bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enantioselective separation and determination of the dinotefuran enantiomers in rice, tomato and apple by HPLC
Authors: Chen Xiu , Dong Fengshou , Liu Xingang , Xu Jun , Li Jing , Li Yuanbo , Wang Yunhao , Zheng Yongquan
Published: January 2012

An effective chiral analytical method was developed for the resolution and determination of dinotefuran enantiomers in rice, tomato and apple samples. Dinotefuran enantiomers were baseline‐separated and determined on a novel chiral column, ChromegaChiral CCA, with n‐hexane–ethanol–methanol (85:5:10, v/v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with UV detection at 270 nm. The resolution of dinotefuran enantiomers was about 1.8. The first eluted enantiomer was (+)‐dinotefuran and the second eluted one was (−)‐dinotefuran. The effects of mobile‐phase composition and column temperature on the enantioseparation were evaluated. The method was validated for linearity, repeatability, accuracy, LOD and LOQ. LOD was 0.15 mg/kg in rice and tomato, 0.05 mg/kg in apple, with an LOQ of 0.5 mg/kg in rice and tomato, 0.2 mg/kg in apple. The average recoveries of the pesticide from all matrices ranged from 75.8 to 92.9% for all fortification levels The precision values associated with the analytical method, expressed as RSD values, were <16.5% for the pesticide in all matrices. The methodology was successfully applied for the enantioselective analysis of dinotefuran enantiomers in real samples, indicating its efficiency in investigating the environmental stereochemistry of dinotefuran in food matrix.
Enhancement of photodynamic antitumor effect with pro‐oxidant ascorbate
Authors: Wei Yanchun , Song Jiaxing , Chen Qun , Xing Da
Published: January 2012

Background and Objective

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality that utilizes photosensitizers activated by light to induce cell death via the formation of singlet oxygen and other free radicals. Although this method has its advantages for tumor treatment, it cannot be well performed for involving so many therapeutic parameters during use. Tumor recurrence is common due to insufficient treatment. Therefore, a supplemental or complemental treatment is necessary for PDT.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

L‐ascorbate, commonly known as vitamin C, is an essential nutrient for humans. It is also a well‐established pro‐oxidant in the presence of certain transition metal ions. In our experiments, ascorbate was administered to tumor‐bearing mice by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) for 10 days after they were treated with PDT. We hypothesize that this supplement may improve the therapeutic outcome by as a result of the reactions between ascrobate and the metal ions induced by PDT.

Results

The results demonstrate that PDT can cause Fe and Cu ions to be released from their protein complexes. The reactions between the ions and ascorbate resulted in a post‐PDT surge in reactive oxygen species (ROS) as demonstrated in vitro with chemiluminescence detection. This ultimately leads to enhanced tumor cell death and, thus, an improved treatment outcome.

Conclusion

Based on the results that PDT induces metal ion release and ascorbate reacts with the metal ions producing subsequent ROS, an internal related, complementary and strengthened tumor treatment is established by combination of both PDT and ascorbate, as a low‐toxicity and effective method. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:69–75, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk factors and outcomes of failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in liver transplant recipients with anastomotic biliary strictures: A case-control study#
Authors: Balderramo Domingo , Sendino Oriol , Burrel Marta , Real Maria Isabel , Blasi Annabel , Martinez-Palli Graciela , Bordas Josep M. , Carlos Garcia-Valdecasas Juan , Rimola Antoni , Navasa Miguel , Llach Josep , Cardenas Andres
Published: January 2012

Anastomotic strictures (ASs) of the biliary duct after liver transplantation (LT) are primarily managed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but in some cases, this fails because of difficulties in passing the strictures. The aim of this case-control study was to examine specific risk factors for initial ERCP failure and the outcomes of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) as a second-line approach in LT recipients with ASs. Between January 2002 and December 2010, we identified LT recipients with ASs who experienced initial ERCP failure (which was defined as the inability to traverse the AS with guidewires in 2 or more consecutive procedures). A period-matched control group (ratio = 1:2) with ASs and initial ERCP success was analyzed. Preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and endoscopic variables were evaluated as risk factors. The outcomes of PTC and the need for hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) or retransplantation were evaluated. Seventeen cases who experienced initial ERCP failure were compared with 34 controls. The median times from LT to ERCP were similar (8.7 months for cases and 8.6 months for controls, P = not significant). A multivariate analysis revealed that previous bile leaks [odds ratio (OR) = 6.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0-36.5] and more than 4 U of intraoperatively transfused red blood cells (OR = 11.51, 95% CI = 1.9-71.2) were independent risk factors for failure. PTC was an effective second-line treatment in only 3 of 12 cases (25%). The need for HJ was more frequent for the cases (13/17 or 76.5%) versus the controls (7/34 or 20.6%, P < 0.001). One patient in each group underwent retransplantation (P = not significant). In conclusion, previous bile leaks and high packed red blood cell transfusion requirements during surgery are risk factors for initial ERCP failure in LT recipients with ASs. A high proportion of these patients will need surgery as their final therapy. Liver Transpl 18:482–489, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Systematic evaluation of augmentation during treatment with ropinirole in restless legs syndrome (Willis‐Ekbom Disease): Results from a prospective, multicenter study over 66 weeks
Authors: García‐Borreguero Diego , Högl Birgit , Ferini‐Strambi Luigi , Winkelman John , Hill‐Zabala Christina , Asgharian Afsaneh , Allen Richard
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of augmentation over 66 weeks of treatment with ropinirole in patients with primary restless legs syndrome (RLS). Augmentation is the main complication of long‐term dopaminergic treatment of RLS. Despite widespread use of ropinirole in RLS, no studies have prospectively and systematically assessed the incidence of augmentation with its use. The study consisted of 26 weeks of double‐blind flexible‐dose treatment with ropinirole or placebo, followed by 40 weeks of open‐label ropinirole treatment.. Patients had no previous history of augmentation. Potential cases of augmentation were identified with the Structured Interview for the Diagnosis of Augmentation and the Augmentation Severity Rating Scale and through reporting of adverse events. Cases were blindly evaluated by an expert panel using the NIH diagnostic criteria for augmentation. Four hundred and four patients participated in the double‐blind study and 269 in the open‐label phase, with a discontinuation rate of 42%. IRLS baseline scores improved at the end of the double‐blind (DB) phase (mean ± SE) by −15.9 ± 0.76 for ropinirole, by −13.4 ± 0.77 for placebo (P < .05) and by −20.4 ± 0.55 during the open‐label phase. The incidence rates of augmentation were 3.5% for ropinirole and <1% for placebo during the DB phase and 3% during the open‐label phase. Clinically significant augmentation occurred in 3%, <1%, and 2%, respectively. Discontinuation of treatment occurred in 50% of all patients (7 of 14) with augmentation. The incidence of augmentation was 3.1% higher with ropinirole than with placebo. New patients with first episodes of augmentation continued to cumulate at a stable rate over the duration of this study. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
T2prep three‐dimensional spiral imaging with efficient whole brain coverage for myelin water quantification at 1.5 tesla
Authors: Nguyen Thanh D. , Wisnieff Cynthia , Cooper Mitchell A. , Kumar Dushyant , Raj Ashish , Spincemaille Pascal , Wang Yi , Vartanian Tim , Gauthier Susan A.
Published: January 2012

Quantitative assessment of myelination is important for characterizing tissue damage and evaluating response to therapy in white matter diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Conventional multicomponent T2 relaxometry based on the two‐dimensional (2D) multiecho spin echo sequence is a promising method to measure myelin water fraction, but its clinical utility is impeded by the prohibitively long data acquisition and limited brain coverage. The objective of this study was to develop a signal‐to‐noise ratio efficient 3D T2prep spiral gradient echo (3D SPIRAL) sequence for full brain T2 relaxometry and to validate this sequence using 3D multiecho spin echo as reference standard in healthy brains at 1.5 T. 3D SPIRAL was found to provide similar myelin water fraction in six selected white and gray matter areas using region‐of‐interest signal averaging analysis (N = 7, P > 0.05). While 3D multiecho spin echo only provided partial brain coverage, 3D SPIRAL enabled whole brain coverage with a fivefold higher acquisition speed per imaging slice and similar signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency. Both 3D sequences provided superior signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency when compared to the conventional 2D multiecho spin echo approach. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of the PSF‐choice method for reduced lipid contamination in prostate MR spectroscopic imaging
Authors: Panych Lawrence P. , Roebuck Joseph R. , Chen Nan‐kuei , Tang Yi , Madore Bruno , Tempany Clare M. , Mulkern Robert V.
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this work was to evaluate a previously proposed approach that aims to improve the point spread function (PSF) of MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to avoid corruption by lipid signal arising from neighboring voxels. Retrospective spatial filtering can be used to alter the PSF; however, this either reduces spatial resolution or requires extending the acquisition in k‐space at the cost of increased imaging time. Alternatively, the method evaluated here, PSF‐choice, can modify the PSF localization to reduce the contamination from adjacent lipids by conforming the signal response more closely to the desired MRSI voxel grid. This is done without increasing scan time or degrading SNR of important metabolites. PSF‐choice achieves improvements in spatial localization through modifications to the radiofrequency excitation pulses. An implementation of this method is reported for MRSI of the prostate, where it is demonstrated that, in 13 of 16 pilot prostate MRSI scans, intravoxel spectral contamination from lipid was significantly reduced when using PSF‐choice. Phantom studies were also performed that demonstrate, compared with MRSI with standard Fourier phase encoding, out‐of‐voxel signal contamination of spectra was significantly reduced in MRSI with PSF‐choice. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Instantaneous detection of nonadherence: quality, strength, and weakness of an electronic prescription database
Authors: Harbig P. , Barat I. , Lund Nielsen P. , Damsgaard E. M.
Published: January 2012

Background

The “personal electronic medicine profile” (PEM) is a Web‐based tool for electronic prescription and monitoring of purchased medicine. It is based on the National Prescription Database and contains data on all prescriptions in Denmark. It includes information on time of drug purchase, number of tablets, and prescribed daily dosage. This allows calculation of the expected time for new purchases.

Purpose

To study the accuracy of the PEM as a tool for monitoring drug nonadherence as compared with pill counts (PCs).

Methods

Five hundred eighty‐three randomly selected elderly Danish citizens older than 65 years taking more than four drugs were studied. They were visited three times by a nurse who counted their medicine supply. Contingency table analysis was used to compare drug nonadherence calculated from PC with that revealed by PEM. For PC and PEM, an adherence level of at least 80% was defined as acceptable.

Results

PEM could not accurately process (non)adherence in 44% of all drugs. The probability of identifying drug nonadherence with PEM was low (negative predictive value 23%). Incomplete prescription information (34%) and inaccurate dosage registration (10%) were the major sources of error.

Conclusion

PEM is inferior to PC for accurate monitoring of drug nonadherence. The inaccuracy is due to erroneous prescription information. PEM could be a powerful tool for electronic monitoring of drug nonadherence if prescription information was recorded uniformly and correctly. To increase the accuracy, we recommend informal free‐text dosing instruction to be translated into a formal one by use of appropriate software such as library of phrases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indirect contact through book reading: Improving adolescents' attitudes and behavioral intentions toward immigrants
Authors: Vezzali Loris , Stathi Sofia , Giovannini Dino
Published: January 2012

A study was conducted to test the effects of indirect contact through book reading on the improvement of Italian students' attitudes, stereotypes, and behavioral intentions toward immigrants. The results indicated that adolescents who read a book concerning intercultural topics, compared to those who read a book unrelated to intercultural themes or to those who did not read any book, showed improved intergroup attitudes, reduction in stereotyping, more positive intergroup behavioral intentions, and an increased desire to engage in future contact. Furthermore, the effects of indirect contact were mediated by increased inclusion of other in the self and reduced group identification. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dendron‐like poly(ε‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐lysine)/linear PEO block copolymers: Synthesis, physical characterization, self‐assembly, and drug‐release behavior
Authors: Xu You‐Cui , Dong Chang‐Ming
Published: January 2012

Dendron‐like poly(ε‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐lysine)/linear poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers (i.e., Dm‐PZLys‐b‐PEO, m = 0 and 3; Dm are the propargyl focal point poly(amido amine) dendrons having 2m primary amine groups) were for the first time synthesized by combining ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐benzyloxycarbonyl‐L‐lysine N‐carboxyanhydride (Z‐Lys‐NCA) and click chemistry, where Dm‐PZLys homopolypeptides were click conjugated with azide‐terminated PEO. Their molecular structures and physical properties were characterized in detail by FTIR, 1H NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and wide angle X‐ray diffraction. Both homopolypeptides and copolymers presented a liquid crystalline phase transition for PZLys block, and the transition was irreversible. Moreover, the degree of crystallinity of PEO block within linear copolymers decreased from 96.2% to 20.4% with increasing PZLys composition, whereas that within dendritic copolymers decreased to zero. The secondary conformation of PZLys progressively changed from β‐sheet to α‐helix with increasing the chain length. These copolymers self‐assembled into spherical nanoparticles in aqueous solution, and the anticancer drug doxorubicin‐loaded nanoparticles gave a similar morphology compared with their blank counterparts. The drug‐loaded nanoparticles showed a triphasic drug‐release profile at aqueous pH 7.4 or 5.5 and 37 °C and sustained a longer drug‐release period for about 2 months. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Intramolecular friedel‐crafts cyclization and subsequent hydrogenation of styrene‐isoprene random copolymers prepared by anionic polymerization for thermally‐resistant and optical applications
Authors: Nakahara Atsuhiro , Satoh Kotaro , Saito Hiromu , Kamigaito Masami
Published: January 2012

To synthesize novel thermally and optically high‐performing thermoplastics from commodity monomers, random styrene (St)‐isoprene (Ip) rubbers (r‐SIRs) prepared by anionic copolymerization were subjected to intramolecular Friedel‐Crafts cyclization and subsequent hydrogenation via a sequence of simple postpolymerization modifications. The CF3SO3H‐catalyzed Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of r‐SIR afforded cyclized r‐SIR (C‐r‐SIR) via the predominant formation of bicyclic tetrahydronaphthyl units to give thermoplastics with a high glass transition temperature (Tg ∼130 °C), good mechanical properties, and good transparency. Subsequent hydrogenation of the small amount of remaining CC double bonds in the uncyclized Ip units and cyclized Ip‐Ip units yielded hydrogenated C‐r‐SIR (HC‐r‐SIR) and increased the degradation temperature by about 15 °C (Td5 ≥ 380 °C). These HC‐r‐SIRs display good flexural moduli and strength, good transparency, and refractive indices similar to those of C‐r‐SIR. The birefringence of HC‐r‐SIR was successfully tuned by adjusting the comonomer content to obtain near‐zero birefringence high‐performance plastics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Do we have the tools to manage resistance in the future?
Authors: Hollomon Derek W
Published: January 2012

Pesticide resistance is a major factor affecting world food and fibre production, but that has been contained so far by the availability of diverse modes of action. Overcoming resistance by switching to a new mode of action is a concept easily grasped by growers but threatened by losses through resistance and new registration requirements. Opportunities for innovation and development of a diversity of novel modes of action exist through harnessing recent advances, fundamental to all eukaryotes and largely funded for medical rather than agricultural objectives, in understanding cell biology and development. The cystoskeleton, cell wall synthesis, signal transduction and RNAi are discussed as examples where new targets are now exposed. However, new modes of action will be delivered not only by sprayer or seed treatment but also through transgenic crops, although these still need to be transferred from experiment to practice. Improvements in modelling protein structures and target‐site changes, supplemented by rapid diagnostics to detect resistance early, will improve resistance risk management and integrate chemical, biopesticide, transgenic and conventional breeding around the concept of diversity in modes of action. However, before agronomy can translate this into practical antiresistance strategies, there is a need to direct more resources to the biochemistry and cell biology of pests, diseases and weeds to translate these new discoveries into key tools needed to manage resistance in the future. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Burning and mowing Wyoming big sagebrush: Do treated sites meet minimum guidelines for greater sage‐grouse breeding habitats?
Authors: Hess Jennifer E. , Beck Jeffrey L.
Published: January 2012

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata wyomingensis) treatments are often implemented to improve breeding habitat for greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), a species of considerable conservation concern. In 2008 and 2009, we measured vegetation structure available to sage‐grouse for breeding at 19 sites that were prescribed burned during 1990–1999 and 2000–2006, 6 sites that were mowed during 2000–2006, and 25 paired, untreated reference sites in the Bighorn Basin of north‐central Wyoming, USA. We compared minimum guidelines for canopy cover and height of Wyoming big sagebrush and perennial grass in arid greater sage‐grouse breeding habitat (Connelly et al. 2000b) to measurements at our sampling sites. Sagebrush canopy cover and height at reference sites met the minimum guidelines. Sagebrush canopy cover at burned and mowed sites did not meet the minimum guideline, except for sites mowed on aridic soils measured during 2009. Burned and mowed (3 of 4 cases) sagebrush did not meet minimum height for breeding up to 19 yr and 9 yr post‐treatment, respectively. Perennial grass canopy cover and height met the minimum guidelines for breeding habitat at reference, burned, and mowed sites. Burning increased grass canopy cover, but not height, compared to reference sites in 2 of 8 instances. Because burning, but not mowing, infrequently enhanced grass cover, but not height, and sagebrush structure was reduced by both practices for long periods, managers should consider how treatments may negatively affect Wyoming big sagebrush communities for sage‐grouse and consider other practices, including continued nontreatment and improved livestock grazing, to increase grass cover and height. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Double‐crested cormorant distribution on catfish aquaculture in the Yazoo River Basin of Mississippi
Authors: Dorr Brian S. , Burger Loren W. , Barras Scott C. , Godwin Kristina Casscles
Published: January 2012

Estimating the catfish aquaculture production losses that can be attributed to double‐crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) has proved problematic because knowledge of the distribution of cormorants on catfish aquaculture is lacking. We evaluated use versus availability of various production pond types and landscape‐scale factors affecting the distribution of cormorants on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) aquaculture facilities in Mississippi, USA. Cormorant distribution on aquaculture pond types indicated selection against brood‐fish ponds, neutral selection on fingerling ponds, and selection for food‐fish ponds (n = 29, Chesson's α = 0.19, 0.36, and 0.45, respectively). Modeled and validated correct classification rate (CCR) of general linear mixed models of cormorant occupancy of clusters of catfish ponds indicated seasonality of use and roost distance from aquaculture ponds was predictive (CCR = 81% and 71%, respectively). Modeled and validated ordinal models of levels of use (low, moderate, high) were less predictive (CCR = 67% and 59%, respectively). However, predictability within use levels for the validation data set was mixed, ranging from 0.19 to 0.86. Odds ratios indicate both higher risk of occupancy and levels of use over the period February–April relative to October. Management efforts targeted during this time frame will have the greatest impact in reducing depredation losses. The majority of cormorants occurred on food‐fish ponds. Consequently estimates of economic loss should be revisited and refined based on distributional information provided in this study. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Integrity and retention of ear‐tag radiotransmitters in domestic cattle and feral horses
Authors: Kluever Bryan M. , Lagos Laura , Breck Stewart W. , Howery Larry D. , Sanmartín Manuel L. , Bergman David L. , Bárcena Felipe
Published: January 2012

Radiotelemetry is an important tool for wildlife management and research, but in some cases attachment of neck collars can be problematic. An alternative in large mammals is to attach transmitters to the ear, though little is published about ear‐tag radiotransmitter integrity (i.e., how long a transmitter emits a useful signal) and retention (i.e., how long a transmitter remains attached to an animal). Here we report ear‐tag transmitter integrity and retention from 2 studies monitoring free‐ranging calves (Bos taurus) in eastern Arizona, USA, and feral horse (Equus ferus) foals in northwestern Spain. Transmitter integrity and retention was lower for transmitters attached to foals then calves. The primary cause for reduced integrity was antennas breaking off, whereas the primary retention problem involved transmitters ripping out of the ear. When data were pooled across study sites, mean integrity and retention loss was 111 days and 180 days, respectively. Transmitters attached to the interior of the outer ears had retention rates >2 times higher than transmitters attached to the exterior of the outer ear (88% vs. 43%). We recommend that researchers intending to utilize ear‐tag transmitters for studies on large domestic or wild animals attach transmitters to the interior of the outer ear, reinforce transmitter antennas in order to improve integrity, and report integrity and retention rates. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
The Irrevocability of Being
Authors: Valberg J. J.
Published: January 2012

This paper aims first, to introduce and elaborate upon a certain principle about being (existence), roughly, that once something exists or has being, it cannot lose it: what is cannot, in this sense, unbe; and second, to apply this principle to a well-known issue in the philosophy of time, viz., that of whether future events, like past events, though of course not now occurring, nonetheless have being.
Seismic quiescence before the 2003 Tokachi‐oki earthquake
Authors: Balcerak Ernie
Published: January 2012

Some studies have found evidence of seismic quiescence, periods with fewer small earthquakes than normal, before the occurrence of some large earthquakes. In a new case study, Katsumata reexamined data from an earthquake catalog to study seismic activity preceding the magnitude 8 Tokachi‐oki earthquake that occurred on 26 September 2003 off the Pacific coast of Hokkaido. The author's statistical analysis showed that there was a clear, significant decrease in seismic activity in the region during the 4 years leading up to the Tokachi‐oki earthquake. This period of quiescence was similar in length to several other quiescence periods reported before other earthquakes. Further studies and improved seismic monitoring will be needed to determine how common precursory seismic quiescence is. (Journal of Geophysical Research‐Solid Earth, doi:10.1029/2010JB007964, 2011)
Mammalian Atg2 proteins are essential for autophagosome formation and important for regulation of size and distribution of lipid droplets
Authors: Velikkakath Anoop Kumar G. , Nishimura Taki , Oita Eiko , Ishihara Naotada , Mizushima Noboru
Published: January 2012

Macroautophagy is an intracellular degradation system by which cytoplasmic materials are enclosed by the autophagosome and delivered to the lysosome. Autophagosome formation is considered to take place on the endoplasmic reticulum and involves functions of autophagy-related (Atg) proteins. Here, we report the identification and characterization of mammalian Atg2 homologues Atg2A and Atg2B. Simultaneous silencing of Atg2A and Atg2B causes a block in autophagic flux and accumulation of unclosed autophagic structures containing most Atg proteins. Atg2A localizes on the autophagic membrane, as well as on the surface of lipid droplets. The Atg2A region containing amino acids 1723–1829, which shows relatively high conservation among species, is required for localization to both the autophagic membrane and lipid droplet and is also essential for autophagy. Depletion of both Atg2A and Atg2B causes clustering of enlarged lipid droplets in an autophagy-independent manner. These data suggest that mammalian Atg2 proteins function both in autophagosome formation and regulation of lipid droplet morphology and dispersion.
Detection, monitoring, and management of trastuzumab‐induced left ventricular dysfunction: an actual challenge
Authors: Tocchetti Carlo G. , Ragone Gianluca , Coppola Carmela , Rea Domenica , Piscopo Giovanna , Scala Stefania , De Lorenzo Claudia , Iaffaioli Rosario V. , Arra Claudio , Maurea Nicola
Published: January 2012

The antibody trastuzumab, targeted to inhibit the signalling of ErbB2, a tyrosine kinase receptor overexpressed in 20–30% of breast cancers, improves the prognosis in women affected by this tumour, but produces cardiotoxicity, since ErbB2 is also involved in myocardial homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology of trastuzumab cardiomyopathy and the complex interplay between ErbB2 inhibition and anthracyclines, and we focus on the actual challenges of detecting, monitoring, and managing trastuzumab cardiotoxicity: the research of new, sensitive markers of early trastuzumab toxicity, before the ejection fraction is reduced, is an active field of research.
Global Analysis of Tomato Gene Expression During Potato spindle tuber viroid Infection Reveals a Complex Array of Changes Affecting Hormone Signaling
Authors: Owens Robert A. , Tech Kimberly B. , Shao Jonathan Y. , Sano Teruo , Baker C. Jacyn
Published: January 2012

Viroids like Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) are the smallest known agents of infectious disease—small, highly structured, circular RNA molecules that lack detectable messenger RNA activity, yet are able to replicate autonomously in susceptible plant species. To better understand the possible role of RNA silencing in disease induction, a combination of microarray analysis and large-scale RNA sequence analysis was used to compare changes in tomato gene expression and microRNA levels associated with PSTVd infection in two tomato cultivars plus a third transformed line expressing small PSTVd small interfering RNAs in the absence of viroid replication. Changes in messenger (m)RNA levels for the sensitive cultivar ‘Rutgers’ were extensive, involving more than half of the approximately 10,000 genes present on the array. Chloroplast biogenesis was down-regulated in both sensitive and tolerant cultivars, and effects on mRNAs encoding enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of gibberellin and other hormones were accompanied by numerous changes affecting their respective signaling pathways. In the dwarf cultivar ‘MicroTom’, a marked upregulation of genes involved in response to stress and other stimuli was observed only when exogenous brassinosteroid was applied to infected plants, thereby providing the first evidence for the involvement of brassinosteroid-mediated signaling in viroid disease induction.
Neurocysticercosis: A Review
Authors: Del Brutto Oscar H.
Published: January 2012

Neuroysticercosis is the most common helminthic infection of the nervous system, and a leading cause of acquired epilepsy worldwide. The disease occurs when humans become intermediate hosts ofTaenia soliumby ingesting its eggs from contaminated food or, most often, directly from a taenia carrier by the fecal-to-oral route. Cysticerci may be located in brain parenchyma, subarachnoid space, ventricular system, or spinal cord, causing pathological changes that are responsible for the pleomorphism of neurocysticercosis. Seizures are the most common clinical manifestation, but many patients present with focal deficits, intracranial hypertension, or cognitive decline. Accurate diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is possible after interpretation of clinical data together with findings of neuroimaging studies and results of immunological tests. The introduction of cysticidal drugs have changed the prognosis of most patients with neurocysticercosis. These drugs have shown to reduce the burden of infection in the brain and to improve the clinical course of the disease in most patients. Further efforts should be directed to eradicate the disease through the implementation of control programs against all the interrelated steps in the life cycle ofT. solium, including human carriers of the adult tapeworm, infected pigs, and eggs in the environment.
Transcriptome and Proteome Research in Veterinary Science: What Is Possible and What Questions Can Be Asked?
Authors: Klopfleisch Robert , Gruber Achim D.
Published: January 2012

In recent years several technologies for the complete analysis of the transcriptome and proteome have reached a technological level which allows their routine application as scientific tools. The principle of these methods is the identification and quantification of up to ten thousands of RNA and proteins species in a tissue, in contrast to the sequential analysis of conventional methods such as PCR and Western blotting. Due to their technical progress transcriptome and proteome analyses are becoming increasingly relevant in all fields of biological research. They are mainly used for the explorative identification of disease associated complex gene expression patterns and thereby set the stage for hypothesis-driven studies. This review gives an overview on the methods currently available for transcriptome analysis, that is, microarrays, Ref-Seq, quantitative PCR arrays and discusses their potentials and limitations. Second, the most powerful current approaches to proteome analysis are introduced, that is, 2D-gel electrophoresis, shotgun proteomics, MudPIT and the diverse technological concepts are reviewed. Finally, experimental strategies for biomarker discovery, experimental settings for the identification of prognostic gene sets and explorative versus hypothesis driven approaches for the elucidation of diseases associated genes and molecular pathways are described and their potential for studies in veterinary research is highlighted.
Population Genetic Analysis ofLobelia rhynchopetalumHemsl. (Campanulaceae) Using DNA Sequences fromITSand Eight Chloroplast DNA Regions
Authors: Geleta Mulatu , Bryngelsson Tomas
Published: January 2012

DNA sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear ribosomal DNA and eight chloroplast DNA regions were used to investigate haplotypic variation and population genetic structure of the Afroalpine giant lobelia,Lobelia rhynchopetalum.The study was based on eight populations sampled from two mountain systems in Ethiopia. A total of 20 variable sites were obtained, which resulted in 13 unique haplotypes and an overall nucleotide diversity (ND) of 0.281 ± 0.15 and gene diversity (GD) of 0.85 ± 0.04. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed a highly significant variation (P<0.001) among populations (FST), and phylogenetic analysis revealed that populations from the two mountain systems formed their own distinct clade with >90% bootstrap support. Each population should be regarded as a significant unit for conservation of this species. The primers designed for this study can be applied to anyLobeliaand other closely related species for population genetics and phylogenetic studies.
A nucleosomal surface defines an integration hotspot for the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty1 retrotransposon
Authors: Baller Joshua A. , Gao Jiquan , Stamenova Radostina , Curcio M. Joan , Voytas Daniel F.
Published: January 2012

Ty1, the most abundant retrotransposon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, integrates preferentially upstream of genes transcribed by RNA polymerase III (Pol III). Targeting is likely due to interactions between the Ty1 integration complex and a feature of chromatin characteristic of sites of Pol III transcription. To better understand Ty1 targeting determinants, >150,000 Ty1 insertions were mapped onto the S. cerevisiae genome sequence. Logistic regression was used to assess relationships between patterns of Ty1 integration and various genomic features, including genome-wide data sets of histone modifications and transcription-factor binding sites. Nucleosomes were positively associated with Ty1 insertions, and fine-scale mapping of insertions upstream of genes transcribed by Pol III indicated that Ty1 preferentially integrates into nucleosome-bound DNA near the H2A/H2B interface. Outside of genes transcribed by Pol III, Ty1 avoids coding sequences, a pattern that is not due to selection, but rather reflects a preference for nucleosome-rich sites flanking genes. Ty1 insertion sites were also mapped in four mutant lines that affect Ty1 transposition frequency or integration specificity (rrm3Δ, hos2Δ, rtt109Δ, and rad6Δ). Patterns of integration were largely preserved in the mutants, although significantly more insertions into coding sequences were observed in the rad6Δ strain, suggesting a loosening of target specificity in this mutant that lacks an enzyme involved in ubiquitinating H2A. Overall, our data suggest that nucleosomes are necessary for Ty1 integration, and that a secondary factor, likely a histone modification or nucleosome-bound factor enriched at sites of Pol III transcription, determines preferred target sites.
Changes in gene expression in a porcine preadipocyte cell line during differentiation
Authors: Matsumoto T. , Nakajima I. , Eguchi‐Ogawa T. , Nagamura Y. , Hamasima N. , Uenishi H.
Published: January 2012

Adipocyte differentiation plays an important role in the formation of fat tissues in pigs and affects meat quality and productivity. Clarification of the nature of the pig genes that participate in adipocyte differentiation will provide a clue to the regulation of fat content and thickness in pig carcases by dietary control; it will also help to find target genes for exploring potentially useful polymorphisms for molecular breeding aimed at fat traits. We constructed a DNA oligomer microarray based on pig transcripts, and we used the array to investigate time‐dependent changes in gene expression in the PSPA porcine preadipocyte cell line during differentiation into adipocytes. We selected genes with markedly altered expression (at least fivefold difference in comparison with expression in undifferentiated cells) and classified them into five groups according to gene expression pattern. In the early stage after stimulation of adipocyte differentiation, we observed up‐regulation of many genes encoding proteins involved in regulating cell proliferation and transcription. Among the probes corresponding to transcripts that showed marked changes in expression, 27 were located within previously reported QTL regions for traits related to adipose tissues. These results will be valuable resources for finding the genes responsible for fat‐related traits that have been identified in previous studies using various pig resource families.
Fine needle aspirate cell blocks are reliable for detection of hormone receptors and HER‐2 by immunohistochemistry in breast carcinoma
Authors: Bueno Angela S. P. , Viero R. M. , Soares C. T.
Published: January 2012

S. P. Bueno Angela, R. M. Viero and C. T. Soares

Fine needle aspirate cell blocks are reliable for detection of hormone receptors and HER‐2 by immunohistochemistry in breast carcinoma

Aims: To evaluate the reliability of fine needle aspirate cell blocks in the assessment of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER‐2/neu proteins by immunohistochemistry in comparison with surgical specimens.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective study of 62 cases of breast carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and confirmed using the surgical specimen. Immunohistochemical tests were performed to assess the presence of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER‐2/neu proteins in cell blocks and the corresponding surgical specimens. The cell block method used alcohol prior to formalin fixation. Cases with 10% or more stained cells were considered positive for ER and PR. Positivity for HER‐2/neu was assessed on a scale of 0–3+. The criterion for positivity was a score of 3+.

Results: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of the cell blocks in the investigation of ER, PR and HER‐2/neu protein (3+) were (%): ER, 92.7, 85.7, 92.7, 85.7 and 90.3; PR, 92.7, 94.7, 97.4, 87.0 and 93.5; HER‐2/neu, 70.0, 100.0, 100.0, 94.5 and 95.2. Discrepancies were seen in cell blocks in the 1+ and 2+ HER‐2/neu staining scores: two of 12 cases scoring 2+ and one case of 26 scoring 1+ on cell blocks scored 3+ on surgical specimens. The correlation index between cell block and corresponding surgical specimen varied from 90% to 94%.

Conclusion: Cell blocks provide a useful method of assessing ER, PR and HER‐2/neu, mainly for inoperable and recurrent cases, but consideration should be given to carrying out FISH analysis on 1+ as well as 2+ HER‐2/neu results.
Paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics: patient satisfaction and appointment access
Authors: Evangelista Juli‐anne K. , Connor Jean Anne , Pintz Christine , Saia Teresa , O’Connell Cheryl , Fulton David R. , Hickey Patricia
Published: January 2012

evangelista j.‐a.k., connor j.a., pintz c., saia t., o’connell c., fulton d.r. & hickey p. (2012) Paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics: patient satisfaction and appointment access. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2165–2174.

Aim.  This article summarizes a comparative study of patient/family satisfaction and appointment wait times in physician managed vs. paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics.

Background.  Appointment wait times exceeded 40 days in the outpatient cardiology department at a children’s hospital. To address the gap in available appointments, paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics were implemented.

Methods.  A sample of 128 patients who presented concurrently in physician or paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics from December 2009 through February 2010 was recruited for participation. The hospital’s ambulatory patient satisfaction survey was utilized to measure level of patient satisfaction with care. Survey responses were evaluated using Fisher’s exact test. Appointment wait times were compared pre and post implementation of paediatric nurse practitioner managed clinics.

Results.  Sixty‐five physician families and 63 paediatric nurse practitioner families completed the satisfaction survey. There was no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction between clinic types. Appointment wait time decreased from 46 to 43 days, which was not statistically significant. Paediatric nurse practitioner clinics included a statistically higher percentage total of urgent appointments compared to that in physician clinics.

Conclusions.  Paediatric nurse practitioner managed cardiology clinics are a strategic solution for improving patient access and facilitating high quality patient care while earning high levels of patient satisfaction. This healthcare delivery model illustrates the potential for expanded utilization of advanced practice nurses.
The manipulation of drugs to obtain the required dose: systematic review
Authors: Richey Roberta H. , Craig Jean V. , Shah Utpal U. , Ford James L. , Barker Catrin E. , Peak Matthew , Nunn A.J. , Turner Mark A.
Published: January 2012

richey r.h., craig j.v., shah u.u., ford j.l., barker c.e., peak m., nunn a.j. & turner m.a. (2012) The manipulation of drugs to obtain the required dose: systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(9), 2103–2112.

Aim.  To describe the development of a systematic review protocol that maps the evidence relating to drug manipulations conducted to obtain the required dose. This process included defining a search strategy and methods to assess the quality and to synthesize the evidence retrieved.

Background.  Economic constraints mean that marketed formulations may not meet the needs of all patients. Consequently, it is sometimes necessary to manipulate marketed products with the aim of obtaining the required dose. Most clinical practice appears to be guided by ad hoc approaches and informal literature reviews.

Methods.  This systematic review protocol has been designed to identify the evidence available on drug manipulation. The review aims to identify what evidence is available and where the gaps appear in the current evidence. This report describes the challenges of developing a systematic review in an area that potentially involves many drugs and considers outcomes other than effectiveness. In particular, searches required the use of non‐specific terms and the iterative development of a complex search strategy. The development of quality assessment criteria is also described. Funding commenced in April 2009.

Discussion.  The systematic review described here will capture a broad selection of research about drug manipulations and may also be of interest to those conducting reviews in broad remit subject areas that are not easy to define using accepted terminology.
Factors associated with sleep disturbance in women of Mexican descent
Authors: Heilemann MarySue V. , Choudhury Shonali M. , Kury Felix Salvador , Lee Kathryn A.
Published: January 2012

heilemann m.v., choudhury s.m., kury f.s. & lee k.a. (2012) Factors associated with sleep disturbance in women of Mexican descent. Journal of Advanced Nursing68(10), 2256–2266.

Aims.  The aims were to identify the most useful parameters of acculturation in relation to self‐reported sleep disturbance and describe risk factors for sleep disturbance in women of Mexican descent.

Background.  Little is known about acculturation as a factor for poor sleep in the context of other personal factors such as income or sense of resilience or mastery for Latinas in the United States.

Design.  This study was a secondary analysis of cross sectional survey data.

Methods.  Personal factors were incorporated into a modification of the Conceptual Framework of Impaired Sleep to guide our secondary analysis of self‐reported sleep disturbance. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 312 women of Mexican descent of childbearing age (21–40 years) located in an urban California community were collected and previously analysed in relation to depressive symptoms and post‐traumatic stress disorder. The General Sleep Disturbance Scale (in English and Spanish) was used to assess sleep disturbance. Data was collected in 1998 from September through December.

Results.  Early socialization to the United States during childhood was the most useful acculturation parameter for understanding self‐reported sleep disturbance in this sample. In a multivariate regression analysis, three factors (higher acculturation, lower income and higher depressive symptoms) were statistically significant in accounting for 40% of the variance in sleep disturbance.

Conclusion.  When low income Latinas of Mexican descent report sleep problems, clinicians should probe for environmental sleep factors associated with low income, such as noise, over‐crowding and exposure to trauma and violence, and refer the woman to psychotherapy and counselling rather than merely prescribing a sleep medication.