bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endophytic Bradyrhizobium spp. isolates from sugarcane obtained through different culture strategies
Authors: Rouws Luc Felicianus Marie , Leite Jakson , de Matos Gustavo Feitosa , Zilli Jerri Edson , Coelho Marcia Reed Rodrigues , Xavier Gustavo Ribeiro , Fischer Doreen , Hartmann Anton , Reis Verônica Massena , Baldani José Ivo 
Published: November 2013

SummaryBrazilian sugarcane has been shown to obtain part of its nitrogen via biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Recent reports, based on the culture independent sequencing of bacterial nifH complementary DNA (cDNA) from sugarcane tissues, have suggested that members of the Bradyrhizobium genus could play a role in sugarcane‐associated BNF. Here we report on the isolation of Bradyrhizobium spp. isolates and a few other species from roots of sugarcane cultivar RB867515 by two cultivation strategies: direct isolation on culture media and capture of Bradyrhizobium spp. using the promiscuous legume Vigna unguiculata as trap‐plant. Both strategies permitted the isolation of genetically diverse Bradyrhizobium spp. isolates, as concluded from enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fingerprinting and 16S ribosomal RNA, nifH and nodC sequence analyses. Several isolates presented nifH phylotypes highly similar to nifH cDNA phylotypes detected in field‐grown sugarcane by a culture‐independent approach. Four isolates obtained by direct plate cultivation were unable to nodulate V. unguiculata and, based on PCR analysis, lacked a nodC gene homologue. Acetylene reduction assay showed in vitro nitrogenase activity for some Bradyrhizobium spp. isolates, suggesting that these bacteria do not require a nodule environment for BNF. Therefore, this study brings further evidence that Bradyrhizobium spp. may play a role in sugarcane‐associated BNF under field conditions.
The role of TLR4 in pathophysiology of antiphospholipid syndrome‐associated thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity
Authors: Xie Hongxiang , Sheng Liangju , Zhou Hong , Yan Jinchuan 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the clinical features of recurrent thrombosis in the venous or arterial circulation and fetal losses. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), particularly against the phospholipid binding protein beta‐2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), play an important role in APS pathological mechanisms. aPL can activate intracellular signal transduction in a β2GPI‐dependent manner to induce inflammatory responses, and promote hypercoagulable state and recurrent spontaneous abortion when β2GPI is associated with the cell surface receptor. In vivo and in vitro studies show that Annexin A2 (ANXA2) is the high affinity receptor that connects β2GPI to the target cells. However, ANXA2 is not a transmembrane protein and lacks an intracellular signal transduction pathway. Growing evidences suggest that the transmembrane protein toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) might act as an ‘adaptor’ for intracellular signal transduction. This review focuses on the role of TLR4 and its signalling pathway in APS pathological mechanisms which will help us better understand the pathological processes of this syndrome.
Do ureteric stent extraction strings affect stent‐related quality of life or complications after ureteroscopy for urolithiasis: a prospective randomised control trial
Authors: Barnes Kerri T. , Bing Megan T. , Tracy Chad R. 
Published: October 2013

Objective
To determine whether ureteric stent extraction strings affect stent‐related quality of life (QoL) or increase complications after ureteroscopy (URS) for stone disease.
Patients and Methods
In all, 68 patients undergoing URS (October 2011 to May 2013) for stone disease were randomised to receive a ureteric stent with or without an extraction string.
Patients completed the Ureteric Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) on postoperative days 1 and 6, and 6 weeks after stent removal.
Pain was assessed at stent removal.
Adverse events, including early stent removal, stent migration, retained stent, urinary tract infection (UTI), emergency room (ER) visits and postoperative phone calls were monitored.
Results
There was no difference in stent‐related QoL as measured by the USSQ between those with and without a stent extraction string, pain at stent removal between those who pulled their stent independently vs those who underwent cystoscopy for stent removal, or in the rate of UTIs, ER visits or phone calls between groups.
Five patients (four female, one male) removed their stent early by inadvertently pulling the string; none required replacement.
Patients without a string had a significantly longer period with the postoperative ureteric stent (10.6 vs 6.3 days, P < 0.001).
One patient without a stent string retained her ureteric stent for 6 months, which was removed by cystoscopy without incident.
Conclusion
Ureteric stent extraction strings may offer several advantages without increasing stent‐related urinary symptoms, complications, or postoperative morbidity.
Intravesical administration of green tea extract attenuates the inflammatory response of bacterial cystitis – a rat model
Authors: Rosenberg Shilo , Horowitz Ray , Coppenhagen‐Glazer Shunit , Pizov Galina , Elia Anna , Gofrit Ofer N. , Ginsburg Isaac , Pode Dov 
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of intravesical instillation of green tea extract (GTE) on a rat model of bacterial cystitis.Materials and MethodsIn vitro bactericidal properties of GTE were analysed by adding GTE to a suspension of uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC), streaking on MacConkey agar, and incubating overnight.In vivo effects of intravesical instillation of GTE on bacterial cystitis was analysed using a rat model of bacterial cystitis. In all, 42 female Sabra rats weighing 200–260 g were divided into five groups.Parameters measured were bladder weight (percentage of the total rat weight), dipstick urine analysis and histopathological changes in the bladder. Histological changes evaluated were degree of oedema, mixed inflammatory infiltration, urothelial epithelial invasion by neutrophils and reactive atypia.ResultsNo in vitro bactericidal activity was detected for GTE.Intravesical instillation of GTE did not cause damage to the rat bladders.Intravesical instillation of GTE attenuated the inflammatory response to UPEC‐SR71‐induced bacterial cystitis in this rat model.ConclusionsIntravesical instillation of GTE attenuated the inflammatory response to UPEC‐SR71‐induced bacterial cystitis and is a novel approach to the treatment of bacterial cystitis.High concentrations of intravesical GTE did not cause histologically evident damage to the rat bladder.The results of this study are preliminary and further studies will be needed to explore the feasibility of using this approach in humans.
High antitumor activity of pladienolide B and its derivative in gastric cancer
Authors: Sato Momoko , Muguruma Naoki , Nakagawa Tadahiko , Okamoto Koichi , Kimura Tetsuo , Kitamura Shinji , Yano Hiromi , Sannomiya Katsutaka , Goji Takahiro , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Okahisa Toshiya , Mikasa Hiroaki , Wada Satoshi , Iwata Masao , Takayama Tetsuji 
Published: November 2013

The antitumor activity of pladienolide B, a novel splicing inhibitor, against gastric cancer is totally unknown and no predictive biomarker of pladienolide B efficacy has been reported. We investigated the antitumor activity of pladienolide B and its derivative on gastric cancer cell lines and primary cultured cancer cells from carcinomatous ascites of gastric cancer patients. The effect of pladienolide B and its derivative on six gastric cancer cell lines was investigated using a MTT assay and the mean IC50 values determined to be 1.6 ± 1.2 (range, 0.6–4.0) and 1.2 ± 1.1 (range, 0.4–3.4) nM, respectively, suggesting strong antitumor activity against gastric cancer. The mean IC50 value of pladienolide B derivative against primary cultured cells from 12 gastric cancer patients was 4.9 ± 4.7 nM, indicative of high antitumor activity. When 18 SCID mice xenografted with primary cultured cells from three patients were administered the pladienolide B derivative intraperitoneally, all tumors completely disappeared within 2 weeks after treatment. Histological examination revealed a pathological complete response for all tumors. In the xenograft tumors after treatment with pladienolide B derivative, immature mRNA were detected and apoptotic cells were observed. When the expressions of cell‐cycle proteins p16 and cyclin E in biopsied gastric cancer specimens were examined using immunohisctochemistry, positivities for p16 and cyclin E were significantly and marginally higher, respectively, in the low‐IC50 group compared with the high‐IC50 group, suggesting the possibility that they might be useful as predictive biomarkers for pladienolide B. In conclusion, pladienolide B was very active against gastric cancer via a mechanism involving splicing impairment and apoptosis induction.
A Framework for Assessing Supply‐Side Wildlife Conservation
Authors: PHELPS J. , CARRASCO L. R. , WEBB E. L. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractMarket‐based, supply‐side interventions such as domestication, cultivation, and wildlife farming have been proposed as legal substitutes for wild‐collected plants and animals in the marketplace. Based on the literature, we devised a list of the conditions under which supply‐side interventions may yield positive conservation outcomes. We applied it to the trade of the orchid Rhynchostylis gigantea, a protected ornamental plant. We conducted a survey of R. gigantea at Jatujak Market in Bangkok, Thailand. Farmed (legal) and wild (illegal, protected) specimens of R. gigantea were sold side‐by‐side at market. These results suggest farmed specimens are not being substituted for wild plants in the marketplace. For any given set of physical plant characteristics (size, condition, flowers), the origin of the plants (wild vs. farmed) did not affect price. For all price classes, farmed plants were of superior quality to wild‐collected plants on the basis of most physical variables. These results suggest wild and farmed specimens represent parallel markets and may not be substitutable goods. Our results with R. gigantea highlight a range of explanations for why supply‐side interventions may lack effectiveness, for example, consumer preferences for wild‐collected products and low financial incentives for farming. Our results suggest that market‐based conservation strategies may not be effective by themselves and may be best utilized as supplements to regulation and education. This approach represents a broad, multidisciplinary evaluation of supply‐side interventions that can be applied to other plant and animal species.Un Marco de Referencia para Evaluar la Oferta de la Conservación de Vida Silvestre
The endoscopist's guide to serrated polyposis
Authors: La Nauze R. , Suzuki N. , Saunders B. , Clark S. , Thomas‐Gibson S. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimSerrated polyposis is a condition of the colon characterized by multiple serrated polyps. This review aims to provide a practical guide to the day‐to‐day management of serrated polyposis, including diagnosis, endoscopic identification of serrated polyps, surveillance, the role of endoscopic and surgical management and the screening of family members.MethodThe literature was searched using PubMed and MEDLINE databases for the terms “serrated polyp”, “serrated polyposis” and “hyperplastic polyposis”. English‐language abstracts were read and the full article was retrieved if relevant to the review. Expert opinion from the authors was also sought.ResultsAdvances in our knowledge of the molecular pathways involved in serrated polyposis and an improved clinical picture of the disease from retrospective studies have led to better understanding of its pathogenesis and natural history. However, there are still areas not answered by the literature, and hence empirical management or expert opinion has to be followed.ConclusionImprovements in our understanding of serrated polyposis, together with improvements in endoscopic equipment and technique, have enabled the endoscopist to be at the forefront of managing this condition from diagnosis to endoscopic surveillance and control of the polyps.
Comparison of serial serum ferritin measurements and liver iron concentration assessed by MRI in adult transfused patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Tsitsikas Dimitris A. , Nzouakou Ruben , Ameen Venus , Sirigireddy Bala , Amos Roger J. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAimsTransfused patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk of iron overload and identifying such patients is important to prevent associated complications. Our aim was to assess the efficacy of serial serum ferritin (SF) measurements in identifying patients with hepatic iron overload as assessed by liver MRI and its usefulness in guiding decision making regarding chelation therapy.Patients/MethodsWe retrospectively compared the results of 49 liver MRI scans (LS) with the median serum ferritin (MSF) values for 28 patients in our institution.ResultsWe found a nonlinear increment of MSF with increasing liver iron concentration (LIC). 18.4% and 47.4% of abnormal LSs corresponded to MSF <1000 mcg/L and <2000 mcg/L, respectively. 30.4% of patients with LIC of 7 mg/g dry weight or higher had a MSF <2000 mcg/L. In 38.5% of patients receiving chelation, MSF offered little information regarding the efficacy of treatment and was sometimes misleading.ConclusionSerial serum ferritin measurements in adult transfused patients with sickle cell disease have a low sensitivity for identifying patients with iron overload and are of limited value in guiding decision making regarding initiation or monitoring of chelation therapy. The iron status of such high risk patients should be assessed by more definitive ways such as MRI.
Effects of quinapril on angiotensin converting enzyme and plasma renin activity as well as pharmacokinetic parameters of quinapril and its active metabolite, quinaprilat, after intravenous and oral administration to mature horses
Authors: Davis J. L. , Kruger K. , LaFevers D. H. , Barlow B. M. , Schirmer J. M. , Breuhaus B. A. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyAngiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors improve survival and quality of life in human patients and small animals with cardiovascular and renal disease. There is limited information regarding their effects in horses.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of quinapril and its effects on ACE and renin in horses.Study designExperimental study using healthy mature horses.MethodsSix healthy horses were administered quinapril at 120 mg i.v., 120 mg per os and 240 mg per os in a 3‐way crossover design. Blood was collected for measurement of quinapril and quinaprilat concentrations using ultra‐high pressure liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Angiotensin converting enzyme activity and renin activity were measured using a radioenzymatic assay. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic modelling and statistical analyses were performed.ResultsNo adverse effects were observed during the study period. Intravenous and oral administration significantly inhibited ACE activity. Renin concentrations increased in all groups, but this increase was not statistically significant. Following i.v. administration of quinapril, mean terminal half‐life was 0.694 h and 1.734 h for quinapril and quinaprilat, respectively. The mean volume of distribution and clearance for quinapril were 0.242 l/kg bwt and 11.93 ml/kg bwt/min, respectively. Maximum concentration for quinaprilat was 145 ng/ml at 0.167 h. Bioavailability of quinapril following oral administration was <5%. Quinaprilat was detected in all horses following oral administration of quinapril; however, it was below the limit of quantification of the assay (2.5 ng/ml) for most horses in the 120 mg dosing group.ConclusionsThese results suggest that, despite low plasma concentrations, quinapril has sufficient oral absorption to produce inhibition of ACE in healthy horses. Controlled studies in clinically affected horses are indicated. Quinapril provides a potential treatment alternative for horses with cardiovascular and renal disease.
Modification of the total soluble sugar content of the C4 grass Paspalum notatum expressing the wheat‐derived sucrose:sucrose 1‐fructosyltransferase and sucrose:fructan 6‐fructosyltransferase genes
Authors: Muguerza Melody , Gondo Takahiro , Yoshida Midori , Kawakami Akira , Terami Fumihiro , Yamada Toshihiko , Akashi Ryo 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFructans are water‐soluble fructose oligomers and polymers that are accumulated in many plants, especially the C3 temperate grasses. Fructan accumulation enhances cold and drought tolerance in grasses, and the increased soluble carbohydrates improve forage quality, especially the nutritional value animals can gain from these grasses. The C4 grasses yield high biomass but their inability to accumulate fructans coupled with their low water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content are limiting factors for the forage quality of these grasses. The aim of this study was to produce fructans and increase the total soluble sugar content by introducing and expressing fructan biosynthesis genes in a C4 grass, bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge). Using particle bombardment, we transformed bahiagrass with a wheat‐derived sucrose:sucrose 1‐fructosyltransferase (1‐SST) gene and a sucrose:fructan 6‐fructosyltransferase (6‐SFT) gene, both of which were regulated by the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter. Transcripts of the 1‐SST and 6‐SFT genes were detected in six out of 12 transgenic plants carrying both genes. Transgenic bahiagrass plants expressing the 1‐SST and 6‐SFT genes accumulated 1‐kestose and nystose. Although further polymerization of fructose units by 6‐SFT activity was not detected in transgenic plants, the total soluble sugar content increased. These results suggest that transgenic bahiagrass plants expressing wheat fructosyltransferase genes created a new metabolic pathway for fructan biosynthesis, which is an important requirement for producing fructans in C4 forage grasses with the objective of increasing the total soluble sugar content of these plants. This is the first report of introducing plant‐derived fructosyltransferases with the goal of increasing fructan accumulation in C4 forage grasses.
Promethazine Plus Sumatriptan in the Treatment of Migraine: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Asadollahi Shadi , Heidari Kamran , Vafaee Reza , Forouzanfar Mohammad Mahdi , Amini Afshin , Shahrami Ali 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveThis study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of sumatriptan (50 mg) plus promethazine (SPr) (25 mg) compared with sumatriptan (50 mg) plus placebo in patients with migraine attacks.BackgroundMigraine is a chronic, disabling disorder with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 10% in adults imposing substantial social and economic impact. Efficient treatment of migraine attacks could benefit patients by reducing their disability and the need for health care resources, and improving economic productivity.Design and MethodsThis was a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind trial conducted at 5 university‐affiliated research centers in Iran. Between January 2013 and April 2013, 350 individuals with a history of migraine were evaluated. Patients were diagnosed with migraine, with or without aura, as defined by the International Headache Society diagnostic criteria. The 242 patients meeting the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned to SPr group (n = 121) or the sumatriptan plus placebo (SP) group (n = 121). The study medications were taken on an outpatient basis during the moderate to severe phase of migraine attack. Patients recorded details of the treated migraine on a diary card and rated pain severity immediately before dosing and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours after dosing using a 4‐point scale (0 = none to 3 = severe).ResultsOf 242 patients randomized, 216 were included in the intention‐to‐treat efficacy analysis. In the SPr group, 39.6% of subjects experienced 2‐hour headache‐free response (primary outcome), which was significantly more effective than SP treatment (26.3%, odds ratio: 1.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–3.26, P = .038). Significantly more patients receiving SPr treatment (62.2%) had headache improvement compared with SP treatment (37.2%) at 2 hours (odds ratio: 2.77, 95% confidence interval: 1.60‐4.81, P < .001). A similar pattern of between‐group differences was observed for 4‐hour headache‐free response (P = .006) and headache improvement response (P = .003). The incidence of headache recurrence within 2‐48 hours after treatment was lowest in the SPr group (15.0%) compared with SP group (26.6%, P = .041).The only significant drug‐related adverse events reported in ≥15% of patients in any treatment group were somnolence (32.2% and 7% in the SPr and SP groups, respectively, P < .001), extrapyramidal symptoms (4.3% and 0%, P = .05), and nausea (1% and 8%, P = .03).ConclusionThis is the first prospective clinical trial to demonstrate that multimechanism therapy for migraine, combining a triptan and an antiemetic agent, is well tolerated and offers improved clinical benefits compared with monotherapy.
Role of illness representations and coping in patients with atopic dermatitis: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Schut C. , Felsch A. , Zick C. , Hinsch K.‐D. , Gieler U. , Kupfer J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a skin disease accompanied by psychological burden. It has been shown for other chronic diseases that illness representations and coping strategies are associated with disease‐related burden and other outcome variables like time until patients return to work or health care use.ObjectiveThe goal of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate whether illness representations and coping strategies are correlated with the severity of AD and self‐rated physical impairment of the patients.MethodsA total of 109 AD patients were examined at the beginning of their stay at a rehabilitation centre. They filled in validated questionnaires to measure illness perceptions (IPQ), coping strategies (EBS) and self‐rated physical well‐being (FEW). In addition, the severity of AD (SCORAD) was determined by a doctor.ResultsLinear regression analysis revealed that a considerable amount of the variance in self‐rated physical well‐being (51%) could be predicted by particular illness perceptions and coping. Subsequent multiple mediation analyses indicated that certain coping strategies (active problem solving and depressive reactions) mediated the effect of illness representations on self‐rated physical well‐being. In contrast, only 7.4% of the SCORAD could be predicted by the IPQ scale illness identity.ConclusionThis study showed that illness representations and coping are highly associated with self‐rated physical impairment in AD patients. Therefore, this patient group might profit from cognitive behavioural interventions designed to alter patients' illness perceptions. The hypothesis that a modification in illness perceptions leads to a faster recovery and a more rapid return to work should be tested in future randomized controlled trials.