bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pancreatic cystic lesions: clinical predictors of malignancy in patients undergoing surgery
Authors: HUANG E. S. , TURNER B. G. , FERNANDEZ‐DEL‐CASTILLO C. , BRUGGE W. R. , HUR C. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBackground  Despite advances in cross‐sectional imaging and the use of molecular markers, distinguishing between benign and malignant cysts remains a clinical challenge.Aims  To identify both preoperative clinical and cyst characteristics at the time of EUS that predict malignancy.Methods  A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients with pancreatic cysts who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and surgical resection from May 1996 to December 2007 at a tertiary centre. Clinical history, EUS characteristics, cytology, tumour markers and surgical histology were collected. Predictors of malignancy were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression.Results  A total of 153 patients underwent a EUS and subsequent surgical intervention.Of the 153 patients, 57 (37%) had a histological diagnosis of malignancy. On univariate analysis, older age (P < 0.001), male gender (P = 0.010), jaundice (P = 0.039), history of other malignancy (P = 0.036), associated mass in cyst (P = 0.004) and malignant cytology (P < 0.001) were found to be associated with malignancy. History of pancreatitis (P = 0.008) and endoscopist impression of pseudocyst (P = 0.001) were found to be associated with benign cysts. Multivariate analysis found that only older age [Odds ratio (OR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.08], male gender (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.08–4.73) and malignant cytology (OR, 6.60; 95% CI, 2.02–21.58) were independent predictors of malignancy.Conclusions  Older age, male gender and malignant cytology from EUS predict malignancy at surgical resection. These characteristics may be used to estimate the probability of malignancy in a cyst and aid in management. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 285–294
Review article: somatostatin analogues in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours
Authors: MODLIN I. M. , PAVEL M. , KIDD M. , GUSTAFSSON B. I. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryBackground The discovery of somatostatin (SST) and the synthesis of a variety of analogues constituted a major therapeutic advance in the treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine (carcinoid) tumours (GEP‐NETs). They currently provide the most efficient treatment to achieve symptomatic relief and have recently been demonstrated to inhibit tumour growth.Aim To review 35 years of experience regarding the clinical application and efficacy of SST analogues.Methods The PubMed database (1972–2009) was searched using somatostatin as a search term with combinations of terms including ‘treatment’; ‘neuroendocrine’; ‘carcinoid’; ‘tumor’; ‘octreotide’; ‘lanreotide’ and ‘pasireotide’.Results In a review of 15 studies including 481 patients, the slow‐release formulations Sandostatin LAR and Somatuline SR/Autogel achieved symptomatic relief in 74.2% (61.9–92.8%) and 67.5% (40.0–100%), biochemical response in 51.4% (31.5–100%) and 39.0% (17.9–58%), and tumour response in 69.8% (47.0–87.5%) and 64.4% (48.0–87.0%) respectively. Novel SST analogues like SOM230 (pasireotide) that exhibit pan SST receptor activity and analogues with high affinity to specific somatostatin receptor (sstr) subtypes may further advance the field, but efficacy studies are lacking.Conclusion As more precise understanding of NET cell biology evolves and molecular biological tools advance, more accurate identification of individual tumours sstr profile will probably facilitate a more precise delineation of SST analogue treatment.Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 169–188
Expression and role of Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 in regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium
Authors: Song N. , Jia X.‐S. , Jia L.‐L. , Ma X.‐B. , Li F. , Wang E.‐H. , Li X. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjectives:  To explore the role of Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 in regeneration of rat tracheal epithelium.Materials and methods:  An ex vivo model of rat tracheal epithelial regeneration using 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) was developed, to induce injury. Expression levels of Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 were examined using Western blot analysis, RT‐PCR or microscopically observed immunofluorescence, and cell morphological changes were observed using HE staining, during the recovery process.Results:  Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 were not detectable in normal tracheal epithelium. After treatment with 5‐FU, the normally proliferating tracheal epithelium desquamated and only a few cells in G0 phase of the cell cycle were left on the basement membrane and Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2 could be observed at this time. Thereafter, the number of Oct3/4‐, Nanog‐ and Sox2‐positive cells increased gradually. When the cells differentiated into ciliate cells, mucous cells or basal cells, and restored pseudostratified mucociliary epithelium, the number of Oct3/4‐, Nanog‐ and Sox2‐positive cells decreased and gradually disappeared.Conclusions:  G0 phase cells with resistance to 5‐FU damage expressed Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2. This indicated that these cells were undifferentiated, but had the ability to terminally differentiate into downstream‐type cells. They possessed stem cell properties. The results are consistent with Oct3/4, Nanog and Sox2‐expressing cells being considered as tracheal stem cells.
Cardiovascular risk factors and collateral artery formation
Authors: De Groot D. , Pasterkamp G. , Hoefer I. E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractArterial lumen narrowing and vascular occlusion is the actual cause of morbidity and mortality in atherosclerotic disease. Collateral artery formation (arteriogenesis) refers to an active remodelling of non‐functional vascular anastomoses to functional collateral arteries, capable to bypass the site of obstruction and preserve the tissue that is jeopardized by ischaemia. Hemodynamic forces such as shear stress and wall stress play a pivotal role in collateral artery formation, accompanied by the expression of various cytokines and invasion of circulating leucocytes. Arteriogenesis hence represents an important compensatory mechanism for atherosclerotic vessel occlusion. As arteriogenesis mostly occurs when lumen narrowing by atherosclerotic plaques takes place, presence of cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes) is highly likely. Risk factors for atherosclerotic disease affect collateral artery growth directly and indirectly by altering hemodynamic forces or influencing cellular function and proliferation. Adequate collateralization varies significantly among atherosclerotic patients, some profit from the presence of extensive collateral networks, whereas others do not. Cardiovascular risk factors could increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events in certain patients because of the reduced protection through an alternative vascular network. Likewise, drugs primarily thought to control cardiovascular risk factors might contribute or counteract collateral artery growth. This review summarizes current knowledge on the influence of cardiovascular risk factors and the effects of cardiovascular medication on the development of collateral vessels in experimental and clinical studies.
Tracing energy flow in stream food webs using stable isotopes of hydrogen
Authors: FINLAY JACQUES C. , DOUCETT RICHARD R. , McNEELY CAMILLE 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. Use of the natural ratios of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes as tracers of trophic interactions has some clear advantages over alternative methods for food web analyses, yet is limited to situations where organic materials of interest have adequate isotopic separation between potential sources. This constrains the use of natural abundance stable isotope approaches to a subset of ecosystems with biogeochemical conditions favourable to source separation.2. Recent studies suggest that stable hydrogen isotopes (δD) could provide a robust tracer to distinguish contributions of aquatic and terrestrial production in food webs, but variation in δD of consumers and their organic food sources are poorly known. To explore the utility of the stable hydrogen isotope approach, we examined variation in δD in stream food webs in a forested catchment where variation in δ13C has been described previously.3. Although algal δD varied by taxa and, to a small degree, between sites, we found consistent and clear separation (by an average of 67‰) from terrestrial carbon sources. Environmental conditions known to affect algal δ13C, such as water velocity and stream productivity did not greatly influence algal δD, and there was no evidence of seasonal variation. In contrast, algal δ13C was strongly affected by environmental factors both within and across sites, was seasonally variable at all sites, and partially overlapped with terrestrial δ13C in all streams with catchment areas larger than 10 km2.4. While knowledge of isotopic exchange with water and trophic fractionation of δD for aquatic consumers is limited, consistent source separation in streams suggests that δD may provide a complementary food web tracer to δ13C in aquatic food webs. Lack of significant seasonal or spatial variation in δD is a distinct advantage over δ13C for applications in many aquatic ecosystems.
The relative importance of local conditions and regional processes in structuring aquatic plant communities
Authors: CAPERS ROBERT S. , SELSKY ROSLYN , BUGBEE GREGORY J. 
Published: October 2009

Summary1. The structure of biological communities reflects the influence of both local environmental conditions and processes such as dispersal that create patterns in species’ distribution across a region.2. We extend explicit tests of the relative importance of local environmental conditions and regional spatial processes to aquatic plants, a group traditionally thought to be little limited by dispersal. We used partial canonical correspondence analysis and partial Mantel tests to analyse data from 98 lakes and ponds across Connecticut (northeastern United States).3. We found that aquatic plant community structure reflects the influence of local conditions (pH, conductivity, water clarity, lake area, maximum depth) as well as regional processes.4. Only 27% of variation in a presence/absence matrix was explained by environmental conditions and spatial processes such as dispersal. Of the total explained, 45% was related to environmental conditions and 40% to spatial processes.5. Jaccard similarity declined with Euclidean distance between lakes, even after accounting for the increasing difference in environmental conditions, suggesting that dispersal limitation may influence community composition in the region.6. The distribution of distances among lakes where species occurred was associated with dispersal‐related functional traits, providing additional evidence that dispersal ability varies among species in ways that affect community composition.7. Although environmental and spatial variables explained a significant amount of variation in community structure, a substantial amount of stochasticity also affects these communities, probably associated with unpredictable colonisation and persistence of the plants.
Clonal relationships between thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor‐stimulating antibodies illustrate the effect of hypermutation on antibody function
Authors: Padoa Carolyn J. , Larsen Sanne L. , Hampe Christiane S. , Gilbert Jacqueline A. , Dagdan Elif , Hegedus Laszlo , Dunn‐Walters Deborah , Banga J. Paul 
Published: October 2009

SummaryGraves’ disease is characterized by production of agonist antibodies to the thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), but knowledge of the genetic and somatic events leading to their aberrant production is limited. We describe the genetic analysis of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with thyroid‐stimulating activity (TSAb) obtained from a single mouse with experimental Graves’ disease. The mAbs were class switched, but used the same rearrangement of immunoglobulin heavy chain, variable region (IGHV) and immunoglobulin light chain, variable region (IGLV) germline genes, implying a clonal relationship and derivation from a single precursor B‐cell clone. The IGHV‐region genes of the two mAbs underwent high degrees of somatic hypermutation by sharing numerous mutations before diverging, while the IGLV genes evolved separately. Interestingly, the mutations were present in both the complementarity‐determining regions (CDRs) and the framework regions. The cloned IGHV and IGLV genes were confirmed to have TSAb properties in experiments in which they were expressed as recombinant Fabs (rFabs). In other experiments, we swapped the IGLV genes with IGHV genes by constructing chimeric rFabs and showed that the chimeras retained TSAb activities, confirming the close functional relatedness of the V‐region genes. Importantly, the IGLV genes in chimeric rFabs had a dominant stimulatory effect at low concentrations, while the IGHV genes had a dominant effect at higher concentrations. Our findings demonstrate that, in experimentally immunized mice, multiple pathogenic antibodies to TSHR can arise from a single clone by a series of somatic mutations in the V‐region genes and may give an insight into how such antibodies develop spontaneously in autoimmune Graves’ disease.
Coping strategy use, personality, and adjustment of parents rearing children with developmental disabilities
Authors: Glidden L. M. , Natcher A. L. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Parents rearing children with developmental disabilities encounter stressors that require coping and adaptation. In Glidden et al. 2006, the use of problem‐focused coping strategies was more often associated with positive adjustment outcomes than was the use of emotion‐focused coping strategies, and parental personality was shown to influence outcomes, with Neuroticism, in particular, associated with lower well‐being.Method  In the current study we aimed to replicate these results for adjustment outcomes measured 6 years later. Sixty‐eight married couples parenting at least one child with developmental disabilities completed measures of depression and subjective well‐being, and the Transition Daily Rewards and Worries Questionnaire, an inventory that assesses parental reaction to children transitioning into adulthood.Results  For both mothers and fathers, combinations of personality factors and coping strategies were able to significantly predict outcome variables measured 6 years later. Personality, however, was a better predictor for mothers, whereas coping strategies predicted more variance for fathers. Distancing, especially, demonstrated mother–father differences.Conclusions  For the most part, the current results demonstrated that the relations among personality, coping and parental outcomes were consistent and stable over the 6‐year interval. In addition, although we found some differences between mothers and fathers, there were also many similarities in the frequency of use of different coping strategies, and in the direction of influence of personality and coping strategy on outcome variables.
Vitamin D status and optimal supplementation in institutionalized adults with intellectual disability
Authors: Kilpinen‐Loisa P. , Arvio M. , Ilvesmäki V. , Mäkitie O. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground  Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have several risk factors for osteoporosis. Feeding problems with consequent nutritive deficiencies, and lack of sunshine exposure may lead to vitamin D deficiency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate vitamin D status in adults with ID living in nursing homes and to compare two different means to administer vitamin D in adults with ID.Methods  The study included 138 adults (95 males and 43 females) with ID living in nursing homes of Pääjärvi Inter‐Municipal Association. Clinical data on the etiology and severity of ID, other illnesses, medications, anthropometry and fractures during the preceding 5 years were collected from medical records. The participants were alternately allocated to receive vitamin D3 either per orally 800 IU daily for 6 months (PO group, n = 72) or as a single intramuscular injection of 150 000 IU (IM group, n = 66). Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 6 months for parameters of calcium homeostasis, including serum concentrations of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (S‐25‐OHD) and parathyroid hormone (P‐PTH).Results  At baseline, the mean S‐25‐OHD was low, 40 nmol/L in the PO group and 41 nmol/L in the IM group. The low vitamin D levels were associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism in 17%. At 6 months the mean S‐25‐OHD was 82 nmol/L in the PO group (P < 0.001 for the difference from baseline) and 62 nmol/L in the IM group (P < 0.001). P‐PTH decreased in both groups: from 51 ng/L to 33 ng/L in the PO group (P < 0.001) and from 54 ng/L to 34 ng/L in the IM group (P < 0.001). With daily dosing (800 IU/day) the recommended level (>80 nmol/L) was attained in 42%, but with intramuscular dose only in 12%. S‐25‐OHD was >100 nmol/L in 14 participants in the PO group and in one participant in the IM group; these high values were associated with hypercalcemia in two and hyperphosphatemia in six participants. Participants with S‐25‐OHD >100 nmol/L at 6 months were lighter (51.9 kg vs. 67.5 kg, P = 0.002) and had smaller body mass index than participants with lower S‐25‐OHD (20.5 kg/m2 and 24.4 kg/m2, P = 0.017).Conclusions  Vitamin D insufficiency was common in adults with ID living in nursing homes. Both oral and intramuscular administrations of vitamin D3 improved vitamin D status without adverse effects. The treatment response at 6 months was better in the PO group. High‐dose intramuscular vitamin D3 injections may be a convenient way to maintain sufficient vitamin D status in adults with ID but further studies are needed to establish the optimal dose and interval as well as subsequent potential health benefits in these patients. Based on this study, vitamin D supplementation with per oral 800 IU/day is recommended to all adults with ID living in nursing homes.
Fungi associated with the fir bark beetle Cryphalus piceae in Poland
Authors: Jankowiak R. , Kolařík M. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryThe aim of this study was to identify fungi associated with Cryphalus piceae on European silver fir (Abies alba) in Poland and to test the pathogenicity of selected isolates. Fungi were isolated from five populations of overwintered adults and their galleries. A great diversity of taxa was associated with C. piceae. In total, 2487 isolates, including 58 species distributed in 25 genera, were obtained. The two most frequently isolated fungi, an undescribed species of the genus Geosmithia and Ophiostoma piceae, appeared to be specifically associated with C. piceae, whereas Pesotum fragrans, Pesotum sp. and Sporothrix sp. were sporadically associated. Two‐year‐old seedlings of silver fir were wound‐inoculated with three species of fungi (Geosmithia sp., O. piceae and Pesotum sp.) recovered from C. piceae. Only Pesotum sp. showed pathogenic ability, but we do not consider it to be an important pathogen of A. alba.
Distribution, ecology and host range of Armillaria species in Albania
Authors: Lushaj B. M. , Woodward S. , Keča N. , Intini M. 
Published: October 2009

SummarySpecies of Armillaria were identified from 645 isolates obtained in a nation‐wide survey in Albania. The material was collected from ca. 250 permanent plots, established for monitoring forest health, and from forests and orchards attacked by Armillaria. Armillaria mellea s.s. occurred on several coniferous and broadleaved trees in most areas examined, although it was absent above 1100–1200 m in northern Albania. This species damaged Abies and Quercus spp. and, to a lesser extent, other forest trees. Armillaria mellea was also commonly recorded causing damage in orchards and vineyards. Armillaria gallica was a common saprophyte or weak pathogen in coniferous and deciduous forests at altitudes from 600 to 1600 m, and less commonly on oaks at lower altitudes. Armillaria ostoyae was rare in central and southern Albania, but common in northern Albania, causing significant damage to pine and other conifers, mostly at altitudes from 600 to 1800 m. Armillaria cepistipes was recorded at altitudes from 800 to 1800 m as a saprophyte or weak pathogen on conifers and deciduous trees, mostly in beech and silver fir forests. Armillaria tabescens was found in oak forests at altitudes from sea level to 900 m. In orchards, A. tabescens occasionally attacked almond and pear trees. Armillaria borealis was found in a few locations in northern Albania, at altitudes from 800 to 1800 m.
Culture of Bovine Embryos in Polyester Mesh Sections: The Effect of Pore Size and Oxygen Tension on In Vitro Development
Authors: Somfai T , Inaba Y , Aikawa Y , Ohtake M , Kobayashi S , Akai T , Hattori H , Konishi K , Imai K 
Published: October 2009

ContentsThe purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of polyester mesh culture for the in vitro production of bovine embryos, as polyester mesh is an alternative way for tracking individual embryos throughout culture using time‐lapse cinematography (TLC). Bovine embryos were isolated during in vitro culture using sections of three different polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh products. In vitro matured and fertilized bovine oocytes were cultured in the 217 × 217, 230 × 230 or 238 × 238‐μm openings of PET mesh sections or in simple micro‐drops (control) for 7 days under either 20% or 5% O2 tensions. No difference in embryo developmental rates was found between the culture groups in terms of cleavage, blastocyst formation and blastocyst expansion irrespective of O2 tension. In contrast, under 20% O2 tension, blastocysts that developed in PET mesh with 217 × 217‐μm opening had significantly higher numbers of total and trophectoderm (TE) cells than control embryos; however, the numbers and proportions of inner cell mass (ICM) cells did not differ. Under 5% O2 tension, no difference was found among the culture groups in the numbers of total, ICM and TE cells in embryos. All three PET mesh products investigated in this study were proven to be effective to prevent embryo movement. The results demonstrate that bovine embryos can be cultured in PET mesh sections without negative side‐effects and suggest that embryo distance determined by the mesh affects embryo quality at atmospheric oxygen tension. Polyethylene terephthalate mesh with 217 × 217‐μm openings was found to be the most suitable for further application in TLC.
Cash flow disaggregation and the prediction of future earnings
Authors: Arthur Neal , Cheng Marco , Czernkowski Robert 
Published: October 2009

AbstractWe examine the incremental information content of the components of cash flows from operations (CFO). Specifically the research question examined in this paper is whether models incorporating components of CFO to predict future earnings provide lower prediction errors than models incorporating simply net CFO. We use Australian data in this setting as all companies were required to provide information using the direct method during the sample period. We find that the cash flow components model is superior to an aggregate cash flow model in terms of explanatory power and predictive ability for future earnings; and that disclosure of non‐core (core) cash flows components is (not) useful in both respects. Our results are of relevance to investors and analysts in estimating earnings forecasts, managers of firms in regulators’ domains where choice is provided with respect to the disclosure of CFO and also to regulators’ deliberations on disclosure requirements and recommendations.