bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 as an emerging metabolic regulator: clinical perspectives
Authors: Woo Y. C. , Xu Aimin , Wang Yu , Lam Karen S. L. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a metabolic hormone predominantly produced by the liver, is also expressed in adipocytes and the pancreas. It regulates glucose and lipid metabolism through pleiotropic actions in these tissues and the brain. In mice, fasting leads to increased PPAR‐α mediated expression of FGF21 in the liver where it stimulates gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and ketogenesis, as an adaptive response to fasting and starvation. In the fed state, FGF21 acts as an autocrine factor in adipocytes, regulating the activity of PPAR‐γ through a feed‐forward loop mechanism. Administration of recombinant FGF21 has been shown to confer multiple metabolic benefits on insulin sensitivity, blood glucose, lipid profile and body weight in obese mice and diabetic monkeys, without mitogenic or other side effects. Such findings highlight the potential role of FGF21 as a therapeutic agent for obesity‐related medical conditions. However, in human studies, high circulating FGF21 levels are found in obesity and its related cardiometabolic disorders including the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and coronary artery disease. These findings may indicate the presence of FGF21 resistance or compensatory responses to the underlying metabolic stress, and imply the need for supraphysiological doses of FGF21 to achieve therapeutic efficacy. On the other hand, serum FGF21 has been implicated as a potential biomarker for the early detection of these cardiometabolic disorders. This review summarizes recent developments in the understanding of FGF21, from physiological and clinical perspectives.
BclI polymorphism of the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with increased bone resorption in patients on glucocorticoid replacement therapy
Authors: Koetz Kathrin R. , van Rossum Elisabeth F. C. , Ventz Manfred , Diederich Sven , Quinkler Marcus 
Published: November 2012

SummaryContextPatients with primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) and patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) receive weight‐adapted standard glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Clinically, some patients appear more sensitive to therapeutic administration of glucocorticoids than others. Glucocorticoid sensitivity is at least partially genetically determined by polymorphisms of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and might influence bone mineral density (BMD).ObjectivesTo determine if bone turnover markers and BMD are associated with the GR gene polymorphism BclI in patients with PAI and CAH.Design and PatientsA prospective, cross‐sectional study including 74 PAI and 38 CAH patients. BMD was evaluated by DXA. Serum levels of bone turnover markers, minerals, vitamins and hormones, and urinary crosslinks were measured.ResultsPatients carrying the homozygous BclI polymorphism (GG) had significantly higher serum β‐CrossLaps (0·37 ± 0·34 μg/l; P < 0·05) and urinary collagen crosslinks (NTX, 68·1 ± 32·4 nmol/g; P < 0·005) despite receiving the lowest average daily hydrocortisone dose of 9·9 ± 3·7 mg/m2 (P < 0·05). The GG genotype occurred significantly more frequently in patients with increased NTX (OR=6·7, 95% CI = 1·78–25·38) than in patients with normal NTX. However, BMD was not significantly different between different allelic variants. No significant differences in associations of the genotypes with outcomes (or in clinical characteristics) were found between the sexes.ConclusionsAlthough the sample sizes were relatively small and the results should be interpreted with caution, this study suggests that the homozygous (GG) genotype may be associated with higher bone resorption in adult PAI and CAH patients. GG‐carriers needed a lower hydrocortisone dose on average supporting the concept that this GR variant is associated with increased cortisol sensitivity.
A Novel Noninvasive Method to Assess Left Ventricular −dP/dt Using Diastolic Blood Pressure and Isovolumic Relaxation Time
Authors: Parekh Rupal , Kolias Theodore J. 
Published: November 2012

Background: Left ventricular Doppler‐derived −dP/dt determined from the continuous‐wave Doppler spectrum of the mitral regurgitation (MR) jet has been shown to be a valuable marker of diastolic function, but requires the presence of MR for its assessment. We sought to determine if a novel method of determining −dP/dt using the diastolic blood pressure and isovolumic relaxation time (DBP‐IVRT method) correlates with Doppler‐derived −dP/dt using the MR method (Doppler‐MR method). Methods: Thirty‐three patients with less than severe MR were enrolled. −dP/dt was determined using the Doppler‐MR method from the continuous‐wave Doppler spectrum of the MR jet (32 mmHg/time from 3 to 1 m/sec). −dP/dt was also determined using the DBP‐IVRT method using the following equation: −dP/dt = (DBP − LVEDP)/IVRT, where left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was estimated based on tissue Doppler and mitral inflow patterns. Results: Twenty‐five patients had adequate Doppler waveforms for analysis. The average amount of MR was mild‐to‐moderate severity. The mean −dP/dt was 680 ± 201 mmHg by the Doppler‐MR method and 681 ± 237 mmHg by the DBP‐IVRT method. There was a significant correlation between the 2 methods of determining −dP/dt (Pearson r = 0.574, P = 0.003). The Bland–Altman plot revealed almost no bias between the 2 methods; the difference in −dP/dt between the 2 techniques was noted to be greater for patients with higher −dP/dt, however. Conclusion: Diastolic blood pressure and isovolumic relaxation time may be used to noninvasively assess diastolic function in patients who do not have MR, especially in those with reduced diastolic function.
Quantification of ontogenetic allometry in ammonoids
Authors: Korn Dieter 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYAmmonoids are well‐known objects used for studies on ontogeny and phylogeny, but a quantification of ontogenetic change has not yet been carried out. Their planispirally coiled conchs allow for a study of “longitudinal” ontogenetic data, that is data of ontogenetic trajectories that can be obtained from a single specimen. Therefore, they provide a good model for ontogenetic studies of geometry in other shelled organisms. Using modifications of three cardinal conch dimensions, computer simulations can model artificial conchs. The trajectories of ontogenetic allometry of these simulations can be analyzed in great detail in a theoretical morphospace. A method for the classification of conch ontogeny and quantification of the degree of allometry is proposed. Using high‐precision cross‐sections, the allometric conch growth of real ammonoids can be documented and compared. The members of the Ammonoidea show a wide variety of allometric growth, ranging from near isometry to monophasic, biphasic, or polyphasic allometry. Selected examples of Palaeozoic and Mesozoic ammonoids are shown with respect to their degree of change during ontogeny of the conch.
Development of the venom ducts in the centipede Scolopendra: an example of recapitulation
Authors: Dugon Michel M. , Hayden Luke , Black Alexander , Arthur Wallace 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYIn contrast to previous claims that (a) there is a law of recapitulation and, conversely, (b) recapitulation never happens, the evolutionary repatterning of development can take many forms, of which recapitulation is one. Here, we add another example to the list of case studies of recapitulation. This example involves the development of the venom claws (forcipules) in the centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans, and in particular the development of the duct through which venom flows from the gland that produces it (proximal) to the opening called the meatus (distal) through which it is injected into prey. Most of the information we present is from early postembryonic stages—these have been neglected in previous work on centipede development. We show that the venom ducts arise from sutures that are invaginations of the cuticle. In S. s. mutilans, the invagination in each forcipule forms into a tubular structure that detaches itself from the exoskeleton and moves toward the center of the forcipule. This is in contrast to extant Scutigera, and also, probably, Scolopendra's extinct Scutigera‐like ancestors, where the duct remains attached to the cuticle of throughout development. Thus, S. s. mutilans exhibits a recapitulatory repatterning of development.
Evolution of the chelicera: a dachshund domain is retained in the deutocerebral appendage of Opiliones (Arthropoda, Chelicerata)
Authors: Sharma Prashant P. , Schwager Evelyn E. , Extavour Cassandra G. , Giribet Gonzalo 
Published: November 2012

SUMMARYThe proximo‐distal axis of the arthropod leg is patterned by mutually antagonistic developmental expression domains of the genes extradenticle, homothorax, dachshund, and Distal‐less. In the deutocerebral appendages (the antennae) of insects and crustaceans, the expression domain of dachshund is frequently either absent or, if present, is not required to pattern medial segments. By contrast, the dachshund domain is entirely absent in the deutocerebral appendages of spiders, the chelicerae. It is unknown whether absence of dachshund expression in the spider chelicera is associated with the two‐segmented morphology of this appendage, or whether all chelicerates lack the dachshund domain in their chelicerae. We investigated gene expression in the harvestman Phalangium opilio, which bears the plesiomorphic three‐segmented chelicera observed in “primitive” chelicerate orders. Consistent with patterns reported in spiders, in the harvestman chelicera homothorax, extradenticle, and Distal‐less have broadly overlapping developmental domains, in contrast with mutually exclusive domains in the legs and pedipalps. However, unlike in spiders, the harvestman chelicera bears a distinct expression domain of dachshund in the proximal segment, the podomere that is putatively lost in derived arachnids. These data suggest that a tripartite proximo‐distal domain structure is ancestral to all arthropod appendages, including deutocerebral appendages. As a corollary, these data also provide an intriguing putative genetic mechanism for the diversity of arachnid chelicerae: loss of developmental domains along the proximo‐distal axis.
Immunohistological and electrophysiological evidence that N‐acetylaspartylglutamate is a co‐transmitter at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction
Authors: Walder Kathryn K. , Ryan Steve B. , Bzdega Tomasz , Olszewski Rafal T. , Neale Joseph H. , Lindgren Clark A. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractImmunohistochemical studies previously revealed the presence of the peptide transmitter N‐acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) in spinal motor neurons, axons and presumptive neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). At synapses in the central nervous system, NAAG has been shown to activate the type 3 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR3) and is inactivated by an extracellular peptidase, glutamate carboxypeptidase II. The present study tested the hypothesis that NAAG meets the criteria for classification as a co‐transmitter at the vertebrate NMJ. Confocal microscopy confirmed the presence of NAAG immunoreactivity and extended the resolution of the peptide's location in the lizard (Anolis carolinensis) NMJ. NAAG was localised to a presynaptic region immediately adjacent to postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors. NAAG was depleted by potassium‐induced depolarisation and by electrical stimulation of motor axons. The NAAG receptor, mGluR3, was localised to the presynaptic terminal consistent with NAAG's demonstrated role as a regulator of synaptic release at central synapses. In contrast, glutamate receptors, type 2 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2) and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate, were closely associated with acetylcholine receptors in the postsynaptic membrane. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II, the NAAG‐inactivating enzyme, was identified exclusively in perisynaptic glial cells. This localisation was confirmed by the loss of immunoreactivity when these cells were selectively eliminated. Finally, electrophysiological studies showed that exogenous NAAG inhibited evoked neurotransmitter release by activating a group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR2 or mGluR3). Collectively, these data support the conclusion that NAAG is a co‐transmitter at the vertebrate NMJ.
Can garlic‐intake reduce the risk of cancer? A systematic review of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Ernst Edzard , Posadzki Paul 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundMany authors have explored the intriguing possibility that the regular intake of Allium sativum (garlic) might reduce cancer risk. Most of this evidence is based on epidemiological data which, by its very nature, may not be fully convincing in establishing causality.ObjectiveTo critically evaluate the evidence of effectiveness of garlic extract for reducing cancer risk.MethodsFive electronic databases and the authors' own departmental files were searched for relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included if they tested the effectiveness of garlic extracts or garlic compounds on cancer risk or related variables. The quality of included trials was determined using the Jadad score.ResultsFour eligible RCTs were identified. The quality of studies was mixed. The findings from these trials were not uniformly positive.ConclusionsEvidence from RCTs lends little support to the notion that garlic reduces the risk of cancer.
Nuisance growth of Juncus bulbosus: the roles of genetics and environmental drivers tested in a large‐scale survey
Authors: MOE THERESE F. , BRYSTING ANNE K. , ANDERSEN TOM , SCHNEIDER SUSANNE C. , KASTE ØYVIND , HESSEN DAG O. 
Published: November 2012

Summary1. Invasive species can transform aquatic ecosystems, and the nuisance growth of the freshwater macrophyte Juncus bulbosus has become a problem in many lakes and rivers in northern Europe. It affects biodiversity strongly and conflicts with human uses, not least compromising the generation of hydroelectricity. The causes of the proliferation of these massive stands of J. bulbosus are not finally resolved, however.2. In this study, a wide range of catchment, lake and sediment parameters (n = 34) were assessed for 139 lakes in Southern Norway, with the aim of explaining the presence or absence of J. bulbosus and to assess potential drivers behind its prolific growth.3. Juncus bulbosus was more often present in lakes with lower pH and phosphate concentrations, and a higher element ratio of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) to total phosphorus (DIN : TotP).4. Despite the many parameters measured across substantial environmental gradients, none explained nuisance growth. Genetic screening (amplified fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting) of plants from a subset of lakes and additional river sites also showed no genetic differences between the various growth forms. A macrophyte trophic index, however, suggested that the most problematic growth occurred in the most oligotrophic lakes.5. The lack of consistent patterns may reflect either factors not assessed in our survey, or that the current extension of stands represents a gradual cumulative response over time, not characterised effectively in our snapshot survey. Nevertheless, we can now exclude some putative causes of nuisance growth, including in particular genetics and N‐deposition.
Relationship between community prevalence of obesity and associated behavioral factors and community rates of influenza‐related hospitalizations in the United States
Authors: Charland Katia M. , Buckeridge David L. , Hoen Anne G. , Berry Jay G. , Elixhauser Anne , Melton Forrest , Brownstein John S. 
Published: November 2012

Please cite this paper as: Charland et al.(2012) Relationship between community prevalence of obesity and associated behavioral factors and community rates of influenza‐related hospitalizations in the United States. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/irv.12019.Background  Findings from studies examining the association between obesity and acute respiratory infection are inconsistent. Few studies have assessed the relationship between obesity‐related behavioral factors, such as diet and exercise, and risk of acute respiratory infection.Objective  To determine whether community prevalence of obesity, low fruit/vegetable consumption, and physical inactivity are associated with influenza‐related hospitalization rates.Methods  Using data from 274 US counties, from 2002 to 2008, we regressed county influenza‐related hospitalization rates on county prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30), low fruit/vegetable consumption (<5 servings/day), and physical inactivity (<30 minutes/month recreational exercise), while adjusting for community‐level confounders such as insurance coverage and the number of primary care physicians per 100 000 population.Results  A 5% increase in obesity prevalence was associated with a 12% increase in influenza‐related hospitalization rates [adjusted rate ratio (ARR) 1·12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·07, 1·17]. Similarly, a 5% increase in the prevalence of low fruit/vegetable consumption and physical inactivity was associated with an increase of 12% (ARR 1·12, 95% CI 1·08, 1·17) and 11% (ARR 1·11, 95% CI 1·07, 1·16), respectively. When all three variables were included in the same model, a 5% increase in prevalence of obesity, low fruit/vegetable consumption, and physical inactivity was associated with 6%, 8%, and 7% increases in influenza‐related hospitalization rates, respectively.Conclusions  Communities with a greater prevalence of obesity were more likely to have high influenza‐related hospitalization rates. Similarly, less physically active populations, with lower fruit/vegetable consumption, tended to have higher influenza‐related hospitalization rates, even after accounting for obesity.
Implications of dominant technological frames over a longitudinal period
Authors: Olesen Karin 
Published: November 2012

AbstractSuccessful adoption and use of information systems is an area of continued research in the field of information systems. This prior research has shown that how we adopt and use an information system depends on how we make sense of it. The sense‐making activity is carried out through our cognitive structures of knowledge that relate to technology (our technological frames). The sense‐making activity changes over time, as use and exposure to differing technologies occur. Most research into information systems in organisations has focused on a specific information system; this preoccupation with studying discrete projects at one point in time may be limiting. In an attempt to fill this research gap, we use the socio‐cognitive perspective of Orlikowski & Gash to analyse technological frames in one organisation over a longitudinal period to evaluate sensemaking in relation to multiple systems. The interpretive case study looks at the technological frames of senior management, faculty teaching staff, information technology (IT) mediating staff and IT groups over a 10‐year period in a university and finds that there were incongruent frames between senior management and other groups within the organisation with senior management holding a dominant frame. The consequences of these frames were demonstrated when they were linked to the use of the four major information systems in the organisation, showing repeated historical patterns of use that caused inefficiencies due to the incongruent frames of the various groups. The unchanging dominant technological frame contributed to this pattern.
Component pathogen inactivation: a critical review
Authors: Prowse C. V. 
Published: November 2012

Background and Objectives  Pathogen inactivation (PI)‐treated plasma and platelets are increasingly becoming the products of choice, where licensed. This review summarizes the clinical evidence available for licensed component PI technologies and red cell PI under development.Materials and Methods  Available literature on licensed technologies was reviewed.Results  For the plasma and platelets technologies available, evidence for the inactivation of most pathogens is good, except for certain nonenveloped viruses. Clinical trials and haemovigilance programmes suggest the observed loss of potency is of little clinical significance, with some technology‐specific exceptions. Concerns over adverse toxicological effects or neoantigen formation have not been confirmed for currently licensed products.Conclusion  While platelet PI has been adopted to reduce bacterial contamination, the ability of PI methods to replace testing for emerging bloodborne infections, or as a substitute for selective pathogen testing, gamma‐irradiation or even leucodepletion, make adoption of PI for components increasingly attractive.
Long‐term outcomes of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation and endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones
Authors: Natsui Masaaki , Saito Yu , Abe Satoshi , Iwanaga Akito , Ikarashi Satoshi , Nozawa Yujiro , Nakadaira Hiroto 
Published: November 2012

AimWe recently reported that endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) might suppress biliary bacterial contamination better than endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in patients with small bile duct stones (diameter ≤8 mm). In the present study, we evaluated immediate and long‐term outcomes of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation with regard to stone size.MethodsWe allocated 474 patients alternately to the two procedures. The patients were classified according to stone diameter (≤8 mm or >8 mm) and outcomes (i.e. complete stone removal, early complications, and late complications) were compared. The predictive risk factors for late complications were also investigated.ResultsIn patients with small stones, complete stone removal rate and early complication rate were similar between the two procedures; the incidence of pancreatitis was higher after EPBD, although the difference was not significant. Late complication rate and stone recurrence rate were significantly lower after EPBD than after EST (5.3% vs 17.3%, P = 0.009; 4.4% vs 12.7%; P = 0.048, respectively). In patients with large stones who underwent EPBD complete stone removal rate and late complication rate were lower, but the incidence of pancreatitis was higher. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis showed that the increased risk of bactobilia following EPBD for large stones or EST, and the gallbladder with stones in situ were independent risk factors for late complications.ConclusionsEPBD produced significantly better long‐term outcomes than EST in patients with small bile duct stones.