bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gallbladder mucosal lesions associated with high biliary amylase irrespective of pancreaticobiliary maljunction
Authors: Free Jason , Wang Frank , Williams Nick , Gundara Justin S. , Staerkle Ralph F. , Hugh Thomas J. , Samra Jaswinder S. 
Published: August 2017

BackgroundPrevious studies have focused on the presence of reflux in selected cohorts with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM), but little is known regarding the wider incidence of occult reflux and associated mucosal changes. We aimed to correlate gallbladder mucosal abnormalities with objective evidence of PBM and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (PBR) in an Australian population undergoing cholecystectomy.MethodsPatients undergoing cholecystectomy between September 2010 and September 2012 were eligible for inclusion. Demographic and pre‐operative clinical data were collated and entered into a pre‐defined database. Operative cholangiograms were routinely performed and the presence of PBM noted. Gallbladder bile samples were analysed for bilirubin (<20 µmol/L), amylase (<100 U/L) and lipase (<70 U/L) levels. Evidence of PBR was correlated with gallbladder mucosal findings.ResultsA total of 305 cholecystectomies were performed for biliary colic (73%), choledocholithiasis (9%), cholecystitis (8.4%) and pancreatitis (6.4%). A total of 12.7% had cholangiographic evidence of PBM and 11.9% possessed gallbladder mucosal changes. Overall, 7.7% had increased biliary amylase, which was associated with significantly higher rates of gallbladder intestinal metaplasia (33% versus 8.6%; P = 0.012). Elevated biliary amylase was also higher in patients with prior pancreatitis (P = 0.02) or choledocholithiasis (P < 0.01). The presence of PBM did not predict for the presence of PBR.ConclusionPBR is associated with an increased frequency of gallbladder mucosal metaplasia, irrespective of the presence of PBM. Objectively identified reflux represents an additional indication for cholecystectomy but the long‐term consequences for extra‐hepatic biliary malignancy remain unknown and warrant further investigation. Methods of objectively identifying PBR pre‐operatively require further investigation.
Undetectable negative tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies predict mucosal healing in treated coeliac disease patients
Authors: Fang H. , King K. S. , Larson J. J. , Snyder M. R. , Wu T. T. , Gandhi M. J. , Murray J. A. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryBackgroundTissue transglutaminase (tTG) immunoglobulin A (IgA) testing is a sensitive adjunct to the diagnosis of coeliac disease. The threshold for positivity was developed for diagnosis, with negative results reported as below the reference value (<4 U/mL).AimTo investigate if an undetectable (tTG IgA<1.2 U/mL) is more predictive of healing compared to patients with negative but detectable serology (1.2‐3.9 U/mL).MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 402 treated coeliac disease patients seen at the Mayo Clinic with negative tTG IgA values drawn within 1 month of duodenal biopsy between January 2009 and December 2015. The Corazza‐Villanacci score was used to assess mucosal healing. The presence of gastrointestinal symptoms was also collected. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship of clinical variables with a normal biopsy.ResultsPatients with undetectable titres more frequently had normal duodenal histology compared to patients with detectable tTG IgA levels (117/240 vs. 53/162; OR=1.96; 1.292, 2.961). Asymptomatic patients more frequently had normal duodenum as compared to symptomatic patients (88/163 vs. 82/239; OR=2.25; CI: 1.494, 3.377). Patients with undetectable serology and on a gluten‐free diet for ≥2 years were more likely to have no villous atrophy compared to patients with detectable serology (148/192 vs. 55/88; OR=2.02; CI: 1.17, 3.49).ConclusionIn subjects recovering from coeliac disease with negative tTG IgA serology, an undetectable titre is associated with normal histology on follow‐up biopsy.
Autonomous xenogenic cell fusion of murine and chick skeletal muscle myoblasts
Authors: Takaya Tomohide , Nihashi Yuma , Kojima Shotaro , Ono Tamao , Kagami Hiroshi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCell‐cell fusion has been a great technology to generate valuable hybrid cells and organisms such as hybridomas. In this study, skeletal muscle myoblasts were utilized to establish a novel method for autonomous xenogenic cell fusion. Myoblasts are mononuclear myogenic precursor cells and fuse mutually to form multinuclear myotubes. We generated murine myoblasts (mMBs) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) termed mMB‐GFP, and the chick myoblasts (chMBs) expressing Discosoma red fluorescent protein (DsRed) termed chMB‐DsRed. mMB‐GFP and chMB‐DsRed were cocultured and induced to differentiate. After 24 h, the multinuclear myotubes expressing both GFP and DsRed were observed, indicating that mMBs and chMBs interspecifically fuse. These GFP+/DsRed+ hybrid myotubes were able to survive and grew to hyper‐multinucleated mature form. We also found that undifferentiated mMB‐GFP efficiently fuse to the chMB‐DsRed‐derived myotubes. This is the first evidence for the autonomous xenogenic fusion of mammalian and avian cells. Myoblast‐based fusogenic technique will open up an alternative direction to create novel hybrid products.
Validation of a simple and well‐suited chemical cleaning method for fish otoliths
Authors: Vandenbussche Pierre S.P. , Spennato Guillaume , Francour Patrice , Pierson Patricia M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn marine biology, many research fields are based on use of fish otoliths. All the studies dealing with otoliths need as starting point a perfectly clean otolith. Dissection is difficult when working on small or highly jagged otoliths. A common problem is that during otolith preparation some fish tissue may remain stuck to it, even after a mechanical cleaning. Then, supplementary cleaning with chemicals is needed. Classical methods are known to possibly alter otolith's structure and/or composition. Here, we present a chemical cleaning method using only sodium hydroxide. We have validated the method on two different fish species, Oblada melanura and Dicentrarchus labrax. Observation and analyses of morphological measurements have confirmed significant suppression of residual tissues. We propose this method as a good alternative to previously published mono‐ or multichemical methods.
Risk of, and survival following, histological transformation in follicular lymphoma in the rituximab era. A retrospective multicentre study by the Spanish GELTAMO group
Authors: Alonso‐Álvarez Sara , Magnano Laura , Alcoceba Miguel , Andrade‐Campos Marcio , Espinosa‐Lara Natalia , Rodríguez Guillermo , Mercadal Santiago , Carro Itziar , Sancho Juan M. , Moreno Miriam , Salar Antonio , García‐Pallarols Francesc , Arranz Reyes , Cannata Jimena , Terol María José , Teruel Ana I. , Rodríguez Antonia , Jiménez‐Ubieto Ana , González de Villambrosia Sonia , Bello José L. , López Lourdes , Monsalvo Silvia , Novelli Silvana , de Cabo Erik , Infante María S. , Pardal Emilia , García‐Álvarez María , Delgado Julio , González Marcos , Martín Alejandro , López‐Guillermo Armando , Caballero María D. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe diagnostic criteria for follicular lymphoma (FL) transformation vary among the largest series, which commonly exclude histologically‐documented transformation (HT) mandatorily. The aims of this retrospective observational multicentre study by the Spanish Grupo Español de Linfoma y Transplante Autólogo de Médula Ósea, which recruited 1734 patients (800 males/934 females; median age 59 years), diagnosed with FL grades 1–3A, were, (i) the cumulative incidence of HT (CI‐HT); (ii) risk factors associated with HT; and (iii) the role of treatment and response on survival following transformation (SFT). With a median follow‐up of 6·2 years, 106 patients developed HT. Ten‐year CI‐HT was 8%. Considering these 106 patients who developed HT, median time to transformation was 2·5 years. High‐risk FL International Prognostic Index [Hazard ratio (HR) 2·6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1·5–4·5] and non‐response to first‐line therapy (HR 2·9, 95% CI: 1·3–6·8) were associated with HT. Seventy out of the 106 patients died (5‐year SFT, 26%). Response to HT first‐line therapy (HR 5·3, 95% CI: 2·4–12·0), autologous stem cell transplantation (HR 3·9, 95% CI: 1·5–10·1), and revised International Prognostic Index (HR 2·2, 95% CI: 1·1–4·2) were significantly associated with SFT. Response to treatment and HT were the variables most significantly associated with survival in the rituximab era. Better therapies are needed to improve response. Inclusion of HT in clinical trials with new agents is mandatory.
Using the affective bias test to predict drug‐induced negative affect: implications for drug safety
Authors: Stuart S A , Wood C M , Robinson E S J 
Published: August 2017

Background and PurposePredicting the risk of drug‐induced adverse psychiatric effects is important but currently not possible in non‐human species. We investigated whether the affective bias test (ABT) could provide a preclinical method with translational and predictive validity.Experimental ApproachThe ABT is a bowl‐digging task, which quantifies biases associated with learning and memory. Rats encounter independent learning experiences, on separate days, under either acute manipulations (e.g. pro‐depressant vs. control) or different absolute reward values (e.g. high vs. low). A bias is observed during a preference test when an animal's choices reflect their prior experience. We investigated the effects of putative pro‐depressant drug treatments following acute or chronic administration on the formation of an affective bias or reward‐induced positive bias respectively.Key ResultsThe immunomodulators LPS (10 μg·kg−1), corticosterone (10 and 30 mg·kg−1) and IFN‐α (100 U·kg−1) induced a negative affective bias following acute treatment. Tetrabenazine (1 mg·kg−1) also induced a negative bias, but no effects were observed with varenicline, carbamazepine or montelukast. Chronic treatment with IFN‐α (100 U·kg−1) and retinoic acid (10 mg·kg−1) impaired the formation of a reward‐induced positive bias but did not alter sucrose preference test (SPT).Conclusions and ImplicationsThe ABT has the potential to provide a novel approach to predict pro‐depressant risk in a non‐human species. Negative biases induced by acute treatment in the standard version of the task may also predict longer‐term effects on reward processing as shown by the deficit in reward‐induced positive bias following chronic treatment, an effect distinct from anhedonia in the SPT.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of Cognition: a Panacea for Neuropsychiatric Disease? To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.19/issuetoc
Heterozygous mutations of HTRA1 gene in patients with familial cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Di Donato Ilaria , Bianchi Silvia , Gallus Gian Nicola , Cerase Alfonso , Taglia Ilaria , Pescini Francesca , Nannucci Serena , Battisti Carla , Inzitari Domenico , Pantoni Leonardo , Zini Andrea , Federico Antonio , Dotti Maria Teresa 
Published: August 2017

SummaryAimsCerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is the leading cause of vascular dementia. Although the most of cases are sporadic, familial monogenic causes have been identified in a growing minority of patients. CADASIL, due to mutations of NOTCH3 gene, is the most common genetic SVD, and CARASIL, linked to HTRA1 gene mutations, is a rare but well known autosomal recessive SVD. Recently, also heterozygous HTRA1 mutations have been described in patients with familial SVD. To detect a genetic cause of familial SVD, we performed mutational analysis of HTRA1 gene in a large cohort of Italian NOTCH3‐negative patients.MethodsWe recruited 142 NOTCH3‐negative patients and 160 healthy age‐matched controls. Additional control data were obtained from five pathogenicity prediction software.ResultsFive different HTRA1 heterozygous mutations were detected in nine patients from five unrelated families. Clinical phenotype was typical of SVD, and the onset was presenile. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a subcortical leukoencephalopathy, with involvement of the external and internal capsule, corpus callosum, and multiple lacunar infarcts. Cerebral microbleeds were also seen, while anterior temporal lobes involvement was not present.ConclusionOur observation further supports the pathogenic role of the heterozygous HTRA1 mutations in familial SVD.
Sex‐dependent effects of uric acid on cerebral microbleed: a cross‐sectional study in the general population
Authors: Jeong S.‐M. , Yoo T. G. , Nam Y.‐S. , Kim S. H. , Lee J. E. , Kim S. , Lim J.‐S. , Kwon H.‐M. , Park J.‐H. 
Published: August 2017

Background and purposeElevated serum uric acid (UA) is known to be associated with stroke. However, there is little information on the association between serum UA levels and cerebral microbleed (CMB), a precursor of stroke. Therefore, we investigated the association between UA and CMB in a general population taking into consideration sex‐related differences.MethodsThe subjects in this cross‐sectional study consisted of 2686 individuals of 40–79 years of age (1403 men and 1283 women) who underwent regular health screenings, including brain magnetic resonance imaging, at Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to tertiles of UA levels by sex. The presence and location of CMB were assessed by gradient‐recalled echo magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsThe prevalence of CMB was 3.8%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis by sex, the highest tertile of UA in male subjects was independently associated with the presence of CMB compared with the lowest tertile of UA (adjusted odds ratio, 2.46; P = 0.013). Meanwhile, the highest tertile of UA in female subjects was inversely associated with CMB compared with the lowest tertile of UA (adjusted odds ratio, 0.39; P = 0.040).ConclusionsHigh serum UA value was associated with higher prevalence of CMB in male, but lower prevalence of CMB in female subjects.
Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder and striatal dopamine depletion in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Chung S. J. , Lee Y. , Lee J. J. , Lee P. H. , Sohn Y. H. 
Published: August 2017

Background and purposeRapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is related to striatal dopamine depletion. This study was performed to confirm whether clinically probable RBD (cpRBD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a specific pattern of striatal dopamine depletion.MethodsA prospective survey was conducted using the RBD Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ) in 122 patients with PD who had undergone dopamine transporter (DAT) positron emission tomography scan.ResultsPatients with cpRBD (RBDSQ ≥ 7) exhibited greater motor deficits, predominantly in the less‐affected side and axial symptoms, and were prescribed higher levodopa‐equivalent doses at follow‐up than those without cpRBD (RBDSQ ≤ 4), despite their similar disease and treatment durations. Compared to patients without cpRBD, those with cpRBD showed lower DAT activities in the putamen, particularly in the less‐affected side in all putaminal subregions, and a tendency to be lower in the ventral striatum. In addition, greater motor deficits in patients with cpRBD than in those without cpRBD remained significant after controlling for DAT binding in the putamen and other confounding variables.ConclusionsThese results demonstrated that the presence of RBD in patients with PD is associated with different patterns of both motor deficit distribution and striatal DAT depletion, suggesting that the presence of RBD represents a distinct PD subtype with a malignant motor parkinsonism.
Interactions between cannabidiol and commonly used antiepileptic drugs
Authors: Gaston Tyler E. , Bebin E. Martina , Cutter Gary R. , Liu Yuliang , Szaflarski Jerzy P. ,   the UAB CBD Program
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo identify potential pharmacokinetic interactions between the pharmaceutical formulation of cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex) and the commonly used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) through an open‐label safety study. Serum levels were monitored to identify interactions between CBD and AEDs.MethodsIn 39 adults and 42 children, CBD dose was started at 5 mg/kg/day and increased every 2 weeks by 5 mg/kg/day up to a maximum of 50 mg/kg/day. Serum AED levels were obtained at baseline prior to CBD initiation and at most study visits. AED doses were adjusted if it was determined that a clinical symptom or laboratory result was related to a potential interaction. The Mixed Procedure was used to determine if there was a significant change in the serum level of each of the 19 AEDs with increasing CBD dose. AEDs with interactions seen in initial analysis were plotted for mean change in serum level over time. Subanalyses were performed to determine if the frequency of sedation in participants was related to the mean serum N‐desmethylclobazam level, and if aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were different in participants taking concomitant valproate.ResultsIncreases in topiramate, rufinamide, and N‐desmethylclobazam and decrease in clobazam (all p < 0.01) serum levels were seen with increasing CBD dose. Increases in serum levels of zonisamide (p = 0.02) and eslicarbazepine (p = 0.04) with increasing CBD dose were seen in adults. Except for clobazam and desmethylclobazam, all noted mean level changes were within the accepted therapeutic range. Sedation was more frequent with higher N‐desmethylclobazam levels in adults (p = 0.02), and AST/ALT levels were significantly higher in participants taking concomitant valproate (p < 0.01).SignificanceSignificantly changed serum levels of clobazam, rufinamide, topiramate, zonisamide, and eslicarbazepine were seen. Abnormal liver function test results were noted in participants taking concomitant valproate. This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring serum AED levels and LFTs during treatment with CBD.
Gene flow in Argentinian sunflowers as revealed by genotyping‐by‐sequencing data
Authors: Mondon Ana , Owens Gregory L. , Poverene Mónica , Cantamutto Miguel , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGene flow can have several different applied consequences, ranging from extinction to the escape of transgenes to the evolution of weedy or invasive lineages. Here, we describe patterns of hybridization and gene flow involving domesticated and wild sunflowers in Argentina. To address the risks of introgression of variants from the cultivated sunflower into invasive wild Helianthus, we used genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) to genotype 182 samples from 11 sites in Argentina, along with previously published data from samples from the native range (North America), to determine the native source populations of the Argentinian samples and to detect admixture. We unexpectedly discovered two distinctive forms of H. petiolaris in Argentina, one from H. petiolaris subsp. petiolaris as expected, but the other from an unknown source. Extensive admixture was observed among Argentinian sunflowers, largely confirming phenotypic predictions. While many hybrids are F1s, there were signals consistent with introgression from the domesticated sunflower into H. petiolaris. Whether this introgression is incidental or a causal driver of invasiveness is not yet clear, but it seems likely that genes found in the domesticated sunflower genome (whether engineered or not) will quickly find their way into wild Argentinian sunflower populations.
Patch size influences perceived patch quality for colonising Culex mosquitoes
Authors: Bohenek Jason R. , Pintar Matthew R. , Breech Tyler M. , Resetarits William J. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Colonisation is a critical process driving the abundances and diversity of species in spatially discrete communities. Although patch size and patch quality are well known as determinants of post‐colonisation species richness and abundance, less is known about how patch size affects colonisation.

Patch size and quality may not be independent, so assessment of potential interactions is necessary for understanding patterns of species abundance in natural systems. In freshwater systems, presence and identity of predators is a dominant determinant of patch quality, with larger habitat patches often supporting larger and more diverse predator assemblages.

To examine potential interactions, we manipulated patch size and quality (fish presence/absence) using naturally colonised experimental landscapes and assayed oviposition by Culex mosquitoes.

Culex restuans selected patches that were smaller, did not contain fish, and had higher temperatures. We demonstrate that patch size, along with patch quality, can generate patterns of abundance at the colonisation stage that are contradictory to traditional patch size‐based models of species distributions.
Beta diversity of diatom species and ecological guilds: Response to environmental and spatial mechanisms along the stream watercourse
Authors: Jamoneau Aurélien , Passy Sophia I. , Soininen Janne , Leboucher Thibault , Tison‐Rosebery Juliette 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms that drive beta diversity (i.e. β‐diversity), an important aspect of regional biodiversity, remains a priority for ecological research. β‐diversity and its components can provide insights into the processes generating regional biodiversity patterns. We tested whether environmental filtering or dispersal related processes predominated along the stream watercourse by analysing the responses of taxonomic and functional diatom β‐diversity to environmental and spatial factors.

We examined the variation in total β‐diversity and its components (turnover and nestedness) in benthic diatom species and ecological guilds (motile, planktonic, low‐ and high profile) with respect to watercourse position (up‐, mid‐ and downstream) in 2,182 sites throughout France. We tested the effects of pure environmental and pure spatial factors on β‐diversity with partial Mantel tests. Environmental factors included eight physicochemical variables, while geographical distances between sites were used as spatial factors. We also correlated α and γ‐diversity, and the degree of nestedness (NODF metric) with environmental variables.

Total β‐diversity and its turnover component displayed higher values upstream than mid‐ and downstream. The nestedness component exhibited low values, even when NODF values increased from up‐ to downstream. Pure environmental factors were highly significant for explaining total β‐diversity and turnover regardless of watercourse position, but pure spatial factors were mostly significant mid‐ and downstream, with geographical distance being positively correlated with β‐diversity. Across sites, nutrient enrichment decreased turnover but increased the degree of nestedness. Motile and low profile diatoms comprised the most abundant guilds, but their β‐diversity patterns varied in an opposite way. The lowest guild β‐diversity was observed upstream for low profile species, and downstream for motile species.

In conclusion, environmental filtering seemed to play a major role in structuring metacommunities irrespective of site watercourse position. Filtering promoted strong turnover patterns, especially in disconnected upstream sites. The greater role of spatial factors mid‐ and downstream was consistent with mass effects rather than neutral processes because these sites had lower total β‐diversity than upstream sites. Motile species were most strongly affected by mass effects processes, whereas low profile species were primarily influenced by environmental conditions. Collectively, these findings suggest that partitioning of total β‐diversity into its components and the use of diatom ecological guilds provide a useful framework for assessing the mechanisms underlying metacommunity patterns along the stream watercourse.