bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Policies and Programming for Safer Schools: Are “Anti-bullying” Approaches Impeding Education for Peacebuilding?
Authors: Bickmore Kathy
Published: August 2010

Prevailing anti-violence practices in public schools, especially in the context of recently increased emphasis on bullying, often allocate more resources to surveillance and control than to facilitation of healthy relationships or conflict/ peace learning. This policy emphasis increases the risks of marginalization and reduces opportunities for diverse students to develop autonomy and mutual responsibility. This qualitative study examines educators’ contrasting interpretations of various school safety and conflict management initiatives in practice, in peaceful and less peaceful schools serving stressed urban populations, and points out spaces for potential policy shifts and clarifications that could enhance sustainable peacebuilding in schools.
Commentary: The Challenge of Nonexperimental Interventions Studies in Social Work
Authors: Schilling Robert
Published: August 2010

The challenging context of social work interventions require that most intervention studies will be derived from nonexperimental research designs. Two evaluation studies in this special issue employed nonrandomized designs to examine the efficacy of two programs—a police crisis intervention team designed to enhance officers’ responses to mental health crisis and a program for pregnant incarcerated women. Each is a laudable effort to examine important intervention outcomes in insular settings. The design and execution problems explicated in both studies are familiar to researchers who venture into such practice arenas. Disappointing outcomes, as in these two studies, can sometimes be attributed to the problems of nonequivalent comparison designs or to unanticipated events. Intervention researchers must also recognize that programs often fail to demonstrate differences and can even result in adverse outcomes.
Articulating the Role of Relationships in Access to Home Care Nursing at the End of Life
Authors: Stajduhar Kelli I. , Funk Laura M. , Roberts Della , Cloutier-Fisher Denise , McLeod Barbara , Wilkinson Carolyn , Purkis Mary Ellen
Published: August 2010

In this article, we draw on data collected from two samples of home care nurses to examine how relationships between nurses and family caregivers intersected with access to palliative home care nursing services. Participants referred to relationships as important for their practical benefits and for access to care: good relationships enhanced the nurse’s ability to assess clients and families and fostered the family’s trust in the nurse’s care. Although emphasizing the need to build and maintain relationships (often requiring time), participants simultaneously referred to beliefs about the need to control the personal emotions invoked in relationships so as to ensure appropriate access for clients and families. Future research should further explore how the organizational and resource context, and the culture of palliative care, shape nurses’ beliefs about relationships in their practice, the nature and types of relationships that can develop, and both client and family caregivers’ access to care.
The Maven of Mentoring Speaks: Kathy E. Kram Reflects on Her Career and the Field
Authors: Chandler Dawn E.
Published: August 2010

Mentoring has received significant attention in the management literature for nearly 30 years and has been a practice pervasive in organizational lifelong before its introduction as a phenomenon of study. This interview with Kathy E. Kram assesses her seminal and continued influence on the field. Arguably, no other mentoring scholar has made such indelible marks on the field; Kram laid the foundation with her research in the early 1980s and has since made lasting contributions in the areas of diversity, developmental networks, and alternative relational vehicles. Throughout her career, Kram’s approach to scientific inquiry has been guided by her numerous consulting experiences, which have allowed her to ask questions and provide insights that are relevant to formal mentoring programs and the cultivation of informal relationships. The interview involves a discussion of influences on Kram’s career, the field’s evolution and future, mentoring as a practice, and her current research pursuits.
Influence of Long-Term Thromboprophylaxis With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin (Enoxaparin) on Changes of Bone Metabolism Markers in Pregnant Women
Authors: Sudrová Magda , Kvasnička Jan , Kudrnová Zuzana , Zenáhlíková Zuzana , Mazoch Jiří , Brzežková Radka
Published: August 2010

This is a first descriptive, retrospective, observational study aiming to evaluate the changes in bone turnover markers in pregnant women and to assess the effect of a long-term treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), specifically, enoxaparin. Study involved 50 pregnant Caucasian women with thrombophilia. The patients either received prophylactic enoxaparin once daily subcutaneously (N = 35) or were observed without treatment (N = 15). Concentrations of total serum alkaline phosphatase (total AP), bone alkaline phosphatase (bone AP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) were measured at 15, 25, and 35 weeks of gestation. Total serum AP increased with gestational age. In the group treated with enoxaparin, the percentage of bone AP concentration was lower ( P < .05) than in the control group. Serum OPG also increased with gestational age, but no significant difference was found between the groups with- and without treatment. Despite the OPG increased, RANKL did not change.
High strain rate shear deformation and fracture behaviour of biomedical titanium alloy
Authors: Lee W.-S. , Chen T.-H. , Lin C.-F. , Lee N.-W.
Published: August 2010

The rate and temperature dependent shear deformation behaviour of biomedical titanium alloy (Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al) is investigated using a torsional split Hopkinson pressure bar at strain rates ranging from 1·2 × 103 to 2·8 × 103 s–1 and temperatures of –150, 25 and 300°C. It is found that both the strain rate and the temperature have a significant effect on the high strain rate shear properties and fracture characteristics of the alloy. As the strain rate is increased or the temperature is reduced, the flow stress, workhardening rate, strain rate and temperature sensitivity increase, but the activation volume and activation energy decrease. The fracture strain increases with both increasing strain rate and increasing temperature. The shear flow behaviour of the Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al specimens is accurately described by the Kobayashi–Dodd constitutive equation. Metallographic observations reveal that the failure of the present Ti–15Mo–5Zr–3Al alloy is dominated by intensive localised shearing. Moreover, the SEM fractographs show that the fracture surfaces are characterised by a dimple-like structure. The dimple density increases with an increasing strain rate or temperature. By contrast, the dimple size reduces at higher strain rates and temperatures and gives rise to a significant improvement in the fracture resistance.
Regulation by SIRPα of dendritic cell homeostasis in lymphoid tissues
Authors: Saito Yasuyuki , Iwamura Hiroko , Kaneko Tetsuya , Ohnishi Hiroshi , Murata Yoji , Okazawa Hideki , Kanazawa Yoshitake , Sato-Hashimoto Miho , Kobayashi Hisae , Oldenborg Per-Arne , Naito Makoto , Kaneko Yoriaki , Nojima Yoshihisa , Matozaki Takashi
Published: August 2010

The molecular basis for regulation of dendritic cell (DC) development and homeostasis remains unclear. Signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα), an immunoglobulin superfamily protein that is predominantly expressed in DCs, mediates cell-cell signaling by interacting with CD47, another immunoglobulin superfamily protein. We now show that the number of CD11chigh DCs (conventional DCs, or cDCs), in particular, that of CD8−CD4+ (CD4+) cDCs, is selectively reduced in secondary lymphoid tissues of mice expressing a mutant form of SIRPα that lacks the cytoplasmic region. We also found that SIRPα is required intrinsically within cDCs or DC precursors for the homeostasis of splenic CD4+ cDCs. Differentiation of bone marrow cells from SIRPα mutant mice into DCs induced by either macrophage-granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or Flt3 ligand in vitro was not impaired. Although the accumulation of the immediate precursors of cDCs in the spleen was also not impaired, the half-life of newly generated splenic CD4+ cDCs was markedly reduced in SIRPα mutant mice. Both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic CD47 was found to be required for the homeostasis of CD4+ cDCs and CD8−CD4−(double negative) cDCs in the spleen. SIRPα as well as its ligand, CD47, are thus important for the homeostasis of CD4+ cDCs or double negative cDCs in lymphoid tissues.
A SNP associated with alternative splicing of RPT5b causes unequal redundancy between RPT5a and RPT5b among Arabidopsis thaliananatural variation
Authors: Guyon-Debast Anouchka , Lécureuil Alain , Bonhomme Sandrine , Guerche Philippe , Gallois Jean-Luc
Published: August 2010

Background

The proteasome subunit RPT5, which is essential for gametophyte development, is encoded by two genes in Arabidopsis thaliana; RPT5a and RPT5b. We showed previously that RPT5a and RPT5b are fully redundant in the Columbia (Col-0) accession, whereas in the Wassilewskia accession (Ws-4), RPT5b does not complement the effect of a strong rpt5a mutation in the male gametophyte, and only partially complements rpt5a mutation in the sporophyte. RPT5b

Col-0
and RPT5b

Ws-4
differ by only two SNPs, one located in the promoter and the other in the seventh intron of the gene.

Results

By exploiting natural variation at RPT5b we determined that the SNP located in RPT5b intron seven, rather than the promoter SNP, is the sole basis of this lack of redundancy. In Ws-4 this SNP is predicted to create a new splicing branchpoint sequence that induces a partial mis-splicing of the pre-mRNA, leading to the introduction of a Premature Termination Codon. We characterized 5 accessions carrying this A-to-T substitution in intron seven and observed a complete correlation between this SNP and both a 10 to 20% level of the RPT5b pre-mRNA mis-splicing and the lack of ability to complement an rpt5a mutant phenotype.

Conclusion

The accession-dependent unequal redundancy between RPT5a and RPT5b genes illustrates an example of evolutionary drifting between duplicated genes through alternative splicing.
Extramammary Paget's disease with the appearance of a nodule: a case report
Authors: Wang Xia , Yang Wenlin , Yang Jian
Published: August 2010

Background

Extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD) remains a rare condition with only a limited number of cases reported in the literature. EMPD is mainly composed of intraepidermal Paget cells, and possesses variable clinical behaviors and histological appearances, leading to difficulty in the diagnosis of this disease.

Case presentation

We here report a case of primary EMPD with the appearance of a nodule on the background of erythema. Histological assessment showed Paget cell infiltration throughout the epidermis with dermal spread. Using immunohistochemistry, the expressions of CK7, CK19, CK20, GCDFP-15, CEA, S-100 protein and bcl-2 were examined to elucidate the cellular differentiation of the carcinoma.

Conclusion

According to the histological assessment, this case was diagnosed as primary EMPD with carcinoma cells invading into the dermis, but without lymph node infiltration.
The exenatide analogue AC3174 attenuates hypertension, insulin resistance, and renal dysfunction in Dahl salt-sensitive rats
Authors: Liu Que , Adams Lisa , Broyde Anatoly , Fernandez Rayne , Baron Alain D , Parkes David G
Published: August 2010

Background

Activation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors improves insulin sensitivity and induces vasodilatation and diuresis. AC3174 is a peptide analogue with pharmacologic properties similar to the GLP-1 receptor agonist, exenatide. Hypothetically, chronic AC3174 treatment could attenuate salt-induced hypertension, cardiac morbidity, insulin resistance, and renal dysfunction in Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats.

Methods

DSS rats were fed low salt (LS, 0.3% NaCl) or high salt (HS, 8% NaCl) diets. HS rats were treated with vehicle, AC3174 (1.7 pmol/kg/min), or GLP-1 (25 pmol/kg/min) for 4 weeks via subcutaneous infusion. Other HS rats received captopril (150 mg/kg/day) or AC3174 plus captopril.

Results

HS rat survival was improved by all treatments except GLP-1. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was lower in LS rats and in GLP-1, AC3174, captopril, or AC3174 plus captopril HS rats than in vehicle HS rats (p < 0.05). AC3174 plus captopril attenuated the deleterious effects of high salt on posterior wall thickness, LV mass, and the ratio of LV mass to body weight (P ≤ 0.05). In contrast, GLP-1 had no effect on these cardiovascular parameters. All treatments reduced LV wall stress. GLP-1, AC3174, captopril, or AC3174 plus captopril normalized fasting insulin and HOMA-IR (P ≤ 0.05). AC3174, captopril, or AC3174 plus captopril improved renal function (P ≤ 0.05). Renal morphology in HS rats was associated with extensive sclerosis. Monotherapy with AC3174, captopril, or GLP-1 attenuated renal damage. However, AC3174 plus captopril produced the most effective improvement.

Conclusions

Thus, AC3174 had antihypertensive, cardioprotective, insulin-sensitizing, and renoprotective effects in the DSS hypertensive rat model. Furthermore, AC3174 improved animal survival, an effect not observed with GLP-1.
ΔNp63 transcriptionally regulates ATM to control p53 Serine-15 phosphorylation
Authors: Craig Ashley L , Holcakova Jitka , Finlan Lee E , Nekulova Marta , Hrstka Roman , Gueven Nuri , DiRenzo James , Smith Graeme , Hupp Ted R , Vojtesek Borivoj
Published: August 2010

Background

ΔNp63α is an epithelial progenitor cell marker that maintains epidermal stem cell self-renewal capacity. Previous studies revealed that UV-damage induced p53 phosphorylation is confined to ΔNp63α-positive cells in the basal layer of human epithelium.

Results

We now report that phosphorylation of the p53 tumour suppressor is positively regulated by ΔNp63α in immortalised human keratinocytes. ΔNp63α depletion by RNAi reduces steady-state ATM mRNA and protein levels, and attenuates p53 Serine-15 phosphorylation. Conversely, ectopic expression of ΔNp63α in p63-null tumour cells stimulates ATM transcription and p53 Serine-15 phosphorylation. We show that ATM is a direct ΔNp63α transcriptional target and that the ΔNp63α response element localizes to the ATM promoter CCAAT sequence. Structure-function analysis revealed that the ΔNp63-specific TA2 transactivation domain mediates ATM transcription in coordination with the DNA binding and SAM domains.

Conclusions

Germline p63 point mutations are associated with a range of ectodermal developmental disorders, and targeted p63 deletion in the skin causes premature ageing. The ΔNp63α-ATM-p53 damage-response pathway may therefore function in epithelial development, carcinogenesis and the ageing processes.
Immediate effect of intensive atorvastatin therapy on lipid parameters in patients with acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Vondrakova Dagmar , Ostadal Petr , Kruger Andreas
Published: August 2010

Background

Intensive statin therapy decreases mortality and incidence of coronary events in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Recently it has been reported that spontaneous lipid levels remain clinically stable during ACS. The immediate influence of lipid levels by high-dose statin therapy initiated at admission in ACS patients is, however, not clear.

Methods

We have analyzed a group of 114 patients with ACS (mean age 63.7; females 25.4%). Atorvastatin 80 mg was administered at admission and then once daily for the rest of hospitalization. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL), HDL-cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were measured at admission (D0), and then every morning of hospitalization (D1, D2).

Results

The mean entry values (D0) of TC, LDL, HDL and TG (in mmol/L) were 5.24, 3.26, 1.07 and 1.31, respectively. The therapy with atorvastatin 80 mg resulted in a decrease of TC levels in the first morning (D1) by 6.1% and in the second morning (D2) by 13.2% (p < 0.001 for all comparisons with the entry value D0); LDL was decreased by 5.8% (D1) and 15.6% (D2) (p < 0.001 vs. D0); the level of HDL was decreased by 7.5% (D1) and 12.1% (D2) (p < 0.001 vs. D0). In contrast, the TG level was higher in the first morning (D1) by 20.6% and in the following morning (D2) by 25.5% (p < 0.05 vs. D0).

Conclusions

We have shown that intensive statin therapy started at admission in ACS patients has a highly significant, immediate effect on all monitored lipid levels. Since TC and LDL levels were decreased as predicted, reduction in HDL and increase in TG levels suggest a different acute effect of high-dose statin on lipid levels in comparison with long-term treatment of ACS patients.
Cord blood versus age 5 mononuclear cell proliferation on IgE and asthma
Authors: Chang Carolyn , Gauvey-Kern Kevin , Johnson Alina , Kelvin Elizabeth A , Chew Ginger L , Perera Frederica , Miller Rachel L
Published: August 2010

Background

Fetal immune responses following exposure of mothers to allergens during pregnancy may influence the subsequent risk of childhood asthma. However, the association of allergen-induced cord blood mononuclear cell (CBMC) proliferation and cytokine production with later allergic immune responses and asthma has been controversial. Our objective was to compare indoor allergen-induced CBMC with age 5 peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and determine which may be associated with age 5 allergic immune responses and asthma in an inner city cohort.

Methods

As part of an ongoing cohort study of the Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health (CCCEH), CBMCs and age 5 PBMCs were cultured with cockroach, mouse, and dust mite protein extracts. CBMC proliferation and cytokine (IL-5 and IFN-γ) responses, and age 5 PBMC proliferation responses, were compared to anti-cockroach, anti-mouse, and anti-dust mite IgE levels, wheeze, cough, eczema and asthma.

Results

Correlations between CBMC and age 5 PBMC proliferation in response to cockroach, mouse, and dust mite antigens were nonsignificant. Cockroach-, mouse-, and dust mite-induced CBMC proliferation and cytokine responses were not associated with allergen-specific IgE at ages 2, 3, and 5, or with asthma and eczema at age 5. However, after adjusting for potential confounders, age 5 cockroach-induced PBMC proliferation was associated with anti-cockroach IgE, total IgE, and asthma (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In contrast to allergen-induced CBMC proliferation, age 5 cockroach-induced PBMC proliferation was associated with age 5 specific and total IgE, and asthma, in an inner-city cohort where cockroach allergens are prevalent and exposure can be high.
Diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by the use of ecstasy: a case report
Authors: Gama Mirnaluci Paulino Ribeiro , de Souza Bárbara Vicente , Ossowski Ana Carolina , Perraro Rafaela Cristina
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamin), a hallucinogenic amphetamine, is often used by young people, especially at 'raves'. This illicit drug can cause many metabolic changes and its use, when associated with prolonged exercise, may exacerbate ketoacidosis in type 1 diabetic patients.

Case presentation

This is a case of ketoacidosis complicated by the use of ecstasy in a 19-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic Caucasian woman.

Conclusion

The use of ecstasy may trigger diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with a preexisting metabolic disorder
Risk of osteoporotic fracture in a large population-based cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kim Seo Young , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Liu Jun , Daniel Gregory W , Chang Chun-Lan , Garneau Katie , Solomon Daniel H
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Although osteoporosis has been reported to be more common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), little is known whether the risk of osteoporotic fractures in these patients differs by age, sex, and anatomic site.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a health care utilization database. Incidence rates (IRs) and rate ratios (RRs) of osteoporotic fractures with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models compared the risk of osteoporotic fracture at typical sites between RA and non-RA patients.

Results

During a median 1.63-year follow-up, 872 (1.9%) of 47,034 RA patients experienced a fracture. The IR for osteoporotic fracture at typical sites among RA patients was 9.6 per 1,000 person-years, 1.5 times higher than the rate of non-RA patients. The IR was highest for hip fracture (3.4 per 1,000 person-years) in RA. The IRs across all age groups were higher for women than men and increased with older age in both groups. The RRs were elevated in RA patients across all common sites of osteoporotic fracture: hip (1.62, 95% CI 1.43 to 1.84), wrist (1.15, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.32), pelvis (2.02, 95% CI 1.77 to 2.30), and humerus (1.51, 95% CI 1.27 to 1.84). After confounding adjustment, a modest increase in risk for fracture was noted with RA (hazard ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.38).

Conclusions

Our study showed an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures for RA patients across all age groups, sex and various anatomic sites, compared with non-RA patients.
Impaired tissue growth is mediated by checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) in the integrated stress response
Authors: Malzer Elke , Daly Marie-Louise , Moloney Aileen , Sendall Timothy J. , Thomas Sally E. , Ryder Edward , Ryoo Hyung Don , Crowther Damian C. , Lomas David A. , Marciniak Stefan J.
Published: August 2010

The integrated stress response (ISR) protects cells from numerous forms of stress and is involved in the growth of solid tumours; however, it is unclear how the ISR acts on cellular proliferation. We have developed a model of ISR signalling with which to study its effects on tissue growth. Overexpression of the ISR kinase PERK resulted in a striking atrophic eye phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster that could be rescued by co-expressing the eIF2α phosphatase GADD34. A genetic screen of 3000 transposon insertions identified grapes, the gene that encodes the Drosophila orthologue of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1). Knockdown of grapes by RNAi rescued eye development despite ongoing PERK activation. In mammalian cells, CHK1 was activated by agents that induce ER stress, which resulted in a G2 cell cycle delay. PERK was both necessary and sufficient for CHK1 activation. These findings indicate that non-genotoxic misfolded protein stress accesses DNA-damage-induced cell cycle checkpoints to couple the ISR to cell cycle arrest.
The Price of Gasoline and New Vehicle Fuel Economy: Evidence from Monthly Sales Data
Authors: Klier Thomas , Linn Joshua
Published: August 2010

This paper uses a unique dataset of monthly new vehicle sales by detailed model from 1978 to 2007, and implements a new identification strategy to estimate the effect of the price of gasoline on individual vehicle model sales. We control for unobserved vehicle and consumer characteristics by using within model year changes in the price of gasoline and sales. We find a significant sales response, suggesting that the gasoline price increase from 2002 to 2007 explains nearly half of the decline in market share of US manufacturers. On the other hand, an increase in the gasoline tax would only modestly raise average fuel economy. (JEL H25, L11, L62, L71)
Risk of Skeletal-Related Events in Patients with Advanced Prostate Cancer Treated with Pamidronate or Zoledronic Acid
Authors: Spence Michele M , Hui Rita L , Chan James , Schottinger Joanne E
Published: August 2010

Background:

Pamidronate and zoledronic acid are used for the prevention of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with advanced solid tumors, particularly breast and prostate cancers. There have been no head-to-head clinical trials comparing Pamidronate and zoledronic acid among patients with advanced prostate cancer.

Objective:

To estimate the risk of developing an SRE among men with metastatic prostate cancer after being treated with either pamidronate or zoledronic acid.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted, using data from Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region. The cohort included men aged ≥18 years diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1998 to 2004 who received at least 1 infusion of either Pamidronate or zoledronic acid after their cancer diagnosis. Patients receiving both drugs and those with a documented SRE prior to diagnosis were excluded. The primary outcome of SREs was defined using diagnosis codes for fractures, spina) cord compression, radiation to bone, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. Secondary outcomes were deterioration in renal function, based on serum creatinine laboratory results, and mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to predict SREs and mortality risk for Pamidronate compared to zoledronic acid. The proportion of patients with renal function deterioration was analyzed using χ2 tests.

Results:

The cohort included 118 patients treated with Pamidronate and 274 treated with zoledronic acid. Results showed no significant difference in risk of SREs for Pamidronate versus zoledronic acid (OH 0.99; 95% CI 0.59 to 1.67; p = 0.98). No significant difference was found in renal function deterioration (χ2 2.08; p = 0.15) or mortality (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.43 to 1.17; p = 0.18).

Conclusions:

For patients with prostate cancer, the choice between these 2 bisphosphonates must be balanced between the shorter infusion time of zoledronic acid versus its increased costs. We found no evidence for a difference in outcomes; therefore, pamidronate is an effective choice where clinic capacity permits.
Notch1 Is Required for Maintenance of the Reservoir of Adult Hippocampal Stem Cells
Authors: Ables Jessica L. , DeCarolis Nathan A. , Johnson Madeleine A. , Rivera Phillip D. , Gao Zhengliang , Cooper Don C. , Radtke Freddy , Hsieh Jenny , Eisch Amelia J.
Published: August 2010

Notch1 regulates neural stem cell (NSC) number during development, but its role in adult neurogenesis is unclear. We generated nestin-CreERT2/R26R-YFP/Notch1loxP/loxP[Notch1inducible knock-out (iKO)] mice to allow tamoxifen (TAM)-inducible elimination of Notch1 and concomitant expression of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in nestin-expressing Type-1 NSCs and their progeny in the adult hippocampal subgranular zone (SGZ). Consistent with previous research, YFP+ cells in all stages of neurogenesis were evident in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of wild-type (WT) mice (nestin-CreERT2/R26R-YFP/Notch1w/w) after tamoxifen (post-TAM), producing adult-generated YFP+ dentate gyrus neurons. Compared with WT littermates, Notch1 iKO mice had similar numbers of total SGZ YFP+ cells 13 and 30 d post-TAM but had significantly fewer SGZ YFP+ cells 60 and 90 d post-TAM. Significantly fewer YFP+ Type-1 NSCs and transiently amplifying progenitors (TAPs) resulted in generation of fewer YFP+ granule neurons in Notch1 iKO mice. Strikingly, 30 d of running rescued this deficit, as the total YFP+ cell number in Notch iKO mice was equivalent to WT levels. This was even more notable given the persistent deficits in the Type-1 NSC and TAP reservoirs. Our data show that Notch1 signaling is required to maintain a reservoir of undifferentiated cells and ensure continuity of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, but that alternative Notch- and Type-1 NSC-independent pathways compensate in response to physical activity. These data shed light on the complex relationship between Type-1 NSCs, adult neurogenesis, the neurogenic niche, and environmental stimuli.
Proinsulin levels in patients with pancreatic diabetes are associated with functional changes in insulin secretion rather than pancreatic β-cell area
Authors: Breuer Thomas G K , Menge Bjoern A , Banasch Matthias , Uhl Waldemar , Tannapfel Andrea , Schmidt Wolfgang E , Nauck Michael A , Meier Juris J
Published: August 2010

Introduction

Hyperproinsulinaemia has been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes. It is unclear whether this is due to an intrinsic defect in β-cell function or secondary to the increased demand on the β-cells. We investigated whether hyperproinsulinaemia is also present in patients with secondary diabetes, and whether proinsulin levels are associated with impaired β-cell area or function.

Patients and methods

Thirty-three patients with and without diabetes secondary to pancreatic diseases were studied prior to pancreatic surgery. Intact and total proinsulin levels were compared with the pancreatic β-cell area and measures of insulin secretion and action.

Results

Fasting concentrations of total and intact proinsulin were similar in patients with normal, impaired (including two cases of impaired fasting glucose) and diabetic glucose tolerance (P=0.58 andP=0.98 respectively). There were no differences in the total proinsulin/insulin or intact proinsulin/insulin ratio between the groups (P=0.23 andP=0.71 respectively). There was a weak inverse association between the total proinsulin/insulin ratio and pancreatic β-cell area (r2=0.14,P=0.032), whereas the intact proinsulin/insulin ratio and the intact and total proinsulin levels were unrelated to β-cell area. However, a strong inverse relationship between homeostasis model assessment index of β-cell function and both the total and the intact proinsulin/insulin ratio was found (r2=0.55 andr2=0.48 respectively). The association of insulin resistance (IR) with intact proinsulin was much weaker than the correlation with fasting insulin.

Conclusions

Hyperproinsulinaemia is associated with defects in insulin secretion rather than a reduction in β-cell area. The weak association between intact proinsulin and IR argues against the usefulness of this parameter in clinical practice.
Growth-restricted preterm newborns are predisposed to functional adrenal hyperandrogenism in adult life
Authors: Meuwese Christiaan L , Euser Anne M , Ballieux Bart E , van Vliet Huib A , Finken Martijn J J , Walther Frans J , Dekker Friedo W , Wit Jan M
Published: August 2010

Background

The long-term effects of perinatal growth and corticosteroid exposure on adrenal steroid concentrations in adults born very preterm are uncertain.

Objectives

To examine the effect of birth weight, early postnatal growth, and pre- and postnatal corticosteroid administration on serum adrenal steroids in 19-year-old subjects born very preterm.

Design and methods

Subjects born before 32 weeks of gestation in The Netherlands participating in the Project on Preterm and Small for Gestational Age Infants (POPS) were investigated at 19 years of age. Serum cortisol, DHEA sulfate (DHEAS), and androstenedione (Adione) concentrations were measured in 393 out of 676 eligible subjects, compared with controls, and associated with perinatal growth and pre- and postnatal corticosteroids administration using multiple linear regression analyses.

Results

Serum DHEAS and Adione in men and women were higher than in controls. In the multiple regression analyses, birth weight SDS showed a statistically significant negative association with serum DHEAS concentrations in women (β: −0.865, 95% confidence interval (CI): −1.254 to −0.476) and in men (β: −0.758, 95% CI: −1.247 to −0.268) and with serum Adione concentrations in women (β: −0.337, 95% CI: −0.593 to −0.082). Early postnatal weight gain showed no association with any of measured adrenal markers. In women, serum Adione was associated with postnatal dexamethasone exposure (β: 0.932, 95% CI: 0.022 – 1.843).

Conclusions

Young adults born very preterm show elevated adrenal androgens, particularly when born small for gestational age. Postnatal corticosteroid administration is positively associated with serum Adione in young women.
Permeâmetro de carga decrescente associado a programa computacional para a determinação da condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado
Authors: Gubiani Paulo Ivonir , Reinert Dalvan José , Reichert José Miguel , Gelain Neiva Somavilla , Minella Jean Paolo Gomes
Published: August 2010

A condutividade hidráulica do solo saturado (Kθs) é uma propriedade com grande variabilidade, o que exige a utilização de um número maior de determinações para que sua descrição possa ser feita adequadamente pela função densidade de probabilidade normal. Consequentemente, há aumento de trabalho e de tempo para a obtenção dos resultados, principalmente se as determinações forem feitas com equipamentos de pouca praticidade. A construção de equipamentos de maior praticidade e o desenvolvimento de ferramentas computacionais podem tornar o processo de análise mais rápido e preciso. Com esse objetivo, foi construído um permeâmetro de carga decrescente e desenvolvido um software para a aquisição de dados. As medidas de Kθs obtidas com esses equipamentos, em amostras de um Argissolo, mostraram menor variabilidade, avaliada pelo coeficiente de variação, o que resultou em maior precisão das determinações. Além disso, o tempo de análise foi reduzido em 30 %.
Colecistectomia laparoscópica em regime ambulatorial
Authors: Ramos Almino Cardoso , Sallett José Afonso , Lombardi Monetti Maria , Tanikawa Daniela Yukie Sakai , Martino Rodrigo Bronze de , Zilberstein Bruno
Published: August 2010

Durante o período de janeiro de 1994 a janeiro de 1997 foram submetidos ao método 120 pacientes, sendo 42 do sexo masculino (35%) e 78 do sexo feminino (65%). A idade variou de 16 a 60 anos, com média de 38. Todos apresentavam diagnóstico de colecistite calculosa crônica, sendo selecionados em consultório pelos seguintes critérios: inexistência de quadro inflamatório agudo da vesícula biliar, idade máxima de 60 anos, ausência de suspeita de coledocolitíase e classificação anestésica ASA I e II. A cirurgia era realizada em posição semiginecológica com utilização de três trocartes, sendo a colangiografia realizada de rotina. O tempo cirúrgico variou de 20 a 80 minutos com média de 50 minutos. A colangiografia intra-operatória foi realizada em 105 pacientes (87,5%), demonstrando coledocolitíase em dois (1,9%). Não ocorreram conversões. As complicações pós-operatórias imediatas mais freqüentes foram náuseas em oito casos (6,6%), seguidas de vômitos em dois pacientes (1,6%). A dor foi de pequena intensidade e facilmente controlável com dipirona e antiintlamatórios não-hormonais. Não ocorreram casos de infecção de ferida cirúrgica, mas três pacientes (2,5%) apresentaram hiperemia da incisão umbilical. Todos tiveram condições de alta no mesmo dia da cirurgia. O período de permanência hospitalar foi em média de 10 horas. Não houve necessidade de reinternação em nenhum caso.
Avaliação da profilaxia do tromboembolismo venoso em hospital de grande porte
Authors: Carneiro João Luiz de Aquino , Targueta Gabriel Pelegrineti , Marino Lucas Oliveira
Published: August 2010

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a adequação da tromboprofilaxia em um hospital de grande porte em Vitória-ES, analisando possíveis preditores de aplicação de conduta inadequada. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal realizado através de análise de prontuários. Os pacientes analisados estiveram internados no hospital durante o ano de 2007, e tiveram seu risco de tromboembolismo venoso estratificado segundo a 8ª Diretriz para Profilaxia do TEV do American College of Chest Physicians (8º ACCP). A adequação da tromboprofilaxia foi determinada de acordo com a concordância entre a conduta instituída e a conduta preconizada nas diretrizes. Foram utilizados os softwares EpiInfo 3.4.3 e SPSS 13.0. RESULTADOS: Em 47% dos pacientes a tromboprofilaxia foi inadequada, sendo a não prescrição da medicação indicada o principal motivo (33%). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparadas as taxas de inadequação da tromboprofilaxia entre pacientes clínicos e cirúrgicos, ou, entre pacientes internados em enfermaria e UTI. O número de fatores de risco para TEV foi inversamente proporcional à taxa de inadequação (p<0,05), assim como a faixa etária do paciente e a duração da internação (p<0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos apontam para níveis alarmantes de inadequação da tromboprofilaxia, o que evidencia a necessidade de programas de educação continuada no assunto para toda a equipe assistente.
Agrupamento de colheitas de tomate e estimativas do tamanho de parcela em cultivo protegido
Authors: Lúcio Alessandro Dal'Col , Carpes Ricardo H , Storck Lindolfo , Zanardo Bernardo , Toebe Marcos , Puhl Odair José , Santos Jorge Roque A dos
Published: August 2010

Para verificar qual a interferência da variabilidade das estimativas dos valores usados para determinação do tamanho de parcela com simulações de diferentes números de plantas por parcela e agrupamentos de colheitas, realizou-se um trabalho com três experimentos de tomate no Departamento de Fitotecnia da UFSM. Em dois experimentos foram utilizados túneis plásticos, com irrigação por gotejamento, camalhões com mulching preto de PEDB, três linhas de cultivo, 24 plantas por linha, espaçamento entre plantas 0,8 m e entre filas 1,2 m e uma estufa plástica no terceiro, essa com dimensões de 24 m de comprimento por 10 m de largura em oito linhas de cultivo. Todos os tratos culturais foram realizados com base na recomendação para a cultura (Filgueira, 2000), sendo aplicados concomitantemente nos três experimentos. A seqüência de duas, três e quatro plantas na linha de cultivo formou as parcelas de duas, três e quatro unidades básicas de tamanho. Foram realizadas análises considerando-se apenas colheitas individuais e colheitas agrupadas. Foram estimados a variância, o coeficiente de variação e o índice de informação relativa. Aplicou-se o teste de Bartlett entre as variâncias das colheitas individuais e agrupadas em cada tamanho de parcela simulado para verificar sua homogeneidade. As variâncias, entre as colheitas agrupadas, são homogêneas a partir do agrupamento de seis colheitas. Há acréscimos nas estimativas da variância da fitomassa de frutos com o aumento do tamanho da parcela e/ou o número de colheitas agrupadas. Parcelas de quatro plantas na linha de cultivo, combinados com agrupamento de seis em seis colheitas reduzem a variabilidade.
O cuidado de enfermagem como prática empreendedora: oportunidades e possibilidades
Authors: Backes Dirce Stein , Erdmann Alacoque Lorenzini , Büscher Andreas
Published: August 2010

OBJETIVOS: Compreender o significado do cuidado de enfermagem como prática social empreendedora. MÉTODOS: Foi baseada na Grounded Theory que, de forma sistemática, criativa e interativa possibilitou o desenvolvimento da teoria: "Vislumbrando o cuidado de enfermagem como prática social empreendedora". Amostra teórica constituiu-se de 35 sujeitos entrevistados, distribuídos em diferentes grupos amostrais. RESULTADOS: O cuidado de enfermagem como prática social empreendedora está associado ao sistema de relações e interações, à capacidade de interagir com os diferentes atores sociais, na capacidade de criar novos canais de comunicação e ações pró-ativas. CONCLUSÃO: A partir do cuidado como prática social empreendedora é possível atuar de forma pró-ativa, inovadora e participativa, sem desconsiderar as contradições sociais emergentes.
Capacitação de enfermeiros para uso da ultrassonografia na punção intravascular periférica
Authors: Avelar Ariane Ferreira Machado , Peterlini Maria Angelica Sorgini , Onofre Priscilla Sete de Carvalho , Pettengill Myriam Aparecida Mandetta , Pedreira Mavilde da Luz Gonçalves
Published: August 2010

Este artigo relata a estratégia de capacitação de enfermeiros para uso da ultrassonografia vascular na obtenção do acesso vascular periférico. O programa foi composto por intervenções educacionais teóricas e práticas desenvolvidas em um período de seis meses. As estratégias foram elaboradas e implementadas por dois enfermeiros especialistas em terapia intravascular, um médico especialista em ultrassonografia vascular e um engenheiro biomédico. Oito enfermeiros participaram da capacitação e, ao final, os conhecimentos, as competências e habilidades adquiridas na identificação de artérias, veias, fluxo sanguíneo e posicionamento de cateteres foram avaliados. A estratégia possibilitou que enfermeiros pediatras adquirissem competências capazes de promover intervenções inovadoras na punção intravascular periférica.
Produtividade de grãos da soja em função do manejo de herbicida e fungicidas
Authors: Ludwig Marcos Paulo , Dutra Luiz Marcelo Costa , Lucca Filho Orlando Antônio , Zabot Lucio , Uhry Daniel , Lisboa Juliano Irion
Published: August 2010

Com a introdução da soja resistente ao glifosato, ocorreu mudança no manejo da cultura, principalmente com relação ao manejo das plantas invasoras. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da aplicação de diferentes manejos de herbicidas e fungicidas sobre o rendimento de grãos e os componentes do rendimento da soja. O experimento foi conduzido no ano agrícola 2006/2007, na área experimental do Departamento de Fitotecnia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Foram utilizadas quatro cultivares de soja Roundup ReadyTM ('NK Mireya 4.2 RR', 'Fundacep 55 RR', 'NK Mágica 7.3 RR' e 'A 8100 RG'), dois manejos de herbicida (Clethodim + Bentazon e outro com glifosato), dois manejos de doenças constituídos com a aplicação de fungicida (Tebuconazole + Tiofanato Metílico) e sem o tratamento. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso com parcela subsubdivididas, com quatro repetições. Foram avaliados o rendimento de grãos e os componentes do rendimento. As cultivares responderam diferentemente ao manejo de herbicidas e fungicidas para produção de grãos; as cultivares que foram afetadas pelo manejo de herbicida obtiveram maior produtividade com a aplicação de glifosato, efeito que também foi observado com a aplicação de fungicida. As cultivares mais e menos produtivas apresentaram o maior e o menor peso de grãos, respectivamente. A aplicação de fungicida aumentou o índice de colheita.
Randomized, Controlled, Single‐Masked, Clinical Study to Compare and Evaluate the Efficacy of Microspheres and Gel in Periodontal Pocket Therapy
Authors: Srirangarajan S. , Mundargi Raghavendra C. , Ravindra S. , Setty Swati B. , Aminabhavi T.M. , Thakur Srinath
Published: August 2010

Background: The aim of this randomized, split‐mouth, single‐masked study is to compare the efficacy of a gel and microspheres as drug‐delivery systems in the treatment of periodontal disease.

Methods: Microspheres were prepared, the release patterns of the microspheres and gel formulations were analyzed using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer, and particle shapes were studied under a scanning electron microscope. A split‐mouth design was followed in which 30 potential sites were identified and divided into three groups: one control group and two groups in which microspheres or a gel was placed. Patients were recalled at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. Clinical recordings included plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and relative attachment level (RAL) measurements; subgingival plaque was also obtained for microbiologic examination prior to and after therapy.

Results: Microspheres had a more sustained release and a high initial drug concentration. There was a significant improvement in the PI and GI in the initial 3 months. The results were statistically significant at P = 0.01. The mean PD scores among scores for the three groups at baseline and follow‐up visits showed a reduction of 0.4 to 1 mm. The microbiologic parameters were also statistically significant.

Conclusion: These data suggest that the type of delivery system could significantly influence the outcome of therapy.
Preliminary study on novel backwash cleaning for reverse osmosis fouling control in water reuse
Authors: Qin Jian-Jun , Oo Maung Htun , Kekre Kiran A.
Published: August 2010

We have demonstrated a novel backwash cleaning technique of direct osmosis (DO)-high salinity (HS) for reverse osmosis (RO) fouling control in water reuse. An UF-RO pilot system was continuously (24-h) operated on site with the secondary effluent as the feed over 4 months. The RO plant was run at 75% recovery and at the membrane flux of 17 l m−2 h−1 (LMH) to simulate the full scale NEWater production when DO-HS treatment was conducted once per day and five times per week during the last two months. Permeability of RO membranes as a function of elapse time of the pilot operation was monitored and compared over different durations. Impact of DO-HS treatment on RO product quality in terms of TOC and conductivity was investigated. It was concluded that the DO-HS treatment preliminarily demonstrated a benefit to low RO fouling rate by 2.5–4 times in 30–60 days without interruption on RO operation and impact on RO product quality.
Dynamic Modelling of Heart Rate Response Under Different Exercise Intensity
Authors: Su Steven W , Chen Weidong , Liu Dongdong , Fang Yi , Kuang Weijun , Yu Xiaoxiang , Guo Tian , Celler Branko G , Nguyen Hung T
Published: August 2010

Heart rate is one of the major indications of human cardiovascular response to exercises. This study investigates human heart rate response dynamics to moderate exercise. A healthy male subject has been asked to walk on a motorised treadmill under a predefined exercise protocol. ECG, body movements, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) have been reliably monitored and recorded by using non-invasive portable sensors. To reduce heart rate variation caused by the influence of various internal or external factors, the designed step response protocol has been repeated three times. Experimental results show that both steady state gain and time constant of heart rate response are not invariant when walking speed is faster than 3 miles/hour, and time constant of offset exercise is noticeably longer than that of onset exercise.
Hypothalamic AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Regulates Glucose Production
Authors: Yang Clair S. , Lam Carol K.L. , Chari Madhu , Cheung Grace W.C. , Kokorovic Andrea , Gao Sun , Leclerc Isabelle , Rutter Guy A. , Lam Tony K.T.
Published: August 2010

OBJECTIVE

The fuel sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hypothalamus regulates energy homeostasis by sensing nutritional and hormonal signals. However, the role of hypothalamic AMPK in glucose production regulation remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that bidirectional changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity alter glucose production.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

To introduce bidirectional changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity in vivo, we first knocked down hypothalamic AMPK activity in male Sprague-Dawley rats by either injecting an adenovirus expressing the dominant-negative form of AMPK (Ad-DN AMPKα2 [D157A]) or infusing AMPK inhibitor compound C directly into the mediobasal hypothalamus. Next, we independently activated hypothalamic AMPK by delivering either an adenovirus expressing the constitutive active form of AMPK (Ad-CA AMPKα1312 [T172D]) or the AMPK activator AICAR. The pancreatic (basal insulin)-euglycemic clamp technique in combination with the tracer-dilution methodology was used to assess the impact of alternations in hypothalamic AMPK activity on changes in glucose kinetics in vivo.

RESULTS

Injection of Ad-DN AMPK into the hypothalamus knocked down hypothalamic AMPK activity and led to a significant suppression of glucose production with no changes in peripheral glucose uptake during the clamps. In parallel, hypothalamic infusion of AMPK inhibitor compound C lowered glucose production as well. Conversely, molecular and pharmacological activation of hypothalamic AMPK negated the ability of hypothalamic nutrients to lower glucose production.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that changes in hypothalamic AMPK activity are sufficient and necessary for hypothalamic nutrient-sensing mechanisms to alter glucose production in vivo.