bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Phytophthora cactorum and P. citrophthora Causing Root Rot of Ribes lobbii in Oregon
Authors: Weiland J. E. 
Published: December 2014

Ribes lobbii (Gray) is a native, deciduous shrub from British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington that is grown for its pendulous red and white flowers, bristly fruit, and attractive, aromatic foliage. It is uncommon in nature and has only recently begun being propagated for sale in ornamental and native nurseries. In April 2013, 2-year-old containerized plants (15/50 plants) were found with severe wilt and chlorosis symptoms at a nursery production facility in western Oregon. Most fine roots were completely rotted and larger roots exhibited numerous black lesions. By the end of August, 50% of the plants were affected and most died within a few weeks of initial symptom development. At least three initially asymptomatic plants developed symptoms after being sold and planted. Isolation was attempted from 10 plants by plating pieces of necrotic root tissue (3 mm2) that had been surface disinfested for 1 min in 10% bleach and 1 min in 70% ethanol onto PARP medium (2). Eight Phytophthora isolates were recovered and identified as P. cactorum (seven isolates, GenBank Accession No. KM085441) and P. citrophthora (one isolate, KM085442) on the basis of morphology and 99 to 100% internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence similarity to published sequence data (1). One isolate of each species was used to prepare vermiculite inoculum (3) and subsequently to infest potting media (Sunshine Professional Growing Mix) at 100 propagules per gram. Due to the scarcity of R. lobbii in nature and the nursery trade, only a limited number of plants were available for pathogenicity tests. Three 1-year-old rooted cuttings of R. lobbii (~15 to 30 cm tall) were transplanted into individual 10-cm2 pots containing 175 g of the respective infested media for each pathogen. Three plants transplanted into individual pots of noninfested media served as negative controls. Plants were then watered to pot capacity and incubated in a greenhouse at 28/24°C day/night. The entire experiment was repeated 2 weeks later. Within 1 week after inoculation, all inoculated plants in both trials wilted and died, regardless of the Phytophthora species used; negative control plants remained healthy. Each pathogen (with identity confirmed by ITS sequence analysis) was re-isolated from the roots and stem of each respective inoculated plant, but was not isolated from negative controls, thus fulfilling Koch's postulates. Therefore, to my knowledge, this is the first report of P. cactorum and P. citrophthora as root rot pathogens of R. lobbii. The use of infected, but asymptomatic native plants in habitat restoration efforts will likely compromise success and there is considerable risk to nearby plant species given the broad host range of both pathogens. References: (1) D. E. L. Cooke et al. Fungal Genet. Biol. 30:17, 2000. (2) M. E. Kannwischer and D. J. Mitchell. Phytopathology 68:1760, 1978. (3) J. E. Weiland et al. Plant Dis. 97:744, 2013.
Esophageal Dysmotility Is Present Before Surgery in Isolated Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Authors: Lemoine Caroline , Aspirot Ann , Morris Melanie , Faure Christophe 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTAfter surgical correction of esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula, esophageal body motility dysfunction has been reported in nearly all patients. Using high‐resolution esophageal manometry before surgical repair in 2 children with isolated tracheoesophageal fistula, we sought to determine whether dysmotility was present before any surgical insult to test the hypothesis that dysmotility associated with esophageal atresia with or without tracheoesophageal fistula is related to intrinsic primary factors linked to abnormal development of the esophagus. Both had an abnormal esophageal motility: one exhibited hypomotility with distal contraction, whereas the other showed a complete aperistalsis pattern. This suggests that esophageal dysmotility is congenital in nature rather than secondary to surgery.
Incidence, Pattern, and Etiology of Elevated Liver Enzymes in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Pusateri Antoinette J. , Kim Sandra C. , Dotson Jennifer L. , Balint Jane P. , Potter Carol J. , Boyle Brendan M. , Crandall Wallace V. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTObjectives:Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often develop elevated liver enzymes (ELE), which are frequently a benign, transient finding, but may be related to treatment or IBD‐associated liver diseases. Distinguishing benign from pathologic ELE is crucial for focused diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. We sought to characterize the incidence, character, chronicity, degree, and etiology of ELE in children with IBD.Methods:Institutional review board–approved retrospective review of all of the patients with IBD (2–21 years) seen between October 2009 and October 2012 with >9 months of follow‐up were included in the study. We examined body mass index, disease activity, extent, phenotype, concurrent medications, and character, chronicity, degree of enzyme elevation, and final diagnosis.Results:A total of 219 of 514 patients with IBD had ≥1 episode of ELE. Five patients were excluded for preexisting liver disease, leaving 214 patients (Crohn disease [CD]: 14.8 ± 3.5 years, 46% girls; ulcerative colitis [UC]: 14.4 ± 4.2 years, 37% girls). One hundred forty‐eight patients (69%) had a hepatic, 17 (8%) cholestatic, and 49 (23%) mixed character of ELE. There were no significant differences in character, chronicity, or degree of ELE between CD and UC (P = 0.71, P = 0.58, P > 0.33). Of the 128 patients with sufficient data to determine chronicity, 98 (77%) had transient elevations, (CD: n = 66, 75% and UC: n = 32, 80%). Episodes of ELE were idiopathic in 87% of patients with IBD. A final diagnosis of idiopathic ELE was associated with a lower degree of ELE elevation (P < 0.0001).Conclusions:Pediatric patients with IBD commonly experience transient, idiopathic ELE. Our findings suggest that higher degrees of ELE, specifically alanine aminotransferase, are associated with an etiology that requires more extensive evaluation.
Phase 2a, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multicenter, parallel‐group study of a H4R‐antagonist (JNJ‐39758979) in Japanese adults with moderate atopic dermatitis
Authors: Murata Yoko , Song Michael , Kikuchi Hisayuki , Hisamichi Katsuya , Xu Xie L. , Greenspan Andrew , Kato Mai , Chiou Chiun‐Fang , Kato Takeshi , Guzzo Cynthia , Thurmond Robin L. , Ohtsuki Mamitaro , Furue Masutaka 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThis trial was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the H4R‐antagonist JNJ‐39758979 in adult Japanese patients with moderate atopic dermatitis (AD). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to JNJ‐39758979 300 mg, 100 mg or placebo once daily for 6 weeks in this phase 2a, double‐blind, multicenter, placebo‐controlled study. Primary efficacy was assessed via week‐6 Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores. Secondary efficacy assessments included Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) and patient‐reported outcome (PRO) pruritus assessments (Pruritus Categorical Response Scale [PCRS], Pruritus Numeric Rating Scales [PNRS], Pruritus Interference Numeric Rating Scale [PINRS] and Subject's Global Impressions of Change in Pruritus [SGICP]). Eighty‐eight of 105 planned patients were randomized before the study was stopped and unblinded for safety reasons. The study did not meet the primary end‐point. However, numerical improvements (i.e. decreases) in median EASI were observed with JNJ‐39758979 100 mg (−3.7) and 300 mg (−3.0) versus placebo (−1.3) at week 6. Nominally significant improvements across PRO PCRS, PNRS and SGICP assessments were consistently observed, particularly with JNJ‐39758979 300 mg. Safety, including adverse events (AE), was comparable between JNJ‐39758979 and placebo with the exception of two patients (both receiving JNJ‐39758979 300 mg) with serious AE of neutropenia, leading to premature study discontinuation. No deaths were reported. Except for neutropenia, no clinically relevant changes in laboratory values were observed. Although not conclusive, findings suggest H4R‐antagonism may be beneficial for AD, particularly in controlling pruritus. JNJ‐39758979 appears to be associated with drug‐induced agranulocytosis, likely an off‐target effect.
Hair shaft miRNA‐221 levels as a new tumor marker of malignant melanoma
Authors: Inada Taisuke , Fukushima Satoshi , Murai Masayuki , Jinnin Masatoshi , Miyashita Azusa , Nakahara Satoshi , Yamashita Junji , Aoi Jun , Masuguchi Shinichi , Ihn Hironobu 
Published: December 2014

AbstractmiRNA‐221 (miR‐221) is known to be abnormally expressed in many human cancers. The serum levels of miR‐221 have been reported as a tumor marker for malignant melanoma (MM). We hypothesized that the hair shaft miR‐221 levels may be increased in patients with MM. We therefore assessed the possibility that hair shaft miR‐221 levels could be a marker for MM. The hair shaft miR‐221 levels were significantly higher in patients with MM than controls. The rates of increased hair shaft miR‐221 levels above the cut‐off value were comparable to those of serum 5‐S‐CD, which is a tumor marker commonly used for MM. Measurements of the hair shaft miR‐221 levels could have potential clinical value in the detection of MM. This is the first report investigating the hair shaft levels of an miRNA in patients with MM. Our investigations offer new insight into the relationship between miR‐221 and MM, and may provide a new, non‐invasive way to screen for melanoma.
Effect of micro‐inhomogeneity on the effective stress coefficients and undrained bulk modulus of a poroelastic medium: a double spherical shell model
Authors: Glubokovskikh Stanislav , Gurevich Boris 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTAlthough most rocks are complex multi‐mineralic aggregates, quantitative interpretation workflows usually ignore this complexity and employ Gassmann equation and effective stress laws that assume a micro‐homogeneous (mono‐mineralic) rock. Even though the Gassmann theory and effective stress concepts have been generalized to micro‐inhomogeneous rocks, they are seldom if at all used in practice because they require a greater number of parameters, which are difficult to measure or infer from data. Furthermore, the magnitude of the effect of micro‐heterogeneity on fluid substitution and on effective stress coefficients is poorly understood. In particular, it is an open question whether deviations of the experimentally measurements of the effective stress coefficients for drained and undrained elastic moduli from theoretical predictions can be explained by the effect of micro‐heterogeneity. In an attempt to bridge this gap, we consider an idealized model of a micro‐inhomogeneous medium: a Hashin assemblage of double spherical shells. Each shell consists of a spherical pore surrounded by two concentric spherical layers of two different isotropic minerals. By analyzing the exact solution of this problem, we show that the results are exactly consistent with the equations of Brown and Korringa (which represent an extension of Gassmann's equation to micro‐inhomogeneous media). We also show that the effective stress coefficients for bulk volume α, for porosity nϕ and for drained and undrained moduli are quite sensitive to the degree of heterogeneity (contrast between the moduli of the two mineral components). For instance, while for micro‐homogeneous rocks the theory gives nϕ = 1, for strongly micro‐inhomogenous rocks, nϕ may span a range of values from –∞ to ∞ (depending on the contrast between moduli of inner and outer shells). Furthermore, the effective stress coefficient for pore volume (Biot–Willis coefficient) α can be smaller than the porosity ϕ. Further studies are required to understand the applicability of the results to realistic rock geometries.
Bryophyte communities in the Amazon forest are regulated by height on the host tree and site elevation
Authors: de Oliveira Sylvia Mota , ter Steege Hans 
Published: December 2014

Summary

Community composition of epiphytic bryophyte communities, sampled systematically in nine localities across 2800 km from east to west of the Amazon forest, was mostly explained by their height zone along the vertical microenvironmental gradient from the base to the top of the host tree.

Despite the lack of correlation between geographical distance and dissimilarity in species composition, communities within the same locality were significantly more similar than communities from different localities in all height zones, with the highest values of similarity found between outer canopy communities.

While height zone on the host tree explained most of the variation in species composition at local scale, elevation and temperature were the variables most strongly related to species composition at a geographical scale.

Using the concepts of meta/local community of the Neutral Theory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, we showed that establishment limitation was strongest at the extremes of the vertical gradient. We estimated that communities of the tree base and the outer canopy drew individuals from outside the habitat species pool at a rate of 0.28 and 0.22, respectively, in contrast with values between 0.55 and 0.76 of other height zones.

Our results offered contrasting evidence for the hypothesis that species inhabiting the canopy have higher chances of engaging in long‐distance dispersal events. If the stronger establishment limitation at the extremes of the gradient is not compensated by facilitated dispersal compared to other zones, as our results suggest, communities on the base and on the outer canopy might be, through time, subjected to stronger selection.

Synthesis. This study indicated that the community composition of epiphytic bryophytes in the Amazon is mainly regulated by environmental conditions, both at local and at geographical scales. Dispersal, although predominantly local, did not show geographical structure across the area.
A toxicology study to evaluate the embryotoxicity of metformin compared with the hypoglycemic drugs, the anticancer drug, the anti‐epileptic drug, the antibiotic, and the cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitor
Authors: Li Li , Zhang Xing , Wang Lei , Chai Zhenhai , Shen Xiuping , Zhang Zongpeng , Liu Changxiao 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe safe use of medications in pregnant females, their embryos and in offspring is important. The aim of the present study was to evaluate embryotoxicity of metformin (MET) compared with other hypoglycemic drugs (rosiglitazone [RSG] and glimepiride [GLIM]), the anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), the anti‐epileptic drug diphenylhydantoin (DPH), the antibiotic penicillin G (PenG), and the cyclo‐oxygenase (COX)‐2 inhibitor nimesulide (NIM) in an embryonic stem cell test (EST).MethodsDifferences in the expression of developmental marker genes following treatment with the test compounds during the course of differentiation (from embryonic stem cellD3 (D3 cells) to myocardial cells) were determined using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In these studies, 5‐FUwas used as a positive control andPenGwas used as a negative control. The cytotoxicity of these drugs againstD3 cells and 3T3 fibroblasts was determined by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2 thiazoyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Embryotoxicity was classified according to the prediction model ofEST.ResultsAt concentrations >800 μg/mLMEThad a greater cytotoxic effect onD3 cells than 3T3 fibroblasts. At the highest concentration ofMET(5 mg/mL), the cell viability ofD3 cells and 3T3 fibroblasts was <10% and >30%, respectively. The size of the embryonic body (EB) differentiation area was almost the same over the concentration range 50–200 μg/mLMET, and there was no significant difference inEBdifferentiation area until a concentration of 400 μg/mLMET. At a concentration of 800 μg/mLMET, the size ofEBoutgrowth was significantly reduced. The same assays revealedGLIM,RSG, andNIMto be weakly embryotoxic substances.ConclusionsBased on theEST,METcan be classified as a weakly embryotoxic substance, which suggests that it should be prescribed with caution to pregnant women with gestational diabetes.
Clinical predictors and time course of the improvement in β–cell function with short‐term intensive insulin therapy in patients with Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Stein C. M. , Kramer C. K. , Zinman B. , Choi H. , Opsteen C. , Retnakaran R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsIn patients with Type 2 diabetes, a short course of intensive insulin therapy can improve β–cell function and even induce transient remission of diabetes. However, not all patients respond to this therapy. Although the achievement of fasting glucose < 7.0 mmol/l one day after stopping intensive insulin therapy can identify patients in whom β–cell function has improved, we sought to determine clinical predictors for the early identification of such responders and the time course of response.MethodsWe pooled data from two studies in which 97 patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (median 3 years duration) and HbA1c 51 ± 8.7 mmol/mol (6.8 ± 0.8%) underwent 4–8 weeks of intensive insulin therapy, consisting of basal detemir and pre‐meal insulin aspart. They were classified as responders (n = 74) or non‐responders (n = 23), defined by the achievement of fasting glucose < 7.0 mmol/l after stopping intensive insulin therapy.ResultsOn logistic regression analyses, duration of diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–0.92, P = 0.009) and baseline fasting glucose (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.24–0.68, P = 0.001) emerged as predictors of the likelihood of responding. Ninety per cent of patients with duration ≤ 4 years and fasting glucose ≤ 8.0 mmol/l responded to intensive insulin therapy. Despite having lower glucose levels during intensive insulin therapy, responders had less hypoglycaemia than non‐responders (median 0.3 vs. 1.6 episodes/week, P < 0.0001), with rates of hypoglycaemia diverging sharply from the third week onwards.ConclusionAt baseline, shorter duration of diabetes and lower fasting glucose can identify patients most likely to benefit from short‐term intensive insulin therapy. Most importantly, during therapy, responders had less hypoglycaemia from the third week onwards, despite lower glycaemia, suggesting that 2 weeks of intensive insulin therapy may be needed to improve endogenous islet function.
Necrostatin‐1 alleviates reperfusion injury following acute myocardial infarction in pigs
Authors: Koudstaal Stefan , Oerlemans Martinus I. F. J. , Van der Spoel Tycho I. G. , Janssen Aafke W. F. , Hoefer Imo E. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Sluijter Joost P. G. , Chamuleau Steven A. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn rodents, it has previously been shown that necrostatin‐1 (Nec‐1) inhibits RIP1, a central regulator of programmed necrosis, thereby decreasing cell death and reducing infarct size (IS) after ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. To address unanswered questions on feasibility and efficacy of Nec‐1 in a large animal model, we assessed the effects of Nec‐1 in a porcine I/R model, relevant to human disease.Materials and methodsIn Dalland landrace pigs (69 ± 3 kg), I/R injury was induced by a 75‐min surgical ligation of the left circumflex coronary artery (LCx). Ten minutes prior to reperfusion, pigs were randomly allocated to different Nec‐1 doses (1·0 mg/kg or 3·3 mg/kg) or vehicle treatment (control, CTRL). Functional endpoints and immunohistological analyses were performed 24 h after reperfusion.ResultsNec‐1 3·3 mg/kg significantly reduced IS (n = 6; 24·4 ± 15·6%) compared to Nec‐1 1·0 mg/kg (n = 5; 54·8 ± 16·9%) or CTRLs (n = 6; 62·1 ± 26·6%; P = 0·016). In line, LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was significantly higher in Nec‐1 3·3 mg/kg, compared to Nec‐1 1·0 mg/kg or CTRL treated animals (50·0 ± 12·0% vs. 32·5 ± 12·9% vs. 31·9 ± 6·6%, respectively, P = 0·015). Hemodynamically, a preserved contractility was observed [end‐systolic volume at 100 mmHg (ESV100)] at 24‐h follow‐up (87·6 ± 17·3 mL vs. 74·5 ± 41·1 mL vs. 56·8 ± 11·8 mL, respectively, P = 0·032), reflecting improved cardiac function.ConclusionsIn the pig model of I/R injury, intravenous administration of Nec‐1 prior to reperfusion was an effective and above all practical therapeutic strategy that significantly reduced IS and preserved left ventricular function. These data highlight the potential of cardioprotection as a promising adjuvant therapy in the setting of early reperfusion following I/R injury.
The confidence of undergraduate dental students when performing root canal treatment and their perception of the quality of endodontic education
Authors: Davey J. , Bryant S. T. , Dummer P. M. H. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimThis article aims to gain understanding into the perception of undergraduate dental students in terms of their confidence and competence at performing root canal treatment and their perception of the quality of endodontic education.MethodsAn online questionnaire was distributed to all 3rd, 4th and 5th year dental students at Cardiff University via their academic e‐mail addresses. The questionnaire utilised both scaled response and open questions to gain an insight into undergraduate opinion.ResultsOut of a possible 208 students, 98 responses were obtained (response rate = 47%). Perception of competence and confidence were significantly greater amongst the more senior year groups (P < 0.01). However, 49% (n = 38) of participants did not feel competent performing root canal treatment on anterior, single‐rooted teeth, whilst 74% (n = 70) did not feel competent performing root canal treatment on posterior, multirooted teeth. Free comments from participants indicated that this was due to a lack of clinical experience. Approximately, 80% of participants ranked education in endodontics at Cardiff University as ≤5 on a Likert scale (1 = inadequate to 10 = good), indicating that improvement was required. Improvements that were suggested by the students included the provision of further information within lectures, a broader range of lecturers, an increased number of shorter, more organised practical sessions, additional training equipment, greater supervision and online reference guides to root canal treatment.ConclusionEnhancing undergraduate education in endodontics is necessary to increase students' perception of their confidence and competence when performing root canal treatment.
Visual presentation of a medical physiology seminar modifies dental students' perception of its clinical significance
Authors: Vuletic L. , Spalj S. , Peros K. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIntroductionThe primary objective of this study was to assess whether exposing dental students to visual stimuli related to dental profession during the medical physiology seminar could affect their perception of the clinical relevance of the topic.Subjects and methodsA self‐administered questionnaire on attitudes towards medical physiology was conducted amongst 105 students of the School of Dental Medicine in Zagreb, Croatia, aged 19‐24 years (80% females) following a seminar on respiratory system physiology. Power‐point presentation accompanying the seminar for a total of 52 students (study group) was enriched with pictures related to dental practice in order to assess whether these pictures could make the topic appear more clinically relevant for a future dentist.ResultsThe results of the survey indicated that dental students in the study group perceived the topic of the seminar as more important for them as future dentists when compared to the perception of the control group (P = 0.025).Discussion and conclusionThe results of this survey encourage physiology lecturers to present medical physiology as clinically relevant for dental students whenever possible as this could increase students' interest in the subject and their motivation for learning. Such an approach could be particularly beneficial if there is a significant time gap between basic courses and involvement of students into clinical training for it could promote meaningful learning.