bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of heterozygosity on 10q23 is involved in metastatic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Okuno Tomoko , Ueda Mikiko , Tsuruyama Tatsuaki , Haga Hironori , Takada Yasutsugu , Maetani Yoji , Tamaki Keiji , Manabe Toshiaki , Tanaka Koichi , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: December 2008

We performed loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis on five chromosomal arms (1p, 3p, 9p, 10q, 17p) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Univariate analyses of 80 patients who underwent liver transplantation demonstrated significant correlations between cancer recurrence and the following variables: LOH on 3p26, LOH on 10q23, LOH on 17p13, tumor diameter ≥ 5 cm, number of tumors ≥ 4, histologic Grade 3, alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 400 ng/mL, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pT classification, and portal invasion. Patients with LOH on 10q23 exhibited a significantly higher 3‐year recurrence rate (38.9%vs 11.9%, P = 0.0009). Multivariate analysis identified LOH on 10q23, histologic Grade 3, tumor nodules ≥ 4, and AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL as the risk factors of advanced HCC recurrence. These results suggest that LOH on 10q23 is associated with metastatic recurrence of HCC. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 520–528)
Oral or intravenous proton pump inhibitor in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding after successful endoscopic epinephrine injection
Authors: Tsai Jai‐Jen , Hsu Yao‐Chun , Perng Chin‐lin , Lin Hwai‐Jeng 
Published: December 2008

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT? • Endoscopic therapy significantly reduces recurrent bleeding, surgery and mortality in patients with bleeding peptic ulcers.• Intravenous (i.v.) proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been found to be effective as adjuvant pharmacotherapy in preventing rebleeding in these patients.• It remains undetermined whether oral and i.v. regular‐dose PPIs are equally effective. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS? • Oral rabeprazole and i.v. regular‐dose omeprazole are comparable in preventing rebleeding in patients with high‐risk bleeding peptic ulcers after successful endoscopic injection with epinephrine.AIMS We aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of oral vs. intravenous (i.v.) regular‐dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) after endoscopic injection of epinephrine in patients with peptic ulcer bleeding.METHODS Peptic ulcer patients with active bleeding, nonbleeding visible vessels, or adherent clots were enrolled after successful endoscopic haemostasis achieved by epinephrine injection. They were randomized to receive either oral rabeprazole (RAB group, 20 mg twice daily for 3 days) or i.v. omeprazole (OME group, 40 mg i.v. infusion every 12 h for 3 days). Subsequently, the enrolled patients receive oral PPI for 2 months (rabeprazole 20 mg or esomeprazole 40 mg once daily). The primary end‐point was recurrent bleeding up to 14 days. The hospital stay, blood transfusion, surgery and mortality within 14 days were compared as well.RESULTS A total of 156 patients were enrolled, with 78 patients randomly allocated in each group. The two groups were well matched for factors affecting the clinical outcomes. Primary end‐points (recurrent bleeding up to 14 days) were reached in 12 patients (15.4%) in the OME group and 13 patients (16.7%) in the RAB group [95% confidence interval (CI) of difference −12.82, 10.22]. All the rebleeding events occurred within 3 days of enrolment. The two groups were not different in hospital stay, volume of blood transfusion, surgery or mortality rate (1.3% of the OME group and 2.6% of the RAB group died, 95% CI of difference −5.6, 3.0).CONCLUSIONS Oral rabeprazole and i.v. regular‐dose omeprazole are equally effective in preventing rebleeding in patients with high‐risk bleeding peptic ulcers after successful endoscopic injection with epinephrine.
Clinical Immunology Review Series: An approach to the patient with recurrent orogenital ulceration, including Behçet's syndrome
Authors: Keogan M T 
Published: December 2008

SummaryPatients presenting with recurrent orogenital ulcers may have complex aphthosis, Behçet's disease, secondary complex aphthosis (e.g. Reiter's syndrome, Crohn's disease, cyclical neutropenia) or non-aphthous disease (including bullous disorders, erythema multiforme, erosive lichen planus). Behçet's syndrome is a multi-system vasculitis of unknown aetiology for which there is no diagnostic test. Diagnosis is based on agreed clinical criteria that require recurrent oral ulcers and two of the following: recurrent genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, defined skin lesions and pathergy. The condition can present with a variety of symptoms, hence a high index of suspicion is necessary. The most common presentation is with recurrent mouth ulcers, often with genital ulcers; however, it may take some years before diagnostic criteria are met. All patients with idiopathic orogenital ulcers should be kept under review, with periodic focused assessment to detect evolution into Behçet's disease. There is often a delay of several years between patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria and a diagnosis being made, which may contribute to the morbidity of this condition. Despite considerable research effort, the aetiology and pathogenesis of this condition remains enigmatic.
Analysis of islet inflammation in human type 1 diabetes
Authors: Willcox A , Richardson S J , Bone A J , Foulis A K , Morgan N G 
Published: December 2008

Summary
The immunopathology of type 1 diabetes (T1D) has proved difficult to study in man because of the limited availability of appropriate samples, but we now report a detailed study charting the evolution of insulitis in human T1D. Pancreas samples removed post-mortem from 29 patients (mean age 11·7 years) with recent-onset T1D were analysed by immunohistochemistry. The cell types constituting the inflammatory infiltrate within islets (insulitis) were determined in parallel with islet insulin content. CD8+ cytotoxic T cells were the most abundant population during insulitis. Macrophages (CD68+) were also present during both early and later insulitis, although in fewer numbers. CD20+ cells were present in only small numbers in early insulitis but were recruited to islets as beta cell death progressed. CD138+ plasma cells were infrequent at all stages of insulitis. CD4+ cells were present in the islet infiltrate in all patients but were less abundant than CD8+ or CD68+ cells. Forkhead box protein P3+ regulatory T cells were detected in the islets of only a single patient. Natural killer cells were detected rarely, even in heavily inflamed islets. The results suggest a defined sequence of immune cell recruitment in human T1D. They imply that both CD8+ cytotoxic cells and macrophages may contribute to beta cell death during early insulitis. CD20+ cells are recruited in greatest numbers during late insulitis, suggesting an increasing role for these cells as insulitis develops. Natural killer cells and forkhead box protein P3+ T cells do not appear to be required for beta cell death.
Thermal injury induces impaired function in polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes and reduced control of burn wound infection
Authors: Calum H , Moser C , Jensen P Ø , Christophersen L , Maling D S , Van Gennip M , Bjarnsholt T , Hougen H P , Givskov M , Jacobsen G K , Høiby N 
Published: December 2008

Summary
Severe thermal injury induces immunosuppression, involving all parts of the immune system, especially when large fractions of the total body surface area are affected. An animal model was established to characterize the burn-induced immunosuppression. In our novel mouse model a 6% third-degree burn injury was induced in mice with a hot-air blower. The third-degree burn was confirmed histologically. The mice were allocated into five groups: control, shave, burn, infection and burn infection group. At 48 h, a decline in the concentration of peripheral blood leucocytes was observed in the group of mice with burn wound. The reduction was ascribed to the decline in concentration of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leucocytes and monocytes. When infecting the skin with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a dissemination of bacteria was observed only in the burn wound group. Histological characterization of the skin showed a more polymorphonuclear neutrophil granulocytes (PMNs)-dominated inflammation in the group of mice with infected burn wound compared with the with burn wound group. In contrast, a higher degree of inflammation was observed in the burn wound group compared with the group of mice with infected burn wound. Furthermore, the oxidative burst and the phagocytic capacity of the PMNs were reduced in the group of mice with burn wound. Using this novel mouse model of thermal injury a decline of peripheral leucocytes was observed, whereas the increased local inflammatory response at the site of infection showed reduced capacity to contain and eliminate the infection.
Serum concentrations and tissue expression of a novel endocrine regulator fibroblast growth factor‐21 in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity
Authors: Mraz M. , Bartlova M. , Lacinova Z. , Michalsky D. , Kasalicky M. , Haluzikova D. , Matoulek M. , Dostalova I. , Humenanska V. , Haluzik M. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryObjective  Fibroblast growth factor‐21 (FGF21) is a novel endocrine and paracrine regulator of metabolic homeostasis. The aim of our study was to measure its serum concentrations in patients with obesity, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy subjects (C), and to assess the changes of its circulating levels and mRNA expression after dietary and pharmacological interventions.Design  We measured biochemical parameters, serum FGF21, adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels by commercial ELISA and RIA kits, and mRNA expression in the liver, subcutaneous and visceral fat by RT PCR in 26 obese patients, 11 T2DM patients and 32 control subjects. The interventions were acute hyperinsulinaemia during isoglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp, very low calorie diet (VLCD) and 3 months treatment with PPAR‐α agonist fenofibrate.Results  Baseline serum FGF21 levels were significantly higher in both obese and T2DM patients relative to healthy controls. FGF21 levels in obesity did not significantly differ from T2DM group. Both 3 weeks of VLCD and 3 months of fenofibrate treatment significantly increased FGF21 levels. FGF21 mRNA expression in visceral fat was twofold higher in obesity relative to C group, while it did not differ in subcutaneous fat. VLCD significantly increased FGF21 mRNA expression in subcutaneous fat of obesity. 3‐h hyperinsulinaemia during the clamp increased FGF21 levels in T2DM but not in C group.Conclusion  An increase in FGF21 levels after VLCD and fenofibrate treatment may contribute to positive metabolic effect of these interventions and suggests the possibility of direct positive metabolic effects of FGF21 in humans.
Echo Doppler parameters predict response to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Wiesbauer F. , Baytaroglu C. , Azar D. , Blessberger H. , Goliasch G. , Graf S. , Mundigler G. , Pacher R. , Maurer G. , Binder T. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to reduce heart failure related morbidity and mortality. However, approximately 30% of patients do not respond to CRT. We investigated the usefulness of Echo Doppler parameters to predict reverse remodelling, functional improvement and mortality following CRT.Materials and methods  Our population consists of 200 consecutive heart failure patients evaluated for ventricular dyssynchrony by echocardiography between February 1999 and May 2007 who subsequently received CRT. Patients were reassessed for signs of reverse remodelling after a mean follow‐up of 10 months. Information on vital status was obtained from local registration authorities.Results  Three parameters significantly predicted reverse remodelling in the logistic regression analysis: the Q‐to‐E‐wave‐delay (QED) at a cutoff of 550 ms (odds ratio 4·5, P‐value 0·001), the interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) at a cutoff of 60 ms (odds ratio 2·4, P‐value 0·02), and the aortic electromechanical delay (A‐EMD) at a cutoff of 140 ms (odds ratio 2·9, P‐value 0·004). Furthermore, the QED and the IVMD also predicted all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio 0·36, P‐value 0·02 and 0·21, P‐value 0·004, respectively). Adjustment for confounders did not alter the results.Conclusions  The QED and IVMD predict reverse remodelling and survival following CRT. These parameters are easy to obtain, provide valuable prognostic information, and should thus be measured in CRT candidates evaluated by echocardiography.
A study for maternal thyroid hormone deficiency during the first half of pregnancy in China
Authors: Shan Z. Y. , Chen Y. Y. , Teng W. P. , Yu X. H. , Li C. Y. , Zhou W. W. , Gao B. , Zhou J. R. , Ding B. , Ma Y. , Wu Y. , Liu Q. , Xu H. , Liu W. , Li J. , Wang W. W. , Li Y. B. , Fan C. L. , Wang H. , Guo R. , Zhang H. M. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Maternal thyroid hormone deficiency is the most common disorder of thyroid function during pregnancy and can influence the outcome for mother and foetus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thyroid hormone deficiency during the first half of pregnancy in iodine sufficient areas of China.Materials and methods  Four thousand eight hundred pregnant women from 10 hospitals during the first 20 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study. All sera obtained from pregnant women were measured for thyrotropin, free thyroxine and thyroid peroxidase antibody. Screening for thyroid hormone deficiency was performed on pregnant women using gestational age‐specific reference intervals or non‐pregnant population reference intervals.Results  With gestational age‐specific reference intervals as the criterion, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism at 4, 8, 12,16 and 20 weeks of gestation was 4·59%, 6·15%, 4·68%, 4·53% and 5·96%, respectively, and the prevalence of hypothyroxinaemia was 3·69%, 1·11%, 2·92%, 1·29% and 2·29%, respectively. Different prevalence was obtained when non‐pregnant population reference intervals was used as the criterion.If non‐pregnant population reference intervals were used, the percentage of potentially misclassified cases of subclinical hypothyroidism were 0·18%, 2·85%, 4·1%, 3·24%, and 3·21%, respectively, and 3·45%, 0·66%, 2·34%, 1·29%, and 1·83%, respectively, in potentially misclassified cases of hypothyroxinaemia.Conclusions  The percentage of potentially misclassified cases of subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinaemia in pregnant women decreased by using the gestational age‐specific reference intervals as a diagnostic criteria during the first half of pregnancy.
Foetal ‘flat’ bile acids reappear during human liver regeneration after surgery
Authors: Stärkel P. , Shindano T. , Horsmans Y. , Gigot J. F. , Fernandez‐Tagarro M. , Marin J. J. G. , Monte M. J. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Changes in bile acid (BA) pool, such as the reappearance of typically foetal‐type molecular species with a ‘flat’ structure at the steroid ring, occur during hepatocarcinogenesis, both in humans and rodents. Moreover flat‐BAs also appear during rat liver regeneration. These changes can be detected in urine. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether flat‐BAs also reappear during human liver regeneration, and whether this change correlates with the magnitude of liver resection.Materials and methods  Patients undergoing partial hepatectomy were divided in two groups: major hepatectomy group (> 50% of hepatic tissue resection, n = 17) and minor hepatectomy group (< 50%, n = 13). BAs were extracted from serum and urine (collected over 24 h) and analysed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Samples were obtained before surgery (day 0) and on the third and seventh days after hepatectomy.Results  In serum, total BAs significantly increased on day seven after hepatectomy, but only a moderate increase in flat‐BA concentrations was observed. By contrast, urinary excretion of total as well as flat‐BAs significantly increased at day three and day seven after hepatectomy. Moreover, the amount of flat‐BAs excreted in urine during the first week after partial hepatectomy correlated with the magnitude of the resection.Conclusions  Urinary BA output increases and flat‐BAs reappear in urine during human liver regeneration. These results suggest that determination of BAs in urine may be an interesting parameter obtained by non‐invasive techniques whose actual clinical value during human liver regeneration warrants further evaluation.
Different strategies to overcome the effect of carbimazole on high‐ and low‐dose radioiodine therapy: results from continuous dose–effect models
Authors: Walter M. A. , Schindler C. , Christ‐Crain M. , Müller‐Brand J. , Müller B. 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTBackground  Until now, it remains elusive which strategy – antithyroid drug withdrawal or increased radioiodine target doses – should be preferred to avoid the detrimental effect of antithyroid drugs in high‐ and low‐dose radioiodine therapy, respectively.Methods  We explored the effects of carbimazole on the 1‐year post‐radioiodine success and hypothyroidism rates by continuous dose–effect models, whereas success was defined as elimination of hyperthyroidism. Euthyroidism rates with and without carbimazole were calculated by numerical integration of the area between success and hypothyroidism curves. Target dose amplification factors for equal chance of success with and without carbimazole were calculated using logistic regression.Results  Two hundred and twenty‐eight patients were included in this study. Radioiodine target doses between 33 and 839 Gy were applied. Overall, the euthyroidism rates were 16·5% and 64·8%, while the hypothyroidism rates were 37·6% and 14·8% in Graves’ disease and toxic nodular goitre, respectively. The success rate with simultaneous carbimazole (median dose 15 mg day−1; range 2·5–60 mg day−1) was reduced over the entire target dose range in Graves’ disease and toxic nodular goitre. The areas between curves for euthyroidism without and with simultaneous carbimazole were 127 and 43 Gy in Graves’ disease and 178 and 128 Gy in toxic nodular goitre. The estimated radioiodine target dose amplification factor was 5·5 for Graves’ disease and 3·0 for toxic nodular goitre.Conclusions  Simultaneous carbimazole reduces the euthyroidism rate, the aim of low‐dose radioiodine therapy, over the entire target dose range in both Graves’ disease and toxic nodular goitre. Therefore, antithyroid drug discontinuation should be preferred in low‐dose radioiodine therapy. Conversely, escalation of the target dose should be preferred in high‐dose radioiodine therapy.
Disturbance, rainfall and contrasting species responses mediated aboveground biomass response to 11 years of CO2 enrichment in a Florida scrub‐oak ecosystem
Authors: SEILER TROY J. , RASSE DANIEL P. , LI JIAHONG , DIJKSTRA PAUL , ANDERSON HANS P. , JOHNSON DAVID P. , POWELL THOMAS L. , HUNGATE BRUCE A. , HINKLE C. ROSS , DRAKE BERT G. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis study reports the aboveground biomass response of a fire‐regenerated Florida scrub‐oak ecosystem exposed to elevated CO2 (1996–2007), from emergence after fire through canopy closure. Eleven years exposure to elevated CO2 caused a 67% increase in aboveground shoot biomass. Growth stimulation was sustained throughout the experiment; although there was significant variability between years. The absolute stimulation of aboveground biomass generally declined over time, reflecting increasing environmental limitations to long‐term growth response. Extensive defoliation caused by hurricanes in September 2004 was followed by a strong increase in shoot density in 2005 that may have resulted from reopening the canopy and relocating nitrogen from leaves to the nutrient‐poor soil. Biomass response to elevated CO2 was driven primarily by stimulation of growth of the dominant species, Quercus myrtifolia, while Quercus geminata, the other co‐dominant oak, displayed no significant CO2 response. Aboveground growth also displayed interannual variation, which was correlated with total annual rainfall. The rainfall × CO2 interaction was partially masked at the community level by species‐specific responses: elevated CO2 had an ameliorating effect on Q. myrtifolia growth under water stress. The results of this long‐term study not only show that atmospheric CO2 concentration had a consistent stimulating effect on aboveground biomass production, but also showed that available water is the primary driver of interannual variation in shoot growth and that the long‐term response to elevated CO2 may have been caused by other factors such as nutrient limitation and disturbance.
Impacts of climate change on the vegetation of Africa: an adaptive dynamic vegetation modelling approach
Authors: SCHEITER SIMON , HIGGINS STEVEN I. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractRecent IPCC projections suggest that Africa will be subject to particularly severe changes in atmospheric conditions. How the vegetation of Africa and particularly the grassland–savanna–forest complex will respond to these changes has rarely been investigated. Most studies on global carbon cycles use vegetation models that do not adequately account for the complexity of the interactions that shape the distribution of tropical grasslands, savannas and forests. This casts doubt on their ability to reliably simulate the future vegetation of Africa. We present a new vegetation model, the adaptive dynamic global vegetation model (aDGVM) that was specifically developed for tropical vegetation. The aDGVM combines established components from existing DGVMs with novel process‐based and adaptive modules for phenology, carbon allocation and fire within an individual‐based framework. Thus, the model allows vegetation to adapt phenology, allocation and physiology to changing environmental conditions and disturbances in a way not possible in models based on fixed functional types. We used the model to simulate the current vegetation patterns of Africa and found good agreement between model projections and vegetation maps. We simulated vegetation in absence of fire and found that fire suppression strongly influences tree dominance at the regional scale while at a continental scale fire suppression increases biomass in vegetation by a more modest 13%. Simulations under elevated temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentrations predicted longer growing periods, higher allocation to roots, higher fecundity, more biomass and a dramatic shift toward tree dominated biomes. Our analyses suggest that the CO2 fertilization effect is not saturated at ambient CO2 levels and will strongly increase in response to further increases in CO2 levels. The model provides a general and flexible framework for describing vegetation response to the interactive effects of climate and disturbances.