bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a leptospirosis model in guinea pigs using an epicutaneous inoculations route
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lou Xiao-Li , Yang Hong-Liang , Guo Xiao-Kui , Zhang Xiang-Yan , He Ping , Jiang Xu-Cheng
Published: January 2012

Background

Leptospires are presumed to enter their host via small abrasions or breaches of the skin. The intraperitoneal route, although commonly used in guinea pig and hamster models of leptospirosis, does not reflect conditions encountered during natural infection. The aim of this study is to develop a novel leptospirosis guinea pig model through epicutaneous route and to elucidate the pathogenesis of leptospirosis in experimental guinea pigs by comparing the data from other studies using different infection routes.

Methods

The guinea pigs were inoculated with 5 × 108
Leptospira interrogans strain Lai onto either shaved-only or abraded skin. The guinea pigs were sacrificed at 2, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 144 h post-infection (p.i.) followed by harvest of the lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, and the skin around the inoculated sites for further examinations. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy were used to detect the pathologic changes. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry staining were performed to detect dynamic distribution of leptospires in blood and tissues, respectively.

Results

In the guinea pigs with abraded skin inoculations, leptospires were detected in blood as early as 2 h post infection (p.i.) and then disseminated to the liver, lungs and kidneys of almost all animals within 96 h p.i.. Leptospires were also detected engulfed in the swelling vascular endothelial cells and were frequently aggregated around the capillaries in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue under the inoculated site. For the guinea pigs with abraded skin inoculations, hemorrhage at the dermis around the inoculated site was found before the appearance of internal organs hemorrhage, severe lesions such as hemorrhages in the lungs, nephritis, jaundice, haematuria were also observed, and two of seven guinea pigs died at 144 h p.i. while no lesions and leptospires were detected in the shaved-only guinea pigs using the same dose of strain Lai.

Conclusion

Intact keratinocyte layer is a very efficient barrier against leptospires, and intact skin can prevent the infiltration of leptosipres to the host. Leptospires can penetrate abraded skin and quickly establish a systemic infection by crossing tissue barriers. We have successfully established a novel leptospirosis guinea pig model through epicutaneous inoculations route, which replicates a natural course of infection and appears to be an alternative way to investigate the pathogenesis of leptospirosis, especially in terms of early stage of host-pathogen interactions. This novel model may also be advantageous for studies of the mechanisms involved in cutaneous barriers and epidermal interactions with this organism.
Physician experience and rates of plasma HIV-1 RNA suppression among illicit drug users: an observational study
Authors: Sangsari Sassan , Milloy M-J , Ibrahim Amir , Kerr Thomas , Zhang Ruth , Montaner Julio , Wood Evan
Published: January 2012

Background

Despite the availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART), suboptimal treatment outcomes have been observed among HIV-seropositive illicit drug users. As there is an urgent need to improve responses to antiretroviral therapy among this population, we undertook this study to evaluate the role of physician experience on rates of plasma HIV-1 RNA suppression following initiation of ART.

Methods

Using data from a community-recruited cohort of HIV-positive illicit drug users, we used Cox proportional hazards regression to model the time to plasma viral HIV RNA < 500 copies/mL among antiretroviral-naïve subjects initiating ART. Physician experience was defined as a continuous variable measured per 100 HIV-infected patients previously enrolled in the province-wide HIV treatment registry by that physician at the time a patient was enrolled.

Results

Between May 1996 and December 2008, 267 individuals initiated ART among whom 227 (85%) achieved a plasma HIV RNA < 500 copies/mL during the study period. In a multivariate analysis, greater physician experience was independently associated with higher rates of plasma HIV RNA suppression (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.34) after adjustment for adherence to ART. Other factors associated with viral suppression included engagement in methadone maintenance therapy (AHR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.23-2.09), ≥ 95% adherence to ART (AHR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.80-3.26), baseline CD4 count (AHR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83-0.96) and baseline plasma HIV-1 RNA (AHR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.53-0.81).

Conclusions

In this setting of universal HIV/AIDS care, illicit drug users with more experienced physicians exhibited faster rates of plasma viral load suppression. These findings argue for specialized services to help optimize HIV treatment outcomes among this population.
Biomarkers for antitumor activity of bevacizumab in gastric cancer models
Authors: Yamashita-Kashima Yoriko , Fujimoto-Ouchi Kaori , Yorozu Keigo , Kurasawa Mitsue , Yanagisawa Mieko , Yasuno Hideyuki , Mori Kazushige
Published: January 2012

Background

Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody to human vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and has been used for many types of cancers such as colorectal cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, breast cancer, and glioblastoma. Bevacizumab might be effective against gastric cancer, because VEGF has been reported to be involved in the development of gastric cancer as well as other cancers. On the other hand, there are no established biomarkers to predict the bevacizumab efficacy in spite of clinical needs. Therefore, we tried to identify the predictive markers for efficacy of bevacizumab in gastric cancer patients by using bevacizumab-sensitive and insensitive tumor models.

Methods

Nine human gastric and two colorectal cancer mouse xenografts were examined for their sensitivity to bevacizumab. We examined expression levels of angiogenic factors by ELISA, bioactivity of VEGF by phosphorylation of VEGFR2 in HUVEC after addition of tumor homogenate, tumor microvessel density by CD31-immunostaining, and polymorphisms of the VEGF gene by HybriProbe™ assay.

Results

Of the 9 human gastric cancer xenograft models used, GXF97, MKN-45, MKN-28, 4-1ST, SC-08-JCK, and SC-09-JCK were bevacizumab-sensitive, whereas SCH, SC-10-JCK, and NCI-N87 were insensitive. The sensitivity of the gastric cancer model to bevacizumab was not related to histological type or HER2 status. All tumors with high levels of VEGF were bevacizumab-sensitive except for one, SC-10-JCK, which had high levels of VEGF. The reason for the refractoriness was non-bioactivity on the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and micro-vessel formation of VEGF, but was not explained by the VEGF allele or VEGF165b. We also examined the expression levels of other angiogenic factors in the 11 gastrointestinal tumor tissues. In the refractory models including SC-10-JCK, tumor levels of another angiogenic factor, bFGF, were relatively high. The VEGF/bFGF ratio correlated more closely with sensitivity to bevacizumab than with the VEGF level.

Conclusions

VEGF levels and VEGF/bFGF ratios in tumors were related to bevacizumab sensitivity of the xenografts tested. Further clinical investigation into useful predictive markers for bevacizumab sensitivity is warranted.
Shortening of atrioventricular delay at increased atrial paced heart rates improves diastolic filling and functional class in patients with biventricular pacing
Authors: Rafie Reza , Qamruddin Salima , Ozhand Ali , Taha Nima , Naqvi Tasneem Z
Published: January 2012

Background

Use of rate adaptive atrioventricular (AV) delay remains controversial in patients with biventricular (Biv) pacing. We hypothesized that a shortened AV delay would provide optimal diastolic filling by allowing separation of early and late diastolic filling at increased heart rate (HR) in these patients.

Methods

34 patients (75 ± 11 yrs, 24 M, LVEF 34 ± 12%) with Biv and atrial pacing had optimal AV delay determined at baseline HR by Doppler echocardiography. Atrial pacing rate was then increased in 10 bpm increments to a maximum of 90 bpm. At each atrial pacing HR, optimal AV delay was determined by changing AV delay until best E and A wave separation was seen on mitral inflow pulsed wave (PW) Doppler (defined as increased atrial duration from baseline or prior pacemaker setting with minimal atrial truncation). Left ventricular (LV) systolic ejection time and velocity time integral (VTI) at fixed and optimal AV delay was also tested in 13 patients. Rate adaptive AV delay was then programmed according to the optimal AV delay at the highest HR tested and patients were followed for 1 month to assess change in NYHA class and Quality of Life Score as assessed by Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.

Results

81 AV delays were evaluated at different atrial pacing rates. Optimal AV delay decreased as atrial paced HR increased (201 ms at 60 bpm, 187 ms at 70 bpm, 146 ms at 80 bpm and 123 ms at 90 bpm (ANOVA F-statistic = 15, p = 0.0010). Diastolic filling time (P < 0.001 vs. fixed AV delay), mitral inflow VTI (p < 0.05 vs fixed AV delay) and systolic ejection time (p < 0.02 vs. fixed AV delay) improved by 14%, 5% and 4% respectively at optimal versus fixed AV delay at the same HR. NYHA improved from 2.6 ± 0.7 at baseline to 1.7 ± 0.8 (p < 0.01) 1 month post optimization. Physical component of Quality of Life Score improved from 32 ± 17 at baseline to 25 ± 12 (p < 0.05) at follow up.

Conclusions

Increased heart rate by atrial pacing in patients with Biv pacing causes compromise in diastolic filling time which can be improved by AV delay shortening. Aggressive AV delay shortening was required at heart rates in physiologic range to achieve optimal diastolic filling and was associated with an increase in LV ejection time during optimization. Functional class improved at 1 month post optimization using aggressive AV delay shortening algorithm derived from echo-guidance at the time of Biv pacemaker optimization.
Sequence variants of interleukin 6 (IL-6) are significantly associated with a decreased risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Chen Shih-Yuan , Chen Ta-Fu , Lai Liang-Chuan , Chen Jen-Hau , Sun Yu , Wen Li-Li , Yip Ping-Keung , Chu Yi-Min , Chen Yen-Ching
Published: January 2012

Background

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been related to beta-amyloid aggregation and the appearance of hyperphosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. However, previous studies relatingIL-6genetic polymorphisms to AD included few and unrepresentative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the results were inconsistent.

Methods

This is a case-control study. A total of 266 patients with AD, aged≧65, were recruited from three hospitals in Taiwan (2007-2010). Controls (n = 444) were recruited from routine health checkups and volunteers of the hospital during the same period of time. Three commonIL-6haplotype-tagging SNPs were selected to assess the association betweenIL-6polymorphisms and the risk of late-onset AD (LOAD).

Results

Variant carriers ofIL-6rs1800796 and rs1524107 were significantly associated with a reduced risk of LOAD [(GG + GC vs. CC): adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.64 and (CC + CT vs. TT): AOR = 0.60, respectively]. Haplotype CAT was associated with a decreased risk of LOAD (0 and 1 copy vs. 2 copies: AOR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44-0.95). These associations remained significant inApoE e4non-carriers only. Hypertension significantly modified the association between rs2069837 polymorphisms and the risk of LOAD (pinteraction= 0.03).

Conclusions

IL-6polymorphisms are associated with reduced risk of LOAD, especially inApoE e4non-carriers. This study identified genetic markers for predicting LOAD inApoE e4non-carriers.
Protein dynamics at Eph receptor-ligand interfaces as revealed by crystallography, NMR and MD simulations
Authors: Qin Haina , Lim Liangzhong , Song Jianxing
Published: January 2012

Background

The role of dynamics in protein functions including signal transduction is just starting to be deciphered. Eph receptors with 16 members divided into A- and B- subclasses are respectively activated by 9 A- and B-ephrin ligands. EphA4 is the only receptor capable of binding to all 9 ephrins and small molecules with overlapped interfaces.

Results

We first determined the structures of the EphA4 ligand binding domain (LBD) in two crystals of P1 space group. Noticeably, 8 EphA4 molecules were found in one asymmetric unit and consequently from two crystals we obtained 16 structures, which show significant conformational variations over the functionally critical A-C, D-E, G-H and J-K loops. The 16 new structures, together with previous 9 ones, can be categorized into two groups: closed and open forms which resemble the uncomplexed and complexed structures of the EphA4 LBD respectively. To assess whether the conformational diversity over the loops primarily results from the intrinsic dynamics, we initiated 30-ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for both closed and open forms. The results indicate that the loops do have much higher intrinsic dynamics, which is further unravelled by NMR H/D exchange experiments. During simulations, the open form has the RMS deviations slightly larger than those of the closed one, suggesting the open form may be less stable in the absence of external contacts. Furthermore, no obvious exchange between two forms is observed within 30 ns, implying that they are dynamically separated.

Conclusions

Our study provides the first experimental and computational result revealing that the intrinsic dynamics are most likely underlying the conformational diversity observed for the EphA4 LBD loops mediating the binding affinity and specificity. Interestingly, the open conformation of the EphA4 LBD is slightly unstable in the absence of it natural ligand ephrins, implying that the conformational transition from the closed to open has to be driven by the high-affinity interaction with ephrins because the weak interaction with small molecule was found to be insufficient to trigger the transition. Our results therefore highlight the key role of protein dynamics in Eph-ephrin signalling and would benefit future design of agonists/antagonists targeting Eph receptors.
Association of Family History With Cancer Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Gastric Cancer
Authors: Han Mi Ah , Oh Myueng Guen , Choi Il Ju , Park Sook Ryun , Ryu Keun Won , Nam Byung-Ho , Cho Soo-Jeong , Kim Chan Gyoo , Lee Jun Ho , Kim Young-Woo
Published: January 2012

Purpose

Family history of gastric cancer is a major risk factor for the disease. In this study, we investigated the prognoses of patients with gastric cancer with a family history.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from 1,273 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma who had undergone gastrectomy between 2001 and 2005 at a tertiary cancer center hospital. A positive family history was defined as a self-reported history of cancer in first- or second-degree relatives. Patients were followed up until December 2009 for death or recurrence. Clinicopathologic characteristics were compared by family history. Kaplan-Meier plots and Cox proportional hazards regressions were applied for disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS).

Results

Of 1,273 patients, 263 patients (20.6%) had first-degree relatives with a history of gastric cancer. First-degree family history of gastric cancer was associated with better DFS, RFS, and OS (P = .012, .006, and .005, respectively). In patients with stage I or II gastric cancer, first-degree family history was not associated with survival. However, it was associated with a reduced risk of recurrence or mortality in patients with stage III or IV gastric cancer. Compared with patients without a family history, the adjusted hazard ratios for those with a first-degree family history of gastric cancer were 0.49 (95% CI, 0.29 to 0.84) for DFS, 0.51 (95% CI, 0.30 to 0.87) for RFS, and 0.47 (95% CI, 0.26 to 0.84) for OS in patients with stage III or IV gastric cancer.

Conclusion

A first-degree family history of gastric cancer is associated with improved survival after curative-intent surgery in patients with stage III or IV gastric cancer.
The novel formin FMNL3 is a cytoskeletal regulator of angiogenesis.
Authors: Hetheridge Clare , Scott Alice N. , Swain Rajeeb K. , Copeland John W. , Higgs Henry N. , Bicknell Roy , Mellor Harry
Published: January 2012

The process of angiogenesis requires endothelial cells to undergo profound changes in shape and polarity. This must involve remodelling of the endothelial cell cytoskeleton; however, we know little of this process or of the proteins that control it. We used a co-culture assay of angiogenesis to examine the cytoskeleton of endothelial cells actively undergoing angiogenic morphogenesis. We find that elongation of endothelial cells during angiogenesis is accompanied by stabilisation of microtubules and their alignment into parallel arrays directed at the growing tip. In other systems, similar microtubule alignments are mediated by the formin family of cytoskeletal regulators. We screened a library of human formins and indentified the novel formin FMNL3/FRL2 as a critical regulator of endothelial cell elongation during angiogenesis. We show that activated FMNL3 triggers microtubule alignment and that FMNL3 is required for microtubule alignment during angiogenic morphogenesis. FMNL3 is highly-expressed in the endothelial cells of Zebrafish during development and embryos depleted for FMNL3 show profound defects in developmental angiogenesis that are rescued by expression of the human gene. We conclude that FMNL3 is a novel regulator of endothelial microtubules during angiogenesis and is required for the conversion of quiescent endothelial cells into their elongated angiogenic morphology.
Structures containing Atg9A and the ULK1 complex independently target depolarized mitochondria at initial stages of Parkin-mediated mitophagy
Authors: Itakura Eisuke , Kishi-Itakura Chieko , Koyama-Honda Ikuko , Mizushima Noboru
Published: January 2012

Mitochondria can be degraded by autophagy; this process is termed mitophagy. The Parkinson disease-associated ubiquitin ligase Parkin can trigger mitophagy of depolarized mitochondria. However, how the autophagy machinery is involved in this specific type of autophagy remains to be determined. It has been speculated that adaptor proteins such as p62 may mediate interaction between the autophagosomal LC3 family of proteins and ubiquitinated protein on mitochondria. Here, we describe our systematic analysis of the recruitment of Atg proteins in Parkin-dependent mitophagy. Structures containing upstream Atg proteins, including ULK1, Atg14, DFCP1, WIPI-1, and Atg16L1, can associate with depolarized mitochondria even in the absence of membrane-bound LC3. Atg9A structures are also recruited to these damaged mitochondria as well as the autophagosome formation site during starvation-induced canonical autophagy. At initial steps of Parkin-mediated mitophagy, the structures containing the ULK1 complex and Atg9A are independently recruited to depolarized mitochondria and both are required for further recruitment of downstream Atg proteins except LC3. Autophagosomal LC3 is important for efficient incorporation of damaged mitochondria into the autophagosome at a later stage. These findings suggest a process whereby the isolation membrane is generated de novo on damaged mitochondria as opposed to one where a preformed isolation membrane recognizes mitochondria.
Schnurri regulates hemocyte function to promote tissue recovery after DNA damage
Authors: Kelsey Ellen Miriam , Luo Xi , Bückner Katja , Jasper Heinrich
Published: January 2012

Tissue recovery after injury requires coordinated regulation of cell repair and apoptosis, removal of dead cells, and regeneration. A critical step in this process is the recruitment of blood cells that mediate local inflammatory and immune responses, promoting tissue recovery. Here we identify a new role for the transcriptional regulator Schnurri (Shn) in the recovery of UV-damaged Drosophila retina. Using an experimental paradigm that allows precise quantification of tissue recovery after a defined dose of UV, we find that Shn activity in the retina is required to limit tissue damage. This function of Shn relies on its transcriptional induction of the PDGF-like growth factor pvf-1, which signals to tissue-associated hemocytes. We show the pvf-1 receptor, PVR, acts in hemocytes to induce a macrophage-like morphology, and that this is required to limit tissue loss after irradiation. Our results identify a new Shn-regulated paracrine signaling interaction between damaged retinal cells and hemocytes ensures recovery and homeostasis of the challenged tissue.
Hydrodynamics of the bluegill sunfish C-start escape response: three-dimensional simulations and comparison with experimental data
Authors: Borazjani Iman , Sotiropoulos Fotis , Tytell Eric D. , Lauder George V.
Published: January 2012

In this work we study the hydrodynamics of a bluegill sunfish performing a C-start maneuver in unprecedented detail using 3-D numerical simulations guided by previous laboratory experiments with live fish. The 3-D fish body geometry and kinematics are reconstructed from the experiments using high-speed video and prescribed as input to the numerical simulation. The calculated instantaneous flow fields at various stages of the C-start maneuver are compared with the two-dimensional particle image velocimetry measurements, and are shown to capture essentially all flow features observed in the measurements with good quantitative accuracy; the simulations reveal the experimentally observed three primary jet flow patterns whose momentum time series are in very good agreement with the measured flow field. The simulations elucidate for the first time the complex 3-D structure of the wake during C-starts, revealing an intricate vortical structure consisting of multiple connected vortex loops at the end of the C-start. We also find that the force calculated based on the 3-D flow field has higher magnitudes than that implied by the jet momentum on the midplane, and it exhibits large and rapid fluctuations during the two stages of the C-start. These fluctuations are physical and are related to the change in the direction of the acceleration of the fish body, which changes the location of the high and low pressure pockets around the fish.
Differences in locomotor performance between individuals: importance of parvalbumin, calcium handling and metabolism
Authors: Seebacher Frank , Walter Isabel
Published: January 2012

Locomotor performance is linked to fitness and health of animals and is expected to be under strong selection. However, interindividual variation in locomotor performance is pronounced in many species. It was our aim to investigate the relative importance of energy metabolism and calcium handling in determining sprint and sustained locomotion in the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Sprint and sustained performance (Ucrit) varied independently from each other. Using in vivo electroporation, we found that increased parvalbumin protein concentration improved both sprint and sustained locomotion. This is the first demonstration that parvalbumin plays a role in determining whole-animal performance. High sprint performance fish had greater mRNA concentrations of the metabolic regulators PPARδ and PGC1β compared with fish with poor sprint performance. High sustained performance fish, in contrast, had greater concentrations of PGC-1α and PGC-1β. The increased expression of these metabolic regulators indicates an enhancement of the metabolic machinery in high performance animals. Sprint performance is also enhanced by creatine kinase activity, which may be associated with increased PPARδ mRNA concentration. Ryanodine receptor (RyR) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 1 (SERCA1) mRNA concentrations were significantly increased in high sustained performance fish, while parvalbumin 2, dihydropyridine (DHPR) receptor and SERCA2 mRNA levels were increased in fish with high sprint velocities. Sustained performance was more sensitive to experimentally induced decreases in RyR and DHPR activity than sprint performance. We provide mechanistic explanations of why locomotor performance differs between individuals, which is important for understanding ecological and sporting success, disease and the evolutionary processes underlying selection.
Preliminary investigation into the use of ultrasound elastography during brain tumour resection
Authors: Chakraborty Aabir , Bamber Jeffrey C , Dorward Neil L
Published: January 2012

Introduction

Differentiation of brain tumours from normal brain, during surgical resection is, in part, based on their differing mechanical properties. Brain tumours have variable stiffness characteristics. Surgical evaluations on stiffness are, at best, subjective. Ultrasound elastography is a non-invasive method for imaging mechanical properties of tissues such as stiffness at depth. It is hypothesized that this technique may assist in differentiating tumour from the brain in an intraoperative setting.

Methods

This study evaluated the feasibility of the intraoperative use of ultrasound elastography during brain tumour resection. A total of 24 patients were recruited for the study. Surgical findings on tumour stiffness were compared with the elastogram findings. Furthermore, visibility of the brain-tumour interface on ultrasound echography compared with ultrasound elastography was analysed.

Results

Ultrasound elastography was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 75% at detecting that tumour had a different stiffness to the brain when compared with surgical findings. The technique was also found to have a 100% sensitivity and specificity at the detection of intratumoral stiffness heterogeneity compared with surgical findings. The presence of fluid-filled cysts limited the quality of the elastograms. Ultrasound elastography did not detect the brain-tumour interface as accurately as conventional echography.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that ultrasound elastography in combination with conventional B-mode ultrasound may be a useful adjunct to differentiate tumour from the brain.
An in vivo selection method to optimize trans-splicing ribozymes
Authors: Olson Karen E. , Müller Ulrich F.
Published: January 2012

Group I intron ribozymes can repair mutated mRNAs by replacing the 3′-terminal portion of the mRNA with their own 3′-exon. This trans-splicing reaction has the potential to treat genetic disorders and to selectively kill cancer cells or virus-infected cells. However, these ribozymes have not yet been used in therapy, partially due to a low in vivo trans-splicing efficiency. Previous strategies to improve the trans-splicing efficiencies focused on designing and testing individual ribozyme constructs. Here we describe a method that selects the most efficient ribozymes from millions of ribozyme variants. This method uses an in vivo rescue assay where the mRNA of an inactivated antibiotic resistance gene is repaired by trans-splicing group I intron ribozymes. Bacterial cells that express efficient trans-splicing ribozymes are able to grow on medium containing the antibiotic chloramphenicol. We randomized a 5′-terminal sequence of the Tetrahymena thermophila group I intron and screened a library with 9 × 106 ribozyme variants for the best trans-splicing activity. The resulting ribozymes showed increased trans-splicing efficiency and help the design of efficient trans-splicing ribozymes for different sequence contexts. This in vivo selection method can now be used to optimize any sequence in trans-splicing ribozymes.
Cannabinoid Disposition in Oral Fluid after Controlled Smoked Cannabis
Authors: Lee Dayong , Schwope David M , Milman Garry , Barnes Allan J , Gorelick David A , Huestis Marilyn A
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND

We measured Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) disposition in oral fluid (OF) following controlled cannabis smoking to evaluate whether monitoring multiple cannabinoids in OF improved OF test interpretation.

METHODS

Cannabis smokers provided written informed consent for this institutional review board–approved study. OF was collected with the Quantisal™ device following ad libitum smoking of one 6.8% THC cigarette. Cannabinoids were quantified by 2-dimensional GC-MS. We evaluated 8 alternative cutoffs based on different drug testing program needs.

RESULTS

10 participants provided 86 OF samples −0.5 h before and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 22 h after initiation of smoking. Before smoking, OF samples of 4 and 9 participants were positive for THC and THCCOOH, respectively, but none were positive for CBD and CBN. Maximum THC, CBD, and CBN concentrations occurred within 0.5 h, with medians of 644, 30.4, and 49.0 μg/L, respectively. All samples were THC positive at 6 h (2.1–44.4 μg/L), and 4 of 6 were positive at 22 h. CBD and CBN were positive only up to 6 h in 3 (0.6–2.1 μg/L) and 4 (1.0–4.4 μg/L) participants, respectively. The median maximum THCCOOH OF concentration was 115 ng/L, with all samples positive to 6 h (14.8–263 ng/L) and 5 of 6 positive at 22 h.

CONCLUSIONS

By quantifying multiple cannabinoids and evaluating different analytical cutoffs after controlled cannabis smoking, we determined windows of drug detection, found suggested markers of recent smoking, and minimized the potential for passive contamination.
Recent developments in nuclear data measurements and chemical separation methods in accelerator production of astatine and technetium radionuclides
Authors: Lahiri Susanta , Maiti Moumita
Published: January 2012

The cyclotron produced neutron deficient technetium radionuclides (93Tc,94(m+g)Tc,95Tc,96Tc) have gained renewed interest in various fields, including nuclear imaging, provided they can be obtained in a pure form. Similarly,211At due to its moderate half-life and high intensityα-particle energy (both from211At as well as its transient decay product211Po) is of prime interest in targeted therapy. Another interest is to study the astatine chemistry, which is least studied compared to other halogens due to its non-occurrence in natural systems. For maximum production of these radionuclides various parameters need to be standardized. A chemical separation is required to achieve high radiochemical purity beforein-vivoapplication. This review describes various production routes of neutron deficient astatine and technetium radionuclides that have been reported after the year 2000. The analytical chemistry developed for separation of no-carrier-added (nca) Tc and At radionuclides in the same period is also discussed in detail.
Messtechnische Erfassung von Pedalvibrationen
Authors: Trepte Stefan , Hebestreit Andreas , Tran Quang Thang , Heinicke René
Published: January 2012

Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt die Erfassung von Pedalvibrationen durch Messen von Weg, Kraft und Beschleunigung am Kupplungspedal. Parallel dazu erfolgten Bewertungen durch Probanden. Ergebnis der Versuche ist eine Darstellung des menschlichen Empfindens für Vibrationen am Fuß. Damit ist eine Objektivierung der Bewertung von Pedalvibrationen möglich.
Malrotation of the Intestine and Chronic Volvulus as a Cause of Protein-Losing Enteropathy in Infancy
Authors: Zellos Aglaia , Zarganis Diagoras , Ypsiladis Stelios , Chatzis Dimitris , Papaioannou Georgia , Bartsocas Christos
Published: January 2012

Protein-losing enteropathy in children is caused by intestinal metabolic, inflammatory, or infectious processes, or by lymphatic obstruction (intestinal lymphangiectasia). In this report, a 17-month-old child is presented with protein-losing enteropathy due to intestinal malrotation and chronic midgut volvulus causing lymphatic obstruction and spillage of lymph in the intestine and the peritoneum. This report should alert the pediatrician that intestinal malrotation should be added to the wide list of possible causes of protein-losing enteropathy in children.
Co-occurring Conditions and Change in Diagnosis in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Close Heather A. , Lee Li-Ching , Kaufmann Christopher N. , Zimmerman Andrew W.
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to investigate descriptive characteristics and co-occurring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions in young children, children, and adolescents with a current and consistent or past but not current (PBNC) diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and how such characteristics and conditions may engender a change in diagnosis of an ASD.

METHODS:

Cross-sectional data of 1366 children with a parent-reported current or PBNC ASD diagnosis were obtained from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2007 data set across 3 developmental stages: young children (aged 3–5 years), children (aged 6–11 years), and adolescents (aged 12–17 years). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine demographic characteristics and co-occurring conditions that differentiate the groups with a current ASD from groups with a PBNC ASD.

RESULTS:

Results indicated the co-occurring conditions that distinguish groups currently diagnosed with an ASD from groups with a PBNC ASD diagnosis. In young children, current moderate/severe learning disability, and current moderate/severe developmental delay; in children, past speech problem, current moderate/severe anxiety, and past hearing problem; and in adolescents, current moderate/severe speech problem, current mild seizure/epilepsy, and past hearing problem.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings suggest that the presence of co-occurring psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions are associated with a change in ASD diagnosis. Questions remain as to whether changes in diagnosis of an ASD are due to true etiologic differences or shifts in diagnostic determination.
Traps in detection and post-mortem administration of death in the everyday practice of a clinician
Authors: Kereszty Éva Margit
Published: January 2012

70% of the death cases in Hungary occur in hospitals, so there is an extraordinary importance of the correct detection of the death, the medical cause of death and the management of the postmortem process. This article presents the obligations of physicians of clinical wards step-by-step, and the insufficiencies and faults experienced several times leading to complaints and pleas from the relatives. Beyond the legal background the specific needs of medical ethics and communication are also presented. Some elements of the final case-summary (epicrisis of the dead), as the complete and complex case-history are described in details. Author suggests a few points of view for renewing the hospital manuals and creating local professional protocols covering the activities of the clinical wards as well as the pathology and administrative units of the hospital, which protocols may act also as quality assurance and lawsuit prevention instruments. The examples of deficient practice are taken from medical experts’ experiences and from Hungarian case-law. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 184–190.
Formalizing power in editorials in China Daily
Authors: Lihua Liu
Published: January 2012

In recent years, with the development of her economy, the ways in which China presents herself positively to the outside world has been a major research focus of international communications studies in China. The present research contributes to this trend. Based on Martin’s theory of genre, this paper demonstrates how the institutional power of China Daily, the only national English newspaper in China, is reproduced through its generic structure in its editorials. The author shows that power is realized principally through five types of editorial, which can be generalized by the formula: entity (thing/event/people) followed by evaluation (negative/positive/calling-on). This relatively simple but stereotyped form of editorial genre corresponds to the authority of editorials and the institutional power of China Daily on the one hand; and on the other hand, it echoes the monoglossic voices in this kind discourse.
Cenário das pesquisas na pós-graduação na área de enfermagem e gerenciamento no Brasil
Authors: Munari Denize Bouttelet , Chaves Lucieli Dias Pedreschi , Peduzzi Marina , Laus Ana Maria , Fugulin Fernanda Maria Togeiro , Ribeiro Luana Cássia Miranda , Scochi Carmen Gracinda Silvan
Published: January 2012

Trata-se de um estudo documental, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, com o objetivo de caracterizar a produção da pós-graduação brasileira na área da enfermagem no triênio 2007-2009, com ênfase na temática gerenciamento em enfermagem. As informações foram obtidas no banco de dados da CAPES, que disponibiliza resumos de dissertações e teses. O material foi analisado e categorizado segundo as áreas/campos e respectivas linhas de pesquisa, definidas pela área de Enfermagem. A análise da produção em geral foi descritiva e analítica/crítica no campo organizacional, especificamente, na temática do gerenciamento. Os resultados mostraram algumas mudanças na produção no triênio, quando comparada aos estudos anteriores, destacando-se o crescimento da área/campo assistencial, manutenção da organizacional e queda na área/campo profissional. Na temática de gerenciamento houve o predomínio de estudos sobre avaliação em saúde, concepções/percepções sobre planejamento/organização, do trabalho-serviços e educação permanente.
Levantamento das principais fontes de desperdício de unidades assistenciais de um hospital universitário
Authors: Castilho Valéria , Castro Liliana Cristina de , Couto Andréa Tamancoldi , Maia Flávia de Oliveira Motta , Sasaki Nair Yoko , Nomura Felicía Hiromi , Lima Antonio Fernandes Costa , Mira Vera Lúcia , Loyolla Paula Manzatti
Published: January 2012

Este estudo teve como principais objetivos levantar os diferentes tipos de desperdício, suas causas e sugestões para eliminá-los, segundo a opinião de profissionais de enfermagem e médicos atuantes em unidades de Clínica Médica, Clínica Cirúrgica, Pediatria, Alojamento Conjunto e Berçário; e estimar o custo da principal fonte de desperdício nessas unidades. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, exploratório, com abordagem quantitativa realizado no Hospital Universitário da Universidade de São Paulo. A amostra foi constituída por 189 profissionais de enfermagem e médicos. O desperdício relacionado aos materiais (36%) foi o mais apontado por todas as categorias profissionais seguido pelo desperdício de estrutura física (27%). Os materiais desperdiçados mais citados foram os medicamentos, pacotes de curativo, papel sulfite e dispositivos de infusão. O custo do desperdício anual com materiais nas unidades estudadas pode girar em torno de R$ 479.262,86.
Riqueza de fungos anamorfos na serapilheira de Manilkara maxima, Parinari alvimii e Harleyodendron unifoliolatum na Mata Atlântica do Sul da Bahia
Authors: Magalhães Dilze Maria Argôlo , Luz Edna Dora Martins Newman , Magalhães Albertí Ferreira , Santos Filho Lindolfo Pereira dos , Loguercio Leandro Lopes , Bezerra José Luiz
Published: January 2012

A maioria dos fungos tem a função de decompor moléculas orgânicas complexas possibilitando o aporte de nutrientes para o solo pelo processo de ciclagem e fertilização. Este estudo objetiva analisar a riqueza, freqüência, constância e a similaridade entre os fungos decompositores da serapilheira de três plantas endêmicas da Mata Atlântica do Sul da Bahia e em três áreas. Folhas em decomposição foram coletadas no período de dezembro/2007 a junho/2008, lavadas, colocadas em câmaras-úmidas e incubadas na temperatura ambiente. Obteve-se uma riqueza total de 52 espécies e 39 gêneros. A riqueza obtida nas áreas foi: Parque Estadual Serra do Conduru-PESC (78,8%), Ecoparque (71,2%) e Reserva Capitão (61,5%). Em relação às plantas, Harleyodendron unifoliolatum Cowan apresentou uma riqueza de 75,0%, Manilkara maxima Pennington 57,7% e Parinari alvimii Prance 42,3%. Houve similaridade fúngica entre as plantas e entre as áreas. A maioria dos fungos apresentou frequência esporádica e constância acidental. Este estudo, pioneiro na Mata Atlântica do Sul da Bahia e em relação às plantas estudadas, contribui para o conhecimento dos fungos anamorfos existentes neste bioma, riquíssimo em biodiversidade.
Padrão polínico utilizado por Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Apidae: Meliponina)
Authors: Morgado Leila Nunes , Andrade Rebeca Cássia , Lorenzon Maria Cristina Affonso , Gonçalves-Esteves Vânia
Published: January 2012

O presente estudo objetivou quantificar e avaliar a carga polínica classificada por coloração encontrada nas corbículas de Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Apidae: Meliponina). Os grãos de pólen encontrados nas corbículas de T. angustula no período estudado foram de 18 tipos polínicos pertencentes a 16 famílias vegetais. As cores predominantes indicaram uma diversidade de tipos polínicos. A coloração amarela obteve maior riqueza de espécies, sendo indicativo de preferência de cor pela T. angustula. A cor marrom foi a que apresentou a menor freqüência de grãos de pólen e a cor abóbora com a menor riqueza de tipos polínicos. As cores com tonalidades claras foram as mais representativas em número de grãos coletados. Os tipos polínicos mais freqüentes foram Meliaceae, Myrtaceae (Eucalyptus spp.), Piper mollicomum (Piperaceae), Schizolobium parahyba (Caesalpiniaceae) e Tibouchina granulosa (Melastomataceae).
Tratamento cirúrgico da pancreatite crônica com a técnica de F rey: panorama atual
Authors: Gestic Martinho Antonio , Callejas-Neto Francisco , Chaim Elinton Adami , Utrini Murillo Pimentel , Cazzo Everton , Pareja José Carlos
Published: January 2012

INTRODUÇÃO: A pancreatite crônica é desordem inflamatória progressiva caracterizada pela destruição irreversível do parênquima pancreático, podendo estar associada à dor crônica incapacitante e perda permanente da função endócrina e exócrina. A principal indicação cirúrgica é a dor abdominal intratável e a escolha da melhor técnica a ser empregada permanece um desafio. A técnica descrita por Frey conseguiu combinar a eficácia no controle da dor das operações de ressecção com as baixas taxas de mortalidade e morbidade das derivativas. OBJETIVO: Comparar e discutir os resultados do tratamento cirúrgico da pancreatite crônica com a técnica de Frey. MÉTODOS: Revisão bibliográfica de 276 artigos científicos disponíveis no Medline/Pubmed e no banco de dados de teses nacionais com os descritores pancreatite crônica, tratamento cirúrgico e cirurgia de Frey. Foram selecionados os 30 artigos de maior importância e que relataram maior experiência com esta opção cirúrgica. CONCLUSÕES: A técnica de Frey demonstra ser opção de alta efetividade no controle da dor abdominal secundária à pancreatite crônica no longo prazo naqueles pacientes com dor abdominal incapacitante e aumento volumétrico da cabeça pancreática, com menores taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. Os estudos demonstraram pequena interferência da técnica na deterioração das funções endócrina e exócrina.
Um olhar sobre a família de jovens que cumprem medidas socioeducativas
Authors: Dias Ana Cristina Garcia , Arpini Dorian Mônica , Simon Bibiana Rosa
Published: January 2012

Neste trabalho busca-se descrever e compreender como se estabelecem as relações do adolescente infrator com sua família antes, durante e depois do cumprimento de uma medida socioeducativa. Para tanto foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com quatro familiares de autores de ato infracional. Essas entrevistas foram transcritas e submetidas a uma análise fenomenológica. A relação familiar anterior ao período da internação era conflitiva. Percebe-se que os familiares não se encontravam presentes no dia a dia dos jovens, pois tinham que trabalhar para poder suprir as necessidades econômicas da família. Eles sentiam-se sobrecarregados e impotentes frente à situação dos filhos. O período da internação para cumprimento da medida socioeducativa é relatado como um momento de sofrimento; contudo, considerado proveitoso. A aplicação da medida parece ter oferecido algum suporte ao jovem e à família. Constata-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de programas que ofereçam apoio a essas famílias.
O talento jovem, a internet e o mercado de trabalho da "economia criativa"
Authors: Nicolaci-da-Costa Ana Maria
Published: January 2012

Cada vez mais jovens fazem sucesso no mundo "real" a partir da exposição de seus talentos na Internet. Este é um fenômeno inédito do qual o presente artigo oferece uma análise inicial. Tendo em vista que encarar tais sucessos exclusivamente como iniciativas individuais bem-sucedidas não é suficiente para explicar seu crescente número, torna-se necessária outra abordagem. Neste artigo é proposto o esboço de uma integração teórica que envolve áreas tradicionalmente distintas em cuja interseção o novo fenômeno se insere: as da economia de mercado, da criatividade e das tecnologias digitais. Nesse esboço, a concepção de economia criativa atua como o elemento articulador dessas três áreas, dado que atribui à criatividade o papel de sua força motriz e às tecnologias digitais, principalmente à Internet, o status de sua condição de emergência bem como de sua infraestrutura. Alguns casos de sucesso são apresentados e interpretados à luz dessa integração teórica preliminar.
Transporte público coletivo: discutindo acessibilidade, mobilidade e qualidade de vida
Authors: Araújo Marley Rosana Melo de , Oliveira Jonathan Melo de , Jesus Maísa Santos de , Sá Nelma Rezende de , Santos Párbata Araújo Côrtes dos , Lima Thiago Cavalcante
Published: January 2012

A realização da função social do trânsito passa necessariamente pelo atendimento às demandas dos seus participantes por acessibilidade, mobilidade e qualidade de vida. Mobilidade compreende a facilidade de deslocamento das pessoas e bens na cidade em função das complexas atividades nela desenvolvidas, constituindo um componente da qualidade de vida aspirada por seus habitantes. Problemas na infra-estrutura e qualidade do transporte comprometem a mobilidade e a capacidade de deslocamento. Acessibilidade constitui a facilidade, em distância, tempo e custo, em alcançar fisicamente os destinos desejados, encerrando a efetividade do sistema de transporte em conectar localidades separadas. Traduz uma relação entre pessoas e espaço diretamente relacionada à qualidade de vida dos cidadãos. Falar em qualidade de vida no trânsito implica necessariamente abordar o sistema de transporte das cidades, sobretudo o coletivo, de maneira a problematizar sua influência na configuração do desenho urbano e o consequente impacto na acessibilidade e mobilidade dos atores sociais.
Dermatite seborreica
Authors: Sampaio Ana Luisa Sobral Bittencourt , Mameri Ângela Cristina Akel , Vargas Thiago Jeunon de Sousa , Ramos-e-Silva Marcia , Nunes Amanda Pedreira , Carneiro Sueli Coelho da Silva
Published: January 2012

A dermatite seborreica é uma doença eritêmato-escamativa de caráter crônico-recidivante que acomete entre 1 e 3% da população geral dos Estados Unidos. Possui dois picos de incidência - o primeiro, durante os três primeiros meses de vida, e o segundo, a partir da puberdade, atingindo seu ápice entre os 40 e 60 anos de idade. Os indivíduos HIV positivos têm maior prevalência da doença, que apresenta maior intensidade e tendência à refratariedade ao tratamento. Doenças neurológicas e outras doenças crônicas também estão associadas ao desenvolvimento da dermatite seborreica. Como mecanismo fisiopatogênico, reconhece-se que o fungo Malassezia sp., presente na pele de indivíduos suscetíveis, leve a uma irritação não-imunogênica a partir da produção de metabólitos à base de ácidos graxos insaturados deixados na superfície cutânea. Este artigo faz uma revisão da literatura sobre dermatite seborreica, com ênfase nos aspectos imunogenéticos, formas clínicas e tratamento.