bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Histopathological characteristics of subsequent melanomas in patients with multiple primary melanomas
Authors: Vecchiato A. , Pasquali S. , Menin C. , Montesco M.C. , Alaibac M. , Mocellin S. , Campana L.G. , Nitti D. , Rossi C.R. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground  Multiple primary melanomas (MPM) occur in up to 20% of melanoma patients, and subsequent tumours seem to have a favourable histopathological pattern.Objective  A prospectively collected cohort of 194 patients with MPM was retrospectively reviewed to investigate clinical and histopathological features of first and subsequent melanomas.Methods  Patients with MPM who were diagnosed at our Department (1985–2011) and who attended at least a follow‐up control yearly were identified.Results  The number of nevi was <10, 10–50 and >50 in 8.7%, 41% and 50.3% of patients respectively. Histopathological dysplastic nevi have been diagnosed in 105 patients. During a median follow‐up of 58 months, 159 (81.9%), 24 (12.3%), 7 (3.6%) and 4 (2%) patients developed 2, 3, 4 and ≥5 melanomas, respectively. The median time to second primary melanoma was 45 months. The second primary melanoma was diagnosed within 1‐year and after 5‐year from the first melanoma in 36.6% and 17.3% of patients respectively. First and second primary melanomas were in situ in 41 (21%) and 104 (54%) patients respectively (P < 0.001). Among patients with ≥2 invasive melanomas (N = 80), median tumour thickness and ulceration of first and second primaries were 0.91 and 0.44 mm (P < 0.001), and 32% and 7.7% (P = 0.001) respectively.Conclusions  Subsequent melanomas occurred within 1‐year from the appearance of the first melanoma in 36% of patients with MPM, while a late melanoma diagnosis was detected in 17% of cases. Second primary melanoma had favourable histopathological features. Our findings support long‐term skin surveillance to detect subsequent melanomas at an early stage.
Long‐term administration of rifaximin improves the prognosis of patients with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis
Authors: Vlachogiannakos Jiannis , Viazis Nikos , Vasianopoulou Panagiota , Vafiadis Irene , Karamanolis Dimitrios G , Ladas Spiros D 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and AimCirrhotic patients are predisposed to intestinal bacterial overgrowth with translocation of bacterial products which may deteriorate liver hemodynamics. Having shown that short‐term administration of rifaximin improves liver hemodynamics in decompensated cirrhosis, we conducted this study to investigate the effect of intestinal decontamination with rifaximin on the long‐term prognosis of patients with alcohol‐related decompensated cirrhosis (Child‐Pugh > 7) and ascites.MethodsPatients who had received rifaximin and showed improved liver hemodynamics were enrolled in the current study and continued to receive rifaximin (1200 mg/day). Each patient was matched by age, sex, and Child‐Pugh grade to two controls and followed up for up to 5 years, death or liver transplantation. Survival and risk of developing portal hypertension‐related complications were compared between rifaximin group and controls.ResultsTwenty three patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria and matched with 46 controls. Patients who received rifaximin had a significant lower risk of developing variceal bleeding (35% vs 59.5%, P = 0.011), hepatic encephalopathy (31.5% vs 47%, P = 0.034), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (4.5% vs 46%, P = 0.027), and hepatorenal syndrome (4.5% vs 51%, P = 0.037) than controls. Five‐year cumulative probability of survival was significantly higher in patients receiving rifaximin than in controls (61% vs 13.5%, P = 0.012). In the multivariate analysis, rifaximin administration was independently associated with lower risk of developing variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, and higher survival.ConclusionsIn patients with alcohol‐related decompensated cirrhosis, long‐term rifaximin administration is associated with reduced risk of developing complications of portal hypertension and improved survival.
Characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease with an onset before eight years of age: A multicenter epidemiological survey in Japan
Authors: Maisawa Shun‐ichi , Sasaki Mika , Ida Shinobu , Uchida Keiichi , Kagimoto Seiichi , Shimizu Toshiaki , Yoden Atsushi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and AimPediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been rare in Japan since the 1990s. The present study attempted to define the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of early‐childhood IBD in Japan in comparison with results from Western countries.MethodsAmong children diagnosed as having IBD between January 1998 and December 2008, those showing onset before 8 years of age were investigated retrospectively. A questionnaire survey was carried out at 45 facilities throughout Japan, and 80 cases were reported from 27 facilities. On the basis of the final diagnosis, 24 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 47 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) were analyzed.ResultsAmong the patients with CD, the age at onset was less than 1 year in 62.5%. On the basis of the Montreal classification, 87.5% of CD cases involved the colon, and 63.8% of UC cases were pancolitis. Coexisting conditions such as congenital diseases (five cases) and cerebral palsy (four cases) were present before the onset of IBD. Growth failure was more severe (P < 0.05) at diagnosis in CD patients than in UC patients. Familial occurrence within first‐degree relatives was observed in eight families among 45 patients with UC, compared with none among the CD patients (P < 0.05).ConclusionOur results suggest that, in Japan, the pathogenesis of IBD in infants and children may differ from that in Western countries, and that the characteristics of early childhood‐onset IBD are distinct from those of school age‐onset IBD.
Apolipoprotein B/AI ratio is independently associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in nondiabetic subjects
Authors: Choe Young Gil , Jin Wook , Cho Yong Kyun , Chung Won Gil , Kim Hong Joo , Jeon Woo Kyu , Kim Byung Ik 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and AimsThe apolipoprotein B/AI (ApoB/AI) ratio is a strong new risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease. Although recent reports have shown the effects of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on CV disease, NAFLD is under‐recognized as a predictable risk factor for CV disease. This study was performed to assess the independent association between ApoB/AI ratio and NAFLD.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was performed in 9162 subjects who participated in a health checkup program in South Korea in 2009. The presence of NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic examination. Logistic regression analysis was applied to estimate the association between ApoB/AI ratio and NAFLD. The odds ratio (OR) and P were estimated according to the categorized level of the ApoB/AI ratio.ResultsThe overall prevalence of NAFLD was 27.9% (n = 2554, 41.7% of the men, 10.8% of the women). Men had a 5.91‐fold (95% CI 5.28–6.62) greater risk for NAFLD than women. After adjusting for confounding factors, the ApoB/AI ratio was more closely associated with the prevalence of NAFLD than with any other lipid profiles (OR 8.537 in men, 16.6 in women). NAFLD risk increased as the quartiles of the ApoB/AI ratio increased from the first to the fourth quartile (OR 1.359, 2.173 and 3.124, P for trend < 0.001).ConclusionThe ApoB/AI ratio was associated with the prevalence of NAFLD in nondiabetic subjects and was independent of obesity and other metabolic components. This result suggests that NAFLD may provide additional information for atherosclerosis progression and CV risks.
Frequent concomitant epigenetic silencing of SOX1 and secreted frizzled‐related proteins (SFRPs) in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shih Yu‐Lueng , Hsieh Chung‐Bao , Yan Ming‐De , Tsao Chun‐Ming , Hsieh Tsai‐Yuan , Liu Chang‐Hsin , Lin Ya‐Wen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackground and AimExcept for genetic mutations, epigenetic changes are also involved in the development of human cancers. Recently, we have identified SOX1, SRY (sex determining region Y)‐box 1, is hypermethylated in cervical cancer and ovarian cancer. Therefore, we investigated whether promoter hypermethylation of SOX1 is common in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsWe used methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MS‐PCR) and bisulfite sequencing to analyze the methyaltion level of the SOX1 promoter in seven HCC cell lines, 54 clinical HCCs, 42 cirrhotic livers, 21 livers with chronic hepatitis, and 15 control livers. Then, we employed quantitative MS‐PCR (QMSP) to validate in an independent set of samples (60 paired HCCs and 30 control livers). Finally, we used luciferase reporter and colony formation assay to check the effect of SOX1 in HCC.ResultsPromoter methylation of SOX1 was significantly frequent in HCC cell lines and clinical HCCs, cirrhotic livers, but not in control livers (P < 0.0001). There is a significant correlation between downregulation of SOX1 expression and promoter methylation. QMSP results confirmed that promoter hypermethylation of SOX1 is significantly more frequent in HCCs than control livers (P < 0.0001). The frequency of SOX1 methylation in patients with secreted frizzled‐related proteins (SFRPs) methylation is significantly higher than in patients without SFRPs methylation (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, ectopic expression of SOX1 could suppress T‐cell factor‐dependent transcriptional activity and colony formation number in HCCs.ConclusionsConcomitant epigenetic silencing of SOX1 and SFRPs through promoter hypermethylation is frequent in HCCs, and this might contribute to abnormal activation of canonical Wnt signal pathway.
AGC1‐malate aspartate shuttle activity is critical for dopamine handling in the nigrostriatal pathway
Authors: Llorente‐Folch Irene , Sahún Ignasi , Contreras Laura , Casarejos María José , Grau Josep María , Saheki Takeyori , Mena María Angeles , Satrústegui Jorgina , Dierssen Mara , Pardo Beatriz 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe mitochondrial transporter of aspartate‐glutamate Aralar/AGC1 is a regulatory component of the malate‐aspartate shuttle. Aralar deficiency in mouse and human causes a shutdown of brain shuttle activity and global cerebral hypomyelination. A lack of neurofilament‐labeled processes is detected in the cerebral cortex, but whether different types of neurons are differentially affected by Aralar deficiency is still unknown. We have now found that Aralar‐knockout (Aralar‐KO) post‐natal mice show hyperactivity, anxiety‐like behavior, and hyperreactivity with a decrease of dopamine (DA) in terminal‐rich regions. The striatum is the brain region most affected in terms of size, amino acid and monoamine content. We find a decline in vesicular monoamine transporter‐2 (VMAT2) levels associated with increased DA metabolism through MAO activity (DOPAC/DA ratio) in Aralar‐KO striatum. However, no decrease in DA or in the number of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cells was detected in Aralar‐KO brainstem. Adult Aralar‐hemizygous mice presented also increased DOPAC/DA ratio in striatum and enhanced sensitivity to amphetamine. Our results suggest that Aralar deficiency causes a fall in GSH/GSSG ratio and VMAT2 in striatum that might be related to a failure to produce mitochondrial NADH and to an increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cytosol. The results indicate that the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system is a target of Aralar deficiency.
Effect of dentofacial deformity on maximum isometric tongue strength
Authors: da Silva J. B. , Giglio L. D. , Regalo S. H. , de Mello‐Filho F. V. , Trawitzki L. V. V. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine whether dentofacial deformities (class II and class III) influence maximum isometric tongue strength compared with a group without deformities. A total of 126 adult patients participated in the study. Of these, 45 had a class II diagnosis (14 men and 31 women) and 81 a class III diagnosis (35 men and 46 women), all of them with indication of orthognathic surgery. Fifty adult volunteers (17 men and 33 women) with no changes in dental occlusion (class I) and with no clinical signs of dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint represented the control group. Tongue strength (in N) was measured with a dynamometer. The maximum strength of the anterior portion was determined with the instrument positioned on the retroincisor region and the maximum strength of the dorsum with the instrument positioned in the region of the hard palate. Data were analysed statistically by analysis of variance (anova) and by the Pearson correlation test. No significant difference (P > 0·05) in tongue strength in the anterior or dorsal region was observed between the groups with dentofacial deformities or between these groups and the control. The tongue strength of the anterior and dorsal regions was not influenced by the dentofacial deformity.
Morphological and Pathogenic Characterization of Genetically Diverse Sclerotinia Isolates from European Red Clover Crops (Trifolium Pratense L.)
Authors: Vleugels Tim , Baert Joost , van Bockstaele Erik 
Published: December 2012

AbstractClover rot, an important disease in European red clover crops, is caused by Sclerotinia trifoliorum or Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Until today, little is known about the variation in aggressiveness among Sclerotinia isolates from red clover. Aggressiveness has never been correlated with morphological characteristics. Rapidly growing isolates may be more aggressive, but this was never investigated in S. trifoliorum before. Also nothing is known about the link between sclerotia production and aggressiveness. Oxalic acid is an important pathogenicity factor in Sclerotinia species, but its effect on aggressiveness is unknown in S. trifoliorum isolates. For this study, we selected 30 Sclerotinia isolates from 25 locations Europe: 26 S. trifoliorum isolates and 4 S. sclerotiorum isolates from two locations in France (Fr.A and Fr.B). For each isolate, the in vitro growth speed, sclerotia production, oxalate production and aggressiveness were analysed and correlations were estimated between aggressiveness and the other characteristics. Aggressiveness was assessed in vitro on detached leaves and in a greenhouse on young plants. Our isolates differed significantly in growth speed, sclerotia production, oxalate production and aggressiveness. The infections on detached leaves and young plants revealed interaction between isolates and plant genotypes and between isolates and cultivars, but there was no indication that pathotypes exist. In vitro growth speed and in vitro aggressiveness on detached leaves were positively correlated with aggressiveness on young plants, while sclerotia production was negatively correlated with aggressiveness on young plants. These factors can be used as predictors of aggressiveness of Sclerotinia isolates from red clover crops.
Detection and Identification of a 16SrII Group Phytoplasma Causing Clover Little Leaf Disease in Iran
Authors: Hosseini Somayeh , Bahar Masoud , Zirak Leila 
Published: December 2012

AbstractWhite clover plants showing little leaf and leaf reddening symptoms were observed in Isfahan Province in central Iran. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of nested PCR‐amplified fragments from Iranian clover little leaf phytoplasma isolates and representative phytoplasmas from other phytoplasma groups using AluI, CfoI, KpnI and RsaI restriction enzymes indicated that the clover phytoplasma isolates are related to the peanut WB group. Sequence analyses of partial 16S rRNA fragments showed that Iranian clover little leaf phytoplasma has 99% similarity with soybean witches'‐broom phytoplasma, a member of the peanut WB (16SrII) phytoplasma group. This is the first report of clover infection with a phytoplasma related to the 16SrII group.
Circadian period and the timing of melatonin onset in men and women: predictors of sleep during the weekend and in the laboratory
Authors: Lazar Alpar S. , Santhi Nayantara , Hasan Sibah , Lo June C.‐Y. , Johnston Jonathan D. , Von Schantz Malcolm , Archer Simon N. , Dijk Derk‐Jan 
Published: December 2012

SummarySleep complaints and irregular sleep patterns, such as curtailed sleep during workdays and longer and later sleep during weekends, are common. It is often implied that differences in circadian period and in entrained phase contribute to these patterns, but few data are available. We assessed parameters of the circadian rhythm of melatonin at baseline and in a forced desynchrony protocol in 35 participants (18 women) with no sleep disorders. Circadian period varied between 23 h 50 min and 24 h 31 min, and correlated positively (n = 31, rs = 0.43, P = 0.017) with the timing of the melatonin rhythm relative to habitual bedtime. The phase of the melatonin rhythm correlated with the Insomnia Severity Index (n = 35, rs = 0.47, P = 0.004). Self‐reported time in bed during free days also correlated with the timing of the melatonin rhythm (n = 35, rs = 0.43, P = 0.01) as well as with the circadian period (n = 31, rs = 0.47, P = 0.007), such that individuals with a more delayed melatonin rhythm or a longer circadian period reported longer sleep during the weekend. The increase in time in bed during the free days correlated positively with circadian period (n = 31, rs = 0.54, P = 0.002). Polysomnographically assessed latency to persistent sleep (n = 34, rs = 0.48, P = 0.004) correlated with the timing of the melatonin rhythm when participants were sleeping at their habitual bedtimes in the laboratory. This correlation was significantly stronger in women than in men (Z = 2.38, P = 0.017). The findings show that individual differences in circadian period and phase of the melatonin rhythm associate with differences in sleep, and suggest that individuals with a long circadian period may be at risk of developing sleep problems.
Parasympathetic nervous system activity and children's sleep
Authors: El‐Sheikh Mona , Erath Stephen A. , Bagley Erika J. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryWe examined indices of children's parasympathetic nervous system activity (PNS), including respiratory sinus arrhythmia during baseline (RSAB) and RSA reactivity (RSAR), to a laboratory challenge, and importantly the interaction between RSAB and RSAR as predictors of multiple parameters of children's sleep. Lower RSAR denotes increased vagal withdrawal (reductions in RSA between baseline and task) and higher RSAR represents decreased vagal withdrawal or augmentation (increases in RSA between baseline and task). A community sample of school‐attending children (121 boys and 103 girls) participated [mean age = 10.41 years; standard deviation (SD) = 0.67]. Children's sleep parameters were examined through actigraphy for 7 consecutive nights. Findings demonstrate that RSAB and RSAR interact to predict multiple sleep quality parameters (activity, minutes awake after sleep onset and long wake episodes). The overall pattern of effects illustrates that children who exhibit more disrupted sleep (increased activity, more minutes awake after sleep onset and more frequent long wake episodes) are those with lower RSAB in conjunction with lower RSAR. This combination of low RSAB and low RSAR probably reflects increased autonomic nervous system arousal, which interferes with sleep. Results illustrate the importance of individual differences in physiological regulation indexed by interactions between PNS baseline activity and PNS reactivity for a better understanding of children's sleep quality.
Risk factors of HBV intrauterine transmission among HBsAg‐positive pregnant women
Authors: Guo Z. , Shi X. H. , Feng Y. L. , Wang B. , Feng L .P. , Wang S. P. , Zhang Y. W. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryLittle is known about the risk factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) intrauterine transmission among HBsAg‐positive mothers. We conducted a study in Taiyuan, China, including 1133 HBsAg‐positive mothers and their babies. A total of 101 neonates had HBsAg and/or HBV DNA positive with an intrauterine transmission rate of 8.9%. Maternal menstrual irregularity (OR = 4.95, 95% CI: 1.71, 14.33) and severe nausea during the first trimester (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.09) were associated with an increased risk of intrauterine transmission, while caesarean delivery (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.51) was associated with a decreased risk after adjusting for potential confounders. Maternal HBeAg positive was a strong independent predictor for intrauterine transmission (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.54, 4.27). A positive association between maternal HBV DNA levels and intrauterine transmission was suggested. Maternal HBIG administration during pregnancy, family history of HBV infection and premature rupture of membranes was not associated with the risk of intrauterine transmission. The study confirmed that maternal HBeAg positive was a risk factor and caesarean delivery was a protective factor for intrauterine transmission. The new findings associated with menstrual irregularity and severe nausea during the first trimester warrant further investigation.
Next‐generation sequencing sheds light on intricate regulation of insect gut microbiota
Authors: Fukatsu Takema 
Published: December 2012

Next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are getting cheaper and easier and hence becoming readily accessible for many researchers in biological disciplines including ecology. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Sudakaran et al. (2012) show how the NGS revolution contributes to our better and more comprehensive understanding of ecological interactions between gut symbiotic microbiota and the host organism. Using the European red firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus as a model system, they demonstrated that the gut microbiota consists of a small number of major bacterial phylotypes plus other minor bacterial associates. The major bacteria are localized in a specific anoxic section of the midgut and quantitatively account for most of the gut microbiota irrespective of host's geographic populations. The specific gut microbiota is established through early nymphal development of the host insect. Interestingly, the host feeding on different food, namely linden seeds, sunflower seeds or wasp larvae, scarcely affected the symbiont composition, suggesting homoeostatic control over the major symbiotic microbiota in the anoxic section of the midgut. Some of the minor components of the gut microbiota, which conventional PCR/cloning/sequencing approaches would have failed to detect, were convincingly shown to be food‐derived. These findings rest on the robust basis of high‐throughput sequencing data, and some of them could not be practically obtained by conventional molecular techniques, highlighting the significant impact of NGS approaches on ecological aspects of host–symbiont interactions in a nonmodel organism.