bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anesthetic Management and Outcome in Patients during Endovascular Therapy for Acute Stroke
Authors: Davis Melinda J. , Menon Bijoy K. , Baghirzada Leyla B. , Campos-Herrera Cynthia R. , Goyal Mayank , Hill Michael D. , Archer David P.
Published: January 2012

Background

Studies of endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke have identified general anesthesia as a predictor for poor outcome in comparison with local anesthesia/sedation. This retrospective study attempts to identify modifiable factors associated with poor outcome, while adjusting for baseline stroke severity, in patients receiving general anesthesia.

Methods

We reviewed charts of 129 patients treated between January 2003 and September 2009. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Score of 0-2 for 3 months poststroke. Predictors of neurologic outcome included baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, blood glucose concentration, and age. Additional risk factors evaluated were prolonged stroke onset-treatment interval and systolic blood pressure less than 140 mmHg. Choice of local anesthesia or general anesthesia was recorded.

Results

The study group was 96 out of 129 patients for whom modified Rankin Scale scores were available; 48 patients received general anesthesia and 48 local anesthesia. The proportion of patients with "good" outcomes were 15% and 60% in the general anesthesia group and local anesthesia group, respectively (P < 0.001). Lowest systolic blood pressure and general anesthesia were correlated (r = -0.7, P < 0.001). Independent predictors for good neurologic outcome were local anesthesia, systolic blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg, and low baseline stroke scores.

Conclusions

Adjusted for stroke severity, patients who received general anesthesia for treatment are less likely to have a good outcome than those managed with local anesthesia. This may be due to preintervention risk not included in the stroke severity measures. Hypotension, more frequent in the general anesthesia patients, may also contribute.
Clinical Presentation, Response to Therapy, and Outcome of Gastroparesis in Children
Authors: Rodriguez Leonel , Irani Katayun , Jiang Hongyu , Goldstein Allan M.
Published: January 2012

Objectives:

The aims of the present study was to define the clinical features, response to therapy, and outcome of pediatric gastroparesis.

Methods:

Retrospective review of 230 children with gastroparesis. Demographics, gastric emptying times, symptoms, response to medications, and outcome were determined for each of 3 groups (infants, children, and adolescents).

Results:

Mean age was 9 years, with boys predominating among infants and girls among adolescents. Postviral gastroparesis occurred in 18% and mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) in 8%. Symptoms varied with age, with children experiencing more vomiting and adolescents reporting more nausea and abdominal pain. The addition of promotility drugs was an effective therapy. Overall rates of symptom resolution were 22% at 6 months, 53% at 18 months, and 61% at 36 months, with median time to resolution of 14 months. Factors associated with symptom resolution included younger age, male sex, postviral gastroparesis, shorter duration of symptoms, response to addition of promotility therapy, and absence of MD. In multivariate analysis, longer duration of symptoms and MD both predicted lower rates of resolution, whereas younger age and response to addition of promotility therapy predicted a higher rate.

Conclusions:

Pediatric gastroparesis is a complex condition with variable symptomatology and outcome depending on multiple parameters. Understanding the clinical features and response to therapy will improve our diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
Molecular Basis Underlying the S5-Dependent Reproductive Isolation and Compatibility of indica/japonica Rice Hybrids
Authors: Ji Qing , Zhang Meijing , Lu Jufei , Wang Hongmei , Lin Bing , Liu Qiaoquan , Chao Qing , Zhang Yan , Liu Chunxia , Gu Minghong , Xu Mingliang
Published: January 2012

The S5 locus regulates spikelet fertility of indica/japonica hybrid rice (Oryza sativa). There are three alleles at the S5 locus, including an indica allele (S5i), a japonica allele (S5j), and a wide-compatibility allele (S5n). This study analyzed the molecular basis for S5-dependent reproductive isolation and compatibility of indica/japonica rice hybrids. Three S5 alleles were expressed at extremely low levels, and only in the ovary. S5n was more similar to S5i in both RNA and protein expression profiles. The S5 locus was not essential for embryo sac development, although deleterious interactions between S5i and S5j resulted in reduced rates of spikelet fertility. The yeast two-hybrid system was used to test direct interactions between S5-encoded proteins. The results indicated that the S5i- and S5j-encoded eukaryotic aspartyl proteases formed both homodimers and heterodimers, whereas the S5n-encoded aspartyl protease was incapable of dimerization. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that a single amino acid difference between S5i- and S5j-encoded aspartyl proteases (phenylalanine/leucine at residue 273) was primarily responsible for embryo sac abortion. The S5 locus may have promoted the subspeciation of indica and japonica, but it also enables gene flow between them.
Sevoflurane reduces severity of acute lung injury possibly by impairing formation of alveolar oedema
Authors: Schläpfer M , Leutert A C , Voigtsberger S , Lachmann R A , Booy C , Beck-Schimmer B
Published: January 2012

Pulmonary oedema is a hallmark of acute lung injury (ALI), consisting of various degrees of water and proteins. Physiologically, sodium enters through apical sodium channels (ENaC) and is extruded basolaterally by a sodium–potassium–adenosine–triphosphatase pump (Na+/K+-ATPase). Water follows to maintain iso-osmolar conditions and to keep alveoli dry. We postulated that the volatile anaesthetic sevoflurane would impact oedema resolution positively in an in-vitro and in-vivo model of ALI. Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AECII) and mixed alveolar epithelial cells (mAEC) were stimulated with 20 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and co-exposed to sevoflurane for 8 h. In-vitro active sodium transport via ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase was determined, assessing 22sodium and 86rubidium influx, respectively. Intratracheally applied LPS (150 µg) was used for the ALI in rats under sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia (8 h). Oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated and lung oedema assessed determining lung wet/dry ratio. In AECII LPS decreased activity of ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase by 17·4% ± 13·3% standard deviation and 16·2% ± 13·1%, respectively. These effects were reversible in the presence of sevoflurane. Significant better oxygenation was observed with an increase of PaO2/FiO2 from 189 ± 142 mmHg to 454 ± 25 mmHg after 8 h in the sevoflurane/LPS compared to the propofol/LPS group. The wet/dry ratio in sevoflurane/LPS was reduced by 21·6% ± 2·3% in comparison to propofol/LPS-treated animals. Sevoflurane has a stimulating effect on ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase in vitro in LPS-injured AECII. In-vivo experiments, however, give strong evidence that sevoflurane does not affect water reabsorption and oedema resolution, but possibly oedema formation.
Sex recognition by odour and variation in the uropygial gland secretion in starlings
Authors: Amo Luisa , Avilés Jesús M. , Parejo Deseada , Peña Aránzazu , Rodríguez Juan , Tomás Gustavo
Published: January 2012

1. Although a growing body of evidence supports that olfaction based on chemical compounds emitted by birds may play a role in individual recognition, the possible role of chemical cues in sexual selection of birds has been only preliminarily studied.

2. We investigated for the first time whether a passerine bird, the spotless starling Sturnus unicolor, was able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using olfactory cues and whether the size and secretion composition of the uropygial gland convey information on sex, age and reproductive status in this species.

3. We performed a blind choice experiment during mating, and we found that starlings were able to discriminate the sex of conspecifics by using chemical cues alone. Both male and female starlings preferred male scents. Furthermore, the analysis of the chemical composition of the uropygial gland secretion by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) revealed differences between sexes, ages and reproductive status.

4. In conclusion, our study reveals for first time that a passerine species can discriminate the sex of conspecifics by relying on chemical cues and suggests that the uropygial gland secretion may potentially function as a chemical signal used in mate choice and/or intrasexual competition in this species.
Induction of visual dream reports after transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCs) during Stage 2 sleep
Authors: JAKOBSON ANTONIA J. , FITZGERALD PAUL B. , CONDUIT RUSSELL
Published: January 2012

REM sleep is a unique brain state characterized by frontal deactivation alongside activation of the posterior association and limbic cortices. Human brain lesion studies have found that the loss of dreaming is characterized by damage to the frontal and posterior parieto–temporo–occipital association cortex. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the function of these brain regions might encapsulate the neural processes of dreaming. The aim of the following two experiments was to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCs), applied simultaneously to the frontal and right posterior parietal cortex during Stage 2 sleep, on dreaming. In Experiment 1, 17 healthy participants received tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal) and low‐intensity tDCs as well as no tDCs (blank control) during Stage 2 sleep in a counterbalanced order across the night. Dream reports were collected upon awakening after each of the three conditions. In Experiment 2, 10 participants received tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal), no tDCs (blank control) and two additional control conditions (reversed polarity and other‐cephalic tDCs). In both experiments a significantly greater number of imagery reports were found on awakening after tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal), compared to the blank control conditions. However, in Experiment 2 the frequency of imagery reports from the tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal) was not significantly different from the other two tDC conditions, suggesting a non‐specific effect of tDCs. Overall, it was concluded that tDCs (cathodal–frontal, anodal–parietal) increased the frequency of dream reports with visual imagery, possibly via a general arousing effect and/or recreating specific cortical neural activity involved in dreaming.
The lace plant: a novel model system to study plant proteases during developmental programmed cell death in vivo
Authors: Lord Christina E. N. , Gunawardena Arunika H. L. A. N.
Published: January 2012

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays a major role in plant development and defense throughout the plant kingdom. Within animal systems, it is well accepted that caspases play a major role in the PCD process, although no true caspases have yet to be identified in plants. Despite this, vast amounts of evidence suggest the existence of caspase‐like proteases in plants. The lace plant (Aponogeton madagascariensis) forms perforations in a predictable pattern between longitudinal and transverse veins over its entire leaf surface via PCD. Due to the thin nature of the leaf, allowing for long‐term live cell imaging, a perfected method for sterile culture, as well as the feasibility of pharmacological experiments, the lace plant provides an excellent model to study developmental PCD. In this review, we report the suitability of the lace plant as a novel organism to study proteases in vivo during developmentally regulated cell death.
Trait‐dependent diversification and the impact of palaeontological data on evolutionary hypothesis testing in New World ratsnakes (tribe Lampropeltini)
Authors: PYRON R. A. , BURBRINK F. T.
Published: January 2012

For studies investigating trait evolution, there are at least two important questions. First, have traits under consideration influenced cladogenesis and extinction in the group? Second, how do fossil data alter inferences about trait evolution or diversification‐rate dynamics? However, relatively few studies have assessed these questions. Here, we use recently developed methods to test for trait‐dependent diversification in the New World colubrid snake tribe Lampropeltini. We also integrate data from fossil taxa into phylogenetic estimation of evolutionary parameters using a simple Monte Carlo randomization test. These analyses suggest that ecological conditions in temperate regions are tied to higher rates of cladogenesis, but that body size is not related to diversification in the group. We also find that the inclusion of fossil taxa alters absolute estimates of size and the rate of size evolution, but not the overall pattern of ecomorphological diversification, as well as estimates of evolutionary rates, particularly extinction.
Liraglutide: short‐lived effect on gastric emptying—long lasting effects on body weight
Authors: Jelsing J. , Vrang N. , Hansen G. , Raun K. , Tang‐Christensen M. , Bjerre Knudsen L.
Published: January 2012

Aim: Previous studies with the novel once daily glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) analogue liraglutide and the GLP‐1 receptor agonist exenatide have revealed profound insulinotrophic and antidiabetic effects, but also potent effects on gastric emptying (GE) and long‐term and lasting reductions in body weight. In this study, we examined the acute and chronic effects of two different GLP‐1 analogues with different pharmacokinetic profiles on GE, food intake and body weight.

Methods: On the basis of a series of dose‐finding studies, the doses of exenatide and liraglutide with similar acute anorectic effects were identified. GE was assessed using a standard acetaminophen release assay. After the acute test, rats were dosed bi‐daily for 14 days in which period food intake and body weight was monitored. On day 14, the GE rate was reassessed.

Results: While both compounds exerted robust acute reductions in GE, the effect was markedly diminished following 14 days of dosing with liraglutide. In contrast, exenatide‐treated rats still displayed a profound reduction in GE at the 14‐day time‐point. Both compounds exerted similar effects on body weight.

Conclusion: The data suggest that the ‘gastric inhibitory’ GLP‐1 receptors in rats are subject to desensitization/tachyphylaxis but that this effect is dependent on full 24‐h exposure as obtained by liraglutide. The body weight‐lowering effects of GLP‐1 receptor stimulation are not subject to desensitization. These data indicate that regulation of appetite signals in the brain, and not GE, is the main mechanism for liraglutide‐induced weight loss.
Relative renal function does not improve after relieving chronic renal obstruction
Authors: Wu Alex K. , Tran Thanh C. , Sorensen Mathew D. , Durack Jeremy C. , Stoller Marshall L.
Published: January 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

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

Technetium‐99m MAG3 renography can be used to quantify relative renal function (RRF). Deterioration of renal function occurs with chronic obstruction. Small studies have previously shown that RRF is not improved in adult patients after pyeloplasty. Some studies have suggested that patients with higher preoperative RRF are more likely to improve.

To our knowledge, these data represent the largest review of cases related to this subject. This study verifies past studies' assertions that RRF does not improve after relief of chronic renal obstruction. Using multivariable analysis, we identify lower age and lower preoperative RRF as predictors of >7% improvement in RRF. These data suggest that the aim of relieving obstruction should be to maintain RRF and alleviate symptoms, but not to seek improvement in overall renal function.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the change in relative renal function (RRF) after relief of chronic obstruction in adults.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified 85 adult patients who underwent scintigraphic diuretic renography before and after an intervention to relieve chronic unilateral renal obstruction.

Patients were stratified into groups of low (<20%), medium (20‐40%) and high (>40%) preoperative RRF in the obstructed kidney. Each group was assessed for change in RRF after relief of obstruction.

We performed multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine whether age and pre‐procedural RRF predicted a >7% improvement in RRF, controlling for medical comorbidities and type of obstruction.

RESULTS

The mean (sd) patient age was 43.6 (16.8) years and 66% of patients were female.

The mean (sd) pre‐ and postoperative RRF values were not significantly different (37.6 [12.3] % vs 38.4 [13.6] %; P = 0.31).

Patients stratified by low, medium and high preoperative function showed no significant change in postoperative RRF (P = 0.53, 0.39 and 0.77, respectively).

In multivariable logistic regression analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–0.98) and lower preoperative RRF (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83–0.97) predicted improvement in RRF of >7%, after adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

RRF does not significantly increase after relief of chronic obstruction.

The goals of relieving chronic renal obstruction should be to maintain renal function and relieve symptoms, but not to regain renal function.
Personality and Relationship Quality During the Transition From High School to Early Adulthood
Authors: Parker Philip D. , Lüdtke Oliver , Trautwein Ulrich , Roberts Brent W.
Published: January 2012

The post–high school transition period is believed to be associated with considerable changes in social networks, yet longitudinal studies documenting these changes are scarce. To address this gap, the current research explored 3 relevant issues. First, changes in participants' relationship characteristics during the transition from high school were examined. Second, the roles of personality traits as antecedents of these changes were studied. Third, the association between change in relationship characteristics and personality during the transition was explored. A sample of over 2,000 German emerging adults, surveyed before leaving school and then 2 years after the transition from high school, was assessed on personality traits and a multidimensional assessment of the quality of their relationships. Findings indicated that participants experienced mostly positive changes in relationship quality during the transition from high school and that antecedent personality at school was an important predictor of the nature of this change. Finally, change in relationship quality was found to be associated with personality change during the post‐school transition. Findings indicated that personality traits may influence transition success and that change in relationships during this transition may influence personality development. The implications of the research for post‐school transition success are discussed.
An intellectual property sharing initiative in agricultural biotechnology: development of broadly accessible technologies for plant transformation
Authors: Chi‐Ham Cecilia L. , Boettiger Sara , Figueroa‐Balderas Rosa , Bird Sara , Geoola Josef N. , Zamora Pablo , Alandete‐Saez Monica , Bennett Alan B.
Published: January 2012

The Public Intellectual Property Resource for Agriculture (PIPRA) was founded in 2004 by the Rockefeller Foundation in response to concerns that public investments in agricultural biotechnology benefiting developing countries were facing delays, high transaction costs and lack of access to important technologies due to intellectual property right (IPR) issues. From its inception, PIPRA has worked broadly to support a wide range of research in the public sector, in specialty and minor acreage crops as well as crops important to food security in developing countries. In this paper, we review PIPRA’s work, discussing the failures, successes, and lessons learned during its years of operation. To address public sector’s limited freedom‐to‐operate, or legal access to third‐party rights, in the area of plant transformation, we describe PIPRA’s patent ‘pool’ approach to develop open‐access technologies for plant transformation which consolidate patent and tangible property rights in marker‐free vector systems. The plant transformation system has been licensed and deployed for both commercial and humanitarian applications in the United States (US) and Africa, respectively.
Genome‐wide DNA polymorphisms in elite indica rice inbreds discovered by whole‐genome sequencing
Authors: Subbaiyan Gopala K. , Waters Daniel L. E. , Katiyar Sanjay K. , Sadananda Ajanahalli R. , Vaddadi Satyadev , Henry Robert J.
Published: January 2012

Advances in next‐generation sequencing technologies have aided discovery of millions of genome‐wide DNA polymorphisms, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions–deletions (InDels), which are an invaluable resource for marker‐assisted breeding. Whole‐genome resequencing of six elite indica rice inbreds (three cytoplasmic male sterile and three restorer lines) resulted in the generation of 338 million 75‐bp paired‐end reads, which provided 85.4% coverage of the Nipponbare genome. A total of 2 819 086 nonredundant DNA polymorphisms including 2 495 052 SNPs, 160 478 insertions and 163 556 deletions were discovered between the inbreds and Nipponbare, providing an average of 6.8 SNPs/kb across the genome. Distribution of SNPs and InDels in the chromosome was nonrandom with SNP‐rich and SNP‐poor regions being evident across the genome. A contiguous 4.3‐Mb region on chromosome 5 with extremely low SNP density was identified. Overall, 83 262 nonsynonymous SNPs spanning 16 379 genes and 3620 nonsynonymous InDels in 2625 genes have been discovered which provide valuable insights into the basis underlying performance of the inbreds and the hybrids between these inbred combinations. SNPs and InDels discovered from this diverse set of indica rice inbreds not only enrich SNP resources for molecular breeding but also enable the study of genome‐wide variations on hybrid performance.
Infants’ Developing Understanding of Social Gaze
Authors: Beier Jonathan S. , Spelke Elizabeth S.
Published: January 2012

Young infants are sensitive to self‐directed social actions, but do they appreciate the intentional, target‐directed nature of such behaviors? The authors addressed this question by investigating infants’ understanding of social gaze in third‐party interactions (N = 104). Ten‐month‐old infants discriminated between 2 people in mutual versus averted gaze, and expected a person to look at her social partner during conversation. In contrast, 9‐month‐old infants showed neither ability, even when provided with information that highlighted the gazer’s social goals. These results indicate considerable improvement in infants’ abilities to analyze the social gaze of others toward the end of their 1st year, which may relate to their appreciation of gaze as both a social and goal‐directed action.
Variety is the Spice of Innovation: Mediating Factors in the Service Idea Generation Process
Authors: Duverger Philippe
Published: January 2012

To create a breakthrough service innovation, firms need to go beyond current customers' needs and tap into the needs of the future market. As marketing theory favours customer‐centric approaches, customer‐led ideation and co‐creation of innovation seem natural candidates for extracting the ‘sticky’ information nested in some of the most innovative customers' minds. Grounded in the service innovation literature, this paper extracts innovative service ideas from ordinary users (n = 388) in three different service domains and seeks to identify the salient characteristics of the most innovative customers. Past research shows that innovative users are more likely to be service defectors, frequently switching from firm to firm, and motivated by their predisposition to seek variety. Using a structural modelling strategy, variety seeking is tested as a mediating factor between the subjective knowledge level and the presence of high level unmet needs leading to the generation of innovative service ideas. The results show that variety seeking fully mediates the relationship between subjective knowledge and unmet needs. Several interpretations of the role of variety seeking on customers' behaviour are explored within the context of capturing innovative service ideas.
Progressive Environmental Taxation: A Defence
Authors: Casal Paula
Published: January 2012

The need to use green taxes to protect the environment is urgent, particularly because of climate change, and can be justified via sound deontological and consequence-based arguments. One very influential criticism of such taxes, however, claims that they disproportionately burden relatively poor individuals who tend to contribute to environmental problems far less than wealthier persons. Critics can also object that because of the link between economic inequality and environmental destruction it is preferable to adopt environmental measures that impede rather than accelerate the growth of inequality. Defusing these criticisms, the article argues that various types of green fiscal reform can both avoid disproportionally burdening those who pollute least and reduce the economic inequalities that income taxes leave behind, and slow down the collectively self-defeating consumption arms race that currently besets so many affluent societies. Global progressive environmental taxation is also a possibility, and even easier to justify.
Phase II Trial Design with Bayesian Adaptive Randomization and Predictive Probability
Authors: Yin Guosheng , Chen Nan , Jack Lee J.
Published: January 2012

We propose a randomized phase II clinical trial design based on Bayesian adaptive randomization and predictive probability monitoring. Adaptive randomization assigns more patients to a more efficacious treatment arm by comparing the posterior probabilities of efficacy between different arms. We continuously monitor the trial using the predictive probability. The trial is terminated early when it is shown that one treatment is overwhelmingly superior to others or that all the treatments are equivalent. We develop two methods to compute the predictive probability by considering the uncertainty of the sample size of the future data. We illustrate the proposed Bayesian adaptive randomization and predictive probability design using a phase II lung cancer clinical trial, and we conduct extensive simulation studies to examine the operating characteristics of the design. By coupling adaptive randomization and predictive probability approaches, the trial can treat more patients with a more efficacious treatment and allow for early stopping whenever sufficient information is obtained to conclude treatment superiority or equivalence. The design proposed also controls both the type I and the type II errors and offers an alternative Bayesian approach to the frequentist group sequential design.
Modelling Human Immunodeficiency Virus Ribonucleic Acid Levels with Finite Mixtures for Censored Longitudinal Data
Authors: Grün Bettina , Hornik Kurt
Published: January 2012

The measurement of human immunodeficiency virus ribonucleic acid levels over time leads to censored longitudinal data. Suitable models for dynamic modelling of these levels need to take this data characteristic into account. If groups of patients with different developments of the levels over time are suspected the model class of finite mixtures of mixed effects models with censored data is required. We describe the model specification and derive the estimation with a suitable expectation–maximization algorithm. We propose a convenient implementation using closed form formulae for the expected mean and variance of the truncated multivariate distribution. Only efficient evaluation of the cumulative multivariate normal distribution function is required. Model selection as well as methods for inference are discussed. The application is demonstrated on the clinical trial ACTG 315 data.
Space–Time Modelling of Coupled Spatiotemporal Environmental Variables
Authors: Ippoliti L. , Valentini P. , Gamerman D.
Published: January 2012

The paper is concerned with a dynamic factor model for spatiotemporal coupled environmental variables. The model is proposed in a state space formulation which, through Kalman recursions, allows a unified approach to prediction and estimation. Full probabilistic inference for the model parameters is facilitated by adapting standard Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for dynamic linear models to our model formulation. The predictive ability of the model is discussed for two different data sets with variables measured at two different scales. Some possibilities for further research are also outlined.
Screening of plant extracts for human tyrosinase inhibiting effects
Authors: Kim M. , Park J. , Song K. , Kim H. G. , Koh J.‐S. , Boo Y. C.
Published: January 2012

Synopsis

Screening for tyrosinase (TYR) inhibitors potentially useful for control of skin pigmentation has been hampered by the limited availability of human TYR. To overcome this hurdle, we have established human embryonic kidney (HEK293)‐TYR cells that constitutively express human TYR. In the current study, we assayed human TYR inhibition activities of 50 plant extracts using the lysates of transformed HEK293‐TYR cells. The strongest inhibition of human TYR was shown by the extract of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunberg, followed by the extract of Morus bombycis Koidzumi. The former extract did not inhibit mushroom TYR activity whereas significant inhibition was observed with the latter extract, demonstrating the importance of using human TYR in the screening for human TYR inhibitors. Upon liquid‐liquid partitioning of the extract from V. bracteatum, the active constituents were enriched in the ethyl acetate fraction, and the subsequent preparatory thin‐layer chromatography identified p‐coumaric acid (PCA) as the main active constituent. The hypo‐pigmentation of PCA was verified in the MelanoDerm™ Skin Model. This study demonstrates that transformed HEK293‐TYR cells could expedite the discovery of human TYR‐specific inhibitors from natural sources which might be useful in the control of skin pigmentation.
The effects of inoculant variables on the physicochemical and organoleptic properties of Doogh
Authors: AHMADI ELAHE , MORTAZAVIAN AMIR MOHAMMAD , FAZELI MOHAMMAD REZA , EZZATPANAH HAMID , MOHAMMADI REZA
Published: January 2012

The combined effects of probiotic sequential inoculation (before or after fermentation), type of native Bifidobacterium strain (Bifidobacterium animalis spp. lactis PTCC 1631 and Bifidobacterium bifidum PTCC 1644) and final pH of fermentation (4.5 or 4.2) on qualitative aspects of typical Iranian fermented milk drink (Doogh) were investigated. The blends inoculated with yoghurt bacteria only and with final fermentation pH of 4.5 had the shortest fermentation time. The highest viability of bifidobacteria in all treatments at the end of fermentation and throughout the refrigerated storage was observed for BlY‐40‐4.5 (B. lactis co‐cultured with yoghurt starter bacteria and incubated at 40 °C until final pH of 4.5) and then for BbY‐40‐4.5 (containing B. bifidum). The most acceptable organoleptic properties were observed for treatments BlY‐40‐4.2 and BbY‐40‐4.2, and then for BbY‐40‐4.5.
Cdk5/p35 phosphorylates lemur tyrosine kinase‐2 to regulate protein phosphatase‐1C phosphorylation and activity
Authors: Manser Catherine , Vagnoni Alessio , Guillot Florence , Davies Jennifer , Miller Christopher C. J.
Published: January 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 343–348.

Cyclin‐dependent kinase‐5 (cdk5)/p35 and protein phosphatase‐1 (PP1) are two major enzymes that control a variety of physiological processes within the nervous system including neuronal differentiation, synaptic plasticity and axonal transport. Defective cdk5/p35 and PP1 function are also implicated in several major human neurodegenerative diseases. Cdk5/p35 and the catalytic subunit of PP1 (PP1C) both bind to the brain‐enriched, serine–threonine kinase lemur tyrosine kinase‐2 (LMTK2). Moreover, LMTK2 phosphorylates PP1C on threonine‐320 (PP1Cthr320) to inhibit its activity. Here, we demonstrate that LMTK2 is phosphorylated on serine‐1418 (LMTK2ser1418) by cdk5/p35 and present evidence that this regulates its ability to phosphorylate PP1Cthr320. We thus describe a new signalling pathway within the nervous system that links cdk5/p35 with PP1C and which has implications for a number of neuronal functions and neuronal dysfunction.
Inflammatory muscle pain is dependent on the activation of kinin B1 and B2 receptors and intracellular kinase pathways
Authors: Meotti FC , Campos R , da Silva KABS , Paszcuk AF , Costa R , Calixto JB
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

B1 and B2 kinin receptors are involved in pain transmission but they may have different roles in the muscle pain induced by intense exercise or inflammation. We investigated the contribution of each of these receptors, and the intracellular pathways involved, in the initial development and maintenance of the muscle pain associated with inflammation‐induced tissue damage.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Mechanical hyperalgesia was measured using the Randall–Selitto apparatus after injecting 5% formalin solution into the gastrocnemius muscle in mice treated with selective antagonists for B1 or B2 receptors. The expression of kinin receptors and cytokines and the activation of intracellular kinases were monitored by real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry.

KEY RESULTS

The i.m. injection of formalin induced an overexpression of B1 and B2 receptors. This overexpression was associated with the mechanical hyperalgesia induced by formalin because treatment with B1 receptor antagonists (des‐Arg9[Leu8]‐BK, DALBK, and SSR240612) or B2 receptor antagonists (HOE 140 and FR173657) prevented the hyperalgesia. Formalin increased myeloperoxidase activity, and up‐regulated TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 in gastrocnemius. Myeloperoxidase activity and TNF‐α mRNA expression were inhibited by either DALBK or HOE 140, whereas IL‐6 was inhibited only by HOE 140. The hyperalgesia induced by i.m. formalin was dependent on the activation of intracellular MAPKs p38, JNK and PKC.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Inflammatory muscle pain involves a cascade of events that is dependent on the activation of PKC, p38 and JNK, and the synthesis of IL‐1β, TNF‐α and IL‐6 associated with the up‐regulation of both B1 and B2 kinin receptors.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester protects nigral dopaminergic neurons via dual mechanisms involving haem oxygenase‐1 and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Kurauchi Y , Hisatsune A , Isohama Y , Mishima S , Katsuki H
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a component of honey bee propolis that can induce expression of haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). Because HO‐1 induction has been suggested to protect dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, we examined the effect of CAPE in experimental models of dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Neuroprotective effect of CAPE was investigated in rat organotypic midbrain slice cultures and in vivo, using a mouse model of dopaminergic neurodegeneration induced by intranigral injection of LPS and intrastriatal injection of 6‐hydroxydopamine.

KEY RESULTS

CAPE protected dopaminergic neurons in slice cultures from IFN‐γ/LPS‐induced injury. The effect of CAPE was inhibited by zinc protoporphyrin IX, an HO‐1 inhibitor, and by neutralizing antibody against brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 prevented activation of NF‐E2‐related factor 2, attenuated increased expression of HO‐1 and BDNF, and blocked the neuroprotective actions of CAPE. In the LPS‐injected mouse model, daily intraperitoneal administration of CAPE protected dopaminergic neurons, up‐regulated HO‐1 and BDNF, and reduced the increase of activated microglia/macrophages. Neuroprotective effects of CAPE against LPS‐induced injury was prevented by zinc protoporphyrin IX or anti‐BDNF antibody. CAPE protected dopaminergic neurons and alleviated methamphetamine‐induced rotational behaviour also in 6‐hydroxydopamine hemiparkinsonian mice.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

CAPE is a novel type of neuroprotective agent whose actions are mediated by both HO‐1 and BDNF. These findings may provide novel clues to develop neuroprotective agents for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Focal administration of neuropeptide Y into the S2 somatosensory cortex maximally suppresses absence seizures in a genetic rat model
Authors: van Raay Leena , Jovanovska Valentina , Morris Margaret J. , O’Brien Terence J.
Published: January 2012

Purpose:  Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that suppresses focal and generalized seizures in animal models. In this study, we investigated the sites within the thalamocortical circuit that NPY acts to suppress seizures in genetic absence epilepsy rats from Strasbourg (GAERS).

Methods:  In conscious freely moving GAERS, NPY was administered via intracerebral microcannulae implanted bilaterally into one of the following regions: primary somatosensory cortex (S1), secondary somatosensory cortex (S2), the primary motor cortex (M1), caudal nucleus reticular thalamus (nRT), or ventrobasal thalamus (VB). Animals received vehicle and up to three doses of NPY, in a randomized order. Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were carried out for 30 min prior to injection and 90 min after the injection of NPY or vehicle.

Key Findings:  Focal microinjections of NPY into the S2 cortex suppressed seizures in a dose‐dependent manner, with the response being significantly different at the highest dose (1.5 mm) compared to vehicle for total time in seizures postinjection (7.2 ± 3.0% of saline, p < 0.01) and average number of seizures (9.4 ± 4.9% of saline, p < 0.05). In contrast NPY microinjections into the VB resulted in an aggravation of seizures.

Significance:  NPY produces contrasting effects on absence‐like seizures in GAERS depending on the site of injection within the thalamocortical circuit. The S2 is the site at which NPY most potently acts to suppress absence‐like seizures in GAERS, whereas seizure‐aggravating effects are seen in the VB. These results provide further evidence to support the proposition that these electroclinically “generalized” seizures are being driven by a topographically restricted region within the somatosensory cortex.
Trans‐Arterial Coil Embolization of the Internal Carotid Artery in Standing Horses
Authors: Benredouane Kossay , Lepage Olivier
Published: January 2012

Objectives

To develop transarterial coil embolization (TACE) for occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), in normal standing horses, and to evaluate it use for prevention of hemorrhage in horses with guttural pouch mycosis (GPM).

Study Design

Prospective study.

Animals

Normal horses (n = 8) and 5 with GPM.

Methods

Horses had TACE of the ICA in standing position under fluoroscopic guidance. Four normal horses were euthanatized 2 weeks after TACE for morphologic assessment and 4 were followed for 6 months. The 5 clinically affected horses were evaluated for long‐term (10–12 months) success rate and complications.

Results

No complications related to the TACE were noted. Up to 30 mL warmed meglumine ioxithalamate was injected and well tolerated. Standing angiography confirmed complete occlusion of all vessels, and coils were positioned as intended; the procedure did not alter local hemodynamics. At 2 weeks, maturing to mature continuous thrombi was seen at the site of the coils. Two clinically affected horses died at day 3 and 12 after surgery from other problems. In the 3 surviving horses, mycotic lesions completely resolved without additional treatment.

Conclusions

TACE under fluoroscopic guidance in standing horses provided a safe, minimally invasive, and effective method for ICA occlusion and should be recommended for individuals at risk of general anesthesia. Residual neurologic deficits are a common sequela, but they do not reflect a treatment failure.
The Suppression Hypothesis Reconsidered: Competition Between Blacks and White Immigrants in the Retail Trade in Large Northern Cities, 1910–1930
Authors: BOYD ROBERT L.
Published: January 2012

Abstract

Past studies have dismissed the claim that retail enterprise among blacks in the urban North during the early 20th century was suppressed by competition from white immigrant merchants. The present investigation reconsiders the suppression hypothesis, applying the concepts of “niche overlap” and “competitive exclusion” from the literature on ethnic competition. An analysis of Census data on large northern cities offers some support for the hypothesis. The level of retail entrepreneurship of black men was negatively associated with that of white immigrant men in 1910 and 1920, implying that black retail enterprise at these time‐points was discouraged by the presence of white immigrant merchants. These negative associations, though, were only moderately significant in a substantive sense, and there was no evidence that a reduction of white immigrant merchants would have produced substantial gains for blacks in the retail trade, as many black entrepreneurs and activists at the time had claimed.
Lessons from The Cultural and Political Economy of Recovery
Authors: COYNE CHRISTOPHER J. , LEMKE JAYME
Published: January 2012

Abstract

This essay reviews four of the central themes in Emily Chamily‐Wright's The Cultural and Political Economy of Recovery. These themes include: (1) the cultural toolkit, (2) the use of qualitative methods in social science research, (3) polycentricism and disaster recovery, and (4) entrepreneurship in non‐priced environments. Our purpose is twofold. First, to make clear Chamlee‐Wright's contributions to our understanding of disaster recovery. Second, to demonstrate how these themes provide an opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange by blending insights from across the social sciences.
The Relationship Between Shift Work, Sleep, and Cognition in Career Emergency Physicians
Authors: Machi Mari S. , Staum Matthew , Callaway Clifton W. , Moore Charity , Jeong Kwonho , Suyama Joe , Patterson P. Daniel , Hostler David
Published: January 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:85–91 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The 24‐hour physician coverage of the emergency department (ED) requires shift work, which can result in desynchronosis and cognitive decline. We measured changes in cognition and sleep disturbance in attending emergency physicians (EPs) before and after day and overnight shifts.

Methods:  Thirteen EPs were tested before and after day and overnight shifts using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), the University of Southern California Repeatable Episodic Memory Test (REMT), the Trail Making Test (TMT), and the Stroop Color‐Word Test. Sleep quality and fatigue were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ). Saliva samples were collected from each physician immediately before and after day shifts and night shifts for neurohormonal assays.

Results:  Significantly fewer words were recalled on the REMT after both day (−2.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −4.4 to −0.4) and overnight shifts (−4.6, 95% CI = −6.4 to −2.8). There was a significant postshift increase in words recalled from the last third of the REMT list after overnight shifts (6.6, 95% CI = 2.8 to 10.4). Sleep quality was worse in EPs (mean PSQI = 4.8, SD ± 2.5) compared to the normal population, with 31% of subjects reporting poor sleep quality. Postshift fatigue was correlated with the perceived difficulty of the shift. Salivary cortisol and melatonin demonstrated diurnal variation consistent with normal circadian rhythms. Morning cortisol peak was decreased or delayed in samples from physicians after a night shift.

Conclusions:  These data indicate that short‐term memory appears to decline after day and overnight shifts and confirms the high incidence of disturbed sleep in this population.
Being a Mentor: What’s in It for Me?
Authors: Coates Wendy C.
Published: January 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:92–97 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

The benefits of mentorship for the protégé are well established and include increased career satisfaction, advancement, and income. Mentors can derive satisfaction from personal and professional networks within their institutions and specialties. However, the advantages of being a mentor are underreported in the medical literature. The purpose of this review is to investigate the effect of the mentoring relationship on the mentors and institutions in disciplines that have studied it widely and to draw parallels to academic medicine. Literature in the fields of business, organizational psychology, and kindergarten through high school (K‐12) education describe benefits of serving as a mentor to the individual, organization, and discipline. Potential mentors are intensely self‐motivated and derive satisfaction from developing junior colleagues and improving their institutions. Business mentors take pride in junior colleagues’ achievements and enjoy improved recognition by superiors, favorable perception within the organization, increased job satisfaction, accelerated promotion rates, higher salaries, development of managerial skills, and improved technical expertise. Organizations enjoy worker longevity from both members of the partnership and benefit from the formation of networks. In the K‐12 education model, master teachers who train novices are more likely to remain in the classroom or advance to an administrative role. Application of the principles from these disciplines to academic medicine is likely to produce similarly positive outcomes of personal satisfaction, collaboration, and academic and institutional advancement.
Pre‐ and postoperative assessment of sinus grafting procedures using cone‐beam computed tomography compared with panoramic radiographs
Authors: Baciut Mihaela , Hedesiu Mihaela , Bran Simion , Jacobs Reinhilde , Nackaerts Olivia , Baciut Grigore
Published: January 2012

Objectives

The present study evaluated the clinical validity of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans in comparison to panoramic radiographs regarding preoperative implant planning in combination with sinus grafting procedures.

Materials and methods

Preoperative assessment of the maxillary sinuses and implant planning using panoramic radiographs and CBCT scans was performed on 16 sinuses (13 patients) and comprised choice of treatment, timing of implant placement, sinus morphology, level of confidence, complication prediction and graft volume assessment. Six examiners were involved in the study.

Results

In the majority of cases there was a concordance between the treatment type based on either panoramic radiographs or CBCT. If any difference was found, this was due to an overestimation of bone quantity and quality on panoramic radiographs. The assessment of sinus morphology showed a significantly higher detection rate of sinus mucosal hypertrophy on CBCT. The most appealing result is a significant increase in surgical confidence and a significantly better prediction of complications when using CBCT.

Conclusions

A preoperative planning based on CBCT seems to improve sinus diagnostics and surgical confidence.