bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profiling of short RNAs during fleshy fruit development reveals stage‐specific sRNAome expression patterns
Authors: Mohorianu Irina , Schwach Frank , Jing Runchun , Lopez‐Gomollon Sara , Moxon Simon , Szittya Gyorgy , Sorefan Karim , Moulton Vincent , Dalmay Tamas 
Published: March 2011

SummaryPlants feature a particularly diverse population of short (s)RNAs, the central component of all RNA silencing pathways. Next generation sequencing techniques enable deeper insights into this complex and highly conserved mechanism and allow identification and quantification of sRNAs. We employed deep sequencing to monitor the sRNAome of developing tomato fruits covering the period between closed flowers and ripened fruits by profiling sRNAs at 10 time‐points. It is known that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in development but very little information is available about the majority of sRNAs that are not miRNAs. Here we show distinctive patterns of sRNA expression that often coincide with stages of the developmental process such as flowering, early and late fruit maturation. Moreover, thousands of non‐miRNA sRNAs are differentially expressed during fruit development and ripening. Some of these differentially expressed sRNAs derived from transposons but many derive from protein coding genes or regions that show homology to protein coding genes, several of which are known to play a role in flower and fruit development. These findings raise the possibility of a regulative role of these sRNAs during fruit onset and maturation in a crop species. We also identified six new miRNAs and experimentally validated two target mRNAs. These two mRNAs are targeted by the same miRNA but do not belong to the same gene family, which is rare for plant miRNAs. Expression pattern and putative function of these targets indicate a possible role in glutamate accumulation, which contributes to establishing the taste of the fruit.
Rapid gastric emptying, rather than delayed gastric emptying, might provoke functional dyspepsia
Authors: Kusano Motoyasu , Zai Hiroaki , Shimoyama Yasuyuki , Hosaka Hiroko , Kuribayashi Shikou , Kawamura Osamu , Mori Masatomo 
Published: March 2011

AbstractIt has been suggested that there could be three possible mechanisms of gastric dysfunction in patients with FD: (i) delayed gastric emptying, (ii) impaired gastric accommodation of food intake, and (iii) hypersensitivity to gastric distention. Postprandial fullness seems to be the most severe symptom in patients who report aggravation of their symptoms after meals. Therefore, it has been assumed that delayed gastric emptying and consequent prolonged antral distension could reduce hunger, increase satiety, and even cause gastric discomfort, all of which would pose a significant barrier to adequate nutrition.We previously reported that postprandial water intake inhibits gastric antral motility along with an increase of cholecystokinin (CCK) in normal subjects. We assumed that the rapid increase of CCK after water intake was initiated by a feedback mechanism related to the inflow of fatty chyme into the duodenum that inhibits gastric antral activity. This duodeno‐gastric interaction is known as the “duodenal break.” We also reported that total gastric emptying was more rapid after the intake of a high‐viscosity liquid meal than after a low‐viscosity meal, because the low‐viscosity liquid meal inhibits gastric empting after rapid initial inflow into the duodenum.Considering these results, we hypothesized that rapid gastric emptying, rather than delayed gastric emptying, could be a cause of FD. In some patients with postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), we have found a significant correspondence between PDS‐related dyspepsia and accelerated gastric emptying in the early postprandial period.It is worth emphasizing that the duodenum and the duodeno‐gastric interaction (duodenal break) could have an important role in the pathophysiology of FD. We consider that rapid gastric emptying might be a more important factor than delayed gastric emptying in patients with FD.
Combined brush cytology and stent placement in a single session for presumed malignant biliary stricture
Authors: Kawada Natsuko , Uehara Hiroyuki , Katayama Kazuhiro , Takano Yasuna , Takakura Rena , Imanaka Kazuho , Ohkawa Kazuyoshi , Takenaka Akemi , Ishikawa Osamu 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Biliary stricture may be benign or malignant and causes obstructive jaundice. Brush cytology is a simple technique for diagnosing the cause of biliary stricture; however, its sensitivity has been reported to be low. A technique that comprises diagnosing the cause of stricture with a satisfactory sensitivity and relieving jaundice is required. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of brush cytology and the feasibility of the subsequent stent placement in a single endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) session performed for presumed malignant biliary strictures.Methods:  Data were collected by reviewing the medical records of 100 consecutive patients with suspected malignant biliary stricture who underwent brush cytology followed by stent placement at our center. Diagnostic performance of brush cytology, completion rate of the whole procedures comprising brush cytology and stent placement, and complications were evaluated.Result:  Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and overall accuracy of brush cytology were 83%, 100%, 100%, 33% and 84%, respectively. Biliary stent was successfully inserted for all patients (100%) subsequent to brush cytology in a single ERCP session. Eight patients (8%) had complications.Conclusion:  Brush cytology was performed with much higher sensitivity of 83% than those of previous reports and the subsequent stent placement was successfully completed in all cases. For presumed malignant biliary stricture, brush cytology should be selected as an initial attempt because this technique is simple and enables subsequent stent placement in a single ERCP session.
Prevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori sero‐positivity in the Australian adult community
Authors: Pandeya Nirmala , Whiteman David C ,   for the Australian Cancer Study
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  To estimate the sero‐prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori infection in the Australian adult population and identify determinants.Methods:  We analyzed serum samples and questionnaire data from 1355 community controls who participated in a nationwide case‐control study of esophageal cancer in Australia between 2002 and 2005. We estimated the prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval using log binomial regression models.Results:  The age and sex standardized sero‐prevalence of H. pylori was 15.5%. The prevalence of infection varied significantly with age, ranging from 5% (< 40 years) to 32% (≥ 70 years). H. pylori infection was significantly higher among those born overseas (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34–1.98) compared with those born in Australia or New Zealand. H. pylori sero‐prevalence was 23% higher among participants living in the lowest quartile of socio‐economic areas (PR 0.77; 95%CI 0.59–0.99 for Q4 compared with Q1). H pylori serostatus was significantly inversely associated with university education (PR 0.56; 95%CI 0.38–0.83), frequent reflux symptoms (PR 0.62; 95%CI 0.42–0.91), use of proton pump inhibitor (PR 0.69; 95%CI 0.48–0.98) and use of medications for gut spasms (PR 0.48; 95%CI 0.25–0.93). H. pylori serostatus was not associated with body mass index, smoking, alcohol or physical activity.Conclusions:  The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Australian adults is lower than other developed countries. H. pylori infection is most common among those living in the areas of socio‐economic disadvantage or who were born overseas.
Effects of acetylcholine on sling and clasp fibers of the human lower esophageal sphincter
Authors: Liu Jun‐Feng , Lu Hui‐Lai , Wen Shi‐Wang , Wu Rui‐Feng 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Manometric studies on the human lower esophageal sphincter (LES) have shown radial asymmetry of the high‐pressure zone (HPZ). The aim of this study was to compare the functional properties of human LES clasp and sling muscles, and to look at their relationship with the expression of muscarinic receptors and intracellular Ca2+ concentration.Methods:  Muscle strips of sling and clasp fibers from the LES were obtained from patients undergoing subtotal esophagectomy. Isometric tension responses of the strips to acetylcholine were studied. Western blotting and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) were used to determine the expression of five subtypes of muscarinic receptors. Intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured using laser scanning confocal microscopy.Results:  Acetylcholine caused a concentration‐dependent increase in the tension of sling and clasp strips, the sling strip being stronger than clasp (P = 0.00). Messenger RNA and protein for the five muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChRs) expressed in the sling and clasp muscles were highest for M2, and then in decreasing levels: M3 > M1 > M4 > M5. Acetylcholine caused significant elevation of [Ca2+]i in sling and clasp muscle cells in the presence of extracellular Ca2+ (1.5 mmol/L), and Ach‐induced [Ca2+]i elevation was 1.6 times greater in sling cells than in clasp cells.Conclusion:  Variation of intracellular concentrations of Ca2+ may be the reason for differential responses to acetylcholine for sling versus clasp fibers. However, these differences are not associated with the distribution and the level of expression of the five mAChRs between the two muscle types. Further study should focus on the ligand affinity and signal transduction pathway.
Use of an external real‐time image viewer coupled with prespecified actions enhanced the complete examinations for capsule endoscopy
Authors: Shiotani Akiko , Honda Keisuke , Kawakami Makiko , Nishi Ryuji , Murao Takahisa , Ishii Manabu , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Kusunoki Hiroaki , Hata Jiro , Haruma Ken 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  The clinical utility of capsule endoscopy (CE) is often limited by incomplete small‐bowel transit. The aim was to determine whether the use of an external real‐time viewer could reduce delays caused by delayed gastric emptying of the capsule or delayed intestinal transit and also improve the rate of positive findings.Methods:  We compared the proportion of completed exams and positive results among a group of patients studied before introduction of real‐time viewer and a group in which capsule transit through the esophagus, stomach, and small bowel was regularly monitored and actions (e.g. administration of water or intravenous metoclopramide) were taken if it was delayed.Results:  One hundred procedures in the viewer group and 100 control procedures in the age‐matched controls were analyzed. In the viewer group, additional water intake (22 cases) and/or administration of metoclopramide (26 cases) were required. Endoscopic‐assisted duodenal placement of the capsule was required in three cases. Overall one‐third (n = 33) of cases required viewer‐prompted interventions. The completion rate (86% vs 66%, P = 0.002) and the rate of positive findings (80% vs 67%, P = 0.04) were significantly higher in the viewer group compared to the no viewer group.Conclusions:  Checking the progress of the capsule with the external real‐time viewer improved the diagnostic yield and completion rate of CE.
Additive improvement induced by bezafibrate in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis showing refractory response to ursodeoxycholic acid
Authors: Takeuchi Yasuto , Ikeda Fusao , Fujioka Shin‐ichi , Takaki Toshiyuki , Osawa Toshiya , Yasunaka Tetsuya , Miyake Yasuhiro , Takaki Akinobu , Iwasaki Yoshiaki , Kobashi Haruhiko , Yamamoto Kazuhide , Itoshima Tatsuya 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been widely used in the treatment of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). However, some patients are refractory to UDCA. The aim of this study is to clarify the additive improvement induced by bezafibrate in patients refractory to UDCA.Methods:  This study was a prospective analysis of 37 consecutive PBC patients. All patients were treated first for 6 months with UDCA, and then with bezafibrate, if their alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels did not decrease more than 40% or within the normal range after 6 months' treatment with UDCA. Clinical parameters were monitored for the subsequent 24 months.Result:  Twenty‐two patients (59%) achieved improvement of ALP levels after the treatment with UDCA. Those patients (Group A) had significantly lower levels of ALP at diagnosis than those with abnormal ALP levels after 6 months' treatment with UDCA (Group B; P = 0.020). They continued UDCA monotherapy, and maintained normal ALP levels at subsequent follow ups. However, immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels remained abnormal in eight patients, whose IgM levels at the time of diagnosis were significantly higher than those whose IgM were normalized after 6 months' treatment with UDCA (P = 0.026). Those in Group B were treated additionally with bezafibrate, and 12 patients (80%) achieved normal ALP and IgM levels within 12 months of commencement of therapy.Conclusion:  Higher ALP level at diagnosis is one of the predictors for UDCA failure. Combination treatment of bezafibrate in addition to UDCA may be an effective treatment for PBC patients refractory to UDCA.
Breeding system and pollination by mimicry of the orchid Tolumnia guibertiana in Western Cuba
Authors: VALE ÁNGEL , NAVARRO LUIS , ROJAS DANNY , ÁLVAREZ JULIO C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe mimicry of malpighiaceous oil‐flowers appears to be a recurrent pollination strategy among many orchids of the subtribe Oncidiinae. These two plant groups are mainly pollinated by oil‐gathering bees, which also specialize in pollen collection by buzzing. In the present study, the floral ecology of the rewardless orchid Tolumnia guibertiana (Oncidiinae) was studied for the first time. The orchid was self‐incompatible and completely dependent on oil‐gathering female bees (Centris poecila) for fruit production. This bee species was also the pollinator of two other yellow‐flowered plants in the area: the pollen and oil producing Stigmaphyllon diversifolium (Malpighiaceae) and the polliniferous and buzzing‐pollinated Ouratea agrophylla (Ochnaceae). To evaluate whether this system is a case of mimetism, we observed pollinator visits to flowers of the three plant species and compared the floral morphometrics of these flowers. The behavior, preferences and movement patterns of Centris bees among these plants, as well as the morphological data, suggest that, as previously thought, flowers of T. guibertiana mimic the Malpighiaceae S. diversifolium. However, orchid pollination in one of the studied populations appears to depend also on the presence of O. agrophylla. Moreover, at the two studied populations, male and female pollination successes of T. guibertiana were not affected by its own floral display, and did not differ between populations. The results are discussed in relation to the behavior and preferences of Centris bees, as well as the differential presence and influence of each of the two floral models.
Efficacy and safety of topiramate on weight loss: a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kramer C. K. , Leitão C. B. , Pinto L. C. , Canani L. H. , Azevedo M. J. , Gross J. L. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryTopiramate was associated with weight loss in clinical trials. We summarize the evidence on the efficacy and safety of topiramate in the treatment of overweight/obesity. The databases Medline, Embase, and Cochrane were searched. Randomized controlled studies with at least 16 weeks of duration that report the effect of topiramate on weight loss and adverse events were eligible for inclusion. Ten studies were included (3320 individuals). Patients treated with topiramate lost an average of 5.34 kg (95% confidence interval [95%CI]−6.12 to −4.56) of additional weight as compared with placebo. According to meta‐regression analysis, treatment duration and dosage were associated with the efficacy of topiramate treatment. Evaluating trials using topiramate 96–200 mg day−1, the weight loss was higher in trials with >28 weeks of duration (−6.58 kg [95%CI −7.48 to −5.68]) than in trials with ≤28 weeks (−4.11 kg [95%CI −4.92 to −3.30]). Data of 6620 individuals were available for adverse events evaluation and those more frequently observed were paraesthesia, taste impairment and psychomotor disturbances. The odds ratio for adverse events leading to topiramate withdrawal was 1.94 (95%CI 1.64–2.29) compared with the control group. In conclusion, topiramate might be a useful adjunctive therapeutic tool in the treatment of obesity as long as proper warnings about side effects are considered.
Relationship between young peoples' sedentary behaviour and biomedical health indicators: a systematic review of prospective studies
Authors: Chinapaw M. J. M. , Proper K. I. , Brug J. , van Mechelen W. , Singh A. S. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe aim of this systematic review was to describe the prospective relationship between childhood sedentary behaviour and health indicators. We identified prospective studies from searches in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo and Cochrane, from January 1989 through April 2010. Two reviewers independently screened the titles and abstracts for eligibility, rated the methodological quality of the studies, and extracted data.We identified 31 papers, examining 27 different cohorts. The quality score of the studies ranged from 38 to 88%. Nine studies were scored as high quality. According to the best evidence synthesis we found insufficient evidence for a longitudinal positive relationship between ‘sedentary time’– mainly TV viewing – and body mass index (BMI) and more specific indicators of fat mass. One high quality and two low quality studies found a significant inverse relationship between sedentary time – mainly TV viewing – and aerobic fitness, leading to moderate evidence for this inverse relationship. There was insufficient evidence for a longitudinal relationship between sedentary time and blood pressure, blood lipids or bone mass.Our systematic review suggests that there is moderate evidence for a longitudinal inverse relationship between screen time and aerobic fitness during childhood. Thus there is evidence to limit screen time in young people in order to prevent low levels of fitness. The possible detrimental health effects of prolonged or excessive sitting on other health indicators needs further study.
Holism in nursing and health promotion: distinct or related perspectives? – A literature review
Authors: Povlsen Lene , Borup Ina K. 
Published: March 2011

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 798–805

Holism in nursing and health promotion: distinct or related perspectives? – A literature reviewBackground:  The concept of holism is central in health promotion as well as in nursing. Holism or a holistic view on health was identified as one of the key principles of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and is linked to social ecology and the determinants of health.Aims:  To explore how the term holism was defined and/or described in Nordic articles with a health‐promotion approach, and how holism aspects were related to nursing and health promotion, and to the other key principles of the Ottawa Charter.Methods:  Abstracts were first identified by the search word ‘health promotion’ as a keyword. The search was limited to 1986–2008 and abstracts written in English by authors with a Nordic affiliation. Abstracts/articles for this study were subsequently selected from these abstracts using the search words ‘holism’ and ‘holistic’ and analysed by quantitative and manifest qualitative content analysis.Findings:  The sample included 23 articles: one theoretical, two reviews and 20 empirical studies. Sixteen articles included a hospital setting or nursing perspective. A holistic perspective could be extracted from most articles. No larger but several minor differences were identified in the way holism aspects were related to nursing and health promotion respectively.Conclusion:  There is a risk that the individual patient perspective of holism in nursing may result in less chance of reaching larger groups of patients with chronic diseases and mental health problems, not least the most vulnerable ones.
dFOXO‐independent effects of reduced insulin‐like signaling in Drosophila
Authors: Slack Cathy , Giannakou Maria E. , Foley Andrea , Goss Martin , Partridge Linda 
Published: March 2011

SummaryThe insulin/insulin‐like growth factor‐like signaling (IIS) pathway in metazoans has evolutionarily conserved roles in growth control, metabolic homeostasis, stress responses, reproduction, and lifespan. Genetic manipulations that reduce IIS in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and the mouse have been shown not only to produce substantial increases in lifespan but also to ameliorate several age‐related diseases. In C. elegans, the multitude of phenotypes produced by the reduction in IIS are all suppressed in the absence of the worm FOXO transcription factor, DAF‐16, suggesting that they are all under common regulation. It is not yet clear in other animal models whether the activity of FOXOs mediate all of the physiological effects of reduced IIS, especially increased lifespan. We have addressed this issue by examining the effects of reduced IIS in the absence of dFOXO in Drosophila, using a newly generated null allele of dfoxo. We found that the removal of dFOXO almost completely blocks IIS‐dependent lifespan extension. However, unlike in C. elegans, removal of dFOXO does not suppress the body size, fecundity, or oxidative stress resistance phenotypes of IIS‐compromised flies. In contrast, IIS‐dependent xenobiotic resistance is fully dependent on dFOXO activity. Our results therefore suggest that there is evolutionary divergence in the downstream mechanisms that mediate the effects of IIS. They also imply that in Drosophila, additional factors act alongside dFOXO to produce IIS‐dependent responses in body size, fecundity, and oxidative stress resistance and that these phenotypes are not causal in IIS‐mediated extension of lifespan.