bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic and predictive values of oncogenic BRAF, NRAS, c‐KIT and MITF in cutaneous and mucous melanoma
Authors: Pracht M. , Mogha A. , Lespagnol A. , Fautrel A. , Mouchet N. , Le Gall F. , Paumier V. , Lefeuvre‐Plesse C. , Rioux‐Leclerc N. , Mosser J. , Oger E. , Adamski H. , Galibert M.‐D. , Lesimple T. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundMutations of BRAF, NRAS and c‐KIT oncogenes are preferentially described in certain histological subtypes of melanoma and linked to specific histopathological features. BRAF‐, MEK‐ and KIT‐inhibitors led to improvement in overall survival of patients harbouring mutated metastatic melanoma.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence and types of BRAF, NRAS, c‐KIT and MITF mutations in cutaneous and mucous melanoma and to correlate mutation status with clinicopathological features and outcome.MethodsClinicopathological features and mutation status of 108 samples and of 98 consecutive patients were, respectively, assessed in one retrospective and one prospective study. Clinicopathological features were correlated with mutation status and the predictive value of these mutations was studied.ResultsThis work identified significant correlations between BRAF mutations and melanoma occurring on non‐chronic sun‐damaged skin and superficial spreading melanoma (P < 0.05) on one hand, and between NRAS mutations and nodular melanoma (P < 0.05) on the other hand. Younger age (P < 0.05), microscopic (P < 0.05) and macroscopic (P < 0.05) lymphatic involvement at diagnosis of primary melanoma were significantly linked to BRAF mutations. A mutated status was a positive predictive factor of a response to BRAF inhibitors (OR = 3.44). Mutated melanoma showed a significantly (P = 0.038) higher objective response rate to cytotoxic chemotherapy (26.3%) than wild‐type tumours (6.7%).ConclusionClinical and pathological characteristics of the primary melanoma differed between wild‐type and BRAF‐ or NRAS‐mutated tumours. Patients with BRAF‐mutated tumours were younger at diagnosis of primary melanoma. Patients carrying mutations showed better responses better to specific kinase inhibitors and interestingly also to systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease comorbid with major depressive disorder: The pathological features and poor therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Tomeno Wataru , Kawashima Keigo , Yoneda Masato , Saito Satoru , Ogawa Yuji , Honda Yasushi , Kessoku Takaomi , Imajo Kento , Mawatari Hironori , Fujita Koji , Saito Satoru , Hirayasu Yoshio , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground and AimMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is an important public health problem, and it is often comorbid with many chronic diseases. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical features of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients comorbid with MDD and to investigate the influence of MDD on the effect of treatment in patients with NAFLD.MethodsA total of 258 patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD were included. MDD was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision. The patients were followed up for 48 weeks under standard care for NAFLD, which consisted mainly of lifestyle modification.ResultsThere were 32 patients comorbid with MDD. They were characterized by more severe histological steatosis and higher NAFLD activity score, and also significantly higher levels of serum aminotransferase, γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and ferritin, than age‐and‐sex‐matched NAFLD patients without MDD. Moreover, NAFLD patients with MDD showed poor response to the standard care for NAFLD, in body weight loss and in other parameters. Particularly, NAFLD patients with unstable MDD (not in full/partial remission) showed severe resistance to the treatment.ConclusionThis is the first study to demonstrate the clinical features and response to therapy of NAFLD patients comorbid with MDD. The comorbid state of MDD was associated with more severe histological liver steatosis and worse treatment outcomes in patients with NAFLD. Further investigations are required to develop new lifestyle modification programs that enable NAFLD patients with MDD to achieve the treatment goal.
An exploration of food and the lived experience of individuals after treatment for colorectal cancer using a phenomenological approach
Authors: Burden S. T. , Stamataki Z. , Hill J. , Molasiotis A. , Todd C. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThere is a paucity of qualitative literature investigating people's experiences of food and nutrition after treatment for cancer. The present study aimed to explore people's relationships with food and nutrition throughout their colorectal cancer journey.MethodsIn‐depth semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants who had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer. The study design was informed by principles of phenomenology. Data were collected then transcribed and analysed using an inductive coding process and a thematic analysis to allow the themes to highlight people's lived experiences.ResultsData enabled five primary themes to be drawn including: ‘appetite swings’, ‘emotions on a changing physicality’, ‘the medicalisation of food’, ‘taking control of symptom management’ and a cross‐cutting theme ‘drivers and vehicles for action’. Feelings and emotions described by participants around their relationship with food and nutritional status often guided decisions on what was eaten more than objective nutritional measure or dietary advice. Participants used weight changes, appetite and food as barometers to measure their overall recovery. Food was an area over which people exhibited control of their lives and they could quantify, in measurable units, their overall well‐being and rehabilitation. They did this either by using the currency of body weight in pounds or the size of portions eaten.ConclusionsAppetite, weight and symptoms influenced dietary intake substantially and were poignant issues affecting people's lives. The relationship people have with food determines their eating habits and an understanding of the essences and nuances of their experiences is essential to enable the delivery of patient‐centred care.
How do pregnant women manage lumbopelvic pain? Pain management and their perceived effectiveness
Authors: Chang Hao‐Yuan , Jensen Mark P. , Lai Yeur‐Hur 
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectivesThis study aims to (1) investigate the pain management treatments used by pregnant women with lumbopelvic pain and their perceived effectiveness and (2) identify the predictors of pain treatment use.BackgroundA variety of treatments have been shown to be effective for reducing pregnancy‐related lumbopelvic pain. However, the frequency of use of pain treatments and their perceived efficacy in pregnant women is still unknown. Knowledge regarding the use and perceived efficacy of these treatments would help guide clinical practice and inform future research.DesignA cross‐sectional design with consecutive sampling.MethodsParticipants were pregnant women in the 35th to 40th gestational week who reported lumbopelvic pain in an antenatal clinic of a medical centre in Taiwan. Questionnaires were administered assessing pain treatment use, pain relief associated with each treatment (e.g. perceived effectiveness), pain intensity, pain interference, pain endurance beliefs and demographic variables.ResultsAmong 295 participants with lumbopelvic pain, only 34 (12%) sought pain treatment. The pain management treatments used included mechanical treatments (80% = 27/34), herbal medicine (9% = 3/34), exercise (6% = 2/34) and medications (6% = 2/34). Average perceived effectiveness associated with the treatments was 55%. Use of pain management strategies was negatively associated with pain endurance beliefs, but not with pain intensity or pain interference.ConclusionsPregnant women with lumbopelvic pain are unlikely to seek or use pain management treatments for pain, suggesting a greater need for adopting effective pain treatment in clinical settings.Relevance to clinical practiceThe study contributes new knowledge regarding how pregnant women cope with lumbopelvic pain and reveals very low rates in the use of pain treatments. Health professionals should assess pregnant women's pain beliefs about pain endurance and emphasise the safety and effectiveness of interventions that have empirical support, to help minimise unnecessary pain during pregnancy.
Mental health trajectories and related factors among perinatal women
Authors: Lin Pei‐Chao , Hung Chich‐Hsiu 
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectivesTo investigate Taiwanese women's mental health trajectories from the third trimester of pregnancy to four weeks postpartum and the correlations of these trajectories with perceived social support and demographic characteristics.BackgroundPrevious studies have reported differences between prenatal and postpartum mental health status.DesignA repeated design study was conducted in a medical hospital in Southern Taiwan.MethodsOne‐hundred and ninety‐four Taiwanese women completed the Chinese Health Questionnaire and Social Support Scale at the 36th prenatal week and first and fourth week postpartum.ResultsThree linear mental health trajectories for perinatal women were identified. Consistently poor perinatal mental health was reported by 16·0% of the participants. Less social support was associated with lower prenatal mental health scores. Younger age was a risk factor for consistently poor perinatal health. Vaginal delivery was associated with improved mental health after childbirth.ConclusionsMental health was worse in the third trimester of pregnancy than postpartum. Less social support was associated with lower prenatal mental health scores, and this association was similarly distributed between women with consistently poor and improved mental health after birth.Relevance to clinical practiceHealth care providers should assess women's mental health status and provide timely interventions during the perinatal period. Social support should be provided for pregnant women, especially younger women or those with lower perceived social support.
Factors influencing the degree of eating ability among people with dementia
Authors: Lee Kyoung Min , Song Jun‐Ah 
Published: January 2015

Aims and objectivesTo explore the degree of eating ability in people with dementia and identify what factors affect their eating ability.BackgroundAppropriate food consumption is important to human life. Although eating difficulties are common among people with dementia, little is known about what factors might influence their eating ability.DesignDescriptive, cross‐sectional study.MethodsA total of 149 people with dementia residing in nursing facilities in Seoul or the Gyeonggi area of Korea were evaluated using the Korean Mini‐Mental State Examination, Korean Activities of Daily Living Scale and Eating Behaviour Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one‐way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis.ResultsThe participants showed a moderate level of dependency with respect to eating ability and were most dependent on the use of utensils. There were significant differences in eating ability according to general characteristics such as duration of residence, duration of illness, degree of visual impairment, eating place, and diet type. The eating ability of the participants was significantly correlated with cognitive function and physical function. Cognitive function, physical function, duration of illness, eating place (living room or dining room), and diet type (soft or liquid) significantly predicted eating ability in people with dementia.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest that it is necessary to thoroughly assess the eating ability of people with dementia and to develop appropriate training programs to maintain or improve their remaining eating ability. The creation of a pleasurable physical and social environment for eating might also be helpful.Relevance to clinical practiceThese findings would be able to serve a useful basis in the development of materials for nursing intervention programs for people with dementia during mealtimes by improving the techniques and care qualities of nursing caregivers.
Association of an HLA‐G 14‐bp Insertion/Deletion polymorphism with high HBV replication in chronic hepatitis
Authors: Laaribi A. B. , Zidi I. , Hannachi N. , Ben Yahia H. , Chaouch H. , Bortolotti D. , Zidi N. , Letaief A. , Yacoub S. , Boudabous A. , Rizzo R. , Boukadida J. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryIdentification of an HLA‐G 14‐bp Insertion/Deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphism at the 3′ untranslated region of HLA‐G revealed its importance in HLA‐G mRNA stability and HLA‐G protein level variation. We evaluated the association between the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a case–control study. Genomic DNA was extracted from 263 patients with chronic HBV hepatitis and 246 control subjects and was examined for the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism by PCR. The polymorphic variants were genotyped in chronic HBV seropositive cases stratified according to HBV DNA levels, fibrosis stages and in a control population. There was no statistical significant association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and increased susceptibility to HBV infection neither for alleles (P = 0.09) nor for genotypes (P = 0.18). The stratification of HBV patients based on HBV DNA levels revealed an association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and an enhanced HBV activity with high HBV DNA levels. In particular, the Ins allele was significantly associated with high HBV DNA levels (P = 0.0024, OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.2–2.4). The genotype Ins/Ins was associated with a 2.5‐fold (95% CI, 1.29–4.88) increased risk of susceptibility to high HBV replication compared with the Del/Del and Ins/Del genotypes. This susceptibility is linked to the presence of two Ins alleles. No association was observed between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and fibrosis stage of HBV infection. We observed an association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and high HBV replication characterized by high HBV DNA levels in chronic HBV patients. These results suggest a potential prognostic value for disease outcome evaluation.
The Life Cycle of Phonological Processes: Accounting for Dialectal Microtypologies
Authors: Ramsammy Michael 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThis article reviews and exemplifies the theory of the life cycle of phonological processes and illustrates how diachronic phonological changes can be accounted for in a stratal/cyclic model of phonology. The life cycle captures the fact that sound change operates in orderly stages and that phonological processes become increasing integrated with morphosyntactic structure as they age. Phonological rules also often display different rates of application across a given dialect continuum. Thus, the developmental phases that a phonological innovation goes through in its life cycle define a template of language change; and these stages of change reflect synchronic patterns of microtypological variation.
Differences in eating behaviour, well‐being and personality between mothers following baby‐led vs. traditional weaning styles
Authors: Brown Amy 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBaby‐led weaning, where infants self‐feed family foods in place of traditional spoon‐feeding of purees, is continuing to grow in popularity. Evidence is emerging which suggests that the method may promote healthier eating behaviour and weight gain in children, but the research is in its infancy. One issue is the self‐selecting nature of participants to the approach. Although those who follow a baby‐led approach are known to have a higher education and more professional occupation, little is known about wider maternal characteristics, which might affect either adoption of or outcomes of the method. The aim of this study was to explore differences in maternal characteristics between those adopting a baby‐led or traditional approach. Six hundred four mothers with an infant aged 6–12 months completed a questionnaire including a copy of the Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (DEBQ), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) (anxiety, obsessive–compulsive and depression scales) and Ten Item Personality Questionnaire (TIPQ) alongside details of weaning approach (baby‐led vs. traditional). Mothers who adopted a baby‐led weaning style scored significantly lower on restrained eating (DEBQ), anxiety and introversion (TIPQ) and anxiety and obsessive–compulsive symptoms (BSI). Mothers who currently adopt a baby‐led approach are therefore significantly different in personality, eating behaviour and well‐being characteristics compared with those adopting a traditional approach. These characteristics may affect likelihood of choosing a baby‐led approach or indirectly affect outcomes for infants weaned using the approach. Further research exploring baby‐led weaning in a wider population sample is needed.
A unique open reading frame within the comX gene of Streptococcus mutans regulates genetic competence and oxidative stress tolerance
Authors: Kaspar Justin , Ahn Sang‐Joon , Palmer Sara R. , Choi Sang Chul , Stanhope Michael J. , Burne Robert A. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryStreptococcus mutans displays complex regulation of genetic competence, with ComX controlling late competence gene transcription. The rcrRPQ operon has been shown to link oxidative stress tolerance, (p)ppGpp metabolism and competence in S. mutans. Importantly, an rcrR polar (ΔrcrR‐P) mutant is hyper‐transformable, but an rcrR non‐polar (ΔrcrR‐NP) mutant cannot be transformed. Transcriptome comparisons of the rcrR mutants using RNA‐Seq and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction revealed little expression in the 5′ region of comX in ΔrcrR‐NP, but high level expression in the 3′ region. Northern blotting with comX probes revealed two distinct transcripts in the ΔrcrR‐P and ΔrcrR‐NP strains, and 5′ Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends mapped the 5′ terminus of the shorter transcript to nt +140 of the comX structural gene, where a unique 69‐aa open reading frame, termed XrpA, was encoded in a different reading frame than ComX. Two single‐nucleotide substitution mutants (comX::T162C; comX::T210A) were introduced to disrupt XrpA without affecting the sequence of ComX. When the mutations were in the ΔrcrR‐NP genetic background, ComX production and transformation were restored. Overexpression of xrpA led to impaired growth in aerobic conditions and decreased transformability. These results reveal an unprecedented mechanism for competence regulation and stress tolerance by a gene product encoded within the comX gene that appears unique to S. mutans.
Accuracy of hiatal hernia detection with esophageal high‐resolution manometry
Authors: Weijenborg P. W. , van Hoeij F. B. , Smout A. J. P. M. , Bredenoord A. J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe diagnosis of a sliding hiatal hernia is classically made with endoscopy or barium esophagogram. Spatial separation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and diaphragm, the hallmark of hiatal hernia, can also be observed on high‐resolution manometry (HRM), but the diagnostic accuracy of this finding has not yet been investigated. To determine the diagnostic value of HRM in the detection of hiatal hernia.MethodsHRM recordings, endoscopy reports, and barium esophagograms of 90 patients were analyzed for the presence and size of a hiatal hernia. The diagnostic value of a hernia specific HRM pressure pattern was calculated, and the agreement of HRM with endoscopy and barium esophagogram for the assessment of hernia size.Key ResultsHRM was found to be highly sensitive and specific for hiatal hernia detection, with a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 95%, exceeding the sensitivity of endoscopy or radiography alone (both 73%). Patients with a hiatal hernia on HRM were manometrically characterized by an esophagogastric junction (EGJ) with partial or complete separation of the LES and crural diaphragm (CD), the latter being associated with significantly lower EGJ pressure. A cutoff value of spatial LES‐CD separation on HRM of 1.85 cm yielded the optimal performance in identifying hiatal hernia. Agreement between HRM, endoscopy, and radiography for size of hiatal hernias was good (ICC [95% CI] 0.74 [0.65–0.82]).Conclusions & InferencesWith HRM, the presence or absence and size of a hiatal hernia can be assessed with greater sensitivity than with endoscopy or radiography alone.
Transcriptional networks in plant immunity
Authors: Tsuda Kenichi , Somssich Imre E. 
Published: January 2015

SummaryNext to numerous abiotic stresses, plants are constantly exposed to a variety of pathogens within their environment. Thus, their ability to survive and prosper during the course of evolution was strongly dependent on adapting efficient strategies to perceive and to respond to such potential threats. It is therefore not surprising that modern plants have a highly sophisticated immune repertoire consisting of diverse signal perception and intracellular signaling pathways. This signaling network is intricate and deeply interconnected, probably reflecting the diverse lifestyles and infection strategies used by the multitude of invading phytopathogens. Moreover it allows signal communication between developmental and defense programs thereby ensuring that plant growth and fitness are not significantly retarded. How plants integrate and prioritize the incoming signals and how this information is transduced to enable appropriate immune responses is currently a major research area. An important finding has been that pathogen‐triggered cellular responses involve massive transcriptional reprogramming within the host. Additional key observations emerging from such studies are that transcription factors (TFs) are often sites of signal convergence and that signal‐regulated TFs act in concert with other context‐specific TFs and transcriptional co‐regulators to establish sensory transcription regulatory networks required for plant immunity.

Contents

Summary
932

I.
Introduction
932

II.
Major transcription factor families involved in plant immunity
933

III.
Regulation of transcriptional complexes
934

IV.
Transcription factor networks in phytohormone signaling
938

V.
Discussion and perspectives
941

Acknowledgements
943

References
943
Sustainable deployment of QTLs conferring quantitative resistance to crops: first lessons from a stochastic model
Authors: Bourget Romain , Chaumont Loïc , Durel Charles‐Eric , Sapoukhina Natalia 
Published: January 2015

Summary

Quantitative plant disease resistance is believed to be more durable than qualitative resistance, since it exerts less selective pressure on the pathogens. However, the process of progressive pathogen adaptation to quantitative resistance is poorly understood, which makes it difficult to predict its durability or to derive principles for its sustainable deployment. Here, we study the dynamics of pathogen adaptation in response to quantitative plant resistance affecting pathogen reproduction rate and its colonizing capacity.

We developed a stochastic model for the continuous evolution of a pathogen population within a quantitatively resistant host. We assumed that pathogen can adapt to a host by the progressive restoration of reproduction rate or of colonizing capacity, or of both.

Our model suggests that a combination of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting distinct pathogen traits was more durable if the evolution of repressed traits was antagonistic. Otherwise, quantitative resistance that depressed only pathogen reproduction was more durable.

In order to decelerate the progressive pathogen adaptation, QTLs that decrease the pathogen's maximum capacity to colonize must be combined with QTLs that decrease the spore production per lesion or the infection efficiency or that increase the latent period. Our theoretical framework can help breeders to develop principles for sustainable deployment of QTLs.