bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Interleukin‐23 Receptor Gene Coding Variant R381Q in Pediatric and Adult Crohn Disease
Authors: Leshinsky‐Silver Esther , Karban Amir , Dalal Ilan , Eliakim Rami , Shirin Haim , Tzofi Tzipi , Boaz Mona , Levine Arie 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTBackground:Pediatric‐onset Crohn disease (CD) may differ in genotype or phenotype from adult‐onset CD. Genome‐wide screening recently identified a protective mutation (R381Q) in the interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) receptor gene located on chromosome 1. The aims of our study were to evaluate whether this mutation is associated with CD in our population and to find whether it may have an impact on age of onset or a specific location phenotype in a pediatric‐ and adult‐onset CD population.Patients and Methods:A total of 438 individuals (143 with pediatric‐onset CD [age <18 years], 139 with adult‐onset CD, and 157 control subjects) evaluated for age at onset and disease location were genotyped for the R381Q mutation in the IL‐23 receptor gene by pyrosequencing.Results:Mutant allele incidences were 5.7% in the normal cohort and only 2.28% in the CD cohort (P = 0.01). Carriers were found to constitute 8.9% of the normal cohort and only 4.6% of the CD cohort (P = 0.029). Homozygotes were found in only the control cohort. The mean age of onset for all of the patients with the mutation (including both age groups) was 17.8 ± 6.1 years versus 21.3 ± 12.4 years for patients without the mutation (P =0.08). The mutation was not associated with differences in sex, site of disease, or ethnicity. We did not find evidence of allelic interaction with CARD15.Conclusions:We confirmed the findings that the IL‐23 receptor gene coding variant allele R381Q appears to decrease susceptibility to CD in an Israeli Jewish population. We found a trend toward earlier age of onset, but no interactions with CARD15 or modifying effect on disease location.
Celiac Disease Screening by Immunochromatographic Visual Assays: Results of a Multicenter Study
Authors: Baviera Luis Carlos Blesa , Aliaga Ester Donat , Ortigosa Luis , Litwin Néstor , Peña‐Quintana Luis , Méndez Virginia , González Ma Victoria , López‐Manzanares Javier Manzanares , Méndez Enrique , Koninckx Carmen Ribes 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTObjective:To assay the efficiency for celiac disease (CD) screening of 2 immunochromatographic visual stick assays based on human recombinant tissue transglutaminase (tTG). One was the antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (AtTGA) stick for IgA/G antibodies to tTG detection, the other was the AtTGA/antigliadin antibodies (AGA) stick for IgA antibodies for tTG and/or gliadins.Patients and Methods:In a prospective multicenter study, 4 pediatric gastroenterology units from Spain and 2 from Latin America enrolled 72 control children with a normal small bowel mucosa and 113 untreated patients with CD with Marsh type 3 lesions.Results:Evaluation of results by the gastroenterologists and by 2 independent observers at the coordination center showed a remarkably low interobserver variability. For the AtTGA stick, sensitivity was 96.5% and specificity was 98.6%. The AtTGA/AGA stick displayed a sensitivity of 94.5% and a specificity of 98.6% for AtTGA and a sensitivity of 63.1% and a specificity of 95.2% for AGA. The highest efficiency and positive likelihood ratio was obtained for the AtTGA stick, higher than for IgA AtTGA by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. One additional advantage was that previous investigation of total serum IgA levels could be eluded. The IgA AtTGA/AGA stick, with an efficiency of 95.1%, compared with 89.2% when the combined results of the 2 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were considered, turned out to be an excellent diagnostic tool for infants with no IgA deficiency.Conclusion:These 2 assays are extremely efficient for CD screening, by combining a high diagnostic accuracy with the simplicity and rapidity of visual methods.
A Neonatal Mouse Model of Intestinal Perforation: Investigating the Harmful Synergism Between Glucocorticoids and Indomethacin
Authors: Gordon Phillip V , Herman Andrew C , Marcinkiewicz Marek , Gaston Benjamin M , Laubach Victor E , Aschner Judy L 
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACTBackground:Early postnatal steroids and indomethacin in combination have been shown to increase the risk of spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP) in infants with extremely low birth weight (ELBW), but the mechanism behind this synergistic effect is unknown.Materials and Methods:Based on literature in a variety of models suggesting that glucocorticoids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents diminish complementary isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), we hypothesized that perturbations in NO metabolism contribute to SIP.Results:Our results using newborn wild‐type (WT) and endothelial NOS‐knockout (eNOS KO) mice treated with dexamethasone and/or indomethacin indicate that indomethacin treatment diminishes ileal eNOS abundance; dexamethasone treatment diminishes ileal inducible NOS and neuronal NOS (nNOS); 100% of dexamethasone‐treated eNOS KO mice die after 3 days; eNOS KO mice treated for 2 days with dexamethasone develop acute pyloric stenosis in association with reduced expression of pyloric nNOS; and isolated ileum from eNOS KO mice treated for 2 days with dexamethasone exhibit a significant decrease in spontaneous peristalsis, decreased circumference, and decreased capacitance for forced volume before ileal perforation compared with ileum from untreated controls.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that eNOS and nNOS display functional overlap in the newborn mouse gastrointestinal tract and that simultaneous reduction in the activity of both NOS isoforms may be a risk factor for neonatal ileal perforation. If this holds true in human infants, then it provides a plausible etiologic explanation for the strong temporal association between SIP and the simultaneous treatment of ELBW infants with glucocorticoids and indomethacin.
Meta‐analysis: octreotide prevents post‐ERCP pancreatitis, but only at sufficient doses
Authors: ZHANG Y. , CHEN Q.‐B. , GAO Z.‐Y. , XIE W.‐F. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBackground  Effects of octreotide on post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis have been studied in many clinical trials. These trials have yielded inconclusive results. Results of more recent studies using larger doses, however, seem to be more optimistic.Aim  To examine effects of octreotide at different doses on PEP.Methods  A comprehensive search of relevant databases, including Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Library and Science Citation Index yielded 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Trials were divided into two groups according to the total dosage of octreotide: <0.5 mg (OCT1), ≥0.5 mg (OCT2). The rate of PEP was analysed using a fixed effect model.Results  At doses of ≥0.5 mg, octreotide reduced the rate of PEP. In the OCT2 group, analysis revealed a statistically significant difference on PEP between the octreotide group and the controls (3.4% vs. 7.5%, pooled OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.28–0.73; P = 0.001, NNT = 25). In the OCT1 group, the rate of PEP was similar between patients receiving octreotide and the controls (7.2% vs. 6.0%, pooled OR = 1.23; 95% CI: 0.80–1.91; P = 0.35).Conclusion  Octreotide is effective in preventing PEP, but only at sufficient doses (≥0.5 mg).
Complete recovery of intestinal mucosa occurs very rarely in adult coeliac patients despite adherence to gluten‐free diet
Authors: LANZINI A. , LANZAROTTO F. , VILLANACCI V. , MORA A. , BERTOLAZZI S. , TURINI D. , CARELLA G. , MALAGOLI A. , FERRANTE G. , CESANA B. M. , RICCI C. 
Published: March 2009

SummaryBackground  Expected benefits of gluten‐free diet (GFD) in coeliac patients include healing of small intestinal mucosa, but it remains unclear to what extent this benefit is achieved in adults.Aim  To assess factors affecting histological outcome of GFD in a large cohort of adult coeliac patients.Methods  We extracted information on 465 consecutive coeliac patients studied before and during GFD.Results  Duodenal biopsies at diagnosis were classified as Marsh I in 11, II in 25 and III in 429 cases. After a median 16 months GFD, 38 (8%) patients had histological ‘normalization’, 300 (65%) had ‘remission’ with persistent intraepithelial lymphocytosis, 121(26%) had ‘no change’ and 6 (1%) had ‘deterioration’. Coeliac disease related serology was negative in 83% of patients with Marsh III lesion during GFD. Male gender and adherence to GFD were independently associated with histological ‘normalization’ and ‘remission’. Persistence of intraepithelial lymphocytosis was not associated with human lymphocyte antigen gene dose or with Helicobacter pylori infection.Conclusions  Complete normalization of duodenal lesions is exceptionally rare in adult coeliac patients despite adherence to GFD, symptoms disappearance and negative CD related serology. Control biopsies are mandatory to identify lack of response to gluten‐free diet.
TPMT*26 (208F→L), a novel mutation detected in a Chinese
Authors: Kham Shirley Kow Yin , Soh Chin Kok , Aw Derrick Chen Wee , Yeoh Allen Eng Juh 
Published: March 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • More than 27 mutations in the TPMT gene causing decreased TPMT activity have been reported in various races.• Decreased TPMT activity is associated with increased myelosuppression from azathioprine or thioguanine treatment.• TPMT*3C is the most common genetic variant found in Asian populations. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • TPMT*26 (208F→L) is a novel mutation, previously not reported, which is associated with reduced TPMT activity in three siblings in an Asian Chinese family.• This mutation is associated with increased sensitivity to azathioprine clinically.AIMSAzathioprine, mercaptopurine and thioguanine are commonly used to treat autoimmune disorders, leukaemia and solid organ transplantation. However, azathiopurine and its metabolites can also cause adverse reactions such as myelosuppression. These manifestations may be attributed to polymorphisms or mutations in the thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) gene that might result in low TPMT enzyme activity. Our aim was to investigate if azathioprine‐related myelosuppression is associated with TPMT polymorphism, which in turn affects its enzyme activity.METHODSA 61‐year‐old Chinese man with severe atopic eczema developed moderate myelosuppression with standard doses of azathioprine. His TPMT activity was measured using radiochemical assay. Genotyping of TPMT *3C, *3A and *6 were screened using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Novel mutation was detected by sequencing. Family studies of his three other siblings were performed.RESULTSAfter 4 weeks of azathioprine treatment, the patient's white blood cells and absolute neutrophil count dropped by 40–45%. He was then taken off azathioprine, and blood counts returned to normal. TPMT activity test showed intermediate levels of 9.1 nmol h−1 ml−1 peripheral red blood cells (pRBC). Resequencing of the TPMT gene revealed a missense mutation Phe→Leu at 208 aa position in exon 9 (ss105107120). Two of his three siblings were heterozygous for 208F→L, which accounts for the decreased enzyme activity (brother 8.9 nmol h−1 ml−1 pRBC, sister 8.8 nmol h−1 ml−1 pRBC). The remaining sibling had wild‐type allele with normal enzyme activity. Screening of 100 normal healthy Chinese subjects did not reveal any individual with this mutation.CONCLUSIONWe report a novel mutation TPMT*26 (208F→L) associated with a decrease in TPMT enzyme activity.
Foraging activity and dietary spectrum of wood ants (Formica rufagroup) and their role in nutrient fluxes in boreal forests
Authors: DOMISCH TIMO , FINÉR LEENA , NEUVONEN SEPPO , NIEMELÄ PEKKA , RISCH ANITA C. , KILPELÄINEN JOUNI , OHASHI MIZUE , JURGENSEN MARTIN F. 
Published: March 2009

Abstract1. We monitored three different‐sized wood ant (Formica aquiloniaYarrow) mounds over a 3‐year period in Finnish boreal forests dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abiesKarst.), to assess the seasonal temperature dependency of ant activity. Additionally, we also monitored Norway spruce trees around the mounds for descending honeydew foragers.2. The amount of collected honeydew and prey and its composition, as well as the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in honeydew and invertebrate prey was also investigated.3. The number of warm days (average temperature above 20 °C) and the amount of precipitation differed among the years. Ant activity at the mounds (but not on the trees) was highly correlated with air temperature throughout the ant‐active season (May–September), but ant activity in spring and autumn was lower than in summer at similar temperatures. During all 3 years, honeydew played a major role in wood ant nutrition (78–92% of dry mass). Invertebrate prey was mainly Diptera (on average 26.2%), Coleoptera (12.5%), Aphidina (9.3%), and Arachnoida (8.5%).4. The total amounts of C, N, and P input brought into the ant mounds in the form of food (both honeydew and prey) on the stand level were 12.6–39.0, 1.6–4.6 and 0.1–0.4 kg ha−1 year−1, respectively, which is equivalent to 2–6%, 12–33% and 27–58% of the fluxes in annual needle litterfall in typical boreal Norway spruce forests. Thus, wood ants can play a significant role in short term and local N and P cycling of boreal forest ecosystems.
Current status of the Antarctic herb tundra formation in the Central Argentine Islands
Authors: PARNIKOZA I. , CONVEY P. , DYKYY I. , TROKHYMETS V. , MILINEVSKY G. , TYSCHENKO O. , INOZEMTSEVA D. , KOZERETSKA I. 
Published: March 2009

AbstractChanges in the higher plant populations of the Argentine Islands over the last four to five decades have been central to developing an understanding of the likely biological responses to the globally exceptional rates of regional climate change, in particular warming, experienced along the western Antarctic Peninsula over the same period. In this study, we reassessed local populations and distribution of the two indigenous flowering plants on two islands in this archipelago, the grass Deschampsia antarctica and the pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis, in order to compare with previous partial and detailed surveys carried out by the British Antarctic Survey between 1963 and 1990. Our major finding was that the strong trend of recent increase in population size documented in 1990 has not continued, with current population sizes of both higher plants now being slightly lower than but still comparable with those recorded in the last survey in 1990. We discuss reasons underlying this, including possible limits imposed by the suitability of available habitat, and a recent plateauing of the local climate warming trend in comparison with that seen before the 1990 survey, with no significant short‐term warming apparent in annual or seasonal meteorological data since 1990.
From introduction to equilibrium: reconstructing the invasive pathways of the Argentine ant in a Mediterranean region
Authors: ROURA‐PASCUAL NÚRIA , BAS JOSEP M. , THUILLER WILFRIED , HUI CANG , KRUG RAINER M. , BROTONS LLUÍS 
Published: March 2009

AbstractDetermining the geographical range of invasive species is an important component of formulating effective management strategies. In the absence of detailed distributional data, species distribution models can provide estimates of an invasion range and increase our understanding of the ecological processes acting at various spatial scales. We used two complementary approaches to evaluate the influence of historical and environmental factors in shaping the distribution of the Argentine ant (Linepithema humile), a widespread, highly invasive species native to South America. Occurrence data were combined with environmental data at incremental spatial scales (extent and resolution) to predict the suitable range of the ant invasion using ecological niche models. In addition, we also used a spread model that simulated the jump dispersal of the species to identify the most plausible scenarios of arrival ofL. humilein the NE Iberian Peninsula at local scales. Based on the results of both modelling practices, we suggest thatL. humilemight have reached its maximum geographic range at regional scales in the NE Iberian Peninsula. However, the species does not appear in equilibrium with the environment at small spatial scales, and further expansions are expected along coastal and inland localities of the Costa Brava. Long‐distance jumps are ultimately responsible for the spread of the Argentine ant in the area. Overall, our study shows the utility of combining niche based models with spread models to understand the dynamics of species' invasions.
Evaluation of potassium permanganate against an experimental subacute infection of Flavobacterium columnare in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)
Authors: Darwish A M , Mitchell A J , Straus D L 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAn experiment was performed to evaluate the efficacy of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) as a prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of an experimental subacute infection of Flavobacterium columnare in channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Fish were cutaneously abraded and divided into five treatment groups: (i) challenged by waterborne exposure to F. columnare and not treated with KMnO4 (positive control), (ii) challenged and simultaneously treated with KMnO4, (iii) challenged and treated with KMnO4 at 1, 6 and 9 days post‐challenge, (iv) not challenged and treated with KMnO4 at 1, 6 and 9 days post‐challenge (first negative control) and (v) not challenged and not treated (second negative control). The dosing of KMnO4 was 2.0 mg L−1 above the potassium permanganate demand for 2 h duration. The survival of the group challenged and simultaneously treated with KMnO4 (99%) was significantly higher than the positive control (78%) and was not significantly different from the negative control groups. The challenged fish treated with KMnO4 post‐challenge had 7% higher survival than the positive control (85% compared with 78%), but that difference was not statistically significant. The results demonstrate that KMnO4 has a clear prophylactic value but probably a marginal therapeutic value once the infection has established.
A review of mycobacteriosis in marine fish
Authors: Jacobs J M , Stine C B , Baya A M , Kent M L 
Published: March 2009

AbstractMycobacteriosis is a serious and often lethal disease of fish, affecting a wide range of species globally both in culture and wild settings. Caused by several species of the genus Mycobacterium, the disease has received considerable attention in recent years because of the discovery of new species in piscine hosts, epizootics in wild fisheries, and the ability of a few species to infect humans. The impact of this disease in aquaculture and the aquaria trade has been well reported and there is currently no widely accepted cure other than depopulation and facility disinfection. However, the impact on wild fisheries is poorly understood and may relate to species‐specific interactions (host–pathogen) and possibly environmental stressors. In this review, much of what is known about mycobacteriosis in marine fish is summarized with particular attention to an epizootic in striped bass, Morone saxatilis, (Walbaum), in Chesapeake Bay, USA.
Protection conferred against viral nervous necrosis by simultaneous inoculation of aquabirnavirus and inactivated betanodavirus in the sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus (Thunberg)
Authors: Yamashita H , Mori K , Nakai T 
Published: March 2009

AbstractAn aquabirnavirus (ABV) and a formalin‐inactivated betanodavirus [redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV)] were investigated for their potential to prevent RGNNV‐induced viral nervous necrosis (VNN) in the sevenband grouper, Epinephelus septemfasciatus (Thunberg). Three groups of fish were injected intramuscularly with ABV, intraperitoneally with inactivated RGNNV (iRGNNV) or with both ABV and iRGNNV. At 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post‐injection (p.i.), fish were challenged by intramuscular injection of RGNNV. Control fish, which received neither ABV nor iRGNNV, showed high mortalities in all RGNNV challenges. Fish that received only ABV exhibited relative percent survival (RPS) of >60 against RGNNV challenges at 3, 7, 14 and 21 days p.i., but not at 28 days p.i., while fish that received only iRGNNV showed significantly higher protection against RGNNV challenges only at 21 and 28 days p.i. In contrast, fish that received both ABV and iRGNNV showed 60 or higher RPS against all RGNNV challenges. Fish inoculated with iRGNNV with or without ABV exhibited similar high titres of neutralizing antibodies to RGNNV at 14, 21 and 28 days p.i. These results indicate that combined inoculation with iRGNNV and ABV conferred both rapid non‐specific and delayed specific protection against VNN.
Diversifying selection on MHC class I in the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Authors: LOISEAU CLAIRE , RICHARD MURIELLE , GARNIER STÉPHANE , CHASTEL OLIVIER , JULLIARD ROMAIN , ZOOROB RIMA , SORCI GABRIELE 
Published: March 2009

AbstractGenes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are the most polymorphic loci known in vertebrates. Two main hypotheses have been put forward to explain the maintenance of MHC diversity: pathogen‐mediated selection and MHC‐based mate choice. Host–parasite interactions can maintain MHC diversity via frequency‐dependent selection, heterozygote advantage, and diversifying selection (spatially and/or temporally heterogeneous selection). In this study, we wished to investigate the nature of selection acting on the MHC class I across spatially structured populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus) in France. To infer the nature of the selection, we compared patterns of population differentiation based on two types of molecular markers: MHC class I and microsatellites. This allowed us to test whether the observed differentiation at MHC genes merely reflects demographic and/or stochastic processes. At the global scale, diversifying selection seems to be the main factor maintaining MHC diversity in the house sparrow. We found that (i) overall population differentiation at MHC was stronger than for microsatellites, (ii) MHC marker showed significant isolation by distance. In addition, the slope of the regression of FST on geographical distance was significantly steeper for MHC than for microsatellites due to a stronger pairwise differentiation between populations located at large geographical distances. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that spatially heterogeneous selective pressures maintain different MHC alleles at local scales, possibly resulting in local adaptation.