bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Liquid Gastric Emptying and Antral Motility According to the Subtypes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children
Authors: Devanarayana Niranga M. , Rajindrajith Shaman , Bandara Chandrika , Shashiprabha Gayani , Benninga Marc A. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:Gastric motor abnormalities have been reported in adults with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), commonly in constipation‐predominant IBS (IBS‐C); however, such studies are uncommon in children. Furthermore, differences of gastric motility have not been studied in children with different IBS subtypes.Methods:Seventy‐six children (33 [43%] boys, age 4–14 years, mean 7.9 years, SD 3.0 years) fulfilling Rome III criteria for IBS and 20 healthy controls (8 [40%] boys, age 4–14 years, mean 8.4 years, SD 3.0 years) were recruited (diarrhea‐predominant IBS = 21, IBS‐C = 31, mixed IBS = 19, and unsubtyped IBS = 5). Liquid gastric emptying rate (GER) and antral motility were assessed using an ultrasound method.Results:Average GER (43.8% vs 66.2% in controls), amplitude of antral contractions (56.4% vs 89%), and antral motility index (5.1 vs 8.3) were lower and fasting antral area (1.6 vs 0.6) was higher in patients with IBS (P < 0.0001). Frequency of antral contractions F (8.9 vs 9.3) did not show a significant difference. Patients exposed to stressful events had a significantly lower GER, compared to those not exposed to such events (P = 0.03). Gastric motility parameters had no correlation with severity of symptoms. GER (42.6%, 46.3%, 39.6%), fasting antral area (1.4 cm2, 1.8 cm2, 1.8 cm2), amplitude of antral contractions (53%, 58.9%, 51.8%), frequency of antral contractions (8.7, 8.9, 9.2), and antral motility index (4.7, 5.3, 4.8) were not different among diarrhea‐predominant IBS, IBS‐C, and mixed IBS (P > 0.05).Conclusions:GER and antral motility parameters were significantly impaired in children with IBS compared with controls. GER and antral motility parameters were not different between IBS subtypes.
Functional Divergence of the Glutathione S-Transferase Supergene Family in Physcomitrella patens Reveals Complex Patterns of Large Gene Family Evolution in Land Plants
Authors: Liu Yan-Jing , Han Xue-Min , Ren Lin-Ling , Yang Hai-Ling , Zeng Qing-Yin 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional proteins encoded by a large gene family that play major roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics and oxidative stress metabolism. To date, studies on the GST gene family have focused mainly on vascular plants (particularly agricultural plants). In contrast, little information is available on the molecular characteristics of this large gene family in nonvascular plants. In addition, the evolutionary patterns of this family in land plants remain unclear. In this study, we identified 37 GST genes from the whole genome of the moss Physcomitrella patens, a nonvascular representative of early land plants. The 37 P. patens GSTs were divided into 10 classes, including two new classes (hemerythrin and iota). However, no tau GSTs were identified, which represent the largest class among vascular plants. P. patens GST gene family members showed extensive functional divergence in their gene structures, gene expression responses to abiotic stressors, enzymatic characteristics, and the subcellular locations of the encoded proteins. A joint phylogenetic analysis of GSTs from P. patens and other higher vascular plants showed that different class GSTs had distinct duplication patterns during the evolution of land plants. By examining multiple characteristics, this study revealed complex patterns of evolutionary divergence among the GST gene family in land plants.
Faecal incontinence persisting after childbirth: a 12 year longitudinal study
Authors: MacArthur C , Wilson D , Herbison P , Lancashire RJ , Hagen S , Toozs‐Hobson P , Dean N , Glazener C ,   On behalf of the ProLong study group
Published: November 2012

ObjectivesTo investigate persistent faecal incontinence (FI) 12 years after birth and association with delivery mode history and quality of life.DesignTwelve‐year longitudinal study.SettingMaternity units in Aberdeen, Birmingham and Dunedin.PopulationWomen who returned questionnaires 3 months and 12 years after index birth.MethodsData on all births over 12 months were obtained from units and women were contacted 3 months, 6 years and 12 years post birth.Main outcome measurePersistent FI, defined as reported at 12 years and one or more previous contacts. SF12 assessed quality of life.ResultsOf 7879 women recruited at 3 months, 3763 responded at 12 years, 2944 of whom also responded at 6 years: nonresponders were similar in obstetric factors. Prevalence of persistent FI was 6.0% (227/3763); 43% of 12‐year responders who reported FI at 3 months also reported it at 12 years. Women with persistent FI had significantly lower SF12 scores. Compared with only spontaneous vaginal deliveries, women who had one or more forceps delivery were more likely to have persistent FI (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.53–2.85) but it was no less likely with exclusively caesarean births (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.54–1.58). More obese women than normal weight women reported persistent FI (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06–2.17).ConclusionsThis longitudinal study has demonstrated persistence of FI many years after birth and shown that one forceps birth increased the likelihood, whereas exclusive caesarean birth showed no association. Obesity, which increased symptom likelihood, is a modifiable risk factor.
Validation of the Patient Global Impression scales for use in detrusor overactivity: secondary analysis of the RELAX study
Authors: Tincello DG , Owen RK , Slack MC , Abrams KR 
Published: November 2012

ObjectiveTo assess construct validity of the Patient Global Impression scales (Severity [PGI‐S], Bother [PGI‐B] and Improvement [PGI‐I]) for symptoms of detrusor overactivity (DO).DesignSecondary analysis of a randomised trial of onabotulinum toxin A.SettingEight UK urogynaecology departments.PopulationA total of 240 women with DO refractory to medical treatment randomised to receive 200 iu onabotulinum toxin A or placebo in the RELAX trial and followed up for 6 months.Main outcome measuresUrinary diaries and disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were completed at baseline and during follow up. Discriminatory ability of the PGI‐S, PGI‐B and PGI‐I scales to identify symptom severity and change in severity was assessed by comparing mean diary and QoL outcomes across the response categories, analysed by one‐way analysis of variance.ResultsData were available from 237 women (98.8%) for validation of PGI‐S and PGI‐B at baseline, and 192 women (80%) at 6 weeks follow up for validation of PGI‐I. Leakage episodes (P = 0.01), urgency episodes (P = 0.019), urgency severity (P = 0.012), and QoL scores (all P < 0.001) were greater in women with more severe problems on PGI‐S. Similar results were seen for PGI‐B: leakage (P = 0.051), urgency episodes (P < 0.001), urgency severity (P < 0.001), and QoL scores (all P < 0.001). PGI‐I responses demonstrated significant relationships with size of change of all variables (P < 0.001). The generic instrument EQ‐5D had weaker relationships (PGI‐S, P = 0.09; PGI‐B, P = 0.004; PGI‐I, P = 0.06), suggesting that it was less sensitive.ConclusionsThe PGI scales are robust and valid instruments to assess disease severity, bother and improvement after treatment in women with detrusor overactivity.
Academic buoyancy and academic outcomes: Towards a further understanding of students with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), students without ADHD, and academic buoyancy itself
Authors: Martin Andrew J. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundAcademic buoyancy is students' capacity to successfully overcome setback and challenge that is typical of the ordinary course of everyday academic life. It may represent an important factor on the psycho‐educational landscape assisting students who experience difficulties in school and schoolwork.AimsThis study investigated the role of academic buoyancy in the achievement and cognitive, affective and behavioural engagement of (1) students with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (2) ‘regular’ (or ‘general’) students residing in the same classrooms and schools. The study also sought to extend prior research into academic buoyancy by including previously neglected and potentially influential factors such as personality and socio‐economic status.SampleParticipants were n = 87 high school students with ADHD, n = 3374 non‐ADHD peers, and n = 87 randomly drawn non‐ADHD students.MethodSurvey‐based data were analysed using multigroup (ADHD, non‐ADHD, randomly weighted non‐ADHD) multivariate (multiple independent/covariate and dependent variables) path analysis.ResultsThe findings revealed a significant and positive association between academic buoyancy and outcomes for students with ADHD that generalized to non‐ADHD groups. On occasion where academic buoyancy effects differed between the groups, effects favoured students with ADHD. Furthermore, academic buoyancy explained significant variance in outcomes for both groups of students after covariates (age, gender, parent education, language background, socio‐economic status, personality) were entered.ConclusionIt is concluded that there is merit in widely promoting and fostering academic buoyancy among ADHD and non‐ADHD students alike – and that academic buoyancy explains variance in outcomes beyond major intrapersonal factors such as personality, socio‐economic status, ethnicity, and the like.
The echogenicity of the intima–media complex in the common carotid artery is related to insulin resistance measured by the hyperinsulinemic clamp in elderly men
Authors: Lind Lars , Wohlin Martin , Andren Bertil , Sundström Johan 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe echogenicity of the intima–media complex (IM‐GSM) has recently been shown to be related to the echogenicity in carotid artery plaque and to predict cardiovascular (CV) mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between metabolic CV risk factors, with special emphasis on insulin resistance, and IM‐GSM in the carotid artery. Carotid artery ultrasound with grey‐scale median analysis of the intima–media complex, IM‐GSM, was performed in a population sample of 480 men aged 75 years. In these subjects, a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to investigate insulin resistance was performed together with measurements of conventional CV risk factors at the age of 70. The metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by the NCEP/ATPIII‐criteria. In univariate analysis, IM‐GSM in the common carotid artery was inversely correlated with the intima–media thickness (IMT), body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, fasting glucose, serum triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and insulin resistance at the clamp (r = −0·24, P<0·001). In multiple regression analysis, only insulin resistance at the clamp and BMI were independently related to IM‐GSM. Subjects with the MetS (22%) showed a reduced IM‐GSM when compared to those without (64 ± 20 SD versus 68 ± 19, P<0·05). Because the echogenicity of the intima–media complex in the carotid artery is related to obesity and insulin resistance at clamp independently of IMT, this new vascular characteristic would serve as a marker of vascular alterations induced by insulin resistance and the MetS and has the advantage to be obtainable in almost all subjects.
A comparison of dynamic contrast‐enhanced CT and MR imaging‐derived measurements in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Kim Sun Mo , Haider Masoom A , Milosevic Michael , Yeung Ivan W T 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThis work is to compare the kinetic parameters derived from the DCE‐CT and ‐MR data of a group of 37 patients with cervical cancer. The modified Tofts model and the reference tissue method were applied to estimate kinetic parameters. In the MR kinetic analyses using the modified Tofts model for each patient data set, both the arterial input function (AIF) measured from DCE‐MR images and a population‐averaged AIF from the literature were applied to the analyses, while the measured AIF was used for the CT kinetic analysis. The kinetic parameters obtained from both modalities were compared. Significant moderate correlations were found in modified Tofts parameters [volume transfer constant(Ktrans) and rate constant (kep)] between CT and MR analysis for MR with the measured AIFs (R = 0·45, P<0·01 and R = 0·40, P<0·01 in high‐Ktrans region; R = 0·38, P<0·01 and R = 0·80, P<0·01 in low‐Ktrans region) as well as with the population‐averaged AIF (R = 0·59, P<0·01 and R = 0·62, P<0·01 in high‐Ktrans region; R = 0·50, P<0·01 and R = 0·63, P<0·01 in low‐Ktrans region), respectively. In addition, from the Bland–Altman plot analysis, it was found that the systematic biases (the mean difference) between the modalities were drastically reduced in magnitude by adopting the population‐averaged AIF for the MR analysis instead of the measured ones (from 51·5% to 18·9% for Ktrans and from 21·7% to 4·1% for kep in high‐Ktrans region; from 73·0% to 29·4% for Ktrans and from 63·4% to 24·5% for kep in low‐Ktrans region). The preliminary results showed the feasibility in the interchangeable use of the two imaging modalities in assessing cervical cancers.
Severe Mitral Regurgitation Caused by Perivalvular Abnormal Communication of the Mitral Valve Due to Blunt Chest Trauma
Authors: Wu Wei‐Hua , Xie Xiao‐Yi , Ma Lan , Lu Jing 
Published: November 2012

Perivalvular leaks are usually caused by suture interruption in prosthetic valves or infective endocarditis. Traumatic mitral annular dehiscence is a very uncommon event. We present a rare case of severe mitral regurgitation secondary to perivalvular abnormal communication in a 35‐year‐old man with a history of blunt chest trauma. He presented with symptoms of cough and chest tightness for 3 months. Preoperative two‐dimensional and real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography clearly showed the position and size of the perivalvular abnormal communication and the incident damage of the left ventricular wall. The patient finally underwent successful surgical repair.
Anthropogenic noise decreases urban songbird diversity and may contribute to homogenization
Authors: Proppe Darren S. , Sturdy Christopher B. , St. Clair Colleen Cassady 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMore humans reside in urban areas than at any other time in history. Protected urban green spaces and transportation greenbelts support many species, but diversity in these areas is generally lower than in undeveloped landscapes. Habitat degradation and fragmentation contribute to lowered diversity and urban homogenization, but less is known about the role of anthropogenic noise. Songbirds are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic noise because they rely on acoustic signals for communication. Recent studies suggest that anthropogenic noise reduces the density and reproductive success of some bird species, but that species which vocalize at frequencies above those of anthropogenic noise are more likely to inhabit noisy areas. We hypothesize that anthropogenic noise is contributing to declines in urban diversity by reducing the abundance of select species in noisy areas, and that species with low‐frequency songs are those most likely to be affected. To examine this relationship, we calculated the noise‐associated change in overall species richness and in abundance for seven common songbird species. After accounting for variance due to vegetative differences, species richness and the abundance of three of seven species were reduced in noisier locations. Acoustic analysis revealed that minimum song frequency was highly predictive of a species' response to noise, with lower minimum song frequencies incurring greater noise‐associated reduction in abundance. These results suggest that anthropogenic noise affects some species independently of vegetative conditions, exacerbating the exclusion of some songbird species in otherwise suitable habitat. Minimum song frequency may provide a useful metric to predict how particular species will be affected by noise. In sum, mitigation of noise may enhance habitat suitability for many songbird species, especially for species with songs that include low‐frequency elements.
A Mutagenesis Method for the Addition and Deletion of Highly Repetitive DNA Regions: The Paradigm of EPIYA Motifs in the cagA Gene of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Papadakos Konstantinos S. , Sougleri Ioanna S. , Mentis Andreas F. , Sgouras Dionyssios N. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundCagA protein of Western origin Helicobacter pylori isolates contains at its carboxyl‐terminal end repeating types of EPIYA motifs, depending on the surrounding sequence, which dictate hierarchic tyrosine phosphorylation. To produce, in an isogenic background, mutant strains expressing CagA protein with variable numbers of EPIYA‐C terminal motifs, we have adopted a mutagenesis assay using a megaprimer approach.Materials and MethodsThe H. pylori P12 reference strain containing two terminal EPIYA‐C motifs was utilized. Initially, we cloned, full‐length cagA gene, next to the Campylobacter jejuni kanamycin‐resistance cassette, followed by the 1200‐bp region located immediately after cagA gene (metacagA region). Then, we generated a megaprimer consisting of three consecutive copies of the EPIYA‐C coding sequence of cagA gene, followed by the 140‐bp region of the cagA genomic sequence present immediately after the second EPIYA‐C repeat. We utilized these two products to perform a QuikChange mutagenesis assay and were able to obtain all desired combinations of EPIYA‐C motifs, followed by Kanr cassette and metacagA region. These constructions were used to perform natural transformation of the P12 parental strain, by directional homologous recombination.ResultsWe produced isogenic H. pylori strains that express CagA with variable number of EPIYA‐C motifs (AB, ABC, ABCCC) and their phosphorylation‐deficient counterparts. They exhibited similar growth characteristics to the parental strain, adhered equally well to gastric cells and successfully translocated CagA, following pilus induction.ConclusionsOur method can be used in other cases where highly repetitive sequences need to be reproduced.
Preparation of titanium phosphates with additives in hydrothermal process and their powder properties for cosmetics
Authors: Onoda Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Taisuke 
Published: November 2012

SynopsisIn this study, titanium phosphates were prepared from titanium chloride and phosphoric acid, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium triphosphate solutions with water retention compounds in hydrothermal process as a novel white pigment for cosmetics. Their chemical composition, powder properties, photo catalytic activity, water retention and smoothness were studied. The addition of glycerin in the preparation from sodium pyrophosphate has the useful method to obtain homogenized spherical particles of titanium phosphate pigments for the cosmetics. These titanium phosphates had less photo catalytic activity to protect the sebum on the skin.
Anaesthetic efficacy of supplemental lingual infiltration of mandibular molars after inferior alveolar nerve block plus buccal infiltration in patients with irreversible pulpitis
Authors: Dou L. , Luo J. , Yang D. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractAimTo investigate the effect of supplemental lingual infiltration (LI) of mandibular molars following an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) plus buccal infiltration (BI) in patients with irreversible pulpitis.MethodologyEighty adult patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis participated in this prospective study. All patients received standard IANB via injection of 4 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine. Ten minutes after the IANB, patients with numbness of the lower lip were randomly divided into two groups. In the BI group, 40 patients received supplemental BI of 0.9 mL of 4% articaine with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine. In the buccal plus lingual infiltration (BLI) group, 40 patients received supplemental BI of 0.9 mL of 4% articaine with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine and, subsequently, LIs with the same anaesthetic solution and dose. Endodontic access cavity preparation began 15 min after the IANB. Pain during treatment was recorded using a Heft–Parker visual analogue scale. Success was defined when pain was ‘none’ or ‘mild’ on endodontic access and initial instrumentation. The pain was estimated and statistically analysed by the chi‐squared test (α = 0.05).ResultsThe success rates for the BI and BLI groups were 70% and 62.5%, respectively. No statistical difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.478).ConclusionsSupplemental LIs are not recommended for administration in mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis, because they do not improve the anaesthetic success after IANB plus BI.
Alloreactive CD8 T cells rescued from apoptosis during co‐stimulation blockade by Toll‐like receptor stimulation remain susceptible to Fas‐induced cell death
Authors: Priyadharshini Bhavana , Thornley Thomas B. , Daniels Keith A. , Cuthbert Amy , Welsh Raymond M. , Greiner Dale L. , Brehm Michael A. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryBlockade of co‐stimulatory signals to T cells is extremely effective for the induction of transplantation tolerance in immunologically naive rodents. However, infections and inflammation compromise the efficacy of co‐stimulation blockade regimens for the induction of tolerance, thereby stimulating the rejection of allografts. Previous studies have shown that stimulation of innate immunity abrogates tolerance induction by preventing the deletion of alloreactive CD8+ T cells that normally occurs during co‐stimulation blockade. Although inflammation prevents the deletion of alloreactive T cells during co‐stimulation blockade, it is not known if this resistance to cell death is the result of a mechanism intrinsic to the T cell. Here, we used syngeneic bone marrow chimeric mice that contain a trace population of T‐cell receptor transgenic alloreactive CD8+ T cells to investigate the early apoptotic signature and activation status of alloreactive T cells following exposure to inflammatory signals during co‐stimulation blockade with an antibody specific for CD154. Our findings revealed that the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide during co‐stimulation blockade enhanced the early activation of alloreactive CD8+ T cells, as indicated by the up‐regulation of CD25 and CD69, suppressed Fas ligand expression, and prevented apoptotic cell death. However, alloreactive CD8+ T cells from lipopolysaccharide‐treated mice remained sensitive to Fas‐mediated apoptosis in vitro. These findings suggest that alloreactive T cells rescued from deletion during co‐stimulation blockade by inflammation are still sensitive to pro‐apoptotic signals and that stimulating these apoptotic pathways during co‐stimulation blockade may augment the induction of tolerance.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: a molecular pathway for the environmental control of the immune response
Authors: Quintana Francisco J. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryEnvironmental factors have significant effects on the development of autoimmune diseases. The ligand‐activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is controlled by endogenous and environmental small molecules. Hence, AHR provides a molecular pathway by which endogenous and environmental signals can influence the immune response and the development of autoimmune diseases. AHR also provides a target for therapeutic intervention in immune‐mediated disorders. In this review, we discuss the role of AHR in the regulation of T‐cell differentiation and autoimmunity.