bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is symptom relief associated with reduction in gastric retention after gastric electrical stimulation treatment in patients with gastroparesis? A sensitivity analysis with logistic regression models
Authors: Hou Q. , Lin Z. , Mayo M. S. , Sarosiek I. , Gajewski B. J. , McCallum R. W. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground  Enterra gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is an alternative treatment for gastroparesis (GP) when standard medical therapy fails. The aims of this study were to evaluate the association between total symptom score (TSS) and reduction in gastric retention (GR) after GES by GP etiology and to examine the sensitivity of the association to varying cutpoints used to define GR and TSS improvement.Methods  Gastric retention assessed with a standardized 99mTc radio‐labeled egg meal and TSS measured by a five‐point Likert scale in 221 GP patients treated with Enterra GES therapy for at least 1 year were analyzed. Bivariate chi‐square test and multivariable logistic regression with all possible cutpoints were used to assess the consistency of association and quantitate the relationship across three GP etiologies.Key Results  Symptom relief in diabetic GP was more likely attributable to GR reduction as indicated by the consistently significant odds ratios (P < 0.01) across all cutpoints. The association in idiopathic GP was inconclusive because odds ratios were sensitive to cutpoints with P‐values ranging from 0.01 to 0.47. No association was found for patients with post surgical gastroparesis (P > 0.1 for all cutpoints). Patient age, gender, baseline TSS and baseline GR had no significant effect at 5% level on clinical improvement regardless of cutpoints for GR.Conclusions & Inferences  Association between clinical improvements and GR reduction following GES treatment depends on patient etiology and was able to be demonstrated in diabetic GP. The association for idiopathic GP was inconclusive and no such association was found for post surgical GP across all possible cutpoint combinations.
Metabolic profiling reveals metabolic shifts in Arabidopsis plants grown under different light conditions
Authors: JÄNKÄNPÄÄ HANNA JOHANSSON , MISHRA YOGESH , SCHRÖDER WOLFGANG P. , JANSSON STEFAN 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTPlants have tremendous capacity to adjust their morphology, physiology and metabolism in response to changes in growing conditions. Thus, analysis solely of plants grown under constant conditions may give partial or misleading indications of their responses to the fluctuating natural conditions in which they evolved. To obtain data on growth condition‐dependent differences in metabolite levels, we compared leaf metabolite profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana growing under three constant laboratory light conditions: 30 [low light (LL)], 300 [normal light (NL)] and 600 [high light (HL)]µmol photons m−2 s−1. We also shifted plants to the field and followed their metabolite composition for 3 d. Numerous compounds showed light intensity‐dependent accumulation, including: many sugars and sugar derivatives (fructose, sucrose, glucose, galactose and raffinose); tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates; and amino acids (ca. 30% of which were more abundant under HL and 60% under LL). However, the patterns differed after shifting NL plants to field conditions. Levels of most identified metabolites (mainly amino acids, sugars and TCA cycle intermediates) rose after 2 h and peaked after 73 h, indicative of a ‘biphasic response’ and ‘circadian’ effects. The results provide new insight into metabolomic level mechanisms of plant acclimation, and highlight the role of known protectants under natural conditions.
Ex‐vivo expanded baboon CD4+ CD25Hi Treg cells suppress baboon anti‐pig T and B cell immune response
Authors: Singh Avneesh K. , Seavey Caleb N. , Horvath Keith A. , Mohiuddin Muhammad M. 
Published: April 2012

Singh AK, Seavey CN, Horvath KA, Mohiuddin MM. Ex‐vivo expanded baboon CD4+ CD25Hi Treg cells suppress baboon anti‐pig T and B cell immune response. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 102–111. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Abstract: Background:  CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in regulating immune responses. A very small number of Treg cells are present in peripheral blood and lymphoid organs, but due to their ability to suppress the immune response, they have a high potential for immunotherapy in clinics. Successful ex‐vivo expansion of naturally occurring CD4+ CD25+ T cells has been achieved after TCR stimulation in the presence of T cell growth factors. In this study, we evaluated the role of these Treg cells in suppressing proliferative response of baboon T and B cells to pig xenoantigens.Methods:  Naturally occurring baboon CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells (nTreg) were sorted from peripheral blood and expanded in the presence of either anti‐CD3/CD28 beads or irradiated pig peripheral blood mononuclear cells with IL‐2. Treg cells were also enriched directly from CD4+ T cells cultured in the presence of rapamycin (0.1–10 nm). Mixed lymphocyte culture and polyclonal B cell stimulation with ex‐vivo Treg cells were performed to assess the function of ex‐vivo expanded Treg cells.Results:  The nTreg cells were expanded to more than 200‐fold in 4 weeks and retained all the nTreg cell phenotypic characteristics, including high levels of FoxP3 expression. 2‐fold increase in enrichment of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Treg cells from CD4+ cells was observed with rapamycin compared to cultures without rapamycin. The ex‐vivo expanded Treg cells obtained from both methods were able to suppress the baboon anti‐porcine xenogeneic T and B cell immune response in‐vitro efficiently (more than 90% suppression at 1 : 1 ratio of T regulatory cells: T effector cells), and their suppression potential was retained even at 1 : 256 ratio. However, freshly isolated nTreg cells had only 70% suppression at 1 : 1 ratio, and their suppressive ability was reduced to ≤50% at 1 : 16 ratio. Furthermore, we have found that ex‐vivo expanded Treg can also suppress the proliferation of B cells after polyclonal stimulation. Forty to 50 percent reduction in B cell proliferation was observed when ex‐vivo expanded Treg cells were added to the culture at a 1 : 1 ratio. The addition of CD4+ CD25Neg cells however induced vigorous proliferation.Conclusion:  Ex‐vivo expanded CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ Treg cells can be used to efficiently suppress xenogeneic immune responses by inhibiting T and B cell proliferation. These ex‐vivo expanded Treg cells may also be used with other immunosuppressive agents to overcome xenograft rejection in preclinical xenotransplantation models.
Prospective randomized controlled trial to compare the effects of omeprazole and famotidine in preventing delayed bleeding and promoting ulcer healing after endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Tomita Toshihiko , Kim Yongmin , Yamasaki Takahisa , Okugawa Takuya , Kondo Takashi , Toyoshima Fumihiko , Sakurai Jun , Tanaka Junji , Morita Tsuyoshi , Oshima Tadayuki , Fukui Hirokazu , Hori Kazutoshi , Watari Jiro , Matsumoto Takayuki , Miwa Hiroto 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aims:  Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are generally used to prevent delayed bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and to heal the artificial ulcers. However, it remains controversial whether PPIs or histamine‐2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) are more effective in preventing delayed bleeding after ESD. We prospectively compared the effects of omeprazole and famotidine in preventing delayed bleeding and promoting artificial ulcer healing after ESD.Methods:  A total of 158 patients (155 early gastric cancers and three adenomas) were randomly assigned to the PPI group (omeprazole 20 mg/day) or H2RA group (famotidine 40 mg/day) in a prospective randomized controlled trial. The primary end point was the incidence of hematemesis, melena, and/or a decrease in hemoglobin level of 2 g/dL or more requiring endoscopic hemostatic treatment. ESD‐induced ulcer healing and changes in ulcer size were also compared at 6 weeks after ESD as a secondary end point.Results:  Of the 158 patients, two were excluded from analysis because they had been treated with a PPI before the present study. Accordingly, data from 77 PPI and 79 H2RA subjects were included for analysis. Delayed bleeding after ESD occurred in 6.5% of subjects (PPI group) and in 6.3% (H2RA group); there was no significant difference between the two groups. Likewise, the two groups were not significantly different with respect to ulcer stage or ulcer size reduction rate.Conclusions:  Proton pump inhibitors are not superior to H2RAs for the prevention of delayed bleeding or the healing of artificially induced ulcers after ESD.
Molecular cloning reveals nearly half of patients with Crohn's disease have an antibody to peroxiredoxin 6‐like protein
Authors: Iizuka Masahiro , Nakagomi Osamu , Nanjo Hiroshi , Chiba Mitsuro , Fukushima Tsuneo , Sugita Akira , Sagara Shiho , Horie Yasuo , Watanabe Sumio 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown etiology. We aimed to identify the etiological agent of CD using a molecular cloning strategy that was particularly focused on identifying agents causing immune abnormalities and infectious agents.Methods:  We constructed a cDNA library derived from the inflamed intestinal tissue of a CD patient, and screened 1.5 million clones in this library with the serum from another typical CD patient. The expressed cDNA clones that positively reacted with the serum were then expressed as fusion proteins with glutathione S‐transferase, and western blotting was performed using the sera of 22 CD, 13 ulcerative colitis (UC), and 16 non‐IBD patients.Results:  We identified nine positive clones that did not contain any viral or bacterial genomic DNA. Of these, we selected one clone (clone 50) with which the typical CD patient's serum most strongly reacted. Clone 50 is highly homologous to the antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin 6. In western blotting, the sera of 47.6% CD patients (small intestine type 80%, large and small intestine type 43%, large intestine type 0%) showed strong reactivity to clone 50, none of the UC patients were reactive to clone 50, and 18.8% of non‐IBD patients were very weakly reactive to it. We also found that the expression of peroxiredoxin 6 was significantly increased in inflamed intestinal epithelia of CD.Conclusion:  The present study first showed that some CD patients have an antibody against peroxiredoxin 6‐like protein, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of CD.
Selecting a prognostic renal surrogate for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization
Authors: Lee Yun‐Hsuan , Hsu Chia‐Yang , Huang Yi‐Hsiang , Su Chien‐Wei , Lin Han‐Chieh , Lee Rheun‐Chuan , Chiou Yi‐You , Huo Teh‐Ia , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: April 2012

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Renal insufficiency (RI) often coexists with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and predicts a poor outcome in patients receiving transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). The modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) and chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD‐EPI) equations are used to provide estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). This study aimed to determine a prognsotic renal surrogate for outcome prediction in HCC patients receiving TACE.Methods:  A total of 684 patients with HCC undergoing TACE were retrospectively analyzed. The prognostic ability between the MDRD and CKD‐EPI equation was compared by the Akaike information criterion (AIC).Results:  Patients were categorized by eGFR into > 60, 30–60 and < 30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (equivalent to CKD stages 1–2, 3, and 4–5, respectively) groups. The eGFR generated by the MDRD equation had a better predictive accuracy by having a lower AIC score (3234.5) compared to the CKD‐EPI equation (3236.7). The adjusted risk ratio for patients with eGFR 30–60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 by the MDRD was 1.313 (P = 0.041) compared with patients with eGFR > 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 in the multivariate Cox model. The eGFR defined by the MDRD equation consistently had better prognostic ability when patients were stratified by the Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh score of 5 and > 5 and Cancer of the Liver Italian Program score 0 to 1 and > 1.Conclusions:  The eGFR according the MDRD equation may provide better prognostic accuracy than the CKD‐EPI equation independent of liver functional reserve and tumor staging, and is a more feasible renal surrogate for outcome prediction in CKD stage 1–3 HCC patients receiving TACE.
Assessing sub‐seafloor microbial activity by combined stable isotope probing with deuterated water and 13C‐bicarbonate
Authors: Wegener Gunter , Bausch Marlene , Holler Thomas , Thang Nguyen Manh , Prieto Mollar Xavier , Kellermann Matthias Y. , Hinrichs Kai‐Uwe , Boetius Antje 
Published: April 2012

SummarySub‐seafloor sediments are populated by large numbers of microbial cells but not much is known about their metabolic activities, growth rates and carbon assimilation pathways. Here we introduce a new method enabling the sensitive detection of microbial lipid production and the distinction of auto‐ and heterotrophic carbon assimilation. Application of this approach to anoxic sediments from a Swedish fjord allowed to compare the activity of different functional groups, the growth and turnover times of the bacterial and archaeal communities. The assay involves dual stable isotope probing (SIP) with deuterated water (D2O) and 13CDIC (dissolved inorganic carbon). Culture experiments confirmed that the D content in newly synthesized lipids is in equilibrium with the D content in labelled water, independent of whether the culture grew hetero‐ or autotrophically. The ratio of 13CDIC to D2O incorporation enables distinction between these two carbon pathways in studies of microbial cultures and in environmental communities. Furthermore, D2O‐SIP is sufficiently sensitive to detect the formation of few hundred cells per day in a gram of sediment. In anoxic sediments from a Swedish fjord, we found that > 99% of newly formed lipids were attributed to predominantly heterotrophic bacteria. The production rate of bacterial lipids was highest in the top 5 cm and decreased 60‐fold below this depth while the production rate of archaeal lipids was rather low throughout the top meter of seabed. The contrasting patterns in the rates of archaeal and bacterial lipid formation indicate that the factors controlling the presence of these two lipid groups must differ fundamentally.
Electing a candidate: a speculative history of the bacterial phylum OP10
Authors: Dunfield Peter F. , Tamas Ivica , Lee Kevin C. , Morgan Xochitl C. , McDonald Ian R. , Stott Matthew B. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryIn 1998, a cultivation‐independent survey of the microbial community in Obsidian Pool, Yellowstone National Park, detected 12 new phyla within the Domain Bacteria. These were dubbed ‘candidate divisions’ OP1 to OP12. Since that time the OP10 candidate division has been commonly detected in various environments, usually as part of the rare biosphere, but occasionally as a predominant community component. Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, OP10 comprises at least 12 class‐level subdivisions. However, despite this broad ecological and evolutionary diversity, all OP10 bacteria have eluded cultivation until recently. In 2011, two reference species of OP10 were taxonomically validated, removing the phylum from its ‘candidate’ status. Construction of a highly resolved phylogeny based on 29 universally conserved genes verifies its standing as a unique bacterial phylum. In the following paper we summarize what is known and what is suspected about the newest described bacterial phylum, the Armatimonadetes.
Androgen deprivation therapy for volume reduction, lower urinary tract symptom relief and quality of life improvement in patients with prostate cancer: degarelix vs goserelin plus bicalutamide
Authors: Axcrona Karol , Aaltomaa Sirpa , da Silva Carlos Martins , Özen Haluk , Damber Jan‐Erik , Tankó László B. , Colli Enrico , Klarskov Peter 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)Level of Evidence 1bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is commonly used as a primary treatment for patients with prostate cancer (PCa) who are not eligible for radical treatment options. ADT is also used in patients with PCa as neo‐adjuvant hormone therapy to reduce prostate volume and down‐stage the disease before radiotherapy with curative intent.The present study showed that ADT with the gonadotropin hormone‐releasing hormone (GhRH) antagonist degarelix is non‐inferior to combined treatment with the LHRH agonist goserelin and bicalutamide in terms of reducing prostate volume during the treatment period of 3 months. Degarelix treatment evokes, however, significantly better relief of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients having moderate and severe voiding problems.OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of monthly degarelix treatment for reduction of total prostate volume (TPV), relief of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and improvement of quality of life (QoL) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) using monthly goserelin as active control.
METHODS
This was a randomized, parallel‐arm, active‐controlled, open‐label, multicentre trial on 182 patients treated with either monthly degarelix (240/80 mg) or goserelin (3.6 mg) for 12 weeks.
For flare protection, goserelin‐treated patients also received daily bicalutamide (50 mg) during the initial 28 days.
Key trial variables monitored monthly were TPV (primary endpoint), serum testosterone, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Benign Prostate Hyperplasia Impact Index.
RESULTS
In all, 175 patients completed the trial (96.1%).
At week 12, changes in TPV for degarelix and goserelin were similar (−37.2% vs −39.0%) and met the predefined non‐inferiority criterion.
Decreases in IPSS were greater in degarelix than in goserelin‐treated patients, differences being statistically significant in patients with baseline IPSS > 13 (−6.7 ± 1.8 vs −4.0 ± 1.0; P= 0.02).
The number of patients with an IPSS change of ≥3 over baseline was also significantly higher in patients treated with degarelix (61.0 vs 44.3%, P= 0.02).
Both treatments were safe and well tolerated.
CONCLUSIONS
Medical castration reduces TPV and could also improve LUTS in patients with PCa.
While the short‐term efficacy of degarelix and goserelin + bicalutamide was the same in terms of TPV reduction, degarelix showed superiority in LUTS relief in symptomatic patients, which could highlight the different actions of these drugs on extrapituitary gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors in the bladder and/or the prostate.
Patient‐reported quality of life during radiation treatment for localized prostate cancer: results from a prospective phase II trial
Authors: Chen Ronald C. , Zhang Yuanye , Chen Ming‐Hui , McMahon Elizabeth , Loffredo Marian , McPherson Carol P. , Nguyen Angela U. , Nguyen Paul L. , D'Amico Anthony V. 
Published: April 2012

Study Type – Therapy (cohort)Level of Evidence 2aWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?Patient‐reported quality of life (QoL) in prostate cancer is recognized as an important outcome, and has been shown in multiple studies to capture the incidence and timing of patient symptoms more accurately than physician‐graded toxicity reports. Although the long‐term QoL after completing radiation therapy (RT) has been previously studied, patient experience during RT is not well described in the literature.The present study collected patient‐reported QoL during RT in a prospective phase II clinical trial. The study describes in detail the time course and severity of gastrointestinal and genitourinary symptoms during radiation, providing clinically useful information for patients and physicians considering RT during the treatment decision‐making process.OBJECTIVE
To evaluate data collected from a phase II trial to describe the time course and trajectory of patient‐reported acute urinary and bowel symptom development during radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
In all, 100 patients with intermediate‐ or high‐risk prostate cancer received 72 Gy of RT to the prostate and seminal vesicles, with 6 months of concurrent androgen deprivation therapy; a rectal balloon was used for prostate immobilization.
Patients completed the validated Prostate Cancer Symptom Indices questionnaire every 1–2 weeks, reporting urinary and bowel symptoms on a four‐ or five‐point Likert scale.
A score of ≥3 in a symptom is associated with clinically meaningful distress. Cumulative incidence of each symptom is reported. Bonferroni corrections of P values were used to adjust for multiple comparisons.
RESULTS
Urinary symptoms were frequent at baseline and worsened during treatment. By the end of RT, 28–50% of patients developed clinically meaningful obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms.
Acute bowel symptoms were less frequent. Each bowel symptom increased in frequency by 9–26% from baseline to end of RT.
Urinary incontinence was rare.
Overall, symptom burden at the end of treatment was modest.
CONCLUSIONS
Urinary symptoms were common during RT, and bowel symptoms were less frequent.
These results inform patients and physicians during the decision‐making process about potential patient quality of life experiences during RT, and also provide a benchmark for comparative effectiveness studies against newer treatments and technologies.