bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Review article: liver transplantation for the pulmonary disorders of portal hypertension
Authors: Houlihan D. D. , Holt A. , Elliot C. , Ferguson J. W. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBackgroundLiver transplantation is potentially a life‐saving therapeutic intervention for patients with portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome. However, due to limited data, listing criteria for patients with these conditions have not been clearly established. Indeed, this has led some to speculate that transplantation may not be appropriate in cases of moderate‐to‐severe portopulmonary hypertension and severe hepatopulmonary syndrome.AimTo critically discuss the utility of LT for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension.MethodsA literature search was conducted in 2012 on PubMed, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline and Scopus using the following search terms: hepatopulmonary syndrome, portopulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, liver transplantation. Relevant manuscripts were included in the review.ResultsLiver transplantation has established itself as an effective treatment for selected patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. A multidisciplinary team approach incorporating focused strategies (both pre‐ and post‐operatively) aimed at improving oxygenation in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome has led to a dramatic improvement in patient outcomes. Additionally, careful patient selection and the use of targeted pulmonary vascular therapies are successfully being used to treat portopulmonary hypertension and ‘bridge’ patients to successful liver transplantation.ConclusionsLiver transplantation is an effective therapy for patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. However, rigorous screening and early identification of these conditions allied with aggressive pre‐operative optimisation of physiology and diligent post‐operative care are imperative to ensuring a good outcome.
Differential succession towards woodland along a nutrient gradient
Authors: Rebele Franz 
Published: November 2012

AbstractQuestionsHow do different substrate types and soil nutrient levels influence species composition and successional sequences, as represented by different life‐history traits? Is the rate of succession increasing or decreasing along a gradient from low to high fertility?LocationEcological field station Dahlem, Berlin, Germany.MethodsAn 18‐yr permanent plot study of succession on soils of differing fertility. The original substrates were a nutrient‐poor sandy soil from a sandpit, ruderal subsoil of moderate fertility and nutrient‐rich topsoil.ResultsIn plots with sand, monocarpic perennials were dominant at the beginning, which were then replaced by perennial grasses, those being then replaced by woody perennials. On ruderal soil, monocarpic perennials were co‐dominant with perennial herbs at first, then were replaced by perennial herbs, which were then also replaced by woody plants. Dominance of woody species was attained after about 10 yr, both on sand and on ruderal soil. In plots with topsoil, there was a short phase at the start where monocarpic perennials were co‐dominant with perennial herbs, followed by a relatively long period of perennial herb dominance. There were about twice as many woody species growing on the substrates of low and intermediate fertility compared to the nutrient‐rich soil. If we compare the time necessary for woody species to reach 10% and 50% cover, woody colonization was much slower on the resource‐rich site. DCA ordination revealed a clear separation of samples along the nutrient gradient. It also showed slower community change with increasing soil fertility.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that woodlands can be created on bare ground in a temperate climate through natural colonization in a relatively short time, if substrates are not too nutrient‐rich. The assumption that the rate of succession increases with increasing productivity could not be confirmed. Succession towards woodland can be rapid on soils of low and intermediate fertility. In contrast, a nutrient‐rich substrate favours perennial herbaceous vegetation, which inhibits woody colonization and arrests succession.
Targeted delivery of doxorubicin through conjugation with EGF receptor–binding peptide overcomes drug resistance in human colon cancer cells
Authors: Ai Shibin , Jia Tao , Ai Weilun , Duan Jianli , Liu Yongmei , Chen Jing , Liu Xin , Yang Fan , Tian Yuan , Huang Zebo 
Published: November 2012

Background and PurposeInduction of multidrug resistance by doxorubicin (DOX), together with non‐specific toxicities, has restricted DOX‐based chemotherapy. Recently, we demonstrated that DOX conjugated with an EGF receptor‐binding peptide (DOX‐EBP) had enhanced anticancer efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity when targeting EGF receptor‐overexpressing tumours. Here we investigated whether DOX‐EBP is able to overcome drug resistance and the underlying molecular mechanisms.Experimental ApproachDOX‐resistant SW480/DOX cells were derived from non‐resistant SW480 cells by stepwise exposure to increasing concentrations of DOX, and P‐glycoprotein overexpression induced by DOX was confirmed by Western blotting. Cytotoxicity and intracellular distribution of drugs were evaluated by MTT assay and fluorescence microscopy respectively. EGF receptor‐mediated endocytosis was determined in EGF receptor and endocytosis inhibition assays. Drug accumulation in tumour cells and murine xenografts was determined by HPLC.Key ResultsThe cytotoxicity and accumulation of DOX‐EBP in SW480/DOX cells were almost the same as in SW480 cells, but those of free DOX were reduced. DOX‐EBP accumulation was prevented by inhibitors of both EGF receptors and endocytosis, suggesting EGF receptors mediate endocytotic uptake. Tumour accumulation of DOX‐EBP was significantly higher than free DOX in mice, and the levels of DOX‐EBP were similar in DOX‐resistant and non‐resistant tumour tissues. Importantly, DOX‐EBP, but not free DOX, was effective at inhibiting solid tumour growth and increased survival rate in both sensitive and resistant models.Conclusion and ImplicationsDOX‐EBP can overcome DOX resistance of tumour cells and increase in vivo antitumour efficacy. Therefore, it has the potential to be a potent therapeutic agent for treating drug‐resistant cancers.
Choline and betaine intake is inversely associated with breast cancer risk: A two‐stage case‐control study in China
Authors: Zhang Cai‐Xia , Pan Mei‐Xia , Li Bin , Wang Lian , Mo Xiong‐Fei , Chen Yu‐Ming , Lin Fang‐Yu , Ho Suzanne C. 
Published: November 2012

Few epidemiological studies have evaluated the association of choline and betaine intake with breast cancer risk and the results remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the relationship between dietary intake of choline and betaine and the risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. A two‐stage case‐control study was conducted, with 807 cases and 807 age‐ (5‐year interval) and residence (rural/urban)‐matched controls. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake by face‐to‐face interview. An unconditional logistic regression model was used to calculate multivariate‐adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A significant inverse association was found between dietary choline and betaine consumption and breast cancer risk. The adjusted OR for the highest quartile of intake compared with the lowest were 0.40 (95% CI = 0.28–0.57, Ptrend < 0.001) for total choline intake, 0.58 (95% CI = 0.42–0.80, Ptrend < 0.001) for betaine intake and 0.38 (0.27–0.53, Ptrend < 0.001) for choline plus betaine intake, respectively. Intakes of individual choline compouds, choline from glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and free choline were also negatively associated with breast cancer risk. The inverse association between choline intake and breast cancer risk was primarily confined to participants with low folate level (<242 g/day), with an OR (95% CI) of 0.46 (0.23–0.91) comparing the fourth quartile with the first quartile of choline intake (Ptrend = 0.005). The present study suggests that consumption of choline and betaine is inversely associated with the risk of breast cancer. The association of choline intake with breast cancer risk is probably modified by folate intake.
Patient‐recorded outcomes and quality of life in evidence‐based medicine databases on most common ear, throat and nose procedures: a systematic review
Authors: Alakärppä A , Alho O.‐P 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundTheCochrane database of systematic reviews is an evidence‐based medicine (EBM) database that provides the highest quality evidence of the effect of various treatments. Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect when treatment effect is considered.ObjectiveTo assess how often patient‐reported outcome measures (PROM), and specifically the quality of life aspect, were evaluated in the randomised controlled trial projects (RCTs) included in the Cochrane database of systematic reviews of the most common ear, throat and nose operations. Also, to explore the same in ongoing trials registered inClinicalTrials.gov.MethodsStructured literature search.Search strategy and evaluation methodTheCochrane database of systematic reviews that evaluated the effects of ventilation tube insertion, adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and endoscopic sinus surgery was assessed. TheRCTs on which the reviews' conclusions were based were explored, and the outcome variables were recorded. A similar search was carried out in theClinicalTrials.govtrial register.ResultsIn theCochrane database, we identified seven systematic reviews with 30RCTprojects. Fourteen (49%) collected some sort ofPROMand of those, three (10%) used a validatedQoLinstrument. After the year 2000, the respective figures were 12 of 15 (80%) and 3 of 15 (20%). InClinicalTrials.gov, we found 500 ongoing studies on the most commonENToperations, nine beingRCTs relevant to this review. Five (55%) and three (30%) of the ongoingRCTs inClinicalTrial.govassessPROMandQoLtopics inENTsurgery, respectively.ConclusionsSince the introduction ofQoLinstruments in the 1990s, their use has gradually increased, but validatedQoLinstruments have been used in only one of 10RCTs included inEBMdatabases. OngoingRCTs considerQoLonly slightly more often.
CD99 expression in Merkel cell carcinoma: a case series with an unusual paranuclear dot‐like staining pattern
Authors: Rajagopalan Ashwyn , Browning Debra , Salama Samih 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundMerkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine cancer of the skin. The utility of CD99 (MIC‐2) in the diagnosis of MCC has been previously studied, with reported rates of expression ranging from 13 to 55%. When specified, a membranous or cytoplasmic staining pattern was considered significant. Recent studies of CD99 have identified a paranuclear dot‐like expression pattern in certain non‐neuroendocrine pancreatic and colonic lesions. We recently noted paranuclear dot‐like staining in several cases of MCC, including cases lacking cytokeratin 20 (CK20) expression.MethodsFourteen cases of MCC were stained with CK20 and CD99 antibody, and the pattern and intensity of staining were recorded. Seven cases of pulmonary small cell carcinoma (PSCC) and one case of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) were used for comparison.ResultsAll 14 cases of MCC showed at least focal CD99 staining, with both membranous and paranuclear dot‐like staining patterns identified. CK20 staining was present in 12/14 cases, with the characteristic dot‐like pattern identified. Four of seven cases of PSCC showed CD99 staining, with two showing a finely granular dot‐like staining pattern.ConclusionsWe report an unusual pattern of paranuclear dot‐like expression of CD99 in 14 cases of MCC, two of which did not express CK20. This previously unrecognized expression pattern may be of use in differentiating MCC from other cutaneous malignancies, especially when CK20 expression is limited or absent.
Care of children with diabetes as inpatients: frequency of admissions, clinical care and patient experience
Authors: Edge J. A. , Ackland F. , Payne S. , McAulay A. , Hind E. , Burren C. , Burditt J. , Sims D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimHospital inpatient care for children with diabetes is frequently mentioned by parents as unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to examine the reasons for inpatient admission of children with diabetes and to understand patient and carer experience in order to improve services.MethodsQuestionnaires were given to medical teams, parents and children during admissions of children with diabetes under 16 years of age in three regions of England.ResultsThere were 401 admissions over 6 months from 3247 patients: 334 (83%) emergency admissions and 59 (15%) elective; the reason is unknown in eight (2%). One hundred and forty‐three (36%) were emergency admissions with diabetic ketoacidosis/hyperglycaemia. Clinical teams reported adverse events around insulin administration in 25, hypoglycaemia (sometimes recurrent) in 120 and food provision in 14 admissions. Others included seven incidents around elective surgery. Diabetes clinical teams were not always informed about admissions and only 33% were informed within 2 h. Parents and children reported fewer problems: 62% were involved in care most of the time and 87% were able to give insulin. Most negative comments were about poor staff management of out‐of‐range blood glucose levels, knowledge of insulin pumps and care of children waiting in the emergency department.ConclusionsThere were a large number of admissions and the majority were emergencies. Parents generally felt that they receive good care, although with some lack of knowledge amongst the ward staff. There were an unacceptable number of adverse incidents reported. We recommend that education of ward staff in diabetes is carried out regularly with reference to the standards of care.
Push‐out bond strength of an experimental self‐adhesive resin cement
Authors: Juloski Jelena , Fadda Giovanni M. , Radovic Ivana , Chieffi Nicoletta , Vulicevic Zoran R. , Aragoneses Juan M. , Ferrari Marco 
Published: November 2012

The adhesion of fiber posts luted with simplified adhesive systems has been a matter of great interest over the past years. The aim of this study was to assess the post retentive potential of experimental self‐adhesive resin cement (EXP) when used alone and in combination with a self‐etch adhesive. Fiber posts were placed in endodontically treated teeth and divided into four groups (n = 6) according the luting material, as follows: group 1 (EXP alone); group 2 (EXP used with self‐etch adhesive); group 3 (marketed dual‐cured cement used with self‐etch adhesive); and group 4 (marketed self‐adhesive cement). The push‐out test was used to assess the retentive strength of fiber posts (expressed in MPa), and specimens were analyzed under a stereomicroscope to determine failure mode. The adhesive interface between the cement and root canal dentin for each group was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. The post retentive potential of group 1 (EXP) (7.48 ± 4.35 MPa) was comparable with that of marketed cements from group 4 (6.79 ± 3.68 MPa) and group 3 (8.77 ± 4.58 MPa). When EXP was used in combination with self‐etch adhesive (group 2), significantly higher push‐out bond‐strength values were measured (15.87 ± 4.68 MPa) compared with the other groups.
Rapamycin has paradoxical effects on S6 phosphorylation in rats with and without seizures
Authors: Chen Linglin , Hu Lin , Dong Jing‐Yin , Ye Qing , Hua Nan , Wong Michael , Zeng Ling‐Hui 
Published: November 2012

SummaryPurpose:  Accumulating data have demonstrated that seizures induced by kainate (KA) or pilocarpine activate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway and that mTOR inhibitor rapamycin can inhibit mTOR activation, which subsequently has potential antiepileptic effects. However, a preliminary study showed a paradoxical exacerbation of increased mTOR pathway activity reflected by S6 phosphorylation when rapamycin was administrated within a short period before KA injection. In the present study, we examined this paradoxical effect of rapamycin in more detail, both in normal rats and KA‐injected animals.Methods:  Normal rats or KA‐treated rats pretreated with rapamycin at different time intervals were sacrificed at various time points (1, 3, 6, 10, 15, and 24 h) after rapamycin administration or seizure onset for western blotting analysis. Phosphorylation of mTOR signaling target of Akt, mTOR, Rictor, Raptor, S6K, and S6 were analyzed. Seizure activity was monitored behaviorally and graded according to a modified Racine scale (n = 6 for each time point). Neuronal cell death was detected by Fluoro‐Jade B staining.Key Findings:  In normal rats, we found that rapamycin showed the expected dose‐dependent inhibition of S6 phosphorylation 3–24 h after injection, whereas a paradoxical elevation of S6 phosphorylation was observed 1 h after rapamycin. Similarly, pretreatment with rapamycin over 10 h before KA inhibited the KA seizure–induced mTOR activation. In contrast, rapamycin administered 1–6 h before KA caused a paradoxical increase in the KA seizure–induced mTOR activation. Rats pretreated with rapamycin 1 h prior to KA exhibited an increase in severity and duration of seizures and more neuronal cell death as compared to vehicle‐treated groups. In contrast, rapamycin pretreated 10 h prior to KA had no effect on the seizures and decreased neuronal cell death. The paradoxical effect of rapamycin on S6 phosphorylation was correlated with upstream mTOR signaling and was reversed by pretreatment of perifosine, an Akt inhibitor.Significance:  These data indicate the complexity of S6 regulation and its effect on epilepsy. Paradoxical effects of rapamycin need to be considered in clinical applications, such as for potential treatment for epilepsy and other neurologic disorders.
The shell‐forming proteome ofLottia giganteareveals both deep conservations and lineage‐specific novelties
Authors: Marie Benjamin , Jackson Daniel J. , Ramos‐Silva Paula , Zanella‐Cléon Isabelle , Guichard Nathalie , Marin Frédéric 
Published: November 2012

Proteins that are occluded within the molluscan shell, the so‐called shell matrix proteins (SMPs), are an assemblage of biomolecules attractive to study for several reasons. They increase the fracture resistance of the shell by several orders of magnitude, determine the polymorph ofCaCO3deposited, and regulate crystal nucleation, growth initiation and termination. In addition, they are thought to control the shell microstructures. Understanding how these proteins have evolved is also likely to provide deep insight into events that supported the diversification and expansion of metazoan life during the Cambrian radiation 543 million years ago. Here, we present an analysis ofSMPs isolated form theCaCO3shell of the limpetLottia gigantea, a gastropod that constructs an aragonitic cross‐lamellar shell. We identified 39SMPs by combining proteomic analysis with genomic and transcriptomic database interrogations. Among these proteins are various low‐complexity domain‐containing proteins, enzymes such as peroxidases, carbonic anhydrases and chitinases, acidic calcium‐binding proteins and protease inhibitors. This list is likely to contain the most abundantSMPs of the shell matrix. It reveals the presence of both highly conserved and lineage‐specific biomineralizing proteins. This mosaic evolutionary pattern suggests that there may be an ancestral molluscanSMPset upon which different conchiferan lineages have elaborated to produce the diversity of shell microstructures we observe nowadays.DatabaseNovel protein sequences reported in this article have been deposited inSwiss‐Prot database under accession nos.B3A0P1–B3A0S4
Feasibility of fused imaging for the evaluation of radiofrequency ablative margin for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tomonari Akiko , Tsuji Kunihiko , Yamazaki Hajime , Aoki Hironori , Kang Jong‐Hon , Kodama Yoshihisa , Sakurai Yasuo , Maguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: November 2012

AimTo evaluate the feasibility of fusion of conventional imaging modalities to facilitate assessment of ablative margin of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsTwo hundred and thirty‐nine liver lesions in 109 patients underwent percutaneous RFA under ultrasound for HCC from January 2008 to December 2010. Within these patients, 13 lesions in 12 patients who developed local tumor progression in the follow‐up period of at least 8 months were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging obtained before and after RFA was used for creating fused images on a workstation. Ablative margins were assessed using only axial images, and with fused images.ResultsThe ablative margin was assessed as sufficient in all 13 lesions using side‐by‐side axial images; however, all lesions were assessed as insufficient with fused imaging evaluation. The reason for the discrepancy of the assessment results were differences in the respiratory dislocation of the liver in the pre‐ and post‐RFA images in eight lesions (61.5%), and rotational displacement of the liver and the torso in five (38.5%). The site of local tumor recurrence relative to the HCC lesion was craniocaudal in 12 lesions, dorsoventral in seven and lateral in seven. In all lesions, the site of local tumor recurrence was congruent with the area of the thinnest ablative margin.ConclusionAssessment of ablative margin with fused imaging revealed insufficiency of ablation previously evaluated as sufficient with conventional axial imaging. Fused imaging evaluation has proved to be an accurate and useful tool for the assessment of RFA margins.
Species abundance distributions of moth and beetle assemblages in a cool‐temperate deciduous forest
Authors: Hirao Toshihide , Murakami Masashi , Kubota Yasuhiro 
Published: November 2012

Abstract

Species abundance distributions of moth and beetle assemblages, in addition to beetle feeding guilds, were examined using data collected by light traps in a cool‐temperate deciduous forest at Hokkaido, Japan.

Four types of species abundance distributions with a continuous shift in shape (broken stick, log‐normal, power function, and dispersal‐limited multinomial) were fitted and compared, and then the deviation of observed data from that expected for the neutral model (dispersal‐limited multinomial distribution) was tested using species evenness and richness.

Significantly better fits were obtained for the neutral model than for the other models for all assemblages and all beetle guilds. This result implies that the better fits of the neutral model might be characteristic of transient assemblages having an excess of rare species.

The evenness of species abundance distributions for assemblages and guilds, except for moths associated with the understorey and predatory beetles, significantly deviated from that expected by the neutral model. The departure of beetle guilds (detritivores, herbivores, and xylophages) from the neutral model suggests their microhabitat dependence.

The neutral model may prove to be a viable null hypothesis for examining the species abundance distributions of insect assemblages. In this study, we found that although stochastic dynamics appeared to have an increasing influence on insect community assembly, there are also complex biological processes still likely to be present.

The fits of the neutral model suggest that habitat connectivity and microhabitat diversity are potentially important for conserving moth and beetle diversity in a temperate forest.