bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The value of immunophenotyping hepatocellular adenomas: consecutive resections at one UK centre
Authors: Bellamy Christopher O C , Maxwell R Scott , Prost Sandrine , Azodo Ijeoma A , Powell James J , Manning Jonathan R 
Published: August 2012

Aims:  To determine the utility of immunophenotyping for classification of hepatocellular adenomas resected at one Scottish centre.Methods and results:  This study comprised a retrospective review and immunophenotyping of consecutive resected benign hepatocellular tumours. Fifty‐five patients (seven men) had 64 adenomas and 26 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs) resected. Map‐like glutamine synthetase (GS) staining was specific for FNH. Immunophenotyping changed the morphological typing for three adenomas and resolved 16 of 18 unclassified or equivocal cases, revealing GS positivity in these (seven) and four others. Steatotic/liver fatty acid binding protein‐deficient adenomas were the commonest type in women (12/29 women, 41%) but were absent from men. Where one of multiple adenomas was morphologically unclassified, there was still a shared immunophenotype. Diffuse CD34 positivity correlated with GS positivity or unclassified status (P < 0.0001). Supervised cluster analysis identified morphological discriminants for FNH and predictors of adenoma type and their insensitivity in predicting GS status. Forty per cent of men and 7% of women with adenomas had a specific adenoma risk, including danazol and portal venopathies. Inflammatory adenomas were associated with metabolic syndrome, steatosis, or alcohol (P = 0.053). Four patients showed carcinoma ex‐adenoma.Conclusions:  The distribution of adenoma types in this population matches that in others, and immunoprofiling is required for accurate typing. Carcinoma ex‐adenoma is uncommon and fits the published risk profile (large size and GS‐positive).
Raf kinase inhibitor protein expression combined with peritoneal involvement and lymphovascular invasion predicts prognosis in Dukes' B colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Doyle Brendan , Hagan Suzanne , Al‐Mulla Fahd , Scott Lucy , Harden Sharon , Paul Jim , Mulcahy Hugh , Murray Graeme I , Sheahan Kieran , O'Sullivan Jacintha , Kolch Walter 
Published: August 2012

AimsThere is controversy regarding the use of adjuvant therapy in patients with Dukes' B colorectal cancer (CRC). New markers, identifying high‐risk Dukes' B patients, are needed. Here, we examine the utility of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) as such a marker and promoter methylation as a mechanism of RKIP down‐regulation.Methods and resultsWe used a tissue microarray of 220 patients with Dukes' B CRC to examine the effect of RKIP expression on survival. Pyrosequencing was used to assess RKIP promoter methylation status. RKIP expression correlated inversely with disease‐specific survival in this cohort. In multivariate analysis, RKIP was found to be an independent prognostic indicator, along with peritoneal invasion and lymphovascular invasion (LVI). RKIP promoter hypermethylation was seen in only one of 29 tumours analysed by pyrosequencing.ConclusionsRaf kinase inhibitor protein, peritoneal invasion and LVI provide independent prognostic information in this cohort of Dukes' B CRC patients. This demonstrates the potential utility of RKIP in identifying ‘high‐risk’ Dukes' B patients. It is this high‐risk group which is most likely to benefit from close postoperative monitoring and may derive the most benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Vibrio cholerae/mimicus in fecal microbiota of healthy children in a cholera endemic urban slum setting in Kolkata, India
Authors: Nair Gopinath Balakrish , Ramamurthy Thandavarayan , Sur Dipika , Kurakawa Takashi , Takahashi Takuya , Nomoto Koji , Takeda Yoshifumi 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTDuring a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled probiotic trial among 3758 children residing in an urban slum in Kolkata, India, Vibrio cholerae/mimicus was detected in fecal microbiota of healthy children. The importance of this finding in the local, regional and global transmission of cholera is discussed.
Complex regional pain syndrome following protracted labour*
Authors: Butchart A. G. , Mathews M. , Surendran A. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryObstetric nerve palsies are common and long‐term sequelae are fortunately rare. The development of a complex regional pain syndrome is an unusual and less reported complication of labour‐related neuropathy. A 28‐year‐old primigravida who experienced prolonged labour and instrumental delivery under spinal anaesthesia complained of persisting weakness and numbness postpartum, affecting the left lower limb. Urgent magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated no abnormality and a common peroneal nerve injury was later confirmed by nerve conduction studies. Unfortunately, the neuropathy did not resolve as expected and oedema, burning paraesthesia and allodynia affecting the left foot developed within two weeks. She was treated with gabapentin, ibuprofen, topical capsaicin and regular physiotherapy. After six months, the foot drop had resolved and the chronic pain element was significantly diminished.
Unpacking the impoverished nature of secondary forests
Authors: Parr Catherine L. 
Published: August 2012

An ant worker of the genus Diacamma foraging in the understorey of a lowland rain forest in Papua New Guinea. These ants belong to the species usually nesting in aerial soil in the canopy of primary forest trees (Photo and copyright: M. Janda, www.newguineants.org).imageAn ant worker of the genus Diacamma foraging in the understorey of a lowland rain forest in Papua New Guinea. These ants belong to the species usually nesting in aerial soil in the canopy of primary forest trees (Photo and copyright: M. Janda, www.newguineants.org).
Klimes, P., Idigel, C., Rimandai, M., Fayle, T.M., Janda, M., Weiblen, G.D. & Novotny, V. (2012) Why are there more arboreal ant species in primary than secondary forests? Journal of Animal Ecology, 81, 1103–1112.In a world where even documenting species declines in tropical systems is challenging enough, Klimes et al. raise the bar by addressing the deceptively simple, yet inherently complex, question of why species richness is lower in secondary forests. Using the first plot‐scale inventory of arboreal ant nests, combined with an innovative rarefaction technique, they quantify the relative importance of a range of successional factors and highlight the contribution of beta diversity to the higher richness in primary forest.
Depletion of deep marine food patches forces divers to give up early
Authors: Thums Michele , Bradshaw Corey J. A. , Sumner Michael D. , Horsburgh Judy M. , Hindell Mark A. 
Published: August 2012

Summary

Many optimal foraging models for diving animals examine strategies that maximize time spent in the foraging zone, assuming that prey acquisition increases linearly with search time. Other models have considered the effect of patch quality and predict a net energetic benefit if dives where no prey is encountered early in the dive are abandoned. For deep divers, however, the energetic benefit of giving up is reduced owing to the elevated energy costs associated with descending to physiologically hostile depths, so patch residence time should be invariant. Others consider an asymptotic gain function where the decision to leave a patch is driven by patch‐depletion effects – the marginal value theorem. As predator behaviour is increasingly being used as an index of marine resource density and distribution, it is important to understand the nature of this gain function.
We investigated the dive behaviour of the world's deepest‐diving seal, the southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina, in response to patch quality. Testing these models has largely been limited to controlled experiments on captive animals. By integrating in situ measurements of the seal's relative lipid content obtained from drift rate data (a measure of foraging success) with area‐restricted search behaviour identified from first‐passage time analysis, we identified regions of high‐ and low‐quality patches.
Dive durations and bottom times were not invariant and did not increase in regions of high quality; rather, both were longer when patches were of relatively low quality. This is consistent with the predictions of the marginal value theorem and provides support for a nonlinear relationship between search time and prey acquisition.
We also found higher descent and ascent rates in high‐quality patches suggesting that seals minimized travel time to the foraging patch when quality was high; however, this was not achieved by increasing speed or dive angle. Relative body lipid content was an important predictor of dive behaviour.
Seals did not schedule their diving to maximize time spent in the foraging zone in higher‐quality patches, challenging the widely held view that maximizing time in the foraging zone translates to greater foraging success.
Preliminary success using hydrogen peroxide to treat Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., affected with experimentally induced amoebic gill disease (AGD)
Authors: Adams M B , Crosbie P B B , Nowak B F 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCurrently, the only effective and commercially used treatment for amoebic gill disease (AGD) in farmed Tasmanian Atlantic salmon is freshwater bathing. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), commonly used throughout the aquaculture industry for a range of topical skin and gill infections, was trialled in vitro and in vivo to ascertain its potential as an alternative treatment against AGD. Under in vitro conditions, trophozoites of Neoparamoeba perurans were exposed to three concentrations of H2O2 in sea water (500, 1000 and 1500 mg L−1) over four durations (10, 20, 30 and 60 min) each at two temperatures (12 and 18 °C). Trophozoite viability was assessed immediately post‐exposure and after 24 h. A concentration/duration combination of 1000 mg L−1 for >10 min demonstrated potent amoebicidal activity. Subsequently, Atlantic salmon mildly affected with experimentally induced AGD were treated with H2O2 at 12 and 18 °C for 15 min at 1250 mg L−1 and their re‐infection rate was compared to freshwater‐treated fish over 21 days. Significant differences in the percentage of filaments affected with hyperplastic lesions (in association with amoebae) and plasma osmolality were noted between treatment groups immediately post‐bath. However, the results were largely equivocal in terms of disease resolution over a 3‐week period following treatment. These data suggest that H2O2 treatment in sea water successfully ameliorated a clinically light case of AGD under laboratory conditions.
Periodontal diseases and stress: a brief review
Authors: Akcali A. , Huck O. , Tenenbaum H. , Davideau J. L. , Buduneli N. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryPeriodontal diseases are common chronic inflammatory diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms colonising the subgingival area and inducing local and systemic elevations of pro‐inflammatory cytokines resulting in tissue destruction. Apparition and evolution of periodontal diseases are influenced by many local or systemic risk factors. Psychological stress has been suggested as one of them and may negatively influence the outcome of periodontal treatment. However, mechanisms explaining the possible relationship between stress and increased susceptibility to periodontal disease remain poorly understood. Several stress markers are found in blood and saliva of patients with periodontal diseases and influence the development of periodontal diseases by several mechanisms including modifications of the inflammatory response and changes in the composition of the dental biofilm. The aim of this review is to provide an insight into the relationship between psychological stress and periodontal diseases.
IL‐28B (IFN‐λ3) and IFN‐α synergistically inhibit HCV replication
Authors: Shindo H. , Maekawa S. , Komase K. , Miura M. , Kadokura M. , Sueki R. , Komatsu N. , Shindo K. , Amemiya F. , Nakayama Y. , Inoue T. , Sakamoto M. , Yamashita A. , Moriishi K. , Enomoto N. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryGenetic variation in the IL‐28B (interleukin‐28B; interferon lambda 3) region has been associated with sustained virological response (SVR) rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon‐α and ribavirin. However, the mechanisms by which polymorphisms in the IL‐28B gene region affect host antiviral responses are not well understood. Using the HCV 1b and 2a replicon system, we compared the effects of IFN‐λs and IFN‐α on HCV RNA replication. The anti‐HCV effect of IFN‐λ3 and IFN‐α in combination was also assessed. Changes in gene expression induced by IFN‐λ3 and IFN‐α were compared using cDNA microarray analysis. IFN‐λs at concentrations of 1 ng/mL or more exhibited concentration‐ and time‐dependent HCV inhibition. In combination, IFN‐λ3 and IFN‐α had a synergistic anti‐HCV effect; however, no synergistic enhancement was observed for interferon‐stimulated response element (ISRE) activity or upregulation of interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs). With respect to the time course of ISG upregulation, the peak of IFN‐λ3‐induced gene expression occurred later and lasted longer than that induced by IFN‐α. In addition, although the genes upregulated by IFN‐α and IFN‐λ3 were similar to microarray analysis, interferon‐stimulated gene expression appeared early and was prolonged by combined administration of these two IFNs. In conclusion, IFN‐α and IFN‐λ3 in combination showed synergistic anti‐HCV activity in vitro. Differences in time‐dependent upregulation of these genes might contribute to the synergistic antiviral activity.
The walk is never random: subtle landscape effects shape gene flow in a continuous white‐tailed deer population in the Midwestern United States
Authors: ROBINSON STACIE J. , SAMUEL MICHAEL D. , LOPEZ DAVIN L. , SHELTON PAUL 
Published: August 2012

AbstractOne of the pervasive challenges in landscape genetics is detecting gene flow patterns within continuous populations of highly mobile wildlife. Understanding population genetic structure within a continuous population can give insights into social structure, movement across the landscape and contact between populations, which influence ecological interactions, reproductive dynamics or pathogen transmission. We investigated the genetic structure of a large population of deer spanning the area of Wisconsin and Illinois, USA, affected by chronic wasting disease. We combined multiscale investigation, landscape genetic techniques and spatial statistical modelling to address the complex questions of landscape factors influencing population structure. We sampled over 2000 deer and used spatial autocorrelation and a spatial principal components analysis to describe the population genetic structure. We evaluated landscape effects on this pattern using a spatial autoregressive model within a model selection framework to test alternative hypotheses about gene flow. We found high levels of genetic connectivity, with gradients of variation across the large continuous population of white‐tailed deer. At the fine scale, spatial clustering of related animals was correlated with the amount and arrangement of forested habitat. At the broader scale, impediments to dispersal were important to shaping genetic connectivity within the population. We found significant barrier effects of individual state and interstate highways and rivers. Our results offer an important understanding of deer biology and movement that will help inform the management of this species in an area where overabundance and disease spread are primary concerns.
Yersinia pestis Versus Yersinia pseudotuberculosis: Effects on Host Macrophages
Authors: Bi Y. , Wang X. , Han Y. , Guo Z. , Yang R. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractYersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, is proved to be a recently emerged clone from Y. pseudotuberculosis. However, the diseases they cause and their patterns of transmission are very different. People always focus on the genetic changes between Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis to reveal their pathogenic differences, and little is known about host defence differences to these two Yersinia. In this study, the effects of Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis on macrophages were analysed. Cell apoptosis showed significant difference after the macrophages were infected by these two strains, and caspase‐3 activity also demonstrated a similar tendency. Further, macrophage function activities were evaluated. We found during the early infection of Y. pestis, several basic functions of macrophages, including phagocytosis, secretion of cytokine tumour necrosis factor‐α and nitric oxide, macrophage polarity and antigen presenting, were significantly interrupted. In comparison, Y. pseudotuberculosis infection showed lower inhibition on macrophages. Especially, Y. pestis infection might cause macrophage to polarize to M2 macrophages in the early phase, compared with Y. pseudotuberculosis infection, which was different from the common acute infection. These results clearly indicated even in the early stage of infection, different host macrophage defence patterns could help us to understand the obvious virulence differences between Y. pestis and Y. pseudotuberculosis.
Understanding why patients with immune thrombocytopenia are deeply divided on splenectomy
Authors: Wang Karen K. W. , Charles Cathy , Heddle Nancy M. , Arnold Emmy , Molnar Laura , Arnold Donald M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundSplenectomy is an effective treatment for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP); however, patients' willingness to accept splenectomy is variable.ObjectiveTo explore why some ITP patients accepted splenectomy when recommended by their physician while others refused.DesignQualitative descriptive study using one‐to‐one, in‐depth patient interviews and a team‐based approach to thematic analysis.ResultsOf 25 patients interviewed, 15 refused splenectomy and 10 accepted and were awaiting surgery. Themes about the influences on splenectomy decision making that emerged from patient interviews were (i) the perceived impact of ITP on quality of life, (ii) patients' view of splenectomy as a last resort treatment, (iii) patients' interpretations of the rates of treatment success and failure and (iv) a perceived lack of familiarity about ITP. Patients who accepted splenectomy perceived their disease as having a negative impact on their quality of life, whereas patients who refused felt their situation was not severe enough to warrant surgery. Patients developed their own experiential interpretations of the success rates of splenectomy quoted to them. A general lack of awareness of the clinical impact of ITP and its cause was identified by patients as barriers to choosing splenectomy.ConclusionsPatients' disease experience, perceptions of the lack of treatment alternatives, interpretations of treatment success and failure rates and a general lack of awareness about ITP influenced treatment choice. This study represents a first step towards contextualizing treatment decision making in ITP, focusing on patient preferences and values.
Poly(I:C) promotes the production of IL‐17A by murine CD1d‐driven invariant NKT cells in airway inflammation
Authors: Vultaggio A. , Nencini F. , Pratesi S. , Petroni G. , Romagnani S. , Maggi E. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundIL‐17A is associated with different asthma phenotypes as virus‐associated or steroid‐resistant asthma. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] on IL‐17A production by CD1d‐activated iNKT cells.MethodsWe analysed the in vitro effect of poly(I:C) on the release of IL‐17A by spleen and lung CD1d‐activated iNKT cells with α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer). Its activity was also investigated in an α‐GalCer‐induced murine models, including lung inflammation. The inhibition of IL‐17A by Toll‐like receptor (TLR) 7 agonists in the same in vitro and in vivo models has been analysed.ResultsPoly(I:C) upregulated the in vitro IL‐17A production by CD1d‐activated NK1.1− CD4− iNKT subset, without modifying type 1 and type 2 cytokines. The two stimuli selectively upregulated IL‐17A serum levels in vivo. Their intratracheal administration resulted in increased airway hyper‐reactivity (AHR), neutrophilia in bronchoalveolar lavage and airway inflammation, which were inhibited by anti‐IL‐17A antibody. Poly(I:C) effects were attributable to IL1β and IL‐23 release from dendritic cells, as showed by inhibition with neutralizing antibodies. TLR7 agonists inhibited the IL‐17A production by poly(I:C) plus α‐GalCer in the same models. Such effect was associated with the increased production by DC of IL‐17A‐inhibiting cytokines and the dampening of IL‐1β and IL‐23.ConclusionsSynthetic dsRNA selectively expand a CD1d‐driven IL‐17A‐producing iNKT cell subset, thus explaining the worsening of airway inflammation by some viral infections. TLR3‐ and TLR7‐triggering viral sequences can exert variable and opposite effects on adaptive immune response.
Heterogeneity of HLA‐DRB1*04 alleles and haplotypes in the Croatian population
Authors: Grubic Z. , Stingl K. , Zunec R. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAnalysis of allele distribution at the HLA‐DRB1*04 gene, as one of the frequent ones among Croatians, and their HLA‐A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes in the Croatian population was performed in this study. Using LABType®SSO and PCR‐SSP method, 11 DRB1*04 subtypes were observed, of which DRB1*04:01 was the most frequent (28.0%) followed by DRB1*04:02 (26.3%), DRB1*04:03 (22.3%), and DRB1*04:04 (14.2%). The significant haplotypes (with highest P value) for given DRB1*04 allele were the following combinations: HLA‐B*15:01‐DRB1*04:01, HLA‐B*38:01‐DRB1*04:02, HLA‐B*35:03‐DRB1*04:03, HLA‐B*35:03‐DRB1*04:08, HLA‐B*14:01‐DRB1*04:04, and HLA‐B*49‐DRB1*04:05. Marked differences in the distribution of our most frequent haplotypes of HLA‐B‐DRB1*04 (HLA‐B*38:01‐DRB1*04:02 and HLA‐B*15:01‐DRB1*04:01) were found in comparison to other European populations investigated so far. Additionally, comparison of HLA‐A‐B‐DRB1*04 haplotypes showed that although there are similarities in the haplotype structure between our and other populations, there are also noteworthy differences. In summary, the identification of conserved and unusual DRB1*04 haplotypes in the present study of Croats should have important clinical implications for donor–recipient matching in the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation program, help in the understanding of HLA polymorphisms in different European populations, and also prove to be very useful in the determination of possible susceptibility genes involved in HLA‐DRB1*04‐associated diseases.