bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunity, Inflammation, and Vaccines for Helicobacter pylori
Authors: D'Elios Mario M. , Czinn Steven J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHelicobacter pylori colonizes mucosa, activates Toll‐like and Nod‐like receptors, and usually elicits a gastric T‐helper 1/17 (Th1/Th17) type of immune response. Among several bacterial factors, the secreted peptidyl prolyl cis, trans‐isomerase of H. pylori represents a key factor driving Th17 inflammation. A complex and fascinating balance between H. pylori and host factors takes part in the gastric niche and is responsible for the chronicity of the infection. Novel insights into the innate and adaptive responses against H. pylori, dealing with gastric epithelial cells, cytokines, and immune evasion have been elucidated over the past year and are discussed for the development of an effective vaccine.
Helicobacter pylori Infection in Pediatrics
Authors: Iwańczak Barbara , Francavailla Ruggiero 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis review concerns important pediatric studies published from April 2013 to March 2014. New data on pathogenesis have demonstrated that Th1 type cytokine secretion at the gastric level is less intense in children compared with adults. They have also shown that the most significant risk factor for Helicobacter pylori infection is the parents’ origin and frequency of childcare in settings with a high prevalence of infection. A new hypothesis on the positive relationship between childhood H. pylori infection and the risk of gastric cancer in adults has been suggested which calls for an implementation of preventive programs to reduce the burden of childhood H. pylori infection in endemic areas. Several studies have investigated the role of H. pylori infection in iron‐deficiency anemia, and results support the role of the bacterium in this condition. Antibiotic resistance is an area of intense research with data confirming an increase in antibiotic resistance, and the effect of CYP2C19 genetic polymorphism on proton‐pump inhibitor metabolism should be further investigated as cure rates are lower in extensive metabolizers. Studies confirmed that probiotic supplementation may have beneficial effects on eradication and therapy‐related side effects, particularly diarrhea in children.
Pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: de Bernard Marina , Josenhans Christine 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHelicobacter pylori relies on multiple colonization and virulence factors to persist in the human stomach for life. In addition, these factors can be modulated and vary to suit the ever‐changing environment within the host individual. This article outlines the novel developments in this field of research during the past year, highlighting the cag pathogenicity island, VacA, γ‐glutamyl‐transpeptidase as well as including recent advances in protein structure, bacteria–host interaction, and the role of stomach microbiota.
Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection 2014
Authors: O'Connor Anthony , Vaira Dino , Gisbert Javier P. , O'Morain Colm 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis review summarizes important studies regarding H.pylori therapy published from April 2013 to April 2014. The main themes that emerge are assessing the efficacy of standard triple therapy, as well as exploring new first‐line treatments, predominantly optimized triple therapies and non‐bismuth quadruple schemes. Regarding newer non‐bismuth quadruple regimens, the compliance and tolerance seem to be similar for sequential and concomitant regimens. Notably, no study yet has demonstrated a clear statistical superiority for either, and a systematic review and meta‐analysis may be warranted. Other studies examined the role of levofloxacin and bismuth based therapies in H. pylori eradication. The efficacy of bismuth as a second‐line after sequential therapy was particularly noteworthy. Levofloxacin‐based therapies also appear to be useful and versatile as part of different antibiotic combinations and in first‐, second‐, and third‐line therapies. The emerging problem of quinolone resistance remains a worry. Individualized therapy, based on factors such as antimicrobial information, resistance data, and CYP2C19 metabolism, may well be the most notable future trend to emerge this year.
The first nurse practitioner graduate programme in Japan
Authors: Fukuda H. , Miyauchi S. , Tonai M. , Ono M. , Magilvy J.K. , Murashima S. 
Published: August 2014

AimThis paper describes the establishment of the first Japanese nurse practitioner graduate programme and legislative activities to institutionalize nurse practitioners in Japan.BackgroundTo address the super‐ageing population, Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences initiated the first academic graduate level nurse practitioner programme in Japan, based upon the global standard defined by the International Council of Nurses.ConclusionIn 2010, Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences graduated the first nurse practitioner. We believe that nurse practitioners will be highly valued in Japan for thoughtful nursing care to the fragile elders living in rural and urban Japan.
Comparative Study of CaMsrB2 Gene Containing Drought‐Tolerant Transgenic Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Non‐Transgenic Counterpart
Authors: Dhungana S. K. , Kim B.‐R. , Son J.‐H. , Kim H.‐R. , Shin D.‐H. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractConcerns regarding the safety of transgenic foods have been raised because of possibility of undesirable effects development during genetic engineering. Analysis of phenotypic traits can increase the likelihoods of identifying those unintended effects in dietary composition of the GM crops. Objective of this study was to compare the transgenic lines with their non‐transgenic counterpart. Different vegetative and reproductive traits as well as antioxidant properties were considered to evaluate the transgenic (HV8 and HV23) lines containing CaMsrB2 gene and their non‐transgenic (Ilmi) parent line. Grain size and weight, seed germination, root length, root and shoot dry weight, length and width of flag leaf, plant height, and ligule, stamen and carpel length were not significantly different. Onset and completion of heading in each line occurred almost during the same period. The antioxidant properties in terms of DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity and polyphenol content were not statistically different under same treatment condition. The results suggested that the transgenic rice lines containing CaMsrB2 gene were equivalent to their non‐transgenic counterpart without any visible unintended effects.
Symptomatic dermographism: an inadequately described disease
Authors: Schoepke N. , Młynek A. , Weller K. , Church M.K. , Maurer M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundSymptomatic dermographism is the most common form of physical urticaria with a prevalence of 2–5%. However, its clinical picture has rarely been described.ObjectiveTo understand more of patients' views about the practical aspects of their condition, its cause and impact on quality of life.MethodsNinety‐one of 150 patients with symptomatic dermographism from our specialist urticaria clinic completed a 38‐question questionnaire sent them by mail.ResultsThe mean duration of disease was 6¼ years. In most patients, the condition was continuous, but ~25% had prolonged symptom‐free phases. Severity was evaluated as moderate in 45%, severe in 33% and very severe in 6% of respondents. Other responses included: symptoms worse in the evening in 81%; quality of life significantly impaired in 44%; normal life not possible 7%; stress induces acute episodes 44%; other urticarial forms coexist 21%; allergy coexist 48%. A family history was reported in 14%. Almost all patients were taking H1‐anti‐histamines, 49% getting marked improvement and 23% becoming symptoms free.LimitationsIt is a survey only of patient opinions.ConclusionsThis questionnaire survey confirmed that symptomatic dermographism is a debilitating condition with profound effects on quality of life but its underlying cause and disease mechanisms remain obscure.
Analysis of current data on the use of topical rapamycin in the treatment of facial angiofibromas in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Authors: Balestri R. , Neri I. , Patrizi A. , Angileri L. , Ricci L. , Magnano M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundTuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous syndrome causing hamartomatous growths in multiple organs. Facial angiofibromas occur in up to 80% of patients and can be highly disfiguring. Treatment for these lesions has historically been challenging. Recently, topical rapamycin has been proposed as an effective option to treat angiofibromas but a commercially available compound has not yet been developed.ObjectivesThe aim of this review is to analyse the current data on the use of topical rapamycin in the treatment of angiofibromas in TSC, focusing on the risk‐benefit profile.MethodsA retrospective review of the English‐language literature was conducted.ResultsSixteen reports describing the use of topical rapamycin in the treatment of angiofibromas in TSC were considered, involving a total of 84 patients. An improvement of the lesions has been shown in 94% of subjects, particularly if the treatment was started at early stages. Several different formulations (ointment, gel, solution and cream) with a wide range of concentrations (0.003%–1%) were proposed. Only 4 local adverse side‐effects were reported after the use of rapamycin solution.ConclusionTopical rapamycin can be considered a safe option for the treatment and the prevention of facial angiofibromas in younger patients, but the best formulation has not been established. Our review demonstrates that ointment and gel should be preferred, but it is not clear which concentration is optimal. Long‐term and comparative studies between topical rapamycin and ablative techniques are required to establish which treatment has a better outcome and lower recurrence rate.
Functional optical coherence tomography of pigmented lesions
Authors: Wessels R. , de Bruin D.M. , Relyveld G.N. , Faber D.J. , Vincent A.D. , Sanders J. , van Leeuwen T.G. , Ruers T.J.M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous melanomas are diagnosed worldwide in 231 130 patients per year. The sensitivity and specificity of melanoma diagnosis expresses the need for an additional diagnostic method. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has shown that it allows morphological (qualitative) description of image features and quantitative analysis of pathology related light scattering by means of the attenuation coefficient (μoct).ObjectiveWe hypothesize that OCT images of nevi will differ qualitatively and quantitatively from melanomas.MethodsForty lesions from 33 consecutive patients were imaged with OCT. After data acquisition, excision was performed. Epidermal layer thickness was measured and values of μoct were extracted from 200 OCT images of pigmented lesions.ResultsMorphologically, absence of the lower border of the lesion was characteristic for melanoma (P = 0.02). Also, the μoct was different between benign and malignant lesions (P = 0.02). There were no differences in epidermal layer thickness of benign lesions and melanoma.ConclusionAlthough this preliminary study comprised a small number of patients, quantitative analysis of OCT images in pigmented skin lesions give valuable additional information about lesions characteristics. When using the attenuation coefficient, it might be possible to distinguish between benign lesions and melanomas.
Preservatives in cosmetics in the Israeli market conform well to the EU legislation
Authors: Horev L. , Isaksson M. , Engfeldt M. , Persson L. , Ingber A. , Bruze M. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundPreservatives are important and frequent skin sensitizers, found in a wide range of products for personal and occupational use. According to the European legislation, some cosmetic ingredients are restricted in terms of quantity and a detailed list of ingredients must be present on the product or packaging.ObjectivesTo examine the use of preservatives in common cosmetics on the Israeli market.Materials/MethodsSixty different Israeli brand cosmetics, including shampoos, liquid soaps, body creams and hand creams were randomly selected. Ingredient labels were examined. The products were investigated by the chromotropic acid method for release of formaldehyde and by high performance liquid chromatography for the presence of formaldehyde, DMDM hydantoin and methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) and MI content.ResultsAll products but one contained a detailed list of ingredients printed on the package. According to labelling, the most prevalent preservatives in Israeli shampoos and liquid soaps were DMDM hydantoin and MCI/MI. Hand creams and body creams contained mainly parabens but also iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, phenoxyethanol and DMDM hydantoin. Formaldehyde in doses from 4 to 429 ppm, and DMDM hydantoin were detected in 38 and 16 (63% and 27%) of the products, respectively. MCI/MI was detected in 11 (18%) of the products, with highest prevalence in rinse‐ off products (55%). Excluding one hand cream which measured 106 ppm MI, the amount of formaldehyde, DMDM hydantoin, MCI/MI and MI was within the allowed concentrations by the European directive in all cases.ConclusionsIn Israel, adaptation of the European directive prevails, as shown by the measurements we performed on randomly selected products.
Treatment of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma with oral alitretinoin
Authors: Kapser C. , Herzinger T. , Ruzicka T. , Flaig M. , Molin S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a potentially life‐limiting malignant disease. Treatment strategies in CTCL aim at disease control and remission with the lowest possible side‐effects.ObjectiveRecent reports suggest that the new vitamin A derivative alitretinoin might be a well‐tolerated treatment option.MethodsWe analysed the files of 11 CTCL patients with mycosis fungoides (n = 10) or Sézary syndrome (n = 1), who were treated with oral alitretinoin alone or in combination with standard treatment based on individual off‐label treatment decisions. Patients had been monitored every 4–8 weeks with skin examination and laboratory analyses.ResultsTen of 11 patients (90.9%) showed a marked improvement of their CTCL skin lesions and no progress of the disease during treatment with alitretinoin, one patient showed no response to the treatment (9.1%). Four of the responding patients (40.0%) had a complete response and 6 (60.0%) had a partial response. Average time to response was 2.5 months. Duration of treatment varied depending on whether patients had reached complete or partial remission. In general, alitretinoin was well tolerated. One of 11 patients developed high non‐fasting average serum cholesterol (>300 mg/dL) and 1/11 a mean non‐fasting triglyceride value >500 mg/dL. In 3/11 patients, thyroid‐stimulating hormone declined without clinical symptoms during treatment, with one of the patients also showing a decreased thyroxin level.ConclusionIn our group of CTCL patients we noticed a low rate of side‐effects and an overall good clinical response to treatment with alitretinoin. Further studies are required to substantiate this early clinical observation.
A possible relationship of human leucocyte antigens with psoriasis vulgaris and geographic tongue
Authors: Picciani B.L.S. , Carneiro S. , Sampaio A.L.B. , Santos B.M. , Santos V.C.B. , Gonzaga H.F.S. , Oliveira J.C. , Porto L.C. , Dias E.P. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundGeographic tongue (GT) is the most frequent oral lesion in psoriatic patients (PP), and genetic involvement in these conditions has been described. The association of psoriasis with GT is still not clear, and the study of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) may help clarify this relation.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the association of HLA alleles with psoriasis vulgaris and GT.MethodsFifty‐eight Brazilian PP, 29 GT patients and 125 healthy controls individuals were selected. Information on demographic and clinical characteristics was collected. All patients underwent an oral examination and blood collection for HLA typing.ResultsHLA‐A did not show significant differences in frequencies among the groups. HLA‐B*57 allele was more frequently found in PP and was not found in GT. HLA‐B*58 allele was more frequently found in GT. HLA‐C*06 and ‐C*18 alleles were associated with psoriasis. No significant differences in HLA‐DRB1 and HLA‐DQB1 were observed.ConclusionHLA‐B*58 was associated with GT and HLA‐B*57 was possibly associated with psoriasis. This suggested that some GT cases may represent true oral psoriasis and some may represent only GT. Therefore, it is necessary to make this distinction and increase our sample size to improve the correct diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.
Long‐term sustained lesion clearance from Lmax with imiquimod 3.75%, a new field‐directed treatment for actinic keratosis
Authors: Gupta G. , Stockfleth E. , Peris K. , Aractingi S. , Alomar A. , Dakovic R. , Dirschka T. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundIn patients with actinic keratosis (AK), subclinical and clinical lesions coexist across large areas of sun‐exposed skin. The long‐term efficacy of AK treatments depends on their ability to eradicate both types of lesions across the entire field.ObjectiveTo assess the long‐term efficacy of imiquimod 3.75% using the reduction in lesions from Lmax (maximum lesion count during treatment), which assesses the ability to clear subclinical and clinical lesions.MethodsPatients with 5–20 AK lesions on the full face or balding scalp from two 14‐week, randomized, vehicle‐controlled, double‐blind studies of imiquimod 3.75% (daily for two 2‐week treatment cycles separated by a 2‐week treatment‐free period) were eligible to enter a 12‐month follow‐up study if they had no AK lesions at Week 14. Lesion reduction from Lmax was calculated at 6 and 12 months during follow‐up.ResultsThe 42 patients in this long‐term study had a median of nine baseline lesions and a median Lmax of 22 lesions. At 6 and 12 months of follow‐up, the median absolute reduction in AK lesions from Lmax with imiquimod 3.75% was 21 and 19, respectively. The median percentage reduction in lesions from Lmax to 6 and 12 months was 100% and 97.2%, respectively.ConclusionsThe ability of imiquimod 3.75% to eliminate clinical and subclinical lesions across an entire sun‐exposed field translates into sustained long‐term efficacy. Imiquimod 3.75% may therefore represent a first‐choice treatment for patients with AK.
Direct visualization of the novel pathogen, Spiroplasma eriocheiris, in the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard) using fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Ding Z F , Xia S Y , Xue H , Tang J Q , Ren Q , Gu W , Meng Q G , Wang W 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSpiroplasma eriocheiris is the first spiroplasma strain known to be pathogenic to freshwater crustaceans. It has caused considerable economic losses both in the freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard) and in some other crustaceans. The monitoring of the pathogen in crustacean populations and study of its behaviour in the laboratory require the development of reliable diagnostic tools. In this article, we improved microscopic identification of S. eriocheiris by combining in situ hybridization with specific fluorescently labelled oligonucleotide probes. The established fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) allowed simultaneous visualization, identification and localization of S. eriocheiris in the tissues of diseased crayfish P. clarkii and exhibited low background autofluorescence and ideal signal‐to‐noise ratio. With the advantages of better tissue penetration, potentially more specific and stable, we designed three species‐specific oligonucleotide probes utilizing the sequences of 16S‐23S rRNA intergenic spacer regions (ISRs) of S. eriocheiris. Positive hybridization signals were visualized in haemocytes and connective tissues of hepatopancreas, cardiac muscle and gill from diseased crayfish. This unique distribution pattern matched the pathological changes when diagnosed by H&E staining and indicated that S. eriocheiris probably spread throughout the tissues in P. clarkii by hemokinesis. This assay will facilitate our understanding of the pathogenesis of S. eriocheiris and enhance the early diagnosis of the novel pathogen.
From Refining Sugar to Growing Tomatoes
Authors: Short Samuel W. , Bocken Nancy M.P. , Barlow Claire Y. , Chertow Marian R. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThis article seeks to advance the understanding of the relationship between industrial ecology (IE) and business model innovation for sustainability as a means and driver of new value creation and competitive advantage by expanding the understanding of industrial symbiosis (IS) and internal symbiosis. This is explored through the case study of British Sugar, which, at the time of writing, is the UK's largest sugar producer by market share. Over the past three decades, the company has systematically sought opportunities to turn waste streams and emissions from their core production processes into useful and positive inputs to new product lines. Their core business is still sugar, but the business model has evolved to offer a broad range of additional synergistic and profitable product lines, including animal feed, electricity, tomatoes, and bioethanol. The research explores the temporal dimension of dynamic business model innovation, framing it in the context of a continuous evolutionary process rather than a discrete design activity. The case will be of interest as an additional contribution to the growing literature on IS; in offering an approach for linking the themes of IE literature and sustainable business model innovation more concretely in research and practice; and, by presenting the case as an evolutionary innovation process, the article furthers the emerging literature on business model innovation for sustainability.
ROP GTPase‐mediated auxin signaling regulates pavement cell interdigitation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Lin Deshu , Ren Huibo , Fu Ying 
Published: August 2014

AbstractIn multicellular plant organs, cell shape formation depends on molecular switches to transduce developmental or environmental signals and to coordinate cell‐to‐cell communication. Plants have a specific subfamily of the Rho GTPase family, usually called Rho of Plants (ROP), which serve as a critical signal transducer involved in many cellular processes. In the last decade, important advances in the ROP‐mediated regulation of plant cell morphogenesis have been made by using Arabidopsis thaliana leaf and cotyledon pavement cells. Especially, the auxin‐ROP signaling networks have been demonstrated to control interdigitated growth of pavement cells to form jigsaw‐puzzle shapes. Here, we review findings related to the discovery of this novel auxin‐signaling mechanism at the cell surface. This signaling pathway is to a large extent independent of the well‐known Transport Inhibitor Response (TIR)–Auxin Signaling F‐Box (AFB) pathway, and instead requires Auxin Binding Protein 1 (ABP1) interaction with the plasma membrane‐localized, transmembrane kinase (TMK) receptor‐like kinase to regulate ROP proteins. Once activated, ROP influences cytoskeletal organization and inhibits endocytosis of the auxin transporter PIN1. The present review focuses on ROP signaling and its self‐organizing feature allowing ROP proteins to serve as a bustling signal decoder and integrator for plant cell morphogenesis.Deshu Lin