bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Host Response to Probiotics Determined by Nutritional Status of Rotavirus‐infected Neonatal Mice
Authors: Preidis Geoffrey A. , Saulnier Delphine M. , Blutt Sarah E. , Mistretta Toni‐Ann , Riehle Kevin P. , Major Angela M. , Venable Susan F. , Barrish James P. , Finegold Milton J. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Guerrant Richard L. , Conner Margaret E. , Versalovic James 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTObjectives:Beneficial microbes and probiotics are promising agents for the prevention and treatment of enteric and diarrheal diseases in children; however, little is known about their in vivo mechanisms of action. We used a neonatal mouse model of rotavirus diarrhea to gain insight into how probiotics ameliorate acute gastroenteritis.Methods:Rotavirus‐infected mice were treated with 1 of 2 strains of human‐derived Lactobacillus reuteri. We assessed intestinal microbiome composition with 16S metagenomic sequencing, enterocyte migration and proliferation with 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine, and antibody and cytokine concentrations with multiplex analyses of intestinal explant cultures.Results:Probiotics reduced diarrhea duration, improved intestinal histopathology, and enhanced intestinal microbiome richness and phylogenetic diversity. The magnitude of reduction of diarrhea by probiotics was strain specific and influenced by nutritional status. L reuteri DSM 17938 reduced diarrhea duration by 0, 1, and 2 days in underweight, normal weight, and overweight pups, respectively. The magnitude of reduction of diarrhea duration correlated with increased enterocyte proliferation and migration. Strain ATCC PTA 6475 reduced diarrhea duration by 1 day in all of the mice without increasing enterocyte proliferation. Both probiotic strains decreased concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, including macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α and interleukin‐1β, in all of the animals, and increased rotavirus‐specific antibodies in all but the underweight animals. Body weight also influenced the host response to rotavirus, in terms of diarrhea duration, enterocyte turnover, and antibody production.Conclusions:These data suggest that probiotic enhancement of enterocyte proliferation, villus repopulation, and virus‐specific antibodies may contribute to diarrhea resolution, and that nutritional status influences the host response to both beneficial microbes and pathogens.
Different Clinical Manifestations Between Primary Gastrointestinal Malignancies and Benign Tumors in Children
Authors: Tay Chow‐Hong , Lee Hung‐Chang , Yeung Chun‐Yan , Chan Wai‐Tao , Jiang Chuen‐Bin , Liang Der‐Cherng 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTObjective:The purpose of the present study was to review the different clinical manifestations of primary gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies and benign tumors in pediatric patients.Methods:The demographic data, duration to diagnosis, clinical features, laboratory data, location and pathology of the tumors, and outcomes of pediatric patients from January 1984 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.Results:A total of 24 GI malignancies and 62 benign tumors were diagnosed. Patients in the benign group were mostly diagnosed in the first decade of life (73%), whereas majority of patients with malignancies were older than 10 years (79%). The most common tumor location in the benign group was the colorectum, whereas in the malignant group, tumors were distributed equally in the small intestine and colorectum. The median duration from onset to diagnosis in the benign group was longer than that of the malignant group (P > 00.05). There was statistically significant increase in the presence of hematochezia in patients with benign tumor compared with those with malignancy (P < 00.05). Among the malignancies, 79% presented with abdominal pain, followed by weight loss (25%), anorexia (25%), palpable mass (25%), and fever (21%), with statistically significant differences compared with the benign group (P < 00.05). Anemia was found in 47% to 63% of patients in both groups (P > 00.05). Two patients with polyposis subsequently developed malignancy.Conclusions:Different manifestations of GI malignancies and benign tumors may help pediatricians to detect these early. Patients with polyposis should be aware of the risk of malignant change.
Possible involvement of maize Rop1 in the defence responses of plants to viral infection
Authors: CAO YANYONG , SHI YAN , LI YONGQIANG , CHENG YUQIN , ZHOU TAO , FAN ZAIFENG 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYThe expression of host genes can be altered during the process of viral infection. To investigate the viral infection‐induced up‐regulated gene expression changes of maize at different time intervals post‐inoculation with Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), a suppression subtractive hybridization cDNA library was constructed. A total of 454 cDNA clones were identified to be viral infection‐induced up‐regulated genes. The influence of Rop1 on the infection of maize by SCMV was investigated. The results showed that transient silencing of the ZmRop1 gene through virus‐induced gene silencing enhanced the accumulation and systemic infection of SCMV and another potyvirus (Pennisetum mosaic virus) in maize plants, whereas transient over‐expression of ZmRop1 in maize protoplasts reduced SCMV accumulation. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the heterologous expression of ZmRop1 impaired Potato virus X infection in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. These data suggest that ZmRop1 may play a role in plant defence responses to viral infection.
The expression of calcitonin receptor detected in malignant cells of the brain tumour glioblastoma multiforme and functional properties in the cell line A172
Authors: Wookey Peter J , McLean Catriona A , Hwang Peter , Furness Sebastian G B , Nguyen Sandy , Kourakis Angela , Hare David L , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V 
Published: February 2012

Wookey P J, McLean C A, Hwang P, Furness S G B, Nguyen S, Kourakis A, Hare D L & Rosenfeld J V  (2012) Histopathology 60, 895–910The expression of calcitonin receptor detected in malignant cells of the brain tumour glioblastoma multiforme and functional properties in the cell line A172Aim:  Previous studies have indicated that expression of calcitonin receptor (CTR) could be induced in a proinflammatory environment. In the present study, CTR‐immunoreactivity (CTR‐ir) was investigated in brain tissue from patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).Methods and results:  In immunohistochemical analysis of GBM samples, tissues with complex glomeruloid structures surrounded by malignant cells were analysed for CTR‐ir using anti‐human CTR antibodies generated against two separate epitopes of CTR. CTR‐ir was associated predominantly with glial cells. Regions with CTR‐ir cells were found in 12 of 14 GBM tumours (P < 0.05). Using confocal microscopy, CTR‐ir cells were identified that were also positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein, nestin and CD133. Antibodies were verified using immunoblots and confocal microscopy of the Cercopithecus aethiops(COS)‐7 transfectants. Immunoblots of membrane preparations from the CTR‐positive cell lines demonstrated a major band (∼67 kDa) and minor band (∼52 kDa), but the intensity was reversed for the GBM cell line A172. In cultured A172 cells, functional studies demonstrated calcitonin stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and inhibition of extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation.Conclusions:  The findings that (i) CTR was expressed by glioma cells in a majority of GBM tumours tested, (ii) CTR+/CD133+ cells were identified and (iii) second messenger systems were functionally modified by calcitonin in A172 cells suggest that CTR might be a useful therapeutic target in GBM.
Papillary thyroid carcinomas with and without BRAF  V600E mutations are morphologically distinct
Authors: Finkelstein Alexander , Levy Gillian H , Hui Pei , Prasad Avinash , Virk Renu , Chhieng David C , Carling Tobias , Roman Sanziana A , Sosa Julie A , Udelsman Robert , Theoharis Constantine G , Prasad Manju L 
Published: February 2012

Finkelstein A, Levy G H, Hui P, Prasad A, Virk R, Chhieng D C, Carling T, Roman S A, Sosa J A, Udelsman R, Theoharis C G & Prasad M L  (2012) Histopathology 60, 1052–1059Papillary thyroid carcinomas with and without BRAF V600E mutations are morphologically distinctAims:  The BRAF V600E mutation resulting in the production of an abnormal BRAF protein has emerged as the most frequent genetic alteration in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). This study was aimed at identifying distinctive features in tumours with and without the mutation.Methods and results:  Thirty‐four mutation‐positive and 22 mutation‐negative tumours were identified by single‐strand conformation polymorphism of the amplified BRAF V600E region in the tumour DNA. Mutation‐positive tumours were more common in patients older than 45 years (24/33, P = 0.05), in classic (23/30, P = 0.01), tall cell (4/5) and oncocytic/Warthin‐like (2/2) variants of PTC, and in subcapsular sclerosing microcarcinomas (4/4). In contrast, all 12 follicular variants (P < 0.0001) and two diffuse sclerosing variants were negative for the mutation. Mutation‐positive tumours displayed infiltrative growth (32/34, P = 0.02), stromal fibrosis (33/34, P < 0.001), psammoma bodies (17/34, P = 0.05), plump eosinophilic tumour cells (22/34, P = 0.01), and classic fully developed nuclear features of PTC (33/34, P = 0.0001). Encapsulation was significantly associated with mutation‐negative tumours (15/22, P = 0.02).Conclusions:  BRAF V600E mutation‐positive and negative PTCs are morphologically different. Recognition of their morphology may help in the selection of appropriate tumours for genetic testing.
Qualitative insights into the role and practice of Epilepsy Specialist Nurses in England: a focus group study
Authors: Hopkins Jan , Irvine Fiona 
Published: February 2012

hopkins j. & Irvine F. (2012) Qualitative insights into the role and practice of Epilepsy Specialist Nurses in England: a focus group study. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(11), 2443–2453. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.05941.xAbstractAim.  This article is a report of a study that aimed to explore Epilepsy Specialist Nurses’ perceptions of their professional role and the factors that may affect their practice.Background.  Previous studies have demonstrated high patient satisfaction with the Epilepsy Specialist Nurse. Although UK national guidelines recommend that all individuals with epilepsy should have access to an epilepsy specialist nurse, many National Health Service trusts disregard these guidelines. The need to introduce cost efficiencies in the National Health Service means that the future of some epilepsy specialist nurses is threatened.Design.  A qualitative study using focus groups was designed to elicit a rich understanding of the epilepsy specialist nurse role and its current challenges.Methods.  Three focus groups were held with a total of 19 participants in the summer of 2009. Data were subjected to thematic framework analysis.Findings.  The work was underpinned by high commitment to nursing values, which helped to define the role. Epilepsy specialist nurses were often the sole providers of expert and personalized care to meet patients’ complex needs. Policy and financially driven changes undermined professional identity and led to service diminution.Conclusion.  The provision of epilepsy care in England remains variable and access to epilepsy specialist nurses is inequitable. Trusts are being seduced by the cost savings of reducing a specialist service but consequent gaps in service may drive up costs elsewhere. The challenge is for epilepsy specialist nurses to demonstrate their unique place in enhancing patient care and in improving health and well‐being.
Potential biases in colorectal cancer screening using faecal occult blood test
Authors: Riboe Dea Grip , Dogan Tilde Steen , Brodersen John 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackground  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of cancer in European countries and associated with a high mortality rate. A 16% relative risk reduction (RRR) of mortality was found in a meta‐analysis based on four randomized controlled trials (RCT) on CRC screening. The aim of this paper was to scrutinize these trials for potential biases and assess their influence on the screening trials.Methods  The four RCTs were reviewed based on the principles of ‘Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature’. Principal investigators of the four RCTs were contacted to clarify uncertainties in their study. Data were collected from The Danish Data Archives. Authors of the Cochrane review were contacted.Results  Six biases were identified, of which five favour screening. Three of the biases identified were specific to CRC screening: type of diagnostic method, place of surgery and diagnostic delay.Conclusion  The 16% RRR in CRC mortality found in the updated Cochrane review's meta‐analysis is overestimated.
Reference values for mental health assessment instruments: objectives and methods of the Leiden Routine Outcome Monitoring Study
Authors: Schulte‐van Maaren Yvonne W. M. , Carlier Ingrid V. E. , Giltay Erik J. , van Noorden Martijn S. , de Waal Margot W. M. , van der Wee Nic J. A. , Zitman Frans G. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractRationale, aims and objectives:  Routine outcome monitoring (ROM) was developed to establish the outcome of psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments through repeated assessments before, during and after treatment. Although standardization of psychiatric assessments and their reference values are essential for patient care, for various ROM instruments reference values are not available. The aim of the Leiden ROM Study is to generate reference values for 22 ROM instruments, covering generic and specific mood, anxiety and somatoform (MAS) disorders, for the general population. This article describes the extensive process of recruitment, as well as baseline characteristics of patient versus non‐patient groups.Method:  Cross‐sectional study in randomly selected participants aged 18–65 years from the Dutch population, included through general practitioners.Results:  Extensive demographic, psychosocial, mental health, and biological data from 1302 participants, recruited via general practitioners, were collected during a two‐hour standardized assessment including observer‐rated and self‐report scales. These data will be compared with corresponding data from 7840 patients with psychopathology who were referred to secondary care. On‐going quality control and calibration ensured maintenance of high quality during data collection.Conclusions:  This reference group study for mental health assessments is the first study of this size carried out in the Netherlands. The results of this study are expected to be of value to secondary psychiatric care because they allow the indication of progress in health, treatment effect and possible termination of treatment. Additionally, the reference values can be used by primary care physicians as decision threshold for referral to specialized mental health care and vice versa.
Effect of burning and high temperature on survival of Xanthomonas translucens pv. pistaciae in infected pistachio branches and twigs
Authors: Vu Thanh T. A. , Sosnowski M. R. , Giblot‐Ducray D. , Taylor C. , Scott E. S. 
Published: February 2012

This paper reports the efficacy of burning and heat‐treating pistachio branches and twigs as a means of disposing of prunings from trees infected with Xanthomonas translucens pv. pistaciae (Xtp). Burning of pistachio wood, naturally infected with Xtp, was conducted twice under field conditions. Viable Xtp was detected in some non‐burned wood, but not in charcoal, ash or partially burned wood. Controlled laboratory experiments were conducted with pure cultures of Xtp and naturally and artificially infected pistachio wood. In liquid culture, 65°C was lethal to Xtp, whereas survival at 60°C or less varied with culture medium and duration of exposure. Xtp survived in infected wood exposed to 40–55°C for at least 60 min but was killed by exposure to 60°C for 15 min or more. Overall, the results of burning and heat treatment were consistent, and confirmed that burning was a reliable eradication technique to dispose of infected wood, such as prunings, providing the pathogen was exposed to a temperature of 60°C or greater for at least 15 min.
Gesture comprehension, knowledge and production in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Rousseaux M. , Rénier J. , Anicet L. , Pasquier F. , Mackowiak‐Cordoliani M. A. 
Published: February 2012

Background and purpose:  Although apraxia is a typical consequence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the profile of apraxic impairments is still subject to debate. Here, we analysed apraxia components in patients with AD with mild‐to‐moderate or moderately severe dementia.Methods:  Thirty‐one patients were included. We first evaluated simple gestures, that is, the imitation of finger and hand configurations, symbolic gestures (recognition, production on verbal command and imitation), pantomimes (recognition, production on verbal command, imitation and production with the object), general knowledge and complex gestures (tool–object association, function–tool association, production of complex actions and knowledge about action sequences). Tests for dementia (Mini Mental State Examination and the Dementia Rating Scale), language disorders, visual agnosia and executive function were also administered.Results:  Compared with controls, patients showed significant difficulties (P ≤ 0.01) in subtests relating to simple gestures (except for the recognition and imitation of symbolic gestures). General knowledge about tools, objects and action sequences was less severely impaired. Performance was frequently correlated with the severity of dementia. Multiple‐case analyses revealed that (i) the frequency of apraxia depended on the definition used, (ii) ideomotor apraxia was more frequent than ideational apraxia, (iii) conceptual difficulties were slightly more frequent than production difficulties in the early stage of AD and (iv) difficulties in gesture recognition were frequent (especially for pantomimes).Conclusion:  Patients with AD can clearly show gesture apraxia from the mild–moderate stage of dementia onwards. Recognition and imitation disorders are relatively frequent (especially for pantomimes). We did not find conceptual difficulties to be the main problem in early‐stage AD.
Identifying Gaps in Health Research among Refugees Resettled in Canada
Authors: Patil Crystal L. , Maripuu Tiina , Hadley Craig , Sellen Daniel W. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWhile the global number of resettled refugees rises annually, the summaries of research on refugee health needs in countries of asylum remain sparse. We conducted a systematic review of published research on refugee health in Canada in order to: (i) identify studies addressing health outcomes among refugees recently resettled in Canada; (ii) identify general trends in health research conducted in Canada among refugee populations; (iii) identify significant gaps in current knowledge of health‐related issues among refugees recently resettled in Canada; (iv) evaluate the quality and consistency of available information; (v) develop a summary of available research results; and (vi) identify priorities for future research. A search of several major citation indices resulted in the analysis of 196 research reports after reviewing more than 5,000 articles. This review is timely, systematic and inclusive; furthermore, potential biases in methodology are clearly assessed. The results indicate an immediate need to address specific gaps in health knowledge for refugee populations and lead us to draw five primary conclusions. First, mental health outcomes dominate the research landscape. Second, cross‐sectional studies are most commonly the study design of choice. Third, studies examining some aspect of health among refugees from Asia dominate the literature. Fourth, there is a notable lack of information on cardiovascular diseases and its antecedents. Fifth, indications show that screenings for pre‐existing conditions are biased towards communicable diseases. These findings have implications for health monitoring, evaluation and policy affecting the health of refugees resettled in Canada and elsewhere.
Beyond Guilt and Stigma: Changing Attitudes among Israeli Migrants in Canada
Authors: Harris Brent David 
Published: February 2012

AbstractOver 60 years ago, the Jewish nationalist movement known as Zionism culminated in the creation of the State of Israel. Millions of Jews immigrated to Israel over the twentieth century, a process known as aliya (literally, “going up”). Yet over the years, thousands of Israelis have also chosen to leave Israel in a movement termed yerida (“going down”). As the term suggests, this reverse migration has been highly stigmatized. During the 1960s and 1970s, emigrants were publicly disparaged in the Israeli media for having abandoned a struggling state. Consequently, Israeli migrants suffered strong feelings of guilt that often, hampered their integration process abroad, a phenomenon observed as late as the 1990s. This paper, however, reveals that feelings of stigmatization have greatly decreased among Israeli migrants in recent years. The study is based on research that I conducted in 2008–2009, involving nine months of participant observation in Vancouver’s Israeli community and 34 in‐depth interviews. Unlike in previous studies, most of my informants expressed no feelings of guilt over having left Israel. Of those who did, most framed their guilt as a longing for family and friends rather than the patriotic longing for the land as expressed by previous generations. Previous studies have also found that Israelis harbour a “myth of return”– a continuously expressed desire to return to Israel and a reluctance to accept their stay abroad as permanent. However, I have not found that the myth of return is still strong today, despite the continued prevalence of a strong sense of Israeli identity among Israelis abroad. I suggest that these changing attitudes are the product of shifting ideals in Israeli society that have developed as the state of Israel has matured. This paper thus serves to update the outdated image of Israeli migrants as it exists in the prevailing literature.
Stability of heart rate variability indices reflecting parasympathetic activity
Authors: Bertsch Katja , Hagemann Dirk , Naumann Ewald , Schächinger Hartmut , Schulz André 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHeart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of autonomic influences on heart rate that has frequently been used as a transsituationally consistent biomarker for cardiovascular health and emotional or cognitive functions. The psychometric properties of HRV however remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the reliability and temporal stability of parasympathetic HRV measures and estimated the portion of variance explained by transsituationally consistent trait variance and by effects of the situation and person–situation interaction with structural equation modeling. The results show good reliability of indices reflecting central parasympathetic control over heart rate and that about 40% of the variance of a single HRV measurement can be explained by effects of the situation and person–situation interaction. An aggregation across at least two measurements may be recommended when using HRV as a transsituationally consistent biomarker or trait.