bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Connective tissue growth factor expression is increased in collagenous colitis and coeliac disease
Authors: Günther Ute , Bateman Adrian C , Beattie R Mark , Bauer Michael , MacDonald Thomas T , Kaskas Berndt A 
Published: August 2010

Günther U, Bateman A C, Beattie R M, Bauer M, MacDonald T T & Kaskas B A (2010) Histopathology 57, 427–435 Connective tissue growth factor expression is increased in collagenous colitis and coeliac diseaseAims:  Subepithelial collagen deposition is a classical feature of collagenous colitis (CC), but is also seen in untreated coeliac disease. The end‐stage mediator of excess cellular collagen production is connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). The aim of this study was to investigate CTGF expression by in situ hybridization (ISH) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in CC and coeliac disease as well as lymphocytic colitis (LC), Crohn’s colitis and ulcerative colitis (UC).Methods and results:  For coeliac disease we analysed fresh frozen material by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and archival material for ISH. PCR transcripts in coeliac disease were moderately elevated and labelled cells were significantly increased in the subepithelial zone. For CC, LC and UC we investigated archival material because of the rarity of the first two conditions. There was a marked increase in CTGF expression in the subepithelial zone in CC, localizing to cells with the morphology of smooth muscle cells, which was not seen in LC.Conclusions:  The colocalization of CTGF transcripts with areas of excessive collagen deposition in coeliac disease and CC suggest that it might be the end‐stage mediator of local fibrosis in these conditions.
STAT3 modulates the DNA damage response pathway
Authors: Barry Seán P. , Townsend Paul A. , Knight Richard A. , Scarabelli Tiziano M. , Latchman David S. , Stephanou Anastasis 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe STAT3 transcription factor is well known to function as an anti‐apoptotic factor, especially in numerous malignancies. Recently we showed that STAT3 is cytoprotective and that cells lacking STAT3 are more sensitive to oxidative stress. A key feature of oxidative stress involves activation of the DNA damage pathway. However, a role for STAT3 or its contribution in response to DNA damage has not been described. In the present study we show that cells lacking STAT3 are less efficient in repairing damaged DNA. Moreover, STAT3 deficient cells show reduced activity of the ATM‐Chk2 and ATR‐Chk1 pathways, both important pathways in sensing DNA damage. Finally we show that MDC1, a regulator of the ATM‐Chk2 pathway and facilitator of the DNA damage response, is modulated by STAT3 at the transcriptional level. These findings demonstrate that STAT3 is necessary for efficient repair of damaged DNA, partly by modulating the ATM‐Chk2 and ATR‐Chk1 pathways.
αB‐crystallin (HspB5) in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy
Authors: Magalhães Joana , Santos Sofia Duque , Saraiva Maria João 
Published: August 2010

SummaryThe small heat shock protein αB‐crystallin (HspB5) is known to be overexpressed in several neurodegenerative disorders. In familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular deposition of mutated transthyretin (TTR), activation of heat shock factor 1 ‐HSF1‐ by extracellular TTR deposition has been shown as well as induction of the expression of heat shock proteins, HSP27 and HSP70. Here we investigate the expression of αB‐crystallin in FAP. We first detected αB‐crystallin in aggregates extracted from tissues of both FAP patients and transgenic mice for the human V30M mutant TTR; however, subsequent studies by confocal fluorescence microscopy did not confirm the association of αB‐crystallin with TTR aggregates; thus the presence of αB‐crystallin in aggregate extracts might derive from the extraction procedure. Increased levels of αB‐crystallin were observed by immunohistochemistry in human FAP skin, as compared to normal skin. Furthermore, skin, stomach and dorsal root ganglia from V30M transgenic mice showed increased expression of αB‐crystallin as compared to controls without deposition. A human neuroblastoma cell line incubated with TTR aggregates displayed increased expression of αB‐crystallin. Overall, these results show that extracellular TTR deposits induce an intracellular response of αB‐crystallin. This small heat shock protein (HSP), which is important for anti‐apoptotic and chaperone properties, may have a protective role in FAP.
Characteristic pattern of skeletal muscle remodelling in different mouse strains
Authors: Lagrota‐Candido Jussara , Canella Isabella , Pinheiro Douglas F. , Santos‐Silva Luana Paula , Ferreira Rafael. S. , Guimarães‐Joca Francisco J. , Lannes‐Vieira Joseli , Quirico‐Santos Thereza 
Published: August 2010

SummaryMuscular injury associated with local inflammatory reaction frequently occurs in sports medicine, but the individual response and capacity of regeneration vary among subjects. Inflammatory cytokines are probably implicated in activation of repair mechanisms by specifically influencing tissue microenvironment. This work aimed to compare muscle tissue repair in different mouse lineages. We used C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice genetically predisposed to either Type1 or Type2 cytokine production. The role of Type1 cytokines was also investigated in C57IFN‐γ (IFNγ‐KO) and C57IL‐12 (IL12‐KO) knockout mice. Participation of T lymphocytes was assessed in athymic BALB/c nude (nu/nu) mice. Muscular lesion was induced with bupivacaine injection in the Triceps brachii muscle. BALB/c mice showed marked collagen deposition and increased TGF‐β mRNA content, contrasting with mild fibrosis observed in C57BL/6 mice. C57‐IFNγ‐KO mice, exhibited pronounced fibrosis, but IL12‐KO collagen deposition was similar to that of C57. Twenty‐four hours after lesion, C57BL/6 and BALB/cnu/nu presented numerous regenerating myofibres and marked increase of metalloprotease‐9 activity compared with BALB/c. These data support that skeletal muscle remodelling is greatly influenced by the genetic backgrounds, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms influencing differential muscular remodelling and tissue regeneration among individuals.
Review: bringing patient safety to the forefront through structured computerisation during clinical handover
Authors: Matic Jenelle , Davidson Patricia M , Salamonson Yenna 
Published: August 2010

Aims and objectives.  This review aims to examine critically, the methods and modes of delivery of handover used in contemporary health care settings and explore the feasibility of a computerised handover system for improving patient safety.Background.  Clinicians play a critical role in promoting patient safety, and the handover ritual is recognised as important in exchanging information and planning patient care. Communication failures have been identified as an important cause of adverse incidents in hospitals.Design.  Integrative literature review.Methods.  Search of multiple electronic databases using terms: nursing handover, handoff, shift‐to‐shift reporting and change of shift report.Discussion.  To date, the focus of research has primarily been on the vehicle of the handover, rather than the content and processes involved in ensuring the reliability and quality of clinical information. Employing a computerised handover system in the clinical arena has the potential to improve the quality and safety of clinical care.Conclusions.  Whilst the handover performed from shift‐to‐shift is a valuable communication strategy, ambiguities and incomplete information can increase the risks of adverse events. Given the importance of effective communication, its key link to patient safety and the frequency of nursing handover, it is imperative that clinical handover undergo increased scrutiny, development and research.Relevance to clinical practice.  This review underscores the challenge in clinical handover and recommends the use of technological solutions to improve communication strategies.
A 350‐year tree‐ring fire record from Białowieża Primeval Forest, Poland: implications for Central European lowland fire history
Authors: Niklasson Mats , Zin Ewa , Zielonka Tomasz , Feijen Markus , Korczyk Adolf F. , Churski Marcin , Samojlik Tomasz , Jędrzejewska Bogumiła , Gutowski Jerzy M. , Brzeziecki Bogdan 
Published: August 2010

Summary 1. Fires are nowadays small, yet frequent, in temperate Central European conifer forests, but little is known about the fire history in this region. This is likely due to the lack of intact forests that contain old trees and dead wood from which fire history may be reconstructed. An exception is the Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF) in Poland for which we were able to reconstruct the fire history in detail. 2. From 886 tree ring samples collected in a 13‐ha conifer‐dominated area, we reconstructed fire events and tree establishment back to the mid 1600s. From 1653 to the late 1700s fires were very frequent, with mean point (single tree) fire intervals of 18 years and mean stand scale fire intervals of 6 years. After 1781, the intervals between the fires increased dramatically, and since 1874 no major fire was recorded. 3. Tree establishment underwent substantial changes, closely tracking shifts in fire frequency. When fires were frequent, Pinus sylvestris establishment occurred only sporadically. Later, less frequent fires promoted massive establishment of both P. sylvestris and Picea abies. At present, only P. abies and a few deciduous trees regenerate. 4. Synthesis. We present the first high‐resolution fire history in the Central European temperate lowland forest area. The discovery of old P. sylvestris trees and stumps with fire scars in many conifer‐dominated parts of BPF show that fire was a major component in the past dynamics of this forest. We also show that historically, fires were recurring at very close intervals, supporting an open, Pinus‐dominated forest. These result contrasts with the written history of BPF, which focus on a few, large fires from the past. Human influence on the fire regime was probably substantial, although the disentangling of climatic and human impacts needs further studies. We propose that fire should be increasingly taken into consideration in models of disturbance, vegetation development and forest openness in the whole Central European lowland forest region.
Seed dispersal by scatter‐hoarding rodents in arid environments
Authors: Beck Maurie J. , Vander Wall Stephen B. 
Published: August 2010

Summary 1. The seeds of many plants are dispersed by animals, but the nature of these plant–animal mutualisms is often moulded by the abiotic environment. Here, we show that desert peach (Prunus andersonii), with dry fruits and large seeds, relies on scatter‐hoarding rodents for dispersal and that this form of seed dispersal maintains the effectiveness of dispersal while reducing water expenditure. 2. The fruit pulp of desert peach dries and dehisces at maturity in early summer. No vertebrate frugivores consumed the fruits, but rodents quickly harvested the nuts. Nearly 75% of the nut crop was removed from plant canopies by scansorial rodents like white‐tailed antelope squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus), which scatter‐hoarded nuts in 1–2 seed caches 10–30 mm deep. Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) also made many shallow one‐nut caches. 3. Heteromyid rodents (Great Basin pocket mouse, Perognathus parvus; Panamint kangaroo rat, Dipodomys panamintinus) primarily larder‐hoarded nuts (c. 60%) in burrows too deep for seedling emergence, but also scatter‐hoarded nuts in a few, large caches 10–40 mm deep. 4. Antelope squirrels were the most effective dispersers and deer mice and Panamint kangaroo rats were less effective. Abiotically dispersed nuts had virtually no recruitment (<1% emergence), but nuts buried in soil to simulate rodent caches had 32% emergence and 5.6% survived after 1 year. Scatter‐hoarding rodents are responsible for virtually all recruitment in desert peach. 5. Synthesis. Desert peach arose from a fleshy‐fruited ancestor that was probably dispersed by endozoochorous frugivores. About 35 species of dry‐fruited Prunus occur in arid environments across North America and Eurasia. The most parsimonious explanation for the evolution of dry‐fruited Prunus is the loss of frugivory in a diplochorous ancestor (i.e. combined frugivore and scatter‐hoarding dispersal) to maintain the effectiveness of seed dispersal while reducing the demand for water in arid environments.
Response to Coomes & Allen (2009)‘Testing the metabolic scaling theory of tree growth’
Authors: Stark Scott C. , Bentley Lisa Patrick , Enquist Brian J. 
Published: August 2010

Summary 1. Coomes & Allen (2009) propose a new statistical method to test the Metabolic Scaling Theory prediction for tree growth rate size scaling (scaling constant α = 1/3) presented in Enquist et al. (1999). This method finds values of the scaling constant that yield standardized major axis (SMA) slopes of one in a comparison of allometrically transformed diameter census data. This SMA ‘slope‐of‐one’ method produces results that contrast with those generated by maximum‐likelihood estimation (MLE; Russo, Wiser & Coomes 2007; Coomes & Allen 2009). 2. We hypothesize that the SMA slope‐of‐one method is inappropriate for this application because it assumes, unrealistically, that there is no biological or error variance in tree growth size scaling. To test our hypothesis, we simulate ‘allometric’ tree growth with biological and error variance in parameters and measurements. We find that the SMA slope‐of‐one method is sensitive to the amount of biological and error variance and consistently returns biassed parameter estimates, while the MLE method displays relatively little bias, particularly at larger sample sizes. 3. Synthesis. The conclusions of Coomes & Allen (2009) should be reconsidered in the light of our findings. Investigations of tree growth rate size scaling must consider the influence of biological and error variance in model‐fitting procedures to ultimately unravel the effects of tree architecture and ecological factors on patterns of size‐dependent growth.
Improving diabetes care in a public hospital medical clinic: report of a completed audit cycle
Authors: Tan Florence , Liew Shan F. , Chan Grace , Toh Vivien , Wong See Y. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives  To evaluate the impact of clinical audit on diabetes care provided to type 2 diabetic patients attending our hospital general medical clinics.Methods  Performances on diabetes‐related process measures and intermediate outcome measures were evaluated through structured review of outpatient medical records. The results were fed back to the doctors and measures were implemented to improve care. The performance indicators were re‐evaluated 2 years later to complete the audit cycle.Results  Annual testing rates improved for HbA1c (68.4% vs. 87.4%; P < 0.001) and lipid profile (91.8% vs. 97%; P = 0.027). Enquiry on smoking improved from 45.9% to 82.3% (P < 0.001), eye screening rates from 68.9% to 78.8% (P = 0.020) and foot examinations from 22.4% to 64.1% (P < 0.001). Prescription rates for insulin increased from 17.3% to 31.8% (P = 0.001) and statin from 83.2% to 94.4% (P < 0.001). The use of aspirin (80.6% vs. 83.8%; P = 0.402) and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (92.3% vs. 88.9%; P = 0.239) remained high in both cycles. More patients achieved targets for HbA1c < 7% (38% vs. 26%; P = 0.006), blood pressure < 130/80 mmHg (43% vs. 32%; P = 0.071) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol < 2.6 mmol/L (71% vs. 52%; P < 0.001).Conclusion  Clinical audit is a useful tool in improving diabetes care.
Pharmacist‐led intervention study to improve inhalation technique in asthma and COPD patients
Authors: Hämmerlein Andrea , Müller Uta , Schulz Martin 
Published: August 2010

AbstractRational and aims  Inhaled therapy is the mainstay of treatment in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). For effectiveness of pharmacotherapy, correct use of medication is required. The aims of this study were to survey the quality of inhalation technique in patients and to determine the effect of a single intervention in community pharmacies by means of standardized procedures.Methods  A total of 757 patients with asthma or COPD were randomly selected by 55 community pharmacies. At baseline, patients were interviewed and their inhalation technique was assessed with a 21‐items checklist. Any error was recorded and, if necessary, patients were instructed in the proper use of their device. After 4–6 weeks, demonstration of inhalation technique was repeated in the community pharmacies and a pre–post comparison was performed.Results  A total of 597 patients (78.9%) made at least one mistake in performing the inhalation technique at baseline. This number dropped to 214 (28.3%) from the first to the second appointment. All patients did benefit from the pharmacists' intervention regardless of their former training experiences.Conclusions  Inhalation technique of asthma and COPD patients is poor. In daily practice, community pharmacy‐based pharmacists are well suited to significantly supplement doctor‐based education in inhalation technique.
Cell cycle and cell death in disease: past, present and future
Authors: Zhivotovsky B. , Orrenius S. 
Published: August 2010

Abstract.  Zhivotovsky B, Orrenius S (Institute of Environmental Medicine, Division of Toxicology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden) Cell cycle and cell death in disease: past, present and future (Symposium). J Intern Med 2010; 268: 395–409.Cell division and cell death are the two predominant physiological processes that regulate tissue homeostasis in the adult organism. The importance of dysregulation of these processes in the pathogenesis of major diseases, such as cancer, myocardial infarction, stroke, atherosclerosis, infection, inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders, is becoming increasingly evident. Hence, attempts to find modulators of the cell cycle and cell death programmes are being made with the hope of creating novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of these diseases. It is clear that improved understanding of how cells balance life‐and‐death processes is crucial for this development. In view of this, a Nobel Symposium entitled ‘The Cell Cycle and Apoptosis in Disease’ was organized in conjunction with the celebration of the 200‐year anniversary of the Karolinska Institute in 2010. The symposium focused on the importance of dysregulation of cell cycle/cell death programmes in the pathogenesis of human disease. Three comprehensive reviews based on presentations at this symposium are presented in this issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine. They include a discussion of autophagy in anticancer therapy, the description of a role for type 2 transglutaminase in Huntington’s disease and the proposal that ‘redox‐sensing’ mechanisms might act as an orthogonal control in cell cycle and apoptosis signalling.
The making of a rapid plant invader: genetic diversity and differentiation in the native and invaded range of Senecio inaequidens
Authors: LACHMUTH SUSANNE , DURKA WALTER , SCHURR FRANK M. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTo become invasive, exotic species have to succeed in the consecutive phases of introduction, naturalization, and invasion. Each of these phases leaves traces in genetic structure, which may affect the species’ success in subsequent phases. We examined this interplay of genetic structure and invasion dynamics in the South African Ragwort (Senecio inaequidens), one of Europe’s fastest plant invaders. We used AFLP and microsatellite markers to analyze 19 native African and 32 invasive European populations. In combination with historic data, we distinguished invasion routes and traced them back to the native source areas. This revealed that different introduction sites had markedly different success in the three invasion phases. Notably, an observed lag‐phase in Northern Germany was evidently not terminated by factors increasing the invasiveness of the resident population but by invasive spread from another introduction centre. The lineage invading Central Europe was introduced to sites in which winters are more benign than in the native source region. Subsequently, this lineage spread into areas in which winter temperatures match the native climate more closely. Genetic diversity clearly increases with population age in Europe and less clearly decreases with spread rate up to population establishment. This indicates that gene flow along well‐connected invasion routes counteracted losses of genetic diversity during rapid spread. In summary, this study suggests that multiple introductions, environmental preadaptation and high gene flow along invasion routes contributed to the success of this rapid invader. More generally, it demonstrates the benefit of combining genetic, historical, and climatic data for understanding biological invasions.
Weed community response to contrasting integrated weed management systems for cool dryland annual crops
Authors: THOMAS A G , LÉGÈRE A , LEESON J Y , STEVENSON F C , HOLM F A , GRADIN B 
Published: August 2010

ThomasAG, LégèreA, LeesonJY, StevensonFC, HolmFA & GradinB (2011). Weed community response to contrasting integrated weed management systems for cool dryland annual crops.Weed Research 51, 41–50.SummaryContrasting approaches to integrated weed management (IWM) for prairie cropping systems were evaluated by measuring weed response to six IWM systems in a wheat–oilseed rape–barley–pea rotation at Saskatoon and Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada. The six IWM systems (high herbicide/zero tillage; medium herbicide/zero tillage; low herbicide/zero tillage; low herbicide/low tillage; medium herbicide/medium tillage; no herbicide/high tillage) included various combinations of seeding rate and date, herbicide timing and rate, and tillage operations, in order to achieve similar weed management levels. Changes in weed communities were assessed over 4 years by monitoring species composition and abundance at various times during the growth season. Principal response curves indicated a gradual increase inThlaspi arvense,Chenopodium album,Amaranthus retroflexusandFallopia convolvulusin the no herbicide/high tillage system. Winter and early spring annuals and perennials increased in most systems, but particularly in the low herbicide/zero tillage and medium herbicide/zero tillage systems. Although five of the six IWM systems provided similar results, changes in weed communities would suggest that operations could be revised to improve the overall management of certain weed species and reduce seed return in the no herbicide/high tillage system and in systems with low herbicide inputs and zero tillage. This study confirms the potential of contrasting IWM systems under the challenging environmental conditions of the Canadian Prairies.
Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult patients with hematologic malignancies based on an institution‐specific guideline
Authors: McCoy D. , Wong E. , Kuyumjian A.G. , Wynd M.A. , Sebti R. , Munk G.B. 
Published: August 2010

D. McCoy, E. Wong, A.G. Kuyumjian, M.A. Wynd, R. Sebti, G.B. Munk. Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection in adult patients with hematologic malignancies based on an institution‐specific guideline. Transpl Infect Dis 2011: 13: 117–121. All rights reservedAbstract: A total of 26 adults with hematologic malignancies and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplant were treated for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection based on an institutional guideline. Thirteen patients received aerosolized ribavirin, and 13 received aerosolized ribavirin and intravenous palivizumab. Two deaths, not attributed to RSV infection, occurred within 90 days of diagnosis.