bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Staff regard towards working with substance users: a European multi‐centre study
Authors: Gilchrist Gail , Moskalewicz Jacek , Slezakova Silvia , Okruhlica Lubomir , Torrens Marta , Vajd Rajko , Baldacchino Alex
Published: February 2011

Aims  To compare regard for working with different patient groups (including substance users) among different professional groups in different health‐care settings in eight European countries.

Design  A multi‐centre, cross‐sectional comparative study.

Setting  Primary care, general psychiatry and specialist addiciton services in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain.

Participants  A multi‐disciplinary convenience sample of 866 professionals (physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and social workers) from 253 services.

Measurements  The Medical Condition Regard Scale measured regard for working with different patient groups. Multi‐factor between‐subjects analysis of variance determined the factors associated with regard for each condition by country and all countries.

Findings  Regard for working with alcohol (mean score alcohol: 45.35, 95% CI 44.76, 45.95) and drug users (mean score drugs: 43.67, 95% CI 42.98, 44.36) was consistently lower than for other patient groups (mean score diabetes: 50.19, 95% CI 49.71, 50.66; mean score depression: 51.34, 95% CI 50.89, 51.79) across all countries participating in the study, particularly among staff from primary care compared to general psychiatry or specialist addiction services (P < 0.001). After controlling for sex of staff, profession and duration of time working in profession, treatment entry point and country remained the only statistically significant variables associated with regard for working with alcohol and drug users.

Conclusions  Health professionals appear to ascribe lower status to working with substance users than helping other patient groups, particularly in primary care; the effect is larger in some countries than others.
Allergy to low dose sugammadex
Authors: Menéndez‐Ozcoidi L. , Ortiz‐Gómez J. R. , Olaguibel‐Ribero J. M. , Salvador‐Bravo M. J.
Published: February 2011

We describe the case of a fit 17‐year‐old man who developed a severe allergic reaction to a low clinical dose of sugammadex (3.2 mg kg−1, 200 mg intravenously), 1 min after its administration. This was manifest by an intense erythema over the anterior part of the thorax, severe lip and palpebral oedema and bilateral wheeze. On later investigation, the patient had a positive skin prick test to sugammadex (5‐mm diameter response, with a negative saline control and positive histamine control of 5 mm) and no response to any other drug tested. Other diagnostic tests supported a diagnosis of allergic reaction to sugammadex.
Update on modern neuraxial analgesia in labour: a review of the literature of the last 5 years
Authors: Loubert C. , Hinova A. , Fernando R.
Published: February 2011

Several strategies and alternative therapies have been used to provide analgesia for labour pain. Over the last few years, a number of improvements have enhanced the efficacy and safety of neuraxial analgesia and ultimately have improved mothers’ satisfaction with their birth experience. As labour analgesia is a field of obstetric anaesthesia that is rapidly evolving, this review is an update, from a clinical point of view, of developments over the last 5–7 years. We discuss advantages and controversies related to combined spinal‐epidural analgesia, patient controlled epidural analgesia and the integration of computer systems into analgesic modalities. We also review the recent literature on future clinical and research perspectives including ultrasound guided neuraxial block placement, epidural adjuvants and pharmacogenetics. We finally look at the latest work with regards to epidural analgesia and breastfeeding.
Nasotracheal fibreoptic intubation: a randomised controlled trial comparing the GlideRite® (Parker‐Flex® Tip) nasal tracheal tube with a standard pre‐rotated nasal RAETM tracheal tube
Authors: Lomax S. L. , Johnston K. D. , Marfin A. G. , Yentis S. M. , Kathawaroo S. , Popat M. T.
Published: February 2011

In a randomised controlled study, we compared the ease of railroading a GlideRite® nasal tracheal tube over a fibrescope with that of a pre‐rotated RAE™ nasal tracheal tube. We studied 110 anaesthetised patients with no known airway difficulties undergoing elective dental or maxillofacial surgery. Impingement was more common with the GlideRite tubes (11/55 (20%)) compared with the pre‐rotated RAE tubes (3/55 (5%); p = 0.02). The median (IQR [range]) time to intubation (GlideRite 7.6 (4.7–10.8 [3.0–46.2]) s; RAE 8.0 (6.2–10.7 [2.4–30.0]) s) and postoperative sore throat numerical ratings (GlideRite 2 (0–3 [0–10]); RAE 2 (0–5 [0–8])) were similar. A 90° anticlockwise pre‐rotation of a standard nasal RAE tube has a higher initial rate of successful railroading at first attempt and is therefore superior to a GlideRite nasotracheal tube during nasal fibreoptic intubation.
Critical phase distractions in anaesthesia and the sterile cockpit concept
Authors: Broom M. A. , Capek A. L. , Carachi P. , Akeroyd M. A. , Hilditch G.
Published: February 2011

In aviation, the sterile cockpit rule prohibits non‐essential activities during critical phases of flight, takeoff and landing, phases analogous to induction of, and emergence from, anaesthesia. We studied distraction during 30 anaesthetic inductions, maintenances and emergences. Mean (SD) noise during emergence (58.3 (6.2) dB) was higher than during induction (46.4 (4.3) dB) and maintenance (52 (4.5) dB; p < 0.001). Sudden loud noises, greater than 70 dB, occurred more frequently at emergence (occurring 34 times) than at induction (occurring nine times) or maintenance (occurring 13 times). The median (IQR [range]) of staff entrances or exits were 0 (0–2 [0–7]), 6 (3–10 [1–18]) and 10 (5–12 [1–20]) for induction, maintenance and emergence, respectively (p < 0.001). Conversations unrelated to the procedure occurred in 28/30 (93%) emergences. These data demonstrate increased distraction during emergence compared with other phases of anaesthesia. Recognising and minimising distraction should improve patient safety. Applying aviation’s sterile cockpit rule may be a useful addition to our clinical practice.
Comparison of blind tracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (LMA FastrachTM) and the Air‐QTM
Authors: Karim Y. M. , Swanson D. E.
Published: February 2011

This study assessed two disposable devices, the LMA FastrachTM and the newly developed supraglottic airway device, the Air‐QTM, as a conduit for tracheal intubation in 154 healthy adults undergoing elective surgery. Using a non‐inferiority approach, the primary outcome measure was successful tracheal intubation within two blind insertion attempts. Successful blind intubation after two attempts was achieved in 75/76 (99%) of the patients in the LMA Fastrach group vs 60/78 (77%) in the Air‐Q group (95% CI for the difference 12–32%, p < 0.0001). Fibreoptic intubation was used to assist the third attempt. The rate of successful intubation after three attempts was 100% in the LMA Fastrach group and 95% in Air‐Q group. The single‐use LMA Fastrach appears superior compared with the Air‐Q, as a conduit to facilitate blind tracheal intubation.
Acute myeloid leukaemia in the elderly: a review
Authors: Pollyea Daniel A. , Kohrt Holbrook E. , Medeiros Bruno C.
Published: February 2011

The majority of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) are elderly. Advancements in supportive care and regimen intensification have resulted in improvements in clinical outcomes for younger AML patients, but analogous improvements in older patients have not been realized. While outcomes are compromised by increased comorbidities and susceptibility to toxicity from therapy, it is now recognized that elderly AML represents a biologically distinct disease that is more aggressive and less responsive to therapy. Some patients tolerate and benefit from intensive remission‐induction approaches, while others are best managed with less aggressive strategies. The challenge is to differentiate these groups based on host‐related and biological features, in order to maximize the therapeutic benefit and minimize toxicity. As more is understood about the complicated pathogenesis and molecular basis of AML, there are more opportunities to develop and test targeted therapies. Elderly patients, with their narrow therapeutic window, are well positioned to derive a benefit from these novel agents, and therefore, despite a difficult past, there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of elderly AML.
The functional status of incidentally discovered bilateral adrenal lesions
Authors: Androulakis Ioannis I. , Kaltsas Gregory A. , Markou Athina , Tseniklidi Ermioni , Kafritsa Paraskevi , Pappa Theodora , Papanastasiou Lambrini , Piaditis George P.
Published: February 2011

Objective  To investigate autonomous cortisol and aldosterone secretion and insulin resistance (IR) indices, in patients with incidentally discovered bilateral adrenal lesions (BA).

Patients  Thirty‐six patients with BA, 113 patients with unilateral adrenal incidentalomas (UA) and 89 healthy subjects (C) with normal adrenal imaging.

Measurements  All participants underwent adrenal imaging, baseline biochemical and hormonal measurements and the following investigations on consecutive days: (i) A 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (75 g) with glucose and insulin measurements every 30 min. (ii) An adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) stimulation test with intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration of 250 μg of ACTH (1–24) and measurement of serum cortisol and aldosterone before and after 30 and 60 min. (iii) A low‐dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST) (0·5 mg of dexamethasone every 6‐h for 2 days) with cortisol measurement 6 h after the last dexamethasone dose and (iv) A NaCl (0·9%) postdexamethasone saline infusion test (PD‐SIT) (2 l of NaCl 0·9% iv in 4 h) following the LDDST, with aldosterone measurement at the end of the test.

Results  Cortisol and aldosterone cut‐offs based on the mean + 2 SD values obtained from the C group following the LDDST and PD‐SITs were calculated (34·11 nm and 74·83 pm, respectively). Based on the above cut‐offs, autonomous cortisol and aldosterone secretion was found in 42·5 and 15·9% of patients with UA, and in 41·7 and 19·4% of patients with BA, respectively. In addition, 17·7% of patients with UA and 19·4% of patients with BA had concomitant autonomous cortisol and aldosterone secretion. Cortisol and aldosterone levels following the LDDST and PD‐SIT were significantly higher in the BA compared to the UA group, respectively. Furthermore, patients with BA had more pronounced glucose levels and insulin resistance (IR) indices compared to patients with UA.

Conclusions  Patients with BA have more pronounced autonomous cortisol and aldosterone secretion and glucose metabolism alterations than patients with UA. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential long‐term consequences of these findings.
Detection of multiple fracture sets using observations of shear‐wave splitting in microseismic data
Authors: Verdon James P. , Kendall J.‐Michael
Published: February 2011

The hydrocarbon industry is moving increasingly towards tight sandstone and shale gas resources – reservoirs that require fractures to be produced economically. Therefore, techniques that can identify sets of aligned fractures are becoming more important. Fracture identification is also important in the areas of coal bed methane production, carbon capture and storage (CCS), geothermal energy, nuclear waste storage and mining. In all these settings, stress and pore pressure changes induced by engineering activity can generate or reactivate faults and fractures. P‐ and S‐waves are emitted by such microseismic events, which can be recorded on downhole geophones. The presence of aligned fracture sets generates seismic anisotropy, which can be identified by measuring the splitting of the S‐waves emitted by microseismic events. The raypaths of the S‐waves will have an arbitrary orientation, controlled by the event and geophone locations, meaning that the anisotropy system may only be partly illuminated by the available arrivals. Therefore to reliably interpret such splitting measurements it is necessary to construct models that compare splitting observations with modelled values, allowing the best fitting rock physics parameters to be determined. Commonly, splitting measurements are inverted for one fracture set and rock fabrics with a vertical axis of symmetry. In this paper we address the challenge of identifying multiple aligned fracture sets using splitting measured on microseismic events.

We analyse data from the Weyburn CCS‐EOR reservoir, which is known to have multiple fracture sets, and from a hydraulic fracture stimulation, where it is believed that only one set is present. We make splitting measurements on microseismic data recorded on downhole geophone arrays. Our inversion technique successfully discriminates between the single and multiple fracture cases and in all cases accurately identifies the strikes of fracture sets previously imaged using independent methods (borehole image logs, core samples, microseismic event locations). We also generate a synthetic example to highlight the pitfalls that can be encountered if it is assumed that only one fracture set is present when splitting data are interpreted, when in fact more than one fracture set is contributing to the anisotropy.
Wavefield dependency on virtual shifts in the source location
Authors: Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: February 2011

The wavefield dependence on a virtual shift in the source location can provide information helpful in velocity estimation and interpolation. However, the second‐order partial differential equation (PDE) that relates changes in the wavefield form (or shape) to lateral perturbations in the source location depends explicitly on lateral derivatives of the velocity field. For velocity models that include lateral velocity discontinuities this is problematic as such derivatives in their classical definition do not exist. As a result, I derive perturbation partial differential wave equations that are independent of direct velocity derivatives and thus, provide possibilities for wavefield shape extrapolation in complex media. These PDEs have the same structure as the wave equation with a source function that depends on the background (original source) wavefield. The solutions of the perturbation equations provide the coefficients of a Taylor's series type expansion for the wavefield. The new formulas introduce changes to the background wavefield only in the presence of lateral velocity variation or in general terms velocity variations in the perturbation direction. The accuracy of the representation, as demonstrated on the Marmousi model, is generally good.
Lipopolysaccharide‐induced miR‐1224 negatively regulates tumour necrosis factor‐α gene expression by modulating Sp1
Authors: Niu Yuna , Mo Delin , Qin Limei , Wang Chong , Li Anning , Zhao Xiao , Wang Xiaoying , Xiao Shuqi , Wang Qiwei , Xie Ying , He Zuyong , Cong Peiqing , Chen Yaosheng
Published: February 2011

The innate immune response provides the initial defence mechanism against infection by other organisms. However, an excessive immune response will cause damage to host tissues. In an attempt to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that regulate the innate immune response in inflammation and homeostasis, we examined the differential expression of miRNAs using microarray analysis in the spleens of mice injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and saline, respectively. Following challenge, we observed 19 miRNAs up‐regulated (1·5‐fold) in response to LPS. Among these miRNAs, miR‐1224, whose expression level increased 5·7‐fold 6 hr after LPS injection and 2·3‐fold after 24 hr, was selected for further study. Tissue expression patterns showed that mouse miR‐1224 is highly expressed in mouse spleen, kidney and lung. Transfection of miR‐1224 mimics resulted in a decrease in basal tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) promoter reporter gene activity and a down‐regulation of LPS‐induced TNF‐α mRNA in RAW264.7 cells. With public databases of miRNA target prediction, miR‐1224 was shown to bind to the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of Sp1 mRNA, whose coding product controls TNF‐α expression at the transcriptional level. Furthermore, we found that in HEK‐293 cells, the activity of the luciferase reporter bearing Sp1 mRNA 3′ UTR was down‐regulated significantly when transfected with miR‐1224 mimics. After transfection of miR‐1224 in RAW264.7 cells, nucleus Sp1 protein level decreased, and when endogenous miR‐1224 was blocked, the decrease was abolished. Therefore, we initially speculated that miR‐1224 was a negative regulator of TNF‐α in an Sp1‐dependent manner, which was confirmed in vivo by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, and might be involved in regulating the LPS‐mediated inflammatory responses.
Coincidence of autoantibody production with the activation of natural killer T cells in α‐galactosylceramide‐mediated hepatic injury
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroaki , Kawamura Toshihiko , Kobayashi Takahiro , Kanda Yasuhiro , Kawamura Hiroki , Abo Toru
Published: February 2011

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are known to be specifically activated by α‐galactosylceramide (α‐GalCer) via their interaction with CD1d. At that time, NKT cells mediate autoreactivity and eventually induce hepatic injury. As these immune responses resemble acute autoimmune hepatitis, it was examined whether autoantibody production and the activation of autoantibody‐producing B‐1 cells were accompanied by this phenomenon. Autoantibodies against Hep‐2 cells and double‐stranded DNA were detected in sera as early as day 3 (showing a peak at day 14) when mice were treated with α‐GalCer. On day 3, B220low cells appeared in the liver. These B220low cells were CD5− (i.e. B‐1b cells) and CD69+ (an activation marker). Primarily, such B220low cells were present in the peritoneal cavity, but the proportion of B220low cells increased with the administration of α‐GalCer even at this site. In parallel with the appearance of B220low cells in the liver, hepatic lymphocytes acquired the potential to produce autoantibodies in in vitro cell culture in the presence of lipopolysaccharide. These results suggested that hepatic injury induced by α‐GalCer administration resembled acute autoimmune hepatitis and that the major effector lymphocytes were NKT cells with autoreactivity and autoantibody‐producing B‐1 cells.
Cytoadherence‐dependent induction of inflammatory responses by Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Kida Yutaka , Kuwano Koichi
Published: February 2011

Pathogenesis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is considered to be in part attributed to excessive immune responses. Mycoplasma pneumoniae shows strong cytoadherence to host cells and this cytoadherence is thought to be involved in the progression of pneumonia. However, the interaction between the cytoadherence and the immune responses is not known in detail. In this study, we demonstrated that the induction of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the human monocyte cell line THP‐1 is dependent on the property of cytoadherence of M. pneumoniae. A wild‐type strain of M. pneumoniae with cytoadherence ability induced pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). Whereas, heat‐killed M. pneumoniae and cytoadherence‐deficient mutants of M. pneumoniae caused significantly less production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines than the wild‐type strain. The wild‐type strain induced pro‐inflammatory cytokines in an endocytosis‐independent manners, but the induction by heat‐killed M. pneumoniae and cytoadherence‐deficient mutants was dependent on endocytosis. Moreover, the wild‐type strain induced caspase‐1 production and ATP efflux, promoting the maturation of IL‐1β and release of the pro‐IL‐1β precursor, whereas heat‐killed M. pneumoniae and the cytoadherence‐deficient mutants failed to induce them. These data suggest that the cytoadherence ability of M. pneumoniae activates immune responses and is involved in the pathogenesis of M. pneumoniae infection.
Analyses of phenotypic and functional characteristics of CX3CR1‐expressing natural killer cells
Authors: Hamann Isabell , Unterwalder Nadine , Cardona Astrid E. , Meisel Christian , Zipp Frauke , Ransohoff Richard M. , Infante‐Duarte Carmen
Published: February 2011

Summary We previously demonstrated a correlation between the frequency of CX3CR1‐expressing human natural killer (NK) cells and disease activity in multiple sclerosis and showed that CX3CR1high NK cells were more cytotoxic than their CX3CR1neg/low counterparts. Here we aimed to determine whether human NK cell fractions defined by CX3CR1 represent distinct subtypes. Phenotypic and functional NK cell analyses revealed that, distinct from CX3CR1high, CX3CR1neg/low NK cells expressed high amounts of type 2 cytokines, proliferated robustly in response to interleukin‐2 and promoted a strong up‐regulation of the key co‐stimulatory molecule CD40 on monocytes. Co‐expression analyses of CX3CR1 and CD56 demonstrated the existence of different NK cell fractions based on the surface expression of these two surface markers, the CX3CR1neg CD56bright, CX3CR1neg CD56dim and CX3CR1high CD56dim fractions. Additional investigations on the expression of NK cell receptors (KIR, NKG2A, NKp30 and NKp46) and the maturation markers CD27, CD62L and CD57 indicated that CX3CR1 expression of CD56dim discriminated between an intermediary CX3CR1neg CD56dim and fully mature CX3CR1high CD56dim NK cell fractions. Hence, CX3CR1 emerges as an additional differentiation marker that may link NK cell maturation with the ability to migrate to different organs including the central nervous system.
Extrusion parameters related to starch/chitosan active films properties
Authors: Pelissari Franciele M. , Yamashita Fabio , Grossmann Maria Victoria E.
Published: February 2011

Despite the increased use of extrusion technology in the production of biodegradable films, a better understanding of its effects on the several biopolymers is required. Therefore, the influence of extrusion temperature (120, 130 and 140 °C) and screw speed (25, 35 and 45 r.p.m.) on the properties of an active film formulated with starch, chitosan and oregano essential oil was investigated. Mechanical and barrier properties, apparent opacity and blow‐up ratio (BUR) of films were determined. The increase in screw speed had a positive effect on BUR and water vapour permeability (WVP) and a negative effect on opacity, tensile strength and elongation at break of the films. Low die temperatures resulted in decreased tensile strength, elongation at break, Young’s modulus and WVP of the films. Sorption isotherms of films were directly influenced by the extrusion conditions and films produced at 130 °C and 35 r.p.m. were less hydrophilic.
Lipid quality and filleting yield of reared meagre (Argyrosomus regius)
Authors: Grigorakis Kriton , Fountoulaki Eleni , Vasilaki Antigoni , Mittakos Ioannis , Nathanailides Cosmas
Published: February 2011

Reared meagre (Argyrosomus regius) of average weight 1278 g was evaluated for its filleting yield and fillet lipid quality. Filleting yield averaged 42.2%, while very low levels of muscle fat deposits were measured (1.06%). Analysis of lipid classes revealed a high proportion of polar lipids (48.3–59.1%) and low levels of neutral fatty acids (40.9–51.7%) when compared to corresponding values of other farmed fish species. Phosphatidyl‐choline (PC) was the dominant polar lipid (2.92 mg g−1 muscle), while cholesterol the most abundant neutral lipid (1.68 mg g−1 muscle). The fatty acid composition of meagre fillet generally reflects the dietary fatty acids. Among n‐3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (4.58%) and docohexaenoic (15.0%) were measured to be the most abundant ones, and 18:2n‐6 (11.9%) was the most common n‐6 fatty acid. The fatty acid profiles of polar and neutral fractions differ, with monounsaturated fatty acids being predominant in the neutral and n‐3 polyunsaturates in the polar lipids. The high polar lipid contents and n‐3 fatty acids and the low atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes indicate a high quality of this species’ lipids.
Changes in biogenic amines during the conventional production of stinky tofu
Authors: Liu Zhen‐Feng , Wei Yun‐Xiao , Zhang Jin‐Jie , Liu Dong‐Hong , Hu Ya‐Qin , Ye Xing‐Qian
Published: February 2011

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in ten biogenic amines and chemical properties in stinky tofu and brine during conventional production. Results show that the free amino acid nitrogen was positively correlated with fermentation time in stinky tofu and brine except during the primary fermentation (0–24 h) in stinky tofu. Of the amines analysed, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, spermine and agmatine were detected in stinky tofu, putrescine, cadaverine and spermidine were detected in stinky brine, and only putrescine and cadaverine exhibited a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with time in both sample types during extended fermentation (24–144 h). From a toxicological point of view, stinky tofu poses no risk to health; nevertheless, an increase in total biogenic amines in stinky tofu during extended fermentation may be harmful. The results indicate that the fermentation time should be <48 h and a suggested optimum time is 12–18 h.
Changes of quality characteristics of pepino fruit (Solanum muricatum Ait) during convective drying
Authors: Di Scala Karina , Vega‐Gálvez Antonio , Uribe Elsa , Oyanadel Romina , Miranda Margarita , Vergara Judith , Quispe Issis , Lemus‐Mondaca Roberto
Published: February 2011

Quality assessment of pepino fruit preserved through convective dehydration was investigated in this work. The effect of process temperature (50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 °C) on physicochemical properties, colour, non‐enzymatic browning, vitamin C, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and firmness of the fruit were considered. When comparing the fresh with the corresponding dehydrated pepino samples, it was shown that the drying conditions resulted in important reductions of proteins and crude fibres. Discoloration of fruit was noticeable for all treatments due to effects of non‐enzymatic browning and changes in chromatic coordinates leading to a modification of the original colour. Regarding vitamin C and total phenolic content, an increase of drying temperature resulted in a considerable reduction of both initial compounds contents. Antioxidant activity showed an important decrease especially at low temperatures (e.g. 50 °C). Softening of the dried product was observed for all the treatments indicating structural modifications of the fruit due to thermal process.
Quality of fresh and stored foam mat dried Mandarin powder
Authors: Kadam Dattatreya M. , Rai Deepak Raj , Patil R.T. , Wilson Robin A. , Kaur Sumandeep , Kumar Rahul
Published: February 2011

Foam mat drying is a lucrative process of mandarin (kinnow) pulp preservation in the form of powder. Foam mat drying of mandarin pulp experiments were carried out at 65, 75 and 85 °C drying air temperatures using carboxy methyl cellulose, milk and egg white as foaming agents at different concentrations levels to get dried mandarin powder. Quality of the reconstituted dried Mandarin pulp‐powder was evaluated for 6 month storage studies at an interval of 2 months for total sugars (%), ascorbic acid (mg 100 mL−1), total acid (%), pH and microbial load (fungal and bacterial) using standard procedures. It was observed that total sugars, ascorbic acid and total acid were decreased whereas pH was slightly higher than the fresh pulp. There was minor bacterial growth noticed in all the treatments, which is within the permissible limit, furthermore no fungal growth was noticed during storage period.
Fusicoccin‐induced catalase inhibitor is produced independently of H+‐ATPase activation and behaves as an organic acid
Authors: Beffagna Nicoletta , Alessandra Riva Marzia
Published: February 2011

The phytotoxin fusicoccin (FC) was found to induce an increase in apoplastic H2O2 content in Arabidopsis thaliana cells, apparently linked to the presence of an as yet unidentified catalase inhibitor detectable even in the external medium of FC‐treated cells. This study, aimed to further characterize the inhibitor's features, shows that (1) FC‐induced H2O2 accumulation increases as a function of FC concentration and correlates to the amount of inhibitor released at apoplastic level. The pattern of H+ efflux, conversely, does not fit with that of these two parameters, suggesting that neither the production nor the release of the catalase inhibitor is linked to the main role of FC in activating the plasma membrane (PM) H+‐ATPase; (2) treatment with 10 µM erythrosin B (EB) early and totally inhibits net H+ and K+ fluxes across the PM, indicative of the H+ pump activity; nevertheless, also in these conditions a huge FC‐induced H2O2 accumulation occurs, confirming that this effect is not related to the FC‐induced PM H+‐ATPase activation; (3) the inhibitor's release increases with time in all conditions tested and is markedly affected by extracellular pH (a higher pH value being associated to a larger efflux), in agreement with a weak acid release; and (4) the inhibitor can be almost completely recovered in a CH2Cl2‐soluble fraction extracted from the incubation medium by sequential acid–base partitioning which contains nearly all of the organic acids released. These final results strongly suggest that the metabolite responsible for the FC‐induced catalase inhibition belongs to the organic acid class.
Protein synthesis is the primary target of reactive oxygen species in the photoinhibition of photosystem II
Authors: Nishiyama Yoshitaka , Allakhverdiev Suleyman I. , Murata Norio
Published: February 2011

Photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII) occurs when the rate of photodamage to PSII exceeds the rate of the repair of photodamaged PSII. Recent examination of photoinhibition by separate determinations of photodamage and repair has revealed that the rate of photodamage to PSII is directly proportional to the intensity of incident light and that the repair of PSII is particularly sensitive to the inactivation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The ROS‐induced inactivation of repair is attributable to the suppression of the synthesis de novo of proteins, such as the D1 protein, that are required for the repair of PSII at the level of translational elongation. Furthermore, molecular analysis has revealed that the ROS‐induced suppression of protein synthesis is associated with the specific inactivation of elongation factor G via the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bond. Impairment of various mechanisms that protect PSII against photoinhibition, including photorespiration, thermal dissipation of excitation energy, and the cyclic transport of electrons, decreases the rate of repair of PSII via the suppression of protein synthesis. In this review, we present a newly established model of the mechanism and the physiological significance of repair in the regulation of the photoinhibition of PSII.
Adenovirus‐mediated overexpression of cardiac troponin I‐interacting kinase promotes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy
Authors: Wang Lin , Wang Hui , Ye Jue , Xu Rui‐Xia , Song Li , Shi Na , Zhang Yan‐Wan , Chen Xi , Meng Xian‐Min
Published: February 2011

1. Cardiac troponin I‐interacting kinase (TNNI3K) is a novel cardiac‐specific kinase gene. Quantitative real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed a significant increase in TNNI3K mRNA expression in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes induced by endothelin‐1 (ET‐1). The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of TNNI3K on neonate rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by ET‐1.

2. Adenoviruses were amplified in 293A cells. To determine a reasonable adenovirus infection dose cardiomyocytes were infected with an adenovirus carrying human TNNI3K (Ad‐TNNI3K) at varying multiplicity of infection (MOI) and the expression of TNNI3K was analysed by western blot.

3. Cardiomyocytes were infected with either a control adenovirus carrying green fluorescent protein (Ad‐GFP) or Ad‐TNNI3K. Compared with Ad‐GFP, the Ad‐TNNI3K induced an increase in sarcomere organization, cell surface area, 3H‐leucine incorporation and β‐MHC re‐expression. This type of hypertrophic phenomenon is similar to that observed in Ad‐GFP‐infected hypertrophic cardiomyocytes induced by ET‐1. To determine the functional role of TNNI3K in ET‐1‐induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes, the cells were infected with Ad‐GFP or Ad‐TNNI3K. Ad‐TNNI3K induced an increase in sarcomere organization, cell surface area and 3H‐leucine incorporation compared with Ad‐GFP.

4. These results suggest that TNNI3K overexpression induces cardiomyocytes hypertrophy and accelerates hypertrophy in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes. Therefore, TNNI3K might be an interesting target for the clinical treatment of hypertrophy.
Insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) gene variants are associated with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Safarinejad Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2011

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the third leading cause of death among urological tumours. Insulin‐like growth factors (IGFs) regulate cellular proliferation and differentiation. IGFB proteins (IGFBPs) regulate the action of IGFs. Polymorphism of the IGFBP‐3 gene affects mean circulating IGFBP‐3 concentrations. In this study, the AA genotype was significantly higher in patients with RCC than in controls. In addition, IGFBP‐3 serum level was significantly higher in carriers of the A allele compared with non‐carriers.

OBJECTIVE

• To evaluate the A to C nucleotide change located 202 bp upstream to the transcription start site, (‐202 A/C polymorphism), in the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) gene, and its association with renal carinogenesis and with clinicopathological characteristics.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• We matched 158 male patients with clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) to 316 healthy controls, and genotyped one single nucleotide polymorphism (rs2854744) using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.

RESULTS

• The alleles and genotypes differed significantly between patients with CCRCC and controls (patients with CCRCC, P= 0.82; controls, P= 0.88).

• We found that the frequency of the AA genotype was significantly higher in patients with CCRCC than in controls (odds ratio [OR]= 4.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]= 3.41–7.42, P= 0.001).

• The A allele had a gene dose effect in increasing the risk of CCRCC (OR = 4.75, 95% CI = 3.64–7.64, P= 0.001).

• The distribution of IGFBP‐3 genotypes was also significantly associated with the histological grade (P= 0.001) and clinical stage (P= 0.001).

CONCLUSION

• In the Iranian population, the polymorphism of the IGFBP‐3 gene plays a pivotal role in the development of CCRCC.
Recreational ketamine: from pleasure to pain
Authors: Wood Dan , Cottrell Angela , Baker Simon C. , Southgate Jennifer , Harris Maya , Fulford Simon , Woodhouse Christopher , Gillatt David
Published: February 2011

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

There is a very limited literature on the syndrome described in this review. The largest series comes from Hong Kong and includes 59 patients – this was largely a description of the presenting problems and established the link between these symptoms and ketamine. Prior to this much smaller case series (including one from the same group) were all that exists.

An increasing number of UK urologists are reporting seeing these patients and we have formed a collaboration interested in understanding the pathology and establishing an effective treatment pathway for these patients. This paper aims to consolidate this knowledge.

Ketamine has become increasingly recognized as a drug of recreational use. Individuals using significant amounts have developed symptoms including a small painful bladder, ureteric obstruction, papillary necrosis and hepatic dysfunction. The present paper examines the current literature on the relationship between ketamine use and these symptoms. Our own clinical experience and the data available clarify the causal relationship, and further data help to elucidate the mechanism of damage. On the basis of continued work and development with patients who are ketamine users we suggest an assessment and treatment regime that includes cessation of ketamine use and adequate analgesia to overcome symptoms. In conclusion, it is important for medical practitioners who encounter patients with these symptoms to ask about recreational drug use. Ketamine remains a safe and effective drug to use under appropriate medical supervision. Patients identified as suffering from this syndrome will need to be referred to a urological unit with an interest in the treatment of the condition.
Mid‐term oncological control after laparoscopic radical cystectomy in men: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Gillion Norman , Xylinas Evanguelos , Durand Xavier , Ploussard Guillaume , Vordos Dimitri , Allory Yves , Hoznek Andras , de la Taille Alexandre , Abbou Claude Clément , Salomon Laurent
Published: February 2011

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

OBJECTIVE

• To assess the mid‐term (3 years of follow‐up) oncological control of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) for high‐grade muscle‐invasive bladder cancer in a well studied male population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• We assessed 40 men with bladder cancer (mean [range] age 66.5 [50–75] years) who underwent LRC and extended pelvic lymphadenectomy at our institution between April 2004 and September 2008.

• Of the 40 patients, 13 (32.5%) had a complete laparoscopic procedure (ileal conduit: seven patients; neobladder: five patients; bilateral ureterostomy: one patient) and 27 (67.5%) had an LRC procedure only (ileal conduit: 15 patients; neobladder: 12 patients).

RESULTS

• No major complications were observed intraoperatively.

• The mean operating time was 407 min and the mean blood loss was 720 mL. Four patients (10%) required conversion to open surgery. The mean (range) hospital stay was 10.2 (7–25) days. One patient died of myocardial infarction in the postoperative period.

• Pathological analysis showed organ‐confined tumours (stage pT0/pT1/pT2/pT3a) in 22 patients (55%) and extravesical disease (pT3/pT4) in 18 (45%). Of the 40 patients, six (15%) had lymph node involvement. The mean (range) number of nodes removed was 19.9 (5–40).

• At a mean (range) follow‐up period of 36 (0–72) months, 26 patients were alive with no evidence of disease (disease‐free survival rate 67%).

CONCLUSION

• Laparoscopic radical cystectomy is a safe, feasible, and effective alternative to open radical cystectomy (ORC). The 3‐year oncological efficacy was comparable with that of ORC.
Pharmacokinetics and toxicity of intravesical TMX‐101: a preclinical study in pigs
Authors: Arentsen Harm C. , Hulsbergen‐Van de Kaa Christina A. , Jansen Cornelius F.J. , Maj Roberto , Leoni Lorenzo M. , Oosterwijk Egbert , Witjes J. Alfred
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE

• To study the pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile of intravesically administered TMX‐101, with its active ingredient R‐837, a synthetic Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐7 agonist, in a pig model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

• TLR‐7 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in human and pig bladder tissue.

• Four groups of six pigs received a 1‐h intravesical instillation with R‐837 of different formulations.

• Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on plasma. Toxicity evaluation included monitoring the well‐being of the animals, peripheral blood cell counts, and interleukin‐6 and creatinine measurements. Urine was collected for R‐837 measurement and dipstick analysis.

• In total, three pigs per group were sacrificed 24 h post‐treatment, and the remaining animals were sacrificed after 1 week. Histopathological examination of the bladder wall was performed.

RESULTS

• TLR‐7 was homogeneously expressed in human and pig urothelium.

• R‐837 and vehicle were well tolerated without deterioration in animal well‐being.

• Systemic R‐837 absorption was low.

• Mean maximum plasma concentration of R‐837 differed depending on the formulation. Post‐treatment, plasma levels were negligible at 24 h.

• Histopathological examination of the bladders did not show significant abnormalities, apart from the intended inflammatory reaction in the R‐837 treated groups.

CONCLUSION

• Intravesically administered R‐837 in pigs, which showed a similar TLR‐7 distribution in bladder tissue as humans, is well tolerated and causes no bladder wall toxicity, and formulations with poloxamer and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin showed less systemic absorption.
Trends in the use of radiotherapy and radical surgery for patients with bladder urothelial cell carcinoma in East Anglia, 1995–2006
Authors: Barbiere Josaphine M. , Saeb‐Parsy Kasra , Greenberg David C. , Wright Karen A. , Brown Clement H. , Neal David E. , Lyratzopoulos Georgios
Published: February 2011

Study Type – Prevalence (retrospective cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

In the UK, specialist services for the management of urological cancers have been reconfigured substantially in recent time periods. Socioeconomic inequalities in relative survival from bladder cancer have also been documented.

In part of an English region, use of radical surgery to manage the most common type of bladder cancer increased and use of radiotherapy decreased during 1995–2006, most probably reflecting increasing availability of specialist surgical management. There was no evidence for differences in the use of radiotherapy or radical surgery between patients of different socio‐economic groups.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the use of radiotherapy and radical surgery for bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) before, during and after national initiatives for reorganization of uro‐oncology services.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Population‐based data (1995–2006) from a cancer registry with stable coding practices were analysed.

Bladder UCC was defined using relevant International Classification of Disease site and morphology codes.

Time trends in the use of radiotherapy and radical surgery, and other predictors of their use were examined.

RESULTS

Of 4639 bladder UCC patients aged ≥40 years (76% men), stage information was available for 4303 (93%).

Morphology and stage case mix remained stable during the study period.

Radiotherapy use decreased significantly (from 31% in 1995–1998 to 22% in 2003–2006, P < 0.001) among patients of any stage, whilst radical surgery use increased significantly (from 8 to 13%, P < 0.001), particularly among stage II–IV patients.

The proportion of patients treated by both radiotherapy and surgery also decreased notably (from 4.0 to 1.1%).

Women were significantly more likely to present in stages II–IV [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.40, P= 0.005], and less likely to be treated with radiotherapy (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.72–0.99, P= 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of radical surgery in UCC invading bladder muscle increased and use of radiotherapy decreased during the study period, most probably reflecting the increasing availability of specialist surgical management. Sociodemographic variation in treatment was limited to lower use of radiotherapy in women.

Further research should encompass treatment timeliness and other aspects of care quality, as well as exploring potential differences in endoscopic treatments for disease not invading bladder muscle.
Epstein criteria for insignificant prostate cancer
Authors: Oon Sheng F. , Watson R. William , O’Leary John J. , Fitzpatrick John M.
Published: February 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (systematic review)

Level of Evidence 2b

What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Overtreatment of prostate cancer is a major problem in contemporary urological practice. The Epstein Criteria reduces overtreatment by identifying insignificant prostate cancers that may be amenable to surveillance therapy.

This systematic review of the Epstein Criteria validation studies provides a collective insight into the application and accuracy of the Epstein Criteria to predict for insignificant prostate cancer across different institutions and geographies.

OBJECTIVE

• To review the accuracy of the Epstein Criteria for insignificant prostate cancer and to explore the effect of the modified Gleason classification system on this system.

METHODS

• We searched PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database using search terms ‘Epstein Criteria’, ‘Prostate Cancer’, ‘Validation’ and ‘Insignificant Cancer’ between 1994 to 2010 for validation articles.

• These were divided into pre‐2005 and post‐2005 and concordances for organ‐confined status, Gleason score ≤6 and insignificant cancer were analysed.

RESULTS

• A pre‐2005 study showed concordance for insignificant prostate cancer, Gleason score ≤6 and organ‐confined status at 84%, 90.3% and 91.6%, respectively.

• Five post‐2005 validation studies were concordant for insignificant cancer, Gleason score ≤6 and organ‐confined status at 37–76%, 54.3–75.9% and 80.0–96.9%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

• The Epstein Criteria has a suboptimal accuracy for predicting for insignificant prostate cancer.

• The modification to Gleason scoring may be responsible for a reduced accuracy over time.

• However, significant heterogeneity in the validation studies means better quality validation studies are required.
Wild Globalization: The Biopolitics of Climate Change and Global Capitalism on Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast
Authors: Cupples Julie
Published: February 2011

Abstract:  This article explores the value of Deleuzoguattarian approaches for understanding the entangled relationships between globalization, climate change, capitalism and indigenous peoples. Drawing on Brett Neilson's concept of wild globalization, it analyzes the biopolitics of climate change and capitalism as they are experienced on Nicaragua's Mosquito Coast. A focus on the heterogeneous economies and ecologies of the Miskito Keys and their destruction by Hurricane Felix reveals the destabilizing forces immanent to capitalism itself. Thinking about climate change not as a transcendent teleological megahazard, but as a Body without Organs, might enable us to be schizophrenic rather than paranoid about climate change.
Transition Urbanism and the Contested Politics of Ethical Place Making
Authors: Mason Kelvin , Whitehead Mark
Published: February 2011

Abstract: This paper explores the contested construction of more relational urban imaginaries within a movement that is simultaneously committed to enhanced systems of care for distant places/others, and intensified regimes of (re)localisation. Transition Culture initiatives explore ‘how to prepare for a carbon constrained, energy lean world’ and stem from a concern for a post peak‐oil global future. While the radical political openness of Transition Culture is in keeping with the vision of a more diverse polity imagined by advocates of relational space (for instance Amin, 2004), we argue that this openness is predicated upon an apolitical pragmatism that masks latent tensions between an environmentally benign localism and an ethics of care at‐a‐distance. If a transitional ethics of space occupies the uncertain ground between a relational and territorial geographical imagination, the Transition Culture movement provides a rich context within which to explore the ethical conundrums that stem from different tactics of place‐making.