bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity level and its association with metabolic syndrome among an employed population in China
Authors: Ma G. , Luan D. , Li Y. , Liu A. , Hu X. , Cui Z. , Zhai F. , Yang X.
Published: February 2008

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the association of physical activity level (PAL) with metabolic syndromes among the employed population in China. Using data from the 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey, the PAL of 21 834 subjects aged 18–59 years was described, and its relationship with the risk of metabolic syndrome was studied after adjusting for the relative effects of smoking, drinking, diet and socioeconomic status. Information on physical activity was collected by trained investigators using a 1‐year physical activity questionnaire. PAL was classified into four categories: sedentary (PAL 1.00–1.39), low active (PAL 1.40–1.59), active (PAL 1.60–1.89) and very active (PAL 1.90–2.50). The definition of metabolic syndrome by the International Diabetes Federation 2005 was applied. The percentage of people being sedentary, low active, active and very active was 12.3%, 13.7%, 20.1% and 53.9% respectively. The crude prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the sedentary, low active, active and very active groups was 9.7%, 6.9%, 5.6% and 4.9% respectively. After adjusting for the effect of other risk factors, the higher the PAL, the lower the relative risk of metabolic syndrome as well as the individual metabolic abnormalities. The risk of overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome was 50% and 59% less, respectively, in the adults who were very active and whose dietary fat contributed less than 20% to energy intakes when compared with their counterparts who were sedentary and consumed more fat (≥30% energy). PAL was an independent risk factor for obesity and multiple metabolic syndrome abnormalities among the employed population in China. The high‐risk population were middle‐age males living in large cities with high incomes who drink alcohol.
Hypertension and cardiovascular diseases intervention in the capital steel and iron company and Beijing Fangshan community
Authors: Chen J. , Wu X. , Gu D.
Published: February 2008

Two intervention studies are described involving >110 000 subjects in each. The first was in a steel factory where one intervention site had health promotion, aimed at altering diet, and particularly reducing salt and fat intake, modest alcohol drinking and smoking cessation, together with a high‐risk strategy of hypertension control. The second study involved similar population and high‐risk strategies in three of five rural communities. Significant reductions occurred in both intervention and control factory sites in blood pressure, with greater falls in the intervention site, together with a marked additional reduction in salt intake and better control of hypertension. In the rural communities, blood pressure fell in all communities to a more modest degree than in the factory, but with greater blood pressure falls, together with greater smoking cessation and more modest alcohol drinking in the intervention compared with the control communities. Stroke mortality fell by 74.3% and all strokes morbidity by 54.7% in the steel factory as a whole. In the rural communities, the intervention sites showed significantly greater falls in stroke rates than in the control communities. These data show the value and effectiveness of combining a population and high‐risk strategy for controlling blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases in both a rural setting and in the work place in China.
EMK: A Novel Program for Family‐Based Allelic and Genotypic Association Tests on Quantitative Traits
Authors: Li Y. W. , Martin E. R. , Li Y. J.
Published: February 2008

The QTDT program is a widely‐used program for analyzing quantitative trait data, but the methods mainly test allelic association. Since the genotype of a marker is a direct observation for an individual, it is of interest to assess association at the genotypic level. In this study, we extended the allele‐based association method developed by Monks and Kaplan (MK method) to genotype‐based association tests for quantitative traits. We implemented a novel extended MK (EMK) program that can perform both allele‐ and genotype‐ based association tests in any pedigree structure. To evaluate the performance of EMK, we utilized simulated pedigree data and real data from our previous report of GSTO1 and GSTO2 genes in Alzheimer disease (AD). Both allele‐ and genotype‐based EMK methods (allele‐EMK and geno‐EMK) showed correct type I error for various pedigree structures and admixture populations. The geno‐EMK method showed comparable power to the allele‐EMK test. By treating age‐at‐onset (AAO) as a quantitative trait, the EMK program was able to detect significant associations for rs4925 in GSTO1 (P= 0.006 for allele‐EMK and P= 0.009 for geno‐EMK), and rs2297235 in GSTO2 (P= 0.005 for allele‐EMK and P= 0.009 for geno‐EMK), which are consistent with our previous findings.
Characteristics of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in untreated oldest old Alzheimer's disease*
Authors: HAMURO Atsushi , ISONO Hiroshi , SUGAI Yuichi , MIMURA Masaru , KAMIJIMA Kunitoshi
Published: February 2008

Background:  The proportion of the population aged 85 years and older has increased rapidly in Japan, reaching 2.5 million (1.99%) in 2002. Under these circumstances, the number of dementia patients increases annually. However, few studies have focused on Alzheimer's disease (AD) with an age at onset older than 85 years (oldest old AD). The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with oldest old AD compared with those with young old AD.

Methods:  Fifty‐eight untreated AD patients were divided into two groups: young old AD patients (age at onset between 65 and 70 years; n = 28) and oldest old AD patients (age at onset 85 years or older; n = 30). Then, BPSD were compared between the two groups.

Results:  There were significant differences in the frequencies of hallucinations (χ2 = 7.43; P = 0.011) and delusional misidentification syndrome (DMS; χ2 = 7.26; P = 0.011) between the two groups.

Conclusions:  The results of the present study suggest that aging may play a part in the occurrence of hallucinations and DMS in oldest old AD patients.
Are Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardias Predictive of Major Arrhythmias in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy on Optimal Medical Treatment?
Authors: ZECCHIN MASSIMO , DI LENARDA ANDREA , GREGORI DARIO , MERLO MARCO , PIVETTA ALBERTO , VITRELLA GIANCARLO , SABBADINI GASTONE , MESTRONI LUISA , SINAGRA GIANFRANCO
Published: February 2008

Background: To evaluate the role of nonsustained ventricular tachycardias (NSVT) for the prediction of major ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) after optimization of medical treatment.

Methods and Results: Three hundred nineteen consecutive DCM patients were evaluated after adequate stabilization on optimal angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (88%) and β‐blocker (82%) therapy. Frequency, length, and rate of NSVT at 24‐hour Holter monitoring were analyzed to assess their values in predicting MVA (unexpected sudden death, SVT, ventricular fibrillation, and appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator interventions). During follow‐up (median 96 months, 1st–3rd interquartile range 52–130), MVA incidence was low, and not statistically different between patients with and without NSVT (3 and 2 per 100 patient‐years, respectively, P = nonsignificant [NS] at log‐rank analysis). At multivariable analysis, the number of NSVT was predictive of MVA only if left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was >0.35 (two NSVT/day vs no NSVT/day: hazard ratio [HR] 5.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.59–17.85 in LVEF >0.35 vs HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.3–2.81 in LVEF ≤0.35). Consequently, in patients with LVEF ≤0.35, MVA incidence rates were similar regardless of NSVT (3.6 and 4.1 patient‐years, respectively, in those with and without NSVT, P = NS), while in patients with LVEF >0.35, MVA incidence (3.1 per 100 patient‐years vs 0.9 per 100 patient‐years, P = 0.003) was significantly higher when NSVT were present.

Conclusions: After medical stabilization, NSVT did not increase the risk of MVA in patients with DCM and LVEF ≤0.35. Conversely, the number and length of NSVT runs were significantly related to the occurrence of MVA in the patients with LVEF >0.35.
The Electrical Substrate of Vagal Atrial Fibrillation as Assessed by the Signal‐Averaged Electrocardiogram of the P Wave
Authors: NEMIROVSKY DMITRY , HUTTER RANDOLPH , GOMES J. ANTHONY
Published: February 2008

Background: The autonomic nervous system is thought to be involved in the initiation of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, there is a distinct entity of vagal AF characterized by episodes occurring at rest, postprandially, or during sleep. The purpose of this study was to compare intraatrial conduction in patients with vagally mediated AF to those with nonvagal AF, using the signal‐averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) of P wave.

Methods: SAECG of P wave was performed in 58 patients with AF using the Marquette Medical System, and the mean filtered P‐wave duration (SAPW) was measured. Nine patients were categorized as having pure vagal AF (Group I), and 42 patients as having nonvagal AF (Group II); the remaining seven patients were excluded from analysis because of incomplete data.

Results: The patients in Group I were significantly younger and more likely to have paroxysmal lone AF, as compared to those in Group II. There was no significant difference in left atrial size and left ventricular function in the two groups. The mean SAPW was significantly shorter in Group I when compared to Group II (118 ± 5 ms vs 149 ± 39 ms, P < 0.001). Whereas all patients in Group I had a normal SAPW, 79% of patients in Group II had an abnormal SAPW (P < 0.001). A normal SAPW was significantly predictive of vagal AF independent of other co‐variables.

Conclusions: (1) Patients with vagal AF are younger, and invariably have paroxysmal lone AF. (2) SAPW is normal and significantly shorter in vagal AF when compared to patients with nonvagal AF. (3) This suggests that those in the vagal AF population have normal intraatrial conduction, which has implications for AF ablation in these patients.
How Revealing Are Insertable Loop Recorders in Pediatrics?
Authors: FRANGINI PATRICIA A. , CECCHIN FRANK , JORDAO LIGIA , MARTUSCELLO MARIA , ALEXANDER MARK E. , TRIEDMAN JOHN K. , WALSH EDWARD P. , BERUL CHARLES I.
Published: February 2008

Introduction: An insertable loop recorder (ILR) in patients with infrequent syncope or palpitations may be useful to decide management strategies, including clinical observation, medical therapy, pacemaker, or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). We sought to determine the diagnostic utility of the Reveal® ILR (Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) in pediatric patients.

Methods: Retrospective review of clinical data, indications, findings, and therapeutic decision in 27 consecutive patients who underwent ILR implantation from 1998–2007.

Results: The median age was 14.8 years (2–25 years). Indications were syncope in 24 patients and recurrent palpitations in three. Overall, eight patients had structural heart disease (six congenital heart disease, one hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one Kawasaki), five had previous documented ventricular arrhythmias with negative evaluation including electrophysiology study, and three patients had QT prolongation. Tilt testing was performed in 10 patients, of which five had neurocardiogenic syncope but recurrent episodes despite medical therapy. After median three months (1–20 months), 17 patients presented with symptoms and the ILR memory was analyzed in 16 (no episode stored in one due to full device memory), showing asystole or transient atrioventricular (AV) block (2), sinus bradycardia (6), or normal sinus rhythm (8). Among asymptomatic patients, 3/10 had intermittent AV block or long pauses, automatically detected and stored by the ILR. In 19 of 20 patients, ILR was diagnostic (95%) and five subsequently underwent pacemaker implantation, while seven patients remained asymptomatic without ILR events. Notably, no life‐threatening events were detected. The ILR was explanted in 22 patients after a median of 22 months, two due to pocket infection, 12 for battery depletion and eight after clear documentation of nonmalignant arrhythmia.

Conclusions: The ILR in pediatrics is a useful adjunct to other diagnostic studies. Patient selection is critical as the ILR should not be utilized for malignant arrhythmias. A diagnosis is attained in the majority of symptomatic patients, predominantly bradyarrhythmias including pauses and intermittent AV block.
Intrahisian Conduction Disease and Junctional Ectopic Tachycardia
Authors: DUCCESCHI VALENTINO , OTTAVIANO LUCA , SANTORO MICHELE , CITRO RODOLFO , VITALE RAFFAELE , GREGORIO GIOVANNI
Published: February 2008

Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is an uncommon arrhythmia that mainly affects pediatric patients. However, its clinical presentation may rarely occur in adulthood. Owing to its incessant nature, limited responsiveness to antiarrhythmic agents and poor prognosis, catheter ablation of the junctional focus is often required, even though this may be accompanied by the occurrence of complete atrioventricular block. We report the case of a 68‐year‐old man with episodes of sustained ventricular tachycardia and repetitive JET whose initiation was often anticipated by a sudden intrahisian conduction delay in the immediately preceding sinus beats.
Femoral Angiogram Prior to Arteriotomy Closure Device Does Not Reduce Vascular Complications in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: RAMANA RAVI K. , SINGH AMANDEEP , DIETER ROBERT S. , MORAN JOHN F. , STEEN LOWELL , LEWIS BRUCE E. , LEYA FERDINAND
Published: February 2008

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy of achieving hemostasis without vascular access site complications (VCs) in patients who did not undergo femoral angiogram (FA) prior to arteriotomy closure device (ACD) placement.

Background:

Following coronary angiogram/percutaneous coronary intervention (CA/PCI), VCs increase morbidity and mortality. Previous studies in which an FA was highly recommended but not mandatory suggest that a predictor of VC is ACD use.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified consecutive patients who underwent CA/PCI and attempted ACD deployment at our institution over a three‐year period. These patients' medical and procedural records, angiogram films, and subsequent hospitalization records were reviewed to identify predetermined clinical outcomes.

Results:

One thousand four hundred and twenty‐two patients underwent CA/PCI from the transfemoral approach with ACD deployment. Seven hundred and eight (49.8%) patients did not undergo FA prior to ACD deployment. The use of ACD without FA guidance was not associated with an increased rate of combined measured clinical end‐point; immediate ACD failure; retroperitoneal bleed; TIMI minor bleed; infectious complications; need for surgical intervention; or mortality (5.3 vs. 4.9; 2.7% vs. 2.2%; 1.4% vs. 0.9%; 0.5% vs. 0.4%; 0% vs. 0%; 0.1% vs. 0.1%; 0% vs. 0%, respectively, P = NS).

Conclusion:

We found no evidence that performing an FA prior to ACD placement as recommended by the manufacturer had any influence on the clinical success rate of ACD placement or rates of VCs. Therefore, ACD use without FA guidance in patients undergoing CA/PCI is an equally safe and effective method in successfully obtaining hemostasis without an increased risk of VCs.
Induction of synapse associated protein 102 expression in cyclosporin A‐stimulated hair growth
Authors: Kim Chang Deok , Lee Min‐Ho , Sohn Kyung‐Cheol , Kim Jin‐Man , Li Sheng Jin , Rang Moon‐Jeong , Roh Seok‐Seon , Oh Young‐Seon , Yoon Tae‐Jin , Im Myung , Seo Young‐Joon , Lee Jeung‐Hoon , Park Jang‐Kyu
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  Cyclosporin A (CsA) has been used as a potent immunosuppressive agent for inhibiting the graft rejection after organ transplantation. However, CsA provokes lots of side effects including hirsutism, the phenomenon of abnormal hair growth in the body. In the present study, we investigated the hair growth stimulating effect of CsA using in vivo and in vitro test models. When topically applied on the back skin of mice, CsA induced fast telogen to anagen transition. In contrast, CsA had no effect on the growth of human hair follicle tissues cultured in vitro, indicating that it might not have the mitogenic effect on hair follicles. To identify the genes related with CsA‐induced hair growth, we performed differential display RT‐PCR. Among the genes obtained, the expression of synapse associated protein 102 (SAP102) was verified using competitive RT‐PCR. The result showed that the expression of SAP102 was significantly induced by CsA treatment in the back skin of C57BL/6 mice. However, the increase of SAP102 mRNA was also seen in spontaneous anagen mice, suggesting that induction of SAP102 is one event of the anagen hair growth response regardless of how the growth state was induced. SAP102 was not expressed in cultured human hair outer root sheath and dermal papilla cells. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that CsA induced the expression of SAP102 in perifollicular region of mouse anagen hair. Together, these results suggest that SAP102 is one of hair‐cycle‐dependent genes, whose expression is related with the anagen progression.
A cautionary note on cosmetics containing ingredients that increase aquaporin‐3 expression
Authors: Verkman A. S.
Published: February 2008

Abstract:  Aquaporin‐3 (AQP3) is a membrane transport protein that facilitates water and glycerol transport across cell plasma membranes in the basal layer of keratinocytes in normal skin. Motivated by a relation between AQP3 expression and skin water content, several companies have marketed cosmetics containing ingredients that increase AQP3 expression. However, caution seems warranted in targeting AQP3 to increase skin moisturization based on a recently discovered association in mice between epidermal AQP3 expression and skin tumor formation.
Linkage‐dependent contribution of repeat peptides to self‐aggregation of three‐ or four‐repeat microtubule‐binding domains in tau protein
Authors: Okuyama Kayoko , Nishiura Chisato , Mizushima Fumie , Minoura Katsuhiko , Sumida Miho , Taniguchi Taizo , Tomoo Koji , Ishida Toshimasa
Published: February 2008

Although one of the priorities in Alzheimer’s research is to clarify the filament formation mechanism for the tau protein, it is still unclear how it is transformed from a normal structure in a neuron. To examine the linkage‐dependent contribution of each repeat peptide (R1–R4) to filament formation of the three‐ or four‐repeat microtubule‐binding domain (MBD) in the tau protein, four two‐repeat peptides (R12, R13, R23 and R34) and two three‐repeat peptides (R123 and R234) were prepared, and their in vitro self‐aggregation was investigated by thioflavin S fluorescence and circular dichroism measurements, and by electron microscopy in neutral buffer (pH 7.6). Comparison of these aggregation behaviors with previous results for single‐repeat peptides and wild‐type 3RMBD (R134) and 4RMBD (R1234) indicated that (a) the two‐repeat R23, not the R2 or R3 single repeat, forms the core structure in self‐aggregation of 4RMBD, whereas that of 3RMBD comprises the R3 single repeat, (b) co‐existence of R1 and R4 repeats is necessary for the aggregation behavior inherent in 3RMBD and 4RMBD, whereas the R1 or R4 repeat alone functions as a repressor or modifier of the filament formation, (c) 4RMBD aggregation is accompanied by R1‐driven transition from random and α‐helix structures to a β‐sheet structure, whereas 3RMBD aggregation involves three‐repeat R134‐specific transition from a random structure to an α‐helix structure without the participation of a β‐sheet structure, and (d) the peptides that include the R1 repeat form a long filament irrespective of the absence or presence of the R4 repeat, whereas those that include the R4 repeat, but not the R1 repeat, form a relatively short filament. To the best of our knowledge, a systematic study of the linkage‐dependent contribution of each repeat peptide to the paired helical filament formation of tau MBD has not been carried out previously, and thus the present information is useful for understanding the essence of the filament formation of tau MBD.
Influences of Cross Pollination on Pollen Tube Growth and Fruit Set in Zuili Plums (Prunus salicina)
Authors: Jia Hui‐Juan , He Feng‐Jie , Xiong Cai‐Zhen , Zhu Fu‐Rong , Okamoto Goro
Published: February 2008

Zuili plum (Prunus salicina L.) trees usually set fruit poorly, although they produce high quality fruit. To elucidate the causes of the poor fruit set, pollen tube growth into pistils and fruit set percentage were investigated after cross‐, self‐ and open‐pollination. Ovule development in Zuili pistils was also investigated. Pollen tube penetration into the ovules via the obturator and micropyle was best when Zuili pistils were pollinated by cv. Black Amber (P. domestica) pollen grains, although cross‐pollinations with Hongxinli and Miili (P. salicina) pollen were more effective than self‐ and open‐pollination. The fruit set percentage was also highest in pistils pollinated with Black Amber pollen grains. Morphological observation of Zuili pistils revealed that the trees produce “double pistils”, developing two ovaries from a basal pistil, at a rate as high as 28%. In such abnormal pistils, most ovules were lacking an embryo sac or were entirely degenerated. The percentage of normally developed ovules was 24.3% and 8.9% in normal and double pistils, respectively. From these results, we conclude that the main causes of poor fruit set of Zuili plums are a lack of effective cross‐pollination and the production of high percentages of double pistils in which normally developed ovules are scarcely formed.
Seasonal Variation and Correlation with Environmental Factors of Photosynthesis and Water Use Efficiency of Juglans regia and Ziziphus jujuba
Authors: Yang Hai‐Bo , An Shu‐Qing , Sun Osbert‐Jianxin , Shi Zuo‐Min , She Xin‐Song , Sun Qing‐Ye , Liu Shi‐Rong
Published: February 2008

Both the photosynthetic light curves and CO2 curves of Juglans regia L. and Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa in three seasons were measured using a LI‐6400 portable photosynthesis system. The maximal net photosynthetic rate (Amax), apparent quantum efficiency(φ), maximal carboxylation rate (Vcmax) and water use efficiency (WUE) of the two species were calculated based on the curves. The results showed that Amax of J. regia reached its maximum at the late‐season, while the highest values of Amax of Z. jujuba occurred at the mid‐season. The Amax of J. regia was more affected by relative humidity (RH) of the atmosphere, while that of Z. jujuba was more affected by the air temperature. Light saturation point (LSP) and Light compensation point (LCP) of J. regia had a higher correlation with RH of the atmosphere, those of Z. jujuba, however, had a higher correlation with air temperature. Vcmax of both J. regia and Z. jujuba had negative correlation with RH of the atmosphere. WUE of J. regia would decrease with the rise of the air temperature while that of Z. jujuba increased. Thus it could be seen that RH, temperature and soil moisture had main effect on photosynthesis and WUE of J. regia and Z. jujuba. Incorporating data on the physiological differences among tree species into forest carbon models will greatly improve our ability to predict alterations to the forest carbon budgets under various environmental scenarios such as global climate change, or with differing species composition.
Effects of Temperature on Photosynthetic Rates in Korean Fir (Abies koreana) between Healthy and Dieback Population
Authors: Woo Su Young , Lim Jong‐Hwan , Lee Don Koo
Published: February 2008

The present study was carried out on natural Korean fir forests (Abies koreana) growing in Mount Halla in Jeju Island, Korea (33° 13–36′ N and 126° 12–57′ E). Mount Halla is the highest mountain (1 950 m a.s.l.) in South Korea. On the Korean fir forests near the top of Mount Halla in Korea, we established permanent plots between dieback and healthy population. Each permanent plot includes both dieback and relatively healthy Korean fir individuals. Three sites in this study showed similar altitude, topographic position, aspects, slope, diameter at breast height, average height and ages. Net photosynthetic rates (PN) on different temperature regimes were evaluated to explain the forest dieback phenomenon on Korean fir populations. Light response curves were determined on three different temperature regimes: 15 °C, 20 °C and 25 °C. The irradiance response curve showed higher values in lower air temperatures. Generally, irradiance response curves of healthy Korean fir populations were higher than the dieback population at all sites.
Reproductive Allocation Patterns in Different Density Populations of Spring Wheat
Authors: Liu Jing , Wang Gen‐Xuan , Wei Liang , Wang Chun‐Ming
Published: February 2008

The effects of increased intraspecific competition on size hierarchies (size inequality) and reproductive allocation were investigated in populations of the annual plant, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum). A series of densities (100, 300, 1 000, 3 000 and 10 000 plants/m2) along a gradient of competition intensity were designed in this experiment. The results showed that average shoot biomass decreased with increased density. Reproductive allocation was negatively correlated to Gini coefficient (R2 = 0.927), which suggested that reproductive allocation is inclined to decrease as size inequality increases. These results suggest that both vegetative and reproductive structures were significantly affected by intensive competition. However, results also indicated that there were different relationships between plant size and reproductive allocation pattern in different densities. In the lowest density population, lacking competition (100 plants/m2), individual reproductive allocation was size independent but, in high density populations (300, 1 000, 3 000 and 10 000 plants/m2), where competition occurred, individual reproductive allocation was size dependent: the small proportion of larger individuals were winners in competition and got higher reproductive allocation (lower marginal reproductive allocation; MRA), and the larger proportion of smaller individuals were suppressed and got lower reproductive allocation (higher MRA). In conclusion, our results support the prediction that elevated intraspecific competition would result in higher levels of size inequality and decreased reproductive allocation (with a negative relationship between them). However, deeper analysis indicated that these frequency‐ and size‐dependent reproductive strategies were not evolutionarily stable strategies.
Lead Induced Changes in the Growth and Antioxidant Metabolism of the Lead Accumulating and Non‐accumulating Ecotypes of Sedum alfredii
Authors: Liu Dan , Li Ting‐Qiang , Jin Xiao‐Fen , Yang Xiao‐E , Islam Ejazul , Mahmood Qaisar
Published: February 2008

The phytotoxicity and antioxidative adaptations of lead (Pb) accumulating ecotype (AE) and non‐accumulating ecotype (NAE) of Sedum alfredii Hance were investigated under different Pb treatments involving 0, 0.02 mmol/L Pb, 0.1 mmol/L Pb and 0.1 mmol/L Pb/0.1 mmol/L ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 6 days. With the increasing Pb level, the Pb concentration in the shoots of AE plants enhanced accordingly, and EDTA supply helped 51% of Pb translocation to shoots of AE compared with those treated with 0.1 mmol/L Pb alone. Moreover, the presence of EDTA alleviated Pb phytotoxicity through changes in plant biomass, root morphology and chlorophyll contents. Lead toxicity induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation and lipid peroxidation in both ecotypes of S. alfredii. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol peroxidase (G‐POD), ascorbate peroxidase, and dehydroascorbate reductase elevated in both leaves and roots of AE as well as in leaves of NAE with the increasing Pb levels, but SOD and G‐POD declined in roots of NAE. Enhancement in glutathione reductase activity was only detected in roots of NAE while a depression in catalase activity was recorded in the leaves of NAE. A significant enhancement in glutathione and ascorbic acid (AsA)
levels occurred in both ecotypes exposed to Pb and Pb/EDTA treatment compared with the control, however, the differences between these two treatments were insignificant. The dehydroascorbate (DHA) contents in roots of both ecotypes were 1.41 to 11.22‐fold higher than those in leaves, whereas the ratios of AsA to DHA (1.38 to 6.84) in leaves altering more to the reduced AsA form were much higher than those in roots. These results suggested that antioxidative enzymes and antioxidants play an important role in counteracting Pb stress in S. alfredii.
Funnel wall jets and the nature of the soft X-ray excess
Authors: Schurch N. J. , Done C.
Published: February 2008

The smooth soft X-ray excess seen in many type 1 active galactic nuclei can be well described by models of absorption in partially ionized material with a large velocity dispersion, often physically interpreted as a radiatively driven accretion disc wind. However, the state-of-the-art xscort code, which calculates the photoionized radiative transfer through a differentially outflowing absorber, shows that terminal velocities of the order of ∼0.9c are required in order to reproduce the soft X-ray excess. Such a high outflow velocity rules out ultraviolet line driving, continuum radiation driving and thermal driving as mechanisms for producing the wind. Entrainment of material by the magnetically driven jet is the only plausible origin of such a high-velocity flow, but numerical simulations of jets and associated outflows do not currently show sufficient material at high enough velocities to reproduce the soft X-ray excess. If the soft excess is produced by absorption then it seems more likely that the material is clumpy and/or only partially covers the source rather than forming a continuous outflow.
A FIELD‐ABLE RNA EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION PROCEDURE
Authors: SMITH MATTHEW C. , FRIES DAVID P.
Published: February 2008

This study describes the use of the ChargeSwitch extraction technique as a method amenable to in‐field RNA extraction and purification. The modified ChargeSwitch extractions were performed by lysing cells captured from filtration of 30 mL seawater sample spiked with cultured Karenia brevis and seawater samples from regions around a known red tide event. Extractions were compared to traditional laboratory‐based silica spin columns by integration with real‐time nucleic acid sequence‐based amplification. The ChargeSwitch extraction method was equivalent to or was faster than traditional laboratory analysis whilst having the additional advantages of obtaining consistently higher RNA concentrations and requiring no specialized or powered equipment. This method represents a fast and field‐able method for RNA extraction from K. brevis and potentially other organisms of public health significance.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This manuscript describes an RNA extraction method that utilizes ChargeSwitch technology suited for in‐field use that can be performed without access to extensive laboratory infrastructure, requiring only magnetic separation equipment and adjustable pipettes. This research is both timely and important as a recent Alliance for Coastal Technologies' workshop on “Genetic Sensors for Environmental Water Quality” (January 5–7, 2005) highlighted in‐field sample preparation as one of the major issues facing the advancement of in situ genetic assays. The method uses detection of the harmful, algal bloom‐forming dinoflagellate Karenia brevis as a demonstration of the use of ChargeSwitch to extract RNA from complex environmental samples in the field. Combined with previously described portable analytical equipment, these techniques will prove invaluable in the advancement of on‐site analysis, leading to faster decision making for public health officials and shellfish managers.
A RAPID PLASMID PREPARATION METHOD BY THE DIRECT BOILING OF ESCHERICHIA COLI CELLS*
Authors: OUYANG LAN , QIN LIANG , XU ZHIWU , HE JIANGUO , LIU QIUYUN
Published: February 2008

A 10 min plasmid extraction method by the direct boiling of Escherichia coli cells, which avoids isopropanol/ethanol precipitation and drying steps used in standard plasmid preparations, is described. Plasmid DNA thus isolated can be used for restriction characterization, chemical transformation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification as well as cloning purposes.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This method requires minimum experimental setup, and plasmid DNA prepared can be subjected to restriction digestions without visible degradation. It will enable researchers to process hundreds of cell cultures in a single day. Terrific Broth can be adopted for high cell density growth to yield more DNA with our protocol.
A Molecular Basis for Agonist and Antagonist Actions at GABAC Receptors
Authors: Abdel‐Halim Heba , Hanrahan Jane R. , Hibbs David E. , Johnston Graham A. R. , Chebib Mary
Published: February 2008

We modelled the N‐terminal ligand‐binding domain of the ρ1 GABAC receptor based on the Lymnaea stagnalis acetylcholine‐binding protein (L‐AChBP) crystal structure using comparative modelling and validated using flexible docking guided by known mutagenesis studies. A range of known ρ1 GABAC receptor ligands comprising seven full agonists, 10 partial agonists, 43 antagonists and 12 inactive molecules were used to evaluate and validate the models. Of the 50 models identified, six models that allowed flexible ligand docking in accordance with the experimental data were selected and used to study detailed receptor‐ligand interactions. The most refined model to accommodate all known active ligands featured a cavity comprising of a volume of 488 Å3. A detailed analysis of the interaction between the ρ1 GABAC receptor model and the docked ligands revealed possible H‐bonds and cation‐π interactions between the different ligands and binding site residues. Based on quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations, the model showed distinctive conformations of loop C that provided a molecular basis for agonist and antagonist actions. Agonists elicit loop C closure, while a more open loop C was observed upon antagonist binding. The model differentiates the role for key residues known to be involved in either binding and/or gating.
Inhibition of HIV‐2 Protease by HIV‐1 Protease Inhibitors in Clinical Use
Authors: Brower Evan T. , Bacha Usman M. , Kawasaki Yuko , Freire Ernesto
Published: February 2008

Over the past 10 years, protease inhibitors have been a key component in antiretroviral therapies for HIV/AIDS. While the vast majority of HIV/AIDS cases in the world are due to HIV‐1, HIV‐2 infection must also be addressed. HIV‐2 is endemic to Western Africa, and has also appeared in European countries such as Portugal, Spain, and Estonia. Current protease inhibitors have not been optimized for treatment of HIV‐2 infection; therefore, it is important to assess the effectiveness of currently FDA‐approved protease inhibitors against the HIV‐2 protease, which shares only 50% sequence identity with the HIV‐1 protease. Kinetic inhibition assays were performed to measure the inhibition constants (Ki) of the HIV‐1 protease inhibitors indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir, amprenavir, lopinavir, atazanavir, tipranavir, and darunavir against the HIV‐2 protease. Lopinavir, saquinavir, tipranavir, and darunavir exhibit the highest potency with Ki values of 0.7, 0.6, 0.45, and 0.17 nm, respectively. These Ki values are 84, 2, 24, and 17 times weaker than the corresponding values against the HIV‐1 protease. In general, inhibitors show Ki ratios ranging between 2 and 80 for the HIV‐2 and HIV‐1 proteases. The relative drop in potency is proportional to the affinity of the inhibitor against the HIV‐1 protease and is related to specific structural characteristics of the inhibitors. In particular, the potency drop is high when the maximum cap size of the inhibitors consists of very few atoms. Caps are groups located at the periphery of the molecule that are added to core structures to increase the specificity of the inhibitor to its target. The caps positioned on the HIV‐1 protease inhibitors affect selectivity through interactions with distinct regions of the binding pocket. The flexibility and adaptability imparted by the higher number of rotatable bonds in large caps enables an inhibitor to accommodate changes in binding pocket geometry between HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 protease.
Discoloration and Lipid Deterioration of Farmed Giant Catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) Muscle during Refrigerated Storage
Authors: Rawdkuen S. , Jongjareonrak A. , Benjakul S. , Chaijan M.
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACT:  Discoloration and lipid deterioration of farmed giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) muscle during 14 d refrigerated storage were investigated. Lipid deterioration, lipolysis, and lipid oxidation in both dorsal and ventral muscles increased as storage time increased. A progressive formation of primary lipid oxidation products monitored by the increase in conjugated dienes (CD) was observed (P < 0.05) and the increase in thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), an index of secondary lipid oxidation products, was noticeable throughout the storage (P < 0.05). The pH of both dorsal and ventral muscles tended to increase as storage time continued (P < 0.05). A gradual increase in free fatty acid (FFA) formation was found within the first 10 d of refrigerated storage (P < 0.05), suggesting hydrolysis induced by lipases and phospholipases. However, a sharp decrease in FFA content was observed at the end of storage. Refrigerated storage also resulted in changes in redness index of both dorsal and ventral muscles. These changes were coincidental with the changes in metmyoglobin content. Therefore, the discoloration and lipid changes in giant catfish muscle during refrigerated storage depended on the muscle type and might be related to the difference in composition between dorsal and ventral muscles.
Surgical treatment of central retinal vein occlusion
Authors: Berker Nilufer , Batman Cosar
Published: February 2008

The treatment of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is still a subject of debate. Medical therapy efforts, as well as retinal laser photocoagulation, have mostly dealt with management of the sequelae of CRVO, and have shown limited success in improving visual acuity. The unsatisfactory results of such therapeutic efforts led to the development of new treatment strategies focused on the surgical treatment of the occluded retinal vein. The purpose of this review is to summarize the outcomes of commonly reported surgical treatment strategies and to review different opinions on the various surgical approaches to the treatment of CRVO.
Choice of a Synthetic Colloid for Surgery
Authors: Boldt Joachim
Published: February 2008

Adequate volume replacement is known to be a therapeutic cornerstone in the perioperative period. Guarantee or/of restoration of tissue perfusion represents a particular challenge in patients with circulatory abnormalities. Besides the natural colloid albumin and crystalloids, synthetic colloids such as gelatins, dextrans or hydroxethyl starch (HES) preparations are used in this situation. Meta‐analyses have shown conflicting results and appear to be more confusing than helpful in evaluating the ‘ideal’ kind of solution for volume therapy. The principles of volume therapy in the surgical and cardiac surgery patient are presented and the different synthetic colloids as plasma substitutes are reviewed.
Current Status of Perisurgical Erythropoietin [Therapy
Authors: Goodnough Lawrence T.
Published: February 2008

Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) therapy has been approved for use in patients undergoing autologous blood donation (ABD) in Japan, the European Union, and Canada since 1993,1994, and 1996 respectively, and is now approved for perisurgical adjuvant therapy in Canada, Australia, the U.S. and the European Union (Table 1)1. Emerging strategies to improve the dose‐response relationship between erythropoietin therapy and red cell production include low dose EPO and intravenous iron therapy, to be addressed in this discussion.
How to Handle Erythropoietin in Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Earnshaw Peter
Published: February 2008

Erythropoietin has been shown in numerous studies to be effective in raising the preoperative hematocrit and reducing the need for allogeneic transfusion in major orthopedic surgery1–4. Erythropoietin may be as good as or better than preoperative autologous5 donation. The safety profile seems well established. There are still a number of unresolved questions regarding its use.

Many of these questions relate to the cost‐effectiveness of this treatment. Erythropoietin is not appropriate for universal use; however, at times it may be the best or even the only treatment option available.
Pharmacological Interventions to Prevent the Need for Blood and Blood Component Therapies:
Authors: Royston David
Published: February 2008

This article will focus on the differences between the protease inhibitor aprotinin and the lysine analogue antifibrinolytics in avoiding the need for transfusions of blood and blood components following surgical procedures. While transfusion of blood and blood components can be life‐saving, this course of action is not justified nor universally safe or effective in all circumstances. This is especially true of patients expected to have an increased risk of major hemorrhage or of blood and blood component requirements. Such operative procedures include cardiac, hepatic and orthopedic/trauma surgery. Discussion of this article will concentrate primarily on the efficacy of pharmacological agents in the first two types of interventions, namely cardiac and hepatic, and will mention orthopedic/trauma surgery only briefly.
Effect of Recombinant Activated Factor VII in the Management of Severe Uncontrolled Bleeding During Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Douri M. Al , Shafi T. , Khudairi D. Al , Bokhari E. Al , Black L. , Akinwale N. , OsmanMusa M. , Homaidhi A. Al , Fagih M. Al , Andreasen R. Borum
Published: February 2008

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa, Novo Nordisk A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) is increasingly being used to secure hemostasis in difficult clinical situations. The role of rFVIIa in the treatment of patients undergoing open‐heart surgery for valvular heart disease was evaluated in an open pilot study. The study objectives were to evaluate blood loss and hemostatic effect following the administration of rFVIIa, to evaluate the safety of the treatment, and to determine its effect on laboratory parameters. To date, we have treated five patients (one child aged 2.5 years and four adults) using various surgical procedures, including arterial switch, closure of atrial septal defect and DeVega's procedure (mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve repair). Four patients received rFVIIa intraoperatively while the fifth received it postoperatively. Satisfactory hemostasis was achieved with a single dose (30 μg/kg) of rFVIIa. Four hours after treatment with rFVIIa, the mean blood loss was 262.5 mL for adults (220–334 mL) and 85 mL for the child. No significant adverse events were seen in relation to rFVIIa therapy. The laboratory parameters indicated a mean 18.5‐fold increase (range 3.7–42) in FVII levels at 30 min post‐injection and a mean reduction of 12 s (range 3–39 s) in prothrombin time.
Is There Still a Place for Autologous Blood Predonation?
Authors: Goodnough Lawrence T.
Published: February 2008

Interest in autologous blood procurement was stimulated in the 1980s by a renewed awareness that infectious diseases, including post‐transfusion hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are transmissible by blood transfusion. Preoperative autologous blood donation (PAD), acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), and intraoperative/postoperative autologous blood cell recovery and reinfusion were each techniques identified and promoted in the surgical arena in response to medical and legal pressures to minimize allogeneic blood exposure.

The role of autologous blood procurement in surgery continues to evolve based on improved blood safety, increased blood costs, and emerging pharmacologic alternatives to blood transfusion. PAD became accepted as a standard practice in certain elective surgical settings, such as total joint replacement surgery, so that by 1992, over 6% of the blood transfused in the U.S. was autologous. In contrast, ANH was rarely practiced and published data regarding its merits were scant. Subsequently, substantial improvements in blood safety were accompanied by a decline in PAD (Table 1) as well as by an interest in ANH as an alternative, lower‐cost autologous blood procurement strategy. Nevertheless, public perception of blood safety and the reluctance to accept allogeneic blood transfusion in the elective transfusion setting, along with emerging blood inventory shortages, continue to make the application of autologous blood procurement strategies a subject of ongoing debate. The current roles of these strategies are presented.
Use of the Cell Saver in Oncologic Surgery
Authors: ÉLias Dominique , Billard Valérie , Lapierre Valérie
Published: February 2008

Use of the cell saver in oncologic surgery is controversial because of the risk of reinfusion of cancer cells remaining in the packed erythrocytes. Experimental and clinical studies have indeed confirmed the presence of residual cancer cells in packed red cells. However, six clinical studies with a limited number of patients showed no metastatic spread after processing of the blood with a cell saver. The adjunctive use of a leukocyte depletion filter (LDF) greatly reduces the number of cancerous cells in the pack whereas irradiation of the pack with 50 Gy destroys all the cancer cells. Strictly speaking, the stringent application of this safety principle would require use of a cell saver only in conjunction with an irradiator. Studies indicate that cancer cell seeding from infiltrative tumors seems to be greater than that observed when a cell saver is used. In the final analysis, we feel that it is reasonable to use the cell saver in oncologic surgery, if possible with a leukocyte filter, not only in cases of unexpected bleeding risk but also during scheduled procedures with a high risk of massive blood loss.
Transfusion‐Associated Septic Reactions
Authors: Blajchman Morris A.
Published: February 2008

Transfusion reactions associated with bacteria and/or their products, during or following a blood transfusion, were one of the earliest recognized complications of allogeneic blood transfusions. Bacterial contamination of blood products has, therefore, been a problem for many decades and, at the present time, is likely the most common microbiological cause of transfusion‐associated mortality and morbidity. Septic reactions associated with platelet concentrates appear to be much more common than those associated with contaminated red blood cells. The overall prevalence of contaminated cellular blood products has been estimated to be approximately 1 in 3000; however, the transfusion of contaminated platelet or red blood cell units may not necessarily be associated with clinically apparent morbidity in recipients because the majority of contaminated blood product units contain relatively few organisms. Unfortunately, though, in a minority of instances, contaminated blood product units contain clinically significant numbers of bacteria as well as endotoxins that may be associated with significant mortality and/or morbidity. The incidence of clinically evident severe septic episodes has not yet been clearly established, but is probably in the order of 1 per 50,000 platelet units transfused and 1 per 500,000 red blood cell units transfused. In recent years, a variety of interventions have been proposed, and in some instances implemented, in an effort to reduce this significant and potentially preventable transfusion risk.