bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of selective CCK1 receptor antagonism on accommodation and tolerance of intestinal gas in functional gut disorders
Authors: Lobo Beatriz , Serra Jordi , D'Amato Massimo , Rovati Lucio , Malagelada Juan‐R. , Santos Javier , Azpiroz Fernando 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground:Participants with functional gut disorders develop gas retention and symptoms in response to intestinal gas loads that are well tolerated by healthy subjects. To determine the role of cholecystokinin (CCK1) receptors on gas transit and tolerance in women with functional gut disorders.Methods:In 12 healthy women, and 24 women with functional gut disorders (12 dyspepsia and 12 constipation‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome) gas was infused into the jejunum at 12 mL/min for 3 h with simultaneous duodenal lipid infusion (intralipid 1 kcal/min), while measuring anal gas evacuation and abdominal symptoms on a 0–6 score scale. Triple‐blind paired studies during iv infusion of dexloxiglumide (2.5 mg/kg bolus plus 5 mg/kg h continuous infusion), a selective CCK1 inhibitor, or saline (control) were performed in random order.Results:During saline infusion participants with functional gut disorders developed significantly greater gas retention and abdominal symptoms than healthy subjects (394 ± 40 mL vs 265 ± 35 mL and 2.8 ± 0.3 vs 1.9 ± 0.4 highest abdominal symptom score, respectively; P < 0.05 for both). Dexloxiglumide increased gas retention in both groups (514 ± 35 mL and 439 ± 60 mL, respectively; P = 0.033 vs saline for both); however, despite the larger retention, dexloxiglumide reduced abdominal symptoms (2.3 ± 0.2 score and 0.8 ± 0.3 score, respectively; P = 0.05 vs saline for both). Post‐hoc analysis showed that, the decrease in abdominal symptoms was more pronounced in those participants with functional gut disorders with higher basal abdominal symptoms than in the rest (P = 0.037).Conclusion:Inhibition of CCK1 receptors by dexloxiglumide increases intestinal gas retention and reduces abdominal symptoms in response to by intestinal gas loads. European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT 2005‐003338‐16).
Radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: Mono or multipolar?
Authors: Cartier Victoire , Boursier Jérôme , Lebigot Jérôme , Oberti Frédéric , Fouchard‐Hubert Isabelle , Aubé Christophe 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground and AimsThermo‐ablation by radiofrequency is recognized as a curative treatment for early‐stage hepatocellular carcinoma. However, local recurrence may occur because of incomplete peripheral tumor destruction. Multipolar radiofrequency has been developed to increase the size of the maximal ablation zone. We aimed to compare the efficacy of monopolar and multipolar radiofrequency for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and determine factors predicting failure.MethodsA total of 171 consecutive patients with 214 hepatocellular carcinomas were retrospectively included. One hundred fifty‐eight tumors were treated with an expandable monopolar electrode and 56 with a multipolar technique using several linear bipolar electrodes. Imaging studies at 6 weeks after treatment, then every 3 months, assessed local effectiveness. Radiofrequency failure was defined as persistent residual tumor after two sessions (primary radiofrequency failure) or local tumor recurrence during follow‐up.This study received institutional review board approval (number 2014/77).ResultsImaging showed complete tumor ablation in 207 of 214 lesions after the first session of radiofrequency. After a second session, only two cases of residual viable tumor were observed. During follow‐up, there were 46 local tumor recurrences. Thus, radiofrequency failure occurred in 48/214 (22.4%) cases. By multivariate analysis, technique (P < 0.001) and tumor size (P = 0.023) were independent predictors of radiofrequency failure. Failure rate was lower with the multipolar technique for tumors < 25 mm (P = 0.023) and for tumors between 25 and 45 mm (P = 0.082). There was no difference for tumors ≥ 45 mm (P = 0.552).ConclusionsCompared to monopolar radiofrequency, multipolar radiofrequency improves tumor ablation with a subsequent lower rate of local tumor recurrence.
The tumor‐suppressive function of miR‐1 by targeting LASP1 and TAGLN2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Du Yan‐Yan , Zhao Lian‐Mei , Chen Liang , Sang Mei‐Xiang , Li Jie , Ma Ming , Liu Jun‐Feng 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObjectiveThis study determined the expression of microRNA‐1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue and cell lines to evaluate its effects on clinicopathological parameters and its target genes LASP1 and TAGLN2.MethodsThe expression of miR‐1, lasp1, and tagln2 was detected in 55 ESCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The association between miR‐1, lasp1, and tagln2 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was observed. MicroRNA‐1 (mimics‐miR‐1) and its inhibitor (Inhibitor‐miR‐1) were transfected into esophageal cancer cells KYSE 510 and Eca 109; cell proliferation, migration, and invasion assays were carried out. Plasmid construction and dual‐luciferase reporter assay were also carried out to indicate whether LASP1 and TAGLN2 were miR‐1 target genes. The expression of LASP1 and TAGLN2 was detected with Western blot methods in cell lines, by immunohistochemistry in ESCC tissue.ResultsThe gene expression level of microRNA‐1 in cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.01). The expression of miR‐1 in ESCC was correlated with involvement of lymph nodes (P = 0.002), histologic classification (P = 0.000), and vessel invasion (P = 0.022). The expression of lasp1 and tagln2 increased in cancer tissues compared with in adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.05). MiR‐1 suppresses the cell growth, migration, and invasion in vitro. The expression of LASP1 and TAGLN2 decreased in mimics‐miR‐1 transfected cells, and increased in inhibitor‐miR‐1 transfected cells. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that LASP1 and TAGLN2 mRNA actually had the target sites of miR‐1.ConclusionsmiR‐1 suppresses cell proliferation, invasiveness, metastasis, and progression of ESCC by binding its targeted genes LASP1 and TAGLN2.
Low testosterone as a better predictor of mortality than sarcopenia in men with advanced liver disease
Authors: Sinclair Marie , Grossmann Mathis , Angus Peter W , Hoermann Rudolf , Hey Penelope , Scodellaro Thomas , Gow Paul J 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground and AimBoth sarcopenia and low serum testosterone have been associated with increased mortality in men with cirrhosis. It is not known how these variables interact.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of 145 men referred for liver transplant evaluation between 2005 and 2012. Baseline demographics included hormone profile and model of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score. Baseline computerized tomography was reformatted to calculate skeletal muscle area at L4 using validated, Tomovision software‐based methodology. The primary outcome was time to death or liver transplantation.ResultsMedian testosterone was low at 6.2 nmol/L (ref. 10–27.6 nmol/L) as was muscle mass at 48.0 cm2/m2 (ref. > 52.4 cm2/m2). Muscle mass correlated with both serum testosterone (tau = 0.132, P = 0.019) and MELD score (tau = −0.155, P = 0.007). In separate multivariable models, both sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.05, P = 0.04) and low testosterone (HR 1.08, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with mortality independent of MELD score. When the variables MELD score, muscle area, and testosterone were entered into a single model, low testosterone but not sarcopenia remained significantly predictive of mortality (HR 1.07, P = 0.02, and HR 1.04, P = 0.09, respectively).ConclusionLow testosterone and sarcopenia are both associated with increased mortality in men with advanced liver disease and may identify patients at high risk of mortality that would be missed by the MELD score alone. Low testosterone appears to be a better predictor of mortality than sarcopenia and is a simpler test to improve the prognostic value of the MELD score. Interventional trials are required to determine whether low testosterone and sarcopenia are markers or mediators of mortality in this population.
Looking towards objective quality evaluation in colonoscopy: Analysis of visual gaze patterns
Authors: Edmondson Matthew J , Pucher Philip H , Sriskandarajah Kumuthan , Hoare Jonathan , Teare Julian , Yang Guang‐Zhong , Darzi Ara , Sodergren Mikael H 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackground and AimThere are currently limited training and assessment tools available to novice endoscopists. A potential tool for the objective assessment of endoscopist visual search strategy is eye‐tracking technology. The aim of this study is to assess whether eye‐tracking technology can be used to differentiate the visual gaze patterns (VGP) of experienced and novice endoscopists, and to characterize any differences arising between the two groups.MethodWith the use of portable eye‐tracking glasses, VGP of novice (n = 20) and experienced (n = 14) endoscopists were compared while viewing a colonoscopy withdrawal through the hepatic flexure. Analysis was performed by comparing the central versus peripheral distribution and the horizontal distribution of novice and experienced endoscopist fixations, along with comparison of basic eye‐tracking metrics.ResultsThis study found that experienced endoscopists had a significantly higher percentage of fixations within the periphery of the screen (13.4% vs 23.0%, P = 0.013). Experienced endoscopists also had a significantly greater percentage of fixations on the left side of the screen (18.6% vs 33.5%, P = 0.005) that displayed the poorly visualized “inside bend” of the hepatic flexure.ConclusionThis study has detailed specific VGP acquired through expertise, which can potentially explain why adenomas are regularly missed at the hepatic flexure during colonoscopy. These may be useful for the training of novice colonoscopists, and further validation may utilize VGP in the development of an objective proficiency based curriculum to improve the detection of pathology and overall quality in endoscopy.
Toward Social Material Flow Analysis: On the Usefulness of Boundary Objects in Urban Mining Research
Authors: Wallsten Björn 
Published: September 2015

SummaryMaterial flow analysis (MFA) has been an effective tool to identify the scale of physical activity, the allocation of materials across economic sectors for different purposes, and to identify inefficiencies in production systems or in urban contexts. However, MFA relies on ignoring the social drivers of those flows to be able to perform its calculations. In many cases therefore, it remains detached from the processes (e.g., urban) that underpin them. This becomes a problem when the purpose of research is to inform the design of detailed recycling schemes, for which micro‐level practice knowledge on how material flows are mediated by human agency is needed. The aim of this article is to demonstrate how a particular social science approach, namely, infrastructure studies (IS), can be combined with MFA to enhance the latter's potential as a decision support tool. To achieve a successful combination between IS and MFA, the object of inquiry must be carefully defined to function as a ‘boundary object,’ which allows academic approaches to work together without the need for consensus. This approach is illustrated with a case study example in urban mining research that assesses the hibernating stock of subsurface urban infrastructure in Norrköping, Sweden. It provides an example of how a well‐calibrated MFA and a complementary social science approach can provide hands‐on advice for private as well as public actors in a local and place‐specific context. The article aims to advance the integration of social science and the study of the physical economy to contribute to the emerging field of social industrial ecology.
Online interferometric study of viscoelastic rupture and necking deformation of as‐spun (iPP) fibres due to creep process
Authors: SOKKAR TAHA , EL‐FARAHATY KERMAL , AZZAM AMIRA 
Published: September 2015

SummaryCreep deformation under constant load leads to rupture when the polymer chains can no longer separate and accommodate the load. This fracture phenomenon is investigated interferometrically. The creep behaviour of as‐spun isotactic Polypropylene (iPP) fibres is studied at different stresses, different initial lengths and different radii. The creep rate, which defines the velocity of the creep deformation and the dimensional stability of the material, is studied. The failure time and stress of iPP due to creep process is determined. The necking deformation was in situ detected during creep process. The mean refractive indices (nP and) profiles of iPP fibres were determined at different positions along the fibre axis before and after necking. The relation between the creep behaviour and different optical and structural parameters is investigated. Microinterferograms are given for illustration.
Areca nut alkaloids induce irreparable DNA damage and senescence in fibroblasts and may create a favourable environment for tumour progression
Authors: Rehman Ambreen , Ali Sitara , Lone Mohid Abrar , Atif Muhammad , Hassona Yazan , Prime Stephen Stewart , Pitiyage Gayani Nadika , James Emma Louise Naomi , Parkinson Eric Kenneth 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundOral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a pre‐malignant condition that is strongly associated with the areca nut alkaloids, arecoline (ARC) and arecaidine (ARD). The condition is characterised by the presence of senescent fibroblasts in the subepithelial mesenchyme which have the potential to promote malignancy in the neighbouring epithelial cells. We tested the hypothesis that areca nut alkaloids induce senescence in oral fibroblasts and promote the secretion of invasion‐promoting transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2).MethodsTwo oral fibroblast lines were treated for 48h with ARC and ARD. Senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase (SA‐βGal) activity, Ki67 (cycling cells), large 53BP1 foci (irreparable DNA strand breaks) and p16INK4A (late senescence) were used as markers of cellular senescence and were quantified using indirect immunofluorescence and the ImageJ program. TGF‐β and MMP‐2 levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analyses were performed with the two‐tailed unpaired t‐test where n = 3 and the Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test where n = 6.ResultsARC (100 and 300 μM) and ARD (30 and 100 μM) significantly (P < 0.05) induced fibroblast senescence, as determined by the increased expression of SA‐βGal, 53BP1 staining and CDKN2A/p16INK4A; there was also a non‐significant reduction in Ki67 staining. Treated cells also showed a three‐ fivefold increase in TGF‐β and a small non‐significant increase in MMP‐2.ConclusionsAreca nut alkaloids induce senescence in oral fibroblasts and promote increased secretion of TGF‐β and perhaps MMP‐2 that may create a tissue environment thought to be critical in the progression of OSMF to malignancy.
Costs and outcomes of treating chronic hepatitis C patients in routine care – results from a nationwide multicenter trial
Authors: Stahmeyer J. T. , Krauth C. , Bert F. , Pfeiffer‐Vornkahl H. , Alshuth U. , Hüppe D. , Mauss S. , Rossol S. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryViral hepatitis is a major public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Long‐term consequences are the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the study was to assess outcomes and costs of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C in clinical practice in Germany. We carried out a prospective noninterventional study. Information on treatment outcomes, resource utilization and quality of life was provided by 281 physicians throughout Germany. Data of 3708 monoinfected HCV‐patients treated between 2008 and 2011 were analysed. Therapy consisted of peginterferon/ribavirin. Mean age of patients was 43.7 years, 60.3% were male and estimated duration of infection was 13.6 years. Predominantly genotype 1 (61.3%) or 3 (28.5%) infections were observed. Sustained viral response (SVR)‐rates in most frequently observed genotypes were 49.2% in GT‐1 and 61.9% in GT‐3 treatment‐naive patients (Relapser: GT‐1: 35.3% and GT‐3: 57.3%; Nonresponder: GT‐1: 25.0% and GT‐3: 33.3%). Average treatment costs were lowest in treatment‐naive patients (€18 965) and higher in patients who failed previous treatments (relapsers: €24 753; nonresponders: €19 511). Differences according to genotype were observed. Average costs per SVR in treatment‐naive patients were €44 744 for GT‐1 and €22 218 for GT‐3. Treatment was associated with a decrease in quality of life; post‐treatment quality of life was higher in patients achieving SVR. Our insight on real‐life treatment outcomes and costs can serve as a reference for a comparison with other treatments. There is high need for short‐term and long‐term cost‐effectiveness analysis in real‐life settings as newly introduced treatment strategies with direct acting antivirals result in high SVR‐rates but are more costly.
A plant economics spectrum in Mediterranean forests along environmental gradients: is there coordination among leaf, stem and root traits?
Authors: de la Riva Enrique G. , Tosto Ambra , Pérez‐Ramos Ignacio M. , Navarro‐Fernández Carmen M. , Olmo Manuel , Anten Niels P.R. , Marañón Teodoro , Villar Rafael 
Published: September 2015

AbstractQuestionsIs there any evidence of coordination among leaf, stem and root traits, and thereby of the existence of a plant economics spectrum at the species and community level in Mediterranean forests? Are these traits related to plant size and seed mass?LocationMediterranean forests and shrublands, Sierra Morena mountains, Córdoba, southern Spain.MethodsWe selected nine woody plant communities along a natural local gradient of soil water and nutrient availability. We measured key leaf, stem, root and whole‐plant traits for 38 dominant woody plant species. The variation across species of 15 functional traits (of the leaf, stem and root) was analysed and coordination among them was tested. We explored the relationships between these traits (hereafter ‘resource‐use traits’ due to their close association with the acquisition–conservation trade‐off) and plant height and seed mass. Finally, we compared results at species level with those calculated at community level, considering community‐weighted means (CWMs).ResultsWe found a significant coordination between traits belonging to different plant organs, and propose the existence of a plant economics spectrum in Mediterranean forests along the environmental gradient. However, weaker relationships were found within groups of species under similar environmental conditions. We did not find the expected orthogonal relationships between plant height, seed mass and resource‐use traits. Relationships among functional traits were stronger at the community level than at the species level.ConclusionsThis study reveals a high degree of functional coordination between traits belonging to different plant organs at both species and community level, and suggests the existence of a plant economics spectrum across 38 Mediterranean woody plant species. However, this general trend of functional coordination between organs became weaker or disappeared when considering restricted groups of species belonging to environmentally similar sites (e.g. dry vs wet sites), suggesting that the diversification of strategies within communities is not related to the economics spectrum at a lower spatial scale. Interestingly, the high degree of coordination between resource‐use traits and seed mass at the community level seems to support the tolerance–fecundity model, which predicts an inverse relationship between fecundity and stress tolerance.
Speciation genomics and a role for the Z chromosome in the early stages of divergence between Mexican ducks and mallards
Authors: Lavretsky Philip , Dacosta Jeffrey M. , Hernández‐Baños Blanca E. , Engilis Andrew , Sorenson Michael D. , Peters Jeffrey L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractSpeciation is a continuous and dynamic process, and studying organisms during the early stages of this process can aid in identifying speciation mechanisms. The mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and Mexican duck (A. [p.] diazi) are two recently diverged taxa with a history of hybridization and controversial taxonomy. To understand their evolutionary history, we conducted genomic scans to characterize patterns of genetic diversity and divergence across the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, 3523 autosomal loci and 172 Z‐linked sex chromosome loci. Between the two taxa, Z‐linked loci (ΦST = 0.088) were 5.2 times more differentiated than autosomal DNA (ΦST = 0.017) but comparable to mtDNA (ΦST = 0.092). This elevated Z differentiation deviated from neutral expectations inferred from simulated data that incorporated demographic history and differences in effective population sizes between marker types. Furthermore, 3% of Z‐linked loci, compared to <0.1% of autosomal loci, were detected as outlier loci under divergent selection with elevated relative (ΦST) and absolute (dXY) estimates of divergence. In contrast, the ratio of Z‐linked and autosomal differentiation among the seven Mexican duck sampling locations was close to 1:1 (ΦST = 0.018 for both markers). We conclude that between mallards and Mexican ducks, divergence at autosomal markers is largely neutral, whereas greater divergence on the Z chromosome (or some portions thereof) is likely the product of selection that has been important in speciation. Our results contribute to a growing body of literature indicating elevated divergence on the Z chromosome and its likely importance in avian speciation.
Cofeeding intra‐ and interspecific transmission of an emerging insect‐borne rickettsial pathogen
Authors: Brown Lisa D. , Christofferson Rebecca C. , Banajee Kaikhushroo H. , Del Piero Fabio , Foil Lane D. , Macaluso Kevin R. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) are known as the primary vector and reservoir of Rickettsia felis, the causative agent of flea‐borne spotted fever; however, field surveys regularly report molecular detection of this infectious agent from other blood‐feeding arthropods. The presence of R. felis in additional arthropods may be the result of chance consumption of an infectious bloodmeal, but isolation of viable rickettsiae circulating in the blood of suspected vertebrate reservoirs has not been demonstrated. Successful transmission of pathogens between actively blood‐feeding arthropods in the absence of a disseminated vertebrate infection has been verified, referred to as cofeeding transmission. Therefore, the principal route from systemically infected vertebrates to uninfected arthropods may not be applicable to the R. felis transmission cycle. Here, we show both intra‐ and interspecific transmission of R. felis between cofeeding arthropods on a vertebrate host. Analyses revealed that infected cat fleas transmitted R. felis to naïve cat fleas and rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis) via fleabite on a nonrickettsemic vertebrate host. Also, cat fleas infected by cofeeding were infectious to newly emerged uninfected cat fleas in an artificial system. Furthermore, we utilized a stochastic model to demonstrate that cofeeding is sufficient to explain the enzootic spread of R. felis amongst populations of the biological vector. Our results implicate cat fleas in the spread of R. felis amongst different vectors, and the demonstration of cofeeding transmission of R. felis through a vertebrate host represents a novel transmission paradigm for insect‐borne Rickettsia and furthers our understanding of this emerging rickettsiosis.