bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disease-free survival in papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Meixner M. , Hellmich M. , Dietlein M. , Kobe C. , Schicha H. , Schmidt M.
Published: March 2013

T stage was redefined for patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) between the 5th and 7th versions of the UICC tumour classification system. Patients, methods: 636 patients (486 women, 150 men; mean age 49.1 ± 15.6 years, mean follow-up 4.6 years) who had been treated with ablative radioiodine therapy after thyroidectomy for papillary (PTC) or follicular thyroid carcinomas (FTC) were retrospectively assessed on occurrence of locoregional recurrent disease, or cervical lymph node or distant metastases. Disease-free survival was calculated from initial T stage, classified according to both versions of the UICC staging system and compared with the prognostic value of primary tumour size. Kaplan-Meier method and two measures of explained variation, (1) R2 based on the (partial) likelihood ratio statistic of the Cox proportional hazards model and (2) a model-free variant of a distance measure proposed by Schemper had the aim to detect the most advantageous classification. Results: Of the 508 patients with PTC, 11 (2.2%) developed a local recurrence, 37 (7.3%) cervical lymph node and 23 (4.5%) distant metastases, 3 (2.3%), 8 (6.3%), and 18 (14.1%) were the numbers for the 128 FTC patients respectively. The two classification systems yielded an equal count of statistically significant differences regarding disease-free survival in patients with PTC while UICC 7th classification appeared slightly advantageous in patients with FTC. Regarding explained variation the UICC 7th classification tended to be superior to the UICC 5th classification, both in PTC and FTC, however statistical significance was not reached. Conclusion: The primary tumour size significantly added to the prognosis regarding local cervical and distant metastases.
Comparative study of inflorescence development in Oleaceae
Authors: Naghiloo Somayeh , Dadpour Mohammad Reza , Gohari Gholamreza , Endress Peter K.
Published: March 2013

• Premise of the study: Investigations of inflorescence architecture offer insight into the evolution of an astounding array of reproductive shoot systems in the angiosperms, as well as the potential to genetically manipulate these branching patterns to improve crop yield and enhance the aesthetics of horticultural species. The diversity of inflorescences in the economically important family Oleaceae was studied from a comparative developmental point of view for the first time, based on species of seven genera (Chionanthus, Fontanesia, Fraxinus, Jasminum, Ligustrum, Olea, Syringa).

• Methods: Series of developmental stages of chemically fixed inflorescences were studied with epi‐illumination light microscopy.

• Key results: All taxa studied have inflorescences with terminal flowers. The inflorescences are mostly panicles, but in some cases thyrsoids or compound botryoids. Phyllotaxis of the flower‐subtending bracts is mostly decussate, rarely tricussate (Fraxinus) or spiral (Jasminum). Accessory flowers or accessory inflorescences, almost unknown in Oleaceae as yet, were found in two genera. In Syringa, common bract‐flower primordia are formed by a delay in early bract development compared to flower development. Such a delay is also expressed by the loss of bracts in the distal part of inflorescence branches in Syringa and Chionanthus.

• Conclusions: Significant variation in branching pattern and phyllotaxy was observed among the studied species of Oleaceae. The suppression of bracts and formation of accessory flowers were found as special features of inflorescence ontogeny. The occurrence of accessory flowers and accessory partial inflorescences is interesting from the point of view of dense and flower‐rich inflorescences in ornamental species.
Case Studies in Co-Providing
Authors: Dickerson Pamela S. , Ohri Zandra
Published: March 2013

This column addresses a common challenge for provider units—how to work with another group to plan, implement, and evaluate continuing nursing education activities. Case studies provide an opportunity to examine various challenges in co-providing.

J Contin Educ Nurs
2011;42(3):101–102.
Suggestions for Reviewing Clinical Continuing Education Courses
Authors: Cleary Michelle L. , Walter Garry
Published: March 2013

In clinical disciplines, continuing education courses should be practical, engaging, and evidence-based. Such courses should be formally reviewed at regular intervals. This column examines the various issues clinical nurses need to consider if they are invited to review a clinical continuing education course.
J Contin Educ Nurs
2011;42(3):105–106.
Mathematics Education for Engineering Technology Students – A Bridge Too Far?
Authors: Abdullah Noraishiyah
Published: March 2013

Trying to decide what is best suited for someone or something is an ever enduring task let alone trying to prepare students with the right engineering mind. So ‘how do you build an engineer?’ if that is the right word. What is the right ingredient? Mathematics has been said as the most important foundation in engineers’ life. Curriculum has been developed and reviewed over the years to meet this target. This work explores how much or lack of it has the curriculum prepares the future technologist to face the world of engineering technology as far as mathematics is concerned. Analysis of mathematics lectures, interviews of engineering technologist students and engineering technology subject lecturer is undertaken. Understand what each contributes help in understanding the picture that the current education is painting. Based on the theory of learning, APOS theory helps in explaining how students bridge their knowledge of mathematics when it comes to solving engineering technology problems. The question is, is it a bridge too far? 
Computer-aided Teaching of Math in Electromechanics Vocational Course
Authors: Hoji Eduardo Shigueo , Vianna William Barbosa , Félix Taísa Almeida
Published: March 2013

This paper describes the experience of teaching mathematics in the electromechanics vocational course with aid of the computer. Instead of giving a bunch of equations and a calculator to the students, as it is usual in vocational courses, we offer them Octave, which is a numerical computational tool. Furthermore, the mathematical concepts involved in the solution of applied problems are provided within a multidisciplinary framework. The proposed approach helped to reduce the abstraction of mathematics for the students. Despite the deficiencies the students in vocational courses have in their formation, we could notice that their perception regarding mathematics has changed after figuring out that “a bunch of numbers” can be useful in the solution of problems they shall face in their professional life. The approach was applied to three groups already. All of them are composed of mature students, who passed by a flawed basic educational system and stayed away from school for a long time.
Physiological Systems Modeling, Simulation, and Control
Authors: Nikita Konstantina S. , Michmizos Konstantinos P.
Published: March 2013

Physiological systems modeling, simulation, and control is a research area integrating science and engineering and contributes to a continuous refinement of knowledge on how the body works. The roots of modeling a body area date back thousands of years, yet it was not until the 1950s that the tree of knowledge started to be fed with data-driven hypotheses and interventions. This chapter tries to organize disparate information of the most important modeling, simulation, and control perspectives into a coherent set of views currently applied to modern biological and medical research. It is addressed to researchers on human system physiological modeling, working both in academia and in industry to address current and future research goals.
Cost of treatment as a barrier to access and continuity of healthcare for patients with mental ill-health in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Olugbile Olufemi B. , Coker Ayodele O. , Zachariah Mathew P.
Published: March 2013

In Nigeria, there are several barriers to access to effective mental healthcare, e.g. cost, distance to the mental health facility, social stigma, cultural beliefs, attitudes and taboos. This study aimed at i) determining the cost of treatment of a random sample of psychiatric patients and to compare the sample with a matched group of patients from the internal medical department clinics; ii) assessing the impact of cost on access to care and maintenance treatment for the study group in the context of their exclusion from the Lagos State free health services and the National Health Insurance Scheme. Medical records of 100 patients currently attending the outpatients’ clinic of the Department of Psychiatry of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (Ikeja, Nigeria) were randomly selected and audited. A similar exercise was also conducted for patients attending the medical outpatients’ clinic in the same hospital. The monthly costs of prescribed medications were computed and compared. The monthly cost of treatment of patients from the Department of Psychiatry compared to patients with physical ailments from the medical outpatients’ clinic was found to be significant vis à vis the average income of average Nigerians. Contrary to expectations, the mean cost of drug treatment borne by medical outpatients was much higher (N=2549.07 vs N=1904.5) (P<0.05) than that of patients attending the psychiatric outpatients’ clinic. However, the expensive cost for the psychiatric patients far exceeded the expensive costs for the medical patients. The findings from this study showed that the average monthly cost of treatment of patients attending the psychiatric clinic was lower than patients from the medical outpatients’ clinic. However, the most expensive cost for psychiatric patients far exceeded the most expensive cost for medical patients. This study also revealed that there is no free health program covering psychiatric treatment anywhere in Nigeria and mental health drugs are funded from personal and family expenses. It is thereby suggested that policy makers should change policy regarding the coverage of Nigerians with mental illness. In doing so, the major barrier to assess and the treatment gap can be reduced.
Righteousness and identity formation in the Sermon on the Mount
Authors: Viljoen Francois P.
Published: March 2013

Righteousness is an important term in the first gospel and has a significant concentration in the Sermon on the Mount. The argument in this article is that the first gospel has a community building function. Matthew intentionally uses the word ‘righteousness’ in the Sermon on the Mount as an instrument to define the identity of his community. Though righteousness can be used in a soteriological sense, it is argued that Matthew mainly uses it in an ethical sense. By righteousness Matthew refers to the proper behavioural norms and attitudes for his community. Commitment to Jesus forms the central focus of the community’s identity. Their discipleship is demonstrated by doing the will of God as defined and interpreted by Jesus. Doing the will of God in such a manner is what Matthew regards as the distinguishing mark of this community. Thus they would surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
Between fragments and fullness: Worshipping in the in-between spaces of Africa
Authors: Cilliers Johan
Published: March 2013

In this article the aesthetical practical theological notion of fragment, as introduced by the German Practical Theologian Henning Luther, was brought into dialogue with the African understanding of fullness, as articulated for instance in the concept Ubunye [we are one]. In the light of this, some basic tensions of worshipping in Africa were profiled, id est the dynamic interaction between individuality and communality, between the already and the not yet (present and future), between identity as being and identity as becoming, et cetera. The article concluded with some suggestions concerning worship in Africa as a space of paradox.
Mixed type, nonlinear systems in polygonal domains
Authors: Solonnikov Vsevolod A. , Vivaldi Maria Agostina
Published: March 2013

We prove existence, uniqueness results and coercive estimates in the weighted Sobolev spaces for a linear problem of mixed type in a bounded domain

\Omega\subset \R^2

whose boundary is smooth everywhere except a single angular point

x=0

with the aperture of the angle

\theta>\pi

. In addition, we establish a stability result for a non-linear system of mixed type. The results of the paper and the proofs extend to the case of polygonal domains.
Air quality over Europe: modeling gaseous and particulate pollutants and the effect of precursor emissions
Authors: Tagaris E. , Sotiropoulou R. E. P. , Gounaris N. , Andronopoulos S. , Vlachogiannis D.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Air quality over Europe using Models-3 (i.e. CMAQ, MM5, SMOKE) modeling system is performed for winter (i.e. January, 2006) and summer (i.e. July, 2006) months with the 2006 TNO gridded anthropogenic emissions database. Higher ozone concentrations are illustrated in southern Europe while higher NO2 concentrations are simulated over western Europe. Elevated SO2 concentrations are simulated over eastern Europe while elevated PM2.5 levels are simulated over eastern and western Europe. Results suggest that NO2 and PM2.5 are underpredicted, SO2 is overpredicted while Max8hrO3 is overpredicted for low concentrations and is underpredicted for the higher ones. Speciated PM2.5 components suggest that NO3 is dominant during winter in western Europe and in a few eastern countries due to the high NO2 concentrations. During summer NO3 is dominant only in regions with elevated NH3 emissions. For the rest of the domain SO4 is dominant. Low OC concentrations are simulated mainly due to the uncertain representation of SOA formation. The difference between observed and predicted concentrations for each country is assessed for the gaseous and particulate pollutants. The simultaneous precursor emissions change applying scaling factors on NOx, SO2 and PM2.5 emissions based on the observed/predicted ratio for each country seems to statistically enhance model performance (in gaseous pollutants the improvement in root mean square is up to 5.6 ppbV, in the index of agreement is up to 0.3 and in the mean absolute error is up to 4.2 ppbV while the related values in PM2.5 are 4.5 μg m−3, 0.2 and 3.5 μg m−3, respectively).
Impacts of seasonal and regional variability in biogenic VOC emissions on surface ozone in the Pearl River Delta region, China
Authors: Situ S. , Guenther A. , Wang X. , Jiang X. , Turnipseed A. , Wu Z. , Zhou G. , Bai J. , Wang X.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. In this study, the BVOC emissions in November 2010 over the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in southern China have been estimated by the latest version of a Biogenic Volatile Organic Compound (BVOC) emission model (MEGAN v2.1). The evaluation of MEGAN performance at a representative forest site within this region indicates MEGAN can estimate BVOC emissions reasonably well in this region except overestimating isoprene emission in autumn for reasons that are discussed in this manuscript. Along with the output from MEGAN, the Weather Research and Forecasting model with chemistry (WRF-Chem) is used to estimate the impacts of BVOC emissions on surface ozone in the PRD region. The results show BVOC emissions increase the daytime ozone peak by ~3 ppb on average, and the max hourly impacts of BVOC emissions on the daytime ozone peak is 24.8 ppb. Surface ozone mixing ratios in the central area of Guangzhou-Foshan and the western Jiangmen are most sensitive to BVOC emissions BVOCs from outside and central PRD influence the central area of Guangzhou-Foshan and the western Jiangmen significantly while BVOCs from rural PRD mainly influence the western Jiangmen. The impacts of BVOC emissions on surface ozone differ in different PRD cities, and the impact varies in different seasons. Foshan and Jiangmen being most affected in autumn, result in 6.0 ppb and 5.5 ppb increases in surface ozone concentrations, while Guangzhou and Huizhou become more affected in summer. Three additional experiments concerning the sensitivity of surface ozone to MEGAN input variables show that surface ozone is more sensitive to landcover change, followed by emission factors and meteorology.
High diversity of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in upper reaches of Heihe River, Northwestern China
Authors: Tai X. S. , Mao W. L. , Liu G. X. , Chen T. , Zhang W. , Wu X. K. , Long H. Z. , Zhang B. G.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Vegetation plays a key role to water conservation in southern Qilian Mountains (Northwestern China), the upper reaches of Heihe River. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria are crucial for vegetation protection because they can supply plants with nitrogen source. Nevertheless, little is known about nitrogen-fixing bacteria in this region. In present study, nifH gene clone libraries were established for detecting the difference of nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities between Potentilla parvifolia shrub and Carex alrofusca meadow in the southern Qilian Mountains. All the identified nitrogen-fixing bacterial clones belonged to Proteobacteria. At the genus level, the Azospirillum sp. was only detected in shrub soil while Thiocapsa sp., Derxiasp., Ectothiorhodospira sp., Mesorhizobium sp., Klebsiella sp., Ensifer sp., Methylocella sp. and Peseudomonas sp. were just detected in meadow soil. Shannon–Wiener index of nifH gene ranged from 1.5 to 2.8 and was higher in meadow soil than shrub soil. Contrarily, the nifH gene copies and CFUs of cultured nitrogen-fixing bacteria ranged from 0.4 × 107 to 6.9 × 107 copies g−1 soil and 0.97 × 106 to 12.78 × 106 g−1 soil, respectively. Furthermore, both of them were lower in meadow soil than shrub soil. Statistical analysis revealed that diversity and copies of nifH gene mostly correlated with aboveground biomass in shrub soil. In meadow soil, nifH gene diversity was principally affected by altitude while copies did by soil available K.
The first aeromagnetic survey in the Arctic: results of the Graf Zeppelin airship flight of 1931
Authors: Raspopov O. M. , Sokolov S. N. , Demina I. M. , Pellinen R. , Petrova A. A.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. In July of 1931, on the eve of International Polar Year II, an Arctic flight of the Graf Zeppelin rigid airship was organized. This flight was a realization of the idea of F. Nansen, who advocated the use of airships for the scientific exploration of the Arctic territories, which were poorly studied and hardly accessible at that time. The route of the airship flight was Berlin – Leningrad – Arkhangelsk – Franz Josef Land – Severnaya Zemlya – the Taimyr Peninsula – Novaya Zemlya – Arkhangelsk – Berlin. One of scientific goals of the expedition was to measure the H and D geomagnetic field components. Actually, the first aeromagnetic survey was carried out in the Arctic during the flight. After the expedition, only preliminary results of the geomagnetic measurements, in which an anomalous behavior of magnetic declination in the high-latitude part of the route was noted, were published. Our paper is concerned with the first aeromagnetic measurements in the Arctic and their analysis based on archival and modern data on the magnetic field in the Barents and Kara sea regions. It is shown that the magnetic field along the flight route had a complicated structure, which was not reflected in the magnetic charts of those times. The flight was very important for future development of aero- and ground-based magnetic surveys in the Arctic, showing new methods in such surveys.
Influence of supraglacial lakes and ice-sheet geometry on seasonal ice-flow variability
Authors: Joughin I. , Das S. B. , Flowers G. E. , Behn M. D. , Alley R. B. , King M. A. , Smith B. E. , Bamber J. , van den Broeke M. R. , van Angelen J. H.
Published: March 2013

Abstract. Supraglacial lakes play an important role in establishing hydrological connections that allow lubricating seasonal melt water to reach the base of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Here we use new surface velocity observations to examine the influence of supraglacial lake drainages and surface melt rate on ice flow. We find large, spatially extensive speedups concurrent with times of lake drainage, showing that lakes play a key role in modulating regional ice flow. While surface meltwater is supplied to the bed via a geographically sparse network of moulins, the observed ice-flow enhancement suggests that this meltwater spreads widely over the ice-sheet bed. We also find that the complex spatial pattern of speedup is strongly determined by the combined influence of bed and surface topography on subglacial water flow. Thus, modeling of ice-sheet basal hydrology likely will require knowledge of bed topography resolved at scales (sub-kilometer) far finer than existing data (several km).
Exposure and risk assessment of Staphylococcus aureus in food chain in Slovakia
Authors: Valí­k Ľubomí­r , Medveďová Alžbeta
Published: March 2013

Foods can been contaminated by S. aureus usually as a result of unhygienic behaviour of staff or improper conducted technological procedures. Compared to saprophytic bacteria, S. aureus does not possess significant competitive properties; however its epidemiological potential consists in multiplication to density higher than 106 cfu/g and formation of heat-resistant enterotoxins by which it causes food poisoning. Based on the data in 2001, the risk was characterized as follows: S. aureus is almost ubiquitous in ewes’ milk. It is likely that it can increase its numbers by more than 3 log cfu/g and exceed the densities from 105-106 cfu/g for a short period, particularly at farm conditions. It is unlikely that it can succeed in competition with active lactic acid bacteria when they are present in higher numbers in ewes’ milk. While exposure of S. aureus through consumption of lump ewes’ cheese made ​​from raw milk is high, its consequences are mild and severity may be assessed as negligible. The overall risk is considered as low. A kind of confirmation provides the official incidence of staphylococcal poisoning which is 0.2 per 100,000 populations (lower than the EU average of 0.6/100,000).
Modeling of Bacillus cereus distribution in pasteurized milk at the time of consumption
Authors: Ačai Pavel , Valí­k Ľubomí­r , Liptáková Denisa , Minarovičová Jana
Published: March 2013

Modelling of Bacillus cereus distribution, using data from pasteurized milk produced in Slovakia, at the time of consumption was performed in this study. The Modular Process Risk Model (MPRM) methodology was applied to over all the consecutive steps in the food chain. The main factors involved in the risk of being exposed to unacceptable levels of B. cereus (model output) were the initial density of B. cereus after milk pasteurization, storage temperatures and times (model input). Monte Carlo simulations were used for probability calculation of B. cereus density. By applying the sensitivity analysis influence of the input factors and their threshold values on the final count of B. cereus were determined. The results of the general case exposure assessment indicated that almost 14 % of Tetra Brik cartons can contain > 104 cfu/ml of B. cereus at the temperature distribution taken into account and time of pasteurized milk consumption.
Aetheroleum and fat oxidation of chicken meat
Authors: Tkáčová Jana , Angelovičová Mária
Published: March 2013

The quality of meat changges during storage. The experiment was performed on the final fattening type of chickens COBB 500. Chickens were fed by feed mixture with   aetheroleum. Premix of aetheroleum  contained  aetheroleum from Origanum vulgare L.) (30 g), Thymus vulgaris L. (10 g) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (10 g). The carcass was stored at -18 °C in a freezer box. Acid number of fat in chicken meat was ranged from 4.74 to 14.57 mg KOH/g fat after 9 months and after 12 months was ranged from 5.75 to 9.11 mg KOH/g fat.
The effect of the probiotics Bacillus subtilis (PB6) on the selected indicators of the table eggs quality, fat and cholesterol
Authors: Angelovičová Mária , Alfaig Ebrahim , Král Martin , Tkáčová Jana
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary probiotics Bacillus subtilis (PB6) on egg weigh, egg mass weigh, egg fat content and cholesterol content in egg yolk in laying hens ISA Brown during two experiments. The probiotics where supplied to the laying hens for 42 days as preparation period before eggs samples collection. The eggs samples were collected during 6 days for the 1st and 2nd experiments after the hens reached the age of 34 and 61 weeks, respectively.  A total of 36 ISA Brown laying hens were divided into 2 treatment groups. Control group laying hens were fed a basal diet with no probiotic added. In group Bacillus subtilis, the basal diet was supplemented with the bacteria Bacillus subtilis (PB6) at 1 g/kg, min. 2.3*108 cfu/g. Dietary treatments did not significantly affect the egg weigh, internal egg content weigh, cholesterol content expressed by g/100 g of egg yolk.  Bacillus subtilis (PB6) supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) increased the fat content in the internal egg content and cholesterol content in egg yolk expressed as g/pc.
Comparison of textural atributes of selected meat sausages using instrumental analysis
Authors: Čurlej Jozef , Zajác Peter , Čapla Jozef , Vietoris Vladimí­r , Lopašovský Ľubomí­r
Published: March 2013

The aim of the study was to compare textural atributes of selected meat sausages using instrumental analysis. For this purpose, seven different meat sausage samples were treated by instrumental analysis, by the use of Warner-Bratzler probe,  to find differences for two selected textural parameter firmness and work of shear. As expected, various values of mentioned atributes were obtained for different samples tested in fresh stage and after storage under controlled conditions (48 hrs., 30 °C temp., and 60 % R.H.) before and after cooking. For statistical evaluation of results, paired T test was used, statistically significant differences were taken at p<0.05.
MicroRNA-21 is Overexpressed in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lv Lu , Huang Fengxian , Mao Haiping , Li Ming , Li Xiaoyan , Yang Man , Yu Xueqing
Published: March 2013

Objective

To identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that are overexpressed in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and characterize the functional role of miR-21.

Materials and Methods

The miRNA expression profiles between RCC tissue and adjacent normal tissue were compared using microarray analysis. The differential expression of miR-21 was validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). 786-O RCC cells were transfected with miR-21 mimic, miR-21 inhibitor, or negative controls and cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle were examined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. The expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) and tropomyosin 1 (TPM1) was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.

Results

Compared to adjacent normal tissue, 10 human miRNAs were significantly upregulated and 7 were downregulated in RCC tissue. RT-PCR confirmed that miR-21 was significantly overexpressed in RCC tissue. In vitro expression of miR-21 mimic promoted the growth of 786-O cells, whereas miR-21 inhibitor inhibited cell growth by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at S phase. Furthermore, miR-21 mimic or inhibitor significantly reduced or increased the expression of PDCD4 and TPM1.

Conclusions

MiR-21 is overexpressed in RCC tissue and modulates the growth, apoptosis and cell cycle progression of RCC cells and regulates the expression of PDCD4 and TPM1.
Differentially Expressed Proteins of Soybean (Glycine max) Pulvinus in Light and Dark Conditions
Authors: Hakme Lee  , Wesley M. Garrett  , Joe H. Sullivan  , Irwin Forseth  , Savithiry Natarajan
Published: March 2013

Some plant species both track and avoid the sun through turgor changes of the pulvinus tissue at the base of their leaves, maximizing light reception in dim conditions and minimizing cellular damage due to excessive light. Pulvinar response is known to be affected by both diurnally varying environmental factors and circadian patterns. Differential expression of the proteins between light and darkness are not well-known. In this study we used two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to separate and identify proteins in the soybean leaf pulvinus that were differentially expressed in the light compared to a dark control. Out of 165 protein spots previously identified (data not shown) 11 were found to have decreased expression in the light and 7 had increased light expression. The proteins that were more highly expressed in the light were mostly stress response proteins, while the under-expressed proteins were categorized as energy proteins. While the higher levels of expression of stress response proteins in the light align with other studies, the under-expressed light proteins require further examination to rule out artefactual results. These findings can provide a better understanding of the circadian pattern of protein expression in the legume pulvinus proteome.
The effects of perceived anonymity and anonymity states on conformity and groupthink in online communities: A Wikipedia study
Authors: Tsikerdekis Michail
Published: March 2013

Groupthink behavior is always a risk in online groups and group decision support systems (GDSS), especially when not all potential alternatives for problem resolution are considered. It becomes a reality when individuals simply conform to the majority opinion and hesitate to suggest their own solutions to a problem. Anonymity has long been established to have an effect on conformity, but no previous research has explored the effects of different anonymity states in relation to an individual's likelihood to conform. Through a survey of randomly chosen participants from the English‐language Wikipedia community, I explored the effects of anonymity on the likelihood of conforming to group opinion. In addition, I differentiated between actual states of anonymity and individuals' perceptions of anonymity. His findings indicate that although people perceive anonymity differently depending on their anonymity state, different states of anonymity do not have a strong effect on the likelihood of conforming to group opinion. Based on this evidence, I make recommendations for software engineers who have a direct hand in the design of online community platforms.
Studying PubMed usages in the field for complex problem solving: Implications for tool design
Authors: Mirel Barbara , Tonks Jennifer Steiner , Song Jean , Meng Fan , Xuan Weijian , Ameziane Rafiqa
Published: March 2013

Many recent studies on MEDLINE‐based information seeking have shed light on scientists’ behaviors and associated tool innovations that may improve efficiency and effectiveness. Few, if any, studies, however, examine scientists’ problem‐solving uses of PubMed in actual contexts of work and corresponding needs for better tool support. Addressing this gap, we conducted a field study of novice scientists (14 upper‐level undergraduate majors in molecular biology) as they engaged in a problem‐solving activity with PubMed in a laboratory setting. Findings reveal many common stages and patterns of information seeking across users as well as variations, especially variations in cognitive search styles. Based on these findings, we suggest tool improvements that both confirm and qualify many results found in other recent studies. Our findings highlight the need to use results from context‐rich studies to inform decisions in tool design about when to offer improved features to users.
Cellular-specific role of toll-like receptor 4 in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice
Authors: Nace Gary W. , Huang Hai , Klune John R. , Eid Raymond E. , Rosborough Brian R. , Korff Sebastian , Li Shen , Shapiro Richard A. , Stolz Donna B. , Sodhi Chhinder P. , Hackam David J. , Geller David A. , Billiar Timothy R. , Tsung Allan
Published: March 2013

Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a process whereby an initial hypoxic insult and subsequent return of blood flow leads to the propagation of innate immune responses and organ injury. The necessity of the pattern recognition receptor, Toll-like receptor (TLR)4, for this innate immune response has been previously shown. However, TLR4 is present on various cell types of the liver, both immune and nonimmune cells. Therefore, we sought to determine the role of TLR4 in individual cell populations, specifically, parenchymal hepatocytes (HCs), myeloid cells, including Kupffer cells, and dendritic cells (DCs) subsequent to hepatic I/R. When HC-specific (Alb-TLR4−/−) and myeloid-cell–specific (Lyz-TLR4−/−) TLR4 knockout (KO) mice were subjected to warm hepatic ischemia, there was significant protection in these mice, compared to wild type (WT). However, the protection afforded in these two strains was significantly less than global TLR4 KO (TLR4−/−) mice. DC-specific TLR4−/− (CD11c-TLR4−/−) mice had significantly increased hepatocellular damage, compared to WT mice. Circulating levels of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) were significantly reduced in Alb-TLR4−/− mice, compared to WT, Lyz-TLR4−/−, CD11c-TLR4−/− mice and equivalent to global TLR4−/− mice, suggesting that TLR4-mediated HMGB1 release from HCs may be a source of HMGB1 after I/R. HCs exposed to hypoxia responded by rapidly phosphorylating the mitogen-activated protein kinases, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, in a TLR4-dependent manner; inhibition of JNK decreased release of HMGB1 after both hypoxia in vitro and I/R in vivo. Conclusion: These results provide insight into the individual cellular response of TLR4. The parenchymal HC is an active participant in sterile inflammatory response after I/R through TLR4-mediated activation of proinflammatory signaling and release of danger signals, such as HMGB1. (HEPATOLOGY 2013)
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Blood Brain Barrier in Physiology and Medicine. Stanley I. Rapoport.

Cerebrovascular Diseases. (Princeton Conference on Cerebrovascular Diseases, 10th). Peritz Scheinberg
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Review of Physiological Chemistry, 16th edition. H. A. Harper, V. W. Rodwell, and P. A. Mayes.

Physiology of the Heart. Arnold M. Katz.
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Diuresis, Kaliuresis, and Hypertension: Long‐Term Clinical Experience With a Fixed Combination of Amiloride Hydrochloride and Hydrochlorothiazide. Bruno Magnani, editor.

Lithium in Psychiatry—A Synopsis. A. Villeneuve, editor. Quebec, Canada, Les Presses de L'Université Laval. 1976. 205 pages. No price given.

Antibiotics. A Critical Review. W. Kurylowicz, editor. Warsaw, Poland, Polish Medical Publishers. (American Society For Microbiology, Washington, D.C.). 1976. 204 pages. No price given.
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Natriuretic Hormone. H. J. Kramer and F. Krück

Chemoreception in the Carotid Body. H. Acker, S. Fidone, D. Pallot, C. Eyzaguirre, D. W. Lubbers, and R. W. Torrance

Antiviral Agents and Viral Diseases of Man. J. Galasso, T. C. Merigan, and R. A. Buchanan
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Contemporary Standards for Antimicrobial Usage. W. R. McCabe and M. Finland, editors. (Principles and Techniques of Human Research and Therapeutics, F. Gilbert McMahon, editor).

Cardiac Glycosides. G. Bodem and H. J. Dengler.

Cardiovascular Pharmacology. Michael J. Antonaccio, editor.

Antiarrhythmic, Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering Drugs. Cardiovascular Drugs, Volume 1. Graeme S. Avery, series editor.

Immunotherapy of Cancer: Present Status of Trials in Man. Progress in Cancer Research and Therapy, Vol. 6. W. D. Terry and D. Windhorst, editors.

Control of Neoplasia by Modulation of the Immune System. Progress in Cancer Research and Therapy, Vol. 2. Michael A. Chirigos, editor.

GLC and HPLC Determination of Therapeutic Agents, Part 1. Chromatographic Science Series, Vol. 9. K. Tsuji and W. Morozowich, editors.
Book Reviews
Authors: PROCITA LEONARD
Published: March 2013

Book reviewed in this article:

Drug Therapy Reviews, Vol. 1. R. R. Miller and D. J. Greenblatt, editors.

The Art of Medicating Psychiatric Patients. J. R. Lion.

Lithium in Medical Practice. F. N. Johnson and S. Johnson, editors.
Centrally Acting Antihypertensive Agents: A Comparison of Lofexidine with Clonidine
Authors: SCHULTZ HARLEY S. , CHRETIEN STEVEN D. , BREWER DEBORAH D. , ELTORAI MAHMOUD I. , WEBER MICHAEL A.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Lofexidine, a new centrally acting antihypertensive agent, was compared in a double‐blind study with clonidine in the treatment of mild (standing diastolic blood pressure 95–104 mm Hg) or moderate (105–129 mm Hg) essential hypertension. In daily dosages of 0.2 or 0.4 mg, monotherapy with lofexidine produced significant decreases in blood pressure and heart rate that were not different from those with clonidine. Blood pressure control (supine and standing diastolic pressure <90 mm Hg) occurred in seven of eight mild hypertensives treated with lofexidine and in seven of ten treated with clonidine. In moderate hypertension, three of 11 and seven of ten. respectively, were controlled. Altogether, six of the ten respondent to lofexidine and ten of the 14 responders to clonidine required dosages of 0.4 mg daily or less. The maximum dosage tested was 1.6 mg daily. Concomitant hydrochlorothiazide therapy was given to eight of the lofexidine responders and 12 of the clonidine responders. For both drugs, drowsiness and dry mouth were the chief complaints. Neither agent changed standard clinical biochemistries except for decreased potassium and increased bicarbonate concentrations due to concurrent diuretic therapy. Lofexidine appears to be an effective antihypertensive agent, especially in mild hypertension, and to have clinical characteristics similar to those of clonidine. Each of these agents is best used in lower doses, which are frequently effective and less likely to produce symptomatic complaints.
Clinical Pharmacology of Intramuscularly Administered l‐Asparaginase
Authors: HO D. H. W. , YAP H. Y. , BROWN N. , BENJAMIN R. S. , FRIEREICH E. J. , BLUMENSCHEIN G. R. , BODEY G. P.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Clinical pharmacology of l‐asparaginase was compared by intramuscular and intravenous injections in 12 patients with metastatic cancer or leukemia. Following a single intramuscular injection at the gluteal site of l‐asparaginase (10,000 IU/m2), the enzyme appeared in plasma as measured initially at 1 hour, but plateau levels were not reached in plasma until 14 to 24 hours after drug administration. The peak plasma level was 1.12 lU/ml, only one fourth of that seen when l‐asparaginase was given intravenously at equal doses. However, the enzyme level decrease in the plasma after intramuscular injections was slower, with a half‐life of 46 hours, compared to 7 to 28 hours for intravenously administered drug. The apparent volume of distribution indicated that the intravenously injected enzyme was mostly distributed in plasma, whereas the intramuscularly injected enzyme yielded a much larger volume of distribution (63 versus 245 ml/kg). In addition, only 19 per cent of the intramuscularly injected dose was in plasma, and the area under the curve (C × t) was only 1/24 that by intravenous route (20 versus 487 IU/ml · hr). No enzyme was measurable in patients' urine samples collected for three days after intramuscular injections of the enzyme, and only a trace (less than 1 per cent) of the enzyme was detected in urine after intravenous administration.
Effect of Pindolol on Blood Pressure, Plasma Renin Activity, and Catecholamines in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: GAVRAS IRENE , GAVRAS HARALAMBOS , TIFFT CHARLES P. , KERSHAW GLENN R. , BRESNAHAN MARGARET
Published: March 2013

Abstract: The effects of 45 mg pindolol daily on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma renin activity, and plasma catecholamines were assessed on 11 hospitalized hypertensive patients. Blood pressure decreased significantly after nine days of treatment, but heart rate remained unchanged. Plasma renin activity was in the same average range before and during treatment, with individual values variably increasing, decreasing, or remaining unchanged. Blood pressure changes were independent from the baseline level of plasma renin activity or the change in renin activity observed during treatment. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels also remained unchanged during treatment. Lack of change in heart rate and hormonal levels may be attributed to the combined effects of the β‐antagonistic and partial agonistic properties of this agent. Thus, pindolol used as monotherapy at this dose significantly lowered blood pressure, but not to normal levels, with only minimal side effects. Because of its combined adrenergic agonistic and antagonistic effects, it may be a preferable alternative to pure antagonists in selected patients.
Plasma Cortisol Following Injection of 1–39 or 1–18 ACTH
Authors: DANOWSKI T. S. , OHLSEN PAUL , FISHER E. R. , MREIDEN TARIF I. , DHAWAN RAM , SUNDER JOSEPH H.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Forty units of 1–39 ACTH of animal origin or 0.4 mg of synthetic 1–18 ACTH administered at 8 a.m. via either the intramuscular or intravenous route to 10 subjects with intact adrenocortical function produced comparable increases in plasma cortisol at 1, 2, and 6 hours. The increase in plasma cortisol lasted at least 6 hours but less than 12 hours after intravenous crystalline 1–39 ACTH and at least 16 hours but less than 24 hours after the same dose of 1–39 ACTH administered as a depot gel via the intramuscular route. However, neither the intravenous nor the intramuscular injection of 1–39 ACTH produced increases that were still evident at 24 hours. Following either the intramuscular or intravenous injection of 0.4 mg of the synthetic 1–18 ACTH, the plasma cortisol increase was still evident at the 24th hour. Our findings indicate that the plasma cortisol responses to either 40 units of exogenous 1–39 ACTH of animal origin or to 0.4 mg of a synthetic 1–18 ACTH are most consistent in the first 6 hours following either intravenous or intramuscular injection.
Inhibition of Histamine‐Stimulated Increases in Neart Rate in Man with the H2‐Histamine Receptor Antagonist Cimetidine
Authors: GRUND VERNON R. , HUNNINGHAKE DONALD B.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: The influence of an H2‐histamine receptor antagonist, cimetidine, on histamine‐induced changes in heart rate and blood pressure was examined in a randomized double‐blind study in six fasted male subjects. The intravenous infusion of histamine (10 μg/min) for 20 minutes caused an immediate and sustained increase in heart rate (26 per cent and a transient fall in mean arterial blood pressure (10 per cent). Cimetidine pretreatment (300 mg intravenously) inhibited histamine‐elevated heart rate by 75 per cent (P < 0.05) and histamine‐decreased blood pressure by 54 per cent (P < 0.05). Cimetidine by itself did not cause significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure. These results illustrate that H2‐histamine receptor antagonists significantly inhibit histamine‐induced increases in heart rate in man and support the potential use of cimetidine in certain cases of tachyarrhythmia.
Acute Phenytoin and Primidone Intoxication A Pharmacokinetic Analysis
Authors: MATZKE GARY R. , CLOYD JAMES C. , SAWCHUK RONALD J.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Serial plasma levels of phenytoin, primidone, and phenobarbital were determined in a patient following a massive overdose of phenytoin and primidone. The patient's neurologic status improved slowly over a period of 10 days and correlated best with the rise and fall of phenytoin plasma concentrations. The pharmacokinetics of all three agents were characterized by nonlinear regression analysis of their respective plasma concentration‐time profiles during the elimination phase, followed by analog computer simulations of their entire plasma concentration‐time course. The computer‐simulated phenytoin plasma concentration‐time profile closely resembled the observed values. Average values of Km and Vmax obtained from patients undergoing chronic therapy were used in the simulation and appear to adequately describe phenytoin elimination in this overdose situation. The elimination half‐lives of primidone and phenobarbital of 6.2 and 83.5 hours, respectively, were within the “normal range” for patients on chronic therapy. Two distinct absorption phases for primidone and three for phenytoin were noted. The marked decrease in the estimated absorption rate constant between phases 1 and 2 for each drug may have been due to slow dissolution of a large congealed mass of phenytoin and primidone in the gut. The analysis of serial plasma samples following a massive overdose is recommended to provide a reliable data base for therapeutic decisions.
Lidocaine Kinetics: Relationships Between Early Lidocaine Kinetics and Indocyanine Green Clearance
Authors: ZITO RUBEN A. , REID PHILIP R.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Lidocaine plasma levels and indocyanine green clearance were measured in five normal volunteers and eight patients admitted to the coronary care unit. All individuals received lidocaine as a 1 mg/kg bolus and a 35 μg/kg/min constant infusion for 180 minutes. Eight of the 13 (62 per cent) individuals studied (all normal volunteers and three patients) developed early, potentially subtherapeutic plasma lidocaine levels (≤ 2.4 μg/ml) within 15 minutes after starting therapy. Those individuals with subtherapeutic levels had either minimal (American Heart Association Class I) or no clinical evidence of congestive heart failure. The use of indocyanine green (ICG) clearance as an estimate of hepatic plasma flow showed that individuals with early, subtherapeutic lidocaine levels had higher ICG clearance (9.33 ± 0.32 ml/min · kg versus 2.90 ± 1.74 mi/min · kg) and shorter ICG t1/2 (2.02 ± 0.99 minutes versus 3.6 ± 0.69 minutes) and larger volume of distribution (36.1 ± 16.3 ml/kg versus 19.5 ± 12.8 ml/kg) than patients without subtherapeutic levels. This study suggests that early lidocaine kinetics may be significantly altered by clinical conditions that alter hepatic blood flow. The reappearance of arrhythmias shortly after initiating lidocaine therapy in patients without heart failure may be due to rapid hepatic clearance and subtherapeutic blood levels rather than lidocaine‐resistant arrhythmias.
Steady‐State Lithium Blood Level Fluctuations in Man Following Administration of a Lithium Carbonate Conventional and Controlled‐Release Dosage Form
Authors: CALDWELL HENRY C. , WESTLAKE WILFRED J. , SCHRIVER ROBERT C. , BUMBIER EDGAR E.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: A controlled‐release lithium carbonate tablet was compared to an immediate‐release lithium carbonate capsule in normal volunteers. These crossover studies at steady state showed that the tablet produced a smoother serum curve than the capsule with no loss of total bioavailability. Quantitatively, the capsule produced about 1.4 times more fluctuation in serum lithium values than the tablet.
Captopril in Human Blood and Breast Milk
Authors: DEVLIN RICHARD G. , FLEISS PAUL M.
Published: March 2013

Abstract: Blood and milk concentrations of captopril, a new antihypertensive agent, were studied in 12 lactating normotensive subjects after the administration of 100 mg captopril tablets on a three times daily regimen for a total of seven doses. Peak blood concentrations (± S.E.M.) of captopril after the administration of the seventh 100‐mg tablet averaged 713.1 ± 140.6 ng/ml, as compared to average peak milk concentrations of 4.7 ± 0.7 ng/ml. Time to peak blood concentrations averaged 1.1 ± 0.2 hour, while time to peak milk concentrations averaged 3.8 ± 0.6 hours. The data suggest that the human breast selectively restricts the passage of captopril from blood into milk.