bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical efficacy and changes in the dosages of concomitantly used psychotropic drugs in memantine therapy in Alzheimer’s disease with behavioral and psychological symptoms on dementia
Authors: Suzuki Hidenobu , Inoue Yuichi , Nishiyama Akiyoshi , Mikami Katsunaka , Gen Keishi
Published: December 2012

Objective:

We investigated the clinical efficacy and changes in the dosages of concomitantly used psychotropic drugs in memantine therapy in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with behavioral and psychological symptoms on dementia (BPSD).

Methods:

The subjects were 38 inpatients who had been diagnosed with AD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). The outcome measures assessed were BPSD and cognitive function. BPSD was assessed using the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) and cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental examination (MMSE). The changes in the dosages of concomitant psychotropic drugs were also assessed.

Results:

Significant decreases were found in the memantine therapy group in the following NPI total score and five NPI subscales: delusions, hallucinations, agitation, irritability, and aberrant motor behavior, but no significant differences were seen between the memantine therapy group and the control group. Furthermore, the memantine therapy group allowed the dosage of the psychotropic drugs to be significantly reduced compared with the control group.

Conclusion:

The results of this study suggest that the administration of memantine to patients with AD with BPSD may afford superior efficacy and may also make it possible to reduce the risperidone equivalent dose, the diazepam equivalent dose and the dosage of the psychotropic drugs.
Assessing the Utility of an Electronic Research Database to Capture Whole Systems Practice at Two Naturopathic Outpatient Teaching Clinics
Authors: Leung Brenda M. Y. , Flower Gillian , Cooley Kieran , Habib Chris , Gowan Matt , Podgrabinski Stefan , Seely Dugald
Published: December 2012

This observation study assessed the utility of an electronic Naturopathic Patient Database at 2 naturopathic teaching clinics as a research and educational tool. Focusing on the whole systems practice of naturopathic medicine using individualized treatment protocols, patients from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine outpatient teaching clinic and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine outpatient teaching clinic were assessed. Data were collected on patient demographics, laboratory values, physical measures, treatment protocols, and validated questionnaires. Results showed the Naturopathic Patient Database was able to capture both standardized and individualized measures of care for research purposes. A number of substudies were generated by student interns using the database. Limitations identified included limited resources for training faculty, interns, and administrators on program use and data entry; also, data quality and completeness were problematic. However, the Naturopathic Patient Database captured data on the individualized nature of naturopathic care and had the ability to collect and compare large amounts of data.
Culture Matters
Authors: Warner-Søderholm Gillian
Published: December 2012

Whether managers are concerned with financial issues, marketing, or human resource management (HRM), cultural values and practices do matter. The purpose of this article is to understand Norwegian managers’ cultural values within the cross-cultural landscape of her neighbors in the “Scandinavian cluster.” Clearly, subtle but disturbing differences may surface even when representatives from similar cultures work together. As a follow on from the GLOBE project, data based on the GLOBE instrument were collected on culture and communication values in Norway from 710 Norwegian middle managers for this present study. Although the Scandinavian cultures appear ostensibly similar, the results illustrate that research can reveal subtle but important cultural differences in nations that are similar yet dissimilar. All three Scandinavian societies appear intrinsically egalitarian; they appear to value low Power Distance, directness, and consensus in decision making and to promote Gender Egalitarianism. Nevertheless, there are significant differences in the degrees of commitment to these values by each individual Scandinavian partner. These differences need to be understood and appreciated to avoid misunderstandings.
“It’s All About Security to Me”
Authors: Hamilton Leah , Shobe Marcia , Murphy-Erby Yvette , Christy Kameri
Published: December 2012

This qualitative study explores financial behavior and expectations in families of origin in addition to youth financial education and savings behaviors. The authors interviewed 14 youths, aged 17 to 19 years, whose families had low incomes, education levels, and savings rates and who participated in a youth-based financial education and dedicated savings program and present key themes and subthemes that were revealed during data analysis. Findings suggest that, rather than replicating the behavior of their parents and experiencing the same financial struggles, the youths interviewed were motivated by a desire to avoid these challenges. However, youths in this study also noted that they experienced social and economic barriers that their higher income peers did not. Policy, practice, and research implications of these findings are discussed.
Next generation sequencing analysis reveals a relationship between rDNA unit diversity and locus number in Nicotiana diploids
Authors: Matyášek Roman , Renny-Byfield Simon , Fulneček Jaroslav , Macas Jiří , Grandbastien Marie-Angele , Nichols Richard , Leitch Andrew , Kovařík Aleš
Published: December 2012

Background

Tandemly arranged nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), encoding 18S, 5.8S and 26S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), exhibit concerted evolution, a pattern thought to result from the homogenisation of rDNA arrays. However rDNA homogeneity at the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) level has not been detailed in organisms with more than a few hundred copies of the rDNA unit. Here we study rDNA complexity in species with arrays consisting of thousands of units.

Methods

We examined homogeneity of genic (18S) and non-coding internally transcribed spacer (ITS1) regions of rDNA using Roche 454 and/or Illumina platforms in four angiosperm species, Nicotiana sylvestris, N. tomentosiformis, N. otophora and N. kawakamii. We compared the data with Southern blot hybridisation revealing the structure of intergenic spacer (IGS) sequences and with the number and distribution of rDNA loci.

Results and Conclusions

In all four species the intragenomic homogeneity of the 18S gene was high; a single ribotype makes up over 90% of the genes. However greater variation was observed in the ITS1 region, particularly in species with two or more rDNA loci, where >55% of rDNA units were a single ribotype, with the second most abundant variant accounted for >18% of units. IGS heterogeneity was high in all species. The increased number of ribotypes in ITS1 compared with 18S sequences may reflect rounds of incomplete homogenisation with strong selection for functional genic regions and relaxed selection on ITS1 variants. The relationship between the number of ITS1 ribotypes and the number of rDNA loci leads us to propose that rDNA evolution and complexity is influenced by locus number and/or amplification of orphaned rDNA units at new chromosomal locations.
Development of high-throughput SNP-based genotyping in Acacia auriculiformis x A. mangium hybrids using short-read transcriptome data
Authors: Wong Melissa ML , Cannon Charles H , Wickneswari Ratnam
Published: December 2012

Background

Next Generation Sequencing has provided comprehensive, affordable and high-throughput DNA sequences for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) discovery in Acacia auriculiformis and Acacia mangium. Like other non-model species, SNP detection and genotyping in Acacia are challenging due to lack of genome sequences. The main objective of this study is to develop the first high-throughput SNP genotyping assay for linkage map construction of A. auriculiformis x A. mangium hybrids.

Results

We identified a total of 37,786 putative SNPs by aligning short read transcriptome data from four parents of two Acacia hybrid mapping populations using Bowtie against 7,839 de novo transcriptome contigs. Given a set of 10 validated SNPs from two lignin genes, our in silico SNP detection approach is highly accurate (100%) compared to the traditional in vitro approach (44%). Further validation of 96 SNPs using Illumina GoldenGate Assay gave an overall assay success rate of 89.6% and conversion rate of 37.5%. We explored possible factors lowering assay success rate by predicting exon-intron boundaries and paralogous genes of Acacia contigs using Medicago truncatula genome as reference. This assessment revealed that presence of exon-intron boundary is the main cause (50%) of assay failure. Subsequent SNPs filtering and improved assay design resulted in assay success and conversion rate of 92.4% and 57.4%, respectively based on 768 SNPs genotyping. Analysis of clustering patterns revealed that 27.6% of the assays were not reproducible and flanking sequence might play a role in determining cluster compression. In addition, we identified a total of 258 and 319 polymorphic SNPs in A. auriculiformis and A. mangium natural germplasms, respectively.

Conclusion

We have successfully discovered a large number of SNP markers in A. auriculiformis x A. mangium hybrids using next generation transcriptome sequencing. By using a reference genome from the most closely related species, we converted most SNPs to successful assays. We also demonstrated that Illumina GoldenGate genotyping together with manual clustering can provide high quality genotypes for a non-model species like Acacia. These SNPs markers are not only important for linkage map construction, but will be very useful for hybrid discrimination and genetic diversity assessment of natural germplasms in the future.
The prediction of the porcine pre-microRNAs in genome-wide based on support vector machine (SVM) and homology searching
Authors: Wang Zhen , He Kan , Wang Qishan , Yang Yumei , Pan Yuchun
Published: December 2012

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for translation repression or mRNA degradation. Although many miRNAs have been discovered and studied in human and mouse, few studies focused on porcine miRNAs, especially in genome wide.

Results

Here, we adopted computational approaches including support vector machine (SVM) and homology searching to make a global scanning on the pre-miRNAs of pigs. In our study, we built the SVM-based porcine pre-miRNAs classifier with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 91.2% and a total prediction accuracy of 95.6%, respectively. Moreover, 2204 novel porcine pre-miRNA candidates were found by using SVM-based pre-miRNAs classifier. Besides, 116 porcine pre-miRNA candidates were detected by homology searching.

Conclusions

We identified the porcine pre-miRNA in genome-wide through computational approaches by utilizing the data sets of pigs and set up the porcine pre-miRNAs library which may provide us a global scanning on the pre-miRNAs of pigs in genome level and would benefit subsequent experimental research on porcine miRNA functional and expression analysis.
A genomic scale map of genetic diversity in Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Ackermann Alejandro A , Panunzi Leonardo G , Cosentino Raul O , Sánchez Daniel O , Agüero Fernán
Published: December 2012

Background

Trypanosoma cruzi, the causal agent of Chagas Disease, affects more than 16 million people in Latin America. The clinical outcome of the disease results from a complex interplay between environmental factors and the genetic background of both the human host and the parasite. However, knowledge of the genetic diversity of the parasite, is currently limited to a number of highly studied loci. The availability of a number of genomes from different evolutionary lineages of T. cruzi provides an unprecedented opportunity to look at the genetic diversity of the parasite at a genomic scale.

Results

Using a bioinformatic strategy, we have clustered T. cruzi sequence data available in the public domain and obtained multiple sequence alignments in which one or two alleles from the reference CL-Brener were included. These data covers 4 major evolutionary lineages (DTUs): TcI, TcII, TcIII, and the hybrid TcVI. Using these set of alignments we have identified 288,957 high quality single nucleotide polymorphisms and 1,480 indels. In a reduced re-sequencing study we were able to validate ~ 97% of high-quality SNPs identified in 47 loci. Analysis of how these changes affect encoded protein products showed a 0.77 ratio of synonymous to non-synonymous changes in the T. cruzi genome. We observed 113 changes that introduce or remove a stop codon, some causing significant functional changes, and a number of tri-allelic and tetra-allelic SNPs that could be exploited in strain typing assays. Based on an analysis of the observed nucleotide diversity we show that the T. cruzi genome contains a core set of genes that are under apparent purifying selection. Interestingly, orthologs of known druggable targets show statistically significant lower nucleotide diversity values.

Conclusions

This study provides the first look at the genetic diversity of T. cruzi at a genomic scale. The analysis covers an estimated ~ 60% of the genetic diversity present in the population, providing an essential resource for future studies on the development of new drugs and diagnostics, for Chagas Disease. These data is available through the TcSNP database (http://snps.tcruzi.org).
QTc interval prolongation in HIV-infected patients: a case–control study by 24-hour Holter ECG recording
Authors: Fiorentini Alessandra , Petrosillo Nicola , Di Stefano Angelo , Cicalini Stefania , Borgognoni Laura , Boumis Evangelo , Tubani Luigi , Chinello Pierangelo
Published: December 2012

Background

Aim of the study was to assess QTc interval by a 24-hour ECG recording in a group of HIV-infected individuals with a basal prolonged QTc. The risk factors associated with QTc prolongation and the indices of cardiovascular autonomic control were also evaluated.

Methods

A case–control study was performed using as cases 32 HIV-infected patients with prolonged (>440 msec) QTc interval as assessed by Holter ECG, and as controls 64 HIV-infected subjects with normal QTc interval. Autonomic function was evaluated by heart rate variability analysis during 24-hour recording.

Results

Duration of HIV disease was significantly longer among cases than among controls (p=0.04). Waist/hip ratio was also higher among cases than among controls (p=0.05). Frequency domain analysis showed the absence of physiologic decrease of low frequency (LF) in the night period in both cases and controls. The LF night in cases showed a statistically significant reduction when compared with controls (p=0.007).

Conclusions

In our study group, QTc interval prolongation was associated with a longer duration of HIV infection and with a greater waist/hip ratio. HIV patients with QTc interval prolongation and with a longer duration of HIV infection were more likely to have an impairment of parasympathetic and sympathetic cardiac component.
Evaluation of the tuberculosis programme in Ningxia Hui Autonomous region, the People’s Republic of China: a retrospective case study
Authors: Yang Yu Rong , McManus Donald P , Gray Darren J , Wang Xiao Ling , Yang Shu Kun , Ross Allen G , Williams Gail M , Ellis Magda K
Published: December 2012

Background

Tuberculosis is a devastating disease due to its rapid transmission and high rate of mortality. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR), located in the North-west, is one of the poorest provinces in China and national surveys have shown TB has been hyper endemic in NHAR for several decades. As no active surveys had been undertaken since the initiation of the DOTS control program across all of NHAR.

Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken of all clinical records of TB patients registered from January 2005 to September 2009. Poisson regression was performed to investigate the change in incidence over time and accounted for age, sex and county. Length of time on treatment, disease severity and patient delay were assessed by county.

Results

More than 30% of patients had been on treatment for over 12 months and 10% for over 3 years, reflecting drug-resistance or failure of DOTS. More than 93% of patients had grade III disease at time of diagnosis and >15% of patients had severe disease grade IV-V in some NHAR counties. Further, 8.8% of patients were not diagnosed for over 6 months from the onset of symptoms; this was as high as 20% in some counties. The reported incidence of TB is most likely grossly underestimated and the data indicate TB is a major public health concern in NHAR.

Conclusions

It is clear that active surveillance is necessary to determine the full extent of the burden of TB in NHAR. New control and treatment strategies for TB are required that increase awareness in the health-care system and at the individual and community level.
Measuring the quality of Patients’ goals and action plans: development and validation of a novel tool
Authors: Teal Cayla R , Haidet Paul , Balasubramanyam Ajay S , Rodriguez Elisa , Naik Aanand D
Published: December 2012

Background

The purpose of this study is to develop and test reliability, validity, and utility of the Goal-Setting Evaluation Tool for Diabetes (GET-D). The effectiveness of diabetes self-management is predicated on goal-setting and action planning strategies. Evaluation of self-management interventions is hampered by the absence of tools to assess quality of goals and action plans. To address this gap, we developed the GET-D, a criteria-based, observer rating scale that measures the quality of patients’ diabetes goals and action plans.

Methods

We conducted 3-stage development of GET-D, including identification of criteria for observer ratings of goals and action plans, rater training and pilot testing; and then performed psychometric testing of the GET-D.

Results

Trained raters could effectively rate the quality of patient-generated goals and action plans using the GET-D. Ratings performed by trained evaluators demonstrated good raw agreement (94.4%) and inter-rater reliability (Kappa = 0.66). Scores on the GET-D correlated well with measures theoretically associated with goal-setting, including patient activation (r=.252, P<.05), diabetes specific self-efficacy (r=.376, P<.001) and inverse relationship with depression (r= −.376, P<.01). Significant between group differences (P<.01) in GET-D scores between goal-setting intervention (mean = 7.33, standard deviation = 4.4) and education groups (mean = 4.93, standard deviation = 3.9) confirmed construct validity of the GET-D.

Conclusions

The GET-D can reliably and validly rate the quality of goals and action plans. It holds promise as a measure of intervention fidelity for clinical interventions that promote diabetes self-management behaviors to improve clinical outcomes.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00481286
Assessing research impact in academic clinical medicine: a study using Research Excellence Framework pilot impact indicators
Authors: Ovseiko Pavel V , Oancea Alis , Buchan Alastair M
Published: December 2012

Background

Funders of medical research the world over are increasingly seeking, in research assessment, to complement traditional output measures of scientific publications with more outcome-based indicators of societal and economic impact. In the United Kingdom, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) developed proposals for the Research Excellence Framework (REF) to allocate public research funding to higher education institutions, inter alia, on the basis of the social and economic impact of their research. In 2010, it conducted a pilot exercise to test these proposals and refine impact indicators and criteria.

Methods

The impact indicators proposed in the 2010 REF impact pilot exercise are critically reviewed and appraised using insights from the relevant literature and empirical data collected for the University of Oxford’s REF pilot submission in clinical medicine. The empirical data were gathered from existing administrative sources and an online administrative survey carried out by the university’s Medical Sciences Division among 289 clinical medicine faculty members (48.1% response rate).

Results

The feasibility and scope of measuring research impact in clinical medicine in a given university are assessed. Twenty impact indicators from seven categories proposed by HEFCE are presented; their strengths and limitations are discussed using insights from the relevant biomedical and research policy literature.

Conclusions

While the 2010 pilot exercise has confirmed that the majority of the proposed indicators have some validity, there are significant challenges in operationalising and measuring these indicators reliably, as well as in comparing evidence of research impact across different cases in a standardised manner. It is suggested that the public funding agencies, medical research charities, universities, and the wider medical research community work together to develop more robust methodologies for capturing and describing impact, including more valid and reliable impact indicators.
Blockade of phospholipid scramblase 1 with its N-terminal domain antibody reduces tumorigenesis of colorectal carcinomas in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Fan Chung-Wei , Chen Chun-Yu , Chen Kuei-Tien , Shen Chia-Rui , Kuo Yung-Bin , Chen Ya-Shan , Chou Yeh-Pin , Wei Wei-Shan , Chan Err-Cheng
Published: December 2012

Background

Membrane-bound phospholipid scramblase 1 (PLSCR1) is involved in both lipid trafficking and cell signaling. Previously, we showed that PLSCR1 is overexpressed in many colorectal carcinomas (CRCs). In the present study, we investigated the tumorigenic role of PLSCR1 in CRC and suggest that it is a potential therapeutic target.

Methods

To identify PLSCR1 as a therapeutic target, we studied the tumorigenic properties of CRC cell lines treated with a monoclonal antibody (NP1) against the N-terminus of PLSCR1 in vitro and in vivo. We also investigated cell cycle status and epidermal growth factor receptor–related pathways and downstream effectors of PLSCR1 after blocking its function with NP1.

Results

Treating CRC cells with NP1 in vitro and in vivo decreased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, migration, and invasion. Adding NP1 to the CRC cell line HT29 caused arrest at G1/S. Treating HT29 cells with NP1 significantly decreased the expression of cyclin D1 and phosphorylation levels of Src, the adaptor protein Shc, and Erks. The reduced level of cyclin D1 led to an increase in the activated form of the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma protein via dephosphorylation. These actions led to attenuation of tumorigenesis.

Conclusions

Therefore, PLSCR1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
Modeling perchloroethylene degradation under ultrasonic irradiation and photochemical oxidation in aqueous solution
Authors: Kargar Mahdi , Nabizadeh Ramin , Naddafi Kazem , Nasseri Simin , Mesdaghinia Alireza , Mahvi Amir Hossein , Alimohammadi Mahmood , Nazmara Shahrokh , Pahlevanzadeh Bagher
Published: December 2012

Sonolysis and photochemical degradation of different compounds such as chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons are among the recent advanced oxidation processes. Perchloroethylene is one of these compounds that has been mainly used as a solvent and degreaser. In this work, elimination of perchloroethylene in aqueous solution by ultrasonic irradiation, andphotochemical oxidation by ultra violet ray and hydrogen peroxide were investigated. Three different initial concentrations of perchloroethylene at different pH values, detention periods, and concentrations of hydrogen peroxide were investigated. Head space gas chromatography with FID detector was used for analyses of perchloroethylene. This research was performed in 9 months from April through December 2011.

Results showed that perchloroethylene could be effectively and rapidly degraded by ultrasonic irradiation, photochemical oxidation by ultra violet ray, hydrogen peroxide and a combination of these methods. Kinetics of perchloroethylene was strongly influenced by time, initial concentration and pH value. Degradation of Perchloroethylene increased with decrease in the initial concentration of perchloroethylene from 0.3 to 10 mg/L at all initial pH. The results showed an optimum degradation condition achieved at pH = 5 but did not affect significantly the perchloroethylene destruction in the various pH values. Kinetic modeling applied for the obtained results showed that the degradation of perchloroethylene by ultrasound and photo-oxidation followed first order and second order model. The percentage of removal in the hybrids reactor was higher than each of the reactors alone, the reason being the role of hydroxyl radical induced by ultrasound and photochemical reaction.
HIV serostatus disclosure is not associated with safer sexual behavior among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and their partners at risk for infection in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Edwards-Jackson Nneka , Phanuphak Nittaya , Van Tieu Hong , Chomchey Nitiya , Teeratakulpisarn Nipat , Sathienthammawit Wassana , Pakam Charnwit , Pharachetsakul Nutthasun , Sobieszczyk Magdalena E , Phanuphak Praphan , Ananworanich Jintanat
Published: December 2012

Background

The relationship between HIV serostatus disclosure and sexual risk behavior is inconsistent across studies. As men who have sex with men (MSM) are emerging as the key affected population in Bangkok, Thailand with reported HIV prevalence of 30%, we assessed whether HIV disclosure is associated with protected sex in this population.

Methods

A risk behavior questionnaire was administered using Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviewing (ACASI) to determine whether HIV serostatus disclosure was associated with protected sex in 200 HIV-positive MSM in Bangkok. HIV serostatus disclosure to the most recent sexual partner prior to or at the time of the sexual encounter was assessed. Protected sex was defined as insertive or receptive anal intercourse with a condom at the most recent sexual encounter.

Results

The mean age was 30.2 years, CD4 was 353 cells/mm3, and one-third was on antiretroviral therapy. At the most recent sexual encounter, HIV serostatus disclosure rate was low (26%); 60.5% of subjects had not discussed their serostatus at all, while 5.5% had not revealed their true serostatus. Seventeen percent reported unprotected anal intercourse and about half had sex with their primary partners. The serostatus of the most recent sexual partner was HIV-positive in 19.2%, HIV-negative in 26.4%, and unknown in 54.4% of subjects. There was no association between disclosure and protected sex, with 41 of 48 (85.4%) disclosers and 104 of 126 (82.5%) of non-disclosers reported protected sex (p = .65). Subjects with HIV-positive partners were less likely to report protected sex overall (20 of 33, 60.6%) compared to those with HIV negative (82 of 96, 85.4%) or unknown (41 of 45, 91.1%) partners (p = .001). Age (27-32 years vs. ≤26 years, p = .008), primary partner status (p < .001), and HIV-positive serostatus of sexual partner (p < .001) were significantly associated with disclosure in the multivariate analyses.

Conclusion

Rates of HIV disclosure to sexual partners by HIV-positive MSM in Bangkok are low. Despite low rates of HIV serostatus disclosure, most HIV-positive MSM reported protected sex with their partners at risk for infection. Future studies should focus on understanding barriers to disclosure and factors driving risk behavior amongst MSM in Thailand.
Expression of antigen tf and galectin-3 in fibroadenoma
Authors: Gallegos Itandehui Belem , Pérez-Campos Eduardo , Martinez Margarito , Mayoral Miguel Ángel , Pérez Laura , Aguilar Sergio , Zenteno Edgar , Pina Maria del Socorro , Hernández Pedro
Published: December 2012

Background

Fibroadenomas are benign human breast tumors, characterized by proliferation of epithelial and stromal components of the terminal ductal unit. They may grow, regress or remain unchanged, as the hormonal environment of the patient changes. Expression of antigen TF in mucin or mucin-type glycoproteins and of galectin-3 seems to contribute to proliferation and transformations events; their expression has been reported in ductal breast cancer and in aggressive tumors.

Findings

Lectin histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to examine the expression and distribution of antigen TF and galectin-3. We used lectins from Arachis hypogaea, Artocarpus integrifolia, and Amaranthus lecuocarpus to evaluate TF expression and a monoclonal antibody to evaluate galectin-3 expression. We used paraffin-embedded blocks from 10 breast tissues diagnosed with fibroadenoma and as control 10 healthy tissue samples. Histochemical and immunofluorescence analysis showed positive expression of galectin-3 in fibroadenoma tissue, mainly in stroma, weak interaction in ducts was observed; whereas, in healthy tissue samples the staining was also weak in ducts. Lectins from A. leucocarpus and A. integrifolia specificaly recognized ducts in healthy breast samples, whereas the lectin from A. hypogaea recognized ducts and stroma. In fibroadenoma tissue, the lectins from A. integrifolia, A. Hypogaea, and A. leucocarpus recognized mainly ducts.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that expression of antigen TF and galectin-3 seems to participate in fibroadenoma development.
Knee hemarthrosis after arthroscopic surgery in an athlete with low factor XIII activity
Authors: Tsujii Akira , Tanaka Yoshinari , Yonetani Yasukazu , Shiozaki Yoshiki , Tomiyama Yoshiaki , Horibe Shuji
Published: December 2012

We report a thirteen-year-old tennis player with knee hemarthrosis caused by low factor XIII activity. She visited our hospital because of medial peripatellar pain for two years. Although there was no abnormal sign in X-ray or MRI, diagnostic arthroscopy was performed. It revealed some cartilage debris, medial plica and complete septum of suprapatellar plica. Removing the debris by washing out and resecting the medial plica, she could return to play tennis without perioperative symptom. Two months after the first operation, her knee got swelling without any apparent cause. Since 20 ml blood was aspirated twice and MRI revealed suprapatellar mass, we performed arthroscopy again. Suprapatellar mass was old blood clot covered with complete suprapatellar plica. Resection of suprapatellar plica and washing out blood clot were performed, and severe postoperative hemarthrosis was progressively occurred. As factor XIII level was 54% preoperatively, we diagnosed that this condition was caused by low activity level of the factor and administered factor XIII concentrates. The level got improved to 129% and then hemarthrosis gradually relieved. She had no signs of recurrence. We should keep in mind of low factor XIII activity case in case of unexplained postoperative hemarthrosis after arthroscopy because consumption of the factor might promote this condition.
Role of testosterone in memory impairment of Alzheimer disease induced by Streptozotocin in male rats
Authors: Seyedreza Pourrabi , Alireza Mohajjel Nayebi , Seyedebrahim Hossini
Published: December 2012

Background and purpose of the study

Recent studies demonstrate that androgens, beyond regulating sexual behavior, exert several neuroprotective functions in the brain. The present study was designed to explore effect of testosterone in memory impairment induced by intra- cerebroventricular (icv) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) as a model of sporadic AD.

Methods

Study was carried out on male Wistar rats. Animals were randomly divided into 11 equal groups. Experimental model of AD was induced by bilateral icv injection of STZ at the dose of 750 μg/Rat/10 μl ACSF at days 1 and 3. STZ-induced memory impairment was assessed two weeks after the last dose of STZ by using a passive avoidance task (1 mA). The interval between the placement of animals in the illuminated chamber and the entry into the dark chamber was measured as a step-through latency (STL). Castration was performed by surgical removing of testis and behavioral study of memory impairment was done after 4 weeks.

Results

Results of this study showed that icv injection of STZ could induce marked (p < 0.05) memory impairment at the dose of 750 μg/Rat/dissolve10 μl CSF/bilateral/days 1 and 3. Therefore, we used this dose of STZ for induction of experimental model of AD. Memory was worsened in castrated rats (P < 0.05) when compared with normal and sham-operated animals. Testosterone replacement therapy (1 mg/kg, sc, for 6 days) in 4 week castrated rats restored memory up to the level of control groups. Testosterone had not any significant effect on memory impairments of non-castrated rats.

Major conclusion

According to the obtained results it can be concluded that testosterone improves cognitive and memory impairment of AD. We suggest that testosterone replacement therapy may have beneficial effect in ameliorating memory impairments of senile patients suffering from AD. Further clinical studies should be carried out to prove possible useful effect of testosterone as an adjuvant therapy in AD.
Effects of dietary ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on immunoglobulins, cytokines, fatty acid composition, and performance of lactating sows and suckling piglets
Authors: Yao Wei , Li Jie , Wang Jun jun , Zhou Weiliang , Wang Qingbo , Zhu Rongchang , Wang Fenglai , Thacker Phil
Published: December 2012

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ratios of n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the performance of lactating sows and their piglets. Thirty pregnant Landrace sows were assigned to one of three treatments from d 108 of gestation until weaning (26–29 d) and were fed diets containing different ratios of n-6:n-3 PUFA including 3:1, 9:1 and 13:1. The effects on sow and litter production traits were examined together with an assessment of sow body condition. No differences were detected among the treatments for the daily feed intake of sows or changes in sow weight and back-fat levels during lactation (P > 0.05). Litter size at d 14 and d 21 were tended to increase in 3:1 treatment compared with 9:1 and 13:1 treatments (P < 0.10). Litter weight gain (1.77 kg/d) from d 0 to d 14 was tended to increase in 9:1 groups compared with the other two treatments (P < 0.10). A significant difference was observed for the content of α -linolenic acid, total n-3 PUFA, and the ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA in the colostrum, milk, and piglets plasma (P < 0.01). The effects of different ratios of n-6:n-3 PUFA in sow diets on colostrum, milk, and piglet plasma immunoglobulin concentrations are studied. No difference was observed among treatments in the concentrations of IgM, and IgA in colostrum (P > 0.05). A great significant difference for IgG concentration was observed among 3 group in colostrum. A great significant difference for IgA, and IgM (P < 0.01) concentrations in piglet plasma at d14 and a significant difference for IgG(P < 0.05) was observed at d14. Furthermore, at d 21 of lactation, piglet plasma IgG and IgA concentration were greater in 3:1 compared with 13:1 group (P < 0.01).

In summary, the current study demonstrated that altering the ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA in lactating sow diet had an effect on the immune component including immunoglobulin and cytokines, and it tended to increase the litter average daily gain and improve the immune status of piglets when dietary ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA was 9:1.
Who bears the cost of the business cycle? Labor-market institutions and volatility of the youth unemployment rate
Authors: Kawaguchi Daiji , Murao Tetsushi
Published: December 2012

The way age-specific unemployment rates fluctuate over the business cycle differs significantly across countries. This paper examines the effect of labor-market institutions on the fluctuations of age-specific unemployment rates based on panel data of 18 OECD countries between 1971 and 2008. Empirical results suggest that the cost of the business cycle disproportionately falls on youths in countries with stricter employment protection. This implies that a higher adjustment cost of an existing workforce induces the employment adjustment of new entrants into the labor market.

JEL codes

E24, J80
Self-selection patterns among return migrants: Mexico 1990-2010
Authors: Campos-Vazquez Raymundo M , Lara Jaime
Published: December 2012

This paper analyzes the self-selection patterns among Mexican return migrants during the period 1990–2010. To calculate the selection patterns, we nonparametrically estimate the counterfactual wages that the return migrants would have experienced had they never migrated by using the wage structure of stayers. We find evidence that the selection patterns in observable skills change over time from positive selection in 1990 toward negative selection in 2010. Additionally, we observe that the wages of return migrants are larger than those that the migrants would have obtained had they not migrated.

JEL Codes

F22, J01, J61, O54
From the bottom to the top: a more complete picture of the immigrant-native wage gap in Britain
Authors: Hunt Priscillia
Published: December 2012

This paper investigates wage assimilation of foreign-born male workers in Britain over the period 1993 to 2009. Using Labour Force Survey data, the paper employs a methodology (Blinder-Oaxaca quantile regressions) to decompose the immigrant-native wage differential at the mean and across the conditional wage distribution. Although immigrants earn more on average than natives, mean results mask that immigrants at the bottom (top) of the distribution earn less (more) than natives. Over the period investigated, the pro-UK-born unexplained component of the wage gap was greater at the bottom of the distribution and has shifted towards the centre of the distribution.

Jel codes

J15, J16, J31, J71
3D geologic model of Shizishan ore field constrained by gravity and magnetic interactive modeling: A case history
Authors: Lü Qingtian , Qi Guang , Yan Jiayong
Published: December 2012

We performed a study on using an integrated geologic model in mineral exploration at depth. Shizishan ore field, in the western part of the Tongling ore district, Anhui Province in China, is well known for its polymetallic deposits and recent deep discovery of Dongguashan deposit at around 1000-m depth. Understanding the 3D structure and delineating the locations and variations of the intrusions and ore-controlling strata in the study area are essential for selecting deep mineral targets. A pilot 3D geologic model, covering an area of 11 × 16 km and extends to a depth of 3 km, has been constructed by interactive gravity and magnetic inversions to define the geometry, depth, and physical properties of geologic bodies at depths. The 3D visualization of the results assists in understanding the spatial relations between various intrusive units and the ore-bearing strata. The model has confirmed most previous knowledge, but also revealed new features of different folds and intrusions that are important for planning future exploration at large depths. Several deep targets have also been predicted by combining the conceptual mineralization model in the district with the 3D geologic model. Our study demonstrates the potential of using gravity and magnetic data with geologic constraints to build 3D models in structurally complex areas for the purpose of mineral exploration at depth and under cover.
Ray-direction velocities in VTI media
Authors: Grechka Vladimir
Published: December 2012

Two-point ray tracing in anisotropic media requires the group and phase velocities to be calculated along ray directions available at each step of a ray bending algorithm. This computation, usually done iteratively or through velocity tables, becomes exceedingly involved for shear-waves that have multivalued group-velocity surfaces, such as in the presence of triplications on the SV wavefronts in vertically transversely isotropic (VTI) media. The difficulties encountered in computing the SV-wave velocities for a given ray direction can be circumvented by solving a polynomial equation whose real-valued roots provide the phase directions of the P- and either one or three SV-waves propagating along a selected ray; those phase directions then allow the group and phase velocities to be computed in a standard fashion. I construct the polynomial and supply computer codes implementing its solution, the codes that can be used in two-point ray-tracing software to improve its performance.
Population-Based Study Evaluating and Predicting the Probability of Death Resulting From Thyroid Cancer and Other Causes Among Patients With Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Yang Limin , Shen Weidong , Sakamoto Naoko
Published: December 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the probability of death for patients with thyroid cancer and construct a comprehensive nomogram based on a competing risks model to predict cumulative incidence of death resulting from thyroid cancer, other cancers, and non–cancer-related causes.

Patients and Methods

Patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 1988 and 2003 were selected for the study from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. We estimated probabilities of death resulting from thyroid cancer, other cancers, and noncancer causes and analyzed associations of patient and tumor characteristics with probability of death. A nomogram for predicting probability of death was built using a proportional subdistribution hazard competing risks model.

Results

The entire cohort comprised 29,225 patients with malignant thyroid cancer. Median duration of follow-up until censoring or death was 85 months (range, 0 to 239 months). Five-year probabilities of death resulting from thyroid cancer, other cancer, and noncancer causes were 1.9%, 0.8%, and 1.7%, respectively. Increasing age and tumor size, male sex, poorly differentiated carcinoma, lymph node involvement, and regional and metastatic disease were associated with increased cumulative incidence of death resulting from thyroid cancer.

Conclusion

A nomogram based on a competing risks model was developed for predicting the probability of death for patients with thyroid cancer. Performance of the model was excellent. This nomogram may be useful for patients and clinicians when predictions are needed.
Learning from a paradox: recent insights into Fanconi anaemia through studying mouse models
Authors: Bakker Sietske T. , de Winter Johan P. , Riele Hein te
Published: December 2012

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive or X-linked inherited disease characterised by an increased incidence of bone marrow failure (BMF), haematological malignancies and solid tumours. Cells from individuals with FA show a pronounced sensitivity to DNA interstrand crosslink (ICL)-inducing agents, which manifests as G2-M arrest, chromosomal aberrations and reduced cellular survival. To date, mutations in at least 15 different genes have been identified that cause FA; the products of all of these genes are thought to function together in the FA pathway, which is essential for ICL repair. Rapidly following the discovery of FA genes, mutant mice were generated to study the disease and the affected pathway. These mutant mice all show the characteristic cellular ICL-inducing agent sensitivity, but only partially recapitulate the developmental abnormalities, anaemia and cancer predisposition seen in individuals with FA. Therefore, the usefulness of modelling FA in mice has been questioned. In this Review, we argue that such scepticism is unjustified. We outline that haematopoietic defects and cancer predisposition are manifestations of FA gene defects in mice, albeit only in certain genetic backgrounds and under certain conditions. Most importantly, recent work has shown that developmental defects in FA mice also arise with concomitant inactivation of acetaldehyde metabolism, giving a strong clue about the nature of the endogenous lesion that must be repaired by the functional FA pathway. This body of work provides an excellent example of a paradox in FA research: that the dissimilarity, rather than the similarity, between mice and humans can provide insight into human disease. We expect that further study of mouse models of FA will help to uncover the mechanistic background of FA, ultimately leading to better treatment options for the disease.
NODAL and SHH dose-dependent double inhibition promotes an HPE-like phenotype in chick embryos
Authors: Mercier Sandra , David Véronique , Ratié Leslie , Gicquel Isabelle , Odent Sylvie , Dupé Valerié
Published: December 2012

Holoprosencephaly (HPE) is a common congenital defect that results from failed or incomplete forebrain cleavage. HPE is characterized by a wide clinical spectrum with inter- and intrafamilial variability. This heterogeneity is not well understood and it has been suggested that HPE involves a combination of multiple gene mutations. In this model, several mutated alleles or modifying factors are presumed to act in synergy to cause and determine the severity of HPE. This could explain the various clinical phenotypes. Screening for HPE-associated genes in humans suggests the involvement of NODAL or SHH signaling or both. To test this multigenic hypothesis, we investigated the effects of chemical inhibition of these two main HPE signaling pathways in a chick embryo model. SB-505124, a selective inhibitor of transforming Growth factor-B type I receptors was used to inhibit the NODAL pathway. Cyclopamine was used to inhibit SHH pathway. We report that both inhibitors caused HPE-like defects that were dependent on the drug concentration and the developmental stage at the time of treatment. We also investigated double inhibition of NODAL and SHH pathways from the onset of gastrulation using subthreshold inhibitor concentrations: the inhibitors of the NODAL and SHH pathways, even at low concentration, acted synergistically to promote an HPE-like phenotype. These findings support the view that genetic heterogeneity is important in the etiology of HPE and may contribute to the phenotypic variability.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy
Authors: Bonaldo Paolo , Sandri Marco
Published: December 2012

Skeletal muscle is a plastic organ that is maintained by multiple pathways regulating cell and protein turnover. During muscle atrophy, proteolytic systems are activated, and contractile proteins and organelles are removed, resulting in the shrinkage of muscle fibers. Excessive loss of muscle mass is associated with poor prognosis in several diseases, including myopathies and muscular dystrophies, as well as in systemic disorders such as cancer, diabetes, sepsis and heart failure. Muscle loss also occurs during aging. In this paper, we review the key mechanisms that regulate the turnover of contractile proteins and organelles in muscle tissue, and discuss how impairments in these mechanisms can contribute to muscle atrophy. We also discuss how protein synthesis and degradation are coordinately regulated by signaling pathways that are influenced by mechanical stress, physical activity, and the availability of nutrients and growth factors. Understanding how these pathways regulate muscle mass will provide new therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy in metabolic and neuromuscular diseases.