bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychotropic Medications and Crash Risk in Older Drivers
Authors: Cooper Lisa , Meuleners Lynn B. , Duke Janine , Jancey Jonine , Hildebrand Janina
Published: July 2011

Objective. An extensive review of Australian and international literature was undertaken, examining the association between psychotropic medications and crash risk involving older drivers. Methods. The review summarizes the findings in experimental and epidemiological studies related to ( a) prevalence of psychotropic medication use among older drivers; ( b) side effects of driving under the influence of psychotropic medications; and ( c) association between psychotropic medications and crash risk for older drivers. Results. Current evidence indicates that several types of psychotropic medications have the potential to impair driving ability and increase the risk of crash involvement. A major limitation is that few studies have specifically examined the effects on older drivers, despite the fact that the majority of the population using psychotropic medications are older. Discussion. More knowledge about the safety of therapeutic use of psychotropic medications is needed. Large-scale, whole-population, epidemiological studies, such as data linkage studies, may be the optimal study design.
Simulations as Rhetorical and Discursive Exercises: Memories of Guetzkow
Authors: Cherryholmes Cleo H.
Published: July 2011

This article describes some of the highlights of the author’s work with Harold Guetzkow while he was a doctoral student in political science at Northwestern University in the mid-1960s. Harold was a model of professionalism and the author had the great opportunity to learn about the profession during their publication of the Inter-Nation Simulation Kit. This is a brief report of some of his fond memories of Harold.
Integrating Mediators and Moderators in Research Design
Authors: MacKinnon David P.
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this article is to describe mediating variables and moderating variables and provide reasons for integrating them in outcome studies. Separate sections describe examples of moderating and mediating variables and the simplest statistical model for investigating each variable. The strengths and limitations of incorporating mediating and moderating variables in a research study are discussed as well as approaches to routinely including these variables in outcome research. The routine inclusion of mediating and moderating variables holds the promise of increasing the amount of information from outcome studies by generating practical information about interventions as well as testing theory. The primary focus is on mediating and moderating variables for intervention research but many issues apply to nonintervention research as well.
Normative Beliefs in State Policy Choice
Authors: Olive Andrea , Gunasekara Vagisha , Raymond Leigh
Published: July 2011

This article introduces a new method, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), to the study of state policy choice and the role of ideas in politics. The authors hypothesize an important role for normative beliefs in state policy choice even for policies that go beyond traditional subjects of “morality” policy. Specifically, the authors find that “precautionary norms” are influential determinants of recent state environmental policies regulating chemicals, even in the face of significant economic impacts. They conclude that these results offer new theoretical ideas relevant to the state innovation and diffusion literature as well as the study of ideas in the policy process.
Pressures to Privatize? The IMF, Globalization, and Partisanship in Latin America
Authors: Doyle David
Published: July 2011

Despite pervasive downward pressure on government policy from exogenous forces, the author argues that partisanship still exerts an effect on privatization in Latin America. When a country is indebted to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and a government of the right is in power, scholars can expect increased levels of privatization. However, when a country is indebted to the IMF and a government of the left is in power, electoral incentives will prompt these governments to ignore IMF pressure and reduce levels of privatization. The author tests this argument on a data set of eighteen Latin American countries, between the years 1984 and 1998.
The Dialectical Psychoeducational Workshop (DPEW)
Authors: Cavanaugh Mary M. , Solomon Phyllis , Gelles Richard J.
Published: July 2011

Current programs aimed at reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) have demonstrated little effect on at-risk males, who may potentially engage in acts of IPV. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) provides the conceptual and empirical foundation for the dialectical psychoeducational workshop (DPEW). The DPEW offers a targeted preventative intervention for individuals potentially at risk for IPV. This article offers the rationale and theoretical basis for a specialized preventative approach to IPV and delineates a brief psychoeducational program that may stimulate further research and provide an alternate preventative intervention strategy in an area in need of innovative programs.
Welfare Caseworker Assessments and Domestic Violence Services
Authors: Hetling Andrea
Published: July 2011

The Family Violence Option (FVO) protects welfare recipients who are domestic violence victims or survivors by providing service referrals and waivers from certain requirements. Implementation of the FVO has been difficult for welfare agencies and disclosures and service uptake have been low. Using administrative data and caseworker notes, this study compares demographic and case characteristics and abuse experiences among four analytic groups. Although differences in demographics are most pronounced between victims and nonvictims, experiences with abuse and services differed between victims who received waivers versus those who did not. Findings indicate that caseworkers may base service decisions on abuse experiences.
Hedonic Motivations and the Effectiveness of Risk Perceptions–Oriented Revenue Management Policies
Authors: Schwartz Zvi , Chen Chih-Chien
Published: July 2011

The study proposes that deal-seeking travelers’ perception of risk may have a dual and contradicting impact on expected utility and, consequently, on their propensity to search for a better deal and book the travel product. According to a traditionally utilitarian motivation, a high level of risk and the prospect of negative results reduce expected utility, and they are therefore likely to reduce search activities and increase booking. This study argues that, because of hedonic motivations, consumers may enjoy the risk elements of their search for a better deal and, consequently, may respond to higher levels of induced risk perception by increasing search activities and reducing booking. The study explains how this finding affects the way revenue-managing hotels, which seek to affect their customers’ behavior by inducing risk perceptions, should adapt their strategies.
The Effects of Coworker and Perceived Organizational Support on Hotel Employee Outcomes
Authors: Karatepe Osman M.
Published: July 2011

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a research model that examines job embeddedness as a moderator of the effects of coworker and perceived organizational support on turnover intentions and service recovery performance. The model also tests the impacts of coworker and perceived organizational support on the aforementioned job outcomes. Data were gathered from a sample of full-time frontline hotel employees with a 1-month time lag and their immediate supervisors in Cameroon. The results of hierarchical multiple regression analysis reveal that job embeddedness moderates the relationship between coworker support and turnover intentions. The results also show that job embeddedness acts as a moderator of the effects of perceived organizational support on turnover intentions and service recovery performance. Consistent with the study predictions, coworker support alleviates turnover intentions, whereas perceived organizational support increases service recovery performance. Implications of the empirical findings are discussed and future research directions are offered.
Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 B-cell epitopes in multiple sclerosis twins
Authors: Mechelli R , Anderson J , Vittori D , Coarelli G , Annibali V , Cannoni S , Aloisi F , Salvetti M , James JA , Ristori G
Published: July 2011

Background: Compared with quantitative observations, the search for qualitative changes that may characterize the immune response to Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in multiple sclerosis (MS) has been less intense.

Objective: To examine the B-cell epitopes of antibodies against the Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and their relevance for MS, through a study in disease-discordant identical twins.

Methods: We evaluated the antibodies to all unique, maximally overlapping octapeptides of EBNA-1 in 12 pairs of monozygotic (MZ) twins (9 MS-discordant, 3 healthy), 3 non-twin patients and 2 healthy subjects. All except one of the patients were untreated. The EBV serology of these individuals had been assessed in advance using commercially available and in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, including assays for antibodies against select peptides of EBNA-1: EBNA-72 (GAGGGAGAGG) and EBNA-206 (EADYFEYHQEGGPDGE).

Results: The glycine–alanine rich domain of EBNA-1 was immunodominant in all subjects. Compared with healthy individuals, and similarly to what has been described in infectious mononucleosis (IM) patients, affected co-twins and non-twin patients had a significantly increased response to another EBNA-1 epitope (aa. 401–411).

Conclusion: In a study that controls for confounders, our data focus an EBNA-1 specificity that may be associated with MS pathogenesis.
Percutaneous posterior tibial nerve stimulation as an effective treatment of refractory lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis: preliminary data from a multicentre, prospective, open label trial
Authors: Gobbi C , Digesu GA , Khullar V , El Neil S , Caccia G , Zecca C
Published: July 2011

Background: Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) has been proposed as a new, minimally invasive neuromodulation technique to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Objective: To evaluate efficacy, safety and impact on quality of life (QoL) of PTNS on patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have LUTS.

Methods: 21 patients (5 men, 16 women) with MS and LUTS unresponsive to anticholinergics were treated with 12 sessions of PTNS. Assessment of LUTS was by validated, self-administered chart and questionnaires, testing the subjective and objective relevance of LUTS for patients and their impact on QoL before and after treatment; the mean post-micturition residual was assessed by trans-abdominal ultrasound scanning. Analysis was by intention to treat.

Results: There was a significant reduction of daytime frequency (from 9 to 6, p = 0.04), nocturia (from 3 to 1, p = 0.002) and mean post-micturition residual (from 98 ± 124 ml to 43 ± 45 ml, p = 0.02). The mean voided volume increased from 182 ± 50 ml to 225 ± 50 ml ( p = 0.003). Eighty-nine percent of patients reported a treatment satisfaction of 70%. Significant improvement in QoL was seen in most domains of the King’s Health QoL questionnaire ( p < 0.05). No adverse events were reported.

Conclusions: PTNS is an effective, safe and well-tolerated treatment for LUTS in patients with MS.
Modelling the distribution of cortical lesions in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Sormani MariaPia , Stromillo Maria L , Battaglini Marco , Signori Alessio , De Stefano Nicola
Published: July 2011

Recent studies have shown the relevance of the cerebral grey matter involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS). Cortical lesions (CLs), detected by specific MRI sequences, are likely to become a new research outcome in MS studies. The aim of this study was to infer the optimal statistical model describing the distribution of CLs in patients with relapsing–remitting (RR)MS. The negative binomial model gave the best fit to the observed distribution of CLs in a group of 44 RRMS patients with one MRI scan of the brain. This observation has important implications for the statistical analysis of CLs in MS studies.
A leader without a party
Authors: Pas Daphne van der , Vries Catherine de , Brug Wouter van der
Published: July 2011

Most existing studies of leadership effects on electoral success employ survey data only. This time-series study combines a content analysis of media appearances of the right-wing populist leader Geert Wilders in 2006 with his party's popularity in the polls. The content analysis focuses on three aspects of the media coverage: (1) visibility, (2) whether he articulates a vision for the future, and (3) his self-confidence. Wilders was selected because as a leader without a party he represents the most likely case to find media effects. Var-analysis showed a significant positive effect of ‘vision’ on media attention, and a negative effect of popularity in the polls on visibility in the media. Yet, the study finds little support for the ‘leadership hypothesis', and thus contributes to literature showing that the effects of the representation of political leaders in the media are more limited than often assumed.
Political parties, independents and the electoral market in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ishiyama John , Batta Anna , Sortor Angela
Published: July 2011

In this article we investigate how parties ‘close out the electoral market’ by monopolizing the channels of upward mobility for aspiring politicians (by reducing the number of independents). We analyse data from (1228) single-member constituency elections from three sub-Saharan African countries (Ghana, Malawi and Zambia) and six national legislative elections. We find that level of incumbent governing party support is the strongest predictor in explaining the likelihood that independent candidates would run for office at the constituency level across all three cases'
Imprisonment and internment: Comparing penal institutions North and South
Authors: Birkbeck Christopher
Published: July 2011

Recent references to the ‘warehouse prison’ in the United States and the prisión-depósito in Latin America seem to indicate that penal confinement in the Western Hemisphere has converged on a similar model. However, this article suggests otherwise. It contrasts penal facilities in North America and Latin America in terms of six interrelated aspects: regimentation; surveillance; isolation; supervision; accountability; and formalization. Quantitatively, control in North American penal facilities is assiduous (unceasing, persistent and intrusive), while in Latin America it is perfunctory (sporadic, indifferent and cursory). Qualitatively, North American penal facilities produce imprisonment (which enacts penal intervention through confinement), while in Latin America they produce internment (which enacts penal intervention through release). Closely entwined with this qualitative difference are distinct practices of judicial involvement in sentencing and penal supervision. Those practices, and the cultural and political factors that underpin them, represent an interesting starting point for the explanation of the contrasting nature of imprisonment and internment.
Are there still Contrasts in Tolerance? Imprisonment in the Netherlands and England 20 years later
Authors: Kruttschnitt Candace , Dirkzwager Anja
Published: July 2011

Twenty years ago, David Downes in his classic study, Contrasts in Tolerance, interviewed Dutch prisoners held in England and English prisoners held in the Netherlands and concluded that the Dutch provided a more humane penal system. Since that time, there have been significant changes in penal policies in both England and the Netherlands, which call into question both his conclusions and many of the current comparative analyses of penal trends. We examine the conditions of confinement for both Dutch prisoners held in English prisons and English prisoners held in the Netherlands to determine whether and how these carceral environments have changed over time. We draw on recent organizational research on ‘inhabited institutions’ to help advance our understanding of both transformations and continuities in penal trends across different political contexts.
Fighting for the Future
Authors: Giroux Henry A.
Published: July 2011

This article compares the massive and widespread student protests in Europe and the Middle East with the relatively weak forms of protests emanating from students in the United States. Through consideration of the different formative cultures in Europe and the Middle East and the protesters’ use of the new media technologies, the article argues that the formative culture for dissent and critical education in the United States has been weakened and depoliticized, while neoliberal economic conditions and disciplinary apparatuses have amplified such conditions. Increased privatization, the closing down of critical public spheres, and the endless commodification of all aspects of social life have created a generation of students in the United States reared on the view that politics is irrelevant. In contrast, the message heard by students all over the world, especially in Europe, is that casino capitalism and totalitarian societies can no longer make a claim on the future of young people and increasingly are failing, either through making false promises or using threats and coercion to contain the hopes of young people. Rather than asking why U.S. students do not engage in massive protests, the crucial question raised by this article is when will they look beyond the norms, discourses, and rewards of the neoliberal society they have inherited from their elders?
Not Without a Shout
Authors: Olesen Virginia
Published: July 2011

This paper calls for review of well known and emergent methodological strategies (PAR, performance pieces, cyberspace analysis) to assess their efficacy as acts of activism leading to a politics of possibility in a darkening era characterized by fearful injustices.
Cyanoacrylate Adhesive for the Closure of Truncal Veins
Authors: Almeida Jose I. , Min Robert J. , Raabe Rod , McLean D. J. , Madsen Monte
Published: July 2011

Background: The introduction of cyanoacrylate (CA) within a blood vessel triggers polymerization, followed by an inflammatory reaction. Methods: A sheath was positioned 2.0 cm caudad to the junction of the superficial epigastric and abdominus rectus veins in 2 swine, followed by ultrasound-guided injection of 0.16 mL of CA glue. After glue delivery, the catheter was pulled back 3 cm, compression was applied to the treatment site, and the process was repeated for the entire length. At 60 days postimplantation, the veins were harvested surgically and examined histologically. Results: The histologic changes were consistent with a chronic foreign-body-type inflammatory response. Venous closure, segmental wall thickening, and fibrosis were observed. Conclusion: Injection of CA is feasible for closure of superficial veins in animal models. Vein closure is achieved via an inflammatory process which ultimately leads to fibrosis.
Unintended Coil Migration into the Right Ventricle During the Right Ovarian Vein Coil Embolization
Authors: Rastogi Neeraj , Kabutey Nii-Kabu , Kim Ducksoo
Published: July 2011

Purpose: The aim of this article is to report a rare case of unintended coil migration into the right (Rt) ventricle. Materials and Methods: A 36-year-old Brazilian female was referred to us for the evaluation of pelvic pain. Venous duplex ultrasound findings were consistent with incompetent venous systems of right lower extremity (RLE). The diagnosis of grade III pelvic varices was confirmed with ovarian venography, and bilateral ovarian vein coil embolization was performed. The procedure was complicated with unintended migration of a small coil into the Rt ventricle. Discussion: In cases where coil or foreign body migration into the Rt heart or pulmonary circulation has occurred, endovascular retrieval or a thoracotomy has been performed. In our case, the migrated coil was left in situ without any hemodynamic disturbances in the follow-up. Conclusions: Coil migration to the Rt ventricle can be conservatively managed depending upon the location and coil profile.
Mixed Methods for the Interpretation of Longitudinal Gerontologic Data
Authors: Van Ness Peter H. , Fried Terri R. , Gill Thomas M.
Published: July 2011

This article’s main objective is to demonstrate that data analysis, including quantitative data analysis, is a process of interpretation involving basic hermeneutic principles that philosophers have identified in the interpretive process as applied to other, mainly literary, creations. Such principles include a version of the hermeneutic circle, an insistence on interpretive presuppositions, and a resistance to reducing the discovery of truth to the application of inductive methods. The importance of interpretation becomes especially evident when qualitative and quantitative methods are combined in a single clinical research project and when the data being analyzed are longitudinal. Study objectives will be accomplished by showing that three major hermeneutic principles make practical methodological contributions to an insightful, illustrative mixed methods analysis of a qualitative study of changes in functional disability over time embedded in the Precipitating Events Project—a major longitudinal, quantitative study of functional disability among older persons. Mixed methods, especially as shaped by hermeneutic insights such as the importance of empathetic understanding, are potentially valuable resources for scientific investigations of the experience of aging: a practical aim of this article is to articulate and demonstrate this contention.
Violence and Men’s Health
Authors: Haegerich Tamara M. , Hall Jeffrey E.
Published: July 2011

Although violence affects everyone, men’s health is disproportionately affected. To better understand the etiology of men’s violence, it is essential to comprehensively examine the factors influencing the development and trajectories of violence perpetration and victimization. This review offers a broad perspective on the burden of violence for men and the characteristics of individuals, relationships, communities, and society that combine to influence men’s experience with interpersonal violence, including child maltreatment, youth violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. Men’s experience with violence is influenced by physiological, emotional, and behavioral factors; relationships with family and peers; and social norms. In collaboration with professionals from other sectors, health professionals can help prevent or intervene in male’s perpetration of violence across the lifespan through identification of factors that place men at risk and referral of male patients to evidence-based prevention and intervention resources.
Lifestyle Measures to Reduce Inflammation
Authors: Gaesser Glenn A. , Angadi Siddhartha S. , Ryan Dana M. , Johnston Carol S.
Published: July 2011

Chronic low-grade inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D) may be ameliorated with exercise and/or diet. High levels of physical activity and/or cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with reduced risk of low-grade inflammation. Both aerobic and resistance exercise have been found to improve inflammatory status, with the majority of evidence suggesting that aerobic exercise may have broader anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, aerobic exercise appears to improve the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. Improvement in inflammatory status is most likely to occur in persons with elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers prior to intervention. A number of dietary factors, including fiber-rich foods, whole grains, fruits (especially berries), omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (eg, C and E), and certain trace minerals (eg, zinc) have been documented to reduce blood concentrations of inflammatory markers. Anti-inflammatory foods may also help mitigate the pro-inflammatory postprandial state that is particularly evident after ingestion of meals high in saturated fat. Intensive lifestyle interventions involving both exercise and diet appear to be most effective. For the most part, anti-inflammatory effects of exercise and diet are independent of weight loss. Thus overweight and obese men and women, who are most likely to have a pro-inflammatory profile, do not necessarily have to normalize body mass index to improve inflammatory status and reduce risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Diagnosis and management of premalignant penile lesions
Authors: Shabbir Majid , Minhas Suks , Muneer Asif
Published: July 2011

Diagnosing premalignant penile lesions from benign penile dermatoses presents a unique challenge. The rarity of these conditions and the low incidence of penile cancer mean that the majority of our knowledge is based on small, non-randomized, retrospective studies. The introduction of specialist penile cancer centres in the UK has resulted in the centralization of expertise and resources, and has furthered our understanding of the biological behaviour and management of this rare malignancy. We review the current trends in the approach to diagnosing and treating various premalignant penile conditions.
Hotel Guests’ Preferences for Green Guest Room Attributes
Authors: Millar Michelle , Baloglu Seyhmus
Published: July 2011

A study of 571 business and leisure travelers examined the environmentally friendly attributes that guests seek in hotel rooms. Using conjoint analysis of bundles of seven hotel room attributes, the study found that the most influential single attribute on hotel room preference for this sample was green hotel certification (such as LEED). These respondents were also supportive of rooms with a refillable shampoo dispenser, energy-efficient light bulbs, and towel and linen reuse policies. Guests also appreciated the idea of a key card that would control all energy use in the room. Relatively few respondents agreed that they would pay more to stay in a “green” room. The study included only respondents who indicated a willingness to stay in green rooms and as such cannot be generalized. However, the study found few differences between the preferences of the 284 business travelers and the 287 leisure travelers. Three findings differed from other research outcomes in the weight ascribed to green certification, the preference for a shampoo dispenser, and lobby-based recycling. The idea of an energy-controlling key card is also uncommon, but would represent a considerable retrofitting expense for most hotels. While these findings are of interest, one limitation is that only seven attributes were studied, and the inclusion of additional attributes—or more levels of the seven attributes—might alter the results. Nevertheless, these findings give hoteliers information about preferences of a substantial number of guests who would consider staying in a “green” hotel room.
Dynamic Balance Differences as Measured by the Star Excursion Balance Test Between Adult-aged and Middle-aged Women
Authors: Bouillon Lucinda E. , Baker Joshua L.
Published: July 2011

Background: Middle-aged women have less postural control than younger women. The Star Excursion Balance Test is a functional and inexpensive postural control measurement tool that is sensitive to age-related changes in balance.

Hypothesis: The middle-aged females will experience lower excursion scores compared with the younger women.

Methodology: Fifty-three healthy, recreationally active women were divided into 2 groups: adult-aged (n = 29; age range, 23-39 years) and middle-aged (n = 24; age range, 40-54 years). Each participant performed 3 reaches for 3 trials (anteromedial, medial, posteromedial) in a randomized order. The 3 reach trials were converted to a normalized value (percentage of participant’s height) and assessed as an overall mean for the 1-way analysis of variance. Intraclass correlation coefficients and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Results: No differences were found for body mass index and height; however, age was different between groups ( P < 0.01). Intraclass correlation coefficient 2 , 3 values for the 3 directions ranged from 0.72 to 0.97. The adult-aged women were able to reach farther in all 3 directions when tested with the Star Excursion Balance Test (6.8-7.6 cm, P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Lower postural control scores based on the Star Excursion Balance Test were found for the older women. The younger women were able to reach approximately 7 cm farther during the anterior, anteromedial, and posteromedial excursions.
S6K1 and mTOR regulate Rac1-driven platelet activation and aggregation
Authors: Aslan Joseph E. , Tormoen Garth W. , Loren Cassandra P. , Pang Jiaqing , McCarty Owen J. T.
Published: July 2011

Platelet activation and thrombus formation are under the control of signaling systems that integrate cellular homeostasis with cytoskeletal dynamics. Here, we identify a role for the ribosome protein S6 kinase (S6K1) and its upstream regulator mTOR in the control of platelet activation and aggregate formation under shear flow. Platelet engagement of fibrinogen initiated a signaling cascade that triggered the activation of S6K1 and Rac1. Fibrinogen-induced S6K1 activation was abolished by inhibitors of Src kinases, but not Rac1 inhibitors, demonstrating that S6K1 acts upstream of Rac1. S6K1 and Rac1 interacted in a protein complex with the Rac1 GEF TIAM1 and colocalized with actin at the platelet lamellipodial edge, suggesting that S6K1 and Rac1 work together to drive platelet spreading. Pharmacologic inhibitors of mTOR and S6K1 blocked Rac1 activation and prevented platelet spreading on fibrinogen, but had no effect on Src or FAK kinase activation. mTOR inhibitors dramatically reduced collagen-induced platelet aggregation and promoted the destabilization of platelet aggregates formed under shear flow conditions. Together, these results reveal novel roles for S6K1 and mTOR in the regulation of Rac1 activity and provide insights into the relationship between the pharmacology of the mTOR system and the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation.
Impaired resolution of inflammatory response in the lungs of JF1/Msf mice following carbon nanoparticle instillation
Authors: Ganguly Koustav , Upadhyay Swapna , Irmler Martin , Takenaka Shinji , Pukelsheim Katrin , Beckers Johannes , De Angelis Martin Hrabé , Hamelmann Eckard , Stoeger Tobias , Schulz Holger
Published: July 2011

Background

Declined lung function is a risk factor for particulate matter associated respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Carbon nanoparticles (CNP) are a prominent component of outdoor air pollution that causes pulmonary toxicity mainly through inflammation. Recently we demonstrated that mice (C3H/HeJ) with higher than normal pulmonary function resolved the elicited pulmonary inflammation following CNP exposure through activation of defense and homeostasis maintenance pathways. To test whether CNP-induced inflammation is affected by declined lung function, we exposed JF1/Msf (JF1) mice with lower than normal pulmonary function to CNP and studied the pulmonary inflammation and its resolution.

Methods

5 μg, 20 μg and 50 μg CNP (Printex 90) were intratracheally instilled in JF1 mice to determine the dose response and the time course of inflammation over 7 days (20 μg dosage). Inflammation was assessed using histology, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) analysis and by a panel of 62 protein markers.

Results

24 h after instillation, 20 μg and 50 μg CNP caused a 25 fold and 19 fold increased polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) respectively while the 5 μg represented the 'no observable adverse effect level' as reflected by PMN influx (9.7 × 10E3 vs 8.9 × 10E3), and BAL/lung concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Time course assessment of the inflammatory response revealed that compared to day1 the elevated BAL PMN counts (246.4 × 10E3) were significantly decreased at day 3 (72.9 × 10E3) and day 7 (48.5 × 10E3) but did not reach baseline levels indicating slow PMN resolution kinetics. Strikingly on day 7 the number of macrophages doubled (455.0 × 10E3 vs 204.7 × 10E3) and lymphocytes were 7-fold induced (80.6 × 10E3 vs 11.2 × 10E3) compared to day1. At day 7 elevated levels of IL1B, TNF, IL4, MDC/CCL22, FVII, and vWF were detected in JF1 lungs which can be associated to macrophage and lymphocyte activation.

Conclusion

This explorative study indicates that JF1 mice with impaired pulmonary function also exhibits delayed resolution of particle mediated lung inflammation as evident from elevated PMN and accumulation of macrophages and lymphocytes on day7. It is plausible that elevated levels of IL1B, IL4, TNF, CCL22/MDC, FVII and vWF counteract defense and homeostatic pathways thereby driving this phenomenon.
EuroPineDB: a high-coverage web database for maritime pine transcriptome
Authors: Fernández-Pozo Noé , Canales Javier , Guerrero-Fernández Darío , Villalobos David P , Díaz-Moreno Sara M , Bautista Rocío , Flores-Monterroso Arantxa , Guevara M Ángeles , Perdiguero Pedro , Collada Carmen , Cervera M Teresa , Soto Álvaro , Ordás Ricardo , Cantón Francisco R , Avila Concepción , Cánovas Francisco M , Claros M Gonzalo
Published: July 2011

Background

Pinus pinaster is an economically and ecologically important species that is becoming a woody gymnosperm model. Its enormous genome size makes whole-genome sequencing approaches are hard to apply. Therefore, the expressed portion of the genome has to be characterised and the results and annotations have to be stored in dedicated databases.

Description

EuroPineDB is the largest sequence collection available for a single pine species, Pinus pinaster (maritime pine), since it comprises 951 641 raw sequence reads obtained from non-normalised cDNA libraries and high-throughput sequencing from adult (xylem, phloem, roots, stem, needles, cones, strobili) and embryonic (germinated embryos, buds, callus) maritime pine tissues. Using open-source tools, sequences were optimally pre-processed, assembled, and extensively annotated (GO, EC and KEGG terms, descriptions, SNPs, SSRs, ORFs and InterPro codes). As a result, a 10.5× P. pinaster genome was covered and assembled in 55 322 UniGenes. A total of 32 919 (59.5%) of P. pinaster UniGenes were annotated with at least one description, revealing at least 18 466 different genes. The complete database, which is designed to be scalable, maintainable, and expandable, is freely available at: http://www.scbi.uma.es/pindb/. It can be retrieved by gene libraries, pine species, annotations, UniGenes and microarrays (i.e., the sequences are distributed in two-colour microarrays; this is the only conifer database that provides this information) and will be periodically updated. Small assemblies can be viewed using a dedicated visualisation tool that connects them with SNPs. Any sequence or annotation set shown on-screen can be downloaded. Retrieval mechanisms for sequences and gene annotations are provided.

Conclusions

The EuroPineDB with its integrated information can be used to reveal new knowledge, offers an easy-to-use collection of information to directly support experimental work (including microarray hybridisation), and provides deeper knowledge on the maritime pine transcriptome.
Identification of drought-responsive microRNAs in Medicago truncatula by genome-wide high-throughput sequencing
Authors: Wang Tianzuo , Chen Lei , Zhao Mingui , Tian Qiuying , Zhang Wen-Hao
Published: July 2011

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous RNAs that play important regulatory roles in development and stress response in plants by negatively affecting gene expression post-transcriptionally. Identification of miRNAs at the global genome-level by high-throughout sequencing is essential to functionally characterize miRNAs in plants. Drought is one of the common environmental stresses limiting plant growth and development. To understand the role of miRNAs in response of plants to drought stress, drought-responsive miRNAs were identified by high-throughput sequencing in a legume model plant, Medicago truncatula.

Results

Two hundreds eighty three and 293 known miRNAs were identified from the control and drought stress libraries, respectively. In addition, 238 potential candidate miRNAs were identified, and among them 14 new miRNAs and 15 new members of known miRNA families whose complementary miRNA*s were also detected. Both high-throughput sequencing and RT-qPCR confirmed that 22 members of 4 miRNA families were up-regulated and 10 members of 6 miRNA families were down-regulated in response to drought stress. Among the 29 new miRNAs/new members of known miRNA families, 8 miRNAs were responsive to drought stress with both 4 miRNAs being up- and down-regulated, respectively. The known and predicted targets of the drought-responsive miRNAs were found to be involved in diverse cellular processes in plants, including development, transcription, protein degradation, detoxification, nutrient status and cross adaptation.

Conclusions

We identified 32 known members of 10 miRNA families and 8 new miRNAs/new members of known miRNA families that were responsive to drought stress by high-throughput sequencing of small RNAs from M. truncatula. These findings are of importance for our understanding of the roles played by miRNAs in response of plants to abiotic stress in general and drought stress in particular.
Sciatic nerve regeneration in rats by a promising electrospun collagen/poly(ε-caprolactone) nerve conduit with tailored degradation rate
Authors: Yu Wenwen , Zhao Wen , Zhu Chao , Zhang Xiuli , Ye Dongxia , Zhang Wenjie , Zhou Yong , Jiang Xinquan , Zhang Zhiyuan
Published: July 2011

Background

To cope with the limitations faced by autograft acquisitions particularly for multiple nerve injuries, artificial nerve conduit has been introduced by researchers as a substitute for autologous nerve graft for the easy specification and availability for mass production. In order to best mimic the structures and components of autologous nerve, great efforts have been made to improve the designation of nerve conduits either from materials or fabrication techniques. Electrospinning is an easy and versatile technique that has recently been used to fabricate fibrous tissue-engineered scaffolds which have great similarity to the extracellular matrix on fiber structure.

Results

In this study we fabricated a collagen/poly(ε-caprolactone) (collagen/PCL) fibrous scaffold by electrospinning and explored its application as nerve guide substrate or conduit in vitro and in vivo. Material characterizations showed this electrospun composite material which was made of submicron fibers possessed good hydrophilicity and flexibility. In vitro study indicated electrospun collagen/PCL fibrous meshes promoted Schwann cell adhesion, elongation and proliferation. In vivo test showed electrospun collagen/PCL porous nerve conduits successfully supported nerve regeneration through an 8 mm sciatic nerve gap in adult rats, achieving similar electrophysiological and muscle reinnervation results as autografts. Although regenerated nerve fibers were still in a pre-mature stage 4 months postoperatively, the implanted collagen/PCL nerve conduits facilitated more axons regenerating through the conduit lumen and gradually degraded which well matched the nerve regeneration rate.

Conclusions

All the results demonstrated this collagen/PCL nerve conduit with tailored degradation rate fabricated by electrospinning could be an efficient alternative to autograft for peripheral nerve regeneration research. Due to its advantage of high surface area for cell attachment, it is believed that this electrospun nerve conduit could find more application in cell therapy for nerve regeneration in future, to further improve functional regeneration outcome especially for longer nerve defect restoration.
Genetic and expression studies of SMN2 gene in Russian patients with spinal muscular atrophy type II and III
Authors: Zheleznyakova Galina Yu , Kiselev Anton V , Vakharlovsky Viktor G , Rask-Andersen Mathias , Chavan Rohit , Egorova Anna A , Schiöth Helgi B , Baranov Vladislav S
Published: July 2011

Background

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA type I, II and III) is an autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron gene (SMN1). SMN2 is a centromeric copy gene that has been characterized as a major modifier of SMA severity. SMA type I patients have one or two SMN2 copies while most SMA type II patients carry three SMN2 copies and SMA III patients have three or four SMN2 copies. The SMN1 gene produces a full-length transcript (FL-SMN) while SMN2 is only able to produce a small portion of the FL-SMN because of a splice mutation which results in the production of abnormal SMNΔ7 mRNA.

Methods

In this study we performed quantification of the SMN2 gene copy number in Russian patients affected by SMA type II and III (42 and 19 patients, respectively) by means of real-time PCR. Moreover, we present two families consisting of asymptomatic carriers of a homozygous absence of the SMN1 gene. We also developed a novel RT-qPCR-based assay to determine the FL-SMN/SMNΔ7 mRNA ratio as SMA biomarker.

Results

Comparison of the SMN2 copy number and clinical features revealed a significant correlation between mild clinical phenotype (SMA type III) and presence of four copies of the SMN2 gene. In both asymptomatic cases we found an increased number of SMN2 copies in the healthy carriers and a biallelic SMN1 absence. Furthermore, the novel assay revealed a difference between SMA patients and healthy controls.

Conclusions

We suggest that the SMN2 gene copy quantification in SMA patients could be used as a prognostic tool for discrimination between the SMA type II and SMA type III diagnoses, whereas the FL-SMN/SMNΔ7 mRNA ratio could be a useful biomarker for detecting changes during SMA pharmacotherapy.
Nottingham Prognostic Index in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: a reliable prognostic tool?
Authors: Albergaria André , Ricardo Sara , Milanezi Fernanda , Carneiro Vítor , Amendoeira Isabel , Vieira Daniella , Cameselle-Teijeiro Jorge , Schmitt Fernando
Published: July 2011

Background

A breast cancer prognostic tool should ideally be applicable to all types of invasive breast lesions. A number of studies have shown histopathological grade to be an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer, adding prognostic power to nodal stage and tumour size. The Nottingham Prognostic Index has been shown to accurately predict patient outcome in stratified groups with a follow-up period of 15 years after primary diagnosis of breast cancer. Clinically, breast tumours that lack the expression of Oestrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor and Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2) are identified as presenting a "triple-negative" phenotype or as triple-negative breast cancers. These poor outcome tumours represent an easily recognisable prognostic group of breast cancer with aggressive behaviour that currently lack the benefit of available systemic therapy. There are conflicting results on the prevalence of lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis in triple-negative breast cancer patients but it is currently accepted that triple-negative breast cancer does not metastasize to axillary nodes and bones as frequently as the non-triple-negative carcinomas, favouring instead, a preferentially haematogenous spread. Hypothetically, this particular tumour dissemination pattern would impair the reliability of using Nottingham Prognostic Index as a tool for triple-negative breast cancer prognostication.

Methods

The present study tested the effectiveness of the Nottingham Prognostic Index in stratifying breast cancer patients of different subtypes with special emphasis in a triple-negative breast cancer patient subset versus non- triple-negative breast cancer.

Results

We demonstrated that besides the fact that TNBC disseminate to axillary lymph nodes as frequently as luminal or HER2 tumours, we also showed that TNBC are larger in size compared with other subtypes and almost all grade 3. Additionally, survival curves demonstrated that these prognostic factors are equally important to stratify different survival outcomes in non-TNBC as in TNBC. We also showed that the NPI retains the ability to stratify and predict survival of TNBC patients.

Conclusion

The importance of this study relies on the need of prognostication improvements on TNBC, showing, at a clinical standpoint, that Nottingham Prognostic Index is as a truthful prognostic tool in TNBC.
Risk factors for the onset and persistence of neck pain in undergraduate students: 1-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Kanchanomai Siriluck , Janwantanakul Prawit , Pensri Praneet , Jiamjarasrangsi Wiroj
Published: July 2011

Background

Although neck pain is common in young adulthood, studies on predictive factors for its onset and persistence are scarce. It is therefore important to identify possible risk factors among young adults so as to prevent the development of neck pain later in life.

Methods

A prospective study was carried out in healthy undergraduate students. At baseline, a self-administered questionnaire and standardized physical examination were used to collect data on biopsychosocial factors. At 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter, follow-up data were collected on the incidence of neck pain. Those who reported neck pain on ≥ 2 consecutive follow-ups were categorized as having persistent neck pain. Two regression models were built to analyze risk factors for the onset and persistence of neck pain.

Results

Among the recruited sample of 684 students, 46% reported the onset of neck pain between baseline and 1-year follow-up, of whom 33% reported persistent neck pain. The onset of neck pain was associated with computer screen position not being level with the eyes and mouse position being self-rated as suitable. Factors that predicted persistence of neck pain were position of the keyboard being too high, use of computer for entertainment < 70% of total computer usage time, and students being in the second year of their studies.

Conclusion

Neck pain is quite common among undergraduate students. This study found very few proposed risk factors that predicted onset and persistence of neck pain. The future health of undergraduate students deserves consideration. However, there is still much uncertainty about factors leading to neck pain and more research is needed on this topic.
Comparative analysis of the Spirulina platensis subcellular proteome in response to low- and high-temperature stresses: uncovering cross-talk of signaling components
Authors: Kurdrid Pavinee , Senachak Jittisak , Sirijuntarut Matura , Yutthanasirikul Rayakorn , Phuengcharoen Phuttawadee , Jeamton Wattana , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Cheevadhanarak Supapon , Hongsthong Apiradee
Published: July 2011

The present study focused on comparative proteome analyses of low- and high-temperature stresses and potential protein-protein interaction networks, constructed by using a bioinformatics approach, in response to both stress conditions.

The data revealed two important points: first, the results indicate that low-temperature stress is tightly linked with oxidative stress as well as photosynthesis; however, no specific mechanism is revealed in the case of the high-temperature stress response. Second, temperature stress was revealed to be linked with nitrogen and ammonia assimilation. Moreover, the data also highlighted the cross-talk of signaling pathways. Some of the detected signaling proteins, e.g., Hik14, Hik26 and Hik28, have potential interactions with differentially expressed proteins identified in both temperature stress conditions. Some differentially expressed proteins found in the Spirulina protein-protein interaction network were also examined for their physical interactions by a yeast two hybrid system (Y2H). The Y2H results obtained in this study suggests that the potential PPI network gives quite reliable potential interactions for Spirulina. Therefore, the bioinformatics approach employed in this study helps in the analysis of phenomena where proteome analyses of knockout mutants have not been carried out to directly examine for specificity or cross-talk of signaling components.