 0.02). C‐IBS had lowest frequency of SIBO (1/11 [9%]) among all IBS subgroups. Patients with history of bloating more often had SIBO as compared to those without this symptom (11/23 [47.8%]vs 3/36 [8.3%], P = 0.002). Among IBS patients, females more often had SIBO as compared to males (8/18 [44.4%]vs 6/41 [14.6%], P = 0.01).

Conclusions:  SIBO was more frequent in patients with IBS as compared to healthy controls. D‐IBS subtype, female gender & bloating were predictors of SIBO in patients with IBS.
Heterotopic Purkinje cells in ataxia‐telangiectasia
Authors: Bottini Alexander R. , Gatti Richard A. , Wirenfeldt Martin , Vinters Harry V.
Published: March 2011

Ataxia‐telangiectasia (A‐T) is a heritable disorder of cerebellar ataxia and oculocutaneous telangiectasias caused by mutation of the ATM gene. The most prominent and consistent neuropathologic finding in the disorder is cerebellar cortical degeneration involving significant loss of granule and Purkinje cells. Several past autopsy studies of A‐T patients have also noted large‐bodied cells located within the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex and, noting similarities in morphology between these cells and Purkinje cells, hypothesized that the cells were heterotopic Purkinje cells. This study aimed to test this hypothesis using an antibody that labels Purkinje cells, and also to investigate other cell types in the degenerating cerebellar cortex in A‐T. Using the anti‐calbindin D‐28K antibody to label Purkinje cells in cerebellar tissue from five A‐T patients and five age‐ and sex‐matched controls, the study found calbindin‐positive heterotopic Purkinje cells in the molecular layer occurring at a significantly higher rate in A‐T patients than in controls (P = 0.012). Further immunohistochemistry with the anti‐Iba‐1 and anti‐parvalbumin antibodies showed, respectively, an increase in microglial activity (P = 0.14) and stellate‐cell density (P = 0.0048) in the cerebellar cortex of A‐T patients versus controls. These data add to the as yet unresolved debate over the origin and significance of heterotopic Purkinje cells in A‐T.
Neuroselective measure of the current perception threshold of A‐delta and C‐fiber afferents in the lower urinary tract
Authors: Fujihara Atsuko , Ukimura Osamu , Iwata Tsuyoshi , Miki Tsuneharu
Published: March 2011

Sensory dysfunction could be involved in various pathogeneses in the lower urinary tract including neurogenic bladder, overactive bladder, painful bladder syndrome and neuropathy as a result of endocrine disorders. The ability to diagnose sensory function more objectively is of increasing interest to clinicians. Afferent innervations of the lower urinary tract involve myelinated (A‐delta) and unmyelinated (C) fibers. The Neurometer (Neurotron, Baltimore, MD, USA) is the only reported commercially available device to evaluate afferent function by selectively depolarizing different subpopulations of afferent nerves, with 250 Hz activating A‐delta fibers and 5 Hz activating C‐fibers, to determine their current perception threshold (CPT) as a quantitative measure. Recently, increased evidence has suggested that measurement of CPT values of A‐delta and C‐fibers in the lower urinary tracts is feasible and shows significant correlation with clinical symptoms and conventional urodynamic variables, as well as the efficacy of various treatments. However, there are still controversial issues in the wider use of this technology in diagnosis and assessment of the therapeutic effectiveness of sensory dysfunction in the lower urinary tracts. In order to resolve the remaining challenges in the CPT test of the lower urinary tract, recent efforts include development of a new balloon‐type electro‐catheter with dual electrodes as an alternative sensory test for the bladder or urethra, which allows simultaneous performance of conventional urodynamic tests and urine collection, and future standardized techniques available for comparison with validated control values.
Marine sponges and their microbial symbionts: love and other relationships
Authors: Webster Nicole S. , Taylor Michael W.
Published: March 2011

Many marine sponges harbour dense and diverse microbial communities of considerable ecological and biotechnological importance. While the past decade has seen tremendous advances in our understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of sponge‐associated microorganisms (more than 25 bacterial phyla have now been reported from sponges), it is only in the past 3–4 years that the in situ activity and function of these microbes has become a major research focus. Already the rewards of this new emphasis are evident, with genomics and experimental approaches yielding novel insights into symbiont function. Key steps in the nitrogen cycle [denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox)] have recently been demonstrated in sponges for the first time, with diverse bacteria – including the sponge‐associated candidate phylum ‘Poribacteria’– being implicated in these processes. In this minireview we examine recent major developments in the microbiology of sponges, and identify several research areas (e.g. biology of viruses in sponges, effects of environmental stress) that we believe are deserving of increased attention.
Defining the response of a microorganism to temperatures that span its complete growth temperature range (−2°C to 28°C) using multiplex quantitative proteomics
Authors: Williams Timothy J. , Lauro Federico M. , Ertan Haluk , Burg Dominic W. , Poljak Anne , Raftery Mark J. , Cavicchioli Ricardo
Published: March 2011

The growth of all microorganisms is limited to a specific temperature range. However, it has not previously been determined to what extent global protein profiles change in response to temperatures that incrementally span the complete growth temperature range of a microorganism. As a result it has remained unclear to what extent cellular processes (inferred from protein abundance profiles) are affected by growth temperature and which, in particular, constrain growth at upper and lower temperature limits. To evaluate this, 8‐plex iTRAQ proteomics was performed on the Antarctic microorganism, Methanococcoides burtonii. Methanococcoides burtonii was chosen due to its importance as a model psychrophilic (cold‐adapted) member of the Archaea, and the fact that proteomic methods, including subcellular fractionation procedures, have been well developed. Differential abundance patterns were obtained for cells grown at seven different growth temperatures (−2°C, 1°C, 4°C, 10°C, 16°C, 23°C, 28°C) and a principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify trends in protein abundances. The multiplex analysis enabled three largely distinct physiological states to be described: cold stress (−2°C), cold adaptation (1°C, 4°C, 10°C and 16°C), and heat stress (23°C and 28°C). A particular feature of the thermal extremes was the synthesis of heat‐ and cold‐specific stress proteins, reflecting the important, yet distinct ways in which temperature‐induced stress manifests in the cell. This is the first quantitative proteomic investigation to simultaneously assess the response of a microorganism to numerous growth temperatures, including the upper and lower growth temperatures limits, and has revealed a new level of understanding about cellular adaptive responses.
Prospective randomized multicentre study comparing stapler haemorrhoidopexy with Doppler‐guided transanal haemorrhoid dearterialization for third‐degree haemorrhoids
Authors: Infantino A. , Altomare D. F. , Bottini C. , Bonanno M. , Mancini S. ,   the THD group of the SICCR (Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery) (T. Yalti, P. Giamundo, J. Hoch, A. El Gaddal and C. Pagano).
Published: March 2011

Aim  Doppler‐guided transanal haemorrhoid dearterialization (THD) and stapler haemorrhoidopexy (SH) have been demonstrated to be less painful than the Milligan–Morgan procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of THD vs SH in the treatment of third‐degree haemorrhoids in an equivalent trial.

Method  One hundred and sixty‐nine patients with third‐degree haemorrhoids were randomized online to receive THD (n = 85) or SH (n = 84) in 10 Colorectal Units in which the staff were well trained in both techniques. The mean follow‐up period was 17 (range 15–20) months.

Results  Early minor postoperative complications occurred in 30.6% of patients in the THD group and in 32.1% of patients in the SH group. Milder spontaneous pain and pain on defecation were reported in the THD group in the first postoperative week, but this was not statistically significant. Late complications were significantly higher (P = 0.028) in the SH group. Residual haemorrhoids persisted in 12 patients in the THD group and in six patients in the SH group (P = 0.14). Six patients in the SH group and 10 in the THD group underwent further treatment of haemorrhoids (P = 0.34). No differences were found in postoperative incontinence. The obstructed defecation score (ODS) was significantly higher in the SH group (P < 0.02). Improvement in quality of life was similar in both groups. Postoperative in‐hospital stay was 1.14 days in the THD group and 1.31 days in the SH group (P = 0.03).

Conclusion  Both THD and SH techniques are effective for the treatment of third‐degree haemorrhoids in the medium term. THD has a better cost‐effective ratio and lower (not significant) pain compared with SH. Postoperative pain and recurrence did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Prospective evaluation of intraoperative peripheral nerve injury in colorectal surgery
Authors: Navarro‐Vicente F. , García‐Granero A. , Frasson M. , Blanco F. , Flor‐Lorente B. , García‐Botello S. , García‐Granero E.
Published: March 2011

Aim  Intraoperative peripheral nerve injury can have permanent neurological consequences. Its incidence is not known and varies according to the location and the surgical specialty. This study was a prospective analysis of intraoperative peripheral nerve injury as a complication of abdominal colorectal surgery.

Method  All patients who underwent major colorectal abdominal surgery in our Colorectal Unit between 1996 and 2009 were analyzed. Data on nerve injury were prospectively collected.

Results  There were 2304 patients, of whom eight (0.3%) experienced intraoperative peripheral nerve injury. This occurred in 5/2211 (0.2%) open procedures and in 3/93 (3%) laparoscopic procedures. There was no association between intraoperative peripheral nerve injury and age, gender, body mass index, surgeon, operation time, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score and urgent surgery. The use of Allen‐type stirrups and a vacuum bag (in laparoscopic surgery) seemed to be protective for nerve injury in the lower and upper limbs respectively.

Conclusion  Adequate positioning and the use of pressure‐free positioning devices may prevent intraoperative peripheral nerve injury, particularly during laparoscopy.
Adherence to national guidelines for surveillance after curative resection of nonmetastatic colon and rectum cancer: a survey among Norwegian gastrointestinal surgeons
Authors: Søreide K. , Træland J. H. , Stokkeland P. J. , Glomsaker T. , Søreide J. A. , Kørner H.
Published: March 2011

Aim  National guidelines recommend enrollment of patients in surveillance programmes following curative resection of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in order to detect recurrence or distant metastasis at an asymptomatic/early stage when secondary curative treatment can be offered. Little is known about surgeons’ adherence to such guidelines. In this national survey we analyse adherence and attitudes to postoperative follow up among Norwegian gastrointestinal surgeons involved in the care of patients with CRC.

Method  We performed a nationwide survey of all hospitals performing surgery for colon and/or rectum cancer. The presence of a surveillance programme, the type of programme, adherence to national guidelines or report on any deviation thereof, location of follow up at the hospital or with a general practitioner (GPs) and the estimated annual volume of surgery were queried through mail and telephone.

Results  All hospitals (n = 41) performing colorectal surgery responded, of which 25 (61%) conducted postoperative follow up by surgeons in the hospital outpatient clinics, four (10%) carried out follow up with a combination of hospital outpatient visits and visits to GPs, and 12 (29%) referred surveillance to the GP alone. For total reported patient numbers, almost two‐thirds (60%) received surveillance according to national recommendations through outpatient visits with the surgeon or GP, while one‐third (37%) were subject to other alternative routines. A small number (2%) received informal ‘ad hoc’ surveillance only. More liberal use of imaging outside guideline recommendations was reported for rectal cancer patients, while colon cancer patients treated in larger hospitals were more likely to be referred for GP surveillance.

Conclusion  All hospitals reported having a strategy for surveillance after surgery for colon and rectal cancer, but there was considerable variance in strategy. A scientific audit of the true level of compliance, effectiveness and cost‐benefit is warranted at a national level.
Gender of the patient may influence perioperative and long‐term complications after restorative proctocolectomy
Authors: Rottoli M. , Remzi F. H. , Shen B. , Kiran R. P.
Published: March 2011

Aim  Gender‐related differences in preoperative characteristics and early and long‐term outcome for patients undergoing ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) have not previously been well studied.

Method  All male and female patients undergoing IPAA at a single centre between 1983 and 2008 were compared for perioperative variables and long‐term outcome. Statistical tests were used as appropriate. A multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of gender on pouch failure.

Results  Female patients (n = 1495) were younger than male patients (n = 1912) (P < 0.001). Surgery type and pouch configuration were similar, although male gender was associated with a higher use of ileostomy (P < 0.001) and a higher incidence of 30‐day anastomotic separation (P = 0.001). During a median follow up of 9.9 (female) and 9.3 (male) years, female patients were more likely to develop bowel obstruction (20.8 vs 16.7%, P = 0.02) and pouch‐related fistula (10.9 vs 7.6%, P = 0.001). Women had a higher number of daily bowel movements than men (P = 0.001), and more frequently had urgency (P = 0.001), daily seepage (P = 0.01) and pad use (P < 0.001). A higher percentage of female patients reported dietary (P < 0.001) and work (P = 0.022) restrictions and lower mental component of the Short‐Form 36 quality of life score (P = 0.018). On multivariate analysis of perioperative variables, female gender was associated with pouch failure (P = 0.05).

Conclusion  The gender of the patient seems to be associated with specific differences in preoperative variables and postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing IPAA.
Osteoderm microstructure indicates the presence of a crocodylian‐like trunk bracing system in a group of armoured basal tetrapods
Authors: Buchwitz Michael , Witzmann Florian , Voigt Sebastian , Golubev Valeriy
Published: March 2011

Buchwitz, M., Witzmann, F., Voigt, S. and Golubev, V. 2012. Osteoderm microstructure indicates the presence of a crocodylian‐like trunk bracing system in a group of armoured basal tetrapods. —Acta Zoologica(Stockholm)93: 260–280.

The microstructure of dorsal osteoderms referred to the chroniosuchid taxaChroniosuchus,Chroniosaurus,Madygenerpetonand cf.Uralerpetonis compared to existing data on the bystrowianid chroniosuchianBystrowiellaand further tetrapods. Chroniosuchid osteoderms are marked by thin internal and relatively thick external cortices that consist of lowly vascularised parallel‐fibred bone. They are structured by growth marks and, in case ofMadygenerpeton, by lines of arrested growth. The cancellous middle region is marked by a high degree of remodelling and a primary bone matrix of parallel‐fibred bone that may include domains of interwoven structural fibres. Whereas the convergence ofBystrowiellaand chroniosuchid osteoderms is not confirmed by our observations, the internal cortex of the latter displays a significant peculiarity: It contains distinct bundles of shallowly dipping Sharpey’s fibres with a cranio‐ or caudoventral orientation. We interpret this feature as indicative for the attachment of epaxial muscles which spanned several vertebral segments between the medioventral surface of the osteoderms and the transversal processes of the thoracic vertebrae. This finding endorses the hypothesis that the chroniosuchid osteoderm series was part of a crocodylian‐like trunk bracing system that supported terrestrial locomotion. According to the measured range of osteoderm bone compactness, some chroniosuchian species may have had a more aquatic lifestyle than others.
Minimally invasive inguinal technique for the management of duplex ureteric anomaly
Authors: Radojicic Zoran , Vukadinovic Vojkan , Smoljanic Zeljko , Pavicevic Polina , Ducic Sinisa , Janic Nenad , Janjic Aleksandar , Perovic Sava
Published: March 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Reimplantation of only one involved ureter in the double ureter anomaly is possible.

Reimplantation of only one involved ureter in the double ureter anomaly is another viable option in the range of solutions offered for this anomaly.

OBJECTIVE

To present outcomes of a minimally invasive inguinal technique for the separation of the distal part of ureters in duplex systems and for the extravesical ureteroneocystostomy of only the pathologically involved ureter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From November 2001 to February 2007, we performed extravesical reimplantation of only the involved ureter in 21 duplex systems, of which 14 were refluxing (megaureters) and seven had obstruction of the ureterovesical junction.

The mean (range) age of the patients was 39 (17–59) months.

In seven patients, ureterocutaneostomy (of the involved ureter only) was performed first, with reimplantation 3–6 months later, after the diameter of the ureter had decreased, to ensure safe reimplantation.

The mean (range) postoperative follow‐up was 28 (12–47) months.

RESULTS

Postoperative voiding cysto‐urethrograms (VCUGs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), showed an absence of vesico‐ureteric reflux (VUR) or obstruction in the ureters of the first 10 patients.

In the remaining 11 patients, there was no ultrasound detectable dilatation, but symptomatic urinary tract infection developed in two of these patients. Subsequent VCUG and MRI results showed no obstructions or VURs.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that the minimally invasive inguinal approach to separation of ureters in duplex systems and single ureteroneocystostomy of only the pathologically involved ureter represents a viable treatment option.
Does the 2008 short sale ban affect the enforcement of the Law of One Price? Evidence from Australia
Authors: Do Binh , Do Viet , Chai Daniel
Published: March 2011

Using evidence from pairs trading in Australia’s equity market, we study the effect of the 2008 worldwide ban on short selling on the Law of One Price (LOP). We find that the ban surprisingly does not hinder the enforcement of the LOP. Violations did arise rather frequently in the turbulent market during the ban period; however, they were subsequently corrected, with prices of close economic substitutes promptly converging to parity. We show that the working of the LOP is not driven by professional arbitrageurs. We suggest that rational, long‐only investors are likely to be the enforcer of the LOP, as these investors who are unbound by the ban, simply sell their holdings of stocks that are overpriced relative to their close economic substitutes.
The Need to Belong Can Motivate Belief in God
Authors: Gebauer Jochen E. , Maio Gregory R.
Published: March 2011

The need to belong can motivate belief in God. In Study 1, 40 undergraduates read bogus astrophysics articles “proving” God's existence or not offering proof. Participants in the proof‐for‐God condition reported higher belief in God (compared to control) when they chronically imagined God as accepting but lower belief in God when they imagined God as rejecting. Additionally, in Study 2 (72 undergraduates), these effects did not occur when participants’ belongingness need was satisfied by priming close others. Study 3 manipulated 79 Internet participants’ image of God. Chronic believers in the God‐is‐rejecting condition reported lower religious behavioral intentions than chronic believers in the God‐is‐accepting condition, and this effect was mediated by lower desires for closeness with God. In Study 4 (106 Internet participants), chronic believers with an accepting image of God reported that their belief in God is motivated by belongingness needs.
Dispositional and Stressor‐Related Emotion Regulation in the Context of a Chronic, Life‐Limiting Stressor
Authors: Stanton Annette L. , Low Carissa A.
Published: March 2011

In the context of efforts to regulate emotion during chronic stressors, both dispositional response tendencies (affect intensity, negative and positive expressivity) and stressor‐related coping through emotional approach (processing and expressing emotions) are relevant to adjustment. In women with metastatic breast cancer (N = 103), contributions of self‐reported emotional processing and expression related to cancer, as well as dispositional expressivity to adaptive outcomes across 3 months were examined. In the context of high dispositional expressivity, an increase in emotional expression predicted improvements in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Emotional processing at study entry predicted increased depressive symptoms and intrusive thoughts, and declining life satisfaction among highly expressive women. Increasing emotional processing predicted improved depressive symptoms in the context of high expressivity. Increases in emotional approach coping were associated with a more arduous cancer experience. Findings highlight the importance of the person‐situation fit in linking emotion‐related constructs to adjustment during unremitting stressors.
Identification With Groups: The Role of Personality and Context
Authors: Sagiv Lilach , Roccas Sonia , Hazan Osnat
Published: March 2011

Is identification a product of personality or of the context? We examine this question by adopting a multidimensional conceptualization of identification (the CIDS model) that integrates research perspectives on personality and contextual effects. We investigate (Study 1) the relationships of traits to identification with the nation (students, N = 77), the army (soldiers, N = 220), and a business school (students, N = 123). Then we show that the modes of identification vary in their stability across social contexts and in their susceptibility to contextual change. Idealizing groups' symbols (“deference” identification) is especially stable across different foci of identification (Study 2): the military and former high school (soldiers, N = 188), the business school and the nation (students, = 62), and the military and one's ethnic group (soldiers, N = 95). Perceiving the group as a central part of the self (“importance” identification) is the most susceptible to contextual effects of priming values (Study 3; students, N = 80, 60) and the group's status (Study 4; students, N = 68).
Attachment Dynamics in a Virtual World
Authors: Schönbrodt Felix D. , Asendorpf Jens B.
Published: March 2011

The study investigated the transfer of attachment working models onto autonomous agents in a virtual social environment (VSE). Participants from a community sample (N = 422; mean age = 29 years; mean relationship duration = 4.8 years) encountered three attachment‐related key scenes in a VSE: a separation with a subsequent reunion, a conflict, and an illness. In these scenarios, participants gave instructions to the main character (the “protagonist”), who had a romantic relationship with one of the other agents (the “virtual spouse”). Recorded were numerous behaviors as well as emotions participants ascribed to the protagonist. Generally, participants' attachment styles correlated as predicted with their behavior toward the virtual spouse, with βs up to.42. Thus, the study demonstrates that internal working models are transferred to the virtual relationship. This approach opens new ways to investigate attachment‐related behavior by using VSEs that allow experimental variations of the virtual partner's reactions and other situational variables.
Dynamic, Contextual Approaches to Studying Personality in the Social World
Authors: Kashdan Todd B. , McKnight Patrick E.
Published: March 2011

This special issue ofJournal of Personality, composed of eight original articles, attends to the intersection of intrapersonal and interpersonal processes. Articles adopt a contextual approach to personality with attention to the need to belong (and the lack thereof), self‐presentation concerns and styles, sexuality, curiosity, self‐regulatory strength and strategies, and dynamic methodologies and analyses to study people within relationships. In this introduction, we offer challenges and aspirational goals for personality science. In particular, we discuss the importance of context when conceptualizing and studying personality, the seduction of innovative methodologies and analytic procedures, and the value of focusing on people and heterogeneity in groups instead of simply variables. We hope that this collection of articles deepens personality science and reminds readers that to truly understand human beings, they cannot be divorced from their social milieu.
Concrete Crack Detection by Multiple Sequential Image Filtering
Authors: Nishikawa Takafumi , Yoshida Junji , Sugiyama Toshiyuki , Fujino Yozo
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  This article presents a new robust automated image processing method for detecting cracks in surface images of concrete structures. This method involves two steps: (1) development of an image filter for detecting major cracks using genetic programming (GP), and (2) elimination of residual noise after filtering and detection of indistinct cracks by iterative applications of the image filter to the local regions surrounding the cracks. The proposed method can be used for the accurate detection of cracks in surface images recorded under various conditions. Moreover, the widths of the detected cracks can be quantified on the basis of the spatial derivatives of the brightness patterns. The estimated crack widths are in good agreement with those measured manually.
Optimal Routing with Multiple Objectives: Efficient Algorithm and Application to the Hazardous Materials Transportation Problem
Authors: Xie Chi , Waller S. Travis
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  This article presents an efficient parametric optimization method for the biobjective optimal routing problem. The core process is a bounded greedy single‐objective shortest path approximation algorithm. This method avoids the computationally intensive dominance check with labeling methods and overcomes the deficiency with existing parametric methods that can only find extreme nondominated paths. Moreover, we propose a decomposition scheme to convert a multiobjective routing problem into a number of biobjective problems. We then compare its computational performance against the classic label‐correcting method over a set of synthetically generated random networks and illustrate its algorithmic advances and solution behaviors by an example application of routing hazardous materials in a U.S. northeastern highway network.
Follow‐up study of cardiac 123I‐MIBG scintigraphy in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder
Authors: Miyamoto T. , Miyamoto M. , Iwanami M. , Hirata K.
Published: March 2011

Background:  Cardiac 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I‐MIBG) uptake in patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is markedly reduced, as in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Methods:  We performed 123I‐MIBG scintigrams on patients with iRBD and PD. After the initial 123I‐MIBG scintigram, we retested subjects after a mean of 2.8 years.

Results:  The delayed heart‐to‐mediastinum (H/M) ratio of cardiac 123I‐MIBG uptake was not significantly reduced between the first and second study in either group (P = 0.050, P = 0.091, respectively). Follow‐up imaging revealed a mean decline of 4.21 ± 9.06% or 6.40 ± 19.02% in the delayed H/M ratio in those with iRBD or PD, respectively.

Conclusions:  The 123I‐MIBG uptake findings might indicate progression early in the course of iRBD or PD, but the progression is heterogeneous and independent of development of motor symptoms.
Neural correlates of local contextual processing deficits in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Fogelson Noa , Ribolsi Michele , Fernandez‐Del‐Olmo Miguel , Rubino Ivo Alex , Romeo Domenico , Koch Giacomo , Peled Avi
Published: March 2011

Deficits in processing contextual information are one of the main features of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia, but the neurophysiologic substrate underlying this dysfunction is poorly understood. We used ERPs to investigate local contextual processing in schizophrenic patients. Local context was defined as the occurrence of a short predictive series of stimuli occurring before delivery of a target event. Response times of predicted targets were faster in controls compared to patients. Schizophrenia patients failed to generate the P3b latency shift between predicted and random targets that was observed in controls and demonstrated a prominent reduction of the peak of an early latency context dependent positivity. The current study provides evidence of contextual processing deficits in schizophrenia patients by demonstrating alteration in the behavioral and neural correlates of local contextual processing.
Effects of rapamycin and TOR on aging and memory: implications for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Santos Renato X. , Correia Sónia C. , Cardoso Susana , Carvalho Cristina , Santos Maria S. , Moreira Paula I.
Published: March 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 117, 927–936.

Rapamycin is a macrolide immunosuppressant drug, originally used as an anti‐fungal agent, which is widely used in transplantation medicine to prevent organ rejection. Target of rapamycin (TOR) is an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine kinase with pleiotropic cellular functions, regulating processes such as growth and metabolism, cell survival, transcription and autophagy. TOR intervenes in two distinct enzymatic complexes with different functions, a rapamycin‐sensitive complex TORC1 and a rapamycin‐insensitive complex TORC2. Rapamycin has an inhibitory effect on TORC1 activity and it has been suggested to increase life span, an effect correlated with decreased protein biosynthesis and autophagy activation. In the CNS, rapamycin shows beneficial effects in neuronal survival and plasticity, thus contributing to memory improvement. In this review, evidence implying rapamycin and TOR in aging/life span extension and memory improvement will be discussed. Recent findings about the effects of rapamycin on Alzheimer’s disease‐associated neuropathology will be also discussed.