bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical impact of genotype 1 TT virus infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C and response of TT virus to α‐interferon
Authors: Nishizawa Yoshio , Tanaka Eiji , Orii Koji , Rokuhara Akinori , Ichijo Tetsuya , Yoshizawa Kaname , Kiyosawa Kendo 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground: The relationship between genotype 1 TT virus (TTV) infection and the status of chronic hepatitis C was studied.Methods: A total of 52 patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with interferon (IFN)‐α were enrolled in the present study. Of those, 12 were infected with genotype 1 TTV and 40 were uninfected.Results: Clinical backgrounds, including mean age, sex, blood transfusion history, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, and the results of liver biopsy did not differ between patients with and without genotype 1 TTV infection. The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes did not differ between the two groups of patients, but TTV‐infected patients tended to have a lower serum HCV‐RNA level than uninfected patients (median (range) 26.0 (< 1–460) vs 135 (1.2–740) kilo copies/mL, respectively; P = 0.065). Patients with a sustained response of HCV to IFN‐α were significantly more common in TTV‐infected than ‐uninfected patients (58 vs 23%, respectively; P = 0.018). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with a sustained response of HCV correlated significantly with the serum HCV‐RNA level (P = 0.006), but not with the presence or absence of genotype 1 TTV infection (P = 0.161). Serum TTV‐DNA decreased with IFN‐α therapy in all 12 patients and remained negative in six patients even after treatment. There was no correlation between patients with a sustained response of HCV and the same of TTV. Serum ALT levels correlated with changes in the status of HCV viremia, but not with changes in the status of TTV viremia.Conclusions: An opposing relationship between HCV and TTV proliferation was suggested, but coinfection with genotype 1 TTV did not affect the status of chronic hepatitis C.
Quantitative measurement of mRNA coding for the receptors controlling acid secretion in the ovine fundus and antrum by using RT‐PCR
Authors: Kolivas Sotirios , Dow Renee , Jie Ren , Baldwin Graham S , Shulkes Arthur 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims:Gastric acid secretion is stimulated by the action of gastrin, histamine and acetylcholine on their respective receptors. To determine the regulation of synthesis of these receptors during different gastric secretory states a competitive RT‐PCR method for quantitating the mRNA for these receptors was developed.Methods:Partial cDNA clones (400–500 base pairs (bp)) for the ovine gastrin, histamine (H2) and acetylcholine (M3) receptors were isolated and sequenced. These cDNA constructs were modified by the inclusion of approximately 100 bp of unrelated sequence within the plasmids. cDNA was synthesized from a mixture of known amounts of RNA transcribed from the modified plasmids and from total RNA extracted from sheep stomach. Proportional coamplification of mixed cDNA was demonstrated using common primer sets.Results:All three receptors were more highly expressed in the fundus than the antrum. The concentration of cholecystokinin‐B/gastrin receptor mRNA was 75‐fold higher in the fundus than in the antrum, and the concentration of both histamine and acetylcholine receptor mRNA were fivefold higher in the fundus than in the antrum. Infusion of gastrin caused a significant increase in fundic histamine mRNA receptor expression, but not in the expression of the gastrin or muscarinic receptors.Conclusions:No significant differences were observed in the levels of receptor mRNA between normal adult and fetal animals despite markedly reduced gastric secretion in the fetus, suggesting that gastric receptor gene expression is not the rate‐limiting factor in determining gastric acid secretion in the neonatal animal.
Risk of colorectal cancer in patients with hematologic disease
Authors: Kishida Teruyuki , Yonezawa Masaoki , Shibata Yoshiaki , Tanaka Shu , Shinozawa Isao , Hoshino Tetsuo , Tatsuguchi Atsushi , Feng Li , Sato Jun , Fujimori Shunji , Yoshida Yutaka , Sakamoto Choitsu , Kobayashi Masafumi 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims: A relatively large number of patients with multiple myeloma have been reported to develop a secondary malignancy such as cancer of the breast, biliary system or bowel.Methods: A retrospective study was perfomed in 734 patients with hematologic disease diagnosed at Nippon Medical School Hospital between May 1984 and September 1994 to determine the incidence of colorectal cancer in these patients based on a history review, colonoscopic findings, and surgical or autopsy data.Results: Of the 734 patients, 14 (1.9%) had colorectal cancer; two of 11 patients (18.2%) had pure red cell aplasia; two of 25 patients (8%) had multiple myeloma; and three of 46 patients (6.5%) had aplastic anemia. Patients with pure red cell aplasia, multiple myeloma or aplastic anemia had colorectal cancer at a significantly higher rate compared to those with leukemia (P < 0.005, P < 0.02, P < 0.01, respectively).Conclusions: It is possible that a relatively large number of patients with pure red cell aplasia, multiple myeloma or aplastic anemia will develop a colorectal cancer.
Evaluation of a new referral system for the management of dyspepsia in Hong Kong: Role of open‐access upper endoscopy
Authors: Wong Benjamin Chun Yu , Chan Chi Kuen , Wong Ka Wah , Wong Wai Man , Yuen Man Fung , Lai Kam Chuen , Hu Wayne Hc , Lau George Kk , Lai Ching Lung , Lam Shiu Kum 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground: In the management of dyspepsia, upper endoscopy is an important component. In our locality, patients requiring upper endoscopy are conventionally referred to specialist clinics by family physicians. We have introduced the first open‐access upper endoscopy service in Hong Kong, which has allowed family physicians to arrange endoscopy without prior specialist consultation. A study on the outcome of open‐access upper endoscopy in contrast with the conventional referral system was conducted.Methods: For patients presenting with dyspepsia, family physicians in our region were given the option to arrange upper endoscopy directly with our Medical Endoscopy Unit in addition to the conventional referral to specialist clinics. The results were compared with those from the specialist clinic. A detailed prospective follow up was performed from June to September 1997 to evaluate the outcome and impact of open‐access upper endoscopy.Results: From November 1996 to September 1999, 978 referrals for open‐access upper endoscopy were received. The service significantly reduced the waiting time for the procedure by 16 weeks. Open‐access upper endoscopy had similar detection rates for peptic ulcers and cancers compared with referrals from specialist clinics. Seventy‐five percent of patients did not require further consultation with their family physicians within 2 months after endoscopy. It is a safe and effective procedure in establishing a definitive diagnosis. All family physicians were satisfied with the open‐access upper endoscopy service.Conclusions: This is the first Asian report on this service. Open‐access upper endoscopy reduced waiting time from the patient perspective, decreased subsequent consultations with family physicians and reduced referral to specialist clinics as well as increased patient and doctor satisfaction. Both referral systems for endoscopy were similar in terms of the diagnostic yield.
Relationship between cyclooxygenase‐2 expression and K‐ras gene mutation in colorectal adenomas
Authors: Fujita Mikio , Fukui Hirokazu , Morita Katsuo , Fujii Shigehiko , Ueda Yoshihiko , Chiba Tsutomu , Sakamoto Choitsu , Kawamata Hitoshi , Fujimori Takahiro 
Published: October 2010

AbstractBackground and Aims: Cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 has a trophic effect on gastrointestinal epithelial cells and is associated with the progression of colorectal adenomas. Mutation of the K‐ras gene is also associated with the progression of colorectal adenomas and has recently been suggested to play an important role in the induction of COX‐2. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between COX‐2 expression and K‐ras mutation in colorectal adenomas.Methods: Twenty‐nine colorectal adenomas were obtained from specimens resected by the use of surgery or endoscopic mucosal resection and analyzed clinicopathologically. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze COX‐2 expression in the adenoma specimens. The K‐ras codon 12 mutations were detected by using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Results: An increase of COX‐2‐positive cells in adenoma was observed in 11 (37.9%) lesions, 10 (90.9%) of which had a K‐ras gene mutation, suggesting a significant correlation between COX‐2 expression and K‐ras gene mutation in colorectal adenomas. Morphologically, COX‐2‐positive adenomas (13.8 ± 2.6 mm) were significantly larger than COX‐2‐negative ones (5.8 ± 0.9 mm). In addition, the increase of COX‐2‐positive cells in the lesion was observed more frequently in tubulovillous (63.6%) than in tubular (36.4%) adenoma.Conclusions: Cycloxygenase‐2 expression in colorectal adenoma cells is strongly correlated with K‐ras gene mutation, suggesting that COX‐2 and mutated K‐ras are connectively associated with the progression of colorectal adenoma.
Synthesis of fructans by partially purified fructosyltransferase activities from Lolium rigidum
Authors: JOHN J. A. ST. , SIMS I. M. , BONNETTH G. D. , SIMPSON R. J. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARYSucrose: sucrose fructosyltransferase (SST) activity was partially purified from whole shoots of Lolium rigidum by a combination of affinity chromatography, gel filtration and anion‐exchange chromatography. The SST activity co‐eluted with some fructan: fructan fructosyltransferase (FFT) and invertase activities and consequently the partially purified preparation was termed the fructosyltransferase (FT) preparation.The SST‐like activity in the FT preparation was purified 214‐fold and had an apparent molecular mass of 84000. The FT preparation contained several peptides with an apparent pi of 4.6–4.7. When assayed with sucrose concentrations up to 600 mM, the FT preparation synthesized 1‐kestose at all concentrations, and synthesized 6‐kestose at concentrations of 150 mM and greater. The Km of 1‐kestose production was 0.2 m. When the FT preparation was assayed at a concentration of activity approximately half that measured in fresh tissue with l00mM sucrose, 1‐kestose, or 6G‐kestose as substrates, fructans of degree of polymerization (DP) ≤ 5 were synthesized.A partially purified FFT activity, free of SST and invertase activities, which synthesized β‐2,1‐glycosidic linked oligofructans of DP ≤ 6, was combined in vitro with the FT preparation (FFT‐FT preparation) to give a ratio of SST: FFT activities similar to that measured in crude enzyme extracts from L. rigidum. The FFT‐FT preparation synthesized oligofructans when assayed with 100 mM concentrations of sucrose, 1‐kestose or 6G‐kestose, but was not able to synthesize fructans of DP ≥ 6 even after extended assays of up to 10 h. The FFT‐FT preparation was also assayed with 100 mM sucrose with small amounts of concentrated sucrose added periodically during the assay to maintain the substrate concentration. In this assay, the FFT‐FT preparation synthesized fructans up to an apparent DP of 17 or greater. The fructans of DP ≥ 6 synthesized in the assay appeared to form two molecular series containing both β‐2,1‐ and β‐2,6‐glycosidic linked fructosyl residues with terminal or internal glucosyl residues. The apparent rate of SST activity in the assay of the FFT‐FT preparation was greater than that measured in a similar assay of the FT preparation alone which did not result in fructans with DP ≥ 6. It was concluded that the FFT‐FT preparation, when assayed with a continual supply of sucrose, contained a factor which promoted synthesis of fructans of DP ≥ 6 and synthesis of β‐2,6‐glycosidic linkages between fructosyl residues.
Using FTA® cards to store avian blood samples for genetic studies. Their application in sex determination
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Corchero Francisco , Arruga M. Victoria , Sanz Lourdes , García Cristina , Hernández M. Angeles , Campos Francisco 
Published: October 2010

AbstractFTA® cards were used for long‐term storage of avian blood samples. Blood DNA was extracted by a simple method and used in PCR for sex identification of adult and nestling Great Grey Shrikes Lanius excubitor.
Polymorphic microsatellite loci for the mustached tamarin (Saguinus mystax) and their cross‐species amplification in other New World monkeys
Authors: Böhle U.‐R. , Zischler H. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe isolated and characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the mustached and cotton‐top tamarin (Saguinus mystax and S. oedipus) and also tested their applicability in other New World monkey genera. Six loci proved to be variable in Cebus apella and Saimiri sciureus/S. boliviensis, respectively. We also show that faeces‐derived DNA is suitable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of a primate taxon that gives birth to twins with individuals exhibiting a haematopoetic chimaerism. The microsatellite fingerprint patterns do not display a complex mixture of the PCR‐products derived from the alleles of both dizygotic twins, but exhibit the constitutive alleles of one sibling only.
Microsatellite primers for fungus‐growing ants
Authors: Villesen P. , Gertsch P. J. , Boomsma J. J. 
Published: October 2010

AbstractWe isolated five polymorphic microsatellite loci from a library of two thousand recombinant clones of two fungus‐growing ant species, Cyphomyrmex longiscapus and Trachymyrmex cf. zeteki. Amplification and heterozygosity were tested in five species of higher attine ants using both the newly developed primers and earlier published primers that were developed for fungus‐growing ants. A total of 20 variable microsatellite loci, developed for six different species of fungus‐growing ants, are now available for studying the population genetics and colony kin‐structure of these ants.
Stoichiometry of the KCNQ1 - KCNE1 ion channel complex
Authors: Nakajo Koichi , Ulbrich Maximilian H. , Kubo Yoshihiro , Isacoff Ehud Y. 
Published: October 2010

The KCNQ1 voltage-gated potassium channel and its auxiliary subunit KCNE1 play a crucial role in the regulation of the heartbeat. The stoichiometry of KCNQ1 and KCNE1 complex has been debated, with some results suggesting that the four KCNQ1 subunits that form the channel associate with two KCNE1 subunits (a 4∶2 stoichiometry), while others have suggested that the stoichiometry may not be fixed. We applied a single molecule fluorescence bleaching method to count subunits in many individual complexes and found that the stoichiometry of the KCNQ1 - KCNE1 complex is flexible, with up to four KCNE1 subunits associating with the four KCNQ1 subunits of the channel (a 4∶4 stoichiometry). The proportion of the various stoichiometries was found to depend on the relative expression densities of KCNQ1 and KCNE1. Strikingly, both the voltage-dependence and kinetics of gating were found to depend on the relative densities of KCNQ1 and KCNE1, suggesting the heart rhythm may be regulated by the relative expression of the auxiliary subunit and the resulting stoichiometry of the channel complex.
Prospective Evaluation of Dietary Treatment in Childhood Constipation: High Dietary Fiber and Wheat Bran Intake Are Associated With Constipation Amelioration
Authors: Maffei Helga Verena Leoni , Vicentini Andréa Pereira 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTObjectives:The aim of the study was to evaluate, over 24 months, the intake of dietary fiber (DF) and the bowel habit (BH) of constipated children advised a DF‐rich diet containing wheat bran.Patients and Methods:BH and dietary data of 28 children with functional constipation defined by the “Boston criteria” were obtained at visit 1 (V1, n = 28) and at 4 follow‐up visits (V2–V5, n = 80). At each visit the BH was rated BAD (worse/unaltered; improved but still complications) or RECOVERY (REC) (improved, no complications; asymptomatic), and a food intake questionnaire was applied. DF intake was calculated according to age (year)+5 to 10 g/day and bran intake according to international tables. Nonparametric statistics were used.Results:Median age (range) was 7.25 years (0.25–15.6 years); 21 children underwent bowel washout (most before V1/V2), and 14 had the last visit at V3/V4. DF intake, bran intake, and the BH rate significantly increased at V2 and remained higher than at V1 through V2 to V5. At V1, median DF intake was 29.9% below the minimum recommended and at the last visit 49.9% above it. Twenty‐four children accepted bran at 60 visits, at which median bran intake was 20 g/day and median proportion of DF due to bran 26.9%. Children had significantly higher DF and higher bran intake at V2 to V5 at which they had REC than at those at which they presented BAD BH. DF intake >age+10 g/day was associated with bran acceptance and REC. At the last visit 21 children presented REC (75%); 20 of them were asymptomatic and 18 were off washout/laxatives.Conclusions:High DF and bran intake are feasible in constipated children and contribute to amelioration of constipation.
Leaf Senescence Is Accompanied by an Early Disruption of the Microtubule Network in Arabidopsis
Authors: Keech Olivier , Pesquet Edouard , Gutierrez Laurent , Ahad Abdul , Bellini Catherine , Smith Steven M. , Gardeström Per 
Published: October 2010

Abstract
The dynamic assembly and disassembly of microtubules (MTs) is essential for cell function. Although leaf senescence is a well-documented process, the role of the MT cytoskeleton during senescence in plants remains unknown. Here, we show that both natural leaf senescence and senescence of individually darkened Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves are accompanied by early degradation of the MT network in epidermis and mesophyll cells, whereas guard cells, which do not senesce, retain their MT network. Similarly, entirely darkened plants, which do not senesce, retain their MT network. While genes encoding the tubulin subunits and the bundling/stabilizing MT-associated proteins (MAPs) MAP65 and MAP70-1 were repressed in both natural senescence and dark-induced senescence, we found strong induction of the gene encoding the MT-destabilizing protein MAP18. However, induction of MAP18 gene expression was also observed in leaves from entirely darkened plants, showing that its expression is not sufficient to induce MT disassembly and is more likely to be part of a Ca2+-dependent signaling mechanism. Similarly, genes encoding the MT-severing protein katanin p60 and two of the four putative regulatory katanin p80s were repressed in the dark, but their expression did not correlate with degradation of the MT network during leaf senescence. Taken together, these results highlight the earliness of the degradation of the cortical MT array during leaf senescence and lead us to propose a model in which suppression of tubulin and MAP genes together with induction of MAP18 play key roles in MT disassembly during senescence.
Miocene and Post‐Miocene Proboscidea from East Africa.
Authors: MacInnes D. G. 
Published: October 2010

SUMMARY. Deinotherium (Kaup). The occurrence of Deinoiherium in Pleistocene deposits in Africa is now well known. The material from Kanam appears to belong to the species Deinotherium bozasi (Arambourg), originally described from the Omo River deposits. The Kanam teeth are slightly smaller than those from Olduvai, and may possibly be a more primitive form. This, however, is inconclusive owing to the great range of variation in the size of Deinotherium teeth. Pentalopkodon (Falconer). The material from Kanam which is assigned to this genus may equally be compared with Dibunodon arvernensis of Europe, and Pentalopkodon sivalensis of Asia. The Pleistocene fauna of Africa appears, in the light of present knowledge, to have affinities with that of Asia rather than that of Europe, and for this reason the material is here taken to represent a geographical race of the Indian form Pentalopkodon sivalensis. Stegodon (Falconer and Cautley). A fragmentary skull of Stegodon was found near Lake Edward, in deposits apparently contemporary with those of Kaiso. This is the second occurrence of this genus in Africa, and the teeth appear to be more advanced than those of S. clifti from the Pliocene of India, whilst differing in various respects from those of the other Asiatic species. The material is referred to a new species 8. fuchsi, named after the discoverer. Archidiskodon (Pohlig). In the British Museum collections the material referred to Elepkas planifrons shows many variations, which can be arranged in an ascending series from the primitive form which Matsumoto calls Leith‐Adamsia (B.M. No. 36695) to the more advanced form (No. 15351). In the latter the structure of the ridges is very similar to that which is found in the primitive forms of Elephas (Archidiskodon) meridionalis. The Kanam series of deposits has yielded the remains of a variety of A. planifrons which is not exactly reproduced in the Indian material, but which has distinct affinities to the more primitive part of the planifrons series. In the same deposit at Kanam, however, there occurs another representative of the Archidiskodon which appears to correspond to the primitive forms of A. meridionalis. Thus, if these forms do show an ascending series, the occurrence of two widely differing varieties in a single deposit suggests that the more primitive of the two may be a survival from earlier times, which perhaps represents an almost unchanged branch of the primitive stock. Palœoloxodon (Matsumoto). An African race of Palœoloxodon antiquus was first described from the deposits of Olduvai, in Tanganyika, under the subspecific name P. a. recki (Dietrich). Its occurrence at Kanjira indicates that the deposits of this locality are of the same general age as those of the Olduvai series.
Outreach screening of drug users for cirrhosis with transient elastography
Authors: Moessner Belinda K. , Jørgensen Tina R. , Skamling Merete , Vyberg Mogens , Junker Peter , Pedersen Court , Christensen Peer B. 
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACTAims  Transient elastography (TE) is a non‐invasive sensitive tool for diagnosing cirrhosis in hospital‐based cohorts. This study aimed to evaluate TE as a screening tool for cirrhosis among drug users.Design  Cross‐sectional study.Setting  All treatment centres in the county of Funen, Denmark.Participants  Drug users attending treatment centres during the presence of the study team.Measurements  Liver stiffness measurements (LSM) by transient elastography using the Fibroscan device; blood tests for viral hepatitis, HIV infection and hyaluronic acid (HA) levels; and routine liver tests. Individuals with LSM ≥ 8 kPa were referred to the hospital for treatment evaluation. Individuals with LSM ≥ 12 kPa were recommended a liver biopsy.Findings  Among 175 drug users negative for hepatitis C, 13% had LSM = 8–11.9 kPa and 4% had LSM ≥ 12 kPa; elevated LSM was associated with a body mass index (BMI) > 30. Among 128 drug users with chronic hepatitis C, 19.5% had LSM = 8–11.9 kPa and 21.1% had LSM ≥ 12 kPa (P < 0.001). Repeat LSM at liver biopsy performed a median 3 months after screening showed a significant decrease (<12 kPa) among 30% (six of 20), and this was independent of alcohol consumption, BMI, age and gender. In 29 patients where liver biopsy was performed a LSM ≥ 16 kPa predicted cirrhosis with 88.9% sensitivity and 90% specificity.Conclusions  Transient elastography is a feasible screening tool for cirrhosis among drug users. Transient elastography identifies severe liver fibrosis in a significant proportion of drug users with hepatitis C infections but management should not be based on a single elevated liver stiffness measurement.