bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EPG technique as a tool to reveal host plant acceptance by xylem sap‐feeding insects
Authors: Sandanayaka W. R. M. , Jia Y. , Charles J. G. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe discovery of a new exotic insect herbivore triggers responses from biosecurity agencies, one of which is the decision of whether or not to attempt eradication. Rapid determination of the host range of the new invader is necessary, but when sap‐sucking insects are first collected from plants, the lack of visible signs of feeding damage makes it difficult to determine their host status. We investigated the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG‐DC) technique as tool to assess host range of a xylem sap‐feeding invader, using Carystoterpa fingens (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae), a New Zealand endemic xylem feeder, as a model insect. Real‐time probing and feeding events over a 12‐h recording period were compared for adult C. fingens on 18 plant species. Hebe azure, a known host, was designated the ‘reference plant species’ against which events on all other plants were statistically compared. EPG waveforms were categorized on their amplitude, frequency, voltage and electrical origin, and six parameters (time taken to first probe, time to first xylem ingestion from first probe, total probing time, number of xylem‐ingesting events, duration of the longest xylem‐ingesting event and total xylem ingestion time) were measured. The total xylem ingestion period (i.e. the actual feeding period) on each plant species expressed as a percentage of total probing time was considered the best parameter for comparing the host status of plants with H. azure. Although the EPG data overestimated the actual host range of C. fingens, we consider that they provided a reasonable first guide to the potential host status of the unknown plants, and so might usefully be used to rapidly assess whether a plant from which a new invader was collected was a host, or whether the association was merely incidental.
Three New Loxophyllum Species (Ciliophora: Pleurostomatida) from China with a Brief Review of the Marine and Brackish Loxophyllum Species
Authors: Pan Hongbo , Gao Feng , Lin Xiaofeng , Warren Alan , Song Weibo 
Published: November 2012

AbstractRecent studies indicate that there is a high diversity of pleurostomatid ciliates in the coastal waters of China. Here, three new congeners of Loxophyllum, L. caudatum sp. n., L. rugosum sp. n., and L. chinense sp. n., are described following observations of live cells and protargol‐impregnated specimens. All three species usually have two macronuclear nodules and prominent warts along the dorsal margin formed by clustered extrusomes. In addition, L. caudatum sp. n. is characterized by its long conspicuous tail, dot‐like cortical granules, 4 or 5 left and 9 or 10 right kineties, and a single subterminal contractile vacuole. Loxophyllum rugosum sp. n. is distinguished by possessing three prominent ridges on the left side, 7–11 right and 5–7 left kineties. Loxophyllum chinense sp. n. is characterized by having several contractile vacuoles distributed along the ventral margin, 13–18 right and 6–8 left kineties. The small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequence similarities among six congeners range from 96.46% to 99.94%. Phylogenetic trees based on the SSU rDNA sequences indicate that all Loxophyllum spp. form a well‐supported monophyletic group. A brief review of the marine and brackish Loxophyllum species is supplied and one new combination, Litonotus multiplicatus (Kahl 1931) comb. n. (basionym Loxophyllum multiplicatum Kahl 1931), and one new name, Litonotus dragescoi nom. n. (basionym L. fasciolatus Dragesco 1966), are suggested.
Genetics of inflammatory bowel diseases: A comparison between Western and Eastern perspectives
Authors: Cheon Jae Hee 
Published: November 2012

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing intestinal inflammatory disorder with unidentified causes. Currently, studies indicate that IBD results from a complex interplay between various genetic and environmental factors that produce intestinal inflammation. However, these factors may differ for Asians and Caucasians. Thus, differences in epidemiology, genetic variants, and clinical phenotypes of IBD have been observed between the two populations. Understanding the discrepancies between data from populations with different genetic backgrounds and environmental factors may reveal fundamental aspects of IBD pathogenesis. Accordingly, this review will summarize the current knowledge of IBD genetics studied in Asian countries and compare it with that from Western countries, with special focus on innate bacterial sensing, autophagy, and the interleukin‐23 receptor‐T helper cell 17 pathway. The epigenetic nature of IBD pathogenesis as well as the pharmacogenetics related to the use of immunomodulators will also be briefly covered.
A pooled analysis of diffusion‐weighted imaging in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver diseases
Authors: Wu Lian‐Ming , Xu Jian‐Rong , Lu Qing , Hua Jia , Chen Jie , Hu Jiani 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimThe purpose of this study was to perform a meta‐analysis of all available studies of the diagnostic performance of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) in the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease.MethodsDatabases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for relevant original articles published from January 2000 to April 2012. Pooled estimation and subgroup analysis data were obtained by statistical analysis.ResultsAcross the nine studies (476 patients), DWI sensitivity was 81% (95%CI: 67%–90%), and specificity was 89% (95% CI: 76%–95%). Overall, positive likelihood ratio was 7.11 (95%CI: 3.50, 14.48), negative likelihood ratio was 0.21 (95%CI: 0.12–0.37), and the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 33.48 (95%CI: 16.67–67.25). The area under the curve of the summary receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was 0.92 (95% CI:0.89–0.94). In studies in which both DWI and conventional contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE‐MRI) were performed, the comparison of DWI performance with that of conventional CE‐MRI suggested no major differences against these two methods (P > 0.05). DWI combined CE‐MRI had higher pooled sensitivity than DWI alone (93% vs 73%) (P < 0.05).ConclusionDWI has good diagnostic performance in the detection of HCC in patients with chronic liver disease and equivalent to conventional CE‐MRI. Combination of CE‐MRI and DWI can improve the diagnostic accuracy of MRI. Further larger prospective studies are still needed to establish its value for detecting HCC in patients with chronic liver disease.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection of large gastrointestinal stromal tumors in the esophagus and stomach
Authors: He Zhankun , Sun Chao , Zheng Zhongqing , Yu Qingxiang , Wang Tao , Chen Xin , Cao Hailong , Liu Wentian , Wang Bangmao 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimGastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), the most common mesenchymal tumors of the digestive tract with potential for malignant transformation, are mainly treated by open surgery or laparoscopic resection. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for large‐size (2–5 cm) GISTs in the esophagus and stomach.MethodsA total of 31 patients with large‐size GISTs in the esophagus (6 patients) and stomach (25 patients) underwent ESD between September 2008 and December 2011. Demographics, clinical data, therapeutic outcomes, complications, pathological characteristics, risk classification, and follow‐up outcomes were recorded.ResultsESD was successfully performed in 31 patients at age of 59.06 ± 7.23 years (range: 46–74). The mean time of the procedure was 70.16 ± 16.25 min (range: 40–105). Perforation for 2–10 mm occurred in six patients (19.35%) and was endoscopically repaired with clips or nylon bands, with no conversions to open surgery. Intraoperative bleeding occurred in three patients (9.68%) and was corrected with argon plasma coagulation or hot biopsy forceps. No mortalities occurred. The mean size of the resected tumors was 2.70 ± 0.72 cm (range: 2.0–5.0). Out of the 31 patients, 24 (77.42%) were at very low risk and 7 (22.58%) were at low risk. Positive rate of CD117, DOG‐1, and CD34 were 83.87%, 12.90%, and 100%, respectively. A follow up for 14.29 ± 8.99 months (range: 3–39) showed no recurrence or metastasis.ConclusionsESD appears to be an effective, safe, and feasible treatment for large‐size GISTs in the esophagus and stomach.
Hepatocellular carcinoma in uremic patients: Is there evidence for an increased risk of mortality?
Authors: Lee Yun‐Hsuan , Hsu Chia‐Yang , Hsia Cheng‐Yuan , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Su Chien‐Wei , Lin Han‐Chieh , Lee Rheun‐Chuan , Chiou Yi‐You , Huo Teh‐Ia 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimThe clinical aspects of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing maintenance dialysis are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the long‐term survival and prognostic determinants of dialysis patients with HCC.MethodsA total of 2502 HCC patients, including 30 dialysis patients and 90 age, sex, and treatment‐matched controls were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsDialysis patients more often had dual viral hepatitis B and C, lower serum α‐fetoprotein level, worse performance status, higher model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score than non‐dialysis patients and matched controls (P all < 0.05). There was no significant difference in long‐term survival between dialysis and non‐dialysis patients and matched controls (P = 0.684 and 0.373, respectively). In the Cox proportional hazards model, duration of dialysis < 40 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.67, P = 0.019) and ascites (HR: 5.275, P = 0.019) were independent predictors of poor prognosis for dialysis patients with HCC. Survival analysis disclosed that the Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) provided a better prognostic ability than the MELD system. Among the four currently used staging systems, the Japan Integrated Scoring (JIS) system was a more accurate prognostic model for dialysis patients; a JIS score ≥ 2 significantly predicted a worse survival (P = 0.024).ConclusionsPatients with HCC undergoing maintenance dialysis do not have a worse long‐term survival. A longer duration of dialysis and absence of ascites formation are associated with a better outcome in dialysis patients. The CTP classification is a more feasible prognostic marker to indicate the severity of cirrhosis, and the JIS system may be a better staging model for outcome prediction.
Application of three‐dimensional reconstruction and visible simulation technique in reoperation of hepatolithiasis
Authors: Xie Aowen , Fang Chihua , Huang Yanpeng , Fan Yinfang , Pan Jiahui , Peng Fengping 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackground and AimHepatolithiasis often requires repeated operations in East Asia. This study aims to evaluate the clinical application of three‐dimensional reconstruction and visible simulation techniques for repeated operation in patients with intrahepatic calculi.MethodsA medical image processing system was used for modeling, segmentation, and three‐dimensional reconstruction of intrahepatic stones in 20 patients, consisting of 7 males and 13 females who were subjected to repeated surgical treatment from May 2010 to November 2011. The three‐dimensional models of the liver and bile ducts in a standard template library format were then processed by the FreeForm Modeling System. Accurate digital information about the bile duct system, lesions, calculi distribution, and surrounding organs obtained from all directions, multiple angles, and multistrata were used to decide the rational surgical modality. Virtual operations were then performed on the models with virtual surgical instruments in the FreeForm Modeling System. The results were used to guide and were compared with the real surgical procedures performed.ResultsThe surgical outcomes of all patients in this study were satisfactory. Three‐dimensionally reconstructed models provided clear and strong relief perception and a user‐friendly interface. Visible simulation surgery performed based on three‐dimensionally reconstructed models led to an optimal operation plan that had great resemblance to the actual surgeries for cases with intrahepatic stones.ConclusionsThree‐dimensional reconstruction and visible simulation techniques had unique value in optimizing repeated operation plans and in guiding actual surgical procedures for patients with recurrent intrahepatic calculi.
The bioethical experiences of student dietitians on their final clinical placement
Authors: Tighe B. , Mainwaring J. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundDietetic students are exposed to bioethical dilemmas on clinical placements; however, the nature of these situations has not been investigated. The present study aimed to analyse students' reports of incidents and their associated personal development plans (PDP) to assess the type of ethical incidents faced and how they cope with them.MethodsFinal‐year dietetic students were recruited via an announcement in class. The students' PDPs were analysed using thematic analysis to identify the type of ethical issues faced and how they felt about them. The 500‐word PDPs were submitted after the final placement.ResultsThirteen (13/26) students identified ‘ethics’ as a learning need and most of these incidents were related to enteral feeding (10/13). Ethical issues identified related to nonmaleficence; best interest; consent and capacity; truth telling and integrity; autonomy and substituted decision‐making; futile treatment; beneficence and confidentially. The themes for how the students coped included being unsure; lack of confidence or knowledge with ethics and/or with communication; lack of experience; unease/concern about shared decision‐making; and their own role in the situation.ConclusionsStudent dietitians are exposed to a wide range of complex ethical clinical situations, with those related to enteral feeding being the most common. Students felt unsure of what to do and lacked confidence, which resulted in unease and concern; however, students appeared to have some ethical sensitivity. Communication problems with the multidisciplinary team or families were a common theme. Clinical educators need to support students in these situations and act as role models.
Arcuate Nucleus Homeostatic Systems are Not Altered Immediately Prior to the Scheduled Consumption of Large, Binge‐Type Meals of Palatable Solid or Liquid Diet in Rats and Mice
Authors: Bake T. , Duncan J. S. , Morgan D. G. A. , Mercer J. G. 
Published: November 2012

Meal feeding is a critical issue in the over‐consumption of calories leading to human obesity. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of meal feeding in rodents, we studied a scheduled feeding regime that induces substantial food intake over short periods of time. Male Sprague–Dawley rats and C57BL6 mice were fed one of four palatable diets [45% fat pellet, 60% fat pellet or standard pellet supplemented with Ensure (EN; Abbott Laboratories, Maidenhead, UK) or 12.5% sucrose (SUC)] either ad lib. or with daily 2‐h scheduled access and standard pellet available for 22 h. Energy balance gene expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) reward gene expression were assessed by in situ hybridisation. Rats fed ad lib. on 45% or 60% fat diet were heavier and fatter than controls, and had reduced neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene expression in the ARC. Mice fed ad lib. on any of the palatable diets were heavier, fatter and had higher blood leptin than controls, and had reduced NPY and increased cocaine‐ and‐amphetamine‐regulated transcript mRNA in the ARC. Schedule‐fed rats and mice quickly adapted their feeding behaviour to 2‐h access on palatable food. Three schedule‐fed groups binged: the percentage of daily calories consumed in 2 h on 45% fat diet, 60% fat diet or EN, respectively, was 55%, 63% and 49% in rats, and 86%, 86% and 45% in mice. However, changed feeding behaviour was not reflected in an induction of orexigenic neuropeptide or suppression of anorexigenic neuropeptide gene expression in the ARC, in the 2‐h period prior to scheduled feeding. The mechanisms underlying large meal/binge‐type eating may be regulated by nonhomeostatic processes involving other genes in the hypothalamus or other brain areas. However, assessment of opioid and dopamine receptor gene expression in the NAcc did not reveal evidence of the involvement of these genes in driving large meals, at least at the investigated time point.
Stress, Social Support, and Depression: A Test of the Stress‐Buffering Hypothesis in a Mexican Sample
Authors: Raffaelli Marcela , Andrade Flavia C. D. , Wiley Angela R. , Sanchez‐Armass Omar , Edwards Laura L. , Aradillas‐Garcia Celia 
Published: November 2012

This study examined social support as a potential moderator between stress and depressive symptoms among Mexican university applicants aged 16–21 years (N = 6,715; M age = 17.9 years; 55% female). In bivariate analyses, perceived stress was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and social support with lower levels of both stress and depression. Moderation analyses conducted using hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that global social support reduced the association between stress and depression. Analyses examining support from different sources (family, friends, and significant other) indicated that family support played a unique role in buffering the negative effects of stress. Findings are consistent with the stress‐buffering hypothesis and confirm the importance of the family as Mexican youth enter late adolescence.
Differential regulation of collagen, lysyl oxidase and MMP‐2 in human periodontal ligament cells by low‐ and high‐level mechanical stretching
Authors: Chen Y‐J. , Jeng J‐H. , Chang H‐H. , Huang M‐Y. , Tsai F‐F. , Jane Yao C‐C. 
Published: November 2012

Background and ObjectiveMechanical stretching modulates extracellular matrix (ECM) protein synthesis by periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. However, the mechanoregulation of lysyl oxidase (LOX), a key enzyme for collagen cross‐linking, is not fully understood. In the present study, we hypothesized that low‐level and high‐level mechanical stretching differentially regulates collagen deposition and the expression of LOX and the enzymes responsible for ECM degradation, such as MMP‐2 in PDL cells.Material and MethodsHuman PDL cells were cultured on flexible‐bottom culture plates and subjected to cyclic mechanical stretching (3% and 10% elongation at 0.1 Hz) for 24 and 48 h in a Flexercell FX‐4000 strain unit. The levels of expression of type I collagen alpha 1 (COL1A1), type III collagen alpha 1 (COL3A1), lysyl oxidase (LOX), MMP2 and TIMP2 mRNAs were analyzed using an RT‐PCR technique. The cell layer and the culture medium were separately collected and processed for detection of the following ECM‐related molecules: (i) total collagen content using a Sircol dye‐binding method; (ii) LOX protein expression by western blotting; (iii) LOX activity using a fluorometric assay; and (iv) MMP‐2 enzyme activity by gelatin zymography.ResultsLow‐level (3%) mechanical stretching of PDL cells upregulated the expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and LOX mRNAs, enhanced the production of collagen and increased the LOX activity but did not change the level of expression of MMP2 or TIMP2 mRNA. The collagen content and LOX activity showed obvious elevation in the medium, but not in the cell layer. High‐level (10%) mechanical stretching downregulated COL1A1 mRNA but upregulated COL3A1 mRNA; however, the effect on COL3A1 was smaller, and occurred earlier, compared with the effect on the COL1A1 gene. High‐level mechanical stretching upregulated the expression of MMP2 and TIMP2 mRNAs but did not change collagen production or LOX activity. Moreover, high‐level mechanical stretching increased the level of pro‐MMP‐2, especially in the cell layer.ConclusionsThis study substantiates the mechanoregulation of the expression of ECM‐related molecules in PDL cells. High‐level mechanical stretching upregulated the expression of MMP2 and TIMP2 mRNAs, but did not affect collagen production or LOX activity. In addition to increasing the transcription of COL1A1, COL3A1 and LOX genes, low‐level mechanical stretching enhanced total collagen production and LOX activity, which should favor ECM stabilization. As an effective regulator of ECM remodeling, mechanical stretching can be exploited in periodontal regeneration and ligament tissue engineering via application of appropriate mechanical stimulation.
Echocardiographic Evidence of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obese Dogs
Authors: Mehlman E. , Bright J.M. , Jeckel K. , Porsche C. , Veeramachaneni D.N.R. , Frye M. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundCardiomyopathy of obesity occurs in humans, but the gross and cellular myocardial response to obesity in dogs is not well defined.ObjectivesTo characterize in vivo myocardial morphology and function in normotensive obese dogs, and quantitate collagen, triglyceride and myocyte cross‐sectional area (CSA) in postmortem tissues from obese dogs.AnimalsEchocardiographic‐Doppler measurements of normotensive obese dogs (n = 19) without historical or physical examination evidence of disease, and lean healthy dogs (n = 19) matched for age and ideal weight. Postmortem data were obtained from a separate population of 4 obese and 12 lean dogs without evidence of cardiac disease.MethodsA prospective, observational study of myocardial morphology and function was conducted by echocardiographic‐Doppler measurement. Left ventricular (LV) tissue was collected for quantitation of triglyceride, collagen, and myocyte CSA.ResultsCompared with lean control dogs, obese dogs had increased systolic blood pressure (obese 153 ± 19 mm Hg; lean 133 ± 20 mm Hg;P = .003), and increased LV free wall thickness at end‐diastole (obese 9.9 ± 1.8 mm, lean 8.7 ± 1.5 mm;P = .03) and end‐systole (obese 15.2 ± 2.3 mm, lean 12.9 ± 2.3 mm;P = .004). Isovolumic relaxation time was prolonged in 7/19 (37%) of obese dogs, compared with normal ranges. Myocardial triglyceride and collagen content and myocyte CSA were similar between groups.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAs in humans, LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction can be an early myocardial change in some obese dogs.
On the perception, production and function of blue colouration in animals
Authors: Umbers Kate D. L. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBright colouration in animals has long attracted the attention of physicists, chemists and biologists. As such, studies on the functions of colours are interdisciplinary, focusing on the mechanisms of colour production and maintenance, the physical and chemical properties of the colour‐producing elements, and visual systems and behaviour of potential receivers. Blue colouration has received a large share of research attention and is fascinating for several reasons: blue has been attributed to a very broad range of functions, blue is achieved by a great variety of mechanisms (although their production and maintenance costs are currently unclear), and the blue part of the spectrum (450–490 nm) can be perceived by most taxa. This review explores the breadth of studies that propose a function for blue colouration. In so doing, it discusses the diversity of ways in which blue colours are produced both as pigments and structural colours, and that blue visual pigments are common across a broad range of taxa. This analysis of the current literature emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary hypothesis testing when attempting to elucidate the function of colours, the need for manipulative over correlative evidence for the function of colours, and, as colour research becomes evermore interdisciplinary, the need for well‐defined consistent terminology.