bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic prediction of metastases after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer
Authors: Inman Brant A. , Frank Igor , Boorjian Stephen A. , Akornor Joseph W. , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Leibovich Bradley C. , Blute Michael L. , Bergstralh Eric J.
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Prognosis (retrospective cohort)

Level of Evidence 2a

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

One of two problems plagues virtually are existing post‐prostatectomy prediction tools: either (1) they predict PSA recurrences (which are of unclear importance) or (2) the predictions they make are anchored at the date of surgery and are not updated based on how patients evolve over the postoperative years.

Our prediction tool is a significant improvement over existing prediction tools in that it predicts the development of metastases which is a very important clinical endpoint that indicates incurable prostate cancer. Additionally, our tool allows for updated predictions at any point following radical prostatectomy by considering commonly available postoperative information (postoperative serum PSA and use of adjuvant therapies) to modify its risk predictions. The net result is a dynamic tool that renders clinically relevant predictions that change as the patient’s clinical status changes throughout the postoperative course.

OBJECTIVE

• To develop a dynamic algorithm that predicts the risk of metastases from any time point after radical prostatectomy (RP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• The study cohort consisted of 5741 RP patients who were treated from 1990–99.

• Patients were grouped into one of four clinical states at follow‐up: State1, prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) undetectable; State2, PSA 0.15–0.39 ng/mL; State3, PSA ≥0.4 ng/mL; and State4, previous androgen deprivation or radiation therapy.

• Follow‐up epochs (alive and at risk of systemic progression) at 0, 2, 4 and 6 years post‐RP, cumulative incidence curves and multistate Cox models were used to assess the risk of metastases over the ensuing 5‐year interval.

• Gleason score, seminal vesicle and surgical margin involvement, and PSA variables were evaluated as predictors.

RESULTS

• Median follow‐up was 11.7 years, with 4411, 4256 and 3983 patients followed with PSA at 2, 4 and 6 years, respectively.

• In total, 287 metastatic events occurred and the 5‐year risk of metastasis was 0.4%, 2.1%, 8.7% and 12.6% for men in States 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

• Independent predictors of metastasis by group included seminal vesicle involvement (all groups), Gleason score (groups 1, 3 and 4), current PSA (groups 3 and 4) and maximum past PSA (group 4).

CONCLUSIONS

• We present a web‐based prognostic tool for patients undergoing RP that is valid at many time points after surgery.

• Our tool predicts the development of metastases.
Impact of docetaxel‐based chemotherapy on quality of life of patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer: results from a prospective phase II randomized trial
Authors: Caffo Orazio , Sava Teodoro , Comploj Evi , Fariello Annamaria , Zustovich Fable , Segati Romana , Sacco Cosimo , Veccia Antonello , Galligioni Enzo
Published: May 2011

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)

Level of Evidence 1b

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

Data on quality of life during docetaxel treatment in castration resistant prostate cancer was mainly provided by SWOG and TAX327 trials.

In the TAX327 trial biochemical response and pain predicted survival, whereas quality of life outcomes did not.

In the present study, there were no statistically significant changes in the quality of life scales during treatment except in the case of patients receiving docetaxel and estramustine, who experienced a significant decrease in pain. Our data seem to suggest that patients with a better baseline quality of life (and consequently with fewer symptoms) are more likely to achieve a biochemical response.

OBJECTIVES

• To assess quality of life (QoL) outcomes and pain changes in patients affected by castration‐resistant prostate cancer enrolled in a phase II randomized trial of 3‐week docetaxel (DOC)‐based chemotherapy.

• To provide further data to clarify the conflicting published data concerning the impact of DOC on the patients’ QoL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

• QoL outcomes were assessed using the European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ‐C30 questionnaire.

• Pain changes were evaluated by means of the Brief Pain Inventory at baseline and after every two DOC courses.

• The patients completing at least two questionnaires (at baseline and before the third course) were considered evaluable.

RESULTS

• In all, 59 patients were evaluable.

• Asymptomatic patients and responders had a better baseline QoL than symptomatic patients and non‐responders.

• There were no statistically significant changes in the QLQ‐C30 scales during treatment except in the case of patients receiving DOC and estramustine, who experienced a significant decrease in pain.

• There was a progressive improvement in the mean intensity and interference scores of the Brief Pain Inventory.

CONCLUSIONS

• Our data confirm that QoL is generally maintained during chemotherapy.

• There is a substantial reduction in pain.

• Our results also suggest that baseline QoL may predict treatment response.
The effectiveness of a disaster training programme for healthcare workers in Greece
Authors: Bistaraki A. , Waddington K. , Galanis P.
Published: May 2011

BISTARAKI A., WADDINGTON K. & GALANIS P. (2011) The effectiveness of a disaster training programme for healthcare workers in Greece. International Nursing Review58, 341–346

Background:  Recent natural disasters have made disaster training a public priority. Multiple methods of disaster preparedness training have been established in hospitals worldwide. Nevertheless, researchers have not yet discovered the most effective method for training hospital personnel in the area of disaster preparedness.

Aim:  The aim of this study is to test the hypothesis that a brief educational intervention would improve hospital staff knowledge about the hospital disaster plan and procedures.

Methods:  A quasi‐experimental design was used. The intervention group included 56 professionals and the comparison group included 35 professionals in Greece. The intervention group attended a 5‐h course that addressed the basic principles of hospital disaster management. A structured questionnaire was used to estimate the participants' changes in knowledge. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), t‐test, one‐way ANOVA and chi‐square test were used to analyse the data.

Results:  The intervention resulted in a significant improvement in knowledge. The mean score was significantly higher immediately after the intervention programme [86; standard error (SE): 2] than before (44.5; SE: 1.7) (P < 0.001). The mean score 1 month later was significantly lower (77.2; SE: 2.3) than that immediately after the intervention programme (P < 0.001), but significantly higher than the mean score before the intervention programme (P < 0.001). Participants in the control group achieved a score of 40 (SE: 2.4), which was significantly lower than the scores of the intervention group after the course (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  The disaster training course had a great benefit for the participants. This study suggests that a brief educational intervention is beneficial, but more must be done.
The quest for trait convergence and divergence in community assembly: are null‐models the magic wand?
Authors: de Bello Francesco
Published: May 2011

The relevance of neutral versus niche‐based community assembly rules (i.e. the processes sorting species present in a larger geographical region into local communities) remains to be demonstrated in ecology and biogeography. To attempt to do this, a number of complex null models are increasingly being used that compare observed community functional diversity (FD, i.e. the extent of trait dissimilarity between coexisting species) with randomly simulated FD. However, little is known about the performance of these null models in detecting non‐neutral community assembly rules such as trait convergence and divergence of communities (supposedly revealing habitat selection and limiting similarity, respectively). Here, using both simulated and field communities, I show that assembly rule detection varies systematically with the magnitude of the observed FD, so that these null models do not really succeed in breaking down the observed functional relationships between species. This is a particular concern, making detection of community assembly dependent on: (1) the pool of samples considered, and (2) the capacity of observed FD to correctly discriminate these rules. Null models should be more thoroughly described and validated before being considered as a magic wand to reveal assembly patterns.
The Political Theory of Recognition: The Case of the ‘White Working Class’
Authors: Kenny Michael
Published: May 2011

This article explores the normative dimensions of a growing political focus upon the grievances of the white working class. It asks whether these can be considered as forms of recognition claim, rather than framed simply as expressions of resentment. I assess the character of three different forms of ‘recognition’ that are invoked in the rhetoric which this group has attracted—recognition as (i) liberal-egalitarian restitution; (ii) political inclusion; and (iii) cultural politics. And I observe the difficulties and dangers of pursuing the third of these strategies, while pointing to the potential significance for liberals of the first two. I conclude by alluding to the difficulties that the political theory of recognition faces from the proliferation of claims to recognition among groups in contemporary democratic society.
A Moral Defense of the ‘Moral Values’ Voter
Authors: Davis Ryan W.
Published: May 2011

How should citizens in a democracy decide for whom to vote? Liberal political philosophers, following Rawls, have held that voters should think of the candidate as a proxy for the policies he or she will predictably help put in place, and then vote according to which policies are best supported by the balance of public reasons. Call this the proxy model. I reject the proxy model as too restrictive a moral requirement on voting, but accept that citizens are obligated to use some reasons rather than others. In particular, voters should only weigh considerations that are morally relevant. These may include factors like the character of the candidate. I argue that this alternative to the proxy model is more faithful to liberal theory and places a more reasonable set of demands on voters, given what political science has taught us about voting behavior.
Borrowing Information Across Populations in Estimating Positive and Negative Predictive Values
Authors: Huang Ying , Fong Youyi , Wei John , Feng Ziding
Published: May 2011

A marker’s capacity to predict the risk of a disease depends on the prevalence of disease in the target population and its accuracy of classification, i.e. its ability to discriminate diseased subjects from non-diseased subjects. The latter is often considered an intrinsic property of the marker; it is independent of disease prevalence and hence more likely to be similar across populations than risk prediction measures. In this paper, we are interested in evaluating the population-specific performance of a risk prediction marker in terms of the positive predictive value PPV and negative predictive value NPV at given thresholds, when samples are available from the target population as well as from another population. A default strategy is to estimate PPV and NPV using samples from the target population only. However, when the marker’s accuracy of classification as characterized by a specific point on the receiver operating characteristics curve is similar across populations, borrowing information across populations allows increased efficiency in estimating PPV and NPV. We develop estimators that optimally combine information across populations. We apply this methodology to a cross- al study where we evaluate PCA3 as a risk prediction marker for prostate cancer among subjects with or without a previous negative biopsy.
Subsample Ignorable Likelihood for Regression Analysis with Missing Data
Authors: Little Roderick J. , Zhang Nanhua
Published: May 2011

Two common approaches to regression with missing covariates are complete-case analysis and ignorable likelihood methods. We review these approaches and propose a hybrid class, called subsample ignorable likelihood methods, which applies an ignorable likelihood method to the subsample of observations that are complete on one set of variables, but possibly incomplete on others. Conditions on the missing data mechanism are presented under which subsample ignorable likelihood gives consistent estimates, but both complete-case analysis and ignorable likelihood methods are inconsistent. We motivate and apply the method proposed to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and we illustrate properties of the methods by simulation. Extensions to non-likelihood analyses are also mentioned.
Concepts of Community: A Framework for Contextualizing Distributed Leadership
Authors: Edwards Gareth
Published: May 2011

This review of the literature on community and distributed leadership marks out the potential for a more context‐rich understanding of the nature of leadership. We begin by reviewing the literature on distributed leadership, noting a shift from clichéd ideals to more structured frameworks. We then highlight the need to further contextualize notions of distributed leadership before going on to identify a number of concepts relating to community that are useful for theoretical reflection, research and practice. These concepts are symbolism, a sense of belonging, a sense of community, individualism, values and ethics, language, dialect and discourse, liminality and friendship. We also develop a discussion around postmodern views of community and the importance of recognizing multiple belonging and multiple identities. From the review we develop areas of reflection for theory, research and practice regarding distributed leadership and the concept of community. We highlight practical implications from the review by discussing the importance of taking these ideas into consideration in management and leadership development initiatives and in managerial practice in general.
Individual differences in emotional intelligence and incidental memory of words1
Authors: TOYOTA HIROSHI
Published: May 2011

Participants were required to complete the Japanese version of the Emotional Skills and Competence Questionnaire (Toyota, Morita, & Takšić, 2007) to assess their level of emotional intelligence. Then they were asked to rate the pleasantness of an episode that each target reminded them of, followed by unexpected free recall tests. Participants with high emotional intelligence recalled targets with pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant episodes equally. However, for participants with low emotional intelligence, targets with neutral episodes were recalled less than those with pleasant or unpleasant ones. These results were interpreted as showing that the level of emotional intelligence determined the effectiveness of neutral episodes on targets as retrieval cues.
Infants' perception of concavity and convexity of shaded objects
Authors: KAWABATA HIDEAKI , GYOBA JIRO
Published: May 2011

The discriminative sensitivities of 30 4‐month‐old and 30 8‐month‐old infants for concave and convex objects were measured using the preferential‐looking method. Five cylinder‐like objects with different magnitudes of concave or convex shaded surfaces and outline contours were presented to the infants in pairs. The results indicated that the 4‐month‐old infants could discriminate better between object convexities than between object concavities. In contrast, the 8‐month‐old infants were able to equally discriminate between object concavities and object convexities, and their sensitivity to both object concavity/convexity was much higher than that of the 4‐month‐old infants. This difference in the sensitivity to object concavity and convexity suggested that younger and older infants might have differential abilities for cue utilization for recovering object structures.
Cognitions associated with recovery from alcohol dependence1
Authors: CHAI SUKHI , CHO YONGRAE
Published: May 2011

The present study examined the cognitive factors uniquely associated with the status of alcohol dependence recovery, assessing Korean patients who were recovered (n = 57), having been alcohol‐abstinent for 4 months or more after treatment, and who were nonrecovered (n = 213), being still in treatment. Compared with the nonrecovered group, the recovered group reported lower levels of denial of drinking problems and rationalization of drinking (two dimensions of specific beliefs that facilitate alcohol use), dysfunctional attitudes, depressed mood, and emotion‐focused coping. The recovered group also showed higher levels of alcohol abstinence self‐efficacy and problem‐focused coping. Both denial and alcohol abstinence self‐efficacy were uniquely associated with alcohol dependence recovery, when we controlled for the other relevant predictors, whereas neither dysfunctional attitudes nor rationalization were so associated. These findings could be useful in refining psychological interventions facilitating the recovery of alcohol‐dependent patients.
Health and environmental consciousness, costs of behaviour and the purchase of organic food
Authors: Kriwy Peter , Mecking Rebecca‐Ariane
Published: May 2011

This paper examines environmental and health consciousness, as well as behavioural costs and their effects on the purchase of organic products. The consumption of organic products is regarded as an investment in individual health. The low‐cost hypothesis takes environmental attitudes and behavioural costs into account and is applied to organic food consumption. The survey conducted in three German cities in 2006 using self‐administered questionnaires (n = 521) does not investigate willingness to pay but rather self‐reported behaviour. The results of the regressions using the Heckman correction show that income does not affect the regularity of organic food consumption but that it does influence individual expenditure on organic food. Furthermore, there is an inverted u‐shaped relation between age and the purchase of organic products. Although health consciousness has a stronger association with organic food consumption than does environmental concern, the interaction between behavioural costs and health or environmental consciousness shows no effect. Thus, the low‐cost hypothesis is not supported.
Adolescents' body‐tanning behaviours: influences of gender, body mass index, sociocultural attitudes towards appearance and body satisfaction
Authors: Yoo Jeong‐Ju , Kim Hye‐Young
Published: May 2011

The goal of this study was to identify and examine the various factors affecting adolescents' body‐tanning behaviours. Gender, body mass index (BMI), sociocultural attitudes towards appearance (SATA) and body satisfaction were examined in order to determine how these variables influence both outdoor sun‐tanning and indoor tanning‐bed use. Self‐administered survey data were collected from 155 adolescent boys and 202 adolescent girls with an average age of 14.3. Multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression methods were used to analyse the data. Adolescent girls tended to engage in both outdoor and indoor tanning. Overall, adolescents' SATA significantly affected their body‐tanning behaviours. However, BMI and body satisfaction revealed a significant effect only on indoor tanning behaviour. Implications for the design of interventions and overall health promotion towards adolescents are discussed with suggestions for future research.
Mouse MCP1 C‐terminus inhibits human MCP1‐induced chemotaxis and BBB compromise
Authors: Yao Yao , Tsirka Stella E.
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 215–223.

Compared to the rodent monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1/CCL2), the human MCP1 lacks a C‐terminal extension. Although the function of this C‐extension is not entirely defined, in previous work we reported that it decreases the chemotactic properties of mouse MCP1. To determine if this function is specific to the rodent chemokine, or if the C‐terminal extension has the ability to regulate chemotactic potency to MCP1 in general, we generated a chimeric protein consisting of human MCP1 fused to the mouse MCP1 C‐terminal fragment. We found that mouse MCP1 C‐terminus significantly decreased the chemotactic potency of human MCP1 and diminished the blood brain barrier compromise normally induced by the human protein. Not only did mouse MCP1 C‐terminus inhibit human MCP1‐induced Rac1 activation and formation of lamellipodia, it also disrupted the staining pattern of ZO‐1 at cell‐cell borders and prevented human MCP1‐induced F‐actin formation in brain microvascular endothelial cells. Additionally, the MCP1 C‐terminus dramatically decreased human MCP1‐induced activation of ERM proteins in endothelial cells. These findings confirm that the rodent C‐terminal MCP1 extension acts as a rheostat for MCP1 functions and suggest that potentially in humans another protein or protein complex may assume a similar regulatory function.
Zinc‐triggered induction of tissue plasminogen activator by brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and metalloproteinases
Authors: Hwang Ih‐Yeon , Sun Eun‐Sun , An Ji Hak , Im Hana , Lee Sun‐Ho , Lee Joo‐Yong , Han Pyung‐Lim , Koh Jae‐Young , Kim Yang‐Hee
Published: May 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 855–863.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is necessary for hippocampal long‐term potentiation. Synaptically released zinc also contributes to long‐term potentiation, especially in the hippocampal CA3 region. Using cortical cultures, we examined whether zinc increased the concentration and/or activity of tPA. Two hours after a 10‐min exposure to 300 μM zinc, expression of tPA and its substrate, plasminogen, were significantly increased, as was the proteolytic activity of tPA. In contrast, increasing extracellular or intracellular calcium levels did not affect the expression or secretion of tPA. Changing zinc influx or chelating intracellular zinc also failed to alter tPA/plasminogen induction by zinc, indicating that zinc acts extracellularly. Zinc‐mediated extracellular activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) underlies the up‐regulation of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk) signaling. Consistent with these findings, co‐treatment with a neutralizing antibody against BDNF or specific inhibitors of MMPs or Trk largely reversed tPA/plasminogen induction by zinc. Treatment of cortical cultures with p‐aminophenylmercuric acetate, an MMP activator, MMP‐2, or BDNF alone induced tPA/plasminogen expression. BDNF mRNA and protein expression was also increased by zinc and mediated by MMPs. Thus, an extracellular zinc‐dependent, MMP‐ and BDNF‐mediated synaptic mechanism may regulate the levels and activity of tPA.
Oculometric parameters of hyperopia in children with esotropic amblyopia
Authors: Debert Iara , de Alencar Luciana Malta , Polati Mariza , Souza Murilo Barreto , Alves Milton Ruiz
Published: May 2011

Citation information: Debert I, de Alencar LM, Polati M, Souza MB & Alves MR. Oculometric parameters of hyperopia in children with esotropic amblyopia. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 389–397. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00850.x

Purpose:  To study the oculometric parameters of hyperopia in children with esotropic amblyopia, comparing amblyopic eyes with fellow eyes.

Methods:  Thirty‐seven patients (5–8 years old) with bilateral hyperopia and esotropic amblyopia underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including cycloplegic refraction, keratometry and A‐scan ultrasonography. Anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth and total axial length were recorded. The refractive power of the crystalline lens was calculated using Bennett’s equations. Paired Student’s t‐tests were used to compare ocular biometric measurements between amblyopic eyes and their fellow eyes. The associations of biometric parameters with refractive errors were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression. Multivariable models including axial length, corneal power and lens power were also constructed.

Results:  Amblyopic eyes were found to have significantly more hyperopic refraction, less corneal power, greater lens power, shorter vitreous chamber depth and shorter axial length, despite similar anterior chamber depth and lens thickness. The strongest correlation with refractive error was observed for the axial length/corneal radius ratio (r36 = −0.92, p < 0.001 for amblyopic and r36 = −0.87, p < 0.001 for fellow eyes). Axial length accounted for 39.2% (R2) of the refractive error variance in amblyopic eyes and 35.5% in fellow eyes. Adding corneal power to the model increased R2 to 85.7% and 79.6%, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found between axial length and corneal power, indicating decreasing corneal power with increasing axial length, and they were similar for amblyopic eyes (r36 = −0.53, p < 0.001) and fellow eyes (r36 = −0.57, p < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation was also found between axial length and lens power, indicating decreasing lens power with increasing axial length (r36 = −0.72, p < 0.001 for amblyopic eyes and r36 = −0.69, p < 0.001 for fellow eyes).

Conclusions:  We observed that the correlation among the major oculometric parameters and their individual contribution to hyperopia in esotropic children were similar in amblyopic and non‐amblyopic eyes. This finding suggests that the counterbalancing effect of greater corneal and lens power associated with shorter axial length is similar in both eyes of patients with esotropic amblyopia.
Statistical methods for conducting agreement (comparison of clinical tests) and precision (repeatability or reproducibility) studies in optometry and ophthalmology
Authors: McAlinden Colm , Khadka Jyoti , Pesudovs Konrad
Published: May 2011

Citation information: McAlinden C, Khadka J & Pesudovs K. Statistical methods for conducting agreement (comparison of clinical tests) and precision (repeatability or reproducibility) studies in optometry and ophthalmology. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 330–338. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2011.00851.x

The ever‐expanding choice of ocular metrology and imaging equipment has driven research into the validity of their measurements. Consequently, studies of the agreement between two instruments or clinical tests have proliferated in the ophthalmic literature. It is important that researchers apply the appropriate statistical tests in agreement studies. Correlation coefficients are hazardous and should be avoided. The ‘limits of agreement’ method originally proposed by Altman and Bland in 1983 is the statistical procedure of choice. Its step‐by‐step use and practical considerations in relation to optometry and ophthalmology are detailed in addition to sample size considerations and statistical approaches to precision (repeatability or reproducibility) estimates.
Refractometric total plasma protein measurement as a cage‐side indicator of hypoalbuminemia and hypoproteinemia in hospitalized dogs
Authors: Hayes Galina M. , Mathews Karol , Floras Alexandra , Dewey Cate
Published: May 2011

Objective
–
To assess the relationship between total plasma protein (TPP) as measured by refractometry and serum hypoalbuminemia and hypoproteinemia in hospitalized dogs.

Design
–
Retrospective, observational study conducted over 6‐month period between March and August 2008.

Setting
–
University teaching hospital.

Animals
–
Four hundred and three hospitalized dogs in an ICU.

Interventions
–
None.

Measurements and Main Results
–
TPP, serum albumin, total protein, glucose, urea, cholesterol was measured from dogs enrolled in study. TPP was evaluated as a predictor for hypoalbuminemia defined both as albumin <25 g/L (<2.5 g/dL) and albumin <20 g/L (<2.0 g/dL), and serum hypoproteinemia, defined as serum total protein <40 g/L (<4.0 g/dL), using logistic regression. Impact of glucose, urea, cholesterol, and total bilirubin on refractometric readings were also assessed. TPP predicted hypoalbuminemia at albumin concentrations of <25 g/L (<2.5 g/dL) and <20 g/L (<2.0 g/dL) (P<0.001). A TPP<60 g/L (<6.0 g/dL) predicted albumin <25 g/L (<2.5 g/dL) with 73% sensitivity and 86% specificity. A TPP<58 g/L (<5.8 g/dL) predicted a serum albumin <20 g/L (<2.0 g/dL) with 70% sensitivity and 80% specificity. For dogs with known risk factors where specificity optimization may be appropriate, refractometer TPP<50 g/L (<5.0 g/dL) and <48 g/L (<4.8 g/dL) predicted hypoalbuminemia at each level with >95% specificity, although sensitivity was poor. Refractometer TPP<58 g/L (<5.8 g/dL) predicted serum total protein of <40 g/L (<40 g/dL) with sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 84%. Hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia significantly affected TPP readings; an increase in serum glucose by 10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) was associated with an average independent increase in refractometer TPP of 2.27 g/L (0.23 g/dL) (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval=1.08–3.47) and an increase in serum cholesterol of 1 mmol/L (38.6 mg/dL) was associated with an average independent increase in refractometer TPP of 1.36 g/L (0.14 g/dL) (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval=1.12–1.59).

Conclusion
–
Suboptimal sensitivity limits the use of refractometric TPP for prediction of hypoalbuminemia in the context of patient screening; a high proportion of false negatives may result. However, identification of a refractometric TPP<58 g/L is strongly indicative of both serum hypoalbuminemia and hypoproteinemia, with high specificity, and warrants further investigation. Refractometric readings may be falsely increased in patients with hyperglycemia or hypercholesterolemia.
AM630 behaves as a protean ligand at the human cannabinoid CB2 receptor
Authors: Bolognini Daniele , Cascio Maria Grazia , Parolaro Daniela , Pertwee Roger G
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We have investigated how pre‐incubating hCB2 CHO cells with the CB2 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists, AM630 and SR144528, affects how these and other ligands target hCB2 receptors in these cells or their membranes.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We tested the ability of AM630, SR144528 and of the CB1/CB2 receptor agonists, CP55940 and R‐(+)‐WIN55212, to modulate forskolin‐stimulated cAMP production in hCB2 CHO cells or [35S]‐GTPγS binding to membranes prepared from these cells, or to displace [3H]‐CP55940 from whole cells and membranes. Assays were also performed with the CB2 receptor partial agonist, Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin. Some cells were pre‐incubated with AM630 or SR144528 and then washed extensively.

KEY RESULTS AM630 behaved as a low‐potency neutral competitive antagonist in AM630‐pre‐incubated cells, a low‐potency agonist in SR144528‐pre‐incubated cells, and a much higher‐potency inverse agonist/antagonist in vehicle‐pre‐incubated cells. AM630 pre‐incubation (i) reduced the inverse efficacy of SR144528 without abolishing it; (ii) increased the efficacy of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabivarin; and (iii) did not affect the potency with which AM630 displaced [3H]‐CP55940 from whole cells or its inverse agonist potency and efficacy in the [35S]‐GTPγS membrane assay.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that AM630 is a protean ligand that can target a constitutively active form of the hCB2 receptor (R*) with low affinity to produce agonism or neutral antagonism and a constitutively inactive form of this receptor (R) with much higher affinity to produce inverse agonism, and that the constitutive activity of whole cells is decreased less by pre‐incubation with AM630 than with the higher‐efficacy inverse agonist, SR144528.

LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue‐8. To view Part I of Cannabinoids in Biology and Medicine visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2011.163.issue‐7
Electrocardiogram‐Synchronized Rotational Speed Change Mode in Rotary Pumps Could Improve Pulsatility
Authors: Ando Masahiko , Nishimura Takashi , Takewa Yoshiaki , Yamazaki Kenji , Kyo Shunei , Ono Minoru , Tsukiya Tomonori , Mizuno Toshihide , Taenaka Yoshiyuki , Tatsumi Eisuke
Published: May 2011

Continuous‐flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have greatly improved the prognosis of patients with end‐stage heart failure, even if continuous flow is different from physiological flow in that it has less pulsatility. A novel pump controller of continuous‐flow LVADs has been developed, which can change its rotational speed (RS) in synchronization with the native cardiac cycle, and we speculated that pulsatile mode, which increases RS just in the systolic phase, can create more pulsatility than the current system with constant RS does. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of this pulsatile mode of continuous‐flow LVADs on pulsatility in in vivo settings. Experiments were performed on eight adult goats (61.7 ± 7.5 kg). A centrifugal pump, EVAHEART (Sun Medical Technology Research Corporation, Nagano, Japan), was installed by the apex drainage and the descending aortic perfusion. A pacing lead for the detection of ventricular electrocardiogram was sutured on the anterior wall of the right ventricle. In the present study, we compared pulse pressure or other parameters in the following three conditions, including Circuit‐Clamp (i.e., no pump support), Continuous mode (constant RS), and Pulsatile mode (increase RS in systole). Assist rate was calculated by dividing pump flow (PF) by the sum of PF and ascending aortic flow (AoF). In continuous and pulsatile modes, these assist rates were adjusted around 80–90%. The following three parameters were used to evaluate pulsatility, including pulse pressure, dp/dt of aortic pressure (AoP), and energy equivalent pulse pressure (EEP = (∫PF*AoP dt)/(∫PF dt), mm Hg). The percent difference between EEP and mean AoP is used as an indicator of pulsatility, and normally it is around 10% of mean AoP in physiological pulse. Both pulse pressure and mean dp/dt max were decreased in continuous mode compared with clamp condition, while those were regained by pulsatile mode nearly to clamp condition (pulse pressure, clamp/continuous/pulsatile, 25.0 ± 7.6/11.7 ± 6.4/22.6 ±  9.8 mm Hg, mean dp/dt max, 481.9 ± 207.6/75.6 ± 36.2/351.1 ± 137.8 mm Hg/s, respectively). In clamp condition, %EEP was 10% higher than mean AoP (P = 0.0078), while in continuous mode, %EEP was nearly equivalent to mean AoP (N.S.). In pulsatile mode, %EEP was 9% higher than mean AoP (P = 0.038). Our newly developed pulsatile mode of continuous‐flow LVADs can produce pulsatility comparable to physiological pulsatile flow. Further investigation on the effect of this novel drive mode on organ perfusion is currently ongoing.
Synovitis in Dogs with Stable Stifle Joints and Incipient Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Bleedorn Jason A. , Greuel Erin N. , Manley Paul A. , Schaefer Susan L. , Markel Mark D. , Holzman Gerianne , Muir Peter
Published: May 2011

Objective:To evaluate stifle joints of dogs for synovitis, before development of joint instability and cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CrCLR).

Study Design:Cross‐sectional study.

Animals:Dogs (n=16) with CrCLR and stable contralateral stifles; 10 control dogs with intact CrCL.

Methods:Arthritis and tibial translation were graded radiographically. Synovitis severity and cruciate pathology were assessed arthroscopically. Presence of inflammatory cells in synovial membrane biopsies was scored histologically. CrCLR stifle pairs and control stifles were compared.

Results:Radiographic evidence of arthritis, cranial tibial translation, and arthroscopic synovitis were increased in unstable stifles, when compared with stable contralateral stifles in CrCLR dogs (P<.05). Arthroscopic synovitis in both joints of CrCLR dogs was increased compared with controls, was correlated with radiographic arthritis (SR=0.71,P<.05), and was present in all stable contralateral stifles. Arthroscopically, 75% of stable stifle joints had CrCL fiber disruption, which correlated with severity of synovitis (SR=0.56,P<.05). Histologic evidence of synovitis was identified in all CrCLR dogs, but was only significantly correlated with arthroscopic observations in stable stifles (r2=0.57,P<.005).

Conclusion:Synovitis is an early feature of the CrCLR arthropathy in dogs before development of joint instability clinically. Severity of synovitis is correlated with radiographic arthritis in joints with minimal to no clinically detectable CrCL damage.
Bacterial contamination in platelets: incremental improvements drive down but do not eliminate risk
Authors: Jenkins Craig , Ramírez‐Arcos Sandra , Goldman Mindy , Devine Dana V.
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND: Bacterial contamination of platelet components (PCs) remains an important cause of transfusion‐associated infectious risk. In 2004, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) implemented bacterial testing of PCs using the BacT/ALERT 3D system (bioMérieux). This system has been validated and implemented and continuous monitoring of culture rates allows gathering of data regarding true and false positives as well as false negatives.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: National data gathered between March 2004 and October 2010 from 12 CBS sites were analyzed to compare bacterial contamination rates across three platelet (PLT) preparation methods: apheresis, buffy coat, and PLT‐rich plasma. Data were compared before and after implementation of protocol changes that may affect bacterial detection or contamination rates.

RESULTS: Initial positive rates among the three production methods were significantly different, with apheresis PCs being the highest. The rates of confirmed positives among production methods did not differ significantly (p = 0.668). Increasing sample testing volumes from 4 to 6 mL to 8 to 10 mL significantly increased the rate of initial positives, while confirmed positives increased from 0.64 to 1.63 per 10,000, approaching significance (p = 0.055). Changing the skin disinfection method from a two‐step to a one‐step protocol did not significantly alter the rate of confirmed positives. During the period of data analysis, eight false‐negative cases were reported, with five implicated in adverse transfusion reactions.

CONCLUSION: Bacterial testing of PCs and implementation of improved protocols are incrementally effective in reducing the risk of transfusion of bacterially contaminated PLT concentrates; however, the continued occurrence of false‐negative results means the risk has not been eliminated.
Reducing the Effort to Comprehend Risk Models: Text Labels Are Often Preferred Over Graphical Means
Authors: Grøndahl Ida Hogganvik , Lund Mass Soldal , Stølen Ketil
Published: May 2011

Risk analysis involves people with different roles and competences. The validity of the outcome depends on that they are able to communicate; ideally between themselves, but at least with or via a risk analyst. The CORAS risk modeling language has been developed to facilitate communication between stakeholders involved in the various stages of risk analysis. This article reports the results from an empirical investigation among professionals, where the purpose was to investigate how graphical effects (size, color, shape) and text labels introduced in the CORAS risk modeling language affected the understanding. The results indicate that if graphical effects are used to illustrate important information, they should also be accompanied by informative textual labels.
Marking the tempo for myogenesis: Pax7 and the regulation of muscle stem cell fate decisions
Authors: Olguín Hugo C. , Pisconti Addolorata
Published: May 2011

Introduction

Pax proteins in muscle formation

Pax7/MRF cross‐regulation and the control of satellite cell fate

Transcriptional and non‐transcriptional Pax7 functions in myogenic progenitors

Protein interactions, post‐translational modifications and the regulation of Pax7

Extracellular signalling and the control of Pax7 in muscle progenitors

Concluding remarks

Post‐natal growth and regeneration of skeletal muscle is highly dependent on a population of resident myogenic precursors known as satellite cells. Transcription factors from the Pax gene family, Pax3 and Pax7, are critical for satellite cell biogenesis, survival and potentially self‐renewal; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unsolved. This is particularly true in the case of Pax7, which appears to regulate myogenesis at multiple levels. Accordingly, recent data have highlighted the importance of a functional relationship between Pax7 and the MyoD family of muscle regulatory transcription factors during normal muscle formation and disease. Here we will critically review key findings suggesting that Pax7 may play a dual role by promoting resident muscle progenitors to commit to the skeletal muscle lineage while preventing terminal differentiation, thus keeping muscle progenitors poised to differentiate upon environmental cues. In addition, potential regulatory mechanisms for the control of Pax7 activity will be proposed.
Birthweight, preterm birth and perinatal mortality: a comparison of black babies in Tanzania and the USA
Authors: HABIB NDEMA ABU , WILCOX ALLEN J. , DALTVEIT ANNE KJERSTI , BASSO OLGA , SHAO JOHN , ONEKO OLOLA , LIE ROLV TERJE
Published: May 2011

Objectives. Adverse conditions in Africa produce some of the highest rates of infant mortality in the world. Fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery are commonly regarded as major pathways through which conditions in the developing world affect infant survival. The aim of this article was to compare patterns of birthweight, preterm delivery, and perinatal mortality between black people in Tanzania and the USA. Design. Registry‐based study. Settings. Referral hospital data from North Eastern Tanzania and US Vital Statistics. Sample. 14 444 singleton babies from a hospital‐based registry (1999–2006) and 3 530 335 black singletons from US vital statistics (1995–2000). Main outcome measures. Birthweight, gestational age and perinatal mortality. Methods. Restricting our study to babies born at least 500g, we compared birthweight, gestational age, and perinatal mortality (stillbirths and deaths in the first week) in the two study populations. Results. Perinatal mortality in the Tanzanian sample was 41/1 000, compared with 10/1 000 among USA blacks. Tanzanian babies were slightly smaller on average (43g), but fewer were preterm (<37weeks) (10.0 vs. 16.2%). Applying the USA weight‐specific mortality rates to Tanzanian babies born at term suggested that birthweight does not play a role in their increased mortality relative to USA blacks. Conclusions. Higher mortality independent of birthweight and preterm delivery for Tanzanian babies suggests the need to address the contribution of other pathways to further reduce the excess perinatal mortality.
Effects of natural rapids and waterfalls on fish assemblage structure in the Madeira River (Amazon Basin)
Authors: Torrente‐Vilara Gislene , Zuanon Jansen , Leprieur Fabien , Oberdorff Thierry , Tedesco Pablo A.
Published: May 2011

Abstract –  Habitat connectivity is considered a central factor shaping ecological communities, and the effects of waterway barriers such as natural waterfalls on fish movements are expected to produce differing assemblage structures in riverine ecosystems. Here, we evaluate the influence of a sequence of waterfalls on the compositional dissimilarity of fish assemblages along the Madeira River, the largest tributary of the Amazon River. We found significant differences in species composition between rivers stretches located upstream and downstream of Teotônio waterfall and, to a less extent, Jirau waterfall, independently of the hydrological period. After accounting for the relative roles of local and regional factors in explaining fish compositional dissimilarity, we still observe a significant effect of the waterfalls. We conclude that these waterfalls act as natural ecological barriers limiting fish dispersal processes and discuss aspects of these ecological filters and the potential effects of two dams currently under construction in the Madeira River.
Association of social anxiety with stigmatisation and low self-esteem in remitted bipolar patients
Authors: Aydemir Omer , Akkaya Cengiz
Published: May 2011

Aydemir O, Akkaya C. Association of social anxiety with stigmatisation and low self-esteem in remitted bipolar patients.

Background: In remitted bipolar disorder, it is aimed to show the association between social anxiety, self-esteem and stigmatisation.

Methods: From two university clinics, a sample of 150 remitted bipolar patients was included in this study. Patients were assessed with Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and sense of stigmatisation subscale of Bipolar Disorder Functioning Questionnaire (Stigma) and were rated with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Young Mania Rating Scale for mood symptoms. Confirmatory path analysis was performed.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 39.5, and 52.7% (n = 79) were female. Ninety per cent (n = 135) of the patients had bipolar I disorder. The mean duration of the illness was 13.4 years and the mean number of episodes was 7.8. The model was subjected to confirmatory path analysis and the goodness-of-fit index was calculated to be 0.909, the confirmatory fit index was found to be 0.902 and the root mean square error of approximation was 0.097. Self-esteem was negatively associated with stigmatisation (r = −0.746). Social anxiety was positively associated with self-esteem (r = 0.494). Social anxiety was negatively associated with stigmatisation (r = −0.381).

Conclusions: In remitted bipolar patients, social anxiety is very high and this social anxiety seems to be caused by self-stigmatisation and low self-esteem.
Suicide cases and venlafaxine
Authors: Piatkov Irina , Jones Trudi , Van Vuuren Rainei J.
Published: May 2011

Piatkov I, Jones T, Van Vuuren RJ. Suicide cases and venlafaxine.

Objective:Our aim was to establish whether the presence or absence of fully functioning cytochrome P450 2D6, 2C19 and 2C9 genetic alleles was associated with suicide in patients receiving venlafaxine treatment.

Method:Authorisation from the NSW State Coroner to perform post-mortem genetic testing was obtained for 11 samples from deceased persons who committed suicide during treatment with venlafaxine (VENADR study).

Results:All patients, but one, have at least one copy of the loss-of-function, altered or decreased cytochrome P450 enzyme activity allele. Four patients' results reveal loss-of-function genotypes, while all others were found to have diminished enzyme activity polymorphisms. Seven patients had multiple altered function polymorphisms, which included CYP2D6, CYP2C19 or CYP2C9.

Conclusion:Our preliminary limited data show that neurotoxicity development, which manifests as suicide while on venlafaxine treatment, probably correlates with a higher prevalence of gene copies of altered functioning cytochrome P450 genetic polymorphisms.