bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversity of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor Genes in the Bai Ethnic Minority of Yunnan, China
Authors: Zhu B.‐F. , Wang H.‐D. , Shen C.‐M. , Fan A.‐Y. , Yang G. , Qin H.‐X. , Jin T.‐B. , Xie T. , Deng L. , Lucas R. , Lian Z.‐M. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractKiller cell immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs), expressed in both natural killer (NK) cells and a subset of T cells, represent a family of both inhibitory and activating receptors that can regulate NK and T cells upon interacting with human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules on target cells. The number and distribution of KIR genes vary between individuals and populations from different geographical regions and ethnic origins. In this study, we investigated KIR gene frequencies and genotype diversities of 13 KIR genes, 2 pseudogenes, expressed and non‐expressed forms of KIR2DL5 and the two subtypes, full‐length and deleted forms, of KIR2DS4 in 100 unrelated healthy individuals of the Bai population, living in the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in the Yunnan province. All individuals were typed positive for the three framework loci KIR3DL3, 2DL4 and 3DL2, as well as for three non‐framework genes KIR2DL1, 2DL3 and the pseudogene KIR2DP1. The gene frequencies of the other KIR genes ranged from 7%‐95%. The results of tested linkage disequilibrium (LD) among KIR genes demonstrated that they display a wide range of LD. χ2 analysis among non‐ubiquitous genes, using the KIR gene frequency data from our study population, as well as from previously published population data, was conducted and revealed significant differences in the KIR2DL1, 2DL2, 3DL1 and KIR2DS1 genes. The results of the present study can be valuable for enriching the Chinese ethnical gene information resources of the KIR gene pool, for anthropological studies, as well as for KIR‐related disease research.
Linking invertebrate burrow distributions (neoichnology) to physicochemical stresses on a sandy tidal flat: implications for the rock record
Authors: DASHTGARD SHAHIN E. 
Published: January 2011

AbstractInvertebrate burrow distributions (neoichnology) across a modern tidal flat are presented as an analogue for interpreting the ichnology of palaeo‐tidal‐flat successions. Burrow distributions are linked to physical and chemical (physicochemical) stresses to establish the main controls on the distribution of biosedimentary structures. Across the tidal flat, there is clear heterogeneity in both the diversity of traces and the intensity of burrowing. This heterogeneity reflects a myriad of physicochemical stresses, with the sedimentation rate dominating burrow distributions. Across all substrates, the total area occupied by organisms rarely exceeds 3% of the tidal‐flat surface, and is commonly <1%; this equates to a bioturbation index value of one. To reach bioturbation index values of two to six, sediments must be available to biogenic reworking and/or recolonization. With an increasing sedimentation rate, substrates are rapidly buried and re‐exposed, which limits the time when a substrate is available to colonization. For palaeo‐ichnological studies, this research presents several key results. (i) Burrow cross‐cutting relationships in tidal‐flat successions commonly reflect natural heterogeneities in the areal distribution of infaunal communities, rather than infaunal tiering. (ii) Ichnofabric analysis of palaeo‐tidal flats with a high sedimentation rate would yield fabrics that reflect heterogeneities in the areal distribution of infaunal communities rather than variability in the physicochemical stresses of the environment. (iii) The composite trace‐fossil assemblage of tidal flats cannot be attributed to a single ichnofacies, but instead comprises elements typical of multiple ichnofacies. (iv) The main controls on trace assemblages across tidal flats in fully marine settings are sedimentological and include the sedimentation rate and, to a lesser extent, grain size.
Artificial infection of Cirsium arvense with the rust pathogen Puccinia punctiformis by imitation of natural spore transfer by the weevil Ceratapion onopordi
Authors: MÜLLER E , JUD P , NENTWIG W 
Published: January 2011

Müller E, Jud P & Nentwig W (2011). Artificial infection of Cirsium arvense with the rust pathogen Puccinia punctiformis by imitation of natural spore transfer of the weevil Ceratapion onopordi. Weed Research51, 209–213.Summary Cirsium arvense is a noxious perennial weed. Because of the limited possibilities of chemical and physical control of this weed, many studies have been performed on biological methods. Successful control of C. arvense using the rust fungus Puccinia punctiformis needs the establishment of systemic infection, often connected with the weevil Ceratapion onopordi as a spore vector. To analyse whether an artificial infection of C. arvense with P. punctiformis through the plant stem is possible without the weevil, different infection tests were performed. Urediniospore solutions with different kinds of additives of weevil origin were applied. All treatments with infectious material led to an infection. Injection of pure urediniospores into the plant stem resulted in the highest infection rate (50%). Even though the infection‐via‐the‐stem‐method used in this study was successful in principle, this method is not practicable in the field. Therefore, further studies of infection techniques are needed, particularly to examine the spore stages that cause systemic infections.
Impact of the quality of organic amendments on size and composition of the weed seed bank
Authors: DE CAUWER B , D’HOSE T , COUGNON M , LEROY B , BULCKE R , REHEUL D 
Published: January 2011

De Cauwer B, D’Hose T, Cougnon M, Leroy B, Bulcke R & Reheul D (2011). Impact of the quality of organic amendments on size and composition of the weed seed bank. Weed Research51, 250–260.SummaryIn addition to improving the soil quality, organic amendments of soils may affect weed seed survival, emergence, growth and reproduction. This study evaluated the effects of applications of different qualities of organic amendments on size and composition of the weed seed bank in a field under sequential cropping over 4 years. Fertilisation systems tested included farmyard manure, vegetable fruit and garden waste compost, two types of farm compost differing in carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratio, cattle slurry and mineral fertiliser. All organically amended plots received equal amounts of C. Crop growth was equalised on all plots by applying supplemental mineral N. Seed bank sampling took place in May 2009 to a depth of 10 cm. The weed seed bank was analysed using the seedling emergence method. Despite equal crop growth in fertilised plots, total seed bank density was lowest in plots amended with compost with low C:N ratio and highest in slurry‐amended plots. Observed differences in seed bank densities reflected differences in soil organic carbon content and microbial biomass. At plot level, hard‐coated seeds in the seed bank (e.g. Chenopodium spp.) were inversely related to soil microbial activity. Observed differential responses of species to applied fertilisers might be attributed to interspecific differences in resistance against microbial seed degradation. Compost‐based fertilisation systems could be sustainable tools for incorporation into integrated weed control strategies aiming at depleting the weed seed bank.
Effect of incremental levels of fish oil supplementation on specific bacterial populations in bovine ruminal fluid
Authors: Liu S. J. , Bu D. P. , Wang J. Q. , Liu L. , Liang S. , Wei H. Y. , Zhou L. Y. , Li D. , Loor J. J. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of incremental replacement of dietary linoleic acid by >20‐carbon polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on changes in population of ruminal micro‐organisms associated with fibre digestion and biohydrogenation using real‐time PCR of bacterial 16S rRNA sequences. Four beef steers with ruminal cannulas were randomly assigned to control (CK, 65:35 forage to concentrate), CK with 3% sunflower oil plus 1% fish oil (S3F1), 2.5% sunflower oil plus 1.5% fish oil (S2.5F1.5) or 2% sunflower oil plus 2% fish oil (S2F2) in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with 21‐day periods. Ruminal fluid was collected on day 15 of each period. Compared with CK, oil addition led to lower ruminal acetate and butyrate but greater propionate concentration. DNA copy number of Anaerovibrio lipolytica in ruminal fluid was greater with oil (average 5.38 vs. 3.62 × 105 DNA copy number), particularly with S2F2 relative to CK. Fibrobacter succinogenes and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens DNA copy number decreased by 74% (1.06 vs. 4.01 × 105) and 39% (5.16 vs. 8.42 × 107) in response to S2F2 compared with CK. DNA copy numbers of Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Ruminococcus albus were not affected by incremental fish oil. Results suggest that greater availability of PUFA with >20 carbons (i.e. eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) promoted changes in bacterial populations that are relevant for fibre digestion and biohydrogenation.
Fat source affects growth of weanling rats fed high‐fat diets low in zinc
Authors: Weigand E. 
Published: January 2011

SummaryIn two 3‐week experiments with a 2‐factorial design, weanling rats were fed semi‐purified diets in which the zinc concentration was either suboptimal or adequate for maximum growth. In experiment 1, one low‐fat diet and four diets enriched with 26% beef tallow (BT), butterfat (BF), coconut oil or sunflower oil (SF) were compared. The low‐Zn SF diet did not support growth. The animals fed the high‐Zn SF diet had the lowest final weights among all other groups, and their serum and femur Zn concentrations were markedly depressed. In experiment 2, the low‐ and high‐Zn diets were enriched with 18% BT, SF, BT + SF (1:1 w/w), or olive oil (OL). Final live weights showed a Zn × fat source interaction. The low‐Zn SF and OL groups consumed less food and weighed less than the low‐Zn BT group. At the high‐Zn level, final weights were comparable among groups. Serum and femur Zn concentrations did not significantly vary among groups fed diets with the same Zn level. Possibilities for the growth‐retarding effect of the diets rich in unsaturated fatty acids (SF and OL) are discussed. Metabolic studies are needed to clarify the observed zinc × fat source interaction.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Asia: A historical perspective and present challenges
Authors: Goh Khean‐Lee 
Published: January 2011

AbstractGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), previously uncommon in Asia, has now become an important disease in the region. Although much variability exists between studies, most endoscopy‐based studies show a prevalence of erosive esophagitis of more than 10%. Symptom‐based studies also show a prevalence of 6–10%. Two longitudinal follow‐up studies on GERD symptoms have shown an increase with time, and several endoscopy‐based time trend studies have also shown a significant increase in erosive reflux esophagitis. Studies on Barrett's esophagus have been confounded by the description of short (SSBE) and long segment (LSBE) Barrett's esophagus. Great variation in prevalence rates has been reported. SSBE vary from 0.1% to more than 20% while LSBE vary from 1–2%. Of the putative causative factors, obesity has been the most important. Many studies have linked GERD‐esophagitis as well as occurrence of reflux symptoms with an increase in body mass index (BMI), obesity, especially visceral or central obesity, and metabolic syndrome. A decline in Helicobacter pylori infection with growing affluence in Asia has been broadly thought to result in healthier stomachs and a higher gastric acid output resulting in reflux disease. However, variable results have been obtained from association and H. pylori eradication studies.
Barrett's esophagus: A historical perspective, an update on core practicalities and predictions on future evolutions of management
Authors: Dent John 
Published: January 2011

AbstractInterpretation of exploding knowledge about Barrett's esophagus is impaired by use of several conflicting definitions. Because any histological type of esophageal columnar metaplasia carries risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma, the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus should no longer require demonstration of intestinal‐type metaplasia. Endoscopic recognition and grading of Barrett's esophagus remains a significant source of ambiguity.Reflux disease is a key factor for development of Barrett's esophagus, but other factors must underlie its development, since it occurs in only a minority of reflux disease patients. Neither antireflux surgery nor proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has major impacts on cancer risk. Within a year, a major trial should indicate whether low‐dose aspirin usefully reduces cancer risk.The best referral centers have transformed the accuracy of screening and surveillance for early curable esophageal adenocarcinoma by use of enhanced and novel endoscopic imaging, visually‐guided, rather than blind biopsies and by partnership with expert pathologists. General endoscopists now need to upgrade their skills and equipment so that they can rely mainly on visual targeting of biopsies on mucosal areas of concern in their surveillance practice. General pathologists need to greatly improve their interpretation of biopsies.Endoscopic therapy now achieves very high rates of cure of high‐grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma with minimal morbidity and risk. Such results will only be achieved by skilled interventional endoscopists. Esophagectomy should now be mainly restricted to patients whose cancer has extended into and beyond the submucosa.Weighing risks and benefits in the management of Barrett's esophagus is difficult, as is the process of adequately informing patients about their specific cancer risk.
The Sydney System for classification of gastritis 20 years ago
Authors: Sipponen Pentti , Price Ashley B 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe roots of research into gastritis go back into the early decades of the 20th century. Modern aspects of its classification and knowledge of its biological course and consequences were relatively well known even at the time that Helicobcter pylori was discovered by Robin Warren and Barry Marshall in 1982. This discovery, however, significantly changed the field, establishing that the commonest form of gastritis is simply an infectious disease, a finding that raised enormous interest in the subject amongst gastroenterologists, microbiologists, pathologists and basic researchers. However, many of these “new” players in the field often had a limited knowledge of the morphological aspects of gastric inflammations and chronic gastritis. As a consequence in the late 1980's a Working Party was set up to review the biology and natural course of chronic gastritis, to propose a new classification for gastritis, and to provide simple guidelines for reporting the pathology of gastritis in endoscopic biopsies in an attempt to bring uniformity to the subject and facilitate comparative studies in what was to be an era of high research activity. These guidelines, The Sydney System: A New Classification of Gastritis was presented to the World Congress of Gastroenterology in Sydney in 1990, and was later published as six papers in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Now, twenty years on, this review looks back on the birth of Sydney System and why it is still important and successful.
The ulcer sleuths: The search for the cause of peptic ulcers
Authors: Yeomans Neville D 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe search for the cause or causes of peptic ulcers has been a long one. It was recognised as early as the 19th Century that damage to the stomach or duodenal bulb was likely to result if the resistance of their mucosae to luminal acid was for some reason impaired. An early theory suggested microscopic vascular occlusion leading to local infarction could be the initiating event but evidence was lacking. Excessive acid secretion is seen in some patients but not in many so is implausible as the main factor in most ulcers. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor and chronic life difficulties has been shown to sometimes play a part, but we would now think that they play only minor roles to possibly tip the balance when a major etiologic factor is already present. The overwhelming evidence now is that the major etiologic factors in chronic peptic ulcer are ingestion of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and infection with Helicobacter pylori. Understanding the mechanism of the first, and the discovery and demonstration of Koch's postulates for the second, have been instrumental in the award of two Nobel prizes.
New concepts in liver regeneration
Authors: Riehle Kimberly J , Dan Yock Y , Campbell Jean S , Fausto Nelson 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe unique ability of the liver to regenerate itself has fascinated biologists for years and has made it the prototype for mammalian organ regeneration. Harnessing this process has great potential benefit in the treatment of liver failure and has been the focus of intense research over the past 50 years. Not only will detailed understanding of cell proliferation in response to injury be applicable to other dysfunction of organs, it may also shed light on how cancer develops in a cirrhotic liver, in which there is intense pressure on cells to regenerate. Advances in molecular techniques over the past few decades have led to the identification of many regulatory intermediates, and pushed us onto the verge of an explosive era in regenerative medicine. To date, more than 10 clinical trials have been reported in which augmented regeneration using progenitor cell therapy has been attempted in human patients. This review traces the path that has been taken over the last few decades in the study of liver regeneration, highlights new concepts in the field, and discusses the challenges that still stand between us and clinical therapy.
Hepatitis E: Historical, contemporary and future perspectives
Authors: Aggarwal Rakesh 
Published: January 2011

AbstractHepatitis E was suspected for the first time in 1980 during a waterborne epidemic of acute hepatitis in Kashmir, India. In the 30 years since then, a small virus with single‐stranded RNA genome has been identified as the cause of this disease and named as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The virus has four genotypes; of these, genotypes 1 and 2 are known to infect only humans, whereas genotypes 3 and 4 primarily infect other mammals, particularly pigs, but occasionally cause human disease. In highly‐endemic areas, the disease occurs in epidemic and sporadic forms, caused mainly by infection with genotype 1 or 2 virus, acquired through the fecal‐oral route, usually through contaminated water supplies. The disease is characterized by particularly severe course and high mortality among pregnant women. In persons with pre‐existing chronic liver disease, HEV superinfection can present as acute‐on‐chronic liver disease. In low‐endemic regions, sporadic cases of locally‐acquired HEV infection are reported; these are caused mainly by genotype 3 or 4 HEV acquired possibly through zoonotic transmission from pigs, wild boars or deer. In these areas, chronic infection with genotype 3 HEV, which may progress to liver cirrhosis, has been reported among immunosuppressed persons. Two subunit vaccines containing recombinant truncated capsid proteins of HEV have been shown to be highly effective in preventing the disease; however, these are not yet commercially available. These vaccines should be of particular use in groups that are at high risk of HEV infection and/or of poor outcome.
Hepatic steatosis and hepatitis C: Still unhappy bedfellows?
Authors: Hwang Shinn‐Jang , Lee Shou‐Dong 
Published: January 2011

AbstractHepatic steatosis is commonly seen in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and the prevalence is much higher prevalence than in the general population or in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C can be due to alcohol consumption and host metabolic factors such as high body mass index (BMI), obesity, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus in which insulin resistance plays an important role. However, in genotype 3 HCV infection, hepatic steatosis can result from direct viral cytopathic effect. Demographic and clinical characteristics associated with hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C including older age, higher BMI, more genotype 3 infection, and higher mean serum levels of triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase. The clinical relevance of hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C includes a close correlation with hepatic fibrosis, and a poor response to combination peginterferon and ribavirin treatment. In addition, hepatic steatosis has been reported to associate with increased frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic HCV infection. Whether life style modification such as weight reduction or adding an insulin resistance reducing agent such as metformin or thiazolidinediones combined with current standard peginterferon plus ribavirin treatment will benefit to the chronic hepatitis C patients with hepatic steatosis deserves further evaluation.
Recent advances of radiofrequency ablation for early hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Izumi Namiki 
Published: January 2011

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of death in the malignant neoplastic diseases in the world. Surgical operation is sometimes not indicated because of complicated liver cirrhosis and extrahepatic disorders. Radiofrequency ablation has been developed as a less invasive treatment for HCC since 1999, and long‐term outcome has been shown. There are several complications which should be paid attention, and to improve the prognosis, combination treatment with transarterial chemoembolization should be discussed. Overall survival after between RFA and surgical resection should be compared prospectively. Establishment of staging system for treatment allocation of HCC and prevention of HCC recurrence is important issue to be examined.
Chronic hepatitis B in Asia—new insights from the past decade
Authors: Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Jia Jidong 
Published: January 2011

AbstractChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem in the Asia‐Pacific region. In the past decade, much progress has been made in the understanding and management of this disease. The introduction of universal vaccination has significantly reduced the incidence of perinatal infection in most Asia‐Pacific countries. As the majority of the adult population have not been immunized at birth, we are still facing a large population of young HBV‐infected patients in the coming two decades. The study of long‐term longitudinal databases has provided deeper insight into the clinical significance of HBV DNA suppression, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B. With a better understanding on the natural history of HBV infection, one can now stratify the risk of chronic hepatitis B patients for adverse clinical outcomes and use this to individualize management. The introduction of non‐invasive assessment of liver fibrosis can potentially reduce the necessity of liver biopsy. There have also been great advances in the development of antiviral therapy in the past decade. However, the high cost of HBV antiviral drugs poses major challenges to health authorities in many Asia‐Pacific countries. Properly performed cost‐effective analysis and understanding on the best timing of stopping antiviral drugs will be important to facilitate the most appropriate allocation of resources.