bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moderate/severe erectile dysfunction in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome
Authors: Lopes Gallinaro A , Silva CA , Rabelo Junior CN , Correia Caleiro MT , de Carvalho JF
Published: November 2011

Purpose: To evaluate sexual function of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) patients using the Brazilian version of the validated International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF).

Materials and methods: Eleven APS male patients (Sapporo criteria) were age and race-matched with 22 healthy controls. Demographic and clinical data, drug use and antiphospholipid antibodies were evaluated. The IIEF was also self-applied.

Results: Mean age ( p = 0.114), frequency of Caucasian race ( p = 1.00) and married status ( p = 0.438) were similar in APS and controls. Mean disease duration was 8.8 ± 4.6 years. Erectile dysfunction (ED) was frequently observed in APS versus controls (45.5 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.0096), especially moderate/severe ED ( p = 0.0081). The total IIEF score (49.6 vs. 67.1, p = 0.019), erectile function (19.6 vs. 28.1, p = 0.005) and intercourse satisfaction (7.8 vs. 11.9, p = 0.009) were lower in patients than in controls. No differences were seen in orgasmic function ( p = 0.114), sexual desire ( p = 0.123) or overall satisfaction ( p = 0.097) between the groups. The comparison between APS patients with ED ( n = 5) and without ED ( n = 6) revealed more arterial events in APS with ED (100 vs. 16.7%, p = 0.0152), and also longer disease duration (12 [7–16] vs. 5.5 [2–13] years, p = 0.031). A trend towards lower venous events (20 vs. 83.3%, p = 0.0801) and higher renal thrombotic microangiopathy (60% vs. 0, p = 0.0606) was observed in APS patients with ED. Demographics, clinical manifestations, smoking and antiphospholipid antibodies positivity were similar in both groups.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this was the first study that demonstrated moderate/severe ED in almost 50% of cases of a rare autoimmune disease. This alteration was linked to arterial events and longer disease duration.
“Bettering Her Education and Widening Her Sphere”
Authors: Snowden Monique L.
Published: November 2011

This article is a focused response to the call for a “conscious use of crystallization,” in qualitative research. To this end, the author brings into play a full-bodied textual metaphor, the palimpsest, to stimulate the expansion of an integrated crystallization typology—comprised of woven and patched approaches. Appropriated as a textual artifact, the author uses the palimpsest to ground and figure the methodological development of palimpsestuous crystallization. The novel crystallization process places foci on the involved relationship between texts and discourses, that is, intertextuality and interdiscursivity. The author works at developing palimpsestuous crystallization by interleaving liminal coeducational experiences between interrelated texts signifying persistent and dominant discourses on postsecondary coeducation. Wholly, the article is constituent of a larger methodological undertaking in its early stages. The article emerges from a situated and personal narrative that is typified as “more than a back story.”
A Simple Card Trick
Authors: Waite Duncan
Published: November 2011

Yet today, despite recent welcome additions, relatively little is written about teaching qualitative research. Why is that? This article reports out a relatively simple, yet appealing, pedagogical move, a lesson the author uses to teach qualitative data analysis. Data sorting and categorization, the use of tacit and explicit theory in data analysis, and discrepant case analysis can all be illustrated though use of a standard deck of playing cards. Use of playing cards appeals to those who learn best kinesthetically and is a welcome break from lecture-oriented, didactic teaching. It mirrors data sorting by hand and allows the instructor to highlight the importance of play in qualitative research.
The contours of memory in post-conflict societies: enacting public remembrance of the bomb in Omagh, Northern Ireland
Authors: Johnson Nuala C
Published: November 2011

Drawing on the theoretical insights of Paul Ricoeur this paper investigates the geographies of public remembrance in a post-conflict society. In Northern Ireland, where political divisions have found expression through acts of extreme violence over the past 30 years, questions of memory and an amnesty for forgetting have particular resonance both at the individual and societal level, and render Ricoeur’s framework particularly prescient. Since the signing of the Belfast Agreement in 1998, initiating the Peace Process through consociational structures, discovering a nomenclature and set of practices which would aid in the rapprochement of a deeply divided society has presented a complex array of issues. In this paper I examine the various practices of public remembrance of the 1998 bombing of Omagh as a means of understanding how memory-spaces evolve in a post-conflict context. In Omagh there were a variety of commemorative practices instituted and each, in turn, adopted a different contour towards achieving reconciliation with the violence and grief of the bombing. In particular the Garden of Light project is analysed as a collective monument which, with light as its metaphysical centre, invited the populace to reflect backward on the pain of the bombing while at the same time enabling the society to look forward toward a peaceful future where a politics of hope might eclipse a politics of despair.
Surface Deformation Analysis of End-to-End Stapled Intestinal Anastomosis
Authors: Yang Jian , Soltz Michael , Russell Heinrich , Beres Jeff , Zhao Jingbo , Liao Donghua , Gregersen Hans
Published: November 2011

Background. Stapling devices for creating anastomosis in internal organs are commonly used during surgery. Despite the obvious advantages of shortened procedure duration and fewer complications to manual suturing, staple-line leakage during intestinal anastomosis likely relates to the interaction between the staples and the tissue and to the tissue mechanical properties. The authors studied the deformation pattern close to the anastomosis to learn more about the mechanism involved in leakage. Methods. End-to-end anastomosis in pig small intestine was done using 21-mm circular staplers. Distension with pressure up to 100 cm H2O was done on the anastomosed segment. Surface markers were tracked using a microscope and a CCD camera. Circumferential and longitudinal strains were computed. Results. The staples restricted the deformation both in circumferential and longitudinal directions and induced a heterogeneous strain distribution. Circumferential strains were bigger between the staples (range 0.5-1) than inside the staples (range 0-0.3). The longitudinal strain ranged from 0 to slightly negative between the staples, indicating longitudinal compression. The negative strains turned into positive strains with increasing distance from the anastomosis. Further away from the anastomosis the longitudinal strain was in the range 0.3 to 0.5. Conclusion. The surface strain field was heterogeneously close to the stapled anastomosis. The longitudinal compression between staples in the longitudinal direction during inflation may have a beneficial effect preventing leakage, a phenomenon that needs further studies. The method may be useful in the design and validation of new staplers.
Courage Under Fire
Authors: Fossey Richard , Jenkins Lynn
Published: November 2011

This case set in Jacksonville, Florida, covers the years 1998 to 2001. A new nontraditional superintendent, Major General John C. Fryer, focuses on student achievement, but financial needs and Florida law require him to bid contracts for student transportation, upsetting a 50-year pattern of contracting without competitive bidding with more than 100 local contractors, many of whom have only one bus! Though Fryer moves cautiously and slowly, the local bus contractors strongly object. The board, after much delay, is at last forced to make a decision and approves a small number of contracts that include national transportation firms. But then, within just a few days, it rescinds its decision and cancels the contracts. Board President Susan Wilkinson is forced to decide whether to abide by the board’s vote to rescind or follow the direction of legal counsel and sign the contracts.
Methods to limit attrition in longitudinal comparative effectiveness trials: lessons from the Lithium Treatment – Moderate dose Use Study (LiTMUS) for bipolar disorder
Authors: Sylvia Louisa G , Reilly-Harrington Noreen A , Leon Andrew C , Kansky Christine I , Ketter Terence A , Calabrese Joseph R , Thase Michael E , Bowden Charles L , Friedman Edward S , Ostacher Michael J , Iosifescu Dan V , Severe Joanne , Keyes Michelle , Nierenberg Andrew A
Published: November 2011

Background High attrition rates, which occur frequently in longitudinal clinical trials of interventions for bipolar disorder, limit the interpretation of results.

Purpose The aim of this article is to present design approaches that limited attrition in the Lithium Treatment – Moderate dose Use Study (LiTMUS) for bipolar disorder.

Methods LiTMUS was a 6-month randomized, longitudinal multisite comparative effectiveness trial that enrolled bipolar participants who were at least mildly ill. Participants were randomized to either low to moderate doses of lithium or no lithium; other treatments needed for mood stabilization were administered in a guideline-informed, empirically supported, and personalized fashion to participants in both treatment arms.

Results Components of the study design that may have contributed to low attrition (16%) among 283 participants randomized included the use of (1) an intent-to-treat design, (2) a randomized adjunctive single-blind design, (3) participant reimbursement, (4) assessment of intent to attend the next study visit (included a discussion of attendance obstacles when intention was low), (5) quality care with limited participant burden, and (6) target windows for study visits.

Limitations The relationships between attrition and effectiveness and tolerability of treatment have not been analyzed yet.

Conclusions These components of the LiTMUS design may have limited attrition and may inform the design of future randomized comparative effectiveness trials among similar patients and those from other difficult-to-follow populations.
Non-standard employment and leadership research: On consequences for conceptualizing the leader–follower relationship
Authors: Winkler Ingo
Published: November 2011

The article argues that non-standard employees (NSEs) perceive the employee–employer relationship and hence the leader–follower relationship differently, when compared to workers in standard employment contracts. It highlights relevant differences between employees in flexible employment contracts and standard employees. It seeks to demonstrate that the emerging NSE-follower has consequences for leadership research. Perhaps the most important ramification is that the implicit assumptions in conceptualizing the ‘typical’ leader–follower relationship may no longer be suitable, facing today's workplace reality. In this sense, in order to take the present and continuous changes in the workforce seriously the concepts and theories used in leadership research need to be rethought.
What’s shifting?
Authors: Elden Stuart
Published: November 2011

This response to John Allen (2011) focuses on the understandings of geometry, topology, topography and territory used in the article. I challenge his largely ahistorical renderings of these terms, suggesting that these terms cannot be seen as static, and therefore put into convenient oppositions. Territory, for instance, is not simply a bounded space, and therefore topographical, which can be criticized as reductive. Rather territory is a dynamic, historically produced concept and practice, which can take on the form of a bounded space in particular circumstances. Allen’s article also often risks confusing an object of analysis with a mode of approach: territory is not something that is the explanation, but the thing that needs explaining. In sum, the question is whether it is the object of analysis that is shifting, or our way of understanding it. It may be both, but the historical-conceptual weaknesses of the account offered here make it difficult to tell.
Assembling geographies of global crisis
Authors: Mather Charles
Published: November 2011

This article engages with Larner's (2011) important intervention on the geographies of crisis. I situate her argument within recent debates on explanation and description in the social sciences. The significance of Larner's argument is that it provides a new approach to change and crisis. This new approach opens up space and hope for a politics of the possible.
Theorizing ‘crisis’ as performative politics
Authors: Tadaki Marc , McFarlane Kiely , Salmond Jennifer , Brierley Gary
Published: November 2011

As physical/environmental geographers, we respond to Larner (2011) in two ways. First, we argue that the crisis frame – which she caveats, but implicitly accepts – is problematic because it performs and legitimates a certain kind of politics, and pulls analytical foci away from other approaches. The ontological and epistemological moments of Larner’s crises require clarification, and the ‘value added’ from declaring yet more geographical crises needs to be assessed. Second, we develop epochal themes from physical geography to converse with Larner’s call for more situated approaches to the production and circulation of knowledge. Place-based and historically contingent science and knowledge networks are increasingly important for understanding and enacting progressive and sustainable environmental governance regimes. Physical and human geographers can find productive common ground in developing situated knowledges of ‘change response’ across a spectrum of social-environmental concerns.
Amyand Hernia Diagnosed With Sonography
Authors: Robinson Michael B.
Published: November 2011

Individually, inguinal hernias and acute appendicitis are common, but the combination of the two, acute appendicitis within an inguinal hernia or Amyand hernia (AH), is rare. The overwhelming majority of AH cases are in males and discovered during surgery. To date, only three case reports in the literature of this pathology have been diagnosed with sonography. This is a report of an AH diagnosed in a woman with sonography.
Synthetic retinoid Am80 ameliorates chronic graft-versus-host disease by down-regulating Th1 and Th17
Authors: Nishimori Hisakazu , Maeda Yoshinobu , Teshima Takanori , Sugiyama Haruko , Kobayashi Koichiro , Yamasuji Yoshiko , Kadohisa Sachiyo , Uryu Hidetaka , Takeuchi Kengo , Tanaka Takehiro , Yoshino Tadashi , Iwakura Yoichiro , Tanimoto Mitsune
Published: November 2011

Chronic GVHD (cGVHD) is a main cause of late death and morbidity after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, but its pathogenesis remains unclear. We investigated the roles of Th subsets in cGVHD with the use of a well-defined mouse model of cGVHD. In this model, development of cGVHD was associated with up-regulated Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses. Th1 and Th2 responses were up-regulated early after BM transplantation, followed by a subsequent up-regulation of Th17 cells. Significantly greater numbers of Th17 cells were infiltrated in the lung and liver from allogeneic recipients than those from syngeneic recipients. We then evaluated the roles of Th1 and Th17 in cGVHD with the use of IFN-γ–deficient and IL-17–deficient mice as donors. Infusion of IFN-γ−/− or IL-17−/− T cells attenuated cGVHD in the skin and salivary glands. Am80, a potent synthetic retinoid, regulated both Th1 and Th17 responses as well as TGF-β expression in the skin, resulting in an attenuation of cutaneous cGVHD. These results suggest that Th1 and Th17 contribute to the development of cGVHD and that targeting Th1 and Th17 may therefore represent a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating cGVHD.
β2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms, asthma and COPD: two large population-based studies
Authors: Thomsen M. , Nordestgaard B.G. , Sethi A.A. , Tybjærg-Hansen A. , Dahl M.
Published: November 2011

The β2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is an important regulator of airway smooth muscle tone. We tested the hypothesis that three functional polymorphisms in theADRB2gene (Thr164Ile, Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu) are associated with reduced lung function, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

We first genotyped 8,971 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study for all three polymorphisms. To validate our findings, we genotyped an additional 53,777 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study for the Thr164Ile polymorphism.

We identified 60,910 Thr164Ile noncarriers, 1,822 heterozygotes and 16 homozygotes. In the Copenhagen City Heart Study, the Thr164Ile genotype was associated with reduced forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted (trend p=0.01) and FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) (p=0.001): Thr164Ile heterozygotes had 3% and 2% reduced FEV1% pred and FEV1/FVC, respectively, compared with noncarriers. The odds ratio for COPD in Thr164Ile heterozygotes was 1.46 (95% CI 1.05–2.02). In the Copenhagen General Population Study, the Thr164 genotype associated with reduced FEV1% pred (p=0.04) and FEV1/FVC (p<0.001): Thr164Ile homozygotes and heterozygotes had 7% and 1% reduced FEV1% pred and 6% and 1% reduced FEV1/FVC, respectively, compared with noncarriers. The odds ratios for COPD in Thr164Ile homozygotes and heterozygotes were 4.53 (95% CI 1.54–13.3) and 1.07 (95% CI 0.92–1.25), respectively.

Our results suggest thatADRB2Thr164Ile is associated with reduced lung function and increased risk of COPD in the general population.
Prognostic power of proadrenomedullin in community-acquired pneumonia is independent of aetiology
Authors: Bello Salvador , Lasierra Ana B. , Mincholé Elisa , Fandos Sergio , Ruiz Maria Angeles , Vera Elisabeth , de Pablo Francisco , Ferrer Miguel , Menendez Rosario , Torres Antoni
Published: November 2011

Biomarkers are useful in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Recently, midregional (MR) proadrenomedullin (proADM) has been shown to be of potential prognostic use. We sought to determine whether this prognostic role depends on the cause of CAP.

We conducted a prospective cohort study of immunocompetent patients with CAP. Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65 score (confusion (abbreviated mental test score of ≤8), urea ≥7 mol·L−1, respiratory rate ≥30 breaths·min−1, blood pressure <90 mmHg systolic or <60 mmHg diastolic, and age ≥65 yrs), blood C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, MR-proADM, and microbiological studies were systematically performed. Patients were grouped as bacterial, viral/atypical and mixed CAP, and were followed up at 30, 90 and 180 days, and 1 yr.

We recruited 228 CAP patients. Identification of at least one pathogen was achieved in 155 (68%) patients. MR-proADM levels closely correlated with increasing severity scores, and showed an important predictive power for complications and short- and long-term mortality (1 yr). Its addition to PSI and CURB-65 significantly improved their prognostic accuracy. A MR-proADM cut-off of 0.646 nmol·L−1identified 92% of patients scored as PSI classes IV and V as high risk. MR-proADM outcome prediction power was not affected by different aetiologies.

MR-proADM has high short- and long-term prognostic accuracy, and increases the accuracy of clinical scores. The prognostic value of MR-proADM is not modified by different possible CAP aetiologies.
Residual sleep-disordered breathing during autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure therapy
Authors: Denotti Angela L. , Wong Keith K.H. , Dungan George C. , Gilholme John W. , Marshall Nathaniel S. , Grunstein Ronald R.
Published: November 2011

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is often treated with autotitrating continuous positive airway pressure (autoCPAP) devices. Clinical and bench tests of these devices have suggested performance limitations. These studies do not indicate whether this is a failure to detect or a failure to respond to airway obstruction.

In this randomised, crossover trial, 34 patients with moderate-to-severe OSA underwent polysomnography on two laboratory visits. The autoCPAP device was randomly set to a fixed subtherapeutic pressure (detection assessment) or autotitrating mode (response assessment). Airflow was measured both from the autoCPAP (autoCPAP flow) and directly from the nasal mask, and recorded on polysomnography. Apnoea/hypopnoea indices (AHIs) measured at the two sites and from the autoCPAP download report were compared.

Regarding detection, the AHI measured from the nasal mask showed good agreement with the autoCPAP flow AHI, but agreement was lower with the autoCPAP report AHI. In autotitrating mode, there was significant misclassification of those with and without OSA (AHI ≥10 events·h−1) on the autoCPAP report. Regarding response, residual OSA (AHI ≥10 events·h−1) was still evident in 24% of patients during autotitration.

In some patients, autoCPAP fails to detect and/or respond to sleep apnoea. Clinicians should consider limitations of each device and use caution when using autoCPAP report statistics to verify effective treatment.
Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and sleepiness in real-life obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Bonsignore Maria R. , Esquinas Cristina , Barceló Antonia , Sanchez-de-la-Torre Manuel , Paternó Alessandra , Duran-Cantolla Joaquin , Marín José M. , Barbé Ferran
Published: November 2011

The metabolic syndrome shows a variable prevalence in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), and its association with insulin resistance or excessive daytime sleepiness in OSA is unclear. This study assessed the following in consecutive patients with newly diagnosed OSA: 1) the prevalence of metabolic syndrome; and 2) its association with insulin resistance and daytime sleepiness.

Metabolic syndrome (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) III criteria), insulin resistance (Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) index, n=288) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) were assessed in 529 OSA patients.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 51.2%, which increased with OSA severity. Each metabolic syndrome component correlated with apnoea/hypopnoea index, but only blood pressure retained significance after correction for confounders. Both obesity and OSA contributed to metabolic abnormalities, with different sex-related patterns, since diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with neck circumference, age, body mass index and lowest arterial oxygen saturation in males, and with age and arousal index in females. The number of metabolic syndrome components increased with HOMA index (p<0.001). Prevalence of sleepiness was the same in patients with and without metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome occurs in about half of “real-life” OSA patients, irrespective of daytime sleepiness, and is a reliable marker of insulin resistance.
Mismatched single stranded antisense oligonucleotides can induce efficient dystrophin splice switching
Authors: Fragall Clayton T , Adams Abbie M , Johnsen Russell D , Kole Ryszard , Fletcher Sue , Wilton Steve D
Published: November 2011

Background

Antisense oligomer induced exon skipping aims to reduce the severity of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by redirecting splicing during pre-RNA processing such that the causative mutation is by-passed and a shorter but partially functional Becker muscular dystrophy-like dystrophin isoform is produced. Normal exons are generally targeted to restore the dystrophin reading frame however, an appreciable subset of dystrophin mutations are intra-exonic and therefore have the potential to compromise oligomer efficiency, necessitating personalised oligomer design for some patients. Although antisense oligomers are easily personalised, it remains unclear whether all patient polymorphisms within antisense oligomer target sequences will require the costly process of producing and validating patient specific compounds.

Methods

Here we report preclinical testing of a panel of splice switching antisense oligomers, designed to excise exon 25 from the dystrophin transcript, in normal and dystrophic patient cells. These patient cells harbour a single base insertion in exon 25 that lies within the target sequence of an oligomer shown to be effective at removing exon 25.

Results

It was anticipated that such a mutation would compromise oligomer binding and efficiency. However, we show that, despite the mismatch an oligomer, designed and optimised to excise exon 25 from the normal dystrophin mRNA, removes the mutated exon 25 more efficiently than the mutation-specific oligomer.

Conclusion

This raises the possibility that mismatched AOs could still be therapeutically applicable in some cases, negating the necessity to produce patient-specific compounds.
Non-invasive muscle contraction assay to study rodent models of sarcopenia
Authors: Chiu Chi-Sung , Weber Hans , Adamski Sharon , Rauch Albert , Gentile Michael A , Alves Stephen E , Kath Gary , Flores Osvaldo , Wilkinson Hilary A
Published: November 2011

Background

Age-related sarcopenia is a disease state of loss of muscle mass and strength that affects physical function and mobility leading to falls, fractures, and disability. The need for therapies to treat age-related sarcopenia has attracted intensive preclinical research. To facilitate the discovery of these therapies, we have developed a non-invasive rat muscle functional assay system to efficiently measure muscle force and evaluate the efficacy of drug candidates.

Methods

The lower leg muscles of anesthetized rats are artificially stimulated with surface electrodes on the knee holders and the heel support, causing the lower leg muscles to push isometric pedals that are attached to force transducers. We developed a stimulation protocol to perform a fatigability test that reveals functional muscle parameters like maximal force, the rate of fatigue, fatigue-resistant force, as well as a fatigable muscle force index. The system is evaluated in a rat aging model and a rat glucocorticoid-induced muscle loss model

Results

The aged rats were generally weaker than adult rats and showed a greater reduction in their fatigable force when compared to their fatigue-resistant force. Glucocorticoid treated rats mostly lost fatigable force and fatigued at a higher rate, indicating reduced force from glycolytic fibers with reduced energy reserves.

Conclusions

The involuntary contraction assay is a reliable system to assess muscle function in rodents and can be applied in preclinical research, including age-related sarcopenia and other myopathy.
Infinitely many periodic solutions for some second-order differential systems with p(t)-Laplacian
Authors: Zhang Liang , Tang Xian Hua , Chen Jing
Published: November 2011

In this article, we investigate the existence of infinitely many periodic solutions for some nonautonomous second-order differential systems with p(t)-Laplacian. Some multiplicity results are obtained using critical point theory.

2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 34C37; 58E05; 70H05.
Chemopreventive effect of cactus Opuntia ficus indica on oxidative stress and genotoxicity of aflatoxin B1
Authors: Brahmi Dalel , Bouaziz Chayma , Ayed Yousra , Ben Mansour Hédi , Zourgui Lazhar , Bacha Hassen
Published: November 2011

Background

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic agent. In aflatoxicosis, oxidative stress is a common mechanism contributing to initiation and progression of hepatic damage. The aim of this work was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of cactus cladode extract (CCE) on aflatoxin B1-induced liver damage in mice by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) level, the protein carbonyls generation and the heat shock proteins Hsp 70 and Hsp 27 expressions in liver. We also looked for an eventual protective effect against AFB1-induced genotoxicity as determined by chromosome aberrations test, SOS Chromotest and DNA fragmentation assay. We further evaluated the modulation of p53, bax and bcl2 protein expressions in liver.

Methods

Adult, healthy balbC (20-25 g) male mice were pre-treated by intraperitonial administration of CCE (50 mg/Kg.b.w) for 2 weeks. Control animals were treated 3 days a week for 4 weeks by intraperitonial administration of 250 μg/Kg.b.w AFB1. Animals treated by AFB1 and CCE were divided into two groups: the first group was administrated CCE 2 hours before each treatment with AFB1 3 days a week for 4 weeks. The second group was administrated without pre-treatment with CCE but this extract was administrated 24 hours after each treatment with AFB1 3 days a week for 4 weeks.

Results

Our results clearly showed that AFB1 induced significant alterations in oxidative stress markers. In addition, it has a genotoxic potential and it increased the expression of pro apoptotic proteins p53 and bax and decreased the expression of bcl2. The treatment of CCE before or after treatment with AFB1, showed (i) a total reduction of AFB1 induced oxidative damage markers, (ii) an anti-genotoxic effect resulting in an efficient prevention of chromosomal aberrations and DNA fragmentation compared to the group treated with AFB1 alone (iii) restriction of the effect of AFB1 by differential modulation of the expression of p53 which decreased as well as its associated genes such as bax and bcl2.

Conclusion

We concluded that CCE might have a hepatoprotective effect against aflatoxicosis in mice, probably acting by promoting the antioxidant defence systems.
Bilateral kidney preservation by volumetric-modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) compared to conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in pancreatic and bile duct malignancies
Authors: Vieillot Sabine , Azria David , Riou Olivier , Moscardo Carmen Llacer , Dubois Jean-Bernard , Aillères Norbert , Fenoglietto Pascal
Published: November 2011

Background

To compare volumetric-modulated arc therapy plans with conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) plans in pancreatic and bile duct cancers, especially for bilateral kidney preservation.

Methods

A dosimetric analysis was performed in 21 patients who had undergone radiotherapy for pancreatic or bile duct carcinoma at our institution. We compared 4-field 3D-CRT and 2 arcs RapidArc (RA) plans. The treatment plan was designed to deliver a dose of 50.4 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) based on the gross disease in a 1.8 Gy daily fraction, 5 days a week. Planning objectives were 95% of the PTV receiving 95% of the prescribed dose and no more than 2% of the PTV receiving more than 107%. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) for the target volume and the organs at risk (right and left kidneys, bowel tract, liver and healthy tissue) were compared. Monitor units and delivery treatment time were also reported.

Results

All plans achieved objectives, with 95% of the PTV receiving ≥ 95% of the dose (D95% for 3D-CRT = 48.9 Gy and for RA = 48.6 Gy). RapidArc was shown to be superior to 3D-CRT in terms of organ at risk sparing except for contralateral kidney: for bowel tract, the mean dose was reduced by RA compared to 3D-CRT (16.7 vs 20.8 Gy, p = 0.0001). Similar result was observed for homolateral kidney (mean dose of 4.7 Gy for RA vs 12.6 Gy for 3D-CRT, p < 0.0001), but 3D-CRT significantly reduced controlateral kidney dose with a mean dose of 1.8 Gy vs 3.9 Gy, p < 0.0007. Compared to 3D-CRT, mean MUs for each fraction was significantly increased with RapidArc: 207 vs 589, (p < 0.0001) but the treatment time was not significantly different (2 and 2.66 minutes, p = ns).

Conclusion

RapidArc allows significant dose reduction, in particular for homolateral kidney and bowel, while maintaining target coverage. This would have a promising impact on reducing toxicities.
Radioresistance of human glioma spheroids and expression of HSP70, p53 and EGFr
Authors: Fedrigo Carlos A , Grivicich Ivana , Schunemann Daniel P , Chemale Ivan M , Santos Daiane dos , Jacovas Thais , Boschetti Patryck S , Jotz Geraldo P , Filho Aroldo Braga , da Rocha Adriana B
Published: November 2011

Background

Radiation therapy is routinely prescribed for high-grade malignant gliomas. However, the efficacy of this therapeutic modality is often limited by the occurrence of radioresistance, reflected as a diminished susceptibility of the irradiated cells to undergo cell death. Thus, cells have evolved an elegant system in response to ionizing radiation induced DNA damage, where p53, Hsp70 and/or EGFr may play an important role in the process. In the present study, we investigated whether the content of p53, Hsp70 and EGFr are associated to glioblastoma (GBM) cell radioresistance.

Methods

Spheroids from U-87MG and MO59J cell lines as well as spheroids derived from primary culture of tumor tissue of one GBM patient (UGBM1) were irradiated (5, 10 and 20 Gy), their relative radioresistance were established and the p53, Hsp70 and EGFr contents were immunohistochemically determined. Moreover, we investigated whether EGFr-phospho-Akt and EGFr-MEK-ERK pathways can induce GBM radioresistance using inhibitors of activation of ERK (PD098059) and Akt (wortmannin).

Results

At 5 Gy irradiation UGBM1 and U-87MG spheroids showed growth inhibition whereas the MO59J spheroid was relatively radioresistant. Overall, no significant changes in p53 and Hsp70 expression were found following 5 Gy irradiation treatment in all spheroids studied. The only difference observed in Hsp70 content was the periphery distribution in MO59J spheroids. However, 5 Gy treatment induced a significant increase on the EGFr levels in MO59J spheroids. Furthermore, treatment with inhibitors of activation of ERK (PD098059) and Akt (wortmannin) leads to radiosensitization of MO59J spheroids.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the PI3K-Akt and MEK-ERK pathways triggered by EGFr confer GBM radioresistance.
Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of six herbal plants against the human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line
Authors: Machana Sasipawan , Weerapreeyakul Natthida , Barusrux Sahapat , Nonpunya Apiyada , Sripanidkulchai Bungorn , Thitimetharoch Thaweesak
Published: November 2011

Background

Six plants from Thailand were evaluated for their cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) as compared to normal African green monkey kidney epithelial cell lines.

Methods

Ethanol-water crude extracts of the six plants were tested with neutral red assay for their cytotoxicity after 24 hours of exposure to the cells. Apoptotic induction was tested in the HepG2 cells with diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis, was analyzed with agarose gel electrophoresis. Alkylation, indicative of DNA damage, was also evaluated in vitro by 4-(4'-nitrobenzyl) pyridine assay.

Results

The extract of Pinus kesiya showed the highest selectivity (selectivity index = 9.6) and potent cytotoxicity in the HepG2 cell line, with an IC50 value of 52.0 ± 5.8 μg/ml (mean ± standard deviation). Extract of Catimbium speciosum exerted cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 55.7 ± 8.1 μg/ml. Crude extracts from Glochidion daltonii, Cladogynos orientalis, Acorus tatarinowii and Amomum villosum exhibited cytotoxicity with IC50 values ranging 100-500 μg/ml. All crude extracts showed different alkylating abilities in vitro. Extracts of P. kesiya, C. speciosum and C. orientalis caused nuclei morphological changes and DNA laddering.

Conclusion

The extracts of C. speciosum, C. orientalis and P. kesiya induced apoptosis. Among the three plants, P. kesiya possessed the most robust anticancer activity, with specific selectivity against HepG2 cells.
Brief psychodynamic interpersonal psychotherapy for patients with multisomatoform disorder: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sattel H. , Lahmann C. , Gündel H. , Guthrie E. , Kruse J. , Noll-Hussong M. , Ohmann C. , Ronel J. , Sack M. , Sauer N. , Schneider G. , Henningsen P.
Published: November 2011

Background

Multisomatoform disorder is characterised by severe and disabling bodily symptoms, and pain is one of the most common and impairing of these. Furthermore, these bodily symptoms cannot be explained by an underlying organic disorder. Patients with multisomatoform disorder are commonly found at all levels of healthcare and are typically difficult to treat for physicians as well as for mental health specialists.

Aims

To test whether brief psychodynamic interpersonal therapy (PIT) effectively improves the physical quality of life in patients who have had multisomatoform disorder for at least 2 years.

Method

We recruited 211 patients (from six German academic out-patient centres) who met the criteria for multisomatoform disorder for a randomised, controlled, 12-week, parallel-group trial from 1 July 2006 to 1 January 2009 (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN23215121). We randomly assigned the patients to receive either 12 weekly sessions of PIT (n = 107) or three sessions of enhanced medical care (EMC, n = 104). The physical component summary of the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was the pre-specified primary outcome at a 9-month follow-up.

Results

Psychodynamic interpersonal therapy improved patients' physical quality of life at follow-up better than EMC (mean improvement in SF-36 score: PIT 5.3, EMC 2.2), with a small to medium between-group effect size (d = 0.42, 95% CI 0.15–0.69, P = 0.001). We also observed a significant improvement in somatisation but not in depression, health anxiety or healthcare utilisation.

Conclusions

This trial documents the long-term efficacy of brief PIT for improving the physical quality of life in patients with multiple, difficult-to-treat, medically unexplained symptoms.
On the symmetric average of a convex body
Authors: Guédon Olivier , Litvak A. E.
Published: November 2011

We introduce a new parameter, symmetric average, which measures the asymmetry of a given non-degenerated convex body K in . Namely, sav(K) = inf
a∈int K
∫
Ka

‖– x‖
Ka

dx/|K|, where |K| denotes the volume of K and Ka
= K – a. We show that for polytopes sav(K) ≤ C ln N, where N is the number of facets of K. Moreover, in general and equality in the lower bound holds if and only if K is centrally symmetric. We apply these estimates to provide bounds for covering K by homothets of K ∩ –K.
Controlling nanomorphology in plastic solar cells
Authors: Carr John A. , Chen Yuqing , Elshobaki Moneim , Mahadevapuram Rakesh C. , Chaudhary Sumit
Published: November 2011

In the global search for clean, renewable energy sources, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have recently been given much attention. Popular modern-day organic solar cells are made from solution-processable, carbon-based polymers (e.g. the model poly(3-hexylthiophene) that are intimately blended with fullerene derivatives (e.g. [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester) to form what is known as the dispersed bulk-heterojunction (BHJ). This BHJ architecture has produced some of the most efficient OPVs to date, with reports closing in on 10% power conversion efficiency. To push efficiencies further into double digits, many groups have identified the BHJ nanomorphology — that is, the phase separations and grain sizes within the polymer: fullerene composite — as a key aspect in need of control and improvement. As a result, many methods, including thermal annealing, slow-drying (solvent) annealing, vapor annealing, and solvent additives, have been developed and studied to promote BHJ self-organization. In this review, the authors present an overview of these methods and summarize the results they have enabled.
HLA-DQB1 Haplotypes and their Relation to Oral Signs Linked to Celiac Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Erriu Matteo , Sanna Serena , Nucaro Annalisa , Orrù Germano , Garau Valentino , Montaldo Caterina
Published: November 2011

Objectives:

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that can be divided into typical and atypical forms. Atypical forms can show extraintestinal manifestations among which oral signs are very frequent. Considering that the pathogenesis of CD is related to a positivity to specific HLA-DQB1 haplotypes, we tested whether the presence of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele could be a hypothetical cause of the development of oral manifestations.

Subjects and Methods:

For this study was been examined the oral condition of 98 Sardinian patients, all affected by CD and all on a gluten-free diet for at least 1 year. Then was been determined each patient’s HLA-DQB1 haplotype and compared these results with clinical information.

Results:

The statistical analysis evidenced that the absence of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele predisposes to oral manifestations such as dental enamel defects (DED) and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) (Pvalue=5.98x10-05, OR = 0.23, CI: (0.10 - 0.45) per each copy of the HLA allele).

Conclusions:

These results showed that the presence of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele influences the development of oral signs in a dose-dependent manner and also how the HLA haplotype connected to oral signs could have a fundamental role for the diagnosis of atypical forms of CD.
Giant Intra-Articular Extrasynovial Osteochondroma of the Knee: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: De Maio F , Bisicchia S , Potenza V , Caterini R , Farsetti P
Published: November 2011

We report two cases of a giant extrasynovial osteochondroma of the knee located in the infrapatellar fat pad region, in two females who were 58 and 71 years old respectively. Both patients had noticed the mass many years before our first clinical observation. In both patients, at physical examination a solid, firm and hard mass was palpable in the
anterior part of the knee in Hoffa’s fat pad region, and the range of motion of the knee was severely restricted and painful.
CT scan examination with 3D-reconstruction showed two large, calcified neoformations behind the patellar tendon, between the apex of the patella and the proximal third of the tibia. In both cases, the mass was completely resected surgically through an anterior longitudinal approach. At histological examination, the excised masses consisted of an outer layer of hyaline cartilage without significant chondrocyte atypia and an inner region of bone trabeculae formed by endochondral ossification. At follow-up, 8 and 4 years after the operation, both patients were pain-free, with complete recovery of the range of motion of the knee and without any clinical or radiographic evidence of recurrence. The authors believe that intra-articular extrasynovial osteochondroma of the knee is a primary metaplasia of Hoffa’s fat pad. Usually, the tumor develops slowly and asymptomatically over many years. The treatment of choice is a marginal resection of the
mass, although a biopsy should be considered in some cases. Recurrences are extremely rare.
Reproductive Tissues Maintain Insulin Sensitivity in Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Wu Sheng , Divall Sara , Wondisford Fredric , Wolfe Andrew
Published: November 2011

Reproductive dysfunction is associated with obesity. We previously showed that female mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) exhibit infertility and thus serve as a model of human polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We postulated that differential insulin signaling of tissues leads to reproductive dysfunction; therefore, a comparison of insulin signaling in reproductive tissues and energy storage tissues was performed. Pituitary-specific insulin receptor knockout mice were used as controls. High-fat diet–induced stress, which leads to insulin resistance, was also investigated by assaying macrophage infiltration and phosphorylated Jun NH2-terminal kinase (pJNK) signaling. In lean mice, reproductive tissues exhibited reduced sensitivity to insulin compared with peripheral metabolic tissues. However, in obese mice, where metabolic tissues exhibited insulin resistance, the pituitary and ovary maintained insulin sensitivity. Pituitaries responded to insulin through insulin receptor substrate (IRS)2 but not IRS1, whereas in the ovary, both IRS1 and IRS2 were activated by insulin. Macrophage infiltration and pJNK signaling were not increased in the pituitary or ovary of lean mice relative to DIO mice. The lack of inflammation and cytokine signaling in the pituitary and ovary in DIO mice compared with lean mice may be one of the reasons that these tissues remained insulin sensitive. Retained sensitivity of the pituitary and ovary to insulin may contribute to the pathophysiology of PCOS.
Diabetes Incidence and Long-Term Exposure to Air Pollution
Authors: Andersen Zorana J. , Raaschou-Nielsen Ole , Ketzel Matthias , Jensen Steen S. , Hvidberg Martin , Loft Steffen , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Sørensen Mette
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE

Animal and cross-sectional epidemiological studies suggest a link between air pollution and diabetes, whereas the limited prospective data show mixed results. We studied the association between long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and incidence of diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We followed 57,053 participants of the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort in the Danish National Diabetes Register between baseline (1993–1997) and 27 June 2006. We estimated the mean levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at the residential addresses of the cohort participants since 1971 and modeled the association between NO2 and diabetes incidence with a Cox regression model, separately for two definitions of diabetes: all cases and a more strict definition where unconfirmed cases were excluded.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up of 9.7 years of 51,818 eligible subjects, there were 4,040 (7.8%) incident diabetes cases in total and 2,877 (5.5%) with confirmed diagnoses. Air pollution was not associated with all diabetes cases (hazard ratio 1.00 [95% CI 0.97–1.04] per interquartile range of 4.9 μg/m3 mean NO2 levels since 1971), but a borderline statistically significant association was detected with confirmed cases of diabetes (1.04 [1.00–1.08]). Among confirmed diabetes cases, effects were significantly enhanced in nonsmokers (1.12 [1.05–1.20]) and physically active people (1.10 [1.03–1.16]).

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution may contribute to the development of diabetes, especially in individuals with a healthy lifestyle, nonsmokers, and physically active individuals.
The Modified Gait Efficacy Scale: Establishing the Psychometric Properties in Older Adults
Authors: Newell Alaina M. , VanSwearingen Jessie M. , Hile Elizabeth , Brach Jennifer S.
Published: November 2011

Background

Perceived ability or confidence plays an important role in determining function and behavior. The modified Gait Efficacy Scale (mGES) is a 10-item self-report measure used to assess walking confidence under challenging everyday circumstances.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability, internal consistency, and validity of the mGES as a measure of gait in older adults.

Design

This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Participants were 102 community-dwelling older adults (mean [±SD] age=78.6±6.1 years) who were independent in ambulation with or without an assistive device. Participants were assessed using the mGES and measures of confidence and fear, measures of function and disability, and performance-based measures of mobility. In a subsample (n=26), the mGES was administered twice within a 1-month period to establish test-retest reliability through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC [2,1]). The standard error of measure (SEM) was determined from the ICC and standard deviation. The Cronbach α value was calculated to determine internal consistency. To establish the validity of the mGES, the Spearman rank order correlation coefficient was used to examine the association with measures of confidence, fear, gait, and physical function and disability.

Results

The mGES demonstrated test-retest reliability within the 1-month period (ICC=.93, 95% confidence interval=.85, .97). The SEM of the mGES was 5.23. The mGES was internally consistent across the 10 items (Cronbach α=.94). The mGES was related to measures of confidence and fear (r=.54–.88), function and disability (Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument, r=.32–.88), and performance-based mobility (r=.38–.64).

Limitations

This study examined only community-dwelling older adults. The results, therefore, should not be generalized to other patient populations.

Conclusion

The mGES is a reliable and valid measure of confidence in walking among community-dwelling older adults.