bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) kinetics in untreated, localized prostate cancer: PSA velocity vs PSA doubling time
Authors: Ng Michael K. , Van As Nicholas , Thomas Karen , Woode‐Amissah Ruth , Horwich Alan , Huddart Robert , Khoo Vincent , Thompson Alan , Dearnaley David , Parker Chris
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To compare the accuracy of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) velocity (PSAV) vs PSA doubling time (DT) for predicting the repeat biopsy results in men with localized prostate cancer on active surveillance (AS), as the utility of PSAV vs PSADT in untreated prostate cancer has not been well studied.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients had favourable‐risk localized prostate cancer (T1/2a, PSA level ≤15 ng/mL, Gleason score ≤3 + 4, and percentage positive biopsy cores ≤50%), and consented to AS between 2002 and 2005. Repeat biopsies were taken after 18–24 months, with adverse histology defined as any of: primary Gleason grade ≥4, >50% cores positive, or initial Gleason score 3 + 3 upgraded to ≥3 + 4. Using all PSA values for the 2 years preceding repeat biopsy, the PSAV and PSADT were calculated using linear regression and the log‐slope method (DT = ln2/slope), respectively.

RESULTS

In all, 199 patients were assessable; the median PSAV and PSADT were 0.71 ng/mL/year and 5.29 years, respectively. Fifty‐three patients (27%) had adverse histology on repeat biopsy. On univariate analyses, PSAV (P < 0.001) and PSADT (P = 0.019) were associated with adverse histology. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting adverse histology was 0.70 and 0.63 for PSAV and PSADT, respectively. The mean difference was 0.07 (95% confidence interval 0.03–0.12; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PSAV is more accurate than PSADT for predicting adverse histology on repeat biopsies. These data suggest that PSAV should be used in preference to PSADT to describe PSA kinetics in untreated, localized prostate cancer.
Nerve growth factor combined with vascular endothelial growth factor enhances regeneration of bladder acellular matrix graft in spinal cord injury‐induced neurogenic rat bladder
Authors: Kikuno Nobuyuki , Kawamoto Ken , Hirata Hiroshi , Vejdani Kaveh , Kawakami Kazumori , Fandel Thomas , Nunes Lora , Urakami Shinji , Shiina Hiroaki , Igawa Mikio , Tanagho Emil , Dahiya Rajvir
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To determine the combined effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on regeneration of the bladder acellular matrix graft (BAMG) in spinal cord injury (SCI)‐mediated neurogenic bladder in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In all, 40 female Sprague‐Dawley rats were used. At 8 weeks after spinalization surgery (neurogenic bladder), they were divided into five groups consisting of untreated controls and those whose bladders were injected with either no growth factor, NGF (2 µg/rat), VEGF (2 µg/rat) or both at partial BAMG replacement surgery. After 8 weeks, bladder function was assessed by urodynamic studies and the bladders were harvested for histological examination. Smooth muscle induction, collagen and nerve fibre regeneration were assessed immunohistochemically using antibodies to smooth muscle actin (α‐actin), Masson’s trichrome and protein gene product 9.5, respectively.

RESULTS

Bladder capacity and compliance were significantly increased in all BAMG groups 8 weeks after surgery compared with that before bladder replacement surgery. Bladder capacity and compliance were much higher in the VEGF and NGF combined group than in the control, or NGF and VEGF alone groups. There was no significant difference in the residual volume ratio among all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report showing that NGF has a significant synergistic effect on the development, differentiation and functional restoration of the BAMG when administered with VEGF in neurogenic bladder. Our results indicate that NGF may be a useful cytokine for enhancing the regeneration of a functional bladder following acellular matrix grafting in a neurogenic rat model.
Surgical debridement of mineral pitch and nonviable penile tissue using water‐jet power: a preliminary report
Authors: Chammas Mario F. , Gurunluoglu Raffi , Carlsen Soren N. , Molina Wilson , Moore Ernest E. , Kim Fernando
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience of debriding genital wounds embedded with mineral pitch (MP) from asphalt, using a water jet‐powered surgical tool, the Versajet Hydrosurgery System (VHS, Smith and Nephew, Key Largo, FL) before reconstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used the VHS for penile debridement in two patients. The first was 42‐year‐old Hispanic man involved in a truck‐bike accident, who was dragged ≈60 m after the collision. He presented with 25% body‐surface abrasion impregnated with MP. The scrotal soft tissue had been lost and both testicles were exposed and ruptured, with no viable tissue. Moreover, the distal two‐thirds of the penile urethra and the ventral glans were completely damaged and his penis entirely degloved. Several procedures were required for surgical debridement and reconstruction, including the skin grafting to 25% of his body surface. All surgical debridement was done with the VHS. A modified Thiersch‐Duplay urethroplasty was used over a 16 F Foley catheter to reconstruct the missing urethra. The second patient was a 32‐year‐old man with no previous medical history, who presented with Fournier’s gangrene after a penile abrasion following unprotected sexual intercourse. He required several surgical debridements. The VHS was applied to an 8 × 10 cm area, followed by a free‐radial graft to the inferior epigastric.

RESULTS

The clinical follow‐up was 9 and 6 months, respectively; both patients had satisfactory granulation tissue and proper wound healing. Neither of the patients had infection after surgical debridement with the VHS, even when used in the case of Fournier’s gangrene.

CONCLUSION

The VHS appears to be effective for genital soft‐tissue surgical debridement even when the tissue is impregnated with MP or infected, without causing any spread of infection. Larger series and a longer follow‐up are needed to validate the effectiveness of the VHS in managing complex genital wounds.
Circulating mitochondrial DNA in the serum of patients with testicular germ cell cancer as a novel noninvasive diagnostic biomarker
Authors: Ellinger Jörg , Albers Peter , Müller Stefan C. , Von Ruecker Alexander , Bastian Patrick J.
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the diagnostic and prognostic value of cell‐free mitochondrial (mt)DNA in patients with testicular cancer, as increased levels of cell‐free circulating mtDNA have been reported in patients with cancer.

PATIENTS, SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In all, 74 patients with testicular cancer (seminoma in 39, nonseminoma in 35) and 35 healthy individuals were included in the study. Circulating DNA was isolated from 1 mL of serum. A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyse the levels of a 79‐bp (mtDNA‐79) and 220 bp (mtDNA‐220) fragment of the mitochondrial specific 16S‐RNA. The mtDNA integrity was expressed as the ratio of mtDNA‐220 to mtDNA‐79.

RESULTS

mtDNA‐79 and mtDNA‐220 levels were significantly (P < 0.001) greater in patients with testicular cancer than in healthy individuals. The mtDNA integrity was similar in patients and healthy controls (P = 0.435). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that cell‐free mtDNA (mtDNA‐79) levels distinguished, with a sensitivity of 59.5% and a specificity of 94.3%, between patients and healthy individuals (area under curve, 0.787). Also, mtDNA‐79 levels could be used to distinguish between patients (31) with conventional markers (α‐fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin, placental alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase) within normal ranges and healthy individuals, with a sensitivity of 64.5% and specificity of 91.4% (area under curve 0.797). Cell‐free mtDNA levels were not correlated with any clinicopathological variable (pT stage, lymph node invasion, vascular invasion, clinical stage, International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group classification, tumour markers; all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Cell‐free mtDNA levels are greater in patients with testicular cancer and might provide valuable information for managing patients with testicular anomalies, especially those with normal levels of established tumour markers.
Adhesion molecules α, β and γ‐catenin as prognostic factors of tumour progression in upper urinary tract urothelial tumours: the role of AKT‐P/GSK‐3β/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Izquierdo Laura , Truan David , Petit Anna , Gutiérrez Rafael , Mallofré Carme , Alcaraz Antonio
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate α, β and γ‐catenin expression in upper urinary tract urothelial tumours (UUTC) and determine their value as prognostic factors; to investigate the correlation between the catenin complex and the AKT pathway.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 114 consecutive patients treated at our institution from 1990 to 2004; the mean follow‐up was 54 months. Tumour samples were available from 70 patients, and included in tissue microarrays for immunohistochemical analysis. The antibodies used were anti‐α, ‐β and γ‐catenin, and antiphospho‐AKT. The prognostic value of the expression of these molecules was analysed using tumour progression and cancer‐specific survival as end‐points.

RESULTS

Of the 114 patients, 27% developed tumour progression; the cancer‐specific and overall survival were 77% and 60.6%, respectively. Abnormal α, β and γ‐catenin expression was found in 44 (63%), 22 (31%) and 28 (41%) patients, respectively; the abnormal catenin expression patterns correlated with each other. Positive cytoplasm phospho‐AKT expression was found in 27 (39%) patients. Three of them were found to have cytoplasmic β‐catenin accumulation and none of them nuclear expression. β‐catenin expression was the only one that was an independent marker of tumour progression, with a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.1(1.2–8.6), together with grade (7.1, 1.2–55.8) and stage (4.6, 2.1–10). In the cancer‐specific survival analysis, again β‐catenin was an independent prognostic factor (3.4, 1–11.5) together with stage (4.6, 2.2–9.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The loss of the normal membrane β‐catenin expression constitutes an independent factor of tumour progression and cancer‐specific survival. Our data suggest that the AKT/GSK3β/β‐catenin signalling pathway is not activated in the UUTC carcinogenesis.
Differences in side‐effect duration and related bother levels between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors
Authors: Taylor Joby , Baldo Omer B. , Storey Anne , Cartledge Jon , Eardley Ian
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether the longer half‐life of tadalafil is associated with longer lasting or more severe side‐effects than the other phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE‐5Is), as clinical trials have shown that the efficacy and safety of the three available are similar, but tadalafil has a half‐life four times longer than the other two drugs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Treatment‐naive men beginning PDE5‐I therapy were recruited from a specialist clinic. Data on the type and duration of drug‐associated side‐effects were collected prospectively. Levels of bother were assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Differences in type, duration and bother of side‐effect were compared between drugs.

RESULTS

In all, 409 men provided data; there were no differences between drugs in the proportion of men responding, or the overall prevalence of side‐effects. The mean duration of side‐effects with tadalafil was 14.9 h, compared to 3.9 and 7.7 h for sildenafil and vardenafil. Of men taking tadalafil, 30% had side‐effects lasting >12 h. There were no differences in mean VAS scores between the drugs. Individual side‐effects caused similar levels of bother, except for facial flushing, which was less bothersome.

CONCLUSIONS

Men taking tadalafil are at risk of prolonged side‐effects, although levels of bother associated with these side‐effects are not significantly greater than those seen with short‐acting PDE5‐Is.
Severe penile injuries: a problem of severity and reconstruction
Authors: Perovic Sava V. , Djinovic Rados P. , Bumbasirevic Marko Z. , Santucci Richard A. , Djordjevic Miroslav L. , Kourbatov Dmitry
Published: January 2009

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience of treating severe penile injuries with different causes and treatments, as penile trauma presents a difficult physical and psychological problem, and the type and extent of injury varies from mild to severe, sometimes even with total amputation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analysed retrospectively 43 patients (mean age 28 years, range 5–52 years) with severe penile injuries referred to us from March 1999 to August 2007. The causes of penile injuries differed, including iatrogenic trauma (20), traffic accidents (11), burns (three), self‐amputation (two), ritual circumcision (two), penile fracture (two), gunshot trauma (two) and electrocution (one). The management required a wide variety of surgical techniques tailored to each patient depending on the type and extent of injury.

RESULTS

The mean (range) follow‐up was 47 (10–108) months. The aesthetic and functional results, including satisfactory sexual intercourse were good in 35 patients. There were complications in seven patients; infection after implanting an inflatable penile prosthesis in one, protrusion of a semirigid prosthesis in one, urethral complications (one stenosis and two fistulae) in three and partial skin flap necrosis in two.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe penile injuries should be treated on an individual basis, applying different techniques. However, treatment can be effective and safe only in specialized centres.
Preliminary validation of a Chinese version of the State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory‐2
Authors: Maxwell Jonathan P. , Sukhodolsky Denis G. , Sit Cindy H. P.
Published: January 2009

The increased globalization of psychology and related fields necessitates the availability of psychometric instruments in a number of languages, countries and cultures. Unfortunately, research on anger and aggression in Chinese populations has suffered from a lack of valid and reliable measurement instruments. Therefore, the State‐Trait Anger Expression Inventory‐2 (STAXI‐2) was translated into Chinese (Chinese STAXI‐2). Two samples of Hong Kong Chinese (N = 489 and N = 775) completed the Chinese STAXI‐2. Participants in the second sample also completed measures of anger rumination and aggression. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of responses from the first sample resulted in the loss of nine items from the 57 original items due to misspecification. A second CFA, using responses from the second sample, supported the construct validity of the modified scale. Moderate correlations were observed with measures of aggression and anger rumination, and significant differences were found between males and females on three anger expression subscales (Anger Expression‐In, Anger Control‐Out, and Anger Control‐In). The preliminary evidence suggests that the abbreviated inventory may be a useful measure of state and trait anger, and anger expression in some Chinese populations.
Consumption experience of impulse buying in Indonesia: Emotional arousal and hedonistic considerations
Authors: Herabadi Astrid G. , Verplanken Bas , Van Knippenberg Ad
Published: January 2009

Two studies focused on impulsive purchase experiences. Feelings, considerations and ratings of purchase impulsiveness were measured with respect to a recent purchase by means of interviews immediately after the purchase in the shopping environment (Study 1) and through shopping diaries (Study 2). Feelings and considerations were measured by open‐ended questions, which yielded a wide range of responses in each category. These responses were subjected to multidimensional scaling. The results demonstrated a high versus low arousal dimension of positive emotions and a hedonic versus utilitarian dimension of considerations. Emotions and considerations were predicted by general impulse‐buying tendency, and were related to the experience of impulsive purchases. In Study 2, impulse buying tendency was measured 2 months earlier. Structural equation modelling confirmed a model in which general impulse buying tendency predicts the feelings and considerations in the purchase environment, which in turn, determine the experience of making an impulsive purchase.
A NOTE ON CHARACTERIZATIONS OF DISTRIBUTIONS BY REGRESSIONS OF NON‐ADJACENT GENERALIZED ORDER STATISTICS
Authors: Bieniek Mariusz
Published: January 2009

We investigate the problem of characterizations of distributions by regressions of generalized order statistics (GOSs) based on a continuous distribution function F. We show that F is uniquely determined if the regressions of a GOS given two other consecutive GOSs are known.
Sources of Comparative Advantages in Brazil
Authors: Muriel Beatriz , Terra Cristina
Published: January 2009

Based on the Heckscher‐Ohlin‐Vanek model, the authors investigate relative factor abundance in Brazil, as revealed by its international trade. They study two different time periods: one characterized by high trade barriers (1980–85) and the trade liberalization period (1990–95). Two alternative methodologies are used: the estimation of factor intensity regressions on net exports and the direct computation of factor content in net exports. In the factor intensity regression, the authors incorporate technological changes that might have occurred over time, and these turn out to be significant. Both methods yield the same results: the Brazilian international trade reveals relative abundance in capital, land, and unskilled labor, and scarcity in skilled labor, with qualitatively equivalent results for the two time periods studied.
Health care services utilization stratified by virological and immunological markers of HIV: evidence from a universal health care setting
Authors: Druyts EF , Yip B , Lima VD , Burke TA , Lesovski D , Fernandes KA , McInnes CW , Rustad CA , Montaner JSG , Hogg RS
Published: January 2009

Objective

The aim of the study was to determine rates of utilization of in‐patient, out‐patient and laboratory services stratified by virological and immunological markers of HIV disease among patients on antiretroviral treatment in British Columbia, Canada.

Methods

We estimated resource utilization for in‐patient visits, out‐patient visits, and laboratory tests among patients initiating antiretroviral treatment between 1 April 1994 and 31 December 2000, with follow‐up to 31 March 2001. Resource use was stratified by CD4 cell count and plasma HIV viral load (pVL) at the time of utilization and rates per 100 patient‐years were calculated for each health care resource.

Results

A total of 2718 patients were included in our analyses. The overall rates of in‐patient visits, out‐patient visits, and laboratory tests were 902, 3001 and 840 per 100 patient‐years, respectively. Utilization was higher for patients with low CD4 cell counts and high pVLs when compared with patients with high CD4 cell counts and low pVLs.

Conclusions

Patients with low CD4 cell counts and high pVLs had the highest use of health care services. Regular follow‐up with health care providers in an out‐patient setting, allowing for proper monitoring and maintenance of HIV care, is important in minimizing unnecessary and potentially costly in‐patient care.
Reduction in circulating markers of endothelial dysfunction in HIV‐infected patients during antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Kristoffersen US , Kofoed K , Kronborg G , Giger AK , Kjaer A , Lebech AM
Published: January 2009

Objectives

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV‐infected patients is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Circulating markers of endothelial dysfunction may be used to study early atherogenesis. The aim of our study was to investigate changes in such markers during initiation of ART.

Methods

In 115 HIV‐positive treatment‐naïve patients, plasma lipids, E‐selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM‐1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM‐1), tissue‐type plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (tPAI‐1) and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured before and after 2 and 14 months of ART. A control group of 30 healthy subjects was included. Values are mean±standard error of the mean.

Results

Prior to treatment, HIV‐infected patients had elevated levels of sICAM‐1 (296±24 vs. 144±12 ng/mL), tPAI‐1 (18 473±1399 vs. 5490±576 pg/mL) and hsCRP (28 060±5530 vs. 6665±2063 ng/mL) compared with controls (P<0.001). In contrast, sVCAM‐1 and E‐selectin did not differ between the groups. Initiation of ART resulted in significantly lower levels of E‐selectin (15.1±0.8; P<0.01), sICAM‐1 (248±12 ng/mL; P<0.05), sVCAM‐1 (766±33 ng/mL; P<0.001) and hsCRP (14 708±2358 ng/mL; P<0.001) after 2 months, which remained reduced at 14 months. tPAI‐1 was not influenced by initiation of ART.

Conclusions

Markers of endothelial dysfunction were elevated in treatment‐naïve HIV‐infected patients and were related to HIV RNA viral load. Initiation of ART reduced the levels of the majority of these markers. The positive effect of ART initiation was dependent on the duration of HIV infection prior to treatment.
THE INTEGRITY OF DISCOURSE IN THE ANGLICAN EUCHARISTIC TRADITION: A CONSIDERATION OF PHILOSOPHICAL ASSUMPTIONS
Authors: DOUGLAS BRIAN , LOVAT TERENCE
Published: January 2009

This article explores the integrity of the discourse in the Anglican eucharistic tradition by considering the philosophical assumptions that underlie eucharistic theology. It argues that where the conversation of the Anglican eucharistic tradition is open and unfinished then the integrity of the discourse is facilitated as opposed to the conversations of party positions and particular interests which suggest exclusive versions of truth. The conversation or dialogue of Anglican eucharistic theology is seen to be enhanced through the consideration of the philosophical assumptions of realism and nominalism to both the moderate and immoderate degrees that underpin eucharistic theology as a state of affairs. The insights of contemporary philosophers are used as a way of conceptualising the discourse of the Anglican eucharistic tradition and a model of Anglican eucharistic theology is suggested as a means of facilitating the integrity of the discourse through the recognition of multiformity in the tradition and by distancing the discourse from the hermeneutic idealism of particular interest.
Concept, Image and Story in Systematic Theology
Authors: FIDDES PAUL S.
Published: January 2009

This article enquires about the place of ‘aesthetic theology’ within the conceptual enterprise of systematic theology. If narrative theology is to be of any help in answering the question, it will have to include an appeal to extra‐biblical images and stories in its method, and will also need to relate metaphor to some kind of analogy and metaphysics (carefully defined). Working from a theological basis in doctrines of revelation and canon, poems and novels outside the Bible may thus be seen to contribute to systematic theology in at least three ways: in deciding between concepts, in enabling connections to be made between concepts, and in developing the Christian story for the present age. Finally, the concept of God as ‘relational being’ is explored as an example of aesthetic forms of theological discourse, connecting everyday religious speech to systematic theology with an ‘analogy of relations’.
What is Systematic Theology?
Authors: WILLIAMS A.N.
Published: January 2009

This article examines the nature of systematic theology, arguing that systematicity is an intrinsic quality of all Christian theology, one stemming from the relationality of its subject matter, the Trinity and other things as they are related to the Trinity. The relationality of the divinely‐created order reflects the ratio that is, on the Christian account, God ipse. Systematic theology is simply theology that reflects this ratio and the relations obtaining among creatures, and between creatures and their divine source, as well as the relationality of that source, the Persons of the Trinity.
10Be chronology of the last deglaciation of County Donegal, northwestern Ireland
Authors: CLARK JORIE , McCABE A. MARSHALL , SCHNABEL CHRISTOPH , CLARK PETER U. , FREEMAN STEWART , MADEN COLIN , XU SHENG
Published: January 2009

A well‐preserved moraine on the northern coast of County Donegal, Ireland, has played a critical role in our understanding of the glacial history of this sector of the Irish Ice Sheet (IIS). Because of a lack of numerical dating of the moraine, however, previous interpretations of its age and significance to the glacial history of this region have varied widely. Here we report eight in situ cosmogenic 10Be ages on boulders sampled from the moraine. Two of these ages are outliers, with the remaining six ranging from 18.8±1.0 10Be kyr to 20.9±1.3 10Be kyr, with an uncertainty‐weighted mean age of 19.4±0.3 10Be kyr (19.4±1.2 kyr accounting for production rate uncertainty). Our results confirm one previous 10Be age obtained from the moraine, with the combined data (n=7) constraining the age of initial deglaciation of the IIS from its LGM position on the continental shelf to be 19.3±0.3 10Be kyr (19.3±1.2 kyr accounting for production rate uncertainty). These ages are in excellent agreement with calibrated 14C ages that constrain retreat of the IIS margin from the continental shelf elsewhere in northwestern and western Ireland and the Irish Sea Basin associated with the start of the Cooley Point Interstadial (≥20–≤18.2 cal. kyr BP), suggesting widespread deglaciation of the IIS ∼19.5–20 kyr ago.
A population‐based study of genotypic and phenotypic variability in children with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Arkblad Eva , Tulinius Már , Kroksmark Anna‐Karin , Henricsson Mirja , Darin Niklas
Published: January 2009

Aims: To describe the occurrence of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in childhood; to evaluate if any of the genes in the SMA region on chromosome 5q13 correlates with disease severity; to make genotype–phenotype correlations; to evaluate the variability of different disease alleles in carriers and the sensitivity of multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) for detecting carriers.

Methods: In a population‐based study from Western Sweden MLPA was used to determine the copy‐numbers of several genes in the SMA region (SMN1, SMN2, BIRC1, GTF2H2 and SERF1A) in SMA‐patients and their parents.

Results: We estimated the incidence of SMN1‐related SMA in childhood at 1 in 11 800 live births and confirmed the relationship between the number of SMN2 copies and the severity of disease. No other direct relationships were found. All but one of the analysed parents were confirmed as carriers by MLPA analysis. A total of at least 30 different disease alleles were identified and no specific disease allele represented more than 15% of the total.

Conclusion: The childhood incidence of SMA in the Swedish population is around 1 in 12 000 live births and it is unlikely that there is any founder effect involved in SMA in western Sweden.
Antigenotoxic, Antioxidant and Lymphocyte Induction Effects Produced by Pteropodine
Authors: Paniagua‐Pérez Rogelio , Madrigal‐Bujaidar Eduardo , Molina‐Jasso Dolores , Reyes‐Cadena Susana , Álvarez‐González Isela , Sánchez‐Chapul Laura , Pérez‐Gallaga Javier
Published: January 2009

Abstract:  Pteropodine is a heterohimbine‐type oxindole alkaloid specifically isolated from ‘Cat's claw’ (Uncaria tomentosa), a plant that has shown cytostatic, anti‐inflammatory and antimutagenic properties and is used in traditional medicine to cure a number of diseases. In this report, we studied the ability of pteropodine to decrease the rate of sister‐chromatid exchanges and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mice administered doxorubicin. We also determined its capacity to induce lymphocyte production in mice as well as its free radical scavenging potential by applying the DPPH assay. We found pteropodine (100–600 mg/kg) to significantly decrease the frequency of sister‐chromatid exchanges and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in mice administered with 10 mg/kg of doxorubicin. Furthermore, we determined that pteropodine partially corrected bone marrow cytotoxicity induced by doxorubicin, as it showed an improvement in the rate of polychromatic erythrocytes. Besides, 600 mg/kg of pteropodine increased 25.8% of the production of lymphocytes over the control value along a 96‐hr assay, and it exhibited a strong capacity to trap the DPPH‐free radical (98.26% with 250 µg/ml). Our results establish that pteropodine is an effective antimutagen in the model used, and suggest that pteropodine deserves further research in the area of cell protective potential and its mechanism of action.
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): a Novel Source of L‐asparaginase
Authors: Oza Vishal P. , Trivedi Shraddha D. , Parmar Pritesh P. , Subramanian R. B.
Published: January 2009

Different parts of plant species belonging to Solanaceae and Fabaceae families were screened for L‐asparaginase enzyme (E.C.3.5.1.1.). Among 34 plant species screened for L‐asparaginase enzyme, Withania somnifera L. was identified as a potential source of the enzyme on the basis of high specific activity of the enzyme. The enzyme was purified and characterized from W. somnifera, a popular medicinal plant in South East Asia and Southern Europe. Purification was carried out by a combination of protein precipitation with ammonium sulfate as well as Sephadex‐gel filtration. The purified enzyme is a homodimer, with a molecular mass of 72 ± 0.5 kDa as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresisand size exclusion chromatography. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 8.5 and an optimum temperature of 37 °C. The Km value for the enzyme is 6.1 × 10−2 mmol/L. This is the first report for L‐asparaginase from W. somnifera, a traditionally used Indian medicinal plant.
Arabidopsis Profilin Isoforms, PRF1 and PRF2 Show Distinctive Binding Activities and Subcellular Distributions
Authors: Wang Feng , Jing Yanping , Wang Zhen , Mao Tonglin , Šamaj Jozef , Yuan Ming , Ren Haiyun
Published: January 2009

Profilin is an actin‐binding protein that shows complex effects on the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. There are five profilin isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana L. However, it is still an open question whether these isoforms are functionally different. In the present study, two profilin isoforms from Arabidopsis, PRF1 and PRF2 were fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) tag and expressed in Escherichia coli and A. thaliana in order to compare their biochemical properties in vitro and their cellular distributions in vivo. Biochemical analysis revealed that fusion proteins of GFP‐PRF1 and GFP‐PRF2 can bind to poly‐L‐proline and G‐actin showing remarkable differences. GFP‐PRF1 has much higher affinities for both poly‐L‐proline and G‐actin compared with GFP‐PRF2. Observations of living cells in stable transgenic A. thaliana lines revealed that 35S::GFP‐PRF1 formed a filamentous network, while 35S::GFP‐PRF2 formed polygonal meshes. Results from the treatment with latrunculin A and a subsequent recovery experiment indicated that filamentous alignment of GFP‐PRF1 was likely associated with actin filaments. However, GFP‐PRF2 localized to polygonal meshes resembling the endoplasmic reticulum. Our results provide evidence that Arabidopsis profilin isoforms PRF1 and PRF2 have different biochemical affinities for poly‐L‐proline and G‐actin, and show distinctive localizations in living cells. These data suggest that PRF1 and PRF2 are functionally different isoforms.
Impact of community care in enabling older people with complex needs to remain at home
Authors: Ryan Assumpta Ann , McCann Siobhan , McKenna Hugh
Published: January 2009

Aim.  This aim of the study was to explore the impact of community care in enabling older people with complex needs to remain at home.

Background.  Changing demographic trends and successive government policies have led to an increase in the number of older people with complex needs residing in the community.

Design.  A qualitative approach using semi‐structured interviews was used to collect data from older people (n = 17) and carers (n = 14).

Method.  Social workers were asked to identify community dwelling older people (65+ years) with multiple needs requiring interventions from a range of health and social care practitioners.

Results.  Community care enabled older people with complex needs who would otherwise have required residential or nursing home care to remain in their own homes. This was the expressed wish of both the older people and carers interviewed.

Conclusions.  The provision of high‐quality community care for older people is a globally significant challenge and one that requires creative solutions, both at a local and strategic level.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Nurses and other health and social care professionals need to understand the significance of ‘home’ for older people and take steps to ensure that additional and appropriate resources are targeted towards community care.
A Struggle for Control and a Moral Scandal: President Edmund J. James and the Powers of the President at the University of Illinois, 1911–14
Authors: Solberg Winton U.
Published: January 2009

The University of Illinois, a land-grant college, opened in 1868 and developed slowly for a quarter of a century. In 1894 the trustees, determined to give the institution greater recognition, appointed Andrew S. Draper as president. Draper had made a reputation in New York State and in Cleveland as a school administrator, but he had never attended a college or university and did not understand the transformation of higher education then taking place in the United States. During his ten-year tenure the University gained the shape of a university by establishing various professional schools, but it lacked the spirit of a university.
Tilting at Windmills? Judge Justine Wise Polier and a History of Justice and Education in New York City
Authors: de Forest Jennifer
Published: January 2009

Judge Justine Wise Polier

In 1935 Justine Wise Polier (1903–87), an intense young labor lawyer serving on New York City's Committee on Unemployment Relief, was pressuring Mayor Fiorello La Guardia to expand the city's welfare benefits. Thinking he would mollify her, La Guardia promoted Polier to the bench of the city's children's court, making her the first woman to rise above the position of magistrate in New York State.
Use of Cyclopoid Copepod Apocyclops dengizicus as Live Feed for Penaeus monodon Postlarvae
Authors: Farhadian Omidvar , Yusoff Fatimah Md. , Mohamed Suhaila , Saad Che Roos
Published: January 2009

In this study, the suitability of cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops dengizicus as a live food for black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, postlarvae was investigated. After 14 d, P. monodon postlarvae (PL1) had survival rates of 41.7 ± 2.9% (mean ± SE), 28.7 ± 1.2%, 56.3 ± 3.7%, 4.4 ± 1.9%, and 2.8 ± 1.0% when fed A. dengizicus (CC), Artemia nauplii (AN), mixture of A. dengizicus and Artemia nauplii (CC + AN), artificial shrimp feed (SF), and microalga Tetraselmis tetrathele (TT), respectively. Specific growth rates (SGRs) of P. monodon were maximum (14.2 ± 0.6%/d) in CC + AN, followed by CC (11.0 ± 0.4%/d), AN (9.3 ± 0.7%/d), SF (6.1 ± 0.2%/d), and TT (6.0 ± 0.5%/d). The total n‐3 fatty acids of postlarvae increased from 20.6 to 25.8% when fed with CC, 28.8% with AN, and 29.0% with CC + AN. Better survival and SGRs of P. monodon postlarvae could be attributed to docosahexaenoic acid : eicosapentaenoic acid : arachidonic acid ratio of CC (10.2:3.2:1) diet. The results of this study showed that A. dengizicus has a potential to be used as a substitute live feed for P. monodon postlarvae because of better survival, growth, and high polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Evaluation of the Microalgae Paste Viability Produced in a Mollusk Hatchery in Southern Brazil
Authors: Nunes Moira , Pereira Adriana , Ferreira Jaime Fernando , Yasumaru Fanny
Published: January 2009

The present study was conducted to define a methodology to produce and store small‐scale microalgae paste to be used in a mollusk hatchery. Microalgae were cultured in 500 L fiberglass tanks, under temperature of 20 ± 2 C, Guillard f/2 culture medium, and continuous light intensity of 203–226 μmol photons/m2/sec. Cultures were centrifuged at 2000 g at the exponential growth phase. Microalgae cell quality after centrifugation and during storage was determined by analyses with Evan’s blue stain and by counting the number of total marine bacteria. Treatments with and without additive were applied to the microalgae paste produced, which was distributed into 100 mL plastic containers, capped, and stored under refrigeration at 4 ± 1 C. Results indicated that in the Chaetoceros muelleri paste, centrifugation did not damage the cells and the number of total marine bacteria reduced significantly from 2.9 × 106 to 8.3 × 105 colony‐forming units per milliliter. Chaetoceros muelleri and Chaetoceros calcitrans pastes stored with addition of 0.1% ascorbic acid had a shelf life shorter than 2 wk. For the treatment without additive, results with Evan’s blue stain showed that cells (99%) remained viable until the sixth week of storage for C. muelleri and seventh week of storage for Skeletonema sp. and C. calcitrans. The number of bacteria did not increase during storage for C. calcitrans and Skeletonema (P > 0.05). For C. muelleri, an increase in bacteria (P < 0.05) was observed after the sixth week of storage. This study demonstrated the feasibility to produce and store microalgae paste for a period of 2–8 wk, which allows it to be used as food source and also optimizes the use of microalgae cultured in laboratory.
Replacing Fish Meal with Rendered Animal Protein Ingredients in Diets for Malabar Grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus, Reared in Net Pens
Authors: Li Kai , Wang Yan , Zheng Zhou‐Xing , Jiang Rui‐Li , Xie Ning‐Xia , Bureau Dominique P.
Published: January 2009

The potential of using rendered animal protein ingredients, poultry by‐products meal (PBM), meat and bone meal (MBM), and feather meal (FM), to replace fish meal in diets for malabar grouper, Epinephelus malabaricus, was evaluated in a 10‐week net pen experiment. Triplicate groups of fish (initial body weight 50.2 g) were fed eight isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets formulated to contain 52% crude protein and 9% crude lipid. The control diet contained 50% herring meal, whereas in the remaining seven diets, PBM was incorporated at 11.9 (PM1), 23.8 (PM2), and 35.7% (PM3) to replace 25, 50, and 75% of the fish meal; MBM was incorporated at 14.5 (MM1) and 29.0% (MM2) to replace 25 and 50% of the fish meal; and FM was incorporated at 9.4 (FM1) and 18.8% (FM2) to replace 25 and 50% of the fish meal. A raw fish (RF) diet was used as comparison to assess growth performance of fish fed the formulated diets. Feed intake was lower in fish fed the diets PM3 and FM2 than fish fed the control diet. There were no significant differences in weight gain (WG), final body weight (FBW), nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE), energy retention efficiency (ERE), and total nitrogen waste output (TNW) between fish fed the control diet and the diets PM1, PM2, PM3, MM1, MM2, and FM1. Fish fed the diet FM2 had lower WG, FBW, NRE, and ERE but higher TNW than that of fish fed the control diet. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in fish fed the diets MM2, FM1, and FM2 than fish fed the control diet. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences in whole‐body content of moisture, crude protein, and crude lipid among fish fed the formulated diets. WG, FBW, and TNW of fish fed the diet RF were higher, while FCR and NRE were lower than that of fish fed the control diet. No significant differences were found in feed intake, ERE, and whole‐body composition between fish fed the diet RF and the control diet. Results of the present study suggest that dietary fish meal level for malabar grouper can be lowered from 50 to 38% by incorporating PBM, MBM, or FM.
Evaluation of Alternative Protein Sources to Replace Fish Meal in Practical Diets for Juvenile Tilapia, Oreochromis spp
Authors: Nguyen Tri N. , Davis D. Allen , Saoud I. Patrick
Published: January 2009

Two feeding experiments were conducted to evaluate if methionine is limiting in practical grow‐out diets for tilapia, Oreochromis spp. Four diets containing 32% protein and 5% lipid were designed to compare the use of diets high in dehulled solvent‐extracted soybean meal (DSESM) and expeller pressed soybean meal (EPSM) compared with a diet containing 6% fish meal (FM). Tilapia (4.78 ± 0.07 g, mean ± SD) were randomly stocked into twelve 600‐L flow‐through tanks at 20 fish per tank. After 6 wk, there were no notable trends or statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in final mean weight, survival rate, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments. Because results of this study indicated that DSESM could totally replace FM in practical diets for juvenile tilapia, a second batch of diets were formulated using other protein sources. Typical levels of cottonseed meal (CSM), DSESM, and meat and bone meal (MBM) were used to evaluate whether methionine could be limiting. Two basal diet formulations were tested either without or with methionine supplement (0.06/100 g diet). The first diet contained 15% CSM, 27% DSESM, and 10% MBM and the second diet contained 15% CSM and 37% DSESM. These diets contained 28% protein and 5% lipid. Tilapia (3.90 ± 0.05 g) were randomly stocked into twelve 60‐L glass aquaria of a recirculation system at 18 fish per aquarium for 5 wk and then moved to the 600‐L flow‐through tanks for five more weeks. After 10 wk, there were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in final mean weight, survival rate, and FCR among the four treatments. Results of the present study indicated that DSESM and EPSM could totally replace FM’s inclusion rate in commercial diets for juvenile tilapia. Furthermore, methionine did not appear to be limiting in practical diets using typical levels of CSM, DSESM, and MBM as primary protein sources.
Growth of Chaetoceros calcitrans in Sediment Extracts from Artemia franciscana Culture Ponds Points to Phosphorus Limitation
Authors: Khoi Chau Minh , Guong Vo Thi , Hoa Nguyen Van , Sorgeloos Patrick , Merckx Roel
Published: January 2009

Chaetoceros calcitrans is one of the most suitable algal strains to feed Artemia because of its appropriate size, digestibility, absence of toxins, and nutritional value. Apart from light and temperature, the growth of C. calcitrans in Artemia ponds in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam depends on the supply of nutrients, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) released from the pond bottom sediments. This study was carried out to investigate the growth of C. calcitrans in relation to the availability and proportions of N and P present in the extracts of Artemia pond bottom sediments. The results show that the sediments are depleted in dissolved reactive P (DRP) and highly unbalanced in terms of the ratio of dissolved inorganic N (DIN) to DRP. Algal density and biomass were significantly higher in the extracts with DRP concentrations above 0.1 mg P/L and DIN/DRP ratios below 100.
Evaluation of Ves‐Matic Cube 200 – an automated system for the measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Authors: PEROVIC E. , BAKOVIC L. , VALCIC A.
Published: January 2009

Ves‐Matic Cube 200 is fully automated analyzer that performs erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurement using the standard ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood sample tube, thus markedly reducing the analytical time and avoiding the need for an extra blood sample. The aim of this study was to assess the automatic Ves‐Matic Cube 200 system for the measurement of ESR in comparison with the original International Council for Standardization in Hematology reference method (Westergren). The evaluation comprised accuracy which was established using a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean difference between Ves‐Matic Cube 200 and Westergren method (mean of difference: 0.47 ± 6.84 mm/h; 95% CI: −0.376 to 1.325 mm/h), within‐run imprecision for samples with ESR values of 9, 42 and 95 mm/h (coefficients of variation: 9.19%, 13.88% and 5.66%, respectively) and method comparison (ρ = 0.95; Passing‐Bablok regression equation: Y = −0.0435 + 1.0435 X; bias: −0.5; limits of agreement: −13.9 to 12.9). Stability was estimated after 24 h storage either at 4 °C and room temperature (mean of differences: −1.91 mm/h; 95% CI: −4.852 to 1.037 mm/h and mean of differences: −12.48 mm/h; 95% CI: −16.580 to −8.390 mm/h, respectively). The obtained results suggest that the Ves‐Matic Cube 200 automated analyzer is reliable system for the measurement of ESR in clinical laboratories.
New polymorphic tetranucleotide microsatellites improve scoring accuracy in the bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus
Authors: NATER ALEXANDER , KOPPS ANNA M. , KRÜTZEN MICHAEL
Published: January 2009

We isolated and characterized 19 novel tetranucleotide microsatellite markers in the Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) in order to improve genotyping accuracy in applications like large‐scale population‐wide paternity and relatedness assessments. One hundred T. aduncus from Shark Bay, Western Australia, were screened for polymorphism. Cross‐amplification was tested on four other small odontocete species. The new tetranucleotide microsatellite loci showed a more than fourfold higher scoring accuracy and significantly lower stutter formation compared to eight dinucleotide loci, although overall allelic diversity was significantly reduced.
Gene expression normalization in a dual‐compartment system: a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction protocol for symbiotic anthozoans
Authors: MAYFIELD ANDERSON B. , HIRST MARISSA B , GATES RUTH D
Published: January 2009

Traditional real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction protocols cannot be used accurately with symbiotic organisms unless the relative contribution of each symbiotic compartment to the total nucleic acid pool is known. A modified ‘universal reference gene’ protocol was created for reef‐building corals and sea anemones, anthozoans that harbour endosymbiotic dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Symbiodinium. Gene expression values are first normalized to an RNA spike and then to a symbiont molecular proxy that represents the number of Symbiodinium cells extracted and present in the RNA. The latter is quantified using the number of genome copies of heat shock protein‐70 (HSP70) amplified in the real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Gene expression values are then normalized to the total concentration of RNA to account for differences in the amount of live tissue extracted among experimental treatments and replicates. The molecular quantification of symbiont cells and effect of increasing symbiont contributions to the nucleic acid pool on gene expression were tested in vivo using differentially infected sea anemones Aiptasia pulchella. This protocol has broad application to researchers who seek to measure gene expression in mixed organism assemblages.