bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual social preferences of lone zebrafish in a novel environment: strain and anxiolytic effects
Authors: Barba‐Escobedo P. A. , Gould G. G.
Published: January 2012

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have an innate tendency to join shoals. Based on this, we refined visual choice tests to focus on social interaction and novelty preference. Our design follows mouse three‐chamber sociability protocols, except testing is conducted under 940 Lux fluorescent lighting. Initially, we compared performance among zebrafish strains: inbred (AB) or wild‐crossbred (WIK) from Zebrafish International Resource Center, to golden and short‐fin from Petco stores. AB fish exhibited a preference for shoaling; they dwelled longest near transparent boxes containing zebrafish, while short fin favored blue boxes without fish. AB and golden exhibited a strong preference for social novelty, not evident in short‐fin or WIK fish. Serotonin and cannabinoids shape mammalian social behavior, and equivalents of both receptor types are expressed in the zebrafish brain. We examined the effects of the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212‐2 (1 mg/l), or serotonin 5‐HT1A receptor agonist buspirone (10 mg/l) on Petco short‐fin social choice. Fish were bath exposed to test compounds for 10 min, under these conditions [3H]CP55,940 (4 nm) bound to brain with a concentration of 1.9–6.4 fmol/mg 5–30 min afterward. Social approach was measured 20 min after acclimation to the test arena. WIN 55,212‐2 and buspirone increased dwelling near boxed zebrafish. In zebrafish whole‐brain homogenates, buspirone displaced [3H] 8‐hydroxy‐N,N‐dipropylaminotetralin (dissociation constant, KD = 16 ± 1.2 nm) with an inhibition constant (Ki) of 1.8 ± 1.0 nm lower than that of WAY 100,635 (Ki∼1000 nm). These fish social choice tests may enhance social behavior research, and are useful for studying the effects of genetic manipulations, pharmaceuticals or environmental toxins.
Common nucleotide sequence of structural gene encoding fibroblast growth factor 4 in eight cattle derived from three breeds
Authors: SATO Sho , TAKAHASHI Toshikiyo , NISHINOMIYA Hiroshi , KATOH Makiko , ITOH Ryu , YOKOO Masaki , YOKOO Mari , IHA Momoe , MORI Yuki , KASUGA Kano , KOJIMA Ikuo , KOBAYASHI Masayuki
Published: January 2012

Fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) is considered as a crucial gene for the proper development of bovine embryos. However, the complete nucleotide sequences of the structural genes encoding FGF4 in identified breeds are still unknown. In the present study, direct sequencing of PCR products derived from genomic DNA samples obtained from three Japanese Black, two Japanese Shorthorn and three Holstein cattle, revealed that the nucleotide sequences of the structural gene encoding FGF4 matched completely among these eight cattle. On the other hand, differences in the nucleotide sequences, leading to substitutions, insertions or deletions of amino acid residues were detected when compared with the already reported sequence from unidentified breeds. We cannot rule out a possibility that the structural gene elucidated in the present study is widely distributed in cattle. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of the structural gene encoding bovine FGF4 in identified breeds.
Sulfated cholecystokinin‐8 increases ghrelin secretion but does not affect oxyntomodulin in Holstein steers
Authors: YANNAING Swe , THIDARMYINT Hnin , ZHAO Hongqiong , THANTHAN Sint , KITAGAWA Kouki , KUWAYAMA Hideto
Published: January 2012

The effect of appetite regulatory hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) on the secretions of oxyntomodulin (OXM) and ghrelin, and the effect of ghrelin on the secretions of CCK and OXM were studied in ruminants. Eight Holstein steers, 7 months old, 243 ± 7 kg body weight (BW), were arranged in an incomplete Latin square design (8 animals × 4 treatments × 4 days of sampling). Steers were intravenously injected with 10 µg of sulfated CCK‐8/kg BW, 20 µg of acyl ghrelin/kg BW, 100 µg of des‐acyl ghrelin/kg BW or vehicle. Blood samples were collected from −60 min to 120 min relative to time of injection. Plasma concentrations of ghrelin, sulfated CCK and OXM were measured by double‐antibody radioimmunoassay. Plasma acyl ghrelin was increased to peak level (428.3 ± 6 pg/mL) at 60 min after injection of CCK compared with pre‐injected levels (203.3 ± 1 pg/mL). These results showed for the first time, that intravenous bolus injection of CCK increased ghrelin secretion in ruminants. In contrast, injection of ghrelin did not change CCK secretion. Administration of ghrelin or CCK has no effect on plasma OXM concentrations. In conclusion, our results show that administration of CCK increased ghrelin secretion but did not affect OXM release in ruminants. Ghrelin did not affect the secretions of CCK and OXM.
Examining factors influencing patient satisfaction with nurse practitioners in rural urgent care centers
Authors: Ryan Kimberley , Rahman Ateequr
Published: January 2012

Purpose: To examine if demographic factors influence patients' self reports of satisfaction with care provided by nurse practitioners (NPs) in rural urgent care centers (UCCs).

Data sources: Data were collected between December 2009 and February 2010 using an 18‐item self‐report survey from a convenience sample of 53 patients in two rural UCCs.

Conclusions: No statistical significance was noted in regards to patient satisfaction for the demographic factors age, gender, country of upbringing, or education level. Presence of health insurance was a significant factor, with uninsured patients rating higher levels of satisfaction. However, based on patients' responses to role clarity for this survey, it is evident that there continues to be insufficient public understanding of the role of NPs.

Implications for practice: The future of the NP relies on patient approval as well as acceptance of the role. This study joins the pioneering efforts towards describing what patient satisfaction is and supports NPs serving as providers in rural, nonprimary care venues. By identifying influential factors of satisfaction, NPs can bridge the gap between availability of quality care versus a lack of access and inform policy changes in the future.
Using biometric measurements to predict the gender of Chilean flamingos Phoenicopterus chilensis at Dublin Zoo
Authors: Phillips P. , Mc Dermott L.
Published: January 2012

The aim of the study was to try to find a quick and cost‐effective way of predicting the gender of adult Chilean flamingos Phoenicopterus chilensis using biometric measurements alone. Three biometric measurements (tarsus length, flat wing length and body mass) were taken from a group of 68 [38.30 (♂.♀)] Chilean flamingos of known sex at Dublin Zoo. The measurements were compared to see which if any of them were useful in predicting the gender of individual birds. Only maximum tarsus length provided a useful measurement in predicting gender. Maximum tarsus measurement alone was enough to predict the sex of over 94% of adult birds. All adult birds with a tarsus length of ≥26·0 cm were ♂. All adult birds with a tarsus length of ≤25·5 cm were ♀.
A comparative study of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures treated with long proximal femoral nail antirotation or plate combinations
Authors: Wang Wen‐yue , Yang Tian‐fu , Liu Lei , Pei Fu‐xing , Xie Li‐ming
Published: January 2012

Objective:  To compare the results of long proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA‐long) and plate combinations in the treatment of ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures.

Methods:  Between March 2004 and April 2009, 23 patients with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures were treated with PFNA‐long or plate combinations. The patients were divided into two groups. Group I contained 13 patients who were treated with dynamic hip screws (DHS) combined with compression plate fixation. The 10 patients in Group II were treated with PFNA‐long.

Results:  The average follow‐up was 17.8 and 16.8 months for Groups I and II, respectively. The average union time for intertrochanteric fractures was 17.4 and 16.6 weeks in Groups I and II, respectively, and for femoral shaft fracture 22.2 and 21.5 weeks, respectively. There were nine good, two fair, and two poor functional results in Group I, and eight good, one fair, and one poor in Group II. There was nonunion of two femoral shaft fractures in Group I and one in Group II. There were no significant differences between the two groups in functional outcomes or major complications.

Conclusion:  Both treatment methods achieve satisfactory functional outcomes in patients with ipsilateral intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures. PFNA‐long is the better choice for the treatment of complex fractures, having the advantages of minimal exposure, reduced perioperative blood loss, and achievement of biological fixation of both fractures with a single implant.
Beyond macroprudential regulation: Three ways of thinking about financial crisis, regulation and reform
Authors: Lothian Tamara
Published: January 2012

This paper considers the debate about the ‘macroprudential regulation’ of finance in the context of a broader view of the relation of finance to the real economy. Five ideas are central to the argument. The first idea is that the two dominant families of ideas about finance and its regulation share a failure of institutional imagination. Neoclassical economists blame localized market and regulatory failures for the troubles of finance. Keynesians invoke the way in which the money economy may amplify cycles of despondency and euphoria. Neither current of thought recognizes that the institutions of finance in particular, and of the market economy in general, can take different forms, with different consequences for the organization of production and exchange as well as for distribution. The second idea is that, under present arrangements, finance readily becomes the master rather than the servant of the real economy and lays itself open to recurrent booms and busts. The third idea is that present arrangements can be reformed in ways that more effectively put finance at the service of the productive agenda of society. The fourth idea is that the regulation of finance, including what we now call macroprudential regulation, can and should be designed as initial moves in such an institutional reshaping. The fifth idea is that neoclassical and Keynesian conceptions are inadequate guides to the execution of this task. We can find in law and legal thought many of the intellectual and practical tools that we need.

Policy Implications

 Macroprudential regulation should be seen as the first step in the institutional reshaping of the financial system. The central principle of macroprudential regulation should be to hold finance to its central task of serving the productive agenda of society.

 Regulatory reform, operating at both the national and the supranational level, should incorporate the following elements: (1) repudiation of regulatory dualism; (2) heightened scrutiny of certain classes of financial transactions lacking in any plausible relation to the expansion of GDP and the enhancement of productivity; and (3) a series of international and multilateral rules giving pride of place to all forms of investment in the real economy, and providing restrictive treatment for short term portfolio capital.

 Comparative law and legal analysis, viewed as the study of actual and potential institutional set ups for different areas of social practice, including the area of finance, has a crucial role to play in expanding our understanding and imagination of alternative institutional strategies of reform.
Altered Kv3.3 channel gating in early‐onset spinocerebellar ataxia type 13
Authors: Minassian Natali A. , Lin Meng‐Chin A. , Papazian Diane M.
Published: January 2012

Key points 

Mutations in the Kv3.3 voltage‐gated potassium channel cause the human genetic disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 13.

Depending on the mutation, the disease emerges during early childhood or during adulthood.

Kv3.3 mutations affect channel function but previous work did not clarify the relationship between changes in channel activity and the age of disease onset.

In this study, we showed that mutations that cause early‐onset disease have similar effects on the voltage dependence and kinetics of channel opening, whereas a mutation that causes adult‐onset disease reduces current amplitude but has little effect on voltage dependence or kinetics.

We conclude that changes in channel gating contribute substantially to an early age of onset in spinocerebellar ataxia type 13.
Virulence-Suppressing Effects of Linezolid on Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Possible Contribution to Early Defervescence
Authors: Yoshizawa Sadako , Tateda Kazuhiro , Saga Tomoo , Ishii Yoshikazu , Yamaguchi Keizo
Published: January 2012

In the present study, immunomodulatory effects of linezolid (LZD) on methicillin-resistance
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) infections were evaluated. We have retrospectively reviewed treatment effects of LZD on 52 patients with severe MRSA infections. Sixty-four percent of the febrile patients demonstrated significant defervescence within 3 days, despite the presence of positive culture results. We speculated that this finding might be due to early anti-inflammatory effects of LZD, and to investigate this further we initiated
in vivo
experiments using mice MRSA pneumonia models. Mice were treated with either LZD or vancomycin (VCM) immediately after intranasal administration of MRSA. Bacterial numbers and levels of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs were determined. Although the bacterial burden in the lungs was not apparently different between the two groups, LZD but not VCM treatment significantly reduced induction of inflammatory cytokines in the lungs (
P
< 0.05). To evaluate whether this anti-inflammatory response was due to suppression of virulence factor expression, filter-sterilized supernatants of MRSA incubated in broth overnight with sub-MICs of LZD were subcutaneously administered to mice. To clarify whether LZD possesses direct host-modulating activity, cytokine responses to the supernatants were examined in mice pretreated with LZD. Interestingly, MRSA solutions prepared in the presence of sub-MICs of LZD revealed significant suppression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner (
P
< 0.05), but pretreatment of mice with LZD revealed no changes in cytokines. These findings suggest that sub-MICs of LZD might suppress virulence factors of MRSA, which may be associated with a reduction in endogenous pyrogens. These data may explain at least in part early defervescence observed in LZD-treated individuals.
Hypoxia Increases Antibiotic Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa through Altering the Composition of Multidrug Efflux Pumps
Authors: Schaible Bettina , Taylor Cormac T. , Schaffer Kirsten
Published: January 2012

Antibiotic resistance is a significant and developing problem in general medical practice and a common clinical complication in cystic fibrosis patients infected with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Such infections occur within hypoxic mucous deposits in the cystic fibrosis lung; however, little is known about how the hypoxic microenvironment influences pathogen behavior. Here we investigated the impact of hypoxia on antibiotic resistance in
P. aeruginosa
. The MICs of a selection of antibiotics were determined for
P. aeruginosa
grown under either normoxic or hypoxic conditions. The expression of mRNAs for resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND) multidrug efflux pump linker proteins was determined by real-time PCR, and multidrug efflux pump activity was inhibited using Phe-Arg β-naphthylamide dihydrochloride. The MIC values of a subset of clinically important
P. aeruginosa
antibiotics were higher for bacteria incubated under hypoxia than under normoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia altered the stoichiometry of multidrug efflux pump linker protein subtype expression, and pharmacologic inhibition of these pumps reversed hypoxia-induced antibiotic resistance. We hypothesize that hypoxia increases multidrug resistance in
P. aeruginosa
by shifting multidrug efflux pump linker protein expression toward a dominance of MexEF-OprN. Thus, microenvironmental hypoxia may contribute significantly to the development of antibiotic resistance in
P. aeruginosa
infecting cystic fibrosis patients.
Sesquiterpene Farnesol Contributes to Increased Susceptibility to β-Lactams in Strains of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Brilhante R. S. N. , Valente L. G. A. , Rocha M. F. G. , Bandeira T. J. P. G. , Cordeiro R. A. , Lima R. A. C. , Leite J. J. G. , Ribeiro J. F. , Pereira J. F. , Castelo-Branco D. S. C. M. , Monteiro A. J. , Sidrim J. J. C.
Published: January 2012

This study aimed to evaluate the
in vitro
combination of farnesol and β-lactams against
Burkholderia pseudomallei
. A total of 12 β-lactamase-positive strains were tested according to CLSI standards. All strains were inhibited by farnesol, with MICs ranging from 75 to 150 μM. The combination of this compound with β-lactams resulted in statistically significant β-lactam MIC reduction (
P
≤ 0.05). This study provides new perspectives for the use of farnesol combined with β-lactam antibiotics against strains of
B. pseudomallei
.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Activities of Posaconazole and Amphotericin B in a Murine Invasive Infection by Mucor circinelloides: Poor Efficacy of Posaconazole
Authors: Salas Valentina , Pastor F. Javier , Calvo Enrique , Alvarez Eduardo , Sutton Deanna A. , Mayayo Emilio , Fothergill Anette W. , Rinaldi Michael G. , Guarro Josep
Published: January 2012

The
in vitro
susceptibility of 17 strains of
Mucor circinelloides
to amphotericin B and posaconazole was ascertained by using broth microdilution and disk diffusion methods and by determining the minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC). We evaluated the efficacy of posaconazole at 40 mg/kg of body weight/day and amphotericin B at 0.8 mg/kg/day in a neutropenic murine model of disseminated infection by
M. circinelloides
by using 6 different strains tested previously
in vitro
. In general, most of the posaconazole MICs were within the range of susceptibility or intermediate susceptibility, while the small inhibition zone diameters (IZDs) were indicative of nonsusceptibility for all isolates tested. The MFCs were ≥3 dilutions higher than the corresponding MICs. In contrast, amphotericin B showed good activity against all of the strains tested regardless of the method used. The
in vivo
studies demonstrated that amphotericin B was effective in prolonging survival and reducing the fungal load. Posaconazole showed poor
in vivo
efficacy with no correlation with the MIC values. The results suggested that posaconazole should be used with caution in the treatment of infections caused by
Mucor circinelloides
or by strains of
Mucor
not identified to the species level.
Low Cefepime Concentrations during High Blood and Dialysate Flow Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis
Authors: Wilson F. Perry , Bachhuber Marcus A. , Caroff Daniel , Adler Rebecca , Fish Douglas , Berns Jeffrey
Published: January 2012

Dosing of cefepime during high blood flow (Qb; 300 ml/min), high dialysate flow (Qd; 3 liter/h) continuous venovenous hemodialysis (CVVHD) is undefined. Six patients on CVVHD had serum and effluent cefepime concentrations measured at 0.5, 1, 2, 6, and 12 h after dosing. Three patients had cefepime concentrations less than the MIC for
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. A dose of 2,000 mg every 12 h or 1,000 mg every 8 h may increase time at a therapeutic concentration.
Mutations in the β Subunit of RNA Polymerase Alter Intrinsic Cephalosporin Resistance in Enterococci
Authors: Kristich Christopher J. , Little Jaime L.
Published: January 2012

As major causes of hospital-acquired infections, antibiotic-resistant enterococci are a serious public health concern. Enterococci are intrinsically resistant to many cephalosporin antibiotics, a trait that enables proliferation in patients undergoing cephalosporin therapy. Although a few genetic determinants of cephalosporin resistance in enterococci have been described, overall, many questions remain about the underlying genetic and biochemical basis for cephalosporin resistance. Here we describe an unexpected effect of specific mutations in the β subunit of RNA polymerase (RNAP) on intrinsic cephalosporin resistance in enterococci. We found that RNAP mutants, selected initially on the basis of their ability to provide resistance to rifampin, resulted in allele-specific alterations of the intrinsic resistance of enterococci toward expanded- and broad-spectrum cephalosporins. These mutations did not affect resistance toward a diverse collection of other antibiotics that target a range of alternative cellular processes. We propose that the RNAP mutations identified here lead to alterations in transcription of as-yet-unknown genes that are critical for cellular adaption to cephalosporin stress.
Extending the Definition of the GyrB Quinolone Resistance-Determining Region in Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA Gyrase for Assessing Fluoroquinolone Resistance in M. tuberculosis
Authors: Pantel Alix , Petrella Stéphanie , Veziris Nicolas , Brossier Florence , Bastian Sylvaine , Jarlier Vincent , Mayer Claudine , Aubry Alexandra
Published: January 2012

Fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance is emerging in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
. The main mechanism of FQ resistance is amino acid substitution within the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of the GyrA subunit of DNA gyrase, the sole FQ target in
M. tuberculosis
. However, substitutions in GyrB whose implication in FQ resistance is unknown are increasingly being reported. The present study clarified the role of four GyrB substitutions identified in
M. tuberculosis
clinical strains, two located in the QRDR (D500A and N538T) and two outside the QRDR (T539P and E540V), in FQ resistance. We measured FQ MICs and also DNA gyrase inhibition by FQs in order to unequivocally clarify the role of these mutations in FQ resistance. Wild-type GyrA, wild-type GyrB, and mutant GyrB subunits produced from engineered
gyrB
alleles by mutagenesis were overexpressed in
Escherichia coli
, purified to homogeneity, and used to reconstitute highly active gyrase complexes. MICs and DNA gyrase inhibition were determined for moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, and enoxacin. All these substitutions are clearly implicated in FQ resistance, underlining the presence of a hot spot region housing most of the GyrB substitutions implicated in FQ resistance (residues NTE, 538 to 540). These findings help us to refine the definition of GyrB QRDR, which is extended to positions 500 to 540.
A Serotype 3 Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharide-Specific Monoclonal Antibody Requires Fcγ Receptor III and Macrophages To Mediate Protection against Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Mice
Authors: Weber Sarah , Tian Haijun , van Rooijen Nico , Pirofski Liise-anne
Published: January 2012

Antibodies to pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PPS) are required for PPS-based vaccine-mediated protection against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
. Previous work established that 1E2, a mouse IgG1 to PPS3 that does not induce serotype 3 (ST3)
S. pneumoniae
killing by phagocytes
in vitro
, protects mice from death after intranasal infection with ST3, but its efficacy was abrogated in FcγR (F common gamma receptor)-deficient mice. In this study, we determined whether 1E2 efficacy against pulmonary ST3 infection requires FcγRIII. 1E2 did not protect FcγRIII-deficient (FcγRIII
−/−
) mice. Studies of the mechanism of 1E2-mediated effects showed that it resulted in a marked reduction in lung inflammation in ST3-infected wild-type (Wt [C57BL/6]) mice that was abrogated in FcγRIII
−/−
mice. 1E2 had no effect on early bacterial clearance in the lungs of ST3-infected Wt, FcγRIIB
−/−
, or FcγRIII
−/−
mice, but it reduced levels of bacteremia and serum macrophage inflammatory protein-2) (MIP-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in Wt and FcγRIIB
−/−
mice, strains in which it is protective. As previous work showed that neutrophils were dispensable for 1E2 efficacy, we investigated whether macrophages are required for 1E2 efficacy against intranasal infection with ST3 and found that its efficacy was abrogated in Wt mice depleted of macrophages intranasally.
In vitro
studies revealed that1E2 promoted ST3 internalization by naïve alveolar macrophages but did not induce early intracellular killing. Macrophages from 1E2-treated ST3-infected mice studied
ex vivo
exhibited more apoptosis than those from FcγRIII
−/−
mice. These findings suggest that 1E2 mediates protection against ST3 in mice by affecting the inflammatory response, perhaps in part via macrophage apoptosis, rather than by inducing early bacterial clearance.
Occupation and the risk of bothersome tinnitus: results from a prospective cohort study (HUNT)
Authors: Engdahl Bo , Krog Norun Hjertager , Kvestad Ellen , Hoffman Howard J , Tambs Kristian
Published: January 2012

Objectives

Estimates of occupation-specific tinnitus prevalence may help identify high-risk occupations where interventions are warranted. The authors studied the effect of occupation on prevalence of bothersome tinnitus and estimated the attributable fraction due to occupation. The authors also studied how much of the effect remained after adjusting for noise exposure, education income, hearing thresholds and other risk factors.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

A health survey of the Nord-Trøndelag county of Norway.

Participants

A sample of the general adult population (n=49 948).

Primary outcome measure

The primary outcome measure is bothersome tinnitus.

Results

Occupation had a marked effect on tinnitus prevalence. The effect of occupation on tinnitus was reduced in men by controlling for self-reported occupational noise exposure and in women by controlling for education and income. Adding hearing loss as a predictor increased the effect of occupation somewhat. In men, age-adjusted prevalence ratios of tinnitus ranged from 1.5 (workshop mechanics) to 2.1 (crane and hoist operators) in the 10 occupations with highest tinnitus prevalence. In women, the most important contribution to the tinnitus prevalence was from the large group of occupationally inactive persons, with a prevalence ratio of 1.5.

Conclusion

This study found a moderate association between occupation and bothersome tinnitus.
Alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase overexpression in gallbladder carcinoma confers an independent prognostic indicator
Authors: Wu Li-Ching , Chen Li-Tzong , Tsai Yueh-Ju , Lin Chun-Mao , Lin Ching-Yih , Tian Yu-Fang , Sheu Ming-Juen , Uen Yih-Huei , Shiue Yow-Ling , Wang Yu-Hui , Yang Shu-Jing , Wu Wen-Ren , Li Shau-Hsuan , Iwamuro Masaya , Kobayasshi Naoya , Huang Hsuan-Ying , Li Chien-Feng
Published: January 2012

Aims

Increased β-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids provides an additional metabolic advantage for cancer cells thereby enhancing tumour development and progression. Alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) is an enzyme essential for the catabolism of branched-chain fatty acids that allows their subsequent β-oxidation and thus plays an important role in generating biological energy. However, the expression of AMACR has never been systemically investigated in gallbladder carcinoma. This study evaluated the expression status, associations with clinicopathological variables and prognostic implications of AMACR in a well-defined cohort of gallbladder carcinoma and confirmed their expression status in gallbladder carcinoma cells.

Methods

AMACR immunostaining was assessable in 89 cases on tissue microarrays of gallbladder carcinoma, and it was correlated with clinicopathological factors and patient survival. In three gallbladder carcinoma cell lines and one non-tumorigenic cholangiocyte, AMACR mRNA expression was measured by real-time reverse transcription PCR and the endogenous expression of AMACR protein was analysed by western blotting.

Results

AMACR overexpression was significantly associated with an advanced primary tumour status (p=0.027) and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage (p=0.027), an increased histological grade (p=0.002) and vascular invasion (p=0.017). Importantly, AMACR overexpression independently predicted worse disease-specific survival (p=0.0452, RR 1.887). Expression levels ofAMACRmRNA and total protein in various cells were comparable. The abundance of AMACR expression increased in tumour cells and was even higher in the metastatic cell line.

Conclusions

In primary gallbladder carcinoma, AMACR overexpression was correlated with important prognosticators and independently portended worse outcomes, highlighting the potential prognostic and therapeutic utility of AMACR in gallbladder carcinoma.
Successful detection of embologenic ulceration in a symptomatic non-hemodynamic intracranial stenosis using C-arm cone beam CT
Authors: Heller Robert S , Malek Adel M
Published: January 2012

Objective

The gold standard for the diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerosis remains catheter based digital subtraction angiography (DSA). A symptomatic hemodynamically non-significant intracranial atherosclerotic lesion is described, whose underlying embologenic characteristics were not detectable by either DSA or three-dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) but fully realized by C-arm cone beam CT (CBCT) angiography.

Clinical presentation

A 73-year-old man presented with crescendo transient ischemic attacks consisting of right arm tingling and hand weakness despite long term dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel for coronary artery stent. DSA and 3DRA demonstrated a smooth benign appearing left cavernous internal carotid stenosis of <50%.

Intervention

Given the incongruence of the lesion with the patient's symptoms and lack of response to aggressive medical treatment, a decision was made to obtain higher resolution imaging. CBCT angiography was obtained with injection at two contrast dilutions, which uncovered an underlying ruptured ulcerated calcific plaque with a small dissective component and overlying thrombus. The lesion was treated with anticoagulation followed by balloon mounted stent angioplasty, with symptom resolution and maintained patency at the 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion

The superior spatial resolution and dynamic range characteristics of CBCT angiography provide added clinical utility in disambiguation of questionable intracranial atherosclerotic lesions which may be missed by conventional planar and rotational angiography. The additional information provided by CBCT angiography could be useful in lesion risk stratification and help refine indications for intracranial stent angioplasty given its recent documented shortcomings vis a vis medical management.
Embolization of intra-axial hypervascular tumors with Onyx: report of three cases
Authors: Dabus Guilherme , Pryor Johnny , Spilberg Gabriela , Samaniego Edgar A , Nogueira Raul G
Published: January 2012

Complete surgical resection of intra-axial hypervascular tumors located in the posterior fossa, in particular hemangioblastomas, may be challenging due to tumor location, mass effect and excessive bleeding. Embolization of these lesions can be done preoperatively or as a palliative measure in patients who are not surgical candidates. Preoperative embolization may reduce intraoperative blood loss, shorten surgical time and increase the chance of a complete resection. However, the safety and effectiveness of this procedure is still a matter of debate. Three cases of intra-axial hypervascular tumors in the posterior fossa (two confirmed hemangioblastomas) that were embolized using a non-adhesive liquid embolic agent (Onyx) are reported.
Occurrence of angiographic femoral artery complications after vascular closure with Mynx and AngioSeal
Authors: Fargen Kyle M , Velat Gregory J , Lawson Matthew F , Ritchie Charles A , Firment Christopher , Hoh Brian L , Bennett Jeffery A , Mocco J
Published: January 2012

Introduction

There have been recent reports of high vascular complication rates after the use of the Mynx vascular closure device (VCD). At our institution, vascular complications due to these devices have rarely been encountered. A study was undertaken to retrospectively compare angiographic abnormalities seen after femoral artery closure by both the Mynx and AngioSeal VCDs to provide further insight into the risks associated with VCDs.

Methods

All adult patients who underwent deployment of either a Mynx or AngioSeal VCD and subsequently underwent repeat angiography within the next 30 days between 1 July 2010 and 1 April 2011 were reviewed. Two independent blinded radiologists compared blinded pre-procedure and follow-up femoral angiograms for the presence of pseudoaneurysm or other vascular abnormality. Hospital records were reviewed for major or minor complications of the groin site or femoral artery.

Results

Thirty patients (31 angiograms) underwent vascular closure with a Mynx and 57 patients (69 angiograms) received an AngioSeal. The average time elapse until repeat femoral angiography was 6.2 days (range 1–21, median 5.5 days) in the Mynx group and 6.3 days (range 0–30, median 5 days) in the AngioSeal group. Two pseudoaneurysms and one minor stenosis were identified in the AngioSeal group. No angiographic abnormalities were seen in the Mynx group. No intraluminal filling defects were demonstrated on any of the follow-up femoral angiograms. One patient who received an AngioSeal developed a delayed minor groin site hematoma that did not require surgical intervention.

Conclusions

Angiographic complications were seen in only 3% of patients after closure with Mynx or AngioSeal VCDs. There were no clinically significant groin site or vascular complications. These data suggest that both VCDs are safe for use after angiography with a low rate of femoral artery complications.
Spatial‐temporal model of haemorrhagic disease in white‐tailed deer in south‐east USA, 1983 to 2000
Authors: Xu B. , Madden M. , Stallknecht D. E. , Hodler T. W. , Parker K. C.
Published: January 2012

The present study constructed a spatial‐temporal statistical model to identify the risk and protective factors for haemorrhagic disease (HD) in white‐tailed deer in the five states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. The response variable was binary, indicating the presence or absence of HD in an individual county, measured annually from 1983 to 2000. Predictor variables included climatic factors of temperature, rainfall, wind speed and dew point, remotely sensed data of normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature derived from archived remotely sensed advanced very‐high‐resolution radiometer (AVHRR) satellite data, elevation, a spatial autocorrelation (SA) term and a temporal autocorrelation term. This study first applied principal component factor analysis to reduce the volume of climatic data and remotely sensed data. Then, a generalised linear mixed model framework (GLMM) was used to develop a spatial‐temporal statistical model. The results showed that the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.728, indicating a good overall fit of the model. The total prediction accuracy over the 18 year period with optimal cut‐off probability was 67 per cent. The prediction accuracy for individual years ranged from 48 to 75 per cent.
Prevalence of Salmonella serotypes in male mule ducks in Belgium
Authors: Flament A. , Soubbotina A. , Mainil J. , Marlier D.
Published: January 2012

Salmonella species infections of male mule ducks were studied for 32 months in 100 flocks on nine duck farms in Belgium. The prevalence of Salmonella species infections changed significantly over time (P<0.001) with infection rates of 50, 13.4, 6.7, 2.6 and 2.9 per cent, respectively, at the time of arrival on the farm, at three, six and nine weeks of age, and when the ducks left the breeding unit to enter the force‐feeding rooms (at 11 or 12 weeks of age). During the study period, 95 strains of Salmonella were isolated, belonging to 11 serotypes. S Indiana (42.1 per cent) and S Regent (36.8 per cent) were the two most common serotypes, whereas S Typhimurium and S Enteritidis were found only once (1.1 per cent). All isolated strains were resistant to at least two antimicrobials, but resistance to more than five antimicrobials was observed in 21.6 per cent of the strains.
Aetiology and long‐term outcome of juvenile epilepsy in 136 dogs
Authors: Arrol L. , Penderis J. , Garosi L. , Cripps P. , Gutierrez‐Quintana R. , Gonçalves R.
Published: January 2012

The aetiology and outcome of dogs with juvenile‐onset seizures were investigated. One hundred and thirty‐six dogs whose first seizure occurred before the age of one year were investigated. One hundred and two dogs were diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy (IE), 23 with symptomatic epilepsy (SE), nine with reactive seizures (RS) and two with probable symptomatic epilepsy (pSE). The outcome was known in 114 dogs; 37 per cent died or were euthanased as a consequence of seizures. The mean survival time of this population of dogs was 7.1 years. Factors that were significantly associated with survival outcome included the diagnosis of SE and the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used before investigation. The use of one AED before investigation and a diagnosis of SE were associated with a negative outcome, whereas receiving no AED medications before referral was associated with a longer survival. For dogs with IE, survival time was shortened if the dog was a border collie or with a history of status epilepticus;receiving no AEDs before referral in the IE group was associated with a positive outcome. Seizure‐free status was achieved in 22 per cent of dogs diagnosed with IE. While the survival times were longer than previously reported in canine epilepsy, similar remission rates to those reported in childhood epilepsy, where a 70 per cent remission rate is documented, were not seen in the canine juvenile population.
Impact of footrot vaccination and antibiotic therapy on footrot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis
Authors: Duncan J. S. , Grove‐White D. , Moks E. , Carroll D. , Oultram J. W. , Phythian C. J. , Williams H. W.
Published: January 2012

Footrot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) are common causes of foot disease of sheep in the UK. The study reported here is a split flock randomised treatment trial undertaken on a group of 748 fattening lambs on a UK sheep farm affected by CODD and footrot. The sheep were randomly assigned to one of two treatment protocols. In protocol A, all sheep were given two doses of footrot vaccine (Footvax, MSD), plus targeted antibiotic therapy (long‐acting amoxicillin, Betamox LA, Norbrook Pharmaceuticals) to sheep with foot lesions likely to be associated with a bacterial infection. In protocol B, the sheep only received targeted antibiotic therapy. Sheep were re‐examined and foot lesions recorded five and nine weeks later. New infection rates in the footrot vaccinated group were lower compared with the vaccinated group for both CODD (18.2 per cent compared with 26.4 per cent, P=0.014) and footrot (12.55 per cent compared with 27.5 per cent, P<0.001). Recovery rates were unaffected for CODD (80.46 per cent compared with 70.97 per cent, P=0.14) but higher for footrot (92.09 per cent compared with 81.54 per cent, P=0.005) in sheep which received the vaccine. On this farm, a footrot vaccine efficacy of 62 per cent was identified against footrot and 32 per cent against CODD infection. An association between a sheep having footrot at visit 1 and subsequently acquiring CODD was identified (odds ratio [OR] 3.83, 95 per cent CI 2.61 to 5.62, P<0.001). These results suggest a role for infection with Dichelobacter nodosus in the aetiopathogenesis of CODD on this farm.
Detection of joint effusion on radiographs of horses
Authors: Lawson J. S. , Bolt D. M. , May S. , Smith A. J. , Felstead C. W. , Weller R.
Published: January 2012

Joint effusion is one of the classic radiographic signs of osteoarthritis, but no information is available regarding clinicians' ability to detect joint effusion radiographically. This study determined the accuracy and precision of experienced and inexperienced observers in detecting joint effusion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP), metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and midcarpal joints on radiographs. Fresh cadaverous forelimbs were loaded in a material testing machine to mimic a standing horse. The joints were gradually distended and lateromedial and dorsopalmar radiographs were acquired. The images were assessed by three experienced and three inexperienced observers. This study showed that the sensitivity was high for both groups for all joints and projections. Specificity was high for the experienced group but low for the inexperienced group. There was a significant positive correlation between joint distension and severity of joint effusion when reported by experienced observersfor most views (except DIP joint), but only for the MCP joint for inexperienced observers. Interoperator agreement was poor to fair for the experienced group and poor for the inexperienced group. In conclusion, the accuracy and precision of grading joint effusion on radiographs was highly subjective and related to experience.
Dehydrocorydaline Inhibits Breast Cancer Cells Proliferation by Inducing Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells
Authors: Xu Zengtao , Chen Xiuping , Fu Shu , Bao Jiaolin , Dang Yuanye , Huang Mingqing , Chen Lidian , Wang Yitao
Published: January 2012

Dehydrocorydaline is an alkaloid isolated from traditional Chinese herb Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang. We discovered that it possessed anti-tumor potential during screening of anti-tumor natural products from Chinese medicine. In this study, its anti-tumor potential was investigated with breast cancer line cells MCF-7 in vitro. The anti-proliferative effect of dehydrocorydaline was determined by MTT assay and the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δ Ψ m) was monitored by JC-1 staining. DNA fragments were visualized by Hoechst 33342 staining and DNA ladder assay. Apoptotic related protein expressions were measured by Western blotting. Dehydrocorydaline significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- dependent manner, which could be reversed by a caspase-8 inhibitor, Z-IETD-FMK. Dehydrocorydaline increased DNA fragments without affecting ΔΨm. Western blotting assay showed that dehydrocorydaline dose-dependently increased Bax protein expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, dehydrocorydaline induced activation of caspase-7,-8 and the cleavage of PARP without affecting caspase-9. These results showed that dehydrocorydaline inhibits MCF-7 cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis mediated by regulating Bax/Bcl-2, activating caspases as well as cleaving PARP.
LIPOSOMAL GELS FOR VAGINAL DELIVERY OF THE MICROBICIDE MC-1220: PREPARATION AND IN VIVO VAGINAL TOXICITY AND PHARMACOKINETICS
Authors: MOURTAS SPYRIDON , MAO JOHN , PARSY CHRISTOPHE C. , STORER RICHARD , KLEPETSANIS PAVLOS , ANTIMISIARIS SOPHIA G.
Published: January 2012

MC-1220 is a highly potent and selective non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) of HIV. The objective is to develop formulations for the vaginal delivery of MC-1220 and characterize them in vitro and in vivo (drug uptake, pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics and vaginal irritation/inflammation). Due to the low aqueous solubility of MC-1220, emulsion-type and liposomal formulations of MC-1220 were developed. After rheological property adjustment (by gelling agents), the toxicity of two types of vaginal formulations of MC-1220 (emulsion [E] and liposomal [LIP] formulations) at 0.1% (E and LIP) and 0.5% (LIP) drug concentration, towards the vaginal mucosa as well as the absorption of the drug through the vaginal epithelium were investigated, after single and multiple administrations in New Zealand white NZW rabbits, for 10 days. Vaginal irritation was found to be within the acceptable range and always lower compared to the irritation caused by positive control formulation (nonoxynol-9), for all the formulation types (and concentrations evaluated). Pharmacokinetic values measured showed that the 0.1% LIP formulation was faster and better absorbed compared to the similar concentration E formulation, although most differences were not significant due to high variations. In conclusion, both types of formulations can be considered as safe for prolonged vaginal administration of MC-1220 or other drugs.
A Survey on Personalized TV and NGN Services through Context-Awareness
Authors: Song Songbo , Moustafa Hassnaa , Afifi Hossam
Published: January 2012

The advances in IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) technology enable a new user-centric and interactive TV model, in which context-awareness is promising in making the user’s interaction with the TV dynamic and transparent. Our research interest is how to achieve TV service personalization applying context-awareness to the NGN IPTV architecture. In this article we present the different existing contributions that employ context-awareness to allow interactive services. Some of these contributions directly focus on TV, while others are proposed for specific NGN services. We present a technical analysis for these solutions and give some guidelines for future deployment of personalized IPTV services.
Design and evaluation of a testbed for mobile TV networks
Authors: Hefeeda Mohamed , Hsu Cheng-Hsin
Published: January 2012

This article presents the design of a complete, open-source, testbed for broadcast networks that offer mobile TV services. Although basic architectures and protocols have been developed for such networks, detailed performance tuning and analysis are still needed, especially when these networks scale to serve many diverse TV channels to numerous subscribers. The detailed performance analysis could also motivate designing new protocols and algorithms for enhancing future mobile TV networks. Currently, many researchers evaluate the performance of mobile TV networks using simulation and/or theoretical modeling methods. These methods, while useful for early assessment, typically abstract away many necessary details of actual, fairly complex, networks. Therefore, an open-source platform for evaluating new ideas in a real mobile TV network is needed. This platform is currently not possible with commercial products, because they are sold as black boxes without the source code. In this article, we summarize our experiences in designing and implementing a testbed for mobile TV networks. We integrate off-the-shelf hardware components with carefully designed software modules to realize a scalable testbed that covers almost all aspects of real networks. We use our testbed to
empirically
analyze various performance aspects of mobile TV networks and validate/refute several claims made in the literature as well as discover/quantify multiple important performance tradeoffs.
ImageSense
Authors: Mei Tao , Li Lusong , Hua Xian-Sheng , Li Shipeng
Published: January 2012

The daunting volumes of community-contributed media contents on the Internet have become one of the primary sources for online advertising. However, conventional advertising treats image and video advertising as general text advertising by displaying relevant ads based on the contents of the Web page, without considering the inherent characteristics of visual contents. This article presents a contextual advertising system driven by images, which automatically associates relevant ads with an image rather than the entire text in a Web page and seamlessly inserts the ads in the nonintrusive areas within each individual image. The proposed system, called
ImageSense
, supports scalable advertising of, from root to node, Web sites, pages, and images. In ImageSense, the ads are selected based on not only textual relevance but also visual similarity, so that the ads yield contextual relevance to both the text in the Web page and the image content. The ad insertion positions are detected based on image salience, as well as face and text detection, to minimize intrusiveness to the user. We evaluate ImageSense on a large-scale real-world images and Web pages, and demonstrate the effectiveness of ImageSense for online image advertising.