bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustained virological response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin is maintained during long‐term follow‐up of chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: GIANNINI E. G. , BASSO M. , SAVARINO V. , PICCIOTTO A. 
Published: November 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 502–508SummaryBackground  There are few data in the literature regarding the long‐term virological follow‐up of chronic hepatitis C patients who obtain sustained virological response (SVR) to pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin therapy.Aim  To assess the durability of SVR to PEG‐IFN and ribavirin therapy during long‐term follow‐up of chronic hepatitis C patients.Methods  We evaluated a cohort of 231 chronic hepatitis C patients who had at least 48 weeks of follow‐up after SVR to PEG‐IFN and ribavirin treatment. Median duration of follow‐up after SVR was 164 weeks, and exceeded 5 years in 30% of the cohort. Patients underwent consistent clinical, biochemical and virological evaluations every 6 months during follow‐up.Results  Sustained virological response was maintained in 211 patients (91%) while HCV‐RNA became positive in two patients (<1%) within 1 year after SVR, and in 18 patients (8%) serum HCV‐RNA was transiently positive in at least one follow‐up evaluation. Clinical outcome was not significantly different between patients with persistently negative and transiently positive serum HCV‐RNA.Conclusions  Sustained virological response to PEG‐IFN and ribavirin is maintained in 99% of patients during long‐term follow‐up. Late virological relapse occurred within 1 year after SVR and, from a clinical perspective, patients can be considered cured of infection after this period.
Pharmacokinetic profile of immediate‐release omeprazole in patients with gastro‐oesophageal reflux associated with gastroparesis
Authors: WO J. M. , EVERSMANN J. , MANN S. 
Published: November 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 516–522SummaryBackground  Immediate‐release omeprazole has a more rapid absorption compared with delayed‐release omeprazole in asymptomatic volunteers. However, effects of delayed gastric emptying on omeprazole absorption remain unknown.Aim  To compare pharmacokinetics between immediate and delayed‐release omeprazole in patients with GERD associated with gastroparesis.Methods  Open‐label, randomized, cross‐over study was performed. Antireflux and prokinetic medications were discontinued. Subjects were randomized into: (i) Immediate‐release omeprazole 40 mg suspension o.m. for 7 days, wash‐out for 10–14 days, followed by delayed‐release omeprazole 40 mg capsule o.m. for 7 days, or (ii) the same schedule in reverse order. On day 7, omeprazole concentrations were obtained before and up to 5 h after taking the study drug. Patient Assessment of GI Disorders–Symptom Severity Index was obtained.Results  A total of 12 women (mean age 51 years) completed the protocol. Time to maximal omeprazole concentration was significantly shorter for omeprazole. Maximal concentration was significantly greater for omeprazole, but total area under concentration–time curves was similar. Pharmacokinetic profile was less variable for immediate compared with delayed‐release omeprazole.Conclusions  Immediate‐release omeprazole was associated with a more rapid absorption and less variable pharmacokinetic profile compared with delayed‐release omeprazole in reflux patients associated with gastroparesis.
Meta‐analysis: pre‐operative infliximab treatment and short‐term post‐operative complications in patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: YANG Z. , WU Q. , WU K. , FAN D. 
Published: November 2009

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 486–492SummaryBackground  Infliximab was approved for use in ulcerative colitis in recent years. It has been debated if infliximab increases the risk of post‐operative complications in patients with ulcerative colitis.Aim  To perform a meta‐analysis that examines the relationship between preoperative infliximab treatment and short‐term post‐operative complications in patients with ulcerative colitis.Methods  We searched the PubMed and MEDLINE databases to identify observational studies on the impact of pre‐operative infliximab use on short‐term post‐operative complications in ulcerative colitis. Infectious complications mainly included wound infection, sepsis and abscess, whereas non‐infectious complications included intestinal obstruction, thromboembolism and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each relationship.Results  A total of 5 studies and 706 patients were included in our meta‐analysis. Overall, we did not find a strong association between pre‐operative treatment of infliximab and short‐term infectious [OR 2.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–7.95] or non‐infectious (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.50–1.45) post‐operative complications in ulcerative colitis patients. On the contrary, we discovered that pre‐operative infliximab use increased short‐term total post‐operative complications (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.12–2.87).Conclusions  Pre‐operative infliximab use increased the risk of short‐term post‐operative complications. Subgroup analysis is underpowered to assess the nature of these complications but shows a trend towards increased post‐operative infection.
Targeted therapy of spinal cord glioma with a genetically modified Salmonella typhimurium
Authors: Kimura H. , Zhang L. , Zhao M. , Hayashi K. , Tsuchiya H. , Tomita K. , Bouvet M. , Wessels J. , Hoffman R. M. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractObjective:  Spinal cord tumours are highly malignant and often lead to paralysis and death due to their infiltrative nature, high recurrence rate and limited treatment options. In this study, we measured antitumour efficacy of the Salmonella typhimurium A1‐R tumour‐targeting bacterium strain, administered systemically or intrathecally, to spinal cord cancer in orthotopic mouse models.Materials and methods:  Tumour fragments of U87‐RFP were implanted by surgical orthotopic implantation into the dorsal site of the spinal cord. Five and 10 days after transplantation, eight mice in each group were treated with A1‐R (2 × 107 CFU/200 μL i.v. injection or 2 × 106 CFU/10 μL intrathecal injection).Results:  Untreated mice showed progressive paralysis beginning at day 6 after tumour transplantation and developed complete paralysis between 18 and 25 days. Mice treated i.v. with A1‐R had onset of paralysis at approximately 11 days and at 30 days; five mice developed complete paralysis, while the other three mice had partial paralysis. Mice treated by intrathecal injection of A1‐R had onset of paralysis at approximately 18 days and one mouse was still not paralysed at day 30. Only one mouse developed complete paralysis at day 30 in this group. Intrathecally treated animals had a significantly better survival than the i.v. treated group as well as over the control group.Conclusions:  These results suggest that S. typhimurium A1‐R monotherapy can effectively treat spinal cord glioma.
Schnitzler’s syndrome with prominent neutrophil infiltration misdiagnosed as Sweet’s syndrome: a typical example of urticarial neutrophilic dermatosis
Authors: Asahina A. , Sakurai N. , Suzuki Y. , Narushima K. 
Published: November 2009

SummarySchnitzler’s syndrome is a rare disorder of unknown aetiology characterized by a chronic urticarial eruption, intermittent fever and monoclonal gammopathy. We encountered an interesting patient with this syndrome, who had been misdiagnosed for 10 years as having Sweet’s syndrome because of the histopathological picture, which was a prominent perivascular and interstitial neutrophilic infiltrate in the dermis with leucocytoclasia but without vasculitis. An urticarial eruption with this histopathological feature has recently been categorized as neutrophilic urticarial dermatosis, and it is strongly indicative of an associated systemic disease, mainly Schnitzler’s syndrome and other inflammatory diseases. We therefore need to be cautious not to confuse Schnitzler’s syndrome with Sweet’s syndrome. Further, the serum interleukin (IL)-6 levels, but not those of other cytokines and chemokines, correlated with the disease activity in our patient, suggesting that IL-6 may be involved in some of the disease processes, including neutrophil infiltration.
Competition between isoetids and invading elodeids at different concentrations of aquatic carbon dioxide
Authors: SPIERENBURG P. , LUCASSEN E.C.H.E.T. , LOTTER A.F. , ROELOFS J.G.M. 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. The growth of submerged macrophytes in softwater lakes is often assumed to be carbon limited. Isoetid species are well adapted to grow at low carbon availability and therefore commonly dominate the submerged macrophyte vegetation in softwater lakes. In many such lakes, however, large‐scale invasions of fast‐growing elodeid species, replacing the isoetid vegetation, have been observed.2. In a laboratory experiment, we tested how rising aquatic carbon availability, in interaction with different densities of the isoetid Littorella uniflora, affected the growth (and thereby the potential invasion success) of the elodeid Myriophyllum alterniflorum. For this purpose, the growth of M. alterniflorum was determined at a combination of three concentrations of dissolved CO2 (15, 90, 200 μmol L−1) and three densities of L. uniflora (0, 553, 1775 plants m−2).3. At an ambient CO2 of 15 μmol L−1, M. alterniflorum could not sustain itself, whereas at raised CO2 concentrations, growth became positive and increased with higher CO2 availability.4. The presence of L. uniflora, independent of its density, reduced the growth of M. alterniflorum by 50%. Whether this is related to nutrient availability or other factors is not clear.5. Despite the growth reduction of M. alterniflorum by L. uniflora, at CO2 ≥90 μmol L−1, L. uniflora was still overgrown by M. alterniflorum. This may imply that, in field situations, M. alterniflorum can invade softwater systems with relatively high CO2 availability, even in the presence of dense stands of L. uniflora.
Changes in soil pH across England and Wales in response to decreased acid deposition
Authors: KIRK GUY J.D. , BELLAMY PAT H. , LARK R. MURRAY 
Published: November 2009

AbstractAnalysis of data from the National Soil Inventory of England and Wales obtained between 1978 and 2003 shows widespread increases in soil pH – i.e., soils became less acid – across both countries during the survey period. In general, soil pH increased under all land uses. At least part of the increase and its regional variation could be explained by decreased sulphur deposition from the atmosphere. Changes in liming practices on arable land probably also contributed. The effect of decreased sulphur deposition was moderated by land use, soil properties – particularly soil pH and organic carbon content – and the level of past sulphur deposition.
The ecological engineering impact of a single tree species on the soil microbial community
Authors: Mitchell Ruth J. , Campbell Colin D. , Chapman Stephen J. , Cameron Clare M. 
Published: November 2009

Summary1. Ecosystem engineering by a single species can have a cascading effect on many ecosystem processes. While the impact of above‐ground ecological engineers on soil chemical properties has been studied, few studies have assessed their impact on the soil microbial community, which is largely responsible for many ecosystem functions.2. Utilizing a long‐term experiment where birch was planted on heather moorland 20 years ago, the engineering impact of a single tree species (Betula pubescens) on the soil microbial community was assessed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and fungal polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE). Changes in the soil microbial community were then related to soil chemical and physical variables and tree performance variables.3. Under birch, total microbial biomass (total PLFA) declined, species richness increased and the ratio of fungal : bacterial PLFA declined. The fungal PLFA marker increased with increasing organic matter and depth of the LFH and O soil horizons, characteristics associated with moorland soils. Bacterial PLFAs increased with increasing birch canopy cover. The fungal community of the birch plots was different from that in the heather plots and changes in the fungal community composition were related to the size of the birch trees in the plots.4. Changes in the soil microbial community were also related to changes in mineralizable N. Mineralizable N was correlated with both decreasing total soil microbial biomass and decreasing fungal : bacterial ratio.5. The durability of the engineering effects of birch was studied in a second experiment. Plots were established in first‐generation birch woodland that had developed onCalluna‐dominated moorland. The plots were cleared of birch and planted with heather. After 20 years, there was no difference in the community composition of the PLFAs. In contrast, there were significant differences in the fungal community composition as judged by DGGE analysis, with the fungal community in the felled birch plots being similar to the heather moorland.6. Synthesis. This work demonstrates that addition of a single tree species to heather moorland results in changes in below‐ground soil microbial communities and in nutrient cycling.
Risk factors for end‐stage renal disease in a community‐based population: 26‐year follow‐up of 25 821 men and women in eastern Finland
Authors: Kastarinen M. , Juutilainen A. , Kastarinen H. , Salomaa V. , Karhapää P. , Tuomilehto J. , Grönhagen‐Riska C. , Jousilahti P. , Finne P. 
Published: November 2009

Abstract.  Kastarinen M, Juutilainen A, Kastarinen H, Salomaa V, Karhapää P, Tuomilehto J, Grönhagen‐Riska C, Jousilahti P, Finne P. (Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio; National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki; University of Helsinki, Helsinki; South Ostrobotnia Central Hospital, Seinäjoki; Finnish Registry for Kidney Diseases, Helsinki; Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki; and University of Tampere, Tampere; Finland). Risk factors for end‐stage renal disease in a community‐based population: 26‐year follow‐up of 25 821 men and women in eastern Finland. J Intern Med 2010; 267:612–620.Background and objective.  There are very few European cohort studies assessing the risk factors of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in a community‐based population. This study investigated the predictors of ESRD in Finland.Design.  Prospective cohort study.Setting.  Eastern Finland.Subjects.  A random sample of 25 821 men and women aged 25–64 years from the national population register participating in three independent cross‐sectional population surveys in 1972, 1977 and 1982. Only the subjects without diagnosis of ESRD or chronic kidney disease based on the national register data were included in the study.Main outcome measure.  Initiation of renal replacement therapy (dialysis or kidney transplantation) identified from the Finnish Registry for Kidney Diseases through December 31, 2006.Results.  A total of 94 cases with ESRD were identified during a mean follow‐up period of 26.5 years. In a multivariate proportional subdistribution hazard regression analysis, taking into account death as a competing risk event, diabetes (hazard ratio [HR] 4.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.32–9.79), hypertension (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.19–4.12), obesity defined as body mass index ≥30 kg m−2 (HR 2.02, 95 %CI 1.10–3.71) and male gender (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.19–4.12) were independent risk factors for ESRD.Conclusion.  The findings of the present study confirm that modifiable risk factors play a major role in the development of ESRD in the North‐European population. People with diabetes, hypertension or obesity should be considered as the target groups when planning preventive measures to control the future epidemic of ESRD.
Recrystallization of plane strain compressed Al–1 wt.% Mn alloy single crystals of typical unstable orientations
Authors: BIJAK M. , PAUL H. , DRIVER J.H. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryA systematic study of crystal lattice reorientation in early stages of recrystallization has been carried out to correlate the orientations of recrystallization nuclei with the deformation microtexture and with slip systems. Microstructure and texture of Al–1 wt.% Mn single crystals of unstable initial orientations of {112}〈111〉, {100}〈001〉 and {001}〈110〉 have been examined by high‐resolution field‐emission gun scanning electron microscope local orientation measurements. All single crystals were channel‐die deformed at room temperature and then annealed for a short time. It was shown that often observed presence of the 〈112〉 directions as rotation axes in the formation of new nuclei orientation directly suggested a close link with the deformation process.
Depth measurements of etch‐pits in GaN with shape reconstruction from SEM images
Authors: WZOREK M. , CZERWINSKI A. , RATAJCZAK J. , LUI A. , IACOB E. , KĄTCKI J. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe method, which allows shape reconstruction by reading the intensity from the scanning electron microscopy image, is presented and discussed in details. The method is applied to read the morphology of etch‐pits, which were formed on the GaN surface by etching in molten KOH–NaOH eutectic mixture to delineate dislocations. The etch‐pit depth distributions are obtained and used to determine densities of pits related to screw, mixed or edge‐type dislocations. The results are compared with atomic force microscopy.
Dependence of cathodoluminescence on layer resistance applied for measurement of thin‐layer sheet resistance
Authors: CZERWINSKI A. , PLUSKA M. , RATAJCZAK J. , SZERLING A. , KąTCKI J. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe dependence of spatially and spectrally resolved cathodoluminescence in a scanning electron microscope on resistances in semiconductor structures, especially on the layer resistance, is reported. This previously unstudied dependence is utilized for thin‐layer sheet‐resistance measurement. The method is illustrated by an assessment of lateral confinements in semiconductor‐laser heterostructures.
Shear banding phenomenon in a Cu–8 at.% Al alloy analysed by orientation imaging microscopy
Authors: PAUL H. , MORAWIEC A. , DARRIEULAT M. , BOUZY E. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryThe microstructure and texture of Cu–8 at.% Al alloy single crystal with (112)[11] orientation plane strain compressed at 77 K were characterized by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope orientation mappings in order to investigate the influence of twins and shear bands on slip propagation across a structure of twin‐matrix layers and the resulting texture evolution.It was shown that the strong, initial texture changes are due to deformation twinning at low deformations. At larger deformations, twin‐matrix bending within some narrow areas led to the formation of kink‐type bands, which became the precursors of shear bands. It is shown with scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope orientation mappings how the structure of twins and matrix was incorporated into the shear band, and what kind of the dislocation mechanism was responsible for strain accommodation at the macroscale. It was found that the reorientation of the main (111) twinning planes towards the shear band plane facilitates further dislocation slip in the shear direction.
Identification of electron beam vibration sources by separation of magnetic distortion from electric distortion on scanning electron microscope imaging
Authors: PLUSKA M. , CZERWINSKI A. , RATAJCZAK J. , KĄTCKI J. , OSKWAREK Ł. , RAK R. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryDifferent types of distortions in scanning electron microscopy require different methods of their elimination, and therefore influence of these types on particular elements of the SEM system should be known. The proposed method allows for separation of the direct influence of the magnetic field on the electron beam in the SEM chamber from its influence in the SEM column and from the distortions generated in the SEM scanning block. For this purpose, a series of distorted images is registered for several working distances (between the final aperture of the electron column and the specimen) and for several energies of the electrons. Magnitudes of the distortions are measured on these images. For each applied electron energy, the dependence of the results versus the working distance is approximated with the second‐order polynomial function. The analysis of the polynomial coefficients allows for the separation of the above‐mentioned kinds of distortions. The presented method enables a selection of the most efficient solution to the distortions reduction. It utilizes the SEM itself and does not need any additional equipment.
ESEM imaging of dynamic biological processes: the closure of stomatal pores
Authors: McGREGOR J.E. , DONALD A.M. 
Published: November 2009

SummaryHistorically, electron microscopy of dynamic biological processes has been impossible to achieve in real time because conventional electron microscopy requires specimen fixation, dehydration and metallic coating. The advent of the environmental scanning electron microscope removes these restrictions, allowing fully hydrated samples to be imaged in their native state. We explore the possibility of secondary electron imaging of biological systems undergoing natural morphological changes in the microscope chamber and present a proof of principle study on the closure of stomatal pores inTradescantia andersonialeaf tissue. An imaging protocol is developed and the advantages and limitations of this high‐resolution imaging technique are considered, including a discussion of potential beam damage mechanisms.
Restricted dispersal in a continuously distributed marine species: common bottlenose dolphinsTursiops truncatusin coastal waters of the western North Atlantic
Authors: ROSEL P. E. , HANSEN L. , HOHN A. A. 
Published: November 2009

AbstractThe marine environment provides an opportunity to examine population structure in species with high dispersal capabilities and often no obvious barriers to genetic exchange. In coastal waters of the western North Atlantic, common bottlenose dolphins,Tursiops truncatus, are a highly mobile species with a continuous distribution from New York to Florida. We examine if the highly mobile nature coupled with no obvious geographic barriers to movement in this region result in a large panmictic population. Mitochondrial control region sequences and 18 microsatellite loci indicate dolphins are partitioning the habitat both latitudinally and longitudinally. A minimum of five genetically differentiated populations were identified among 404 samples collected in the range of New Jersey to northern Florida using both genetic marker types, some inhabiting nearshore coastal waters and others utilizing inshore estuarine waters. The genetic results reject the hypothesis of a single stock of coastal bottlenose dolphins put forth after the 1987–1988 epizootic that caused a large‐scale die‐off of dolphins and suggest instead the disease vector was transferred from one population to the next as a result of seasonal migratory movements of some populations. These coastal Atlantic populations also differ significantly from bottlenose dolphin samples collected in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico, implying a long‐term barrier to movement between the two basins.