bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Submicroscopic genomic rearrangements change gene expression in T‐cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia
Authors: Iżykowska Katarzyna , Zawada Mariola , Nowicka Karina , Grabarczyk Piotr , Kuss Andreas W. , Weissmann Robert , Busemann Christoph , Ludwig Wolf‐Dieter , Schmidt Christian A. , Przybylski Grzegorz K.
Published: March 2014

Objectives

To better understand the molecular pathogenesis of T‐cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia (T‐LGL), we decided to search for those genetic alterations in T‐LGL patients and MOTN‐1 cell line (established from T‐LGL patient) that have an impact on gene expression and as a result can influence cell biology.

Methods

Multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization (mFISH) analysis of the MOTN‐1 cell line was performed as well as paired‐end next‐generation sequencing (NGS; Illumina HiSeq2000) of this cell line and one T‐LGL patient. In addition, chosen 6q region was characterized in three T‐LGL patients using high‐resolution comparative genomic hybridization (FT‐CGH) and LM‐PCR. Gene expression was studied by RNA sequencing (RNAseq; SOLID5500).

Results

Rearrangements were detected within 1p and 2q in MOTN‐1 affecting expression of FGR, ZEB2, and CASP8, and within 6q in MOTN‐1 and one T‐LGL patient affecting MAP3K5 and IFNGR1. Nineteen genes, among them FOXN3, RIN3, AKT1, PPP2R5C, were overexpressed as a result of an amplification in 14q in one T‐LGL patient. Two novel fusion transcripts were identified: CASP8‐ERBB4 in MOTN‐1 and SBF1‐PKHD1L1 in T‐LGL patient.

Conclusions

This study showed that submicroscopic genomic rearrangements change gene expression in T‐LGL. Several genes involved in rearrangements were previously linked to cancer and survival pattern that characterizes T‐LGL cells.
Activity‐dependent regulation of release probability at excitatory hippocampal synapses: a crucial role of fragile X mental retardation protein in neurotransmission
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Sheng , Peng Chun‐Zi , Cai Wei‐Jun , Xia Jian , Jin Daozhong , Dai Yuqiao , Luo Xue‐Gang , Klyachko Vitaly A. , Deng Pan‐Yue
Published: March 2014

Transcriptional silencing of the Fmr1 gene encoding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) causes fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading genetic cause of autism. FMRP has been suggested to play important roles in regulating neurotransmission and short‐term synaptic plasticity at excitatory hippocampal and cortical synapses. However, the origins and mechanisms of these FMRP actions remain incompletely understood, and the role of FMRP in regulating synaptic release probability and presynaptic function remains debated. Here we used variance‐mean analysis and peak‐scaled nonstationary variance analysis to examine changes in both presynaptic and postsynaptic parameters during repetitive activity at excitatory CA3–CA1 hippocampal synapses in a mouse model of FXS. Our analyses revealed that loss of FMRP did not affect the basal release probability or basal synaptic transmission, but caused an abnormally elevated release probability specifically during repetitive activity. These abnormalities were not accompanied by changes in excitatory postsynaptic current kinetics, quantal size or postsynaptic α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid receptor conductance. Our results thus indicate that FMRP regulates neurotransmission at excitatory hippocampal synapses specifically during repetitive activity via modulation of release probability in a presynaptic manner. Our study suggests that FMRP function in regulating neurotransmitter release is an activity‐dependent phenomenon that may contribute to the pathophysiology of FXS.
Spike wave location and density disturb sleep slow waves in patients with CSWS (continuous spike waves during sleep)
Authors: Bölsterli Heinzle Bigna K. , Fattinger Sara , Kurth Salomé , LeBourgeois Monique K. , Ringli Maya , Bast Thomas , Critelli Hanne , Schmitt Bernhard , Huber Reto
Published: March 2014

Objective

In CSWS (continuous spike waves during sleep) activation of spike waves during slow wave sleep has been causally linked to neuropsychological deficits, but the pathophysiologic mechanisms are still unknown. In healthy subjects, the overnight decrease of the slope of slow waves in NREM (non–rapid eye movement) sleep has been linked to brain recovery to regain optimal cognitive performance. Here, we investigated whether the electrophysiologic hallmark of CSWS, the spike waves during sleep, is related to an alteration in the overnight decrease of the slope, and if this alteration is linked to location and density of spike waves.

Methods

In a retrospective study, the slope of slow waves (0.5–2 Hz) in the first hour and last hour of sleep (19 electroencephalography [EEG] electrodes) of 14 patients with CSWS (3.1–13.5 years) was calculated. The spike wave “focus” was determined as the location of highest spike amplitude and the density of spike waves as spike wave index (SWI).

Results

There was no overnight change of the slope of slow waves in the “focus.” Instead, in “nonfocal” regions, the slope decreased significantly. This difference in the overnight course resulted in a steeper slope in the “focus” compared to “nonfocal” electrodes during the last hour of sleep. Spike wave density was correlated with the impairment of the overnight slope decrease: The higher the SWI, the more hampered the slope decrease.

Significance

Location and density of spike waves are related to an alteration of the physiologic overnight decrease of the slow wave slope. This overnight decrease of the slope was shown to be closely related to the recovery function of sleep. Such recovery is necessary for optimal cognitive performance during wakefulness. Therefore we propose the impairment of this process by spike waves as a potential mechanism leading to neuropsychological deficits in CSWS.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Altered thalamocortical functional connectivity in idiopathic generalized epilepsy
Authors: Kim Jung Bin , Suh Sang‐il , Seo Woo‐Keun , Oh Kyungmi , Koh Seong‐Beom , Kim Ji Hyun
Published: March 2014

Objective

Aberrant thalamocortical network has been hypothesized to play a crucial role in the fundamental pathogenesis underlying idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). We aimed to investigate alterations of thalamocortical functional network in patients with IGE using thalamic seed‐based functional connectivity (FC) analysis, and their relationships with frontal cognitive functions and clinical characteristics.

Methods

Forty‐nine IGE patients (31 with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, 17 with IGE with generalized tonic–clonic seizures only, one with juvenile absence epilepsy) and 42 control subjects were prospectively recruited. Voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) was first performed to detect thalamic region of gray matter (GM) reduction in patients compared to controls. Between‐group comparison of thalamocortical FC was then carried out using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis seeding at thalamic region of volume difference. In addition, thalamocortical FC was correlated with frontal cognitive performance and clinical variables.

Results

Neuropsychological assessment revealed that patients with IGE had poorer performance than controls on most of the frontal cognitive functions. VBM detected a reduction in GM in the anteromedial thalamus in patients relative to controls. FC analysis seeding at the anteromedial thalamus revealed a reduction of thalamocortical FC in the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex in patients with IGE compared to controls. Thalamocortical FC strength of bilateral medial prefrontal cortex correlated negatively with disease duration, but did not correlate with seizure frequency or frontal cognitive functions in patients with IGE.

Significance

Our results indicate that IGE is associated with decreased thalamocortical FC between anteromedial thalamus and medial prefrontal cortex and precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex. Our finding of greater reduction of medial prefrontal FC in relation to increasing disease duration suggests that thalamoprefrontal network abnormality, the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism underlying IGE, may be the consequence of the long‐standing burden of the disease.
Disrupted anatomic white matter network in left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Liu Min , Chen Zhang , Beaulieu Christian , Gross Donald W.
Published: March 2014

Objective

Brain imaging studies have shown widespread structural abnormalities in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) within and beyond the affected temporal lobe, suggesting an altered network. Graph theoretical analysis based on white matter tractography has provided a new perspective to evaluate the connectivity of the brain. The alterations in the topologic properties of a whole brain white matter network in patients with TLE remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the white matter network in a cohort of patients with left TLE and mesial temporal sclerosis (mTLE) compared to healthy controls.

Methods

Anatomic brain networks of 16 patients with left mTLE were compared to those of 21 healthy controls. A white matter structural network was constructed from diffusion tensor tractography for each participant, and network parameters were compared between the patient and control groups.

Results

Patients with left mTLE exhibited concurrent decreases of global and local efficiencies and widespread reduction of regional efficiency in ipsilateral temporal, bilateral frontal, and bilateral parietal areas. Communication hubs, such as the left precuneus, were also altered in patients with mTLE compared to controls.

Significance

Our results demonstrate white matter network disruption in patients with left mTLE, supporting the notion that mTLE is a systemic brain disorder.

A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here.
Understanding molecular recognition of promiscuity of thermophilic methionine adenosyltransferase sMAT from Sulfolobus solfataricus
Authors: Wang Fengbin , Singh Shanteri , Zhang Jianjun , Huber Tyler D. , Helmich Kate E. , Sunkara Manjula , Hurley Katherine A. , Goff Randal D. , Bingman Craig A. , Morris Andrew J. , Thorson Jon S. , Phillips George N.
Published: March 2014

Methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT) is a family of enzymes that utilizes ATP and methionine to produce S‐adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), the most crucial methyl donor in the biological methylation of biomolecules and bioactive natural products. Here, we report that the MAT from Sulfolobus solfataricus (sMAT), an enzyme from a poorly explored class of the MAT family, has the ability to produce a range of differentially alkylated AdoMet analogs in the presence of non‐native methionine analogs and ATP. To investigate the molecular basis for AdoMet analog production, we have crystallized the sMAT in the AdoMet bound, S‐adenosylethionine (AdoEth) bound and unbound forms. Notably, among these structures, the AdoEth bound form offers the first MAT structure containing a non‐native product, and cumulatively these structures add new structural insight into the MAT family and allow for detailed active site comparison with its homologs in Escherichia coli and human. As a thermostable MAT structure from archaea, the structures herein also provide a basis for future engineering to potentially broaden AdoMet analog production as reagents for methyltransferase‐catalyzed ‘alkylrandomization’ and/or the study of methylation in the context of biological processes.

Databases

PDB IDs: 4HPV, 4L7I, 4K0B and 4L2Z.

EC 2.5.1.6

Structured digital abstract

• sMAT and sMAT bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Recognition of and intent to use gastrostomy or ventilator treatments in older patients with advanced dementia: Differences between laypeople and healthcare professionals in Japan
Authors: Kawasaki Ayako , Matsushima Masato , Miura Yasuhiko , Watanabe Takamasa , Tominaga Tomokazu , Nagata Takuya , Hirayama Yoko , Moriya Akinari , Nomura Kouji
Published: March 2014

Aim

We compared differences between laypeople and healthcare professionals in the recognition of and intent to use gastrostomy and ventilator treatments in older patients with dementia.

Methods

Between November 2011 and January 2012, a questionnaire survey was carried out. People who underwent a general health check‐up at Nomura Hospital Preventive Medical Center were recruited as the laypeople group. Physicians and nurses working in Mitaka, Tokyo, Japan, were recruited as the healthcare professional group. We assessed the recognition rate of ventilator and gastrostomy treatments. Then we provided two scenarios for participants to determine whether these methods represented life‐sustaining treatments that will simply delay an inevitable death. Intentions were compared between cases with and without advance directives.

Results

Approximately 60% of laypeople did not know what gastrostomy is. Healthcare professionals were more likely to recognize a ventilator as a life‐sustaining treatment; in contrast, there were no significant differences in judgments regarding gastrostomy. Both groups were more likely to have intent to use a gastrostomy and a ventilator for family members than themselves. Furthermore, healthcare professionals were more likely to want to use these items for patients than their family members. Advance directive for withholding life‐sustaining treatment reduced the intention to use these treatments.

Conclusion

It is necessary to increase our understanding regarding knowledge of end‐of‐life care options of both laypeople and healthcare professionals. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 318–325.
Mechanism of high‐affinity abscisic acid binding to PYL9/RCAR1
Authors: Nakagawa Masahiro , Kagiyama Megumi , Shibata Nobuyuki , Hirano Yoshinori , Hakoshima Toshio
Published: March 2014

Arabidopsis receptors of abscisic acid (ABA), the key plant hormone for adaptation to water stress, comprise 14 PYR/PYLs/RCARs proteins classified into three subfamilies I, II, and III, which suggests functional differentiation. Although their monomer–dimer equilibria may be correlated with differences in their ABA‐binding affinities, how the dimerization decreases the affinity is unclear. Comparative structural and binding studies between PYL9, which is a representative of high‐affinity subfamily I, and low‐affinity members of subfamily III reveals that the nonpolar triplet (Ile110, Val162, and Leu165) and Pro64 contribute to enhance ABA‐binding affinity by inducing a shift of the ABA carboxyl group to form additional direct hydrogen bonds with conserved Asn169. Our mutation studies of PYL1 successfully produced a monomeric mutant PYL1 exhibiting low ABA affinity and also a dimeric mutant PYL1 exhibiting high ABA‐binding affinity, suggesting that dimer formation of ABA receptors is not essential for their low ABA‐binding affinity. Our study contributes toward establishing the structural basis for the higher ABA‐binding affinity of the subfamily receptors and provides a clue for understanding the broad spectrum of hormone actions in plants manifested by the different hormone‐binding affinity of multiple receptors.
Ion release and mechanical properties of calcium silicate and calcium hydroxide materials used for pulp capping
Authors: Natale L. C. , Rodrigues M. C. , Xavier T. A. , Simões A. , de Souza D. N. , Braga R. R.
Published: March 2014

Aim

To compare the ion release and mechanical properties of a calcium hydroxide (Dycal) and two calcium silicate (MTAAngelus and Biodentine) cements.

Methodology

Calcium and hydroxyl ion release in water from 24‐h set cements were calculated from titration with HCl (n = 3). Calcium release after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days at pH5.5 and 7.0 was measured using ICP‐OES (n = 6). Flexural strength (FS) and modulus (E) were tested after 48‐h storage, and compressive strength (CS) was tested after 48 h and 7 days (n = 10). Ion release and mechanical data were subjected toanova/Tukey and Kruskal–Wallis/Mann–Whitney tests, respectively (α = 0.05).

Results

Titration curves revealed that Dycal released significantly fewer ions in solution than calcium silicates (P < 0.001). Calcium release remained constant at pH7.0, whilst at pH5.5, it dropped significantly by 24% after 21 days (P < 0.05). At pH5.5, MTA Angelus released significantly more calcium than Dycal (P < 0.01), whilst Biodentine had superior ion release than Dycal at pH7.0 (P < 0.01). Biodentine had superior flexural strength, flexural modulus and compressive strength than the other cements, whilstMTAAngelus had higher modulus than Dycal (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Immediate calcium and hydroxyl ion release in solution was significantly lower for Dycal. In general, all materials released constant calcium levels over 28 days, but release from Dycal was significantly lower than Biodentine andMTAAngelus depending on pHconditions. Biodentine had substantially higher strength and modulus thanMTAAngelus and Dycal, both of which demonstrated low stress‐bearing capabilities.
Divergence of the gene aly in experimentally evolved cytoraces, the members of the nasuta‐albomicans complex of Drosophila
Authors: Radhika P. N. , Ramachandra N. B.
Published: March 2014

We generated cytoraces by crossing the chromosomal races (Drosophila nasuta nasuta and Drosophila nasuta albomicans) of the nasuta subgroup of Drosophila and maintained the offspring over many generations through sibling mating. These cytoraces, along with their parents, are members of the nasuta‐albomicans complex of Drosophila. The gene always early (aly) is one of the rapidly evolving genes in the genus Drosophila and plays a central role in regulating meiosis. Here we examined the rate of molecular evolution of aly in cytoraces of Drosophila and demonstrated that the rate of substitutions amongst cytoraces is around eight times greater than their parents and even amongst species of subgenera. Thus, the presence of positive selection in the laboratory‐derived cytoraces based on the analysis of the synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution rates of aly suggests the rapid evolution in cytoraces.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: could immunological tolerance mechanisms be the origin of lymphoid neoplasms?
Authors: García‐Muñoz Ricardo , Llorente Luis
Published: March 2014

Immunological tolerance theory in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL): we suggest that B cells that express B‐cell receptors (BCR) that recognize their own BCR epitopes are viewed by immune system as ‘dangerous cells’. BCR autonomous signalling may induce constant receptor editing and mistakes in allelic exclusion. The fact that whole BCR recognizes a self‐antigen or foreing antigen may be irrelevant in early B cell development. In early B cells, autonomous signalling induced by recognition of the BCR’s own epitopes simulates an antigen‐antibody engagement. In the bone marrow this interaction is viewed as recognition of self‐molecules and induces receptor editing. In mature B cells autonomous signalling by the BCR may promote ‘reversible anergy’ and also may correct self‐reactivity induced by the somatic hypermutation mechanisms in mutated CLL B cells. However, in unmutated CLL B cells, BCR autonomous signalling in addition to self‐antigen recognition augments B cell activation, proliferation and genomic instability. We suggest that CLL originates from a coordinated normal immunologic tolerance mechanism to destroy self‐reactive B cells. Additional genetic damage induced by tolerance mechanisms may immortalize self‐reactive B cells and transform them into a leukemia.
Distinct B‐cell populations contribute to vaccine antigen‐specific antibody production in a transgenic mouse model
Authors: O Eunju , Ko Eun‐Ju , Kim Min‐Chul , Lee Young‐Tae , Song Jae‐Min , Kwon Young‐Man , Compans Richard W. , Kang Sang‐Moo
Published: March 2014

The generation of memory B cells by vaccination plays a critical role in maintaining antigen‐specific antibodies and producing antibody responses upon re‐exposure to a pathogen. B‐cell populations contributing to antibody production and protection by vaccination remain poorly defined. We used influenza virus‐like particle (VLP) vaccine in a transgenic mouse model that would identify germinal centre‐derived memory B cells with the expression of yellow fluorescent protein (YFP+ cells). Immunization with influenza VLP vaccine did not induce significant increases in YFP+ cells although vaccine antigen‐specific antibodies in sera were found to confer protection against a lethal dose of influenza A virus (A/PR8). In addition, CD43+ B220− populations with low YFP+ cells mainly contributed to the production of vaccine antigen‐specific IgG isotype‐switched antibodies whereas CD43− B220+ populations with high YFP+ cells were able to produce vaccine antigen‐specific IgM antibodies. Challenge infection of immunized transgenic mice with live influenza A virus resulted in significant increases in YFP+ cells in the B220− populations of spleen and bone marrow cells. These results suggest that CD43+ B220− B cells generated by vaccination are important for producing influenza vaccine antigen‐specific antibodies and conferring protection.
Racial variation in sex steroid hormone concentration in black and white men: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Richard A. , Rohrmann S. , Zhang L. , Eichholzer M. , Basaria S. , Selvin E. , Dobs A. S. , Kanarek N. , Menke A. , Nelson W. G. , Platz E. A.
Published: March 2014

Sex steroid hormones are associated with chronic diseases and mortality with risk associations that differ between racial and ethnic groups. However, it is currently unclear whether sex steroid hormone levels differ between black and white men. The aim of this study was to assess racial variation in circulating testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) and estradiol levels in men. We searched PubMed for articles comparing circulating hormones in black and white men. A meta‐analysis was performed using weighted mean differences (WMD) to compare hormones levels between black and white men. Fifteen eligible studies were identified; three did not report adjusted means. After age adjustment, free testosterone levels were significantly higher in black than in white men (WMD = 4.07 pg/mL, 95% CI 1.26, 6.88). Depending on the free testosterone concentration in white men, this WMD translates into a racial difference ranging from 2.5 to 4.9%. Total testosterone (WMD = 0.10 ng/mL, 95% CI −0.02, 0.22), estradiol (WMD = 0.67 pg/mL, 95% CI −0.04, 1.38) and SHBG (WMD = −0.45 nmol/L, 95% CI −1.75, 0.85) concentrations did not differ comparing blacks with whites. After adjustment for age, black men have a modestly but significantly 2.5 to 4.9% higher free testosterone level than white men. Based on previous studies on effects of sex steroid hormones on risk of chronic diseases or mortality, this modest difference is unlikely to explain racial differences in disease risk.
The effect of a web‐based education programme (WBEP) on disease severity, quality of life and mothers' self‐efficacy in children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Son Hae Kyoung , Lim Jiyoung
Published: March 2014

Aims

To develop and evaluate the effects of a web‐based education programme in early childhood for children with atopic dermatitis.

Background

The prevalence rate of atopic dermatitis is highest in early childhood. A holistic approach is urgently needed for young children with respect to disease severity, quality of life and management, particularly parental knowledge about atopic dermatitis and adherence to treatment.

Design

A quasi‐experimental study design was used.

Methods

A total of 40 mother–child dyads participated in the study from 1 July–30 November 2011 in Korea. All children were under 3 years of age. The programme was based on the Network‐Based Instructional System Design model, which consists of five phases: analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation. The experimental group participated in the programme for 2 weeks. Participants took part in a learning session during the first week and then conducted the practice session at home during the second week. Participant knowledge and compliance were evaluated through online quizzes and self‐checklists. Statistical analyses (chi‐square test and t‐test) were performed using the Statistical Analysis System, Version 9.13.

Results/findings

There was a significant improvement in disease severity, quality of life and mothers' self‐efficacy in the experimental group; thus, the web‐based education programme was effective.

Conclusion

The web‐based education programme as an advanced intervention may be useful in providing basic data for future atopic dermatitis‐related studies. Moreover, the programme may serve as a nursing educational intervention tool for clinical nursing practices.
EU Co‐Ordination and the Convergence of Domestic Unemployment Protection Schemes
Authors: Paetzold Jörg , Van Vliet Olaf
Published: March 2014

The European Employment Strategy (EES) aims to promote convergence towards higher employment and lower unemployment by soft law instruments. Previous studies in the Europeanization literature on the impact of the EES are mainly focused on active labour market policies. This article explains cross‐national variation in national passive labour market policies. Building on new pooled time‐series data, the empirical findings reveal the presence of a convergence process among the most advanced economies regarding passive labour market policy efforts, with the EES fostering this trend even further. Furthermore, the findings support the argument that the EES creates pressure on governments to reform domestic labour market policies, but this pressure varies across countries and over time. The findings provide new insights into the relationship between Europeanization and convergence, which may be relevant for EU co‐ordination more generally – for example, for the EU 2020 strategy.
Management of pancreatic ductal leaks and fistulae
Authors: Larsen Michael , Kozarek Richard
Published: March 2014

Pancreatic duct leaks can occur as a result of both acute and chronic pancreatitis or in the setting of pancreatic trauma. Manifestations of leaks include pseudocysts, pancreatic ascites, high amylase pleural effusions, disconnected duct syndrome, and internal and external pancreatic fistulas. Patient presentations are highly variable and range from asymptomatic pancreatic cysts to patients with severe abdominal pain and sepsis from infected fluid collections. The diagnosis can often be made by high‐quality cross‐sectional imaging or during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Because of their complexity, pancreatic leak patients are best managed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of therapeutic endoscopists, interventional radiologists, and surgeons in the field of pancreatic interventions. Minor leaks will often resolve with conservative management while severe leaks will frequently require interventions. Endoscopic treatments for pancreatic duct leaks have replaced surgical interventions in many situations.

Interventional radiologists also have the ability to offer therapeutic interventions for many leak patients. The mainstay of endotherapy for pancreatic leaks is transpapillary pancreatic duct stenting with a stent that bridges the leak if possible, but varies based on the manifestation and clinical presentation. Fluid collections that result from leaks, such as pseudocysts, can often be treated by endoscopic transluminal drainage with or without endoscopic ultrasound or by percutaneous drainage. Endoscopic interventions have been shown to be effective and have an acceptable complication rate.
Plant Pleiotropic Drug Resistance Transporters: Transport Mechanism, Gene Expression, and Function
Authors: Nuruzzaman Mohammed , Zhang Ru , Cao Hong‐Zhe , Luo Zhi‐Yong
Published: March 2014

Pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) transporters belonging to the ABCG subfamily of ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters are identified only in fungi and plants. Members of this family are expressed in plants in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses and transport a diverse array of molecules across membranes. Although their detailed transport mechanism is largely unknown, they play important roles in detoxification processes, preventing water loss, transport of phytohormones, and secondary metabolites. This review provides insights into transport mechanisms of plant PDR transporters, their expression profiles, and multitude functions in plants.
Predictors of sense of coherence in typically developing adolescent siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Smith L. O. , Elder J. H. , Storch E. A. , Rowe M. A.
Published: March 2014

Background

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be a stressor for family members yet there is little published research on the impact of having a child with ASD on their typically developing (TD) adolescent siblings. According to Antonovsky's salutogenic model, a strong sense of coherence leads to the view that the stressor is a manageable challenge rather than a burden and promotes healthier adaptation. This study examines the relationship between stress, TD sibling resources and the sense of coherence in TD siblings.

Method

This quantitative mail‐based study uses a survey methodology, analysing the responses of TD adolescent siblings (n = 96) of individuals with autism, Asperger's syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified to several rating scales. Adolescent siblings, ages 11 to 18 years, completed the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experience (ACOPE), Network of Relationship Inventory – Social Provision Version (NRI‐SPV), Youth Self Report (YSR), and Sense of Coherence (SOC) instruments; parents completed the Child Autism Rating Scale – 2nd Edition (CARS‐2).

Results

The salutogenesis model was used to guide and inform this research. Findings suggested the following: (a) the stress of ASD severity and resource of adjustment are related in TD adolescent siblings; (b) TD sibling adjustment has a strong relationship with sense of coherence levels; and (c) a greater number of positive coping strategies buffer TD sibling coherence levels when ASD severity scores are high.

Conclusions

ASD severity and TD adolescent sibling resources influence sense of coherence in adolescent TD siblings of individuals with ASD.
Microscale investigation of thin film surface ageing of bitumen
Authors: DAS P.K. , KRINGOS N. , BIRGISSON B.
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates the mechanism of bitumen surface ageing, which was validated utilizing the atomic force microscopy and the differential scanning calorimetry. To validate the surface ageing, three different types of bitumen with different natural wax content were conditioned in four different modes: both ultraviolet and air, only ultraviolet, only air and without any exposure, for 15 and 30 days. From the atomic force microscopy investigation after 15 and 30 days of conditioning period, it was found that regardless the bitumen type, the percentage of microstructure on the surface reduced with the degree of exposure and time. Comparing all the four different exposures, it was observed that ultraviolet radiation caused more surface ageing than the oxidation. It was also found that the combined effect was not simply a summation or multiplication of the individual effects. The differential scanning calorimetry investigation showed that the amount of crystalline fractions in bitumen remain constant even after the systematic conditioning. Interestingly, during the cooling cycle, crystallization of wax molecules started earlier for the exposed specimens than the without exposed one. The analysis of the obtained results indicated that the ageing created a thin film upon the exposed surface, which acts as a barrier and creates difficulty for the wax induced microstructures to float up at the surface. From the differential scanning calorimetry analysis, it can be concluded that the ageing product induced impurities in the bitumen matrix, which acts as a promoter in the crystallization process.
Malignant hypertension and retinopathy in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla)
Authors: Niemuth Jennifer N. , De Voe Ryan S. , Jennings Samuel H. , Loomis Michael R. , Troan Brigid V.
Published: March 2014

Background

A 34‐year‐old western lowland gorilla presented with peracute blindness.

Methods

Clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, laboratory analyses, blood pressure measurements, and necropsy were performed.

Results

The clinical and postmortem findings supported malignant hypertension.

Conclusions

We describe a case of naturally occurring hypertensive encephalopathy and retinopathy in a gorilla.
Functional mapping of left parietal areas involved in simple addition and multiplication. A single‐case study of qualitative analysis of errors
Authors: Della Puppa Alessandro , De Pellegrin Serena , Salillas Elena , Grego Alberto , Lazzarini Anna , Vallesi Antonino , Saladini Marina , Semenza Carlo
Published: March 2014

All electrostimulation studies on arithmetic have so far solely reported general errors. Nonetheless, a classification of the errors during stimulation can inform us about underlying arithmetic processes. The present electrostimulation study was performed in a case of left parietal glioma. The patient's erroneous responses suggested that calculation was mainly applied for addition and a combination of retrieval and calculation was mainly applied for multiplication. The findings of the present single‐case study encourage follow up with further data collection with the same paradigm.
Barriers to nutritional care for the undernourished hospitalised elderly: perspectives of nurses
Authors: Eide Helene Dahl , Halvorsen Kristin , Almendingen Kari
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To identify what nurses experience as barriers to ensuring adequate nutritional care for the undernourished hospitalized elderly.

Background

Undernutrition occurs frequently among the hospitalised elderly and can result in a variety of negative consequences if not treated. Nevertheless, undernutrition is often unrecognised and undertreated. Nurses have a great responsibility for nutritional care, as this is part of the patient's basic needs. Exploring nurses' experiences of preventing and treating undernourishment among older patients in hospitals is therefore highly relevant.

Design

A focus group study was employed based on a hermeneutic phenomenological methodological approach.

Methods

Four focus group interviews with totally 16 nurses working in one large university hospital in Norway were conducted in spring 2012. The nurses were recruited from seven somatic wards, all with a high proportion of older (≥70 years) inpatients. The data were analysed in the three interpretative contexts: self‐understanding, a critical common‐sense understanding and a theoretical understanding.

Results

We identified five themes that reflect barriers the nurses experience in relation to ensuring adequate nutritional care for the undernourished elderly: loneliness in nutritional care, a need for competence in nutritional care, low flexibility in food service practices, system failure in nutritional care and nutritional care is being ignored.

Conclusions

The results imply that nutritional care at the university hospital has its limits within the hospital structure and organisation, but also regarding the nurses' competence. Moreover, the barriers revealed that the undernourished elderly are not identified and treated properly as stipulated in the recommendations in the national guidelines on the prevention and treatment of undernutrition.

Relevance to clinical practice

The barriers revealed in this study are valuable when considering improvements to nutritional care practices on hospital wards to enable undernourished older inpatients to be identified and treated properly.
Dialysis modality decision‐making for older adults with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Harwood Lori , Clark Alexander M
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To examine the personal and structural facilitators and barriers for home‐dialysis decision‐making for older adults with chronic kidney disease.

Background

Chronic illness is a global problem. Older adults with chronic kidney disease form a large and growing segment of the dialysis population in many high‐income countries but are less likely to uptake home‐dialysis despite its benefits.

Design

This qualitative ethnography framed in social theory took place in Canada and included adults with chronic kidney disease not on dialysis, older than 65 years of age.

Methods

Thirteen people (seven men and six women, aged 65–83 years of age) who received care in a team chronic kidney disease clinic took part. Persons with chronic kidney disease were interviewed and group interviews were conducted with four of their chronic kidney disease clinic healthcare professionals. Content analysis was used for data analysis.

Results

The factors influencing older adults' chronic kidney disease modality decisions are similar to younger adults. However, older adults with chronic kidney disease are in a precarious state with persistent uncertainty. Age imposes some limitations on modality options and transplantation. Modality decisions were influenced by health status, gender, knowledge, values, beliefs, past experience, preferences, lifestyle and resources. Support from family and healthcare professionals was the largest determinant to home‐dialysis selection.

Conclusion

The social and contextual factors associated with age influenced home‐dialysis decision‐making. Adequate social support, functional status and resources enabled home‐dialysis selection.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding more about the decision‐making processes for older adults with chronic kidney disease is important for quality interventions and the economic sustainability of dialysis services.
The challenges of health professionals in meeting the needs of vulnerable patients undergoing chemotherapy: a focus group study
Authors: Witham Gary , Haigh Carol , Foy Sharon
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To explore health professionals' perceptions of the needs of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Background

Patients with vulnerabilities face additional challenges. People with learning difficulties are often protected from even basic cancer information; patients with severe mental illness are open to structural discrimination with limited access to diagnostic and treatment services. There is also a much poorer survival rate after a cancer diagnosis for patients living with dementia.

Design

A qualitative design was used.

Methods

A focus group design was undertaken for this project using a narrative analytical approach revealing how narrative tales are presented and performed. Eighteen healthcare workers were recruited from a regional oncology centre in North West England. Two focus groups were conducted with nine participants in each. The data were collected from late 2011–2012.

Results

Participants were primarily focused on getting patients through treatment. The identification of vulnerability was an ‘extra’ complication and one that in practice was difficult to define/categorise. The participants appreciated the wider inclusion of family and friends to support vulnerable patients although they felt formalised health care was not particularly facilitative of this process. There were difficulties in achieving support for complex patient needs in the presence of a target driven culture.

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals need wider managerial and cultural support in meeting the needs of vulnerable patients. There appeared to be a tendency by healthcare professionals to minimise the inherent coping abilities of vulnerable patients.

Relevance to clinical practice

There is a clear need to support health professionals in providing appropriate resources in order to address the complex needs of vulnerable patients. This requires a cultural shift away from targets and an investment into greater resources for effective multidisciplinary working.
Home care nurses' experiences with using electronic messaging in their communication with general practitioners
Authors: Lyngstad Merete , Grimsmo Anders , Hofoss Dag , Hellesø Ragnhild
Published: March 2014

Aims and objectives

To investigate the experiences of home care nurses with electronic messaging (e‐messaging) and to determine how it influenced their communication with general practitioners.

Background

Nurses in home care services must collaborate with general practitioners to care for homebound patients. Studies have shown that communication and collaboration are often constrained because they are organised separately and are dispersed. The use of information and communication technology is expected to support communication and to be a tool for increased patient safety and higher‐quality care.

Design

Cross‐sectional study with group comparisons

Methods

The data were collected with a mailed questionnaire that was answered by home care nurses (n = 425) who had implemented e‐messaging and by home care nurses in a comparison group who had not implemented e‐messaging (n = 364). The data were analysed using descriptive analyses, chi‐square test, Mann–Whitney U‐test and multilevel analysis.

Results

The home care nurses who used e‐messages reported to a greater extent that they had communication procedures with general practitioners compared to what the home care nurses in the comparison group reported. The implementation of e‐messaging did not result in timelier communication or differences between the two groups in the use of nonelectronic communication, except for a lower use of faxes in the e‐messaging group. However, the home care nurses who used e‐messaging reported more frequent contacts with general practitioners.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that even if e‐messaging was implemented, the home care nurses and the general practitioners continued to use nonelectronic communication methods.

Relevance to clinical practice

E‐messaging did not replace but rather complemented the communication methods and thereby transformed clinical communication and collaboration. This should be considered when planning and implementing new information technology in primary care.
Managing the Living through the Dead
Authors: Lee Hyang A
Published: March 2014

This article investigates how the Japanese colonial state's new governmental rationality was deployed and how these technologies of rule sought to regulate Koreans. Using the theory of colonial governmentality, it examines the 1912 burial rules that transformed Koreans' social norms on death and the dead. In order to achieve efficient state management of burial customs, the Japanese colonial government applied laws pertaining to burials, and the disciplinary technologies of policing and punishment. In so doing, the colonial government disciplined the individual Korean body and enforced conformity to colonial institutions.
A role for cancer‐associated fibroblasts in inducing the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in human tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Bin , Chen Wei‐Liang , Wang You‐Yuan , Lin Zhao‐Yu , Zhang Da‐Ming , Fan Song , Li Jin‐Song
Published: March 2014

Objectives

Lymph node metastasis is a prominent clinical feature of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) and is associated with a higher mortality rate. Carcinoma‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play an important role in tumor progression, and are associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine the role of CAFs in promoting the invasion of TSCC through the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Materials and Methods

A series of matched CAF and normal fibroblast (NF) pairs were assessed for cell morphology and for the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF1), fibroblast‐activating protein (FAP), vimentin, and cytokeratin (CK) markers. Transwell assays, Western blot analysis, reverse transcription‐PCR, and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess the role of CAFs, as compared to that of NFs, in promoting proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in TSCC.

Results

Both CAF and NF primary cultures expressed vimentin but not CK. CAFs showed significantly higher α‐SMA protein levels, SDF1 secretion, and mRNA levels of α‐SMA, SDF1, and FAP. We also found that co‐culture with CAFs enhanced the proliferation and invasion of SCC9 cells. Moreover, co‐culture with CAFs induced upregulation of the EMT markers fibronectin and vimentin, downregulation of E‐cadherin, and enhanced invasion in SCC9 cells.

Conclusion

These results suggest that CAFs induce EMT marker expression and functional changes in TSCCs.
RECK overexpression reduces invasive ability in ameloblastoma cells
Authors: Liang Qi‐xiang , Liang Yan‐can , Xu Zhi‐ying , Chen Wei‐liang , Xie Hong‐liang , Zhang Bin
Published: March 2014

Background

Ameloblastoma is a frequent odontogenic neoplasm characterized by local invasiveness and high risk of recurrence. Reversion‐inducing cysteine‐rich protein with Kazal motifs (RECK) is a tumor suppressor that inhibits metastasis and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of RECK overexpression on invasive potential in ameloblastoma cells.

Methods

Lentiviral vectors containing human RECK gene were created and subsequently stably transfected into immortalized ameloblastoma cell line hTERT+‐AM. Functional characteristics of hTERT+‐AM cells with stable RECK overexpression included proliferation, migration, invasion, and regulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2, MMP‐9 measured by zymography or commercially available assays.

Results

The stable and higher expression of RECK mRNA and protein (P < 0.01) was detected in RECK‐transfected hTERT+‐AM cells. RECK overexpression caused a decrease in migration and invasion (P < 0.01) for hTERT+‐AM cells and a decrease in activity of MMP‐2, MMP‐9 (P < 0.01). Proliferation was not affected by RECK overexpression (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Overexpression of RECK gene significantly inhibited cell invasive ability of hTERT+‐AM cells, suggesting RECK may be a new target for ameloblastoma treatment.
A Portfolio Optimization Approach Using Combinatorics With a Genetic Algorithm for Developing a Reinsurance Model
Authors: Porth Lysa , Pai Jeffrey , Boyd Milton
Published: March 2014

Some insurance firms challenged with a portfolio of high‐variance risks face the classic trade‐off between risk spreading and risk retaining. Using crop insurance as an example, a new solution to this problem is undertaken to uncover an improved reinsurance design. Joint self‐managed reinsurance pooling and private reinsurance are combined in a portfolio approach utilizing combinatorial optimization with a genetic algorithm (Model C), achieving high surplus, high survival probability, and low deficit at ruin. This portfolio model may also be useful for other large natural disaster and weather‐related insurance portfolios, and other portfolio applications.