bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic diagnosis of gastric mucosal activity and inflammation
Authors: Nomura Sachiyo , Terao Shuichi , Adachi Kyoichi , Kato Takahiro , Ida Kazunori , Watanabe Hidenobu , Shimbo Takuro ,   the Research Group for Establishment of Endoscopic Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis
Published: July 2012

AimGastritis is an important pathological state that causes gastric atrophy and cancer. The Sydney System is a well‐used classification for histological evaluation for gastritis. However, there is no concordance with endoscopic findings. In the present study, we tried to establish endoscopic criteria and diagnosis for the inflammation activity of gastric mucosa.MethodsA prospective multicenter study was conducted and 24 facilities participated. Two hundred and seventy patients received endoscopic examinations and 15 endoscopic features were evaluated. Biopsy specimens were taken from five points, and evaluated by a single pathologist for mononuclear cell infiltration and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, area under curve of receiver operating characteristics (AUC/ROC) of each endoscopic finding to histological gastritis were calculated.ResultsThere was no single endoscopic finding that was highly specific for mononuclear cell infiltration and polymorphonuclear cell infiltration. In the corpus, the combination of swelling of areae gastrica by the indigo carmine contrast method (IC method) and lack of a regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) in angle for mononuclear cell infiltration (0.887), and the combination of swelling of areae gastrica by the IC method and diffuse redness for polymorphonuclear cell infiltration (0.851) showed the highest AUC/ROC. In the antrum, the combination of diffuse redness and visibility of a vascular pattern for mononuclear cell infiltration (0.780), and the combination of visibility of vascular pattern and swelling of areae gastrica by the IC method for polymorphonuclear cell infiltration (0.795) showed the highest AUC/ROC.ConclusionCombination of endoscopic findings can improve diagnostic accuracy, and sensitivity of examination for inflammation.
Satisfaction with joint replacement in public versus private hospitals: a cohort study
Authors: Adie Sam , Dao Alan , Harris Ian A. , Naylor Justine M. , Mittal Rajat 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntroduction:  In Australia, the majority of total knee and hip replacement surgeries occur in the private sector. Outcome‐based research needs to be inclusive of this sector if the findings are intended to reflect the broader picture. This study compares outcomes up to 1 year post knee and hip replacement between patients treated in the public and private sectors.Methods:  A prospective, observational study was performed in four high‐volume joint replacement centres: two public, two private. Experienced orthopaedic surgeons contributed via their public and private practices. Knee and hip patients were recruited preoperatively. Self‐reported questionnaires were completed preoperatively and at 6 and 12 months post‐operatively. The primary outcome was satisfaction with surgery. Secondary outcomes included Oxford score, and SF‐36 physical and mental component summary scores. Regression modelling was performed to adjust for potential confounders.Results:  Three hundred and thirty‐one patients (184 public, 147 private; 215 knees, 116 hips) were recruited, with 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up rates of 95% and 89%, respectively. Satisfaction rates were high in both public and private patients (approximately 90%) at 6 and 12 months, but private patients were less likely to be satisfied after adjusting for the strong effect of patient expectation. For both hip and knee cohorts, no between‐sector differences were found in either the magnitude or rate of improvement in Oxford score or quality of life post‐operatively.Discussion:  Joint replacement outcomes are similar for patients treated in public and private hospitals. Surgeons should manage patient expectation prior to surgery, particularly in private patients.
Reliance on pollinators predicts defensive chemistry across tobacco species
Authors: Adler Lynn S. , Seifert Megan G. , Wink Michael , Morse Geoffrey E. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDefensive traits are typically studied in the context of avoiding antagonists, but may also mediate key interactions with mutualists. Plant chemical defences occur in flowers, suggesting pollinators may be agents of selection on defence. We hypothesised that floral defences would deter pollinators, and therefore, pollinators would select for lower defences in outcrossing than self‐pollinating species. We measured pollinator reliance and alkaloid levels in 32 greenhouse‐grown Nicotiana species. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, we found significantly lower nectar, floral and leaf nicotine concentrations in outcrossing than selfing species, with a 15‐fold decrease in leaf nicotine levels. Nicotine concentrations were positively correlated across tissues, suggesting that selection against floral defences could constrain the evolution of leaf defences. Thus, pollinators could shape the evolution not only of floral defences but also of defences in other tissues where herbivores have traditionally been considered the dominant agent of selection.
Vacuolar respiration of nitrate coupled to energy conservation in filamentous Beggiatoaceae
Authors: Beutler Martin , Milucka Jana , Hinck Susanne , Schreiber Frank , Brock Jörg , Mußmann Marc , Schulz‐Vogt Heide N. , de Beer Dirk 
Published: July 2012

SummaryWe show that the nitrate storing vacuole of the sulfide‐oxidizing bacterium Candidatus Allobeggiatoa halophila has an electron transport chain (ETC), which generates a proton motive force (PMF) used for cellular energy conservation. Immunostaining by antibodies showed that cytochrome c oxidase, an ETC protein and a vacuolar ATPase are present in the vacuolar membrane and cytochrome c in the vacuolar lumen. The effect of different inhibitors on the vacuolar pH was studied by pH imaging. Inhibition of vacuolar ATPases and pyrophosphatases resulted in a pH decrease in the vacuole, showing that the proton gradient over the vacuolar membrane is used for ATP and pyrophosphate generation. Blockage of the ETC decreased the vacuolar PMF, indicating that the proton gradient is build up by an ETC. Furthermore, addition of nitrate resulted in an increase of the vacuolar PMF. Inhibition of nitrate reduction, led to a decreased PMF. Nitric oxide was detected in vacuoles of cells exposed to nitrate showing that nitrite, the product of nitrate reduction, is reduced inside the vacuole. These findings show consistently that nitrate respiration contributes to the high proton concentration within the vacuole and the PMF over the vacuolar membrane is actively used for energy conservation.
Molecular substitution rate increases in myrmecophilous lycaenid butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Authors: Pellissier Loic , Litsios Glenn , Guisan Antoine , Alvarez Nadir 
Published: July 2012

Pellissier, L., Litsios, G., Guisan, A. & Alvarez, N. (2012). Molecular substitution rate increases in myrmecophilous lycaenid butterflies (Lepidoptera). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 651–658.Is species diversification driven by neutral‐ or niche‐based processes? Butterflies of the Lycaenidae family have developed mutualistic interactions with ants. This biotic requirement increased the spatial fragmentation of populations of lower effective population size (Ne) compared with autonomous species. The nearly neutral theory predicts that species with smaller Ne should fix more mutations because of the increased strength of drift. Taking into account the phylogenetic relatedness among species, this study shows that species with a stronger dependence on ants displayed more intra‐specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms compared with species with low or no myrmecophily. This phenomenon can cause more pronounced genetic differentiation between populations and could ultimately promote speciation in a similar manner as on physical islands. The large species diversity observed in this family could be the consequence of this neutral process enhancing the diversification of lineages.
Phylogenetic resolution and systematics of the Asian tree frogs, Rhacophorus (Rhacophoridae, Amphibia)
Authors: Li Jia‐Tang , Li Yang , Murphy Robert W. , Rao Ding‐Qi , Zhang Ya‐Ping 
Published: July 2012

Li, J.T., Li, Y., Murphy, R.W., Rao, D.‐Q. & Zhang, Y.‐P. (2012). Phylogenetic resolution and systematics of the Asian tree frogs, Rhacophorus (Rhacophoridae, Amphibia). —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 557–570.The treefrog genus Rhacophorus, a large genus with 80 species, has a wide range, occurring eastward from India to China, Japan, South‐east Asia, the Greater Sunda Islands and the Philippines. The phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic recognition of many species are very controversial. To stabilize the taxonomy, the phylogenetic relationships among about 52 species are investigated from 96 samples using mtDNA sequence data. Matrilineal relationships based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods resolve three well‐supported lineages (A, B and C), although the phylogenetic relationships among three lineages remain ambiguous. Analyses support recognition of two previously assigned subgenera, Leptomantis and Rhacophorus, and these correspond to lineages A and B, respectively. Given that we have three strongly supported lineages, that these lineages are morphologically distinct, and the constrained geographic distributions of these groups, we recognize each lineage as a taxon. Subgenus Leptomantis includes species mainly from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Subgenus Rhacophorus contains a mix of species occurring in India, Indochina and southern China. Lineage C accommodates species distributed mostly in East Asia, including Japan and China. Based on genetic and morphological data from type localities, the taxonomic recognition of some species needs to be reconsidered. Rhacophorus pingbianensis and Polypedates spinus are considered as junior synonyms of Rhacophorus duboisi. Specimens of Rhacophorus rhodopus from Vietnam and Hainan, China likely represent an undescribed, cryptic species.
DISCRIMINATING SHORT AND LONG MEMORY IN FINITE SAMPLES USING SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS: AN APPLICATION TO GROWTH CONVERGENCE
Authors: Banerjee Anurag N. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTThe standard linear model where ut is generated from an ARFIMA process, is considered. The sensitivity of the predictor and sensitivity of variance estimates of the linear model to long memory are investigated by constructing the statistical measures BL/S and DL/S, respectively. BL/S and DL/S is interpreted as a sensitivity measure for the long‐memory process without the short‐memory effects. As an application, the memory characteristics of per capita GDP of 30 countries are investigated from the Maddison GDP dataset. It is found that per‐capita GDP exhibits long memory characteristics, and the long‐run growth estimates are sensitive to the long memory characteristics.
Insular stroke is associated with acute sympathetic hyperactivation and immunodepression
Authors: Walter U. , Kolbaske S. , Patejdl R. , Steinhagen V. , Abu‐Mugheisib M. , Grossmann A. , Zingler C. , Benecke R. 
Published: July 2012

Background and purposePost‐stroke immunodepression has been related to brain lesion size but not a specific lesion location. Here, we studied the influence of lesion location within middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory on parameters related to activation of sympathetic adrenomedullar pathway, immunodepression, and associated infection.MethodsWe analyzed clinical, brain imaging, and laboratory data of 384 patients (174 women; mean age 70.8 ± 12.9 years) consecutively admitted to the stroke unit no later than 24 h after onset of acute ischaemic stroke involving the MCA territory.ResultsPatients with lesion affecting >33% of MCA territory had increased serum metanephrine and normetanephrine levels, elevated neutrophil counts but decreased eosinophil, helper T lymphocyte, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte counts compared to patients with lesion in <33% of MCA territory. Patients with large infarctions had increased frequency of infections within 14 days after stroke, especially chest infections (P < 0.001). Considering only patients with non‐lacunar infarction in <33% of MCA territory, those with insular lesion had significantly higher normetanephrine levels, higher neutrophil but lower eosinophil and helper T lymphocyte counts than those with non‐insular lesion, despite similar lesion diameters. This coincided with an increased frequency of chest infections (P < 0.01) in patients with insular lesion. Whilst patients with right insular lesion showed decreased heart rate variability, lesion laterality had no impact on laboratory findings or infection frequency.ConclusionThese findings suggest a specific role of insular lesion in the pathogenesis of stroke‐induced sympathetic hyperactivation and immunodepression. Neuroimaging studies applying lesion volume calculation techniques are warranted to confirm these findings.
Risk factors for surgical site infection following caesarean section in England: results from a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Wloch C , Wilson J , Lamagni T , Harrington P , Charlett A , Sheridan E 
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Wloch C, Wilson J, Lamagni T, Harrington P, Charlett A, Sheridan E. Risk factors for surgical site infection following caesarean section in England: results from a multicentre cohort study. BJOG 2012;119:1324–1333.Objective  To assess the frequency and risk factors for surgical site infection following caesarean section.Design  Prospective multicentre cohort study.Setting  Fourteen NHS hospitals in England, April to September 2009.Population  Women who underwent caesarean section at participating hospitals during designated study periods.Methods  Infections that met standard case definitions were identified through active follow up by healthcare staff during the hospital stay, on return to hospital, during midwife home visits and through self‐completed patient questionnaires.Main outcome measure  Surgical site infection within 30 days of operation.Results  Altogether, 9.6% (394/4107) of women in the study developed a postsurgical infection following caesarean section with 0.6% (23/4107) readmitted for treatment of the infection. Being overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25–30 kg/m2 odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.2–2.2) or obese (BMI 30–35 kg/m2 OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.7–3.4; BMI > 35 kg/m2 OR 3.7, 95% CI 2.6–5.2) were major independent risk factors for infection (compared with BMI 18.5–25 kg/m2). There was a suggestion that younger women, and operations performed by associate specialist and staff grade surgeons had a greater odds of developing surgical site infection with OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.4 (<20 years versus 25–30 years), and OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.4 (versus consultants), respectively.Conclusions  This study identified high rates of postsurgical infection following caesarean section. Given the number of women delivering by caesarean section in the UK, substantial costs will be incurred as a result of these infections. Prevention of these infections should be a clinical and public health priority.
Experiences of the individual placement and support approach in persons with severe mental illness
Authors: Areberg Cecilia , Björkman Tommy , Bejerholm Ulrika 
Published: July 2012

Background:  Across several research studies comparing the individual placement and support (IPS) approach to traditional vocational services, the approach has achieved employment outcomes superior to comparison conditions. However, to understand the efficacy of IPS, it is equally important to consider what is more or less effective as viewed by the IPS participants.Aim:  To investigate participants’ experiences of IPS participation and their experiences of receiving support from an employment specialist (ES).Method:  Interviews were conducted with 17 persons with severe mental illness. The interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. The principles of informed consent and the voluntary nature of participation were included as ethical considerations.Results:  Participation in IPS was associated with hope, meaning and an individualized support provided by the ES. The skills of the ES facilitated the relationship with the participant and the contact with the labour market. However, to make a change happen, everybody involved in IPS had to contribute.Conclusion:  These findings have endorsed the guiding principles of IPS and emphasized the ES’s role and skills during IPS as well as the participant’s motivation.
Human serum metabolic profiles are age dependent
Authors: Yu Zhonghao , Zhai Guangju , Singmann Paula , He Ying , Xu Tao , Prehn Cornelia , Römisch‐Margl Werner , Lattka Eva , Gieger Christian , Soranzo Nicole , Heinrich Joachim , Standl Marie , Thiering Elisabeth , Mittelstraß Kirstin , Wichmann Heinz‐Erich , Peters Annette , Suhre Karsten , Li Yixue , Adamski Jerzy , Spector Tim D. , Illig Thomas , Wang‐Sattler Rui 
Published: July 2012

SummaryUnderstanding the complexity of aging is of utmost importance. This can now be addressed by the novel and powerful approach of metabolomics. However, to date, only a few metabolic studies based on large samples are available. Here, we provide novel and specific information on age‐related metabolite concentration changes in human homeostasis. We report results from two population‐based studies: the KORA F4 study from Germany as a discovery cohort, with 1038 female and 1124 male participants (32–81 years), and the TwinsUK study as replication, with 724 female participants. Targeted metabolomics of fasting serum samples quantified 131 metabolites by FIA‐MS/MS. Among these, 71/34 metabolites were significantly associated with age in women/men (BMI adjusted). We further identified a set of 13 independent metabolites in women (with P values ranging from 4.6 × 10−04 to 7.8 × 10−42, αcorr = 0.004). Eleven of these 13 metabolites were replicated in the TwinsUK study, including seven metabolite concentrations that increased with age (C0, C10:1, C12:1, C18:1, SM C16:1, SM C18:1, and PC aa C28:1), while histidine decreased. These results indicate that metabolic profiles are age dependent and might reflect different aging processes, such as incomplete mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. The use of metabolomics will increase our understanding of aging networks and may lead to discoveries that help enhance healthy aging.
A qualitative analysis of power‐based entrainment and interactional synchrony in couples
Authors: DUNBAR NORAH E. , MEJIA ROBERT 
Published: July 2012

AbstractInterpersonal synchrony is a communicative lubricant that is associated with harmonious communication among conversational participants and is believed to be evidence of like‐mindedness and interpersonal solidarity. In this secondary analysis of an existing data set of both power‐equal and power‐unequal couples working through a discussion task, the content and form of their conversations were qualitatively examined for evidence of synchrony and dissynchrony. It was found that power‐equal couples tended toward synchronous communication and their conversations were represented by strategies that appeared either collaborative or competitive but generally respectful and problem oriented. The power‐unequal couples used one‐sided marginalization or withdrawal strategies that were characterized largely by dissynchrony. The theoretical implications for these findings are discussed.
Preconditioning of the ischaemic myocardium; involvement of the l‐arginine nitric oxide pathway
Authors: Vegh Agnes , Szekeres Laszlo , Parratt James 
Published: July 2012

Short periods of coronary artery occlusion protect the heart against the effects of a subsequent prolonged period of ischaemia. This phenomenon is known as preconditioning of the ischaemic myocardium.
In mongrel, chloralose‐urethane anaesthetized open‐chest dogs, within a restricted body weight range, two 5 min periods of occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery markedly reduced the severity of the early ischaemic arrhythmias resulting from a prolonged (25 min) occlusion of the same coronary artery starting 20 min later. Thus, the number of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) was reduced from 528 ± 140 in controls to 78 ± 27 in preconditioned dogs, the incidence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) was reduced from 47% to 0% and the incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) from 100% to 20%. ST‐segment elevation recorded from electrodes within the ischaemic area, and the degree of inhomogeneity of conduction within the ischaemic area were markedly reduced in these preconditioned dogs.
The incidence of VF following reperfusion of the ischaemic myocardium at the end of the 25 min occlusion period was reduced in the preconditioned dogs from 100% to 60%; there was thus a 40% survival from the combined ischaemia‐reperfusion insult compared with 0% in the controls.
NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) an inhibitor of the l‐arginine nitric oxide pathway, given in a dose of 10 mg kg−1 intravenously on two occasions, both before the initial preconditioning occlusion and then again before the prolonged occlusion, partially attenuated the protective effects of preconditioning. There were more VPBs (220 ± 75), a higher incidence of VT (60%) and more episodes of VT (11.5 ± 6.0 compared to 0.7 ± 0.3 episodes in the preconditioned dogs not given l‐NAME); none of the animals survived reperfusion (incidence of VF 100%). The improvement in the severity of the degree of inhomogeneity which resulted from preconditioning was abolished by l‐NAME administration.
l‐NAME itself elevated blood pressure (from 96 ± 5 mmHg diastolic to 119 ± 7 mmHg), reduced heart rate (from 155 ± 7 to 144 ±4 beats min−1) but did not change LVEDP, LVdP/dtmax, coronary blood flow, ST‐segment elevation or the degree of inhomogeneity of conduction. When given 10 min before the prolonged coronary artery occlusion in dogs not subjected to preconditioning, l‐NAME had no significant effect on the severity of arrhythmias except for more periods of VT (a mean of 11.7 ± 4.7 episodes per dog).
It is concluded from these studies that the generation of nitric oxide contributes to the marked antiarrhythmic effects of preconditioning in the canine myocardium, probably through elevation of cyclic GMP.