bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia
Authors: Veríssimo Carla , Garcia Paula , Simões Marta , Robalo Conceição , Henriques Raquel , Diogo Luísa , Grazina Manuela
Published: April 2012

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia is a rare metabolic disorder with severe, frequently fatal, neurologic manifestations. Reliable and accurate diagnosis depends on careful interpretation of laboratory findings. The clinical suspicion should lead to determination of glycine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Amino acid analysis presents diagnostic values for classic nonketotic hyperglycinemia, but it also should be performed in suspected cases of atypical nonketotic hyperglycinemia and in children with seizures, failure to thrive, behavior problems, and uncoordinated movements. Clinical assessment should be reinforced by demonstration of elevated cerebrospinal fluid–to–plasma glycine ratio. Confirmatory diagnosis requires enzymatic and genetic investigation of glycine cleavage system. An early diagnosis, though not affecting clinical outcome, allows proper genetic counseling, with the possibility of prenatal diagnosis. We report 3 cases of nonketotic hyperglycinemia, 2 typical neonatal and 1 atypical, diagnosed in Pediatric Hospital of Coimbra, Portugal, and investigated at Laboratory of Biochemical Genetics in 2004 to 2010 (incidence 1:47 455; prevalence 1:782 951).
Case Report
Authors: Adams Ashok , Allouni Kader , Basheer Sheikh , Evanson Jane , Mankad Kshitij
Published: April 2012

Vertebral artery injuries can complicate attempted cannulation of the internal jugular vein including arteriovenous fistula formation. Such a fistula may occlude spontaneously in the acute phase but once established, spontaneous occlusion is extremely unusual. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been reported in the medical literature. We present a case of a patient who developed a right-sided vertebral arteriovenous fistula following instrumentation of the neck vessels but formal angiography/intervention was declined. The reason to report this case is that follow-up magnetic resonance angiography was performed, with spontaneous resolution of the right-sided vertebral arteriovenous fistula occurring postoperatively between days 30 and 135. Endovascular treatment options are available but for those who decline intervention, this report highlights the fact that spontaneous resolution of vertebral arteriovenous fistulae can occur.
Deafness and Cochlear Implants
Authors: Lee Chongmin
Published: April 2012

During the past 3 decades, cochlear implants have dramatically influenced Deaf education and the Deaf Community. They have also served as catalysts for discord between some members of the Deaf Community and advocates of the technology. In this article, I do not intend to support either side of the spoken English versus sign language debate. Instead, I will discuss ethical and practical issues related to cochlear implants. More specifically, I will address the nature and notion of deafness and the purpose of Deaf education. Although many authors have discussed these issues, they have mostly done so from the perspective of hearing scholars and the hearing parents of deaf children. It is important to recognize that understanding deafness and the experience of life from a Deaf individual’s perspective has important implications for further educational policy and practice.
Cobblestone Lissencephaly in Schinzel-Giedion Syndrome
Authors: Lach Boleslaw , Arredondo Jorge
Published: April 2012

The brain of a 5-year-old boy with Schinzel-Giedion syndrome displayed a cobblestone appearance of orbital and lateral aspects of frontal lobes due to widespread glioneuronal meningeal heterotopia. Meningeal heterotopia consisted of scattered neurons, neurofilament positive axons, and myelinated fibers accompanied by striking astrocytic gliosis. The underlying cortex showed gaps in the pial basal lamina, distorted neuronal layering, and focal polymicrogyria. The number of capillaries appeared increased throughout the brain. Mild hydrocephalus was associated with a slight atrophy of corpus callosum as well as villous hyperplasia and marked stromal degeneration of the choroid plexus. Our findings suggest that Schinzel-Giedion syndrome may represent One more entity within enlarging spectrum of lissencephalic cortical dysplasia syndromes.
Phase stability and rapid consolidation of hydroxyapatite–zirconia nano-coprecipitates made using continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis
Authors: Chaudhry Aqif A , Yan Haixue , Viola Giuseppe , Reece Mike J , Knowles Jonathan C , Gong Kenan , Rehman Ihtesham , Darr Jawwad A
Published: April 2012

A rapid and continuous hydrothermal route for the synthesis of nano-sized hydroxyapatite rods co-precipitated with calcium-doped zirconia nanoparticles using a superheated water flow at 450°C and 24.1 MPa as a crystallizing medium is described. Hydroxyapatite and calcium-doped zirconia phases in the powder mixtures could be clearly identified based on particle size and morphology under transmission electron microscopy. Retention of a nanostructure after sintering is crucial to load-bearing applications of hydroxyapatite-based ceramics. Therefore, rapid consolidation of the co-precipitates was investigated using a spark plasma sintering furnace under a range of processing conditions. Samples nominally containing 5 and 10 wt% calcium-doped zirconia and hydroxyapatite made with Ca:P solution molar ratio 2.5 showed excellent thermal stability (investigated using in situ variable temperature X-ray diffraction) and were sintered via spark plasma sintering to >96% sintered densities at 1000°C resulting in hydroxyapatite and calcium-doped zirconia as the only two phases. Mechanical tests of spark plasma sintering sintered samples (containing 10 wt% calcium-doped zirconia) revealed a three-pt flexural strength of 107.7 MPa and Weibull modulus of 9.9. The complementary nature of the spark plasma sintering technique and continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (which results in retention of a nanostructure even after sintering at elevated temperatures) was hence showcased.
Technique for internal channelling of hydroentangled nonwoven scaffolds to enhance cell penetration
Authors: Durham Elaine R , Ingham Eileen , Russell Stephen J
Published: April 2012

An important requirement in thick, high-porosity scaffolds is to maximise cellular penetration into the interior and avoid necrosis during culture in vitro. Hitherto, reproducible control of the pore structure in nonwoven scaffolds has proved challenging. A new, channelled scaffold manufacturing process is reported based on water jet entanglement of fibres (hydroentangling) around filamentous template to form a coherent scaffold that is subsequently removed. Longitudinally-oriented channels were introduced within the scaffold in controlled proximity using 220 µm diameter cylindrical templates. In this case study, channelled scaffolds composed of poly( l-lactic acid) were manufactured and evaluated in vitro. Environmental scanning electron microscope and µCT (X-ray microtomography) confirmed channel openings in the scaffold cross-section before and after cell culture with human dermal fibroblasts up to 14 weeks. Histology at week 11 indicated that the channels promoted cell penetration and distribution within the scaffold interior. At week 14, cellular matrix deposition was evident in the internal channel walls and the entrances remained unoccluded by cellular matrix suggesting that diffusion conduits for mass transfer of nutrient to the scaffold interior could be maintained.
Do Contexts Matter for Willingness to Donate to Natural Disaster Relief? An Application of the Factorial Survey
Authors: Andorfer Veronika A. , Otte Gunnar
Published: April 2012

Research on charitable giving mostly investigates the effects of various donor characteristics on willingness to donate. Analyzing intentions of charitable giving to natural disaster relief, the first aim of this article is to show how situational characteristics of the recipients—that is, country contexts and disaster specificities—matter. Theoretical propositions for the effects of recipient contexts and donor attributes are derived from basic mechanisms of prosocial behavior that appear recurrently in the interdisciplinary literature. A factorial survey is used to investigate the impact of context variations. Introducing this method to the study of charitable giving is our second objective. Multilevel analyses based on a sample of 430 German students show that the effective allocation of donations and a devastating catastrophe in a needy country such as Bangladesh yield the highest contributions. In addition, the national in-group is treated favorably. Among donor characteristics, prosocial values and empathy are relevant.
The Occupation of Public Space in Bogotá
Authors: Olarte Carolina Olarte , Wall Illan rua
Published: April 2012

The number of people internally displaced by the conflict in Colombia is intensifying drastically. As a result, the question of the political agency of the displaced in public space is acquiring increasing importance. This article investigates three constructions of public space through the struggle of internally displaced people (IDPs) against invisibility and depoliticization. Having introduced the problem of displacement in Colombia, the article looks at one occupation of public space in 2009 in particular. Using the insights of critical geography and critical legal studies, it argues that the IDPs’ occupation was not simply a short-term demand for humanitarian support, but also an attempt to challenge the very constitution of the political itself. The dissensus that the IDPs manifested is contrasted with both the Colombian Constitutional Court’s mode of balancing rights, and the hegemonic political construction of public space as something to be protected from ‘interlopers’.
Parent’s Perceptions of Health Care Providers Actions Around Child ICU Death
Authors: Brooten Dorothy , Youngblut JoAnne M. , Seagrave Lynn , Caicedo Carmen , Hawthorne Dawn , Hidalgo Ivette , Roche Rosa
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

To describe parents’ perspectives of health care provider actions that helped or did not around the time of infant/child’s intensive care unit (ICU) death. Semistructured interviews with 63 parents (Black, White, and Hispanic) 7 months post infant/child death were audio-recorded, transcribed, analyzed, and themes identified.

Findings:

What helped most: compassionate, sensitive staff; understandable explanations of infant’s/child’s condition; experienced, competent nurses; providers did everything to help infant/child; and parents’ involvement in care decisions. What did not help: insensitive, nonsupportive staff; conflict between providers and parents; communication problems around the death; inexperienced nurses and doctors; parents not understanding child’s disease, care, complications.

Conclusions:

Compassionate, sensitive staff and understandable explanations of children’s conditions were most helpful; insensitive, nonsupportive staff least helpful by gender, racial group, or care setting. Conflict between providers and parents was most problematic for minority parents and mothers.
The Lost Boys
Authors: Lambert Karen
Published: April 2012

The following two poems were formed from transcribed interview text from an unpublished doctoral thesis (Lambert, 2006) which explores some of the ways in which identities and places could be considered mutually constitutive. Specifically, it examines the ways in which five “lesbian” identified women talk about their experiences and identities with, in and through “queer” places and events. The original words were spoken by two participants as part of their own narratives of self when asked to share critical moments in their lives when they noticed or felt themselves to be in some way “different” to and/or differentiated from “others.” There words are presented here as two thematically similar stand alone “found poems,” (see for example, Butler-Kisber, 2002; Glesne, 1997; Lahman et al., 2009) without theoretical analysis. This is done in order to both draw in and implicate the reader in the everyday social readings of nonnormatively gendered bodies. The poems thus raise critical questions about re-presentational issues in research as well as highlighting the imperative to do justice to the speakers of such words, and the complexities associated with such a task.
The Politics of Becoming
Authors: Pearce Cathie , Kidd Debora , Patterson Rebecca , Hanley Una
Published: April 2012

This article seeks to explore a politics of becoming. Emphasizing the dynamics of both time and the affects produced with it, we engage by following the questions that are taken up, which bubble through the middle and which niggle at the margins of our thoughts. In sensing out the imperatives that seek to tie emotions to subjects, we argue that there is also an imperative for researchers and scholars to inquire into their own and we do so with a specific project in mind—that of reconstituting the conditions of hope that we want to argue are key for any educative role. Deleuze’s three syntheses of time have enabled us to consider both retrospective and prospective trajectories in ways that prevent any simple linear, mechanistic, or deterministic patterning. As we reevaluate and explore emotion’s reliance on subjectivity, we also search for the impersonal affects that connect.
An Intergenerational Women’s Empowerment Intervention to Mitigate Domestic Violence
Authors: Krishnan Suneeta , Subbiah Kalyani , Khanum Sajida , Chandra Prabha S. , Padian Nancy S.
Published: April 2012

A growing body of literature has documented the global prevalence of domestic violence against women of reproductive age as well as the association between violence and an array of adverse reproductive, psychosocial, and child health outcomes . However, there is a dearth of research on domestic violence prevention interventions in the peer-reviewed literature to guide program planning and policy-making efforts. In this article, the authors describe the development and assessment of the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of an intergenerational women’s empowerment-based intervention to mitigate domestic violence and related adverse health outcomes in low-income urban communities in Southern India.
Partner Choice
Authors: Ku Edward C. S. , Yang Chun-Ming , Huang Ming-Yi
Published: April 2012

Travel agencies seeking to improve their product development performance increasingly engage in collaborative product development with their suppliers. From the perspective of collaboration, the independent travel agent has a future, provided it makes appropriate investment in technology and creates competitive differentiation. The research goals of this study were to investigate how market-focused strategic adaptation among the members of travel agent collaborations affects perceived market performance. Data were obtained via a mailed questionnaire survey of a sample of travel agencies. The model and the hypotheses were tested using a structural equation modeling approach. The findings of this study provide interesting insights for travel agencies interested in partner choice. Customer competence has emerged as an important asset in travel agent collaboration, which can be used to increase the productivities of knowledge works through the management of product and service innovation; different strategies are discussed in terms of different segments of customers within the collaboration.
Police Use of Force and Officer Injuries
Authors: Paoline Eugene A. , Terrill William , Ingram Jason R.
Published: April 2012

The widespread adoption of conducted energy devices (CEDs) across American police departments over the last decade has been mired in public controversy. It is generally accepted, from a police perspective, that CEDs are safer for officers who can use the weapon at a greater distance, avoiding much of the harm associated with close physical struggles with citizens. Research has generally supported the notion that aggregate levels of officer injuries are reduced following the implementation of CEDs. Unfortunately, multivariate examinations that, in varying degrees, have attempted to compare CED applications to other forms of force (while controlling for rival causal factors) have yet to produce the same consistent results as the pre- and post-CED adoption studies. The current research adds to recent multivariate inquiries by using data collected as part of a national multiagency use of force project to assess the independent effect of CEDs on officer injuries. Based on a series of multivariate models, our results generally find evidence of increased benefits (i.e., lower probability of officer injury) of CEDs when used by themselves. By contrast, in some instances when CEDs were used in combination with other forms of force, there was an increased probability of officer injury. The implications of these findings for police researchers and practitioners are considered.
Impaired Aquaporin 3 Expression in Reepithelialization of Cutaneous Wound Healing in the Diabetic Rat
Authors: Sugimoto Takashi , Huang Lijuan , Minematsu Takeo , Yamamoto Yuko , Asada Mayumi , Nakagami Gojiro , Akase Tomoko , Nagase Takashi , Oe Makoto , Mori Taketoshi , Sanada Hiromi
Published: April 2012

Impaired cutaneous wound healing is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Currently, little is known about reepithelialization in DM. However, recent studies identified aquaporin 3 (AQP3), a transmembrane protein that functions as a pore-like passive transporter, to be a key molecule in cutaneous epidermal wound healing. AQP3 expression is downregulated in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α). Given that systemic TNF-α levels are functionally connected to impaired healing in diabetic mice and that both diabetic and Aqp3-deficient animals exhibit impaired reepithelialization, the authors hypothesized that impaired AQP3 expression might contribute to diabetes-impaired wound healing. In the present study, the authors examined AQP3 expression in the regenerating epidermis during cutaneous full thickness wound healing and in intact skin of a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Aqp3 messenger RNA expression levels were decreased in wounds of DM rats compared to controls. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an absence of AQP3 in the stratum spinosum of the regenerating epidermis in the DM group, whereas the stratum basale was positive for AQP3 in both groups. In summary, these findings suggest that there may be a relationship between impaired AQP3 expression and diabetes-delayed reepithelialization. Thus, future nursing studies should focus on this mechanism in diabetic wound healing.
The takeoff of social media in tourism
Authors: Hvass Kristian A , Munar Ana M
Published: April 2012

Over the years, online marketing has grown in importance in the tourism industry. This media space offers companies throughout the tourism value system numerous marketing tools, one of the most recent being social media. Social media allows companies to interact directly with customers via various Internet platforms and monitor and interact with customer opinions and evaluations of services. This exploratory article studies the travel portion of the tourism experience through airlines’ use of social media on two social media platforms for a 6-month time period. The social media content posted by airlines is analyzed and categorized according to the promotional marketing mix. In addition, the authors propose four categories to describe the overall communicative behavior. Among the results, it is shown that there is a lack of strategic perspective among airlines’ utilization of social media as it is being used with limited uniformity. These findings may aid marketing departments in their marketing and social media communication strategies, while complementing current marketing research.
Responses to consumer-generated media in the hospitality marketplace
Authors: Litvin Stephen W , Hoffman Laura M
Published: April 2012

The consumer-generated media has become a significant force in the hospitality marketplace. This article reports the results of an experiment that was conducted to determine the moderating effect of consumer rebuttals and management responses to negative postings on travel review boards. The results suggest that potential hotel guests react more favorably to a rebuttal of a negative review posted by a fellow traveler than they do to a response posted by the hotel management but that both have the power to positively influence consumer attitudes toward the property. Managerial suggestions are provided.
Green Tea and Lung Cancer
Authors: Fritz Heidi , Seely Dugald , Kennedy Deborah A. , Fernandes Rochelle , Cooley Kieran , Fergusson Dean
Published: April 2012

Background: Green tea is a beverage widely used by lung cancer patients and the public for its purported anticancer properties. The authors conducted a systematic review of green tea for the treatment and prevention of lung cancer. Methodology: Six electronic databases were searched from inception until November 2011 for human interventional and preclinical evidence pertaining to the safety and efficacy of green tea for lung cancer. Results: A total of 84 articles met inclusion criteria: two Phase I trials, three reports of one surrogate study, and 79 preclinical studies. There is a lack of controlled trials investigating green tea for lung cancer. Two Phase I studies showed no objective tumor responses at the maximum tolerated dose, ranging from 3 to 4.2 g/m2 green tea extract (GTE) per day. Four cups of green tea daily decreased DNA damage (8OH-dG) in smokers. Human studies indicate that 800mg of green tea catechins daily does not alter activity of the CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 enzymes, however in vitro evidence suggests that green tea may bind to and reduce the effectiveness of bortezomib. Green tea applied topically may improve the healing time of radiation burns. Conclusions: Although some evidence suggests that chemopreventative benefits can be accrued from green tea, there is currently insufficient evidence to support green tea as a treatment or preventative agent for lung cancer. Green tea should not be used by patients on bortezomib therapy. Further research is warranted to explore this natural agent for lung cancer treatment and prevention.
Governance in Spanish Universities
Authors: Ion Georgeta , Castro Diego
Published: April 2012

This article reviews the current model of governance within Spanish universities, focusing on the areas of state regulation, academic goals, and organizational management. A qualitative approach was adopted for this research, comprising the use of a survey and a focus group. The conclusions of this study provide some insights into the new governance models being applied in Spanish universities and the implications of these models for academics, managers, and policy makers.
Recovery and Resiliency after a Disaster in Educational Settings
Authors: Hull Robert
Published: April 2012

Educational institutions are microcosms of our society. On a typical day across our country, approximately 20% of our population is in some type of educational setting. Often times, schools are the largest gathering place in a community, which leads to an increased likelihood that emergencies or crisis situations will occur in schools. Increasingly, there is awareness that disasters in schools are more than just a school responsibility. A school disaster impacts a community, and a community disaster impacts the school. The entire community—education, emergency management, and first responders—are involved in responding to a disaster. Resiliency, the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune of disasters, describes the collective goal of the all-hazards approach that is employed during a crisis incident.
Person and Thing Orientations
Authors: Woodcock Anna , Graziano William G. , Branch Sara E. , Habashi Meara M. , Ngambeki Ida , Evangelou Demetra
Published: April 2012

Individuals differ in their orientation toward the people and things in their environment. This has consequences for important life choices. The authors review 15 studies on Person and Thing Orientations (PO-TO) using data from 7,450 participants to establish the nature of the constructs, their external correlates, and their predictive utility. These findings suggest that these two orientations are not bipolar and are virtually independent constructs. They differentially relate to major personality dimensions and show consistent sex differences, whereby women are typically more oriented toward people and men more oriented toward things. Additionally, these orientations influence personal preferences and interests. For university students, PO and TO uniquely predict choice of major and retention within thing-oriented fields (e.g., science and engineering).
Constructing “the Other” Media Representations of Katrina Evacuees in Houston, Texas
Authors: Warren Deirdre M.
Published: April 2012

This article examines the Houston Chronicle’s construction of the Katrina evacuees as “the other.” Critical race theory informs the qualitative document analysis of 12 months of newspaper coverage between August 2005 and August 2006. It examines the initial construction of the evacuees, how it changed during 12 months, and the role of cultural understandings of race and class in that construction. Five media frames are identified and discussed: criminal justice, humanitarian, human interest, evacuee character, and race/class issues. Results indicate an almost exclusive association of the Katrina evacuees with the low income, African American residents of New Orleans, as well as an increasing focus on evacuees as threats to community safety. Distinct to Houston coverage, results yield an emphasis on evacuees as burdens to community resources, including the management of evacuee drug addiction and mental health issues. Finally, evidence of color-blind racism in media entries is discussed.
An Analysis and Recommendations Concerning an Incident in Which Muslim Students Interrupted an Israel Official Speaking on a College Campus
Authors: Geis Gilbert
Published: April 2012

Eleven young men, eight of them members of the Muslim Student Association at the University of California, Irvine, and three from UC Riverside, as part of a planned stratagem, in turn stood up and heckled the Israeli Ambassador to the United States for about 5 min during his public presentation on the Irvine campus. They were ejected from the auditorium and punished by the University. Subsequently, the local district attorney filed misdemeanor charges against the group and won a conviction. The article provides details of the event, the varying reactions to the behavior and to the criminal case, and describes and analyzes a key state Supreme Court opinion considering the constitutionality of the statute employed against the students. Finally, recommendations are offered as a means to avoid what the writer regards as an unfortunate and perhaps biased official action against members of an ethnic minority.
Race, Geography, and Juvenile Justice: An Exploration of the Liberation Hypothesis
Authors: Taylor Angela , Guevara Lori , Boyd Lorenzo M. , Brown Robert A.
Published: April 2012

A large body of research indicates that both geography and race influence juvenile justice outcomes, with the exact magnitude and direction of the relationships still under dispute. In either case, differential outcomes likely stem from the varying influence of legal and extralegal factors. This study uses the spirit of the liberation hypothesis to explore how legal and extralegal factors contribute to geographic and racial disparities in juvenile court outcomes. Logistic and multinomial logistic regression are used to examine factors that influence preadjudication and disposition outcomes between an urban and suburban county, with the data partitioned by race within each county. Contrary to predictions, the analyses found more varying effects of legal and extralegal factors across race in the urban county than in the suburban county. Explanations of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The distribution of a germline methylation marker suggests a regional mechanism of LINE-1 silencing by the piRNA-PIWI system
Authors: Sigurdsson Martin I , Smith Albert V , Bjornsson Hans T , Jonsson Jon J
Published: April 2012

Background

A defense system against transposon activity in the human germline based on PIWI proteins and piRNA has recently been discovered. It represses the activity of LINE-1 elements via DNA methylation by a largely unknown mechanism. Based on the dispersed distribution of clusters of piRNA genes in a strand-specific manner on all human chromosomes, we hypothesized that this system might work preferentially on local and proximal sequences. We tested this hypothesis with a methylation-associated SNP (mSNP) marker which is based on the density of C-T transitions in CpG dinucleotides as a surrogate marker for germline methylation.

Results

We found significantly higher density of mSNPs flanking piRNA clusters in the human genome for flank sizes of 1-16 Mb. A dose-response relationship between number of piRNA genes and mSNP density was found for up to 16 Mb of flanking sequences. The chromosomal density of hypermethylated LINE-1 elements had a significant positive correlation with the chromosomal density of piRNA genes (r = 0.41, P = 0.05). Genome windows of 1-16 Mb containing piRNA clusters had significantly more hypermethylated LINE-1 elements than windows not containing piRNA clusters. Finally, the minimum distance to the next piRNA cluster was significantly shorter for hypermethylated LINE-1 compared to normally methylated elements (14.4 Mb vs 16.1 Mb).

Conclusions

Our observations support our hypothesis that the piRNA-PIWI system preferentially methylates sequences in close proximity to the piRNA clusters and perhaps physically adjacent sequences on other chromosomes. Furthermore they suggest that this proximity effect extends up to 16 Mb. This could be due to an unknown localization signal, transcription of piRNA genes near the nuclear membrane or the presence of an unknown RNA molecule that spreads across the chromosome and targets the methylation directed by the piRNA-PIWI complex. Our data suggest a region specific molecular mechanism which can be sought experimentally.
Association between COX-2 rs2745557 polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Hongtuan , Xu Yong , Zhang Zhihong , Liu Ranlu , Ma Baojie
Published: April 2012

Background

Evidence is accumulating that chronic inflammation may have an important role in prostate cancer (PCa). The COX-2 polymorphism rs2745557 (+202 C/T) has been extensively investigated as a potential risk factor for PCa, but the results have thus far been inconclusive. This meta-analysis was performed to derive a more precise estimation of the association.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies of COX-2 rs2745557 polymorphism and PCa risk. We used odds ratios (ORs) to assess the strength of the association, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) give a sense of the precision of the estimate. Statistical analyses were performed by Review Manage, version 5.0 and Stata 10.0.

Results

A total of 8 available studies were considered in the present meta-analysis, with 11356 patients and 11641 controls for rs2745557. When all groups were pooled, there was no evidence that rs2745557 had significant association with PCa under co-dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and allelic models. However, our analysis suggested that rs2745557 was associated with a lower PCa risk under dominant model in overall population (OR = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.74-0.97, P = 0.02). When stratifying for race, there was a significant association between rs2745557 polymorphism and lower PCa risk in dominant model comparison in the subgroup of Caucasians (OR = 0.86, 95%CI = 0.75-0.99, P = 0.04), but not in co-dominant, recessive, over-dominant and allelic comparisons.

Conclusion

Based on our meta-analysis, COX-2 rs2745557 was associated with a lower PCa risk under dominant model in Caucasians.
The association of leptin and C-reactive protein with the cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome score in Taiwanese adults
Authors: Chiu Feng-Hsiang , Chuang Chung Hsun , Li Wen-Cheng , Weng Yi-Ming , Fann Wen-Chih , Lo Hsiang-Yun , Sun Cheng , Wang Shih-Hao
Published: April 2012

Background

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and leptin levels have been independently associated with the cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to determine if their serum levels were associated with cardiovascular risk factors or metabolic syndrome as well as their correlation in the Taiwanese population.

Methods

This retrospective study included 999 subjects (> 18 y), who underwent a physical examination in Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou and Chiayi in Taiwan. The associations between CRP and/or leptin levels and cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome were determined using independent two sample t-tests to detect gender differences and chi-square tests to evaluate differences in frequencies. To compare the means of the variables measured among the four groups (high and low leptin and high and low CRP), analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used.

Results

Both CRP and leptin levels were independently associated with several cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome in both men and women (P < 0.05). In addition, a positive correlation between leptin and CRP levels was observed in both genders. Both high-CRP and high-leptin were associated with high blood glucose, waist circumference and serum triglyceride. Whereas increased metabolic syndrome incidence was observed in males with elevated leptin regardless of CRP levels, females with elevated CRP or leptin had increased incidence of metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

Both leptin and CRP levels were associated with cardiovascular risk factors as well as metabolic syndrome score in both men and women although gender-specific differences were observed. Thus, CRP and leptin may represent useful biomarkers for predicting the onset of cardiovascular disease or metabolic syndrome in Taiwanese adults.

Trial registration

IRB/CGMH 100-3514B
Inducible nitric oxide synthase is involved in the modulation of depressive behaviors induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress
Authors: Peng Yun-Li , Liu Yu-Ning , Liu Lei , Wang Xia , Jiang Chun-Lei , Wang Yun-Xia
Published: April 2012

Background

Experiences and inflammatory mediators are fundamental in the provocation of major depressive disorders (MDDs). We investigated the roles and mechanisms of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in stress-induced depression.

Methods

We used a depressive-like state mouse model induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). Depressive-like behaviors were evaluated after 4 weeks of UCMS, in the presence and absence of the iNOS inhibitor N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine (1400 W) compared with the control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to check the loss of Nissl bodies in cerebral cortex neurons. The levels of iNOS mRNA expression in the cortex and nitrites in the plasma were measured with real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Griess reagent respectively.

Results

Results showed that the 4-week UCMS significantly induced depressive-like behaviors, including decreased sucrose preference in a sucrose preference test, increased duration of immobility in a forced swim test, and decreased hole-searching time in a locomotor activity test. Meanwhile, in the locomotor activity test, UCMS had no effect on normal locomotor activities, such as resting time, active time and total travel distance. Furthermore, the levels of iNOS mRNA expression in the cortex and nitrites in the plasma of UCMS-exposed mice were significantly increased compared with that of the control group. Neurons of cerebral cortex in UCMS-exposed mice were shrunken with dark staining, together with loss of Nissl bodies. The above-mentioned stress-related depressive-like behaviors, increase of iNOS mRNA expression in the cortex and nitrites in the plasma, and neuron damage, could be abrogated remarkably by pretreating the mice with an iNOS inhibitor (1400 W). Moreover, neurons with abundant Nissl bodies were significantly increased in the 1400 W + UCMS group.

Conclusions

These results support the notion that stress-related NO (derived from iNOS) may contribute to depressive-like behaviors in a mouse model, potentially concurrent with neurodegenerative effects within the cerebral cortex.
Multiple γ-secretase product peptides are coordinately increased in concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of a subpopulation of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease subjects
Authors: Hata Saori , Taniguchi Miyako , Piao Yi , Ikeuchi Takeshi , Fagan Anne M , Holtzman David M , Bateman Randall , Sohrabi Hamid R , Martins Ralph N , Gandy Sam , Urakami Katsuya , Suzuki Toshiharu ,   the Japanese Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: April 2012

Background

Alcadeinα (Alcα) is a neuronal membrane protein that colocalizes with the Alzheimer's amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). Successive cleavage of APP by β- and γ-secretases generates the aggregatable amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), while cleavage of APP or Alcα by α- and γ-secretases generates non-aggregatable p3 or p3-Alcα peptides. Aβ and p3-Alcα can be recovered from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We have previously reported alternative processing of APP and Alcα in the CSF of some patients with sporadic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD (SAD).

Results

Using the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system that detects total p3-Alcα, we determined levels of total p3-Alcα in CSF from subjects in one of four diagnostic categories (elderly controls, MCI, SAD, or other neurological disease) derived from three independent cohorts. Levels of Aβ40 correlated with levels of total p3-Alcα in all cohorts.

Conclusions

We confirm that Aβ40 is the most abundant Aβ species, and we propose a model in which CSF p3-Alcα can serve as a either (1) a nonaggregatable surrogate marker for γ-secretase activity; (2) as a marker for clearance of transmembrane domain peptides derived from integral protein catabolism; or (3) both. We propose the specification of an MCI/SAD endophenotype characterized by co-elevation of levels of both CSF p3-Alcα and Aβ40, and we propose that subjects in this category might be especially responsive to therapeutics aimed at modulation of γ-secretase function and/or transmembrane domain peptide clearance. These peptides may also be used to monitor the efficacy of therapeutics that target these steps in Aβ metabolis
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal contamination of cellular phones of personnel in a veterinary teaching hospital
Authors: Julian Timothy , Singh Ameet , Rousseau Joyce , Weese J Scott
Published: April 2012

Background

Hospital-associated infections are an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in veterinary patients. With the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria, these infections can be particularly difficult to eradicate. Sources of hospital-associated infections can include the patients own flora, medical staff and inanimate hospital objects. Cellular phones are becoming an invaluable feature of communication within hospitals, and since they are frequently handled by healthcare personnel, there may be a potential for contamination with various pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of contamination of cellular phones (hospital issued and personal) carried by personnel at the Ontario Veterinary College Health Sciences Centre with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Results

MRSP was isolated from 1.6% (2/123) and MRSA was isolated from 0.8% (1/123) of cellular phones. Only 21.9% (27/123) of participants in the study indicated that they routinely cleaned their cellular phone.

Conclusions

Cellular phones in a veterinary teaching hospital can harbour MRSP and MRSA, two opportunistic pathogens of significant concern. While the contamination rate was low, cellular phones could represent a potential source for infection of patients as well as infection of veterinary personnel and other people that might have contact with them. Regardless of the low incidence of contamination of cellular phones found in this study, a disinfection protocol for hospital-issued and personal cellular phones used in veterinary teaching hospitals should be in place to reduce the potential of cross-contamination.
Opposite regulation by PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways of tissue factor expression, cell-associated procoagulant activity and invasiveness in MDA-MB-231 cells
Authors: Hu Chaoquan , Huang Limin , Gest Caroline , Xi Xiaodong , Janin Anne , Soria Claudine , Li Hong , Lu He
Published: April 2012

Background

Tissue factor (TF), an initiator of blood coagulation, participates in cancer progression and metastasis. We recently found that inhibition of MAPK/ERK upregulated both full length TF (flTF) and soluble isoform TF (asTF) gene expression and cell-associated TF activity in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. We explored the possible mechanisms, especially the possible interaction with EGFR and PI3K/Akt pathways.

Methods

A plasmid containing TF promoter −2174 ~ +128 plus luciferase reporter gene was introduced into MDA-MB-231 cells to evaluate TF promoter activity. In order to study the interaction of these pathways, ERK inhibitor (PD98059), PI3K inhibitors (LY294002, wortmannin), Akt inhibitor (A6730), and EGFR inhibitor (erlotinib) as well as the corresponding siRNAs were used to treat MDA-MB-231 cells, and ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cells. Quantitative PCR and western blot were used to determine TF expression. One stage clotting assays were used to measure pro-coagulation activity of the MDA-MB-231 cells.

Results

We show that PI3K inhibitors LY294002, wortmannin and A6730 significantly inhibited TF promoter activity, and reduced TF mRNA and protein levels due to the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. In contrast, ERK inhibitor PD98059 and ERK siRNA enhanced TF promoter activity by 2.5 fold and induced an increase in TF mRNA and protein levels in a dose dependent manner in these cells. The PI3K/Akt pathway was shown to be involved in PD98059-induced TF expression because the induction was inhibited by PI3K/Akt inhibitors. Most interestingly, the EGFR inhibitor erlotinib and EGFR siRNA also significantly suppressed PD98059- or ERK siRNA-induced TF promoter activity and TF protein expression. Similar results were found with ovarian cancer cells SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3. Furthermore, in MDA-MB-231, mRNA levels of asTF were regulated in a similar way to that of TF in response to the cell treatment.

Conclusions

This study showed a regulatory mechanism in which MAPK/ERK signals inhibit EGFR/PI3K/Akt-mediated TF expression in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. The same regulation was observed in ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 and SKOV-3 cells. Interestingly, we observed that both flTF and asTF could be regulated in a parallel manner in MDA-MB-231. As the PI3K/Akt pathway and EGFR regulate TF expression in cancer cells, targeting these signaling components is expected to potentially inhibit TF expression-associated tumor progression.
Primary cilia utilize glycoprotein-dependent adhesion mechanisms to stabilize long-lasting cilia-cilia contacts
Authors: Ott Carolyn , Elia Natalie , Jeong Suh Young , Insinna Christine , Sengupta Prabuddha , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer
Published: April 2012

Background

The central tenet of cilia function is sensing and transmitting information. The capacity to directly contact extracellular surfaces would empower primary cilia to probe the environment for information about the nature and location of nearby surfaces. It has been well established that flagella and other motile cilia perform diverse cellular functions through adhesion. We hypothesized that mammalian primary cilia also interact with the extracellular environment through direct physical contact.

Methods

We identified cilia in rod photoreceptors and cholangiocytes in fixed mouse tissues and examined the structures that these cilia contact in vivo. We then utilized an MDCK cell culture model to characterize the nature of the contacts we observed.

Results

In retina and liver tissue, we observed that cilia from nearby cells touch one another. Using MDCK cells, we found compelling evidence that these contacts are stable adhesions that form bridges between two cells, or networks between many cells. We examined the nature and duration of the cilia-cilia contacts and discovered primary cilia movements that facilitate cilia-cilia encounters. Stable adhesions form as the area of contact expands from a single point to a stretch of tightly bound, adjacent cilia membranes. The cilia-cilia contacts persisted for hours and were resistant to several harsh treatments such as proteases and DTT. Unlike many other cell adhesion mechanisms, calcium was not required for the formation or maintenance of cilia adhesion. However, swainsonine, which blocks maturation of N-linked glycoproteins, reduced contact formation. We propose that cellular control of adhesion maintenance is active because cilia adhesion did not prevent cell division; rather, contacts dissolved during mitosis as cilia were resorbed.

Conclusions

The demonstration that mammalian primary cilia formed prolonged, direct, physical contacts supports a novel paradigm: that mammalian primary cilia detect features of the extracellular space, not just as passive antennae, but also through direct physical contact. We present a model for the cycle of glycoprotein-dependent contact formation, maintenance, and termination, and discuss the implications for potential physiological functions of cilia-cilia contacts.
Trafficking in and to the primary cilium
Authors: Hsiao Yi-Chun , Tuz Karina , Ferland Russell J
Published: April 2012

Polarized vesicle trafficking is mediated by small GTPase proteins, such as Rabs and Arls/Arfs. These proteins have essential roles in maintaining normal cellular function, in part, through regulating intracellular trafficking. Moreover, these families of proteins have recently been implicated in the formation and function of the primary cilium. The primary cilium, which is found on almost every cell type in vertebrates, is an organelle that protrudes from the surface of the cell and functions as a signaling center. Interestingly, it has recently been linked to a variety of human diseases, collectively referred to as ciliopathies. The primary cilium has an exceptionally high density of receptors on its membrane that are important for sensing and transducing extracellular stimuli. Moreover, the primary cilium serves as a separate cellular compartment from the cytosol, providing for unique spatial and temporal regulation of signaling molecules to initiate downstream events. Thus, functional primary cilia are essential for normal signal transduction. Rabs and Arls/Arfs play critical roles in early cilia formation but are also needed for maintenance of ciliary function through their coordination with intraflagellar transport (IFT), a specialized trafficking system in primary cilia. IFT in cilia is pivotal for the proper movement of proteins into and out of this highly regulated organelle. In this review article, we explore the involvement of polarized vesicular trafficking in cilia formation and function, and discuss how defects in these processes could subsequently lead to the abnormalities observed in ciliopathies.